Paris is a city of layers—Roman remnants beneath Gothic spires, revolutionary boulevards unfurling toward Belle Époque brasseries, and galleries that rewrote the story of art. From the Louvre to the Left Bank, you’ll trace centuries of creativity while sipping café crèmes and browsing market stalls bursting with cheeses, pastries, and glossy fruit.

Founded along a bend of the Seine, Paris grew from a medieval island stronghold into Europe’s capital of fashion, philosophy, and food. You’ll meet the “Iron Lady,” wander Montmartre’s hilltop lanes, and slip into courtyards and covered passages that feel like time capsules. Along the way, taste-bud adventures await: buttery croissants, briny oysters, rustic stews, and elegant pâtisserie.

Practical notes: The Metro is fast and walkable distances are shorter than they look—pack comfy shoes. Book major sights (Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Sainte-Chapelle) in advance. Notre-Dame reopened in late 2024 with timed access. For tipping, round up coins or add 5–10% for standout service; service is included in menus.

Paris

Paris rewards curiosity. Beyond the Eiffel Tower and Louvre lie intimate treasures: the Rodin Museum’s quiet gardens, the village feel of Batignolles, and bakeries where the morning rush smells like butter and warm sugar. Neighborhoods each hum with a mood—Marais for galleries, Saint‑Germain for literature, Canal Saint‑Martin for creative energy.

• Top sights: Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Sainte‑Chapelle, Luxembourg Gardens, Sacré‑Cœur, Palais Garnier, Père Lachaise, Canal Saint‑Martin.
• Essential experiences: Picnic by the Seine, a Seine dinner cruise, browsing markets (Aligre, Bastille), and lingering in cafés where artists once argued about everything.
• Dining to know: Bouillons (classic, affordable brasseries), neo‑bistros (modern French), crêperies, fromageries, and natural‑wine bars.

Getting to Paris: If you’re flying from outside Europe, compare fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com flights. From within Europe, check trains and short‑haul flights on Omio flights and Omio trains. Sample times: London–Paris (Eurostar) ~2h15; Amsterdam–Paris ~3h20; Barcelona–Paris ~6h30 by TGV or 1h45 by air. Typical advance fares range €60–€180 for trains and €70–€180 for flights.

Airport transfers: CDG to central Paris via RER B: 35–45 minutes; fixed‑fare taxis ~€55–€62 to Right/Left Bank. Orly via OrlyBus/Orlyval + RER: ~30–45 minutes; taxi fixed fare ~€35–€44. Allow extra time during peak hours.

Where to stay (book early): Browse apartments on VRBO Paris or compare hotels on Hotels.com Paris. Standout picks:

• The Ritz Paris (legendary service, Place Vendôme; splurge).
• Le Meurice (art‑laced palace hotel opposite the Tuileries).
• Hôtel Plaza Athénée (Avenue Montaigne fashion address).
• The Peninsula Paris (rooftop views, spacious rooms near Arc de Triomphe).
• Hôtel des Grands Boulevards (stylish, convivial courtyard bar).
• Hôtel des Arts Montmartre (intimate, steps from Sacré‑Cœur).
• Hôtel des Arts Bastille (good value near café‑rich 11th).
• Hotel du College de France (Left Bank gem near the Sorbonne).
• Hôtel du Temps (boutique vibe in the 9th).
• Generator Paris (design hostel with private rooms, Canal area).
• Hôtel du Champ de Mars (quiet, by Rue Cler market street).
• Novotel Paris Centre Gare Montparnasse (family‑friendly, next to Metro and TGV).

Day 1: Arrival, the Seine, and a Left Bank Welcome

Morning: In transit. If landing early, drop bags at your hotel. Grab your first espresso at Café de la Nouvelle Mairie (near the Panthéon) or specialty coffee at Coutume in the 7th.

Afternoon: Gentle orientation stroll from the Pont Neuf along Île de la Cité. See the restored façade of Notre‑Dame (book timed entry if you plan to go inside later this week), then cross to the Left Bank for Saint‑Germain bookshops and chocolate stops at Patrick Roger. Lunch ideas: Breizh Café Odéon (buckwheat galettes, farmhouse cider), or L’Avant Comptoir de la Terre (standing bar, charcuterie and small plates).

Evening: Classic first night dinner at Bouillon Julien (Art Nouveau dining room; comforting French classics at friendly prices), or Bistrot Paul Bert (for textbook steak‑frites and pepper sauce). Finish with a golden‑hour walk on the Pont Alexandre III or Berthillon ice cream on Île Saint‑Louis.

Day 2: Louvre, Royal Gardens, and the Marais

Morning: Fuel up at Café Verlet (historic roaster; order a croissant and single‑origin filter). Then meet your guide for the Louvre Museum Masterpieces Guided Tour with Access—a time‑saving way to see the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and the Winged Victory while learning context you’ll actually remember.

Post‑tour, cross the Tuileries for statues, fountains, and a macaron at Angelina (rich hot chocolate if it’s brisk).

Afternoon: Explore Palais Royal’s arcades and the black‑and‑white Buren Columns; peek into Galerie Vivienne for mosaic floors and indie boutiques. Continue to Le Marais for Place des Vosges, the Musée Picasso or the free Musée Carnavalet (Paris history in a noble mansion). Coffee stop: Boot Café (tiny, great flat whites) or Café de la Perle.

Evening: Dinner in the Marais: Chez Janou (Provençal dishes, legendary chocolate mousse; reserve), or Miznon (Israeli pita magic). For a nightcap, Little Red Door (inventive cocktails, seasonal menus) or Candelaria (tacos up front, speakeasy in back).

Day 3: Eiffel Tower, Rodin or Orsay, and a Seine Dinner Cruise

Morning: Start at La Maison d’Isabelle (award‑winning croissants) or Poilâne (butter‑forward sourdough, apple tartlets). Then glide past lines with the Eiffel Tower Dedicated Reserved Access Top or 2nd floor by lift. Go early for calmer platforms and a soft light over the city’s zinc rooftops.

Afternoon: Picnic on the Champ de Mars with market finds from Rue Cler (cheese from La Fromagerie, roast chicken, strawberries in season). Then choose a museum: Musée d’Orsay (Impressionists in a Beaux‑Arts train hall) or Musée Rodin (sculpture gardens and The Thinker). Coffee at Terres de Café on Rue des Saints‑Pères.

Evening: Dress for river sparkle and board the Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Dinner & Sightseeing Cruise. Glass‑roof boats slide past the Louvre, Orsay, and the floodlit Notre‑Dame—an unforgettable, camera‑ready evening.

Day 4: Montmartre’s Hilltop, Canal St‑Martin, and Nightlife

Morning: Climb to Sacré‑Cœur for views that stretch to La Défense. Wander Rue de l’Abreuvoir and Place du Tertre before the crowds. Brunch at The Hardware Société (Aussie‑French plates; book on weekends) or grab a crêpe at La Crêperie Brocéliande.

Afternoon: Descend to South Pigalle and the covered Passage Verdeau, then hop to Canal Saint‑Martin for indie design shops. Coffee at KB Café Roasters or Ten Belles (known for excellent filter). Snack stop: Du Pain et des Amis for a slice of “pain des amis.”

Evening: Dinner at Bouillon Pigalle (fast‑moving line, classic escargots, oeuf mayo, profiteroles) or Le Bon Georges (market‑led bistro, top‑notch beef). Sip French‑spirits‑only cocktails at Le Syndicat, or catch live music at New Morning (jazz, world, groove).

Day 5: Versailles Palaces and Gardens, Jazz Night in Paris

Morning: Day trip to the Sun King’s court with the Versailles Palace and Gardens Tour from Paris. See the Hall of Mirrors, royal apartments, and André Le Nôtre’s manicured parterres; spring–summer brings musical fountains on select days.

Afternoon: Return to Paris and decompress in the Luxembourg Gardens with a book and a Luxembourg Palace backdrop. Coffee and canelés at Mokonuts or pistachio escargot pastry at Stohrer (oldest pâtisserie, 1730).

Evening: Dinner options: Le Comptoir du Relais (neo‑bistro favorite; queue early), Fish La Boissonnerie (seafood‑leaning plates), or Bofinger near Bastille (Alsatian classics and oysters). Cap the night with jazz: Duc des Lombards (legendary club) or Caveau de la Huchette (swing under medieval arches).

Day 6: Islands, Sainte‑Chapelle, and Opéra Glamour

Morning: Breakfast at Café de Flore or Claus (elegant continental sets). Visit Sainte‑Chapelle for stained‑glass symphonies—mid‑morning light is transcendent. Explore Île Saint‑Louis, then stroll the Left Bank’s quays to Shakespeare & Company for a literary browse.

Afternoon: Markets and museums: Marché d’Aligre (except Monday) for produce and flea stalls; lunch on a cheese‑and‑charcuterie plate at Le Baron Rouge with a glass of Loire red. Alternatively, visit the Musée de Cluny (Medieval artifacts and the Lady and the Unicorn tapestries) or the Musée de l’Orangerie (Monet’s Nymphéas).

Evening: Tour the Palais Garnier (self‑guided after 4 p.m. on many days; check times), then take in Paris from the Galeries Lafayette rooftop terrace. Dinner near Opéra: Brasserie Dubillot (updated classics, jovial vibe) or Canard & Champagne in Passage des Panoramas (as the name promises). Cocktail finale at CopperBay (nautical‑themed, precise drinks).

Day 7: Neighborhood Flavors and Farewell

Morning: Choose a final neighborhood ramble. Option A: Canal St‑Martin and brunch at Holybelly 19 (pancakes, eggs, strong coffee), followed by gift shopping at A.P.C. Surplus or La Trésorerie. Option B: Left Bank gourmet haul at La Grande Épicerie (inside Le Bon Marché) for mustards, chocolates, and salted butter caramels to pack.

Afternoon: Departure day. Pick up baguette sandwiches from your favorite boulangerie for the train or flight. RER B to CDG is usually fastest; allow 2.5–3 hours before international flights. For inter‑Europe hops or trains, check Omio trains or Omio flights for live schedules.

Evening: If you depart later, take a last loop along the Seine and say au revoir from the Pont des Arts as the city lights blink on.

Extra Add‑Ons (if you swap a day or have more time)

• Hands‑on pastry morning: a croissant‑making workshop, then a tasting picnic in a nearby square.
• Day trip choices: Giverny (Monet’s gardens in season), Champagne (Reims/Epernay cellars), or Rouen (Gothic spires and half‑timbered streets).

Local dining tips: Lunch formule menus (set starter/main or main/dessert) are excellent value. Many restaurants open Sunday or Monday only for one of the two—check hours. For oysters, look for Gillardeau or Utah Beach; pair with Muscadet or a crisp Chablis. Coffee is evolving—seek out roasters (Fringe, KB, Telescope) for specialty pours.

This weeklong Paris travel guide balances bucket‑list icons with neighborhood texture, from royal halls to canal‑side cafés. With smart pre‑bookings and leisurely meals, you’ll experience why Paris is both grand and intimate—and why it lingers long after you’ve flown home.