Paris is a city that rewards lingering. From Roman Lutetia to revolutionary barricades and the Belle Époque, each century left its mark along the Seine: grand museums, hidden courtyards, ornate bridges, and café terraces that feel like living rooms.

Today’s Paris balances heritage with creativity—boulangeries and natural wine bars coexist with world-class galleries, street art, and fashion houses. Expect mornings of flaky croissants and museum gems, afternoons in leafy gardens, and golden-hour river light.

Practical notes: book major sights in advance, watch for museum closure days (Louvre Tue; Orsay Mon), and keep an eye on pickpockets in crowded zones. The Metro is fast and easy; consider a Navigo Easy card. Cuisine ranges from classic bistros to inventive neo-bistros—come hungry.

Paris

Paris is compact yet endlessly varied. Trace kings and rebels on Île de la Cité, climb to Sacré-Cœur for citywide views, wander the Latin Quarter’s bookshops, and browse Le Marais’ boutiques and falafel stands. Even simple things—bakery lines, zinc bars, market chatter—feel cinematic.

• Top sights: Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Sainte-Chapelle, Notre-Dame (reopened interior), Eiffel Tower, Montmartre, Luxembourg Gardens, Le Marais, Canal Saint-Martin.
• Dining highlights: buttery viennoiseries, bistro classics (steak-frites, duck confit), crêpes, North African couscous, and a thriving natural-wine scene.
• Fun fact: Paris has over 30 covered passages—19th-century glass-roofed arcades—perfect on a rainy day.

Where to stay (bookable options):

• Search vacation homes: VRBO Paris
• Search hotels: Hotels.com Paris
• Splurge icons near the Tuileries/Champs-Élysées: Le Meurice, Hôtel Plaza Athénée, The Ritz Paris, The Peninsula Paris
• Stylish boutiques: Hôtel des Grands Boulevards, Hôtel des Arts Montmartre, Hôtel du Temps, Hôtel des Arts Bastille
• Great value: Novotel Paris Centre Gare Montparnasse, Generator Paris, Left Bank charmer: Hotel du College de France, Eiffel-adjacent: Hôtel du Champ de Mars

Getting to Paris (bookable options):

• Flights within Europe: compare fares on Omio Flights. Example: London–Paris often 1h15 nonstop; fares from ~$60–$180 depending on season.
• Flights from outside Europe: search Trip.com Flights and Kiwi.com for flexible routes and multi-city options.
• Trains in Europe: check schedules and prices on Omio Trains. Benchmarks: London–Paris (Eurostar) ~2h16; Brussels–Paris ~1h22; Amsterdam–Paris ~3h20. Advance purchase yields the best fares.

Day 1: Arrival, Île de la Cité, and a Night on the Seine

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. For a gentle first walk, cross the Pont Neuf to Île de la Cité and admire the restored façade of Notre-Dame; if time allows, step inside the reopened cathedral to see the painstakingly revived vaults and stained glass.

Evening: Celebrate night one with a river-view dinner. Book the Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Dinner & Sightseeing Cruise for classic dishes, live music, and illuminated landmarks.

Post-cruise, toast with a nightcap nearby or stroll the Trocadéro for a sparkling Eiffel Tower view on the hour.

Day 2: Louvre Masterpieces, Palais Royal, and Opera Nights

Morning: Coffee at Telescope (near the Louvre) for dialed-in espresso and a buttery croissant. Enter the Louvre with purpose—this collection is vast. A guided tour streamlines the highlights and context.

Afternoon: Join the Louvre Museum Masterpieces Guided Tour with Reserved Access to see the Venus de Milo, the Winged Victory, and Leonardo’s Mona Lisa without the guesswork.

After, wander the arcades of the Palais Royal and the covered passages (Galerie Vivienne) for antique shops and stationery. Sweet stop: Angelina for the famed hot chocolate and Mont-Blanc.

Evening: Dinner options: Bouillon Chartier (historic, budget-friendly French classics—expect a lively room) or Frenchie Wine Bar (standing-room buzz, seasonal small plates). Cocktails at Little Red Door (creative, ingredient-led) or a glass at Juveniles wine bar.

Day 3: Montmartre Views, Street Art, and Bistro Comforts

Morning: Start with viennoiseries at Pain Pain (award-winning bakery) and climb to Sacré-Cœur for sweeping city views. Meander Rue de l’Abreuvoir and Place du Tertre, then duck into the Musée de la Vie Romantique’s garden café.

Afternoon: Descend toward South Pigalle for third-wave coffee at KB, then head to the Musée de l’Orangerie to sit with Monet’s Nymphéas. If it’s Monday (Orsay closed), Orangerie is a great alternative; if Tuesday (Louvre closed), swap Day 2/3.

Evening: Dinner at Bouillon Pigalle (fast-moving line, textbook onion soup and steak-frites) or Bistrot Paul Bert (aged steak, pepper sauce, exceptional île flottante). For music, catch live jazz at Le Caveau de la Huchette—swing dancing in a 16th-century cellar.

Day 4: Versailles Splendor + Saint‑Germain Stroll

Morning: Take the RER C toward Versailles Château Rive Gauche (~35–45 minutes). To maximize time in the palace and formal gardens, join a small-group visit: Versailles Palace and Gardens Tour from Paris.

Afternoon: Return to Paris for a Left Bank wander: Saint‑Germain’s arcades, Saint‑Sulpice church, and the Luxembourg Gardens’ Medici Fountain. Refuel with crêpes and cider at Breizh Café Odéon.

Evening: Wine bars: La Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels (natural-leaning list) or Fish La Boissonnerie (walk-ins at the bar). Dinner ideas: Le Comptoir du Relais (rich terrines, slow-cooked meats) or Clamato (seafood plates, no reservations).

Day 5: Gothic Light, Rodin Sculpture, and Sunset at the Iron Lady

Morning: Step into Sainte‑Chapelle for stained-glass radiance, then browse the Latin Quarter’s Shakespeare and Company and the riverside bouquinistes. Coffee and fluffy pancakes at Holybelly 5 if you’re craving brunch.

Afternoon: Stroll Esplanade des Invalides to the Musée Rodin—linger in the garden among The Thinker and Balzac. Snack: macarons from Pierre Hermé or a crispy galette-saucisse from a Breton stand if you spot one.

Evening: Time your ascent for dusk with the Eiffel Tower Dedicated Reserved Access Top or 2nd floor by lift to watch the city glow.

Dinner nearby on Rue Cler: Le Petit Cler (bistro hits) or Café du Marché (hearty salads, roasted meats). For a splurge nightcap, try Bar Hemingway at The Ritz—martinis with lore.

Day 6: Le Marais, Canal Saint‑Martin, and Nightlife

Morning: Explore Le Marais’ lanes before crowds: Place des Vosges, Village Saint‑Paul’s antiques, and the Maison Européenne de la Photographie (check current exhibitions). Coffee at Fragments (buttery kouign-amann) or Boot Café (tiny, postcard-pretty).

Afternoon: Lunch at Marché des Enfants Rouges: try Chez Alain Miam Miam’s overstuffed galettes or a Moroccan tagine stall. Walk the canal from République to Canal Saint‑Martin—watch the locks, shop indie boutiques, and snack on a pistachio escargot from Du Pain et des Idées.

Evening: Casual dinner: L’As du Fallafel (classic, sesame-slicked) or Miznon (fire‑kissed cauliflower, pitas), or book Chez Janou for Provençal plates and a legendary chocolate mousse. Drinks: Le Syndicat (all‑French spirits) or rooftop Le Perchoir Marais for skyline views.

Day 7: Arc de Triomphe, Last Bites, and Departure

Morning: Climb the Arc de Triomphe for that perfect starburst of avenues (shorter lines than the Tower). Window‑shop along the Champs‑Élysées, then detour to Galeries Lafayette’s rooftop terrace for a final panorama. Brunch at Café de Flore (people‑watching and oeufs brouillés) or Carette (excellent pastries).

Afternoon: Transfer to the airport or station. RER B to CDG takes ~35–45 minutes (about €12). OrlyBus/OrlyVal for ORY. If taking a train in Europe, compare departures on Omio Trains; for flights, try Omio Flights, Trip.com Flights, or Kiwi.com.

Optional swaps and tips

• Museum closures: Louvre Tue, Orsay Mon. Swap days accordingly.
• Notre‑Dame: interior visits now possible with timed entry; arrive early.
• Market mornings: Rue Cler, Marché d’Aligre, or Marché des Enfants Rouges for picnic provisions.
• Rainy-day arcades: Passage des Panoramas, Galerie Vivienne, Passage Jouffroy.

Included bookable experiences (quick list)

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

In seven days, you’ll have tasted the layers that make Paris irresistible: art that alters your breath, neighborhoods with distinct rhythms, and meals that linger in memory. Keep this plan as your backbone, then leave space for serendipity—because Paris loves to surprise you around the next corner.