paris in five days
Louvre, Sainte Chapelle, Luxembourg Gardens, Sacre-Cour, Arc de Triomphe, Orangerie, Eiffel Tower, Musee d’Orsay, Versailles
Explore the history, art, and culture of Paris, which blends seamlessly along the banks of the Seine River. Known as the City of Light, Paris has been a hub of intellectual and artistic innovation for centuries, shaping the course of history through the medieval, Renaissance, and modern eras. From the towering Gothic masterpiece of Notre-Dame to the opulent halls of the Palace of Versailles, the city's landmarks tell the story of monarchs, revolutions, and artistic movements that defined Europe. Marvel at the works of Leonardo da Vinci, Monet, and Rodin in world-renowned museums, including the Louvre and Musée d'Orsay, and wander the same streets that inspired literary giants like Victor Hugo, Ernest Hemingway, and Gertrude Stein. Stroll through historic neighborhoods like the Latin Quarter and Montmartre, once home to bohemian artists like Picasso and Van Gogh, and indulge in the city’s world-class cuisine, from delicate pastries in a charming patisserie to traditional French fare in a cozy bistro. Whether admiring the Eiffel Tower at sunset, exploring Haussmann’s grand boulevards, or savoring an evening along the Champs-Élysées, a Parisian adventure promises an unforgettable immersion into one of the world's most captivating cities.
Day One
Begin your day like a true Parisian with a visit to a local boulangerie, where the tradition of crafting buttery croissants dates back to the 19th century. Then, head to the Eiffel Tower, the 1889 masterpiece of Gustave Eiffel, originally built for the World's Fair and once criticized as an eyesore before becoming France’s most beloved icon. Enjoy a classic French picnic in the Champs de Mars, a historic green space that has hosted everything from military drills under Louis XV to revolutionary gatherings. In the afternoon, explore Les Invalides, founded by Louis XIV in 1671 as a hospital for war veterans and now home to Napoleon Bonaparte’s grand tomb. Continue your cultural journey at the Musée d’Orsay, housed in a stunning Beaux-Arts railway station from 1900, showcasing masterpieces by Monet, Van Gogh, and Degas. Embrace the art of French pâtisserie with a hands-on macaron baking class before a breathtaking dinner cruise along the Seine, the river that has shaped Parisian life for over two millennia. As you glide past illuminated landmarks, you’ll witness firsthand why Paris remains a beacon of history, romance, and grandeur.
8:30 Quick Breakfast at a Boulangerie
9:00 Visit the Eiffel Tower
12:00 Enjoy a picnic in Champs de Mars, with items purchased on Rue Cler
1:30 Les Invalides
3:30 Visit Musee d’Orsay
5:30 Schedule a Macaron Baking Class
8:30 Enjoy a Scenic Dinner Cruise on The Seine
Day two
Begin today’s adventure at the Louvre, once a medieval fortress and royal palace before becoming the world’s most visited museum. From there, stroll through the Tuileries Garden, designed in the 17th century for Queen Catherine de’ Medici, on your way to Angelina’s, where Parisians and literary greats like Proust once indulged in its famously decadent hot chocolate. Continue to the Musée de l’Orangerie, where Monet’s Water Lilies create a mesmerizing oasis of Impressionist beauty. Your walk through Place de la Concorde—a site of both grandeur and bloodshed during the French Revolution—leads to the Champs-Élysées, where you’ll sample Ladurée’s legendary macarons before ascending the Arc de Triomphe, Napoleon’s triumphal monument offering breathtaking panoramic views. After savoring an éclair at Pâtisserie des Rêves, step into the opulent Palais Garnier, the 19th-century opera house that inspired The Phantom of the Opera. A visit to Galeries Lafayette reveals not only haute couture but also a dazzling stained-glass dome and a stunning rooftop perspective of the city. As evening falls, head to Montmartre for a classic Parisian dinner before watching the sun set from the steps of Sacré-Cœur, the basilica that crowns the city’s highest point. Conclude the night in true Belle Époque style at the Moulin Rouge, where the world-famous cabaret continues to dazzle with can-can performances, just as it has since 1889.
9:00 Visit the Louvre
11:00 Walk through the Tuileries Garden to Angelinia’s for hot chocolate
12:00 Stop in The Orangerie
1:00 Walk through the Place de la Concorde, and down the Champs Elysees, with a stop at Laduree for Macrons. Pick up a quick lunch along the way.
2:30 Visit the Arc de Triomphe. Climb to the top for the best view of Paris
3:30 Enjoy an Éclaire at Patisserie des Reves
4:00 Visit Opera House (Consider Uber or Scooter)
5:30 Stop in Galleries Lafayette and peek at the beautiful stained glass ceiling. Then enjoy the rooftop views
6:30 Dinner in Montmartre (Consider Uber or Scooter)
7:30 Sacre-Cour for Sunset views
9:00 Attend the Moulin Rouge Show
Day three
Embark on a day steeped in Parisian history, culture, and charm on a bike tour will take you past centuries-old landmarks, weaving through grand boulevards and hidden alleyways that tell the story of Paris’s evolution from a medieval settlement to a modern metropolis. Enjoy lunch at Au Vieux d’Arcole, located near the Île de la Cité, where Paris was first founded over 2,000 years ago. Next, step into the breathtaking Sainte-Chapelle, a 13th-century Gothic masterpiece built by King Louis IX to house Christ’s Crown of Thorns, its stained-glass windows casting kaleidoscopic light across the chapel. Just a short stroll away, explore the majestic Notre-Dame Cathedral, a symbol of Paris since 1163, with its soaring spires and legendary gargoyles. Cross to the charming Île Saint-Louis, where time seems to stand still as you enjoy Berthillon’s renowned ice cream before wandering along the Seine, a river that has shaped Parisian life for centuries. Stop at Shakespeare and Company, the historic English-language bookstore that once hosted literary greats like Hemingway and Joyce. Dive into the bohemian spirit of the Latin Quarter, where medieval streets echo with the intellectual legacy of the Sorbonne. As evening falls, savor the lively atmosphere of Le Marais, indulging in the city's most famous falafels on Rue des Rosiers before strolling through the elegant Place des Vosges, Paris’s oldest planned square. End your day with a sweet treat at Du Pain et des Idées, a 19th-century bakery in Canal Saint-Martin, where traditional French pastries provide the perfect conclusion to a day immersed in Paris’s past and present.
9:00 Bike Tour of Paris
12:00 Eat Lunch at Au Vieux d’Arcole
1:00 Enjoy the Beautiful Sainte Chapelle
2:00 Explore the Notre Dame Cathedral
3:00 Wander Ile Saint Louis and enjoy ice cream at Berthillon
3:30 Walk along Seine
4:00 Stop in Shakespeare and Company Bookstore
4:30 Explore the Latin Quarter
5:30 Enjoy Dinner in Le Marais on Rue des Rosiers for Falafels and visit Plac des Vosges (Consider an Uber or Scooter)
7:00 Enjoy pastries from Du Pain et des Idees in Canal Saint Martin
Day four
Step back in time and uncover the turbulent history of Paris as you embark on a French Revolution walking tour, retracing the footsteps of revolutionaries who reshaped France in the late 18th century. From the storming of the Bastille in 1789 to the dramatic events at Place de la Concorde, where King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette met their fate, this tour will bring to life the ideals, betrayals, and uprisings that forever changed the nation. Enjoy a classic French lunch at La Place, a charming crêperie near Versailles, before stepping into one of the most opulent palaces in the world. The Palace of Versailles, originally a hunting lodge for Louis XIII, was transformed by his son, Louis XIV, into a dazzling symbol of absolute monarchy, with its famed Hall of Mirrors, intricate gold detailing, and sprawling gardens designed by André Le Nôtre. As you explore, consider renting a bike or a golf cart to fully appreciate the grandeur of the meticulously landscaped grounds, fountains, and hidden groves. Don’t miss The Queen’s Hamlet, Marie Antoinette’s idyllic, fairy-tale-like retreat where she sought refuge from court life, playing at country living amidst charming thatched-roof cottages. As the sun sets, conclude your royal excursion with dinner at Vous Restaurant, just steps from the palace, reflecting on a day that has taken you from revolution to royalty in the heart of French history.
9:00 Take a French Revolution Walking Tour
1:00 Grab a Quick Lunch at La Place, a Creperie Near Versailles
2:00 Tour Versailles and the Gardens
Consider renting bikes or a golf cart to explore the gardens and
don’t miss The Queen’s Hamlet, Marie Antoinette’s faux country village
6:00 Dinner at Vous Restaurant Near the Palace
Day five
Your final day in Paris offers a journey through art, history, and the city's quieter, more reflective corners. Begin with a visit to either the Rodin Museum, housed in the elegant 18th-century Hôtel Biron, where Auguste Rodin once lived and sculpted masterpieces like The Thinker and The Kiss, or the Centre Pompidou, a bold modernist landmark that revolutionized museum design with its inside-out architecture and vast collection of contemporary art. Next, step into Le Bon Marché, Paris’s first department store, founded in 1852, which transformed shopping into a luxurious experience. From there, stroll through Saint-Germain-des-Prés, once the intellectual heart of Paris where existentialists like Sartre and de Beauvoir debated in cafés, and stop for lunch in this historic district. A leisurely walk through the Luxembourg Gardens, designed in 1612 for Marie de’ Medici, offers a moment of serenity before descending into the hauntingly fascinating Catacombs of Paris, where the bones of over six million Parisians rest in eerily arranged tunnels beneath the city. Continue your exploration of Paris’s more mysterious side at Père Lachaise Cemetery, the city’s largest and most famous burial ground, where legends like Oscar Wilde, Edith Piaf, and Jim Morrison lie in eternal rest. As the evening sets in, conclude your Parisian adventure with a final dinner, savoring the flavors of the city that has captivated hearts and minds for centuries.
9:00 Rodin Museum or Centre Pompidou
11:00 La Bon Marche
12:00 Explore Saint-Germain des Pres and stop for lunch
1:30 Walk Through the Luxembourg Gardens
3:00 Visit the Catacombs
4:30 Pere Lachaise Cemetery
6:00 Enjoy Dinner in Paris
