The Definitive 5 Day Paris Itinerary
Five days in Paris is the sweet spot. It gives you enough time to see the landmarks without the frantic pace of a weekend trip. You can hit the Louvre, eat world-class pastry, and still have time for a day trip to a royal palace or a quiet morning in a residential neighborhood.
This 5 day Paris itinerary prioritizes efficiency. It groups sights by location to minimize time spent on the Metro and maximize time spent eating, walking, and exploring.
Day 1: The Seine and State Landmarks
Your first day focuses on the historical core of the city. Wear comfortable shoes; you will walk several miles today.
Morning: Sainte-Chapelle and Notre-Dame
Start at the Île de la Cité. Book an early slot for Sainte-Chapelle. It has the most impressive 13th-century stained glass in the world. Next, walk five minutes to Notre-Dame Cathedral. While the interior is still under renovation, the exterior remains the centerpiece of French Gothic architecture. Walk across the Pont Neuf, the city’s oldest bridge, to reach the Right Bank.
Afternoon: The Louvre and Tuileries
The Louvre is massive. Don’t try to see everything. Pick one wing—the Denon wing holds the heavy hitters like the Mona Lisa and Winged Victory—and spend two hours there. Exit through the pyramid and walk directly into the Tuileries Garden. Grab a green metal chair by the fountains and watch the crowds. If you need a snack, get the hot chocolate at Angelina on Rue de Rivoli.
Evening: Sunset at the Eiffel Tower
Walk through the Place de la Concorde and follow the river toward the Eiffel Tower. Don’t bother with the elevators unless you’ve pre-booked weeks in advance; the view from the Trocadéro at sunset is superior and free. For dinner, head to the 7th Arrondissement. Look for a bistro on Rue Saint-Dominique for a classic steak frites.
Day 2: Art and Hilltop Views
Day two moves north to the highest point in the city and explores the history of the French Impressionists.
Morning: Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur
Get to Montmartre by 9:00 AM before the tour buses arrive. Climb the steps to the Sacré-Cœur Basilica for a panoramic view of the city. Skip the tourist traps at Place du Tertre and walk toward the Musée de Montmartre or the "sinking house" near the funicular. This area is steep, so pace yourself.
Afternoon: Musée d’Orsay
Take the Metro Line 12 south to the Musée d’Orsay. This converted railway station houses the world’s largest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art. You’ll see Monet, Degas, and Van Gogh. The building itself is a masterpiece. Be sure to look through the massive clock face on the top floor for a framed view of the Seine.
Evening: Saint-Germain-des-Prés
Walk from the Orsay into Saint-Germain. This was the haunt of Hemingway and Sartre. While Les Deux Magots and Café de Flore are famous, they are overpriced. Find a smaller wine bar in the backstreets near Marché Saint-Germain. Order a bottle of Loire Valley white and a cheese board.
Day 3: The Marais and Local Life
The third day of your 5 day Paris itinerary focuses on the city’s oldest residential district and its most famous park.
Morning: The Marais and Place des Vosges
The Marais is a maze of 17th-century mansions and narrow alleys. Start at Place des Vosges, the oldest planned square in Paris. It is perfectly symmetrical and lined with red brick buildings. Walk through the Jewish Quarter (Pletzl) and grab a falafel from L’As du Fallafel on Rue des Rosiers.
Afternoon: Centre Pompidou or Musée Carnavalet
If you like modern art, the Centre Pompidou is a must for its "inside-out" architecture. If you prefer history, go to Musée Carnavalet. It’s free and documents the history of Paris from Roman times to the present. Afterward, walk south toward the river to see the Hôtel de Ville (City Hall).
Evening: Latin Quarter and Pantheon
Cross the river to the Left Bank. Navigate the narrow streets of the Latin Quarter. It’s a student hub, so prices are lower. Visit the Pantheon to see the tombs of Voltaire, Rousseau, and Marie Curie. End your evening at Shakespeare and Company, the most famous English-language bookstore in the world.
Day 4: Off-the-Beaten-Path
Now that you’ve seen the icons, head to the parts of Paris where locals actually live and work.
Morning: Canal Saint-Martin
Start in the 10th Arrondissement. Canal Saint-Martin is the epicenter of "Bobo" (bourgeois-bohemian) Paris. Walk the iron footbridges and watch the locks in action. Grab a pastry from Du Pain et des Idées—their "escargot" pistachio pastry is legendary.
Afternoon: Parc des Buttes-Chaumont
Take a 20-minute walk or a quick Metro ride to the 19th Arrondissement to find the city’s most dramatic park. Buttes-Chaumont features a suspension bridge, a waterfall, and a temple sitting on a cliff in the middle of a lake. It is jagged, green, and lacks the formality of the Tuileries. It’s the perfect spot for a picnic.
Evening: Belleville or Père Lachaise
Explore the neighborhood of Belleville. It represents the gritty, multicultural side of Paris. If you prefer something more somber, visit Père Lachaise Cemetery. It’s the final resting place of Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, and Edith Piaf. For dinner, stay in the 11th Arrondissement, currently the best food neighborhood in the city for innovative, small-plate dining.
Day 5: The Royal Escape
For your final day, leave the city limits to understand the scale of French history.
Morning/Afternoon: The Palace of Versailles
Take the RER C train from central Paris to Versailles Château Rive Gauche. It takes about 45 minutes. You need a full half-day here. Tour the Hall of Mirrors and the King’s Grand Apartment, but spend the majority of your time in the Gardens. Rent a bike or take the shuttle to the Petit Trianon and Marie Antoinette’s Hamlet—a faux-rustic village that feels worlds away from the palace's gold leaf.
Evening: Farewell Dinner
Head back to Paris for your final night. Skip the museums and monuments. Choose a classic brasserie like Bofinger (near Bastille) or Le Train Bleu (inside Gare de Lyon) for an upscale, traditional French experience. Order the duck confit or the profiteroles. Reflect on your trip while watching the city light up.
Where to Stay for 5 Days in Paris
Choosing the right base is critical for a 5 day Paris itinerary. Because you have more time, you don't necessarily need to be next to the Louvre, but you do need good Metro access.
- The Marais (3rd/4th): Central, walkable, and packed with boutiques. It’s the most popular choice for a reason. You are close to everything, but hotels can be small and expensive.
- Saint-Germain-des-Prés (6th): The classic "Left Bank" experience. It’s upscale, safe, and feels like the Paris you see in the movies. Great for galleries and high-end dining.
- The 11th Arrondissement: Choose this if you want to avoid tourists. It’s the heart of the local culinary scene and offers better value for boutique hotels and Airbnbs. It is well-connected to the rest of the city via Lines 1, 5, and 9.
- Montparnasse (14th): Often overlooked, this area has excellent transport links (especially for the RER to Versailles) and a great mix of traditional creperies and modern cafes. It’s generally quieter and more affordable.
Practical Tips for Your 5 Day Paris Itinerary
- Transport: Download the Citymapper app. Buy a "Navigo Easy" card at any station and load it with 10-packs of tickets.
- Reservations: For any restaurant mentioned in a guide, book 2–4 days in advance. For the Louvre or Versailles, book timed entry slots at least two weeks out.
- The Monday/Tuesday Rule: Many museums close on either Monday or Tuesday. The Louvre is closed Tuesdays; the Orsay is closed Mondays. Check the calendar before you swap days.
- Water: Tap water in Paris is excellent. Bring a reusable bottle and fill up at the Wallace Fountains (ornate green cast-iron structures) found throughout the city.
- Dining Times: Lunch is 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM. Dinner starts at 7:30 PM. Many kitchens close between these windows, so don't expect a full meal at 4:00 PM.