Paris is a city of layers—Roman foundations, medieval islands, Enlightenment salons, Haussmann boulevards, and modern ateliers—stacked like mille-feuille. From the Gothic arches of Notre-Dame to the glass pyramid at the Louvre, every era left a signature. This 7-day Paris itinerary threads those signatures together with markets, cafés, and river light.

Beyond the blockbusters, Paris rewards the curious: hidden covered passages, pocket-size museums, and boulangeries that turn breakfast into a ritual. You’ll wander Montmartre’s cobbles, browse Le Marais’ ateliers, taste buckwheat galettes and butter-laminated croissants, and end one evening gliding past the city’s illuminated bridges.

Practical note: Paris is walkable and well served by the métro (buy a Navigo Easy card or passes at stations). Book timed-entry for big sights, especially the Eiffel Tower and museums. Cuisine ranges from classic bistros and lively “bouillons” to creative neo-bistros—many require reservations.

Paris

Paris is an open-air museum and a living, eating, debating city. Masterpieces live beside daily rituals: an espresso at the zinc counter, a sunset over the Seine, a flaky croissant that demands silence. Neighborhoods each have a mood—Left Bank literary, Right Bank fashion-forward, Montmartre bohemian, Canal Saint-Martin creative.

• Top sights: Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Musée d’Orsay, Sainte-Chapelle, Sacré-Cœur, Arc de Triomphe, Luxembourg Gardens, Père Lachaise.
• Favorite bites: Galettes at Breizh Café, steak-frites at a “bouillon,” falafel on Rue des Rosiers, éclairs and mille-feuille at classic pâtisseries.
• Fun facts: Paris has 37 bridges; the oldest, Pont Neuf (“new bridge”), dates to 1607. The city’s catacombs hold remains of over six million Parisians.

Where to stay (curated picks + deals):

• The Ritz Paris (legendary service and a storied bar for martinis).
• Le Meurice (palatial elegance opposite the Tuileries Garden).
• Hôtel Plaza Athénée (Avenue Montaigne fashion address).
• The Peninsula Paris (rooftop views near the Arc de Triomphe).
• Hôtel des Arts Montmartre (boutique comfort steps from Sacré-Cœur).
• Hôtel des Arts Bastille (budget-friendly in the 11th’s dining scene).
• Hotel du College de France (Left Bank value, quiet street, scholarly vibe).
• Hôtel du Temps (intimate boutique near the Grands Boulevards).
• Novotel Paris Centre Gare Montparnasse (family-friendly, good transport).
• Generator Paris (design-forward hostel with private room options).
• Browse more stays: VRBO Paris | Hotels.com Paris
• Left Bank charmer: Hôtel du Champ de Mars.

Getting there & around: If you’re flying within Europe, compare fares on Omio (flights); from outside Europe, check Trip.com or Kiwi.com. For regional trains (e.g., day trips), use Omio (trains). A standard taxi from CDG to central Paris runs ~€55–€62 fixed rate; RER B train is ~35–40 minutes to city stations.

Day 1: Arrival, the Seine, and Saint‑Germain

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Stretch your legs with a gentle loop: Pont des Arts to Île de la Cité for your first Notre‑Dame view, then over to Île Saint‑Louis for a cone at Berthillon and riverbank people‑watching. Coffee fix at Café Kitsuné in the Palais‑Royal gardens or Telescope for beautifully balanced pour‑overs.

Evening: Classic Left Bank dinner at Le Comptoir du Relais (book ahead; bistro icons done right). No reservation? Bouillon Racine or Bouillon Chartier Montparnasse serve nostalgia‑rich, budget‑friendly French comfort. Cap the night with live jazz and swing dancing at Caveau de la Huchette, a vaulted 16th‑century cellar where the energy is contagious.

Day 2: The Louvre, Tuileries, and Covered Passages

Morning: Dive into the world’s largest art museum on a skip‑the‑line small‑group tour: Louvre Museum Masterpieces Guided Tour with Access. You’ll see the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, and Venus de Milo with context that brings centuries to life.

Afternoon: Stroll the Tuileries Garden to the Place de la Concorde, then pivot to the Palais‑Royal arcades and the elegant Galerie Vivienne. Tour Opéra Garnier’s grand staircase and Chagall‑painted ceiling. Lunch ideas: Bistrot Victoires (roasted chicken and frites), Le Fumoir (smart brasserie opposite the Louvre), or a flaky mille‑feuille at Angelina on Rue de Rivoli.

Evening: In Sentier, book Frenchie Wine Bar (walk‑in counter, charcuterie, seasonal small plates) or Le Bon Georges for outstanding beef and Burgundy by the glass. Cocktails after at Little Red Door (creative, ingredient‑driven menu) or Le Syndicat (French spirits showcase).

Day 3: Montmartre Heights and Pigalle Nights

Morning: Breakfast at La Bossue (buttery viennoiseries) or KB Coffee Roasters (proper flat whites). Climb to Sacré‑Cœur for sweeping views, then meander through Rue de l’Abreuvoir and the Vigne du Clos Montmartre vineyard. Pop into the Musée de Montmartre’s gardens for Renoir panoramas.

Afternoon: Refuel with a buckwheat galette at Crêperie Brocéliande or hearty salads at Le Relais Gascon. Explore South Pigalle’s boutiques; if rain strikes, duck into the Musée de la Vie Romantique for a quiet salon interlude and tea in the garden.

Evening: Dinner at Bouillon Pigalle (efficient, fun, and très Parisien) or the intimate Le Pantruche if you snag a table. Nightcaps: Lulu White (New Orleans‑inspired cocktails) or the foliage‑filled bar at Le Très Particulier—an urban conservatory vibe.

Day 4: Half‑Day Versailles + Saint‑Germain Stroll

Morning & early afternoon: Trade boulevards for Baroque splendor on a guided visit: Versailles Palace and Gardens Tour from Paris. The Hall of Mirrors, royal apartments, and Grand Perspective make the Sun King’s vision tangible.

If you prefer DIY, take RER C (~35–45 min; ~€4.45 each way) to Versailles Château–Rive Gauche; lunch at La Petite Venise inside the park is a charming pause between fountains.

Late afternoon: Back in Paris, wander Saint‑Germain’s bookstores (Shakespeare and Company across the river; Librairie Gallimard nearby). Gelato at Grom or an old‑school chocolat chaud at Café de Flore.

Evening: Dine at Le Servan (inventive, Asian‑kissed French cooking) or Clamato (seafood small plates; walk‑ins). Crêpe lovers can opt for Breizh Café (Cidre brut pairs perfectly with Comté and egg).

Day 5: Le Marais, Île de la Cité, and Gothic Light

Morning: Start with buttery kouign‑amann at Au Petit Versailles du Marais or coffee at Boot Café (tiny, photogenic). Explore Place des Vosges and the Maison de Victor Hugo, then browse the Marché des Enfants Rouges food stalls.

Afternoon: Cross to Île de la Cité for Notre‑Dame’s reborn interior (free entry; expect a security queue) and the jewel‑box stained glass of Sainte‑Chapelle (book timed tickets). Back in Le Marais, the Picasso Museum offers a focused, beautifully hung collection.

Evening: Grab falafel and pickles at L’As du Fallafel (lively and delicious) or settle in at Robert et Louise for wood‑fired côte de bœuf. Drinks at Candelaria (taco shop front, speakeasy behind) or Bisou (seasonal, no‑menu cocktails mixed to your taste).

Day 6: Orsay Masters, Eiffel Tower Views, and a Seine Dinner Cruise

Morning: Feast your eyes on Impressionism at Musée d’Orsay—Monet’s haystacks, Degas’ dancers, and Renoir’s Parisians glow under the old Beaux‑Arts clock. Coffee and tartines at Coutume or breakfast pastries at Blé Sucré beforehand if you’re up early.

Afternoon: Ascend Paris’ emblem with reserved access: Eiffel Tower Dedicated Reserved Access Top or 2nd floor by lift. Time your slot for late afternoon to catch the city in golden hour from the summit.

Stroll the Champ de Mars lawns or head to Trocadéro for classic photo angles; macarons from Carette make a celebratory snack.

Evening: Celebrate with a glass‑canopy dinner cruise as the city lights flicker on: Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Dinner & Sightseeing Cruise. Expect live music, refined courses, and postcard views of the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, and the illuminated Eiffel Tower.

Day 7: Markets, Canal Saint‑Martin, and Farewell Flavors

Morning: Browse Marché d’Aligre (except Mondays) for cheese, fruit, and bargain antiques; pair a warm croissant with a café crème at nearby Ble Sucré or Mokxa. If you prefer a slower start, picnic in the Place des Vosges with baguette and comté.

Afternoon: Wander the footbridges of Canal Saint‑Martin. Lunch at Holybelly 5 (brunch legends, bright salads) or Le Verre Volé (natural wines, rustic plates). Later, pay respects at Père Lachaise—Chopin, Oscar Wilde, and Edith Piaf rest among ivy‑wrapped avenues.

Evening: Final dinner at Bistrot Paul Bert (benchmark steak au poivre and peppery maître d’hôtel butter) or Le Comptoir de la Gastronomie (silky duck confit, foie gras specialties). Raise a last toast at Le Syndicat—French spirits only, mixed with panache.

Optional curated add‑on (art lovers):

If you crave a second museum day, swap a morning for the Orangerie’s Monet water lilies and a stroll through the Luxembourg Gardens’ chestnut alleys. Shoppers can trade that time for Le Bon Marché’s airy halls and its exceptional food hall, La Grande Épicerie.

Pre‑trip bookings checklist

• Lodging: compare rates and neighborhoods on Hotels.com or VRBO.
• Flights: within Europe via Omio; long‑haul via Trip.com or Kiwi.com.
• Priority tickets: Louvre tour, Eiffel Tower access, and your preferred dinner cruise (see the Viator links above).
• Versailles logistics: Guided tour from Paris or RER C via Omio.

At‑a‑glance Viator activities used in this itinerary:

• Louvre Museum Masterpieces Guided Tour with Access
• Versailles Palace and Gardens Tour from Paris
• Eiffel Tower Dedicated Reserved Access Top or 2nd floor by lift
• Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Dinner & Sightseeing Cruise

Seven days in Paris gives you time to see the icons and linger in neighborhoods where daily life hums. With museum highlights, a palace escape, and a night gliding down the Seine, you’ll leave with both the great hits and personal discoveries that feel like your own.