Paris
Romantic, art-filled Paris days with elegant neighborhood evenings
Highlights
Experience the Louvre, Tuileries, and the Seine in one graceful arc with time for quiet courtyard moments.
Wander Saint‑Germain’s bookshops, cafés, and riverside paths as the city lights up for the night.
Capture classic hilltop views, quiet stairways, and village-like squares at the best light of the day.
Step into royal France with grand halls, formal gardens, and hidden groves just outside Paris.
Blend medieval streets, boutiques, and river isles for a day of history, shopping, and people‑watching.
Trace the evolution of art from Impressionism to modern works in two beautifully sized museums.
Where to Stay
3 picks
Hôtel Relais Saint‑Germain
Boutique hotel with classic decor, wood beams, and excellent on-site bistro Le Comptoir du Relais in the heart of Saint‑Germain.
Hôtel Brighton
Elegant 19th-century building facing the Tuileries with many rooms offering Eiffel Tower and garden views, decorated in a classic style.
Hôtel Parc Saint‑Séverin
Refined small hotel on a quiet side street near Saint‑Séverin church, with tasteful decor and some rooms offering rooftop views.
Where to Eat
20 picks
Café de la Régence
Elegant café steps from the Louvre; order a tartine with butter and jam, a croissant, and café crème for a classic French start.
Le Petit Vendôme
Busy, traditional bistro; try the croque-monsieur or charcuterie plate with a glass of house wine.
Bistrot Richelieu
Traditional French dishes like duck confit and steak-frites in a cozy, wood-paneled room.
Café de Flore
Historic literary café; sit on the terrace if possible and order the breakfast formule with eggs, pastry, juice, and coffee.
Les Antiquaires
Chic yet relaxed bistro; order the plat du jour or roast chicken with a glass of wine.
Le Comptoir du Relais
Popular bistro with classic dishes elevated by excellent ingredients; reserve if possible or aim for early seating.
Pain Pain
Award-winning boulangerie on Rue des Martyrs; grab croissants, pastries, and coffee to go or at the counter.
Le Coq & Fils
Refined rotisserie-focused restaurant; share a roast chicken for two with sides and a carafe of wine.
Bouillon Pigalle
Large, lively brasserie-style restaurant with classic dishes at very reasonable prices; expect a short wait at peak times.
La Petite Venise
Located in the gardens near the Grand Canal; order a simple pasta or daily special and sit on the terrace if weather permits.
Les Ombres
Rooftop restaurant atop Musée du Quai Branly with framed Eiffel Tower views; opt for a fixed-price menu and reserve ahead.
Café Saint‑Régis
Cozy island café; order an omelette or tartine with coffee while watching morning life on the island.
Les Philosophes
Bustling Marais bistro; try the onion soup, steak tartare, or quiche of the day.
Robert et Louise
Rustic, wood-beamed bistro famed for meats grilled over an open fire; share a côte de bœuf and potatoes.
Coutume Café
Third-wave coffee shop with excellent espresso and light breakfast plates or pastries.
Restaurant Perraudin
Traditional, relaxed restaurant near the Panthéon; choose from set menus featuring dishes like boeuf bourguignon or fish of the day.
Le Coup Chou
Low-lit, wood-beamed dining rooms with fireplaces when in season; order duck, lamb, or the tasting menu.
Du Pain et des Idées
Famous bakery near the canal; try the escargot pastries (pistachio-chocolate is a favorite) and grab coffees nearby.
Le Verre Volé
Wine bar and small restaurant serving market-driven dishes; let them suggest a glass or two to match your plates.
Bistrot Vivienne
Classic bistro with mirrored walls and red banquettes right by Galerie Vivienne; enjoy a final steak-frites or fish dish.
What to Do
19 picks
Louvre Museum
Focus on the Denon Wing (Italian painting, Mona Lisa), Richelieu courtyard sculptures, and the French painting galleries; enter via the underground Carrousel entrance if the Pyramid lines are long.
Tuileries Garden
Stroll the central alleys from the Louvre toward Place de la Concorde, stopping at the octagonal basin for photos and people-watching on the iconic green chairs.
Galerie Vivienne & Covered Passages
Walk through Galerie Vivienne and nearby passages for mosaicked floors, glass roofs, and refined boutiques; excellent soft-light indoor photography.
Musée d'Orsay
Explore Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces; don’t miss the clock windows on the top floor for views over the Seine.
Musée de l'Orangerie
Walk across the bridge and Tuileries to see Monet’s Nymphéas and a compact but excellent collection of modern art downstairs.
Saint‑Germain‑des‑Prés Evening Stroll
Wander Rue Bonaparte, Rue Jacob, and the riverside Quais; browse bookshops like Librairie Galignani’s Left Bank cousins and watch the Seine from Pont des Arts.
Montmartre Hill & Sacré‑Cœur
Walk up via Rue des Martyrs and side stairways, visit Sacré‑Cœur, then circle through Place du Tertre and quieter backstreets like Rue de l’Abreuvoir.
Musée de Montmartre & Renoir Gardens
Explore the history of Montmartre’s artists and enjoy the peaceful garden overlooking vineyards and rooftops.
Sunset View from Square Louise Michel
Descend to the terrace below Sacré‑Cœur for panoramic city views at golden hour.
Palace of Versailles & Gardens
Take RER C to Versailles Château–Rive Gauche (about 1 hour door-to-door); tour the State Apartments and Hall of Mirrors before wandering the formal gardens and Grand Trianon area.
Versailles Garden Stroll & Return to Paris
After lunch, explore remaining garden areas or the Hamlet, then take RER C back, aiming to return to central Paris by late afternoon.
Seine River Evening Cruise
Walk to a nearby pier (e.g., Bateaux Parisiens) for a 1-hour cruise timed to catch the Eiffel Tower sparkle on the hour.
Île de la Cité Walk & Sainte‑Chapelle
Walk past Notre‑Dame (exterior restoration in progress), then visit Sainte‑Chapelle with its extraordinary stained glass; continue through the flower market and around the Conciergerie exterior.
Le Marais Stroll & Place des Vosges
Wander Rue des Francs-Bourgeois, Rue Vieille du Temple, and arcades of Place des Vosges; consider a quick stop at Musée Carnavalet for Paris history.
Musée Rodin
Visit the sculpture galleries and linger in the garden among The Thinker, The Gates of Hell, and shady alleys.
Latin Quarter & Panthéon Walk
Walk from the Seine up via Rue Saint‑Jacques or Rue de la Montagne-Sainte-Geneviève to the Panthéon, exploring side streets and the church of Saint‑Étienne-du-Mont.
Luxembourg Gardens
Stroll the formal gardens, Medici Fountain, and chair-lined lawns; watch locals play chess or sail boats on the basin.
Canal Saint‑Martin Walk
Stroll along the canal from Rue Yves Toudic toward Quai de Jemmapes, crossing iron footbridges and browsing small boutiques.
Covered Passages or Department Store Rooftop
Walk to Printemps or Galeries Lafayette rooftops for final city views, or revisit nearby covered passages if you want more indoor wandering.
Good to Know
8 picks
Use Timed Tickets Strategically
Book timed-entry slots in late morning for the Louvre, Orsay, and Sainte‑Chapelle, then build meals and walks around those fixed anchors. Avoid scheduling two timed entries on opposite sides of the city back-to-back.
Cluster Your Neighborhoods
Plan each day around one or two adjacent neighborhoods (e.g., Louvre + Tuileries, then Palais Royal) so that almost everything is within a 15–20 minute walk.
Metro Basics
Buy a Navigo Easy card at any Metro station and load 10-ticket carnets; validate each ride at the gate and keep the card for the week. Avoid boarding busy trains with your phone or wallet in a back pocket.
Restaurant Reservations & Timing
Reserve dinners for 19:30–20:00 in popular places, especially Thursday to Saturday. If you don’t have a booking, try arriving right when they open or later in the evening when the first seating is finishing.
Respect Lunch Hours
Many sit-down restaurants stop serving lunch by 14:00–14:30; after that, options are mainly cafés, bakeries, or brasseries. Start looking for lunch by around 12:30 to have full choice.
Dress Code: Polished Casual
Parisians tend to dress neatly in dark or neutral colors; smart jeans or trousers, simple dresses, and nice shoes work almost everywhere.
Handling Cash and Cards
Cards are widely accepted, but carrying some cash is useful for small bakeries, markets, or public toilets. Inform your bank of travel dates and enable tap-to-pay; keep a backup card in a separate place.
Early or Late for Iconic Views
For spots like Montmartre, the Seine quays, or Place des Vosges, aim for early morning or just before sunset to avoid heavy crowds and get the best light.
Map
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