Paris rewards the unhurried traveler. Over two millennia, the city has grown from a Roman river outpost into a capital of ideas where cathedrals, salons, and ateliers reshaped art, philosophy, and fashion. Today, it is a living museum with good bread—ornate bridges and boulevards stitched together by corner cafés and independent bookstores.

Expect days that swing from stained glass to street markets. The Louvre remains the heavyweight of museums, while Notre-Dame—reopened to visitors in late 2024—anchors the Île de la Cité with flying buttresses and centuries of lore. Evenings are for river light: the Seine, the city’s spine, glows as bateaux slide past the Île Saint-Louis and under the Pont Neuf.

Practical notes as of March 2025: book timed entries for major sights (Louvre closed Tuesdays; Musée d’Orsay closed Mondays; Versailles closed Mondays). Keep an eye on occasional transport strikes, watch for pickpockets in crowded zones, and use the Metro for speed. Bring an appetite: from buttery croissants to bistros and neo-wine bars, the Paris food scene is a daily highlight.

Paris

Paris is a mosaic of neighborhoods (arrondissements), each with a distinct voice. Montmartre paints hillsides with artists’ studios; the Marais marries medieval lanes with galleries and falafel; Saint‑Germain mixes jazz cellars with storied cafés. The Right Bank brings grand axes (Tuileries to the Arc de Triomphe), while the Left Bank keeps its scholarly hum around the Sorbonne.

• Top sights: Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Notre‑Dame Cathedral, Sainte‑Chapelle, Musée d’Orsay, Sacré‑Cœur, Palais Royal, Place des Vosges.
• Food & drink: Classic bouillons for budget-friendly French fare, Breton crêperies, natural wine bars, and patisseries that turn breakfast into ritual.
• Fun fact: The Pont Neuf (“New Bridge”) is actually Paris’s oldest surviving bridge, inaugurated in 1607 under Henri IV.

How to get there: If you’re flying from within Europe, compare fares and times on Omio. From North America, Asia, or beyond, check long-haul options via Trip.com and Kiwi.com. Typical nonstop times: London–Paris by train ~2h15; NYC–Paris flights ~7–8h; LAX–Paris ~10–11h. CDG to central Paris is ~35–45 minutes on RER B or ~€55–€62 by fixed‑fare taxi (traffic dependent).

Where to stay: Browse apartments on VRBO (Paris) or hotels on Hotels.com (Paris). For specifics: The Ritz Paris (palatial classic), Le Meurice (arts-and-parks glamour), Hôtel Plaza Athénée (Avenue Montaigne couture), The Peninsula Paris (rooftop views), Hôtel des Grands Boulevards (boutique hideaway), Hôtel des Arts Montmartre (creative hilltop base), Hotel du College de France (Left Bank value), Novotel Paris Centre Gare Montparnasse (family-friendly), Hôtel du Temps (stylish Left Bank-adjacent), or Generator Paris (design-forward hostel). Cozy option near the Eiffel Tower: Hôtel du Champ de Mars.

Day 1: Arrival, Montmartre, and Your First Sunset

Morning: In transit. If arriving early, stash bags at your hotel and grab a pick‑me‑up at Hardware Société (Aussie‑Parisian brunch; flaky kouign‑amann and excellent flat whites) or at Coquelicot for classic tartines and jam.

Afternoon: Settle in, then wander Montmartre’s lanes: Place du Tertre’s painters, Rue Norvins, and the vineyard at Clos Montmartre. Step into Sacré‑Cœur for mosaic grandeur, then take the dome climb for 360° city views if energy allows.

Evening: Dinner at Bouillon Pigalle (no‑nonsense classics: oeuf mayo, boeuf bourguignon, profiteroles; great value). For a nightcap, try Le Syndicat, a cocktail bar championing French spirits (Calvados and Armagnac show up in clever, seasonal mixes). Stroll to the illuminated carousel below Sacré‑Cœur for a postcard‑worthy first night.

Day 2: Île de la Cité, Notre‑Dame, and Left Bank Legends

Morning: Begin at Notre‑Dame Cathedral (interior reopened December 2024; timed entry recommended). Cross to Sainte‑Chapelle to bathe in 13th‑century stained glass—morning sun makes the windows glow. Coffee and a choux à la crème at Odette, or try Shakespeare and Company Café for views of the towers.

Afternoon: Meander the Latin Quarter: Sorbonne courtyards, the Panthéon’s neoclassical dome, and the Jardin du Luxembourg for statues and sailboats. Lunch at Le Comptoir du Relais (bistro staples; arrive early or join the list) or Crêperie Little Breizh for buckwheat galettes.

Evening: Dine in Saint‑Germain—Zadig & Voltaire‑adjacent tables at Les Deux Magots are iconic, while L’Avant‑Comptoir de la Terre serves standing-room small plates (duck rillettes, charcuterie, and a fine Loire by the glass). Cap with live jazz at Le Caveau de la Huchette or Duc des Lombards.

Day 3: The Louvre, Tuileries, and Belle Époque Glamour

Morning: See the essentials with a guide on this small‑group tour (ideal to decode the crowds and symbolism). Note: the Louvre is closed on Tuesdays; swap days if needed.

Louvre Museum Masterpieces Guided Tour with Access

Afternoon: Picnic or promenade in the Tuileries, then pop into Musée de l’Orangerie to commune with Monet’s Nymphéas. For lunch with a pyramid view, Café Marly; for a cozy classic, Bistrot Vivienne under the covered arcades. Detour to Angelina for the city’s silkiest hot chocolate.

Evening: Explore Palais Garnier (grand marble staircases and Chagall’s ceiling), then the covered passages (Passage des Panoramas, Galerie Vivienne) with stamp shops and wine bars. Dinner at Le Grand Colbert (roast chicken, art‑nouveau dining room) or Juveniles (wine bistro; seasonal plates); cocktails at Experimental Cocktail Club nearby.

Day 4: Versailles in the Morning, Eiffel Tower by Night

Morning: Head out for a half‑day tour of Versailles—France’s Baroque power statement. The palace is closed Mondays; plan accordingly.

Versailles Palace and Gardens Tour from Paris

Afternoon: Return to Paris and wander Rue Cler’s open‑air market for cheeses, charcuterie, and fruit. Lunch at Le Petit Cler (steak‑frites and tarte tatin) or pick up picnic fixings for Champ de Mars if the weather is kind.

Evening: Time your ascent for sunset, when Paris turns rose‑gold. Reserved access helps you skip long lines.

Eiffel Tower Dedicated Reserved Access Top or 2nd floor by lift

After, walk to Trocadéro for postcard‑perfect night shots. Dinner options within a short stroll: Chez L’Ami Jean (Basque‑leaning bistro; bold flavors) or Au Bon Accueil (romantic tables with a peek at the tower).

Day 5: Le Marais—Art, Shopping, and a Seine Dinner Cruise

Morning: Start at Place des Vosges, the city’s oldest planned square; peek into Maison de Victor Hugo if open. Coffee and pastries at Carette (legendary Mont‑Blanc) or Boot Café (tiny, excellent espresso). Browse Rue des Francs‑Bourgeois for boutiques and the Musée Carnavalet for Paris history.

Afternoon: Lunch on Rue des Rosiers: L’As du Fallafel (crunchy, tahini‑drizzled classic) or Miznon (inventive pita with roasted cauliflower). Explore the Picasso Museum or gallery‑hop toward the 3rd. Don’t miss Merci, a concept store with a chic homeware edit.

Evening: Dress for a glass‑canopy dinner cruise—gliding past the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, and under gilded bridges while you dine.

Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Dinner & Sightseeing Cruise

If you prefer to stay on land, book Clamato (seafood plates meant to share) or Chez Janou (sunny Provençal spirit near the square; reserve or go early).

Day 6: Champagne Day Trip (Reims & Épernay) or Neighborhood Deep Dive

Option A—Champagne: Take a morning TGV from Paris to Reims (~45 minutes; from ~€20–€40 each way when booked early on Omio trains). Tour a historic chalk‑cellar house like Taittinger or Ruinart (book tastings in advance), then continue to Épernay for Avenue de Champagne and the Moët & Chandon cellars. Lunch on local specialties—jambon de Reims, chaource cheese—and return by early evening.

Option B—Stay in Paris: Explore Canal Saint‑Martin’s indie boutiques and coffee bars (Ten Belles, La Fontaine de Belleville), then head to Parc des Buttes‑Chaumont for dramatic bridges and lake views. Dinner in the Oberkampf area at Au Passage (seasonal small plates) or Le Dauphin (contemporary, Basque‑influenced).

Day 7: Markets, Last Sips, and Departure

Morning: Shop and nibble your way down Rue Montorgueil: Stohrer (since 1730; baba au rhum), Aux Merveilleux de Fred (meringue‑cream clouds), and seasonal fruit stands. Pick up edible souvenirs: salted butter caramels, Bordier butter, or a wedge of aged Comté from a fromagerie.

Afternoon: Early lunch at Holybelly 5 (hearty brunch plates) or a quick crêpe from Breizh Café before heading to the airport or station. If you’re rail‑hopping across Europe, compare schedules and prices on Omio trains; budget bus options are on Omio buses. For flights within Europe use Omio flights, and for long‑haul departures check Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Where to Sleep—Quick Picks by Vibe

• Iconic luxury: The Ritz Paris (Place Vendôme), Le Meurice (Tuileries), Hôtel Plaza Athénée (fashion district), The Peninsula Paris (rooftop panoramas).
• Boutique favorites: Hôtel des Grands Boulevards (Right Bank hideaway), Hôtel des Arts Montmartre (artsy and intimate), Hôtel du Temps (stylish and friendly).
• Great value: Hotel du College de France (walk to Notre‑Dame), Novotel Paris Centre Gare Montparnasse (easy transport), Generator Paris (design hostel). By the Eiffel Tower, consider Hôtel du Champ de Mars.
• Apartments: Families and longer stays: browse VRBO (Paris).

Getting Around & Booking Tips

• Transit: A Navigo Easy card or carnet of tickets covers Metro, buses, and trams; RER links to CDG and Versailles (if you’re not on a tour).
• Closures: Louvre closed Tue, Versailles closed Mon, Orsay closed Mon. Many restaurants shut on Sunday or Monday—check hours before you go.
• Reservations: Book major sights and popular restaurants a week or more in advance; for day trips by rail, lock in Omio tickets early for best fares.

Bonus dining short‑list by neighborhood: Montorgeuil/1st: Le Comptoir de la Gastronomie (duck and foie gras classics). Marais: Chez Janou (Provençal), Breizh Café (buckwheat galettes). Saint‑Germain: Le Comptoir du Relais, Kodawari Ramen (fisherman’s‑market theme). Near Opéra: Juveniles (wine bar), Le Grand Colbert (heritage brasserie). Cocktails: Le Syndicat, Candelaria (speakeasy through a taqueria), Harry’s New York Bar (1911 icon, birthplace of the Bloody Mary).

One more indulgence: If time allows, swap Day 5 dinner for this lunch cruise for daytime river views and live music:

Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Lunch & Sightseeing Cruise

Enjoy a week where art, architecture, and appetite share the spotlight. With this balanced plan, you’ll see headline landmarks, slip into local rhythms, and still leave space for serendipity—the surest sign you’ll return to Paris.