paris travel guide 4 days

How to Spend 4 Days in Paris: Ultimate First Timer’s Guide to Paris

Going Paris for the first time? Only got 4 days? This itinerary will show you all the best places to visit plus I’ll share my awesome time-saving tips to seeing all of Paris’ top attractions without the queues.

Whether you’ve been to Paris once or twenty times, there is always a musée (museum) or charismatic rue (street) you’re yet to explore. Paris is full of major bucket list items most of us dream of visiting way before we eventually go.

You’ve seen these places immortalised in films like Midnight in Paris and Last Tango in Paris and romanticised in the artworks of the impressionists. Going to Paris and not seeing these iconic places is unthinkable.

Unfortunately, every man and his dog have the same idea. So, it’s inevitable that you’ll encounter tickets queues that trail around corners with an equally long queue to the entrance, both of which eat into your precious time in this culturally rich and beautiful city.

However, there is one way around this which I swear by. I do this in every major city and it always pays dividends. Are you ready? My secret weapon is always getting a city pass. In this case, I got the Go City Paris Pass . 

I was a bit unsure at first, seeing as it required a small investment, but I knew it would be money well spent if it meant it would get me out of the queues and inside the museums toute de suite! (that’s french for asap)

Of the five days and four nights I spent in Paris, I covered a lot of ground. I worked out that with all the queue skipping I did  I was able to see more and save myself at least four and half hours of waiting around in queues. And it wasn’t even full peak season!

While not everything is included in the Paris Pass , it definitely made a difference in being able to stick to my jam-packed itinerary. The  Paris Pass  is available as a 2, 3, 4 or 6-day pass. If you’re unsure which one to get, just round up! I got the 3-day pass thinking it would be enough. Well, it wasn’t. But, as luck would have it, after visiting the Rodin Museum on the final day of my pass, a kind American lady gave me her 6-day pass which wasn’t due to expire for another 2 days! Even though her name was on the pass, no one ever checked. Thank you, Margaret, wherever you are 🙂

So, what’s included in the Paris Pass I hear you ask? Well, there’s lots of good stuff, like the hop-on hop-off bus ride, free public transportation, and entrance to over 60 attractions, but my favourite is its fast-track entry to the most important attractions. For more, visit my guide on cheap and free things to do in Paris.

Updated Aug 2021: Due to the major fire that took place at Notre Dame on April 15, 2019, the cathedral is temporarily closed until further notice whilst restoration works take place. Updates can be found and donations can be made via the official Notre Dame website.

Wondering how to plan your 4 days in Paris? Here’s my complete Paris 4 day itinerary!

Map of Things to do in Paris in 4 Days

Want to know where you’ll be going? Take a look at the detailed map below.

Tip: For a larger view of the map, click on the icon in the top right corner. 

Click on this interactive map and see where this itinerary will take you. I’ve created this map using Google Maps which you can save and use as you travel around.

The coloured pins represent different pockets of the island to explore each day. Click on any pin for more information. Day 1 – Blue pins Day 2 – Orange pins Day 3 – Pink pins Day 4 – Yellow pins

Day 1 Itinerary – Blue Pins

1. get lost in the world’s largest museum, the louvre.

As Paris’ biggest drawcard you won’t want to wait until the last day before checking the world’s greatest art museum off your list. My advice? Go the morning of your first day in Paris. You’ll need all the time you can get to see all 675,000 square feet of the world’s largest art museum.

This beautiful building was originally built to protect Parisians against Viking attacks in the 12th-century.

Can you believe that in the 15th-century the French kings refused to go inside since they disliked the huge building? It wasn’t until 1793 that it became a museum during the French Revolution.

Apparently, if you wanted to see everything in the Louvre it would take 100 days and that’s if you looked at each item for 30 seconds, all day without a break! There are also several hundred thousand items not on display! That’s a lot of art!

The three unmissable pieces in the Louvre are, of course, the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo (an Ancient Greek statue of Aphrodite), and Winged Victory.

Amor et Psyche / Cupid and Psyche

Beyond these masterpieces, your best bet is to focus on whatever interests you the most, Ancient Rome, Renaissance, Ancient Egyptian,… the list goes on. My personal favourite thing to see is the works of Michelangelo, Raphael and Caravaggio.

But for all its beauty, the Louvre can be a scary place. A mummy called Belphegor is said to haunt the museum while the nearby Tuileries Gardens are said to be haunted by a man dressed in red.

Tips on getting into the Louvre FAST!

• About 8 million people visit the Louvre every year so you’re bound to encounter queues no matter that time you visit!
• One tip to getting in quick is to enter through the shopping centre ‘Carrousel du Louvre’ from Rue de Rivoli. A lot of people don’t know that you can reach the main entrance underground simply by bypassing the entrance at street level.
• Alternatively, head straight to the ‘Pyramide du Louvre’, flash your  Paris Pass card at the fast track queue and save yourself at least an hour in the queue. 
• [Updated August 2019] As of the 1st August 2019, Paris Pass holders must pre-book a time slot for their visit to the Louvre. You can book by visiting the Paris Pass Redemption Centre when you collect your Paris Pass, or through the official Louvre website   but only once you have received your pass, as you will need your Paris Museum pass number.
• To shave off more waiting time, avoid taking a backpack to avoid the security bag check.
• After three hours in the Louvre you’ll be well and truly musée’d out. At this point, you’ll want to chillax in the sun and wander around Tuileries Gardens (Jardin des Tuileries). But before that, let’s swing past another top Parisian attraction.
• The Louvre is closed on Tuesdays.

2. Get to know the gargoyles and chimera at Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris

Believe it or not, the most visited monument in Paris is the Notre-Dame cathedral!

Cathédrale de Notre-Dame (Cathedral of Our Lady) is the symbolic heart of Paris and, for many, of France itself. Napoléon was crowned here, and kings and queens exchanged marriage vows before its altar.

There are a few things worth seeing inside the Gothic cathedral, but the real highlights are the exterior architectural details and the unforgettable view of Paris, framed by stone gargoyles, from the top of the south tower.

Construction began in 1163 and wasn’t completed until 1345. It was severely damaged during the Revolution and restored by architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc in the 19th century, Notre-Dame may not be France’s oldest or largest cathedral, but its beauty and architecture are indisputable.

Tips on getting into Notre-Dame Cathedral FAST!

• Gaining access to the cathedral itself is pretty quick, regardless of the length of the queue security is relatively quick. Again, lose the backpack if you can to speed up the process.
• To access the tower for a beautiful panorama over Paris stretching from Sacré-Cœur all the way to the Eiffel Tower, just flash your  Paris Pass . Hot tip: During high season you’re required to book your entry via the free app “Jefile”. Check Paris Pass for more details.

Updated April 2019: Even though the cathedral is close, it’s still worth visiting. Access to the cathedral grounds will be restricted but you can get a decent view from Pont des coeurs and from the Left Bank (La Rive Gauche). Don’t forget that updates can be found and donations can be made via the official Notre Dame website.

3. Cross Pont Neuf

On your way to the next stop, stroll across Paris’ oldest standing bridge, Pont Neuf (‘Bridge Nine’). Its name, which was given to distinguish it from older bridges that were lined on both sides with houses still stands after all of those which were replaced.

4. Relax in the sun at Jardin des Tuileries

Now it’s time to relax!

Located between the Louvre Museum and the Place de la Concorde is Tuileries Garden. There are park benches, chairs a plenty with the occasional baguette vendor and ice-cream stall.

These gardens were created by Catherine de Medici as the garden of the Tuileries Palace in 1564. After the death of her husband, Henry II, Queen Catherine de Medicis decided to move from her residence at the Chateau of Tournelles, near the Bastille, to the Louvre Palace. She decided to build a new palace there for herself, separate from the Louvre, with a garden modelled after the gardens of her native Florence.

5. See Monet’s Nymphéas (Water Lilies) at Musée de l’Orangerie

If you’re a keen Monet fan, then make a pit stop at Musée de l’Orangerie to see Monet’s famous water lily series.

While there are more works downstairs, personally, I only made a visit here to see Monet’s impressive works, which fill two large oval-shaped rooms.

There are eight, massive Nymphéas (water lilies) paintings which Monet painted late in his life. Monet immortalised his ‘jardin d’eau’ at his house in Giverny. The tableaux have an intense, dreamy quality which reflects the artist’s absorption in the private world of his garden.

Head downstairs for the Jean Walter and Paul Guillaume collection of Impressionism and the Cézanne and Renoir portraits, along with works by Modigliani, Rousseau, Matisse, Picasso and Derain.

To get the most out of your visit, pay the 5 Euro for the audioguide.

Tips on getting into Musée de l’Orangerie FAST!

• Normally you can expect long queues here, but when I visited Musée de l’Orangerie it was fairly quiet because the day before all the museums were open for free.
• If you’re visiting any other time, just show your  Paris Pass and walk straight in!

5. Stroll along Avenue des Champs-Élysées

You’ve heard about it, you’ve seen it in countless photos, but can you pronounce it?

Repeat after me. Shomps-eh-lee-zeh.

Now that you can pronounce it, now let’s learn more about it!

The Champs-Elysées meaning “Elysian Fields” (heaven or paradise) is one of the most luxurious and expensive streets in the world. Only London’s Bond Street is more expensive.

The houses on Champs-Élysées have annual rents as high as €1.1 million (US$1.5 million) per 1,100 square feet (92.9 square meters) of space.

Up until 1616, Champs-Élysées was full of market gardens and open fields. Queen of France, Marie de Medici, decided to lengthen the Tuileries Garden by planting trees, the horse chestnut trees still stand today. When it was extended, the avenue wasn’t yet named Champs-Élysées, this didn’t happen until 1709.

The French proudly call their world-famous boulevard “la plus belle avenue du monde” (“the world’s most beautiful avenue”).

6. Visit Paris’ most beautiful bridge, Alexandre III Bridge

Whilst strolling along Champs-Élysées, take a slight detour and visit one of the most elegant bridges in the world, Pont Alexandre III (Alexandre III Bridge).

It was originally built for the Exposition Universelle of 1900, an international world’s fair that introduced talking films, escalators, Russian nesting dolls, wireless telegraphy (radio), and the most powerful telescope ever built. Rudolf Diesel exhibited his new combustion engine which ran only on peanut oil, and the city staged the first Olympic Games outside of Greece. The fair introduced the Art Nouveau style into popular culture and for the first time, electric lights illuminated the City of Light.

8. Enjoy the Sunset on top of Arc de Triomphe

Continuing up the Champs-Élysées, head towards Napolean’s Arc de Triomphe for sunset. Head to the top and take your time up here to enjoy the views over Paris. During summer it doesn’t close until 11 pm.

It will take you 284 steps to climb to the top of the Arc de Triomphe but the sweeping views of its geometric splendour between the arc of La Defense and the Louvre are totally worth it.

Fun fact: Anyone who has an accident whilst driving on the notoriously dangerous and chaotic nine-laned roundabout below will automatically have to pay 50% of the insurance claim, no matter whose fault it is!

The Arc de Triomphe was designed in 1806 on the orders of Emperor Napoleon to honour those who had died in the Napoleonic wars and French Revolutionary Wars. Beneath the arch is the grave of the unknown soldier who died in World War 1. The tomb represents the 1,500,000 soldiers who died during the war.

Tips on getting on top of the Arc de Triomphe FAST!

• Sunset is a popular time to head to the top of the Arc de Triomphe so the ticket office queue is stupidly long. When I was there the queue was about 40-minutes long. No, thanks!
• My tip? You got it! Show your  Paris Pass and skip the queue.

Day 2 Itinerary – Orange Pins

1. head to the top of the eiffel tower.

You’ve seen it from afar, now it’s time to get up close and personal with the Eiffel Tower. Depending on how much willpower you have, I say aim to get here by 7 am. This area gets crazy busy and has a whole different vibe when you wander around without the crowds.

Start at Palais de Chaillot (Trocadero), wander across the beautiful bridge, Pont de Bir-Hakeim then make your way to the Eiffel Tower in time for it’s opening at 9:30 am. Maybe grab a few croissants and have breakfast on the lush green grass before heading to the ticket office.

Can you believe the Eiffel Tower is painted every 7 years using an estimated 60 tonnes of paint? It takes between 15 and 18 months to paint the entire thing!

French engineer Gustave Eiffel spent two years working to erect this iconic monument for the World Exhibition of 1889. This is just one reason, get the full history on why the Eiffel Tower was built. It took 300 workers two years to complete the tower. Only one worker died during the construction thanks to safety precautions insisted upon by the architects. 

Make sure you come back from one night to watch the light show which happens every hour on the hour for 5 minutes from 9 pm to 1 am.

Tips on getting on top of the Eiffel Tower FAST!

• Unfortunately, there are no shortcuts to the top of the Eiffel Tower other than to arrive early.
• If you want to head to the very top, make sure you jump in either the west or east entrances which are clearly marked.
• Reaching the second level is fairly quick and easy, things slow down once you try and head to the very top. Allow a good 40 minutes here for these lifts.

2. Have lunch at Luxembourg Gardens

I’ve been to Paris twice before but somehow I managed to skip Luxembourg Gardens. I had no idea what I was missing. This time I made it!

Built in the 17th century, the gardens are beautifully landscaped with hundreds of statues, monuments and fountains – including the first model of the Statue of Liberty by Frédéric Bartholdi.

Bordered by the hip Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Latin Quarter, these lovely gardens are a favourite amongst Parisians.

You can easily spend an entire day wandering around this city park. It’s the second largest park in Paris and is the garden of the French Senate.

There are a few ice-cream stands here and a surprisingly good café. Grab a salad, pizza, or baguette to take away and enjoy your lunch on the lawn or park benches.

3. Visit the temple of the Republic, the Panthéon

After lunch, head across the road to the Panthéon or “temple of the Republic” as it is sometimes called.

Before my recent trip to Paris, I didn’t know much about the Panthéon, but since it was included in the  Paris Pass I made sure to pay a visit. This place is im-press-ive! A real gem.

I learned that it was originally built as a church dedicated to St. Genevieve, the patron Saint of Paris. Today, it functions as a secular mausoleum containing the remains of distinguished French citizens. In the crypt are the remains of Voltaire, Victor Hugo, and Marie Curie amongst many others.

Tips on getting into the Panthéon FAST!

• I doubt you’ll encounter any queues here, I walked straight in. Maybe because it was an hour before closing time.
• But since it’s covered with your  Paris Pass , you won’t have to wait in any queues any. Wohoo!

4. Mosey on down the Seine on a Bateau Mouche

There’s nothing quite like seeing Paris from a boat, make sure you leave time for a cruise on the Seine.

Included in the  Paris Pass is 1-hour tour of Paris where you’ll see many of its beautiful bridges up close, not to mention a unique viewpoint of the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Cathédrale Notre-Dame, Pont Alexandre III and a whole lot more. The departure is on the bank near Eiffel Tower.

5. See the Best View of Paris from Montparnasse Tower

It may be the ugliest building in Paris, but the views from the top of Montparnasse Tower are unbeatable.

The best part of the 360 view is that you can actually enjoy it outside on their viewing deck which even has a bar! This is another great spot to end your day and unwind, not closing until 11:30 pm.

They say that from up here is the best view of Paris because it’s the only place in the city where you can’t see the tower! Yep, it’s one of those hideous 70s buildings that ruins any skyline.

Tips on getting on top of the Montparnasse Tower FAST!

• I recommend heading here two hours or so before sunset. Again, it’s another popular sunset spot so allow for both the queue downstairs and elevator ride up. You’ll find lots of photographers up here since it’s the only place in Paris that allows tripods without a permit.
• While you can skip the ticket queue with your  Paris Pass , unfortunately, you can’t skip the queue to the elevator. So, arrive early and leave ample time to get to the top.

Day 3 Itinerary – Pink Pins

1. step inside the beautiful  basilique du sacré cœur.

This beautiful castle-like basilica is located in the charming area of Montmartre. This has to be the most photogenic part of Paris with its steep staircases, quaint shops, and narrow streets.

Sacré-Coeur was commissioned by the French government in 1873 to symbolise the return of self-confidence after the devastating years of the Commune and Franco-Prussian War.

Construction lasted until World War I, and the church was finally consecrated in 1919.

Tips on getting into Sacré-Couer FAST!

• Since entrance is free, there is no queue-skipping. When I visited on a steamy hot summer’s day, I walked straight in after a quick bag search.
• The basilica and adjoining square which is full of restaurants and Parisian artist stalls get very busy, but since Sacré-Couer opens as early as 6:30 am, hypothetically you could go early to avoid all the chaos.
• No matter what time you go you shouldn’t have to wait too long to get in; much like the situation over at Notre-Dame.

2. Snap some very Instagrammable Parisian hot spots

You’ll be hard pressed to keep your camera in your bag whilst wandering around Montmartre’s cute streets and seeing its cool street art.

One of my personal favourites is snapping the windy road from Dalida Plaza which leads the eye up to the dome of Sacre-Coeur at the top of the street.

Next, swing past 1 Rue du Calvaire, this is one of the nicest staircases in the area.

3. Check out the Wall of Love

Located in a small garden square in Place des Abbesses is Le mur de je t’aime , (literally, The Wall of “I Love You’)

Since Paris is the city of love, it’s only fitting that a couple of local artists created this mural that features “I Love You” scrawled 311 times in 250 different languages and dialects.

The mural spans 40 square metres (430 sq ft) and is composed of 612 enamelled lava tiles. And those red specks? Well, they symbolise parts of a broken heart.

The idea for the wall came from Frederic Baron, who began collecting I love yous in 1992. He then teamed up with artist and calligrapher Claire Kito who drew the mural. It’s not far from the gleaming white Sacré-Coeur Basilica.

4. See the Man Stuck in a Wall (Le passe-muraille)

Le Passe-Muraille (the Passer-Through-Walls) is one of the coolest statues/sculptures I’ve ever seen. Its name is the title of a story by Marcel Aymé about a man named Dutilleul who discovers that he can (you guessed it) walk through walls!

As the story goes, Dutilleul was a civil servant from Montmartre who discovers his amazing ability. At first, he uses it to get back at his manager who constantly humiliated him.

Dutilleul then moves on to burglaries, leaving notes signed, “Garou-Garou” — a funny name that really doesn’t translate well; “Garou” is part of the French word for werewolf, so “Garou-Garou” is sort of like “Wolf-Wolf”? English translations of the story have him calling himself “The Lone Wolf”.

Anyway, somehow he gets himself caught and thrown in La Santé prison from which he escapes to go have lunch in a café. He then sends word to the prison warden asking him to come and settle the bill.

Of course, there is a love interest involved and lots of sneaking through walls to avoid her oblivious husband.

In the end, Dutilleul gets himself permanently stuck in a wall. Hence the cool statue.

The statue is situated in Place Marcel-Aymé, a two-minute walk from Dalida Plaza in Montmartre.

5. Walk La Promenade Plantée

Love New York’s High Line? Then don’t miss La Promenade Plantée.

Just like in New York, La Promenade Plantée is a tree-lined walkway on an old elevated railway line in east Paris.

The 4.5km trail is a wonderful way to explore the city, taking you up and down staircases, across viaducts, above the streets and sneak a peek into the apartments that overlook it.

The walkway also runs over the Viaduc des Arts; a bridge in which the arches are now occupied by galleries.

I really recommend visiting on a weekday where you will only bump into a few pedestrians and some joggers, the weekends I hear are much more crowded.

Day 4 Itinerary – Yellow Pins

1. see the impressionists at musée d’orsay.

Paris has so many museums so it can be difficult to know where to go. Visit Musée d’Orsay to see the world’s largest collection of Impressionist masterpieces by the likes of Cézanne, Monet, Manet, Van Gogh, Degas, Gaugin, and many others.

The building itself is a piece of art having been transformed from one of Paris’s grand old Beaux-Arts railway stations.

Tips on getting into Musée d’Orsay FAST!

Naturally, Musée d’Orsay is included in the  Paris Pass so you won’t have any problems with queuing up. Musée d’Orsay does get very busy but nothing in comparison to the waiting times at the Louvre.

Remember, Musée d’Orsay is closed on Monday’s along with many other museums.

2. See ‘The Thinker’ at Musée Rodin

I never tire of visiting Musée Rodin, perhaps it’s because it’s both an indoor and outdoor museum. Rodin’s best work is showcased in the gardens as well as in the great sculptor’s studio at his stately 18th-century mansion.

This has to be one of Paris’s most beautiful museums. There are more than 6,000 of Rodin’s sculptures here, including his great masterpieces The Thinker, The Kiss, The Burghers of Calais, and The Gates of Hell, along with 8,000 drawings and gouaches.

Head out into the gardens and relax by the fountain, wander around the rose gardens, and grab something to eat at the outdoor café.

Tips on getting into Musée Rodin FAST!

Queues won’t be a problem at Musée Rodin, but it’s nice to know you can walk straight in with your  Paris Pass .

If you have a backpack, you’ll be asked to wear it in front of you to avoid knocking any artwork and sculptures.

Open from 10 am – 5:45 pm, Musée Rodin is closed Monday.

4. Relax in Palais-Royal Gardens

Far from the noise and bustle, these serene formal gardens and elegant shops tucked behind the walls of a 17th-century palace are a delightful haven and one of Paris’s best-kept secrets.

The garden is the only one in Paris classified as “Remarkable Garden” by the French Ministry of Culture.

This used to be a royal residence, now the arcades and manicured gardens are home to world-class perfumers, antiquaries and designer boutiques—including Marc Jacobs, Rick Owens, Stella McCartney, and Pierre Hardy and two of France’s most important glove makers (Maison Fabre and Lavabre Cadet).

The large inner courtyard (cour d’honneur) of the palace is separated from the garden by a double row of columns, the Orleans Gallery.

Don’t miss the large scale work of art known as ‘les colonnes de Buren’. Designed by Daniel Buren, it comprises of 260 black and white striped octagonal columns of unequal height. Very controversial at the time is was created in 1986.

4. See all of Picasso’s masterpieces at Musée Picasso

After a five-year makeover that cost an estimated €52 million, Musée Picasso has finally reopened!

This museum has the world’s largest public collection of Picasso’s impressive work spread across almost 54,000 square feet.

There are over 300 paintings alone including Picasso’s famous large Cubist paintings all the way through his Surrealist works representing the Spanish Civil War.

The sculptures on show mostly come from Picasso’s personal studio and so are lesser known.

Tips on getting into Musée Picasso FAST!

• The Picasso museum is another gem included in the  Paris Pass . Whenever you arrive, you’ll be fast-tracked into the museum toute de suite !
• The Picasso museum is closed on Tuesdays.

Heading to France? Download my free French Travel Phrase guide here.

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Paris

Whether you’re on a budget or want to splash out, there are loads of great accommodation options in Paris. For a real Parisian experience, read all about my stay at the charming  Hôtel Thérèse   or when I stayed at  Hotel Trianon Rive Gauche  and had breakfast on the balcony overlooking the Eiffel Tower! Both hotels offer a unique experience which I can’t recommend highly enough.

So, that’s it! Got a question? Ask me in the comments section below.

Staying Longer in Paris? Add these to your itinerary

• See a show at the world-famous Moulin Rouge
• Visit Palace of Versailles Small-Group Tour with Private Viewing of the Royal Quarters
• Eiffel Tower Visit with Picnic-Style Lunch, Champagne and Trocadero View Seating
• Normandy D-Day Battlefields and Beaches Day Trip
• Chateaux de Chambord, Chenonceau and Loire Valley Wine-Tasting Day Trip from Paris
• Loire Valley Castles Day Trip from Paris including Chambord, Cheverny and Chenonceau
• Go to Disneyland!
• See the Gardens that Inspired Monet’s Waterlily paintings, visit Monet’s Home & Garden’s in Giverny

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Over to you!

Do you have a question about visiting Paris? Ask me below! Have you visited Paris?  What other things would you recommend doing in Paris? Let me know using the comments section below or join me on social media to start a conversation.

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hi …. can i skip day three and just go to versaille?

Hi Jeanmarie, of course you can 🙂 Versaille is incredible!

Hi Michelle Thank you for info for 4 days in Paris, very timely. I’m going to Paris in 2 weeks time and it’s my first time there, looking forward to seeing some of your recommendations.

Hi Alex, my absolute pleasure 🙂 I’m so excited for you. You’ll have a wonderful time. Let me know if there is anything missing or worth adding to the itinerary 🙂

Hey Michele

Thank you for all the helpful hints and tips.

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4 Days in Paris: Detailed Itinerary, Map & Tips (Perfect for 1st Visit)

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: January 18, 2024

Visiting Paris for 4 days and wondering how to best plan your time so that you can make the most of your trip?

In this guide, we share a suggested Paris 4 days itinerary based on our recent trip (and taking into account what can actually be done!). It includes all the must-sees, a few amazing places that are often overlooked by first-time travelers, and some lesser-known gems that will make your trip even more special. Take a look!

The capital of France, Paris is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. With such an old history and an incredible number of landmarks, I’m sure you understand that there is no way to see ‘everything’ in Paris in four days. But if you plan well, you can definitely see all the musts and get a good feel of what Paris is truly like.

Below, you’ll find our suggested 4-day Paris itinerary that covers all the main landmarks and most interesting places in the most efficient way. Of course, there are many ways to plan any visit to Paris and this is just one of them. But if you want to see the very best of Paris, but also get a bit off the beaten path and truly experience the city, this guide should help you do just that.

Good to know: This itinerary is quite packed, but it’s based on our personal experience and on what can actually be done . It takes into account opening times/ walking distances/ metro and the time you need to visit each place. Plus, when possible, you’ll be at the most popular places at the best possible time. We also include some alternative suggestions so that you can personalize and plan your own perfect trip based on what interests you the most.

We also created an interactive map indicating all the sights. That way, you can have a better idea of how it all fits together.

Please note that the hours in the itinerary below are only indicated for your reference and are based on our personal experience. That way you have a better idea of how much time you need and can also decide to skip some places if you rather take it easier.

PRO TIP! Where applicable, we also share practical info and tips on which tickets to prebook. Without advance reservations , you will waste many hours waiting in lines and won’t be able to see as much. In fact, you may not even be able to visit certain places at all. Paris has changed a lot in recent years, and planning a spontaneous visit as we often did in the past is no longer straightforward.

Furthermore, by booking in advance, you can immediately see if the place is open on the day of your visit and can avoid unpleasant surprises. We had to adjust our itinerary several times based on the availability of some tickets (like Moulin Rouge , for example, where almost all the shows appeared to be sold out 3 weeks before our trip, or Paris Opera which was exceptionally closed on several days during our visit).

As a minimum, book the tickets/ tours/ experiences for those sights which you absolutely don’t want to miss!

For some of the most popular attractions in Paris, booking in advance will save you money but also lots of time! You can go straight to the entrance without having to queue at the ticket desk.

Good to know: If you visit at least 2-3 museums per day and stay in Paris for a few days, Paris Museum Pass offers excellent value for your money. It includes most of the ‘musts’ and offers skip-the-line access at most attractions. However, keep in mind that you will first have to pick it up at a certain location and you’ll also have to book timed-entry slots for several of the most popular places. That’s why we personally opted to just get timed-entry tickets for each place separately.

If you are visiting Paris with kids, teens, or young adults , you will be glad to know that most Paris landmarks offer FREE entry to everyone under 18 (and for EU residents, even under 26). However, you also need a timed reservation for the free tickets.

READ ALSO: Paris Travel Tips & Tricks

• DAY 1: Île de la Cité, Arc De Triomphe, Champs Elysées, (optional) Les Invalides and/or Rodin Museum, Place de La Concorde, Tuileries Gardens, Louvre Museum.
• DAY 2: Musée d’Orsay, Versailles, Eiffel Tower, Seine Cruise.
• DAY 3: Place Vendôme, Opera, Galeries Lafayette, Hidden Passages, Montmartre, Moulin Rouge.
• DAY 4: Hôtel de Ville, Pompidou Center/ Stravinsky Fountain, La Marais, Pantheon, Latin Quarter, Luxembourg Gardens, Catacombs, Montparnasse Tower.
• Where to stay

MAP of this 4-day Paris itinerary

To help you plan your visit to Paris, we created a map indicating all the places mentioned in our guide.

As you can see below, each day has a different color, so you quickly get a good overview of how it’s structured. We tried to group the sites in the most logical way so that you can walk between the sights as much as possible. When possible, we also take into account the best times to be at each place.

How to use this map:  Use your computer mouse (or fingers) to zoom in or out. Click on the icons to get more information about each place. Click the arrow on the top left corner for the index. Click the star next to the map’s title to add it to your Google Maps account. To view the saved map on your smartphone or PC, open Google Maps, click the menu and go to ‘Your Places’/’Maps’. If you want to print the map or see it in a bigger window, click on ‘View larger map’ in the top right corner.

Île de la Cité – Arc De Triomphe – Champs Elysées – Les Invalides or Rodin Museum or l’Orangerie (optional) – Place de La Concorde – Tuileries Gardens – Louvre Museum (at the quietest time).

Day 1 – planning info/tickets to book:

• Sainte-Chapelle – timed entry tickets .
• Arc De Triomphe – skip-the-line tickets are valid the entire day and save you time at the ticket desk.
• Louvre – timed-entry tickets or a guided tour (recommended). We opted for this tour – Closing Time at the Louvre: Mona Lisa at Her Most Peaceful . It covers all the musts in 3 hours at the quietest time of the day.
• Optional: Les Invalides or Rodin Museum or l’Orangerie .

Good to know: All of these places are included with the Paris Museum Pass . Even if you decide to visit the Louvre with a guided tour as we did, this pass can still be good value, depending on your overall Paris itinerary. The Louvre and l’Orangerie are closed on Tuesdays and Rodin Museum is closed on Mondays. Other places are normally open daily.

Île de la Cité: Sainte-Chapelle, Notre-Dame & More

Île de la Cité is a small island in the middle of the River Seine, best known for the Notre-Dame Cathedral. This was the birthplace of Paris in the 3rd century BC.

If you come here before 9 am, you could walk around the island and explore it a bit deeper. In that case, you may want to start at Pont Neuf , the oldest stone bridge in Paris, with 384 grotesque face ornaments lining its sides. Next, head to Square du Vert-Galant , the westernmost point of the little island. The views from here are quite nice.

Then walk past Place Dauphine , a cozy town square at the western end of this little island, and on to the Conciergerie and its Clock Tower. Built in the 14th century, this is the oldest public clock in France, and you can see it from the street.

The Conciergerie is a former courthouse that also served as a prison. Nowadays, this is a museum that you could consider visiting if you have at least an hour to spare. With 4 days in Paris, and depending on your interests, I’d just see it from the outside.

The most impressive place to visit on Île de la Cité is Sainte-Chapelle . This is the 13th-century royal chapel that I can only describe as the most beautiful chapel in the world. It will take your breath away!

Please note that there are actually two chapels here, connected by a small staircase. The lower level (where you enter) was used by servants and the upper chapel – by the Royal family. They are both very impressive, but the upper one is absolutely stunning, so if it’s not too busy as you enter, head there first.

TIP: You really have to reserve your tickets in advance for Sainte-Chapelle!!! For this itinerary, it’s best to book the tickets for 9 am and arrive at least 15-20 minutes before it opens. You will still have a small queue at the security check, but it will be incomparably quieter than later during the day.

Near Sainte-Chapelle, you can visit a flower market . It’s just a short photo spot, but quite nice to see.

If interested, you could also walk to see Au Vieux Paris , aka the most charming café in Paris. It usually only opens at lunchtime, but most people come here just for the picture of its exterior anyway.

It’s definitely not a must and we saw many other cafés in Paris that looked at least just as charming, but it’s just a small detour. You could also come for lunch here, but it will likely be much too early for that.

Next, head to Notre-Dame Cathedral . At the moment, it’s being rebuilt after the 2019 fire. Behind the fences, you can still see the two towers of Notre Dame, but that’s really it. You can’t even step on the iconic ‘Point Zero’ from which all the road distances in France are measured.

Anyway, it’s still worth a few minutes of your time to see this famous Paris landmark.

Good to know: Based on the official sources at the moment of the last update, Notre-Dame Cathedral is supposed to reopen on December 8, 2024.

Arc De Triomphe

11-12.30 PM.

Time for the next place on your Paris itinerary – Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile . The distances are big and you’ll be walking a lot as it is. So to get there, it’s best to take the metro.

Arc de Triomphe needs no introduction. Commissioned by Napoleon to celebrate all his victories (he never lived to see its completion), this is one of the most recognizable landmarks of Paris. Under the arch, you can see the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the eternal flame that is rekindled at 6.30 pm every evening. Inside, there’s also a small exhibition.

While you can just see the arch from a distance, we highly recommend that you also visit the rooftop . The views from here are among the best in Paris! Keep in mind that there are 284 steps to reach the top. They also have a small elevator which is reserved for people with reduced mobility, but it stops at the exhibition level, so you’ll still have to do some stairs.

Good to know: Do not attempt to cross the busy roundabout in order to get to Arc De Triomphe. There is a well-indicated underground passage for that!

TIP: While not absolutely needed, booking a ticket in advance will save you at least one queue (you’ll still have a security check, as in most places). If you are visiting in the high season, definitely book upfront! Even with the skip-the-line tickets or Paris Museum Pass , count at least 45 minutes for a visit here.

READ ALSO: Best Views in Paris

Champs-Élysées & Lunch

12-1.30 PM.

Avenue des Champs-Élysées is probably the most famous street in Paris. This wide avenue is nearly 2 kilometers in length, but the liveliest part with most shops and restaurants is right next to Arc de Triomphe.

Here, you will find some of the most expensive designer shops in the world. Amazingly enough, there are often huge queues to get inside the luxury stores of Dior, Moncler, or Louis Vuitton, to mention just a few. Most of the restaurants in this area are also on the pricier side and very busy.

Time for lunch !

You’ll find many traditional Parisian brasseries and restaurants in this area, or you can just get a sandwich at PAUL’s or similar (this will save you a lot of time vs sitting down for lunch). For a truly Parisian experience, you could also opt for some sweet pastries and macarons at the iconic Ladurée. And yes, there are fast-food restaurants here too, but come on – you are in Paris!

Good to know: If you want to be sure to have a table at a specific restaurant, be sure to reserve in advance! For example, without a reservation, you’ll likely waste at least 30-40 minutes in line at Ladurée, maybe even more in the high season.

Just keep in mind that these are not the places where you go if you are hungry ; rather for a special treat. I always have to laugh at my husband’s experience at Ladurée years ago. He ordered a coffee and a sandwich and ate the one-bite snack thinking that it was something extra served with coffee. He then sat there waiting for his sandwich to arrive. But it never did. It turned out that the tiny bite was in fact the sandwich that he ordered. We’ve been to Paris many times, but there is no way I can ever convince my husband to go for ‘lunch’ at Ladurée again. 🙂

In fact, we have similar stories about a few other restaurants on Champs-Élysées. Let’s just say this area is really touristy and you won’t find the best value or service. But I guess it’s just part of visiting Paris for the first time…

TIP: There’s one traditional Parisian restaurant that we quite liked near Arc de Triomphe. It’s called La Flamme and is located on one of the side streets, so not on Champs-Élysées itself. On our recent visit, we had dinner here and found that the service, as well as the food, were excellent. The prices were also very reasonable for this area.

Jardin des Champs-Élysées – Grand Palais – Petit Palais – Pont Alexandre III

1.30-2.30 PM.

After lunch, continue east down the Champs-Élysées. You’ll soon reach the greener area with several small parks on both sides of the boulevard. If you have some time, it’s nice to explore these gardens a bit more.

Be sure to also check out the two iconic buildings known as Grand Palais and Petit Palais . These Art-Nouveau-style buildings date from the early 1900s.

At the moment, the Grand Palais is being renovated and is not open to the public.

Petit Palais houses an art museum which is free to visit. However, it sometimes closes for special events, which was the case every time we were in Paris… Anyway, it’s worth seeing it from the outside too, and if it’s open when you are there, be sure to take a look inside!

TIP: Check out the “Bouquet of Tulips” sculpture in the gardens behind the Petit Palais. This huge hand holding a bouquet of colorful flowers is the work of American artist Jeff Koons.

Just nearby, you can see one of the most beautiful bridges in Paris – Pont Alexandre III . Even if you decide not to walk to Les Invalides on the other side of the river, it’s well worth making a small detour to see this bridge.

This remarkable Beaux-Arts style bridge was inaugurated in 1900. It is lined with beautiful lampposts and lots of impressive sculptures. On each corner, you can also see four winged horses which represent Sciences, Commerce, illustrious Arts, and Industry. 

From the bridge, you also have great views over the River Seine and Eiffel Tower in the distance.

Les Invalides OR Rodin Museum OR Musée de l’Orangerie (optional)

If you are not going shopping at Champs-Élysées and want to pack as much as possible into your day, there are a few interesting places in this area that you could add to this itinerary.

Hôtel des Invalides (or simply Les Invalides) and Rodin Museum are located just next to each other on the other side of the river, about 15 minutes walk from the bridge. Alternatively, you could visit Musée de l’Orangerie which is conveniently located on the way to the Louvre.

TIP: Depending on your interests, I’d only visit one of these museums or not even at all, or you risk getting a ‘museum burnout’ on your first day in Paris already. You can get tickets for Rodin Museum , or for Les Invalides , or l’Orangerie separately, but if you decide to come here in addition to all the other places mentioned in our guide, then it’s definitely better to get the Paris Museum Pass . That way, you can just decide if/which of these museums you want to visit on the day itself.

While not unknown, these places are not on the must-see list of most first-time visitors to Paris. But you really need either a skip-the-line ticket or a museum pass so that you don’t waste any time in lines, definitely in the high season.

• Built as an accommodation and a hospital for wounded soldiers in the 17th century, the Hôtel des Invalides is now a military museum. It’s best known for the incredibly grand Tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte . While you likely need at least 2 hours for all the museums here, you could visit the tomb in about half an hour.
• Rodin Museum is dedicated to the works of the French sculptor Auguste Rodin, showing how his technique and style evolved over time. The must-see here is the Sculpture Garden and his most famous work “The Thinker” ( Le Penseur ). However, there are multiple copies of this sculpture worldwide and you can also see one inside the D’Orsay Museum (see day 2 of this itinerary).
• Musée de l’Orangerie is a recently-restored art museum mostly focused on impressionism and post-impressionism. The most famous works here are “Water Lilies” by Claude Monet, but you’ll also find paintings by Picasso, Renoir, Cézanne, Henri Matisse, Modigliani, and many others.

READ ALSO: Best Museums in Paris

Place de La Concorde – Tuileries Gardens

5 – 6 PM.

Next, return to the northern side of the river and walk to Place de La Concorde . This is the largest square in Paris, and since there’s lots of traffic here, it’s an experience in itself. Be careful when crossing the streets! Even if it’s green, be sure to look well in all directions – also for bikes, e-steps, tourist rickshaws/ pedicabs, etc.

While navigating the crazy traffic, don’t miss the Egyptian Obelisk and the beautiful fountains !

Interesting to know: During the French Revolution, this square was the site of many public executions, including that of the last king of France, Louis XVI, and his wife Marie Antoinette.

Next, walk to Tuileries Gardens (this is also where Musée de l’Orangerie is located). These beautiful gardens connect the Place de la Concorde to the Louvre and are popular among tourists and locals alike. There are chairs around the big pond in the middle and benches throughout the park. It’s a nice place to sit down, rest a bit, and do some people-watching.

TIP: If you are not planning on doing shopping or visiting any of the museums, you’ll have quite some free time left. You may want to stop for some afternoon tea at Angelina Paris , just next to Tuileries Gardens.

This is a very popular 120-year-old tea room that – according to the locals – serves the best hot chocolate in the world. However, it’s pricey and very busy. Try to reserve in advance or prepare to wait for a while.

Next, check out the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel , right in front of the Louvre. Built in 1806-1808 to celebrate Napoleon’s victories, this ornate arch is a predecessor of the more famous Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile that we mentioned earlier.

Louvre Museum

End your first day in Paris with a visit to the most famous museum in the world, The Louvre . It’s also one of the most-visited tourist attractions in Paris, so it’s always busy here. But if you come in the evening, a few hours before the closing time, you will be able to avoid the biggest crowds.

Louvre Museum is so big that you could spend several weeks inside and still not see everything. But most people come here for the most known artworks such as La Gioconda (Mona Lisa) by Leonardo da Vinci, the ancient Greek sculpture Venus de Milo, or the Winged Victory of Samothrace (the Nike), etc. For the highlights, you need at least 2-2.5 hours, plus count that it will also take you some time to get inside.

Good to know: The opening times of the Louvre Museum depend on the season and on the day when you visit. But since you need to get timed tickets anyway, you can immediately see what is available. In the high season, it’s normally open late (9-9.45 PM), so you could come here at around 6-6.30 PM.

Alternative – if visiting Paris in the low season. In the low season, the Louvre is normally open until 6 PM (unless on Fridays when it remains open until 9.45 PM). In that case, you will have to adjust this itinerary. You can come here after visiting Notre-Dame and then continue with all the other places as described above and end your day at Arc de Triomphe which remains open late.

PRO TIP: No matter when you visit, be sure to get timed-entry tickets for the Louvre in advance. But in all honesty, this is one place where it really pays to visit with a guided tour . Otherwise, it can get very overwhelming just trying to figure out which entrance to take and where to go or what to see inside.

We opted for this closing time at the Louvre tour (Mona Lisa at her most peaceful ). It’s a great way to skip the queues at the entrance and see all the musts in a short time. It wasn’t our first time at the Louvre, but we learned so much from our guide! Highly recommended.

As you exit the museum, take the time to enjoy the Louvre Pyramids . You can take some nice pictures here, especially around sunset.

READ ALSO: Tips & Tricks for the Louvre Museum

Colonnes de Buren

Just a few minutes walk from the Louvre, you can also check out the Colonnes de Buren at the courtyard of the National Royal Palace. It’s just a quick photo stop and there are quite some restaurants nearby, so you could come here before dinner.

Alternatively, you can also visit here on day 3 of this sightseeing itinerary. This square is also the start of many walking tours that visit the covered passages of Paris .

For dinner , you’ll find lots of restaurants in all price categories in the area to the north/northeast of the Louvre. We reserved a table at Pizzeria Popolare , which is located about halfway between the Louvre and the hotel where we stayed .

This is a very trendy Italian restaurant, one of the Big Mamma Group restaurants in Paris. They are all excellent and extremely popular with long queues every evening. So it really pays to reserve a table in advance.

Riverside walk (optional) – Musée d’Orsay – Versailles – Eiffel Tower – Seine Cruise – Eiffel Tower Lights & Sparkles.

Day 2 – planning info/tickets to book:

• Musee d’Orsay – timed entry tickets .
• Versailles Palace & Gardens – timed entry tickets . We opted for this guided tour .
• Eiffel Tower – timed entry tickets on the official site . If certain times are not available, or if you rather have someone guide you, be sure to also check the best options on GetYourGuide . If you don’t mind waiting longer (it can be really crowded and take a few hours though), you can get the tickets on the spot too. If you want to visit the Summit, be sure to book weeks ahead!
• Seine Cruise – see all the cruise options here . Sunset cruises with dinner are also available. This is one of the best-value cruises (departs close to Champs-Elysees).

Good to know: Orsay Museum and Versailles Palace are included with the Paris Museum Pass (although we really recommend a guided tour in Versailles). Also, extra shows in Versailles Gardens are not included. Keep in mind that both – Orsay Museum and Versaille Palace – are closed on Mondays , so adjust your itinerary if necessary.

Riverside walk

You could start your morning with a stroll on the Seine riverside . The first stop on your itinerary today is Orsay Museum, so you could start from Ile de La Cite or from the Louvre, and walk to the museum enjoying the nice views of the river and the surroundings.

Of course, this is not a must, and you can just take the metro straight to the museum.

Musee d’Orsay

10 AM-noon.

Start your day with a visit to one of the best museums in Paris – Orsay Museum . It’s located inside an old railway station and the building is worth seeing in its own right. As you walk inside the huge covered hall, it’s easy to imagine steam trains arriving and departing from here a hundred years ago.

D’Orsay museum is probably best known for its incredible collection of impressionist- and post-impressionist art. It’s here that you will find some of the best works of Monet, Manet, Renoir, and Van Gogh.

You can see lots of other masterpieces here too, including some fantastic temporary exhibitions. When we visited, we could also see the works of Edvard Munch, but also some incredible and touching contemporary art by American artist Kehinde Wiley.

Don’t miss the impressive station clock on the top floor. From here, you also have nice views of the city and the river, and the clock makes for some nice pictures too.

TIP: The impressionist collection is located on the top floor and it’s the most popular area of the museum, so you may want to head there first before it gets too busy. For that, walk straight all the way to the back of the museum. Against the back wall, a bit to the left, you’ll find escalators that can take you all the way to the top floor.

Train to Versailles and quick lunch

Right next to Museum d’Orsay, there is a train station from where you can take a direct train to Versailles . There are regular trains throughout the day and the journey takes about 30-35 minutes. You can get a ticket at the station (a regular Paris metro ticket will not be sufficient).

Important! You will need line C in the direction of Versailles Château Rive Gauche station. The same line splits in many different directions and there are lots of trains on the same track too, so double-check the direction so that you do not get on the wrong train!

In the old town of Versailles, you will find plenty of cafés and restaurants. However, if you don’t want to waste too much time, you can also just get a sandwich or something small to eat. We stopped for a sandwich at Madeleine just across the station and it was excellent (and quick). It’s conveniently located right next to the GetYourGuide office, which was the meeting point of our guided tour of Versailles .

Versailles Palace and Gardens

1.30-4.30 PM.

Together with the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, the Palace of Versailles is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Paris. And once you see this grand palace with its opulent royal chambers and impressive vast gardens, you’ll understand why.

There is a lot to see in Versailles. In fact, you could easily spend an entire day here. But if you just want to see the main palace and some of the gardens, you’ll need about 2-3 hours. That’s what we recommend if you have just 4 days in Paris because there are just so many other amazing places to see.

Versailles Palace boasts more than 2,300 rooms. The most impressive are the King’s and the Queen’s bedrooms and the world-famous Hall of Mirrors. And while the gardens are huge and have a lot to offer too, some of the nicest ones are located right next to the main building. So with just a few hours in Versailles, concentrate on the main sights.

TIP: While you can easily visit Versailles on your own (be sure to get a timed entry ticket !), we highly recommend taking a guided tour . It’s not just the best way to see all the ‘musts’ in a few hours, but you’ll also appreciate it all so much better. With a good guide, the walls and the furniture come to life and you leave Versailles with a much better understanding of how unique this place really is.

We opted for this highly-rated tour and it was really worth it. Alternatively, you can also opt for a tour that includes a guide/transportation from Paris ; this is a good option if you are worried about the practical side of getting to Versailles (it’s really not difficult though).

Train to Champ de Mars & Eiffel Tower Views

4.30-5.30 PM.

After visiting Versailles, take a train back to Paris and get off at the ‘Champ de Mars’ station. This is right at the Eiffel Tower, which is the next destination on your itinerary.

If you have some time to spare before visiting the tower, you could first walk to the nearby bridge Pont de Bir Hakeim . It’s located just next to the train station.

This metal multi-storey bridge is a sight in itself, but the main reason to come here is the amazing views of the Eiffel Tower. This bridge is just a tiny bit further away from the tower and gives you a nice perspective. Plus, it’s not nearly as busy as the Pont d’Iéna bridge right in front of the Eiffel Tower and is lined with street vendors and hundreds of tourists posing for pictures.

Cross the bridge and walk to Trocadéro Gardens . From the upper terrace here, you have an amazing view of the Eiffel Tower.

Of course, you can also visit all these places after visiting the tower, but if you want to go to the top at around sunset, it’s probably better to do this first.

Eiffel Tower

Eiffel Tower is at the top of any Paris bucket list. So if this is your first time in Paris, you will likely want to go to the top of the tower too. There are a few things you should know.

First, there are several types of Eiffel Tower tickets. First, you have to make the choice of visiting up to the 2nd floor or going all the way to the summit . To keep things cheaper, you could also opt to climb to the 1st/2nd floors via the stairs instead of taking an elevator. Depending on the day, this might also mean that you’ll spend less time queuing.

I find that the city views are best from the 1st and the 2nd floors of the Eiffel Tower. The only reason to go all the way to the top is to tick the box and have done it all so that you have no regrets later. It is a special experience, that’s for sure, but not an absolute must.

No matter which option you choose, if you want to visit Eiffel Tower at a specific time without wasting too much time in lines, it’s best to book your timed tickets online in advance . And if you can time your visit so that you are at the top about half an hour before sunset , it might make it even more special. But remember that a nice sunset is never guaranteed, so don’t obsess about this.

For the tickets, at the moment, the cheapest option is booking via the official site . Just keep in mind that these tickets are non-refundable and you can’t change the dates either. Also, sometimes summit tickets are not available on the official site anymore, but can be available via other websites like GetYourGuide or Tiqets .

The biggest advantage of booking Eiffel Tower tickets via GetYourGuide is that – for most tickets – they allow free cancelation up to 24 hours before your visit. On this website, you can also find some guided tour options, or get a ticket where you’ll also meet a host and get some guidance on where to go, etc.

Good to know: You can always just queue at the tower upon arrival and get your tickets on the spot, but – depending on how busy it is – it can mean that you are queuing for a few hours. Also, even with the timed tickets, arrive at least 30-40 minutes earlier so that you have enough time to get through the first security check before you even get to the actual queue to go up (and the second security check).

Seine Cruise (with dinner)

+ -8.30 PM.

To end your second day in Paris, you could opt for another typical Parisian experience – a Seine cruise . It’s something that’s popular not just among tourists, but also business travelers, and locals who take their guest for a special treat. This is especially the case with the cruises that include dinner.

There are many various cruise options , and most Seine cruises depart from one of the bridges at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. So if you want to do this at any time of your trip, this is the best moment in this itinerary.

The most popular option is the 1-hour cruise . You can take any boat which suits your schedule best and see all the highlights next to the river. On the way, you’ll pass many of the most famous landmarks of Paris, including the Louvre and Notre Dame. It’s a really nice way to see the city from a different angle and something I really recommend doing.

Alternatively, you can opt for an evening cruise that includes dinner. There are also quite a few options here and the choice can be overwhelming. This highly-rated dinner cruise offers really good quality and it starts/ends at the Eiffel Tower, so it would be a great fit for this itinerary. The fact that it’s also popular with the locals says it all.

Eiffel Tower Lights and Sparkles

As it gets dark, the Eiffel Tower is lit up every evening . In addition, it also sparkles for a few minutes every hour. It’s an unforgettable sight!

So after returning from your (dinner)cruise wait for the tower to sparkle. If you are visiting in the summer when it gets dark late, you could first go for dinner nearby. If you take a dinner cruise, it should be dark by the time you get back. In the winter, it’s quite likely that the tower will lit up when you visit it or even before that.

Good to know: Eiffel Tower light installation is automatic and it switches on a few minutes after sunset. At the moment, the tower remains lit until 11.45 pm. The sparkles go on on the hour every hour, between dusk and 11 pm. The spectacle lasts for about 5 minutes.

TIP: Some of the best places to enjoy the view on the sparking Eiffel Tower are Champ de Mars , a park southeast of the tower or Trocadero Park northwest of the tower, on the other side of the river. When the weather is nice, you will see hundreds of people (often with picnic blankets and wine bottles) enjoying the views of the beautifully-lit tower. It’s always a great atmosphere! You will usually see street vendors walking around selling wine and champagne (and also paper cups), so you can join in with the fun.

Place Vendôme – Opera – Galeries Lafayette Haussmann and (optional) Printemps Haussmann – Grévin Wax Museum or Covered Passages (optional) – Montmartre – Moulin Rouge Show.

Day 3 – planning info/tickets to book:

• Opera – skip-the-line tickets.
• Grévin Wax Museum – entry tickets (booking isn’t a must, but can save you some time).
• Montmartre – a guided walking tour or a self-guided tour is really recommended.
• Moulin Rouge show (with dinner) – you really should book the tickets long in advance.

Good to know: None of these places are included in the Paris Museum Pass . Also, your overall itinerary on this day (and how much time you’ll have everywhere) will depend a bit on which Moulin Rouge tickets you get – an early show with dinner (+-7 PM), just the show (+- 9 PM), or the late-night show (+-11.30 PM). So if you opt for a later show, you’ll have more time everywhere and/or be able to get back to your hotel to change if you like.

Place Vendôme

In the morning, you could visit Place Vendôme , one of the famous squares in Paris. This huge square is lined with some of the most expensive designer clothing- and jewelry stores. It’s much more exclusive than the luxury stores on Champs-Elysees or pretty much anywhere else in Paris.

One of the most luxurious hotels in Paris – the Ritz – is also located here. This is where Princess Diana stayed on her last night in the city.

The main landmark on the square is Colonne Vendôme . This is a 44 meters high bronze column that dates from the early 19th century and was ordered by Napoleon. It was made using over 1,200 cannons that were seized from the enemy during the battle of Austerlitz, and was dedicated to the French soldiers.

You don’t really need much time here, but since the next place on this itinerary is nearby, you could make a small effort and visit Place Vendome in the morning. Alternatively, just head straight to Palais Garnier (see below).

Palais Garnier (Paris Opera)

Opera Garnier is one of the places you really should see in Paris! I have to admit that it took me multiple trips to finally make the time for it, and wow, we should have done it right from the start. The architecture and the grandeur of this palace is absolutely dazzling!

Built in the late 19th century, Palais Garnier is the largest opera house in Europe. It’s not only its size that is impressive, but mostly the interior. I can’t even start to compare it to any other opera house we had seen (and we visited quite a few of them all over Europe including some of the most famous opera houses in Italy).

It’s not just the main hall/stage that is worth seeing, but there are so many other impressive halls and chambers. Everywhere you look, it’s a real feast for the eyes! In fact the Grand Foyer inside Palais Garnier is so exquisite that it could compete with the famous Hall of Mirrors in Versailles!

Good to know: Paris Opera is normally open for visits daily from 10 AM. However, it sometimes closes for special events. You can immediately see if it’s open on the day of your visit when you check the availability and buy your ticket . If needed, adjust your Paris itinerary, but don’t miss it!

Of course, you could also check their calendar and see if there are any performances that you could potentially visit during your stay in Paris.

TIP: For a small additional fee, you can get an interactive audio/tablet guide at the opera. If you have time to explore deeper, it’s worth it. And otherwise, just walk around and enjoy!

Galeries Lafayette – Printemps – Lunch

11 AM – 1 PM.

Right across the street from the Opera, you will find the most famous department store in Paris – Galeries Lafayette Haussmann . This is where the richer tourists come to do some shopping, but even if you are not interested in buying anything, you should really take a look inside!

The central area with an impressive glass dome is absolutely not to be missed! However, in addition, be sure to also visit the rooftop terrace ! The views from here are really nice and there is now a big ‘Paris, je t’aime’ (Paris, I love you) sign where you can take some nice pictures with the Eiffel Tower in the distance.

TIP: If you are looking for a similar experience without the crowds, check out the nearby Printemps Haussmann department store as well. Its top floor also has a very impressive glass dome, and they also have a rooftop terrace with stunning city views. There was one other tourist here when we visited; for the rest – only locals.

Good to know: Both of these department stores have some nice restaurants and cafes where you could sit down for lunch .

If the weather is good, you could also try to find a table at one of the cafés on the rooftop terraces (both, at Lafayette and Printemps). However, if you are just looking for a more simple quick meal, then you’ll find much better options in the nearby streets.

We really enjoyed crepes at La Crème de Paris , about 12 minutes walk from here, but there are tons of other nice options in this area too. And no worries – I indicated all the places mentioned here on our map, so you don’t have to write down or remember all the names.

Grévin Wax Museum or Covered Passages (optional)

In this same area, you can visit Grévin Museum . If you have been to a wax museum (like e.g. Madame Tussauds), it’s a very similar experience. Except that here, you will see more famous French people. But there are plenty of big international names too.

You can get the tickets for this museum in advance and in the high season, it can help you to skip the lines, but they aren’t very well organized so it’s not always the case. Or you can just see how busy it is on the day itself and decide if you want to visit at that time.

Another nice alternative in this same area are the covered passages . There used to be about 150 covered galleries in Paris, out of them about 20 remain today. You can see a couple of them here – on both sides of the street next to and opposite the museum.

Good to know: There are some tours that also visit these – and many other – covered passages. Or you can also opt for the self-guided audio tour . Just keep in mind that almost all of them start at Colonnes de Buren (close to the Louvre – see day 1 of this itinerary), which is about 15-20 minutes walk from the Opera or Grevin Wax Museum. If you are interested, I think that the self-guided tour will be the best option for this itinerary since it gives you complete flexibility on when to start/end.

TIP: It’s also really easy to adjust this itinerary so that you start with the self-guided covered passages tour in the morning (you can start as early as you like). The tour ends close to Grevin Wax Museum and you can then visit the Opera and the department stores nearby.

Montmartre & Sacré-Cœur Basilica

Next, make your way to Montmartre , one of the most iconic neighborhoods of Paris. You could walk here or take the metro which will take about the same amount of time.

A good place to start your visit to this area is Abbesses metro station at the foot of Montmartre. From here, you can walk/ take a funicular to Sacré-Cœur Basilica which is located on the hill.

I highly recommend that you take a guided tour of Montmartre , or you risk missing all the best parts of this neighborhood!

There are really nice tours of Montmartre , and many of them start at around 3-4 PM. So it could work for this itinerary really well.

If you rather explore on your own, you can also opt for this great self-guided audio tour (this is what we did since we weren’t sure how the timing would work out). Despite having visited Montmartre many times in the past, we’ve learned so much more and saw some nice areas that we would have missed otherwise.

The main landmark of Montmarte is the Sacré-Cœur (Basilica of the Sacred Heart). Most tours will end here allowing you plenty of time to see it inside.

TIP: If you are fit and can do 300 steps, be sure to climb the Dome of Sacré-Cœur . The 360° views from the top are absolutely worth the effort. Normally, the Dome is open until 8.30 PM and you can just get the ticket on the spot. When we recently visited Paris in October , there was no queue at all and we could just walk in (despite it being quite crowded at the Basilica itself).

READ ALSO: Best Things to Do in Montmartre

Moulin Rouge Show (with dinner)

Next and final stop on this itinerary is the iconic Moulin Rouge , the most famous cabaret in Paris. It’s located just near Montmartre and so you could easily come here after seeing all the rest.

If you are wondering whether a Moulin Rouge cabaret show is a good idea, I’d say don’t hesitate. It’s an amazing experience and so typically Paris. You can even do it with kids, just prepare them for the fact that there will be some nudity. And yes, there are quite a few other cancan shows in Paris (and you could easily visit one or two more), but if you choose just one, make it the Moulin Rouge!

A few things to keep in mind. They do have a certain dress code , so ideally, you don’t come here in jeans and sneakers (shorts are definitely not a good idea). But it’s not like you need evening attire either. When we visited, we saw everything – from very casual pants/blouses to high heels and evening dresses (these were rather an exception and not the rule). So if you want to go back to your hotel to change, foresee some time for this. Or simply dress up a bit more during the day already.

Normally, there are two shows every evening , one at around 9 PM and one at around 11.30 PM. You can also opt for dinner+show option , which usually starts at around 7 PM. This is a really high-quality dinner created by an award-winning chef, so the food is excellent.

PRO TIP: No matter which option you choose, be sure to book your Moulin Rouge tickets asap! Because this is a very popular experience in Paris (also among locals and business travelers), the shows usually sell out a few weeks in advance. Sometimes, there are only late shows available, which was the case when we booked tickets 3 weeks (!) before our visit.

Our experience: Due to it being the only available choice, we booked a late show at the Moulin Rouge and it worked out really well. Since our hotel wasn’t that far away, we went back to change our clothes. At 9 PM we had dinner at a very popular restaurant Bouillon Pigalle , just a few blocks from Moulin Rouge.

I indicated this and one other good restaurant in this area on our map. Try to reserve in advance because both of these restaurants are really popular and very busy! Alternatively, you’ll find plenty of other places to dine in this area.

Based on our experience, I say don’t worry about the late show . In fact, it’s maybe even better if you don’t mind staying up late. It leaves you more time for sightseeing and you can also get back to the hotel to change your clothes and have a quiet dinner before coming here. So just see what works best for you.

TIP: If the Moulin Rouge is sold out, you should be able to find tickets for one of the other cabaret shows . A popular (and also more budget-friendly) choice is Paradis Latin , the oldest cabaret in Paris. We once also went to see the Crazy Horse show and it was excellent too.

Hôtel de Ville – Centre Pompidou – Stravinsky Fountain – Le Marais neighborhood – Pantheon – Latin Quater – Luxembourg Gardens – Catacombs + Montparnasse Tower .

Day 4 – planning info/tickets to book:

• Le Marais neighborhood – book a guided tour (walking tours or bike tours). We opted for this amazing food tour . Optional Picasso Museum .
• Pantheon: skip-the-line ticket .
• Catacombs: timed-entry tickets are a must! We wanted to do this tour , but unfortunately, it was sold out (4 weeks before our trip!).
• Montparnasse Tower: skip-the-line ticket .

Good to know: The Pantheon and Picasso Museum are included with the Paris Museum Pass .

Hôtel de Ville – Pompidou Center – Stravinsky Fountain

Start your day at the Hôtel de Ville , the city hall of Paris. It’s a beautiful neo-renaissance-style building that is well worth seeing.

In front of the city hall, there is also a large square with fountains where various events are held. For example, in December, you’ll find a Christmas market here. During our last visit, Paris was already in preparation mode for the 2024 Summer Olympics, with colorful Olympic Rings set right in front of the city hall.

Next, walk to the Centre Georges Pompidou . This iconic building dates from the 1970s and is best known for its unique architecture.

You can see colorful piping all over the facade and each of the colors actually means something. Yellow pipes are for electricity, green – for water, blue – for ventilation and air-conditioning, and red for lifts and escalators. The building has several functions including a library and a modern-art museum. There is also a rooftop restaurant with nice city views.

You could spend a few hours here, but with just four days in Paris, we suggest only seeing this remarkable building from the outside. Also – if you would like to visit – keep in mind that it only opens later in the day. In that case, you’ll have to adjust your itinerary.

Good to know: Centre Pompidou will be closed for renovation starting from late 2024 until 2030. Even so, it’s still worth coming here – see below.

Just next to the Pompidou Center, on the southern end of the square, you can see another famous Paris landmark – the Stravinsky Fountain .

Built in the early 80s, this colorful fountain is made up of 16 moving figures, each representing different works of composer Igor Stravinsky. It’s very unique and makes for some fun photos.

The fountain has been recently reopened after a complete renovation, so the colors are as bright as ever!

In this same neighborhood, you could also walk to Forum des Halles , a huge modern shopping mall.

Next to it, you can also visit an impressive Saint-Eustache church . You could also start here early in the morning, but nothing will be open yet.

This is not really a must, but something to consider depending on the rest of the plans for this day.

Le Marais Neighborhood (walking/food tour)

10 AM – 2 PM.

With 4 days in Paris, you should be able to have at least a few hours to get a bit off the beaten path, beyond the main landmarks. For that, we highly recommend a walking tour through the charming Marais neighborhood .

Located in the heart of old Paris, this is the best-preserved medieval area of the city and also the heart of the Jewish community . Despite its proximity to so many popular landmarks and touristy places, this is a wonderful area with a feel of authentic Paris.

Le Marais is a great place to taste all kinds of food, which is as diverse as the residents of this neighborhood. From traditional Parisian and French food to Moroccan and middle-eastern cuisine and typical Jewish dishes, there’s truly something here for everyone.

And if you need some more convincing to visit this neighborhood, you might want to know that Le Marais is also home to the Picasso Museum , which is located in a beautiful building that is worth a visit in itself.

TIP: If you decide to visit this neighborhood, I highly recommend that you consider a guided tour. There are quite a few tours that come here (on foot or by bike), sometimes in combination with some other neighborhoods nearby. Without a guide, you might not appreciate this area unless you do lots of research in advance and know exactly the best spots.

We opted for this amazing food-tasting tour and it was by far the best tour we did in Paris. We also considered this walking tour (which doesn’t include any food and is much cheaper) and met a few people who did it and said it was excellent. As you can see, there is truly something for everyone and all budgets. Needless to say, 3-4 hour tours that include food tasting will be much more expensive than walking tours of less than 2 hours.

Good to know: Your overall itinerary on this day will depend on the tour that you choose here (if any). As you can see in the indicated timing, we foresee about 4 hours for this area (based on the tour that we did). If you join a shorter tour, you could also visit Picasso Museum, or simply continue with the rest of this itinerary allowing yourself more time at the other places indicated further below.

Also, pay attention to the starting times of the tours when deciding as this might be different depending on the season, etc. Ideally, you finish at no later than 2.30-3 PM so that you still have plenty of time for the rest of this itinerary.

READ ALSO: French Food: Best Local Dishes to Try in France

Panthéon

2.30 – 3.30 PM.

Built in the 18th century as a church, the Paris Panthéon later became the burial place for many famous French personalities, artists, and intellectuals, since the time of the French Revolution.

In the underground crypts of the Pantheon, you can see the tombs of French writers such as Voltaire, Victor Hugo, and Alexandre Dumas, but also the scientists Pierre and Marie Curie, and many others.

The building itself is really grand too and the interior is very impressive. Plus, you can climb to the top of the dome from where you have nice views of central Paris.

Good to know: Unless you have the Paris Museum Pass , get the tickets for the Pantheon online in advance. This was one place where we didn’t book upfront and we wasted almost 45 minutes in line (and it wasn’t even high season). The tickets are not timed and are valid the whole day, and it can save you a lot of time.

Saint-Étienne-du-Mont Church (optional)

3.30-3.45 PM.

Right next to the Pantheon, you will see the church of Saint-Étienne-du-Mont . And while there are countless beautiful churches that you can visit in Paris, this one is truly one of the most impressive ones (and it fits this itinerary really well, so you don’t have to go out of your way to see it).

The interior of this impressive church is even more breathtaking than its exterior. Inside, you can also see the shrine of Saint Geneviève, the patron saint of Paris . On the right side close to the altar, you’ll find an impressive glass coffin containing her relics.

There is no fee to visit and it only takes a few minutes of your time. I highly recommend that you check it out!

TIP: If you’d like to see more churches in Paris, you may want to make a small detour and visit the Église de Saint Germain des Prés . It’s a bit out of the way, but still in the same neighborhood. It’s beautifully restored and many Parisians say it’s now one of their favorite churches to show to tourists. We didn’t get there anymore – there’s just so much you can squeeze in a day. But if you have some time to spare, you’ll find it indicated on our map.

Latin Quarter – Luxembourg Gardens

Next, explore the Latin Quarter a bit more and walk to Luxembourg Gardens . These gardens are among the must-sees in Paris and really worth a visit at any time of the year.

You could start at Luxembourg Palace . This former Royal Palace is now used by the Senate. Then check out the beautiful pond in the middle, and walk south all the way to the “4 Corners of the World” fountain .

From here, it’s just a short walk to the next stop on this itinerary – the Catacombs.

5.30-6.30 PM.

It took me many years and many trips to Paris to finally visit the Catacombs . And now that I did, I highly recommend considering adding this unique place to your Paris sightseeing itinerary. It’s a truly unique place that will show you the dark side of the City of Lights.

Paris Catacombs date from the 18th century when the city was expanding and the decision was made to clear up the overflowing cemeteries. The remains of about 6 million people were carefully moved to this new location. Already at that time, it became a quirky attraction. They even organized midnight concerts here…

It’s really special to descend deep under the streets of Paris and discover this huge labyrinth lined with millions and millions of bones and skulls. We have visited numerous catacombs and bone chapels in Italy ( Rome , Naples ) and Portugal (Evora) before, and each and every one of them is so different.

The Paris Catacombs are absolutely massive! To give you an idea, you exit them about 0.5 km further than where you entered.

Good to know: While it’s not a spooky place, a visit to this ‘Empire of Death’ can be quite confronting. Plus, you will be underground for about 1 hour, so it’s not suited for people with claustrophobia. There are also some stairs that you have to negotiate, but nothing too strenuous.

TIP: Book your tickets for the Catacombs in advance ! The tickets are timed and they only allow a certain number of people inside. It usually sells out, so you really can’t count on being able to visit without a reservation. On Tiqets , you can usually book the tickets weeks upfront. On the official site , they only start selling 7 days upfront. The price is normally the same everywhere, but not all time slots are available on all sites. If it’s available, get them as soon as you start planning your itinerary; and if not, mark your calendars and try the official site 7 days before your visit.

Alternatively, if available for your travel dates, you could consider visiting the Catacombs with this tour . They take you to some chambers inside the Catacombs that are not open to the general public. This tour has fantastic reviews, but it is often sold out. It was also fully booked when we traveled. A self-guided visit is also ok, but I’m sure we would have learned so much more with a guide.

Montparnasse Tower

The last place on this 4-day Paris itinerary is one more amazing viewpoint – the rooftop terrace of Montparnasse Tower . This is the second-highest viewing terrace in the city (after the Eiffel Tower summit) and the views are really nice. In fact, the view is better than from the Eiffel Tower since you are looking at it.

Depending on the time of the year, you could time it to be here around sunset. But it’s worth it either way!

TIP: Get your ticket in advance and skip the queues at the entrance. People with reduced mobility get a big discount – in that case, get the ticket once you get there.

There is also a nice restaurant here if you are looking for a special treat for your last evening in the city (in that case, be sure to reserve in advance!). But there is really no shortage of good restaurants, cafes, cocktail bars, and pubs in this part of Paris, so you’ll find plenty of nice places to eat nearby. I indicated a few of them on our map.

Where to Stay

There are so many nice areas where you could stay in Paris and there is really not one ‘best’ place. As a general rule, try to stay in the heart of the city center, close to the metro, next to lots of local restaurants, and – ideally – within 15-20 minutes walking distance to places like the Louvre or Opera. That way, you are really centrally located for most sights.

Good to know: Many hotel rooms in Paris are tiny ! Often, there is just enough place in the room for a double bed and one person can hardly turn around in the bathroom. Pay attention to this when making your choice so that you know what to expect!

Advice based on our multiple trips to Paris. If your main focus of visiting Paris is sightseeing and getting to know the city a bit deeper, I recommend staying in the area north of the Louvre and east of the Paris Opera. There are many nice hotels here for various budgets, this area has lots of restaurants, and so many of the main landmarks are within easy reach from here. Some of the best department stores are also located in this area.

Here are some hotel recommendations in this area for various budgets:

€€€€€ InterContinental Paris Le Grand . €€€€ Chouchou Hotel . €€€ Leonardo Boutique Hotel Paris Opera (we recently stayed here – see below for more info). €€+ Hotel Choiseul Opera (one of the most popular 3* hotels in this part of Paris). €+ Hotel des Arts – Cite Bergere .

Our recent experience: On our recent visit on which this 4-day Paris itinerary is based, we stayed at Leonardo Boutique Hotel Paris Opera (previously Hotel Prelude Opera). This hotel is located very close to Grevin Museum, next to some of the nicest covered passages of Paris, about 15 minutes walk from the Opera and 20 minutes walk from the Louvre.

The location of the hotel was excellent, with the metro just behind the corner and lots of good price/quality restaurants. It’s a very good-value mid-budget 4* hotel that has been recently renovated. Also, by Paris standards, the rooms are of a rather comfortable size.

On a somewhat higher budget, a very nice choice in this area is La Maison Favart , with an indoor swimming pool and big family rooms for up to 4 people. You’ll find lots of other options for all budgets nearby too.

So, this sums up our recommendations on how to spend 4 days in Paris.

I hope that this very detailed guide will give you a better idea of what can be done in Paris in about four days. Of course, you can also skip the places that don’t interest you that much and take it easier leaving more time to relax and explore deeper.

So use this itinerary as it is or adjust it to your interests and plan your own perfect trip.

TIP: Be sure to also take a look at our first-timer’s guide to visiting Paris . It contains lots of useful information and tips for your trip to the City of Light. Check it out!

Enjoy Paris!

More travel inspiration for Paris:

• Traditional French Food
• Best Views in Paris
• Top Museums in Paris
• Tips for Visiting the Louvre Museum
• Best Things to Do in Montmartre
• Paris Itinerary for 1 Day
• Paris in October

If you found this post helpful, don’t forget to bookmark it and share it with your friends. Are you on Pinterest? Pin these images!

More travel inspiration for some of the most beautiful cities in Europe:

If you are visiting other European cities and are looking for in-depth information for your trip, take a look at some of our city guides:

• Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Antwerp, Belgium
• Barcelona, Spain
• Bern, Switzerland
• Bologna, Italy
• Brasov, Romania
• Brussels, Belgium
• Bruges, Belgium
• Bucharest, Romania
• Colmar, France
• Edinburgh, UK
• Florence, Italy
• Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
• Geneva, Switzerland
• Krakow, Poland
• Lisbon, Portugal
• Liverpool, UK
• Lucerne, Switzerland
• Madrid, Spain
• Manchester, UK
• Milan, Italy
• Naples, Italy
• Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal
• Ravenna, Italy
• Reykjavik, Iceland
• Rome, Italy
• Salzburg, Austria
• Seville, Spain
• Siena, Italy
• Sintra, Portugal
• Toledo, Spain
• Venice, Italy
• Verona, Italy
• For more… check our  destinations page.

READ ALSO: Best Time to Visit Europe

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Monday 15th of April 2024

Hi Jurga, I’m planning a trip in September and found your 4 day itinerary extremely helpful. Yours is by far my favorite out of the several Paris traveler blogs that I’ve read.

My question or concern is that it seems very busy. While I would like to see as much as possible for the four days we will be there, Im also a bit worried about just running around like crazy in order to not miss timed entries and not being able to relax and enjoy each place. It seems like a lot of ground to cover each day and I’m not clear on distances since I’ve never been there.

For example the Versailles trip in between D’Orsay museum and the Eiffel Tower. Seems like a lot but I’ve never been so I don’t know.

I know this might be a big question but…is there really enough time to do all this stuff each day?

Tuesday 16th of April 2024

@Jurga, thanks so much for the speedy response. All great advice again! Probably stuff I should already know but it definitely helps to hear from an expert. Much appreciated!!

Hi Damian, I sure understand your concern. This itinerary is packed. But yes, it's also doable (it's based exactly on what we did on one of the recent trips to Paris (it was me and my mother, so no kids on this trip)). Whether you should follow it to the t, it's really your call. In that case, you will have to plan well and pre-book everything well in advance to get the time slots you want. And yes, there will be moments when it might feel rushed. You won't have half a day to spend at each museum or in Versailles, so if you want to explore deeper, skip some places and concentrate on those that interest you the most. You could easily spend the entire day in Versailles alone if you prefer. On the other hand, keep in mind that slowly walking between the museum exhibits is usually quite tiring too and after 2-3 hours, most people can't really concentrate on anything anymore. Also, what do you do in a city if you didn't plan anything for 2-3 hours? Sit down at a cafe, go shopping, do some people-watching? If you like to do that, then skip something else and foresee some extra time in between. Only you know yourself and how you like to travel, so decide based on that. If having too much planned on the same day without much extra time gives you stress, see if you can adjust the itinerary to make it more relaxing for you. For example, you can visit Museum d'Orsay first thing when it opens and then Versailles in the afternoon. But maybe plan the Eiffel Tower later and/or skip the Seine Cruise. Or only visit the 2nd floor of the Eiffel Tower instead of the Summit (that saves a lot of time)... There are so many ways to adjust the itinerary and still see a lot without feeling overwhelmed. This itinerary is just meant to give you ideas on what to do, how you could plan your time, and show what's possible. But there are a million other ways to do it. Hope this helps.

Friday 2nd of February 2024

Q: what is the train station for Varersaille, to purchase entry tickets I want to ensure there is a train leaving early enough for a 9:30 entry. Thank you

Saturday 3rd of February 2024

Hi Terri, depending on where you are coming from in Paris, here are some of the best train stations from where you can take a train: Invalides 'close to d'Orsay Museum or Invalides', Champs de Mars (close to the Eiffel Tower), or Pont de l'Alma (a bit in between). You need to take a train line C to Versailles Château Rive Gauche Station. There are trains running more or less every 15 minutes throughout the day and you can just get tickets at the machines at any station. There is no need to book train tickets in advance. And yes, there are plenty of trains in the morning and the journey from the center takes about half an hour. In addition, it takes about 15-20 minutes to walk to the Palace from the station in Versailles. TIP: You can use Google Maps to find the best route and see the train schedule. Choose the little train icon instead of a car or a pedestrian and you'll see all public transport options. Ideally, check it the day in advance or on the day itself - that way, you get the most up-to-date info. Hope this helps.

Michael Cicchi

Monday 17th of April 2023

I have not been at Place Vendrôme yet but I hope to have high tea at the Ritz next time in Paris. That is probably all I can afford there.

@Jurga, Yes, I just googled Angelina and it sounds like a great place.👍👍👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

I still haven't been inside the Ritz either, Michael. Locals recommended Angelina tea house (they have several locations in Paris, including one not too far from this area). That might be a more affordable choice for your high tea experience ;).

Tuesday 31st of January 2023

Thank you SO much for putting this blog together! It has been extremely helpful as I plan our trip this spring! I have a couple questions. I love that we can reserve skip the line and timed entry tickets ahead of time. I've noticed though, for skip the line we aren't given the opportunity to select a specific time... Does this mean that we can show up any time during that day and are able to skip the line? That will be helpful in planning but I noticed when I go to reserve tickets I'm not prompted to select a given time. And for the Cruise/Bistro dinner tour. That also doesn't inlcude a time? Will more information come after we book it or do we just show up to the destinition sometime during that day and it works? I'm sure I'm making this more difficult than it needs to be. Any help appreciated! Thank you!!

Wednesday 1st of February 2023

@Jurga, Thank you so MUCH for you quick response! That was extremely helpful! I will start reserving times when my planning is nailed down. There are a few things I can't reserve yet because some calendars only go till March. The dinner cruise in our budget is the $54 one. 1 hour sight-seeing cruise with Bistro dinner. That is the one within our budget. Sorry. It won't let me link it. But it's on the list of ones you shared in that section. Thank you so much for all your help!

Hello Jacque, many Parisian attractions have timed entry tickets (e.g. Sainte-Chapelle, Musee d'Orsay, etc.). But there are many others where you just get a ticket that is valid the whole day and it doesn't matter when you arrive. So it really depends on the specific attraction that you book. I linked to the tickets as we bought them throughout the article. For the Seine dinner cruise, if you mean this one, it shows 8.30pm for me as a starting hour. I now realize that maybe you haven't chosen the date when looking at tours/tickets - you need to do that first in order to see the possible hours. So when you open a specific ticket or tour on the GetYourGuide website, you have to select participants, travel date, and in some cases, you can also choose between different languages. When you do that, you either see the hours to choose from or - like for the dinner cruise - you see the only possible starting time. Alternatively - for tickets to the main attractions - you can also try booking tickets on this website. Maybe it's simpler for you to understand. Also here, you have to select the travel date, choose your timeslot (where applicable), and then the number of tickets that you need. Hope this helps.

4 Days in Paris: Complete Itinerary & Insider Tips

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Planning your 4 days in Paris getaway and feeling a bit overwhelmed? I know how tricky it can be to craft the perfect itinerary.

You want to catch all the famous spots, discover some secret corners, and, of course, dive into the fantastic food scene. It’s quite a puzzle to put all these pieces together, especially if you’re not familiar with the city yet.

You’ve landed in just the right place! As a Paris insider , I’ve crafted the ultimate 4-day itinerary for you , packed with everything needed for a fabulous trip. This plan is your gateway to experiencing the best of Paris in a short but memorable stay.

Here’s a breakdown of what this article covers:

• 4 Days in Paris Itinerary
• Comprehensive Map with Key Destinations
• Culinary Recommendations
• Hotel suggestions perfectly in line with this itinerary
• Local Insights and Travel Suggestions

Salut, I am Lena – travel planning expert and parisienne since 2006 🩷

Paris in 4 Days: Everything you need to know

Before we jump into the itinerary for 4 days in Paris, let’s first address some common pitfalls that many travelers to Paris encounter. I’m placing this crucial information upfront so it’s not missed.

Paris, renowned for its enchanting allure and stunning sights, is a great choice for short getaways. In my Facebook group (which you’re welcome to join here for free ), I often come across travelers sharing experiences of scams, miscommunications, feelings of being taken advantage of, or running into unexpected situations.

The best way to sidestep these issues and ensure a fantastic trip is to be aware of the typical mistakes tourists make in Paris before you set off on your journey!

Paris Essentials: Must-Have Travel Items

Travel Adapter for Europe

Order from Amazon

Portable Charger

Common Scams and Pitfalls to Avoid

To keep this section concise, I’ve included links to additional resources that will be useful as you prepare for your trip.

• Stay Alert for Scams: Be sure to read our article on the most frequent scams in Paris and learn how to safeguard yourself. (you find it here: Scams in Paris here )
• Advance Booking for the Eiffel Tower: The Eiffel Tower often gets fully booked weeks ahead. Secure your tickets early, like you can do here .
• Keep Your Metro Ticket: Always retain your metro ticket until the end of your journey. Failure to present it upon inspection can lead to fines, and excuses won’t help. Also, check out our guide to navigating the Paris Metro .
• Greet with ‘Bonjour’: Always start interactions (in restaurants, shops, or with tour guides) with a ‘Bonjour’. Many perceive the French as unfriendly, without realizing the importance of this polite greeting in French culture.
• Saving Money in Paris: For tips on enjoying Paris on a budget, take a look at our Paris Budget Guide .

All-Inclusive Pass: Save Time & Money

— visit as many attractions in Paris as you like — valid for 4 days — Includes more than 90 landmarks, museums & attractions — for example: Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Hop on Hop off Tour, Wine Tasting, Seine Cruise and many more

Your Perfect Four Days in Paris Itinerary

So, here’s the 4 days Paris itinerary you’ve been waiting for. Don’t forget to also look at my hotel suggestions, which you’ll find right after the itinerary.

✦ Day 1 – Paris Itinerary

You have arrived, you are in Paris ! Bienvenue! Today, you are going to check off a sightseeing tour, the Eiffel Tower, The Arc de Triomphe, and the Marais from your bucket list.

Sightseeing Bus Tour (Morning)

(included in the Paris All-Inclusive Pass )

Begin your first day in Paris at a leisurely pace: opt for a classic bus sightseeing tour .

It’s an ideal way to ease travel weariness and jetlag. Just sit back, unwind, and soak in your initial impressions of Paris.

A bus tour’s big plus is its efficiency – you’ll get a snapshot of the city in a short time. This overview eases any pressure to see ‘everything’ in the next four days. Additionally, the audio guide offers a wealth of information, more than you might gather on a guided walk.

The Eiffel Tower (Lunch / Early Afternoon)

No Paris trip is truly complete without seeing its most iconic symbol, the Eiffel Tower. To bypass long lines and secure your spot, it’s wise to book your tickets well in advance.

The Eiffel Tower tickets often sell out weeks ahead , especially if you are traveling over the weekend.

You have the option to book directly through the Eiffel Tower’s official website or through a ticket provider like Get Your Guide . I find Get Your Guide more convenient – their tickets tend to be available on shorter notice, and they offer full refunds up to 24 hours before.

• Eiffel Tower Summit, buy tickets here .
• For Direct Access to the 2nd Floor, buy tickets here .
• For the Eiffel Tower & Seine Cruise Combo, buy tickets here .

Lunch by the Eiffel Tower

Looking for a memorable lunch spot near the Eiffel Tower? How about dining right on the tower itself? On its first floor, you’ll find the charming Madame Brasserie .

The place is run by the celebrated chef Thierry Marx , a big name in France’s culinary scene. He’s not just a Michelin Star recipient for his past ventures, but also known for his role as a judge on ‘Top Chef’. These are just a few feathers in his cap.

Lunch at Madame Brasserie is a treat, and surprisingly, it won’t completely break the bank. It offers an affordable yet exquisite 3-course menu , coupled with skip-the-line access to the 1st floor and a view that’s nothing short of breathtaking.

Curious to see if they’re available during your visit? Take a look at their availability for your travel dates right here .

Budget Lunch Around the Eiffel Tower

If you’re on the hunt for a more budget-friendly lunch choice, I’d suggest Galettes . Absolutely, I’m a big fan of this French specialty, typical of the Bretagne (Brittany) region.

Galettes are these delicious, hearty crêpes made from buckwheat flour , and they come with various fillings like cheese, ham, or a fried egg. It’s traditional to pair them with a cup of cider, and then follow up with a sweet crêpe for dessert. Yum!

There are a few good Crêperies nearby the Eiffel Tower. For example, Les Frères Bretons . (You can book a table online with TheFork and save €10 on your bill with my code 83FDC2B7)

Arc de Triomphe (Afternoon)

A mere 25-minute walk or a quick metro hop from the Eiffel Tower takes you to the majestic Arc de Triomphe. This grand monument, a symbol of national pride, was commissioned by Napoleon to honor French war achievements.

Standing at the head of the Champs-Élysées, it’s one of the largest arches globally, offering a stunning view of Paris from above.

The Arc de Triomphe is more than just a landmark; it’s a pivotal part of Paris’ rich tapestry. Interested in its intriguing story? Dive into our article with 35 captivating facts about the Arc de Triomphe .

The Arc de Triomphe sits on a line with the Place de la Concorde on one side and the modern Arc de la Défense on the other, creating a striking scene for photography enthusiasts.

But, when you’re heading to visit the Arc de Triomphe, you might ponder the best way to reach it. This iconic structure is perched right in the middle of Paris’ bustling Place Charles de Gaulle, also known as Étoile (Star), surrounded by a gigantic roundabout.

A word of advice: don’t try to cross the street above ground. There are underground walkways designed for safe crossings!

If you are holding a Paris All-Inclusive Pass , admission to the Arc de Triomphe is free. Otherwise, you need to grab a ticket at the booth to visit the Arc de Triomphe. The lines are generally short, so it shouldn’t take too long. Additionally, you can also prepurchase your ticket here.

Le Marais (Later Afternoon / Evening)

Once you’ve marveled at the panoramic views of Paris and the whirl of traffic encircling the Arc de Triomphe, hop on Metro Line 1 to Hôtel de Ville, a must-visit for your “what to do in Paris in 4 days” list.

If time’s on your side, consider a leisurely walk down the Champs Élysée towards the Hôtel de Ville, Paris’ Town Hall. It’s a total of 5 km, but you can always shorten the journey by catching the Metro Line 1 at any point.

At Hôtel de Ville, begin your exploration of the Marais. This area was once the aristocratic district of Paris pre-French Revolution . Today, it’s celebrated for housing one of the largest Jewish communities in Paris and being a hub for LGTB culture.

Roaming the Marais is a delight – its cobbled alleys, quaint designer boutiques, vintage shops, and a plethora of cafes and bars make it an enchanting place to wander and explore, perfect for adding to your 4-day Paris itinerary.

Dinner in the Marais

The Marais is one of the areas of Paris that is known for its bars and restaurants. Being the Jewish quarter of Paris, it’s not surprising that it’s the go-to area if you want to eat a superb Falafel.

“L’As du Fallafel” is probably the most famous food stall within the area, and it’s known to be the favorite Falafel place of Lenny Kravitz. If you’re up for something casual, you really don’t want to miss this place. You can either eat in the restaurant or get a sandwich to take away.

Do you prefer to enjoy some classic French food in a cozy Parisian restaurant ? No problem! Have dinner at the Camille  and try typical french cuisine with snails (they have other starters, too, no worries), Magret de Canard, and a yummy Crème brûlée.

Alternatively, pick one of these restaurants:

• La table cachée par Michel Roth
• Les Enfants Rouges
• BigLove (Vegetarian & Vegan Trattoria)

It’s a good idea to reserve a table beforehand: Parisian restaurants can get quite crowded, and there’s no guarantee you’ll get a table if you just drop in.

Tip: book a table online with TheFork and save €10 on your bill with my code 83FDC2B7.

✦ Day 2 of 4 Days in Paris

Following a restful night, kick off your day in true French style: enjoy a coffee paired with a croissant (or a baguette with jam and butter) at a local café. And if you’re watching your budget, opt to stay at the bar – it’s pricier to sit down!

Don’t miss our Paris Mistake post to avoid the most popular tourist traps and silly Paris mistakes!

The Louvre (Morning)

Ready to start your day? Head to the Louvre. Without a Paris Pass, it’s wise to get a skip-the-line ticket beforehand and dive straight into the exhibits. But if you have a Paris Pass, you’re all set.

Just make sure to reserve a time slot for your visit on the Louvre Website . (I explain this point a bit further down)

Truth be told, you could spend all four days of your Paris trip in the Louvre and still not see everything. That’s why I highly recommend the official audio guide. It’s not just informative about the exhibits, but the best part are the curated tours.

You might also be interested in these articles:

• Is the Louvre Worth It? Your No-Nonsense Guide
• 20 Famous Paintings in the Louvre you can’t miss!
• 16 Art Museums in Paris you shouldn’t miss!

The “masterpieces” tour was a personal favorite. You can download it on your mobile device or rent a Nintendo DS at the Louvre for €5.

I’m not an art buff myself and don’t know much about it, but the audio guide significantly enhanced my Louvre experience. It helped me understand and appreciate what I was seeing!

How to enter the Louvre as fast as possible?

To get into the Louvre as fast as possible, avoid the entrance through the pyramid in the courtyard. The entrance through the shopping mall “Carrousel du Louvre” is always less frequented.

Just know that regardless of which ticket you purchased, you always have to go through security checks.

I got the Paris All-Inclusive Pass . How do I reserve my Louvre ticket?

Even if you hold the Paris pass and won’t have to pay for admission, you need to reserve your time slot in advance. It’s pretty easy, though, and you can reserve your timed slot through this link and pick the free entrance option.

Opening times of the Louvre

Daily (except Tuesdays): 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Wednesday, Friday: 9 a.m.–9:45 p.m.

Closed on Tuesdays, January 1, May 1, and December 25

Rooms begin closing 30 minutes before museum closing time.

Lunch near the Louvre

After spending the morning enjoying breathtaking art at the Louvre, it’s best to have lunch nearby. The Louvre is very centrally located in a very busy and rather expensive area of Paris .

If you’re not on a shoestring budget, you’ll find easily a restaurant to have lunch and to rest a little.

Otherwise, or if you want to plan ahead, just take a look at The Fork . You can book the restaurants directly online and often get even 20% or more off your bill . And if not, you can always use my code 83FDC2B7 for a €10 reductions.

My tip: Have Lunch at Baguett’Café. It’s a quite hip brunch and lunch place with delicious pancakes and French toast. It is a bit pricey though for what it is, and the portions are rather small.

Sainte-Chapelle (Afternoon)

After exploring one of Paris’ top attractions and savoring a delicious lunch, your next stop should be the stunning Sainte Chapelle. This Gothic chapel stands as one of the most awe-inspiring structures in the city and is a must-see in Paris in 4 days.

Sainte Chapelle is known for its remarkable stained-glass windows made in the 13th century . These windows, encompassing 15 large panels and a rose window, intricately depict various biblical scenes.

The way light filters through the vibrant colors and detailed designs creates a mesmerizing atmosphere, turning the chapel into a spectacle of light and color. Fingers crossed you’re visiting on a sunny day, it’s purely magical.

If you have a Paris All-Inclusive Pass , you’ll be glad to know the entrance is included. If not, it’s a good idea to get your ticket in advance here .

Notre Dame (Afternoon)

Now’s the perfect time for a leisurely stroll. Just a short walk from Sainte Chapelle, you’ll find the renowned Notre Dame Cathedral. While the 2019 incident means you can’t go inside currently, the exterior still makes for a great photo opportunity.

The area around the cathedral is quite restricted, but you can still find some excellent spots for pictures. Try capturing it from one of the nearby bridges, or get a unique view from the upper-floor window of the famous English bookstore in Paris , Shakespeare & Company.

My Tip: Right next to the bookstore, you find the pastry shop Odette . They have delicious choux pastry, filled with sweet and fruity creams.

From Notre Dame, make your way across one of the bridges connecting Île-de-la-Cité to the left bank of the Seine. The vicinity of the St. Michel fountain serves as an ideal spot to begin exploring central Paris and the Latin Quarter at a pace that suits you.

The Latin Quarter: A highlight in any Paris in 4 days itinerary

The Latin Quarter is an excellent area to cover some essential “must-see in Paris in 4 days” locations. The map below will provide you with a glimpse of the many sights you can enjoy simply by meandering through the Latin Quarter.

A standout spot in the Latin Quarter is the Jardin du Luxembourg . It’s not only one of Paris’ largest parks but also among its most iconic. It’s the perfect place to relax, whether that’s sitting back in one of the green chairs with a good book or enjoying a sandwich from a nearby bakery.

The Jardin du Luxembourg is also an ideal spot for a game of Pétanque. This traditional French boule game might not be fast ball game , but it certainly can get heated. It’s equally fun to watch or join in.

And here’s a fun fact: within the Jardin, you’ll find beehives and even a Statue of Liberty replica!

The Panthéon (Afternoon)

Good to know: if you want to visit the inside of the Pantheon, you better head there right after Sainte-Chapelle and visit the rest of the Latin quarter afterward. Last access is at 17:15.

A short stroll from Jardin du Luxembourg takes you to the magnificent Panthéon. Perched on Mount Sainte-Geneviève , its dome is visible across the city, marking a significant point in the Parisian skyline.

More than just a temple, the Panthéon serves as a mausoleum for some of France’s most illustrious citizens, including Voltaire, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Marie Curie. Paris Pass holders enjoy free entry, while others can secure their tickets here .

Dinner in the Latin Quarter

While they might seem appealing and budget-friendly, it’s better to skip the quaint, attractive restaurants near St. Michel. The eateries along Rue de la Harpe and Rue de la Huchette cater primarily to tourists.

They’re not utterly terrible, but for a little extra, you can find much better quality food just a few streets away, where the culinary experience is more authentic and satisfying. 4 Days in Paris is just too short for mediocre food.

Read more about popular Paris mistakes and silly tourist traps here !

Evening: Dinner at Rue Mouffetard

Just a stone’s throw from St. Michel, Rue Mouffetard in the Latin Quarter is an excellent spot for dining out. This pedestrian street is steeped in history, being one of Paris’ oldest roads, dating back to Roman times.

Nestled on the hill of Sainte-Geneviève, Rue Mouffetard was left unchanged by Baron Haussmann, the architect behind the iconic Haussmann buildings that shape much of Paris. This has preserved its old-world charm, complete with cobbled streets and buildings that feel almost medieval, something you shouldn’t miss if you are in Paris for 4 days.

Today, Rue Mouffetard is celebrated for its daily market and array of specialty shops . A perfect place to pick up French delicacies and gourmet treats to take home – think cheeses, cold cuts, wines, pastries, and more. It’s a true treasure trove for food lovers.

It’s a favorite spot among Parisians for dining out or enjoying a drink, offering something for every taste

My restaurant recommendations in the Latin Quarter are:

• Restaurant Narro upscale French Japanese
• TranTranZai budget friendly
• Maison Perché Modern French / International ( save €10 with code 83FDC2B7 )
• Au Bon Coin French Bistro ( save €10 with code 83FDC2B7 )

✦ Day 3 – Paris Itinerary

Start your day with the essential Parisian breakfast of a croissant and café, and then head out to visit the Musée d’Orsay.

Musée d’Orsay (Morning)

The Musée d’Orsay is renowned for its impressive collection of impressionist and post-impressionist masterpieces , making it a top pick for things to do in Paris in 4 days. Get ready to admire works by Monet, Renoir, Sezane, and van Gogh.

Personally, I also found the replica of Rodin’s Gate to Hell most impressive.

But it’s not just the art work that’s worth seeing at the Musée d’Orsay. The building itself is a gem, offering a fantastic photo spot. From the old clock in this former railway station , you can get a unique view of the Louvre.

If you have a Paris Pass , you can enter the Musée d’Orsay for free. If not, you can buy your entrance ticket here .

Opening times of the Musée d’Orsay

Daily (except Mondays): 9:30 a.m.–6 p.m. (room clearing starts at 5:15 pm) Thursdays: 9:30 a.m.–9:45 p.m. (room clearing starts at 9:15 pm)

Closed on Mondays, May 1, and December 25

Lunch at the Musée d’Orsay

To make the most of your time, consider having lunch at the Musée d’Orsay. They offer four different lunching options, ranging from upscale gastronomy restaurants to snack bars. hence, more or less suitable for all budgets.

Alternatively, you can grab a sandwich from a nearby bakery or even buy one in the morning. It’s your cheapest option.

Cruise on the River Seine (Early Afternoon)

After enjoying some fabulous art head over to the Seine and take a cruise on the Seine. This river cruise , which is covered by the Paris Pass, opens up an entirely different perspective on Paris for you.

If you don’t have a Paris Pass, you can reserve your spot on a Seine riverboat here .

A Seine river cruise is a lovely way for you to take in the beautiful views of Paris. You’ll sail past the Eiffel Tower, the Grand, and the Petit Palais, the Louvre, Notre Dame, Pont Neuf, and Pont Alexandre III , among other sights.

Don’t worry if the weather isn’t ideal; you can sit inside and still admire Paris through the panoramic windows.

If you’re traveling to Paris with kids , a river cruise is sure to be an enjoyable and memorable experience for them. My kids, even though native Parisians, love it.

Cemetery Père Lachaise (Afternoon)

( a walking tour of the Cemetery is included in the Paris All-Inclusive Pass )

For the afternoon, let’s venture a bit beyond the city center – it’s just a quick metro ride away. Père Lachaise Cemetery , one of Paris’ oldest and largest cemeteries , offers a truly unique atmosphere.

But there’s more to it than just its ambiance. The list of famous figures resting here is remarkable : Chopin, Edith Piaf, Oscar Wilde, Jim Morrison, Molière, and many others.

At each entrance, you’ll find maps pinpointing the exact locations of these notable graves. It’s a good idea to snap a photo of the map on your phone to help navigate the sprawling grounds. On busy weekend days, you might even be greeted by an employee who will provide you with a free paper map.

And while looking for the famous graves, don’t miss the other intriguing tombs – they range from slightly eerie to beautifully solemn, adding to the cemetery’s rich complexity.

By the way, did you already watch the latest season of the Lupin Series on Netflix? The creepy graveyard scene was produced here, on the Père Lachaise Cemetery.

Dinner around the Père Lachaise Cemetery

Although Père Lachaise Cemetery is a bit outside my usual area, I can still recommend two restaurants nearby. I’ve dined/lunched at both and truly enjoyed the experience.

• L’Ami Justin – Brasserie & Couscous (I loved the Couscous)
• Le Sot l’Y Laisse – French Upscale Restaurant

If you are lucky, you might even get a table at Septime . The most affordable Michelin Star Restaurant in Paris. But don’t get your hopes up too high, I have been trying to get a table since January 2023.

Discover Paris’ Bar Scene (Evening)

After your trip to Père Lachaise, head to a vibrant area for an evening out, located between Voltaire, Bastille, and République. It’s an easy walk from Père Lachaise.

This neighborhood offers a wide array of bar and nightlife options. You’ll find everything from cozy cocktail bars and local breweries to speakeasies and music-focused spots, including metal and rock bars. My personal favorites include:

• Fréquence Great Cocktails, Snacks & Music
• Fauve Parisian Brewery with a large choice on tab
• Mezcaleria Speakeasy bar specialized on Cocktails & Mezcal
• Mobster B ar Prohibition Style Speakeasy Bar

For more options and my absolute favorites when it comes to cocktails and speakeasy bars, take a look at these posts. It’s curated lists of favorites of my husband and me:

• 7 Best Speakeasy Bars in Paris for your Paris Agenda
• 5 Cocktail Bars in Paris you need to try

✦ Day 4 – Paris Itinerary

On your final day in the enchanting city of Paris, a visit to Montmartre is a must.

My Tip: If you are a holder of the Paris All-Inclusive Pass , start your day at the famous restaurant La Mère Catherine for a free hot drink and Macarons for breakfast. Or, if you want to start boozy, head to Au Cadet de Gascogne for free Champagne and Pastries. (or both!)

Historically, Montmartre was the heart of the French art scene . It’s where many renowned artists, including Monet, van Gogh, and Picasso, spent considerable time. While those days have passed, Montmartre retains its artistic essence. This isn’t just because of the artists painting around Place de Tertre or the numerous galleries.

However, Montmartre has become quite touristy, now home to more souvenir shops than art galleries. But there’s a way to experience a more authentic side of Montmartre: visit early in the morning before the crowds arrive.

Montmartre and the Sacre Cœur (Morning)

( a Montmarte walking tour is included in the Paris All-Inclusive Pass )

That’s precisely when your Montmartre adventure should begin: as early as possible, ideally before 10:00 a.m. This is before the souvenir shops open and before tourist buses start flocking to this quaint micro- arrondissement in Paris’s north.

The charming cobblestone streets, the local painters, the breathtaking view over Paris, and of course, the Sacré-Cœur… these are experiences you won’t want to miss. And they’re twice as magical when you can enjoy them without the throngs of other visitors.

For your visit to Montmartre, there’s no need for a rigid plan. The best way to explore is to meander slowly up the hill, taking as many side streets as you wish. Sure, you could head straight to the Sacré-Cœur and arrive in about five minutes, but the real magic of Montmartre lies in its detours.

You’ll stumble upon charming cafés, quaint boutiques, vibrant street art , galleries, unique architecture, and many hidden gems.

Some Montmartre highlights you shouldn’t miss include:

• Le mur des je t’aimes
• La Maison Rose
• The two remaining windmills
• The bookstore and café at the Halle Saint Pierre
• Le Passe-Muraille
• The Montmartre Museum (I strongly recommend this one)

If you wish, you can travel the last bit up the hill by using The Montmartre Funicular . This train requires a regular Metro ticket.

Tip: Don’t buy a ticket from the guys who are offering cheap tickets. They are a scam.

I recommend descending from Montmartre via the quaint streets and steep stairs located behind the Sacré-Cœur. While the front of the basilica is bustling and touristy, the backside presents a stark contrast: it’s relaxed, quiet, and has an almost offbeat charm.

This area is less frequented by visitors, making it a worthwhile part of Montmartre to explore for a more authentic experience.

Lunch in Montmartre

Montmartre is brimming with lunch options, making it a delightful dilemma to choose where to eat. I, personally, recommend Maison Rose. Despite its touristy reputation and location, I was pleasantly surprised: excellent food, and friendly, accommodating service.

They also offer vegan and vegetarian options. Just remember to book in advance, especially in high season.

Another great choice in Montmartre is Bouillon Pigalle . If you’re looking to savor traditional French cuisine without spending a lot, this is the place to go. It’s a popular spot, known for its authentic dishes and inviting atmosphere.

They don’t take reservations and you might have to queue, but eating in a Bouillon is an experience you don’t want to miss.

If you don’t know what a Bouillon Restaurant is, read my Bouillon article here and learn why it is so special.

If you’re not hungry yet, next to Opéra Garnier lies the Japanese Quarter of Paris , with some of the best Ramen in town.

Galeries Lafayette (Afternoon)

The next point on your ultimate 4 day in Paris itinerary are the magnificent Galeries Lafayette .

From Montmartre, the Galeries Lafayette is quite accessible. You have the option to walk – it’s about a 30-minute journey from the Sacré-Cœur – or, for a quicker route, you can catch the next Metro and be there in just a few minutes.

The Galeries Lafayette is renowned as a shopping paradise in Paris. If you’re looking to purchase perfume, makeup, a Longchamp handbag, or designer fashion, this is the place to be.

But even if (high-end) shopping isn’t on your Paris agenda, don’t skip a visit to the Galeries Lafayette. The store features an incredible rooftop terrace that’s free to access and offers a stunning view over Paris – a must-see for any visitor!

My Tip: A few months ago, I was lucky enough and joined this Macaron Baking Class in the Galeries Lafayette. It was a 90-min course that fits perfectly in tight schedules. And as a plus, with the Paris All-Inclusive Pass , the workshop is free.

Opéra Garnier (Afternoon)

Right next to the Galeries Lafayette, you’ll find the Opéra Garnier. Constructed during the era of Napoleon III, the Opéra Garnier is also known as the Palais Garnier, a nod to its extravagant opulence.

This 19th-century neo-baroque building boasts one of the most stunning interiors in Paris. It has been the inspiration for numerous plays, including the famous “Phantom of the Opera!”

If you have an hour or 2 to spare, do visit. It’s remarkable! The tickets are, for once, not included in the Paris Pass, but you can buy them here .

Secret Covered Passages (Late Afternoon/ Evening)

Just a short distance from Galeries Lafayette, you can explore some of the most charming covered passages in Paris .

Start with Passage Choiseul, then wander through the picturesque Galerie Vivienne. From there, you can almost seamlessly transition to Passage de Panoramas, followed by Passage Jouffroy, and finally, Passage Verdeau.

These passages are remnants of the 18th century , a time when over 180 covered arcades were built to ensure the shopping enjoyment of the wealthy, even in rainy weather.

Today, only about 20 of these historical arcades remain, each offering a unique glimpse into Parisian history and architecture.

And they are still a lovely spot to shop. Especially the Passage Jouffroy has some lovely souvenir shops.

My Tip: If it’s time for a break or an early evening drink, Danico in the Galerie Vivienne is a top address. Elected as one of the best 100 bars in the world, you find it hidden behind the Italian restaurant Daroco. (Which I can warmly recommend as well).

Day 4: Evening Entertainment

For your final evening in Paris, here are a few suggestions to make it memorable and end your vacation on a high note.

One option is Olivier Giraud’s comedy show, “ How To Become A Parisian in One Hour ?” While I haven’t seen it myself yet, I plan to do so soon. It comes highly recommended, with an impressive 4.9-star rating on Google Reviews.

Plus, it’s included in the Paris All-Inclusive Pass – well, who could have guessed that?

Another great final for your four days in Paris France is to experience a cabaret show at the iconic Moulin Rouge. If this is what you opt in for, then absolutely make sure to reserve your tickets well in advance. On popular nights, it’s always sold out. You can check their availabilities here.

Or, you could simply enjoy a leisurely stroll through the beautifully lit streets of Paris at night .

However, my personal favorite is to embark on a night sightseeing tour in a classic CV2 ca r – it’s a truly unique way to see the city’s highlights under the stars and a worthy final. Check rates and schedules here.

Map of your Paris 4 Days Itinerary

Want to know where you’ll be going to? Check the map below to see your destinations per day. You can click on each star to know more about the landmark, or click the little square in the upper right to see the map on full screen.

⊗ – Day 1    ⊗ – Day 2

⊗ – Day 3     ⊗ – Day 4

4 Days in Paris: Where to stay?

Paris can be quite costly, especially when it comes to finding a place to stay. Yet, the city’s compact size is a plus. Its efficient public transport system allows for quick and easy travel throughout the city, irrespective of your accommodation’s location.

Rest assured, if your accommodation is within Paris’s city limits, there will be a Metro station conveniently close.

However, to make the utter most of your four days in Paris, France, I suggest you stay as central as possible. Lovely areas in this regard are the Quartier Latin, Opéra (more budget friendly) and of course the Marais.

Below, you find a short list of great hotels in Paris, that you can book without thinking twice. If they aren’t what you’re looking for, take a look at my Paris hotel guides for more options.

Paris Hotel Picks for Every Budget

Ibis Hotels Grands Boulevards

• perfect location near Opéra
• family rooms & modern design
• free wifi & AirCon

Les Jardins du Luxembourg

• perfect location in Quartier Latin
• cozy and stylish rooms

Hôtel Ducs de Bougogne

• Dream location Rue de Rivoli
• unique boutique Hotel

Voilà. That’s my suggestion on how you could spend 4 days in Paris without missing a thing. Even though Paris in 4 days is not the longest vacation, it allows you enough time to explore the most important sights and have a wonderful time. Bon Voyage!

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PS: Check out these posts, they will help you plan your trip to Paris

• 20 Arrondissements in Paris (Quick Guide + Map)
• Paris hidden gems: 80+ well kept secrets you shouldn’t miss
• What NOT to do in Paris -23 (costly) Paris Mistakes you need to avoid!
• 14 Hotels with stunning Eiffel Tower views- for (almost) every budget!
• Your Perfect 2 Days in Paris! Itinerary & Insider Tips
• 5 ways to get from Charles de Gaulle airport to Paris – THE complete guide!
• Scams in Paris! How to avoid the most common cons

Pin it now – read it later (and find it back!!)

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One comment.

Love it, Lena! I’ll definitely try to make those 3 days work! Thanks!

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Le Travel Style

by Courtney Delfino • a San Diego based travel + lifestyle blog inspiring you to travel in style

Europe , Travel , Travel Guides · Last Updated: March 16, 2024

The Ultimate 4 Days in Paris Itinerary

How to spend 4 days in paris itinerary.

Looking for an itinerary for 4 days in Paris? Paris is one of those cities that will forever be a dream travel destination for most people. The City of Lights is best known for its cuisine, art, elite fashion, and architecture. Whether you choose to have a picnic in front of the Eiffel Tower, head to a jazz club in Marais, or get caught in the rain in Montmartre there’s a little something for everyone to enjoy in Paris.

As an avid traveler, it’s one of my favorite cities for so many reasons. Not only is it affordable (compared to New York and California prices) but the food is everything, you can get a bottle of wine for 10 euros, and it’s one of the prettiest cities I’ve ever visited. Take time to wander around this romantic city and get lost in the beauty of everything that surrounds you. Finally, in this Complete Paris Travel Guide, I’ll list the best things to do in Paris along with sharing a complete 4-day Paris Itinerary.

Best Time to Visit Paris

The weather in Paris is mild all year but it’s best to visit during the fall and spring when tourism is down and the temperatures are moderate. When booking your trip know that July & August are the hottest months as well as the busiest time to travel to Paris . Along with that, most Parisians will take the month of August off so a lot of smaller businesses will be closed during that month. Finally, we’ve been to Paris twice – at the end of October and mid-November and would recommend visiting during those months.

Best Places to Visit in Paris

While all opinions and recommendations are always my own, my content on this blog post may contain affiliate links for hotels I’ve traveled to, tours I’ve completed, and products I recommend. This means I get a small commission (at no additional cost to you) if you book a stay or purchase a product after clicking one of these links. As always, I am so thankful for your support so I can continue to offer free resources!

• Visit the Eiffel Tower

The most iconic landmark in Paris and arguably the world. The Eiffel Tower is named after the architect who created the iron lady, Gustave Eiffel. It was constructed for the 1889 world fair and is housed on Champs de Mars. Many tourists visit the top of the Eiffel tower for one of the most stunning views over Paris. To save time book a skip-the-line ticket and guide. For a more affordable version, you can book an entry ticket and skip the summit to check out the view from the 2nd level. Finally, every evening starting at dusk the Eiffel tower sparkles for a few minutes at the top of the hour. This happens until 10 pm (the last sparkle).

Best Eiffel Tower Views

• Trocadero gardens
• Rue de l’universite
• Bridge pont d’ilena
• Avenue de New York
• Avenue de Camoens
• Jardin d’Erevan

Visit A Museum

Paris is home to a myriad of art museums, galleries, and art masterpieces including Da Vinci’s – The Mona Lisa. Most people flock to the Lourve and while it is a fan favorite, there are a ton of other museums to explore on a rainy day in Paris. It’s the best way to experience the culture Paris has to offer. If you plan on visiting more than 1 museum consider purchasing a Paris museum pass which gives entry to multiple museums for a discounted price (€52 for entry to all museums for 2 days).

Let’s start with the Lourve. This museum is the largest museum in the world and houses many world-renowned art pieces. Art from all around the world including Egyptian, ancient greek, and ancient roman sculptures. Not only that but the Lourve pyramid is one of the most iconic sculptures in Paris. It’s a must-see when visiting Paris and being that it is the most visited museum. Because of that, you are bound to encounter crowds during your visit. I highly recommend booking a skip-the-line ticket guided tour to not only skip the line but hear the intricacies behind the world-renowned pieces of art. Finally, you can find a few restaurants located on the grounds with the most famous being Cafe Marly.

Musée d’Orsay

My personal favorite museum in Paris is the Musée d’Orsay. This museum is housed in an old train station and the interior of the building itself is simply stunning. It’s famous for its impressionist paintings, located on the 4th floor of this museum, some call it impressionist heaven. You can also find iconic paintings by Van Gogh, Monet, and Renoir. Finally, you can’t miss the clock atop the museum which showcases a beautiful view of the seine and 1st arrondissement.

Musée De L’Orangerie

The Musée De L’Orangerie is famous for housing Monet’s Water Lilies installation. While it’s not the only thing to see in this museum it is most definitely the highlight. It’s a smaller museum located in the Tuileries Gardens. Finally, it houses collections from Renoir, Cezanne, Matisse, Picasso, and Soutine.

Other museums and galleries to add to your perfect Paris itinerary: visit: Musee Rodin, FAondation Louis Vuitton, Grand Palais, Centre Pompidou, and Musee Rodin.

Palais Garnier

Another popular place to visit in Paris is the Palais Garnier. It was home to the Paris Opera for many years however now hosts mostly ballet performances. This Palais was made famous in the book The Phantom of the Opera . It’s named after its architect who completed the opulent structure in 1875, Charles Garnier. It’s also one of the best examples of Neo-Baroque Architecture in the world. The Palais offers so much to see from the grand foyer which was designed after the hall of mirrors in Versailles to the intricate Grand Escalier which was built with four floors of balconies so you can view the important guests that were arriving at the opera. Finally, book your Palais Garnier Entry Ticket in advance for the first time available and line up outside 30 minutes before opening.

See the Arc De Triomphe

The Arc de Triomphe stands at the center of Paris and is one of the most popular structures. It was created to honor the people who fought for France. Did you know you can climb to the top and see a bird’s eye view of Paris? It’s an amazing activity to experience and you’ll want to book your tickets in advance. Finally, the Arc is located on Champs-Élysées which is notably the most famous street in Paris lined with trees and home to many luxurious storefronts.

Visit Notre Dame Cathedral

Notre Dame is one of Paris’ most iconic landmarks. I was lucky enough to visit before the fire and climbed the 422 steps to the gargoyle’s point of view at the top. I have no doubt in my mind that it will be restored to its original beauty but unfortunately, for now, there is no access to Notre Dame until further notice. However, you can visit the exterior of the church as they have fences surrounding the structure with information about the construction as well as Notre Dame itself.

Wander Around Montmartre

Montmartre is the most charming town filled with tiny cobblestone streets and located on a hill in Paris in the 18th arrondissement. It is well known for being an artist’s haven and is home to the white-domed Basilica of the Sacré-Cœur. Not only that but you can find markets, cute restaurants and cafes, musicians lining the street, and the Instagram-famous Maison Rose. You can spend an entire afternoon exploring this part of Paris and it is not to be missed! Here are some places to visit when in Montmartre:

• Basilique du Sacré-Coeur
• La Maison Rose
• Le Moulin de la Galette: Windmills
• Place des Abbesses

Explore the Jardin des Tuileries

The Jardin de Tuileries is a public garden centrally located between the Louvre Museum and Place de la Concorde. This picturesque garden is perfect to post up and people-watch, go for a daily stroll, or to catch a beautiful sunset with the Eiffel tower in the distance. It was added as a UNESCO world heritage site in 1991 and is one of my favorite spots. Finally, Place Vendome is a popular shopping spot in Paris and is within walking distance from the Jardin des Tuileries.

• Visit the Palace of Versailles

Easily the best part of this 4 days Paris Itinerary is the Palace of Versailles. This 17th-century palace is full of opulence and surrounded by 2000 acres of lush garden displays. Versailles is easily one of the greatest achievements in French 17th-century art. There is so much to see and do at the Palace of Versailles! Not only can you explore the main palace but there are several other palaces on the property that I go into detail about later in this blog.

You can visit Versailles by booking a tour or taking the metro to Versailles and walking 20 minutes to the palace. We splurged (because it’s Paris and if you’re not going to splurge here, where are you going to splurge?) and purchased a guided tour from Viator which included transportation, a small group tour of all the palaces, and lunch in the garden at La Petite Venise. Finally, a great pro travel tip is to book a reservation for breakfast at their onsite restaurant Oro. It costs roughly €40 per person and includes entrance into the palace itself.

Grand Trianon

The Grand Trianon is a unique architectural composition featuring a central colonnaded gallery opening onto the central courtyard on one side and the gardens on the other. Built as a retreat for King Louis the XIV and his mistress this opulent Pavillion has the most stunning rooms I have ever seen. The ornate geometric gardens were planted with tens of thousands of flowers. Finally, the elegant pink marble facade is a stunning feature that is to be admired.

The Petit Trianon

The Petit Trianon is a neoclassical chateau located on the grounds of Versailles. It was a gift to Marie Antoinette from her husband King Louis XVI. This smaller version of the Grand Trianon boasts stunning marble and opulent interior designs. The vast staircase is extremely dreamy and to think of who walked up and down that in the past! Finally, Marie Antoinette’s apartment overlooks the gardens and the love monument.

The Queen’s Hamlet

The Queens Hamlet was constructed for Marie Antoinette in 1783. This rustic retreat was built to resemble a common village of Normandy so that she could live “the simple life”. It acted as a private meeting place for her close friends and still has a working farm to this day.

Unique Places to Visit in Paris

Les Deux Plateaux: Commonly known as Colonnes de Buren. The courtyard of the Palais Royal is dominated by 280 black and white  striped truncated  columns, made of Carrera marble, created by artist Daniel Buren. It’s a tribute to ancient art as the shape of the columns is reminiscent of classical architecture.

Galeries Lafayette: the prettiest department store with 360-degree views of Paris from the rooftop that is free to visit.

Paris Catacombs: located 65 feet underground in an old limestone quarry is the Paris catacombs. Towards the end of the 18th century, the city was having a problem with overcrowding at graveyards so this was the solution. It spans 300km below the city and is home to over 6 million dead Parisians. Tickets to access cost €28 euro per person.

The Pantheon: located in the Latin Quarter is The Pantheon which is a monument and houses the remains of great French citizens, including Voltaire, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Victor Hugo, Èmile Zola, and Marie Curie.

Jardin de Luxembourg: located in the 6th arrondissement these gardens are very popular with french locals. It spans over 56 acres and is famous for its lawns, tree-lined promenades, tennis courts, flowerbeds, model sailboats on its octagonal Grand Bassin, as well as the picturesque Medici Fountain.

Pont Neuf: visit the oldest bridge in Paris by seeing Pont Neuf which ironically translates to a new bridge in English. It was constructed in 1578 and was the heart of the city during medieval times.

Moulin Rouge Cabaret: this is another Paris bucket list item especially if you love the movie!

4-Day Paris Itinerary

Here is the best way to utilize your time with your 4-Days in Paris Itinerary:

• Visit the Louvre
• Walk around Jardin de Tuileries
• Take pictures at Les Deux Plateaux
• Visit the Palais Garnier
• Shopping at Galeries Lafayette
• Dinner at Gambino
• Explore Montmartre
• Lunch at Pink Mamma
• Take the metro to the 6th arrondissement
• Walk around Jardin du Luxeomburg
• Paris Catacombs
• Early Dinner at Cafe de Flore
• Breakfast at Le Train Bleu
• Explore the Le Marais neighborhood
• Visit Musee d’Orsay
• Walk the Champs-Élysées and visit the Arc de Triomphe
• Dinner at Kong Paris
• Visit Avenue de New York to watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle
• See the Moulin Rouge Cabaret
• Shopping at Place Vendome
• Dinner at Girafe Rooftop

Best Restaurants in Paris

I plan on writing an entire blog post dedicated to the best restaurants in Paris however for now these are the top contenders to visit!

Pink Mamma ($$) – delicious Italian food and a beautiful restaurant. This restaurant lives up to the hype and it’s best to make reservations. Pro tip – ask to sit on the third floor for beautiful rooftop views.

Gambino ($$) – Hands down the best Italian food we have ever had. And we’ve been to Italy! We have visited this restaurant four times now because of how good the food was. 10/10 would recommend it!

Cafe de Flore ($$$) – Easily the most infamous cafe in Paris and one of the oldest! Located in the 6th arrondissement it’s best known for its famous hot chocolate with chantilly cream. It’s a great spot to post up and people watch especially in the rain.

Le Cafe Marly ($$$$) – Let’s be real, the reason why this restaurant is so notable is because of the Lourve views. But hey, it’s Paris! You have to splurge a little. This restaurant is located inside the museum and is best for lunch!

Girafe Rooftop ($$$) – Rooftop views of the Eiffel tower. I’ve heard the food isn’t the best but you come here for the views.

Le Train Bleu ($$$) – located in Gare du Nord train station this is the prettiest restaurant in Paris. Make reservations and it’s best to visit for breakfast (ends at 11 am).

Kong Paris ($$$) – Asian fusion restaurant made famous from Sex and the City.

Where to Stay in Paris

I have a full guide on the best areas to stay in Paris broken down by neighborhood.

A Full Guide on The Best Areas to Stay in Paris for The First Time

4-Days in Paris Itinerary : Best Way to Get Around Paris

20 arrondissements are surrounding Paris. Each arrondissement is a little unique and has its unique vibe. A good starting point when traveling to Paris is the first arrondissement. It’s the center of the city with many main attractions in Paris. You can work your way out from there but here are the best ways to get around Paris.

Paris Metro

Short for Métropolitain, the subway system is one of the best ways to get around Paris. The subway map covers all the arrondissements and there are multiple lines to take you all over the metro Paris area. Not only that but it is extremely inexpensive to ride. Only €1.50 for a one-way fare and €15 for an all-day unlimited pass. Finally, be aware of your surroundings when taking the subway. Do not leave your phone in your pocket, put your backpack. in front of you, and don’t take the metro with designer shopping bags.

Vélib’ Métropole is a popular bike-sharing program all around the Paris city center. Their kiosks are extremely easy to use and you can rent bikes by the minute. We had a little trouble finding a docking station around the 1st arrondissement during peak hours, however, I would highly recommend renting bikes to best explore Paris.

Sure Paris is a huge city but in order to get a taste of the local life, it’s best to walk and take in the sights. There is so much beauty to be seen here that if you’re in a taxi you may miss some of the intricate details that make this city so beautiful.

Thank you for reading my “How to Spend 4 Days in Paris Itinerary: a Complete Travel Guide”. I hope it helps when planning your trip to beautiful Paris. Don’t forget to check out more of my European travel guides !

XX, Courtney

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4 Days in Paris (Best First-Time Itinerary + Map)

• February 27, 2024

Paris, the capital city of France, is one of the most popular destinations in the world. It’s a city of romance, magic, light and history. No matter if you’re looking for art, shopping, fine dining or history, the city has it all.

Paris started as a small Celtic village, situated in the tiny area of Île de la Cité. Today, nothing reminds of its humble beginning but the city’s name. It derives from the Celtic tribe called Parisii, who lived in the area.

Paris is known as the City of Lights. Not only because it was one of the first cities in Europe, which had gas street lighting. It is also because of its important role during the Age of Enlightenment.

4 Days in Paris itinerary

How to plan 4 days in Paris? It’s difficult to craft the perfect Paris itinerary, especially if this is your first time to the City of Lights. This detailed travel guide will help you decide what attractions to visit and where to eat.

Keep in mind that most of the restaurants work between 12:00 PM – 02:00 PM and 07:00 PM – 10:00 PM. Also, they often have different working hours during the weekends. So, always check the working hours before visiting (and better make a reservation).

My best advice is to buy either a Paris Museum Pass in advance or skip the lines ticket for each attraction you want to visit. Don’t count on that you’re visiting off the season and there won’t be lines for every site.

The second time I visited Paris was in late October. I decided that I’ll buy a Museum Pass from the first visited attraction. In my case, this was the Orangerie Museum.

There should be no lines at all (according to what I’ve read in many forums and blogs). And guess what? I’ve waited 2 hours in the pouring rain (in the low season). Don’t do this mistake! Paris is a super popular destination, so always buy tickets in advance.

Already have a hotel booked? Then check your hotel’s location and make sure it’s in a good area (see my guide where to stay in Paris ).

Find a map of this 4-day Paris itinerary (with all attractions and restaurants’ websites) at the end of the article.

4 Days in Paris (perfect itinerary for first-timers)

• Day 1: Louvre Museum, Tuileries Garden, Place de la Concorde, Triumphal Arch
• Day 2: Palace of Versailles (day trip from Paris)
• Day 3: Notre Dame Cathedral, Holy Chapel, Luxembourg Palace, Eiffel Tower
• Day 4: Cruise on Seine river, Sacré-Cœur Basilica, Montmartre

4 Days in Paris – Day 1

08:10 AM – 09:00 AM Start the first day of this 4 days in Paris itinerary with breakfast at Matamata Coffee Bar or  BO&MIE . Choose the BO&MIE bakery for a quick breakfast.

See Mona Lisa in Louvre Museum

09:00 AM – 12:30 PM Louvre Museum (Musée du Louvre) served as a royal palace of the French monarchs until the 17th century. Also, it is one of the largest museums in the world.

The museum is vast and packed with exhibits. You’ll need days to see everything. So, prepare for your visit ahead and check out  what exhibits in Louvre will be interesting for you.

12:30 PM – 02:30 PM Stop for lunch at La Bonne Excuse or La Cordonnerie .

Tuileries Garden and Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel

02:30 PM – 03:00 PM Catherine de’ Medici created the Tuileries Garden (Jardin des Tuileries) in 1564. The garden once was a part of the Tuileries Palace , destroyed in 1871 by the Paris Commune.

Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel is one of the three arcs on the Triumphal Way. It’s a historical axis of monuments that starts with the Grande Arche de la Défense to the west and ends with the Louvre Museum to the east.

Emperor Napoleon I commissioned Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel to remind of his military triumphs.

See the fountains at Place de la Concorde

03:00 PM – 03:20 PM Place de la Concorde is one of the most beautiful squares in the city. However, in the past things looked quite different. During the French Revolution , a guillotine was constructed and the square became an execution place. King Louis XVI of France and Queen Marie Antoinette lost their lives here in 1793.

Nowadays, in the centre of the square, you can see a giant 3,300-year-old Egyptian obelisk. The Obelisk of Luxor (Obélisque de Louxor) is decorated with hieroglyphics picturing the reign of pharaoh Ramses II. It was a gift to France from the Egyptian government in 1829. The obelisk is also known as Cleopatra’s Needle (L’aiguille de Cléopâtre).

Two beautiful fountains decorate the north and the south ends of Place de la Concorde. Their construction was inspired by the fountains on Piazza San Pietro and the Piazza Navona in Rome. The north fountain on Place de la Concorde represents the rivers and the south is dedicated to the seas.

Admire the Art Nouveau Bridge Alexandre III

03:30 PM – 03:45 PM Bridge Alexandre III (Pont Alexandre III) is constructed at the end of the 19th century. It is a stunning example of Art Nouveau style.

After seeing the bridge, pass along the Grand Palais and Petit Palais and then continue on Champs-Élysées.

Climb the Triumphal Arch

04:30 PM – 06:00 PM Triumphal Arch (Arc de Triomphe) commemorates all who fought and died for France during the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier lies beneath the arch. Also, an eternal flame burns in memory of all unknown soldiers who died during the world wars.

The 280 steps to the top of the arc are easy for climbing, as there is a museum on the way up. The views over the city, the Eiffel Tower and Champs Elysees are unforgettable. If you have time climb the arc right before sunset time and spend an hour on the top watching the sunset over the city.

If you are visiting in the high season, better buy a  Triumphal Arch ticket in advance (lines could be long).

Try some delicious French cuisine at Chez Gabrielle or Le Bistrot d’Yves .

Take an Illuminations River Cruise

Wondering why Paris is called the City of Lights? Take this illuminations cruise along river Seine to find out.

More ideas for your 4 days in Paris – Day 1

To add more attractions to your first day, check out the suggestions below.

Go shopping at Galeries Lafayette

Galeries Lafayette is a huge shopping complex with a marvellous glass ceiling. Even if you are not into shopping, go and visit the rooftop terrace for some amazing views.

See an opera at Palais Garnier

Palais Garnier is the largest opera house in Europe. Learn more about its extravagant design by exploring the Palais Garnier on a self-guided tour .

Be amazed by Saint-Eustache Church

Saint-Eustache (Église Saint-Eustache) is a 16th-century church with a lot of history. This was the place, where young Louis XIV (the Sun King) received his communion. Also, Mozart chose the sanctuary for his mother’s funeral. Jean Baptiste Colbert, a French minister of Finance, is buried inside the church.

The church organ with its 8000 pipes is the largest pipe organ in France. Among the other treasures of the church, you can see paintings by Rubens, Vouet and Santi di Tito. Don’t miss the church concerts of Saint-Eustache choir . They are held every Sunday.

Madeleine Church

Madeleine Church (La Madeleine) is an outstanding church, near Place de la Concorde. It was designed to serve as a temple to commemorate and celebrate the glory of Napoleon’s army.

4 Days in Paris – Day 2

To get to Versailles you’ll have to take RER C to Versailles-Château – Rive Gauche station (about 40min journey). It’s advisable to get there before the opening times, even if you already booked your tickets in advance.

Therefore my advice is to have an early breakfast at your hotel or stop for a quick bite at any bakery on your way.

Discover the Royal Palace of Versailles

08:45 AM – 12:00 PM Versailles (Château de Versailles) is one of the most famous palaces not only in France but in the world. Louis XIV, known as the Sun King, built the palace in 1682 and moved the court here from Paris. Versailles is a true masterpiece that represents the greatness of the Sun King.

Get there as early in the morning as you can. By booking online you’ll skip the first line. Keep in mind, that you still have to wait at the security check line. That is the reason why you’d better be here before the opening times.

If you haven’t booked a guided tour, you can rent an audio guide to learn more about the royal palace.

The entrance to Versailles is free on the first Sunday of every month from November to March.

12:00 PM – 02:00 PM Take a rest and have lunch at  Chez StefS or  Le Ble Noir . For a typical French bistro visit Chez StefS, for some crêpes – Le Ble Noir.

Gardens of Versailles, Trianon and Queen’s Hamlet

02:00 PM – 06:00 PM The gardens of Versailles are marvellous, but they are huge. You’ll need hours to see them, so be prepared for a long walk and wear comfortable shoes.

There are musical fountain shows during the weekends from April to October. In May and June, there are shows every Tuesday, too.

The famous Apollo Fountain, the Trianon Palace and Queen’s Hamlet are located in the gardens. Louis XIV commissioned the building of the Trianon in 1670. He used the palace when he wanted to get away and rest from court life in Versailles.

Marie Antoinette commissioned the construction of the Queen’s Hamlet (Hameau de la Reine) in 1783. This rustic retreat served as her country house and a private meeting place.

Finish the day with a dinner at  Le Bistrot du 11 or  Le Cafe des Arts .

4 Days in Paris – Day 3

08:30 AM – 09:00 AM Start the third day of the itinerary 4 days in Paris with some delicious croissants. Choose from Au Petit Versailles Du Marais or Boulangerie La Parisienne .

Be amazed by the Holy Chapel

09:00 AM – 10:00 AM King Louis IX commissioned the construction in 1248 to house his collection of relics of Christ. The Lower Chapel is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It was used by all inhabitants of the palace.

The collection of relics was housed in the Upper Chapel. This Chapel was reserved only for the king and his family. It is a real masterpiece with its 6,458 square feet of stained glass windows and richly decorated wall surface.

See Notre Dame Cathedral and explore Île de la Cité

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (due to the devastating fire in April 2019 you can no longer visit the cathedral) Located on Île de la Cité, Notre Dame Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris) is one of the city’s iconic sites. The construction of the cathedral took almost 200 years. Some of its treasures are the purported Crown of Thorns, a fragment of the True Cross and one of the Holy Nails.

Right in front of the cathedral is the Kilometre Zero (Point Zero des Routes de France). This is the starting point from which all major distances in France are calculated.

Don’t miss to explore the charming small island, Île de la Cité. Also, if you have enough time, take a stroll along the neighbouring island of Île Saint-Louis.

12:00 PM – 02:00 PM Have lunch at La Cuisine de Philippe or Hebe .

See the royal Luxembourg Palace

02:00 PM – 03:00 PM Luxembourg Palace (Palais du Luxembourg) was the royal residence of the regent Marie de’ Medici in the 17th century. She built the palace for herself after the death of her husband, Henry IV. Unfortunately, the palace is not open to the public.

Don’t miss to see the replica of the Statue of Liberty while exploring the beautiful garden.

Climb the Eiffel Tower

03:30 PM – 06:30 PM Eiffel Tower (La Tour Eiffel) is the most iconic monument in Paris. It was erected in 1889 for the World Exhibition. The site is constructed from 12,000 iron pieces and named after its creator, engineer Gustave Eiffel.

The 360-degree panoramic view of the city is fascinating. There are three visiting levels. You can reach the first and the second by lift or stairs. The third one – only by lift.

There is a light show every evening. For five minutes every hour on the hour, the tower is sparkling.

The most spectacular views of the Eiffel Tower are from the Trocadéro gardens (the closest metro station is Trocadéro).

Plan your visit ahead and buy tickets in advance from the official website of the Eiffel Tower website. Choose the time of your visit. It will be stamped on your ticket. Then print the ticket or save it on your phone.

When you go to the tower, look for a sign “Entree Visiteurs Avec Reservation” (visitors with reservations). You won’t be allowed to enter more than 10-15 min earlier than the stamped time on your ticket. Don’t be late.

Finish the third day of the itinerary 4 days in Paris with dinner at  Au Bon Accueil or  Le Florimond .

More ideas for your 4 days in Paris – Day 3

Admire the architecture of hôtel de ville.

Hôtel de Ville is not a luxury hotel, as one could think taking in mind the name and its splendid exterior. It is, in fact, the City Hall. The building is gorgeous and it is right in the heart of the city. It totally deserves a few minutes of your time!

Place des Vosges

Place des Vosges is one of the most charming squares in the city. Built at the beginning of the 17the century, it is also the oldest planned square in the city.

Pont Neuf is the oldest standing bridge across the Seine river in the City of Lights.

Climb Montparnasse Tower (Tour Montparnasse)

Book a ticket for the Montparnasse Tower and visit one of the tallest skyscrapers in France. To get the best views of the city take the lift to the open-air roof terrace.

The Panthéon started its history as a church, but nowadays it is a mausoleum and a burial place of famous Frenchman. Some of the great men laid to rest in its crypt are Voltaire, Émile Zola, Victor Hugo, Alexandre Dumas and Soufflot, its architect. Marie Curie is the only woman honoured to be buried there.

If you are visiting in the high season or during the weekends, better buy your tickets to Panthéon in advance .

Saint-Etienne-du-Mont Church

Saint-Étienne-du-Mont Church (Église Saint-Étienne-du-Mont) has a remarkable ornate rood screen that dates from the 16th century. The church also contains the oldest organ in Paris, built in 1631.

By the way, the stairs of Saint-Étienne-du-Mont may look familiar to you. This is the place from where the main character Gil (Owen Wilson) is picked up every night by a car from the past in the movie “Midnight in Paris”.

See the Thinker in Rodin Museum

If you like the French sculptor Auguste Rodin, this museum has to be on your list. It houses the famous Rodin’s sculptures “The Thinker” and “The Kiss”.

If you’re visiting in the season, book Rodin Museum skip the line ticket .

4 Days in Paris – Day 4

09:00 AM – 12:00 PM Visit an attraction of your choice (see below) or take a cruise on the Seine river . You can also join a perfume workshop  or behind the scenes bakery tour . And if you’re a wine lover, don’t miss this  wine tasting experience .

Take a Cheese, Wine & Pastry Walking Tour

Join this Cheese, Wine & Pastry Tour to discover the most charming neighbourhood of Paris, Montmartre. You’ll visit eight local artisan shops to taste delicious cheese, charcuterie, wine, pastries, and chocolate!

Père Lachaise Cemetery

Père-Lachaise cemetery (Cimetière du Père-Lachaise) is the largest and most visited cemetery in the city. It is named after King Louis XIV’s confessor, Father François de la Chaise d’Aix (called le Père la Chaise), who resided on the site. The cemetery was established by Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte in 1804.

This is the final resting place of iconic figures like Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, Édith Piaf, Molière and many more.

To learn more about the history of the cemetery, book a guided tour of Père Lachaise .

Tour the famous Catacombs of Paris

The Paris Catacombs (Catacombes de Paris) are underground ossuaries that house the remains of more than six million people. It is a lifetime experience, that can’t be forgotten.

The waiting lines are outrageous and visitors are restricted to 200 at any time. I went half an hour before the opening times and there were already about 30 people. And this was in late October.

Orsay Museum (for impressionism lovers)

Musée d’Orsay (Orsay Museum) is housed in the former railway station Gare d’Orsay. The station is built in 1900 for the Paris World Exposition. Gare d’Orsay served southwestern France until 1939 when the platforms became unusable for the new longer trains.

The museum houses impressionist and post-impressionist masterpieces dating from 1848-1914. Among the featured artists are Monet, Manet, Degas, Renoir, van Gogh, Rodin and Cézanne.

The museum is one of the most visited ones in Paris and the lines are long (buy here Orsay Museum skip the line ticket ).

Orangerie Museum and Marmottan Monet Museum

If you’re a huge fan of Claude Monet, don’t miss the Orangerie and Marmottan Monet Museum.

Orangerie Museum (Musée de l’Orangerie) is the home of eight Water Lilies murals by Monet. In any case, buy tickets in advance. I waited more than 2 hours in the rain in the low season. At least the view of the Water Lilies was worth every single minute of waiting.

You can book an Orangerie Museum skip the line ticket here .

Marmottan Monet Museum has the largest collection of Claude Monet’s works in the world. It also houses his notable work “Impression, Sunrise”, the painting that gave the name of the Impressionism movement.

12:00 PM – 02:00 PM Have a lunch at  Le Cabanon de la Butte or  La Boîte aux Lettres .

Visit Sacré-Cœur Basilica

02:00 PM – 03:00 PM Sacré-Cœur Basilica (Basilique du Sacré-Coeur) owes its shiny white colour to the travertine stone. Built in a Romano-Byzantine style, it is the most beautiful church in Montmartre. The basilica honours all soldiers who died during the Franco-Prussian War and the rule of the Paris Commune.

Due to its location on a hill, you have to climb a lot of stairs to reach it. You can also take the funicular that costs one metro ticket each way.

The views over the city from the hill are beautiful, but for truly breathtaking views climb the dome. There are about 300 steps to the top. The entrance to the dome is outside on the left side of the basilica.

Explore Montmartre

03:00 PM – 05:00 PM Montmartre is the most beautiful neighbourhood. It’s a romantic place with narrow cobblestoned alleys, old-style bistros and street cafes. The perfect place to wander and get lost!

One of the most picturesque squares in Montmartre is Place du Tertre, famous all over the world for its painters.

Montmartre cemetery (Cimetière de Montmartre) is a beautiful old cemetery from the beginning of the 19th century. It is built below street level on the place of an old quarry that was used for a mass grave during the French Revolution.

Another popular attraction is the world-famous cabaret Moulin Rouge with its iconic red windmill on the roof.

Finish the day with a dinner at  Chez Toinette or  Can Alegria Paris .

Cabaret show at Moulin Rouge

Don’t miss to see one of the world-famous cabaret shows at the Moulin Rouge . You can also attend a cabaret show at the Crazy Horse or Le Lido (see here a list of all cabaret shows ).

There are three major attractions, for which I strongly recommend buying tickets in advance.

Louvre Museum – 15,000 visitors per day (just imagine the lines), so book your skip-the-line ticket here .

Palace of Versailles – 27,000 visitors per day and there are two lines (one for tickets and one for security). I recommend not only to book tickets in advance here but also to get as early as you can (otherwise you’ll wait for hours).

Eiffel Tower – 19,000 visitors per day and tickets are timed entry. Plan your time ahead and book your tickets in advance here .

How to save money on your 4-day Paris itinerary

As one of the most popular destinations in the world, there is no real low season. The city is packed with tourists at any time of the year. And the waiting lines are hours long in most cases.

The best way to save money and hours of waiting is the Paris Museum Pass . I used it for both my trips to Paris and it was a lifesaver.

The pass includes:

• free admission to over 50 museums and monuments
• skip-the-line access
• unlimited number of visits
• avoid buying separate tickets for the major sites
• river cruise (if you choose this option)

Please note that if you want to use the skip-the-line access to the Louvre, you have to book a time slot entry after you collect the pass. You can do it online here .

4 days in Paris in the summer

If you’re visiting Paris in the summer, you can follow this itinerary without any modifications. My only advice is to book tickets in advance, as the summer is the busiest season. Also, don’t miss to add these activities to your itinerary:

• have a picnic at the foot of the Eiffel Tower
• take a late-night stroll along the Seine River
• summer is the perfect time for a river cruise
• watch the world go by at a café terrace

4 days in Paris in the winter

If you’re visiting Paris in the winter, you can still follow this itinerary with just a few modifications.

Skip the Tuileries Garden on the first day and the gardens of Versailles on the second day. In my Paris itinerary, you can find many options with which you can replace these sites. You just have to check the listed attractions after each day and choose according to your interests.

Also, winter is not a great time for a river cruise, but there are tens of Christmas markets! The biggest ones are at Notre Dame, Les Halles at Champs de Mars ( more info and dates here ).

Getting around in Paris

Find a map of this 4-day itinerary here .

The best way to get around the city is by using the metro or hop-on-hop-off buses . The city centre is big, so no matter where your hotel is, you’d probably use the metro 2-3 times a day.

During both trips, I used a carnet (a book of 10 single-use tickets, called t+ ticket ). It’s cheaper than buying a separate ticket every time. The carnet is valid on the metro, bus, RER (zone 1) and even the Montmartre funicular. Also, one carnet can be used by more than one person.

How to get to Paris

There are several major train stations in Paris: Nord Station (Gare du Nord), East Station (Gare de l’Est), Lyon Station (Gare de Lyon), Austerlitz Station (Gare d’Austerlitz), Montparnasse Station (Gare Montparnasse) and Saint-Lazare Station (Gare Saint-Lazare). All of them are well-connected to the rest of the city by the metro.

Check timetables and book train tickets online at SNCF official site . 

The city has two main airports – Charles de Gaulle and Orly Airport.

The easiest way to get from either airport to the city centre is by booking a private transfer directly to your hotel. I recommend this airport transfer (160+ excellent reviews).

If you’re arriving at Charles de Gaulle Airport, you can also take the regional train (RER) to the city centre. 

There are no direct trains from Orly Airport to the city centre. You have to take the shuttle bus, Orlybus .

For those travelling with low-cost airlines like RyanAir or WizzAir, you’ll be arriving at Beauvais–Tillé Airport. It’s a small airport, located 70 km north of Paris. A shuttle connects the airport and Porte Maillot in Paris (1h15min journey). Yet, keep in mind that the journey could be longer if there is a traffic jam. 

Day trips from Paris

Palace of fontainebleau.

Château de Fontainebleau (Palace of Fontainebleau) is located 60km south of Paris. It’s a 16th-century palace, as sumptuous as Versailles but less crowded. Here on April 6, 1814, Napoleon I signed his first abdication.

How to get to the Palace of Fontainebleau Take a train from Paris-Gare de Lyon to Fontainebleau-Avon (40min journey). From there it’s about 30min walk to the palace. You can also take a bus (line 1) . 

Palace of Vaux le Vicomte

Vaux le Vicomte is a 17th-century Baroque palace, situated 50km southeast of Paris. The palace served as a residence of Nicolas Fouquet, the finance minister of the Sun King.

How to get to the Palace of Vaux le Vicomte Take a direct train (Line P) in the direction of Provins from Gare de l’Est to Verneuil l’Etang station (40min journey). From there you have to take a shuttle bus to the palace .

Brussels is the charming capital city of Belgium. It’s a great destination for a long day trip from Paris. You can explore the historic centre of Brussels only in a day (see my Brussels itinerary for more details).

How to get to Brussels Take a train from Gare du Nord to Brussel-Centraal (1h40min journey). Note that you have to change trains at Brussel-Zuid station. You can get off there, but it’s about 2km walk to the city centre of Brussels. Brussel-Centraal is closer to the historic part of the city.

If you’re visiting Paris in December, then Strasbourg is a must. This French city is known as the capital of Christmas and there is a good reason behind that. 

Yet, keep in mind that the journey is about 2h30min by high-speed train (TGV). So, it’s best to have an overnight stay. 

How to get to Strasbourg Take a train from Gare de l’Est to Strasbourg Central train station. The historic city centre is just a short walk from there.

If you’re visiting Paris as a part of a European trip, you can easily combine it with London. The capital of the United Kingdom is located just 3h away by train. For more information take a look at my 4-day London itinerary .

How many days in Paris

Are 4 days in paris too much.

4 days is the perfect time to discover Paris if you’re visiting for the first time. You’ll need 3 days to visit the major attractions and 1 whole day for the Palace of Versailles. You’ll need one day for Versailles because this is a day trip from Paris (40min away by train). Plus, the gardens are vast, it will take you hours to explore them.

What if I don’t have 4 full days in Paris?

In this case, you can combine day 2 and day 4 from this Paris itinerary in one. Dedicate only half a day for Versailles (skip the Trianon and Queen’s Hamlet in the gardens). In the afternoon visit Sacré-Cœur Basilica and explore Montmartre.

3 or 4 days in Paris?

If you’re not into art, 3 days are enough for Paris. However, if you’re a museum person, I’d recommend you to dedicate 4 days. There are so many art museums to explore!

So my advice is, spend at least 4 days in Paris if you want to enjoy your time and not rush through everything. In addition, besides Versailles, there are two stunning palaces you can visit on a day trip (see more info further in the post).

Best time to visit Paris

Paris is one of the most visited cities in Europe, so there is no real low season. However, the busiest months are June, July, August and February (around Saint Valentine’s Day).

The best time to visit Paris is the months of April, May, September and October. The weather is warm and you’ll probably need only a light jacket. Keep in mind to check for annual events and exhibitions before booking your trip (to avoid the high hotel prices).

If you are visiting Paris in July plan your trip around the middle of the month. The French national holiday (Bastille Day) is on 14 July. On this day the French celebrate the storming of the Bastille during the French Revolution. The celebrations include a military parade on Champs-Élysées and spectacular fireworks on the background of the Eiffel Tower.

On the first Saturday of October, the White Night (Nuit Blanche) takes place. It is an evening art festival during which you can see free artistic installations and performances all over the city.

Of course, the Christmas season is not to be missed. It starts at the end of November when the Christmas lights are lit on Champs-Élysées. Visiting any of the Christmas markets will put you in the right Christmas mood.

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11 Comments

Thanks, Marco! 🙂

The Paris Museum Pass is a lifesaver! We skipped a lot of lines, some of which very long and saved a lot of money.

Hi Thomas, Totally agree with you! I found it very useful, too. 🙂

hi, hope you are doing well. i would like to know if i wanna go to Versailles,should i have to stay night there, or i can come back to my hotel on the same day? i just wanna make sure whether its possible to book one hotel for my 4 day trip. i am planning to stay near the center of paris. thanks

Hi Abir, There is no need to stay near Versailles. You can get there from Paris in about an hour. 🙂

Milena, Can you recommend a private tour guide for a tree day trip to Paris?

Hi Dennis, I’m sorry but I can’t. 🙁

no problem….great itinerary…i will use it.

What would you recommend budget wise? I.e. 100euros a day?

Thanks, James

It is hard to recommend a budget, especially when I don’t know which attractions (and restaurants) you plan to visit. I recommend you check the total amount of entrance fees (depending on your itinerary) and then look at the menu of some restaurants, which are on your list. Most restaurants have prices on their online menus (if not, there are often photos of the menu on the restaurant’s listing on Google Maps). In this way, you can easily decide how much a dinner or lunch will cost you. And plan the daily budget then. 🙂

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4 Days in Paris: How to Plan the Perfect Paris Itinerary

When you think of Paris, you will probably already have a picture perfect image in mind. Is it delicious food and wine, paired expertly by some of the world’s best chefs? Is it romantic walks on bridges over the Seine at twilight, with the lit up Tour Eiffel in the background? Or perhaps you’re dreaming of delving into the top notch art, from the ancient and medieval to the modern displays of the Palais de Tokyo?

In all cases, 4 days in Paris will allow you to experience a little bit of the best of what the City of Lights has to offer. 

We recently spent a week in Paris – we have both visited Paris before, Matt has been multiple times – and spent our days walking A LOT, exploring new neighborhoods that we never made it to on shorter, previous trips. Canal St. Martin and Montorgueil are two of our new favorites.

At the beginning of that trip, my French was gone. I had spent seven years in middle school and high school learning French and was a pretty strong speaker on my first two trips to Paris. But by 2021 I had not spoken French in almost 10 years, and I was stumbling over my words, accidentally speaking Spanish, and not able to understand anything. 

By day 3, I was back! I even got a compliment from a Parisian that my French was good – get this – “for an American.” What a nice, extremely backhanded compliment! High praise coming from a Parisian. 

With that preamble out of the way, let’s talk about what you’re going to find in this guide. 

• Some tips and tricks about Paris that we learned on our latest trip that we think will be helpful (for example, be prepared for everyone to be smoking at all times).
• A detailed 4 day Paris itinerary , with a day-by-day structure to help you organize your trip and our thoughts on what to do and see in Paris. 
• Our recommendations on what to do with more and less time in Paris .
• A few important logistics – getting around, getting to and from the airport, etc – that you need to know to avoid speed bumps.

Thanks for bearing with us on the intro. If you’re still here, grab a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, this is a long one. 

We’re proud of this guide, and think it gives you a blend of the “best-of” Paris and some experiences that most people don’t get, but are great opportunities to meet locals and learn about French and Parisian culture and history. 

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post, like hotel links, are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, we make a little bit of money if you click through and book. That being said, we would never recommend something to you that we don’t stand behind 100%.

Where to Stay in Paris

Paris is divided into neighborhoods called arrondissements – each has its own history and personality. If you look at the city map, imagine a snail’s shell coming out from the very center and circling clockwise and you’ll get the logic behind the numbers. 

Don’t have time to read the entire guide below? Here’s a quick summary with some of our top picks.

• If it’s your first time in Paris : Stay either in the 7th Arrondissement at the feet of the Eiffel Tower, or in the 2nd Arrondissement , our new personal favorite after our last trip.
• If you’re looking for a romantic getaway : Stay in Montmartre (the 18th Arr.).
• If you’re on a budget and looking for an affordable area : Stay in either Canal St. Martin (a cooler area, but further out) or the 9th Arrondissement (central and affordable with great nightlife).
• If you’re looking for the coolest neighborhoods: Stay in the Marais (the 3rd Arr.) or Sentier (the 2nd Arr.).

Below, we’ll give our best picks for accommodation in the Marais and Montmartre – two of the very best bases for anyone exploring the city during a 4 day trip. You can find the other areas in our guide to where to stay in Paris . 

Le Marais (3rd & 4th Arrondissements) – The Heart of Paris

This is the very heart of the city, with gorgeous old apartment buildings with views of the Tour Eiffel and a maze of old streets with cobblestones and quaint shops.

You’ll rub shoulders with elegant suit-clad business people walking home with their baguettes in the evening, but will also get to mingle with the hipsters who go out to the area’s many bars and cafes. Bakeries are on every corner and you’ll be steps away from the Louvre, Notre-Dame cathedral and more.

The Marais is also a great place to shop. The Rue de Rivoli is lined with bigger brand stores going towards the Louvre, but if you stick around in the area of Rue Vieille du Temple and Rue des Francs Bourgeois you will find some more unique shops, from bespoke perfumeries to quaint fashionable clothes stores.

Places to Stay in Le Marais

The Hotel Les Tournelles , just near the Place des Vosges, is one of our favorite picks for staying in the Marais as it combines a modern, comfortable interior with an outstanding location for your 4 day trip to Paris. Upscale toiletries and rainfall showers are a lovely bonus and the room rate includes breakfast. 

For a boutique hotel, we recommend Hotel Georgette , a stone’s throw away from the Centre Georges Pompidou. Prices are in the mid-range for the quality of the accommodation and you get an exceptional buffet breakfast. 

Montmartre (18th Arrondissement) – Where Romance is Always in the Air

Head to the 18 th Arrondissement in the footsteps of painters and romantics. At the foot of the gorgeous Sacré-Cœur church, you will find a maze of cobblestoned streets filled with artists ready to paint your portrait for a few euros. 

Once home to Degas, Picasso and Renoir, Montmartre continues to attract bohemians and has a jovial, friendly atmosphere with bars with cheap wine and live entertainment and throngs of tourists lining the streets.

If you choose to stay here, be aware that you’ll very likely hear the noise of the street until the early hours… unless, of course, you’re out there enjoying the atmosphere!

You can’t beat Montmartre for a romantic sunset view across Paris and you’ll be just a short hop on the metro away from the rest of the tourist hotspots. 

Places to Stay in Montmartre

The Hotel des Arts is one of the best picks for a romantic getaway, steps away from the Moulin Rouge and a short walk to Sacré-Cœur. You’ll also be very close to Rue des Abbesses with its great restaurants and independent shops. 

For an even more boutique experience, head to the Mom’Art Hotel on Rue d’Orsel, close to Sacré-Cœur and offering fantastic rooms for the location. It’s family run, every room is different, and even has an on-site bar, restaurant and spa. 

Important Tips For Visiting Paris

During your trip to Paris, you’ll come across some of the clichés about Parisians, as well as some specific French lifestyle elements that are worth knowing about. 

Set Your Expectations

Here’s the thing about Paris. Paris is very, very polarizing. 

Some people rave about it and can’t get enough of it. Some people come back from their first trip to Paris and say it was underwhelming and that French people are surly and mean. 

I think it all comes down to expectations. 

Paris is not a city in a fairytale, which I think is what many first-time visitors build it up to be. They have this romantic ideal in their head, where they’re strolling by the Seine with a red beret on their head, hand in hand with their lover on their way to a cozy bistro for dinner. 

While that can certainly exist in Paris, it’s leaving out the part where there are cars honking, you just stepped in dog poop and are frantically trying to wipe it off on a leaf or the curb, and you’re running late because the metro was delayed. 

The romantic ideal of Paris is forgetting that Paris is a real city, a city full of tourists, and a big city, which means it has its fair share of problems. It’s a little dirty (not as clean as Seville or Madrid , not as dirty as Rome ), it’s a little crowded (especially on the metro at peak times), and it’s true that sometimes, Parisians can come off as unfriendly.

But on the other hand, it’s also an amazing city full of world-class art museums, a pretty great food scene, romantic neighborhoods full of narrow cobblestone streets like Montmartre, and tons of history and culture to dive into and learn more about. 

If there are two things I want you to know before you go to Paris, it’s these two. 

First , remember that Paris is a real city, and that the people living there are real people. There are great things about Paris, and there are annoying things about Paris. We’ll do our best to help you see the great things and minimize the annoying things. Or at least be aware of them going in. 

Second , don’t try to fit it all in. Trust me, I’ve done that trip. I’ve run around from museum to museum, and seen it all, but absorbed almost none of it. Instead, focus on a couple of main attractions (we think they’re the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, the Musée d’Orsay, and the Rodin Museum) and save some time to connect with locals on a walking tour, food tour, or cooking class to learn more about what makes Paris tick. 

Learn Some French – A Little Goes a Long Way!

Don’t be put off by the myth that Parisians are rude and unaccommodating to tourists . As long as you greet everyone with a Bonjour and make sure to be polite, most locals we’ve encountered have been absolutely lovely. It will help if you learn a few important French phrases. 

In our experience, people are always happier when you make an effort to use their own language. Not just in France, but just about everywhere in the world. 

Here are some useful phrases to learn, and my attempt at phonetic spelling. 

• Bonjour (bone – jure) – hello / good day
• S’il vous plaît (seal voo play) – please (“if you please”, literally)
• Merci (mare – see) – thank you 
• Je voudrais (jeuh voo – dray) – I would like (this is the polite way of saying it, I think)
• Pardon – (par – do) – excuse me
• Excusez-moi (excuse – ay mwah ) – excuse me (different way to say it)
• Désolée (dez – oh – lay) – sorry

Here’s a more comprehensive guide to French phrases to learn, or you could pick up a small French phrasebook to help you learn French as you go. 

Other Things to Know About Visiting Paris

Here are some other things to know going in that we jotted down on our latest trip. Some are useful, some are funny, some are good to know, and we hope that all of them will help you have a more enjoyable trip. 

• Many shops and convenience stores are closed on Sundays so check hours in advance. Even grocery stores and other places you’d expect to be open if you’re coming from the US or Canada. 
• Similarly, museums and places of interest typically have a day a week when they’re closed , but it’s not always the same. Check before you go.
• Paris is MASSIVE . We spent the first day or two trying to walk everywhere, and after multiple 30,000 step days decided to use the metro. With limited time, get acquainted with the metro and bus system, which will allow you to get around much more efficiently. We used this app for navigating the metro. It’s well worth investing in a Visite Pass , which gives you unlimited bus and metro rides (you only need zones 1-3, really). 
• You’re still going to be doing a lot of walking on this itinerary, and you’ll need to watch where you step because there is dog poop everywhere .
• Wear comfortable shoes , and leave the heels at home. There’s a lot of cobblestones and uneven footing in Paris, and if you’re doing a lot of walking, you’ll want your feet to be comfortable. 
• Everybody in Paris smokes . Or it seems that way to us. It has to be at least 50% of adults. Anytime you’re eating or drinking outside, there is almost guaranteed to be someone smoking nearby. Good to know going in. 
• Tipping isn’t as much of a thing . Servers in Paris get paid a living wage – something we should probably consider in the US (don’t @ me with “but small businesses”) – so tipping is more about rewarding good service than a requirement so the server can pay rent. It’s still nice to give a 5-10% tip at sit-down restaurants with good service, and you won’t get a receipt with a tip line – either tip in cash, or tell them the final amount you want to pay before they run your card (e.g. if the bill is 50 Euros and you want to tip 5, tell them “55 Euros, s’il vous plaît). 

Our Version of a Perfect 4 Day Paris Itinerary

Paris truly has something for everyone. From history buffs to art lovers, to technology enthusiasts and those looking for architectural wonders, it’s all there. With so much to experience it’s definitely tempting to try to pack in all the sights, but then you’ll find you don’t have much time to “live like a Parisian”. And that would be a shame.

To make the most out of Paris, plan to do one or two major sights a day, and dedicate the rest to walking around the neighborhoods while leaving yourself energy to go out for a drink and some dancing or live entertainment in the evenings. 

We’d recommend no more than two or three big museum visits during a 4 day trip to Paris, so you can fully enjoy them and retain the information.

Regardless of your interests, we think the Louvre will give the best all around experience of all the art and history you can take in over the course of four days. We recently did this tour of the Louvre at closing time , and really loved it. Read more about our experience here .

Aside from the Louvre, we’d recommend adding the Musée d’Orsay to view the best collection of impressionist art in the world, which had its heyday in Paris in the 19th Century (here’s a good essay on Impressionism and the historical context surrounding it).

One other personal recommendation would be the Rodin Museum , but we actually decided to exclude it from the 4 day itinerary below because it just doesn’t fit.

That’s how much there is to do and see in Paris – despite having four full days, we still didn’t find a good way to fit in what is probably our favorite museum in Paris. You’ll find our thoughts on it in the “More Time” section below, if you’re interested. 

It’s nearly impossible to distill everything that Paris has to offer into just a few days of visiting, but the following itinerary tries to cover as much as possible without being overwhelming. Adjust the order depending on where you’re staying or what bookings you’re able to make while you’re there.

What to Book in Advance : In general, to make sure you’re actually able to make it to some of the top sights in Paris, we’d recommend booking 2-3 months in advance for the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, the Eiffel Tower (if you want to go to the top), and Versailles . This is particularly important if you’re visiting over the summer, when we’ve seen crazy lines for some of Paris’ top sights, and it’s less important in the off-season (though we’d still book the Louvre in advance). 

Here’s an overview of the 4 day itinerary you’ll find below:

Day 1: The Left Bank, Saint-Germain, and the Eiffel Tower

Day 2: gothic churches, a food tour, and the louvre.

• Day 3: The Coolest Neighborhoods in Paris (Montmartre, le Marais, Canal St. Martin, and Montorgueil)

Day 4: A Day Trip to Versailles

Below the detailed itinerary, you’ll find some suggestions on what to do with more or less time on your trip to Paris, including options for compressing this itinerary into one, two, or three days. 

On your first day, start with a walking tour to get your bearings and learn tips and recommendations from a local guide, then make your way to the Left Bank, ending with sunset and an evening at the Eiffel Tower.

Important Note for the Day Ahead : We think the best way to experience the Eiffel Tower is with a picnic in the Champs de Mars, the park the tower calls home. Throughout the day, assemble materials for a picnic at the end of the day – bread, cheese, meats, wine, and whatever else catches your eye. Rue Cler, which is in the 7 th Arrondissement right near the tower, is a great place for finding those kinds of things. 

Start Your Trip with a Walking Tour

We always, always, always try to start our time in a new city with a walking tour. It does a couple of things for you that will set the rest of your trip up to be amazing. 

• It usually includes a lot of the main attractions in a city (though Paris is big enough that you can’t possibly see them all in a couple of hours) and gives you the historical and cultural context around them. You likely won’t go into, say, the Louvre, but you’ll walk by and talk about it briefly. That way, you’ll have a nice overview and you’ll be able to decide what you want to come back to later. 
• You’ll get a local’s perspective on the city, including things like what and where to eat and drink, how to get around, the best way to see the Louvre, and other super useful insider knowledge. Plus, you’ll get some valuable insight into Parisian culture that you’re really only going to be able to get by talking to a local. 
• If you’re lucky, your tour guide will send you a list of restaurants, bars, things to do and see, and more at the end of your tour, which you can use to explore the city on your own later. We love getting our hands on those lists, and have used them extensively on our travels to discover places we definitely wouldn’t have found on our own. 

On our most recent trips to Colombia and Europe ( Portugal , France, Spain , and Italy ), we’ve come to believe – strongly – that you should pay for a tour rather than take one of the many free tours that are offered in cities around the world. 

The reason? The tour guide. Not to mention the fact that “free tours” aren’t actually free – the guides work for tips, which means you’ll be paying at the end of the tour one way or another.  

There’s a huge difference between doing a walking tour with someone who has only lived in the city for a few years and a true local. On a free walking tour, there’s a higher chance you’re getting a student reciting a script rather than a local who’s giving you their point of view on their city. 

There are exceptions to the rule that paid tours are better than free tours  – it all comes down to the guide – but we strongly suggest paying for a tour. 

This is the tour we’d recommend. Technically, it’s an electric bike tour. Paris is huge, and it would be nearly impossible to cover all the ground you need to on foot. This tour will give you an excellent overview of the city, and set you up nicely for the next few days of exploring Paris. 

The alternative is either focusing on a specific neighborhood or area, like this tour of Le Marais , or focusing on a specific moment in history, like this French Revolution tour . 

Saint-Germain and the Luxembourg Gardens

Grab lunch after your tour – probably in Saint-Germain (we’d recommend LouLou for more brunch-y fare, or Georgette for French food) – then make your way through the bougie paradise that is Saint-Germain en route to the Eiffel Tower. 

Here’s a map of the rough route we’d take through Saint-Germain. There are a bunch of places to eat and drink along the way – Ladurée for macarons, Grom for gelato, and La Quincave for wine, to name a few. 

Head over the 6 th Arrondissement just across the street from the Le Bon Marché department store , a French institution dating back to the 19 th century selling upmarket fashion, beauty, and gourmet food. 

We love Les Grand Epiceries de Paris , a very bougie grocery store with all sorts of specialty food items – think a huge selection of artisanal breads, pastries, cheeses, etc – all under one roof. 

Grab a coffee at the Ten Belles coffee shop on Rue du Cherche-Midi and then make your way to the Jardin du Luxembourg , where you can sit among the flowers and enjoy the sunshine. 

As you walk up towards Rue Bonaparte, you’ll pass the current Senate meeting place, the Palais du Luxembourg. Arrive at the Église Saint-Sulpice , best known today as one of the settings in The Da Vinci Code . The church took 150 years to build and has some beautiful frescoes by Delacroix inside.

Come back on Rue Bonaparte to reach Saint-Germain-des-Près , Paris’ oldest standing church built in the 11 th century. From here, you can see the famous Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots , the cafes where artists, writers and socialites spent all their time at the beginning of the 20 th century. Sit and have a coffee outside or look in at the gorgeous interiors, pretty much unchanged for over a century. 

Continue your walk on the Boulevard Saint-Germain with an optional detour by La Dernière Goutte, to browse through an excellent selection of wines and grab a bottle for your evening picnic. Any cheese fan will find something they like at the Fromagerie Laurent Dubois , after which you’ll finish your self-guided walking tour at the charming Shakespeare and Company – the iconic new and used bookstore that’s been attracting book lovers since 1951. 

From there, walk west along the Seine to your next stop of the day, the best collection of Impressionist art in the world. 

Musée d’Orsay

Since it’s your first day and you’re likely still getting your bearings, we’d recommend saving the Louvre for a different day and doing the Musée d’Orsay instead, which is one of the two  museums we’d recommend visiting in Paris. 

If you’re an art lover, this is the other big museum you must see in Paris aside from the Louvre (we also love the Rodin Museum, for what it’s worth, but it’s in the “more time” section because it’s one museum too many for us). 

Not only is the Musée d’Orsay a beautiful building in an old railway station by the Seine, with stunning architecture from the 1800s, it also houses some of the best impressionist art. You’ll feast your eyes on Cézanne, Degas, Monet, and many others.

Your museum map will point out a few highlights, but make sure not to miss the Bal du Moulin de la Galette by Pierre-August Renoir with its energetic, lively atmosphere; Edouard Manet’s quizzical Olympia ; Vincent Van Gogh’s Starry Night and Claude Monet’s Blue Water Lilies.

The Musée d’Orsay is a short walk across the Seine from the Louvre – take the Pont des Arts and check out all the couples’ padlocks tied to it. The regular opening hours are 9.30 am to 6:00 pm every day except Monday. 

We always recommend a guided tour at art museums for the richer experience it provides. You’ll get the stories and context that bring the static pieces of art to life, and your guide will help you decide what to focus on in a sea of amazing art. More on this in the section on the Louvre below, which we’d DEFINITELY recommend a tour for. 

Here’s the tour we’d recommend . 

Though we haven’t done it ourselves, it checks all the boxes in terms of what we’re looking for – it’s led by an art history expert, it includes skip-the-line tickets to avoid spending hours standing in line at the ticket office (at least during the high season), and it gets great reviews. 

If you only have the budget for a single guided tour, do the Louvre and do this one independently. 

Details for Visiting Independently : The museum is closed Mondays, and open from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm Tuesday to Sunday (though it’s open late – until 9:45 pm – on Thursdays). Tickets are 16 Euros (13 Euros for reduced price tickets for students), and you can buy them in advance here . Which we’d recommend doing to avoid the lines at the ticket office.  

Finally, before the day is over, wander the mouthwatering Rue Cler and pick up the last items for your picnic. There’s another Amorino, or the Ladurée bakery with its world famous macarons, as well as a must visit shop for tea lovers: Mariage Frères makes exquisite blends, from the latest harvest of Darjeeling to a host of teas from Japan and beyond. You may need advice from the shop assistant.

• The Eiffel Tower

One of the most iconic images you’ll see during your 4 days in Paris, the Eiffel Tower can be glimpsed from all around central Paris, including beautiful views from the bridges across the Seine (the Pont d’Iéna links the Jardins du Trocadéro with the Champ de Mars where the tower stands) and from the Hôtel des Invalides (which is worth checking out during your walks around the city for its golden roofs and imposing stature).

Our favorite way to experience the Eiffel Tower is from the Champs de Mars, the park that the tower calls home. Particularly from the southeastern side of the tower, where there is a nice grassy area practically begging you to sprawl out for a picnic. 

Lucky for you, you’ve just come from Rue Cler, which is one of the better areas to pick up picnic supplies. Assemble a collection of French cheeses, a baguette (or three), a bottle of wine (or sparkling water), and head to the Champs de Mars. 

After your picnic, we’d also recommend heading over to the opposite side of the river for great views of the tower. In particular, there’s a great spot at river level with a pretty unbeatable view of the tower – it’s roughly here on Google Maps.  

On a clear summer evening, it’s worth sitting in the Jardins du Trocadéro to enjoy the light show that takes place at the top of the hour every hour for five minutes. 

Climbing the Eiffel Tower

If you want to get a postcard perfect view of Paris, we actually recommend going to the top of the Arc de Triomphe or the Tour Montparnasse, as the Eiffel Tower will then be included in the view. The problem with the view from the top of the Eiffel Tower is that, well, you can’t see the Eiffel Tower. 

But, of course, the attraction of climbing it is irresistible. You have a few options to get to the top – you can take elevators to the second or third floor viewing decks, or tackle it on foot up to the second floor platform, which involves more than 1,500 steps in total. 

You’ll need to get tickets either way and we recommend booking skip-the-line tickets online to avoid huge lines. 

On your second day in Paris, start by visiting two of the most impressive Gothic churches in the world before diving into the food culture of Paris with either a cooking/baking class, or a food tour to try some of Paris’ best eats according to locals. 

Then, once you’re nice and fueled up, spend the afternoon and early evening at the Louvre, exploring one of the greatest art collections in the world. Ideally, with a guided tour. 

Notre Dame and Sainte-Chappelle

Start your day relatively early to make it to two of the best examples of Gothic architecture in Paris. Both happen to be churches.

For medieval art lovers and those looking to stroll through some of the most romantic church aisles, you cannot miss the Notre Dame Cathedral . Depending on how much detail you want to take in, you can walk through relatively quickly, admiring the gothic arches and the beautiful stained glass windows. Climb up to the tower for gorgeous views. 

Important Update : Unfortunately, the cathedral is currently closed following the fire that broke out in April 2019, but you can still admire it as you pass by. 

If you’re in Paris on a sunny day and have a couple of hours to spare marveling at some of the best stained glass windows in the world, then we wholeheartedly recommend Sainte-Chappelle . 

You can find this small gem of a church within the Palais de Justice, just a few blocks away. It’s a small, maybe not particularly imposing building from the outside, but the real spectacle can be found inside the chapel. It is considered Paris’ most exquisite Gothic monument and well worth a detour.

Choose Your Own Foodie Adventure

Diving into the food culture in places we’re visiting is one of our favorite aspects of traveling, and we try to include a food tour, cooking class, or market tour in most places we visit. 

Unfortunately, the reality is that because Matt has Celiac Disease and can’t have even a speck of gluten without being sick for days, a food tour or cooking class wasn’t in the cards for us in Paris. 

HOWEVER. That does NOT mean it shouldn’t be for you! We’d highly recommend it because it gives you a local’s perspective on the city’s food scene – what and where to eat and drink – and you get to connect with fellow travelers and try some amazing food.

Here are some options for you, split between food tours and cooking classes. Our bias is to do a cooking class, because we LOVE to cook, but we also enjoy a good food tour. 

Option 1: Dive Into French Cuisine in a Cooking Class

We’ve done all sorts of cooking classes around the world (read about our cooking class in Mexico City here ), and while the gluten-filled nature of most French food made it nearly impossible to find one in Paris that meets our needs, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. 

After all, haven’t you always wondered how to make the perfect croissant? Spoiler: you’re probably not going to want to do it more than once. 

Here are a few cooking classes that would definitely be on our list if, you know, Matt could eat gluten. All three of them are baking classes – because Paris is known for pastries – with Matthieu, a French chef who has a nice space in the heart of Saint-Germain (the 6th Arrondissement). 

Learn to Make Macarons : Exactly what the title sounds like – learn how to bake macarons from start to finish, and walk away with your very own box of 15-18 to devour later. 

Learn to Make Croissants : Croissants might be the most iconic French pastry… and also the biggest headache to make. Where better to learn to make croissants than with the help of a real chef? 

Learn to Make Baguettes : The famous french form of bread, you’re likely to see at least seven Parisians walking to and fro with a baguette in their hands during your time in Paris. Learn how to make a perfect French baguette, then enjoy the fruits of your labor by pairing it with a variety of local items. 

Option 2: Learn About Food Culture Through a Food Tour

Here are some food tours that caught our eye though, sadly, we also skipped these because of the whole gluten and cross-contact issue. 

Mingle at the Market – Taste Paris : This is part market tour, part tasting. You’ll meet at a local market over in the 11th Arrondissement and learn about Parisian food culture through experiencing the market and tasting a selection of foods at different stalls. It’s a small group with a maximum of six guests, so you’ll have plenty of time and space to ask questions and really learn about Paris through the eyes of Natasha, the host, and her team. 

NO DIET CLUB : First of all, their website starts with “Bye Boring Food Tours” and has a hilarious logo of a woman in a bikini riding a hot dog with a stein of beer and her middle finger up. But what about their tours? They have several tours in Paris where they take you around to their favorite spots in a specific neighborhood, which is the style we’d recommend. The tours last between three and four hours, and you need to show up hungry otherwise you’ll lose steam halfway through. They have lunchtime tours in le Marais and Canal St. Martin , and an evening tour in Montmartre . If we had to choose, Canal St. Martin would be our pick.

At the Louvre, you’ll encounter the best and most eclectic art collection of your trip. The museum is worth spending at least three hours in, even if you just plan on ticking off a few highlights. The vast palace started as a fortress in the early 13th century, becoming a national museum in 1793. 

The exquisite collection was built by subsequent French governments, sometimes controversially, bringing in art from all over Europe, as well as Assyrian, Etruscan, Greek, Coptic and Islamic art and antiquities.

Make sure you check out the Mona Lisa, the Victory of Samothrace (or Winged Victory), the Venus de Milo and the moving paintings The Raft of the Medusa by Théodore Géricault and Liberty Leading the People by Eugène Delacroix (the famous scene you’ll have seen of the symbol of the Republic, Marianne). 

Ask just about anyone to name the best art museum in the world, and those who have had the privilege of visiting Paris will likely say the Louvre without much hesitation. We like the Prado Museum in Madrid and the Uffizi Gallery in Florence too, but there’s no doubt in my mind that the Louvre has the most impressive and comprehensive art collection in the world, at least that I’ve ever seen. 

Which is… a bit of a problem. The Louvre is massive. There’s plenty of art to keep you busy for multiple days. And it’s from all different periods of history, too, spanning thousands of years. So how do you choose what to focus on?

A Note on Timing : The afternoon is generally the best time to visit the Louvre for slightly more manageable crowds. The late afternoon / early evening will give you a marginally more peaceful experience, which is why we’ve organized the itinerary in this particular way. 

Invest in a Guided Tour of the Louvre

On our three month European adventure that took us to Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Paris, we had the chance to see multiple famous art museums. 

We quickly realized that we’re just not really art museum people. But after a tour of the Uffizi Gallery in Florence , I had an epiphany as to why. 

Walking around an art museum and looking at pretty paintings is cool and all, but the real pleasure is when you actually understand the story behind each work of art, and the role they played in history and the progression of art history. Which, as two normal people, is something we don’t really have in our repertoire. 

We highly, highly recommend investing in a guided tour of the Louvre (we love Take Walks, and we’ve done multiple tours with them in Europe – read about our Colosseum Tour with them, which was amazing). If you’ve only got the time or budget for a single guided tour in Paris, this should be your choice. 

We’ve both done it independently – Matt multiple times – and have come to realize that unless you’re an art historian, it’s really, really hard to visit a huge art museum independently and come away with much else than “well that was pretty” or “whoa, they have so much art!”

A guided tour with an art historian is going to give you the context and stories behind each work of art, which are the things that really bring the experience to life. Plus, arguably more importantly, they’re going to help you understand the important pieces and periods to focus on. 

We opted to skip the Louvre on our latest trip, but we absolutely would have taken a guided tour if we were planning on doing it. Here are three tour options we’d recommend (they were on our list until we decided to skip it). 

We love the “ Closing Time at the Louvre ” by Take Walks, which aims to take you through the top sights at the least busy times. Starting at 6:45 pm, this is the most peaceful way to visit the museum, although it means adjusting your itinerary to suit. 

Another great tour option is the Semi-Private Louvre Highlights Tour , which will include a visit to the Mona Lisa, the French Romantics, top Italian artworks and the Crown Jewels. It only takes two hours but you won’t have to wait in line or wander the halls in search of your favorite painting. Once the tour is over, you can spend the next couple hours delving into the areas that have caught your eye.

Visiting the Louvre Independently

If you plan to go on your own, the Louvre is open daily except Tuesday, from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, with the exception of January 1, May 1 and December 25. 

We suggest booking tickets online , costing 17 Euros, as you might not find any at the museum (although they will be a tiny bit cheaper at 15 Euros). 

If you’re not doing a tour, it’s worth investing in the audioguide to give you at least a little bit more of the context around each piece of art. It’s not nearly as good as a live guide, but it’s better than nothing 

Rive Droite: A Walk on Paris’ Right Bank

As the Seine splits Paris across the middle, it sections it into the Rive Gauche (Left Bank) and Rive Droite (Right Bank). Explore the latter if you have energy left after your time at the Louvre, and we’d recommend walking from there to the Arc de Triomphe. 

• The Jardin du Palais Royal – A beautiful garden in the heart of the city, built around the 17 th century Royal Palace. A great place to stop and smell the roses (literally!).
• Head on to the Tuileries Gardens , where Parisians enjoy sitting on the lounge chairs by the fountains or taking walks with their friends. Cross it from the Louvre to the Place de la Concorde to end up in the wide square with the Obelisk (it is 3,300 years old and engraved with Egyptian hieroglyphics).
• Carrying on along the Seine you’ll find the Grand Palais – built for the 1900 World’s Fair, it is home to several exhibitions. Check out the amazing 8.5-ton art nouveau glass roof!
• Finish your walk on the Champs-Élysées , strolling towards the Arc de Triomphe . 

The Arc de Triomphe and the Champs-Élysées

Close out your day in Paris with a trip to the top of the Arc de Triomphe, which was built by Napoleon in the early 19 th Century to commemorate a victory at Austerlitz. Napoleon LOVED his triumphal arches. 

A quick side note: If you’re interested in Napoleonic history, I have a recommendation for you. At the beginning of our latest three month trip to Europe that took us to Spain , Portugal , and Italy , we heard Napoleon’s name over and over, and to be honest, the only things I really knew about him were that he was short and spoke French in a funny way (because he wasn’t a native speaker – he was Corsican). 

So, to learn about the man who shaped modern Europe in many ways, I started this podcast about Napoleon , and love it. It’s a deep dive into Napoleon’s life and impact on Europe during his brief stint at the top. 

Now back to your regularly scheduled programming.

The Champs-Élysées are pretty “meh” for us – it’s lined with the exact same kinds of shops and stores you’d see anywhere else in the world, and it really isn’t all that charming or interesting. 

Continue all the way up to the Place de l’Étoile, where you’ll be looking up at the Arc from below. 

From the Place de l’Étoile (now known more commonly as Place Charles de Gaulle), looking up, you’re bound to be charmed by the Arc de Triomphe . The height of Hausmannian architecture and city planning is on display here: from the star-shaped arrangement of tree-lined boulevards to the elegant buildings. 

We recommend crossing the busy roundabout to have a look at the monument and climb the 284 steps to the viewing platform at the top, from where you can see the avenues in their full splendor.

The view from the top is worth the effort, and it’s one of the best views in Paris. We think it’s better than the Eiffel Tower because it includes… the Eiffel Tower. Go around sunset for soft golden light washing over the sprawling city, and stay for a bit when the lights come on, and you’ll understand how Paris got the nickname “City of Lights.” 

The Arc de Triomphe can be reached through an underpass from the northern side of the Champs-Élysées, bringing you to just underneath the arch. You can buy tickets to the viewing platform in the tunnel (though you should buy them in advance to skip past the sometimes long lines at the ticket office).

Costs & Hours:  You can buy tickets in advance on the official website , which we’d recommend to avoid the long line. Admission costs 13 Euros for adults, but there are a long list of people who can get in for free, including people under 18 and E.U. citizens between the ages of 18 and 25 (be prepared to show proof!). More information on opening hours, costs, and other practical information here . 

Day 3: Explore the Coolest Neighborhoods in Paris

Today, there are no tourist attractions (in the traditional sense) on the agenda. Instead, we’d recommend a long self-guided walk from west to east (roughly) through the Rive Droite and some of Paris’ most interesting neighborhoods.

Those neighborhoods are Montmartre , the gem atop the hill where you’ll find Sacré-Cœur and charming cobblestone streets, Le Marais , Canal St. Martin , and Montorgueil . The latter two are our new favorite areas in Paris after our recent trip.

A Morning in Montmartre

A lot of guides – both books and travel blogs – will recommend Montmartre as an afternoon/evening destination. It’s easy to understand why – the view at sunset is sublime (at sunrise, you’re looking into the sun from Sacré-Cœur), the romantic vibes come out after dark, and the neighborhood comes alive with people. 

We actually preferred Montmartre in the morning, before the crowds of people showed up. Which is why we have you here at the beginning of the day instead of the end. 

Start your day at KB Coffee Roasters , who have two things going for them. One, their patio on a cute square – complete with a carousel, which in my mind is a quintessentially Parisian phenomenon – at the base of Montmartre is an exceedingly pleasant place to sip your morning coffee in the Parisian sun. Two, their coffee is damn good. 

From there, make your way up the hill to the crest of Montmartre. You can either take the steep stairs that will take you straight up the hill, or meander up the winding cobblestone streets. At the top of the hill is the white church on the hill – Sacré-Cœur – which boasts one of my favorite views in Paris.

One Thing to Know : There will be people waiting at the base of the hill up to the church trying to sell you all sorts of things, but the most common is a scam where the person puts a bracelet on your wrist (without you asking for it) and then asks you to pay for it. A firm no thank you usually does the trick.  

At the top, admire both Sacré-Cœur itself, and the view from the platform just below it, which looks back towards the Seine and the center of Paris. You can also climb the tower of Sacré-Cœur for even better views – it’s 200+ steps, and like most church towers, they’re narrow and claustrophobic. 

After Sacré-Cœur, make your way back down the hill, this time taking your time to wander a little bit. Here’s the route we’d suggest, which takes you past the only winery in Paris, one of the oldest restaurants in Paris (La Maison Rose), and along some of the most romantic streets in Paris. 

End with a stroll down Rue des Abbesses , which is the bustling hub of activity in Montmartre. It’s lined with shops and restaurants, and is worth a walk through. 

To get to your next stop – Le Marais – it would be best to take the Metro from Pigalle ( here on Google Maps) to Bastille ( here on Google Maps). See the “Getting Around” section below for the best way to use the Paris Metro, which is super efficient. 

Le Marais literally means “marsh” – it was converted to farmland in the 12 th century and became a fashionable district in the early 17 th century when Henry IV built the Place Royale (now the Place des Vosges). 

It is now full of funky bars and restaurants, as well as home to many designer boutiques. 

The most fashionable area is moving slowly north, with Haut Marais (upper Marais) now commanding the attention of rising talent with vintage fashion and hip places to eat.

A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Le Marais 

Take this self-guided walking tour to see the best of the Marais. 

Start at Place de la Bastille , which as you might have guessed is where the storming of the Bastille took place, igniting the French Revolution in 1789.

From there, make your way through the 3rd Arrondissement, which is much more busy and commercial than the 4th Arrondissement, which is where you’ll end your tour. Here are the stops to make along the way. 

• Place des Vosges : One of Paris’ best green spaces, we came here mid-morning and found it full of school children doing laps around the fountain in the middle, and people soaking up the sun with a good book. It’s impeccably manicured, and chances are good that you’ve seen pictures of it before. Victor Hugo’s house is at the southeastern corner of the square. You can visit to see the reconstruction of his apartment with authentic furniture, and a collection of sketches and other pieces from his life. More info here . 
• Next up, stroll down the Rue de Rosiers past some favorite take out places of Parisians, such as L’As du Falafel , through the Jewish quarter and on to where the Rue de Rivoli turns into Rue Saint-Antoine and you enter the very hip area of La Bastille. Check out the Fromagerie Laurent Dubois for an exquisite cheese collection!
• Along the way, you’ll pass the quaint shop of Nature et Découvertes on the Rue Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie. Browse the shelves for cute trinkets before carrying on.
• Head north on Rue Vieille du Temple , one of the oldest streets in Paris, and poke your head into the Jardin des Archives Nationales , another of the neighborhood’s amazing green spaces. Follow the old cobblestone street north, and turn left to arrive at the famous covered market, the Marché les Enfants Rouges .

End your little meander in the Marais at the Marché les Enfants Rouges , a 1615 covered market that is the oldest market in the city, full of any food you might crave at lunchtime. This is an excellent place to have lunch. 

A good alternative would be Breizh Cafe , which is the place to go if you’re craving a crêpe. They have sweet crêpes and savory galettes, traditionally made with buckwheat flour, along with French cider, which is definitely worth a try. They have a bunch of locations in Paris, including one a few blocks south of the market on Rue Vieille du Temple  ( here on Google Maps). 

Around the market, you’ll find the hippest part of Le Marais. This is the 4th Arrondissement, and it’s always bustling with activity. There are some fantastic green spaces – like the Square du Temple – Elie Wiesel ( here on Google Maps) – and the area immediately east of the Marché les Enfants Rouges is a collection of some of the coolest bars, restaurants, stores, and coffee shops in Paris.

We’d recommend Candelaria for agave-based cocktails and Mexican food, Fringe Coffee for a rotating list of coffee roasters from all over Europe, and La Maison de Mochi for mochi-based treats (NOT GLUTEN FREE, SADLY).

Canal St. Martin

Canal St. Martin is one of our new favorite neighborhoods in Paris, and it’s partially because it feels like Parisians actually live there. There are young families walking along the canal, young couples 

From the 4th Arrondissement, it’s an easy walk to get to the canal, which is in the 10th Arrondissement, northeast of where you end your tour of Le Marais.

We’d recommend doing a big loop around the canal, stopping along the way for food, drinks, and whatever else your heart desires. Here are some other places along the canal that we enjoyed. 

One place we LOVED was La Cidrerie . We’re suckers for cider, and La Cidrerie is the place to go to try different kinds of French cider. We showed up around opening time, and chatted with the owner as he poured us a few different kinds of French Cider.

They even had one of our favorite American ciders on tap – the Chile Guava from Stem Ciders in Denver – which was a fun surprise! If you want to try French cider along with a collection of ciders from around the world, we’d highly recommend it.

• Boulangerie Chambelland : It’s a little bit south of the canal, but it’s worth the detour if you’re eating gluten free. This is the best gluten free bakery in Paris , bar none. Their breads are outstanding, and their pastries are similarly spectacular. We’d highly recommend it if you or someone in your group eats gluten free and is looking for the full French pastry / bread experience. 
• Paname Brewing Company : A cool brewery on the canal at the northern end of the neighborhood. One of the first movers in the craft beer scene in Paris, which was a little slow to take off. 
• El Cártel del Taco : Authentic Mexican tacos! Hooray!
• Breizh Café : If you skipped their crepes and galettes earlier, here’s another chance! This location is right on the canal. 

An Evening in Montorgueil

Rue Montorgueil runs north to south through the heart of the 2 nd Arrondissement, and is one of the best places for dinner and drinks in the city (in our opinion, anyway). We stayed nearby (in Sentier, another sub-neighborhood in the 2 nd Arrondissement), and fell in love with this area.

There’s just so much to eat and drink within a few blocks! It seems as though, on every corner, there’s a quintessentially Parisian bistro with the requisite outdoor seating and people smoking over dinner and drinks. 

Here are some places we enjoyed, but you should know that there’s an unlimited amount of options here. 

• Kapunka : Solid Thai food, which was a welcome alternative to all the pastries we were consuming. 
• Grom : Our favorite gelato shop in the world. No, seriously. It’s that good. 
• Substance Café : My favorite coffee experience in all of Paris (read about it in my guide to the best coffee in Paris). The barista is an award-winner, and his philosophy around slow coffee is a welcome respite in a city that is “vite vite vite!”
• Ma Cave Fleury : Two words: champagne bar. They make their own champagne at a winery in… Champagne. It’s biodynamic, and the woman running the shop was super friendly, explaining about the winery as she poured the wines for us. 

Literally crown your 4 day trip to Paris with a visit to the palace of the Sun King. Louis XIV transformed his father’s hunting lodge on the outskirts of Paris into the monumental Château de Versailles in the 17 th century, creating the most famous and grandest sight in France. 

It is enormous and splendid at the same time, with all you might expect in terms of lavish ornaments. Make time for the impeccably maintained gardens strewn with sculptures and several notable stops, too.

Getting There

The easiest way to get to Versailles is on the RER C from central Paris (make sure to go for the Versailles Château station and NOT the Porte de Versailles, which is in a different place altogether on the 12 line). 

Trains run every 15 minutes from 5:30 am and we recommend getting there early (the trip takes around 40 minutes from Invalides, to give you an idea). Tickets cost €3.65 and you can buy them at the station you’re leaving from. You will find helpful signs as you exit the station.

Visiting Versailles

We recommend a full day of visiting to get the most out of your trip to Versailles. Book your tickets online and you will get a time slot for your visit, helping you plan the day. You can also download a free mobile app instead of taking an audio guide around. It has maps and extra information, too. 

A full ticket costs €20 for access to the whole estate and is the best option for seeing the palace, the gardens, and anything you might have time for.

Note : The palace opens at 8:00 am and is closed on Mondays. 

Versaille’s Top Sights

The Château and grounds are so vast that the best way to see all the notable parts is to hire a guide. However, here are some must do activities:

• Visit the Royal Apartments.
• Wander through the Hall of Mirrors and imagine you’re at a ball.
• Roam through the gardens and stop at Bassin de Neptune with its 99 fountains.
• If you can, time your visit so you’re there for the Musical Fountains Shows (day and night time displays of water “dancing” set to music, taking place in the summer – extra fees apply, see details here ).

Guided Tours of Versailles

To take the stress out of getting to the palace and marching through the whole property on your own, here are our picks for guided tours:

• Context Travel Versailles Palace and Garden Tour – A four hour experience taking you through key sights while a historian tells you the stories behind them.
• Take Walks Closing Time at Versailles – Go in at the final entrance time of the day and spend four and half hours in a small group, taking in the gardens during the afternoon and then visiting the palace once most of the crowds have left. 

What to Do with More Time in Paris

Here are five things to consider adding to your itinerary if you find yourself with more than four days in Paris, including a few day trips from Paris. 

The Rodin Museum : Our new favorite museum in Paris! The reason we like it is that, rather than being a huge collection of art cobbled together by some rich family centuries ago, it follows the life of the famous sculptor Auguste Rodin, and shows his progression throughout his life from his first official works to world-famous pieces like the Thinker and the Gates of Hell. The garden (really, it’s a sculpture garden) is gorgeous too, and well worth walking around. Get the audioguide! It’s in the 7th Arrondissement – more information like hours and costs here . 

Taste Some French Wine and Cheese : Another food-related experience that was on our list was this French wine tasting experience with an expert in French wine. Oh, and there’s cheese too. You’ll explore the world of French wine with a tasting of five different varietals, all paired with various French cheeses. 

The Catacombs : The Catacombs of Paris are a spooky experience. Rather than exploring the City of Lights above ground, you’ll descend into the dark underworld that is the series of tunnels that exists under the streets of Paris and explore a darker side of the French capital. Here’s a guided tour to add to your itinerary. 

Visit the Loire Valley: The Loire Valley is southwest of Paris, and is full of fairytale castles – châteaux, including the one that supposedly inspired the Beauty and the Beast – and good wine. On this guided day trip that includes transportation, you’ll go to Chateau de Chambord, do some wine tasting, and explore a smaller town in the Loire Valley. 

Full Day Cooking Experience : We decided not to include this full day cooking class as an option in the itinerary above because it’s a long day – probably too long for a 4 day itinerary. But if you have extra time, then it makes for an amazing food experience in Paris. You’ll first do a market tour, which is one of our favorite things to do in cities around the world, and then you’ll dive into a 4.5 hour French cooking experience where you’ll learn things like salmon tartare and coq au vin, the latter is a classic French dish that I made in French class wayyyy back when. 

Champagne : No, we don’t mean that you should drink champagne. Well, actually, we do mean that. But what we really mean is that you should drink champagne in Champagne on a guided day trip from Paris. This tour was on our list, but we opted to spend an extra day exploring Paris rather than doing a day trip. It includes transportation (which is important here – it’s hard to do your own version of this tour independently if you don’t have a rental car), multiple champagne houses, and a three-course lunch at a local winemaker’s house. 

What to Do with Less Time in Paris

With less time in Paris, we’d recommend cutting the number of things you’re trying to fit in. The alternative – trying to fit the same number of attractions into a shorter time – will leave you needing a vacation from your vacation. I’m speaking from experience here. 

The first thing to cut is the day trip to Versailles . It’s cool, sure, but at the end of the day it’s just a rich person’s palace with some beautiful gardens. We love the Jardins du Luxembourg in the 6 th Arrondissement (they’re in the itinerary above), which are a little less manicured, but are a good substitute. 

3 Days in Paris

With three days in Paris, cut the day trip to Versailles and follow the itinerary as written above for days 1-3. This is an easy one.

2 Days in Paris / A Weekend in Paris

If you’ve only got a couple of days in Paris, the first thing we’d do is choose between the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay . There’s so much to see in Paris that, with only a couple of days, we don’t think it makes sense to spend 3-4 hours on each museum, which is the amount of time you’d need to do them both justice. 

The second thing we’d recommend is to pick two of the neighborhoods on day 3 , and we’d recommend that you choose Montmartre and Le Marais (sorry, Canal St. Martin!). 

Here’s what two days in Paris could look like.

• Day 1: Montmartre, Le Marais, and the Eiffel Tower
• Day 2: The Gothic Cathedrals, a Foodie Adventure, the Louvre, and the Arc de Triomphe

You can still use the relevant sections of the detailed 4 day itinerary above to plan out the specifics of your weekend in Paris.

One Day in Paris

Our first tip for spending a day in Paris is to book a second (or third). 

Joking aside, trying to see it all in a day just isn’t going to happen, which means you’ll need to prioritize and make some hard choices on what to save for next time. 

One big assumption we’re going to make here is that you want to see the Louvre . If that’s true, that’s going to eat up a significant chunk of time that you’re going to have to plan around. You could easily swap the Louvre for the Musée d’Orsay, if you’ve already done the Louvre before, or want something a little different. 

We’d also highly recommend investing in a 24 hour Metro Pass to make getting around Paris more efficient. 

Here are the things we think you should focus on with one day in Paris: 

• The Louvre OR the Musée d’Orsay
• The Gothic Cathedrals and Le Marais

We’d start with the Louvre when they open (go to Telescope Coffee , some of the best coffee in Paris, nearby for coffee and pastries beforehand!) and spend the morning exploring their extensive collection, preferably on this guided tour , which we recently did and loved.

Then, make your way east through Le Marais, stopping at the Marche des Enfants Rouge for lunch and exploring the 3 rd and 4 th Arrondissements en route to the two Gothic Cathedrals, Notre Dame (the interior and bell tower are closed indefinitely, but it’s worth admiring the twin towering bell towers from outside) and Sainte-Chappelle . 

To end your day, take the metro over to the 7 th Arrondissement to end your day in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower . Stop by Rue Cler for picnic supplies – bread, cheese and cured meat, fruit, and wine if you’re up for it – and head to the grassy area at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. 

Relax there for a bit, then walk under the tower (go up to the top if you want – make sure to book tickets in advance) and take in the view from Trocadéro , which is across the river to the west and has our favorite views of the tower. 

The Best Time to Visit Paris

As a multicultural European city that’s home to over 2 million people, Paris has plenty to offer all year round, regardless of weather or events. However, there are some particularly worthy aspects of each season in the city. 

Summer in Paris is hot and sunny, and there are tons of local events to enjoy. If you visit in June, you’ll be able to take in night-time street entertainment during the Fête de la Musique which takes place on the longest day of the year, June 21. 

Go in July and you might catch the fireworks of Bastille Day on the 14 th while you enjoy a picnic on the Champ de Mars. But be aware that August is a so-called “dead season” as most Parisians take their annual summer vacation then.  

Prices in Paris are highest in summer because it’s the peak tourist season, but you can have an amazing time in the city in fall or spring , when temperatures are mild and you can catch some amazing scenery in the many parks and public gardens. The Jardin du Luxembourg is enchanting with its rose garden and orchids. If you visit Versailles , prepare for long strolls through the grounds admiring fall foliage. 

Finally, winter in Paris can be cold and gray, without snow but a disagreeable drizzle that cuts to the bone. However, there are many indoor attractions to warm you up. You can enjoy the open-air skating rink at Jardin du Trocadéro or get into the holiday spirit by strolling through the Christmas markets. 

How Many Days in Paris?

Paris is massive. Which begs the question, how many days should you spend in Paris?

We think that 4 days is the absolute minimum you should spend. Anything less will have you jetting around from sight to sight with no time to relax and experience what truly makes Paris special. The cobblestone streets in Montmartre. Wandering Le Marais. Relaxing on the banks of the Seine.

That being said, 4 days is enough time to see the major sites and leave plenty of time for exploring.

This itinerary is meant to help you see the best of the city without needing a vacation from your vacation.

If you have more time, we have recommendations above on how to spend it. However, you could also just pick a neighborhood and spend a day wandering from shop to shop, coffee to coffee, wine bar to wine bar.

That sounds like a perfect day in Paris to us. 

Getting to Paris

Traveling into Paris is most convenient by plane and you’ll likely arrive at Charles de Gaulle International Airport (CDG) , a short train or taxi ride from the city center. 

Flying to Paris

Most international flights touch down at Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) . The RER B train is the most convenient way to get to the city center once you land. It’s a popular mode of transportation and you’ll find it really crowded at times, but it’s the most affordable option you’ll find. Check out all you need to know in this guide .

The other big air hub for Paris is Orly Airport (ORY) , frequently a point of arrival for budget airlines or flights from within Europe. You can take the RER B Train into the center of Paris (you’ll be almost at the other end from Charles de Gaulle) or a dedicated bus called Orlyval. Here is the detailed guide on each option. 

From either airport, Uber works well for getting into the city center and doesn’t cost a fortune. It can be a great alternative if you have a lot of bags or are traveling in a group, so you don’t have to put up with busy public transportation. 

Arriving by Train

From within France or neighboring European countries, you can arrive in Paris at various train stations throughout the city. The Gare Du Nord is – as the name suggests – on the northern end of town and in a slightly seedy neighborhood, so we recommend jumping straight onto the metro from there to your accommodation. 

Other train stations include the Gare de Lyon , Gare d’Austerlitz and Gare de Montparnasse , among others. Where they are in the city reflects which part of the country they’re coming in from. All are well connected to the Metro system that will take you to your accommodation easily. 

Getting Around Paris

Paris is famous for its efficient Metro network with scenic entrances that adorn many posters (especially from Montparnasse). It is a great way to get around Paris if you need to cover longer distances or if you’re staying a bit out of the center. This guide will tell you all you need to know about using the metro.

If you plan to use public transportation, the RATP (Paris Transport Authority) has a useful app for planning your journey and a helpful website in English. A pass will get you a trip on the metro or buses and you can even take advantage of a good network of night buses (the metro runs until 1:00 am roughly). 

If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of a travel pass, you can buy a ticket at the machines upon entering a metro station (you can pay by card and they are all also in English) or a bus ticket from your driver (you’ll need cash).

At the same time, there’s no better way to really get to know the city than on foot. This Paris itinerary has been designed with walking in mind, allowing you to cluster together different essential aspects of Parisian tourism each day. 

Finally, if you plan to take taxis, our recommendation is to use a pre-paid app like Uber for upfront pricing and peace of mind. 

Bonus Tip : As any city with a major river, Paris can be explored by boat! The péniches are a great way to see the sights from the Seine. Cruise dinners like this one leave from the center and take you around the city at night. You can opt for dinner or drinks while on board and there’s an app to listen to key information about what you’re seeing.  

More Paris Travel Guides

Planning a trip to Paris? Matt, who speaks French “really well for an American” (as multiple French people have told him – it’s his proudest achievement in life), loves Paris.

As you get into planning your trip, you might find some of these other detailed guides we’ve written about Paris helpful.

• 4 Days in Paris: How to Plan an Amazing Paris Itinerary
• Wondering Where to Stay in Paris? Here are 6 Perfect Areas
• Gluten Free Paris: A Complete Guide for Celiacs
• A Coffee Nerd’s Guide to the Best Coffee in Paris
• Closing Time at the Louvre: Our Favorite Guided Tour of the Louvre

Matt is the founder and main writer behind Wheatless Wanderlust, which he started back in 2018 as a way to share his gluten free travel guides with his fellow Celiac travelers.

Since then, Matt and his wife Alysha have visited 18 national parks, spent three months in Europe and six weeks in Colombia, and have explored every corner of the Pacific Northwest, which is where Matt grew up.

He writes super detailed guides to the places they visit, bringing together personal experience and historical context to help YOU plan an amazing trip.

What an amazing amount of information. I just booked the ChouChou Hotel in the 9th arrondissements foe what will be our first trip to Paris. Your information will definitely be used to help plan our trip. Abs when the time comes to book tours I will certainly use the links you have provided as this much information is surely worth you making a few dollars off anyone that uses it as a guide. Just a thanks for taking the time to give such detailed information about the sights and sounds of Paris. I am truly looking forward to see this magnificent city in April of 2023.

Paris is great (as long as you go in with the expectation that it’s a real city where real people live, not a fairytale). The 9th is a nice home base – definitely don’t miss Aji Dulce, a Venezuelan place there with amazing arepas! It was a food highlight of our trip, for sure. Enjoy!

WOW!! THANK YOU so much for all of this AMAZING information! We are more excited than ever to go now in 3 weeks for our 2 year anniversary. All of the info, links, maps…is priceless. You have made planning our trip so much easier as we were a bit overwhelmed and do not speak French. Thank you!!! We will definitely be sharing your blog with others. We so appreciate all of the work you put into creating this great site! MERCI! Wendy & Kevin

Hey Wendy and Kevin! A bit late here, but I sincerely hope you loved your honeymoon. Thanks for the kind words – cheers!

This was amazing. Almost perfect for my trip with my daughters in early November to celebrate our bdays. Ty so much

Hey Iris! Hope you had a great trip. Thanks for the kind words – we appreciate you taking the time to write them. Cheers!

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4 days in Paris, a bespoke guide to the best of the city

Four days is more than enough to see the best that  Paris  has to offer—major attractions, hidden gems, and even a day trip to  Versailles . You'll be able dig into all that the city has to offer, without feeling rushed for time. Start your trip mid-week and spill over into the weekend—a number of museums, restaurants, and attractions close on Mondays or Tuesdays.

Since many of Paris' attractions are concentrated within specific areas, walking is a great way to see the city. To save time, the metro , hop-on-hop-off buses , e-scooters , and e-bikes are great alternatives to exploring Paris.

If you're after a whistle-stop tour of Paris’ key highlights, you might even want to consider a 2-day or 3-day long weekend trip.

Where to stay in Paris

For elegant yet affordable hotels, look no further than the Latin Quarter; check out Hotel de l'Esperance , Hotel Quartier Latin , and Hotel Minerve . Or base yourself in Montmartre and check out these gems: Hôtel Des Arts Montmartre , Le Relais Montmartre , and Maison Souquet .

If you’re planning a day trip, Versailles is a good place to spend the night. There’s a wide range of hotel choices for different tastes and budgets available around the Palace of Versailles : Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle (recently opened and on the premises of the palace), Waldorf Astoria Versailles - Trianon Palace , Hotel Le Louis Versailles Chateau , and Hotel Paris Boulogne come highly recommended by fellow travelers.

Day 1: The Louvre, Jardin des Tuileries and the Latin Quarter

The most-visited museum in the world, the Louvre contains some of the most iconic artwork ever known. This was home to Louis XIV before he moved to Versailles. See the Louvre with skip-the-line tickets or small group tours , or opt for combined visits with other attractions like the Museeé d'Orsay for better value. Before embarking on a tour of this impressive museum, grab a tasty treat and coffee from a local bakery such as Les Soeurs Sucrees or Aux Castelblangeois . 

If you’ve worked up an appetite, check out a well-deserved lunch spot not far away:  Le Pot de Vins  or  Casa Festa .

Take in the scenery of lush gardens and ponds at Jardin des Tuileries , located within Place de la Concorde . In the southwest corner of Jardin des Tuileries is the Musée de l'Orangerie , known for its impressionist masterpieces; in the northwestern corner is the photography museum Jeu de Paume , and on the western tip of the Louvre Richelieu sits the Musée des Arts Décoratifs .

Not to mention, Angelina tea room , famous for its hot chocolate, is worth checking out for an afternoon break.

Travel tip: Other than art, Jardin des Tuileries is a great place for nature lovers and to wind down amidst your busy vacation schedules. You can admire various species of flowers and plants while relaxing by the fountain.

Just across the Seine, the quaint, old-world Latin Quarter comes alive at night when its numerous bistros and bars spill into the streets. Home to one of the oldest universities in Europe, La Sorbonne , this neighborhood is packed with young people and intellectuals.

Walking tours in Paris are a great way to see the area; join this tour of the Latin Quarter to experience all its splendor. Furthermore, there are plenty of good restaurants in the Latin Quarter, it’s hard to choose just a few. Here are some gems: Bistro des Augustins , Tzeferakos , and Hugo & Co .

Must-see attractions in the Latin Quarter:

• The Pantheon
• Musée de Cluny
• Rue Mouffetard and Place de la Contrescarpe
• Jardin des Plantes and Grandes Serres
• Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle
• Ménagerie du Jardin des Plantes

Day 2: Saint-Germain, Eiffel Tower and the 15th arrondissement

Poilâne , a family-owned bakery known for its rustic sourdough bread and artisan pastries, is a must-try. After, stroll around Jardin du Luxembourg , located between Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Latin Quarter , and be mesmerized by 60 acres of pristine, manicured gardens.

Not far from Jardin du Luxembourg, Saint-Germain des Prés is a lively and cosmopolitan neighborhood that boasts several major attractions as well as amazing shopping. International boutiques and high-end brands line the popular street. For some history and culture, pick any of these sites in the district: Église Saint-Germain-des-Prés , the oldest abbey in Paris from the 6th century; St Sulpice Church ; Musée Delacroix ; and Odéon-Théâtre de l’Europe .

If you’re up for it, you can walk and see many sites on your way to the famous Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe , including Musée d'Orsay . If you’d like to slow it down, you can take a cruise on the Seine River with Bateaux Mouches . The company offers many options, including lunch and dinner cruises, and at different times of the day. 

L’Arc de Triomphe looks even more impressive the closer you get to it. Make your way to the terrace for stunning views of the city. You can also enjoy skip-the-line admission tickets and take a scenic cruise along the Seine .

Much less touristy than the other districts and largely residential, the 15th arrondissement is full of upscale boulangeries, markets, and restaurants. The ideal place to gaze at the sunset, Tour Montparnasse is one of the tallest structures in Paris. Some best-kept secrets in the area include the Church of Saint-Seraphin de Sarov , Musée Bourdelle , and Musée de la Poste .

Travel Tip: Venture off the beaten path to uncover secret museums and hidden walking trails. Consider visiting the Île aux Cygnes (Isle of the Swans) , a man-made island formed in 1827 to protect the port of Grenelle.

Day 3: Day trip to Versailles

Four days is more than enough time to squeeze in a day trip from Paris . The extravagant Palace of Versailles was built by Louis XIV, also known as “the Sun King.” The palace has 700 rooms with frescoes and the Gardens of Versailles (Jardins de Versailles) are made up of geometric walkways, fountains, and manicured trees and shrubs. The palace is open every day except Monday; we recommend getting there first thing in the morning. The grandeur of Versailles is like no other and shouldn’t be missed.

The area and history of Versailles are rich and comprise the main palace, Trianon palaces, gardens, and the park. At the start of the grand apartments tour, the gallery of the history of the palace is an important part of the visit. These rooms were the apartments of the royal princes during the monarchy.

There are many restaurant options available around Versailles such as Ore , Grand Cafe d'Orleans , La Table du 11 , and Chez Tiouiche - Au Bon Accueil .

Day 4: Le Marais, 11th arrondissement and Montmartre

You can feel the artistic energy in Le Marais . There are plenty of sites, boutiques, cafés, and bookstores lining its charming streets. For a truly indulgent and inventive breakfast that matches the vibe of Le Marais, visit Carette , under the arches of the Place des Vosges , one of the most beautiful squares in the area. Explore more with this food and wine-tasting tour of Le Marais .

Travel tip: If you want to flâner , a French term for "observing life," visit the Jardin des Archives Nationales , a treasure tucked away in the heart of Le Marais for maximum Paris vibes.

After breakfast, visit Hôtel de Sully , Maison de Victor Hugo , Église Saint-Paul Saint-Louis and Village Saint-Pau l. Paris’ oldest food market, Marché des Enfants-Rouge , is full of lively stands offering food from all over the world including East Asia, the Mediterranean, and North Africa.

Known for its diverse culture and gourmet restaurants and bars, the 11th arrondissement is a hidden gem for many tourists. You’ll find Edith Piaf’s large collection of mementos, belongings, and correspondence in one of Paris’ tiniest museums in a private apartment. Visit Place de la République to see the 31-foot statue of Marianne. For lunch, head to Cafe Chilango , known for its bright, bold Mexican flavors and lively vibe.

Evenings are a peaceful time to appreciate the winding streets of Montmartre ; sunsets are best seen from the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur , accessible by funicular from the Place Saint-Pierre or by walking up from the Square Louise Michel . Don't miss the best of the area's art, culture, and food with this walking tour of Montmartre .

For a non-touristy locale, try La Boîte aux Lettres , which serves modern and elegant food created by chef Fréderic Paul Chartier, who trained under the iconic Alain Ducasse.

Must-see attractions in Montmartre:

• Espace Dalí
• Musée de Montmartre
• Cimetière de Montmartre

Ready to start planning your Paris trip? Build your own Paris itinerary with our Trips planning tool —start with all the best spots featured in this list and add on your own.

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4 Days In Paris: Complete Travel Itinerary For First-Time Visitors

Spending 4 days in Paris, France ? Paris is one of the most famous cities in the world and hosts countless tourists every year. The city offers plenty of great restaurants , trendy districts, impressive monuments, and beautiful sights. Here’s my four days in Paris itinerary to guide you through the city. 

Table of content

Île de la Cité and Notre Dame

Jardin du Luxembourg

Saint Germain des Prés

Pont des Arts

Île Saint Louis

Parc des Buttes-Chaumont

The Eiffel Tower

Arc de Triomphe

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Are 4 days enough in Paris?

In a city like Paris, you can stroll around forever. Four days in Paris is however the perfect amount of time to see many of Paris’ top sights.

This guide is suitable if you’re visiting Paris for the first time. It’s a packed schedule that includes a lot of walking around. You can make it a bit more relaxed by erasing a few activities if you want to. 

Let’s jump right into this perfect Paris itinerary, starting in the heart of Paris: Île de la Cité.

Day 1: All around the latin quarters

Before lunch: Île de la Cité, Latin Quarter and Jardin du Luxembourg

Begin your Paris trip by taking the metro to the heart of Paris – Île de la Cité (metro station Cité). Prepare yourself for the touristy parts of the city, although very much worth a visit. Near the metro station you’ll find a cute market, Marché aux Fleurs et aux Oiseaux , where they sell flowers, soaps, candles etc. If you are there on a Sunday you’ll get to meet the birds!

After strolling through the market, walk to the other side of the island and visit Place Dauphine , known as the “peaceful square”. Even though the square is located in the center of Paris, it has a quiet and tranquil atmosphere. Before you leave Île de la Cité, don’t miss Notre Dame Cathedral . Since the Notre Dame fire in 2019 the cathedral is closed for visitors, and probably will be until 2024. It’s still worth passing by to get a glimpse of it though.

Across the bridge from Notre Dame is the Latin Quarter of Paris. Don’t miss the famous bouquinistes – they sell magazines, books, postcards and posters in the green boxes along Seine. Very Parisian, indeed. Now you are also very close to the one hundred year old, and very cute, bookshop Shakespeare & Company .

If you need a rest you can stop for a café au lait at one of the many cafés around this area. If not, continue to Jardin du Luxembourg , the most popular garden in Paris. It is centered around Palais du Luxembourg, and contains both tennis and boule courses.

Before you head to my favorite area Saint-Germain-des-Prés for lunch, you might want to stop by Le Bon Marché – one of Paris’ famous department stores, founded in 1838. I like this one better than both Galeries Lafayette and Printemps .

➳  Read more:  Top 18 favorite things to do in Paris

Get your tours & tickets

Le Bon Marché department store 

Now it’s time for lunch . Let me suggest either Café de Flore , the famous café where it is said that both Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir were regulars. Another option is to go to Ralph Lauren’s beautiful restaurant Ralph’s . It’s a bit expensive but worth it just for the interior and luxurious experience. Book a table a few weeks before, and don’t forget to visit the beautiful bathroom. Both of these restaurants are on Boulevard Saint-Germain.

➳  Read more:  13 great restaurants in Paris

After lunch: Saint-Germain-des-Prés

Now you’re in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, my favorite area of Paris. Spend the afternoon strolling around. Here are a lot of galleries to check out, and don’t miss the Ladurée and Kusmi tea shop. If you are more into art and museums, you are also close to Musée d’Orsay . This museum is located in an old railway station and is really cool.

Rue Guillaume Apollinaire

Day 2: The Louvre Museum and Marais

Before lunch: The Louvre Museum, Tuileries and Pont des Arts

I suggest you start your day with a bit of culture: Visit the Louvre Museum – the most visited museum in the world. Even if Mona Lisa is really small, she’s worth to pay a visit. And if not for the art, then go for the beautiful building, which is a former royal residence.

If you want to visit the Louvre Museum, and several other museums around Paris, it might be worth to buy a Paris museum pass . With the Paris museum pass you have free admission, without waiting in line, to over 50 museums and monuments in Paris

Fun fact: An energetic Frenchman once told me that if you spend 5 seconds looking at all the paintings inside the Louvre, you would have to be there for 4 months.

The Louvre is very beautiful to visit when it’s dark.

After your museum visit, take a walk in Jardin des Tuileries . From this garden you can see straight to the Luxor Obelisk at Place de la Concorde, up Champs-Elysées and then Arc de Triomphe. It’s really an amazing sight. While you’re in the area: Take a walk on Pont des Arts , the bridge that use to be covered in padlocks. Even though the locks are removed ( for safety reasons ) the bridge is worth a visit. You will get a beautiful view of Île de la Cité and Notre Dame.

Now take the metro to St. Paul (the yellow line, no. 1). Now you’re in the heart of Marais. If you are hungry for lunch , go straight to L’as du Fallafel . They are known to have the best falafel in Europe. It’s really delicious!

The falafel from L’as du Fallafel.

After lunch: Marais and Île Saint-Louis

Continue your day with a walk around the trendy area of Marais. Many stores, galleries and restaurants are located at Rue des Rosiers . Also, don’t miss Paris most romantic square Place des Vosges . This is also where Victor Hugo lived.

Place des Vosges, the most romantic square in Paris.

Then walk towards Seine river and grab a café au lait at Le Louis Philippe . It’s one of my favorite cafés in Paris. Not because it’s cheap or have great service, but simply because it’s cute and authentic. After your pause, walk over one of the bridges to Île Saint-Louis , the smaller island next to Île de la Cité. Have an ice cream at one of the Berthillon ice cream shops (the caramel beurre salée is heaven) and enjoy it in the afternoon sun along Seine river.

Le Louis Philippe café

Spend your evening as you like, preferably at one of Paris’ great restaurants . Maybe this is the evening you visit the Eiffel tower . During the evening, when it’s dark outside, the tower sparkles for 5 minutes every full hour. It’s magical every time!

Day 3: All around Montmartre

Before lunch: Montmartre, Sacré-Cœur and Moulin Rouge

A thing you can’t miss when visiting Paris is Montmartre . Montmartre is a district in the 18th arrondissement in northern Paris, most famous for the Sacré Coeur Basilica and the many studios and artists. The district is located on a hill, and reachable by stairs (or the Montmartrobus, if you’re not into stairs!)

How to get to Montmartre: Take the metro line 2 to Anvers and walk north, and you will easily spot the grand Sacré Coeur basilica. The heart of Montmartre is located up on that hill, behind Sacré Coeur.

Take a walk in the area, see the many artists work on their paintings at Place du Tertre , and explore Sacré Coeur Basilica. When heading back, take a detour to Pigalle, the neighborhood where the iconic Moulin Rouge cabaret and many other picturesque spots are located.

➳  Read more:   Best Photo Spots In Paris

Sacré-Cœur basilica and La Maison Rose in Montmartre.

Now it’s time for a picnic lunch in my favorite park Buttes-Chaumont . I suggest that you buy your picnic food from a market somewhere near you. On weekends many food markets pop up all around Paris. Take the metro to Colonel Fabien and walk to Buttes-Chaumont from there. Spend the afternoon with a picnic and a walk around the park.

➳ Read more: Top 18 favorite things to do in Paris

Parc de Buttes-Chaumont.

Day 4: The Eiffel Tower

Before lunch: The Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe

You can’t leave Paris without visiting the Eiffel Tower . Take the metro to Trocadero and follow the Eiffel Tower signs to get to the right exit. Now you reach Palais de Chaillot and have the Eiffel Tower just in front of you. Walk down to the tower, and if you like, have a picnic in Parc du  Champ de Mars in front of the Eiffel Tower.

Is visiting the top of the Eiffel Tower on your Paris bucket list? You can reach the Eiffel Tower summit for €25. You can buy tickets online here, or at the counter.

Tips! Looking for views over Paris? I would recommend you visit the top of Arc de Triomphe instead of the Eiffel Tower. It’s cheaper, and the Eiffel Tower becomes part of the view.

➳  Read more: Get the best Eiffel Tower view at any of the locations in my 10 Best Eiffel Tower Photo Spots guide.

The view of the Eiffel Tower from Av. de Camoens .

If you have the energy, walk 25 min towards Pont Alexandre III – the most beautiful bridge in Paris. It’s a nice walk along Seine. From there you can continue towards Avenue des Champs-Élysées and Arc de Triomphe . Grab a lunch at one of the cafés on the way. Visiting the top of Arc de Triomphe will cost you 12 EUR.

The view from Arc de Triomphe.

After lunch: Shopping

…or window shopping. If you want regular shopping (with regular I mean clothes that people can actually afford) then go to Rue de Rivoli . The street is filled with stores all the way from metro station Louvre-Rivoli to Saint-Paul. Or why not visit the underground shopping center Westfield Forum des Halles . If you want to splurge in luxury I suggest you go to Rue Saint Honoré . This is the home of many designer labels, such as Saint-Laurent, Chanel, Dior, Givenchy, Lanvin and Hermès – and all of them are showcased in elegant store windows. A truly elegant experience.

Do you have more than 4 days in Paris?

There are a lot of things to do in Paris , more than can fit in a 4 days Paris itinerary. These travel guides might come to use as you plan your Sri Lanka trip:

• Top 18 things to do in Paris guide
• The 10 Best Eiffel Tower Photo Spots
• Best Photo Spots In Paris – 14 Instagram-Friendly Locations You Can’t Miss While In Paris
• 13 Trendy Restaurants In Paris – Where To Eat In Paris 2022

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4 Days in Paris: The Ultimate Paris Itinerary for 2024

Creating a 4 day Paris itinerary can be stressful when you want to balance seeing all of the major sights while also taking the time to enjoy a croissant on the Seine.

France’s capital, better known as the City of Lights, is one of the most spectacular destinations in not only Europe but the world! Its romantic ambiance, glittering Eiffel Tower, and charming architecture lure travelers in from around the world every year and it’s easy to see why.

On my first trip to Paris, I felt completely rushed. I wanted to see and do everything in just a couple of days, but had I just set an itinerary that allotted time for both sightseeing and relaxing, I would have had a much more enjoyable experience.

That’s why I’ve created this comprehensive list of everything you’ll need to know for visiting Paris for the first time and have created the 4 days Paris itinerary for you to use as a guide. I’ve also included itineraries for 1-3 days in Paris with additional options if you have 5 or even 7 days in the city, so you’ll never run out of things to do during your visit.

Indulge in ample time for exploration, relaxing, and savoring the scenic delights on this quintessential Parisian itinerary for your upcoming trip.

The Ultimate 4 Days Paris Itinerary

One day really is not enough and one week, unfortunately, isn’t an option for many of us… but 4 days is the perfect amount of time to spend in Paris!

My 4 days Paris itinerary is perfect for travelers looking to stop in Paris on a multi-city vacation or even for locals looking to take a long weekend away from home.

In four days, you’ll get to experience the magic of the City of Lights through its stunning attractions, vibrant nightlife, and decadent cuisine.

If possible, I do suggest arriving in Paris either late in the evening before your 4 days Paris itinerary begins or early in the morning of your first day. This way, you’ll get the most time to explore!

I’ve provided a very basic description of each day below, but have gone into far more detail in the next section. I hope you enjoy it!

Visit the Eiffel Tower (stay for a picnic) & Arc de Triomphe & Champs-Élysées

Montmartre & Le Marais & Evening Seine River Cruise with Dinner (Here are 10+ Top Rated Seine River Cruises to choose from!)

Le Louvre & Notre Dame Cathedral & Panthéon & Sainte Chapelle & Latin Quarter

Les Catacombs de Paris & Moulin Rouge Show

A Breakdown of the Above Itinerary

Now, if you aren’t sure of the layout of Paris, it’s quite big. That being said, the metro makes it quite easy to get around!

For example, if on your first day you were to walk from the Eiffel Tower to the Arc de Triomphe, it would take you upwards of 30 minutes to get there.

While it is a beautiful walk, if you’re trying to save time on travel in order to spend more time at each place, then the metro will get you there in about 13 minutes for a mere €1.90.

Once you get to the Arc de Triomphe , take some time to explore the underground passage from the edge of the traffic circle on les Champs-Élysées before getting to the landmark.

Then, climb to the top for magnificent views of the city! After you’ve taken enough pictures, head down and walk back across the passage where you’ll come out at the beginning of the Champs-Élysées . From here, make your way along this bustling street and window shop for a little while.

✔️ Pro Tip: I will mention that the clothing on les Champs-Élysées is some of the most expensive in France (and even Europe), so if you are looking for slightly more affordable clothing, you’ll find dozens of cute boutiques scattered around the city offering nice clothes for much cheaper.

On the second day, jump right on the metro and head to the neighborhood of Montmartre . In this hilltop village, you’ll find eccentric nightlife, windy cobblestoned streets, and traditional French culture. While it is very touristy, it’s a big part of Paris and has a lot to offer to first-time visitors.

From here, walk along the Seine for a romantic evening. Just over 3 kilometers (just under 2 miles) in distance, you can choose to take a 40-minute stroll through the 9 th and 2 nd arrondissements, or you can take the metro and get there in between 25-30 minutes. Personally, it’s a beautiful walk and is a nice way to end the day!

On the third day, get up early and hop in line for Le Louvre . If you did it right, you already bought your tickets ahead of time online and are getting right into the line that goes directly inside (if you didn’t, you’ll be getting in line to buy your ticket).

After spending a few hours to half a day at Le Louvre, make your way over to the Notre Dame Cathedral . The square sits right on the River Seine and occasionally provides music. If you’re lucky, you may get to hear the bells chime! They don’t chime every hour, so keep an ear out for when they might start.

If you aren’t too tired and have a little pep left in your step, head on over to the beautiful Panthéon . Easily reachable by foot in about 10 minutes, this beautiful monument is a great stop on your journey through the Latin Quarter .

This is my take on the ultimate 4 days Paris itinerary, but feel free to use the map below and the listed sights and attractions to create your own personal ideal itinerary!

Map of 4 Days Paris Itinerary

You can use the map below to get an idea of where many of the top sites in Paris which will help you choose where to stay and how to structure your daily itineraries.

Top Sights for Your 4 Days Paris Itinerary

Paris is simply full of stunning sights and impressive landmarks but with only 4 days in the city, you’ll want to make sure you get the opportunity to experience the ones that make you happy.

Pretty much, I’m saying that if you aren’t really interested in walking up and down museum hallways to look at art that doesn’t have much meaning to you, then don’t!

Paris has something for everyone, so find out what you want out of your Parisian experience and create your itinerary that way. There’s no need to explore each and every landmark if you don’t find them interesting… you’ll only end up feeling rushed and may come to think Paris wasn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

So, below I have listed some of the most popular and best things to do in Paris for your four days Paris itinerary.

✔️ Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower, undoubtedly the most emblematic landmark in France, is internationally renowned for its unmistakable silhouette. As the crown jewel of Paris, it draws innumerable admirers from across the globe.

Have a picnic and gaze up at its magnificent detail, climb your way to the top of the Eiffel Tower summit for exceptional views over Paris, or dine at its award-winning Michelin-star restaurant .

✔️ Arc de Triomphe

Located on the western end of the Champs-Élysées, this iconic landmark allows you to climb to the top with great views of the city.

Keep in mind, you’ll also get great shots of the city with Eiffel Tower views included from here, versus pictures taken from the top of the Eiffel Tower which won’t include the city’s most famous landmark.

✔️ Notre Dame Cathedral

This medieval cathedral boasts striking architecture, beautiful, stained glass windows, and captivating history. Join a morning mass or simply enjoy a glass of wine at one of the nearby cafés while you wait for the bells to begin to chime.

This happens to be one of our most fond memories of strolling about the city!

✔️ Le Louvre Museum

Well known as the world’s largest art museum, the Louvre is one of the most extravagant places to visit in Paris for art enthusiasts.

Home to the infamous Mona Lisa and other popular works, this museum is sure to leave a lasting impression. Ensure a hassle-free experience by securing your tickets in advance! Avoid enduring up to 6-hour queues to enter by securing the Louvre Museum timed entrance ticket well ahead of time for a memorable visit.

✔️ Musée d’Orsay

Located inside of an old railway station, this museum is most prominently made up of works from French artists with everything from paintings to furniture.

You’ll find the works of several famous artists including Van Gogh and Monet (Blue Water Lilies is a popular favorite) and can explore several exhibits with works dating back to the mid-1800s. To buy your tickets ahead of time, check out their website !

✔️ Picasso Museum of Paris

Located Paris’ charming Marais neighborhood, this extraordinary museum houses an abundant collection of art from Picasso’s personal repository. Ensure a seamless visit by booking your tickets in advance here !

✔️ Sacré-Cœur

Also known as the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris, this church is beautifully constructed and offers great views of the city due to its location in Montmartre.

✔️ Champs-Élysées

Are you eager to discover exquisite new garments to flaunt upon your return home? Nestled along this illustrious avenue, you’ll find a stunning display of verdant trees and elegant Parisian boutiques, each showcasing the epitome of fashion’s latest trends.

The shops on this street are top-of-the-line, with many top designer’s flagship stores being located here, so be sure to come willing to commit to hefty price tags.

✔️ Palace of Versailles

For more than a century, this magnificent building served as the illustrious royal residence of France.

Situated within an hour’s train ride from Paris, this enchanting palace offers an exceptional day trip opportunity. Ensure to reserve a tour in advance to truly immerse yourself in its grandeur!

✔️ Luxembourg Gardens

These beautiful gardens are simply overflowing with lush trees, blossoming flowers, statues, and stone walkways. A lovely place for a picnic or to escape the chaos of the city, these gardens certainly don’t disappoint.

✔️ Luxembourg Palace

Originally designed to be a royal residence during the Revolution, this palace has been refashioned several times and has a unique past for the history buff in your group.

✔️ Centre Pompidou

This building is well known in Paris for the ideas behind its unique construction and intricate design. Not only for constructors and architects, anyone can find excitement in looking at all of the piping and ventilation systems on the outside of a building.

Yes , you read that right. Most of the items that are inside of our walls and ceilings were placed on the outside of this building! My husband, Sean, who works in construction found it absolutely incredible.

✔️ Montmartre

Situated in the 18th arrondissement, this hilltop neighborhood boasts an array of distinctive shops and boutiques, renowned for its vibrant nightlife. Moreover, it is home to the magnificent Sacré-Cœur Basilica, adding to its allure.

✔️ Catacombs of Paris

These underground ossuaries hold the remains of over 6 million people from the Revolution. Both captivating and heartbreaking, these ossuaries should be visited in a respectful manner.

Visit during the day if you aren’t too keen on being surrounded by skeletons at night, although it does make for quite the spooky experience!

✔️ Moulin Rouge

Indulge in the enchantment of this exquisite cabaret theater that showcases Europe’s most iconic shows! For an unforgettable and refined evening, secure your tickets in advance for a mesmerizing Moulin Rouge cabaret performance and arrive at the theater adorned in your finest attire!

Ticket packages vary with some including dinner or champagne and others designating you into your own private box, so this is one activity that you can really treat yourself with.

✔️ Pont Alexandre III

Spanning across the Seine, this striking bridge is one of the best places in Paris for a stroll. Enjoy taking photos and the peace and quiet!

✔️ Pont des Arts

This exquisite pedestrian bridge serves as the ideal pathway to Le Louvre, providing enchanting vistas of the serene Seine River.

✔️ Shakespeare and Company

One of the most famous bookstores in all of Europe, this is a reader’s and writer’s dream! Offering books from famous influential authors including Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald, this iconic shop is the perfect place to get yourself a unique French sosouvenir.

✔️ Île Saint-Louis

Located in the center of the River Seine, this naturally formed island is accessible by multiple bridges and has ice cream shops, cafés, and boutiques available for browsing.

✔️ Place de la Bastille

The location of a former prison, this heavily-trafficked square was once home to the Bastille Prison before its destruction during the French Revolution. Come here to dive deeper into the sight’s history of the Storming of the Bastille and gawk at the Colonne de Juillet.

While most of these attractions are best explored during the day, Paris really comes alive at night! Check out 33 Magical Things To Do in Paris at Night in 2024 to get some unique ideas on the nightlife in Paris!

4 Days in Paris in December

Paris in winter is simply dreamy. The occasional blanket of snow covers the city in beautiful white power making for the most elegant of European cities! The weather averages a comfortable range in the 30s-40s (Fahrenheit) and Christmas markets are carefully scattered across the city.

You can enjoy hot mulled wine and homemade treats on a horse-drawn carriage ride after picking up some beautiful handcrafted gifts from local artisans.

If you’re lucky enough to be able to spend 4 days in Paris in December or January, be sure to pack some warm layers and waterproof boots so you can spend at least one day exploring the city on foot!

4 Days Winter Paris Itinerary

Arrive in Paris and settle into your hotel. Throw on some warm layers and get yourself into town to explore the magical Christmas markets!

End the evening with a romantic candlelit dinner at either the Atelier Maître Albert or the La Cave de l’Insolite. Both of these restaurants are the epitome of “winter cozy” owing to their roaring fireplaces and elegant menus.

Ice skating at one of several indoor and outdoor rinks. There’s even one in the Eiffel Tower!

Then treat yourself to a hot chocolate and spend the evening roaming the city in search of the most beautiful holiday decorations.

✔️ DAY 3 – MUSEUM DAY

Many museums in Paris in the winter are discounted or offer free hours, so take advantage of this offer and get out and explore Paris’ art and history.

Hopefully it snows on at least one day during your 4 days Paris itinerary so you can simply stroll the city under a white dusting of snow, but if it doesn’t, I highly suggest indulging in a foodie day!

Visit several patisseries and boulangeries and taste some of France’s best treats. This way, you’ll be heading home with a full stomach and plenty of amazing pictures of your French finds!

More than 4 Days for Your Paris Itinerary

If you happen to have more than 4 days for your perfect Paris itinerary, lucky you! There are so many amazing day trips you could take. Here are a couple of our favorite things to do in Paris when we have extra time!

Disneyland Paris

Located about 43 kilometers east of the Paris city center in a town known as Chessy, Disneyland Paris makes for one of the most popular and exciting day trips from the city you can take!

And if you don’t have children with you, who cares?! Disneyland Paris is an exciting theme park that’s overflowing with magical ambiance and surprises around every corner.

You can purchase tickets in advance on their website and choose between going to 1 or 2 parks (Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney Studios Park), and opt to soak up all of the fun displays and rides they have available.

Tickets start around €60 per person with discounts available for children under 11 years old. Children 3 years and under can enter free. Of course, these details are subject to change at any time.

They also have flexible ticketing conditions where you can cancel up to 3 days in advance and even buy tickets with no fixed date so you go anytime during your vacation!

Disneyland Paris is also well-known for its incredible Halloween celebrations if you’ll be visiting in the fall!

Palace of Versailles

Easily reachable by train or car in under an hour, the Palace of Versailles is an enchanting property that’s fully prepared to take your breath away.

The former royal residence holds centuries of history and poses as an iconic landmark of French politics. You could spend hours simply gazing at its magnificent hallways and tranquil gardens while exploring its architectural splendor.

Admission is free and the Palace is open every day. If you wish to join a guided tour or get special access to certain exhibits, go to their ticketing website .

Paris Itinerary 1 Day

Not all of us are lucky enough to have 4 days in Paris, so we’ve come up with itineraries for if you have 1, 2, or 3 days in Paris, as well! But first, let’s start with if you just have one day.

Since you’re going to have a very short amount of time for your 1 day Paris itinerary , we’re going to try and pack a lot of the most popular and iconic sites into one day. This is simply how we travel!

If you would prefer to take it slow and just plan on returning to Paris in the future, then by all means just spend the day eating croissants on the lawn in front of the Eiffel Tower (not that this is a bad thing!)

This itinerary has been designed to start early in the morning, so keep this in mind when planning your travels. You may want to arrive the night before or very early in the morning to get the most out of your 1 day trip to Paris.

Your first stop on the itinerary is going to be the Eiffel Tower . Easily the most iconic site in Paris, seeing the Eiffel Tower is a great way to spark your excitement for what’s to come!

You can either stop by and snap a few great pictures or you can buy your tickets to go up it.

To be honest, we have never seen the Eiffel Tower without a line that was nearly 3 hours long with people who already have their tickets just waiting to go up, so we wouldn’t recommend doing this if you only have 1 day for your Paris itinerary.

Next, you’ll make your way over to the Arc de Triomphe . From here, you can climb to the top or start walking a portion of the Champs-Élysées . I don’t suggest walking too far down this iconic street since you’ll be heading in the opposite direction next up to Montmartre .

Explore this enchanting hilltop village and the stunning Sacré-Cœur as you make your way through the 10 th arrondissement to the Louvre Museum .

✔️ Pro Tip : I highly suggest purchasing tickets in advance if you plan on going inside since most of the time there is a very long wait. If you are visiting during peak season months (June through September), I would suggest simply taking pictures of Le Louvre from the exterior and not going inside. We have found that even people who buy tickets in advance have had to wait several hours to enter during the busy months.

✔️ AFTERNOON

Next, spend some time in Le Marais and get lost in Paris’ most charming network of cobblestone streets. From here, you’ll cross the Seine River on the Pont d’Arcole bridge as you make your way to the Île de la Cité where you’ll find the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral .

If you have the option of visiting around lunchtime, you may be treated to hearing the bell’s ring!

You then have the option of crossing by the Panthéon on your way to the Luxembourg Gardens for a late-afternoon stroll.

Once it starts to get dark, head back over to the Eiffel Tower where you’ll get to witness the glittering light show on the lawn every hour on the hour!

End your 1 day Paris itinerary with a romantic evening meal in any one of Paris’ fine eating establishments.

Map of 1 Day Paris Itinerary

When you’re really short on time, you will want to ensure that your sightseeing route is as efficient as possible. Don’t jump from one side of the city to the other and then back again.

Instead, check out the 1 day Paris itinerary walking itinerary below and see if there are any changes you would like to make or if you think you would enjoy it exactly as is!

Everyone has very different expectations of their first trip to Paris, so use this post to figure out which sites are at the top of your list, and then see how you could arrange them into the map below.

Paris Itinerary 2 Days

Now, if you have 2 days in Paris, then you’ll be able to see a little bit more, or you’ll have the option to enjoy even slower travel. Choose whichever works best for you and your travel style.

Here is our best makeup for a 2 days Paris itinerary where we included some major sites as well as some time to relax and enjoy the view!

Follow the 1 day Paris itinerary in a similar pattern, but don’t try and squeeze everything into your first day. Instead, we suggest skipping the Luxembourg Gardens, Le Louvre, and the Panthéon.

Opt to spend some time at the Eiffel Tower , the Arc de Triomphe , Montmartre , and Le Marais.

Start your second day off at Le Louvre and get in line about an hour before they open… yes, lines do start forming that early.

After you spend some time in the museum, make your way to the Île de la Cité to see the Notre Dame Cathedral before walking over to the Panthéon and the Luxembourg Gardens.

Spend the rest of the day strolling the River Seine and opt to have a picnic in one of the city’s numerous parks. You also have the option of including a trip to the Paris Catacombs !

You can also select to buy tickets for the incredible 2 hour Illuminations River Cruise . Taking place after dark, guests will enjoy sparkling city views throughout their evening.

Paris Itinerary 3 Days

Similar to the 1 and 2 days Paris itineraries, this 3 days Paris itinerary is ideal for those looking to see much of the city’s most famous landmarks. But, it also includes some extra activities and sites not included in the previous itineraries. Enjoy!

Eiffel Tower – Arc de Triomphe – Montmartre & Sacré-Cœur

Le Centre Pompidou – Le Marais – Notre Dame Cathedral – Latin Quarter – Luxembourg Gardens

Montparnasse – Rue Commerce – Paris Catacombs

If you aren’t sure what Le Centre Pompidou is, you aren’t alone. This impressive building is a piece of scientific genius, to say the least!

It houses a library and extensive art gallery, but the kicker is that all of its HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems are on the exterior of the building! Each is color-coded in this whimsical take on modern architecture, making for a truly incredible structure.

If you have an engineer, architect, or builder in your group, be sure to stop by Le Centre Pompidou!

Additionally, Montparnasse is often recognized for its famous tower that overlooks much of Paris. Known as the Tour Montparnasse in French, it houses the highest rooftop bar in Paris!

The Tour Montparnasse 56 rooftop bar offers eclectic cocktails in a sophisticated yet elegant setting for those looking to escape from the chaos of the city. Be prepared to pay a pretty penny for the drinks here, but the views are entirely worth it!

What to Pack for Your 4 Days Paris Itinerary

When planning your 4 days Paris itinerary, it’s a good idea to get a sense of what to pack so you don’t end up sticking out like a tourist too much. Depending on the season you are traveling, there are a few items that I highly suggest bringing along with you on your trip to Paris!

First, good walking shoes are absolutely essential. The city does have a great metro system, but nevertheless, you’ll be spending hours on end on your feet. Do your feet a favor and pack some supportive walking shoes as to not cover yourself in blisters before your trip’s end!

Next, a day bag will make your life a whole lot easier. Since Paris is so large, it’s likely your accommodation will be quite far from some sights and attractions at some point during your trip.

If you’re like me and want to spend every minute possible exploring, then you won’t want to waste precious time getting back to your hotel just to grab your sweater if it starts getting cold. Instead, pack a few essential items in your day bag (including snacks!) to save yourself the extra trip.

As I mentioned above, a Paris travel guide is also a good idea. The one above can help you learn a few helpful phrases, tell you exactly how far attractions are from each other, and provide you with a few fun under-the-radar things to do in Paris.

I suggest buying it ahead of time so you can use it to help you plan your 4 days Paris itinerary!

If you are traveling between the months of May and September, stick to the packing list below. It has been created for a week-long trip, so adjust the quantities as necessary.

• (1) Pair of Walking Shoes
• (1) Pair Nice “Going Out” Shoes
• (9) Pairs of Socks
• (9) Pairs of Underwear
• (1) Sports Bra
• (3) T-Shirts
• (2) Long Sleeves
• (1-2) Dresses
• (1-2) Rompers
• (2) Leggings
• (1) Sweater
• (1) Rain Jacket
• (1) Casual Scarf

If you are wondering why I’ve advised you to bring along 9 pairs each of socks and underwear for a week-long trip, it’s because you’re going to be sitting on a plane going to Paris and returning home afterward.

Having a couple of extra pairs to change into after you’ve traveled will help you feel cleaner and refreshed after sitting on a dirty plane for several hours.

Don’t skip the rain jacket! Even if the weather looks nice for your trip dates, Europe is notorious for unexpected weather.

I took the photo of the Eiffel Tower above on a beautiful day in May, then just a few hours later the skies opened up leaving us stranded in a café (which we actually loved). The weather can change fast and you’ll be happy you brought it just in case.

Even if you are traveling in the middle of the summer, pack at least one warm layer. As I said, the weather can shift without notice and it’s not uncommon for the temperature to drop significantly in just a few short hours.

A light sweater or pullover jacket will provide the perfect amount of warmth and still be relatively lightweight in your bag.

Now, the packing list above is more geared towards us girls, but guys simply remove what you wouldn’t wear and instead pack a few extra t-shirts and shorts. Everything else still stands!

It’s important to not overpack as you’ll just end up lugging all of your extra clothing and shoes around for a week ( believe me, I gained this knowledge through personal experience ).

Where to Stay in Paris for Your 4 Days Itinerary

When planning your 4 days Paris itinerary, there are so many fantastic neighborhoods to choose to stay in! I know on my first trip, I was completely overwhelmed and didn’t know where to begin. There was so much I wanted to do and see, but where should I stay to have access to all of it?

The major thing to keep in mind about Paris is it’s a very large city and the attractions are widely spread out, making it extra difficult to find a “prime location”.

So, don’t worry about staying in the “best neighborhood in Paris”. Instead, choose a neighborhood based on what you want to do and see most, then pick an accommodation that is close to a metro station .

This will allow you easy access to your personal top priority sights, but will also make it easy for you to get anywhere in the city without too much walking. I found this was the best way to explore the city while feeling like I wasn’t wasting too much time getting from place to place.

The below neighborhoods outline the top sights and attractions in Paris, so choose one based on what is most important for you to see!

The city is divided by the Right and Left Banks of the Seine River and then is broken down into 20 different arrondissements . Once you know which arrondissement works best for you, you can start researching accommodations.

✔️ 1 st arrondissement – ideal for museum enthusiasts

This stunning part of Paris is set on the Seine River and is home to several influential museums including Le Louvre (the largest museum in the world!), Musée des Arts Décoratifs , and Musée de l’Orangerie .

Visitors can also enjoy a picnic at the lovely Tuileries Gardens, gawk at the impressive Pompidou Center , or tour the Palais Royal .

✔️ 2 nd arrondissement

Home to the famous pedestrian-only Rue Montorgueil , this spot is bustling with cheerful restaurants, bars, markets, cafés, and bakeries. One of the most scenic neighborhoods in Paris, this spot definitely deserves a few hours of your time.

✔️ 3 rd arrondissement

For art enthusiasts, you’ll find yourself whisked away by the impressive Musée National Picasso and enjoying the peace and break from the chaos found in other parts of the city. Get lost in windy, cobblestone streets and enjoy a cappuccino at an outdoor café.

✔️ 4 th arrondissement

Home to the famous Le Marais neighborhood , you’ll find yourself exploring the last standing Renaissance piece of Paris.

Overflowing with cathedrals, churches, and museums, home to the Notre Dame and Place des Vosges , and boasting some of the best nightlife in the city, this spot is one of the most popular arrondissements to stay in Paris.

✔️ 5 th arrondissement

Best known for the Saint Michel neighborhood , this is one of Paris’ most historical areas. Make your way over to the Panthéon for a tour of some impressive historical sites.

✔️ 6 th arrondissement

For first-time visitors to Paris, the Saint Germain des Prés neighborhood is a must!

From famous cafes frequented by celebrities ( Les Deux Magots  and  Café de Flore ) to the Luxembourg Gardens and the Luxembourg Museum , this spot has something for everyone. You’ll also have your pick of designer art galleries and exhibits.

✔️ 7 th arrondissement – our #1 choice for your 4 days Paris itinerary

No Paris itinerary would be complete without visiting this quintessential spot. You won’t see as many locals as this area is typically overrun with tourists heading to the Eiffel Tower , the Musée d’Orsay , the Rodin Museum , Hôtel des Invalides , and the Champs de Mars .

Situated on the bank of the River Seine, this is where many famous photos have been taken of the Eiffel Tower overlooking the River.

✔️ 8 th arrondissement

The most elegant boulevard in Paris, and some even argue in Europe, the Champs-Élysées steals the spotlight in this high-end part of the city.

Leading to the magnificent Arc de Triomphe and the Parc Monceau , there’s no wonder why locals flock to this exciting neighborhood.

✔️ 9 th arrondissement

Another area that is well known for its department store shopping and residential neighborhoods.

Visitors can catch a show at the Paris Opera House , check out the Wax Museum ( Musée Grevin ), and get dressed up for a night out at the Les Folies Bergères Cabaret .

✔️ 10 th arrondissement

Owing to its close proximity to the center of Paris, this arrondissement has become edgy and hip in recent years.

Visitors can stroll along the Saint-Martin Canal , through the Sainte Marthe village , or check out the famous New Morning Jazz Club .

✔️ 11 th arrondissement

The hipsters and college students haven, this area is best known for its numerous bars, clubs, and eccentric night scene.

During the day, check out the popular Place de la Bastille , the Bastille Opera House , and the bustling Oberkampf neighborhood full of chic and trendy bars.

✔️ 12 th arrondissement

Located outside of the main part of Paris, this area is less well known and provides a true escape from the chaos of the city.

The Bois de Vincennes is a beautiful park offering spots for picnics, hiking and biking trails, a few small lakes, a lovely botanical garden, and even a zoo!

✔️ 13 th arrondissement

One of the least visited arrondissements in Paris, this area doesn’t have much to offer to first-time visitors.

The neighborhood is quite cute and there is a nice mix of modern and traditional buildings, but otherwise, I would suggest saving this area for a future trip when time isn’t of the essence.

✔️ 14 th arrondissement

If you’ve ever seen the movie, Midnight in Paris , and want to return to the roaring 20s along with Owen Wilson, be sure to pop into the Montparnasse district !

Simply overflowing with culture and a lively art scene, visitors have their pick of the Catacombs Museum , the Montparnasse Tower ,  Parc Montsouris , or the neighborhood of famous writer Samuel Beckett .

✔️ 15 th arrondissement

Make your way down Rue Commerce for good, local food spots and unique shopping boutiques. You can also climb the Tour Montparnasse for stunning views across Paris or check out the local Grenelle Market for fresh produce and specialty products. 16 th arrondissement

Set directly west of the Eiffel Tower , this western district is mainly comprised of charming residential neighborhoods, elegant restaurants, lush gardens, and famous museums. Known for its posh exterior and elevated ambiance, this spot will cost you a pretty penny but is well worth a visit.

✔️ 17 th arrondissement

Located in the northwestern part of the city, visitors have easy access to the Arc de Triomphe and a few quiet neighborhoods where the locals typically hang out.

Due to increasing local numbers in this area, more bars, parks, and nightlife spots have opened up in recent years.

✔️ 18 th arrondissement

Home to the mesmerizing Sacré-Cœur and the fun and popular Moulin Rouge Cabaret Theater , this is by far one of the most visited areas in Paris by tourists.

Montmartre Neighborhood is the crowning jewel of this arrondissement (and often makes its way into most Paris bucket lists), sitting on top of a hillside and bustling with charming street cafés, hip boutiques, and specialty shops.

✔️ 19 th arrondissement

Not typically frequented by tourists, this district doesn’t have much to offer in terms of sights and attractions. However, if you’re looking for a quiet and scenic place for a picnic, then La Villette Park is just the spot for you!

✔️ 20 th arrondissement

One of the districts rumored to be haunted in Paris, this eastern area is home to Père Lachaise Cemetery , Parc de Belleville , and edgy bars suitable for young adults and college kids.

Where to Eat in Paris on Your 4 Days Paris Itinerary

Any 4 days Paris itinerary that you could possibly create is bound to also be full of the best local spots for croissants, macarons, croque monsieurs and madames, and crepes. As it should be! No trip to Paris is complete without diving deep into one of the most famous cuisines in the world.

With thousands of restaurants lining the streets, from food trucks to Michelin-star restaurants, there is something for every palate and every budget. Even for people who don’t consider themselves “foodies”, Paris is too much of a food gem to not check out these popular places below.

As far as classic bistros go, two immediately come to mind. The first, Aux Bons Crus , boasts a laid-back interior with checkered tablecloths, an extensive wine list, and otherworldly cuisine.

✔️ Be sure to try the filet de boeuf béarnaise and finish your meal with a delicate mille-feuille; a Parisian delicacy!

In the heart of the 18 th arrondissement sits this next bistro, Le Consulat , which is home to some of the best fusion of French-American cuisine in Paris.

✔️ Sit and enjoy a glass of locally sourced wine and either a meal that reminds you of home (like the Steak au Poivre avec pomme frites – steak and fries) or jump right into classic French cuisine with the seared duck breast and onion soup!

Looking to include an extremely romantic evening with your significant other on your four days Paris itinerary? Look no further than either Le Jules Verne restaurant or 58 Tour Eiffel located inside the Eiffel Tower!

Sweeping city lights fill the room for a sparkling ambiance and make for the most magical experience in one of the most romantic places on Earth… there is really no topping this spot.

✔️ Be sure to book your reservation a few months in advance as they book up almost instantly when dates become available!

For more budget-friendly options , Paris is full of exciting cuisine in pretty much every bistro and café you visit. Try to avoid sit-down eats directly near major attractions, as this is where you’ll notice inflated prices and occasionally poor quality products (though it is rare in France!)

Outside of the main tourist spots, you’ll be able to find hidden food gems around every corner. Most places post their menus outside so you can take a look at what they offer, their price range, and if they have a prix fixe menu or not.

If you don’t know what a “prix fixe” menu is, you’re in for a treat! A prix fixe menu translated means “fixed price”, which allows you to pay one set price per person and will receive a set number of courses included in the price.

Many restaurants all over Europe offer this kind of deal, and it makes for a great way to experience the cuisine while being mindful of how much you are spending.

How to Get to Paris

Before creating your 4 days Paris itinerary, it’s important to get an idea of how you’re going to get there. If you’re traveling from a far distance, the time it takes you to arrive in Paris may cut into your first day abroad, and nobody wants to miss out on the plans they arranged!

✔️ If you’re traveling from the U.S., the best way to get to Paris is to fly directly into either Charles de Gaulle or Orly Airport . Both airports are centrally located and have easy access to the metro.

✔️ If you are already in Europe and are within one or two countries from France, your best method will be to take the Eurail . If you are coming from outside of this range, however, it will also be more efficient for you to fly.

✔️ If you are already in France and want to do a quick day trip to Paris (though you’ll wish you had more time!) definitely hop on a train and make your way over.

Paris is very centrally located and can be reached in just over two hours from anywhere in the country . Flights from Lyon are very expensive and only save you about one hour of travel time making them costly and inefficient.

You’ll have your choice of either the Eurail ( the European train network ) or a high-speed train at a more expensive rate.

How to Get From the Airport to Paris

If after reading the above section, you realize you’re going to need to fly directly into Paris, no problem! I’ve laid out several ways to get from both the Charles de Gaulle Airport and the Orly Airport to the Paris city center.

Charles de Gaulle Airport to Paris

The journey from Charles de Gaulle Airport to Paris city center will take you anywhere from about 20 minutes to 1 hour, depending on when you arrive and the level of traffic.

You can expect to pay a hefty fee for this service, averaging over €50 at a minimum.

✔️ By Metro

The cheapest and overall most popular method of getting from the Charles de Gaulle Airport to Paris city center is to take an RER B train. These regional trains operate frequently with pick-ups from the airport occurring every 10 minutes.

The journey only takes about 30 minutes in total to reach the city center and it will bring you directly to the popular Gare du Nord station. The ticket will cost you about €9.50.

If you’re in Terminal 1 or 3 , you’ll want to head to the Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 1 train station in the airport.

If you’re in Terminal 2 , you’ll go to the Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2 TGV .

Orly Airport to Paris

Taking a taxi from Orly Airport to Paris city center is often the fastest method of transportation, however, it’s also the most expensive.

Depending on when you arrive and how bad the traffic is, you can expect to pay between €35-70 per trip.

To get from Orly Airport to Paris city center, you can also consider taking an RER B train. You can use OrlyVal to connect you between the Orly Airport terminals and the train station within the airport.

This will cost you about €13.30 per single journey.

If you’re on a tight budget, taking the OrlyBus is by far the cheapest method of getting to Paris from Orly Airport. However, this bus will take you to the outskirts of the city to the Denfert-Rochereau station. From here, you’ll need to hop on the metro to continue making your way into the city.

Otherwise, you can take Le Bus Direct which is slightly more expensive and more comfortable (it’s pretty similar to a coach bus), which will bring you to either the Etoile, Invalides, or Montparnasse train stations.

These stations are nearby les Champs-Élysées, the Eiffel Tower, and the center of the city, respectively.

OrlyBus will cost you, on average, around €8 if you buy your ticket when you board the bus or about €10.50 if you book your ticket in advance online plus taxes and fees.

Le Bus Direct will cost you about €12 per single journey and €20 per roundtrip journey.

Getting Around Paris

Whatever you do, don’t rent a car in Paris. Many of the streets are extremely narrow, made of cobblestones, one way, and are covered in pedestrians.

You’ll also be trying to balance figuring out where you’re going while avoiding everything from street cafés to horse-drawn carriages. And once you do find what you were looking for, there is nowhere to park.

Instead, choose to use the metro system . Paris’ metro is one of the best in the entire world for its impressive network of lines, easy-to-use kiosks, affordability, and quick transportation times. Just keep your eye on your bags as this is where a large portion of pickpockets occur.

Want to get around like a local? Rent bicycles! It’s one of the most fun (and romantic) ways of seeing the city. There are dozens of rental shops but my favorite is Paris Bike Company located on Victor Hugo Street.

They offer good prices, hospitable service, and have great reviews. You’ll also find plenty of bike racks throughout the city, so the process is a cinch.

On a really tight budget or want to become fully immersed in everything Paris has to offer? Plan your very own walking tour of the city! Paris is an absolutely beautiful city and is simply covered in narrow, windy streets bursting with charm.

Your four days Paris itinerary is bound to have some amount of walking involved, so opt to plan a scenic route from place to place if you’re looking to explore every nook and cranny of the city!

The Best Time to Visit Paris

Paris is wonderful to visit at all times of the year, but there are a few months in particular that you should have your eye on!

Depending on your tolerance level with tourists , the summer months of June through September are when you’ll experience the best weather and everything in full swing . However, this is also when you’ll experience inflated prices on flights, accommodations, food, and trains.

We have found that the shoulder season months of May and late September through October are the best time to visit Paris!

The weather is still very comfortable and with far fewer tourists roaming the city, you’ll experience lower costs on almost everything and wait in far shorter lines to all of the popular attractions.

My personal vote goes to the month of May since this is also when Paris is in full bloom and the city truly lights up.

If you are in search of a fantastic holiday market city for the winter, you really should create a 4 days Paris itinerary in winter . The squares are filled with dozens of stalls each selling handmade crafts, hot mulled wine, and unique souvenirs, so there are fewer better places to celebrate the holidays.

Similar to the summer, however, you’ll experience an influx of tourists and an increase in prices.

Months I would suggest avoiding visiting Paris are November and February through April . The weather is quite rainy and cold, so while you may have the city for yourself, many shops will be closed and you’ll have a lower chance of sunny days.

Though, you will save a considerable amount of money and Paris can be quite romantic in the rain!

For a deeper insight on when you should visit Paris, check out my article on The Best Time to Visit Paris !

Travel Tips for Your 4 Day Itinerary

✔️ The Local Language

You’re probably thinking one of two things:

• “Paris is a big city! Most people will speak English and I don’t need to learn any French before I go.”
• “I’m a little nervous to go to France since I don’t know any French”

If that is the case, then you’re not alone. But, in fact, both of these statements are misleading. In Paris, many locals do know some amount of English, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be courteous and know a few French phrases to assist in communicating.

That being said, you absolutely do not need to be fluent in French to visit Paris.

Purchasing a travel guide before your trip is a great way to become familiar with the pronunciation of common words and the culture. One of my personal favorites is Fodor’s Paris Guide which also comes with a full city map!

✔️ Currency

Paris (and all of France) uses the Euro (€).

While exchange rates do change slightly almost daily, here are some quick conversions to help you get an understanding of how much money you will be spending in your home currency on a trip to Paris.

US Dollar – Euro $1 = €0.82 English Pounds – Euro £1 = €1.16 Czech Koruna – Euro Kč 1 = €0.04 Hungarian Forint – Euro Ft 10 = €0.03 Danish Krone – Euro Kr. 1 = €0.13 Swiss Franc – Euro CHf 1 = €0.92

Many countries in Europe do use the Euro, but be sure to check individual countries if you are heading to Europe for the first time on a multi-country vacation.

When thinking of France, it’s easy to get caught up in common misconceptions about the culture. For example, as a tourist, you should never kiss someone on each cheek that you don’t know. This type of exchange is only ever shared between two partners, close family members, and close friends, never between strangers.

Second, there are not going to be snails on every menu at every restaurant you visit. In fact, there will be far fewer restaurants with them than without them! I suggest trying some local favorites like the croque monsieur or a croque madame, onion soup, or the popular coq au vin.

Not everyone walks around wearing striped shirts and berets… I actually believe I only saw a few people in all of France dressed like this, and it was not in Paris. So, bottom line, don’t dress like this unless you really want to stand out!

✔️ Museums Pass – buy this for your 4 days Paris itinerary!

Depending on your travel style and how many museums you plan on visiting, the Paris Museum Pass could potentially save you a lot of money. They offer three different passes with the first one being for 48 hours, the second for 96 hours, and the third for 144 hours. The more museums you visit, the more money you save!

The idea is that you pay for the Paris Pass ahead of time and in most cases, you’ll be allowed to skip the line for quick entry into your favorite museums. This isn’t always the case in the event of additional security checks or if a restriction on the number of visitors allowed inside is in place.

The Paris Pass is valid for only one admission per site (you can’t visit the Louvre a dozen times) with access to 60 different museums and sights. So, if you’re really looking to dive into each and every sight Paris has to offer, then you could save some serious cash with this pass.

The 2-day pass is €52, the 4-day pass is €66, and the 6-day pass is €78

FAQ: 4 Days Paris Itinerary

In this next section, I’ll be providing you with some essential information for your trip to Paris including how long you actually need to see the City of Lights, some of my personal travel tips for visiting, and even some useful French phrases that could improve your experience!

Is it Worth Going to Paris for 4 Days?

It is absolutely worth going to Paris for 4 days! This is actually an optimal amount of time to spend in this gorgeous French city, so if you are looking to fully experience all that Paris has to offer, a 4-day itinerary is definitely recommended.

With this much time, you will be able to explore some of the city’s most famous sights, while simultaneously make time to enjoy a slow wander through the charming streets of Montmartre or a picnic in one of the many parks.

How Many Days Do You Really Need in Paris?

With so much to explore and see and do, spending 2-3 days in Paris is ideal . This will give you ample time at each landmark, allow you to move at your own pace through each museum, factor in time for people-watching in all of the major neighborhoods, and enjoy a picnic in front of the Eiffel Tower.

On my first visit, I only spent 2 days in the city and wished I had just one more day and I’m not typically a city person .

If you are passing through Paris and can only spare a day or so, read about my ultimate one day in Paris itinerary for 2024 !

How to Explore Paris in 4 Days?

We understand that not everyone has time for a week-long trip to just go to Paris or want to include other destinations in their France itinerary. You can absolutely experience the best of Paris in 3 or 4 days. On my first visit, I was amazed at what I was able to fit in in just 2 days!

In this amount of time, you’ll still get to see most of the major sites, dive face-first into the cuisine, listen to French music at a café, and get yourself a French souvenir at one of the dozens of boutiques in Paris.

While this is all possible, you’ll have to pick and choose which landmarks and activities are most important to you, as trying to fit every single one into your 4 days Paris itinerary simply won’t be possible.

You’ll also be on the move quite a bit, with less time for relaxing. If you are traveling with someone who has limited mobility or doesn’t want to move at such a quick pace, it will be in your best interest to either increase the number of days you spend in Paris or decrease the number of sights and activities you plan to see.

Is Paris Doable in 3 Days?

Paris is absolutely doable in 3 days if you are planning to see the basics of the city as well as take some time to relax and enjoy a glass of wine.

But, if you want to go a bit deeper into the city’s history, want to get lost in the Louvre Museum late at night, and find the cafe with the best Croque monsieur, then you would likely benefit from more time.

Is 5 Days Too Much for Paris?

No, 5 days is definitely not too much time to spend in Paris. In fact, you may actually still feel rushed depending on your interests and how much time you spend at each attraction!

Paris is a beautiful, but huge , city. It’s going to take time to get from place to place. Plus, if you plan on visiting in the busy summer months, you’re going to spend a lot of time waiting in ticket lines before you even get to go inside each place.

If you’re visiting in the summer, 5 days could actually be considered a minimum amount of time to spend in Paris. We aren’t particularly fond of city life so we found just a few days in May to be sublime, but you may find yourself feeling rushed at each attraction by the time you get inside.

With tens of thousands of tourists sharing the city’s streets throughout much of the year, it’s a good idea to plan for at least 2-3 days in Paris if you can, with 4-5 days being optimal.

What Can You See in Paris in 7 Days?

This really is the ultimate amount of time to visit Paris. In 7 days, you’ll be able to include almost every sight into your Paris itinerary, as well as stop and take some time to stroll along the Seine or enjoy an espresso in Montmartre.

Not only will you have time to visit the 20 sights and attractions I have listed above (if you would like to), but you’ll also have time to relax and rejuvenate from the day before.

You won’t have to worry about cramming your next destination into a specific day or skipping meals to get on a certain bus (backpackers, I’m sure you understand!)

7 days is the perfect amount of time for families traveling with kids, couples looking to enjoy a romantic vacation, or even solo travelers looking to explore every nook and cranny of this magical city!

How Much Money Should I Bring to Paris for 4 Days?

If you’ll be traveling with just one other person, it’s typically a good idea to budget about $200-300 per day, including accommodation.

While this depends on your travel style (budget hostels vs luxury rooms with a view of the Eiffel Tower) and the length of your trip, Paris can be quite expensive if you’re not careful. Before planning your 4 days Paris itinerary, be sure to set a comfortable budget for yourself.

This will be your guideline as to where you stay, what attractions you visit, where you eat, when you visit, and so on.

For a one-week trip, a solo traveler can expect to spend anywhere between $1,200 – $2,200 .

For a couple to visit Paris for one week, typically the cost ranges between $2,500-$3,500 , including flights.

Season of travel will play a major factor in the cost of a trip, so if you’re on a tight budget, aim to visit Paris during the shoulder season when flight and hotel costs are significantly reduced.

These price ranges include the average cost of flights, metro tickets, food, accommodations, and attractions for all times of the year, with the lower end being in the off-season and the higher end being from peak season (summer months of June through August).

Do They Speak English in Paris?

English is actually included in the curriculum in most French schools starting from a young age, so many people, especially in Paris, speak a fair amount of English.

This is great news for incoming tourists who don’t share their knack for learning new languages, but I always recommend learning at least a few helpful phrases in the local language when you travel.

Your attempt to communicate will go a long way, and if they choose to start speaking English as soon as they hear your less-than-authentic accent, so be it!

Is Paris Safe?

I’m a firm believer in the fact that every city has some good – and not so good – parts. Paris, on the other hand, is very safe .

When traveling across Europe, it’s easy to become overwhelmed with worry of potential attacks, theft, robbery, and other terrible problems that come about when researching safety in Europe.

But, in fact, the biggest issue you may face is common pickpockets . Unfortunately, pickpocketing is a problem in Paris as it is in most parts of Europe. Luckily, it’s easy to avoid by keeping your belongings on the front of your person at all times in a zipped-up bag.

Petty theft is another problem you may face outside of pickpocketing. Petty theft includes leaving your belongings unattended at a café, restaurant, on the metro, in a store, and so on. Leaving your personal items unattended is a sure-fire way of becoming a victim of petty theft, so don’t do it.

Lastly, scams are quite popular in Paris, as well. Never exchange your money for euros on the street and never use an outdoor ATM. Fake euros are worthless in France, and unfortunately, you won’t get your money back.

Outdoor ATMs are also common spots for card scanners that steal your information, especially ones that don’t have an onlooking camera. Instead, use indoor ATMs that require your bank’s card to get inside, or better yet, just find a bank.

Other scams include street games, buying souvenirs from people at popular attractions (especially the Eiffel Tower), and taxis charging surged rates and fees to tourists. Always use the metro or a bus as your first mode of transportation in Europe, never taxis. They are the most common ways tourists get scammed out of their hard-earned cash.

Overall, you don’t really need to worry about your safety in Paris. Just follow common safety practices that you would do anywhere and you’re likely to have a wonderful trip!

If you want a more in-depth look at safety in Paris, check out my article: I s Paris Safe? A Full Guide on Safety in Paris !

What French Phrases Should I Know Before Visiting Paris?

These simple phrases will really go a long way in Paris. Just like in any major city, Parisians deal with a lot of rude tourists so do your best to stand out from the crowd and make their days a little bit better.

Remember, it’s completely free to be kind and you’ll probably get a much better experience because of it!

• Hello – Bonjour
• Good evening – Bonne soirée
• Goodbye – Au revoir
• Please – S’il vous plaît 
• Thank you – Merci
• That’s good – C’est bon
• Where is the bathroom? – Où se trouvent les toilettes?
• How much is it? – Combien ça coûte?
• I would like… – Je voudrais…
• One ticket please – Un billet s’il vous plaît

While there are plenty more useful phrases you could learn, these ones will be essential.

Ordering food, asking for the restroom, and simple courtesies like saying hello, please, and thank you will help you to have a better experience. Just like anywhere you go, you get what you dish out. So, if you’re rude, it’s likely the locals will be rude in return!

3 French Phrases I Wish I Knew Before Visiting Paris

While many locals do speak English in Paris, there are a few very important phrases I wish I had known before I landed at Charles de Gaulle…

Not fully convinced that you should visit Paris? Check out these 25 Reasons to Visit Paris, France !

Have a little extra time to spare? Consider visiting one of these 27 Amazing Day Trips from Paris or these 17 incredible beaches close to Paris ! You can also opt for one of these amazing wine tours in France , but these 13 BEST Bordeaux Wine Tours in 2024 are sure to blow your socks off.

If you’re interested in visiting Normandy , check out these 11 Top-Rated Normandy Tours from Paris: D-Day Beaches & Mont Saint-Michel .

Other Helpful France Resources

Paris Postal Code & Paris Zip Code 2024 (& Diagram!) Strasbourg vs Colmar Christmas Markets: Which City is For You?

If you want to learn some more French before your trip, check out all of my French language articles below!

French Language Resources

Heading to Paris (or Europe, for that matter) and want to brush up on your French-speaking skills before you go? Check out my helpful French-language articles!

✔️ How to Say Nice to Meet You in French 15+ Ways ✔️ Good Morning in French: 17 Helpful French Greetings ✔️ Good Night in French 17+ Ways (& Audio Pronunciation) ✔️ Saying No in French 30+ Ways (& Audio Pronunciation) ✔️ What Time Is It in French 11+ Ways: How to Ask and Tell Time in French ✔️ 33+ Ways to Say Thank You in French ✔️ 1-10 in French: Learn to Count from 1-10+ in French (with Pronunciations) ✔️ Merry Christmas in French 17+ Ways

If you’re starting your planning process, I hope you find all of this information useful and have an exciting trip to Paris!

Gorgeous scenery, glittering lights, Michelin-star cuisine, beautiful language, romantic ambiance, and magical attractions are just some of the reasons many people dream of one day planning their very own 4 days Paris itinerary .

Hey there! I'm Emily Concannon, a seasoned globetrotter who has backpacked her way across over a dozen European countries, immersing myself in the diverse cultures, languages, and cuisines of the region.

My passion for travel transcends personal experiences; I've spent years learning how to transform my globetrotting knowledge into personalized itineraries for fellow travelers worldwide.

With a tally of 26 countries (and counting!) under my belt, my day job involves extensive research on different countries which often leads me to booking a new adventure every chance I get!

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Europe , France · April 7, 2020

Paris in 4 Days: The Ambitious Traveler’s Guide

When we visit someplace new we are the opposite of slow travelers. We like to see as much as we can and make the most of our time there.

Visiting Paris was no different. We weren’t sure when we would make it back so we wanted to devour as much of the city as possible!

We packed a lot into four days and I’m sharing our itinerary if you’re an ambitious traveler like we are!

*Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase or book a reservation through the link provided then we receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. We really appreciate your support!

How to spend four days in Paris

I know it seems like a lot to pack in, but keep in mind that many of these locations are places to walk by en route to different destinations and don’t require a lot of time to visit.

The itinerary includes locations that are grouped in the same area so that it is easy to explore by foot.

Click HERE for a map of all the destinations.

Day 1: Walking tour of Montmartre

Our flight landed in the afternoon and we hit the ground running. We knew the best way to overcome jet lag is to stay awake so that we could get a solid night’s sleep.

We headed to Montmartre, the perfect neighborhood to spend an afternoon exploring.

Montmartre is arguably the most charming and photogenic neighborhood in all of Paris.

The narrow winding cobblestone streets are rich in history and once home to the likes of Picasso, Van Gogh, Renoir, Degas, Matisse, and other influential characters.

You’ll want to start your walking tour of Montmartre at the Sacre Coeur Basilica.

The stunning cathedral also offers the most beautiful views over the city.

After visiting the basilica, head out to one of the many charming cafes, cozy museums, and historic landmarks.

Tip: We have mapped out a complete walking guide of the neighborhood in our post, 12 Spots Not to miss in Montmartre .

Day 2: Explore Le Marais, Ile de la Cite, and the Left Bank

Top things to see in le marais:.

Start your day at the trendy neighborhood of Le Marais. This colorful district is spread across the 3rd and 4th arrondissements on the Right Bank, just north of the Seine River.

This area is steeped in history and is one of the only areas in Paris that was untouched during Haussmann’s reconstruction of Paris in the 1800s.

The cobblestone streets and historic architecture make it a unique gem in the City of Lights.

Marais has long been an enclave for the Jewish community and was the center of suffering during the dark days of WWII.

Today the streets are dotted with Kosher bakeries, Jewish bookstores, specialty shops, falafel stands, and beautiful synagogues.

Over the years, Le Marais has also become a hub for the LGBT community with splashes of brightly colored rainbow crosswalks and flags hanging in windows.

This eclectic and fashionable district is home to museums, galleries, lively restaurants, cafes, and historic landmarks.

The house of Nicolas Flamel can also be found in Marais. Nicolas Flamel was in fact a real person and not just a character contrived in the Harry Potter series.

Flamel was a well-known French scribe and wealthy member of the Parisian bourgeoisie.

After his death, it was rumored that Flamel had discovered the philosopher’s stone and there were legendary accounts that he had achieved immortality.

In 1407 he commissioned a home to be built and it still stands today as the oldest stone house in Paris. You can find the house and ground floor restaurant at 51 Rue de Montmorency.

The Hotel de Ville is also located in Le Marais and serves as Paris’ Town Hall.

The interior of the town hall is closed to the public, but the exterior square is found bustling with people.

The square is also adorned with a vintage carousel, one of the twenty carousels found around the city.

I particularly love this one because it is so photogenic with the neo-renaissance architecture of the building in the background.

Top things to see in Ile de la Cite:

From Hotel de Ville, cross over the Seine River and explore Ile de la Cite, or “Island of the City”. This is one of the two remaining natural islands in the Seine and is where medieval Paris was founded.

Here you will find the prestigious cathedral of Notre Dame. The devastating fire in April 2019 destroyed much of the historic church.

When we visited a year later they had informational panels erected chronicling the history and the efforts being made to restore the church.

It was interesting to note that they were using robotic arms to sort through the debris in areas that were too dangerous for crews to enter.

It will be a long road to recovery, but hopefully the cathedral will one day be restored to reflect its original awe-inspiring architecture.

Tip: Our favorite creperie, Creperie du Cloitre, can be found directly north of the cathedral in the shadow of Notre Dame. All crepes are not created equally, and these crepes were our favorite in the city!

Cafe Au Vieux Paris

There are also a number of cute cafes scattered around the island, like Café Au Vieux Paris. This cafe is an Instagram favorite, particularly in the springtime when it is draped in wisteria.

The cafe can be found on Rue Chanoinesse, a medieval street that was once home to an order of monks.

Tip: Just to the left of the cafe behind a maroon door at 26 Rue Chanoinesse, you’ll find the Gravestone Courtyard. The paving stones in this courtyard are made from old gravestones that still contain engravings.

Sainte Chapelle

Next, head over to the Sainte Chapelle. This exquisite Gothic church is one of my favorites in all of Europe.

Over 1,100 opulent stained glass window panes surround the chapel. The panes are arranged across 15 towering windows and depict scenes from the Old and New Testament.

The chapel was originally built to house precious Christian relics, including Christ’s crown of thorns (which was later moved to Notre Dame).

There is a small chapel on the main floor, from which visitors will then ascend up a narrow spiral staircase to reach the main chapel.

The best time to visit is first thing in the morning or an hour before sunset when the light filters through the windows.

Sainte Chapelle is located within the same complex as the Conciergerie. Both sites can be visited with a combo ticket priced at 15 euros.

The Conciergerie

The Conciergerie is an impressive former Gothic palace situated on the banks of the Seine.

During the French Revolution, the Conciergerie was used as a prison. This is where Marie Antoinette spent her final days in captivity before being executed.

Visitors can view her cell, which has been transformed into a small chapel and shrine.

Today the Conciergerie boasts the largest Gothic Hall in all of Europe and serves as a museum with fascinating displays.

The informational plaques give an insightful look into what life was like inside these walls.

For instance, prisoners had to finance their own detention. This means that the poor were forced to cram into small dark cells while the wealthy reclined in comfort and even hired artists to paint their last portrait.

During the height of the Revolution, there were as many as 500 prisoners held at a time.

The Conciergerie was never a place of execution, but the carts would depart from here to transport the prisoners to the execution site at Place de la Concorde (located adjacent to the Tuileries Garden).

Before their departure, prisoners would visit the Grooming Room where they would have their hair cut in order to allow clear passage of the guillotine blade. Today guests can view a reconstruction of this room.

The museum is very well done with free maps for a self-guided tour and the option to purchase an audio tour.

As you head out of the Conciergerie, turn left and you can find the oldest clock in Paris.

Pont Neuf Bridge

Paris has 37 bridges that cross the Seine River. Two notable bridges near Ile de la Cite are Pont Neuf and Pont des Arts.

Pont Neuf is the oldest existing bridge in Paris. The bridge is lined with sculptures and stone masks. You’ll also find a bronze statue of Henry IV on horseback.

Pont des Arts Bridge

The Pont des Arts Bridge was the original “Bridge of Locks” in Paris. Lovers would write their names on a lock then attach it to the railing and throw the key in the river to seal their love forever.

The railings became too heavy and collapsed under the weight of all the locks. The railings have since been replaced with glass panels.

The tourists just can’t seem to let the tradition go, though, and have since begun attaching locks to the posts.

Cross over the bridge and begin exploring the Left Bank of the Seine River.

Top things to see on the Left Bank of the Seine:

Saint-Germain-des-Pres

The chic neighborhood of Saint-Germain-des-Prés is filled with upscale shopping, classic Parisian cafes, and elegant dining.

Grab a table at the trendy Cafe de Flore or neighboring Les Deux Magots. These cafes were often frequented by the likes of Picasso and Hemingway.

Paris’ oldest church can also be found in Saint Germain, the 11th century Église de Saint-Germain-des-Prés.

The ever photogenic Laduree Bakery is also found here, there are 10 locations around Paris.

Tip: Cafe de Flore is known for serving the best hot chocolate in Paris. Each order comes with a small pitcher of milk and melted chocolate that you mix together in a mug.

Eglise Saint Sulpice

Saint Sulpice stands as the second largest cathedral in Paris, second only to Notre Dame. Construction took place between 1646 to 1745 and took nearly a century to complete.

The church gained notoriety after being featured in Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code. However, it still remains a quiet respite away from the crowds.

The church is free to visit, and while you’re there be sure to notice the large gnomon (the part of a sundial that casts a shadow) and the brass line on the floor.

This was designed to mark the exact time of Easter, along with other astronomical events. This was referred to as the fictional “Rose Line” in The Da Vinci Code .

On the exterior, you’ll notice that the two distinctive towers are not quite identical. The one on the right was never completed and remains hollow inside.

Tip: The church’s renowned organ is one of the finest and largest in the world. Free organ recitals are held every Sunday afternoon.

Luxembourg Gardens

The Luxembourg Palace was built for the Italian-born queen, Marie de Medici, and is patterned after the Medici Palace, Palazzo Pitti, in Florence .

The palace is surrounded by a 56 acre garden with sprawling lawns, blooming flower beds, more than 100 statues, and the sparkling Medici Fountain.

Tip: If you go to the southwest area of the garden near the entrance off of Rue de Fleuris, you can find a beekeeping school with dozens of bee box hives. The beehives have been a fixture in the gardens since the 19th century.

The Pantheon is a revered mausoleum found in Paris’ Latin Quarter. Over the years, the austere structure has served both as a religious and patriotic monument.

There are historical displays and informational plaques throughout the Pantheon, but my favorite part is the extensive crypt that can be found on the lower level.

The crypt serves as the final resting place for many of France’s most influential citizens. This includes, among others, Voltaire, Rousseau, Victor Hugo, Marie Curie, and Emile Zola.

The narrow corridors are lined with tombs that are well marked. Outside the tombs you will find a digital screen noting who is laid to rest there along with a brief synopsis of their life.

There is also a digital map at the entrance categorized in alphabetical order to easier assist in helping visitors locate a tomb.

The Pantheon dome climb is also a popular tourist attraction and offers unrivaled views over Paris.

Entrance to the Pantheon is 9 euros (free for youth 17 years and younger), with an additional charge of 2 euros to tour the dome. Free entry is offered during the offseason on the first Sunday of the month.

As an interesting side note, the Paris Pantheon is where astronomer Jean Bernard Leon Foucault carried out his pendulum experiment that proved that the world spins on an axis.

Sorbonne University

Sorbonne University is another notable landmark in the Latin Quarter. It was founded in 1150 and holds claim as the second oldest university in Europe and one of the oldest in the world.

Access to the central courtyard is for students only, but you can admire the exterior and sneak a peak in through the gates.

Shakespeare and Company Bookstore

Shakespeare and Co. Bookstore has a reputation for being the most famous bookstore in Paris. The first Shakespeare and Co. was opened in 1919, but unfortunately closed during WWII and never reopened.

The current English language bookshop was founded in 1951 by American George Whitman.

When it first opened its doors, writers, artists, and intellectuals were welcomed to stay at the bookshop and sleep in the aisles among the books.

In exchange for a place to stay, guests were asked to read a book a day, volunteer to help in the shop for a few hours each day, and write a one-page autobiography.

Over 30,000 well-known and aspiring writers have stayed at the bookshop, creating an impressive archive of autobiographies and stories.

No photos are allowed inside, but you’ll find a quaint library upstairs where you can cozy up with a book.

There is also a small cafe next door if you prefer a cup of coffee while you read.

Tip: Square René Viviani is located adjacent to the bookshop. This beautiful public square was built on a former cemetery and is home to the oldest tree in Paris. Across the street from the square, you’ll also find a photogenic pink apartment building at 5 Rue Lagrange.

Odette Cafe

The Odette is the epitome of an adorable French cafe.

It is situated on an enchanting cobblestone street that feels as if it belongs on the set of a movie.

The cafe is known for their choux pastry, a French cream puff. They come in a variety of flavors that you can take to-go.

However, for the full experience, I would recommend ordering a cup of coffee or hot chocolate and being seated in one of the tiny rooms.

A winding narrow spiral staircase leads up to three levels with an intimate dining area on each level.

It is utterly charming and you’ll feel like you’re in a dollhouse!

Day 3: Visit The Louvre, Eiffel Tower, and Arc de Triomphe

Tips for visiting the louvre and nearby attractions:.

Louvre Museum

The Lourve is the world’s largest art museum and the most visited museum in the world.

Construction began in the late 12th century as the Louvre Castle. Evidence of the original fortress can be found in the museum’s basement and crypt. 

The Louvre later served as the French monarchy’s royal palace beginning in 1546 until they took up residence at the Palace of Versailles. 

Visiting the Louvre can easily take an entire day. The museum spans almost 2 miles with over 650,000 square feet and 38,000 works of art. The most famous work of art being Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa .

There is always a crowd around the painting, but you’ll have a better chance of seeing her up close if you go first thing in the morning or later in the evening.

If you are planning to see Paris in only 4 days, you may opt to just visit the iconic glass pyramids outside the museum.

The museum is free for everyone on the first Saturday evening of the month from 6 pm to 9:45 pm, and every Friday evening from 6 pm to 9:45 pm for anyone under 26 years old.

If you plan it right, you can pop in for a quick evening tour at no charge.

Palais Royale

The Palais Royale is the former royal palace of Cardinal Richelieu and was later the childhood home of Louis XIV.

The interior is closed to the public, however, tourists are drawn to the unique outdoor art installation.

The Les Colonnes de Buren by artist Daniel Buren is a collection of 260 black and white striped columns of various heights that have been strategically lined up in the courtyard of the palace.

Be sure to visit the palace gardens, Jardin du Palais, adjacent to the palace as well.

Tuileries Gardens

The Tuileries Gardens offer the perfect spot to take a break from the city and crowds. The sprawling gardens come alive in the warmer months with colorful blooms and locals enjoying picnics and leisurely runs.

The gardens were originally commissioned by Catherine de’ Medici when she was living in the Louvre.

It was designed to reflect an Italian Renaissance garden with fountains, a labyrinth, a grotto, kitchen gardens, and vineyards.

Along with the expertly manicured gardens, you’ll also find a large collection of sculptures.

The gardens were made public after the French Revolution and is where the citizens of Paris gathered to celebrate.

The Place de la Concorde is also located at the west end of the gardens.

In the square, you’ll notice a large granite Obelisk. It is one of two ancient Egyptian obelisks that once stood on either side of the Luxor Temple doors during the reign of Ramesses II.

The second obelisk still remains in Egypt. If you look closely, you’ll see hieroglyphic inscriptions in honor of the pharaoh.

This large square is also where many executions took place during the Revolution, including that of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.

This also marks the beginning of the famed Paris street, Champs-Elysees.

Musee d’Orsay

The Musee d’Orsay is my favorite museum in Paris. The museum is housed in a former railway station with stunning Beaux-Arts architecture.

I was smitten with the massive station clock in the main hall, and equally in love with the oversize window clocks.

The window clocks are located on the 5th floor of the museum with one in the restaurant and the other just outside the restaurant.

Not only does the clock make for a perfect photo, but the view out the window across the Paris rooftops is spectacular.

The museum also houses the largest collection of impressionist and post-impressionist artwork in the world. You’ll find masterpieces by Monet, Degas, Renoir, Cezanne, Seurat, Van Gogh, and many more.

Tip: Admission to the Musee d’Orsay is free on the first Sunday of the month. Check here for a list of all the free museums and monuments.

Tips for visiting the Eiffel Tower and nearby attractions:

As you make your way from Musee d’Orsay to Rue Cler, take a slight detour to admire the majestic Pont Alexandre III bridge.

This famed Beaux-Arts style bridge is lined with sculptures of Greek and Roman mythological nymphs and creatures.

This bridge has also made a few cameo appearances in movies such as Midnight in Paris and Anastasia.

The Grand Palais can also be found just across the bridge.

This large exhibition hall and museum features a stunning domed glass roof, which just so happens to be the roof that Ethan Hunt parachutes onto in Mission Impossible: Fall Out .

In the winter, the open hall is magically transformed into an ice rink.

After that little tour, head over to the Rue Cler street market. This open-air market offers all the classic French fare.

The pedestrian-only original cobblestone street is lined with specialty shops, cafes, bakeries, delis, florists, restaurants, and street vendors.

Rue Cler is where the locals come to mingle and do their shopping.

It is also the perfect spot to gather some baguettes and fresh fruit to enjoy a picnic on the lawn at Champ de Mars while watching the Eiffel Tower light show.

Eiffel Tower

As you make your way to the Eiffel Tower, there are a few great spots to grab photos. We have them mapped out in our guide, 7 Spectacular Places to Take Photos of the Eiffel Tower .

The Eiffel Tower is the world’s most visited paid structure and attracts millions of visitors each year.

The tower was originally constructed as an entrance gate to the World’s Fair. Many Parisians disliked it because they felt it was too modern.

If visiting the top of the Eiffel Tower is at the top of your bucket list, be sure to purchase tickets in advance online. You’ll need to arrive 30 minutes before your time slot to get through security.

There are two options for visiting the tower, visitors can climb the 674 steps to the second level. Here you’ll find restaurants and shops. The cost is 10 euros and tickets are only available onsite, not online.

To access the top of the tower, visitors will take an elevator to the summit. Here you’ll find an open-air and indoor viewing area, as well as a champagne bar and small museum.

You can also catch a glimpse of Gustave Eiffel’s apartment while on the way up. The cost is 25 euros and advanced ticket purchase is recommended.

Place du Trocadero

Place du Trocadero is the most popular spot in Paris to take photos of the Eiffel Tower.

Trocadero Square is a sunny plaza located atop the bottom floor of the Palais de Chaillot and is flanked by two wings of the building.

Today the Palais de Chaillot houses several museums and the square offers uninterrupted views of the Eiffel Tower.

The crowning jewel of the Trocadero Gardens is the Fountain of Warsaw. The fountain puts on an impressive show with its 20 water cannons.

When the water is placid it provides the perfect glass reflection of the Eiffel Tower.

You’ll also find a vintage carousel located in the right corner of the garden that provides the perfect photo op.

Tips for visiting the Arc de Triomphe

Arc de Triomphe

The Arc de Triomphe stands as an impressive monument honoring the victories of Napoleon Bonaparte.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from WWI and the eternal flame can also be found on the street level under the arch.

The arc is found in the center of a massive roundabout at Place de Charles De Gaulle. Twelve different streets fan out from the roundabout.

Do not attempt to cross the road to access the arc, there is an underground tunnel that leads directly to the ticket booth.

Visitors can then climb 284 steps up a narrow spiral staircase to reach the rooftop viewing deck.

This is my favorite view of the city. If you are short on time, I would recommend skipping the Eiffel Tower climb and visiting the Arc de Triomphe viewing deck instead.

It reveals the whole of Paris, including the Eiffel Tower, where as the view from the Eiffel Tower only includes the cityscape.

A small museum is also located within the Arc de Triompe chronicling the history and construction.

Tickets are 8 euros for adults, youth 17 years and younger are free. Skip-the-line tickets are also available for $14.40. Entrance is free on the first Sunday of the month from January through March.

Avenue des Champs-Elysees

Avenue des Champs-Elysees is one of 12 streets fanning out from the Arc de Triomphe. It is arguably the most recognizable street in all of Paris, perhaps the world.

This 1.2 mile glitzy avenue was once an extension of the Tuileries Gardens.

Today it is comparable to New York’s 5th Avenue and is filled with high-end flagship stores, luxe boutiques, and fine dining, as well as global chain stores.

Laduree is a popular luxury bakery that is known for their signature macarons.

The shop found on Champs-Elysees is an Instagram hotspot. It is common to see a line out the door for their macarons and a photo-op.

However, there are other locations around the city that are less crowded.

Another fun fact, Champs-Elysees also marks the finish for the epic Tour de France cycling race.

Tip: Expect to pay 21 euros for a box of 4 macarons at Laduree. If you are looking for macarons without breaking the bank, McDonald’s sells a box of 6 macarons for 7 euros. If you’re looking to bring some home as a gift, Paul Bakery inside the Charles de Gaulle Airport sells a gift box of 12 macarons for $11.90.

Day 4: A few more recommendations if you have time

The last day is a chance to catch anything you may have missed. You might also consider taking a day trip to the Palace of Versailles .

If you still have time to see a few more sites, here are some recommendations.

Canal St. Martin

While the tourists are hanging out on the banks of the Seine, the locals head to Canal St Martin.

Napoleon created this canal in order to have a waterway connecting the Seine to northwest Paris.

Today, it is a vibrant hipster hangout with colorful street art and riverfront cafes.

Take a river cruise down the canal, or enjoy a leisurely picnic on the grassy banks.

Tip: We grabbed artisan sandwiches from Fric Frac on the banks of Canal St. Martin and they were amazing!

Place des Vosges

Place des Vosges is the oldest planned square in Paris. It was once the Palace Royale and residential square lined with aristocratic homes.

Notable residents included Cardinal Richelieu, Victor Hugo, and Anne of Austria.

Today visitors can tour Victor Hugo’s former home and free museum, Maison de Victor Hugo. Visitors can also enjoy the public green space and neighboring cafes.

Rue Cremieux

Rue Cremieux was once a hidden gem, but this colorful street has gained recognition in the Instagram world. It is now a popular photo spot reminiscent of London’s Portobello Street.

The cobblestone lane is lined with pastel colored row houses and is perhaps the most charming street in Paris.

The homes were constructed in 1865 but were not painted with sunny pops of colors until 1996.

If you do visit, keep in mind that this is a residential street. Be respectful and keep the noise to a minimum and do not take photos on the resident’s doorsteps.

Tip: This street is not in the typical tourist area, you will need to take the train to reach the neighborhood. The Gare de Lyon is the closest train station. This beautiful historic station was built for the 1900 World Exposition. The onsite Le Train Bleu Restaurant has been serving guests since 1901.

Galleries Lafayette

The Galleries Lafayette shopping center offers one of the best panoramic views of Paris, and the best part is that it is free.

The 7th-floor rooftop terrace can be reached by escalator in the main department store.

As you look out across the city, you can capture the neighboring Paris Opera House and the Eiffel Tower in the same frame. You can also see as far out as Notre Dame and the Sacre Coeur.

If you have time, take a backstage tour of the neighboring Paris Opera House, Palais Garnier.

This is the birthplace of the Phantom of the Opera where the legendary opera ghost resides in box 5.

The interior is exquisite with a small-scale version of the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles Hall.

Passage des Panoramas

Paris was once home to fashionable covered passageways lined with small shops and cafes.

Today only a handful of these passageways still exist. Passage des Panoramas is the oldest of these covered passages dating back to 1799.

If you are in the area, it is worth strolling through and popping into a vintage bookshop or souvenir store.

Seine River Cruise

The Seine River gently winds its way through the heart of Paris, carrying with it its fair share of storied history.

With origins dating back to the Stone Age, the Seine was also used by the Vikings to invade France in 885 CE.

After Joan of Arc was burned at the stake, it is believed that her ashes were scattered across the river.

The Seine also served as the venue for water sports in the 1900 Summer Olympics.

Later, the Seine River was witness to a dark day in Paris’ history when an unknown number of peaceful protesters were beaten and drowned in the river during the 1961 Paris Massacre. A remembrance plaque can be found on Pont Saint-Michel.

The Seine has also served as the source of inspiration for many artists and poets, particularly Claude Monet.

Take a moment to relax on the banks and perhaps enjoy a picnic while reflecting on the history that flows through these waters.

Taking a river cruise along this historic river is one of the most popular things to do in Paris.

The Bateaux Parisiens is located near the Eiffel Tower with cruises starting at only $18. There are also a variety of cruises offered, including romantic night cruises through the City of Lights.

The river passes by many of the most popular sites in Paris and a hop-on hop-off tour is a great option to see them all.

Catacombs of Paris

Exploring the Catacombs of Paris is such a unique experience. The 90-minute self-guided audio tour leads you below the streets of Paris through a labyrinth of tunnels.

Here you’ll learn the history of the mining tunnel and how it became a bone graveyard.

In the 18th century, the cemeteries became overcrowded so over 6 million graves were excavated from around the city and the bones were then transferred to this mine shaft.

The bones have been reverently and respectfully arranged. I expected the tunnels to feel dark and creepy, but instead felt a sense of peace.

Tickets often sell out so it is recommended to purchase them in advance. The line is also shorter for those with a pre-paid ticket.

I hope this itinerary helps you make the most of your 4 days in Paris. It is such an incredible city with so much to see and do!

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About Jamie

Family travel expert and content creator who has been inpsiring millions with her travel guides since 2018.

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An Awesome Paris 4 Day Itinerary With A Map & A Guide To Download

There is nothing like enjoying 4 days in Paris by having picnics in front of the Eiffel Tower, sipping on French wine, eating some stinky cheeses, and people-watching from Parisian cafes. The second you enter this absolutely charming city, you’ll understand what the hype is all about.

Believe it or not, I had absolutely no interest in seeing Paris. The idea of endless tourists, landmarks seen in every other cheesy movie, and some sketchy things happening in the streets, had absolutely no appeal to me. But I got sucked into seeing it by my travel buddy at the time and let me tell you… I first stepped foot in Paris in 2016 and have been back 5 times since.

This guide is simple, I’ll tell you what you need to know before visiting the city, then I’ll go into which places you should see on your trip, and lastly, I’ll give you a plan to download for your 4-day Paris getaway.

Let’s get to some Paris logistics

Before we get into an awesome 4-day Paris itinerary, let’s go over some logistics of visiting this city. Paris is really big and it’s divided into 20 Arrondissements or districts. Most places are not within walking distance so you’ll need to know how to navigate the metro. Although I tried to capture a lot in this plan, a Paris 4 day itinerary is merely an introduction to the city and there is absolutely no way that you will be able to see everything during that time.

Brutal truth first

Before we take a deep dive into the logistics, let’s get some things out of the way first. Paris is just like another large metropolitan city. It’s filled with tourists, it’s stinky and sometimes dirty, it has questionable characters in dark alleyways, the streets smell like cigarettes, oh, and don’t even get me started on the metro thieves. So whatever image you have of Paris, whether it’s a land of romance, beret-wearing humans, and everyone being happy in the streets because it’s Paris, get it out of your head.

Paris is indeed awesome and in no way am I trying to discourage you from going, but have a realistic expectations before you step foot in it.

Best time to visit Paris

While some will argue that Paris is great to visit all year round, I will politely disagree. Having visited during the early tourist season (June), peak tourist season (July and August), and also the fall (October), I will say that early summer is ideal. And yes, there will be tourists around but it is a good time to visit simply due to the weather. Fall in my opinion was a little too chilly and the constant rain didn’t make it too pleasant either but it was significantly less crowded.

Navigating Paris

Paris airports.

Paris is served by a couple of popular airports all accessible from the city center: 

• Charles de Gaulle: if you’re flying internationally, most likely this will be your airport. It’s a large busy airport but everything is labeled very nicely so you should not have a problem finding gates, transport or information. To get to the city center you have a couple of options. Use the RER-B train for €11.40 each way to get to the city in about 30 mins. There is also a Roissy bus that runs from the city center but it’s a much longer journey. Lastly, you will always find taxis and Ubers at a rate of about €50.00 or more. This option makes the most sense to groups large enough to even out the cost of the train. 
• Orly: international and domestic, this is the second busiest airport. I’d recommend taking the Orlybus there because it is quick, cheap (under €10), and direct from the Paris Denfert-Rocheau stop. You can also take RER-B train to get there and then take a transfer shuttle called Orlyval at the Antony station. NOTE: RER-B north takes you to CDG and RER-B south takes you to Orly. Don’t mess this up. There is also RER-C that has a similar shuttle at Pont de Rugis. The cost is around €12. Taxi and Uber are easier options and run at about €35 each way. Point is, that the bus is the most straightforward option here. 
• Beauvais-Tillé Airport: for budget airlines. If you’re flying somewhere within Europe and you paid €15 for your flight, this is your hub. Take the shuttle from the city center stop Porte Maillot called the Beauvais shuttle for €15.90 (costing as much as your flight heheh). 

Metro & trains within the city

The Paris Metro is relatively cheap, at just €1.90 per trip. If you buy 10 tickets it will be even cheaper for a set. It runs very frequently between 5:30 am and 12:40 am and a little later (1:40 am) on the weekends. Note the difference between Paris Metro and Paris RER. RER is a train network connecting the suburbs but the city center is often connected to Metro stations. When traveling outside of certain zones out of the city center, you will need a separate ticket. Gare du Nord is the main metro/train station in the city and your hub for everything.

Navigating the Paris Metro

Having grown up in the NYC area with its infamous subway system, I always love navigating trains in new cities. Paris has an insane metro system that will get you literally anywhere you possibly want to go. Nonetheless, it can be overwhelming when you first look at it. The direction of the train is designated by the last stops so you will know easily know which side of the track you should be on. The transfers between the trains are included in your ticket so even if the closest line doesn’t go to your stop, there sure is a combination of them that will get you there.

What I recommend doing is studying this map for a couple of minutes before you get to Paris. Mark two spots on it and practice navigating from point A to point B.

Where to stay in Paris

You can budget, you can splurge, or something in between.

If you love hostels like I love hostels, I’d recommend St. Christopher’s Inn and Generator Hostel. St. Christopher’s has a fun bar and night parties, walking tours, sweet pod beds, and modern amenities. The Generator has an awesome set-up, good food, and comfy beds, but it doesn’t have the atmosphere that I look for when staying in a hostel.

If you want to splurge on your trip, I recommend doing so on Airbnb with a Parisian view. I stayed in one on my most recent trip. The beautiful courtyard and squeeky wooden doors were worth every penny. Additionally, good old hotels might be worth checking out too depending on your group size.

Wherever you decide to stay, just choose a place based on a location preference. Decide what you’d like to prioritize, a landmark, a metro stop, a social atmosphere, or some peace and quiet somewhere outside the city. Make sure to book in advance in high seasons because prices are not low in this city. If you’re a first-timer in Paris consider staying in the following arrondissements: 7th Eiffel Tower, 18th Montemarte, 5th Latin Quarter, and 1st Louvre as they’re pretty central to the places you want to see.

People & Safety

Before I visited Paris, I often heard of the rude Parisian stereotype encounter. Don’t get me wrong, when you’re being an ass in public or even your own culture’s stereotype, no matter where you go, people will give you looks and most likely judge the shit out of you. So be polite, learn how to say hello, please, thank you, cheers, and goodbye in French (and any other country you plan on traveling to) and you will most likely be treated like a normal human being. Note that greeting the staff in French is actually a must. It is considered very rude not to say hello when you enter a business.

Don’t start with immediately taking photos and making tiktoks either. Sit, enjoy your surroundings for a little and there will be time for a good picture. If you don’t act like a tourist stereotype, you won’t be treated as one.

I personally did not encounter any rude individuals and had a very pleasant experience during all my Paris visits. A Parisian lady even stopped a pickpocketing happening to my mom on a metro by screaming her lungs out at the thief.

Speaking of theft, pickpocketers are everywhere as in any other major tourist hub so don’t be an idiot and keep your valuables close to you. Be super vigilant about your belongings on a train as people will try to distract and pickpocket you. Overall you should be fine, don’t venture into dark corners alone, be careful when traveling at night and be smart.

Backpacking in Paris

While this guide is not necessarily about budgeting in Paris, two of my trips there were indeed backpacker-style ones. I stayed in a 4-bed hostel room, made sure to eat some meals at the less popular places, and visited a mix of paid and free attractions in the city. We didn’t splurge on a nice Airbnb and you’re damn right that we took at metro everywhere we went. All in all, while backpacking in Paris is certainly not backpacking in South America , it can be done and you won’t necessarily sacrifice things to do because of it.

Paris could be expensive or it could be cheap depending on your expectations. If you share an Airbnb and take public transport, you won’t spend as much as you think. For example, eating a Parisian breakfast by standing up in a cafe with a croissant and a coffee will cost you under 5 euros. Sitting down at an insta cafe for breakfast will cost you 20. Grabbing dinner at the top of the Eiffel Tower will set you back a couple of hundred euros vs having a picnic in front of it will cost you 15 euros including alcohol.

Food in Paris

In Paris, you could either have the best or the worst food you’ve ever had in your life. Seriously, there are so many restaurants and cafes that you can easily fall victim to the tourist trap of yesterday’s-reheated-leftovers-spot. Be very careful when choosing a place. The general rule of thumb is to never ever eat near the main attraction but rather walk a couple of streets away to find a little gem. In Paris, I would always deeply investigate using multiple sources the restaurant I was about to enter. Google it, Yelp it, Facebook it, and read travel blogs to find some hidden gems. Don’t wing it in a city full of tourists when it comes to your main meals. 

One thing you have to try there is the bread. I promise that after one bite of that heavenly carb stick you will never look at bread the same again. Simply find the closest boulangerie (bakery) near your stay, venture there in the morning and get yourself a nice hot french baguette. Most bakeries make their own bread and pastries, serving you some quality products. Don’t settle on afternoon supermarket bread, find the real deal. 

If you’re looking for specifics here, I am not a great resource for spots however, there are other awesome people that did their homework on this topic:

• Paris By Mouth: They offer their restaurant recommendations along with some amazing food tours. If you read my other posts you know that it’s one of my favorite activities to do in any city.
• My Travel Buzzg: A good list of dishes you simply must try.
• Untold Morcels: Great guide for all sorts of restaurants.
• Tips are not necessary in Paris. If you really want you can leave a euro or two.
• Do not as for any substitutions. That’s an American thing and you will piss off your server.
• Speaking of being American, you are not right. The restaurant is, the waiter is, you are not.
• Ask for the bill when you’re ready because the waiter most likely won’t ask you.

Random Advice for Paris Travel

• If you’re approached by some gypsy women that are asking you to sign their petition, hold your pockets and walk away asap.
• Carry change: When you go to the market, for a croissant or a bottle of water.
• Nannybag/Luggage Hero are genius services and I highly recommend them. It’s like a little Airbnb for your bags if you want to leave your luggage in a better location. Consider using luggage storage at the busier train/metro stations if that’s pricey.
• French wine and cheese are truly awesome. 
• Paris is a great hub to go Europe hopping. Consider visiting some of my favorite places like Santorini and Mykonos , Budapest or Lisbon !

Paris 4-day Itinerary

Let’s just say it can be extremely overwhelming to see all of Paris. There are so many things to see, so much history to learn and so many selfies to take. Be ok with not seeing everything. Seriously, it will make your trip much more memorable to quality-see a couple of important landmarks than to quantity-see everything. Below you will find a suggested guide to seeing Paris in 4 days.

Let’s start your 4-day Paris itinerary at a Boulangerie.

If your accommodation is not ready for check-in, ask to store your luggage before going out to explore. You can also use lockers at the major metro stations.

Make sure to load up on some carbs and coffee for energy before a long day ahead. I suggest this for your first stop because the earlier you get to a boulangerie, the fresher your baguette will be! And there is no complete trip to Paris without having a truly fresh, still hot, perfect french baguette. So whichever part of the city you’re stationed in, please find an authentic french bakery (ask the hotel staff, search the internet, or simply ask a local in the street) and go for some morning goodies.

When you find that bakery, you’ll experience something amazing: the initial overwhelming scent of freshly baked bits of heaven, locals buying their breakfast pastries, tourists being confused by all the options, and friendly staff trying to please everyone in the store. It will be an experience within itself, but it will all get even better when you take that first bite of your baguette or pastry. 

Now let’s see what the Louvre is all about.

Why not jump right into the highlights of Paris and start your 4-day itinerary by seeing the Lourve! Well kinda because we won’t go inside just yet 🙂 Take the metro from your morning stop to Musee du Louvre station. It will drop you off at the museum grounds. I personally wouldn’t go right into a tour but rather we will save this for later in your itinerary. The museum itself goes on for (literal) miles and with its overwhelming interior, it’s a lot to take in on your first day. It will also exhaust you before you see any Paris.

Here me out why you’re here though. The outside of the Louvre is a whole artwork within itself, and I strongly recommend taking some time there to soak it all in rather than rush to get inside. There is a little (overpriced) cafe with prime views of the plaza with the famous pyramid. This area is also a good start to your Paris exploration as well.

Visiting the Louvre

I’ll save the visit for the inside for either the last day or an evening tour later in the day. As mentioned, the inside is insanely big and you won’t be able to cover it all in a couple of days let alone a couple of hours. The Mona Lisa you ask? Super overrated and super tiny so the chances of you enjoying the painting are non-existent. Going in there just to say you’ve been to the Louvre is a waste of your time and money due to how large this place is. If you enjoy art, make sure to plan what you want to see rather than blindly going inside.

If you go inside during the day here is a little hack: you can buy the tickets in a gift shop downstairs in the Louvre and enter through the underground entrance. The line is usually a lot shorter than the outside, sometimes even nonexistent. Another cool option is an after-hours tour which is much much pricier yet something worth splurging on.

Small pause at Jardin Dus Tuilries

These gardens are directly across from the museum so just continue walking in a straight direction through them. The gardens have many small ponds with chairs where you can find a ton of locals catching some sun. Wander around for a bit, grab some ice cream and take a small pause. 

Next, a shopping stop at Champs Elysee.

Once you reach the end of the park, explore the famous Champs Elysees shopping street. It is a very long avenue with many stores ranging from Zara to some high-end spots. If shopping streets give you anxiety, you can skip this part by jumping onto the Franklin D. Roosevelt metro stop to continue your journey. However, if you always wanted to see what the hype is about, continue walking and admiring all the fancy shops. This is a prime spot to get pickpocketed so be cautious my fellow explorer.

Many tourists like to stop in the famous Laduree macaroon shop. While I am the biggest critic of major tourist traps, I did give this place a chance. My judgment? The store interior and the whole experience are worth a stop so when in Paris, why not get a quick sugary snack. At the end of this street, you will reach the famous Arc de Triomphe. There is a nice viewing area on top of it so head up there to admire some city views! 

Early evening picnic at Eiffel Tower. 

The must-do for every Paris trip is a sunset picnic in front of the Eiffel Tower. I would suggest first entering the area through Place du Trocadero (Trocadero Metro Stop). If you followed my route above, you can either walk ~20 min on Ave. Kleber or take a quick (3 stops) M6 ride from Charles de Gaulle – Étoile to Trocadéro.

Once you first see a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower, you’ll fall into grand awe. It is truly a remarkable first sight and trust me, what you’ve seen in the movies doesn’t even begin to do its justice. Walk around a little bit, take your photo, and head towards the other side of the tower to Champ de Mars . There you’ll find a big lawn area where you can find your perfect spot for enjoying your picnic. To get your picnic supplies, venture off a little to the side streets and you should have no problem finding a small neighborhood store. Pick up some bread, cheese, fruit, and bubbly. I recommend waiting until it gets dark and you get to see the tower light up. Some find the lights cheesy and they’re probably right … I think they’re pretty badass 🙂

So there you go my fellow adventurer, your perfect first day in Paris is now done!

Your second day in Paris should be a little easier. Hopefully, you got more comfortable with the metro, practiced your Bon Jours and Mercis and now you’re ready to explore more of this beautiful city. 

Let’s get started at a Parisian Cafe.

Yesterday you explored a nice boulangerie so today let’s try something new. Today let’s take a slow morning sitting in a typical Parisian cafe, enjoying our fresh croissants while doing some people-watching. Before I went to Paris, I always pictured wicker chairs with some color accents, small round tables, and people enjoying al fresco dining. And that is exactly what I saw the second I entered the city. Make sure to become the main character for a little and spend some time sitting in this kind of setting. 

Luxembourg Gardens

These gardens are the perfect location to start your day two in Paris. They’re not too big and will become the starting point for exploring this area of town. You can take the train to the Luxembourg stop or even Port Royal. There is a palace in the park as well which you can visit but with limited time in the city, you might want to skip it.

Next, the Latin Quarter

A short walk from the garden, you’ll find the Latin Quarter. This is a cute area of Paris because it’s not as touristy as the more popular areas. The majority of the area is academic so you’ll find a younger vibe here. Find a cute lunch spot near the Pantheon to take a small pause. Some notable landmarks here are the Pantheon, Eglise Saint-Séverin Saint-Nicolas Church, and Eglise Saint-Etienne du Mont Church. Note that the Pantheon has a nice rooftop terrace for 360 views of Paris. I also recommend grabbing lunch in this area.

If you walk down from the Pantheon via the most known street Rue St-Michel towards Rue de la Harpe, you’ll find many cute little streets with small shops here. Get lost here for a little, it’s a small area so you’ll be able to see most of it. Next, the Place Saint Michel, is a very touristy area but hey, we need a dose of that atmosphere as well. There are many shops in that area and often, you’ll find a little outdoorsy artisanal market.

Following my route above, you’ll quickly notice Notre Dame if you reach the Seine River. Due to the tragic fire of April 2019, as of today, you will not be able to explore the magnificent Cathedral. However, it is still possible to see its beauty from the outside.

Your morning stops were all concentrated within short walks of one another but to this next stop, you’ll need to catch a 25-30 min train. You might want to relax a little after a busy morning but I recommend exploring the next area before sunset. Catching the sunset here is magical on a good weather day so I would make sure not to miss out on this experience.

Explore Montemarte and catch the sunset at Sacre Coeur

Ok, close your eyes and picture Paris. You probably see narrow cobblestone streets, little cafes, painters, and happy people? Well, this is actually Montemarte. Artists like Picasso, Modigliani, Miro, Renoir, and Van Gogh all made that area their home at some point and for a reason.

Take the metro to Anvers stop and make your way up the hill towards Montemarte. After a short walk, the stunning Sacre Couer church will hit you in the face like no other. It is situated on a hill which gives you amazing city views. The locals like to hang out on the stairs of this hill so be sure to give yourself a small pause there too. It offers amazing hill views of the whole city. And you know I am a sucker for a good view.  

After some time in the church area, venture off to the beautiful Montemarte neighborhood. Let yourself be lost for a little in order to soak in the beautifully intertwined narrow Paris streets. Yes I know, it will be touristy near the area but it is an awesome place to be. To catch the sunset, grab a seat on the steps of Sacre Couer. You won’t regret it. Don’t stay too long tho because the drunk locals also love this as their hang-out spot.

Chateau du Versailles

On day 3 of the Paris 4 day itinerary, you will explore the Versailles Palace. Before you feel royal for the day you’ll need to take a not-so-royal RER C toward the Versailles Château stop. Once you’re off the train, follow the crowd for about 10 min toward the palace. The earlier you get there, the better as this location is certainly not a hidden gem. When you arrive, you’ll see a huge line of people. Don’t worry, the Iine looks intimidating but it actually passes by quickly. Tip: have some cash on you. When I visited, the card machines were not functioning and they were only accepting cash. Not having enough cash on us was quite a hassle to get back in line. 

When you finally enter the palace, you’ll be confused by the level of “boujee” that this place is. I found it rather hysterical that people associated status and their level of happiness with this structure. However, it is a true masterpiece and you should see it with your own eyes to believe it. Make sure to purchase a ticket for the gardens as well. You can simply take a stroll or better yet, have a picnic there! I’m a huge fan of picnics as they allow you to take a pause and soak in your surroundings. 

After you’re done exploring the palace and the gardens and you still have some energy left over, head over to the little charming town of Versailles. There are some more things to see there as well as some cafes to check out. 

Overall, for most explorers, this will be a full-day trip. Returning to the city center will take anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half and you will probably just want to crash at that point. I hope you enjoyed your day of royalty. 

Art in Paris

As promised, today is the day you’ll be returning to explore the Louvre or any other museum of your choice. I saved it for the last day because by now you should have seen the major landmarks of the city. Here are your art options for the morning-afternoon:

• Louvre: If you’re planning a trip to the Louvre, scroll up to day 1 plan for my tips on the visit there.
• Musée de Orsay: Mostly impressionist art and insta known for the big clock.
• Musée de l’Orangerie: More impressionist art but if you like Monet, you’ll find his famous water lily here. It’s a small museum but I really enjoyed it!
• Musée Rodin: If you’re a fan of Rodin or sculptures,  you’ll love this place. It is also an impressive building from the outside.
• Musée Picasso:  A gallery of Picasso’s various art pieces, from paintings, drawings, and sculptures to many more. As a big Picasso fan, I have to confess that I’ve seen more interesting gatherings of his works compared to this place. 
• Espace Dalí: A permanent exhibition of Dali’s works, mostly sculptures. Dali was one interesting human so if you’re a surrealist fan, make sure to stop by this place. I liked it but I also like anything that Dalí does 🙂
• The Centre Pompidou: A more modern structure that’s a library and a museum. 
• And obviously dozens more. So if you’re a fan of a particular genre of art, I’m sure Paris has a museum dedicated to it.

Shopping in Paris

Did you even go to Paris if you didn’t do some shopping damage?

• Well even if you don’t have anything specific in mind, make sure to stop by Galeries Lafayette for the magnificent building alone.
• Next, there is the Champs Elysees but it’s super packed so I wouldn’t recommend going there to shop.
• If you have the budget, for super boujee feels, right off of Champs Elysees, find Avenue Montaigne .
• Need more affordable shops? No worries, head to the Marais Area.
• Another place known for good shops is Rue De Rivoli .

If you’re traveling from abroad and want to splurge on a designer bag, know that this is the place to get one. Why? Well, one because it’s cheaper and two because you can get your tax reimbursed on your way back. Here is a step-by-step process on how to do this.

Cruise on the Seine

Although this can give a hop-on-hop-off bus vibe, I’ve done this twice. Why? Because as cheesy as it is, it’s pretty and the perfect way to end your Paris 4 day itinerary. I recommend doing this early evening so you can get a nice view of the Eiffel Tower again at night. You will probably get a guide that tells you all the history and fun facts but you’re going on this little cruise to see Paris from a different perspective. It’s cute and I strongly recommend it.

Final Thoughts on Paris

Some people find cities like Paris overrated and overdone. And yea sure, you won’t love the number of tourists there and it will be a busy city to travel through but I wouldn’t let that stop you from visiting at least once in your life. I hope that you like my plan for the 4 day Paris itinerary and that I saved you some stress associated with planning your trip.

Map and Itinerary to Download

Download the Paris 4 Day Itinerary

Remember to read the post before you download the guide. It is a very high-level summary of the plan above to grab for the road. Reading both will prepare you the best.

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Kasia is a travel blogger that loves to share her detailed itineraries and travel tips with her community. She's traveled to numerous countries and makes it a priority to explore her home state of New Jersey while still being passionate about her 9-5 career.

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This was such a great and informative post. I really appreciate the level setting expectations, logistics, and general travel. Heading to Paris in 2 days and this was really helpful.

Hi Kasia, such a treat to meet you at WITS–and thanks again for the cake pop! 🙂 I am headed to Paris in July (taking my dad on a Tour de France 10-day tour) but “have to” stay a week before I head to Rwanda for work (seemed kinder on my body than returning to KC and it’s my birthday week soooo). Anyways, glad to have found your guide, I have actually never been to Paris so I am feeling a bit overwhelmed. Trying to find a hotel with desks (I’ll be working remotely) is proving to be a challenge but I look forward to the pastries!! Hope you are off on another adventure soon!

Yay! So happy you found me 🙂 It was so nice meeting you at WITS, I’m glad we were able to bond via our multi-tasking walks hahahah! Enjoy the time with your dad, it’s sounds like such a cool adventure! Maybe consider a private in a hostel? A lot of times they’re more working remote friendly than hotels for that reason. I’ll be in Europe myself at the end of July!

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4 DAYS IN PARIS: The Perfect 4-Day Paris Itinerary

I recently spent 4 days in Paris using this itinerary. This travel guide covers what to do in Paris in 4 days. My Paris itinerary will help you make the most of your time in France’s magical capital city. It covers the highlights of the city, using efficient routes so you can focus on different districts each day.

Deciding what to do for 4 days in Paris can be tough—there is so much to see! It’s not reasonable to expect to see everything in one trip. Paris is a massive, magical city. I’ve visited multiple times now and still have so much more to conquer.

When you think about what to do in Paris, focus on your personal interests and what brings you joy while traveling. If it’s art, maybe you want to make a few swaps in this Paris itinerary to include more museum time. If you are a foodie, maybe museums are of less interest to you and you want to prioritize wandering the streets in search of food.

The Perfect Itinerary for 4 Days in Paris

The great thing about this breakdown of 4 days in Paris is that you can rearrange it however you see fit. If day 2 of this Paris itinerary works better as your day 4, then just swap it! The goal here is to show how to knock out Paris in 4 days, but the order in which you approach it is completely flexible.

Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links. This means that I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products, hotels and experiences that I personally use, love and spend my own money on.

Day 1 in Paris: Eiffel Tower to Avenue des Champs-Élysées – 7th and 8th Arrondissements

The first day of this Paris itinerary focuses around the Eiffel Tower. I feel like there is some sort of emotional buildup after arriving in Paris and before locking eyes on the Eiffel Tower for the first time. So why wait? Let’s go see this beauty!

After three trips to Paris I still seek feel anxious to see the Eiffel Tower once I arrive. The magic of it hasn’t faded for me and I hope it never does. That’s why day one of my Paris itinerary always starts in or around the 7th Arrondissement, where this magical tower stands tall.

Pont de Bir-Hakeim

Start the morning with a walk across Pont de Bir-Hakeim. This bridge has a perfect view of the Eiffel Tower. A metro line runs on the upper level but the lower level has a wide center path for pedestrians. Pont de Bir-Hakeim will lead you across the Seine River, connecting the 15th and 16th arrondissements.

If you are an early riser, consider making it to the bridge around sunrise. The photos here were taken as the sun was coming up alongside the Eiffel Tower, a scene that’s hard to beat. I am not a morning person at all, but good sunrise view is something I never regret. It’s often when I capture my best photos. Pont de Bir-Hakeim is one of my favorite photo spots in Paris.

Palais de Chaillot

The Palais de Chaillot is a popular stop on the map en route to the Arc de Triomphe. Many visitors stop here for the view and photos of the Eiffel Tower. Notably, this area is an extremely popular viewpoint, so expect crowds most of the time. If you want to avoid the rush of people, the earlier the better.

The landmark is also home to a variety of museums that may be of interest to some. Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine is a dedication to French architecture. You will also find the Théâtre National de Chaillot, where there are modern-dance productions. Depending on if these things are of interest to you, you may just make a short stop here to appreciate the view of the Eiffel Tower and capture a few photos.

Arc de Triomphe

Much like the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe is a sight that screams, “I’m really in Paris!” This monument is massive in real life, making its impact all the more powerful. It stands tall at the western end of avenue des Champs-Élysées.

Construction of the arc began in 1806, a request by Napoleon in honor of those who fought for France in war. The arc was complete in 1836 and Napoleon died before being able to see it to completion.

The Arc de Triomphe is a must-see on this 4-day Paris itinerary. Depending on how much time you have, you can enjoy the view of this magnificent structure from the street, or you can access the viewing platform. For a fee, visitors can enter the observation deck of the arc and gain a stunning view of Paris.

If you’re like me and like you plan ahead, purchase skip-the-line access to the rooftop of Arc de Triomphe. Click here to see prices and availability and easily purchase your tickets.

Avenue des Champs-Élysées

This iconic street runs from the Arc de Triomphe to Place de la Concorde. It’s nearly 2 kilometers in length and many say it is one of the world’s most beautiful streets. If you have 4 days in Paris, this is worth a visit.

The street is home to a number of celebrations and parades that take place in Paris. Also, Champs-Élysées is where you can permanently find some of the best shopping in the world. From high-end designer fashion to more affordable styles, there’s something for everyone.

While shopping isn’t really my thing, I still feel that avenue des Champs-Élysées is worth a trek at least once. And it’s not all fashion—there’s plenty of food, cultural insights and stunning architecture to absorb.

Pont Alexandre III

After strolling Avenue des Champs-Élysées make your way back to the 7th arrondissement, home of the Eiffel Tower. Public transportation or Uber is always an option if you’ve hit your max on walking.

If you’re still up for exploring by foot, use Pont Alexandre III to move along the route. The bridge spans the Seine River and connects Champs-Élysées to the 7th arrondissement. The bridge is beautiful, on top of being necessary to get across the water.

The lavishly decorated bridge was built at the end of the 19th century and opened for the Universal Exposition in 1900. Pont Alexandre III is a work of art in itself, but also serves as an excellent viewpoint to snap some iconic photos of Paris. This is one of my favorite places to visit with my camera gear.

Eiffel Tower

Spend the evening at the Eiffel Tower. During all hours of the day you will find people sitting on the grass in front of the Eiffel Tower having a picnic. Stop by a grocery store in the area and pick up some snacks and drinks to take with you.

Arrive at least an hour before sunset to enjoy the last bit of daylight. This is my favorite time to hang out here, as the light starts to soften and the tower glows with the setting sun. Watching this unfold with a bottle of French wine is one of the cheapest, yet most magical experiences you’ll find in any Paris itinerary.

Note that once it’s dark outside, the Eiffel Tower puts on a pretty light show. Every hour, at the top of the hour, the tower twinkles with glittering white lights for a few minutes. Be sure to experience this at least once during your 4 days in Paris.

The second floor of the Eiffel Tower has stunning panoramic views over Paris. If you want to experience this, plan ahead and book skip-the-line tickets before you go. This will save you time since the Eiffel Tower is so popular. Click here to check availability of tickets for second floor Eiffel Tower access.

Day 2 in Paris: Latin Quarter to Le Marais

The second day of this 4-day Paris itinerary is all about the 4th and 5th arrondissements. The first stop on the itinerary technically falls in the 6th on the map, but it’s up against the Latin Quarter, where the first half of this day begins.

For reference, the 4th arrondissement is also referred to as ‘Le Marais.’ Similarly the 5th arrondissement is also referred to as ‘the Latin Quarter.’ People use both names interchangeably, as I do in this post.

This day is one of my favorites. I love both of these neighborhoods and always suggest this area when I share advice on what to do in Paris in 4 days.

Luxembourg Gardens

A peaceful morning walk through Luxembourg Gardens is my idea of a great start to a day. In French the name of the garden is Jardin du Luxembourg, which is how you will see it written on many maps and signs.

Luxembourg Gardens sits in front of Luxembourg Palace, a former royal residence that dates back to 1615. Today the French senate owns the garden and it is free for the public to enter and enjoy.

The garden is massive and has seating scattered throughout, so it’s common to see people sitting down with coffee or a book. There are statues, fountains, fruit trees, gorgeous flowers, and more greenery than one plant lover could hope to find. Make sure you walk through the grounds at least once during your 4 days in Paris.

Latin Quarter

On the left bank of the Seine River you will find the Latin Quarter. This area is also known as the 5th arrondissement.

The Latin Quarter retains a historic feel, making it a popular area for visitors. The area is home to a variety of famous sights, landmarks, museums, bookstores, and food options.

I’ll touch on some specific spots throughout this section that are worth noting in the Latin Quarter. This part of Paris is also great for wandering, getting lost in the streets, and uncovering your own discoveries. There is so much to see, eat and enjoy.

Because there is SO much history in this area, a tour was really helpful for me. It’s great learning from locals and diving deep into parts of a city that I’d otherwise pass up without guidance

Here are a few tours I recommend that cover the Latin Quarter specifically:

• Paris Latin Quarter Walking Tour – this one is a group tour
• Paris 2-Hour Latin Quarter Walking Tour – this one is a private tour
• Macarons Class in the Latin Quarter – perfect activity for foodies like myself!

Grande Mosquée de Paris

The Grande Mosquée de Paris is a place of worship that was founded in 1926. This beautiful structure is the largest Islamic place of worship in Paris.

The construction of the mosque began in 1922 and was completed in 1926. The building architecture is Moorish Style. Grande Mosquée de Paris is open to the public for an entry fee of 3 euros. The building itself and surrounding grounds are really lovely and worth passing by at the least.

The Panthéon is another gem in the Latin Quarter. This monument and mausoleum is one of Paris’ most notable sights. Construction began in the mid 1700s but was delayed and later completed in 1790.

Architecture enthusiasts may not be surprised to hear that the Pantheon in Rome inspired the design of the exterior for the Pantheon in Paris. This landmark was a church when it was built in 1758 before it became a shrine to honor the heroes of the French Revolution.

When you visit the Pantheon consider admiring the views from the dome. If you are willing to climb over 250 steps to reach the top you will enjoy lovely views of Paris.

You can skip the line at the Pantheon by purchasing your entry ticket in advance. Click here to check ticket availability for your travel dates.

Musée de Cluny – Musée national du Moyen Âge

Musée de Cluny is also known as Musée national du Moyen Âge – Thermes et hôtel de Cluny. In English, Musée de Cluny – Musée national du Moyen Âge translates to ‘National Museum of the Middle Ages — Cluny thermal baths and mansion.’ The museum is located in the 5th arrondissement and houses some of the most important pieces from the Middle Ages.

Depending on how much interest you have in the Middle Ages, you can decide if a visit to Musée de Cluny is worth your time. There is a lot to see and do in the Latin Quarter, so cutting out a block of time here may not be a top priority for everyone.

Shakespeare & Company

It’s hard to come across a Paris travel guide to the Latin Quarter without finding mention of this iconic bookstore. Shakespeare & Company opened in 1919 by an American woman, Sylvia Beach.

Beach closed her store during the Nazi occupation and another bookstore was later opened in a new location by George Whitman in 1951. Originally under a different name, Whitman renamed the store to Shakespeare & Company in 1964.

Both stores have a long, combined history of being a gathering place for aspiring writers. The current store sells new and second-hand books and houses aspiring writers and artists.

After some time in the Latin Quarter cross over the River Seine to experience Le Marais. On your way you will pass Notre Dame. Sadly the magnificent church is off limits at this time due to fire damage, but you can still admire parts of it from afar.

Le Marais is a neighborhood that I like to visit without an agenda. There are a ton of cute boutique shops, cafes, and food options that I found unintentionally.

But there is still so much to learn about Le Marais. This is another neighborhood that has a ton of history that one might easily look over. There are some excellent, informative tours to help get the most out of your time in Le Marais.

Here are some of the Le Marais tours that I would recommend:

• 2.5-hour Guided Walking Tour in Le Marais – this is a group tour
• Le Marais 2-hour Walking Tour – this is a private tour
• Le Marais Walking Food Tour – another great Paris food tour for foodies like me!

Day 3 in Paris: Montmartre

If you like to wander and enjoy artsy areas, Montmartre is for you. It’s a neighborhood with a rich history of art and creativity. I love to visit this part of Paris with a loose agenda. This is why this day is a fairly unstructured part of this 4-day Paris itinerary.

A visit to Montmartre is where all of my French fantasies come true. Sounds weird, but seriously, getting lost in these streets is everything I imagined an artsy Parisian life to be. Maybe this isn’t what real Parisians do everyday, but let me live.

Montmartre is an area of historical significance. As a result there are rules in place for new developments in order to preserve the original character of this neighborhood. I appreciate these efforts because there is SO much cool history and local charm in Montmartre.

To get a more in-depth look at Montmartre, consider a tour with a local guide as part of your 4-day Paris itinerary. Here are a few of the tours that I recommend to best experience Montmartre:

• Montmartre 2-hour Walking Tour – this is a group tour
• Montmartre 2-hour Walking Tour – this is a private tour
• Hidden Gems of Montmartre with a Local Guide
• Montmartre Cheese, Wine and Pastry Tour – taste the best of Paris with this foodie tour!

Sacre de CoEUr – Basilique du Sacré COEUr

The Basilica of Sacré-Cœur opened in Paris in 1914. This Catholic Church is located on top of the Montmartre hill. It is the second highest point of Paris. The highest point is the Eiffel Tower.

I recently read that Sacré-Cœur is the second most-visited landmark in Paris, following Notre Dame. As a result this also makes it the second most-visited church in all of France. This data was impacted by the devastating Notre Dame fire, of course.

Visitors can enter the church for free. If you want to access the dome for a view over Paris, there is an entry fee. Even if you decide not to pay to enter the dome, the ground level outside of the church still offers a stunning view over the city.

If you want to gain more insight to Sacré-Cœur and its history, this Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur tour includes an expert guide.

Artists’ Square – Place du Tertre

Place de Tertre, the “Artists’ Square,” feels like the heart of Montmartre. In this square you will find artists of all sorts creating and selling beautiful pieces. This square seems to be busy at all times but is worth strolling through at some point during your 4 days in Paris.

Visitors flock the area to have their portrait done onsite by a local artist. You will also find paintings and sketches depicting popular scenes of Paris. Purchasing local art is one of my favorite items to take home from a trip. It forever has a special memory attached to it and I love supporting local artists.

Wall of Love – Le Mur des Je t’aime

Le Mur des Je t’aime, Wall of Love in English, is a popular stop for visitors exploring the Montmartre area. The love wall is 40 square meters of artwork on blue tile.

The phrase ‘I love you’ is one the wall 311 times in 250 different languages. The wall is at Jehan-Rictus Square.

Moulin Rouge

Most people are familiar with the famous cabaret in Paris, Moulin Rouge. This is the birthplace of the famous French can-can dance. Moulin Rouge opened its doors in 1889 but suffered a devastating fire in 1915. The rebuilt Moulin Rouge reopened in 1921.

Through movies and pop culture, Moulin Rouge has become a popular sight to visit for Paris travelers. Visitors can book tickets to experience a dinner and a show in advance. If shows aren’t your thing, simply admire the iconic windmill and snap photos from the exterior.

Note that tickets to Moulin Rouge often sell out months in advance—so please plan ahead! If you want to watch a show at Moulin Rouge there are a variety of options and price ranges. Here are a few of the ticket options you can choose from:

• Moulin Rouge Show with Champagne
• Moulin Rouge Show with Dinner
• Moulin Rouge Show with Drop Off Service – this option also includes the dinner and champagne, in addition to drop off service

Day 4 in Paris: Museum Day and the River Seine

The final day of this 4-day Paris itinerary takes us back to the end of the Champs-Elysées as our starting point. It never ceases to amaze me how much there is to see and do in Paris. Which often calls for sightseeing routes to be broke up over multiple days.

The lineup for the final day of this Paris itinerary may seem a bit sparse, but that is intentional. This day includes the Louvre Museum and/or Musée d’Orsay. I say “and/or” because many travelers decide to do one or the other. Both can be time consuming experiences.

Place de la Concorde

Start your fourth day in Paris at Place de la Concorde. The area likely looks somewhat familiar. On day one, you may have caught a glimpse of Place de la Concorde after exploring the Champs-Elysées and heading back to the other side of the Seine River.

The famous Luxor Obelisk is here, which was installed at the square in 1836. The obelisk is an Egyptian artifact and the oldest monument in Paris. It was constructed in 13th century BC.

Place de la Concorde was the site of many executions throughout the French Revolution. Two names you may recognize from history class, Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette, were guillotined at this square.

Louvre Museum

It’s hard to think of Paris without thinking of the Louvre Museum. When it comes to museums, this is the one most art lovers around the world dream of visiting. And rightfully so—it is the largest art museum in the world.

The Louvre Museum is located in Paris’ 1st arrondissement on the right bank of the river. This place is massive, so do not underestimate how much there is to see here. The total area of the Louvre is 782,910 square feet.

The museum opened in 1793 and today is home to approximately 380,000 objects and 35,000 works of art. Based on these numbers alone, you can imagine how long it would take to observe everything at the Louvre.

So should you visit the Louvre? And if so, how much time should you set aside for it? The answer to both questions vary from person to person. For reference, I have travelled to Paris three times and only during my first trip did I visit the Louvre. I spent somewhere between three and four hours exploring.

If time is a concern, consider booking this fast-track tour of the Louvre . You get to skip the line and have a guide that leads you on a smart 2-hour route through the museum.

Musée d’Orsay

Not far from the Louvre Museum you will find Musée d’Orsay. Here lives an impressive exhibit of artwork spanning the Impressionist, Postimpressionist and art nouveau movements. The museum is in the former Gare d’Orsay railway station, a beautiful building that is worth seeing in itself.

The painting collection includes must-sees from artists like Monet and Van Gogh. The entire museum collection dates from 1848 to 1914. Musée d’Orsay is much smaller and easier to navigate than the Louvre. You can purchase a skip-the-line ticket to Musée d’Orsay in advance.

Louvre Museum vs. Musée d’Orsay

So how do you decide if you visit the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, or both? Well, as I mentioned before this is where personal preference comes in and you need to weigh your priorities. I’ve heard from people who spent two full days dedicated only to the Louvre. And, I also know people who chose to visit only Musée d’Orsay rather than the Louvre because that era and style of art interest them more.

It all comes down to how much time you have in Paris and what type of trip you want to have. I am personally not a fan of spending a majority of my travel time indoors. Whether that is at a museum or a show, I much prefer to be out wandering the streets.

That said, I do still go to museums and special exhibits sometimes. It just needs to feature a topic or era that is of extreme interest to me. Or if the weather is terrible I also find that to be a time that I am more drawn to spending time inside of a museum.

So think about what works best for you. Paris is an incredible experience either way, so don’t feel pressured to visit each and every museum just because someone else calls it a must-see. It’s impossible for one person to tackle all of Paris’ “must-sees” in one trip, so make sure you make your Paris itinerary special and tailored for you!

Whichever you decide to visit, save time by purchasing tickets in advance so you don’t have to wait in line. Here is where you can get your entry tickets to each museum:

• Louvre Museum Timed Entrance Ticket
• Musée d’Orsay 1-day Reserved Access Entry

Pont des Arts

The Pont des Arts is a pedestrian bridge that crosses the Seine River. Pont des Arts bridge is known by many tourists because it used to be the ‘love lock’ bridge. This is where visiting lovebirds would write their names on a lock and attach it to the bridge.

Pont des Arts leads to and from the Louvre. The bridge is 509 feet long and offers gorgeous views of Paris in all directions. It opened in 1984 replacing a previous bridge that was unsafe after it suffered damage during World War II.

Attaching Locks to Pont des Arts—can I do it?

Please don’t do it.

Attaching a lock to Post des Arts became so popular that the city decided to cut off the locks in 2015. Additionally, City Hall of Paris modified the bridge with panels where locks are unable to be attached.

On my recent visit I observed that people are still trying to make the love lock thing happen, some attaching them around light posts or nearby fences, or even other bridges.

As tourists, we should be respectful to the destinations that we visit. We are guests, therefore we should behave in a way that respects the wishes, rules and norms of the place in which we are visiting.

The city of Paris decided to remove the locks because so many of them accumulated, and became so heavy, that it was causing damage severe to the structure of the bridge. I am passionate about doing my best to respect the places I visit. My new motto I tell myself is to always leave places better than I found them. That said, I hope that other travelers will keep this in mind and respect the wishes of the city of Paris by not attaching locks to any bridges.

Where to Stay in Paris for 4 Days

There are so many options when it comes to deciding where to stay in Paris for 4 days, it can be quite overwhelming. The good news is that there isn’t one right answer. Certainly there are so many amazing places and areas to choose from. So where’s the best place to stay for 4 days in Paris?

As part of this Paris itinerary I’m just going to share a few options I love. Based on my own personal taste, style, and area preferences, here are some of the places I would stay in Paris.

The list has options in different parts of the city, including the reason why I would choose that area. These properties all align with parts of this 4-day Paris itinerary.

For all neighborhoods, also check out the options on Airbnb in Paris . There are some lovely rentals with amazing views in various neighborhoods of the city.

Places to Stay Near the Eiffel Tower

• Hotel La Comtesse // This beautiful property has reasonable prices in comparison with many hotels in the posh 7th arrondissement. Some of the rooms have amazing views of the Eiffel Tower. The location is super convenient for those who want to explore by foot in all directions.
• Hotel Relais Bosquest // This place is so charming, near the Eiffel Tower, and really close to a metro station which is a huge plus.
• Cler Hotel // This location is hard to beat since it’s right on Rue Cler which is full of food, shops and bursting with Parisian life. Accommodations are simple but nice and clean; this is for someone who isn’t concerned with having a ton of space and luxury amenities.

Places to Stay in the Latin Quarter

• Villa d’Estrees // This Latin Quarter hotel is gorgeous and smack in the middle of all the action. The rooms are stunning and you are within walking distance to more than you will even be able to tackle in 4 days in Paris. Love this spot!
• Hotel des Grands Hommes // Another location that’s hard to beat. This property is decked out in chic 19th century vibes so it gives off a classic Parisian feel.

Places to Stay in Le Marais

• Hotel Caron de Beaumarchais // I adore the design of this place. The decor is inspired by Beaumarchais, an 18th-century writer. The details are SO cute; this is my kind of space.
• 9confidentiel // This hotel is pricier than most of the others I included on the list so far. But if you are looking to splurge on a special experience, this is a beautiful option. In addition to being a stunning property, it’s surrounded by incredible food, bars and shops.

Staying Connected in Paris

When I travel abroad I usually use a portable pocket WiFi as a way to stay connected when I’m outside of my cell phone service area. If you need a way to stay connected during your 4-day Paris trip, check out Tep Wireless. For the trips where I used Tep, internet service and customer support have both been excellent. Check the Tep Wireless website for device plans and pricing.

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Linda On The Run

Travel, Lifestyle, And Fitness For Those Over 60

• Destinations

4 Days in Paris Itinerary You Should Steal

February 27, 2024 //  by  Linda Malys Yore //   49 Comments

Are you looking for the ultimate 4 days in Paris itinerary?

This is the perfect amount of time to explore the City of Light. There are so many fabulous and unusual things to do in Paris , and I keep coming back for more!

When I was in Paris celebrating my daughter’s birthday, I crammed many must-see attractions into my short time there.

Planning your trip to Paris France last minute?

Make sure to book ahead! Hotels and tours usually sell out the closer you get to your trip. Here are our top selections for Paris!

Top Experiences and Tours in Paris France:

• Louvre Museum Timed Entrance Ticket (Skip the line!)
• Eiffel Tower Summit/2nd Floor Direct Access (Likely to sell out!)
• One-Hour Seine River Cruise (Starts at the foot of the Eiffel Tower)
• Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour (24 and 48-hour tours available)

Top Hotels In Paris France:

• Hotel Rivoli (Just steps from Notre Dame Cathedral.)
• Hotel Jules & Jim (Great location!)
• Novotel Paris Gare De Lyon (Great location – near the train station)
• Hotel Le Bellechasse Saint-Cermain (Near the Eiffel Tower!)

Getting to Paris has never been easier or more convenient. However, depending on where you call home, it can make for a long travel day.

For that reason, the arrival day is not considered part of this itinerary for 4 days in Paris. On arrival day, I suggest keeping it low-key.

Take time to recoup from the long travel, rest, and hydrate. Explore the neighborhood where you are staying and have a nourishing dinner.

Feel free to change up my following suggestions from day to day to make this 4-day itinerary for Paris, France, tailored to your specific interests when visiting Paris.

Let’s look at what to do in Paris for four days!

Day 1: Begin your 4 Days in Paris by exploring the Eiffel Tower and the Seine River

Stop 1: visit the eiffel tower.

One of the most popular attractions in Paris is the iconic Eiffel Tower. It is one of the first places most people visit in Paris, including me.

The tower is 1,063 feet tall and remains one of the tallest structures in Paris. It was originally constructed as the gateway to the 1889 World’s Fair in Paris.

Of course, you want to explore the Eiffel Tower, so set aside plenty of time during your 4-day itinerary in Paris.

If panoramic vistas of the Seine River and the city of Paris interest you, climbing the Eiffel Tower is for you!

You may climb up to her elevation levels, or even to the top, but that is 1,665 steps. Up for the challenge?

You can also ride up in the elevator which most people choose to do. Be aware that lines are extremely long most days, and you will be far better off purchasing tickets before you arrive.

There are skip-the-line options or you can visit Paris in winter for fewer tourists.

Walking alongside and even under the Eiffel Tower is a memorable thing to get a perspective of how large the monument is.

To photograph lasting memories of the Eiffel Tower, stroll across the street to the merry-go-round or walk across the Seine River to the Trocadero Palace, built into the side of a hill.

Mostly all Paris itineraries include the Eiffel Tower, and you will see why it is so popular.

Book Here:   Eiffel Tower Summit or Second Floor Priority Access

Book Here: Paris: Eiffel Tower Access & Seine River Cruise

Where To Stay Near The Eiffel Tower:

Affordable: Hôtel de la Tour Eiffel . Check Rates: Booking.com

Mid-Range: Grand Hôtel Lévêque. Check Rates: Booking.com

Eiffel Tower Views: Hotel Relais Bosquet Check Rates: Booking.com

Stop 2: Explore the Seine River 

The next thing to do in Paris is to explore the banks of the Seine River since it is right next to the Eiffel Tower. There are long and lovely promenades to walk and people watch.

Strolling along the Seine you can admire the architecture of the buildings and bridges in Paris .

Another way to explore the river and learn about the lovely city is to take a Seine River cruise. A narrated cruise is like having a personal tour guide for Paris.

There usually are floor-to-ceiling glass windows that provide ample views to oooh and you pass the many major landmarks.

Most passengers choose to sit outside on the top level of the boat to have the best, unobstructed views f

When Paris vacation planning, a cruise is a top activity!

Book Here: 2-Hour River Seine Lunch Cruise

Book Here: Seine River Sightseeing Cruise with 3-Course Dinner

Stop 3: End Your Day at the Rue Cler Market

End your first day in Paris by exploring Rue Cler, Paris’ most well-known street market. Located in the 7th arrondissement, it truly is a paradise to explore.

The best part about the Rue Cler market is that it isn’t overrun by tourists so you will get a glimpse into the Parisian local life.

It is open every day but Monday. You will find many restaurants to choose from, along with food markets, bars, pastry shops, and more. I admit I visited the gelato shop on the Rue Cler many an evening!

When planning a trip to Paris, you need to schedule downtime, and this is a great area for it.

The Rue Cler Market, visiting the Eiffel Tower, and the Seine riverboat ride offer plenty to keep you busy on your first day in Paris!

Where To Stay Near Rue Cler:

Day 2: Visit the Louvre Art Museum and Wander the Streets

Stop 1: take in art at the louvre.

No trip to Paris would be complete without visiting the famous Louvre Art Museum a historic palace. Come view its most precious paintings and artifacts.

The Louvre is one of the most visited art museums in the world. You will most likely enter the museum through its main entrance, the Louvre Pyramid, one of Paris’ major landmarks.

I highly suggest buying tickets in advance so you can skip the line.

I recommend going early if you want to spend a lot of time. I arrived around noon and was there until 7 pm!

To absorb all the beauty of the Louvre Art Museum, you will need plenty of time. Half a day is suggested, but longer would permit you to enjoy the artwork of the eight curated departments.

You can stroll the entire museum alone enjoying what the Louvre has to offer as I did, or you can participate in a guided tour.

There is even a Louvre Museum phone app that can be quite helpful.

An unforgettable highlight of the Louvre is seeing the Mona Lisa . She is protected by guards, and under glass, but you can get close enough to snap a few pictures and gaze at DaVinci’s masterpiece.

The second highlight was seeing the Venus De Milo , the famous ancient Greek statue missing her arms.

If you are hungry or thirsty, there is a restaurant in the Louvre for you to take a break and rest your feet.

Book Here: Louvre Museum Timed-Entrance Ticket

Book Here: Paris: 2-Hour Louvre Museum Guided Tour with Ticket

Best Hotels Near The Louvre:

Mid-Range: Hôtel Odyssey by Elegancia Check Rates: Booking.com

Upscale: Hôtel Regina Louvre Check Rates: Booking.com

Stop 2: Eat Dinner at a Cafe And Wander the Streets

End your evening exploring the River Seine in the 2nd arrondissement, where the Louvre Art Museum is located. An evening dinner overlooking the river and enjoying French cuisine is unforgettable.

Then stroll to local pastry shops for macarons or eclairs. This is a delightful way to end your second day in Paris.

It could hypothetically take years to get through the Louvre!

If you only have four days in Paris, France, I highly recommend taking an entire day to visit the Louvre and then spend a relaxing evening on the Seine so you get the most out of the experience.

Day 3: Explore Paris By Bicycle And Do Not Miss The Champs-Elysees

Stop 1: visit the champs-elysees by bike.

Bike riding is very popular in European cities, and Paris is no exception. During your four days in Paris itinerary, begin your third day by renting a bike at one of the numerous Velib bike stations.

They are everywhere so you do not have to return your bike to the exact location where you rented it.

Head out to the fashionable Avenue des Champs-Elysees to visit one of the most well-known avenues in the world. You will love the vibe here!

Upscale and not-so-upscale shops, cafes, and restaurants dot the Champs Elysees on both sides of the street.

Getting around by bike is one of the top travel tips in Paris!

Book Here: Best of Paris Bike Tour

Stop 2: Go Up Inside The Arc de Triomphe

The Avenue des Champs-Elysees ends at the Arc de Triomphe, another of the famous monuments of Paris. The Arc de Triomphe honors those who fought and died for France.

There is a Tomb of the Unknown Soldier located there with an eternal flame that commemorates the war dead who were never identified.

Did you know you can walk and tour inside the Arc de Triomphe? There is an observation deck on the top too!

The climb to the top is relatively difficult because there are so many stairs, but it isn’t impossible!

There is not an elevator to the top so unfortunately anyone wheelchair-bound or unable to climb steep steps, will not be able to participate. Please be aware of this when planning a trip to Paris.

Along the way, are drawings, explanations, and photographs of French war history as it relates specifically to the Arc de Triomphe.

Once outside on the top observation deck, you will be rewarded with glorious views of the Eiffel Tower and the twelve radiating avenues that originate at the Arc.

The epic views of Paris are unforgettable!

Book Here: Paris: Arc de Triomphe Rooftop Tickets

Where To Stay Near The Arc de Triomphe:

Affordable: Hôtel d’Argenson . Check Rates: Booking.com

Midrange: Hotel The Peninsula Paris . Check Rates: Booking.com

Luxury: Hôtel Raphael . Check Rates: Booking.com

Stop 3: Make Time To See The Moulin Rouge

Next, grab a bike from another bike station and ride to the iconic Moulin Rouge, the most famous cabaret in the world.

It is located in the lively Montmartre district.

World-class international stars such as Frank Sinatra and Elton John loved this venue, and it is the center of many movies throughout history!

It is fun to visit this iconic club, and you may choose to return later for dinner and to watch the dazzling show.

You will want to make online reservations beforehand, and please research the dress code.

If you want to go to a show at the Moulin Rouge, make sure to budget time in your Paris 4-day itinerary.

Book Here: Paris: Moulin Rouge Cabaret Show Ticket with Champagne

Where To Stay Near The Moulin Rouge:

Affordable: Le Village Montmartre by Hiphophostels . Check Rates: Booking.com

Midrange: Hôtel Montmartre Mon Amour. Check Rates: Booking.com

Stop 4: Visit a Rooftop Bar

End your day of bike riding around the city by exploring one of the many trendy rooftop bars in Paris !

Depending on the vibe you are looking for, you are sure to find a local spot that appeals to you, possibly one where tourists and locals mingle.

This is one of the most romantic things to do in Paris for visitors wanting a fun evening activity.

Day 4: Discover Gothic Cathedrals

Stop 1: start the day at notre dame.

The last of your 4 days in Paris is all about architecture! Three cultural, political, and religious Parisian icons stand out.

The most well-recognized cathedral in the world is Notre Dame de Paris!

She is recognized worldwide as one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture. Her history is spectacular, and it took hundreds of years to construct her.

I have read and watched The Hunchback Of Notre Dame my whole life so having the opportunity to visit the church in person was quite a wonderful experience!

UPDATE: Due to the fire in spring 2019, please research Notre Dame updates. At this time it is closed, but it is worth it to visit the church and walk around the exterior grounds.

Where To Stay Near Notre Dame:

Affordable: Sully Hôtel. Check Rates: Booking.com

Mid-Range: Hotel Rivoli. Check Rates: Booking.com

Upscale: Hôtel De Lutece – Notre-Dame . Check Rates: Booking.com

Stop 2: Admire Stained Glass at Sainte-Chapelle

Within walking distance of Notre Dame de Paris is the dazzling Sainte-Chapelle. It is a must-see during any four days in Paris itinerary!

It is one of the lesser-known churches in Paris and since it is so near Notre Dame, many people skip this extremely exquisite church because they are not aware of it.

Sainte-Chapelle’s upper level has over 1,000 striking stained glass windows that tell the story of the Bible.

Arranged across 15 main windows, the stained glass panes display scenes from the Old and New Testaments.

The lower level of the structure is very plain because back in its day it was for staff and servants of the resident French king.

Only the king and his advisors were permitted into the royal chapel on the second level.

You enter the building from the bottom level which resembles a basement. You will think this area is pretty, but prepare yourself because that isn’t even the main chapel.

Once you climb up the stairs to the second story, you will be overwhelmed by the magnificence of the stained glass windows.

There are pamphlets in many languages, explaining each of the panels, and the panes of stained glass contained in them.

Upstairs there is also a sumptuous rose stained glass window at Sainte-Chapelle which describes the Book of Revelation through its stained glass panels.

I recommend budgeting at least 60 minutes to visit this church. It isn’t large and is contained in one room, but you want to be sure you have enough time to see and process everything!

Book Here: Paris: Sainte-Chapelle, Conciergerie, Notre Dame Guided Tour

Stop 3: Drop Into a Cafe For a Crepe And Coffee

The island where Notre Dame and Saint Chapelle are located is full of wonderful cafes with plenty of outdoor seating.

Before you move on to your next stop, take a few moments to wander the streets, and explore the Île de la Cité.

Grab a coffee, try a French crepe, and relax in the afternoon.

This is the perfect time to eat lunch before moving on. If you visit Paris with kids , they will want a yummy crepe!

If you want to dine like a real Parisian, make sure to sit outside, even if it is in the winter!

Stop 4: Visit Montmartre And Sacre-Coeur

After lunch near Notre Dame, hop on the Paris metro and head to the Montmartre district. It is in the same vicinity as the Moulin Rouge, which you explored by bike on day three.

Montmartre is a super cute and artistic part of Paris and a great place to explore on foot.

Located at the summit of Montmartre, the highest point of Paris is the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Sacre-Coeur. The Rome-Byzantine church is not as fancy as other styles of architecture in the area.

Because the church sits atop a hill, there are many steps to climb. That said, there is an incline railway to ride if climbing is too daunting or there are elderly in your group.

Because of the height, the top of Montmartre affords exceptional views of Paris and its most famous monuments.

The inside of the church is unique, but the view is easily the best part! You will be able to see all of Paris in one panoramic view.

As you exit the church and admire the view, turn right and you will find a square filled with artisans displaying and selling their creations, and a myriad of shops, cafes, and restaurants.

Back at the bottom of the hill in front of the basilica, you will find streets bustling with people, both locals and tourists alike, as well as an abundance of souvenir shops and restaurants.

This is the perfect place to cap off your Paris in four days itinerary as you find great souvenirs , from Parisian coffee and tea to shirts, hats, and mugs!

Book Here: Montmartre Highlights Walking Tour with a Local Guide

Book Here: Montmartre Cheese, Wine & Pastry Guided Walking Tour

Where To Stay In Montmartre:

Mid-Range: Timhotel Montmartre . Check Rates: Booking.com

Packing Tips For Your 4 Days In Paris Itinerary

Here are my tips on how to pack lightly when traveling . I hope they help you.

This unisex RFID-blocking concealed travel pouch is  lightweight and comes in several colors.

These  RFID  sleeves  would be handy to prevent identity theft.

I always use this Bobble water bottle with filter whenever I travel.  It is the perfect size to fit into a pocket or backpack. It is small enough not to add bulk or weight.

The replaceable carbon filter ensures clean drinking water..

This waterproof and lightweight daypack would be ideal to hold all of your incidentals for a daylong sightseeing trip in Paris.

These backpacks/purses are specifically designed to be antitheft: this Travelon anti-theft slim women’s backpack comes in lots of colors and is very affordable.

Baggallini has this great crossbody bag for your consideration.

This Travelon mini crossbody b ag is reasonably priced.

These Sketcher’s Go Walk Joy sneakers are slip-ons!

This fashion flower print shawl or this solid fashion-colored scarf would be wonderful options to bring on your trip when going on your 4 days in Paris itinerary.

This all-in-one universal travel adapter is a good example, is very affordable, and comes in several cool colors for you to choose from.

My daughter gifted me this FugeTek selfie stick and tripod for my birthday. It is made of lightweight aluminum and is Bluetooth-enabled.

This Anker compact and high-speed external battery charger is the one my two daughters and I use when we travel.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.

How To Get Around Paris During Your 4 Days In Paris Itinerary

Paris is easy to navigate. If you are able, I’d suggest walking . Paris is a visually beautiful city, and there’s much to see and absorb, which you could miss if you are not walking.

Make sure you leave ample time to arrive at your destination and wear sturdy, comfortable walking shoes.

The metro train system is extensive in Paris, and probably the best transportation option you have. It’s fast and cheap, arriving and departing frequently. You can purchase tickets at every station.

The metro is not an option for the wheelchair-bound or those unable to walk long distances or climb up and down stairs frequently.

There are also city buses and trains to consider during your 5 days in Paris. You always have the option to get a taxi or hire an Uber driver.

I do not recommend driving in Paris because of the traffic and difficulty finding parking. That is an option, however.

How To Get To Paris For Your 4 Days In Paris Itinerary

There are many ways to get to Paris, France, depending on where you are coming from.

Charles de Gaulle International Airport is the largest, busiest, and closest to the Paris City Center. It is the most popular airport for international flights arriving from all over the globe.

A little farther out is Paris Orly Airport, the second most frequently-used airport.

Once you land in France, you will have many options on how to get to Paris.

You can rent a taxi or hire an Uber. For public transport, the train is your most affordable option. The Parisian trains are very clean, as well as all the train stations.

You can purchase tickets right at the airport. The ticket machines are found when you exit the secure section of the airport. Please be advised, there are lots of steps involved with the Parisian metro system.

If you or a member of your party is infirm or in a wheelchair, you will probably need to make other transportation arrangements.

If you travel from another European country, there are high-speed trains that arrive and depart frequently from all over Europe daily. The main train stations are Gare du Nord, Gare de I’Est, or Gare de Lyon.

If you reside in other parts of France, you may decide to drive to Paris as another option.

Quick Tips For Your 4 Days In Paris Itinerary

These are things to consider especially if this is your first time in Paris .

Stay vigilant! Pickpocketers are common in crowded areas of the city so be aware of your surroundings and keep an eye on your belongings.

Do not worry about the language barrier when traveling to Paris. I understand only a few basic French words and had NO difficulties when I visited.

The French people in Paris know a few English words and you will be able to communicate enough to make your wishes known.

You can even use a translator app on your phone to assist with your communications. My family and I use Google Translate.

Call your credit card company  and verify if your credit card  does or does   not have foreign transaction fees.

When you visit an ATM in Paris , be sure it is in the  same network  as your bank so you are not charged transaction fees every time you withdraw cash.

Also, consider withdrawing larger amounts of cash, to limit the transaction fees.

Buy advanced tickets to must-do Paris attractions whenever possible. First off, usually, tickets purchased in advance online are less expensive.

Secondly, when you purchase tickets for the monuments and art museums, you can sometimes purchase skip-the-line options that save time.

If you travel to Paris, France, from far away check out my tips for surviving long international flights .

Reader Interactions

May 19, 2018 at 5:53 pm

Great itinerary. I love Paris and have been there many times. The Louvre and the Eiffel Tower are favs. I also love Musee D’orsay.

June 6, 2018 at 4:31 pm

Thanks for the kind compliment Sue! I will have to check out the Musee D’orsay whenever I visit Paris again.

May 19, 2018 at 10:56 pm

Brilliant guide! Still desperate to get over to Paris so have saved this for later.

June 6, 2018 at 4:29 pm

Thanks Laura. You will get there, I know it!

February 13, 2020 at 7:04 pm

Enjoyed your article. Planning to take the wife and daughter there maybe this Sept. Do you have a favourite place in Italy for 3 or 4 days?

February 29, 2020 at 11:31 pm

Have you considered Rome & Florence? Two great choices with lots of history and things to do!

July 12, 2018 at 7:19 pm

Excellent info, thanks.

July 12, 2018 at 9:19 pm

Thank you Christine. Paris is such an exciting city!

October 24, 2018 at 9:40 am

Wow, you really captured some fantastic photos! Thank you for the information!

October 24, 2018 at 11:50 am

You are very welcome Tricia. Hope you get to Paris someday!

October 24, 2018 at 10:21 am

Those pictures are so beautiful, I am ready to hop on a plane right now!! It is a wonderful guide of Paris, and for being French, you definitely hit all of the must-sees!

October 24, 2018 at 11:49 am

Hey thanks, Laura. Appreciate the kind words!

October 22, 2019 at 3:32 am

What do you suggest regarding passport carry it with you leave it in the hotel baggage?

October 22, 2019 at 10:21 am

First off, always make a copy of your passport and credit cards. If you have access to a room safe, you can leave your passport there & carry a copy of it. Usually, I carry my passport with me on my body. And lock up all copies of my documents.

October 24, 2018 at 12:45 pm

This brings back memories of our family trip to Paris a few years ago. I loved reminiscing using your post & photos! Paris is a lovely city to visit.

October 24, 2018 at 2:47 pm

Thank you, Cynthia! I love Paris since my daughter introduced me to it. We are going back to celebrate her #26 birthday next week and I can’t wait. We are doing all different things this time than last time and that’s exciting.

November 29, 2018 at 8:18 am

Linda this is such a great itinerary. We went for the first time for three days and pretty much did everything you’ve got on this itinerary minus a couple of spots. All the more reason to go back right?

November 29, 2018 at 10:59 am

Yes, YES, all the more reason to go back!!!

April 19, 2019 at 6:32 am

Dear Linda I am planning for my honeymoon trip to europe coming july ’19. Kindly share an itenary on some renowned places to be visited and how long does it take to visit ? I am planning for a 2 weeks trip to Paris, London and Amsterdam. Please suggest the most renowened places to be visited in all these cities as a priority and also suggest if more cities/places in these cities could also be covered.

Regards, Ramya

April 22, 2019 at 5:08 am

Hi Ramya. Wow, that sounds like a fantastic honeymoon trip! I have lots of information about Paris and London and Amsterdam on my website, with lots of suggestions of things to do and things to see. Only you can decide how long you choose to stay in each city. Hope you have a wonderful trip.

May 5, 2019 at 4:23 pm

I’m planning to go with my 16-year old daughter. Any ideas of what to do with a teenager in Paris?

May 7, 2019 at 3:12 pm

Paris is so lovely I do not think you will have any problems at all. Of course, visit the Eiffel tower. You can even have dinner there. That was a very exciting thing to do. I would take her to Mont Montmartre. It is a very cool place. Souvenir shopping of course. The Parisian malls and “hidden passageways” are so eclectic. The Louvre is a must visit too. I think simply being IN Paris will excite any teenager. I truly hope you and your daughter have a memorable trip.

May 8, 2019 at 10:33 am

Hi. Thanks for your itinerary! Will be following it for this weekend. Could you share how the pickpocketing happened? Would like to know so we are more aware when I go with my family.

May 8, 2019 at 12:12 pm

Of course. My daughter’s brand new camera was stolen from under our table when we were having snacks/drinks in a McDonalds in Montmartre. My backpack (while I was wearing it!) was unzipped while walking in the street near Notre Dame. TJ’s backpack was breached during a very crowded subway ride. Be vigilant!

July 5, 2019 at 10:22 am

Oh my gosh, so many interesting facts here. wow, such a stunning place & you photograph it so well. Thanks for the creative post!

July 6, 2019 at 2:19 pm

You are so welcome. I hope it will help you plan you trip!

July 7, 2019 at 10:58 am

Great blog! In Paris we love the Muse d Orsey as all the impressionist painting are there. You can and should get tickets in advance. Also, the Pere Lachaise Cemetery (free) which has some really wonderful, artful carvings. Famous people buried there in a beautiful and historic setting.

July 7, 2019 at 7:37 pm

Thank you for these suggestions! Next visit to Paris the Muse d Orsey is on my bucket list for sure!

December 16, 2019 at 12:06 pm

Hi, We are planning a 4 day trip to Paris in summer 2020. I was looking to make hotel reservation. We are 2 adults and 2 kids less than 9years. The hotel price for just 2 adults vs. adding two kids show big difference, while that is not the case in US. Please advise. Also what area is better to stay? We will be taking a stop over, and hence will have lot of luggage. Will the hotels be safe to leave the luggage? Thanks,

December 22, 2019 at 8:35 am

You are very fortunate to be spending time in Paris this summer. My family and I stay in the 7th District. Hotel pricing in Europe may be different than what you are used to in the USA. I always lock my luggage in my hotel room when I travel, just in case! Have a wonderful time in France.

January 20, 2020 at 8:41 pm

Thank you Linda for all the great ideas. Your suggestions are much appreciated and helpful along with a reminder about pickpocketing. My 20 yr old daughter and I are heading to Paris in March! We will be heading to Normandy after we arrive at CDG, so we plan to catch the train to Bayeux from Gare St. Lazare and stay there for 2 nights. We are thinking of a bike tour the first full day in Paris (an Airbnb excursion) and plan to get Skip the Line tickets to the Eiffel Tower, Versalles and the Louve. Our list also includes Muse d’ Orsay, Sacre Cour, the Seine and of course many cafes and restaurants. Since you mentioned it, we hope to see inside Sainte Chapelle too.

Do you think we will have issues with public transportation? We were going to buy the Paris Pass for 5 days Zones 1-5 so we can travel from CDG airport to Versalles and more but worry about the strike. We always try to stay on a budget so any suggestions or ideas would be appreciated. We are staying at an Airbnb in both locations and feel comfortable with the areas but a bit unsure about getting to and fro with the current strike.

Thanks again,

January 23, 2020 at 11:30 am

Oh this sound like you have a wonderful trip planned for you and your daughter! To save a bit of money, you can plan to prepare some meals at your Air BB. No one really knows about the Paris strikes anymore. The last thing I heard was that they were over, but that could change in an instant. If you are active you & your daughter could rent bicycles ( I highly recommend) or get the very popular scooters. My family LOVES them, and I’m a bit more cautious. Safe travels and have a fantastic French trip!

July 8, 2020 at 12:49 pm

Wow, this is a fantastic article, a lot of info I found here, it’s really helped me to plan for next trips thanks…

July 14, 2020 at 1:56 pm

Thank you very much. I hope you get to Paris soon!

June 9, 2023 at 11:39 am

Hey Linda, I love this itinerary! So, we are staying in Paris 4 nights and then going to Rome and Venice for 5 nights. In Paris to accomplish this Itinerary in 4 days using only the metro, which hotels do you think would be best to look at? We don’t want to move around in Paris, just one hotel if possible. TIA

June 23, 2023 at 1:53 pm

Carolyn, in this article are frequent recommendations for hotels throughout the city. If you’d like additional options you can look at this list: https://lindaontherun.com/boutique-hotels-in-paris/

[…] The Ultimate 4 Day In Paris Itinerary […]

[…] of the first cities in the world to get electricity, Paris was quickly dubbed the City of Lights (La Ville Lumière) and has since become synonymous with […]

[…] See Mona Lisa and other works of art in the Louvre. For more things to do in Paris, check out this 4 day Paris itinerary. […]

[…] submitted by Linda from Linda On The Run […]

[…] The Ultimate 4 Days In Paris Itinerary […]

[…] being said, for instance, when I travel with my daughters and we are in a lovely Paris pastry shop, and they offer me a bite of their scrumptious delicacy, I do take a tiny taste. Life is not about […]

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The Perfect 4 Days In Paris Itinerary + Tips

Paris is a city that never fails to impress with its charming streets, historic landmarks, and world-class cuisine. It’s no wonder that Paris is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, drawing millions of visitors every year.

If you’re planning a trip to Paris, a 4-day itinerary can be the perfect way to see the best of the city.

Hi, we’re Rach & Marty!

We’ve visited every country in the world and want to help you get the most out of your travels!

Whether you need an expertly planned itinerary , some experienced hints and tips , or just craving a delicious food adventure , we’ve got you covered!

We may earn affiliate commissions from websites we link to, at no cost to you. Click here for details.

I have visited Paris over 50+ times as I worked as a tour guide here for many years. I wrote this 4 days itinerary in Paris France to help you plan your visit to Paris better.

In this blog, I’ll cover a comprehensive 4 days in Paris itinerary for first-time visitors to Paris.

It includes the must-see attractions, the best food and dishes, and tips on using the Paris metro as well as the most common scams. I wrote this 4 days itinerary in Paris this year, so all information is up to date.

A quick overview of the sights included in this detailed 4 days in Paris Itinerary. 

• Day 1: Eiffel Tower, Arc De Triumph, Place de Concorde, Tuliers Garden, The Louvre, Notre Dame, Latin Quarter
• Day 2: Marais District, Opera Garnier, Galleries Lafayette, Place Vendome, Montemarte & Sacre Cour, Moulin Rouge Cabaret
• Day 3: Musee D’ Orsey, Napoleons Tomb, Hotel des Invalids, River Cruise, See the Eiffel Tower sparkle
• Day 4: Day trip from Paris: Versailles, Giverny, Normandy, and Loire Valley    

Please note, I recommend using the Paris Metro to get around Paris. It’s fast and convenient. More information on the metro for your 4 days in Paris is listed below. But let’s get started… 

‍♀️ WHERE TO STAY IN PARIS

• Hotel Audran  (Budget Hotel)
• Hotel Les Bulles de Paris  (Mid-Range Hotel)
• Hotel Eiffel Turenne  (Mid-Range Hotel)
• Four Seasons Hotel George V  (Luxury Hotel)

QUICK TIPS FOR 4 DAYS IN PARIS

✅ Hot Tip:  Buy the Paris Museums 2 Days Pass OR the  Paris Museums 4 Days Pass to SAVE $$$. ✅ Book In Advance: Book your guided tours and entrance ticket to The Louvre and Musée d’Orsay  early to avoid missing out ✅ Stay Connected:  Purchase an eSIM to help you stay connected. View All FRANCE eSIM Data Packs here .

Table of Contents

Day 1 of the 4 Days In Paris Itinerary: The Historic Landmarks of Paris

Eiffel tower.

On your first day in Paris, it’s best to start with the city’s most iconic landmarks. Better yet, if you’re staying at one of these hotels with views of the Eiffel Tower,  then you won’t have far to go to begin your day.

Your first day of the 4 days in Paris includes the most attractions, so do start early and be ready for a big day of lots of walking and catching the metro (or a cheeky Uber ride if you need to) to seize the day.

Wear comfortable shoes. 

Begin your day at the Eiffel Tower, one of the most famous structures in the world. Climb to the top of the tower to enjoy stunning views of the city, you can see up to 30kms in the distance.

RELATED POST –  The Eiffel Tower Paris France – 10 Most Popular Questions Answered

There are two options to access the Eiffel Tower , you can pre-book a time-specific entrance. I recommended doing so here up to 2 months before.

Or you can turn up and join the line without tickets. You’ll need to buy a ticket directly here at the Eiffel Tower to go up, but be prepared to wait – the lines get long.

How much does it cost to visit the Eiffel Tower?

There are two ways to go up the Eiffel tower: You can take the stairs or the elevators and there are 4 tickets or combinations available:

• Ticket with access lift to the Second floor – from 18,10€ per person
• Ticket with access lift to The top – from 28,30€
• Ticket with access stairs to climb to the Second floor (674 steps) – from 11,30€
• Ticket with access stairs 2nd floor (674 steps)+ lift to the top – from 21,50€

VIEW ALL EIFFEL TOWER COMBINATION TICKETS HERE

There are cheaper tickets available for Youth (aged 12-24), children (aged 4-11), and the disabled.

All prices can be found on the official website for Eiffel Tower .

MY TIP : There are two entrances in the gardens to reach the Eiffel Tower’s esplanade:  Entrance 1 (South) and entrance 2 (East) . You will pass through the first security checks at these entrances and Entrance 2 East is usually less crowded.

Arc de Triomphe

Next, visit the Arc de Triomphe, which honours the soldiers who fought for France during the Napoleonic Wars.

This is a really impressive 50-metre-tall structure that was ordered to be built by Napoleon. He has promised his army to march under the victory arch. However, by the time the arch was finished in 1830, Napoloean was long gone. 

You can come here to simply snap a few photos of Arc de Triomphe from the top of Champs Elysees, but I recommend getting closer. 

Do not attempt to cross the Arc de Triomphe roundabout to get to the monument. Take the underground passage (look for a sign for stairs near the end of the streets) that will lead you under the busy roundabout and you’ll arrive just underneath the Arc de Triomphe. 

Once you are here you can appreciate the moment better, and see the details and the eternal flame that burns underneath. 

If you wish you can also pay and climb the 280 stairs to the top of the Arch for views of the Champs Elysees and the Eiffel Tower in the distance.

There is an entrance fee of 13€ to do so. You would probably spend an hour altogether if you choose to do it.

Champs Elysees

From here, take a leisurely stroll down the Champs-Élysées, one of the most famous shopping streets in the world. The avenue stretches for about 1.2 miles (2 kilometres) from the Arc de Triomphe to the Place de la Concorde and is lined with trees, gardens, cafes, shops, and historic landmarks.

Originally, the Champs-Élysées was a marshy area outside of the city walls, but in the 17th century, it was transformed into an elegant promenade lined with trees and mansions. They say it was the road out of Paris towards Versailles, the summer residency of the French monarchs.

Over the years, Champs-Élysées has become a symbol of Parisian elegance and style, attracting visitors from around the world. 

Stop by  Ladurée  for their famous macarons and window shop at high-end boutiques like Louis Vuitton and Cartier. You can also have an easy and affordable lunch at Paul (baguettes and salads) or something fancier in one of the restaurants tucked just off the Champs Elysees. 

Either way, your stroll down on the Champ Elysees will be a moment of this 4 days in Paris Itinerary you won’t forget.

As you walk down the Champs Elysees, you’ll arrive at a roundabout and most of the avenue will be surrounded by greenery from here. You can catch the metro yellow line from here (metro stop: Franklin D. Roosevelt) for 2 stops and you’ll arrive at the  Louvre  in just 7 minutes if you prefer not to walk.

Or you can continue to walk down toward the Louvre for another 20-30mins.

Grand Palais and Petit Palais:  These two palaces are located on the right side and you will see them pop out on the right as you walk down. The Grand Palais is a museum and exhibition hall, while the Petit Palais is an art museum. 

Keep walking until you arrive at Place Del Concorde. Your 4 days itinerary in Paris continues.

Place de la Concorde

Place de la Concorde is the largest public square located at the end of the Champs-Élysées in Paris and it connects it with Tuileries Garden and the Louvre. 

What makes Place de la Concorde special?

During the French Revolution in the late 18th century, the square was renamed Place de la Révolution and became the site of many public executions, including those of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. 

The square was also home to the infamous guillotine, which was used to execute thousands of people during the Reign of Terror. 

In the 19th century, the square was renamed once again to its current name, Place de la Concorde, as a symbol of reconciliation and harmony. The Louis XV statue was replaced with an Egyptian obelisk. The obelisk was gifted to France by the government of Egypt and it is one of the oldest monuments in Paris. It’s more than 3000 years old.

You will also see the Hôtel de Crillon, a luxury historic hotel. 

From here you could continue to the Louvre through the beautiful Tuileries Garden.

Tuileries Garden

The Tuileries Garden is one of the largest and most popular parks located in the heart of Paris. It connects Place de la Concorde and the Louvre.

The garden was created in the 16th century by Queen Catherine de Medici, who had a palace built on the site of the current Louvre Museum. The garden has expanded since then and it is free to enter for all.

There are geometrically arranged flowerbeds, gravel paths, and fountains to enjoy as you stroll toward the Louvre. You can relax here for a bit or enjoy a drink or snack at one of the park’s cafes. 

If you have a ticket booked for the Louvre for a specific time in the afternoon, this is a nice place to wait until you need to be there. But allow enough time to get to the Louvre Entrance as it can take some time.

If you are travelling to other cities in Europe, check our out detailed itineraries for 3 Days in Rome , 2 Days in Florence , 1 Day in Venice , 2 Days in Vienna , Prague in 2 Days and Amsterdam in 3 days itinerary . I also wrote itineraries for London , Budapest , and Athens . 

Louvre Museum

While many visitors come to the Louvre in the morning, I much prefer the afternoon visit. 

The Louvre Museum, or simply the Louvre, is one of the world’s largest and most famous art museums. The museum is housed in the Louvre Palace, a former royal palace that was constructed in the 12th century and expanded over the centuries.

The Louvre Museum is home to over 38,000 objects, ranging from prehistoric artifacts to contemporary art. Its collections include paintings, sculptures, and archaeological finds from around the world.

 Some of the most famous works on display at the Louvre include the  Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci ,  the Winged Victory of Samothrace , and  the Venus de Milo . These are the 3 works of art that most people try to see during their visit as seeing everything is simply impossible. There are over 300 rooms and galleries spread across three wings and they say it would take you 9 months to see everything, 

It is open daily except on Tuesdays and is a must-see destination for art and culture enthusiasts spending 4 days in Paris.

I would suggest to pre-purchase the entry ticket to the Louvre online as early as possible. Or even better, consider doing a guided tour to get a better appreciation of the art here –  I recommend booking this one :

After Louvre, head to the Notre Dame Cathedral, which is currently under construction, but still worth a visit. It will only take about 20 minutes to walk there, which might be quicker than changing metro lines. 

Or you can choose to go back to the hotel to change and freshen up for the evening in the Latin Quarter.

Most of our first day of this 4 days Paris Itinerary was on the Right Bank of Paris, but we are about to cross over the island in the river Seine and then spend the evening on the Left Bank.

Notre Dame is a medieval Catholic cathedral located on Île de la Cité, a small island in the centre of Paris, France. It’s believed Julias Cesaer once stood on this island.

Notre Dame is considered one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture and has become a cultural icon of France. Construction of the cathedral began in 1163 and continued for over two centuries until it was completed in the 14th century. 

It was here that Napoleon Bonaparte was crowned Emperor of France in 1804 and the cathedral also inspired Victor Hugo’s famous novel, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” which helped to raise awareness about the importance of preserving historic buildings.

In April 2019, a fire broke out in the cathedral, causing significant damage to the roof and spire. The incident sparked an outpouring of support from around the world, and efforts to restore and rebuild the cathedral are ongoing and should be completed in 2024 . 

The cathedral features intricate stonework, stunning stained-glass windows, and numerous sculptures, including the famous gargoyles that adorn the roof and you can still enjoy it from the outside. 

Latin Quarter

After you had a look around Notre Dame, it is time to relax and have a drink in the Latin Quarter which is literally just there. It’s most likely a later afternoon by now.

The Latin Quarter is a lively and historic district located on the Left bank of the Seine River in Paris. It is known for its bohemian atmosphere, charming narrow streets, and vibrant nightlife. The area is home to many universities, including the Sorbonne, and has a long history of intellectual and artistic activity. Of course, it has to be included in this itinerary for Paris. 

One of the highlights of the Latin Quarter is the Rue Mouffetard, a pedestrian street lined with cafes, restaurants, and specialty food shops.  

But you can stay closer to the river Seine near Notre Dame as there are many options there as well. For dinner, you can try the traditional French dish of boeuf bourguignon (beef stewed in red wine), or perhaps a hearty cassoulet (a slow-cooked bean and meat dish) paired with a glass of red wine. 

Of course, you should try escargot (snails) while in France.

Those with a sweet tooth can indulge in a classic dessert like crème brûlée or tarte tatin. 

4 days in Paris Itinerary – Recommended Restaurant for Latin Quarter: 

Le Petit Pontoise is a cosy and intimate restaurant that serves classic French dishes.

Le Comptoir du Relais , another famous French Bistro.

At night, the Latin Quarter comes alive with a variety of bars, clubs, and live music venues. You can enjoy a drink at a trendy rooftop bar for a more low-key evening, there are plenty of cafes and jazz bars.

My other suggestion is to go to the oldest cabaret in Paris: Paradis Latin. The show starts at 8 pm and it is a great way to spend an evening in Paris. Book a Show and Champagne Ticket here , or a Dinner & Show Ticket here .

Alternatively, you can go to the cabaret another night. Moulin Rouge in Montemarte is a popular option and you will be spending an evening there on the 2nd day of this Paris Itinerary. Read more about Moulin Rouge Cabaret Tickets & packages on Day 2, below. 

‍♀️ BEST GUIDED TOURS

• Louvre Museum Skip-the-Line Guided Tour
• Skip-The-Line Guided Tour of Musee d’Orsay
• Ultimate Paris Food Tour
• Versailles Palace Skip-The-Line Guided Tour

Day 2: Exploring Parisian Neighborhoods 

On your second day in Paris of this 4 days in Paris Itinerary, it’s time to explore the city’s charming neighbourhoods. Begin your day in the Marais, one of the most picturesque neighbourhoods in Paris. 

Marais District

Here, you’ll find cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and trendy boutiques. Here are a few things to do in Marais this morning here:

• Shop and eat at the  Marché des Enfants Rouges : This covered market is the oldest market in Paris and is a great place to pick up fresh produce, baked goods, and other food items. There are also several stalls selling clothes, jewellery, and other artisanal products.
• Stroll around  Place des Vosges : This beautiful square is surrounded by elegant 17th-century townhouses. The square is a great place to relax and enjoy the morning sun, and there are plenty of cafes and restaurants nearby where you can grab a coffee or a bite to eat.
• Explore the  Rue des Rosiers : This street is known for its Jewish history and is lined with bakeries, delicatessens, and shops selling Jewish-themed items. A great place to grab a bagel or a falafel and to learn about the Jewish culture of Marais. Or join a tour here .

After lunch, head to the  Palais Garnier , a stunning opera house that was the inspiration for the Phantom of the Opera. 

While you could walk across Paris through different districts, it’s easy to get there on a metro once again.

Opera Garnier 

The Opéra Garnier, also known as the Palais Garnier, is a historic opera built in 1875 by the architect Charles Garnier. This is one of the most famous opera houses in the world and a must-see on any Paris itinerary As soon as you arrive at the Opera, you’ll be amazed by the facade. 

The Opéra Garnier is known for its ornate and opulent decor, which includes marble columns, crystal chandeliers, and gilded sculptures. The auditorium features a large stage, six levels of seating, and a capacity of up to 2,200 spectators! 

In addition to opera performances, the Opéra Garnier hosts ballets, concerts, and other cultural events throughout the year. 

You can reserve a ticket to visit the opera on a guided tour here .

Galleries Lafayette

Just behind the Opera Garnier, you’ll find the famous department store of Paris, Galleries Lafayette. Even if you don’t love shopping, it’s worth checking this mall out, truly beautiful and so French.

But for many visitors, 4 days itinerary in Paris must include some shopping as well. 

The store occupies an entire block and features over 70,000 square meters of retail space spread across ten floors. It offers a wide range of luxury fashion brands, accessories, beauty products, and home goods.

The store is known for its stunning Art Nouveau architecture, which includes a magnificent stained-glass dome that is over 100 years old! Not just your average shopping mall! 

The rooftop terrace  offers stunning views of Paris, including the Eiffel Tower and the Opera Garnier. But there is also the Créatures Galeries Lafayette Haussmann vegetarian restaurant where you can enjoy a meal or a drink while taking in the views. 

In the late afternoon/ early evening, head to Montmartre, one of the most romantic neighbourhoods in the city. Visit The Basilica of the Sacred Heart, the highest point in Paris, and enjoy stunning views of the city. 

Montmartre was once a village outside of Paris and became a popular destination for artists in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, it is a vibrant and bustling neighbourhood that attracts visitors from around the world. 

For me, it’s one of the neighbourhoods where you feel that French charm that you have been looking for. If you have seen the famous french movie of  Amelie , you’ll be seeing a few places featured in the movie.

Take the metro to the stop Pigalle or Blanche and head up the hill through the small streets towards The Basilica of the Sacred Heart.

The Basilica of the Sacred Heart

The Basilica of the Sacred Heart is a stunning white church that sits atop the hill and offers panoramic views of Paris. It was built in the early 20th century as a symbol of the nation’s resilience after the Franco-Prussian War. 

While most people reach the top of the hill by taking the stairs through the garden below. But you can also take the funicular on the side. You’ll need to buy a metro ticket or if you have a daily metro pass, you can use it. 

Once you reach the top you’ll have breathtaking views of Paris, but do make sure you enter the church as well! The interior is incredible with stunning mosaics and stained-glass windows. 

From here continue to walk for 5-10 minutes to reach the picturesque square of  Place du Tertre.  There are street artists and many restaurants to eat early dinner if you choose so.

Moulin Rouge Cabaret

Moulin Rouge is one of the most famous cabarets in the world, located next to the metro station Pigalle in the Montmartre region

The cabaret was opened in 1889 and has since become a symbol of Parisian nightlife and entertainment. The Moulin Rouge is known for its dazzling cancan dancers, extravagant costumes, and fun vibes! This is where the can-can dance was born!

The Moulin Rouge offers shows performed by a cast of talented dancers and musicians, who work together to create a memorable and entertaining experience for audiences. Generally, there might be two or three shows in the evening (7 pm, 9 pm, and 11 pm show)

Tickets for the Moulin Rouge vary depending on the show and the seating area. Prices can range from around 125 euros for a standard ticket to over 500 euros for a VIP experience (dinner, show and VIP seats) . It’s important to book tickets in advance, as shows can sell out quickly, especially during peak tourist season.

In addition to the show, the Moulin Rouge also offers a dinner and show package , which includes a gourmet meal and priority seating for the performance. This package can be more expensive, but it is a great way to experience the full Moulin Rouge experience.

Overall, the Moulin Rouge is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience the excitement and glamour of Parisian nightlife and this is why I include it in this 4 days in Paris Itinerary.

While tickets can be pricey, the unforgettable show and lively atmosphere are well worth the cost. I went first time when I was much younger and the ticket did break my budget but it was so worth it. 

Day 3 of 4 Days in Paris: Left Bank of Paris

On your third day in Paris, it’s time to experience the city’s culture on the Left bank. Begin your day at the Musée d’Orsay, which houses one of the world’s best collections of impressionist and post-impressionist art.

Musée d’Orsay

Start your morning with a luxury French breakfast and then head to the Musée d’Orsay. I highly recommend pre-booking your tickets online so you can skip the line when you arrive at the museum. It opens at 9.30 am and the ticket starts at 9.30 am.

Alternatively, you can also  book this Skip-The-Line Guided Tour of Musee d’Orsay.

The Musée d’Orsay is housed in a stunning former railway station. Apparently, the rail tracks were too short for the trains so the building was abandoned. The collection here focuses on art from the mid-19th century to the early 20th century. It is all dedicated to impressionism.

Here you can see works by Van Gogh, Monet, Renoir, Degas, Cézanne, and many others. The museum’s collection also includes sculptures, decorative arts, and photography from this period.

There are two works of art not to be missed,  Van Gogh’s “Starry Night”  and  Monet’s “Water Lilies” . The museum’s architecture is also a highlight, with its soaring ceilings and intricate ironwork adding to the overall beauty of the space. Great place to spend the morning. 

Napoleon’s Tomb

After  Musée d’Orsay  strolls along the river Seine towards the resting place of Napoleon which happens to be an impressive church. You may choose to come and see the building from the outside. Or for 14 Euros you can visit the interior. 

Napoleon’s Tomb is located in the  Hôtel des Invalides , a complex of buildings in Paris that was originally built as a military hospital and retirement home for war veterans. Napoleon’s tomb is housed in a grand domed chapel, which was completed in 1861.

Although Napoleon died on Saint Helena Island, his remains were later on moved here.

The tomb itself is an amazing work of art and architecture, featuring a large coffin made of red rock and resting on a green granite pedestal.

The coffin is surrounded by twelve colossal statues, each representing a different military campaign or victory in Napoleon’s career.

The ticket for the tomb includes an entry to the Hôtel des Invalides complex. This complex includes museums, exhibits, and other historical artifacts related to France’s military history, so you can stroll through there as well. 

Montparnasse Tower

If you feel like seeing Paris from a different angle, I recommend going to the top of the Montparnasse Tower. The perfect 4 days in Paris Itinerary would not be complete without seeing Paris from above. 

The Montparnasse Tower is a skyscraper, in fact, the only one in this part of old Paris. The tower is made of concrete and glass, with a distinctive modernist design.

It was completed in 1973 and stands 210 meters tall, making it one of the tallest buildings in Paris. 

If you ask me, the Montparnasse Tower has better views than Eiffel Tower as you can actually see the Eiffel Tower while here. Trust me, it will be a special memory from your 4 days in Paris.

The observation deck offers panoramic views of Paris and getting here is super quick. You can take an elevator to the 56th floor, and as soon as you step out you’ll be surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows. And you can go further, one more level up to the open-air terrace. 

On a clear day, visitors can see up to 40 kilometres in any direction and can take in views of famous landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and the Arc de Triomphe. And it’s never as crowded as the Eiffel Tower.

Evening Cruise on the River Seine

Evenings in Paris are magical. If you prefer to have a picnic under the Eiffel Tower tonight then why not. There is a big grassy area just next to it known as Champs de Mars and it is perfect for a picnic under the Eiffel Tower. 

You could also head up to the Trocadero Gardens to the platform known as Palais de Chaillo t, a platform between two museums. Here you get a great view of the Eiffel Tower and this is a perfect spot to come after sunset for the first “sparkle of the Eiffel Tower”.

Why does the Eiffel Tower sparkle/light up?

The Eiffel tower lights up and sparkles each night for 5 minutes at each even hour after dusk. So if sunset is at 7.20 pm, it will start sparkling at 8 pm and each hour after until 11.45 pm which is the last sparkle of the night. 

If you prefer to see the city of lights from a different perspective you can also join the cruise, maybe at sunset, and then watch the first Eiffel Tower Sparkle, or choose the cruise later on in the evening to see it sparkling from the boat.

Reserve a Paris Seine River Cruise Ticket here .

It’s the perfect way to finish the 3rd day of your 4 days in the Paris Itinerary. 

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Day 4: Day trips from Paris

On your final day in Paris, it’s time to head out of the city of Paris on a day trip. Yes, Paris is amazing and you can easily allow yourself another day in the city on your 4 days in Paris itinerary, however, there are some amazing places to see just outside Paris. 

Here are the best day trips for your final day of these 4 days in Paris Itinerary: 

Best Day Trips from Paris: Palace of Versailles 

If you have an extra day in Paris, a visit to the Palace of Versailles is a must. Located just 20 kilometres outside of Paris, this stunning palace and its gardens are one of the most popular day trips from the city.

There are 2 options to get to Versailles, pre-book a Guided Tour to Versailles from Paris .

Or you can make your own way to Versailles on the train.

Getting to Versailles: 

There are several ways to get to Versailles from Paris. The easiest way is to take the RER C train from central Paris to the Versailles-Château Rive Gauche station. The journey takes about 45 minutes, and trains run every 15-20 minutes.

Make sure you get the correct ticket, your standard metro ticket won’t be valid.

What to see at Versailles:  Once you arrive at the palace, there are several things you should see.

Begin with a tour of the palace itself, where you can see the opulent rooms and living quarters of Louis XIV and his successors. Highlights include the Hall of Mirrors, the King’s Grand Apartment, and the Queen’s Grand Apartment.

After touring the palace, head outside to explore the gardens. The gardens of Versailles cover over 800 hectares and include fountains, sculptures, and groves. Don’t miss the Grand Canal, the Apollo Fountain, and the Neptune Fountain.

If you have time, you can also visit the Trianon Palace, a smaller palace located on the grounds of Versailles. This was the summer residence of the French monarchs and includes several smaller buildings and gardens.

Tips for Visiting Versailles:

• Buy your entrance ticket in advance online to skip the long lines. I recommend the Versailles Palance Skip-The-Line Classic Guided Tour – Reserve your ticket here .
• Wear comfortable shoes, as you’ll be doing a lot of walking.
• Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy it in the gardens.

Normandy D-Day Day Trip 

Normandy is a beautiful region known for its picturesque coastal towns, historic sites, and natural beauty. Enjoy an intimate historical look at the D-Day landings on this full-day trip to the beaches of Normandy from Paris .

Visit Omaha Beach, German bunkers, and more.

Mont Saint-Michel Guided Day Trip from Paris

Explore the UNESCO-listed Mont-St-Michel on a Full Day Tour from Paris.

Giverny + Monet’s House

Located about 80 kilometres northwest of Paris, Giverny is a charming village that was home to the famous impressionist painter Claude Monet. Visitors can tour Monet’s house and gardens, which inspired many of his most famous paintings, including the Water Lilies series.

Once again, you can take the train to Giverny and join this tour once there to see Monet House and the gardens.

• Guided tour of Monet’s house and gardens/Giverny from 68 Euros pp

Alternatively, you can do a half-day tour from Paris that includes return transportation, an audio guide, and an entrance fee.

• Giverny & Monet’s House From Paris Audio Guided Half-day Tour

Or if you want a more private and inclusive tour from Paris, you can join this Half-Day, Art-Historian-Led VIP Tour,  from 385€ 

Loire Valley Castles with Wine Tasting 

Leave the city of Paris that will take you to Château de Chambord-the inspiration for Disney’s `Beauty and the Beast’ for a guided tour.

The next stop is the town of Blois, home of the Château de Blois for some free time, and the last visit to the elegant Château de Chenonceau with wine tasting included here. Book it here

4 Days in Paris Itinerary Château de Chambord

Food tour in Paris on the last day of your 4 days in Paris Itinerary?

Why not taste Paris instead? Paris has some fabulous food tours and even cooking classes you can join. Here are four food experiences that I highly recommend.

• Ultimate Paris Food Tour from €109.00 pp
• Montmartre Hill Sweet & Savory French Gourmet Food & Wine Tasting Tour from €99.00
• Le Marais Paris The Original District Food and Wine Tasting Tour from €110.00
• Paris Cooking Class including 3-Course Lunch, Wine & Optional Market Visit from €189.00

No matter which day trip you choose, be sure to plan ahead and make the most of your time outside of Paris during your 4 days in Paris Itinerary.

How to Get Around Paris

Getting around in Paris can be easy and affordable with the city’s extensive public transportation system. 

Here’s what you need to know about transport for your 4 days in Prais:

Paris Metro: 

The Paris Metro is one of the most efficient and affordable ways to get around the city. With 16 lines and over 300 stations, it’s easy to get anywhere you need to go.

You can purchase single tickets for  €2.10 , a package of 10 tickets, a carnet [“car-nay”] costs  €19.10 (paper tickets) or €16.90 if put on Navigo Easy , or a day pass is  €7.50 .

You can also use contactless credit or debit cards to pay for your fare, which is very convenient.

Scooters:  

Electric scooters have become a popular way to get around Paris in recent years. Companies such as  Lime, Bird , and  Tier  operate fleets of scooters that can be rented using a smartphone app.

Just locate a scooter on the app, scan the QR code, and you’re ready to ride. Be sure to wear a helmet and obey traffic laws.

Uber and Bolt : 

Uber is a popular ride-sharing service in Paris. Just download the app, enter your destination, and a driver will pick you up. You can pay using a credit or debit card, and there are various ride options to choose from, including UberX, UberPOOL, and UberBLACK.

Bolt has a similar concept. Download the app, set up your profile and you’re good to start ordering rides!

Hop-on Hop-Off Paris Bus 

Paris has two major hop-on-hop-off bus tour companies:  L’Open and Les Cars Rouges (Big Bus Tours).  The large double-decker, open-top buses drive around the city on a set route with multiple stops.

This can also work really well for your first one of two days of your 4 days in Paris as you also get to see a lot of Paris.

The 24-hour ticket cost €37.80 and 48 hours €46.80 per person. Book your tickets online here .

Tips for Getting Around in Paris:

• Check the metro map before your trip to get an idea of the lines and stations. Use Google Maps to get from A to B – just tap the transport option and it will tell you what to take.
• Keep your ticket or pass with you at all times, as there are random checks on the metro.
• Be aware of rush hour times when the metro can be extremely crowded.
• Look out for bike lanes when using a scooter or riding a bike.
• Consider walking for shorter distances, as Paris is a beautiful city to explore on foot.

Which Area to Stay in Paris for First-Time Visitors?  

Paris is a city with many distinct neighbourhoods, each with its own charm and personality. For first-time visitors, it’s important to choose a neighbourhood that is centrally located and offers easy access to the city’s main attractions. 

Here are some of the best areas to stay in Paris for first-time visitors:

• Le Marais :  Located in the 3rd and 4th arrondissements, Le Marais is a trendy and lively neighbourhood with a rich history. It’s home to many museums, art galleries, and fashion boutiques, as well as some of the city’s best restaurants and bars. It’s also conveniently located near popular attractions like Notre Dame and the Pompidou Center.
• Saint-Germain-des-Prés :  Located in the 6th arrondissement, Saint-Germain-des-Prés is a chic and sophisticated neighbourhood with a long history of intellectual and artistic life. It’s home to many historic cafes, bookstores, and boutiques, as well as some of the city’s best museums and galleries, including the Musée d’Orsay and the Louvre. It’s also well-connected to the rest of the city by public transportation.
• Latin Quarter :  Located in the 5th and 6th arrondissements, the Latin Quarter is a historic and bohemian neighbourhood with a lively student population. It’s home to many historic landmarks, including the Sorbonne and the Panthéon, as well as some of the city’s best restaurants and cafes. It’s also a great place to explore on foot, with winding streets and hidden alleyways to discover.
• Montmartre : Located in the 18th arrondissement, Montmartre is a picturesque and historic neighbourhood known for its artists, musicians, and cabarets. It’s home to the famous Sacré-Cœur Basilica, as well as many cafes, restaurants, and boutique shops. It’s also well-connected to the rest of the city by public transportation, including the metro and the funicular.

Best Places To Stay in Paris France

Luxury Hotels in Paris:

• The Peninsula Paris: This luxurious hotel is located near the Champs-Elysees and boasts a rooftop restaurant, indoor pool, and spa.
• Four Seasons Hotel George V : This iconic hotel is located near the Arc de Triomphe and offers opulent rooms, a Michelin-starred restaurant, and a beautiful courtyard garden.

Mid-Range Hotels in Paris:

• Hotel Les Bulles de Paris : This boutique hotel is located in the Latin Quarter and offers elegant rooms and a champagne bar.
• Hotel Eiffel Turenne : This modern hotel is located near the Eiffel Tower and offers comfortable rooms and a cozy lounge area.

Budget Hotels in Paris: 

• Grand Hôtel de Clermont: Simple, clean and comfortable hotel in an excellent location.
• Hotel Audran : This charming hotel is situated in the artistic neighbourhood of Montmartre, one of the oldest districts in Paris. It offers rooms with private bathrooms with Wi-Fi access, just 202 m from Abbesses metro station.

The Best Food and Dishes to Try in Paris

Paris is famous for its delicious food, and there are many dishes and specialties that you simply must try when you visit the city. Here are five of the best food and dishes to try in Paris:

• Croissants : A quintessential French breakfast pastry, croissants are made with buttery layers of flaky pastry that melt in your mouth. You can find them at any bakery or café in Paris, but some of the best are at the famous bakery, Boulangerie Patisserie Au Kouign Amann.
• French Onion Soup : A hearty and warming soup made with caramelized onions, and beef broth, and topped with a layer of melted cheese. The best place to try it is at Les Halles, one of the oldest and most famous restaurants in Paris.
• S teak frites : A classic French dish that consists of a juicy steak served with crispy, golden fries. One of the best places to try it is at Le Relais de l’Entrecôte, a restaurant that specializes in steak frites.
• Macarons : These delicate and colourful French cookies are made with almond flour and filled with a variety of delicious flavours, such as raspberry, chocolate, or pistachio. Ladurée is one of the most famous and beloved macaron shops in Paris.
• Crème Brûlée : A classic French dessert made with rich custard that is topped with a layer of caramelized sugar. One of the best places to try it is at the legendary Café de Flore, a historic café that has been serving customers since 1887.
• Baguette : The quintessential French bread, baguettes are crispy on the outside and soft and airy on the inside. The best place to try them is at any local boulangerie, such as Eric Kayser or Poilâne.
• Escargots : A French delicacy of cooked snails, usually served with garlic butter and parsley. You can find them at many traditional Parisian brasseries, such as Le Petit Zinc or Le Comptoir du Relais.
• Bouillabaisse: Enjoy a steaming bowl of bouillabaisse, the famous seafood soup. Enjoy it with a basket of freshly cut baguettes and a glass of wine by the port. This soup is famous in the port city of Marseille France – in fact, indulging in this dish is one of our Top 5 Best Things to do in Marseille .
• Coq au Vin : A hearty stew made with chicken, red wine, and vegetables, served with crusty bread or potatoes. A great place to try it is at Le Bistrot Paul Bert, a classic Parisian bistro.
• Cheese : France is known for its wide variety of delicious cheeses, such as Brie, Camembert, and Roquefort. You can find them at many fromageries (cheese shops) in Paris, such as Fromagerie Barthélemy or Fromagerie Quatrehomme.
• Ratatouille : A vegetable stew made with eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes, onions, and peppers, flavoured with garlic and herbs. You can find it at many traditional Parisian restaurants, such as Chez Janou or Le Jules Verne.
• Tarte Tatin : A classic French dessert made with caramelized apples and a buttery pastry crust, usually served with vanilla ice cream or crème fraîche. You can find it at many patisseries in Paris, such as Pâtisserie des Rêves or La Pâtisserie Cyril Lignac.

Paris is a food lover’s paradise, and there are many delicious dishes and specialties to discover and savour during your 4 days in Paris itinerary. These foods are just a few of the many reasons to indulge in the culinary delights of Paris.

Don’t miss our EUROPE CITY GUIDES

• ROME 3 Days Itinerary
• VENICE 1-Day Itinerary
• FLORENCE 2 Days Itinerary
• AMSTERDAM 3 Day Itinerary
• PARIS 4 Days Itinerary
• BUDAPEST 2 Days Itinerary
• PRAGUE 2 Days Itinerary
• LONDON 1 Day Itinerary
• ATHENS 1 Day Itinerary
• BERLIN 2 Days Itinerary
• VIENNA 2 Days Itinerary
• LISBON 2 Days Itinerary

Scams in Paris – Avoid them!

Don’t get scammed during your 4 days in Paris itinerary!  

As with any major tourist destination, there are unfortunately some scams to watch out for in Paris.

Here are a few of the most common:

• Pickpocketing : This is a common problem in crowded areas like the metro, tourist sites, and outdoor markets. Be sure to keep an eye on your belongings at all times and avoid carrying large amounts of cash or valuable items.
• Street vendors : Some street vendors, particularly those selling souvenirs, may try to pressure you into buying something or distract you while someone else steals your wallet or purse. Be cautious when approached by vendors and keep your belongings close.
• “Gold ring” scam:  In this scam, a person will approach you on the street and ask if you dropped a gold ring. They will then try to sell you the ring at a discount, claiming they can’t use it themselves. The ring is usually fake, and the scammer will try to take advantage of your kindness to get you to pay an inflated price.
• “String” or “bracelet” scam:  In this scam, a person will approach you on the street and offer to make a bracelet or necklace for you out of string. Once they’ve finished, they’ll demand payment and may become aggressive if you refuse to pay.
• “Clipboard Scam”:  The clipboard scam is a common scam that occurs in Paris, and it typically targets tourists who are walking in busy areas. In this scam, a person will approach you on the street holding a clipboard, and they may ask you to sign a petition or to make a donation to a charity. While you are distracted, another person may come up behind you and steal your wallet or purse.

To avoid falling victim to these or other scams in Paris, be sure to stay alert and aware of your surroundings, keep your belongings secure, and don’t engage with strangers who seem overly pushy or aggressive.

RELATED POST –  How to Avoid 6 Common Tourist Scams in China

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Best Time to Visit in Paris

The best time to visit Paris largely depends on your personal preferences and what you want to experience during your trip. 

Here’s a breakdown of each season to help you decide:

• Spring (March to May) : Springtime in Paris is beautiful, with mild temperatures, blossoming trees and flowers, and fewer crowds than in the peak summer months. However, it can be rainy and unpredictable, so be sure to bring an umbrella.
• Summer (June to August) : Summer is the peak tourist season in Paris, with warm weather, long days, and plenty of events and festivals. However, it can also be crowded and expensive, and many locals go on vacation during this time.
• Fall (September to November) : Fall in Paris is another lovely time to visit, with cooler temperatures, beautiful autumn foliage, and fewer tourists. However, it can also be rainy and some attractions may have reduced hours or close for the season.
• Winter (December to February) : Winter in Paris can be cold and damp, but it also has its charms, such as Christmas markets, holiday lights, and fewer tourists. Plus, you can warm up with some delicious hot chocolate or mulled wine.

Overall, the best time to visit in Paris is in the shoulder seasons of spring and fall when the weather is mild and the crowds are thinner.

However, each season has its unique advantages and disadvantages, so it ultimately depends on what you’re looking for in your trip.

My Final Thoughts on 4 days in Paris Itinerary

It’s a common question, how many days in Paris do you need?  If  you have time, then spending 4 days in Paris is the perfect amount of time to see the main attractions, eat some delicious French food and enjoy some of the Parisian vibes the city is known for.

You can never really see everything in Paris, but this detailed itinerary for 4 days covers a lot. Let me know if the comments if you have any questions about this Paris itinerary or if you have visited the city of love. 

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Travel Tips for Europe

While you’re in France, and only 3.5 hours away by car, why not visit Beaune in Burgundy? This is a beautiful part of France and these top 5 things to do in Beaune  will keep you busy.

And, if your plan is to explore more of Europe after you’ve had the best time in Paris and France, then you’re in luck!

We love this region of the world, and we’ve got some great tips for you. Check out  our ULTIMATE Packing List for Europe  for starters.

For the food lovers out there, you’ll love reading about all the new foods you can taste with our  Complete Food Map of Europe !

Perhaps you’re travelling on a budget? These  10 Cheapest Countries to Visit in Europe  may be just the tool you need to start planning an epic trip and our 7 Best Tips for Traveling to Europe  will be helpful.

But, know these  8 Things To Know About Travelling to Eastern Europe  before you go, and these are  7 Misconceptions about Eastern Europe  that every traveller should know.

We’ve got a bunch of  Tips for How you can Save Money to Travel the World  so you can travel more in the future!

Finally, these  Top 6 Travel Hacks to Save You Money  and  our Best Travel Tips from Over 15 Years of Travel  are some of the best travel advice we can share with you.

For more travel tips, travel gear , and products we use to travel the world, head to our  Travel Resources Page .

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✈️ Flights : We use Skyscanner to book cheap flights worldwide.

🏨 Accommodation :  Booking.com is our preferred platform for booking hotels and accommodation.

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🚌 Transportation : Trainline is the best website to reserve trains. We use Omio to book transport worldwide. For travel in Asia, we use 12Go.  

🚘 Car Rental : We use DiscoverCars to book rental cars worldwide.

👫 Group Tours :  G Adventures OR compare multi-day tours worldwide with Tourradar .

📸 Day Tours & Trips :  GetYourGuide  & Viator are the only two platforms you need.

📚 Lonely Planet: The Best Range of Travel Guides & Ebooks , and FREE Shipping! (use code RACHELDAVEY10 for a 10% discount)

🎒 Luggage :  Osprey Farpoint 40L Backpack  or  Samsonite Luggage Range.

🛄 What to Pack:  Don’t forget your Universal charger and a good  power bank .  To help you pack the essentials, here is our ULTIMATE Packing List for all Travellers .

🐶 Become a House Sitter:  Join Trusted Housesitters and enjoy FREE accommodation worldwide. Use our invite to receive 25% off your new membership.

💰 Send Money Anywhere: WISE  &  Revolut  are the best online accounts that let you send money, get paid, and spend money internationally. Both are so easy to use and way cheaper than any bank transfer.

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✅ Check out our Travel Gear  and  Travel Resources for more valuable tips to save you money!

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Then, head to the world-renowned Eiffel Tower, a symbol of Paris known worldwide. For a truly unforgettable experience, visit the tower around sunset. To avoid long lines, buy your tickets in advance online, which will ensure you get to enjoy all the beauty of the Eiffel Tower without the wait.

One of the most amazing spots to view the Eiffel Tower is from the Champ de Mars, particularly from the southeastern side of the tower, where there’s a lovely grassy area practically inviting you to sprawl out for a picnic. Afterward, take a leisurely stroll along the Seine River and watch the tower transition from day to night – a truly magical sight!

Place de la Concorde

Round off your day of sightseeing with a trip to the historic Place de la Concorde and the iconic Arc de Triomphe. This square witnessed many significant events during the French Revolution, including the execution of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette by guillotine. Today, the square is adorned with beautiful fountains and an ancient Egyptian obelisk, making it a popular spot for tourists and locals alike.

Take a moment to appreciate the stunning architecture and rich history of the square. As you stand in Place de la Concorde, you’re not only surrounded by breathtaking views but also centuries of captivating stories that shaped the city of Paris.

Day 2: Art, Culture, and Shopping

On day two, delve into the rich world of Parisian art, culture, and shopping. Begin your day with a visit to the world-famous Louvre Museum, home to iconic artworks such as the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo.

Next, wander through the charming streets of Montmartre, a historic artists’ district with stunning views of the city.

Finally, indulge in some retail therapy at the luxurious Galeries Lafayette, a Parisian department store with a stunning glass dome and rooftop terrace.

Louvre Museum

Housed in a former royal palace, the Louvre Museum is home to some of the world’s most renowned and priceless artworks, making it a must-visit destination for art enthusiasts. With an astonishing collection that spans centuries and cultures, the Louvre offers a unique opportunity to witness the artistic genius of humanity. To make the most of your visit, consider joining a guided tour, allowing you to navigate the vast museum with ease and gain a deeper understanding of the artworks on display.

Some of the highlights of the Louvre’s collection include:

• The enigmatic Mona Lisa
• The captivating Victory of Samothrace
• The elegant Venus de Milo
• The dramatic Raft of the Medusa

The quietest time to visit the Louvre Museum is during the evening hours, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the art without the crowds.

Once you’ve discovered the Louvre Museum’s treasures, venture to the scenic neighborhood of Montmartre, once home to iconic artists such as Salvador Dalí, Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso, and Vincent van Gogh. With its narrow cobblestone streets, bustling cafes, and stunning views, Montmartre offers a glimpse into the bohemian past of Paris and a rich source of inspiration for creativity.

As you stroll through the charming streets of Montmartre, be sure to visit the beautiful Basilica of the Sacred Heart (Sacré-Cœur), offering sweeping views of Paris from its steps. Don’t miss the lively Place du Tertre, where talented artists sell original artwork al fresco, and you may even have your portrait painted in their unique style.

Galeries Lafayette

Cap off your day immersed in art and culture with a trip to the splendid Galeries Lafayette, a luxurious Parisian department store offering an incredible range of designer brands and merchandise under its awe-inspiring glass dome. From high-fashion clothing and accessories to fragrances and fine foods, Galeries Lafayette is a shopping paradise for those seeking the finest Paris has to offer.

After a day of shopping, make your way to the rooftop terrace of Galeries Lafayette, where you’ll be rewarded with stunning city views and a photogenic ‘Paris, je t’aime’ sign. As you take in the breathtaking panorama, reflect on your day exploring the art, culture, and shopping delights of Paris.

Day 3: Royal Palaces and Beautiful Gardens

Day three in Paris invites you to journey back in time, basking in the grandeur of royal palaces and the serenity of picturesque gardens. Begin your day with a visit to the grand Versailles Palace, an architectural masterpiece and symbol of French royalty, as part of your four day Paris itinerary, which also includes other days in Paris itinerary experiences.

Continue your journey by unwinding in the picturesque Luxembourg Gardens, a popular spot for locals and tourists alike. Finally, stroll through the historic Tuileries Gardens, located between the Louvre Museum and Place de la Concorde.

Versailles Palace

Just a short train ride from the heart of Paris lies the magnificent Versailles Palace, a symbol of French royalty and opulence. This grand palace boasts opulent royal chambers, impeccably maintained gardens, and stunning works of art that transport you to a time of unparalleled extravagance. To fully appreciate the beauty and history of Versailles, it’s highly recommended to join a guided tour.

After exploring the palace, take a leisurely stroll through the vast gardens of Versailles, adorned with sculptures, fountains, and beautiful landscapes. These gardens are a testament to the grandeur and artistic vision of the French royalty, providing a serene escape from the bustling city.

Luxembourg Gardens

After your visit to Versailles Palace, return to the heart of Paris and relax in the enchanting Luxembourg Gardens. This park, commissioned by Marie de’ Medici in the 17th century, is a lush oasis with manicured lawns, vibrant flowers, and serene ponds. As you wander through the gardens, discover beautiful statues, fountains, and the elegant Luxembourg Palace, now home to the French Senate.

The Luxembourg Gardens are a popular spot for Parisians and tourists alike to unwind, enjoy a picnic, or take part in leisurely activities such as playing chess or sailing miniature boats on the pond. Take a break from sightseeing and enjoy the picturesque surroundings, a perfect way to spend a leisurely afternoon in Paris.

Tuileries Gardens

Wrap up your day of royal splendor and beautiful gardens with a trip to the historic Tuileries Gardens. Located between the Louvre Museum and Place de la Concorde, these gardens are steeped in history and offer a peaceful haven amidst the bustling city. Stroll along the tree-lined pathways, past tranquil ponds, and admire the numerous sculptures that adorn the gardens.

As you explore the Tuileries Gardens, take a moment to appreciate the stunning array of flowers and plants, meticulously maintained by skilled gardeners. The gardens serve as a living testament to the artistry and vision of the French monarchy, providing a serene escape for visitors and locals alike.

Day 4: Hidden Gems and Local Experiences

On your last day in Paris, stray from the tourist trail to uncover hidden gems and authentic local experiences in quarters like Le Marais, the Latin Quarter, and Saint-Germain-des-Prés. From trendy boutiques and historic architecture to narrow streets and bustling cafes, these neighborhoods offer a unique glimpse into the authentic Parisian lifestyle.

Embrace the local culture and create lasting memories as you explore the lesser-known side of the French capital.

Begin your day with an exploration of the fashionable Le Marais neighborhood, known for its vibrant atmosphere, boutique shops, and historic architecture. Stroll through the charming streets, discovering hidden courtyards and picturesque squares, such as the Place des Vosges, the oldest planned square in Paris.

Le Marais is also home to numerous art galleries, museums, and unique dining experiences. Be sure to stop by the National Archives and the Carnavalet Museum to delve into the history of Paris, or grab a bite to eat at one of the many delightful cafes and restaurants that line the narrow streets of the neighborhood.

Latin Quarter

Then, journey to the vibrant Latin Quarter, a bustling area with narrow streets, historic sites, and a vibrant nightlife. This neighborhood is home to the prestigious Sorbonne University, as well as numerous bookshops, cafes, and bars that cater to the student population. The charming cobblestone streets and lively atmosphere make the Latin Quarter a perfect destination for those seeking a taste of authentic Parisian life.

While exploring the Latin Quarter, don’t miss the chance to visit historic sites such as the Roman Forum, Les Arènes de Lutèce, and the Roman Baths of Cluny Museum. After a day of sightseeing, unwind at one of the bustling cafes or indulge in some delicious French cuisine at a local restaurant.

Saint-Germain-des-Prés

Finalize your Parisian escapade in the stylish Saint-Germain-des-Prés district, a district known for its upscale boutiques, art galleries, and iconic cafes. Wander the elegant boulevards and narrow streets, discovering hidden gems and local experiences that showcase the true essence of the city.

While you’re in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, be sure to visit the Church of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, the oldest church in Paris, and the literary cafes of Boulevard Saint-Germain, where famous writers such as Ernest Hemingway and Jean-Paul Sartre once gathered.

End your day with a visit to one of the many art galleries or indulge in some delectable French pastries at a local patisserie.

Parisian Dining and Nightlife

A Parisian jaunt isn’t complete without a taste of the city’s vibrant dining and nightlife. Throughout your stay, be sure to experience traditional brasseries, cozy wine bars, and dazzling cabaret shows to fully immerse yourself in the Parisian lifestyle.

Traditional Brasseries

Relish in the tastes of quintessential French cuisine at an authentic Parisian brasserie. Here, you’ll find an array of delicious dishes such as:

• French onion soup
• Steak frites

These establishments offer a relaxed atmosphere and a glimpse into the culinary heritage of France.

Many brasseries also feature beautiful vintage decor and a convivial atmosphere, making them the perfect setting for a leisurely meal with friends or a romantic dinner for two. While exploring the city, be sure to stop by one of these charming establishments for an authentic taste of Paris.

A visit to the French capital isn’t complete without savoring the country’s globally-acclaimed wines. Cozy wine bars can be found throughout the city, offering a curated selection of regional and international wines, often accompanied by delicious food pairings.

Whether you’re a wine connoisseur or a casual enthusiast, visiting a Parisian wine bar is a delightful way to unwind after a day of sightseeing. Savor the unique flavors and aromas of French wines while enjoying the warm and inviting atmosphere of these charming establishments.

Cabaret Shows

Inject some glitz into your Parisian journey with a captivating cabaret show at legendary venues like the Moulin Rouge or Le Crazy Horse de Paris. These shows offer a captivating combination of singing, dancing, comedy, and sometimes even poetry readings, providing a night of unforgettable entertainment.

To fully immerse yourself in the cabaret experience, consider booking a dinner and show package, which often includes a sumptuous meal created by an award-winning chef. Whichever cabaret you choose, you’re guaranteed a night of glitz, glamour, and unforgettable performances.

From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, your 4-day Paris itinerary offers a spectacular array of unforgettable experiences. As you explore the City of Light, immerse yourself in its rich history, artistic masterpieces, and vibrant neighborhoods. Savor the flavors of French cuisine, discover local boutiques, and indulge in the city’s dazzling nightlife. Bon voyage, and may your Parisian adventure be filled with unforgettable memories.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it worth going to paris for 4 days.

4 days in Paris is the perfect amount of time to explore the city's major sights, attractions, and enjoy some people-watching! Take advantage of this great opportunity to experience the City of Lights for a few days.

What is the best way to spend 4 days in Paris?

Embark on a 4 day adventure in Paris and explore the best that the city has to offer! Visit The Louvre, Jardin des Tuileries and the Latin Quarter on Day 1. On Day 2, check out Saint-Germain, the Eiffel Tower and the 15th arrondissement, followed by an excursion to Versailles on Day 3. Conclude with Le Marais, the 11th arrondissement and Montmartre on Day 4.

How many days is ideal for Paris trip?

For a first-time visit to Paris, I'd recommend planning 4-5 days in the city. That way you'll have enough time to enjoy some of the classic highlights and explore some of the neighborhoods without feeling rushed.

How much money should I bring to Paris for 4 days?

Prepare to be pampered with luxurious meals and activities in Paris – bring at least $280 for a 4-day trip, but budget up to $520 per day if you're feeling fancy!

What is the best way to prioritize attractions in Paris?

Make sure to prioritize attractions in Paris based on your personal interests and location, ensuring to visit the must-sees that are close by during your stay!

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for Solo Travel Over 50

Best 4 Days in Paris Solo Itinerary & Guide (2023)

UPDATED 9/23/23

When tourists think “France” they think Paris. Steeped in history and culture, Paris should undoubtedly be on your bucket list of destinations as an over 50 solo traveler. Having any time to spend in this one-of-a-kind, “City of Lights”, whether one day to 4 days (or more), is never a bad call.

Put on your walking shoes for this 4 days in Paris solo itinerary is going to keep you moving so you can indulge in French goodies guilt free.

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This post may contain affiliate links for your convenience. For products, the goal is to first provide direct links to eco-friendly, ethical, and sustainable companies, and then to those same type (i.e., Climate Pledge Friendly Certification ), of brands that use Amazon, if possible. Therefore, you may see multiple links for one option. Should you make a purchase through any link, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. See my Disclaimers & Disclosures and Privacy Policy for more information.

All You Need for 4 Days in Paris Solo

Paris travel packing essentials, best time to visit paris, best places to stay in paris, how to get around paris, is it safe to visit paris alone, day 1 – cruise paris & eiffel tower, day 2 – palace of versailles & the left bank, day 3 – more art & montmartre, day 4 – champagne day trip from paris.

Here are all of the sites you need to successfully book this Paris 4 day itinerary. I even give you my Paris hotel pick as a suitaby located, budget friendly option for this Paris solo travel.

I recommend you bookmark and use these sites early to lock in your 4 day Paris solo itinerary and get the best Paris travel deals.

Cheap Flights to Paris

Paris Train Tickets

Paris Bus Tickets

Paris City Center Hotels

My Hotel Pick (10th arr.)

Paris City Center Hostels

For more Paris budget accommodation ideas, use my Guide to Budget European Accommodations .

If you’re a first-time traveler to France, also use my ultimate France Solo Travel Guide full of tips on culture, entry requirements, currency, tipping, using electronics, safety, and a lot more.

I love Paris in the springtime…  Actually, I could love Paris any time, but it is best during the off season when there aren’t so many tourists and you won’t have to wait in line for the major attractions like you’ll see in this 4 day Paris itinerary. 

That said, Paris can be crowded in the spring and fall, too. Considering Paris is a pricy destination, plan and book accommodations well in advance, and schedule it away from the high tourist season (late May through early September), if budgeting is important to you.

How to Plan Your Eiffel Tower Visit

More france solo travel.

• Best Champagne Day Trip from Paris Without a Car
• Day Trip from Paris to Versailles Tips & Tricks
• Top 2 Benefits of a Tourist Map of Paris
• Spectacular 3 Days in the South of France

Undoubtedly, you’ll want to plan your accommodations to be fairly centrally located within the Paris city center and around your targeted attractions.

Paris is made up of 20 arrondissements (districts), the lower 8 being the more convenient. The further out from arrondissements 1 – 8, the less expensive it will be. However, you may get some good deals within these 8 arrondissements, or just bordering them, if you shop around and/or book well in advance.

For more convenience, like saving time (Paris is huge ), plan your stay close to a metro station and the train station(s) you’ll be accessing frequently.

For metro proximity and budget considerations, I stayed at the Libertel Gare de L’Est Francais , within the 10 th arrondissement and just across the way from the Gare du Nord for my four days in Paris. The single room cost was ideal as a solo traveler and came with all of the amenities, including a wonderful breakfast, and ease for accessing this Paris 4 day itinerary’s sights.

Paris is expensive, so I would definitely stay there again if need be, if doing another budget solo trip.

Unfortunately, I could not find an eco-friendly or sustainable hotel at that time. Going forward, of course, I would look again for this feature.

For location, price, amenities (including no pre-payment and free-cancellation), eco-friendly and sustainable operations, and customer reviews and ratings, here are my hotel recommendations of where I would stay near the Gare du Nord that won’t break the bank on solo travel:

• Hotel Mademoiselle
• Hôtel Soft

Eco Travel Tips

In addition to Booking.com’s Paris Travel Sustainable properties , Green Globe and Green Key Global also have eco-friendly certified lodging options.

More Eco-Travel Tips & Ideas

• 25 Must-Have & Eco-Friendly Solo Beach Trip Essentials
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• 10 Easy Ways to Be an Eco-Friendly Traveler
• 15 Eco Friendly Products for All Travel

ECO TRAVEL PICKS

Paris is a very large city, and using taxis and ride shares will make your transportation costs quickly add up.

As always, I recommend walking combined with public transportation as much as possible – it’s inexpensive, easy to use, and eco-friendly. This means getting to know the Paris metro .  The Paris metro is going to save you a ton of time, especially when trying to see Paris for 4 days.

For Paris sightseeing on this 4 day itinerary, purchase the 5-day Paris Metro Pass . It covers unlimited rides on all forms of public transportation within Zones 1-3.

To visit the Palace of Versailles on Day 2, you will need access to Zone 5. However, it’s less expensive to purchase the Paris St-Michel/Notre Dame to Versailles Rive Gauche/Château de Versailles roundtrip, RER C train ticket (at the St-Michel/Notre Dame station) the morning of Day 2.

If you are arriving or leaving Paris from the Charles de Gaulle or Orly Airport (Zone 5), you may wish to purchase your 5-Day Paris Metro Pass with Zone 5 included. You do the math on what works best for you.

If you do need to book a rideshare, select the  Bolt Green  or  Uber Green  options to support the use of electric cars and cleaner transportation in Paris.

For faster above-ground commuting and saving time in Paris, consider a fun ride on a Bolt or Lime electric scooter. Yes, even over 50.

I have been to Paris alone twice and never felt unsafe. With this particular 4 day Paris itinerary I was 47 and experienced no safety issues whatsoever, including traveling amongst the homeless and riding the Paris metro at night. Mind you, I had lived in Los Angeles prior and was used to the occasional panhandler, performer or intoxicated individual.  To me, the Paris metro felt like L.A. in French.

If you don’t feel comfortable walking or riding public transportation at night then consider adding rideshare or taxi costs in your budget.

Research your accommodations’ arrondissement for safety tips as well.

More Solo Travel Tips & Ideas

• How to Plan Your First Solo Trip:  Step 1
• How to Choose Your First Solo Trip Destination
• Why Don’t Americans Travel More? The True Reasons
• 7 American Excuses Not to Travel Debunked!

Best 4 Day Paris Itinerary

What can you see in Paris in 4 days solo over 50? Check this out. This 4-day Paris itinerary is packed with top Paris attractions. So much so, you may consider getting a Paris Pass . If not, individual tickets are available, of course.

This Paris itinerary assumes your arrival is before noon on Day 1. For all things holy, don’t forget your walking map (your hotel should provide) and mark your hotel’s location.

Day 1 starts by wandering Paris within arrondissements running along the Siene. Take the metro line 4 to the Cité station where you’ll pop up above ground on the Île de la Cité in the heart of Paris. If you’re close, walk there – the Île de la Cité is connected by 9 bridges. Take your time to stroll around the island and open spaces enjoying the surrounding views.

Stop at the most popular island destination, the beloved Gothic style Notre-Dame Cathedral. Enjoy the open, place du Parvis Notre Dame ( front square ) and go underneath the square. Go behind it to the park, Square Jean XXIII, to better appreciate its ornate flying buttresses.

Unfortunately, as of the timing of this post, the interior is still closed for renovation due to the devastating, April 15, 2019 fire, but you can still see the exterior.

When you’re ready to enjoy more Paris scenery, hop on a batobus for a Seine River cruise . What better way to see Paris in all its glory? Tickets are sold in 1 or 2 day passes, and you can hop on and hop off at any one of the small piers along the Siene – pick up is every 20 to 25 minutes.

From the Notre-Dame, board 15 minutes before departure (every 30 minutes) and ride about an hour to end up at the Eiffel Tower , your next destination and a Paris must do .

Now, I know I say to always get to the biggest tourist destinations first thing in the morning to avoid lines, and you don’t get much bigger than the Eiffel Tower (in every sense of the word). Yet, you can’t go wrong checking this off your Paris bucket list on your first day in Paris, and this is a leisure day after all.

I recommend trying to time your arrival close to your pre-purchased ticket to the top . If not, just plan to be waiting in line. You can stay as long as you want. Night Eiffel Tower views are spectacular .

Take in some bubbly at the champagne bar or dine at Le Jules Verne . It’s up to you. Read my tips on how best to plan your Eiffel Tower visit . Just don’t stay out too late – you have an early start tomorrow.

Your second day in Paris starts early with a quick bite at your hotel, or a pastry and café to hop on the train for your visit to the Château de Versailles (Palace of Versailles). Catch your RER C train early to the Palace of Versailles Château Rive Gauche station, because the combined train and walking time will take about an hour if you’re coming from central Paris.

The Palace opens at 9am and being smart, you picked the first entry time of the day and have your audio tour pre-downloaded to your phone, so you’re off to gawk in awe at the opulence of the Palace of Versailles while learning some French history without wasting time. Read more on the best tips for visiting Versailles from Paris.

Your trip to Versailles could find you entranced making you want to spend all day amongst the finery, gardens, and fountain shows. If so, feel free to forego the remaining day’s itinerary. However, if you’re “palaced out” after a few hours or more (like I was), not to worry. Grab a bite one of the many dining facilities so you’re relaxed and refreshed for round two in Paris.

Art on the Left Bank

Take the train to the Gare du Musée D’Orsay RER C for some amazing art at your next destination, the Musée d’Orsay . This museum on the Left Bank of the Seine holds its own as an attraction with its barrel-style iron and glass ceiling, open space and intricately designed hanging lamps that take you back to 1900 when it was completed as a railway station (the former Gare d’Orsay).

Add all of the amazing 1848 to 1914 art from the Impressionism and Art Nouveau periods and more, and you’ll be visually delighted for hours. I certainly was.

Save time by pre-purchasing your museum ticket online , which includes entrance to the Orangerie Museum, and head to entrance C. Check the museum website for regularly scheduled concerts, performances and café readings.

A different option is getting a combined museum ticket for entrance to the Musée Rodin (Day 3), which is good for a single entry to each museum and valid for three months. Otherwise, simply get your Musée Rodin entry ticket alone.

Hungry? Rest your feet for a drink and light snack at the museum. When you’ve had your fill of art, wander along the Seine or explore more of the Latin Quarter. Stroll through the 17 th century Le Jardin du Luxembourg (Luxembourg Gardens) – the perfectly kept lawns are off limits  – before a night out of dinner and drinks .

You can get a lazy start on your third day in Paris. By now you’re either loving your hotel’s breakfast or seen more café’s you’d like to try for a café au lait and croissant (or tartine). Once satiated, head to the Musée Rodin (just south of the Varenne metro), where you can stroll the gardens and admire his epic statues, like The Thinker, in addition to other great art within the 18 th century mansion. It opens at 10am.

Around noon, you’ll be traveling north to the Montmartre village, home to outdoor artists, street performers, shopping, steep hills and sweeping views, and the infamous Moulin Rouge .

Start with lunch in one of the many outdoor restaurants, sipping wine and watching the world go by.

Watch the tourists get their portraits painted or buy your own little piece of Paris. Street performers and musicians can be found around any corner on your way to the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur , where you can pop inside to the tower for free or cop a squat on the stairs in front, a popular spot for people to gather overlooking the Paris landscape, which seems to stretch forever.

There is no timetable on this lazy afternoon.  Just enjoy soaking in the culture of this funky village with eclectic storefronts and wares. Just keep your belongings safe – this area has been known to have pick pocketers.

Start down the steep stairs slowly making your way through the village-style streets. Alley ways offer blooming flowers adding to the quaint feel of this area.

Don’t forget to make your way to the Abbesses Metro, located on Place des Abbesses. This classic Art Nouveau metro canopy is one of the three remaining Art Nouveau entrances in Paris.

Of course, an afternoon in Paris would not be complete without joining the Parisians in an afternoon espresso, wine or cocktail (not a café au lait – Parisians drink those in the morning) outdoors.  Don’t you just love Paris?

It’s been a long day with a lot of walking. The rest of the evening is your call. Dinner closer to your hotel? Perhaps stay in the Montmartre village and catch a Moulin Rouge cabaret show at 82 Boulevard de Clichy. It opens at 9pm. The night is young in the City of Lights.

How does champagne tasting in the heart of the Champagne region sound?  It’s a completely doable option as an epic Paris to Reims day trip on the last of your 4 days in Paris alone and without a car.

Eat a solid breakfast and catch the morning TGV direct train from Paris Gare de l’Est, and you’ll be in Reims, France in 45 minutes with plenty of time to enjoy exploring Reims and the Reims Cathedral, lunch, and champagne house cavern tours and tastings. You’ll be back in Paris in time for dinner or, better yet, a gourmet dinner cruise .

Read more on how to enjoy the best Reims day trip from Paris .

If you don’t have a taste for champagne, consider hitting the Musée du Louvre (Louvre Museum) or the Musée de l’Orangerie (Orangerie Museum) early in the morning instead, followed by a stroll through the Jardin des Tuileries (Tuileries Garden). Soak up the sun with the Parisians and a picnic lunch.

The Galeries Lafayette (Chaussée d’Antin Metro), is great for grabbing a bite at anyone of its 24 restaurants and cafes, followed by shopping if that’s your thing. The Galeries Lafayette has it all: clothing, gourmet emporium, modern art, fashion shows, and a glasswalk magnificent stained-glass dome over a century old for a one-of-a-kind experience.

Drop off your gifts at your hotel, freshen up, and head out for your last night in Paris, starting with the Placé de la Concorde , where Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette met their fate by guillotine, now is home to a massive Ferris Wheel , where you can take a ride at night before dining at one of the top Placé de la Concorde restaurants – even Maxim’s , a Paris institution since 1893.

Walk off your dinner along the Champs Elysées where the Arc de Triumph awaits lit in all its glory for you to climb its 280 stairs for a memorable evening view of Paris.

Don’t miss the sparkling light show on the Eiffel Tower at the top of every hour. It’s short, but a must see before leaving Paris. Bon voyage!

Let Me Hear From You

I would love to hear if this 4 day Paris itinerary for Paris solo travel was helpful to you. Post me your thoughts or questions in the Comments section below. Thank you!

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What to Do in 4 Days in Paris: A Female Traveler’s Guide & Mistakes to Avoid

• Travel , Travel Tips , Videos

Oh, Paris. What a beautiful city. I love traveling to places where food plays a huge role and obviously, Paris did not disappoint. The opportunity to travel to Paris showed up when my friend, Jenny, decided to travel to Paris on a whim. She saw a reel that said, “if you’re going to be sad, you may as well be sad in Paris.” And two weeks later, I picked her up from her flight and we were on a train to Paris.

There were so many undiscovered hole-in-the-walls. I just wish we could’ve stayed longer because we weren’t able to take up all the things that Paris offered. But we did the best we could do to maximize our trip within 4 days. So if you’re planning on taking a trip to Paris, keep watching for my 4-day Travel Guide. I’ll show you what we saw, where we ate, mistakes to avoid, and tips to help you enjoy the most out of your trip.

Watch my video below or scroll down to read the transcript ▼

In my video, I talk about things like:

• 4 Day Paris Itinerary Walkthrough
• Mistakes to Avoid in Paris

Where to stay in Paris

• How to get around Paris
• Shopping tax-free in Paris
• Getting your EU Digital COVID Certificate
• COVID testing centers in Paris
• And plenty of other tips!

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4 Day Paris Itinerary

On Day 1, Jenny and I took the train from Germany to Paris. I booked our train tickets through Omio.com which is my go-to website for buying train tickets to travel through Europe. It was easy as buying a ticket and showing up at to the train station.

We came from Saarbrucken, Germany which made the train ride less than 2 hours.

Once we arrived in Paris Gare de l’Est station (by the way I WILL butcher every French thing I say but I’m trying my best so please don’t come for me). So once we arrived in Paris Gare de l’Est, we transferred to the local metro of subways and buses to head to our hotel.

Mistake #1: Take a taxi instead of the metro to your accommodations if you’re not familiar with the metro system and you have luggage. I say this because we had to transfer between different trains so we were getting stuck in turnstiles and constantly going up and down the stairs with our luggage. It’s already a hassle and I’d rather spend money to save me from that hassle.

Which, heading into Mistake #2, that made us a target for pickpockets because somewhere along the way, someone snatched Jenny’s phone right out of her coat pocket. So Jenny said, next time she would be keeping her phone safely in her purse while wearing it inside her coat. So Mistake #2, is not always keeping an eye on your belongings. Only take your phone out when you need to. Unfortunately, this stuff happens all the time but please don’t let it happen to you.

Anyway, what a great way to start a trip. So we checked into Hôtel de la Bourdonnais which was one of the more affordable accommodations with an Eiffel Tower view. It was minutes away from the Eiffel tower, metro, restaurants, pharmacies, and grocery stores. I’ll show you a tour of the room later in this video.

So we had plans to explore the city but because of the unforeseen circumstance, we decided to go to the Apple Store to get Jenny’s phone replaced.

So Mistake #3 is actually a tip, if you have AppleCare+ with Theft & Loss and bought it in the US, the insurance policy only covers your devices if you’re in the US. So until you’re back in the US, you cannot get your phone replaced unless of course, you buy another phone. So Jenny decided to buy a new phone and use it for a few days. And also, always back up your phone daily so you can easily transfer your photos & videos into your new phone.

During this time, we ended up meeting a lovely Apple store worker/foodie who recommend us many Parisian restaurants to eat it. She also recommended food Instagrams based in Paris to inspire our appetites like @parisinsiderfood and @foodeaseparis .

Alright, Mistake #4 is definitely don’t speak too loud in English. Because we were approached by 2 young women who asked us, “do you speak English?” We said yes. Then they took out their clipboard and asked us to sign a petition for a deaf & mute organization and donate money. I don’t know if they would’ve stolen our phones or take our money but this French lady, who was standing nearby, started shouting at them in French and told us it was a scam. The 2 girls walked away sticking their tongue out and giving, what I think is, the French equivalent of the middle finger. So in general, don’t bring too much attention to yourself. And don’t be afraid to be rude like that French lady.

Here’s a Reddit post on different scams in Paris.

So with the crises averted, we were getting hungry so we bought food & wine at nearby grocery store and brought it back to our hotel to snack and pre-game for our first Parisienne activity, a dinner cruise on the river Seine.

I thought this would be another mistake because my friends warned me not to go on dinner cruise because their food experience was horrible, but it definitely wasn’t a mistake for us. I would actually recommend a river cruise to anyone staying Paris for a short time because most of Paris’ famous landmarks are by the Seine. And what better way to see all of them within few hours than from the comfort of your seat with food. In this case, we were able to enjoy the sights with delicious food like foie gras, ravioli, steak, roasted duck, chocolate mousse  and of course, champagne! We had so much fun with the food & sights, I definitely recommend booking a river cruise at the start of your trip. Just be careful with drinking too much champagne lol

Bateaux Mouches Seine River Dinner Cruise in Paris

We had a late start on the morning of Day 2 so we walked over to La Commanderie, an Italian restaurant, and grabbed pizza and coffee. We actually walked in here because we loved the decor outside and the inside was just as pretty. The pizza was delicious and the coffee was even better.

Afterwards, we took the bus to Arc de Triomphe for a little sightseeing and a photo op. I also found the famous spot where people take in the middle of the road. It’s just a 1 minute away so if you need the exact location, I have the Google Maps link here .

Afterwards, we went to The Ritz for a little fancy moment of high tea. We got the starting package which gave us 13 different cakes & biscuits, a teapot from the Ritz tea collection, and a little canister of loose tea to take home. It’s a fun & cute experience if you love tea and have a sweet tooth. We had fun pretending we were rich British people and spoke in British accents lol

Afterwards, we walked over to the Louvre Museum from more sightseeing. Unfortunately, it was closed so we didn’t go inside but in case you didn’t know, admission is free to ALL museums, including the Louvre, to see their permanent collections. You only need to pay for the temporary exhibitions. Do not be fooled by websites that charge you to see their permanent collections. That means you see the famous Mona Lisa painting for free!

So while we didn’t go inside the Louvre, we did take some photos & videos and watched sun go down while the city lit up.

Click here for information about museums in Paris.

For dinner, we took a cab to L’Auberge Aveyronnaise for a famous French dish you may have seen before, and it’s called aligot and it’s cheese blended into mash potatoes which makes for a very stretchy potato dish. It feels like a cheesy potato blanket on your tongue and tasted even better than our expectations. It really lives up to the hype and I think e very single person should try this at least once.

And then we went to the Eiffel tower to watch it sparkle like a diamond before bed. As soon as the sun sets, the Eiffel tower will sparkle every whole hour for a few minutes until midnight. So don’t forget to get a view of this while you’re in Paris.

On Day 3, we walked from our hotel over to Bretteau Sebastian for coffee. They had so many delicious pastries that we wanted to try but we didn’t want to spoil our appetite for the next activity which was a food tour!

If there’s something I always do while traveling, it’s a food tour. I recommend it for anyone who wants to experience culture & food from a local’s perspective.

Before we headed to the food tour, we stopped by a gorgeous cafe called “La Favorite.” It’s a really cute place to sit down and watch people outside while you drink coffee.

Finally, we started our food tour in Le Marais , a Parisienne district that’s famous for it’s old-world charm with narrow cobblestone streets, hidden courtyards, art galleries, and shopping boutiques.

I don’t want to give away the places of where we visited in the food tour but I highly recommend booking this tour because we ate so much food over the course of 3 hours.

But a few of the places that stood out to me were:

• Pain de Mie Carré – a bakery known for their fusion of japanese/french bread
• Bachir – known for their Lebanese ice cream with crushed pistachios
• Stohrer – the oldest bakery in Paris founded in 1730. A pastry institution famous for its macarons
• And Proscuitteria – Forno gusto – for their generous charcuterie servings and lambrusco wine

NO DIET CLUB – best Food Tour in Le Marais

With a very full & happy tummy, we left the tour and came across the iconic English-language bookstore, Shakespeare and Company . If you saw movies like “Midnight in Paris”, “Julie & Julia,” and “Before Sunset,” you’ll recognize this famous bookstore.

Afterwards, we visited the Trocadero , one of the most scenic places to view the Eiffel tower in its glory. Jenny and I met with a new friend we made for a photoshoot session because why not? It’s also a beautiful place to sit on the steps and watch the sun go down while the Eiffel tower lights up.

Since we were near our hotel, we walked over to Bistrot de la Tour Eiffel for a French onion soup and steak frites. It’s cute place to eat with an Eiffel Tower view. The food was alright but the service was great.

And then we ended our last night in Paris at the Gatsby , a 1920s theme cocktail bar around the corner of our hotel for a night of cocktails with French locals. I definitely recommend the Baker cocktail. We loved their Baker cocktail. It was dangerous & sweet just like the person it was named after, Josephine Baker.

On the morning of our last day, we checked out of our hotel and walked to Rue de l’Universite for our last photo op with the Eiffel tower. This street always crowds up so I recommend going here in the morning.

Then we went to have breakfast at Angelina Paris , a 1900s tea room famous for their refined pastries and hot chocolate which was amazing . It was thick and rich and they served it whipped cream on the side. We had a food bucket list to complete so we actually ordered 2 breakfasts each, the Parisian breakfast with croissants, pastries, fresh fruit juice, and hot chocolate, coffee or tea. And the Croque-Madame , a ham & cheese sandwich topped with an egg hat. I recommend this place for a boujee Parisian breakfast experience.

And because it was our last day, we went around Paris to buy French goods from everything between souvenir stores, pharmacies & luxury brands.

And the last mistake: Forgetting to bring your passport while shopping especially if you’re buying from luxury brands. Luxury is cheaper in Europe, and even more if the brand originated from that country. As long as you spend more than 100 euros, you can shop tax-free. If you traveled to the EU, you’ll go to any Global Blue station, they’re always at the airports, and get your tax refunded back to you before you fly out . And if you’re like me and you’re US military based in EU, then you get the tax removed at purchase.

Click here to learn more about tax-free shopping in France.

If you’d love to see my shopping haul, check out my Paris vlog video here.

Afterwards, we had our last meal at Café Georges V at Champs Elysees. It had a 3.6/5 rating on Google but the food for us was 5 stars. We were craving a French-favorite called Moules-frites which are steamed mussels in white wine, butter & parsley. It made a flavorful broth that REALLY hit the spot. Especially since we visited in the middle of winter. We washed it down with white wine before leaving back to Germany.

So we picked up our luggage from the hotel and took the cab to Paris Gare de l’Est station, where we would be taking the train back home to Germany.

Paris Travel Tips

So that concludes our Paris itinerary! As you can tell, we had a lot of fun eating, drinking and taking photos. Now I’ll share more tips to help you make the most out of your trip to Paris.

We stayed at Hotel La Bourdonnais and booked the Executive room with an Eiffel Tower view. This hotel was one of the more affordable hotels with a view of the Eiffel tower. BUT, and this is a big butt, we booked this during low season in the middle of winter. So if you’re booking during peak season, the price will be much higher.

How to get around in Paris

The Metro includes subway & bus. Paris has a very good Metro system and is easy to navigate and get around even if you don’t speak French. There are stops everywhere and you don’t have to wait too long. You can buy individual tickets or 1,2,3 & 5 days passes. This is especially useful if you plan to stay within Paris and see many different sights within a few days. You can get these passes from the information desk at any metro station or order them online.

Taxis are very easy to find in Paris. They’re reasonably-priced so don’t hesitate to ride one. But the costs will add up if you ride it all the time.

I do not recommend renting a car or driving your car into Paris. Just like any big city, there’s traffic, and there’s plenty of pedestrians and bicyclists to be wary of. And my favorite way of getting around-

It’s free, it’s easy, and you won’t experience the unique nooks of Paris if you don’t walk. Paris is a very walkable city.

Scams in Paris to Avoid

If this is your first time in Europe, I would make yourself familiar with scams. Save yourself the money, the energy, the time, and the heartbreak. But at the same, did you really travel to Europe if you didn’t get scammed? Anyway, I have to link to a Reddit post on popular Paris scams in my blog post below.

Digital COVID certificate

If there are still COVID restrictions in Paris, you’ll need a Digital COVID-19 certificate. It’s a QR code on your phone that non-essential public places will scan before you enter. So you need to have this on you or they won’t let you in. To get this, you bring your COVID-19 vaccination card to any pharmacie in Paris and they will put you in the system and print you a QR code that you then transfer to the Tous Anti COVID app on your phone. This app is widely accepted in France to show your QR code but you can use this QR code anywhere in the EU. Each country may have their own preferred app. In Germany, we use the COVIDpass app. You also have to pay for this and it’s about 36 euros last I checked. But right now, when this video is posted, it’s free in Germany. So I made sure Jenny got hers here so she wouldn’t have to pay for it in France.

COVID Testing Centers in Paris

And if you’re traveling during the pandemic and need to get tested before you fly, here’s a government website where you can find COVID testing centers.

And to conclude…

And that concludes my travel guide to Paris and mistakes to avoid so that you can have the most fun on your trip. I know I’ll becoming back to Paris. Maybe I’ll do an Amelie-themed visit next time. It’s one of my favorite movies.

If you liked this video, please give me a thumbs up and subscribe to my channel for more travel tips! I also talk about blogging, personal development, food, fashion, beauty- just all things lifestyle.

I really appreciate you watching until the end of this video! Have fun and travel safe. Je t’aime! Bye!

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Paris: 8 Days Brief City Guide (James de la Pole Travel Guides) Kindle Edition

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A Parisian Adventure: Planning the Perfect Day Trip From Paris

Craving a taste of French countryside, medieval history, or artistic inspiration? A day trip from Paris unlocks a world of possibilities

Camilla Amadi • Apr 29, 2024

Beyond the Eiffel Tower lies a treasure trove of destinations waiting to be discovered. Craving a taste of French countryside, medieval history or artistic inspiration? A day trip from Paris unlocks a world of possibilities and you can return to the City of Lights with renewed energy and unforgettable memories.

5 Day Trips From Paris

If you have some extra time, there are many charming towns and villages waiting to be explored. We’ve compiled five enticing escapes, all perfect for a single-day adventure from Paris. Here are a few of our favorites:

Home to the iconic Palace of Versailles, Versailles is a must-see for any history buff. The palace was the seat of French royal power for over a century, and its opulent gardens and staterooms are a testament to the grandeur of the French monarchy.

Things to do: Visit the Palace of Versailles, explore the Hall of Mirrors, stroll through the meticulously manicured gardens, rent a rowboat on the Grand Canal, visit the Marie-Antoinette’s Estate, and attend the famous Musical Fountain Shows (seasonal).

Best time to travel: The best time to visit Versailles is during the spring (April to June) or fall (September to October) when the weather is mild, and the gardens are in full bloom, avoiding the peak summer crowds.

Where to stay : Experience luxury at its finest by staying at the Trianon Palace Versailles, a Waldorf Astoria Hotel, offering elegant rooms and impeccable service just steps away from the Palace of Versailles.

This small village in Normandy is best known as the home of Claude Monet, the founder of Impressionism. Monet’s home and gardens, which he immortalized in many of his paintings, are now a popular tourist destination.

Things to do: Explore Claude Monet’s House and Gardens, wander through the flower garden and water garden, visit the Museum of Impressionisms, and take a leisurely walk around the picturesque village.

Best time to travel: The best time to visit Giverny is from April to October, especially during late spring to early summer when the flowers are in full bloom, and the gardens are at their most colorful.

Where to stay : Enjoy a peaceful countryside retreat at the Le Jardin des Plumes , a charming boutique hotel located close to Monet’s gardens, featuring stylish rooms and a gourmet restaurant with garden views.

Mont Saint-Michel

Mont Saint-Michel is famous for its dramatic tidal variations, with the surrounding bay experiencing some of the highest tides in Europe. During high tide, the island is completely surrounded by water, creating a magical and isolated atmosphere.

Things to do: Explore the Abbey of Mont Saint-Michel, walk along the ramparts for panoramic views, visit the historic village, wander through narrow streets lined with shops and restaurants, and take a guided tour to learn about the island’s fascinating history.

Best time to travel: The best time to visit Mont Saint-Michel is during the shoulder seasons of spring (April to June) or fall (September to October) to avoid the large crowds of summer while still enjoying pleasant weather.

Where to stay : Immerse yourself in the magic of Mont Saint-Michel by staying at the La Mère Poulard , an iconic hotel and restaurant within the medieval walls, offering cozy rooms and panoramic views of the bay.

The city of Chartres is famous for its magnificent cathedral, Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The cathedral is considered one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in France, and its stained glass windows are some of the most beautiful in the world.

Things To Do: Visit the Maison Picassiette, a unique mosaic-covered house created by local artist Raymond Isidore, using broken glass and pottery. You may also walk the labyrinth located inside Chartres Cathedral, a symbolic journey representing the spiritual pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

Best time to travel: The best time to visit Chartres is during the spring (April to June) or fall (September to October) when the weather is mild, and the city is less crowded. 

Where to stay : Indulge in the historic ambiance of Chartres by booking a stay at the Best Western Plus Hotel Le Grand Monarque , ideally situated near the cathedral and featuring comfortable rooms and a traditional French brasserie.

This medieval town is located in Seine-et-Marne, about an hour east of Paris. Provins is known for its well-preserved city walls, its underground passages, and its annual Rose Festival, which takes place in September.

Things to do: Explore the medieval ramparts and gates, visit the Underground Galleries of Provins, attend a medieval festival or reenactment, explore the Grange aux Dîmes, and visit the Saint-Quiriace Collegiate Church.

Best time to travel : The best time to visit Provins is during the summer months (June to August) when the weather is pleasant for exploring outdoor attractions and when various festivals and events take place, celebrating the town’s medieval heritage.

Where to stay : Step back in time at the Maison d’Hôtes Stella Cadente , a unique boutique hotel located within the medieval walls of Provins, offering themed rooms inspired by fairy tales and a whimsical atmosphere that transports guests to another era.

Plan Your Itinerary

Crafting a well-rounded itinerary ensures you make the most of your time away from Paris. Consider the following tips:

Early Start: Begin your day trip early to maximize exploration time and avoid crowds, especially at popular attractions like Versailles or Mont Saint-Michel.

Transportation : Research transportation options, whether by train, bus, or organized tours, and book tickets in advance for a seamless journey.

Highlight Attractions: Prioritize must-see attractions while allowing flexibility for unexpected discoveries and leisurely moments.

Local Cuisine: Sample regional delicacies at quaint cafes or charming bistros, savoring the flavors of each destination.

Pack Essentials: Prepare for a day of adventure by packing essentials tailored to your chosen destination.

Comfortable Attire : Dress appropriately for the weather and activities, whether exploring palace grounds, hiking nature trails, or wandering cobblestone streets.

Map and Guidebook : Arm yourself with maps and guidebooks to navigate unfamiliar terrain and gain insights into local history and culture.

Camera : Capture the beauty and memories of your day trip with a camera or smartphone to immortalize scenic vistas and cherished moments.

Snacks and Water: Stay energized and hydrated throughout the day with snacks and water, especially if venturing to remote areas.

Embrace the Experience

Venturing beyond Paris’s borders unveils a world of wonders waiting to be explored. Whether you seek history, art, nature, or gastronomy, a day trip from Paris promises an enriching experience. Whichever destination you choose, you’re sure to have a memorable day trip from Paris. As you embark on your day trip from Paris, embrace the sense of adventure, engage with the locals and soak in the sights and sounds that comes with exploration. Bon voyage!

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• The First MICHELIN Key Hotels: All the Keys in the United States

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On April 24, 2024, the MICHELIN Guide revealed the brand new list of One, Two, and Three Key hotels in the United States. In this first ever announcement of MICHELIN Keys in the United States, hotels in Atlanta, California, Chicago, Colorado, Florida, New York, and Washington DC were eligible for the distinction. This announcement of the most outstanding hotels in the country comes four years into a comprehensive refresh of our hotel selection. The MICHELIN Guide now includes over 5,000 hotels across the world, and not a single one is simply a room for the night. These are places that significantly add to your experience as a traveler, each vetted and judged excellent in five categories: architecture and interior design, quality and consistency of service, overall personality and character, value for the price, and a significant contribution to the guest experience in a particular setting. Which brings us back to the Keys. The culmination of countless hours of evaluation by our team of experts, the Key hotels below represent the highlights of our broader selection. Like the MICHELIN Stars for restaurants, the MICHELIN Keys are our most outstanding hotels. In total, the 2024 MICHELIN Guide hotel selection in the United States includes 11 Three Key hotels, 33 Two Key hotels, and 80 One Key hotels. Want to know more about the MICHELIN Key? Here’s everything you need to know . Or, head below to look at all the Keys.

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Highlights of the United States 2024 Key Hotel List

The Three Key Club in New York City

Expect: The highest luxury and impeccable design in Soho, Midtown, and the Financial District. Within the small club of Three Key hotels in the United States, four make their home in New York City. The Aman New York (Midtown) and Casa Cipriani (the Financial District) both make use of glamorous Beaux Arts buildings, the former a gold-crowned skyscraper in Midtown, the latter a glamorously restored ferry terminal at the very southern tip of Manhattan. Each is a refuge: an elegant, painstakingly designed escape from bustling city life. Meanwhile, two Firmdale hotels round out the list of Three Key hotels in New York City. Each is a quintessential example of the style and execution of the group’s co-owner and interior designer, Kit Kemp. Click the links here to explore the whirl of colors and collage of art that define the Crosby Street (Soho) and the Whitby Hotel (Midtown). Also read: Every Three Key Hotel in Paris

Jewels on the Coast: Up and Down California

Its sheer breadth of size and variety means it’s no surprise to announce California as the state with the most Key hotels in America. Here, we’ll point you towards coastal gems like the sublime architectural achievements in Big Sur ( Post Ranch Inn and Ventana ), beachside luxuries in Santa Monica (in particular: the newly opened Georgian ), and wine country favorites like SingleThread and the Madrona . What we love: how each one of these hotels opens the door to the very best of their locations — and gives us a look at each setting through fresh eyes.

Across America: The Golden Age of Celebrity

Our French Keys bask in the tradition of ancient vineyards, stone chateaus, and historic palaces. In the United States, we see a different tradition. In Los Angeles, places like Chateau Marmont , the Paramour Estate , Sunset Tower , and the Charlie date back to guests and residents as illustrious as Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe. These are spaces that play ingeniously with their history, even as they forge ahead with cutting-edge amenities and experiences. But it’s not just California. New York’s historic artist hotspot, the Hotel Chelsea , once hosted Bob Dylan and Andy Warhol. Today, it decorates every space with art donated by former residents. Look too to the Chicago Athletic Association , a former member’s club for 20th century business magnates and athletes — now among the city’s most impressive and vibrant hotels. Also read: Hollywood Glamor at the First Key Hotels in Los Angeles

Click below to jump to each distinction: 

The three key hotels.

California (Beverly Hills):  The Beverly Hills Hotel, Dorchester Collection California (Big Sur): Post Ranch Inn California (Healdsburg): SingleThread Inn California (Los Angeles):  Hotel Bel-Air, Dorchester Collection California (Rutherford):  Auberge du Soleil, Auberge Resorts Collection California (St. Helena):  Meadowood Napa Valley California (Woodside):  Canyon Ranch Woodside New York (NYC):  Aman New York New York (NYC):  Casa Cipriani New York New York (NYC):  Crosby Street Hotel, Firmdale Hotels New York (NYC):  The Whitby Hotel, Firmdale Hotels

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The two key hotels.

California (Beverly Hills): L'Ermitage Beverly Hills California (Beverly Hills): The Maybourne Beverly Hills California (Beverly Hills): The Peninsula Beverly Hills California (Carmel Valley): Bernardus Lodge & Spa California (Big Sur): Ventana Big Sur California (Guerneville): The Stavrand California (Healdsburg): Montage Healdsburg California (Healdsburg): The Madrona California (Laguna Beach): Montage Laguna Beach California (Montecito): Rosewood Miramar Beach California (Napa):  Milliken Creek Inn & Spa California (San Francisco):  Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco at Embarcadero California (San Francisco):  The Battery California (Sausalito):  Cavallo Point Lodge California (West Hollywood): Chateau Marmont California (West Hollywood):  Pendry West Hollywood California (Yountville):  Bardessono California (Yountville):  North Block Washington D.C.:  Rosewood Washington, D.C.   Washington D.C.:  The Jefferson Florida (Miami):  Mayfair House Hotel & Garden Florida (Miami Beach):  Faena Hotel Miami Beach Florida (Miami Beach):  Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club Florida (Miami Beach):  The Setai Miami Beach   Illinois (Chicago): Pendry Chicago Illinois (Chicago):  The Langham, Chicago Illinois (Chicago):  The Peninsula Chicago New York (NYC): Hotel Barrière Fouquet's New York New York (NYC):  Nine Orchard  New York (NYC):  Pendry Manhattan West New York (NYC): The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel New York (NYC): The Fifth Avenue Hotel New York (NYC):  The Mark Hotel

The One Key Hotels

Washington D.C.

Hero Image: Hotel Jerome, Auberge Resorts Collection — Aspen, Colorado

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Amazon Prime Day 2024: Here's what to expect, tips, and tricks

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Amazon Prime Day has grown into one of the biggest sales events of the year, with discounts rivaling those of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. With so many retailers selling on Amazon, Prime members can save on just about anything, from viral beauty products to new unlocked smartphones.

The best Prime Day deals we saw last year included all-time lows on brands like Apple, Vitamix, iRobot, Dyson, Crocs, and, of course, Amazon-owned products like the Fire TV , Kindle e-reader , and Echo smart speakers . We expect to see more of the same this year as well.

It'll be the first major deal holiday of the year, so it's an awesome chance to score summer discounts on big-ticket items and household staples. The retailer's 10th Prime Day event has officially been announced to arrive in July, but the actual days are still unknown. In the meantime, we're keeping tabs on all of the latest Prime Day news, and we'll keep you updated with our findings here.

• Shop the latest deals at Amazon

When is Amazon Prime Day 2024?

Amazon Prime Day is officially coming this July, though the exact days have not yet been announced. In past years, it kicked off on the second Tuesday of the month. If Amazon follows the same trend, it will take place on July 9 and 10. We'll keep this story updated as more details are announced.

What is Amazon Prime Day?

Amazon Prime Day is the retailer's annual mega sale and one of the major benefits of Prime membership. It's a two-day sales event, usually during the summer, that features products from every category, from fashion staples to hot new tech. 

Though it used to be a deal holiday of a much smaller scale, Prime Day has grown exponentially since the first one in 2015. Now, you can find almost everything on sale for all-time low prices, matching discounts we see during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. 

What should I buy during Amazon Prime Day?

Everything is fair game to buy during Amazon Prime Day. Whether you've been holding out on a pricey new TV or just need to stock up on toiletries, Prime Day is a good time to make your move. 

Last year, we saw incredible prices on tech, including 4K TVs , Fire TV streaming devices , Apple products, Kindle e-readers , PC gaming accessories, Echo smart speakers , and top headphones picks. Prime Day tech deals featured brands like Logitech, Bose, Jabra, Sony, Roku, Samsung, TCL, and more. 

If you're looking for style and beauty deals during Prime Day, last year, brands like Tommy Hilfiger, Tatcha, Laneige, Levi's, Carhartt, Anastasia Beverly Hills, Adidas, and Marc Jacobs all featured products at rare low prices. That means skincare, makeup, shoes, men's clothing, women's fashion, and accessories will all be available for less. 

Home and kitchen products saw no shortage of Prime Day deals either, with big names like Dyson, Shark, iRobot, Philips, KitchenAid, Nespresso, Casper, Leesa, and OXO down to all-time lows for the event. So, whether you need an air fryer , robot vacuum , mattress , or just some sturdy mixing bowls, Prime Day is a good time to buy. 

You don't need to be focused on fancy new gadgets or treatments to shop smart during Amazon Prime Day either. We also catch tons of affordable household essentials available for even less every year, like toilet paper, dish soap, doggy bags, and makeup wipes. These deals are sweet, since they save you money on stuff you needed to buy anyway. 

How long do Prime Day deals last?

How long a Prime Day deal lasts differs between items, but in general, the best discounts will start during the event and end before the 48-hour holiday is over. Some will last the whole two days while others will only last one, so it's always wise to act on a good sale when you see it. Lightning deals especially go fast, the most popular of which dwindle away in less than an hour.

I always recommend buying a product you've had your eye on as soon as it's highlighted as a Prime Day deal. Regardless of how long it's set to last, oftentimes the best sales run out of stock, resulting in shipping dates being pushed out, or the deal no longer being offered at all. We'll be providing all of the deal context you need to shop confidently and quickly, so be sure to check our roundups of the best discounts when the event rolls around. 

Do you need to be a Prime member to shop Amazon Prime Day?

Amazon Prime Day is locked to Prime members only. It's one of the major benefits of subscribing to the service, in addition to other perks like free two-day shipping and Prime Video streaming. 

If you have yet to become a member, you can sign up for a free 30-day trial to test it out. Once the official Prime Day dates have been announced, you can even time your free period to overlap with the sale, but it's not a guarantee since sometimes retailers will lock out free members from shopping the best deals.

Do other stores participate in Prime Day?

Although Prime Day is an Amazon-specific event, it's grown so large that other major retailers have started kicking off competing sales to overlap with it. No one has announced a competing Prime Day sale just yet, but if past years are any indication, Walmart, Target, and Best Buy will likely be holding their own events.

These are definitely worth checking out; they often match the best deals on popular items you can find from Prime Day. We'll also be rounding these deals up so you can shop from the retailer that best suits you, whether you're a Target Circle cardholder, My Best Buy Plus member, or Walmart Plus subscriber. 

Is Prime Day an international event?

Prime Day occurs in several other countries, but not all of them. Here's a list of countries where Prime Day will be available to shop:

• Netherlands
• Saudi Arabia
• The United Arab Emirates
• The United States
• The United Kingdom

Want to see what Amazon has on sale right now? We've spotted some hefty price cuts on electronics, fashion, home, kitchen, laptops, and more on its main deals page .

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Nick Schroeder’s perfect day includes a show in South Paris and vintage shopping in Biddeford

The communications manager for Space and member of Mad Horse Theatre Company would also make Rockland and several Portland shops part of the itinerary.

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Nick Schroeder, 42, of Portland, is communications manager and multidisciplinary programmer for Space, a nonprofit arts venue in Portland. He’s also an actor, director and ensemble member with Mad Horse Theatre Company in South Portland. A native of Old Orchard Beach, he’s worked as a journalist and editor at several local publications.

As much as I like bopping around the state by myself, I’ll spend my perfect Maine day with my partner, Mallory, and our nearly 3-year-old toddler. The kid’s in the stage of life where she asks why to just about everything, and that question makes for good conversation.

Getting dressed (finding pants, socks, etc. and negotiating their deployment) can take a while in my house, so we’ll put on WMPG to keep the energy loose. I’ll pour a good cup of coffee, Speckled Ax Early Riser preferred , in my clunky travel mug. Then we’ll get things cracking at that one real good climbing tree in the park for a little proprioceptive rinse. The branches are real low to the ground and I don’t have to worry about my kid taking any nasty falls.

The Palace Diner in Biddeford. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer

Will Zu Bakery still have croissants by now, or is that too much morning meandering? The neighbors tend to swarm the little West End spot – how is it this good? – and it can quickly sell out. If that’s the case, we’ll drive south. Actually, scratch that – Mallory will drive this leg, and I’ll bike. Our destinations will be the same, Palace Diner (in Biddeford). I’ll have the omelet du jour and those great big potatoes, and maybe a bite of my kid’s pancake – the dad handbook clearly states that you must eat your children’s leftovers. We’ll all poke our heads inside Biddeford Vintage Market and see what new vendors they’ve got (my aunt Barb runs the place with some friends) before making a quick spin into Color.Sound.Oblivion to check their newly stocked records.

The Basico – an arepa stuffed with chicken, cheese and pico de gallo – with a side of pan de bono and a cup of verduritas (spicy green sauce) from Maiz in Portland. Ben McCanna/Staff Photographer

With family who live nearby, I’ll be able to ditch the bike and hop into the car, heading north. We’ll stop in Portland to grab a couple of arepas for the road from the outrageously good Colombian food restaurant Maïz, and head to South Paris. In this fantasy, the Celebration Barn has a perfectly timed matinee show, and true to form, it’s equally enchanting for kids and adults.

The Celebration Barn in South Paris. Andree Kehn/Sun Journal

After that, we’ll drive to Rockland (here’s where the kid naps) and head to a beach (any beach) before I pop into Curator , one of few consignment shops that bothers to stock nice stuff for tall fellas. Then it’s over to Rock City Cafe for a refill and a poke around Hello Hello Books behind the cafe. Last time, I found a nice used paperback of a Judy Chicago biography. Will I get this lucky again?

A stack of books at Print: A Bookstore in Portland. Ben McCanna/Staff Photographer

Returning to Portland, we’ll have had our fill of driving and Raffi sing-alongs. It’s time for our A-list East End retail trifecta – Ferdinand  for handmade wonders, Starry Eyes  for snazzy kids’ stuff, and Print: A Bookstore (more books!).

For dinner, the ideal is Asmara , the great Eritrean gem, where we as a family can share big communal plates of colorful food using only our hands as utensils. After we put the kid to bed, I’ll text a friend, and if his kid’s asleep, too, we can sneak out for a little nightcap at the Continental and discuss the news.

How would you spend your perfect Maine day? Send your itinerary, in 500 words or less, with a little about yourself, to [email protected] .

A Belhaven beer, a Negroni and a pint of Guinness at The Continental in Portland. Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer

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A first-timer's guide to Saskatoon, Canada

Apr 26, 2024 • 6 min read

From timing your visit right to planning your activities, here's our first-timer's guide to Saskatoon © K. D. Kirchmeier / Getty Images

Surrounded by gentle wheat fields beneath a dome of great prairie skies, Saskatoon is the largest city in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan .

Straddling the South Saskatchewan River, it has been the province’s cultural and economic hub since its settlement in the late 19th century (but not its capital – that falls to Regina).

The Northern Plains Indigenous Peoples had been guardians of this land for over 6000 years when, in 1883, white Methodists founded the town as a temperance colony, naming it after the purple berry growing in the region. While the railroad eventually reached the fledgling town in 1890, Saskatoon still only had 113 inhabitants at the turn of the century. A boom period of new settlers and entrepreneurs soon followed, and Saskatoon grew into a thriving city, albeit isolated from big cities like Vancouver , Toronto and Montréal .

Today, the sometimes stark prairie landscapes around the city look like nowhere else in the country. Downtown, you’ll find street art tours, compelling museums, craft beer breweries, a variety of architecture and some fine riverside trails. And Saskatoon now proudly explains and celebrates the Indigenous Peoples who have been here for thousands of years, with the Wanuskewen complex a majestic and poignant monument to that past and present.

These top tips can help you plan a trip to Saskatoon.

When should I go to Saskatoon?

Though Saskatoon – one of the sunniest cities in Canada  – receives plenty of sunlight (2350.4 hours annually), winters are long and cold so plan to visit during the glorious summer months between June and August. This is the busiest time of year, but since Saskatoon is a little more under-the-radar than other Canadian cities, it’s not overwhelmed by tourists and offers much better value for money regarding accommodation and eating out. 

The city comes alive with music on those effulgent summer days with magnificent festivals across multiple genres including the Saskatchewan Jazz Festival , Rock the River and the Ness Creek Music Festival . And for those who do want to embrace Saskatchewan winter scenes, the Nutrien Wintershines Festival hosts ice sculptures, cook-offs, stargazing and more. 

How long should I spend in Saskatoon?

Allow two to three days to explore Saskatoon, but also leave time for attractions on the city’s outskirts that make use of the abundant prairie space. You’ll spend the majority of your time in downtown Saskatoon, on the river trails and the Broadway neighborhood, which is ideal for a weekend. More planning is needed for the excursions out of the city, so map out an extra day or two for those depending on time and budget. 

Is it easy to get in and around Saskatoon?

Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport is 7km (4 miles) northwest of downtown Saskatoon, which is about 18 minutes by taxi, the most convenient form of travel to any downtown hotel. The number 11 bus also runs from the airport, and takes around 30 minutes to make the same journey (without factoring in walking to the hotel).

Though its streets are wide, Saskatoon’s downtown core is highly walkable and there are several bridges spanning the South Saskatchewan River that link to Broadway Ave’s bars, cafes and stores. Consider hiring a bike too, as the relatively flat landscape and serpentine river trails are ideal for cycling. Visitors to Wanuskewen will need to hire a car or take a taxi.

Traveling elsewhere in Canada? Here are our top tips on transportation

6 of the best things to do in Saskatoon

1. explore the meewasin valley trail.

Saskatoon’s huge prairie skies are evocative and entice you outside, so the best way to experience the great outdoors here is by following some of the Meewasin Valley Trail . Flanking the serpentine river, the 25km (15 mile) trails are a fine introduction to Saskatoon’s cityscape, and are best experienced on two wheels (look out for the motivational chalk murals and messages along the way).

2. See artworks in the Remai Modern

The river winds south to River Landing in downtown’s southern tip, and it’s here that the Tetris-like Remai Modern  museum rises up on a small bluff. Alongside a permanent collection featuring over 8000 works from Canadian and international artists, there’s also a quirky permanent exhibition of ceramics and linocuts by Pablo Picasso in this spacious museum bursting with natural light. 

3. Enjoy the buss of Broadway Avenue

A short walk across the Broadway Bridge brings cinematic city views followed by a stroll into arguably the most vibrant corner of Saskatoon. Airy breweries , buzzing bistros, kitsch vinyl stores and the iconic Broadway Theatre fringe Broadway Ave, which is a fine spot to spend a morning, afternoon or evening (perhaps even all three?). 

4. Take yourself on a tour of downtown's murals and architecture

Back in downtown, discover an art-splashed city on a self-guided street art tour passing by huge murals and multicolored installations spanning 20th and 23rd Street East. Even if you’re not staying there, the Delta Bessborough Hotel is something of a work of art itself. Completed in 1935, the Bessborough is a soaring Châteauesque turreted and gabled affair reminiscent of Bavarian castles that looks startlingly out of place.

5. See how Saskatoon was

Towards the edge of the city, the Western Development Museum’s compelling Boomtown exhibit is an indoor reconstruction of a typical Saskatchewan small-town main street from 1910, complete with a blacksmith, church and train station.

6. Taste local produce at the farmers market

And for a true experience of this land, it’s worth a visit to the Saskatoon Farmers Market  – an institution running since 1975 and stuffed with vendors selling everything from wild berries to handmade moccasins.

My favorite thing to do in Saskatoon

There’s a magical quality to watching the sun sink behind the widescreen horizon at Wanuskewin Heritage Park . Not like the picture-postcard sunsets you see on Caribbean beaches, it’s more of a calming, spiritual feeling as the sun’s soft glow fades across the marshy creeks and wooded ridges of the Opamihaw Valley. Shortly after, I watched the moon rise against a blue evening canvas. Known as nēhiyawēwin in Plains Cree, Wanuskewin roughly translates to "seeking peace of mind" and that name couldn’t be more apt. 

Around 20 minutes north of downtown Saskatoon, Wanuskewin tells the story of the Northern Plains Indigenous People’s spiritual relationship to this land and the living creatures they share it with, most notably the repopulated bison. You can explore panels, artwork, interactive classes, traditional food and much more, but most importantly that story – which is never sugarcoated – is told by Indigenous People themselves. Few experiences I’ve had in North America have felt deeper and more enlightening than this one.

How much money do I need for Saskatoon?

• Hostel room: $79
• Hotel room for two: $94
• Public transport ticket: $3
• Coffee: $3.60
• Sandwich: $3
• Dinner for two: $73
• Beer/pint at a bar: $5.80

Budget for your time in Canada with out money-saving tips

Should I visit in winter?

With an average temperature of -13°C (8°F) in January, winter in Saskatoon is only for the hardiest of souls. However, one bonus of a visit in this season – along with budget-friendly prices – is the chance of seeing the northern lights, with the aurora's stunning swirls sometimes visible if the stars align (no pun intended). Just remember to pack plenty of layers.

What language is spoken in Saskatoon?

Though English and French are official languages in Saskatchewan, English is by far the most spoken language in Saskatoon and you’ll need it for all of your interactions. 

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