There’s no right or wrong answer on the amount of time you should spend in Paris; however, we suggest a minimum of four days. It’s enough time to explore some top-quality places whether you travel by walking, biking, metro, or electric scooter. Find the best places to visit in Paris, ranging from 24 hours to 7 days to plan a trip to Paris of your choice.
Planning a Trip to Paris
What a thrilling endeavor. The trip you take to the French capital will be unforgettable. Anyone new to Paris should schedule 4-5 days, plenty of time to take in some of the iconic Parisian attractions and explore some of the 20 districts (neighborhoods).
Paris is full of hidden treasures. The longer you stay in Paris, the more likely you will capture the elegant good life.
Paris in 1 to 2 Days
Your first day should begin with fresh croissants from a bakery or recommended boulangerie. You can save time by purchasing Eiffel Tower Tickets online up to 2 months ahead of time so you can go straight to the “Visitor with Tickets’ line. Booking a table for one of the two Eiffel Tower restaurants allows users to skip the lines since each has its entry point.
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You can also walk across the River Seine up to Place du Trocadero and look back at Paris’s most famous landmark for stunning views. Another popular spot for the Eiffel Tower can be found at the Pont de Bir-Hakeim, the bridge popularised by films such as Last Tango in Paris for views of the Eiffel Tower.
The Pont Alexander III is a Beaux-Arts style bridge built in 1896- 1900. It is adorned with Art Nouveau lamps that glow in the night and bronze nymphs, cherubs, and winged horses at the other end. You’ll find Eiffel Tower views and one of the most beautiful bridges in one swift step.
An ideal way to give you rest is to go on a Seine Cruise (1 hour) that frequently departs every day until 10 pm. The glass boats depart near the foot of the Eiffel Tower. They have open-air observation decks that offer stunning views of the tower and other important landmarks along the UNESCO-listed banks of the Seine.
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You’ll probably want to visit at least one or two museums in Paris. It’s Musee d’Orsay has a sublime collection of both expressionist and impressionist art, and you’ll be able to view works of Monet, Degas, Gaugin, Renoir, and Van Gogh. If you decide to go to Le Louvre, remember that it’s the world’s largest museum.
You can save time by avoiding this glass structure and opting instead for the museum’s smaller entrances on the side of the structure. If you’re on a tight schedule, go to the exterior and stroll along the Tuileries Gardens across the street.
While you’re not allowed to visit the towers built in the middle ages of Notre Dame – the monument will remain closed for a few years following the fire that started in 2019–it’s still a stunning attraction. It could be combined with a walk through the Ile de la Cite and the Latin Quarter.
After dinner, go for a pleasant walk and then find a nice dinner place at a reputable brasserie or bistro with a post-dinner drink or two. Be sure to watch the Eiffel Tower’s night light show, which runs for five minutes each hour from a time of the hour to at least midnight.
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Paris in 3 to 4 Days
Add a few more days of your trip so that you have the space to roam around the city. Perhaps you’d prefer to start with a walk to understand the area’s layout. Alongside those listed in the previous article, your tour guide will lead you to places like the Royal Palace, Sainte-Chapelle, the Champs Elysees, and the Arc de Triomphe.
Your guide will take you through the famous Marais district. You’ll be able to explore iconic places like The Place des Vosges, the most historic place in Paris. This is an ideal place to return to at leisure to lay on the grass and watch people go by.
In the middle of Paris, the famous area is famous for its magnificent architectural style and its unique stores selling everything from designer clothing to absinthe to tea. In addition, there is The Musee Picasso, located in one of the most stunning hotel buildings of the 17th century in Paris, with more than 5,000 works and thousands of pieces of archived art.
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The Marais is also home to one of the most famous covered markets in Paris and is known as the Marche des Enfants Rouges (dating to 1615), which offers a range of bars and restaurants. If you want to join an emerging local scene, visit Canal Saint-Martin, bustling with students and artists. There’s an array of eateries, restaurants, and charming trails through the three-mile-long canal.
Paris in 5 to 6 Days
A longer trip in Paris may include some sights that might not have made it into the list of attractions on a shorter excursion. For instance, you can take a Metro towards the Sacre Coeur, the white Roman Catholic church looming in the distance of the top spot in the city, called Montmartre, a hill of a considerable size located in the city’s 18th arrondissement. The winding, hilly streets are an exceptional part of the Parisian scenery and provide a great morning stroll.
Additionally, you’ll have time to explore the Centre Pompidou, one of Paris’s most popular cultural destinations, particularly for those who are fans of contemporary art. Inside the museum, you’ll find one of the most extensive collections of contemporary and modern art on the planet, with over 100,000 pieces within the collection.
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Take more time to explore the Left Bank, especially Saint-Germain-des-Pres with its Musee Rodin, primarily dedicated to the works of the French sculptor Auguste Rodin.
At the rear of the museum, you will find a breathtaking garden that extends more than seven acres and offers an idyllic outdoor space away from the bustle and hustle of Paris. Also on the Left Bank is the Luxembourg Gardens boasting 55 acres of green space between Saint-Germain-des-Pres and the Latin Quarter.
In both neighborhoods, there are antiques, art galleries, theatres, street markets, brasseries, and cafes such as Les Deux Magots and Brasserie Lipp.
For nearly a week, you could also squeeze into a day trip on trains to Château de Versailles and the Royal Gardens, King Louis XIV’s luxurious former home located 14 miles south of Paris. It is possible to take the train and go on an individual tour or opt for the skip-the-line tour. Your guide will begin by explaining the palace’s historical background and life in the royal court while you stroll through the gorgeous Royal Gardens. Then, you can skip the long lines to gain instant entrance to the Palace of Versailles, including the Hall of Mirrors.
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Paris in 7 or More Days
An entire week in Paris! It’s your chance to explore all the eateries and activities such as parks and outdoor markets that you haven’t had the chance to visit, maybe on a bicycle or an electric scooter. It’s a simple and affordable way to get around the city’s congested, narrow streets and gives you easy access to cool neighborhoods.
For instance, Sentier. There are the most fashionable cafes, a boutique hotel, and the lively Rue Montorgueil, lined with restaurants, bakeries, fish shops, wine bars, cheese shops, and produce stands. There are also many outdoor seating areas where you can relax outside and enjoy a lengthy, slow meal while watching the world pass by. Another option is Oberkampf, a shabby chic place with numerous shops selling books, records, and clothes from the past, along with intriguing homewares and ethnic eateries.