Five Fun Days 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
Jardin des Tuileries
Musée de l’Orangerie
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
Arc De Triomphe
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
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
Seine River Cruise
Day 2: Louvre, Île de la Cité, and Notre Dame
The Louvre
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
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.
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
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 Gardens
The Trianon Estate
Day 4: Musée d'Orsay, Le Jardin du Luxembourg, Panthéon, Les Catacombes, and Paris from the Sky
Musée d'Orsay
Musée Rodin
Les Invalides
Cafe Time
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
Les Catacombes de Paris
The Catacombs of Paris is a very unique experience that is not for everyone.
Montparnasse Tower
Day 5: Pompidou, Sacré-Cœur, Montmartre
Breakfast/ Brunch
Centre Pompidou
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!
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.
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