Paris Itinerary - How to Spend 5 Magical Days in Paris
5 days in Paris
5 days in Paris may not be enough, but you shouldn’t spend all your France vacation in Paris as I mentioned in my previous blog (Make sure to read it before this blog Here)
If you like museums and art, you can spend days visiting museums and appreciating the art and the history of this city.
This blog encompasses a blend of sightseeing, strolling, unwinding, and museum tours. Rather than dictating your daily itinerary, this post will outline all the worthwhile destinations and their optimal visit durations
If you are new to my blog; my husband and I love to travel and we love to go to local places when traveling. We do travel hacks as much as we can and try to find the best deals (Let me know if you are interested to know more about travel hacks)
Paris
Although many IG and TikTok videos showcase Paris as a magical and romantic city full of love and elegance, it's important to keep in mind that it's a big city, and like any other big city, it has its drawbacks. Despite experiencing the glamorous and magical side of Paris, you'll also encounter the less appealing side, such as seeing trash (particularly at night or early in the morning), unpleasant smells in the alleys, paying a premium for average meals, and needing to be alert and keep a firm grip on your belongings.
Regarding dress code, business casual is the norm in Paris and France overall. Dress simply, yet elegantly and neatly. Avoid wearing comfortable clothing like flip-flops, leggings, and yoga pants.
Now that you're aware of what to expect, let's move on to discussing what to do in this enchanting city.
Where to stay in Paris
Paris has 20 districts as arrondissements; the 20 districts are arranged like a snail shell. The center is District #1. I recommend staying around the center so you can walk to most of the attractions.
The Latin Quarter, located in the 4th and 5th arrondissements, is a great area for tourists to stay in. While the area around the Eiffel Tower is also popular, it is quite far from other attractions.
Hotel recommendations in the Latin Quarter:
Hôtel du Collège de France. Link
Grand Hôtel des Balcons. Link
How to get around Paris
Metro and Bike.
Purchase an unlimited metro pass for zone 1-3 and it will get you almost everywhere (except Versailles).
Bicycles are also so common and very affordable. You need to have the application and account with Vélib' (link). The first 30 minutes of any bike ride are free.
What to do in Paris
Seine River
Walking and exploring any new city is my favorite. I usually like to reserve the first day to know the city and there isn’t a better way than walking. If you are staying in the Latin quarter, the Seine is a few minutes walk. If you walk alongside the river, you will be able to see Notre Dame, the Louvre museums, Musée d’Orsay, the Eiffel Tower, and the Champ de Mars Garden.
The walk is about 4 miles (~6 Km), and it can take over an hour depending on how many stops you may stop along the way to take pictures, coffee, or breaks
There are also cruises on the Seine tours which I highly recommend (Bateaux Mouches is one of the cruise companies). The cruise duration is about an hour, but you need to be at the location 30 minutes prior to the tour.
Louvre Museum and Tuileries Garden
The Louvre Museum is a must-visit in my opinion even if you are not into art. It has so much history and many interesting pieces. It is safe to say you need a full day there. Arrive around 9 am and plan to have lunch in the museum.
Make sure to check the museum’s hours. As of July 2022, The Louver closes on Tuesdays. Also. You may need to purchase tickets in advance.
Visit the Eiffel Tower and have a picnic there
One of the most enjoyable parts of visiting Paris for me is having a picnic near the Eiffel Tower. My recommendation is to stop by a cheese shop to get some cheese, grab some fruits from a nearby supermarket, and have a drink of your choice before heading to Champ De Mars.
You might be surprised that I didn't suggest going up the Eiffel Tower. That's because I don't think it's worth it! In my opinion, the best view of the Eiffel Tower is from a distance, such as from a boat on the Seine, Champ-de-Mars, Rue de l'Université, or Trocadéro.
Just a quick note: the tower sparkles every hour from nightfall until 1 am, so it's worth planning your visit to see it before the sunset. You can enjoy your picnic, watch the sunset, and the spark show, all in about 3 hours.
Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris and Sainte Chapelle
Located near the Latin Quarter in the 4th arrondissements, the famous medieval catholic cathedral, Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris. Unfortunately, it is currently closed for reconstruction after the fire in 2019, and it is set to open in 2024. However, you still can visit it from the outside to see it and read the posters around the cathedral fence that explains the current cathedral's condition after the fire and the renovation process. Also, visit the nearby Sainte-Chapelle Chapel. The chapel is small but very beautiful. You may need around 3 hours total between Notre Dame and Sainte- Chapelle Chapel.
Please note, as of July 2022, the Chapel opens 7 days a week but timed tickets need to be purchased online.
Champs-Élysées and Arc de Triomphe
The Champs-Élysées is a lovely ~2 Km avenue in the heart of Paris. I don’t think it needs any introduction; it is a world-famous shopping avenue. The avenue is filled with shopping stores and cute coffee shops. France shops are closed on Sundays; however, Champs-Élysées has a tourist shopping zone that is open 7 days a week. Store hours most days till 8 PM and some stay till 10 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.
One of the cutest coffee shops in Champs-Élysées is Ladurée. Ladurée is a famous French bakery known for its Macarons. To be honest, the food itself is not worth the hype but the store in the Champs-Élysées is very beautiful. It was opened in 1997 and decorated with the same atmosphere as Ladurée Royale and represents the French Art de Vivre.
Yazy tip: You don’t have to dine in Ladurée to see the place, you can simply ask to use the restroom on the second floor. Also, “To Go” orders are cheaper than dine-in, get some Macarons and enjoy them in the Champs-Élysées
At the western end of the Champs-Élysées, is the Arc de Triomphe. The monument is one of the most famous monuments in France. It was built in the 19th century, and it represents the various victories of the French army under Napoleon. You can also go up the Arc for a beautiful view of the Champs
Yaz tip: For the perfect picture of the Arc de Triomphe, go to the opposite side of the Champs-Élysées.
In terms of how long time, you need to plan, this really depends on what you are planning to do, if you are only walking and taking pictures, you may need at least around 3 hours. If you want to shop, you will need around 6 hours.
Montmartre and the 18th arrondissements
Montmartre is a large hill in Paris and one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in Paris. At the top, there is the Sacré-Cœur Basilica. You can take the train all the way up to the Basilica (Sacré-Cœur) or walk up and stroll the neighborhood and enjoy the cute coffee shops and restaurants.
Yazy Tip: Go there before sunset. Also, locate the Eiffel Tower from one of the hill corners.
From Montmartre, walk to Bouillon Chartier and have dinner there. The restaurant was founded in 1896 and serves French cuisine. It was classified as a historic monument in 1989. The cool thing about this place is you can sit with other people at the same table. The food is very affordable, but it is not high-end. Lower your expectations about food, the visit is mainly for the place itself and its tradition.
Plan to spend time in Montmartre from sunset till the end of your day
Palace of Versailles
Versailles is outside of Paris (about 45 minutes via train). This is another must-visit place. Make sure to check the palace hours (As of July 2022, the palace closes on Mondays). Expect to spend a full day at Versailles.
Walk in Paris allies (St- Germain des Pres), Sorbonne University, and eat as many croissants as possible
Exploring local stores and cafes is a great way to experience the true essence of Paris. I suggest avoiding tourist traps and instead dining where the locals do to get a taste of Parisian life. The city's charming alleys are a must-see, and the baked goods in France are unparalleled. Even if you avoid gluten products in the US, the quality of the baguettes and croissants in France is simply unmatched. You can indulge in a large baguette with butter and cheese without feeling weighed down, and the taste of the fruits and vegetables is simply divine compared to what you're used to in the US.
One of my favorite places to visit is La Maison d'Isabelle, located in the Latin Quarter.
More time…
If you find yourself having more time or if you want to have a different experience:
1- Visit Moulin Rouge
2- Book a show at the opera house (No shows in August, usually artists are on vacation)
3- Musée d'Orsay
4- Jardin du Luxembourg.
5- Grand Palais
6- Luxembourg Palace
7- Canal Saint-Martin in the 10th arrondissements
8- Rend an electrical canal boat in the 19th arrondissements (Marin D'Eau Douce)
9- Paris Disney
Final words:
You will not be able to see everything in Paris in 5 days. Pick what interests you, at the end of the day, you are going to Paris to enjoy the city and relax not to get stressed about what you may miss. If you have been to Paris, what is your favorite part about the city?
