The ultimate 7-day Paris itinerary
If you're not sure how many days to spend in Paris, you can't go wrong with a full week. Especially if it's your first time in the city, seven days in Paris gives you plenty of time to see the city’s main attractions (especially since some main attractions and museums are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays), visit lesser-known gems, and even go on a day trip or two. This 7-day Paris itinerary combines all that, covering one Parisian district at a time.
Since Paris is a walkable city, this itinerary is designed for explorations on foot. However, the Paris metro and buses will come in handy for covering long distances. Get a Navigo weekly ticket for unlimited rides on the transport network in Paris.
Need more ideas on how to spend a week in Paris? Here are more itinerary ideas for foodies, families, and couples.
Where to stay in Paris
First-time visitors to Paris often favor the 1st arrondissement for its central location or the 7th arrondissement for hotels with close-up views of the Eiffel Tower. If you prefer a more local vibe, base yourself in the Latin Quarter or the Marais. These districts have vibrant markets and trendy bars, cafes, and restaurants—and they aren’t far from the city center.
Day 1: Louvre Museum, Arc de Triomphe and Champs-Élysées
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The city center is a staple of any Paris trip, starting with the star of the 1st arrondissement: the Louvre Museum. Book a skip-the-line ticket to avoid the long lines—it also includes a guided tour with an art expert who will share tidbits on masterpieces such as the Mona Lisa. Don't forget to step inside the museum’s courtyard to snap photos of the Louvre Pyramid as well. A short walk away, at Place du Carrousel, is the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel.
Travel tip: Don’t mistake the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel for the other Arc de Triomphe; that’s located at the western end of Champs-Élysées. This monument is half the size but still impressive nonetheless.
Following that, take a stroll in Tuileries Garden and visit some of the city’s most famous public squares such as Place de la Concorde and Place Vendome. When your stomach starts rumbling, make a beeline for Le Grand Colbert, a historic brasserie that serves up traditional French food. Take in the lavish decorations as you tuck into a delicious chateaubriand steak.
Crossing the border into the 2nd arrondissement will bring you to some of the city’s most historic arcades.
Must-see Parisian arcades:
In the evening, hop on the metro to the Arc de Triomphe and catch the sunset from its panoramic terrace. Then, walk down Champs-Élysées to splash out some cash along the city’s most iconic shopping avenue.
Day 2: The Eiffel Tower and Seine River
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A trip to Paris is not complete without visiting the Eiffel Tower and its surroundings. You can admire it from the esplanade of the Trocadéro Gardens or even embark on a guided Eiffel Tower climb with summit access. Once you’re back on the ground, it’s time for some museum-hopping in Paris.
Must-see museums in the 7th arrondissement:
Come nighttime, circle back to the foot of the Eiffel Tower. This is the embarkation point of the dinner cruises by Bateaux Parisiens. Book your tickets to indulge in a multi-course meal and enjoy live French music as you glide along the Seine, passing by attractions like the Louvre Museum, Grand Palais, and Notre Dame Cathedral.
Day 3: The Latin Quarter and Saint Germain des Prés
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Set aside a day to explore these two districts on the Left Bank of Paris: the Latin Quarter and Saint Germain des Prés, known for their bustling streets lined with restaurants, art galleries, and antique shops. This area was the preferred hangout of celebrated writers, artists, and intellectuals living in Paris—particularly in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Step into Cafe de Flore or Les Deux Magots for a glimpse into the literary cafes that were frequented by illustrious authors like Ernest Hemingway and Albert Camus. Then, pick up a book at Shakespeare and Company Bookstore and get it stamped with the store’s logo.
For sustenance, scour through the gourmet offerings at La Grande Epicerie de Paris. Pick up a freshly-made sandwich from the bakery, together with cheese and wine. You’re all set for a picnic on the manicured lawns of Luxembourg Gardens.
Travel tip: For dessert, you can make your own macarons with a cooking class in the Latin Quarter. Over three hours, you’ll learn the techniques to make these pastel-colored sweet treats.
End the day at the Paris Catacombs, which is a short walk from the Denfert-Rochereau metro stop. Descend 65 feet underground to enter this spooky labyrinth piled with six million bones. Set aside an hour to complete the 1.2-mile trail.
Day 4: Opera Garnier and Montmartre
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You should set aside a good part of a day in the 9th arrondissement, which is home to the prestigious Palais Garnier. Book a ticket for a self-guided tour of this 19th-century opera house to marvel at Chagall’s paintings on the ceilings. Even better if you can snag tickets to a musical or dance performance showing.
After that, walk to Printemps, a Parisian departmental store that’s bound to please well-heeled shoppers with luxury brands like Gucci, Prada, and Balenciaga. Alternatively, visit Galeries Lafayette, which has an extensive souvenir section on the sixth floor. While you’re there, head to the rooftop terrace to enjoy magnificent views of Paris.
Getting hungry? Bouillon Chartier is a wallet-friendly lunch spot with a history that dates back over 120 years. The standouts here are classic French dishes such as escargots, duck confit, foie gras, and for the more adventurous—tête de veau (calf’s head).
Head north to Montmartre, a romantic hilltop district with an artistic heritage. The heart of the action is Place du Tertre, a public square where you can buy local art or pose for a hand-drawn caricature. Check out Musée de Montmartre to immerse yourself in the district’s history through paintings and drawings. Follow the cobblestone streets to Sacre-Coeur Basilica which commands fantastic views of Paris from its doorstep.
Must-see attractions in Montmartre:
Day 5: Île de la Cité and the Marais
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Explore the birthplace of Paris, Île de la Cité. This island in the middle of the Seine is the central crossroads that connects the city’s Left Bank with the Right Bank. Visit Sainte-Chapelle, a 13th-century Gothic chapel with dazzling stained glass windows, and Conciergerie, a palace that took on the roles of a royal residence, a judicial court, and even a prison. From the island, you can also admire the facade of Notre Dame Cathedral.
Must-see attractions on Île de la Cité:
Cross Pont d'Arcole to reach L’As du Fallafel along Rue des Rosiers. This restaurant is right smack in the center of the Marais district, a cultural melting pot with thriving Jewish and LGBTQIA+ communities. Join the line to taste Paris’ most famous falafels and ask for extra hot sauce if you like it spicy. Once you’re fueled up, wander down the narrow alleys that ooze an old-world charm and take a break on a bench at Place des Vosges.
If you're a fan of the famous French writer Victor Hugo, visit Maison de Victor Hugo, just around the corner. Otherwise, make your way to Marche des Enfants Rouges, a covered food market that’s been around since 1615. You’ll find international cuisine from Japanese bento to Moroccan tagine under its roof. Come sundown, hit the trendy bar Candelaria for a few rounds of creative cocktails.
Day 6: Bois de Boulogne
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Get off the beaten track for a day at Bois de Boulogne, a large public park at the edge of the 16th arrondissement. Once the hunting grounds for French royalty, this park is now a green space for locals to enjoy nature. Within it is Parc de Bagatelle, a botanical garden that’s magnificent year-round, but even more so when the roses are in full bloom in June. To get there, take the metro to Pont de Neuilly station, then complete the journey by bus or on foot.
Follow the pathway to Le Pavillon de la Grande Cascade, a Michelin-starred restaurant helmed by Frédéric Robert. The macaroni stuffed with black truffles and foie gras is highly recommended.
Travel tip: If you’re visiting Paris in summer, request a seat at the terrace when you make your lunch booking online. You’ll be seated amid shrubs and flowers as you savor French food at its finest.
Pass the afternoon rowing a boat across Lac Inférieur or enjoying amusement park rides at Jardin d'Acclimatation. Then make your way to Fondation Louis Vuitton, an architectural eye candy designed by Frank Gehry. From the outside, this art museum looks like a futuristic boat with glass sails. Step inside to see contemporary artworks in both its permanent and temporary exhibitions.
Day 7: Palace of Versailles
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Seven days is more than enough time to take a day trip from Paris to the Palace of Versailles and the Estate of Trianon. Save yourself the hassle of travel planning by opting for a Versailles bike tour. This full-day tour departs from Gare Saint-Lazare where you’ll hop on a train to Versailles. Learn about the legends that once roamed the grounds, such as Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.
Enjoy a picnic by the lake, then cycle over to the Grand Trianon and Petit Trianon before finally reaching the Palace of Versailles. Skip the line to see the highlights like the Hall of Mirrors, the Royal Chapel, and the Royal Opera.
If you're heading back to central Paris, it's never a bad idea to end the day with a cabaret show, complete with a three-course dinner at Crazy Horse.
Other day trip options from Paris:
Ready to start planning your Paris trip? Build your own Paris itinerary with our Trips planning tool—start with all the best spots featured in this list and add on your own.
Dina Malyana is a Singaporean writer and marketing specialist who’s living the good life in France. She’s also a travel addict who’s lost count of the number of countries she’s visited. When she’s not traveling, she’s probably planning her next trip.