One week in Paris is the ultimate travel gift. Seven days grants you the luxury of seeing every major Paris attraction without the dreaded “museum fatigue.” You get to blend the must-see icons with authentic local experiences, two easy day trips, and time to simply sit at a cafe and practice the art of the flâneur (aimless stroller).
Advertisement
This 7-Day Paris Immersion Itinerary ensures you truly get to know the City of Light, not just see it.
Getting Started: Your Week-Long Paris Strategy
-
Pre-Book Everything: This remains the Golden Rule for major sites (Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Versailles). Book timed tickets weeks in advance.
-
Invest in a Pass: For 7 days, consider a Navigo Découverte (weekly Metro/Bus pass, requires a small photo) or a Paris Museum Pass if you plan on visiting 6+ museums.
-
The Power of Slow Travel: Use your extra days to revisit a favorite spot or simply relax in a park. Don’t rush!
Days 1-3: The Iconic Heart of Paris
These first three days cover the indispensable Parisian landmarks, grouped for efficiency.
Day 1: Louvre, Royalty & Grand Avenues (Right Bank)
| Time | Activity | Location & Vibe | Experience Highlights |
| Morning | The Louvre Museum | 1st Arrondissement. Book the earliest possible time slot (9:00 AM). | Focus on one wing or take a guided “Masterpieces” tour to avoid burnout. |
| Lunch | Jardin du Palais Royal | A quiet, beautiful garden courtyard near the Louvre. | Grab a takeaway lunch and enjoy the quiet elegance of this hidden garden. |
| Afternoon | Champs-Élysées & Arc de Triomphe | Stroll the avenue. Climb the Arc de Triomphe for sunset views. | This is one of the best spots to view the 12 radiating avenues and the Eiffel Tower. |
| Evening | Eiffel Tower Sparkle | Head to Trocadéro for the postcard view, and enjoy the sparkle show on the hour. |
Day 2: Left Bank Art, Literature & Gardens
| Time | Activity | Location & Vibe | Experience Highlights |
| Morning | Musée d’Orsay | 7th Arrondissement. Impressionism in a magnificent former train station. | Look for the iconic clock windows that frame the Sacré-Cœur perfectly. |
| Lunch | Saint-Germain-des-Prés | Literary cafe culture in the 6th Arrondissement. | Have a coffee and people-watch at the legendary Café de Flore or Les Deux Magots. |
| Afternoon | Rodin Museum & Les Invalides | Visit the tranquil sculpture garden of the Musée Rodin. | Walk to Les Invalides to view the massive dome covering Napoléon’s Tomb. |
| Evening | Seine River Cruise | Take a relaxing Bateaux Mouches or Vedettes du Pont Neuf cruise. | See all the illuminated monuments from the unique perspective of the water. |
Day 3: Parisian Origins & Bohemian Heights
| Time | Activity | Location & Vibe | Experience Highlights |
| Morning | Île de la Cité & Sainte-Chapelle | The historical birthplace of Paris. | Get to Sainte-Chapelle early to see the medieval stained-glass windows illuminated by the morning sun. |
| Lunch | Latin Quarter | The historic, student-friendly 5th Arrondissement. | Grab a traditional Croque-Monsieur and browse the shelves at the famous Shakespeare and Company bookstore. |
| Afternoon | Montmartre & Sacré-Cœur | The hilltop artists’ village (18th Arrondissement). | Enjoy the sweeping city view from the steps of the white basilica, Sacré-Cœur, then wander Place du Tertre. |
| Evening | Cooking Class or Cabaret | Treat yourself to a local experience. | Try a Parisian macaron or baguette-making class, or book a show at a smaller cabaret like La Nouvelle Eve. |
Days 4-5: Royal Grandeur and Artistic Inspiration (Day Trips)
Use your extra days for two iconic excursions outside the city.
Advertisement
Day 4: Palace of Versailles
-
Morning/Afternoon: Take the RER C to Versailles Château – Rive Gauche.
-
Focus: Tour the magnificent Hall of Mirrors and the State Apartments.
-
Highlight: Spend ample time in the Gardens of Versailles. Rent a golf cart or bike to cover the vast distance and visit Marie Antoinette’s Estate and the Petit Trianon.
-
Tip: Try to visit on a Wednesday or Thursday to avoid the weekend crowds and Monday closures.
Day 5: Monet’s Gardens at Giverny
-
Morning/Afternoon: Take the train from Gare Saint-Lazare to Vernon-Giverny (or join a tour).
-
Focus: Visit the house and gardens of Impressionist painter Claude Monet.
-
Highlight: Walk across the iconic green bridge in the Water Garden, the inspiration for his famous Water Lilies series.
-
Note: Giverny is only open from late March to early November. If closed, consider an alternative day trip to Château de Fontainebleau or Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte.
Days 6-7: Hidden Gems & Parisian Immersion
Slow down, explore the non-touristy side, and live like a local.
Day 6: Le Marais, Markets & Hidden Passages
| Time | Activity | Location & Vibe | Experience Highlights |
| Morning | Le Marais District | 3rd & 4th Arrondissements. Historic, beautiful, and boutique-filled. | Explore the perfect symmetry of Place des Vosges, the oldest planned square in Paris. |
| Lunch | Marché des Enfants Rouges | Paris’s oldest covered market (3rd Arr.). | Choose from Moroccan, Japanese, Italian, or traditional French stalls for a delicious, casual lunch. |
| Afternoon | Covered Passages | Visit beautiful 19th-century retail arcades (near the Bourse). | Wander through the gorgeous Galerie Vivienne or Passage des Panoramas for unique shops and Parisian elegance. |
| Evening | Canal Saint-Martin | A trendy, low-key area popular with young Parisians (10th Arr.). | Grab wine and snacks and join the locals sitting along the canal, especially on a sunny evening. |
Day 7: Choose Your Own Adventure & Farewell
-
Option 1 (Culture): Visit an underrated museum like the Musée Marmottan Monet (largest Monet collection) or the Musée Jacquemart-André.
-
Option 2 (Macabre): Go underground to the Paris Catacombs (book tickets well in advance) or wander the famous Père Lachaise Cemetery (final resting place of Oscar Wilde, Jim Morrison, and Edith Piaf).
-
Option 3 (Relaxation): Take the elevated park walk, La Coulée Verte René-Dumont (Paris’s version of the High Line) or spend the morning reading in the formal Luxembourg Gardens.
-
Farewell: Enjoy a luxurious final dinner at a traditional Michelin-starred restaurant, or grab one last perfect pain au chocolat from your favorite local boulangerie before heading to the airport.
You’ve successfully navigated one full week in Paris! Magnifique!