Paris Itinerary: 5 Days in Paris + Best Things to Do
Experience Paris as both grand stage and intimate neighborhood café, where world-renowned masterpieces at the Louvre give way to hidden courtyards in Le Marais and Montmartre's cobblestone streets reveal the bohemian spirit that still pulses through the city. This itinerary weaves together iconic landmarks with authentic local experiences, from morning croissants at corner boulangeries to sunset views from Sacré-Cœur, capturing the full spectrum of Parisian magic.
- Day 1: Louvre Museum, Tuileries Garden
- Day 2: Musée d'Orsay, Île de la Cité
- Day 3: Montmartre
- Day 4: Le Marais, Canal Saint-Martin
- Day 5: Palace of Versailles, Eiffel Tower
Paris
Morning
You'll want to arrive at the early to beat the crowds that gather around the Mona Lisa like moths to a flame. This isn't just a museum visit—it's a pilgrimage through 9,000 years of art history housed in a palace that once sheltered French kings. The sheer scale can be overwhelming, but that's exactly the point.
• — book timed entry tickets in advance; different pricing for EU/non-EU visitors; closed Tuesdays; allow 3-4 hours minimum
Afternoon
Step outside into the , where you can decompress from your art overload among perfectly manicured lawns and tree-lined pathways. This is Paris at its most classical—geometric precision softened by seasonal blooms and the gentle crunch of gravel underfoot. Find a chair, buy a crêpe, and watch well-dressed Parisians stroll past like living postcards.
• — free entry; open daily 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM; seasonal Christmas market in winter
Paris
The is the beating heart of Paris—literally the spot where the city was born over 2,000 years ago. This ship-shaped island feels like a village floating in the Seine, where Gothic spires pierce the sky and narrow medieval streets hide literary treasures. It's tourist-heavy but unavoidably magical, especially when morning light hits the ancient stone.
Morning
Start your cultural immersion at the , housed in a stunning Belle Époque railway station that's almost as beautiful as the Impressionist masterpieces it contains. Unlike the overwhelming Louvre, this feels manageable—you can actually see Monet, Van Gogh, and Renoir without fighting crowds or museum fatigue.
• — closed Mondays; late hours Thursdays until 9:45 PM; book ahead for popular exhibitions
Afternoon
Cross to for a literary pilgrimage at the legendary , where books are stacked floor to ceiling in delightful chaos and the smell of aged paper mingles with coffee from the café upstairs.
• — no photos allowed inside; Sunday hours 12-7 PM; browse the rare book collection upstairs
Paris
clings to Paris's highest hill like a village that refused to be swallowed by the city below. Yes, it's crawling with tourists and the bohemian artists have mostly been priced out, but climb those cobblestone streets anyway—the views alone justify the trek, and there's still magic in these winding lanes where Picasso and Renoir once painted.
Morning
Begin your ascent early to beat the crowds at , whose brilliant white domes gleam like a mirage above the city. The 45-minute queue moves quickly, and once inside, the Byzantine mosaics and city views reward your patience.
• — free entry to basilica; open daily 6:30 AM-10:30 PM; dome climb costs extra
Afternoon
Wander through , the tourist-packed square where artists still sketch caricatures and hawk paintings. It's commercialized but authentically Parisian in its shameless embrace of cliché—sometimes the most obvious experiences are obvious for good reason.
• — expect crowds; artist portraits cost €20-40; surrounding restaurants are pricey but atmospheric
Evening
End with dinner and a show at the infamous , where sequined dancers and champagne create the kind of theatrical Paris experience that locals roll their eyes at but secretly love.
• — book 1+ months ahead; dinner shows from €205; shared tables create a convivial atmosphere
Paris
Today you'll explore two of Paris's most atmospheric neighborhoods, where canal-side strolls lead to historic squares and centuries-old streets reveal the city's authentic character.
Afternoon
Start at , where iron footbridges arch over tree-lined waterways and the 10th arrondissement shows its most charming face. This is local Paris at its finest—grab coffee and a legendary pastry from , whose sfogliatelle-textured croissants have achieved cult status among Parisians who queue before dawn.
• — closed weekends; arrive early for best selection; unique laminated croissants
Evening
spreads across the 3rd and 4th arrondissements like an open-air museum of Parisian evolution—medieval streets lined with 17th-century mansions now housing vintage boutiques and art galleries. Start at the geometrically perfect , where red-brick arcades frame the oldest planned square in Paris, then hunt for dinner at , Paris's oldest covered market, where food stalls serve everything from Moroccan tagines to Japanese bento boxes alongside natural wines that locals swear by.
• — free entry; stunning in autumn; Victor Hugo's house on the square
• — closed Mondays; busiest on weekends; many vendors offer natural wine pairings
Paris
Morning
Catch the RER C to early—this is royal excess on a scale that makes the Louvre look modest. Louis XIV's palace demands a full morning to properly appreciate the Hall of Mirrors, the king's apartments, and the sheer audacity of building something this magnificent just to show off.
• — book timed entry tickets in advance; closed Mondays; arrive early for your slot; separate tickets for gardens
Afternoon
Return to Paris for the , because you can't leave without going up Gustave Eiffel's iron masterpiece. Yes, it's the most obvious tourist move in Paris, but standing 276 meters above the city, watching the Seine curve through Haussmann's geometric boulevards, you'll understand why 7 million people make this pilgrimage annually.
• — book elevator tickets online in advance; different levels available; open until 11 PM
Evening
Cross to for the classic postcard shot and to watch the tower's hourly light show sparkle against the Parisian night—a fittingly magical end to your week in the City of Light.
• — free entry; open 24 hours; best tower views; light show every hour after sunset