Paris has been reinventing beauty for 2,000 years—from a Roman river port to the Enlightenment’s salon capital and today’s beating heart of art, cuisine, and design. Gothic wonders like Notre-Dame share the skyline with Haussmann boulevards and the Eiffel Tower, while café culture stitches it all together.

Come for the food and stay for the rhythm: flaky viennoiseries at breakfast, a market lunch, an afternoon museum or spa, then a wine-soaked dinner and a moonlit walk by the Seine. You’ll taste terroir-driven cuisine, explore refined neighborhoods, and glide past illuminated bridges on the river.

Practical notes: book restaurants weeks ahead, especially top tables. Keep an eye on opening days (many bistros close Sunday/Monday). Taxis from CDG run ~€55–€65; the RER B to central Paris is ~€11.45, ~35 minutes. Spring and fall are mild; August can be sleepy with some closures, but the city’s grand museums and gardens are lovely year-round.

Paris

Paris rewards the unhurried traveler. Linger in the Tuileries, sip a café crème in Saint‑Germain, and let a long lunch stretch into the afternoon. With your high-end budget and a taste for relaxation, we’ll mix iconic sights with restorative spa time and culinary experiences.

• Top sights, done gently: Île de la Cité (Notre‑Dame exterior and parvis), Sainte‑Chapelle’s stained glass, the Tuileries and Orangerie (Monet’s Nymphéas), the Louvre’s courtyards, Montmartre at golden hour, and sunset views from Trocadéro.
• Foodie heaven: From market classics at Marché des Enfants Rouges to tasting menus at Septime or Restaurant le Meurice Alain Ducasse, plus neighborhood gems like Clamato, Bistrot Paul Bert, Frenchie Bar à Vins, and Breizh Café for buckwheat galettes.
• Wellness & spas: Destination spas at The Peninsula, the Ritz Club & Spa, and Dior Spa at Cheval Blanc offer hammams, pools, and advanced treatments. Independent hammams like O’Kari are perfect for a soothing steam and scrub.
• Fun fact: Paris has 37 bridges over the Seine; Pont Neuf is actually the oldest. The city limits hold 400+ parks—ample places to decompress between meals.

Where to stay (Hotels.com/VRBO picks):

• The Ritz Paris (Place Vendôme icon with a legendary bar and lavish pool/sauna).
• Le Meurice (palatial address on the Tuileries; Ducasse’s dining room stuns).
• Hôtel Plaza Athénée (Avenue Montaigne couture, Dior spa access nearby).
• The Peninsula Paris (rooftop views, serene spa with 20‑meter pool).
• Hôtel des Grands Boulevards (stylish, central hideaway and excellent cocktails).
• Hôtel des Arts Montmartre (romantic, artsy perch near Sacré‑Cœur).
• Hotel du College de France (Left Bank value with scholarly charm).
• Novotel Paris Centre Gare Montparnasse (modern base with easy rail links).
• Generator Paris (design-forward for social travelers).
• Hôtel du Champ de Mars (cozy, near the Eiffel Tower and Rue Cler).
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com Paris or VRBO Paris.

How to get here (and around): Fly or train into Paris depending on your origin. For Europe-wide flights/trains and airport transfers, compare schedules and fares on Omio (flights) and Omio (trains). Coming from outside Europe? Search intercontinental options via Kiwi.com. Eurostar London–Paris takes ~2h15; Brussels–Paris ~1h25; Amsterdam–Paris ~3h20. Expect €30–€120 for intercity trains, and €150–€900+ for flights depending on route/season.

Day 1: Arrival, Seine Stroll, and a Classic Bistro

Afternoon: Arrive and settle in. Shake off jet lag with a gentle walk through the Tuileries Garden to Place de la Concorde, then peek at the Louvre’s Cour Carrée and pyramid. Espresso fix? Try Café Verlet (heritage roaster) or Terres de Café on Rue des Petits Champs.

Evening: Dinner in Saint‑Germain. Book Le Comptoir du Relais for slow-braised beef cheeks or Fish La Boissonnerie for seasonally bright plates and a smart wine list. Prefer classic? Allard serves a soulful duck with olives. Nightcap at the Ritz’s Bar Hemingway—intimate, historical, reservations essential.

Day 2: Tuileries, Orangerie, Spa Time, and a Seine Dinner Cruise

Morning: Start with pastries at Du Pain et des Idées (the “escargot” pistachio-chocolate is beloved) or Circus Bakery near Notre‑Dame. Visit the Musée de l’Orangerie to be enveloped by Monet’s Water Lilies; small and serene, it’s ideal for an unhurried morning. Early lunch on the terrace at Loulou in the Louvre’s gardens—Mediterranean plates and breezy views.

Afternoon: Ease into the spa at The Peninsula or the Ritz Club: think hammam, pool, and a 90-minute massage (€250–€350). Book in advance; weekday afternoons are quieter.

Evening: Toast your first full day on a gourmet cruise: Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Dinner & Sightseeing Cruise (typically 2–2.5 hours, around €115–€155 depending on menu and seating). Expect live music, a three-course dinner, and postcard views from the glass-canopy boat.

Day 3: Left Bank Flânerie and a Croissant Class

Morning: Coffee at KB Coffee Roasters or Coutume, then wander the Latin Quarter: the Panthéon’s neoclassical dome, Rue Mouffetard’s market, and the Luxembourg Gardens’ meditative chairs and Medici Fountain. Lunch at Breizh Café (butter-forward galettes, cider) or Huguette for oysters.

Afternoon: Make your own pastries in a hands-on workshop: Paris Croissant Small-Group Baking Class with a Chef (about 3 hours; ~€110–€130). You’ll laminate dough, shape pains au chocolat, and leave with warm bakes and new skills.

Evening: Dine at Septime (vegetal, sustainably sourced tasting menu) or Le Servan (Asian-accented bistronomy from chef sisters Katia and Tatiana Levha). Finish with natural wine at Le Dauphin or a candlelit stroll along the Seine’s Left Bank bookstalls.

Day 4: Versailles Gardens and Gilded History

Morning: Head out on a comfortable small-group excursion: Versailles Palace and Gardens Tour from Paris (usually 4.5–6 hours; ~€80–€120 depending on inclusions). See the Hall of Mirrors, manicured parterres, and—on fountain days—the musical water displays. It’s a restorative dose of grandeur without navigating logistics.

Afternoon: Return to Paris and decompress over tea and pastries at Careté (Place des Vosges) or Cédric Grolet Opéra (fruit illusions worth the queue).

Evening: Dinner at Restaurant le Meurice Alain Ducasse (two Michelin stars, dining room inspired by the Salon de la Paix) or the more casual seafood sister, Clamato, for pristine shellfish and sharing plates.

Day 5: Montmartre Morning Tastes, Afternoon Art, Easy Evening

Morning: Eat like a local on a delicious small-group walk: Secret Food Tours Award Winning Paris Food Tour with 7+ Tastings (3–3.5 hours; ~€90–€110). Expect top-tier breads, cheeses, charcuterie, chocolates, and wine as you wind through Montmartre’s slopes and stories.

Afternoon: Visit the Musée de la Vie Romantique’s rose garden café for a gentle pause, then climb to Sacré‑Cœur for sweeping views. Prefer wellness? Book a hammam ritual at O’Kari (steam, black soap scrub, and relaxation room) for deep calm.

Evening: Dinner options: Le Meurice for a formal celebration, or Montmartre’s Le Bon Georges for impeccable beef and a Burgundy‑rich wine list. For a low-key finish, sip at La Fontaine de Belleville—a beautifully restored café serving Parisian classics and live jazz some nights.

Day 6: Marais Markets, Canal Wandering, and Dior-Level Pampering

Morning: Breakfast at La Parisienne (buttery croissants) or Ten Belles (excellent filter coffee). Explore the Marais: Place des Vosges arcades and the Musée Carnavalet’s free dive into Paris history. Lunch at Marché des Enfants Rouges—queue for Chez Alain Miam Miam’s legendary crêpe/flatbread sandwiches or taste Moroccan tagines.

Afternoon: Indulge at Dior Spa Cheval Blanc (book ahead). Signature massages and advanced facials pair with a tranquil pool overlooking the Seine. Alternatively, lounge canalside along Canal Saint‑Martin with a book and an ice cream from Rosa Bonheur sur Seine or an espresso from Fragments.

Evening: Tapas-style dinner at Frenchie Bar à Vins (no reservations; arrive early) or classic bistro comforts at Bistrot Paul Bert (perfect entrecôte and pepper sauce). Nightcap at Le Mary Celeste (oysters, cocktails) or a calm stroll to the illuminated Hôtel de Ville and Île Saint‑Louis.

Day 7: Vendôme Mornings, Last Bites, and Departure

Morning: A refined start in the golden triangle: pastries at Cédric Grolet Opéra if you didn’t make it earlier, then window-shop Rue Saint‑Honoré and the colonnades of Place Vendôme. Swing by the Trocadéro for a relaxed Eiffel Tower photo—best early.

Afternoon: Leisurely lunch before you go: Chez l’Ami Jean (Basque accents and famous rice pudding), Balagan (lively modern Israeli), or a quiet terrace at Café de Flore for a timeless send-off. Transfer to the airport by taxi (~45–60 minutes to CDG) or RER B (~35 minutes from Châtelet–Les Halles).

Evening: Departure day. If your flight is late, fit in a final museum hour or a riverside walk with a Berthillon ice cream on Île Saint‑Louis.

Optional Icon Highlights (Self-Guided)

• Louvre courtyard and Tuileries: wander without committing to a full museum day—great for a relaxing pace.
• Notre‑Dame: admire the restored façade; the surrounding Île de la Cité lanes are perfect for a slow amble.
• Eiffel Tower: best views from Trocadéro at sunrise or after dark; picnic on the Champ de Mars.

Note on tickets and timing: For popular venues and restaurants, reserve early; for transport in Europe, compare times and fares on Omio trains and Omio flights. Intercontinental options: Kiwi.com.

Alternative dinner cruise option: If you prefer a shorter sailing, consider the 1h45 bistro‑style experience: Paris en Scene 3 Course Seine River Dinner Cruise.

Tip: With a relaxing focus, keep mornings light, build in café time, and cap days with neighborhood strolls. Paris rewards the unscheduled hour.

Summary: Over seven days, you’ll savor a gentle tempo—spa rituals, markets and museums in digestible bites, a dinner cruise at dusk, and a food-lover’s walk through Montmartre. Expect restorative pockets of green and river light between memorable plates and bottles.