7 Days in Paris! The Perfect Itinerary
- Dana Cully
- Jul 12
- 13 min read
After spending just under 3 weeks in Paris, I believe everyone should visit it at least once in their life, if they have to opportunity to. It truly is a magical place. For some reason, most people tend to only spend 2-3 days in Paris, but honestly, there is just so much to see and do that I would recommend spending about a week there if you can.
Below is my recommended itinerary. It includes everything I thought was worth it, and excludes the things I thought were not! Happy travels!
Jump to:
Day 1 – Morning Magic: Eiffel Tower & Avenue of Spontaneity
Eiffel Tower
Kick start your trip in Paris by seeing the Eiffel Tower! Some people love it, others do not, but if you're in Paris, you have to see it. To be honest with you, I do not think paying to go up it is worth your time and money (the queues are crazy and there are other places for better views), but if you still want to, you can book tickets here. If you do not go up, you can enjoy a coffee or a picnic in the Trocadéro gardens.
Morning Seine Cruise
If you're not going up the Eiffel Tower, you won't need to stay there too long. After, take a short stroll to the Seine and catch a morning cruise. Some offer food, whilst others don't. You can check out your options here. For lunch, there are plenty of yummy restaurants in the area, or you can grab something on-the-go, and check out all the pop-up stores. Spend the rest of the afternoon strolling and exploring. I always recommend having a chill first day so you can get your bearings and recover from jet lag!
Montmartre
Early evening, catch the metro to Montmartre, where you’ll hit all the west-Montmartre highlights in one go. Explore the cobblestone lanes dotted with art stalls, trinket shops & more! The app Le-Walk has some great walking tour guides that teach you about the interesting history of Montmartre (it's free)! Ascend to the Sacré‑Cœur, have a quick look inside, and enjoy beautiful views of Paris! Have dinner at a local Bristro and maybe listen to some jazz, or watch an evening show at the Moulin Rouge after your meal!
Day 2 – Latin Quarter
Notre-Dame
Start your day at the beautiful Notre‑Dame, and marvel at the gorgeous architecture and stained glass. This place is truly magical; however, be aware that it is PACKED with people, and because it is free, the queues can take hours, even if you get there early. I highly recommend purchasing a skip-the-line ticket for the Notre-Dame.
Sainte-Chappelle
After the Notre Dame, enjoy even more beautiful architecture and stained glass at the Sainte‑Chapelle - a riot of medieval stained glass. I made the mistake of not pre-booking a ticket, and waited for 2.5 hours to get in, so again, I highly recommend booking a ticket for the Sainte-Chappelle.
Jardin du Luxembourg
Grab some lunch at one of the pop-up stalls at Jardin du Luxembourg or a nearby boulangerie, and enjoy it in the gardens. Take some time to rest, explore the tree, water features, and plants. There are usually many places to sit, but it is popular for locals during their lunch breaks, so bring a picnic blanket just in case!
Latin Quarter & Pantheon
After lunch, head into the Latin Quarter and visit the Pantheon. This was one of my favourite experiences in Paris, the feeling of the place was just beautiful! Don't forget to also visit the crypts, which are accessed through the Pantheon, at the back of the building. Here you will find the crypts of honorable people such as Marie Curie, Josephine Baker, Victor Hugo, and more! Again, I recommend booking a ticket because without one, the queue took about 2 hours.
In the evening, walk around the Latin Quarter and enjoy the beautiful architecture and culture. This area is very safe to walk around in! Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant!
Day 3 – Louvre, Monet & Garden Wander
Louvre Museum
Start your morning at the Louvre, but don’t try to “see it all” — trust me, you’ll burn out before lunch; I highly recommend doing a highlights tour (you can find a great one here) or making a list of the must-sees, like the Mona Lisa, Napoleon's apartments, Winged Victory, and Venus de Milo. The palace itself is beautiful, and even just wandering the halls is an experience.
However, if you are a museum lover and do want to see it all, start as soon as it opens, and understand that you will spend about 5 hours there, possibly more if you want to 'look' at everything.
Also, be aware that the queues to the Louvre Museum are BIG. I recommend going to the underground mall near the gardens, its next to the arch. Here the queues are a lot shorter. It is also essential to pre-book tickets to the louvre as they often sell out days in advance.
If you plan on visiting most of the museums in Paris, a smarter and cheaper way to do it is to purchase a museum pass. This is usually cheaper than purchasing individual tickets for each attraction, and it's also usually skip-the-line.
Jardin des Tuileries & Lunch
Once you've had your fill of art, walk out into the Jardin des Tuileries for a breath of fresh air. These gardens are the perfect chill spot. You can grab a baguette sandwich or salad from local boulangeries or pop-up stalls at the gardens, and enjoy a casual lunch by the fountains or under the trees. If the weather’s nice, take off your shoes and relax on the grass for a bit!
Musée de l’Orangerie
At the far end of the gardens, you’ll find the Musée de l’Orangerie — one of my absolute favourite museums in Paris. It’s small, quiet, and easy to digest. The Monet water lily rooms are honestly incredible, and downstairs you'll find works by Renoir, Matisse, and Picasso - A nice surprise for someone who thought it was only Monet, so make sure you go downstairs! This is perfect for a slower-paced afternoon after the Louvre madness. The lines here are not as bad as other places, but they still take about an hour and 30 minutes without a ticket, and 15 - 30 minutes with a ticket. You can book your spot here.
Evening in the City of Lights
In the evening, you can walk along the Seine and watch the sunset or have dinner nearby. I recommend Café Le Nemours (super close to the Louvre) or Le Fumoir, which is a little fancy but very cosy. If you're up for it, a casual evening cruise on the Seine from here is beautiful and not as crowded as during the day. You can then grab some dessert, head to the Trocadéro Gardens, and see the magic of the sparkling Eiffel Tower! In summer, it does not light up before 10 pm, usually at around 11 pm. Another option is to grab some wine, bread, and cheese, and have dinner there instead of going out.
Day 4 – A Day with Royals & Roses: Versailles
Morning Train to Versailles
Today you’ll leave Paris behind (just for a bit!) and take a day trip to Château de Versailles. It’s super easy by train – just make sure to catch the RER C line to Versailles. Try to arrive when it opens (usually around 9 AM), as it gets BUSY. And book your Versailles tickets in advance, otherwise you're not getting in.
The Palace & Gardens
Start with the main palace — it’s opulent beyond belief (gold, mirrors, more gold, you name it). Then head outside to the Gardens of Versailles. Make sure your Versailles ticket includes garden entry, I didn't realise mine did not, and I ended up missing out. You can rent a bike, walk, or take the little train. If the weather’s nice, grab lunch at Angelina Versailles (yep, same famous hot chocolate as the Paris one), or pack your picnic and enjoy it on the lawns by the Grand Canal. Once you exit the building of the main palace, you cannot go back in, it's not that well sign-posted that it is the exit and you are finished, so just be careful!
Marie Antoinette’s Estate
Don’t miss the Queen’s Hamlet and Petit Trianon — Marie Antoinette’s country escape within the grounds. It’s charming, less crowded, and honestly feels like you’ve stepped into a fairytale farm village. Again, make sure this is included in your ticket!
Evening, Back in Paris
Once you're back in the city, keep it low-key. Grab dinner in your local arrondissement, or you could spend the evening in the town of Versailles. It's beautiful, just a small Paris!
Optional Versailles day tour
Alternatively, if you're not so keen on dealing with public transport & tickets, you can book a tour that takes you directly from Paris to the Palace. This is a great option as many also include skip-the-line passes too (even with a timed ticket, I still waited for an hour to enter)! The tours are honestly not too expensive once you consider entry tickets & train tickets, so this is a great option!
Day 5 – Opera, Shopping & the Catacombs
Palais Garnier
Begin your day at the jaw-dropping Palais Garnier. Whether you take a guided tour or just wander through, it’s like stepping into a real-life opera fantasy — golden staircases, chandeliers, and rich velvet everything. It was one of the most beautiful buildings I’ve ever been in. Like everything in Paris, book your ticket in advance.
Galeries Lafayette
Right nearby is Galeries Lafayette, a luxury department store with a STUNNING stained-glass dome in the center. Even if you’re not into shopping, go up to the rooftop terrace — it’s free and gives you a lovely panoramic view of Paris.
Musée d'Orsay
In the afternoon, make your way to the Musée d'Orsay, just across the river. It’s in a beautiful old train station and houses some of the most famous Impressionist art in the world (Van Gogh, Monet, Degas). You don’t need a full day here, I think around 2 hours is perfect, but it’s an absolute must-see in my opinion!
Catacombs (Evening)
One of my favourite experiences in Paris was visiting the catacombs, so if you're up for something more eerie, book an evening tour of the Catacombs. They’re deep underground and filled with bones — creepy but so fascinating. The ticket includes a free audio tour, which is very interesting and made the experience 10 times better! Booking tickets in advance is essential; however, you can only book them a few days in advance from the official website. Only book your tickets to the catacombs from the official website or GetYourGuide, otherwise they are likely to be scam.
Day 6 – Hidden Gems
Musée Rodin
Start your day with Musée Rodin, which is half sculpture museum and half peaceful garden. It’s so underrated — you’ll find “The Thinker” here. The gardens are beautiful, and this was a nice and quiet place to visit, after having a busy week in the hustle and bustle of Paris. It is not essential to prebook a ticket, but it is still recommended. A skip-the-line ticket is not necessary as there is often non or very little queues.
Hotel de la Marine
Afterward, head toward Place de la Concorde and explore the elegant Hôtel de la Marine (you can book ahead here too), which offers a peek into aristocratic life in the 18th century. This is another not-so-popular museum, which can make all the difference in your experience. The interior is beautiful, and the sound of the French wooden floors is unbeatable! You will also enjoy beautiful views of Paris and the Eiffel Tower from the balcony. Your ticket includes a free audio guide, another plus!
Bois de Vincennes
The two activities above won't take you long, so for lunch and the afternoon, head to Bois de Vincennes. Here you can go to the carnival and go on some rides, and try some food. Or you could have a Picnic and then hire a boat to explore the park on water!
Day 7 – Artsy Marais
Musée Picasso & Hotel de Soubise (National Archives)
Start your last day in the Marais with a visit to the Musée Picasso. It’s compact, beautifully curated, and not too crowded. Then head to Hôtel de Soubise, which is part of the National Archives. The building itself is gorgeous, and the exhibits are usually really interesting (and free!).
Lunch in the Marais
Grab your final Parisian lunch at Breizh Café (delicious buckwheat galettes), or head to Marché des Enfants Rouges, the oldest food market in Paris, for a mix of food options and market vibes.
Arc De Triomphe & Petit Palais
After lunch, walk or catch the bus to the Arc de Triomphe. You can walk up if you want, but I personally do not think it's worth the money. This will be a quick look, so you can head to Petit Palais, a free gallery, to finish off your artistic adventure!
Afternoon at Parc des Buttes-Chaumont
For the evening, take a little detour out to Parc des Buttes-Chaumont. It’s a bit off the usual tourist trail, but this park is stunning — cliffs, waterfalls, suspension bridges, and even a little temple with panoramic views. It’s such a peaceful way to unwind from a busy trip.
Or... Parc Monceau
If Buttes-Chaumont is too far for your last day, Parc Monceau is a closer (and equally lovely) alternative in the 8th arrondissement.
Optional Day 8 - Day trip to Giverny
For all Monet lovers, my top experience in Paris was to take a day trip to Giverny, and see Monet's home and gardens. The gardens are absolutely beautiful, and somehow still very peaceful despite the number of tourists. The house is a perfect example of a French Country home. The village of Giverny is beautiful, there are plenty of other galleries to see, cute cafes, and gorgeous houses. You can also stop and see Monet's tomb, and if you have time, I would either walk to or from Vernon to Giverny. This walk is super peaceful and serene. I can see why so many artists came there for inspiration. This place is truly magical; it felt like a weight had been lifted from me as soon as I stepped off the train.
Be aware, if you are not doing a tour from Paris to Giverny, you will need to take the train to Vernon, which is about 1,5 hours walk from Giverny and Monet's house and gardens. You can either book a shuttle, or book a tour which includes your ticket and transport. I also recommend booking you ticket for the house and gardens well in advance; they sell out weeks in advance, and you wait about 3 hours for entry without one!
Getting Around
Getting around Paris can be interesting. The public transport system is extensive, but sometimes unreliable, and severely overcrowded. If you can, I always walk. Most things in Paris a very close, and even if it is a 45-minute walk, it will still be faster than using public transport.
If you're taking public transport, be aware that this can get expensive; One bus or tram is €2, and the metro is €2.50. I highly recommend getting a week pass which allows you unlimited transport within certain areas! Another great option is to go on a hop-on-hop-off bus. This is designed for tourists and goes directly between attractions, compared to the week Navigo pass, which is just a normal public transport pass. You should also know that the airport is far from Paris itself, and a normal train ticket is not accepted, so you will need to buy an airport line ticket.
I also do not recommend using Google Maps unless you are walking. For public transport, use City Mapper. This has live updates about delays (which happen often), and is just a much more accurate app compared to google maps, for Paris public transport.
Safety While in Paris
Let be real, Paris doesn't have the best rep for being the safest, so here's my experience and recommendations. As a disclaimer, this information is based off my personal experiences, I am not trying to say Paris is a bad city, or generalise that everyone in Paris is a bad person, but as a tourist, it is important to know about potential risks and how to avoid them.
Personally, I did not get pickpocketed or see anyone that did, but staying with and talking to locals, they have confirmed that it is as bad as people think. While walking, have your bag in front of you, or place your hand over your handbag, always make sure you have zippers. Do not leave your bag out of your sight. Remember this especially when at restaurants or parks. At restaurants, do not hang your bag on the chair or put it by your feet; have it on your lap. At parks, put your hand through the strap if you want to lie down for a bit, and do not just have it sitting next to you. Remember, if you change positions while resting at the park, don't forget to change positions for your bag too, so that it is safe!
For my phone, Google Maps and City Mapper are lifesavers, so I got a wrist-tie, one that is adjustable and can be secured tightly around your wrist.
If someone approaches you in public, however desperate they are, just keep walking; they are often trying to distract you, steal from you, scam you, or harass you. Yes, not everyone has bad motives, but lots do, and unfortunately, as a tourist in Paris, it is best to think the worst of people approaching you. This is one thing I didn't like about Paris; having to be skeptical about everyone, and being unable to show kindness without risking my own safety.
Solo Women
Unfortunately, as a woman and even more so for a solo woman, you're more likely to have some bad experiences with men. Public transport in Paris gets crowded. Very crowded. You will often be packed shoulder to shoulder with people, and unfortunately, this is the perfect opportunity for people to touch you inappropriately and say it was an accident. To be honest, there is not much you can do to stop this, other than not going, but then you will miss out on a lot. Unfortunately, this is just something you have to be aware of and accept that it may happen to you while using public transport. If you can walk, walk; otherwise, try not to let it ruin your trip!
Paris is generally safe, but I would avoid going to the 18th arrondissement and possibly the 19th, depending on how confident you are. When visiting these areas, I felt different (not in a good way), and later on had some bad experiences. I have learnt to always trust your intuition; If you do not feel safe somewhere, leave as soon as possible, or if you are concerned about going somewhere, don't go.
Always do your research first. Yes, a lot of what you see online is overreactions, but in my opinion, it's better to be safe than sorry. Listen to tourists & locals. If a local says it's safe, but a tourist says it's not, then don't go. Locals will always feel safer in their city than they would if they were a tourist. This also means that if a local says it's not safe, listen to them. If you do not feel safe somewhere, do not make it obvious. "Fake it till you make it. "The more worried, scared, or out-of-place you look, the more of a target you become.
Despite this seeming very negative, overall, I still had a great experience in Paris, and feel it is not that unsafe for a woman. These are just things to keep in the back of your mind. And remember not to let anxiety stop you!
Thanks for reading!
Comments