Paris rewards curiosity. Medieval islands give way to grand boulevards; Impressionist brushstrokes hang a stroll away from hip natural-wine bars; a flaky croissant can feel as “museum-worthy” as a masterpiece. Over two millennia, the city has reinvented itself—from a Roman settlement to revolutionary stage to modern capital of art, fashion, and food.

Fun fact: the Eiffel Tower was almost dismantled after 20 years; radio and telegraph saved it. Today it sparkles nightly. And after a meticulous restoration, Notre-Dame re-opened to the public in late 2024—an emotional return to form for the city and visitors alike.

Practical notes: book big museums with timed-entry, watch for common closures (Louvre closed Tue; Musée d’Orsay closed Mon), and reserve restaurants when you can. The Metro is fast and safe; consider a Navigo Easy pass. Tipping is modest (round up or add ~5–10% for excellent service).

Paris

Paris is a mosaic of villages: literary Saint‑Germain, bohemian Montmartre, sleek Opéra, and the creative 11th. You’ll explore them all—along with gilded palaces, pocket gardens, and bakeries locals actually line up for.

• Top sights: Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Sainte‑Chapelle, Notre‑Dame, Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Montmartre & Sacré‑Cœur, Luxembourg Gardens, Panthéon, Opéra Garnier.
• Neighborhood gems: Marché des Enfants Rouges (oldest covered market), Canal Saint‑Martin, Musée Rodin garden, covered passages by Palais Royal, Belleville viewpoints.
• What to eat: buttery viennoiseries, galettes and crêpes, steak‑frites, oysters, natural wine, and old‑school “bouillon” classics under €20.

Where to stay (curated picks):

• Flagship icons: The Ritz Paris, Le Meurice, Hôtel Plaza Athénée, The Peninsula Paris.
• Design & boutique: Hôtel des Grands Boulevards, Hôtel du Temps, Hôtel des Arts Montmartre, Hôtel des Arts Bastille, Hotel du College de France, Hôtel du Champ de Mars.
• Great value/family: Novotel Paris Centre Gare Montparnasse, Generator Paris.
• Browse more stays: VRBO Paris or Hotels.com Paris.

Getting here and around: Compare flights to Paris on Omio (Flights). If you’re flying from outside Europe, you can also price‑check on Trip.com (Flights) or Kiwi.com. For trains and day trips in France, use Omio (Trains) and Omio (Buses).

Day 1: Arrival, Île de la Cité, and a Seine Welcome

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Stretch your legs on Île de la Cité: admire the stained‑glass blaze of Sainte‑Chapelle (book timed entry), then visit the re‑opened Notre‑Dame—take in the nave and new lighting. Treat yourself to a meringue‑brioche from Aux Merveilleux de Fred on nearby Île Saint‑Louis.

Evening: Dinner in the Latin Quarter at Le Procope, a historic café dating to 1686 where Voltaire once debated; order coq au vin or onion soup for a quintessential first night. Cap it with a 1‑hour Seine cruise (Bateaux Mouches or Vedettes du Pont Neuf; ~€15–€20) to see the city sparkle.

Day 2: Louvre, Royal Arcades, and Opéra Splendor

Morning: Coffee and a kouign‑amann at Stohrer on rue Montorgueil (oldest patisserie, 1730). Enter the Louvre with a morning slot; focus on three wings to avoid overload—Denon for Italian masters, Richelieu for Napoleon III Apartments, Sully for ancient Egypt. Budget 2.5–3 hours.

Afternoon: Stroll the Tuileries to Palais Royal’s tranquil garden and Daniel Buren’s striped columns. Duck into covered passages—Galerie Vivienne and Passage des Panoramas—for Belle Époque bookshops and wine bars. Tour Opéra Garnier to admire Chagall’s ceiling. Espresso at Télescope or Café Verlet (heritage roaster).

Evening: Dinner at Bistrot Paul Bert (11th) for textbook steak‑frites and île flottante; reserve ahead. Cocktails at Little Red Door (World’s 50 Best) where menus read like stories—bartenders riff on herbs and terroir.

Day 3: Left Bank Art, Gardens, and Jazz

Morning: Brunch at Holybelly 5 (pancakes with house butter, great coffee). Cross the river to Musée d’Orsay—housed in a Beaux‑Arts train station—for Monet’s lilacs, Degas’ dancers, and Toulouse‑Lautrec’s cabarets. Pause at the fifth‑floor clock for a dreamy city view.

Afternoon: Wander Saint‑Germain’s literary streets to the Luxembourg Gardens—watch chess players and sailboats. Visit the Panthéon’s neoclassical nave and Foucault pendulum, then browse Shakespeare and Company’s stacks across the river.

Evening: Dinner at Le Comptoir du Relais (walk‑in list; superb bistro classics) or Le Bon Saint Pourçain for seasonal plates and a tight wine list. Finish with live jazz at Duc des Lombards near Les Halles or dance to swing at Caveau de la Huchette (the vaulted club from “La La Land”).

Day 4: Versailles Day Trip (Palace, Gardens, and the Queen’s Hamlet)

Morning: Take RER C to “Versailles Château Rive Gauche” (~35–45 minutes; ~€4–€7 one‑way; check Omio (Trains)). Enter with a timed “Passport” ticket (palace + Trianons). Tour the Royal Apartments and the Hall of Mirrors while it’s calmer.

Afternoon: Lunch in the gardens at La Petite Venise (Tuscan leanings) or inside at Angelina for hot chocolate. Explore the Grand and Petit Trianon and Marie‑Antoinette’s rustic Hameau—best seen by rental bike or petit train. On Musical Fountains days, linger for Baroque water shows.

Evening: Return to Paris. Dine near the Eiffel Tower: Le Petit Cler on rue Cler for simple, well‑priced bistro plates and a lively market‑street vibe. Watch the tower’s top‑of‑the‑hour sparkle from Trocadéro.

Day 5: Montmartre Mornings and Canal Saint‑Martin Sunsets

Morning: Breakfast at Hardware Société (Aussie‑French brunch) steps from Sacré‑Cœur. Visit the basilica and, if you’re up for it, climb the dome for a sweeping view. Drift past Place du Tertre’s painters, La Maison Rose, and the vines of Clos Montmartre; the Musée de Montmartre’s Renoir Gardens are a quiet treat.

Afternoon: Descend to the 9th for the petite Musée de la Vie Romantique and tea in its garden. Walk along Canal Saint‑Martin’s leafy quays; pick up pastries at Du Pain et des Idées (the “escargot” swirls sell out). Browse indie boutiques and sip a flat white at KB Coffee Roasters.

Evening: Dinner at Le Servan (seasonal, Asian‑accented French from chef Tatiana Levha) or Brutos for wood‑fire cooking and natural wines. Nightcap at Le Syndicat, where French spirits (calvados, cognac) get modern cocktail treatment.

Day 6: Champagne Day Trip to Reims (Cathedral and Cellars)

Morning: TGV from Paris Est to Reims (~45 minutes; advance fares from ~€15–€40 each way on Omio (Trains)). Tour a historic house—Taittinger’s UNESCO‑listed chalk pits or Veuve Clicquot’s kilometers of cellars—to learn riddling, remuage, and the méthode traditionnelle (tastings included).

Afternoon: Visit Reims Cathedral, the coronation site of French kings, with stained glass by Chagall. Lunch at Brasserie Le Boulingrin (1920s Art Deco room; order the pâté en croûte). Either hop to Épernay (25–30 min) for Moët & Chandon on Avenue de Champagne or stay in Reims for Pommery/Ruinart. Espresso and art‑deco glass ceiling at Café du Palais.

Evening: Return to Paris. Seafood feast at Clamato (no reservations; go early for razor clams and maple tart) or book Chez l’Ami Jean for Basque bistronomy and a legendary rice pudding. Slip through the taqueria door to Candelaria for late‑night cocktails.

Day 7: Rodin, Markets, and Au Revoir

Morning: Coffee at Café Kitsuné in Palais Royal’s arcades, then the Musée Rodin garden to contemplate The Thinker under chestnut trees (the outdoor sculpture park is magical in any season). Stroll rue Cler’s market street for picnic essentials—cheese from Marie‑Anne Cantin, fruit, and a baguette.

Afternoon: Check out and transfer to the airport or station. Allow 60–90 minutes for CDG by RER B or taxi; compare airport transfers and regional trains on Omio (Trains) or Omio (Buses). If you’re flying long‑haul home, also cross‑check fares on Omio (Flights) and, when departing outside Europe, Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Extra eats and sips to slot in: Breizh Café (buckwheat galettes), L’As du Fallafel (takeaway on rue des Rosiers), Bouillon Chartier or Bouillon Pigalle (classic, budget‑friendly), Frenchie Wine Bar (small plates), Septime La Cave (standing room, stellar pours), Androuet (cheese), Berthillon (ice cream).

Ticket tips: Eiffel Tower summit from ~€29 (book the lift), Catacombs from ~€24–€29 (timed). Centre Pompidou has renovation plans later in 2025; check status if it’s on your list.

In a week you’ll have traced Paris from Gothic chapels to Impressionist galleries, from vine‑covered Montmartre lanes to shimmering river nights. With Versailles’ gilded halls and Champagne’s chalk‑cool cellars in the mix, you’ll leave with a palate of memories—and plenty of reasons to return.