Paris is full of incredible places, spectacular monuments and interesting museums. A five-day stay in the capital will enable you to discover some of them: with or without a guide, alone or not, with friends or family… any option is possible! We prepared an itinerary for you to make your stay unforgettable.
Table of Contents
DAY 1
Summary of the day: Champs Elysées, Arc de Triomphe, Tour Eiffel, Montmartre, Pigalle
A Morning Dedicated to the Capital’s Must Sees
To begin your stay in Paris in a good way, this morning will be dedicated to the capital’s Must Sees. You might not have enough time to do everything depending on the time you spend in each monument, and on the waiting times which can be very long depending to the time of the year. You are the one to choose among all of Paris’ symbols!
Start with the most beautiful avenue of the world, the Champs Elysées. Do not hesitate to stop and look at the many shops: after all, Paris is the fashion capital.
Continue with one of Paris’ symbols: the Arc de Triomphe. If you feel like it, you can also go on top of the Arc, where you will enjoy a stunning view over the capital.
The Trocadero is a Must See too: its gardens are in front of the Eiffel Tower, and the high square offers an exceptional panorama of it. The gardens which are decorated with fountains and the alleys bordered with statues will seduce the tourists looking for a romantic stay in Paris.
Finally, go to the very famous Eiffel Tower. If you want to, you can go on the very top of this unmissable monument to admire the capital from its highest point. Take a walk in the Champ de Mars, one of the biggest green spaces in Paris in front of the Eiffel Tower.
Time to spend in this area: all morning
- for the visit of the Arc de Triomphe: around 45 minutes for a self-tour.
- for the visit of the Eiffel Tower: around an hour and a half to visit the first and second floors, and two hours and a half if you go to the top.
Price of the visits:
- for the Arc de Triomphe: 13€ (full price). Click here to see the conditions for a free ticket.
- for the Eiffel Tower: between 10,40€ and 25,90€ (full price) depending on your choice of visit.
- Reduced prices for young people and children.
Guided tours we recommend you:
- for the Arc de Triomphe: free guided tours everyday at 10.30am.
- for the Eiffel Tower: the tourist office of Paris recommends a visit giving you access to the three floors of the Eiffel Tower, and including a no-queue ticket and a guide.
Our advice:
- Touristic places come together with pickpockets. They are everywhere in Paris, so watch your pockets!
- To prepare and learn more about your visit, download the free app of the Arc de Triomphe.
- If you have enough time, take a look at the Lavirotte building. This odd and fantasist building is located in front of the Eiffel Tower, and has a unique, eccentric and unexpected style.
A Village in the Middle of the City: Montmartre
After this very busy morning, it is time to go to another emblematic Parisian place loved by tourists: Montmartre. Perched on the Butte of the same name, this little piece of paradise towers over the XVIIIth arrondissement of the capital.
You can have lunch in the charming Place du Tertre, where you will find many restaurants but also street artists who perpetuate the Butte’s artistic image.
Find here our favorite places to eat in Montmartre. (only in French)
Then, you can choose between merely wandering in the village, or visit the Musée de Montmartre if you want to know more about its history.
You will admire another of Paris’ symbols: the Sacré-Coeur Basilica ; you can also visit it after climbing the 222 stairs of the Butte. If you don’t like walking, don’t worry: the funicular will drive you to the top.
Time to spend in Montmartre: 4 hours
Price of the visits:
- for the Sacré Coeur Basilica: free, no need to book in advance
- for the Musée de Montmartre: 13€ (full price) / 10€ (student price) / 7€ (until 18 yo) / free (under 10 yo).
Guided tours we recommend you:
- For an authentic visit of Montmartre, follow this secret stroll in the neighborhood by airbnb experience.
- Cometoparis offers a romantic and artistic stroll in the heart of Montmartre.
- For the Musée de Montmartre, you can choose a guided tour with the museum’s guide, which lasts around one hour and a half.
Our advice:
- Once again, be careful of pickpockets, very present in this area.
- Wander in the little streets and get off the beaten tracks to fully enjoy this charming village.
- Don’t forget to take a look at the Mur des “Je t’aime”, a Must See for lovers and romantics of the whole world.
- Download the free audio guide of the Basilica to better prepare your visit!
Spend an Exceptional Night in the Spicy Pigalle Neighborhood
After this beautiful afternoon in the XVIIIth arrondissement, end this day on a high note in one of the most lively neighborhoods of Paris: Pigalle!
This trendy district is famous for its red lights and its eclectic nightlife, with the clubs, legendary concert halls and chic cocktail bars. Pigalle is constantly changing while keeping its historic soul, and we love it.
For dinner, you will find many shish kebab shops and cheap restaurants. We recommend Le Bouillon de Pigalle”, one of the last restaurants of Paris where you can eat the traditional “bouillon de Paris”. It was invented in 1860 by a butcher who wanted to create a place where the workers could eat a hot meal for a very cheap price.
Finally, what would be Pigalle without the famous Moulin Rouge cabaret?
If you feel like it, you can end your last day in the capital by spending the night in this emblematic cabaret where you can watch french Cancan shows. You can also have a dinner-show.
Duration of the show: around 2 hours
Prices: 120€ minimum for a show, 190€ minimum for a dinner-show
Our advice:
- An elegant casual wear is required: you won’t be able to go inside if you’re wearing sneakers or shorts.
- You must arrive 30 minutes before the show begins.
Book your night in the Moulin Rouge
DAY 2
Summary of the day: Opéra Garnier, covered passages (2nd arr.), Ile de la Cité, Cathédrale Notre Dame, St Chapelle, Ile St Louis, Louvre, Jardin des Tuileries, Bastille.
Go for a Walk in Paris
Start the day with one of the most beautiful monuments of Paris: the Opéra Garnier. Its outside architecture is sumptuous, but you can also visit it if you want.
Then, go to the IInd arrondissement. You can admire the iconic Parisian architecture, and wander in the splendid covered passages which cross the district: passage des Panoramas, passage Colbert, passage Choiseul… and do not forget the Galerie Vivienne!
Cross the Pont Neuf to go to the amazing Ile de la Cité, where you can admire the famous Notre-Dame Cathedral as well as the Sainte Chapelle.
Finally, finish your walk with the Ile Saint-Louis. We know the perfect restaurant to make you fit and ready again after all this walk: Nos Ancêtres les Gaulois, a former poems and songs club which welcomes you in an authentic and festive middle-age atmosphere. On the huge wooden tables, you will find some raw vegetables, cold meats, grilled meats, and some wine… in barrels!
Duration of the visits:
- for the Palais Garnier: around an hour, depending on the crowd.
- for the covered passages: go for a one-hour walk
- for the Ile de la Cité and the Ile St Louis: around one hour and a half, lunch not included.
Prices of the visits:
- Opéra Garnier: 14€ (full price) / 10€ (reduced price) / free for children under 12.
- Notre Dame: free, but closed for an indeterminate time.
Guided tours we recommend:
- On its official website, the Palais Garnier recommends this guided tour, during which the guide will present the history and the beautiful architecture of the monument.
- For a more mysterious visit, it is also possible to enter the Palais Garnier after the closure: a more intimate visit.
Our advice:
- If you visit Paris with children, download the children’s guide book (French only) of the Palais Garnier to make the visit more fun.
- Don’t hesitate to take a small break in the terraces of the Galerie Vivienne, where you can have a hot drink before continuing your discovery of the capital.
The Louvre, a Spectacular Museum
After your lunch break, it is time to go back to visiting. And what would be a visit of Paris without discovering the Louvre? Of course, it is impossible to visit this entire incredible museum in one afternoon, but you can still fully enjoy your visit by selecting the parts which would interest you the most.
With thousands of works dating back from ancient Egypt to the Romantic Period, the Louvre is a symbol of France’s history.
You will find incredible works of art, such as Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, Eugène Delacroix’s Liberty Guiding the People, Géricault’s The Raft of the Medusa, among many others.
In front of it, you will find the magnificent Jardin des Tuileries, where you can stretch your legs and breathe some fresh air to end this great day of visits in the capital.
Time to spend in the Louvre: 3 to 4 hours.
Price of the visit: 15€ (full price), 17€ if you book online with a determined hour of visit and an access guaranteed during 30 minutes. Prices can be modified. Free entry for EU residents under 25.
Guided tour we recommend: You can find a lot of guided tours of the Louvre online. Among which we recommend you the ones from France Paris Tourisme and Paris City Vision, which offer a tour through the major works in the museum, but also a self-tour in the end to discover the museum by yourself.
Our advice:
- Be careful of pickpockets in and around the museum. They take advantage of long queues where the crowd is dense to steal.
- Get lost! The Louvre is full of unexpected works of art, there is always something interesting to see. Let your eyes wander in the museum, and follow your instincts.
To end this second day in Paris, let’s go to a central district of the capital to have a drink/eat dinner, depending on how energetic you feel: Bastille.
Of course, this district is a must-see in Paris, where you can find a lot of unusual and high-quality bars (in French only) and restaurants.
Check here our guide of the Bastille area, which will help you choose between the numerous addresses.
DAY 3
Summary of the day: quartier Haussmann Opéra, place Vendôme, rue de Rivoli, Marais, Atelier des lumières and père Lachaise cemetery OR catacombs of Paris, quartier Ménilmontant OR Butte-aux-Cailles.
A Little Bit of Shopping…
After these two days of visit, let’s do some shopping! Indeed, the fashion capital is full of shops for every type of budget. You will definitely find something you like amongst the many options!
The Haussmann Opéra District is an unavoidable shopping area in Paris. There, you will find prestigious department stores such as the Galeries Lafayette or Printemps.
On the Place Vendôme, you can admire the magnificent jewels behind the shop windows, which will undoubtedly make your eyes sparkle.
If you are looking for cheaper shops, go to the Rue de Rivoli, one of the most important commercial arteries of Paris.
After this shopping session, go to the Marais for lunch: this will be the opportunity to discover this trendy Parisian district while enjoying a good meal.
At the same time, you will discover the shops, gay bars and beautiful art galleries.
Discover our selection of the best trendy restaurants of the Marais.
Paris is Also Full of Odd Places, to Make Your Stay Unforgettable
This afternoon will be dedicated to the unusual places you can visit in the capital. We leave you the choice between two options: the Atelier des lumières and the Père Lachaise cemetery (which are 20 minutes away from each other), or the catacombs of Paris in the XXth arrondissement.
Atelier des Lumières and Père Lachaise Cemetery
The Atelier des Lumières will please art-lovers, but also those who think museum means boredom.
Indeed, the works of art of the exhibition are projected from the floor to the ceiling thanks to video projectors which enables you to spend a fun and immersive visit: a great source of entertainment for people of all ages.
The internationally famous Père Lachaise cemetery is located near the Atelier. The graves of illustrious characters can be found here, such as Edith Piaf, Frédéric Chopin, Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, Molière, Jean de la Fontaine…
It is also the biggest green space in Paris. You will be able to stroll between the majestic graves and the numerous tree species.
Duration of the visits:
- Atelier des Lumières: 1 hour
- Père Lachaise cemetery: around 2 hours – 3 hours if you choose a guided tour
Prices of the visits:
- Atelier des Lumières: 15€ (full price) / 10€ (reduced price) / Free for children under 5
- Père Lachaise cemetery: free access.
Guided tours we recommend:
The official website of the Père Lachaise cemetery suggests different guided tours; for example, the one organized by getyourguide will enable you to learn about this place’s history and about the celebrities buried there.
Our advice:
- When you go out of the Atelier des Lumières, go take a look at the second shop of the museum situated in front of it. In this beautiful shop, you will find a lot of souvenirs, items, stationary supplies and decorations inspired by the different exhibitions in the Atelier.
- At the entrance of the cemetery, you can take a little guide to help you find your way in the cemetery, with indications for the most famous graves. It will be very useful: the cemetery is a real maze!
After having spent your morning in unusual places, you will find something to eat in the Ménilmontant district, a former little village which used to be part of Belleville.
We strongly recommend you the delicious pizzeria Popine (website in French), owned by one of the best pizzaiolos of the world, Gennaro Nasti.
The Catacombs of Paris
The Catacombs of Paris are a very unusual place, situated underground and full of very interesting mysteries.
It was the main bone-disposal area where the bones of different cemeteries of Paris were transferred to at the end of the XVIIIth century.
In total, there would be an estimated 6 million individuals whose remains have been placed in the catacombs, among whom there are some great figures of the French Revolution such as Danton, Robespierre and Desmoulins.
Time to spend in the catacombs: around one hour for the 1,5km tour.
Price of the visit: 24€ (full price) / 22€ (reduced price) / 5€ for children
Guided tours we recommend:
- The guided tours suggested by the catacombs enable you to follow a path through the sculptures of Décure, the quarries, the Sacellum crypt, the sepulchral lamp and the tomb of Gilbert. Warning: book your tour with a lecturer at least 8 weeks in advance. Check here the visits agenda.
- The guide Mr. Marti (in French only) also offers a dynamic guided tour of the catacombs, accessible to everyone. The advantage: no queuing, thanks to the skip-the-line ticket included in the reservation.
Our advice:
- In the catacombs, it’s very cold, even in summer! The average temperature is around 14 degrees and the humidity rate can be pretty high. Don’t hesitate to bring some warmer clothes, and flat shoes (there are a lot of stairs to climb).
- The site is not recommended for the motor disabled, individuals suffering from claustrophobia or cardiac or respiratory insufficiency, sensitive individuals who may be disturbed by the site or young children (under 10). The children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
- If there is a lot of people, the queue can be very long. Don’t hesitate to buy a skip-the-line ticket online in advance.
After this adventurous day, go to the Buttes-aux-Cailles district to have a drink (if you feel like it) and find something to eat. The Butte-aux-Cailles is a little piece of heaven. Very appreciated by the locals and students, but rather unknown by tourists, this district is reminiscent of small French villages.
Among our favorite restaurants, we recommend you “Chez Gladines”, one of the most reputed restaurants of the district, specialized in Basque Country food.
DAY 4
A Majestic Day in Versailles
For this fourth day, we recommend you a royal visit: the Palace of Versailles, in the Yvelines department.
You can, of course, admire the Castle and the Hall of Mirrors, but not only so! It also includes the gardens, the royal stables and, the Trianon Estate…
To go there, take the line C of the RER until Versailles-Château Rive Gauche. It will take you around half an hour from the Champ de Mars. Some signs will lead you to the Palace when you are out of the station.
For lunch, the Palace suggests you two restaurants: the Grand Café d’Orléans and the Angelina.
Time to spend in Versailles: to enjoy the Palace and the estate, spend a full day in Versailles.
Price of the visit: ticket to the Palace: 18€ (full price) / 13€ (reduced price: large families, vacation vouchers). Passport for the whole estate: 20€ / free for EU citizens under 26, job seekers, and disabled people with the person accompanying them). The prices can vary.
Guided tours we recommend: the Palace of Versailles offers different guided tours in French, each one costing 10€ and lasting 1 hour and a half. You can choose your visit: will you want to choose the Queen’s gate, the King’s private apartments, the little estate of Marie Antoinette, the crusade rooms, or the commented tour in the King’s gardens? The choice is all yours!
Our advice:
- Be careful of pickpockets outside and inside the palace.
- There are a lot of people during the touristic season, particularly on Tuesdays and weekends. We advise you to visit the Palace as soon as it opens at 9, and then go to the Estate of Trianon from noon.
- Don’t hesitate to download the free app of the Palace to prepare better your visit and use the audio guide (free too).
Alternative: a Day in Disneyland Paris
If you are looking for a visit which will please your whole family, especially the children, go to Disneyland! You can choose between the two parks (or choose both!): the Disneyland Park, with 5 worlds inspired by the most famous animated movies of the Walt Disney Company, and the Walt Disney Studios Park, where you will discover the secrets of Walt Disney’s film making.
Just take the RER A at Châtelet-Les Halles until the station Marne La Vallee-Disneyland and get off at that stop. This train ride is about 30 to 45 minutes long. The entrance of the park is located just outside the RER station, and you will just have to walk for 5 minutes to reach the gates of this magical and emblematic place.
As for the food, Disneyland has a big range of different kinds of restaurants with Disney themes, or small caravans scattered everywhere where you can enjoy cotton candy or a bucket of Pop Corn.
Time to spend in Disneyland: in order to fully enjoy the park, you will need one entire day.
Price for a ticket: a 1-day pass which gives access to the 2 parks costs from 60 to 80 euros for adults (above 12), and from 50 to 70 euros for children (under 12). Advance booking is required for preferential or reduced prices.
Our advice: As is the case in every touristic place, be careful of pickpockets!
Back in Paris for the Evening
We suggest you to end this day on a high note by spending the evening in a typical Parisian district: the quartier Mouffetard.
Located on the Eastern part of the Latin Quarter, around the street of the same name, it is indeed one of the oldest districts of Paris.
You will be able to take your time to wander between the small shops and restaurants or have a drink on the Place Monge.
Well known by Parisian students, this square is a pleasant and charming place where you can find a lot of cheap bars (especially during happy hours).
You will easily find a place to eat among the many good restaurants in this district.
For example, we advise you the restaurant Heureux comme Alexandre (website in French) where you can eat Savoyard fondue (in French only), or the Jardin des Pâtes (website in French), where you can eat fresh homemade pasta, made with different organic grains.
DAY 5
Summary of the day: Latin Quarter, Jardin des Plantes, Jardin médiéval de Cluny, arènes de Lutèce, St-Germain-des-Prés district, Sorbonne, Collège de France, Lycée Henry IV, Panthéon, Invalides.
The Latin Quarter, a must-see
For this last day in Paris, we recommend you to spend the morning in the legendary Latin Quarter, the most touristic area in Paris, which is part of the Vth and VIth arrondissements.
Parisians, students and tourists meet there in the many cafés and restaurants of the district, in a convivial and warm atmosphere.
Take your time to discover the different vegetal and animal species of the Jardin des Plantes, to relax in the Jardin Médiéval de Cluny, or to just stroll in the small streets of the district.
The Latin Quarter is also filled with historical sites from all times, like the arènes de Lutèce, which attest to the Roman-Gaelic culture of the Ist century.
Time to spend in the Latin quarter: all morning. Spend one hour and a half in the Jardin des Plantes.
Prices of the visits: free access to the Jardin des Plantes. For the zoo: 13€ (full price) / 10€ (reduced price) / free for children under 3.
Guided tours we recommend: You can go for a guided tour which will make you go through the history of this very old Parisian district, thanks to the anecdotes and the knowledge of the guide who will accompany you.
Our advice:
- in the Latin quarter, do not miss the stunning (and free) view over Paris from the rooftop of the Arab World Institute!
- in the Jardin des Plantes, you can also visit the greenhouses, but the prices are a bit high in relation to the duration of the visit and the visit itself.
For lunch, go to St-Germain-des-Prés, where you can admire the lovely church of the same name. This district is full of restaurants, cafés, small bookshops and art galleries.
We suggest you to eat in the famous brasserie Les Deux Magots, or in the Café de Flore. The latter was opened at the end of the XIXth century, and was frequented by the surrealists poets of that time!
The Capital’s Historical Monuments
This afternoon will be dedicated to the historical monuments of the capital.
Still in the Latin Quarter are located the Sorbonne (famous Parisian University), the Collège de France, or the Lycée Henry IV, three famous places of culture and education in the capital.
The Panthéon is a must-see: this monument is a place of memory where are buried many important celebrities who have left their mark on the history of France. Find our guide to visit the Panthéon here.
You can also go to the majestic Invalides district, which is structured around the military complex of the same name in which you can find Napoleon’s grave. You should definitely visit this historic district of Paris!
Duration of the visits:
- one hour for the historical monuments of the Latin Quarter.
- one hour and a half for the Panthéon.
- one hour for the Invalides district.
Price of the visit: visit of the Panthéon: 11€50 / free for people under 18.
Guided tours we recommend: If you want to fully understand the historical and national dimension of the Panthéon, we highly recommend you the guided tour which takes place every afternoon. You do not have to book it in advance, but make sure you know at what time it is supposed to begin in order not to miss the guide.
Our advice:
- Warning: there is no luggage room in the Panthéon, so keep it in mind if you carry your luggage with you during this last day in Paris.
- Don’t hesitate to take a look at the Grand Mosque of Paris, located a ten-minute walk from the Pantheon.
End Your Stay on a High Note…With a Cruise on the Seine River!
Your stay is already coming to an end… It is the opportunity to end your stay with a dinner-cruise on the Seine river, to see the monuments one last time before saying goodbye to the capital.
The choice is large, but no worries, we created for you a comparison of the best dinner cruises in Paris to help you decide.
Thus you will end your stay on a gastronomic note, while navigating in the Seine river!
I aim to share my tips and recommendations for the beautiful country of France. My goal is to help you plan your next adventure, whether it’s a weekend getaway or a once-in-a-lifetime trip. From finding the best hotels and restaurants, to discovering unique activities and sights, I’ve got you covered!
