Paris Itinerary

It’s one of my favourite places to visit, and it would take me a lifetime to see everything there is to see.Tales of a Travelers Journey.

Though I’ve visited the city numerous times and even called it home for a while, there’s still so much of it I haven’t seen.

We get that it’s tough to figure out all the details for a vacation to Paris. When you think you’ve seen everything there is to see in a city, you discover brand new sights, restaurants, and shops. This city has many facets, which is one of the reasons I adore it.

Visitors typically spend three days in Paris before moving on. They take in the top points, get some shots, and then go on.

Tales of a Travelers Journey.It’s better than nothing, but I think you’ll need more time than three days. To get a feel for the City of Lights, I recommend devoting at least five full days to exploring it. Simply said, the workload is excessive.Tales of a Travelers Journey.

Here is my recommended schedule for a five-day vacation to Paris (and some extra options in case you decide to spend longer there!) to help you figure out what to see, what to do, where to stay, and where to eat.Tales of a Travelers Journey.

What to See in Paris: Day 1

Tales of a Travelers Journey.Take a day to explore Paris on foot.You can easily spend a full day (or more than half a day) just exploring the city’s many parks, neighbourhoods, and cobblestone streets. New Europe provides free, regularly scheduled walking excursions that visit major attractions. 

Use Get Your Guide if you want to go on a tour for money. They offer a wide variety of tours on foot (as well as museum and food tours). Everything imaginable is here!

But if you’d rather follow my own walking tour, this is the path I recommend for a “orientation stroll” in Paris:

Start at the Arc de Triomphe on the Champs-Élysées. There is rarely anyone waiting in line, and you may start your day with spectacular panoramas of the city.  Its height is 75 metres (246 feet), and its age exceeds three thousand years. During the French Revolution, this square was also used as a guillotine execution site (1789-1799).

Take a stroll along the Champs-Élysées and through the stunning Jardin des Tuileries, site of a palace destroyed by fire in the nineteenth century. Take some time to appreciate the Louvre before going along Rue Rivoli and crossing over to the historic district on Île de la Cité. It was here that the Romans established their first colony, Lutetia, the forerunner of modern Paris.

Take in the sights of the Pont Neuf and the Henry IV statue. In 1578, Paris’ first stone bridge was constructed. Stroll over to Saint Chapelle, the church with the most amazing stained glass in the world, which dates back to the 12th century. If you wish to view the inside, you should get your tickets in advance (for 11.50 EUR) because of the long wait times.

Visit the ancient Roman ruins beneath the city, then the most well-known Gothic cathedral in the world, Notre Dame. Even though it’s closed for repairs after a fire in 2019, the remains itself are interesting to see.

Move toward the Latin Quarter to the south. This is a rather touristic location, but if you venture off the main road, you’ll find a maze of charming side streets and café-lined squares.

Pay your respects at the Pantheon to France’s most illustrious departed before making your way west to the Jardin du Luxembourg, where you can sit back, relax, and see the locals go about their day. It’s one of the greatest parks in town, and it’s a wonderful place to people-watch.

The next stop should be Saint Sulpice to the north. Fans of “The Da Vinci Code” may enjoy exploring this chapel in search of hidden symbolism and meanings. If you’re not like symbols, you can still appreciate the grandiosity of the building.

Late afternoon in Paris calls for a visit to a café, where one can have a glass of wine while people-watching and letting one’s mind wander.Tales of a Travelers Journey.

As in, “Chateau”

Having a wine tasting session or a wine and cheese lunch here is a must if you’re in Paris. The drinks are poured and refilled extremely freely, and the food is ample. The noon wine lesson is not only more affordable but also provides a more satisfying meal and a thorough introduction to the development of wine in France.

What to See in Paris: Day 2

You could spend a month in the Louvre and yet not see everything, as there are more than a million works of art there. Medieval art is too holy for me, and I can only take so many depictions of Mary and Jesus before I begins to become bored. Even so, it’s well worth your time to check out the museum; I spent nearly five hours there, awestruck by the exhibits and the old royal castle. If you’re a true art lover, you might want to stay longer. You should budget a couple of hours if you want to see only the highlights.Tales of a Travelers Journey.

Tickets with a skip-the-line time slot cost 17 Euro. On Wednesdays, the museum is open until 11 pm, making it a great choice if you want to dodge the throng. After 7 o’clock, it empties out completely.

First arrondissement, Museum of the Louvre, +33 1 40 20 53 17, louvre.fr. Wed-Th-9am-6pm, Sa-Su 9am-6pm, Th-9am-5pm, F 9am-6pm (9am–9:45pm). Sundays and Mondays are open for business unless otherwise noted. There is a 17 Euro entrance fee. On the first Sunday of every month from October to March, as well as on Bastille Day, entrance is completely free (14 July). Visitors under the age of 26 from the European Union get in free. If you enter by the Carrousel du Louvre entrance, you may skip the long lineups and go straight to the ticket office. When you get a Paris Museum Pass, you may also avoid the long lineups.

An Iconic Clock at the Musée d’Orsay

The greatest impressionist and post-impressionist work in Paris may be seen at the Musée d’Orsay, which is conveniently positioned adjacent to the Louvre. It’s my favourite museum in Paris, and it’s also one of the largest in all of Europe. Each time I’m in town, you can count on me to be there. Visitors are in the millions every year, and they come to view the museum’s collection of works by such masters as Degas, Monet, Manet, and Van Gogh. There’s so much to see and do that I could stay here for hours.

Tales of a Travelers Journey.7th arrondissement, 1 Rue de la Légion d’Honneur, +33 1 40 49 48 14, musee-orsay.fr. Time of operation: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday (9:30am-6pm), Thursday (9:30am–9:45pm). Mondays are a no-go. On days outside Thursday, the price of admission is reduced to 9 EUR from 12 EUR. Every month on the first Sunday, it’s totally free.

The Orangerie Museum

This exhibition by Monet is the perfect ending to a thrilling day at the museum. The museum’s two unadorned oval chambers are home to eight Nymphéas (water lilies) as large as tapestries. The latter works of Monet depict scenes from various times of day and seasons. Other pieces are shown on the basement level. Absolutely stunning museum, highly recommended.

You may visit the Orangerie Museum at the Tuileries Garden, which is located at 1 Place de la Concorde, by calling +33 1 44 50 43 00. The store is open from Wednesday through Monday, 9 am to 6 pm, with the final admission at 5:15 pm. Sundays and Mondays are open for business unless otherwise noted. On the first Sunday of the month, admission is free, while on other days it costs 9 EUR.

Tales of a Travelers Journey.The Paris Museum Pass is a must-have for every frugal tourist. Over fifty of Paris’ best museums and landmarks are included in this package. Getting this pass and utilising it to view all the sites listed in this post will save you a tonne of money, as it admits you to all the museums mentioned above. You may get passes for 2, 4, or 6 days for 52, 66, and 78 euros respectively.

What to See in Paris: Day 3

The Palace of Versailles, located outside of Paris, was originally built as a hunting lodge but later became the official residence of the French monarchy up to the French Revolution. More than ten million people visit the palace every year to take in its opulent splendour and observe for themselves the regal power it represents.

You’ll need a whole day to take it all in here. Experience the opulence of France’s royal past as you spend the day wandering the château and its grounds. Often, don’t miss Trianon, also known as Marie Antoinette’s estate, which features a fictitious peasant town built to supply the queen with milk, eggs, and picturesque views.

Don’t try to cram your visit to enormous and stunning Versailles! Most visitors start their tour at the Palace, continue through the Gardens, and finally arrive at Marie Antoinette’s estate. You may dodge the throng by doing everything backwards. To further avoid the bulk of the visitors, visit during the week.

For those of you who have yet to visit the Palace of Versailles, here is a video tour to get you excited.

Address:33-1-30-83-78-00; website: en.chateauversailles.fr; Place d’Armes, Versailles. We are open from Tuesday through Sunday (9am-5:30pm), with the doors closing at 5pm. Resting on Mondays. For 27 EUR (one day) or 30 EUR (two days), “The Passport” ticket grants entry to the grounds, the Trianon Palaces, and Marie Antoinette’s estate, as well as the Musical Fountain Show, the Musical Gardens, and the exhibitions (two days). Skip-the-line entrance and guided tours cost 55 EUR.

Ceremonial Burial Grounds of Père Lachaise

Paris, France’s Pere Lachaise cemetery, with its cobblestones and mausoleums.

Take the last train out of the city to the east and visit Paris’ most famous cemetery, Père Lachaise. Here you can pay your respects to such notables as Antonio de La Gandara, Honoré de Balzac, Sarah Bernhardt, Frédéric Chopin, Jim Morrison, Édith Piaf, Camille Pissarro, Gertrude Stein, and Oscar Wilde.

It was constructed in1804, taking its name from Père François de la Chaise(1624-1709), the confessor of Louis XIV, who owned a home in the area where the cemetery is now located. Initially, citizens thought the cemetery was too far from the city, so planners made accommodations. They thought that by relocating the graves of Jean de La Fontaine (a fabulist) and Molière (a playwright), two of Paris’s most well-known artists, people would be drawn to Père Lachaise to be laid to rest there with France’s most revered figures. It was successful, and the cemetery is now one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city. Remember that it shuts at 5:30, so don’t stay in there any longer than necessary.

The three-hour, twenty euro guided tour is well worth it.

What to See in Paris: Day 4

Most visitors to Paris automatically think of the Eiffel Tower when asked to name a landmark there. Despite being constructed in the 1880s for the 1889 World’s Fair, many people initially disapproved of its design. In modern times, it has become a beloved landmark for the community and an international icon. At a height of 324 metres (1,062 feet), it provides unparalleled panoramas of the city below. You should come here first thing in the morning if you want to avoid the crowds. Waiting in line in the afternoon can take several hours.

After that, relax with a picnic in the open air and take in the scenery. In fact, it ranks among my top urban pastimes.

toureiffel.paris; +33 8 92 70 12 39; Champ de Mars; 7th Arrondissement Summer hours are daily (9am-12am), with somewhat reduced hours during the rest of the year. The price range for one ticket is 17.10 EUR – 26.80 EUR. A private elevator to the top of the building is available for 52 Euros.

Stroll down Rue Cler

This area is well known for its excellent Parisian dining options due to its proximity to the Eiffel Tower. There are grocery stores selling everything from chocolate to cheese to meat to bread to vegetables to chocolate. Never have I left this street without a bag full of delicious treats and a bottle of wine.

Whenever I visit, I eat my way down this entire street and stock up on groceries for the rest of my trip. That street is among my favourites in all of Paris.

Sewer Museum of Paris

It’s not far from the Eiffel Tower, but this tour is definitely off the main road. The unique history of Paris’s sewer system will be shown to you.

Despite what the name “sewer tour” would make you think, you shouldn’t be afraid to go on one. The sewers are odourless and a wealth of information about the development of modern Paris awaits you. When the city did not have a proper drainage system in place, garbage flowed directly into the waterway. 

Location: 93 Quai d’Orsay, 7th arrondissement; Pont de l’Alma; Phone: +33 1 53 68 27 81; Website: equipement.paris.fr/musee-des-egouts-5059 Weekends (11 AM – 5 PM), weekdays (11 AM – 7 PM), and Fridays (11 AM – 5 PM) (closed). A ticket costs 4.40 Euro.

Invalides, or Les (The Tomb of Napoleon)

This massive edifice, also known as the Hôtel National des Invalides, was commissioned by Louis XIV in 1670 to serve as a hospital for returning soldiers. There are now numerous museums and monuments there, such as the Musée de l’Armée (the French Army Museum) and the grave of Napoleon. 

Although this museum focuses on military history, it tells the tale of France, the French Revolution, and Napoleon. Its breadth and depth are astounding. You have my highest recommendation.

129 Rue de Grenelle, 7th arrondissement; +33 810 11 33 99; Place des Invalides; Musée de l’Armée. The store is open everyday from April to October (10am-6pm) and from November to March (10am-5pm) (10am–5pm). The cost of entry is 12 EUR.

Holocaust Memorial and Museum (The Holocaust Museum)

Even though the Museum of the Shoah has a fantastic display on France, anti-Semitism, and the Holocaust, it rarely sees a large number of visitors. It’s a shame because this is a fantastic resource with a wealth of useful information and materials. I have travelled far and seen several Holocaust museums; this one is among the best and most informative. It comes with my strongest recommendation.

Memorial Dela Shoah, 17 Rue Geoffroy l’Asnier, 4th Arrondissement, Paris, France; +33 1 42 77 44 72; memorialdelashoah.org. Visit us Sunday through Thursday (10am-6pm) and Friday from 10am-2pm (10am–10pm). Fridays are off limits. On the second Sunday of each month, admission is zero dollars, and there is a free guided tour at three o’clock (in English).

What to See in Paris: Day 5

entice visitors despite their bleakness, as an interesting but bleak tourism attraction. In their unending, winding tunnels, which may stretch for kilometres, are thousands of human remains. Only a small portion of the tunnels are currently accessible, yet they are rich with history and insights into Paris’s development. To avoid the huge wait, get your skip-the-line tickets in advance online.

Catacombs of Paris, 1 Avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy, 14th Arrondissement; +33 1 43 22 47 63; catacombes.paris.fr. Tues.–Sun. 10am–8:30pm (last entry 7:30pm). Mondays are a no-go. To avoid disappointment, check the website before making the trip, as the Catacombs are sometimes closed without notice. Minute tickets purchased on the day of cost 15 EUR. The price of the audio guide is 5 EUR. Tickets purchased in advance are €29. (including the audio guide).

The Street of Mouffetard

Tales of a Travelers Journey.This route caters to pedestrians and features a lively outdoor market, in addition to its many restaurants and businesses. You can take a stroll down it or just sit at a café and watch the world go by. The neighbouring Place de la Contrescarpe is well worth a visit. It’s a pleasant place to linger for a while and people-watch because there are some fine eateries there that won’t break the bank.

The Museum of Cluny

 The abbots of Cluny once lived in this 15th-century structure, which currently houses Roman and mediaeval works of art as well as various architectural remnants discovered during city excavations.

It’s one of the city’s best history museums, and it’s well worth the price of entry.

5th Arrondissement, 6 Place Paul Painlevé, +33 1 53 73 78 16, musee-moyenage.fr. Wed-Mon 9AM-6PM (9:15am–5:45pm). Sundays and Mondays are open for business unless otherwise noted. On the first Sunday of every month, admission is waived (normally 12 EUR).

This is the French National Library.

. In the brief time you have there, be sure to check out the 20-foot globes in the permanent collection and the historic rotunda of the art library. Approximately 40 million objects are housed here, the bulk of which are 15 million books and over 5,000 manuscripts from Ancient Greece.

Located in 13 Quai François Mauriac, in the 13th arrondissement; phone: +33 1 53 79 59 59; website: bnf.fr. Hours of operation are as follows: Monday (from 2 to 8 pm), Tuesday through Saturday (9 am to 8 pm), and Sunday (from 9 am to 5 pm) (1pm-7pm). There is no cover charge.

Montmartre

In Paris, France, at the Sacre-Coeur Basilica on Montmartre.

Tales of a Travelers Journey.An additional Parisian hub for the arts, frequented by the likes of Hemingway. You may still discover art galleries and local creatives all across town. It’s a pleasure to stroll the peaceful, attractive streets. The “sinking house,” an Instagram sensation that appears to be sinking into the hillside from some vantage points, is also located in this area.

When night falls, locals gather on the church steps to drink, socialise, and watch the sunset. It is one of the ideal areas to take in the city at night because of the abundance of buskers.

Rhapsody in Red (Moulin Rouge)

Evening at the world-famous Moulin Rouge in Paris, France

After exploring Montmartre, continue on to the “seedy” Pigalle neighbourhood of Paris. In order to witness a show, expect to pay at least 105 EUR each person.

Feel free to spend your money on exploring the neighbourhood instead of the show if you’re on a tight budget. Sex and adult-oriented businesses cover the Boulevard, making it an unusual spot for both window shopping and people-watching.

Where to Eat in Paris

Trying to find some recommendations for restaurants?

There is outdoor seating at the Parisian brasserie and coffee shop Café Père & Fils.

• Florence Kahn — The entrance of this wonderful boutique is decorated with blue mosaic tiles. Try one of their pastrami sandwiches; they’re fantastic.
• Jeanne A — This is my favourite place to eat in all of Paris, as the épicerie (grocery store) and wine shop serves some of the city’s finest meals (particularly meats and cheeses).
• In my opinion, the best falafel in all of Paris can be found at King Falafel Place. Most of the time there will be a wait, but it moves very fast.
• The best crêperie in all of Paris may be found in the tiny takeout shop La Crêperie des Pêcheurs (in my opinion). You can’t go wrong with the low prices, high quality food, and ample serving sizes.
• Le Dit Vin has great rates (meals are less than 15 EUR), a wide variety of wines, and delectable fare. 
• You will, admittedly, only touch the surface of Paris in five days. Too complex, intricate, and extensive. Everything about it — the history, the architecture, the charm — is unique.

• You won’t have much time in Paris, but you can still explore the top attractions and get a feel for the city’s incredible charm.

Even though I could have jammed more activities into this schedule, I don’t want to make your trip seem rushed. You should take your time wandering Paris. The best way to experience everything is to act like a native and allow each day take you by surprise. Enjoy a leisurely meal in the park, a leisurely bottle of wine by the Seine, a leisurely concert, and a leisurely bottle of lunch. Having the time of your life in Paris. HOTTEST PEPPER ON EARTH

You can use this plan as a guide and go from there. It won’t let you down, I swear!