4 days in Paris

Day by day

1. Day 1: Eiffel Tower and Musée d'Orsay

   Eiffel Tower, Musée d'Orsay and Musée Rodin, then Arc de Triomphe in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Eiffel Tower

      Allow 2–3 hours with the summit (mid-priced). For the classic photo without the crowds, walk across the river to the Trocadéro terraces early in the morning.

   2. Late morning

      Musée d'Orsay

      It is smaller and easier to enjoy than the Louvre, and the giant station clock on the fifth floor frames a view of Sacré-Cœur.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Croissant and pain au chocolat

      Any neighbourhood boulangerie with a queue of locals; bakeries that have won the city's annual baguette contest are a reliable sign.

   4. Afternoon

      Musée Rodin

      Allow 1.5 hours (mid-priced). Combine it with Les Invalides next door and Rue Cler for lunch.

   5. Evening

      Arc de Triomphe

      Use the underground passage from the Champs-Élysées; never try to cross the roundabout on foot.

2. Day 2: Louvre Museum and Tuileries Garden

   Louvre Museum, Tuileries Garden and Notre-Dame Cathedral, then Seine river cruise in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Louvre Museum

      It is far too big to see in one visit, so pick two or three wings. Entry is by timed ticket, and the Carrousel entrance under the shopping arcade is usually quieter than the pyramid.

   2. Late morning

      Tuileries Garden

      Allow 45 minutes (free). Grab a sandwich from a nearby bakery and eat it on the chairs around the Grand Bassin Rond.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Baguette tradition

      Ask for 'une tradition' rather than 'une baguette' at any boulangerie; it costs a little more and is worth it.

   4. Afternoon

      Notre-Dame Cathedral

      Entry to the nave is free. The square in front marks point zéro, from which distances across France are measured.

   5. Evening

      Seine river cruise

      Choose a sailing that leaves about 30 minutes before the hour after dark so you pass the Eiffel Tower as it sparkles.

3. Day 3: Sainte-Chapelle and Sacré-Cœur and Montmartre

   Sainte-Chapelle, Sacré-Cœur and Montmartre and Luxembourg Gardens, then Canal Saint-Martin in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Sainte-Chapelle

      Allow 45 minutes (mid-priced). Visit on a bright morning; the upper chapel is at its most spectacular when the sun is on the south windows.

   2. Late morning

      Sacré-Cœur and Montmartre

      Behind it, Place du Tertre fills with portrait artists, while the quieter streets around Rue de l'Abreuvoir and the Montmartre vineyard keep their village charm.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Steak frites

      Classic bistros and brasseries across the city, especially around Saint-Germain and the Grands Boulevards.

   4. Afternoon

      Luxembourg Gardens

      Allow 1–2 hours (free). Rent a toy sailboat at the Grand Bassin; it is one of the least expensive and most memorable things to do with young children in Paris.

   5. Evening

      Canal Saint-Martin

      Pick up wine and cheese and join the locals on the quays around sunset.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Palace of Versailles

   About 40 minutes by RER C each way. Getting there: RER C to Versailles Château Rive Gauche.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Palace of Versailles

      About 40 minutes by RER C (RER C to Versailles Château Rive Gauche); about 20 km.

   2. Day

      Palace of Versailles

      Louis XIV's palace includes the Hall of Mirrors, the King's and Queen's apartments, Marie-Antoinette's estate and vast formal gardens. Allow a full day, and visit on a weekend in spring or summer to see the musical fountain shows.

   3. Evening

      Back in Paris

      Dinner: try Croque-monsieur.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Musée d'Orsay and Sainte-Chapelle before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 4 nights, Le Marais keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Saint-Germain-des-Prés ($$$$) suits first-timers, couples, luxury and culture. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 18–24 hours of visiting over 4 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 8.3 hours in December to 16.2 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

More or fewer days

• One day in Paris
• 2 days in Paris
• 3 days in Paris
• 5 days in Paris
• 7 days in Paris

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