Your Inaugural Paris: A Week Itinerary
Paris is one of those cities you’ll fall madly in love with in a month, but just as easily in a few days. It’s one of those cities that does not require a long time to feel like you’ve done Paris. From the mega hits to personal recs, here is a Paris week-long itinerary that covers all of what you crave, especially for those who are traveling there for the first time.
Day 1.
Arrive and check into the Shangri-La Paris, a top-tier stay with Eiffel Tower views, the MIJE Marais, a stay super central and for backpacking youth especially, Hotel Marais Grands Boulevards with iconic views and petit yet thoroughly charming rooms.
Day 2.
Take a river cruise along the Seine and get acquainted with the city from the waters. Some of these boats are huge and crowded during peak season times. I recommend a night ride on a large-scale ferry cruise, this way you’re sure to see many of the major landmarks alit at nighttime which is a delightful way to see them as well.
Walk to Notre Dame and climb to the top. Revel. This is one of the easier landmarks to walk into and up. Don’t forget to stand at point zero of the city of Paris, a bronze circular plaque and marker reference in front of Notre Dame. This has been here since 1924 and is the rubric for all distances in France.
Walk from Notre Dame to Sainte Chapelle and take in the immense purple stained glass walls. If you can, schedule a seat for a live show, the events can be viewed on their website. Regardless of the show, tickets for entrance to the chapel must be obtained in advance, they’re free of charge but you require one to enter. There is oftentimes a line here but for the love of G*% don’t skip it.
Walk from Saint Chapelle to the Latin Quarter which has a bounce and an attitude so sensual and warm. There are a multitude of fun eateries around this area, the best ones have live music.
Day 3:
Trek up to Montemarte and take in Sac Coer. Have escargot drenched in garlicky butter, which is the best spot to try snails hands down.
Shop the spots up at this hill scene. There are sweet vintage walk-ins and boutiques to get very Parisian souvenirs from.
Have a picnic and vino on the steps as the day turns into evening. There may be music, there will be groups, there will be boisterousness, enjoying the iconic scenery of Paris.
Day 4:
Visit the Catacombs and experience the scope of Paris’s history in this relic of an underground. It’s cooler temperatures down here so bring a light sweater if you tend to get chilly.
Walk through Luxembourg Gardens, have a stroll and break there.
Head to the Louvre. Remember to purchase your timeframed ticket for entrance. I suggest going as early as possible to see what you intend before the masses.
I also recommend highlighting galleries that pique your interest ahead of time online. Outlining your must-sees will give you traction for how to move throughout the 35,000 pieces of work housed. *The ceilings of these images are of the Galerie d'Apollon which is on the first floor of the Petite Galerie where you’ll walk looking up as much as around.
Salle Denon and Salles Rouges are also two of the most impressive and impactful areas of painted work. The Daru Staircase leads you to Winged Victory, one of the should-see experiences of this museum.
Day 5:
Take the train to Versailles and tour the monumental place. It’s less than an hour's ride and a 15-minute walk from the station to the chateau. Even though it’s a bit of a trek outside of the city, Versailles is one of the most incredible places to witness. The history of how it came into its grandeur is fascinating as you walk through these decadent rooms that spurred a hedonism from a bygone time. The gardens are worth visiting alone.
To travel there, the train is the RER regional Line C starting from Champs de Mars, Invalides, or Musée d’Orsay. From the Versailles Château Rive Gauche station it’s a 15-minute walk.
Day 6:
Tour the Picasso Museum. It’s a fantastic space that chronicles the life and work creations of this fascinating man.
Take the metro to Le Cordon Bleu for an interactive cooking lesson, the offerings allow you to uncover the secrets of tarts, or a full introduction into pastry. You can try you hand at eclairs, and of course French macarons. This is an experience that’s enjoyable to eat and which will leave you with a skill to return back home with.
Day 7:
Scope the Musee d’Orsay and the extensive amount of Impressionist artwork housed within its corridors. A wealth from this era, delight in Manet, Van Gogh, Seurat, Gaugin, Degas, Rodin, Renoir, Monet, Matisse…and plenty more. I suggest visiting the d’Orsay after the Louvre.
Head over for Parisian shopping at the Bon Marche. It’s a historic and special establishment within the city that’s famed for its installations of the center and celebration of architecture as well as its wares.
Day 8:
Head to the Arc de Triomphe, or the Arc celebrating victory.
Peruse the Le Champs-Élysées that make up the Triomphe’s tendril thoroughfare and one of the most famous avenues worldwide.
End your trip up at the Eiffel Tower…!
Day 9: Seek out one more croissant from your favorite patisserie…and bid Paris goodbye.
Extra +
Visit the cliffs of Normandy in Etreat.
An undeniably impactful site, the cliffs are staggering. This is even before you realize the magnitude of their history during WWII. About 3 hours outside of Paris, the cliffs are visitable via public transportation though driving in a rented car or hired one is the easiest and most direct route. For those who adore off-the-beaten-path locations as a side to the city immersion, this cliff visit is an enriching highlight.
Etreat cliffs of Normandy, Image by Benoit Deschasaux
For many, the idea of Paris is one of romance, of classy eats, classier fashion, of art, and of architecture. Wherever you go in Paris, there are blanket layers inclusive of the above and like delicate sheets you crisp into.
Most flock to Paris for the summer months, but don’t dismiss that autumn and even winter have an elegant display of this marvelous city as well.
This itinerary holds for Paris in all seasons 🪩
