Paris is one of those rare cities where every walk feels like an experience. World-famous landmarks stand alongside quiet gardens, charming cafés, independent bookshops, grand boulevards and beautiful bridges, making every day feel like a blend of history, art and everyday Parisian life. After spending over a week exploring the city, I realised that while I had plenty of time, I didn’t always use it in the most efficient way. This itinerary is the one I wish I had before my first visit – a thoughtfully planned route that groups nearby attractions together, minimizes unnecessary backtracking, and leaves enough time to pause for a coffee, browse a bookstore, or simply soak in the atmosphere. It’s designed for first-time visitors who want to experience the very best of Paris without feeling rushed.
A quick note before you begin: At first glance, each day may seem packed with places to visit, but don’t let the list overwhelm you. Many of the attractions are just a few minutes’ walk from one another, and some are landmarks you’ll naturally pass as you make your way between the main sights. Paris is an incredibly walkable city, and wandering its streets is part of the experience. Whenever you need to cover a longer distance, the city’s excellent public transport makes it easy. The Metro is fast, efficient and reaches almost every corner of Paris, while the extensive bus network is equally convenient—and often more scenic, allowing you to enjoy the city’s beautiful streets and architecture as you travel.
Day 1: Historic Paris, the Latin Quarter & the Left Bank
Today’s route in brief
Cité → Notre-Dame → Square Jean XXIII → Sainte-Chapelle → Conciergerie → Pont Neuf → Seine & Bouquinistes → Shakespeare and Company → Square René Viviani → Fontaine Saint-Michel → Latin Quarter → Panthéon → Luxembourg Gardens → Saint-Germain-des-Prés
Your first day in Paris is all about discovering the city’s historic heart. From Gothic cathedrals and medieval streets to charming bookshops, riverside walks and leafy gardens, this route introduces you to the Paris most people dream of. Nearly all the attractions today are within walking distance of one another, making it the perfect day to slow down, admire the architecture and enjoy the atmosphere. Wear comfortable shoes – you’ll be doing plenty of walking, but every step is worth it.
1. Start at Notre-Dame Cathedral
Take the Metro to Cité station (Line 4). As you emerge from the station, you’ll find yourself on the Île de la Cité, the historic island where Paris was founded. Walk just 2-3 minutes to reach the magnificent Notre-Dame Cathedral.
Spend some time exploring the cathedral before walking around the outside to admire its Gothic architecture from different angles.
2. Square Jean XXIII
Walk around to the rear of Notre-Dame to reach Square Jean XXIII, a peaceful little garden that offers one of the prettiest views of the cathedral. It’s a lovely place to pause for a few minutes before continuing.
Walk: 2 minutes
3. Sainte-Chapelle
Leave the gardens and walk to Sainte-Chapelle, famous for its breathtaking stained-glass windows.
Walk: 6–8 minutes
4. Conciergerie & Tour de l’Horloge
Right next door is the Conciergerie, once a royal palace and later a prison during the French Revolution. Don’t miss the beautiful Tour de l’Horloge, one of the oldest public clocks in Paris.
Walk: 2 minutes
5. Pont Neuf
From the Conciergerie, walk onto Pont Neuf, the oldest bridge in Paris. Pause in the middle to admire the Seine and enjoy your first panoramic views of the city.
Walk: 3 minutes
6. Walk along the Seine
Cross back towards the Left Bank and follow the river on foot. This is one of the most enjoyable walks in Paris, with postcard-worthy views at almost every turn.
Along the way you’ll pass the famous bouquinistes, the green riverside bookstalls that have been selling books, prints and vintage treasures for centuries.
7. Shakespeare and Company
Continue walking until you reach the legendary Shakespeare and Company bookshop.
Walk: 8–10 minutes from Pont Neuf.
Take your time browsing the shelves before continuing.
8. Lunch Break
After exploring Shakespeare and Company (and the optional Abbey Bookshop), slow down for a while before continuing into the Latin Quarter.
My favourite spot is Square René Viviani, a charming little park directly opposite Shakespeare and Company. Pick up a sandwich, pastry or salad from a nearby bakery (or a few treats from a supermarket if you’ve planned ahead) and enjoy a relaxed picnic under the shade of the trees. With views of Notre-Dame and one of the oldest trees in Paris, it’s a peaceful escape from the bustling streets.
If you’d rather sit down for a meal, you’ll find plenty of cafés and bistros around Shakespeare and Company and the Latin Quarter. This is also a great area to try a vegetarian or vegan restaurant if you’re looking for plant-based dining options.
Don’t rush through lunch. This is one of those moments to simply sit, read a few pages of a new book, watch people wander by, and enjoy the atmosphere before continuing your walk through the Latin Quarter.
Optional – Book lover’s detour: Abbey Bookshop
Just a few minutes away is Abbey Bookshop, another favourite among book lovers and well worth a quick visit.
Walk: 3 minutes
9. Fontaine Saint-Michel
Continue towards the impressive Fontaine Saint-Michel, one of Paris’s most famous fountains and a lively meeting point at the edge of the Latin Quarter.
Walk: 5 minutes
10. Wander through the Latin Quarter
From here, simply enjoy wandering through the charming streets of the Latin Quarter. This is one of the best neighbourhoods in Paris for independent shops, cafés and people-watching.
11. Panthéon
Make your way uphill to the magnificent Panthéon, one of Paris’s most impressive monuments.
Walk: 10 minutes
Don’t forget to visit the crypt below, where many of France’s greatest writers, scientists and thinkers are buried.
12. Luxembourg Gardens
After visiting the Panthéon, stroll down to the beautiful Luxembourg Gardens.
Walk: 8 minutes
Find a green chair, relax by the fountain or simply watch Parisian life unfold for a while.
13. End the day in Saint-Germain-des-Prés
From the Luxembourg Gardens, walk into the elegant neighbourhood of Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
Choose one of its iconic cafés – Les Deux Magots or Café de Flore – for coffee, dinner or simply to soak up the atmosphere before heading back to your hotel.
Walk: 10–12 minutes
From Saint-Germain-des-Prés Metro station (Line 4) or nearby bus stops, it’s easy to return to your hotel or continue exploring Paris in the evening.
Day 2: Art, Elegant Paris & Iconic Shopping
Today’s route in brief
Louvre → Cour Carrée → Palais-Royal → Tuileries Garden → Place de la Concorde → Pont des Arts → Angelina → Place Vendôme → Opéra Garnier → Galeries Lafayette → Printemps → FNAC → Passage du Havre → HEMA → Flying Tiger Copenhagen → Gare Saint-Lazare
Today is all about experiencing the elegant side of Paris. You’ll begin with one of the world’s greatest museums before strolling through royal gardens, grand squares and some of the city’s most beautiful streets. Along the way, you’ll discover magnificent architecture, famous cafés, luxury department stores and some of the best shopping in Paris. Although today’s itinerary looks long, almost everything is connected by pleasant walks, making it one of the easiest days to explore on foot.
1. Start at the Louvre Museum
Take the Metro to Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre station (Lines 1 or 7). From the station, it’s just a short walk to the museum entrance.
Plan to spend at least 3-4 hours here. Don’t try to see everything – instead, focus on the museum’s highlights and enjoy wandering through its magnificent galleries.
2. Cour Carrée
Before leaving the Louvre complex, take a few minutes to explore Cour Carrée, the museum’s beautiful historic courtyard. It’s usually much quieter than the main glass pyramid and offers a wonderful opportunity to admire the architecture.
Walk: Within the Louvre complex.
Before You Leave the Louvre…
The Louvre is enormous, and it’s impossible to see everything in a single visit. Rather than trying to cover every gallery, focus on the museum’s most iconic masterpieces along with a few lesser-known favourites. I’ve put together a separate guide featuring the Louvre’s most famous exhibits and my personal favourites, which you can use to plan your route through the museum.
Don’t Miss These 20 Famous (and Surprisingly Easy to Miss) Masterpieces in the Louvre.
Lunch Break
After a busy morning exploring the Louvre, take a well-deserved break before continuing the day’s walk.
One of my favourite options is Café Mollien, located inside the Louvre. Grab a table by the window for beautiful views of the Louvre Pyramid while you enjoy lunch or a coffee – it is one of the most memorable places to pause without leaving the museum.
If you prefer to eat outside, you’ll find plenty of cafés and brasseries around Rue de Rivoli, the Palais-Royal area and the streets surrounding the Louvre. Whether you’re after a quick sandwich, a leisurely French lunch or a vegetarian meal, there are plenty of excellent choices within a short walk.
Take your time here. The rest of today’s itinerary is an enjoyable stroll through gardens, grand boulevards and some of Paris’s most elegant shopping streets.
3. Palais-Royal
Leave the Louvre and walk a few minutes to the elegant Palais-Royal Gardens.
Stroll through the peaceful gardens, admire the famous Colonnes de Buren, browse the arcades and enjoy one of Paris’s prettiest courtyards.
Walk: 5 minutes
4. Tuileries Garden
Continue through the Jardin des Tuileries, once the royal gardens of the Tuileries Palace.
Take your time here. Find a green chair, relax beside one of the fountains or simply enjoy watching Parisians and visitors alike soaking up the atmosphere.
Walk: 8-10 minutes
5. Place de la Concorde
Exit the gardens at Place de la Concorde, one of the largest and most historic public squares in Paris. Take a few minutes to admire the Luxor Obelisk and the beautiful fountains before continuing.
Walk: 3 minutes
6. Pont des Arts
Retrace your steps slightly towards the Seine and cross the elegant Pont des Arts, one of the city’s most beautiful pedestrian bridges.
Pause in the middle to enjoy panoramic views of the Seine, the Louvre and the Institut de France.
Walk: 8-10 minutes
7. Coffee & Dessert Break
If you didn’t stop earlier, this is a great time to enjoy a well-earned break.
Treat yourself to the famous hot chocolate or pastries at Angelina, or choose one of the many cafés around the Louvre and Rue de Rivoli.
8. Place Vendôme
Walk to the elegant Place Vendôme, home to some of the world’s finest jewellers and luxury boutiques. Even if shopping isn’t on your agenda, the square is worth visiting for its grand architecture.
Walk: 10 minutes
9. Opéra Garnier
Continue to the magnificent Palais Garnier (Opéra Garnier). Admire its spectacular façade and spend a few minutes relaxing in Place de l’Opéra before exploring the nearby shopping district.
Walk: 10 minutes
10. Galeries Lafayette
Visit Galeries Lafayette Haussmann to admire its stunning Art Nouveau glass dome before heading up to the rooftop terrace for one of the best free panoramic views of Paris. Just before terrace floor is a section to curated Paris souvenirs which are unique, not too expensive and of better quality than what you will find in most souvenir shops.
Walk: 3 minutes
11. Printemps
Cross the street to Printemps Haussmann, another of Paris’s iconic department stores. Printemps also has an affordable gifts section on the first floor along with other luxury brands.
12. Shopping Nearby
If you enjoy shopping, this neighbourhood has plenty more to explore. Not just expensive brands, but a lot of inexpensive shops to shop for gifts for family and friends.
Within a few minutes’ walk you’ll find affordable street shopping and stores like:
- FNAC
- Passage du Havre
- HEMA
- Flying Tiger Copenhagen
This is one of the best shopping districts in Paris for everything from books and electronics to affordable souvenirs, home décor, stationery, travel accessories and everyday essentials.
13. Gare Saint-Lazare Clock Installation
Before heading back, take a short walk to Gare Saint-Lazare to see its striking modern clock installation outside the station.
Walk: 6-8 minutes
From Saint-Lazare Metro station, you can easily return to your hotel or continue exploring Paris in the evening.
Day 3: Montmartre, the Champs-Élysées & Parisian Shopping
Today’s route in brief
Sacré-Cœur → Montmartre → La Maison Rose → Clos Montmartre → Moulin Rouge → Metro → Arc de Triomphe → Champs-Élysées → Monoprix → optional Grand Palais/Petit Palais
Today’s itinerary takes you from the charming hilltop village of Montmartre to the grand boulevards of modern Paris. Spend the morning wandering cobbled streets, admiring artists at work and soaking up some of the city’s most iconic views before heading to the Arc de Triomphe and strolling down the famous Champs-Élysées. It’s a wonderful mix of old-world Paris, famous landmarks and elegant shopping.
1. Start at Sacré-Cœur Basilica
Take the Metro to Anvers station (Line 2) and walk uphill towards Sacré-Cœur Basilica.
If you’d rather save your energy for exploring Montmartre, take the Montmartre Funicular to the top instead of climbing the steps.
Spend some time enjoying the panoramic views over Paris before exploring the basilica.
2. Wander Through Montmartre
One of the best ways to experience Montmartre is simply to wander its charming streets.
Don’t miss:
- Place du Tertre
- Local artists painting in the square
- Quaint cafés
- Hidden staircases
- Flower-filled lanes
- Scenic viewpoints across Paris
Take your time—Montmartre is one of the city’s most photogenic neighbourhoods.
Photo Stops
- Sacré-Cœur steps
- Place du Tertre
- Rue de l’Abreuvoir
- La Maison Rose
- Clos Montmartre Vineyard
- The charming staircases and ivy-covered streets throughout Montmartre
3. La Maison Rose
Walk to the famous viewpoint overlooking La Maison Rose, one of Paris’s most photographed cafés.
Walk: Around 10 minutes
4. Clos Montmartre Vineyard
Just a couple of minutes away is Clos Montmartre, Paris’s last remaining working vineyard.
Walk: 2 minutes
5. Wall of Love (Optional)
If you have time, take a short detour to the Wall of Love, where “I Love You” is written in hundreds of languages.
Walk: About 10 minutes
6. Moulin Rouge
Walk downhill to the famous Moulin Rouge for a quick photo stop before heading to lunch.
Walk: 15–20 minutes
7. Lunch Break
Montmartre is filled with charming cafés, bakeries and traditional bistros, making it an ideal place to stop for lunch.
Whether you choose a leisurely meal at a café terrace or simply pick up a fresh baguette, pastry or sandwich from a local boulangerie, this neighbourhood is one of the best places to slow down and enjoy the Parisian atmosphere before continuing your day.
8. Arc de Triomphe
From Blanche Metro station, take Metro Line 2 directly to Charles de Gaulle – Étoile.
When you arrive, don’t try to cross the busy roundabout to reach the Arc de Triomphe. Instead, follow the signs for the underground pedestrian passage, which provides safe access to the monument without having to navigate the heavy traffic above.
Spend some time admiring the Arc de Triomphe and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. If you’d like to experience one of the best panoramic views in Paris, you can also purchase a ticket to climb to the rooftop observation deck. The views over the Champs-Élysées and the twelve avenues radiating from the monument are spectacular, especially on a clear day.
After your visit, emerge onto the Champs-Élysées side to begin your walk down one of the world’s most famous avenues.
9. Walk the Champs-Élysées
Stroll down one of the world’s most famous avenues.
Along the way you’ll pass:
- Luxury flagship stores
- Designer boutiques
- International fashion brands
- Beautiful tree-lined boulevards
Whether you plan to shop or simply window-shop, this walk is a Paris experience in itself.
10. Shop for French Souvenirs & Gourmet Treats
Before ending your day, stop by the large Monoprix Champs-Élysées.
Spread over multiple floors, it’s one of the best places in Paris to shop for authentic French groceries and affordable souvenirs. Browse the extensive food section for favourites like Bonne Maman jams, French herbs and spices, chocolates, biscuits, teas, mustard, gourmet salts and other treats to take home. You’ll also find travel essentials, cosmetics, kitchenware and household items under one roof.
If you’re looking for traditional Marseille soaps, this area also has several excellent shops selling beautifully packaged soaps and French bath products.
11. Sweet Treat Stop (Optional)
Treat yourself to macarons or pastries from Ladurée or Pierre Hermé before heading back to your hotel.
12. If You Still Have Time…
If you’ve finished exploring before the museums close, consider walking to Grand Palais to admire its magnificent glass-domed architecture from the outside.
You can also visit the Petit Palais, whose permanent collections are free to enter. Even if you don’t have time to explore the galleries, the beautiful courtyard and elegant architecture make it well worth a quick stop.
From here, it’s easy to take the Metro or bus back to your hotel.
Day 4: Musée d’Orsay, Beautiful Bridges & an Eiffel Tower Evening
Today’s route in brief
Musée d’Orsay → lunch → Pont Alexandre III → Grand Palais/Petit Palais → Bir-Hakeim → Seine cruise → Champs de Mars picnic → Eiffel Tower at sunset → optional Trocadéro
If Day 2 is your great Louvre day, Day 4 is your chance to experience a very different side of Parisian art. Begin at the Musée d’Orsay, one of my favourite museums in Paris, then make your way through some of the city’s most beautiful riverside landmarks before ending the day around the Eiffel Tower. This is deliberately a slower, more atmospheric day: admire masterpieces in the morning, walk along the Seine in the afternoon, and finish with a picnic, sunset and the Eiffel Tower lighting up after dark.
1. Start at the Musée d’Orsay
Take the Metro or bus to the Musée d’Orsay and begin your day at the museum.
Allow at least 2½–3 hours if you want to see the major highlights without rushing.
The museum is particularly famous for its Impressionist and Post-Impressionist collection, but don’t limit yourself to the paintings you already know. The building itself – a former railway station – is part of the experience.
Don’t miss: the giant museum clock, the Impressionist galleries, Van Gogh, Monet, Renoir, Degas and some of the museum’s magnificent sculptures.
I’ll have a separate guide to the most famous and my favourite works at the Musée d’Orsay, so you can plan your visit without trying to cover the entire museum.
2. Lunch Break
After the museum, stop for lunch before continuing towards the Eiffel Tower.
You can have a leisurely lunch at one of the cafés or restaurants around the Musée d’Orsay and Saint-Germain-des-Prés, or pick up something simple if you’d rather keep moving.
If you’re planning the Eiffel Tower picnic later, this is a good day to keep lunch relatively light.
3. Walk Towards Pont Alexandre III
From the Musée d’Orsay, walk towards the Seine and make your way to Pont Alexandre III, widely considered one of the most beautiful bridges in Paris.
Walk: About 15–20 minutes.
Take your time here. The ornate lamps, sculptures, gilded details and views towards the Eiffel Tower make this much more than a bridge you simply cross to get somewhere else.
4. Grand Palais — Photo Stop
From Pont Alexandre III, you’ll have wonderful views of the Grand Palais.
Take some time to admire its enormous glass roof and Beaux-Arts architecture.
Walk: About 2–3 minutes.
If you have already visited the Grand Palais on another day, simply enjoy the exterior as you pass.
5. Petit Palais — Optional
The Petit Palais is directly opposite the Grand Palais.
If you are interested in art and have the time, consider going inside. Its permanent collection is free, making it an excellent addition for museum lovers.
If you’ve already spent several hours at the Musée d’Orsay, however, I wouldn’t feel obliged to add another museum. The beautiful building and courtyard are enough for a quick stop.
6. Make Your Way to Bir-Hakeim
From the Grand/Petit Palais area, take public transport towards Bir-Hakeim.
The exact route will depend on where you are and how much walking you want to do. You can use the Metro or a bus, but if the weather is pleasant, you can also make this part of the journey a scenic walk.
Metro option: Take Line 9 from Franklin D. Roosevelt towards Pont de Sèvres and change according to your route to reach Bir-Hakeim.
7. Bir-Hakeim Bridge
Arrive at Pont de Bir-Hakeim, one of the most recognisable Eiffel Tower viewpoints in Paris.
The bridge’s distinctive structure and long perspective make it particularly popular for photographs. Walk across it rather than simply stopping at one end—the views change as you move.
This is also a lovely place to see the Eiffel Tower from a completely different angle before getting closer to it.
8. Seine River Cruise
From Bir-Hakeim, make your way towards the Seine and board a Seine River cruise.
The exact departure point will depend on the cruise company and ticket you choose, so check your ticket before setting out.
A cruise is a wonderful way to see many of Paris’s major landmarks from the water without doing yet another long walk. If possible, choose a departure that gives you some daylight and the beginning of the evening light.
9. Pick Up Your Picnic Supplies
Here’s where a little advance planning makes the evening much easier.
Buy your picnic supplies before reaching the Eiffel Tower. Look for a supermarket along your route to the tower and pick up a baguette, cheese, fruit, pastries, drinks and anything else you’d like for your picnic.
That way, after the cruise, you can simply walk towards the Champs de Mars and settle down without having to interrupt the evening to go shopping.
For more ideas on what to buy, I’ll have a separate guide to French supermarkets and affordable souvenirs and groceries.
10. Champs de Mars Picnic
Walk towards Champs de Mars and find a comfortable spot with a view of the Eiffel Tower.
This was one of my favourite ways to experience the tower. Rather than simply arriving, taking photographs and leaving, buy some French food from a supermarket and give yourself time to sit down and enjoy it.
A baguette, cheese, fruit, pastries and a drink can turn into one of the most memorable meals of your trip—and cost considerably less than dining at a restaurant with an Eiffel Tower view.
11. Watch the Eiffel Tower at Sunset
Stay at the Champs de Mars as the light changes.
The tower looks completely different in daylight, at sunset and after dark, so don’t feel you have to rush away once you’ve finished eating.
If you’re visiting in late spring or summer, the long evenings make it particularly easy to linger.
12. Trocadéro — Optional Second Eiffel Tower Experience
If you still have time and energy, make your way across the Seine to Trocadéro.
You can walk across the river or take public transport depending on your energy levels.
The experience is completely different from sitting on the Champs de Mars. From the elevated terraces of Trocadéro, you get the classic panoramic view of the Eiffel Tower, particularly beautiful as the city lights come on.
If you’re tired, stay at the Champs de Mars instead. Both are wonderful ways to end the evening.
A note about the Eiffel Tower
You don’t have to experience the Eiffel Tower just once.
If you have a long summer evening and still have the energy, Champs de Mars and Trocadéro are both worth experiencing. One gives you the feeling of being beneath the tower; the other gives you the iconic postcard view.
And if you miss one today, don’t worry. You can always return on your Versailles day if you’re back in Paris by late afternoon.
Getting Back
From Trocadéro, Metro Line 6 is particularly convenient for reaching other parts of Paris. There are also several bus routes along the area, and buses can be a lovely option if you aren’t in a hurry and want to see Paris rather than travel underground.
Day 5: Versailles & a Final Paris Evening
Save your last full day for the grandeur of Versailles—or, if palaces aren’t your thing, use it to discover more of Paris at a slower pace. Versailles deserves a dedicated half or full day, but it doesn’t have to mean giving up your final evening in Paris. With an early start, you can be back in the city by late afternoon and still have time for one last beautiful Parisian experience. And if you’ve already had enough museums and grand monuments, the alternative route below gives you a relaxed final day of gardens, neighbourhoods, shopping and wandering.
Option A: Versailles
Today’s route in brief
Paris → Versailles → Palace of Versailles → Gardens → Grand Canal → Paris → final Eiffel Tower evening
1. Start Early for Versailles
Take the RER C from a convenient station in central Paris towards Versailles Château Rive Gauche.
Check the day’s train schedule before leaving and allow plenty of time for the journey. Versailles is one of the most popular day trips from Paris, so an early start is worthwhile.
From Versailles Château Rive Gauche, it is about a 10-minute walk to the palace.
2. Palace of Versailles
Begin your visit with the Palace of Versailles.
If you have a timed entry, arrive with enough time to clear security and reach the entrance. Give yourself at least a few hours for the palace if you want to see the major highlights without rushing.
Don’t miss:
- Hall of Mirrors
- King’s State Apartments
- Queen’s Apartments
- Royal Chapel
- The magnificent ceremonial rooms
The palace is enormous, so don’t worry about seeing every room. Concentrate on the highlights and save your energy for the gardens.
3. Versailles Gardens
After exploring the palace, head outside into the spectacular Gardens of Versailles.
Allow plenty of time here. The gardens are almost an attraction in themselves, with formal parterres, fountains, sculptures and long landscaped avenues.
4. Grand Canal
Continue towards the Grand Canal.
This is a particularly lovely place to slow down after the crowds and grandeur of the palace. You can walk along the water, sit for a while or simply enjoy the enormous scale of the grounds.
If you have limited time, don’t feel that you need to walk all the way around the gardens. Versailles can become surprisingly tiring because of its sheer size.
5. Return to Paris
Make your way back to Versailles Château Rive Gauche and take the RER C back into Paris.
If you’ve started early, you should be able to return to central Paris by late afternoon, although the exact time will depend on how long you spend at Versailles and the train you catch.
And this is where I would resist the temptation to add another long list of attractions.
You’ve already seen a great deal of Paris.
6. Your Final Eiffel Tower Evening
If you are back in Paris by around 4–5 pm, this is a perfect opportunity for one final Eiffel Tower experience—especially if you haven’t already done both sides of the tower.
If you spent your earlier evening at the Champs de Mars:
Head to Trocadéro for the elevated, postcard-perfect view of the Eiffel Tower as the evening light changes.
If you already visited Trocadéro:
Return to Champs de Mars for a relaxed final picnic beneath the tower.
Pick up some French treats from a supermarket or bakery, find a spot to sit, and watch the tower sparkle after dark.
There is something wonderfully uncomplicated about ending a Paris trip this way.
7. Or Simply Have a Slow Final Evening
You don’t have to see another landmark.
Find a café you loved, take one last walk along the Seine, browse a bookshop, sit in a garden or have a relaxed dinner.
After several busy days, your final evening can simply be about enjoying Paris rather than sightseeing.
Option B: If You’re Skipping Versailles
Today’s route in brief
Saint-Germain-des-Prés → Le Bon Marché → Le Marais → Place des Vosges → Canal Saint-Martin → final Paris evening
If you’ve already visited Versailles, don’t particularly enjoy palaces, or simply want to spend all five days exploring Paris, use your final day for some of the places that didn’t fit naturally into the first four days.
1. Saint-Germain-des-Prés
Begin your day in Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
Wander through the neighbourhood, browse its elegant shops and bookshops, and stop for coffee at one of its famous cafés.
If you haven’t already visited Café de Flore or Les Deux Magots, this is a good morning to do it.
2. Le Bon Marché
Walk to Le Bon Marché, Paris’s historic luxury department store.
This is particularly worth including if you enjoy beautiful interiors, design and shopping. The store is also a natural addition for anyone interested in the history of Parisian department stores.
3. Place des Vosges
Take the Metro or a bus towards Le Marais and spend some time at Place des Vosges, one of the prettiest squares in Paris.
Sit beneath the arcades, relax on the grass or have a takeaway lunch nearby.
This is another good example of why I recommend leaving space in your itinerary for places where you can simply stop and enjoy the city.
4. Explore the Marais
Wander through the surrounding streets of Le Marais, discovering small shops, cafés, galleries and historic buildings.
Don’t worry about following a strict route. This is a neighbourhood best enjoyed at a leisurely pace.
5. Canal Saint-Martin
If you’d rather see another side of Paris, take the Metro or bus towards Canal Saint-Martin.
Walk along the canal, sit by the water and enjoy the more relaxed neighbourhood atmosphere.
If you’re visiting during warm weather, this can be a particularly pleasant place to spend a late afternoon as I discovered during a heatwave!
6. Your Final Paris Evening
For your last evening, choose the experience you haven’t already had:
- Eiffel Tower from Trocadéro
- Picnic at Champs de Mars
- A final Seine walk
- A favourite café
- A relaxed French dinner
- A supermarket picnic with all your favourite French treats
You don’t need to fill the final hours with sightseeing. Leave some time to simply wander and enjoy the city one last time.
A Final Thought
Five days in Paris will never be enough to see everything – and that’s rather the point. This itinerary will take you through the city’s great museums, monuments, gardens, neighbourhoods and beautiful views, but don’t feel that you have to follow it to the minute. Leave a little room for the unexpected café, the bookshop you didn’t know existed, the pretty street that makes you change direction, or simply a bench where you want to sit for a while.
Because sometimes the best parts of Paris are the ones you never planned for.
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