7 Perfect Days in Paris: Art, Food, and Iconic Sights
Paris didn’t become the City of Light by accident: revolution and romance, avant‑garde art and café debate, centuries of architecture and pastry perfection—every street corner tells a story. From the medieval Île de la Cité to Haussmann boulevards and playful Belle Époque façades, the city’s layers are best savored at walking pace.
Over seven days you’ll meet the greats—the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Montmartre—then slip into locals’ Paris: markets at dawn, people‑watching terraces, natural wine bars, late‑night jazz. We’ve woven in time‑saving tips and prebooked experiences so your days flow as smoothly as a sauce béarnaise.
Expect hearty bistro classics, creative neo‑bistros, and street‑corner crêpes; world‑class museums; and photogenic river light. Pack comfortable shoes, book the big-ticket entries ahead, and keep an eye on opening days—many museums close Monday or Tuesday.
Paris
Paris is a mosaic of distinct neighborhoods. The Left Bank (Saint‑Germain, Latin Quarter) charms with literary cafés and elegant boutiques; the Right Bank dazzles with grand avenues, the Marais’ medieval lanes, and bohemian corners of Canal Saint‑Martin and Belleville. At dusk, the Seine becomes a ribbon of gold—best admired from the bridges or a glass‑topped boat.
Top sights anchor your week—Louvre, Notre‑Dame (now reopened), Musée d’Orsay, and the Eiffel Tower—while Montmartre’s cobbles, covered passages near Opéra, and bustling food streets (Rue Montorgueil, Rue Cler) add texture and flavor.
How to get to/around Paris (bookings and estimates):
- Flights: For routes to or from Europe, compare fares on Omio (flights). From North America/Asia, also check Kiwi.com or Trip.com (flights). CDG–city by RER B is about 35–45 minutes; Orly–city via Orlyval + RER ~30–40 minutes.
- Trains within Europe: High‑speed trains (e.g., London–Paris ~2h20m; Brussels–Paris ~1h25m). Search and reserve on Omio (trains). Buses are budget‑friendly via Omio (buses).
- Local transport: Metro and buses run late; expect a single ride to cost roughly a couple of euros. Consider 10‑ticket bundles or day passes if you’ll ride often.
Where to stay (book with our partners):
- Search all vacation rentals on VRBO – Paris or hotels on Hotels.com – Paris.
- Luxury icons: The Ritz Paris, Le Meurice, Hôtel Plaza Athénée, The Peninsula Paris.
- Stylish boutique picks: Hôtel des Grands Boulevards (near passages and Opéra), Hôtel des Arts Montmartre (for village vibes), Hôtel du Temps (intimate Right Bank hideaway), Hotel du College de France (Latin Quarter value).
- Good-value stays: Hôtel des Arts Bastille, Novotel Paris Centre Gare Montparnasse, Generator Paris (design hostel).
- Reader‑favorite small hotel: Hôtel du Champ de Mars near Rue Cler.
Day 1: Arrival, Saint‑Germain Stroll, and the Eiffel Tower at Night
Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Shake off jet lag with a gentle walk through Saint‑Germain‑des‑Prés—browse Boulevard Saint‑Germain, pop into the arcaded Cour du Commerce Saint‑André, and pause for coffee at Café de Flore or Les Deux Magots. Snack tip: pick up a warm baguette at Poilâne and a wedge of comté from Fromagerie Sanders.
Evening: Book reserved access up the “Iron Lady” at sunset, then watch the hourly sparkle after dark. Eiffel Tower Dedicated Reserved Access Top or 2nd floor by lift saves precious time with a guide who shares myths and engineering feats.
Day 2: Louvre Masterpieces, Tuileries, and Belle Époque Passages
Morning: Dive into the world’s largest museum with a focused, guide‑led route that hits the greats without overwhelm. Louvre Museum Masterpieces Guided Tour with Access covers the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, and Venus de Milo with context that brings them alive.
Afternoon: Stroll the Tuileries to Place de la Concorde, then loop to the Palais Royal arcades and the striped Buren Columns. Continue to Opéra Garnier for its grand staircase (a self‑guided visit is worth it) and wander the covered passages—Passage des Panoramas and Galerie Vivienne—filled with antiquarian bookshops and wine bars.
Evening: Dinner in the 11th: Bistrot Paul Bert (benchmark steak au poivre and Paris‑Brest), Le Servan (Franco‑Asian flavors and natural wines), or Bouillon Pigalle (no‑frills, budget‑friendly French classics; no reservations). Nightcap at Little Red Door or Le Syndicat for inventive cocktails.
Day 3: Montmartre’s Artists’ Hill and Nightlife
Morning: Take the funicular or climb to Sacré‑Cœur for sweeping city views. Explore Rue de l’Abreuvoir, Place du Tertre’s painters, and quiet backstreets where Picasso and Modigliani once roamed. Breakfast at Pain Pain (award‑winning baguettes and lemon tarts) or KB Coffee Roasters for specialty brews.
Afternoon: Descend via the “I Love You” wall at Square Jehan Rictus and browse the fabric stores of Marché Saint‑Pierre. Pop into the Musée de la Vie Romantique for a calm garden café break. Shop along Rue des Martyrs—cheesemongers, chocolatiers, and pâtisseries line this beloved food street.
Evening: In Pigalle, try Le Bon Georges (market‑driven bistro), Bouillon Julien (Art Nouveau setting), or Brasserie Bellanger (great rotisserie chicken). For music, New Morning (jazz/World) or Duc des Lombards (center‑city jazz) make for a classic Paris night.
Day 4: Versailles Palaces and Gardens, Marais Evening
Morning–Afternoon (tour): Spend half a day in royal splendor without logistics stress on the Versailles Palace and Gardens Tour from Paris.
Evening: Back in Paris, wander the Marais: Place des Vosges at golden hour is magic. Dinner choices: Miznon (lively Israeli pita creations), L’As du Fallafel (legendary sesame‑sprinkled pita—go off‑peak), or Robert et Louise (wood‑fired meats). Sip natural wines at La Buvette or Aux Deux Amis.
Day 5: Île de la Cité, Notre‑Dame, and Latin Quarter
Morning: Start on the Pont Neuf and circle the Île de la Cité. Visit Notre‑Dame’s restored interiors (book a timed entry ahead). Pair it with Sainte‑Chapelle’s stained‑glass blaze—late morning sun is stunning.
Afternoon: Cross to the Latin Quarter for Sorbonne‑era lanes, the Panthéon’s republican heroes, and leafy Rue Mouffetard. Coffee at La Fontaine de Belleville (Left Bank outpost) or La Caféothèque by the river. Browse iconic shelves at Shakespeare & Company, then people‑watch on the Square René Viviani benches.
Evening: Dine Left Bank: Le Comptoir du Relais (classic bistro finesse), Semilla (seasonal plates), or Breizh Café Odéon (buckwheat galettes with Breton cider). Finish with Berthillon ice cream on Île Saint‑Louis if the flagship is open; several nearby parlors scoop it year‑round.
Day 6: Orsay, Left‑Bank Art Walk, and Canal Saint‑Martin
Morning: Tour the Musée d’Orsay’s Impressionists, from Monet’s cathedrals to Degas’ dancers, inside a transformed Beaux‑Arts station. For breakfast, try Holybelly for pancakes and eggs or Claus for a refined “petit déjeuner.”
Afternoon: Shop Saint‑Germain’s design stores and art galleries; pause at the Luxembourg Gardens to watch pétanque games and model sailboats. Then head to Canal Saint‑Martin for boho boutiques and iron footbridges—ideal for golden‑hour photos.
Evening: Book Clamato (seafood small plates; arrive early for walk‑in) or Le Verre Volé (wine bar with heartfelt cooking) near the canal. Craft a casual crawl with sips at Le Comptoir Général (tropical salon) and nightcaps at Candelaria (speakeasy behind a taqueria door).
Day 7: Markets, Last‑Minute Treasures, and a Seine Dinner Cruise Farewell
Morning: Explore Marché d’Aligre (covered and open‑air) for fruit pyramids, oyster shucking, and antiques in the square. If you prefer the Right Bank center, browse Rue Montorgueil’s fromageries and pâtisseries for edible souvenirs.
Afternoon: Free time for a favorite museum you missed (Rodin’s serene sculpture gardens are a delight) or a final fashion run along Rue du Faubourg Saint‑Honoré and Le Marais concept stores. Pack, then unwind on the riverbanks.
Evening: Toast the week on a glass‑canopy boat: the Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Dinner & Sightseeing Cruise pairs city lights with a multi‑course meal and live music as you glide past the Île de la Cité, Musée d’Orsay, and Eiffel Tower.
Optional add‑ons if you extend:
- Normandy D‑Day sites day trip for WWII history and coastal scenery.
- Disneyland Paris for families (two parks, easy RER A ride).
- Vineyard day in Champagne (Reims/Epernay by high‑speed train; tastings and cathedral).
Eating and coffee cheat‑sheet by area:
- Le Marais: Breizh Café (galettes), Miznon (Israeli street‑food), L’As du Fallafel (quick, iconic).
- Saint‑Germain/Latin Quarter: Semilla (seasonal), Fish La Boissonnerie (seafood), Poilâne (bread), Café de Flore (coffee and people‑watching).
- Montmartre/Pigalle: Bouillon Pigalle (budget French), Le Bon Georges (market bistro), Pain Pain (bakery), KB Coffee Roasters (espresso).
- Canal Saint‑Martin/10th–11th: Clamato (seafood), Le Verre Volé (wine + small plates), Aux Deux Amis (natural wine bar snacks).
Booking essentials recap: secure your Eiffel Tower time slot, Louvre tour, and Seine cruise early; consider a Versailles guided visit to streamline logistics. Within Europe, compare trains and flights on Omio (trains) and Omio (flights); from farther afield, check Kiwi.com or Trip.com. For stays, browse VRBO and Hotels.com, or pick from the vetted options above.
Paris rewards curiosity and unhurried mornings. With this 7‑day plan—iconic art, intimate streets, and memorable meals—you’ll taste both the headline moments and the quiet pleasures that make the city endlessly revisitable.
Viator activities included in this itinerary (quick list):