Paris was born on the Île de la Cité over 2,000 years ago and grew into Europe’s capital of art, fashion, and café culture. From Notre-Dame’s rebirth to the glittering Eiffel Tower, the city layers medieval alleys with Belle Époque splendor and contemporary cool. Street markets mingle with Michelin-starred temples; picnics in the Tuileries give way to late-night jazz.

Beyond the icons—Louvre, Orsay, Arc de Triomphe—Paris rewards curiosity: covered passages, independent boutiques, tiny wine bars, hidden cocktail dens, and neighborhood bakeries whose croissants are a morning ritual. Food-obsessed travelers find an edible museum here, from bouillons and bistros to cutting-edge neo-bistros.

Practical notes: book major museums and Eiffel Tower slots in advance; keep an eye on pickpockets in crowded areas; the Metro is fast and safe. Tipping is modest (round up or 5–10% for standout service). Notre-Dame reopened in December 2024, and museum closures vary (Louvre closed Tue; Orsay closed Mon)—swap days if needed.

Paris

Paris is a mood: grand boulevards, neighborhood cafés humming with conversation, and a culinary scene that makes every meal part of the itinerary. By day, wander galleries and gardens; by night, slip into speakeasies, rooftops, and jazz clubs. With a mid-to-upscale budget, you’ll savor the city’s greatest hits and plenty of local favorites.

• Top sights: Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle, Eiffel Tower, Montmartre & Sacré-Cœur, Tuileries, Luxembourg Gardens.
• Food & drink: classic bistros, bouillons, natural wine bars, third-wave coffee, inventive cocktail bars (Candelaria, Le Syndicat, Little Red Door), and craft beer (Paname Brewing Co., BAPBAP, Frog Revolution).
• Shopping: Le Marais boutiques (Merci, The Broken Arm), Saint-Ouen flea market (weekends), Galeries Lafayette’s rooftop view.

Where to stay (mid-range to splurge, great locations):

• Hotel du College de France (Latin Quarter value; walk to Notre-Dame and the Seine).
• Novotel Paris Centre Gare Montparnasse (easy Metro hub, modern comfort).
• Hôtel des Arts Montmartre (romantic neighborhood vibe near Sacré-Cœur).
• Hôtel des Grands Boulevards (design-forward hideaway with a beloved cocktail bar).
• Generator Paris (stylish budget base with private-room options).
• Browse more stays: VRBO Paris apartments | Hotels.com Paris

How to get to/around Paris:

• Flights (to/from Europe): compare options on Omio (flights). From London, nonstop flights are ~1h15 (often $70–$200 one-way off-peak).
• Flights (from outside Europe): search long-haul deals on Trip.com or Kiwi.com; NYC–CDG is ~7–8h nonstop; West Coast ~10–11h.
• Trains in Europe: book on Omio (trains). Eurostar London–Paris ~2h15; Brussels–Paris ~1h22; Amsterdam–Paris ~3h20.
• Airports to city: CDG–central Paris by RER B ~35–45 min (~€11.45); Orly by Orlyval + RER B or OrlyBus ~30–45 min.
• Metro: get a Navigo Easy card; tap for single rides, or consider day passes if you’ll ride often.

Day 1: Arrival, Île de la Cité, and Cocktails in Le Marais

Afternoon: Land, drop bags, and reset with espresso and flaky viennoiseries at Télescope (precision-brewed filter) or Boot Café (tiny, photogenic spot). Stroll Île de la Cité: step inside the renewed Notre-Dame and let Sainte-Chapelle’s stained-glass kaleidoscope dazzle you. Cross to the Right Bank via the Pont Neuf for Seine views.

Evening: Dinner in Le Marais: try Chez Janou (sunny Provençal classics and a legendary chocolate mousse), Bouillon République (great-value French staples in a Belle Époque room), or Parcelles (intimate bistro with a deep wine list). For a speakeasy start to your cocktail crawl, duck through the taqueria to Candelaria for agave-driven signatures; or slide into velvet banquettes at Danico (playful, technique-driven drinks in a former Italian trattoria).

Day 2: Louvre Masterpieces, Palais Royal, and a Seine Dinner Cruise

Morning: Beat the crowds at the Louvre with reserved access and an expert guide to the essentials—Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, Venus de Milo, and overlooked gems. Book here:

Louvre Museum Masterpieces Guided Tour with Reserved Access

Post-tour, wander the Tuileries and the tranquil arcades of Palais Royal. Coffee break at Café Kitsuné in the gardens, then peek into concept stores around rue Saint-Honoré.

Afternoon: Explore covered passages near Grands Boulevards (Passage des Panoramas, Galerie Vivienne) for stamp shops, rare-book sellers, and vintage bistros. Lunch ideas: Bistrot Vivienne (onion soup and steak-frites done right), Juveniles (wine bistro with seasonal plates), or Frenchie To Go (lively, casual counter).

Evening: Dress up for an elegant glide along the Seine—glass-canopy views, live music, illuminated bridges, and a multi-course French dinner.

Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Dinner & Sightseeing Cruise

After docking near the Eiffel Tower, catch the hourly sparkle. If you have room for a nightcap, try the rooftop at Le Perchoir Marais (sunset cityscapes) or a jazz set at Duc des Lombards.

Day 3: Montmartre Views, Food Tour, and Pigalle After Dark

Morning: Start with specialty coffee at KB Coffee Roasters and trot up the back streets to Sacré-Cœur before the crowds. Wander cobbled lanes past artists’ ateliers and vineyards, then dip into Musée de la Vie Romantique (free garden, serene café) near the base of the hill.

Afternoon: Eat Montmartre like a local on a small-group tasting walk—artisanal cheeses, charcuterie, pastries, chocolates, and wines—plus stories of bohemian Paris and the best gourmet addresses to return to later.

Montmartre or Notre Dame Gourmet Food Tour with 7+ Dishes & Wines

Evening: Pigalle buzz: dine at Bouillon Pigalle (fast-moving line, hearty classics at friendly prices) or Le Pantruche (refined bistro fare). Then sample Paris’s playful cocktail scene—Dirty Dick for tiki theatrics, Lulu White for New Orleans vibes, or the garden-glam of Le Très Particulier. Beer lovers can pregame with Frog Revolution (Bastille) or plan a craft crawl tomorrow.

Day 4: Left Bank Art, Saint‑Germain Stroll, and Eiffel Tower at Sunset

Morning: Devote a few unhurried hours to the Impressionists and beyond at the Musée d’Orsay (open Wed–Sun). Refuel at Coutume (serious coffee program) or Café de la Nouvelle Mairie (quiche, biodynamic wines) near the Panthéon.

Afternoon: Browse Saint‑Germain’s literary haunts and independent boutiques, relax in Luxembourg Gardens, and browse the Latin Quarter’s bookshops (including the famed one across from Notre‑Dame). Consider a quick detour to Sainte‑Chapelle if light is good.

Evening: Time your ascent for golden hour with priority access, then watch Paris glow from the Iron Lady herself.

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

After sunset, explore cocktail artistry at Le Syndicat (French spirits, inventive menus) or book Little Red Door (story-driven drinks, regularly on world’s best lists). For dinner: Le Servan (subtle Asian accents on French produce) or Clamato (no-reservations seafood; arrive early).

Day 5: Versailles Morning, Canal Saint‑Martin, Breweries, and a Farewell Toast

Morning: Go royal. Take RER C from central Paris to Versailles Château–Rive Gauche (~35–45 min; budget ~€7–€8 each way). Arrive for opening to tour the Hall of Mirrors, Royal Apartments, and gardens; budget ~3 hours. Fountain shows run select days in season (Apr–Oct). If you prefer staying in town, swap Versailles for a croissant-baking class and market wander.

Afternoon: Back in Paris, laze along Canal Saint‑Martin with a coffee at La Fontaine de Belleville, then browse Merci and The Broken Arm in Le Marais for design-forward souvenirs. Craft beer break: Paname Brewing Company (canal terrace, IPAs and saisons) or BAPBAP’s taproom (11th; Paris-brewed classics and collabs).

Evening: Final-night feast at Bouillon Julien (ornate Art Nouveau dining hall), Frenchie Bar à Vins (walk-in small plates), or Septime La Cave (stand-up wine bar with snacks). Raise a last cocktail at Little Red Door if you haven’t yet—or circle back to a favorite. If you’re still going, New Morning hosts excellent live sets.

Optional/Alternate Add‑Ons (slot where they fit):

• One-day highlights: For a guided greatest-hits day including Louvre, Eiffel Tower, and a river cruise, consider a bundled “Paris in a Day” experience.
• Croissant class: Hands-on baking with a Parisian chef pairs perfectly with a market visit morning.
• Flea market: Saint‑Ouen (Sat–Mon) for vintage fashion and antiques—arrive early.

Coffee, bakeries, and snacks to bookmark: Du Pain et des Idées (legendary “escargot” pastry), Stohrer (oldest pâtisserie, 1730), Arnaud Larher (award-winning croissants), KB Coffee Roasters, Coutume, Café Kitsuné, Substance Café, La Fontaine de Belleville.

Shopping ideas: Le Marais indie boutiques, Merci concept store, The Broken Arm, Buly 1803, Shakespeare & Company for books, Galeries Lafayette rooftop for a free skyline view.

Handy Booking Links

• Flights (Europe): Omio (flights)
• Flights (long-haul): Trip.com or Kiwi.com
• Trains & buses (Europe): Omio (trains) | Omio (buses) | Omio (ferries)
• Hotels & apartments: Hotels.com Paris | VRBO Paris

Viator Activities Featured in This Itinerary

• Louvre Museum Masterpieces Guided Tour with Reserved Access

  

• Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Dinner & Sightseeing Cruise

  

• Montmartre or Notre Dame Gourmet Food Tour with 7+ Dishes & Wines

  

• Eiffel Tower Dedicated Reserved Access Top or 2nd floor by lift

  

With art that shaped civilizations, cafés that fuel conversation, and a nightlife scene that keeps inventing, Paris rewards every hour you give it. This 5-day plan balances icons with insider favorites—perfect for a mid-range budget that still makes room for a few “wow” moments. Bon voyage, and bon appétit.