7-Day Paris Itinerary

An hour-by-hour plan for 7 days in Paris.

Relaxed pace

Few queues, lots of street life: on longer trips just one interior a day; the rest from outside, in parks and with long breaks.

Day 110:00–16:04

Notre-Dame & the Latin Quarter

The day’s one visit inside is Notre-Dame; then the Seine, Shakespeare and Company, a long lunch in the Latin Quarter and the Luxembourg Gardens.

  1. 10:00

    Notre-Dame Cathedral (inside) 50 min

    The cathedral restored after the 2019 fire and reopened in December 2024: bright stone vaults, the rose windows and the new altar. Entry is free; the queue is shorter in the morning.

    15 min queue + inside + the façade

  2. 10:50

    Walk · 5 min

    Over the Petit Pont to the Left Bank.

  3. 10:55

    Shakespeare and Company 30 min

    The legendary English-language bookshop facing Notre-Dame: the reading room upstairs and the café next door.

  4. 11:25

    Walk · 3 min

    Into the back lanes.

  5. 11:28

    The Latin Quarter: Rue de la Huchette & Saint-Séverin 25 min

    Narrow medieval lanes, the church of Saint-Séverin and the narrowest street in Paris, Rue du Chat-qui-Pêche.

  6. 11:53

    Lunch: the Latin Quarter 75 min

    An unhurried lunch at a bistro on Rue Saint-André-des-Arts.

  7. 13:08

    Walk · 15 min

    Up Rue Saint-Jacques to the hilltop.

  8. 13:23

    The Panthéon (outside) & the Montagne Sainte-Geneviève 20 min

    The domed façade, the church of Saint-Étienne-du-Mont and the steps from Midnight in Paris.

  9. 13:43

    Walk · 8 min

    Down Rue Soufflot to the park.

  10. 13:51

    Jardin du Luxembourg 60 min

    The pond in front of the palace, the green iron chairs and the Medici Fountain: the Parisians’ favourite park.

  11. 14:51

    Walk · 8 min

    Out of the north gate to the church.

  12. 14:59

    Saint-Sulpice 20 min

    The church from The Da Vinci Code: Delacroix’s murals and the huge organ, with the fountain square in front.

  13. 15:19

    Place Saint-Sulpice & a café break 45 min

    A hot chocolate (chocolat chaud) or a coffee, and something from the pâtisserie window.

Day 210:00–16:35

The Louvre & the Champs-Élysées

The day’s visit inside is the Louvre’s masterpieces; then a stroll through the Tuileries, Concorde, the Champs-Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe from outside.

  1. 10:00

    Palais-Royal gardens & the Buren columns 25 min

    The quiet garden framed by arcades and the black-and-white striped columns in the courtyard.

  2. 10:25

    Walk · 5 min

    Across Rue de Rivoli to the pyramid.

  3. 10:30

    The Louvre (inside) 150 min

    The Mona Lisa, the Winged Victory of Samothrace, the Venus de Milo and the Napoleon III apartments. Some sections (Roman antiquities, Islamic art) are closed for works in autumn 2026.

    20 min security + 2 h of masterpieces + 10 min out

    Ticket needed: book at least 14 days ahead
  4. 13:00

    Lunch: Rue Saint-Honoré 75 min

    An unhurried brasserie lunch in the streets north of the Louvre.

  5. 14:15

    Walk · 10 min

    Across Rue de Rivoli into the Tuileries.

  6. 14:25

    Jardin des Tuileries 40 min

    The palace garden from the Louvre to Concorde: ponds, statues and long tree-lined paths. From November to January a Christmas market sets up here.

  7. 15:05

    Walk · 5 min

    Out of the garden’s west gate to the square.

  8. 15:10

    Place de la Concorde 15 min

    The Egyptian obelisk, the fountains, the Champs-Élysées at one end and the Tuileries at the other.

  9. 15:25

    A walk up the Champs-Élysées 45 min

    The avenue from Concorde to the Arc: past the Grand and Petit Palais to the shop-lined upper half. From late November to early January the trees are lit.

  10. 16:10

    Walk · 5 min

    Through the underpass to the Arc.

  11. 16:15

    The Arc de Triomphe (outside) 20 min

    The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the flame rekindled every evening at 6:30 pm; the reliefs under the arch.

Day 2 · Evening20:00

An evening boat trip on the Seine

The hour-long trips leave throughout the evening; pick one after dark to see the Eiffel Tower lit up.

  1. 20:00

    A boat trip on the Seine 60 min

    Under the lit bridges from the Eiffel Tower to Notre-Dame, with the tower sparkling on the hour.

    Ticket needed: book at least 2 days ahead
  2. 21:00

    Dinner in Gros-Caillou 75 min

    Dinner at the bistros of the neighbourhood behind the Eiffel Tower.

Day 310:00–15:27

The Eiffel Tower & the Seine

The day’s visit inside is the Eiffel Tower’s 2nd floor; the classic photo from the Trocadéro, a long lunch on Rue Cler, then a walk to Les Invalides and the Pont Alexandre III.

  1. 10:00

    The Trocadéro terrace 25 min

    The classic photo of the Eiffel Tower, from the Palais de Chaillot terrace across the Seine.

  2. 10:25

    Walk · 15 min

    Down through the gardens and over the Pont d’Iéna to the tower.

  3. 10:40

    The Eiffel Tower (2nd floor) 90 min

    By lift to the 2nd floor (116 m): the clearest view of the Seine, the Trocadéro and Montmartre.

    20 min security + 15 min lift + the views

    Ticket needed: book at least 14 days ahead
  4. 12:10

    Walk · 15 min

    Along the Champ de Mars to Rue Cler.

  5. 12:25

    Lunch: Rue Cler 75 min

    The pedestrian market street of cheese shops, bakeries and bistros: a croque-monsieur or the dish of the day on a terrace.

  6. 13:40

    Walk · 10 min

    To Les Invalides.

  7. 13:50

    The Invalides esplanade (outside) 20 min

    The golden dome and the wide lawns running down to the Seine.

  8. 14:10

    Walk · 12 min

    Down the middle of the esplanade to the Seine.

  9. 14:22

    Pont Alexandre III 20 min

    The most ornate bridge in Paris, with gilded winged horses and lamps; the glass dome of the Grand Palais opposite.

  10. 14:42

    the Grand Palais & a café break 45 min

    A hot chocolate (chocolat chaud) or a coffee, and something from the pâtisserie window.

Day 409:00–16:20

Day trip: the Palace of Versailles

Inside the palace and the Hall of Mirrors with the first morning slot; in the afternoon the gardens, the Grand Canal, the Trianon and the Queen’s Hamlet. Closed on Mondays.

  1. 09:00

    RER train · 45 min

    RER C to Versailles Château Rive Gauche (~40 min). RER C sometimes closes for weekend works; if so, take the train from Montparnasse to Versailles-Chantiers.

  2. 09:45

    Walk · 10 min

    From the station to the palace forecourt.

  3. 09:55

    The Palace of Versailles (inside) 120 min

    The State Apartments, the Hall of Mirrors and the Queen’s bedchamber. The first morning slots are the calmest.

    20 min security + 2 h in the palace

    Ticket needed: book at least 14 days ahead
  4. 11:55

    Lunch: Versailles 75 min

    At the restaurants by the Grand Canal or the cafés in the park.

  5. 13:10

    The gardens, the Trianon and the Queen’s Hamlet 120 min

    A walk through the formal gardens to the Grand Canal, the pink-marble Grand Trianon and Marie-Antoinette’s hamlet. There is also a little train through the park.

  6. 15:10

    Walk · 25 min

    Back through the gardens to the palace and the station.

  7. 15:35

    RER train · 45 min

    RER C back to Paris.

Day 510:00–17:20

Montmartre & the grands magasins

The day’s visit inside is Sacré-Cœur; the village lanes of Montmartre, a long bistro lunch, the Opera from outside and the Galeries Lafayette rooftop.

  1. 10:00

    Metro · 20 min

    Line 2 to Anvers, then the funicular or the steps up the hill.

  2. 10:20

    The Sacré-Cœur Basilica 40 min

    The white basilica on top of Montmartre: the huge mosaic inside and all of Paris from the steps. Free; the funicular from Anvers or 222 steps.

  3. 11:00

    Walk · 5 min

    Through the back lanes to the square.

  4. 11:05

    Place du Tertre 30 min

    The square full of painters’ easels, where the village feel is at its liveliest.

  5. 11:35

    Walk · 5 min

    To Rue des Saules.

  6. 11:40

    Rue de l’Abreuvoir & La Maison Rose 25 min

    The most photogenic corner of Montmartre: the pink café, the Lapin Agile cabaret and the hill’s last vineyard (Clos Montmartre).

  7. 12:05

    Walk · 10 min

    Down Rue Lepic.

  8. 12:15

    Lunch: Montmartre 75 min

    French onion soup, steak-frites or the set menu at a bistro around Rue Lepic or Abbesses.

  9. 13:30

    Walk · 10 min

    Via Place des Abbesses to the boulevard.

  10. 13:40

    Abbesses & the Moulin Rouge (outside) 20 min

    The Art Nouveau metro entrance, the “I love you” wall and the red windmill on the boulevard.

  11. 14:00

    Metro · 20 min

    Line 2 from Blanche to Villiers, then line 3 to Opéra.

  12. 14:20

    Palais Garnier (outside) 15 min

    The Opera’s façade with its gilded statues, and the square in front.

  13. 14:35

    Walk · 5 min

    To Boulevard Haussmann.

  14. 14:40

    The Galeries Lafayette rooftop 60 min

    The store under the stained-glass dome and the free rooftop with views of the Opera and the Eiffel Tower. From 12 November 2026, the giant Christmas tree under the dome and the windows.

  15. 15:40

    Walk · 10 min

    Along Rue de la Paix to the square.

  16. 15:50

    Place Vendôme 20 min

    The octagonal square with Napoleon’s column, the Ritz and the jewellers’ windows.

  17. 16:10

    Walk · 10 min

    Along Rue Saint-Honoré to the church.

  18. 16:20

    La Madeleine 15 min

    The church built like a Greek temple and the gourmet shops around the square.

  19. 16:35

    Madeleine & a café break 45 min

    A hot chocolate (chocolat chaud) or a coffee, and something from the pâtisserie window.

Day 610:00–16:25

The Orsay & Saint-Germain

The day’s visit inside is the Orsay’s Impressionists; then the Pont des Arts, a long lunch in Saint-Germain, the Café de Flore and Le Bon Marché.

  1. 10:00

    Musée d’Orsay (inside) 120 min

    The world’s largest Impressionist collection in a former railway station: Monet, Renoir, Degas, Van Gogh. Seine and Louvre views from behind the giant clock on the 5th floor.

    15 min security + 1.5 h of Impressionists + the clock window

    Ticket needed: book at least 7 days ahead
  2. 12:00

    Walk · 10 min

    East along the quay.

  3. 12:10

    Pont des Arts & the bouquinistes 20 min

    The footbridge between the Louvre and the Institut de France, and the green booksellers’ boxes along the quay.

  4. 12:30

    Walk · 10 min

    Along Rue de Seine.

  5. 12:40

    Lunch: Saint-Germain 75 min

    An unhurried lunch on Rue de Buci.

  6. 13:55

    Walk · 5 min

    To the church square.

  7. 14:00

    Saint-Germain-des-Prés 25 min

    One of the oldest churches in Paris and the corner of the Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots: the Existentialists’ neighbourhood.

  8. 14:25

    Café de Flore & a café break 45 min

    A hot chocolate (chocolat chaud) or a coffee, and something from the pâtisserie window.

  9. 15:10

    Walk · 15 min

    Along Rue du Bac to Sèvres-Babylone.

  10. 15:25

    Le Bon Marché & La Grande Épicerie 60 min

    The first department store in Paris and the gourmet food hall next door: chocolate, jam and cheese to take home.

Day 710:00–15:16

The Marais & Île Saint-Louis

The day’s visit inside is the free Carnavalet; the Place des Vosges, a long lunch in the Marais, Rue des Rosiers and Île Saint-Louis. Close to Bastille: on protest days keep away from the east side of the square.

  1. 10:00

    Place des Vosges 30 min

    The oldest square in Paris: red-brick arcades, lime trees and the garden in the middle.

  2. 10:30

    Walk · 8 min

    Along Rue des Francs-Bourgeois.

  3. 10:38

    Musée Carnavalet (the history of Paris) 75 min

    The story of Paris in two Marais mansions: old shop signs, the Revolution rooms and Proust’s bedroom. Free.

  4. 11:53

    Walk · 8 min

    Down Rue Vieille du Temple.

  5. 12:01

    Lunch: the Marais 75 min

    An unhurried lunch at a Marais bistro.

  6. 13:16

    Rue des Rosiers 25 min

    The Marais’ historic Jewish street: falafel counters, bakeries and small boutiques. Some shops close on Saturdays.

  7. 13:41

    Walk · 10 min

    Down Rue du Temple to the city hall square.

  8. 13:51

    Hôtel de Ville 15 min

    The neo-Renaissance city hall and the square in front of it.

  9. 14:06

    Walk · 10 min

    Over the Pont Louis-Philippe to the island.

  10. 14:16

    Île Saint-Louis & an ice cream 60 min

    The quiet island in the middle of the Seine: 17th-century mansions, famous ice-cream makers and a seat on the quay facing the back of Notre-Dame.

Balanced pace

At least one museum or iconic interior every day; the rest on the streets, squares and viewpoints.

Day 109:00–16:49

Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle & the Latin Quarter

The island where Paris began: inside Notre-Dame and Sainte-Chapelle; then Shakespeare and Company, the Latin Quarter, the Panthéon and the Luxembourg Gardens.

  1. 09:00

    Notre-Dame Cathedral (inside) 60 min

    The cathedral restored after the 2019 fire and reopened in December 2024: bright stone vaults, the rose windows and the new altar. Entry is free; the queue is shorter in the morning.

    15 min queue + inside + the façade

  2. 10:00

    Walk · 5 min

    Across the island to the Palais de Justice.

  3. 10:05

    Sainte-Chapelle (inside) 60 min

    The upper chapel, walls made almost entirely of stained glass: 1,113 scenes of 13th-century glass. Brightest in the midday sun.

    20 min security (through the law courts) + inside

    Ticket needed: book at least 5 days ahead
  4. 11:05

    Walk · 8 min

    Along the Quai des Orfèvres to the tip of the island.

  5. 11:13

    Pont Neuf & Square du Vert-Galant 20 min

    The oldest bridge in Paris and the little park at the tip of the island, under the willow in the middle of the Seine.

  6. 11:33

    Walk · 12 min

    Along the Saint-Michel quay to the bookshop.

  7. 11:45

    Shakespeare and Company 25 min

    The legendary English-language bookshop facing Notre-Dame: the reading room upstairs and the café next door.

  8. 12:10

    Walk · 3 min

    Into the back lanes.

  9. 12:13

    The Latin Quarter: Rue de la Huchette & Saint-Séverin 20 min

    Narrow medieval lanes, the church of Saint-Séverin and the narrowest street in Paris, Rue du Chat-qui-Pêche.

  10. 12:33

    Lunch: the Latin Quarter 60 min

    The set lunch (formule) at a bistro on Rue Saint-André-des-Arts: a starter and a main.

  11. 13:33

    Walk · 15 min

    Up Rue Saint-Jacques to the hilltop.

  12. 13:48

    The Panthéon (inside) 60 min

    The vast dome, Foucault’s pendulum and, in the crypt, the tombs of Voltaire, Victor Hugo and Marie Curie.

    Ticket needed: book at least 2 days ahead
  13. 14:48

    Walk · 8 min

    Down Rue Soufflot to the park.

  14. 14:56

    Jardin du Luxembourg 45 min

    The pond in front of the palace, the green iron chairs and the Medici Fountain: the Parisians’ favourite park.

  15. 15:41

    Walk · 8 min

    Out of the north gate to the church.

  16. 15:49

    Saint-Sulpice 20 min

    The church from The Da Vinci Code: Delacroix’s murals and the huge organ, with the fountain square in front.

  17. 16:09

    Place Saint-Sulpice & a café break 40 min

    A hot chocolate (chocolat chaud) or a coffee, and something from the pâtisserie window.

Day 209:00–16:55

The Louvre, the Tuileries & the Champs-Élysées

The Louvre in the morning; in the afternoon the Palais-Royal, the Tuileries, Concorde and a walk up the Champs-Élysées to sunset on the Arc de Triomphe.

  1. 09:00

    The Louvre (inside) 180 min

    The Mona Lisa, the Winged Victory of Samothrace, the Venus de Milo and the Napoleon III apartments. Some sections (Roman antiquities, Islamic art) are closed for works in autumn 2026.

    20 min security + 2.5 h inside + 10 min out

    Ticket needed: book at least 14 days ahead
  2. 12:00

    Lunch: Rue Saint-Honoré 60 min

    A brasserie in the streets north of the Louvre; the museum cafés are packed.

  3. 13:00

    Walk · 5 min

    Via Rue de Valois to the garden.

  4. 13:05

    Palais-Royal gardens & the Buren columns 20 min

    The quiet garden framed by arcades and the black-and-white striped columns in the courtyard.

  5. 13:25

    Walk · 10 min

    Across Rue de Rivoli into the Tuileries.

  6. 13:35

    Jardin des Tuileries 30 min

    The palace garden from the Louvre to Concorde: ponds, statues and long tree-lined paths. From November to January a Christmas market sets up here.

  7. 14:05

    Musée de l’Orangerie (inside) 50 min

    The two oval rooms built for Monet’s giant Water Lilies, with Renoir, Cézanne and Modigliani downstairs.

    Ticket needed: book at least 3 days ahead
  8. 14:55

    Walk · 5 min

    Out of the garden’s west gate to the square.

  9. 15:00

    Place de la Concorde 15 min

    The Egyptian obelisk, the fountains, the Champs-Élysées at one end and the Tuileries at the other.

  10. 15:15

    A walk up the Champs-Élysées 45 min

    The avenue from Concorde to the Arc: past the Grand and Petit Palais to the shop-lined upper half. From late November to early January the trees are lit.

  11. 16:00

    Walk · 5 min

    Through the underpass to the Arc.

  12. 16:05

    The Arc de Triomphe rooftop 50 min

    Up 284 steps to the roof: the twelve avenues fanning out from the Étoile, the Champs-Élysées and the Eiffel Tower. Reach it through the underpass, never across the roundabout.

    🌅 At this time the sun sets in November–January; in June it’s still light (sunset around 21:55). Enter your dates and the planner shows the exact time for your day.

    Ticket needed: book at least 3 days ahead

Day 2 · Evening20:00

An evening boat trip on the Seine

The hour-long trips leave throughout the evening; pick one after dark to see the Eiffel Tower lit up.

  1. 20:00

    A boat trip on the Seine 60 min

    Under the lit bridges from the Eiffel Tower to Notre-Dame, with the tower sparkling on the hour.

    Ticket needed: book at least 2 days ahead
  2. 21:00

    Dinner in Gros-Caillou 75 min

    Dinner at the bistros of the neighbourhood behind the Eiffel Tower.

Day 309:30–16:42

The Eiffel Tower, Rodin & Les Invalides

The classic Eiffel photo from the Trocadéro and up to the summit; lunch on Rue Cler, Rodin’s garden, Napoleon’s tomb and the Pont Alexandre III.

  1. 09:30

    The Trocadéro terrace 20 min

    The classic photo of the Eiffel Tower, from the Palais de Chaillot terrace across the Seine.

  2. 09:50

    Walk · 15 min

    Down through the gardens and over the Pont d’Iéna to the tower.

  3. 10:05

    The Eiffel Tower (summit) 120 min

    By lift to the 2nd floor, then on to the summit (276 m): the whole of Paris at your feet. Security and lift queues included.

    20 min security + 30 min lift queues + the views

    Ticket needed: book at least 21 days ahead
  4. 12:05

    Walk · 15 min

    Along the Champ de Mars to Rue Cler.

  5. 12:20

    Lunch: Rue Cler 60 min

    The pedestrian market street of cheese shops, bakeries and bistros: a croque-monsieur or the dish of the day on a terrace.

  6. 13:20

    Walk · 15 min

    Behind Les Invalides to Rue de Varenne.

  7. 13:35

    Musée Rodin & the sculpture garden 75 min

    The Thinker, the Gates of Hell and the Kiss; sculptures in the rose garden facing the Invalides dome.

    Ticket needed: book at least 3 days ahead
  8. 14:50

    Walk · 5 min

    Across the boulevard to the Dôme entrance.

  9. 14:55

    Les Invalides & Napoleon’s Tomb 75 min

    Napoleon’s red porphyry sarcophagus under the golden dome, and the armour halls of the Army Museum.

    Ticket needed: book at least 2 days ahead
  10. 16:10

    Walk · 12 min

    Down the middle of the esplanade to the Seine.

  11. 16:22

    Pont Alexandre III 20 min

    The most ornate bridge in Paris, with gilded winged horses and lamps; the glass dome of the Grand Palais opposite.

Day 408:30–16:35

Day trip: the Palace of Versailles

Inside the palace and the Hall of Mirrors with the first morning slot; in the afternoon the gardens, the Grand Canal, the Trianon and the Queen’s Hamlet. Closed on Mondays.

  1. 08:30

    RER train · 45 min

    RER C to Versailles Château Rive Gauche (~40 min). RER C sometimes closes for weekend works; if so, take the train from Montparnasse to Versailles-Chantiers.

  2. 09:15

    Walk · 10 min

    From the station to the palace forecourt.

  3. 09:25

    The Palace of Versailles (inside) 150 min

    The State Apartments, the Hall of Mirrors and the Queen’s bedchamber. The first morning slots are the calmest.

    20 min security + 2 h in the palace

    Ticket needed: book at least 14 days ahead
  4. 11:55

    Lunch: Versailles 60 min

    At the restaurants by the Grand Canal or the cafés in the park.

  5. 12:55

    The gardens, the Trianon and the Queen’s Hamlet 150 min

    A walk through the formal gardens to the Grand Canal, the pink-marble Grand Trianon and Marie-Antoinette’s hamlet. There is also a little train through the park.

  6. 15:25

    Walk · 25 min

    Back through the gardens to the palace and the station.

  7. 15:50

    RER train · 45 min

    RER C back to Paris.

Day 509:30–17:15

Montmartre, the Opera & Galeries Lafayette

Montmartre in the morning: Sacré-Cœur, the painters’ square and the village lanes; in the afternoon inside the Palais Garnier, then the dome and rooftop of Galeries Lafayette.

  1. 09:30

    Metro · 20 min

    Line 2 to Anvers, then the funicular or the steps up the hill.

  2. 09:50

    The Sacré-Cœur Basilica 40 min

    The white basilica on top of Montmartre: the huge mosaic inside and all of Paris from the steps. Free; the funicular from Anvers or 222 steps.

  3. 10:30

    Walk · 5 min

    Through the back lanes to the square.

  4. 10:35

    Place du Tertre 25 min

    The square full of painters’ easels, where the village feel is at its liveliest.

  5. 11:00

    Walk · 5 min

    To Rue des Saules.

  6. 11:05

    Rue de l’Abreuvoir & La Maison Rose 25 min

    The most photogenic corner of Montmartre: the pink café, the Lapin Agile cabaret and the hill’s last vineyard (Clos Montmartre).

  7. 11:30

    Walk · 10 min

    Down Rue Lepic.

  8. 11:40

    Lunch: Montmartre 60 min

    French onion soup, steak-frites or the set menu at a bistro around Rue Lepic or Abbesses.

  9. 12:40

    Walk · 10 min

    Via Place des Abbesses to the boulevard.

  10. 12:50

    Abbesses & the Moulin Rouge (outside) 20 min

    The Art Nouveau metro entrance, the “I love you” wall and the red windmill on the boulevard.

  11. 13:10

    Metro · 20 min

    Line 2 from Blanche to Villiers, then line 3 to Opéra.

  12. 13:30

    Palais Garnier – the Opera (inside) 75 min

    The grand staircase, the gilded Grand Foyer and the auditorium with Chagall’s ceiling (when there is no rehearsal). The setting of The Phantom of the Opera.

    Ticket needed: book at least 5 days ahead
  13. 14:45

    Walk · 5 min

    To Boulevard Haussmann.

  14. 14:50

    Galeries Lafayette: the dome & rooftop 50 min

    The store under the stained-glass dome and the free rooftop with views of the Opera and the Eiffel Tower. From 12 November 2026, the giant Christmas tree under the dome and the windows.

  15. 15:40

    Walk · 10 min

    Along Rue de la Paix to the square.

  16. 15:50

    Place Vendôme 20 min

    The octagonal square with Napoleon’s column, the Ritz and the jewellers’ windows.

  17. 16:10

    Walk · 10 min

    Along Rue Saint-Honoré to the church.

  18. 16:20

    La Madeleine 15 min

    The church built like a Greek temple and the gourmet shops around the square.

  19. 16:35

    Madeleine & a café break 40 min

    A hot chocolate (chocolat chaud) or a coffee, and something from the pâtisserie window.

Day 609:30–16:05

Musée d’Orsay & Saint-Germain-des-Prés

The Impressionists at the Orsay in the morning; then the quays, the Pont des Arts, the cafés of Saint-Germain and the food hall at Le Bon Marché.

  1. 09:30

    Musée d’Orsay (inside) 150 min

    The world’s largest Impressionist collection in a former railway station: Monet, Renoir, Degas, Van Gogh. Seine and Louvre views from behind the giant clock on the 5th floor.

    15 min security + 2 h inside + the clock window

    Ticket needed: book at least 7 days ahead
  2. 12:00

    Walk · 10 min

    East along the quay.

  3. 12:10

    Pont des Arts & the bouquinistes 15 min

    The footbridge between the Louvre and the Institut de France, and the green booksellers’ boxes along the quay.

  4. 12:25

    Walk · 10 min

    Along Rue de Seine.

  5. 12:35

    Lunch: Saint-Germain 60 min

    Lunch at the cafés and bistros of Rue de Buci.

  6. 13:35

    Walk · 5 min

    To the church square.

  7. 13:40

    Saint-Germain-des-Prés 30 min

    One of the oldest churches in Paris and the corner of the Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots: the Existentialists’ neighbourhood.

  8. 14:10

    Café de Flore & a café break 40 min

    A hot chocolate (chocolat chaud) or a coffee, and something from the pâtisserie window.

  9. 14:50

    Walk · 15 min

    Along Rue du Bac to Sèvres-Babylone.

  10. 15:05

    Le Bon Marché & La Grande Épicerie 60 min

    The first department store in Paris and the gourmet food hall next door: chocolate, jam and cheese to take home.

Day 710:00–16:31

The Marais, Picasso & Île Saint-Louis

The Place des Vosges, Victor Hugo’s house and the history of Paris at the Carnavalet; the Picasso Museum, Rue des Rosiers, the Hôtel de Ville and an ice cream on Île Saint-Louis. Close to Bastille: on protest days keep away from the east side of the square.

  1. 10:00

    Place des Vosges 25 min

    The oldest square in Paris: red-brick arcades, lime trees and the garden in the middle.

  2. 10:25

    Maison de Victor Hugo 40 min

    The writer’s flat on the Place des Vosges: the Chinese salon and the study overlooking the square. Free.

  3. 11:05

    Walk · 8 min

    Along Rue des Francs-Bourgeois.

  4. 11:13

    Musée Carnavalet (the history of Paris) 75 min

    The story of Paris in two Marais mansions: old shop signs, the Revolution rooms and Proust’s bedroom. Free.

  5. 12:28

    Walk · 5 min

    To Rue de Thorigny.

  6. 12:33

    Musée Picasso Paris 75 min

    Picasso’s own collection in the 17th-century Hôtel Salé: paintings, sculpture and drawings from every period.

    Ticket needed: book at least 3 days ahead
  7. 13:48

    Walk · 8 min

    Down Rue Vieille du Temple.

  8. 13:56

    Lunch: the Marais 60 min

    A bistro in the Marais or falafel from Rue des Rosiers, on a bench if the weather is fine.

  9. 14:56

    Rue des Rosiers 20 min

    The Marais’ historic Jewish street: falafel counters, bakeries and small boutiques. Some shops close on Saturdays.

  10. 15:16

    Walk · 10 min

    Down Rue du Temple to the city hall square.

  11. 15:26

    Hôtel de Ville 15 min

    The neo-Renaissance city hall and the square in front of it.

  12. 15:41

    Walk · 10 min

    Over the Pont Louis-Philippe to the island.

  13. 15:51

    Île Saint-Louis & an ice cream 40 min

    The quiet island in the middle of the Seine: 17th-century mansions, famous ice-cream makers and the quay facing the back of Notre-Dame.

Packed pace

Inside every major ticketed landmark, with entry and security time included, down to the minute.

Day 108:30–14:56

Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle, the Conciergerie & the Panthéon

Inside the island’s three landmarks (Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle, the Conciergerie), the Latin Quarter, inside the Panthéon and the Luxembourg Gardens.

  1. 08:30

    Notre-Dame Cathedral (inside) 45 min

    The cathedral restored after the 2019 fire and reopened in December 2024: bright stone vaults, the rose windows and the new altar. Entry is free; the queue is shorter in the morning.

    15 min queue + inside + the façade

  2. 09:15

    Walk · 5 min

    Across the island to the Palais de Justice.

  3. 09:20

    Sainte-Chapelle (inside) 50 min

    The upper chapel, walls made almost entirely of stained glass: 1,113 scenes of 13th-century glass. Brightest in the midday sun.

    20 min security (through the law courts) + inside

    Ticket needed: book at least 5 days ahead
  4. 10:10

    Walk · 3 min

    Round the same block to the Conciergerie.

  5. 10:13

    Conciergerie (inside) 50 min

    The Gothic halls of the medieval royal palace and the Revolution’s prison, including the cell where Marie-Antoinette spent her last days.

    Ticket needed: book at least 2 days ahead
  6. 11:03

    Walk · 5 min

    Along the Quai de l’Horloge to the tip of the island.

  7. 11:08

    Pont Neuf & Square du Vert-Galant 15 min

    The oldest bridge in Paris and the little park at the tip of the island, under the willow in the middle of the Seine.

  8. 11:23

    Walk · 12 min

    Along the Saint-Michel quay to the bookshop.

  9. 11:35

    Shakespeare and Company 15 min

    The legendary English-language bookshop facing Notre-Dame: the reading room upstairs and the café next door.

  10. 11:50

    Lunch: the Latin Quarter 50 min

    A quick formule on Rue Saint-André-des-Arts.

  11. 12:40

    Walk · 15 min

    Up Rue Saint-Jacques to the hilltop.

  12. 12:55

    The Panthéon (inside) 55 min

    The vast dome, Foucault’s pendulum and, in the crypt, the tombs of Voltaire, Victor Hugo and Marie Curie.

    Ticket needed: book at least 2 days ahead
  13. 13:50

    Walk · 8 min

    Down Rue Soufflot to the park.

  14. 13:58

    Jardin du Luxembourg 35 min

    The pond in front of the palace, the green iron chairs and the Medici Fountain: the Parisians’ favourite park.

  15. 14:33

    Walk · 8 min

    Out of the north gate to the church.

  16. 14:41

    Saint-Sulpice 15 min

    The church from The Da Vinci Code: Delacroix’s murals and the huge organ, with the fountain square in front.

Day 209:00–16:40

The Louvre, the Orangerie & the Arc de Triomphe

A long morning at the Louvre, the Orangerie for Monet’s Water Lilies, Concorde and the Champs-Élysées; end the day on the Arc de Triomphe rooftop.

  1. 09:00

    The Louvre (inside) 210 min

    The Mona Lisa, the Winged Victory of Samothrace, the Venus de Milo and the Napoleon III apartments. Some sections (Roman antiquities, Islamic art) are closed for works in autumn 2026.

    20 min security + 3 h inside + 10 min out

    Ticket needed: book at least 14 days ahead
  2. 12:30

    Lunch: Rue Saint-Honoré 50 min

    A quick brasserie lunch north of the Louvre.

  3. 13:20

    Walk · 10 min

    Across Rue de Rivoli into the Tuileries.

  4. 13:30

    Jardin des Tuileries 20 min

    The palace garden from the Louvre to Concorde: ponds, statues and long tree-lined paths. From November to January a Christmas market sets up here.

  5. 13:50

    Musée de l’Orangerie (inside) 60 min

    The two oval rooms built for Monet’s giant Water Lilies, with Renoir, Cézanne and Modigliani downstairs.

    Ticket needed: book at least 3 days ahead
  6. 14:50

    Walk · 5 min

    Out of the garden’s west gate to the square.

  7. 14:55

    Place de la Concorde 10 min

    The Egyptian obelisk, the fountains, the Champs-Élysées at one end and the Tuileries at the other.

  8. 15:05

    A walk up the Champs-Élysées 40 min

    The avenue from Concorde to the Arc: past the Grand and Petit Palais to the shop-lined upper half. From late November to early January the trees are lit.

  9. 15:45

    Walk · 5 min

    Through the underpass to the Arc.

  10. 15:50

    The Arc de Triomphe rooftop 50 min

    Up 284 steps to the roof: the twelve avenues fanning out from the Étoile, the Champs-Élysées and the Eiffel Tower. Reach it through the underpass, never across the roundabout.

    🌅 At this time the sun sets in November–January; in June it’s still light (sunset around 21:55). Enter your dates and the planner shows the exact time for your day.

    Ticket needed: book at least 3 days ahead

Day 2 · Evening20:00

An evening boat trip on the Seine

The hour-long trips leave throughout the evening; pick one after dark to see the Eiffel Tower lit up.

  1. 20:00

    A boat trip on the Seine 60 min

    Under the lit bridges from the Eiffel Tower to Notre-Dame, with the tower sparkling on the hour.

    Ticket needed: book at least 2 days ahead
  2. 21:00

    Dinner in Gros-Caillou 75 min

    Dinner at the bistros of the neighbourhood behind the Eiffel Tower.

Day 309:15–16:22

The Eiffel summit, Rodin & Napoleon’s Tomb

The Trocadéro, the Eiffel summit, Rue Cler, the Rodin Museum and garden, inside Les Invalides and the Pont Alexandre III.

  1. 09:15

    The Trocadéro terrace 15 min

    The classic photo of the Eiffel Tower, from the Palais de Chaillot terrace across the Seine.

  2. 09:30

    Walk · 15 min

    Down through the gardens and over the Pont d’Iéna to the tower.

  3. 09:45

    The Eiffel Tower (summit) 120 min

    By lift to the 2nd floor, then on to the summit (276 m): the whole of Paris at your feet. Security and lift queues included.

    20 min security + 30 min lift queues + the views

    Ticket needed: book at least 21 days ahead
  4. 11:45

    Walk · 15 min

    Along the Champ de Mars to Rue Cler.

  5. 12:00

    Lunch: Rue Cler 50 min

    The pedestrian market street of cheese shops, bakeries and bistros: a croque-monsieur or the dish of the day on a terrace.

  6. 12:50

    Walk · 15 min

    Behind Les Invalides to Rue de Varenne.

  7. 13:05

    Musée Rodin & the sculpture garden 75 min

    The Thinker, the Gates of Hell and the Kiss; sculptures in the rose garden facing the Invalides dome.

    Ticket needed: book at least 3 days ahead
  8. 14:20

    Walk · 5 min

    Across the boulevard to the Dôme entrance.

  9. 14:25

    Les Invalides & Napoleon’s Tomb 90 min

    Napoleon’s red porphyry sarcophagus under the golden dome, and the armour halls of the Army Museum.

    Ticket needed: book at least 2 days ahead
  10. 15:55

    Walk · 12 min

    Down the middle of the esplanade to the Seine.

  11. 16:07

    Pont Alexandre III 15 min

    The most ornate bridge in Paris, with gilded winged horses and lamps; the glass dome of the Grand Palais opposite.

Day 408:15–16:40

Day trip: the Palace of Versailles

Inside the palace and the Hall of Mirrors with the first morning slot; in the afternoon the gardens, the Grand Canal, the Trianon and the Queen’s Hamlet. Closed on Mondays.

  1. 08:15

    RER train · 45 min

    RER C to Versailles Château Rive Gauche (~40 min). RER C sometimes closes for weekend works; if so, take the train from Montparnasse to Versailles-Chantiers.

  2. 09:00

    Walk · 10 min

    From the station to the palace forecourt.

  3. 09:10

    The Palace of Versailles (inside) 165 min

    The State Apartments, the Hall of Mirrors and the Queen’s bedchamber. The first morning slots are the calmest.

    20 min security + 2 h in the palace

    Ticket needed: book at least 14 days ahead
  4. 11:55

    Lunch: Versailles 50 min

    At the restaurants by the Grand Canal or the cafés in the park.

  5. 12:45

    The gardens, the Trianon and the Queen’s Hamlet 165 min

    A walk through the formal gardens to the Grand Canal, the pink-marble Grand Trianon and Marie-Antoinette’s hamlet. There is also a little train through the park.

  6. 15:30

    Walk · 25 min

    Back through the gardens to the palace and the station.

  7. 15:55

    RER train · 45 min

    RER C back to Paris.

Day 509:00–16:35

Montmartre, the Opera & Galeries Lafayette

Montmartre in the morning: Sacré-Cœur, the painters’ square and the village lanes; in the afternoon inside the Palais Garnier, then the dome and rooftop of Galeries Lafayette.

  1. 09:00

    Metro · 20 min

    Line 2 to Anvers, then the funicular or the steps up the hill.

  2. 09:20

    The Sacré-Cœur Basilica 40 min

    The white basilica on top of Montmartre: the huge mosaic inside and all of Paris from the steps. Free; the funicular from Anvers or 222 steps.

  3. 10:00

    Walk · 5 min

    Through the back lanes to the square.

  4. 10:05

    Place du Tertre 25 min

    The square full of painters’ easels, where the village feel is at its liveliest.

  5. 10:30

    Walk · 5 min

    To Rue des Saules.

  6. 10:35

    Rue de l’Abreuvoir & La Maison Rose 25 min

    The most photogenic corner of Montmartre: the pink café, the Lapin Agile cabaret and the hill’s last vineyard (Clos Montmartre).

  7. 11:00

    Walk · 10 min

    Down Rue Lepic.

  8. 11:10

    Lunch: Montmartre 50 min

    French onion soup, steak-frites or the set menu at a bistro around Rue Lepic or Abbesses.

  9. 12:00

    Walk · 10 min

    Via Place des Abbesses to the boulevard.

  10. 12:10

    Abbesses & the Moulin Rouge (outside) 20 min

    The Art Nouveau metro entrance, the “I love you” wall and the red windmill on the boulevard.

  11. 12:30

    Metro · 20 min

    Line 2 from Blanche to Villiers, then line 3 to Opéra.

  12. 12:50

    Palais Garnier – the Opera (inside) 75 min

    The grand staircase, the gilded Grand Foyer and the auditorium with Chagall’s ceiling (when there is no rehearsal). The setting of The Phantom of the Opera.

    Ticket needed: book at least 5 days ahead
  13. 14:05

    Walk · 5 min

    To Boulevard Haussmann.

  14. 14:10

    Galeries Lafayette: the dome & rooftop 50 min

    The store under the stained-glass dome and the free rooftop with views of the Opera and the Eiffel Tower. From 12 November 2026, the giant Christmas tree under the dome and the windows.

  15. 15:00

    Walk · 10 min

    Along Rue de la Paix to the square.

  16. 15:10

    Place Vendôme 20 min

    The octagonal square with Napoleon’s column, the Ritz and the jewellers’ windows.

  17. 15:30

    Walk · 10 min

    Along Rue Saint-Honoré to the church.

  18. 15:40

    La Madeleine 15 min

    The church built like a Greek temple and the gourmet shops around the square.

  19. 15:55

    Madeleine & a café break 40 min

    A hot chocolate (chocolat chaud) or a coffee, and something from the pâtisserie window.

Day 609:30–16:35

Musée d’Orsay & Saint-Germain-des-Prés

The Impressionists at the Orsay in the morning; then the quays, the Pont des Arts, the cafés of Saint-Germain and the food hall at Le Bon Marché.

  1. 09:30

    Musée d’Orsay (inside) 180 min

    The world’s largest Impressionist collection in a former railway station: Monet, Renoir, Degas, Van Gogh. Seine and Louvre views from behind the giant clock on the 5th floor.

    15 min security + 2.5 h inside + the clock window

    Ticket needed: book at least 7 days ahead
  2. 12:30

    Walk · 10 min

    East along the quay.

  3. 12:40

    Pont des Arts & the bouquinistes 15 min

    The footbridge between the Louvre and the Institut de France, and the green booksellers’ boxes along the quay.

  4. 12:55

    Walk · 10 min

    Along Rue de Seine.

  5. 13:05

    Lunch: Saint-Germain 60 min

    Lunch at the cafés and bistros of Rue de Buci.

  6. 14:05

    Walk · 5 min

    To the church square.

  7. 14:10

    Saint-Germain-des-Prés 30 min

    One of the oldest churches in Paris and the corner of the Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots: the Existentialists’ neighbourhood.

  8. 14:40

    Café de Flore & a café break 40 min

    A hot chocolate (chocolat chaud) or a coffee, and something from the pâtisserie window.

  9. 15:20

    Walk · 15 min

    Along Rue du Bac to Sèvres-Babylone.

  10. 15:35

    Le Bon Marché & La Grande Épicerie 60 min

    The first department store in Paris and the gourmet food hall next door: chocolate, jam and cheese to take home.

Day 710:00–16:31

The museums of the Marais & Île Saint-Louis

Inside Victor Hugo’s house, the Carnavalet and the Picasso Museum; Rue des Rosiers, the Hôtel de Ville and Île Saint-Louis. Close to Bastille: on protest days keep away from the east side of the square.

  1. 10:00

    Place des Vosges 25 min

    The oldest square in Paris: red-brick arcades, lime trees and the garden in the middle.

  2. 10:25

    Maison de Victor Hugo 40 min

    The writer’s flat on the Place des Vosges: the Chinese salon and the study overlooking the square. Free.

  3. 11:05

    Walk · 8 min

    Along Rue des Francs-Bourgeois.

  4. 11:13

    Musée Carnavalet (the history of Paris) 75 min

    The story of Paris in two Marais mansions: old shop signs, the Revolution rooms and Proust’s bedroom. Free.

  5. 12:28

    Walk · 5 min

    To Rue de Thorigny.

  6. 12:33

    Musée Picasso Paris 75 min

    Picasso’s own collection in the 17th-century Hôtel Salé: paintings, sculpture and drawings from every period.

    Ticket needed: book at least 3 days ahead
  7. 13:48

    Walk · 8 min

    Down Rue Vieille du Temple.

  8. 13:56

    Lunch: the Marais 60 min

    A bistro in the Marais or falafel from Rue des Rosiers, on a bench if the weather is fine.

  9. 14:56

    Rue des Rosiers 20 min

    The Marais’ historic Jewish street: falafel counters, bakeries and small boutiques. Some shops close on Saturdays.

  10. 15:16

    Walk · 10 min

    Down Rue du Temple to the city hall square.

  11. 15:26

    Hôtel de Ville 15 min

    The neo-Renaissance city hall and the square in front of it.

  12. 15:41

    Walk · 10 min

    Over the Pont Louis-Philippe to the island.

  13. 15:51

    Île Saint-Louis & an ice cream 40 min

    The quiet island in the middle of the Seine: 17th-century mansions, famous ice-cream makers and the quay facing the back of Notre-Dame.

Local tips for Paris

  • Since October 2026 there have been cost-of-living protests and strikes (the next big day is 5 November). Big marches usually run between Bastille, République and Nation, and on those days some metro stations and museums can close. Check the RATP and the museum’s website before you go, and keep away from the crowds.

  • Staying 2–4 days and visiting 2–3 museums a day? The Paris Museum Pass can pay off; it covers the Louvre, the Orsay, Sainte-Chapelle and the Arc de Triomphe. Even with the pass, most places need a timed booking. Paris Museum Pass

  • Paper metro tickets are gone: buy a Navigo Easy card from the station machines and load single tickets or a day pass onto it. You can also pay by phone (the Bonjour RATP app).

  • Pickpockets work the Eiffel Tower, the Trocadéro, the Sacré-Cœur steps and the metro: keep your bag in front and don’t stop for petition or bracelet sellers.

  • If you live outside the EU, tax free works in the department stores: ask at the till and complete it at the PABLO kiosk at the airport on your way home.

  • Restaurants serve lunch from 12 to 2 pm and dinner from 7:30 pm; the kitchen may be closed in between. The lunchtime set menu (formule) is the best value, and service is included in the bill.

Times are for a typical weekday. Some places open later or close on Sundays and Mondays; enter your dates and the planner adjusts the route.

Staying longer than 7 days in Paris?

Deep-dive blocks for your extra days, by interest:

  • 🎨 Quiet museums: The Middle Ages and the Lady and the Unicorn tapestries at the Musée de Cluny, Impression, Sunrise at the Musée Marmottan Monet and the Jacquemart-André mansion. Cluny and Marmottan close on Mondays; the Centre Pompidou is closed for works until 2030.
  • 🌳 East Paris: Père-Lachaise & Belleville: Père-Lachaise with the graves of Chopin, Oscar Wilde and Jim Morrison, Belleville’s street art and the city view from the Parc de Belleville. On protest days pick a way there that avoids République and Nation.
  • 🏰 Day trip: Fontainebleau or Chantilly: A 40-minute train from the Gare de Lyon to the Palace and forest of Fontainebleau, or 25 minutes from the Gare du Nord to the Château de Chantilly, where Chantilly cream was born. Both close on Tuesdays.
  • 🥂 Day trip: Champagne (Reims): A 45-minute TGV from the Gare de l’Est to Reims: the cathedral where French kings were crowned and tastings in the chalk cellars of the champagne houses. Cellar tours need booking.
  • 🌸 Giverny: Monet’s garden (April–October): The train from Saint-Lazare to Vernon, then a shuttle to Monet’s house and the Japanese bridge over the water lilies. The garden only opens in spring and summer, so don’t go in winter.

Frequently asked questions

Which museums and landmarks can you visit inside in 7 days in Paris?

Relaxed pace: The Louvre, The Eiffel Tower, The Palace of Versailles and Musée d’Orsay. Balanced pace: Sainte-Chapelle, The Panthéon, The Louvre, Musée de l’Orangerie, The Arc de Triomphe, The Eiffel Tower, Musée Rodin, Les Invalides and Napoleon’s Tomb, The Palace of Versailles, Palais Garnier, Musée d’Orsay and Musée Picasso Paris. Packed pace: Sainte-Chapelle, Conciergerie, The Panthéon, The Louvre, Musée de l’Orangerie, The Arc de Triomphe, The Eiffel Tower, Musée Rodin, Les Invalides and Napoleon’s Tomb, The Palace of Versailles, Palais Garnier, Musée d’Orsay and Musée Picasso Paris.

How far ahead should I book tickets?

Timed tickets sell out fast. Our advice: The Eiffel Tower at least 21 days ahead; The Louvre at least 14 days ahead; The Palace of Versailles at least 14 days ahead; Musée d’Orsay at least 7 days ahead; Sainte-Chapelle at least 5 days ahead; Palais Garnier at least 5 days ahead; Musée de l’Orangerie at least 3 days ahead; The Arc de Triomphe at least 3 days ahead; Musée Rodin at least 3 days ahead; Musée Picasso Paris at least 3 days ahead; The Panthéon at least 2 days ahead; Les Invalides and Napoleon’s Tomb at least 2 days ahead; Conciergerie at least 2 days ahead.

What should I watch out for on Sundays and Mondays?

The Palace of Versailles, The Trianon Palaces, Musée d’Orsay, Musée Carnavalet, Musée Rodin, Maison de Victor Hugo and Musée Picasso Paris are closed on Mondays. On Sundays some places open later: Notre-Dame Cathedral at 08:15 and Galeries Lafayette at 11:00. Enter your dates and the planner reorders the days and switches to the Sunday versions for you.

Is 7 days enough for Paris?

Seven days covers Paris and Versailles. Staying longer? We suggest themed deep-dive blocks for the extra days.

Does the itinerary include an evening boat trip on the seine?

Yes. On trips of two nights or more, at every pace, we suggest an hour-long boat trip on the Seine on the second evening. Book at least 2 days ahead.

How do I fit the route to my own arrival and departure times?

Enter the city, your arrival and departure times and your pace in the planner on the home page. It trims the route around your flights, skips closed days, works out ticket deadlines and lets you download a PDF.