Paris is undoubtedly one of the most visited cities in the world, and rightfully so! The city has so much to offer that you can easily spend days or weeks admiring art, culture and food. No matter what you are after, Paris has it all. From delicious food to landmarks or fashion, it’s hard to miss. Though you’ll need many days to explore the city completely, if you are short on time, we recommend you spend at least a week here. In seven days, you can cover a lot of things in Paris. Here is our “A Week in Paris Itinerary” to help you plan your trip:
Day One: Just Relax and Explore the Neighborhood
You’ll probably be jet-lagged when you arrive in Paris. So let’s take it easy on the first day out of 7 days in Paris and take this opportunity to walk around the neighbourhood (depending on your location). You may find something interesting to explore.
Even if you don’t, you can simply enjoy delicious Parisian cuisine in a restaurant or a café nearby and don’t forget the Top 11 Foods to Try in Paris. While at it, you can’t leave France without tasting The Best French Cheeses to Try for Beginners. Familiarise yourself with transport routes by downloading SNCF and RATP apps to help you plan your routes. Finally, get some much-needed rest and be prepared for the beautiful week ahead.
Day Two: Eiffel Tower, Tuileries Garden, and Arc de Triomphe
How about starting your official tour day with its iconic landmark Eiffel Tower? Once, Parisians used to find the tower an ordinary structure standing there for nothing. But today, the Eiffel Tower has become a favourite spot for locals and tourists. It holds special significance, particularly for those who wish to propose to their better halves. We recommend you get a ticket to the top (which costs about $19 for adults) and enjoy the stunning panoramic views of Paris
After spending some time at Eiffel Tower, head off to the beautiful Tuileries Garden, only nine minutes from Eiffel. Tuileries is a free public park and also a part of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The 55 acres of lush green space are essential for France’s history. For example, the park was once used to hold meetings with foreign dignitaries. Currently, locals and tourists love wandering around the park, watching people go by, or enjoying a picnic. There are also three restaurants in the park if you want to grab a quick lunch before moving toward Arc de Triomphe.
Arc de Triomphe is the largest of its kind in the world. It was commissioned to honour the army during the Napoleonic Wars. Looking closely under the Arch, you can read the names of battles fought during Napoleon’s Empire and the First French Republic, along with the generals who fought those battles. There is also a tomb of The Unknown Soldier under the Arch. This tomb of an unknown soldier represents all the unidentified soldiers who died during World War I. You can also climb the Arch and enjoy breathtaking Parisian views.
Day Three: The Louvre Museum, Palais Royal, and Palais Garnier
Start your third day with a Parisian breakfast near your hotel and head off to the Louvre. Widely known as one of the best art museums in Europe, The Louvre Museum is a must-do in Paris. Here you can catch a glimpse of over 35,000 pieces of art, from centuries-old to modern works, Egyptian mummy tombs, thousands of paintings, and more. You’ll need a good few hours to explore most of the parts of the museum (not the whole gallery space, though, as it’s nearly impossible to do that in a day). You better go there early, at 9 AM when it opens, so you have enough time to explore other tourist attractions throughout the day. Visitors aged 17 and below can enter for free, but for adults, a ticket costs about $17.
After Louvre, drive towards the Palais Royal, only seven minutes away. However, Palais Royal is not easy to get to, as it’s hidden among the other buildings. Though the Palace is not open to the public, you can enjoy its beautiful architecture from the outside and take pictures, especially with the striped columns. The gardens are open to the public; you can sit there peacefully and then go to the shopping centre surrounding the Palace.
Just a 4-minute drive away from Palais Royal, you’ll find Palais Garnier, also known as the Opera House of Paris. This place still offers the same atmosphere as it used to back in the 1800s. The best way to explore the Palais Garnier is by buying a ticket for a ballet or opera. Remember to purchase tickets in advance as they are always fully booked. If you don’t have time to watch a live performance, you can simply admire the building’s beautiful interior and take plenty of pictures.
Day Four: Notre-Dame Cathedral, Musée d'Orsay, and Westfield Forum des Halle
Day four in Paris is all about churches and museums. First stop will be at Notre Dame Cathedral. Like Eiffel Tower, the Cathedral is also a famous icon in Paris. Located along the River Seine, the Cathedral is regarded as a masterpiece of Gothic-style architecture. However, the Cathedral is closed until 2024 due to a fire in April 2019 and is undergoing major repairs. Once it reopens, I’m looking forward to seeing the intricate architectural details inside. After viewing the Cathedral from the inside, you can climb about 387 steps for the city’s surreal views.
If you’re an art fan, you should not miss Musée d’Orsay, which is widely known for its impressive art collection. The museum houses the works of many great French artists such as Van Gogh, Cezanne, Degas, Monet, and many others. You’ll also find many sculptures, furniture, and photography displays here. Musée d’Orsay is often less crowded than Louvre, making it a hot favourite among tourists. You can explore this museum in a few hours or less and admire the beautiful collection of artworks.
You cannot leave Paris without shopping at the largest mall in the city – Westfield Forum des Halle. Only 7 minutes’ drive away from Musée d’Orsay, the mall receives around 150,000 visitors every day. There is a fantastic collection of French as well as international brands in the mall, selling almost everything from clothing to beauty products to healthcare items and more. You can also eat at one of the mall’s restaurants or bars before returning to your hotel. The mall closes at 8:30 PM from Monday to Saturday and 7 PM on Sunday.
Day Five: Luxembourg Gardens, Musée Rodin and Champs-Élysées
On day five, start your journey with Luxembourg Gardens – another free public spot. Here you can enjoy plenty of activities with your family, such as picnics, walking around the park or simply soaking in the sun. There is a lot to do for kids here; they can enjoy a boat ride at the Grand Basin, watch a puppet show at Theatre des Marionettes onsite, or ride a pony. Luxembourg is a museum with over 100 sculptures in the garden, including the famous replica of the Statue of Liberty.
Your next stop should be Musée Rodin – a hidden gem in Paris. The museum was the residential place of the famous sculptor Auguste Rodin, in the 19th century. Many sculptures can be found here, in addition to over 7,000 drawings. Visitors can also view some pieces from Rodin’s collection, including the artworks by Van Gogh. Even if you are not an art buff, you should still visit this place amidst the beautiful gardens.
After spending some time at Musée Rodin, stop at Champs-Élysées, which is only a 6-minute drive from the museum. Champs-Élysées is Paris’s most famous street, home to many cafes, restaurants, and luxury shopping stores such as Hugo Boss and Louis Vuitton. As the street is renowned among locals and tourists, expect huge crowds no matter what time of the year you visit. So enjoy shopping, or even if you don’t want to shop, wander around and end your night with a delicious Parisian dinner at one of the restaurants here.
Day Six: Versailles Palace and One Nation Paris
You’re now on your last stretch of spending a week in Paris. Spare your sixth day for an out-of-town tour at Versailles. The town is about 12 miles west of Paris and is home to the iconic Versailles Palace. The Palace comprises about 2300 rooms, the Royal Opera House, King’s Private Apartments, the Hall of Mirrors, and the Royal Chapel. Visitors can explore many parts of the Palace on their tickets, including the gardens – which almost everyone loves. To avoid crowds, you should come early in the morning and get your tickets. If you wish to explore the history of the Palace, opt for a guided tour and enhance your experience. You’ll have to walk for hours, so wear comfortable shoes.
Just a 10-minute drive from the Palace, One Nation Paris is the largest outlet shopping centre in the country. Here you’ll find over 400 brands for men, women, children, and everything you can think of. The best part of the mall is that almost every shop offers discounts between 30 to 70 percent. You can buy from big brands at affordable prices. You’ll also find many gourmet snacking options and high-end restaurants where you can try classic Parisian dishes before heading back to the city.
Day Seven: Montmartre
You don’t need to exhaust yourself on your last day in Paris. Before returning, pay a visit to one of the most beautiful areas, Montmartre. Tourists usually visit the city to capture Instagram-worthy views of the hills you can see in the background. The city can be best explored on foot. You can walk around colourful streets, drink coffee, eat crepes, or buy souvenirs such as keychains, postcards, or gaudy T-shirts. Try to visit early in the day so you can have plenty of time to pack your bags.
This wraps up our 7 Days Paris Itinerary. Of course, you can skip or swap destinations from the list. No matter where you decide to go, you will be awe-struck by the beauty of Paris. If you’ve tried our “A Week in Paris Itinerary”, share your experience in our comments section.
