Five Fun Days in Paris
Paris is often known as the City of Love and the City of Lights. It always has been a destination of romance and beauty, and it’s one of the most popular tourist cities in the world. From the iconic Eiffel Tower to the cobblestone streets and small cafes, there’s no shortage of things to do in Paris.
Our gateway to European travel started here! Thus Paris holds a very special place in our hearts. Come join us as we give you our favorite way to spend five days in this magical city! Bonjour!
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Preview:
Day 1: Jardin des Tuileries, Champs-Élysées, Arc De Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, and Seine Cruise
Breakfast
We have a wonderful iconic day planned for you! Begin your Parisian adventure with an authentic breakfast at your local café or boulangerie.
Jardin des Tuileries
Start the day with a lovely morning stroll with amazing views in this free public park! It also happens to be a common gathering place for the Parisians.
The southwest corner of gardens is home to the the Musée de l’Orangerie and the Galerie Nationale du Jeu de Paume.
Musée de l’Orangerie
This is the home to impressionist and post-impressionist paintings with the most noteworthy being the Water Lilies by Claude Monet (pictured here).
Tip: Check the website for hours and ticket options. We recommend an audio tour or a guided tour to appreciate the art. Most people spend about 1-2 hours here for highlights.
Just a few steps away is our next stop!
Place de la Concorde
Located in the heart of Paris, the Place de la Concorde is the largest square in the city of Paris.
In the middle of this square is the iconic 3000 year old Obelisk of Luxor. It was placed to mark the spot where the guillotine stood during the French Revolution and marks the site of where the famous King Louis XVI and his wife Queen Marie Antoinette were executed during the revolution. Take a moment to take in the history.
Next walk across the street to arguably the most famous street in Paris - the Avenue des Champs-Élysées.
Champs-Élysées
Located in the 8th arrondissement, it runs between the Place de la Concorde in the east and the Place Charles de Gaulle in the west.
It is home to a very lively street filled with theaters, cafés, and luxury shops. This area also makes a good coffee or lunch break too!
Arc De Triomphe
The Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile is one of the most famous monuments in Paris honoring those who fought and died for France in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.
You can even head to the top of the Arc de Triomphe for a sweeping view of the city of Paris. Unfortunately, there's no elevator, so you must climb the 284 steps to the top but trust us that the views are truly worth it!
Your feet probably could use a rest, so consider taking a ~12 minute public transport to the next location.
Jardins du Trocadéro
The Trocadero Gardens provide a great vantage point of the Eiffel Tower! We promise, we are going to visit Eiffel soon! The gardens are home to the Aquarium de Paris, the Musée national de la Marine de Paris, and the Cité de l'architecture et du patrimoine. Talk about a whole package! If you manage to get here early AM you may be able to snag a photo with no one here.
Walk across the Pont d'Iéna to the Eiffel Tower (only about a 10 minute walk)!
Eiffel Tower
Named after the esteemed french architect Gustave Eiffel, the Eiffel Tower was built as a “temporary” exhibit for the 1889 World’s Fair.
As you can imagine, local and tourists alike loved it so much that it has become the true representation of not only Paris but France as a whole.
Details: The tower has three levels for visitors. Tickets can be purchased to ascend the levels either by stairs or via lift. Both the climb from the group to the first level, and the first to the second level are 300 steps, making the entire ascent a 600 step climb. Can you guess which option we choose???
We chose the walking option and it was absolutely delightful and a great workout! Thankfully each level is equipped with bathrooms and bakeries to provide comfort and sustenance.
We highly recommend this unique experience taking a tour up the steps with a local guide who will be able to provide you with all the fantastical details about this marvel!
Check this guided walking tour as an option.
Champ De Mars
Looking for those iconic Eiffel Tower selfies? Head over to Champ De Mars - the splaying green lawn south of the Eiffel Tower.
If you have some time, grab a blanket, a baguette, and a bottle of wine and soak in the sunshine with some of the most iconic views of the city.
Tip: A great place for sunset!
Seine River Cruise
Continue your walk through Paris by walking to the river to the Vedettes du Pont to catch a sunset Seine river cruise.
River cruises can range from a one-hour sightseeing cruise or a lunch/dinner cruise or a cruise at night. Multiple ports are available too! This is a great relaxing way to coast by major Parisian landmarks including the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and Notre Dame Cathedral!
Tip: The Seine River cruise is a sought-after attraction so make sure to get tickets in advance especially if you are traveling in the summer!
Day 2: Louvre, Île de la Cité, and Notre Dame
The Louvre
Start your second day in Paris with the most famous art museum in the world - The Louvre. It is a historic landmark in Paris home to the Mona Lisa! The museum sees an estimated 10.8 million visitors per year!
You can try to visit the Louvre by yourself, but the size of the museum and the number of beautiful artwork will be even more magical if you take a guided tour of the highlights.
Time: Check the hours on the website (there are some late hours you can take advantage of) and make sure you book timed entries early!
Next, cross the oldest bridge in Paris - Pont Neuf - and head to the Île de la Cité. This island in the River Seine is home to the Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Royal Chapel of Sainte-Chapelle.
Sainte-Chapelle and Conciergerie
The Sainte-Chapelle is an exquisite example of royal chapel in the Gothic style. Initially commissioned by King Louis IX of France to house his collection of Passion relics.
The holy church is now a museum and boasts the most extensive 13th-century stained glass collections anywhere in the world.
Right next to Sainte-Chapelle is the conciergerie, a gothic riverside fortress and French Revolution prior whose most famous was Queen Marie Antoinette herself.
Tip: The Sainte-Chapelle and Conciergerie are located on the grounds of the Palais de Justice de Paris so don’t be alarmed by police and military personnel in the vicinity. Also likely requires a reservation, check online!
As an added bonus only a 12 minute walk away is Pont des Arts (the famous locks of love bridge)! Then walk down a few blocks and come face to face with the iconic Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris.
Notre-Dame
This towering 13th century cathedral with its flying buttresses & gargoyles has inspiredmany writers with the most famous work being The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo.
While the cathedral caught fire on April 15th, 2019, the majority of the structures remained intact. Reconstruction on the building is on its way and is estimated to be complete by Spring 2024 in the eve of 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.
If you would rather take a guided tour-check out this one of the Île de la Cité (includes the above).
Saint-Germain-des-Prés
This is a fun local neighborhood with local boutiques, cafes, nice places to eat, and art. Enjoy an evening and enjoy a French dinner here!
If you are interested in local cuisine consider these food tours:
Day 3: A Day Trip to Versailles
The Palace of Versailles is a former royal residence built by King Louis XIV located in Versailles, about 12 miles west of Paris, France.
It’s a beautiful place! Be sure to also try the famous Angelina hot chocolate here too! You will find cute little cafes in the gardens that have a variety of food options and our favorite baguette sandwiches!
The easiest and cheapest way to get from Paris to Versailles is by RER C. It is recommended to buy your return ticket from the train station in Paris as there will be long lines at Versailles station.
Make sure you check the website for the most updated hours/times and reserve advance tickets! There are multiple parts to Versailles- the Palace, Estate of Trianon, Park and Gardens, and fountain shows.
The Palace
Be sure to book advance tickets to for the palace and get there early in the morning to beat the grounds. Definitely do the audio guide tours! If you are looking for something in more depth consider a guided tour
The palace ticket gives you access to the state apartments, private apartments, as well as historic galleries.
The jewel of the palace is like the Hall of Mirrors, the most famous room in the Palace, which was built to replace a large terrace designed by the architect Louis Le Vau and which opened onto the garden.
The Gardens
The beautiful gardens in the Château de Versailles make up a series of lovely paths, sculptures, and fountains!
The gardens cover 800 hectares of land, much of which is landscaped in the classic French formal garden style perfected here by André Le Nôtre.
From April 1st to October 30th, the gardens are accompanied by music from Tuesday to Friday and the Musical Fountains Shows on Saturdays and Sundays which are an absolute delight!
The Trianon Estate
In an attempt to separate themselves from the hustle and bustle of court, the kings of Versailles built themselves more intimate spaces close to the main palace.
The estate of Trianon is home to the Grand Trianon and Petit Trianon palaces, as well as the Queen’s Hamlet and a variety of ornamental gardens.
Day 4: Musée d'Orsay, Le Jardin du Luxembourg, Panthéon, Les Catacombes, and Paris from the Sky
Musée d'Orsay
First stop today is Musée d'Orsay. Housed in the former Gare d'Orsay, a Beaux-Arts railway station built between 1898 and 1900, the museum now houses mainly French art dating from 1848 to 1914. For the art lovers out there, the museum is a stunning collection of works by famous artists including Monet, Manet, Renoir, Van Gogh and many more.
While you can explore the museum on your own, we would recommend an audio guide to get a more immersive experience.
Musée Rodin
For Rodin lovers, make sure to stop by the Musée Rodin to get a quick glimpse of the thinker. While you can easily spend a few hours here, we spent about thirty minutes appreciating the highlights.
Les Invalides
Les Invalides is a series of military museums and monuments dedicated to the military history of France. The buildings house the Musée de l'Armée, the military museum of the Army of France, the Musée des Plans-Reliefs, and the Musée d'Histoire Contemporaine.
One of the noteworthy places to visit is the tomb of emperor Napoleon.
Cafe Time
Be sure to fit in breaks for an afternoon cafe! Paris has a lovely coffee culture and it is common and so much fun grabbing an outdoor table sipping on coffee and people watching.
Le Jardin du Luxembourg
Home to the Palais du Luxembourg, the current location of the French Senate, the Luxembourg Gardens cover 25 hectares of land are split into French and English gardens, with a geometric forest and a large octagonal pond dividing the two. Stroll along the greenspace among the bustling city and admire the local Parisians enjoying their city.
Panthéon
The Panthéon is a building that has been repeatedly repurposed over the years, but today stands as a civic building that serves as a repository for the remains of great French citizens, including Voltaire, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Victor Hugo, Èmile Zola, and Marie Curie.
The visit usually takes about 90 minutes to get a highlights tour of the place and is definitely an amazing experience.
Les Catacombes de Paris
The Catacombs of Paris is a very unique experience that is not for everyone.
At times of illness when many people died, it was beyond the capacity of the local cemeteries. This is basically Paris underground with tunnels and a series of former quarries that now house the remains of more than six million people. The Catacombs are both impressive and haunting but not for the faint of heart. There are strict restrictions you should check on the website and also book ahead if you are interested.
Montparnasse Tower
Tour Maine-Montparnasse is a 210-metre office skyscraper that provides some of the best views of the city of lights.
The Montparnasse Tower Observation Deck offers you a panoramic visit of Paris, its monuments and districts. The Tower is also home to Europe's highest restaurant, Le Ciel de Paris.
Day 5: Pompidou, Sacré-Cœur, Montmartre
Breakfast/ Brunch
So many delicious options both take away (to go) and sit down! Always make time for food!
Centre Pompidou
The centre Pompidou aka the Centre national d'art et de culture Georges-Pompidou is a modern art museum. Home to 20th and 21st century art collections, the museum has a series of ever-changing exhibitions that highlight the diversity of the modern art world.
Even if you aren’t a museum fan, come see this cool building from the outside!
Montmartre
Located in the 18 arrondissement, the neighborhood of Montmartre is highlighted by the world-famous Montmartre Hill and the Sacré-Cœur. We love this neighborhood!
Things to do here (do on or all!):
If you are feeling adventurous, walk all the way up the hill or take the funicular up to the landing to get to the Sacré-Cœur. Either way, you will be rewarded with amazing views!
Make sure to check out Place du Tertre, a small neighborhood square lined with shops and cute restaurants that give you the feeling of being transported into the olden times.
Walk along the cobblestone streets lined with local art galleries as you see the Sacré-Cœur come into view in the distance.
Enjoy wine or wine tasting!
Paris Montmartre walking tasting tour with Secret Food Tours
Sacré-Cœur
La Basilique du Sacré Cœur de Montmartre is a marble-white Roman Catholic church dedicated to the heart of Jesus. Believe it or not, it is the most popular tourist destination in Paris after the Eiffel Tower.
While the area provides a touch of serenity, the steps in front of the church have been depicted in countless movies. The presence of Sacré Cœur on Montmartre Hill provides another amazing point for stunning views of Paris!
We spent an incredible five days in Paris, but this city has so much to offer that we could have spent a month and barely scratched the surface! Visit Paris for the first time, but remember that your heart will long to return to this amazing city!
“The whole of Paris is a vast university of Art, Literature and Music. It is worth anyone’s while to dally here for years. Paris is a seminar, a post-graduate course in Everything.”
Modifications/Tips:
Getting to the center of Paris
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG): If you are flying into Paris, you are likely going to be landing at CDG. It is located 23 km (14 mi) northeast of Paris. The easiest way to get to the city is center by the RER B Line. Journey time: Approx: 25 minutes to Gare du Nord; Approx: 28 minutes to Châtelet-Les-Halles; Approx: 35 minutes to Denfert-Rochereau
Other options include the RoissyBus shuttle provides a direct link to Paris (60 minutes), taxis, and ride-share.
If you have more days in Paris, then take the time to relax- picnic, sip wine, and coffee, eat croissants, and chill in the green spaces across the city.
IF you are a museum buff we highly recommend checking out the Paris Museum Pass to see if it adds value for you. Paris has so many wonderful museums to see so we added our favorites to the itinerary above. If you only have room for one, the one you must visit is of course the Louvre!
We highly recommend staying centrally in the neighborhood (arrondissement)-ideally in the 1st or 8th for central and luxury or anyone around it (examples include- 1,2,3,4,6,8,11). This will allow you to be within walking distance or easily take public transportation to all your destinations.
Merci (thank you) for spending time with us! Check out our main page for more travel inspiration!
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