Paris has been stirring imaginations since the Celtic Parisii settled the Seine’s banks and the Romans traced straight roads through today’s Latin Quarter. From the Gothic spires of Notre-Dame to the glass pyramid of the Louvre, the city layers centuries of style with an ease that feels like magic.

Fun fact: the 20 arrondissements spiral like a snail from the city center, meaning a stroll can be a time-traveling lesson—from medieval Île de la Cité to Belle Époque boulevards and contemporary street art. Another: there are 37 bridges in Paris; several give postcard views of the Eiffel Tower and Île Saint-Louis.

Practical notes: dinner starts later (8 pm+), tipping is modest (round up or add 5–10% for great service), and pickpockets work tourist zones—use zipped bags. Book headline sights ahead, wear comfy shoes for cobblestones, and keep Wednesdays/Fridays in mind for late museum hours.

Paris

The City of Light shines in layers—grand monuments by day, glowing riverbanks at dusk, and tiny bistros where the menu changes with the market. Spend mornings with masterpieces, afternoons in leafy gardens, and evenings in lively wine bars or on the Seine itself.

Top sights you’ll cover on this 7-day Paris itinerary: Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Sainte-Chapelle, Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur, Musée d’Orsay, Le Marais, Canal Saint-Martin, and a Versailles Palace day trip.

Where to stay (bookable via these partner links):

• Browse apartments and family-sized stays on VRBO Paris.
• Compare boutique hotels and classics on Hotels.com Paris.

Neighborhood cheat sheet: Saint‑Germain (Left Bank cafés and galleries), Le Marais (hip boutiques, museums), Louvre/Opéra (walkable to major sights), Latin Quarter (student buzz and history), Canal Saint‑Martin (cool and local), and the 7th (near the Eiffel Tower).

Getting to Paris:

• Flights to CDG/ORY: check fares and routes on Omio (Flights). Typical nonstop from NYC ~7.5–8 hrs (roundtrip often $550–$950 off‑peak). From Rome ~2 hrs ($60–$150 in advance).
• High-speed trains: London–Paris via Eurostar ~2h16; Amsterdam–Paris ~3h20; Lyon–Paris ~2h. Compare schedules and prices on Omio (Trains) and Omio (Buses).

Day 1: Arrival, Tuileries Stroll & Seine Dinner Cruise

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Shake off jet lag with an easy loop through the Tuileries Garden; pop into the arcaded Place Vendôme to admire the column and jewelry maisons. Espresso fix at Café Verlet (historic roaster; single‑origin brews and flaky madeleines) before golden hour.

Evening: Celebrate night one on the water with a glass‑canopy dinner cruise—city lights, music, and all the great riverfront monuments.

Recommended experience: Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Dinner & Sightseeing Cruise

Pre- or post-cruise, enjoy a classic aperitif at Le Fumoir (Opposite the Louvre; quiet wood‑paneled bar) or rooftop views at Le Perchoir Marais (seasonal) if you prefer a bird’s‑eye perspective.

Day 2: The Louvre, Palais‑Royal & Covered Passages

Morning: Start with the world’s largest museum—go with a guide to see the essentials without the maze. Grab a flat white at Télescope Café (tiny, serious about beans) en route.

Recommended experience: Louvre Museum Masterpieces Guided Tour with Access

Afternoon: Cross to Palais‑Royal for arcades and gardens, then wander 19th‑century covered passages (Galerie Vivienne, Passage des Panoramas) lined with antiquarian bookshops and stamp dealers. Lunch at Bouillon Julien near the Grands Boulevards—Art Nouveau dining room, comforting French classics (steak‑frites, oeuf mayo) at friendly prices.

Evening: Feast at Bistrot Paul Bert (11th) for pepper steak and Paris‑Brest; book ahead. Finish with inventive cocktails at Le Syndicat (a “made‑in‑France” spirits temple) or a natural wine flight at Frenchie Bar à Vins (small plates, no reservations).

Day 3: Île de la Cité, Latin Quarter & Left Bank Evenings

Morning: Breakfast at Carette (Place des Vosges or Trocadéro; impeccable croissants). Visit Notre‑Dame Cathedral (reopened to visitors in late 2024; admire the restored vaults and organ), then step into Sainte‑Chapelle for stained glass that turns sunlight into jewel tones.

Afternoon: Cross into the Latin Quarter: browse Shakespeare and Company, see the Panthéon’s Foucault pendulum, and picnic in Luxembourg Gardens. Grab a savory buckwheat galette at Breizh Café Odéon or a baguette sandwich from Gérard Mulot if you’d rather keep wandering.

Evening: Old‑world dinner at Bouillon Racine (Belle Époque tiles, classics like boeuf bourguignon), then live jazz at Caveau de la Huchette—swing dancing in a vaulted 16th‑century cellar made famous by “La La Land.”

Day 4: Day Trip to Versailles, Back to Paris for 7th‑Arrondissement Bites

Morning & Afternoon: Trade the city for royal grandeur: the Hall of Mirrors, the King’s Apartments, and 2,000+ acres of manicured gardens. A guided transfer removes logistics, but note the DIY route is easy too (RER C from central Paris to “Versailles‑Château–Rive Gauche,” ~35–45 minutes).

Recommended experience: Versailles Palace and Gardens Tour from Paris

Evening: Back in the 7th, stroll Rue Cler’s food shops before dinner. Book Chez L’Ami Jean for rustic Basque dishes (legendary rice pudding) or choose Le Petit Cler for a relaxed Parisian bistro vibe. Nightcap along the Champ‑de‑Mars with sparkling Eiffel Tower views on the hour.

Day 5: Montmartre Mornings & Musée d’Orsay Masterpieces

Morning: Montmartre rewards early risers: climb to Sacré‑Cœur for a panoramic sweep over the city, then meander cobbled lanes to Place du Tertre and Rue des Abbesses. Breakfast at Pain Pain (award‑winning pastries) and a latte at KB Coffee Roasters (local favorite with terrace seating).

Afternoon: Ride the Metro to Musée d’Orsay for Monet, Degas, and Van Gogh inside a Beaux‑Arts train station. The museum’s restaurant is a Belle Époque gem if you fancy a sit‑down lunch; otherwise, snack on chouquettes from nearby Gontran Cherrier and continue along the riverside.

Evening: Settle into Le Bon Georges (9th) for precision cooking and an impressive wine list, or Clamato (sister to Septime) for seafood small plates—walk‑in friendly. For cocktails, try Little Red Door (Le Marais; boundary‑pushing menus) or Dirty Lemon (SoPi; speakeasy feel).

Day 6: Le Marais, Canal Saint‑Martin & Sunset at the Eiffel Tower

Morning: Coffee and viennoiseries at Boulangerie Utopie (11th; charcoal baguette, inventive pastries). Explore Le Marais: Musée Carnavalet (free city museum), Place des Vosges arcades, designer and vintage boutiques. Lunch at L’As du Fallafel (zippy, overstuffed pitas) or Miznon (roasted cauliflower, Israeli street food).

Afternoon: Drift north to Canal Saint‑Martin for leafy bridges and bohemian cafés. Grab gelato at Folderol (natural wine + ice cream) and people‑watch along Quai de Valmy. Rest up for a big Parisian finale.

Evening: Time your ascent for sunset and twinkling lights. Dedicated access keeps queues manageable.

Recommended experience: Eiffel Tower Dedicated Reserved Access Top or 2nd floor by lift

Dine afterward at Les Ombres (roof terrace above Quai Branly with picture‑perfect tower views) or keep it casual at Le Recrutement Café—bistro fare, late hours, and a classic Paris sidewalk scene.

Day 7: Markets, Brunch & Last‑Minute Strolls

Morning: Do as locals do: browse Marché d’Aligre (bustling produce, cheese stalls, and a covered market) and pick up edible souvenirs—Comté, salted butter caramels, jars of sardines. Brunch at Holybelly 5 (buttermilk pancakes, excellent hash, specialty coffee) or Café Méricourt (shakshuka, bright salads).

Afternoon (departure): Fit in a final loop along the Seine between Pont Neuf and Pont des Arts. Swing by a fromagerie or wine shop near your lodging, then head to the airport or station. For airport transfers, allow 45–75 minutes depending on traffic and terminal.

Optional add‑ons (swap into the plan if you prefer):

• Late‑night river viewpoint: Trocadéro steps for the Eiffel Tower sparkle on the hour.
• Art focus: Musée de l’Orangerie (Monet’s Water Lilies) pairs well with a Tuileries stroll.
• Food deep‑dive: a guided tasting walk through Montmartre’s cheese, charcuterie, and wine bars.

Getting around Paris: The Metro is fast and frequent; buy carnet bundles or day passes at machines. Walking is often quickest within central neighborhoods; rideshares and taxis are plentiful late at night.

Booking pointers:

• Secure lodging early: VRBO Paris | Hotels.com Paris
• Flights and trains to/from Paris: Omio Flights | Omio Trains | Omio Buses

Another great combo experience (if you prefer a bundled day with highlights and a river cruise):

Paris in a Day: Louvre or Orsay, Eiffel Tower, City Walk & Cruise

With museum icons, neighborhood rambles, and an elegant Seine evening, this 7‑day Paris itinerary balances big‑ticket sights with local texture. You’ll leave with full memory cards, a refined croissant standard, and a short list of favorites to revisit next time.