One of the most common complaints from first-time visitors to Paris is the overwhelming amount of information they receive in Facebook groups about France in general and Paris in particular. The result is confusion and difficulty in creating an itinerary that doesn’t quickly turn into a “beret trip” (or should we call it a “barret trip”), where you run from attraction to attraction and don’t have enough time to enjoy yourself.
It is precisely for those people that I decided to create this itinerary, which I put a lot of thought into. Its goal is to allow those who are coming to Paris for the first time to experience the city, reach the main attractions , and at the same time discover the Paris that is somewhat hidden from tourists.
🏆 A must-have checklist for beginners (AM;LC)
Don't have the energy to read everything? These are the 3 things you must close in advance so you don't get stuck:
The complete guide to recommended hotels and apartments in Paris for beginners.
There are several attractions such as the Eiffel Tower or Disneyland Paris Their tickets must be ordered as soon as possible, otherwise they may run out or the prices may increase.
It is also very worthwhile to book tickets for shows and cruises on the Seine as soon as possible (you can do this after booking accommodation and tickets for popular attractions).
The itinerary before you is modular and the order of the days doesn't really matter (just be careful not to go to a particular attraction on a day it's closed). Furthermore, you are welcome to play with this plan and change it according to your preferences. If you happen to have less than 7 days in Paris, don't worry: I have also created shorter plans for you, which you will find towards the end of the article.
Let's get started and build a winning travel plan for you!
Sunday in Paris – The Marais District
The reason I put the Marais district on the first day is because of the Carnival Museum , which shows you the history of the City of Lights over the past 2,000 years. If you are a history buff, this museum is a treasure trove and will allow you to better understand the story behind the next attractions you will see in Paris (the museum can be covered in about two hours). Of course, if you are not a history buff, you are welcome to skip it.
Francophile tip: Admission to the permanent collection of the Carnaval Museum is free ! No need to book a ticket, just show up and go in. While you're there, don't miss its beautiful gardens.
So where in the Marais should you hike? I've chosen my two most recommended routes for you:
Monday – Ile de la Cité, Latin Quarter and Saint-Germain
It is recommended to do this route on a Sunday, in order to enjoy the bird market on the Ile de la Cité. I would start the day by exiting the Cité metro. From there I would go to visit the Concierge (not mandatory but recommended) and Sainte Chapelle (mandatory – especially if it is a sunny day).
From there I would go to Notre Dame Cathedral (now it can only be viewed from the outside, but its renovation is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2024). The second half of the day should be devoted to the Latin Quarter and the Saint-Germain Quarter . It is highly recommended not to miss a visit to the Luxembourg Gardens and the Pantheon.
Francophile tip: If this is your first day in Paris, I recommend adding a cruise on the Seine at the end of the day . It's a great way to get to know the city and rest from the flight.
Are you excited about the Latin Quarter and want to explore it further? Here are some special themed routes I created for you:
Tuesday – Departing Paris for the Palace of Versailles
If you have enough time to include a trip outside of Paris, I recommend doing it in the middle of your trip. And if you are leaving Paris for the first time, then the Palace of Versailles is undoubtedly the preferred option. It is the most impressive palace in France.
Don't skimp on time and take a full day from morning to evening, where you will stroll through the palace, the gardens, and finally have dinner at one of the restaurants in this charming town.
Wednesday – Return to Paris, to the eighth and first arrondissements
We will start the day at the Arc de Triomphe . I highly recommend climbing the Arc de Triomphe to get a spectacular panoramic view of Paris.
After you are finished, you are invited to walk down the Champs Elysées . Continue east until you reach the Place de la Concorde , and as you admire it, you are invited to remember that during the French Revolution, heads were beheaded here…
And so without realizing it you will arrive in the first arrondissement. Here, of course, you are invited to visit the Louvre , the Palais Royal and the Tuileries Gardens. You are invited to end the day at the shopping malls of Galeries Lafayette and Prentien, which are located right behind the Opera.
Thursday in Paris – Orsay Museum, Les Invalides, Eiffel Tower and Montmartre
Let's start with the Musée d'Orsay , which showcases the 19th and early 20th centuries. Unlike the Louvre, this is definitely a museum that is easy to digest. From there, walk along the Seine until you reach the Palais des Invalides.
After you finish visiting the Palais des Invalides, head towards the Eiffel Tower, which is impossible to miss, and whatever you do, don't ask the Parisians how to get to it, as you can learn in the following video:
After you climb (or not climb) the Eiffel Tower, I recommend you spend the second half of the day in Montmartre. Montmartre is much more than the Sacré-Cœur church. So that you don't get lost in the alleys, I have prepared several routes for you according to your interests:
Day Six – EuroDisney
If you're in Paris with kids, then you have a good excuse to visit this place. I highly recommend you read the article about Disneyland Paris which contains all the information you'll need.
The Seventh Day – A Day Dedicated Entirely to You
On the seventh day, God stopped working and decided to rest. And that’s exactly the goal of the seventh and final day of your trip. That’s it, you’ve ticked off the important Parisian attractions. Now all that’s left for you to do is return to the places you particularly liked and do some shopping.
What happens if you only come to Paris for a few days?
I understand that not everyone has enough time to spend a week in Paris. That's why I've created shortened versions of the itinerary for you (click the plus to open):
Paris itinerary: 6 days
It’s actually really easy. If you have 6 full days in Paris, you can follow the week-long plan I suggested verbatim, since the seventh day is an “open” day.
Paris itinerary: 5 days
This is where you need to start cutting back. My advice is to skip Disneyland Paris, and if you absolutely don't want to do that, then skip the Palace of Versailles.
Paris itinerary: 4 days
I would highly recommend skipping both EuroDisney and the Palace of Versailles. If you really insist on one of them, then you have no choice but to cut corners and skip the day of Ile de la Cité and the Latin Quarter.
Super short itinerary: 3 days
Okay, this really hurts. Stay tuned for the next few days:
1. Sunday – A trip to the Marae.
2. Monday – District 7 (Orsay Museum(Eiffel).
3. Tuesday – From the Arc de Triomphe to the Opera.
Two days in Paris?
Unambiguously: give up. But if you've reached the connection, try the route in the article Connection in Paris.
Looking for more information about Paris for beginners?
Have you read my article Paris for Beginners ? You'll find a toolbox there to help you plan the perfect trip.
Excellent articles, very helpful. My contribution to updating the article: We are currently in Paris, we were in the Marais district today (2/17/20), the Carnival Museum is closed, renovating. For your information
And thanks again
Glad to hear you are enjoying yourself. Yes, I know it is closed. It is scheduled to reopen in May.
I'm wondering how to buy tickets for attractions.
You can find all the best sites for buying tickets at this link.