5 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

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

   2. Late morning

      Musée d'Orsay

      Start on the fifth floor with the Impressionists before tour groups arrive, then work downwards. (2–3 hours, mid-priced).

   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

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

   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

      Go straight to the Mona Lisa at opening time or leave it for the final hour, then explore the quieter Richelieu wing. (3–4 hours, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Tuileries Garden

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

   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

      Queues move quickly early on weekday mornings; a free online time slot can shorten the wait at busy periods. (1 hour, free).

   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: Sacré-Cœur and Montmartre and Sainte-Chapelle

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

   1. Morning

      Sacré-Cœur and Montmartre

      Take the funicular up (it accepts a Métro ticket) and walk down through the back streets towards Abbesses. (Half a day, free).

   2. Late morning

      Sainte-Chapelle

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

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Steak frites

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

   4. Afternoon

      Luxembourg Gardens

      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. (1–2 hours, free).

   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. Best for first-timers, families and culture.

   3. Evening

      Back in Paris

      Dinner: try Croque-monsieur.

5. Day 5: Le Marais and Place des Vosges and Musée Carnavalet

   Le Marais and Place des Vosges, Musée Carnavalet and Musée de l'Orangerie, then Le Marais in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Le Marais and Place des Vosges

      Come on a Sunday, when many Marais shops open while much of Paris is closed. (Half a day, free).

   2. Late morning

      Musée Carnavalet

      Don't miss the courtyard garden and the room of old painted shop signs near the entrance. (1–2 hours, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Croque-monsieur

      Almost every café menu; better versions come from places that bake their own bread.

   4. Afternoon

      Musée de l'Orangerie

      Arrive at opening and sit quietly in the first water-lily room before it fills. (1–1.5 hours, mid-priced).

   5. Evening

      Le Marais

      Cocktail bars and the centre of LGBTQ+ nightlife around Rue des Archives and Rue Vieille-du-Temple.

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 5 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 23–32 hours of visiting over 5 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
• 4 days in Paris
• 7 days in Paris

Questions travellers ask