Here’s your 5-day Paris itinerary blending icons with local charm, designed for seamless exploration without rushing. I’ve included strategic timing tips, lesser-known gems, and foodie spots:
Day 1: Iconic Paris & Seine Magic
- Morning: Eiffel Tower (Book summit tickets 8:30 AM slot via official site). Arrive early, then stroll to Champ de Mars for photos.
- Coffee Break: Café de l’Homme (Trocadéro) for tower views sans crowds.
- Afternoon: Seine River Cruise (Bateaux-Mouches or Vedettes du Pont Neuf). Opt for sunset slot.
- Evening: Rue Cler Market Street (7th arr.) – picnic shopping at Fromagerie Barthélémy (cheese) + Boulangerie aux Délices du Palais (pastries).
- Secret Spot: Passy Cemetery – serene hidden garden near Trocadéro with stunning tower glimpses.
Day 2: Art Royalty & Grand Boulevards
- Morning: Louvre (Pre-book 9 AM entry). Focus: Denon Wing (Mona Lisa/Venus de Milo → exit via Richelieu Wing’s quieter courtyards.
- Lunch: Le Fumoir (elegant bistro near Louvre) or Passage des Panoramas (historic arcade with gourmet stalls).
- Afternoon: Palais Royal Gardens (instagrammable columns) → Jardin des Tuileries → Place de la Concorde.
- Evening: Saint-Germain-des-Prés – browse Shakespeare & Company (English bookstore), then apéro at Café de Flore.
- Secret Spot: La Galerie de Paléontologie (dinosaur skeletons!) – tucked inside Jardin des Plantes.
Day 3: Montmartre Soul & Bohemian Vibes
- Morning: Montmartre Early Access (Arrive by 8 AM): Sacré-Cœur (crowd-free), Place du Tertre (artists setting up), Le Consulat café.
- Hidden Gem: La Maison Rose + Clos Montmartre Vineyard (Paris’ last vineyard).
- Lunch: Le Relais Gascon (massive salad bowls) or Boulangerie Alexine (best croissants).
- Afternoon: Moulin Rouge photo op → Galeries Lafayette rooftop (free panoramic view).
- Evening: Pigalle – craft cocktails at Dirty Dick (tiki bar) or Le Carmen (opulent speakeasy).
- Secret Spot: Musée de la Vie Romantique – free garden café in a 1830s mansion.
Day 4: Le Marais Charm & Local Life
- Morning: Place des Vosges (Paris’ oldest square) → Victor Hugo’s House (free).
- Foodie Stop: L’As du Fallafel (iconic falafel) or Breizh Café (gourmet crêpes).
- Afternoon: Carnavalet Museum (free, history of Paris) → vintage shopping on Rue des Francs-Bourgeois.
- Sweet Treat: Jacques Genin for caramel-filled chocolates.
- Evening: Canal Saint-Martin picnic (cheese/wine from Terroirs d’Avenir) or Le Perchoir Marais (trendy rooftop).
- Secret Spot: Hôtel de Sully’s hidden garden – tranquil Renaissance courtyard.
Day 5: Regal Splendor & Local Flavors
- Morning: Versailles (RER C train by 8 AM; book Passport ticket) – focus: Hall of Mirrors/Gardens. Skip Versailles if tired: Replace with Rodin Museum gardens + Les Invalides.
- Lunch: Marché d’Aligre (lively market; try oysters at Baron Rouge).
- Afternoon: Île Saint-Louis – Berthillon ice cream → Shakespeare Garden behind Notre-Dame.
- Farewell Dinner: Le Comptoir du Relais (Saint-Germain) or Septime La Cave (Le Marais natural wine bar).
- Secret Spot: Square René-Viviani – best Notre-Dame view with Paris’ oldest tree.
Key Tips:
- Transport: Walk + Metro (buy carnet of 10 tickets). Avoid taxis for short trips.
- Museum Pass? Worth it for Days 2/5 if visiting ≥3 paid sites.
- Dining: Lunch specials (formule) save €€. Always reserve dinners.
- Jet Lag Hack: Day 1 = light activity; prioritize outdoor sights.
- Local Etiquette: “Bonjour” / “Merci” opens doors. Dress chic-casual.
Final Day Bonus: Sunset at Pont de Bir-Hakeim (Inception bridge) with Eiffel views ✨
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