5-Day Paris Itinerary - Pro Tips & Classic Restaurants

Drift through Montmartre’s cobbled lanes from the painters’ square at Place du Tertre to quieter backstreets where Toulouse‑Lautrec and Picasso lived and worked. Start near Sacré‑Cœur so most of your walk is downhill, wear good shoes for steps and uneven stones, and pause for a café crème or crêpe on Rue Norvins or Rue des Saules between photo stops.

Step into Sacré‑Cœur’s bright white basilica, then circle the hilltop terrace for one of the widest open views over Paris. Come just after opening or around sunset for softer light and fewer crowds, bring a scarf or shawl to cover shoulders if needed, and consider the paid dome climb for a quieter 360° lookout above the city noise.

Step inside Notre-Dame to admire its soaring Gothic nave, rose windows and sculpted façades. Arrive early or late in the day to dodge tour groups, dress modestly as it’s an active place of worship, and walk around the exterior afterwards to spot the details you missed from inside.

See icons like the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo, then escape to quieter wings for sculptures and paintings in peace. Pre‑book skip‑the‑line access, enter via the Carrousel du Louvre underground mall if the pyramid is packed, and pick just 2–3 sections in advance so you don’t spend the day lost in corridors.

Cross the Tuileries on its wide gravel paths between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde, pausing at fountains, statues and long sightlines. Claim one of the green chairs around the basins for a short rest, then use the garden’s central axis for quick, symmetrical photos toward the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre and the Obelisk of Luxor.

Cross Pont Alexandre III to admire its gilded statues, ornate lamps and sweeping views toward the Eiffel Tower and Les Invalides. Come at golden hour for softer light on the sculptures and pair it with a riverside walk below for photos that feel far from city traffic.

Walk the length of the Champ de Mars with the Eiffel Tower rising above you, stopping at different points on the lawns and paths for varied perspectives. Aim for late afternoon into sunset for flattering light, stick to the park edges if you prefer fewer vendors, and pack a simple picnic to enjoy while the tower lights up and sparkles after dark.

Visit the Eiffel Tower with pre‑booked access to the summit or second floor and swap long lines for extra time in the views. Arrive 15–20 minutes before your time slot for security, bring a light layer for the wind at the top, and keep your camera ready as the elevators open straight onto the panorama over Paris.

Explore Impressionist and Post‑Impressionist icons inside the former Gare d’Orsay, a Beaux‑Arts train station turned museum. Start on the upper floors for the big names and clock‑window views over the Seine, then work your way down; pre‑book tickets and choose early morning or late afternoon for a calmer visit.

Tour the Palace of Versailles with an audio guide to uncover stories behind the Hall of Mirrors, royal apartments and vast gardens. Arrive early, start inside the palace before it gets crowded, then move out to the fountains and tree‑lined paths with plenty of water and a snack in your bag.

Stroll through the formal gardens of Versailles as fountains dance to baroque music and sculptures appear at the end of long alleys. Check show times before you go, wear comfortable shoes for gravel paths, and keep your ticket handy for access checkpoints between garden sections.

Join a guided tasting in a neighborhood boulangerie around Rue des Rosiers to compare flaky croissants, baguettes and classic viennoiseries. Learn how bakers time their dough so you can spot fresh‑from‑the‑oven loaves later in your trip, and bring a small bag if you want to save your favorites for an afternoon snack.

Climb into Sainte‑Chapelle’s upper chapel and let your eyes adjust before circling the 15‑meter walls of stained glass. Book a timed ticket to shorten security waits, aim for late morning or early afternoon when the sun lights up the panels, and do a full lap close to the windows to spot tiny narrative details in the glass.

Use a timed ticket to slip into the Centre Pompidou, starting on the top floors for wide city views and big‑name modern works before walking down through the galleries. Focus on one or two eras so you don’t burn out, and leave a few minutes at the end to photograph the colourful pipes and outdoor escalators from the plaza.