One Week in Paris: Classic Highlights Itinerary with Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Notre-Dame, Montmartre, and Seine Cruise
Experience the best of Paris in a week with this comprehensive itinerary showcasing iconic landmarks, rich history, and stunning views, perfect for first-time visitors.
7-Day Paris Classic Highlights Itinerary
A perfect one-week itinerary covering iconic Paris highlights including the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Notre-Dame, Montmartre, and a Seine cruise, blending art, history, and scenic beauty.
Arrival & Eiffel Tower
Check-in at Central Paris Hotel
(Check-in)Arrive in Paris and check in at your centrally located hotel in the 7th arrondissement. Drop bags and freshen up before exploring.
Guided Eiffel Tower Summit Experience (skip-the-line)
(Experience)Skip-the-line guided access to the Eiffel Tower summit with panoramic views of Paris. Includes priority entry and local guide commentary.
Trocadéro Gardens & Photo Stop
(Attraction)Iconic photo viewpoint of the Eiffel Tower across the Seine. Great spot for postcards and panoramas.
Lunch in the 7th arrondissement (bistro area)
(Restaurant)Casual lunch in a classic Parisian bistro neighborhood near the Eiffel Tower — sample French classics and café culture.
Champ de Mars Stroll & Photos
(Activity)Relaxed stroll on the Champ de Mars with photo opportunities and time to enjoy the lawns and views.
Evening Seine Riverside Stroll (free)
(Free Time)Enjoy a relaxed evening walk along the Seine — watch the lights and enjoy views of bridges and monuments.
Louvre & Île de la Cité
Guided Louvre Highlights Tour
(Experience)Discover the Louvre's masterpieces — Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo and more — with a local expert guiding you through the must-sees.
Notre-Dame Cathedral (exterior visit) & Square
(Attraction)Visit the exterior of Notre-Dame and the Île de la Cité square; admire the façade and nearby viewpoints (interior access may be restricted).
Sainte-Chapelle (stained glass)
(Attraction)Visit the 13th-century chapel renowned for its stunning stained-glass windows. Short, breathtaking interior visit.
Visit the Conciergerie
(Attraction)Explore La Conciergerie, a former royal palace turned revolutionary prison, featuring stunning Gothic architecture and powerful exhibits about Marie Antoinette and French history.
Lunch in the Latin Quarter (traditional bistro)
(Restaurant)Enjoy a leisurely lunch in the historic Latin Quarter — ideal for sampling classic French dishes.
Shakespeare & Company Visit (bookshop)
(Other)Visit the iconic English-language bookstore — browse rare books, enjoy its bohemian atmosphere.
Montmartre & Sacré-Cœur
Guided Montmartre Walking Tour (artists, history)
(Experience)Guided walking tour through Montmartre's winding streets, Place du Tertre and artist studios; learn about Toulouse-Lautrec, Picasso and local history.
Sacré-Cœur Basilica & Panoramic View
(Attraction)Visit the basilica (interior) and take in exceptional panoramic views from the forecourt of Montmartre.
Lunch in Montmartre (Place du Tertre area)
(Restaurant)Lunch in the lively artist square — enjoy classic crêpes, quiche or bistro fare surrounded by painters and cafés.
Musée de Montmartre (small museum & gardens)
(Attraction)Explore the charming museum dedicated to Montmartre's artistic past and its small gardens with views over Paris.
La Nouvelle Eve cabaret show in Moulin Rouge
(Experience)Experience an elegant Parisian cabaret at La Nouvelle Eve in the heart of Pigalle, featuring dazzling costumes, choreography, comedy acts, and classic French revue style.
Musée d'Orsay & Seine Cruise
Visit Musée d'Orsay (Impressionist masterpieces)
(Attraction)Explore the Musée d'Orsay collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art in a converted Beaux-Arts railway station.
Lunch in Saint-Germain-des-Prés (bistro)
(Restaurant)Lunch at a classic Saint-Germain bistro — enjoy neighborhood cafés and literary history.
Leisure Stroll to Place Vendôme & Boutique Browsing
(Free Time)Afternoon free time for browsing boutique shops, jewelers and the elegant Place Vendôme.
Explore the chic shops on Rue du Bac
(Free Time)Wander along Rue du Bac and discover its refined boutiques, designer stores, artisan shops, and Parisian lifestyle brands in one of the city’s most stylish neighborhoods.
Seine Sightseeing Cruise (ticketed experience)
(Experience)One-hour sightseeing cruise on the Seine offering commentary on major monuments — ideal at sunset for memorable views.
Evening Free Time: Stroll or dinner nearby
(Free Time)Relax in the evening — choose a local restaurant for dinner or take another riverside walk.
Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe & Opera
Arc de Triomphe Visit (view from top)
(Attraction)Climb (or elevator) to the top of the Arc de Triomphe for sweeping views along the Champs-Élysées and Paris avenues.
Lunch near Champs-Élysées / Avenue area
(Restaurant)Lunch in the Champs-Élysées area — brasserie or bistro along the avenue.
Palais Garnier Guided Visit (opera house tour)
(Experience)Guided visit of the Palais Garnier interior — grand staircase, auditorium and history of Parisian opera.
Visit Madeleine Church
(Attraction)Visit the iconic Madeleine Church, a neoclassical landmark in Paris known for its grand columns, serene interior, and elegant location near shopping streets and historic boulevards.
Relax at Palais Royal Gardens
(Free Time)Dinner in an Asian restaurant in Rue Saint-Anne
(Restaurant)Enjoy dinner on Rue Saint-Anne, Paris’s vibrant Japanese food street, lined with ramen shops, izakayas, and Asian eateries offering authentic and flavorful dishes.
Olympia Concert or Show (Evening)
(Experience)Attend a concert or show at the historic Olympia — a memorable cultural evening and social atmosphere.
Versailles Day Trip (Palace & Gardens)
Breakfast at Hotel or Nearby Café
(Restaurant)Fuel up for the Versailles day trip with French breakfast.
Guided Palace of Versailles Tour (skip-the-line)
(Experience)Skip-the-line guided tour of the Palace of Versailles including the Hall of Mirrors and State Apartments.
Lunch in Versailles (near Palace)
(Restaurant)Lunch at a café or brasserie near the palace — try regional dishes or a light meal before exploring more gardens.
Walk and Free Time in Versailles Gardens
(Free Time)Relax and explore the vast gardens and fountains around the palace.
Photo Session in Bastille
(Attraction)Capture memorable moments with a professional photo session in the Bastille area, known for its vibrant streets, historic charm, and lively Parisian atmosphere.
Attraction: Stroll Place des Vosges & Courtyards (Free)
(Attraction)Enjoy the elegant square, arcades and quiet lawns — a peaceful local favorite in Le Marais.
Dinner at Place Sainte-Catherine
(Restaurant)Enjoy a cozy dinner at Place Sainte-Catherine, a charming square in the Marais filled with terraces, bistros, and warm Parisian ambiance perfect for a relaxed evening meal.
Luxembourg Gardens, Shopping & Departure
Stroll Luxembourg Gardens & Medici Fountain (free)
(Free Time)Morning walk through Luxembourg Gardens; relax by the Medici Fountain and enjoy the landscaped lawns.
Brunch in Saint-Sulpice / Rue de Rennes area
(Restaurant)Enjoy a relaxed brunch in the Saint-Sulpice neighborhood — perfect for savoring French pastries and coffee.
Le Marais Boutique Stroll & Galleries
(Activity)Browse independent boutiques, concept stores and art galleries in Le Marais — perfect for unique souvenirs.
Visit Pompidou Center
(Attraction)Explore contemporary and modern art collections
Shopping at Les Halles
(Activity)Spend time shopping at Les Halles, a major commercial hub in central Paris featuring a large underground mall, fashion retailers, restaurants, and a lively urban atmosphere.
Check-out and Departure
(Check-out)Check out of the hotel and depart Paris — end of the 7-day classic highlights itinerary.