Paris grew from a small Roman settlement on the Île de la Cité into a city that shaped art, fashion, cuisine, and philosophy. Its layers are visible in Gothic spires, Haussmann boulevards, and bold contemporary galleries. You’ll taste it, too—flaky croissants, briny oysters, and slow-cooked sauces that seem to tell their own stories.

In seven days, you’ll see masterpieces at the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay, watch the Eiffel Tower shimmer, and wander Montmartre’s cobbles where artists traded sketches for supper. You’ll cruise the Seine at night and spend a morning roaming the gilded halls of Versailles—close enough to Paris to be convenient, far enough to feel like a royal escape.

Practical notes: book museum entries and tower access ahead, especially in peak seasons. Paris is wonderfully walkable with a reliable métro; keep an eye on your belongings in crowded areas. Many restaurants require reservations; Sundays and August see more closures, while bakeries and markets are best earlier in the day.

Paris

Paris rewards explorers: cross a bridge and the mood shifts—bookstalls along the Seine, vine-draped terraces in the Latin Quarter, and crisp, modern boutiques in the Marais. After the 2024 Games, bike lanes and riverside paths are better than ever, making it easy to drift between neighborhoods.

• Top sights: Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral (reopened), Sainte-Chapelle, Arc de Triomphe, Montmartre & Sacré-Cœur, Canal Saint-Martin, Luxembourg Gardens, Le Marais, Palais Royal.
• Food & drink: buttery viennoiseries, buckwheat galettes, bistros with chalkboard menus, natural wine bars, and lively food markets like Marché d’Aligre and Marché des Enfants Rouges.
• Fun facts: Paris has 37 bridges over the Seine; the city’s first public park, the Tuileries, was designed for royal strolls; the metro’s Art Nouveau entrances were once controversial.

How to get to Paris: If you’re flying within Europe, compare fares on Omio. From outside Europe, check Trip.com and Kiwi.com. Train travelers can ride high-speed services (e.g., London–Paris in ~2h20, Brussels–Paris ~1h25, Amsterdam–Paris ~3h20) via Omio Trains. Typical one-way fares range ~$70–$180. From CDG to central Paris, the RER B (~€11, ~35–45 minutes) or a fixed-fare taxi (~€55 Right Bank/~€62 Left Bank) are easy; Orly has the OrlyBus, OrlyVal+RER, or taxis (~€35–€45).

Where to stay: Book across budgets with Hotels.com Paris or browse apartments on VRBO Paris. Great picks:

• Iconic splurge: The Ritz Paris, Le Meurice, Hôtel Plaza Athénée, The Peninsula Paris.
• Stylish boutiques: Hôtel des Grands Boulevards (1st/2nd), Hôtel des Arts Montmartre (18th), Hôtel du Temps (9th), Novotel Paris Centre Gare Montparnasse (15th).
• Great-value stays: Hotel du College de France (Latin Quarter), Hôtel des Arts Bastille (11th), Generator Paris (10th), Hôtel du Champ de Mars (7th).

Day 1: Arrival, Tuileries Stroll, and the Eiffel Tower at Sunset

Morning: Fly or train into Paris. If you arrive early, power up with coffee at Fragments (Marais) where the flat white and cinnamon bun set the tone.

Afternoon: Check in and stretch your legs through the Tuileries Garden toward the glass pyramid of the Louvre. For a light lunch nearby, try Le Fumoir (classic brasserie dishes) or Café Verlet (roasted coffees and excellent pastries).

Evening: Cap your first night with a guided Eiffel Tower visit for timed entry and skyline views. Book: Eiffel Tower Guided Access up to 2nd Floor & Summit Option.

Afterward, dine on Rue Cler at Le Petit Cler (steak-frites and salads) or go celebratory at Les Ombres for a terrace view of the “Iron Lady.”

Day 2: Louvre Masterpieces, Palais Royal, and Opera

Morning: Start with a classic croissant at Du Pain et des Idées (go early; sells out). Then take a curator-led deep dive into the world’s most-visited museum. Book: Louvre Museum Masterpieces Guided Tour with Reserved Access.

Plan ~2.5–3 hours to see the highlights without rushing.

Afternoon: Stroll the Palais Royal gardens and the covered passages (Galerie Vivienne, Passage des Panoramas). Break for espresso at Telescope or Café Kitsuné (garden-side). For lunch, Le Nemours (by the arcades) offers simple salads and tartines; or try Juveniles for a glass of Loire chenin and a seasonal plate.

Evening: Marvel at the Opera Garnier’s grand staircase; if schedules align, catch a ballet. Dinner options: Frenchie Bar à Vins (small plates, vibrant), Bouillon Julien (Art Nouveau room and budget-friendly classics), or Bistrot Paul Bert (à la carte steaks and pepper sauce—reserve ahead).

Day 3: Île de la Cité, Left Bank, and Musée d’Orsay

Morning: Visit Notre-Dame Cathedral—freshly restored—and then the jewel-box stained glass of Sainte-Chapelle. Cross the river for a late-morning coffee at La Fontaine de Belleville (Left Bank outpost) or Coutume.

Afternoon: Linger in Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Browse iconic cafés like Café de Flore or Les Deux Magots for the people-watching, then head to Musée d’Orsay for Monet, Degas, and that clock-window view. Lunch nearby at Semilla’s sister bar, L’Avant Comptoir du Marché (standing, fun, tapas-style skewers), or try Breizh Café for buckwheat galettes and cider.

Evening: Jazz night: Caveau de la Huchette (swing and dancers) or Le Duc des Lombards (modern sets). Dine at Le Procope (historic, 1686) or Le Comptoir du Relais if you snag a reservation; otherwise, wander Rue Guisarde’s lively bistros.

Day 4: Versailles Palaces & Gardens, Back to Paris Bistros

Morning: Take the stress out of logistics with a half-day guided visit including transport and timed entry. Book: Versailles Palace and Gardens Tour from Paris.

Expect ~4–5 hours door-to-door; see the Hall of Mirrors and wander the formal gardens Louis XIV made famous.

Afternoon: Return to Paris and decompress at Luxembourg Gardens or along Canal Saint‑Martin. Snack on a falafel from L’As du Fallafel (Marais) or roasted cauliflower pita from Miznon.

Evening: Grab an apéro at Rue Saint-Maur’s natural wine bars. Dinner ideas: Le Servan (inventive French-Asian by the Lecoultre sisters), Bouillon Pigalle (no-reservation, hearty classics), or Clamato (seafood small plates; arrive early to queue).

Day 5: Montmartre Views, Hidden Museums, and a Seine Dinner Cruise

Morning: Breakfast in Montmartre at La Bossue (buttery pastries) or Pain Pain (award-winning baguettes). Climb to Sacré‑Cœur for one of the city’s best free panoramas, then meander to Place du Tertre and the quieter backstreets near Rue Cortot. Pop into Musée de la Vie Romantique for a petite cultural pause.

Afternoon: Explore fabric shops along Marché Saint‑Pierre or hunt vintage in Abbesses. For lunch: Coq & Fils (poultry-focused) or Soul Kitchen (light, seasonal plates). Coffee at KB Coffee Roasters before descending toward the 9th’s theaters and passages.

Evening: Dine while gliding past Paris’s illuminated landmarks on a glass‑canopy boat. Book: Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Dinner & Sightseeing Cruise.

Prefer land? Book a late table at Chez L’Ami Jean (Basque-leaning bistro known for rice pudding) and stroll the Champ de Mars for the tower’s hourly sparkle.

Day 6: Marais Museums, Boutiques, and Canal Saint‑Martin

Morning: Settle into a street-side table at Café Charlot (croque-madame, omelets) before visiting the Picasso Museum and the beautifully restored Musée Carnavalet (Paris history, free). Stop by Place des Vosges for a green breather under the arcades.

Afternoon: Lunch on buckwheat galettes at Breizh Café or join the queue at L’As du Fallafel for a stuffed pita. Shop Rue des Francs‑Bourgeois and BHV Marais’ design floors. Espresso at Fragments (tiny, top-notch) and a detour to the Marché des Enfants Rouges for snacks.

Evening: Drift along Canal Saint‑Martin for golden-hour reflections. Aperitif at Chez Prune; dinner at Clamato (walk-in seafood), Le Servan (if not yet tried), or Frenchie Bar à Vins (buzzy, seasonal). Nightcap at a neighborhood caviste like La Buvette or a scoop from Berthillon if you loop back to Île Saint‑Louis.

Day 7: Markets, Monet, and Departure

Morning: Early market run: Marché d’Aligre (covered-and-open-air, great cheese and produce) or back to Marché des Enfants Rouges for Alain Miam Miam’s toasted sandwiches. Coffee at La Fontaine de Belleville or Boot Café (postage-stamp tiny).

Afternoon: Before you fly, visit the Musée de l’Orangerie to sit with Monet’s Water Lilies—an exquisite, contemplative finale. A final lunch at Bouillon Chartier (historic, fast-moving service) or a picnic in the Tuileries if the sun is out.

Evening: Depart for the airport or station. If taking the train or bus to another European city, compare times and prices on Omio Trains or Omio Buses. For flights within Europe, see Omio; for long-haul, check Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Bonus options to swap in: A narrated daytime cruise like Paris Seine River Sightseeing Cruise with Commentary

or a Notre‑Dame/Île de la Cité walking tour if you’re an architecture buff; food lovers can join a Montmartre tasting crawl on another visit.

Getting around: Use contactless cards or a Navigo Easy for métro/bus/tram. Expect 15–30 minutes between most central neighborhoods. Taxis and rideshares are plentiful; bikes and e-scooters work well along the river and marked lanes. Keep museum e-tickets and dining reservations on your phone.

In a week you’ll have seen Paris from museum halls, hilltop basilicas, café banquettes, and a riverboat deck. Save your favorite walks in your map app—you’ll want to return to these corners again and again.