Paris has been rewriting the language of art, fashion, and food for centuries—from medieval Île de la Cité to Haussmann’s boulevards and today’s creative arrondissements. In one week, you can trace this arc across the Seine, from Gothic chapels to Impressionist masterworks and contemporary cafés.

Along the way, expect iconic moments—the Eiffel Tower at golden hour, the Mona Lisa’s half-smile, and the glowing stained glass of Sainte-Chapelle—balanced with everyday Parisian pleasures: flaky morning croissants, market-fresh lunches, and people-watching from a terrace table. Neighborhoods like Montmartre and Le Marais invite you to wander, linger, and taste.

Practical notes: museums often close one day per week (e.g., the Louvre on Tuesdays; Musée d’Orsay on Mondays). Buy a Navigo Easy or a weekly Navigo Découverte for transit, keep valuables secure in crowds, and book headline sights in advance. Paris’s dining ranges from classic bistros to innovative neo-bistros—this guide highlights both.

Paris

Paris rewards curiosity. Spend mornings in world-class museums, afternoons in leafy gardens or covered passages, and evenings lingering over wine bars and neighborhood tables. The city’s compact core makes walking a joy; when feet tire, the metro whisks you anywhere.

Don’t miss: the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay, Notre-Dame (now reopened), Sainte-Chapelle’s radiant glass, the grands boulevards and Opéra, and the bohemian hill of Montmartre. Across the river, the Latin Quarter and Saint‑Germain mix bookshops, cafés, and storied brasseries.

• Where to stay (Hotels.com + VRBO):
  • Search Paris stays on Hotels.com and VRBO.
  • Splurge: Le Meurice, Hôtel Plaza Athénée, The Peninsula Paris, The Ritz Paris.
  • Boutique favorites: Hôtel des Grands Boulevards, Hôtel des Arts Montmartre, Hôtel du Temps, Hotel du College de France, Hôtel des Arts Bastille, Hôtel du Champ de Mars.
  • Good value: Novotel Paris Centre Gare Montparnasse, Generator Paris.
• Getting to Paris: Compare flights and trains on Omio (flights) and Omio (trains in Europe). Typical times: London–Paris by Eurostar in ~2h20 (from ~€60–€180), Brussels–Paris ~1h25 (from ~€35–€90), Amsterdam–Paris ~3h20 (from ~€80–€200). CDG airport to center by RER B: ~35 min, ~€11–€12.

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

Afternoon: Arrive and settle in. Stretch your legs along the Seine toward Île de la Cité. Step into Notre‑Dame Cathedral, reopened in Dec 2024—expect security checks and possible queues—then admire the Conciergerie’s medieval bones and the Pont Neuf views.

Evening: Classic Left Bank dinner. Options: Le Comptoir du Relais (Saint‑Germain staple; book if possible), Bouillon Racine (Art Nouveau room; hearty French classics), or Breizh Café (buckwheat galettes, cider). For a nightcap, try Experimental Cocktail Club near Montorgueil or a riverside stroll with Berthillon ice cream on Île Saint‑Louis.

Day 2: Louvre Masterpieces, Tuileries, and the Eiffel Tower at Night

Morning: Dive into the world’s great museum with a guide to hit the highlights without the swirl. Reserve the Louvre Museum Masterpieces Guided Tour with Reserved Access for context on Venus de Milo, Winged Victory, and the Mona Lisa.

Refuel nearby: Café Verlet (historic roaster with a great lunch menu) or Angelina for the thickest hot chocolate in town. Then unwind in the Tuileries or peek into the Palais‑Royal arcades and gardens.

Afternoon: Wander the covered passages (Galerie Vivienne is a jewel), then head up to the Opéra Garnier for self-guided opulence—grand staircase, Chagall ceiling, gilt everywhere. Rooftop at Galeries Lafayette offers a free panorama for photos.

Evening: Time your ascent for twilight with Eiffel Tower Dedicated Reserved Access Top or 2nd floor by lift to glide past lines and hear the “Iron Lady” backstory. Dine nearby at Les Ombres (glass‑roof terrace over the Quai Branly museum) or Le Petit Cler (bistro on a cute market street), then watch the hourly sparkle from the Champ de Mars.

Day 3: Montmartre to Canal Saint‑Martin

Morning: Coffee and kouign‑amann at hardware-meets-brunch spot Hardware Société (near the basilica). Climb to Sacré‑Cœur for sweeping views; loop through Rue de l’Abreuvoir, the Montmartre Vineyard, and the Musée de Montmartre garden for Renoir vibes. Skip tourist traps at Place du Tertre; instead duck into quiet lanes like Rue Cortot.

Afternoon: Take the metro to Canal Saint‑Martin for a lazy promenade under plane trees. Grab a tartine at Ten Belles or a scoop from a local glacier; browse indie shops along Rue de Marseille. For coffee, La Fontaine de Belleville channels a 1930s café with serious beans.

Evening: Dinner in the 9th/10th: Bouillon Pigalle (budget‑friendly French classics), Le Pantruche (market‑driven bistro; book), or Le Richer (walk‑in only, seasonal plates). Cocktails after at Lulu White or Little Red Door (Marais) if you’re crossing the river.

Day 4: Île de la Cité, Latin Quarter, and a Seine Dinner Cruise

Morning: Start with Sainte‑Chapelle—time your visit to bask in morning light streaming through its 13th‑century stained glass. Stroll the Latin Quarter’s bookshops (Rue de la Bûcherie) and the Sorbonne area; the Panthéon offers a who’s‑who of French history beneath a neoclassical dome.

Afternoon: Cross to the Left Bank quays and the Musée d’Orsay for Impressionist giants—Monet, Degas, Van Gogh—inside a Beaux‑Arts railway station. If lines look heavy, return later or enjoy the sculpture terrace and Seine views instead.

Evening: Dress up for a riverfront feast: the glass‑canopy boat and live music on the Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Dinner & Sightseeing Cruise glide past the Louvre, Île de la Cité, and the Eiffel Tower—Paris lit like a film set.

Day 5: Versailles Day Trip (Palace, Gardens, and Trianons)

Morning: Depart after breakfast. Easiest DIY route: RER C to “Versailles Château Rive Gauche” (~35–45 min; ~€4–€5 each way). Alternatively, let a guide handle logistics with the Versailles Palace and Gardens Tour from Paris for skip‑the‑line entry and context on the Sun King’s court.

Afternoon: Explore the Hall of Mirrors, Royal Apartments, and then the vast formal gardens. If time allows, rent a bike or golf cart to reach the Grand and Petit Trianon and Marie‑Antoinette’s pastoral Hamlet.

Evening: Return to Paris for dinner in Saint‑Germain: Chez Fernand (boeuf bourguignon), Semper (modern seasonal cooking), or Juveniles (wine bar with market‑led plates). A late stroll along the Quai Voltaire delivers postcard reflections.

Day 6: Markets, Le Marais, and Right Bank Art

Morning: Start at Marché des Enfants Rouges (oldest covered market; come hungry). Snack your way through—Moroccan couscous, fresh pasta, or the famed sandwiches at Chez Alain Miam Miam. Pastry stop at Stohrer on Rue Montorgueil (founded 1730) for rum babas.

Afternoon: Explore Le Marais: Musée Picasso (blue period to cut‑outs), Musée Carnavalet (free, Paris history), and Place des Vosges arcades. Browse BHV Marais for design finds, then pause at Fragments for superb espresso and a cinnamon bun.

Evening: Dinner options: Robert et Louise (wood‑fired côte de boeuf), Clamato (seafood plates, no reservations), or Le Servan (seasonal French with Asian accents). For a glass, try Le Barav or natural‑wine darling Aux Deux Amis on Oberkampf.

Day 7: Gardens, Last Bites, and Departure

Morning: A farewell loop through the Luxembourg Gardens—palms, statues, and sailboats on the basin. Brunch at Holybelly (pancakes and eggs with Parisian polish) or a classic croissant at Sébastien Gaudard. Pick up edible souvenirs at La Grande Épicerie or chocolates from Patrick Roger.

Afternoon: Depart for the airport or your next European stop. For intra‑Europe trains and flights, compare on Omio (trains), Omio (flights), or buses on Omio (buses). From central Paris, RER B to CDG takes ~35 minutes; Orlyval + RER for ORY is ~30–40 minutes.

Helpful Tips

• Transit: Get a Navigo Easy or week‑long Navigo Découverte (zones 1–5, Mon–Sun) if you’ll ride often. Most sights are walkable; metro fills the gaps.
• Timing: Book headline tickets early. Check weekly museum closures; swap days as needed (e.g., do Orsay on a non‑Monday; Louvre on non‑Tuesday).
• Dining: Reserve for popular bistros; many kitchens close mid‑afternoon. Tipping is modest (service included), but rounding up or leaving 5–10% for great service is appreciated.

Curated Viator Picks Used in This Itinerary

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

Where to Search/Book Transport: Omio flights (to/from Europe), Omio trains (Europe), Omio buses (Europe), and Omio ferries (Europe).

In seven days you’ll have tasted both the headliners and the hidden corners of Paris—masterpieces and marchés, river light and rooftop views. Keep this plan handy, swap days around museum closures, and let curiosity lead; Paris rewards the flâneur who lingers.