4 Days in Paris: The Perfect Paris Itinerary for All

After over a dozen trips to Paris, I’m finally putting together the perfect 4-day itinerary for visiting. When it comes to exploring Paris, France’s largest city, it takes some planning to do it right. This is my Paris itinerary, designed for 4 days of the major sights, great food, and memorable experiences.

As a French American returning to France to visit family, Paris was always our first stop. Paris is where I have some of my first travel memories as a kid. I remember playing with boats at the Jardin du Luxembourg (Luxembourg Gardens), walking the hallways of Museé d’Orsay, and eating endless eclairs.

As an adult, I’ve returned several times, and even have gone back to Paris with my toddler recently. Needless to say, I’m a big fan of Paris and have a few opinions on how to approach it.

Paris has a lot to offer and is quite large. So if you’re visiting, I always recommend a full four days, especially for your first trip. You could cut it down to three days, but keep in mind that the city is spread out, and each “arrondissement” or neighborhood has a unique experience worth experiencing.

I like to divide out my time by arrondissement when I’m visiting Paris — cutting down as much as possible on train rides and cabs. If you bundle your time in each segment of the city, you’ll be able to really experience it at a slower pace.

My style of travel is simple — I want to see the major hits, I’m okay to save something for next time, and I enjoy good coffee and food. So I plan these itineraries on my blog just like that. No need to spend 7 hours at the Louvre, do a few hours and move on to something else if you know what I mean.

So if you’ve booked your trip, and you are ready to plan your Paris itinerary. This guide will help you make the most of your time, decide on where to stay, and the tickets you most definitely need to book in advance.

Short on Time? Here is the Ultimate 4-Day Paris Itinerary:

Where to Stay

The 1st arrondissement is the best location for access (and family travelers). The Marais (3rd & 4th) is the best for living like a local, and the Latin Quarter (the 6th) is the best classic Parisian experience. If I were to pick my top three hotels to stay in Paris they would be:

1. Hôtel National Des Arts Et Métiers, best for first-time visitors
2. My Maison in Paris — Louvre, best for family travel
3. Relais Christine, best for living like a local

Day 1: Get Settled in Le Marais + an Evening Seine Cruise

• Morning: Arrival
• Afternoon: Explore the beautifully chic Marais
• Evening: Dinner, then take Seine evening cruise

Day 2: A Day of History: The Louvre, Île Saint-Louis, & More

• Morning: Louvre and a stroll through Jardin du Palais Royal
• Afternoon: Wander through Île Saint-Louis
• Evening: Lively evening and dinner in Le Centre Pompidou

Day 3: A Classic Saint-Germain-des-Prés Day and Nearby

• Morning: Le Bon Marché + Jardin du Luxembourg
• Afternoon: Shopping at Le Bon Marché + Jardin du Luxembourg
• Evening: Head back over the river for dinner (ideas below)

Day 4: Versailles and Montmartre

• Morning: Versailles and Château de Versailles
• Afternoon: Montmartre and Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre
• Evening: Departure

Things to Do

1. Bateaux Mouches Seine 70-Min Cruise
2. Louvre Priority Access Guided Tour
3. Musee d’Orsay Pre-Booked Museum Ticket
4. CDG Airport Private Transfer

Helpful Paris Guides to Plan Your Trip

For everything you need to know about visiting Paris, don’t miss my alternative guide to Paris and my guides to where to stay, best restaurants, and best hotels with Eiffel Tower views! If you’re traveling as a family, check out my guide to visiting Paris with a toddler.

Travel Tip: If you think you’ll do several attractions and museums, I’d opt for the Paris City Pass which includes access to 75+ spots.

The Perfect 4 Days Paris Itinerary

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Things to Know Before Visiting Paris

Getting Around Paris: Metro vs Uber

I’m going to give a controversial opinion on getting around in Paris. Metro is convenient when traveling longer lengths, but I find myself using Uber more for convenience when getting to certain districts like the Marais. So I always check both when trying to decide how to get from one place to the other.

The RATP (Régie Autonome des Transport Parisiens) is the entire public transportation system in Paris and is integrated into Google Maps. So one app to keep on handy is Google Maps where you can search how to get somewhere and peruse which public transport options you have. Public transport in Paris is easy to use, and quite convenient when the routes line up.

Getting to Paris from Charles de Gaulle Airport

To travel from Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) into central Paris, you have several transportation options. The RER B train is the most affordable and convenient, taking about 30-40 minutes to reach central Paris at a cost of around €10.30. You can catch the RER B from Terminal 2 (with signs from other terminals), and it stops at major stations like Gare du Nord and Châtelet-Les Halles.

I usually often choose to take an Uber depending on the time of the day, taxis have a fixed fare of €55-€60 to central Paris and take about 30-45 minutes, depending on traffic. Ride-sharing services like Uber are also available, with fares typically ranging from €35-€70.

Travel Tip: One of the best ways to get into the city is to pre-book a private transfer at around the same cost, which is very convenient.

Time of Year to Visit

If I could pick the few favorite months it would be September-November and April and May. While Paris sees crowds almost year-round, summer certainly brings in the peak amount. I recommend avoiding late July through August when a lot of businesses close down for “vacances” or vacations in France.

You Need to Book in Certain Things in Advance

While there is the ability to do last-minute things, there are several museums and restaurants that require reservations. I do not recommend leaving things to the last minute, such as the Louvre, popular restaurants, and tours.

Travel Tip: If you think you’ll do several attractions and museums, I’d opt for the Paris City Pass which includes access to 75+ spots.

Get an Understanding of French Cafe Culture

Ah, the typical “my waiter was rude” comment about Paris. Chances are you might have missed some of the Parisian cultural protocol around dining so here are a few things to keep in mind before approaching the corner terrasse:

• Always greet — It’s a must in Paris (even when walking into a boutique), but don’t expect a warm crack of a smile and hello return — they’re busy doing their jobs, and this is part of how it goes.
• Take a seat on your own (unless it’s a formal restaurant) — they’ll come to attend to you often with a “j’arrive!” which means I’m coming. They’ll see you and come, so I’d certainly never waive your arm around asking for service. In fact, they’ll delay more if you do this, and I’ve seen it happen several times. The service could be fast or painfully slow. Don’t expect either.
• The bill is usually left on the table with the order, but you don’t have to pay immediately unless they ask for it — If they haven’t dropped a bill, again, there is no need to waive your arm around. A simple eye contact (or a small hand gesture if they’re far away) will do it. “L’addition, s’il vous plaît” (the check, please) is the phrase to know. Tips are not necessary, but a coin or two goes a long way.

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Where to Stay in Paris

I have an entire guide on where to stay in Paris for first-timers and a guide for hotels with Eiffel Tower views if you’re after that. The short of it is I believe the 1st arrondissement is the best location for access (and family travelers). The Marais (3rd & 4th) is the best for living like a local, and the Latin Quarter (the 6th) is the best classic Parisian experience.

My Top Accommodation Choices

1. Hôtel National Des Arts Et Métiers, best for first-time visitors
2. My Maison in Paris — Louvre, best for family travel
3. Relais Christine, best for living like a local

More 1st Arrondissement Hotel Recommendations

1. Nolinski Paris ($$$)
2. Chateau Voltaire ($$$$)

More Latin Quarter Hotel Recommendations

1. L’Hotel ($$$)
2. Hotel Recamier ($$)
3. Hôtel D’Aubusson ($$$)
4. Hôtel Bel Ami ($$$)

More Marais Hotel Recommendations

1. Les Tournelles ($$)
2. Hôtel National Des Arts Et Métiers ($$$)
3. Villa Beaumarchais ($$)
4. Hotel Caron de Beaumarchais ($$)

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Editor’s Note: How I Structured This Paris Itinerary

I always share a bit about how I like to travel. I am not an “I need to do it all” traveler. I’m more interested in savoring fewer things than satiating in it all. So I’m happy to cut my time down in places like museums and optimize more for walking neighborhoods and indulging in authentic local experiences.

• Day 1: Get Settled in Le Marais + an Evening Seine Cruise
• Day 2: A Day of History: The Louvre, Île Saint-Louis, & More
• Day 3: A Classic Saint-Germain-des-Prés Day and Nearby
• Day 4: Versailles and Montmartre

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Day 1: Get Settled in Le Marais and an Evening Seine Cruise

An Afternoon in the Marais

So you’ve arrived off your flight to Paris, you’ve dropped your bags at your hotel and you’re ready to explore. There is no better neighborhood to bring you back to life than the beautifully chic Le Marais. I’m a sucker for starting at Place des Vosges, quite possibly the most beautiful small square in Paris.

The first meal on all of my Parisian trips is on the terrace at Café Hugo — a chic, understated spot to get a great bistro meal. I order the salad every time with the canard fume and pair it with fries. From there, I’ll stroll through the Marais to my usual suspects.

Some of the places I always love to stop by are Musée Carnavalet for hidden gardens and Musée National Picasso-Paris if I want to be indoors. I’m always seeking a caffeine fill, and my go-to coffee spots in the Marais are Le Peloton Café, Ob-la-Di, Boot Café, or the coffee shop inside the effortlessly chic Merci store.

Dinner and Seine Evening Cruise

Don’t make the mistake of having dinner on a Seine river cruise, so be sure to eat before. If you want something that is laidback but screams French, book in at Restaurant Au Passage. If you want to get closer to where you might pick up the riverboat, I’d head to Le Bistro Marbeuf.

The majority of the Seine River cruises depart right near the Pont de l’Alma, and I am particular to the “Bateaux-Mouches.” Every time we took an evening boat ride as kids, it was with the historic Bateaux-Mouches, which gave me a bit of nostalgia. The tickets are $17 a person, it’s 70 minutes and the best way to see Paris at night. Make sure to get a ticket in advance.

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Day 2: A Day of History: Louvre, Île Saint-Louis, & More

A Morning at the Louvre and Stroll

It’s an early start and for good reason. Start by stopping off at Café Kitsuné Louvre for coffee and pastry (they open at 8 am) and stroll through Jardin du Palais Royal before making your way to the Louvre. You will need to prebook your Louvre tickets.

Here’s the best way to approach visiting the Louvre (home to the Mona Lisa): you can do a timed skip the line entry ticket (still requires a line) or you can do a guided tour which provides priority access (if you want a guide with quick access). The benefit of the guided tour is you often get ahead of the lines.

After the Louvre, make your way out to the Jardin des Tuileries (Tuileries Gardens) for an easy stroll through the gardens. It’s a great way to get some fresh air, and you can always take a seat. If you’re feeling hungry, I’d pop into Le Nemours for a bistro bite before making your way to Île Saint-Louis.

An Afternoon Through Île Saint-Louis

I highly recommend starting with a walk across the famous Pont Neuf Bridge, walking along the Quai des Orfèvres towards the Notre Dame (Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris).

Travel Tip: The Notre Dame is free to access, but you can make a reservation a few hours before your visit to streamline your experience.

Afterward, continue towards Île Saint-Louis, one of my favorite places in Paris. Every trip I stop at Le Saint-Regis for a coffee on the patio to look towards the Notre Dame and people watch. Afterward, stroll the main Rue Saint-Louis en l’Île, which cuts through the island, home to several local boutiques and shops.

Some favorite stops are Berthillon for ice cream, La Fromagerie de l’Isle for local cheese, Noir – Coffee Shop & Torréfacteur for coffee, and Maison Moinet to pick up my favorite candy “vichy” pastilles. It’s an easy-going afternoon here.

A Lively Evening and Dinner

Come dinner time, make your way towards Le Centre Pompidou. It’s a lively area, with many streets just filled with Parisians going about their after-work errands. Rue Montorgueil is always a lively street to go for a stroll as well, just past Les Halles as well.

There are several great restaurants in this neighborhood. Some favorites are Les Marmottes for raclette night, Derrière for upscale French, La Station Rambuteau for an easy bistro, and Terra bar à vins was my most recent favorite find.

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Day 3: A Classic Saint-Germain-des-Prés Day and Nearby

Morning in Saint-Germain-des-Prés

Time to make your way to the Left Bank of Paris, the quite classical side of the city. There is so much to do here, so I’m going to give you the best lay of the land with the highlights. I’d start at Maison Fleuret Paris for a coffee shop meets a bookstore experience (another option is Saint Pearl).

From there, stroll the quiet streets of Saint-Germain-des-Prés before the city awakes. Of course, you could stop at either Les Deux Magots or Café de Flore, rivaling cafes that are long-running stops of authors and celebrities. But I’d continue on…

Traverse across to Musée d’Orsay, it’s about another 20-minute walk so why not? Get your tickets online before you arrive, and your wait won’t be terrible. You could spend one hour here or three, and pick as you like, but don’t miss the view from the top floor at the iconic clock.

Shopping at Le Bon Marché and Jardin du Luxembourg

From the museum, traverse over to Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche. It is quite possibly the best shopping in all of Paris with floors of designers. One section not to miss is the gourmet groceries on the bottom floor.

For lunch, over the years I’ve stopped at a handful of restaurants in this quarter. Places like La Maison du Jardin, Cafe Louise, and Le Hibou are a few. After lunch, make your way to the iconic Jardin du Luxembourg. I would sit and soak it in. Grab a coffee to go and just sit and enjoy the atmosphere.

Evening Time: Head Back Over the River

Come dinner time, head back over the river. There are a few ways to decide where to go, but ultimately let your stomach decide.

Some restaurant suggestions for this evening are:

• Racines, for elevated chic bistro dining
• Allard, for classic dining
• Benoit Paris, for elevated classics
• Septime, for Scandinavian meets French food
• Breizh Cafe, for crepes

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Day 4: Versailles and Montmartre

Morning: Versailles

I find two things that never make geographical sense to me are Versailles and Montmartre — both are on opposite sides of the city, not near anything, so why not pair them together?

Time for a day trip. Make your way to Versailles on the RER to visit the Château de Versailles — and yes, you’ll want to pre-purchase tickets. You could do a guided tour if you want something more condensed like this 90-minute tour which would optimize your time.

The palace opens at 9 am, so plan to be there by 8:30 if you have a ticket on your own, budget until noon to visit. If you need a bite to eat, Versailles has a few bistros in town or you could eat in the Chateau itself at one of the snack stands. Nearby, I’ve eaten at Au Petit Marquis and RESTAURANT 17.37.

Afternoon: Montmartre

Since you’re already in transit back to Paris, it’s only an additional 20 minutes to get up to Montmartre. Metro Abbesses is the stop to get off at, and from there, you’ll make the climb up to Montmartre.

The famous Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre has the best views of Paris, so it’s a good spot to start (it’s also free to enter). There are a handful of famous spots up here, like Le Consulat and La Maison Rose, both on beautiful streets to go for a stroll. This is a charming neighborhood to just walk around.

For food, one spot I’ve stopped into is Grenouilles, a casual place for a bite to eat. And for something a bit more elevated, don’t miss L’Étoile de Montmartre.

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What I Would Skip If Short on Time

I’ll give some honest feedback on places that I would not consider visiting in Paris if short on time.

• Arc de Triomphe — while beautiful, it’s more of a historic building and not worth the effort to see.
• Champs-Élysées — it’s a tourist hotspot filled with big box stores. If you’re staying at a luxury hotel off of it, sure, maybe worth it. But otherwise, I’d skip it.
• Eiffel Tower — I personally would skip going to the top of the Eiffel Tower. It’s not worth the effort and time to climb it. One idea is to walk to the Champ de Mar to see the Eiffel Tower.
• Place de la Concorde — It gets listed often on must-see lists, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to see this.

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Places to Add if You Have More Time

Now with those above said, I do have my list of places I would add in if I have more time in Paris. I would even consider switching out some of the above.

• Rodin Museum, for Rodin Art.
• Musée national Gustave Moreau, for hidden gem
• Musée de l’Orangerie, for a hidden cafe courtyard
• Atelier Brancusi, for a view into the Brancusi workshop
• Carnavalet Museum, for best off-the-beaten-path museum
• Giverny, for the best day trip from Paris (half-day small group guided trip with transport)

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