Paris is like a museum in the form of a city. Boasting timeless architecture, ornamental monuments, and ethereal landscaping; you need not enter a single building to bear witness to Paris’s beauty.
Why walking is the best way to see Paris
Because Paris is so beautiful, the best way to see it is on foot. For this reason, I have crafted a spatially-organized, entirely walkable Paris itinerary. The fact that this itinerary is spatially organized means you won’t actually have to exert yourself by walking. Instead, you will limit your transportation time, thus enabling you to optimize your visit and see as much as possible during a short stay. Further, the walking route I have crafted is deliberately picturesque. Therefore, even as you move from point A to B, you’ll be seeing Paris’s most beautiful neighborhoods and sights!
In the spirit of accessible travel, this itinerary is also designed to be super affordable! There are no transportation costs associated with this itinerary, this itinerary includes recommendations for excellent, yet affordable restaurants, and many of the activities on this list are free or budget-travel friendly. For attractions requiring tickets, I have scoured online for the best deals so you don’t have too! If you want tips on how to make your trip even more affordable, read my How To Travel While Young blog post where I share tips on how to get into Museums and monuments for free.
Itinerary:
Day 1: ~35 min walk from your first destination to your last, 4 stops in between
- Visit Museé D’Orsay. Museé D’Orsay is one of the most famous French art museums, celebrated particularly for its vast collection of Impressionist paintings. The museum is home to numerous masterpieces by Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet, and Edouard Manet! Furthermore, Musée D’Orsay is housed in a former train station, so the architecture is quite incredible. Don’t miss the opportunity to stand inside the giant clocktower, as well as go up to the roof and take in one of the best views in Paris!
- Walk along the Quai d’Orsay. The Musée D’Orsay is located on the quai d’Orsay so, upon leaving the museum, take the opportunity to walk this quai. The Quai d’Orsay stretches all the way from the Musée d’Orsay to the Eiffel Tower, so it’s a rather straightforward yet super picturesque walk. As you stroll, you’ll want to stop at two of Paris’s most famous bridges: Pont Alexandre III, which is extraordinarily beautiful, and Pont d’Alma, which is arguably the best place to take photos with the Eiffel Tower!
- Picnic on Champs de Mars. The Champs de Mars is the park right in front of the Eiffel Tower. It is an excellent venue for a picnic so, rather than eating at a restaurant, I recommend that you pick up sandwiches and pastries from the various boulangeries you will inevitably pass along the Quai d’Orsay, and then take a lunch break once you get to the Champs de Mars.
- Visit the Eiffel tower. The Eiffel tower is arguably the most famous monument in Paris, so you definitely want to visit it during your trip! If you do not plan to go up the tower, tickets are not necessary. However, I do believe it is worth it to go to the top at least once. You can buy tickets to go up to the tower on-site or in advance on GetYourGuide. Buying tickets in advance is always a good idea so you do not waste time waiting in long lines on the day of your visit.
- Take in the view at the Trocadero. Place du Trocadero, across the Seine from the Eiffel Tower, offers the best Eiffel Tower view in Paris. If you’re there at or after dusk, you may even get to see the Eiffel Tower sparkle! Further, if you want to take photos in front of the tower, it is better to do so at Trocadero than under the Eiffel Tower itself.
Day 2: ~45 min walk from your first destination to your last, 4 stops in between
- Visit the Louvre. The Louvre is undoubtedly the most famous museum in France and among the most renowned in the world. With collections spanning continents and time periods, there’s an incredible amount to see. You can definitely spend an entire day in the Louvre, so it’s best to start early. If you want to see all the Louvre’s highlights in one day, I suggest booking a guided tour! I normally refrain from recommending guided tours for museums, but given the size of the Louvre and the sheer number of masterpieces within it; taking a tour is well-worth it.
- Picnic in the Tuileries Gardens for lunch. The Tuileries gardens are located right outside the Louvre. They are absolutely stunning and– like the Champs de Mars– an excellent place to picnic. I picnic often when I am in Paris because 1. Picnics are budget friendly 2. delicious, good quality picnic-friendly food is bountiful in Parisian boulangeries 3. French parks are beautiful and thus excellent venues for meals. Even if you opt not to picnic in the Tuileries, definitely explore the gardens after your tour of the Louvre. And, if you’re around during the summer, visit the “Fête des Tuileries”, a pop-up carnival located right in the garden.
- Walk out of the Tuileries into Place de la Concorde. Place de la Concorde is home to another one of Paris’s famous monuments: the Obélisque de Louxor (the Luxor Obelisk). The obelisk is over 3,000 years old and was gifted by Egypt to France in the 19th century. It’s not everyday that you get to see a piece of antiquity displayed so prominently in a modern city, so definitely don’t miss seeing the Obelisk while you’re in Paris.
- Walk down the Champs Elysees. The Champs Elysees is one of the most famous streets in Paris, known for high-fashion, culture, and– of course– the Arc de Triomphe. From Place de la Concorde, you can make your way all the way down the Champs Elysees to the legendary Arc. However, there are some stops you should make along the way. First, you’ll pass Petit Palais, one of Paris’s most beautiful art museums. It’s tiny compared to the Louvre, so you can quickly explore it or visit its picturesque central courtyard. Your second stop should be at the Pierre Hermé café, located just a few meters from the Arc de Triomphe. Pierré Hermé, in my opinion, has the best macarons in Paris. If you’re particularly hungry, you can also have an early dinner or late lunch at the café!
- Arc de Triomphe. At the end of the Champs Elysees is the Arc de Triomphe. You’ll see its stunning silhouette from all the way down the avenue, but it’s definitely worth properly visiting it. It is free to go to the base of the Arc, just make sure you cross the street using the underground tunnel and not by running across the busy round-about. Going to the top of the arc is not free, but you buy tickets there or in advance on GetYourGuide. Depending on what time you make it to the Arc de Triomphe, you may get to watch the sunset from one of the best vantage points in Paris!
Day 3: ~30 min walk from your first destination to your last, 5 stops in between. *50 minutes with bonus stop.
- Breakfast on Rue Mouffetard. Rue Mouffetard is a quaint street in the 5th arrondissement of Paris. It is not overly touristy, but its many restaurants do make it a popular spot amongst locals. I recommend getting crepes at a restaurant on Rue Mouffetard because they are delicious, authentic, and affordable since it’s not a high-traffic tourist area. After breakfast, take a stroll in the area. Pass by Ernest Hemingway’s former apartment, wander toward the Pantheon and Sorbonne University, and enjoy the scenic Latin Quarter. The set of Emily in Paris is also located in the Quartier Latin so, for any fans of the show, try to stroll by Emily’s apartment and Gabriel’s restaurant as well!
- Visit the Pantheon. The Pantheon is a must-visit for anyone fascinated by history and philosophy. This grand monument is the resting place for influential figures in French history, including Voltaire, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Émile Zola, Alexandre Dumas, Pierre and Marie Curie, and Simone Veil. You can purchase tickets to visit the Pantheon on-site or in advance through GetYourGuide. Even if you are not interested in seeing the tombs up close, definitely still make sure to take in the Pantheon from the outside. The Pantheon’s hilltop location will offer you a beautiful view of Paris.
- Buy a book at Shakespeare & Co. From the Pantheon, walk down to Shakespeare & Co: an English bookstore famous for its antiquarian book collection, free reading library, intellectual atmosphere and– most recently – its tote bags. This bookshop is a must-visit for bookworms in Paris! There’s also a trendy Shakespeare & Co café nearby for a light lunch or snack after your visit.
- See Notre Dame cathedral. Across the bridge from Shakespeare & Co stands the famous Notre Dame Cathedral. Notre Dame is set to reopen to the public in December 2024, so Parisians and tourists alike will certainly be flocking to this beloved world heritage site in great numbers for the first time in 5 years. If you are a lover of gothic architecture, you should also visit the Sainte-Chapelle, a cathedral located nearby the Notrê Dame. While Notre Dame is famed for its size, antiquity, and gothic qualities; Saint-Chappelle is famed for the beauty of its stained glass windows. Indeed, it has one of the world’s most extensive 13th-century stained glass collections.
- Visit Centre Pompidou. Centre Pompidou, a museum for modern and contemporary art, is itself a contemporary art piece given its unorthodox “inside-out” architecture. This museum stands apart from any other art museum in Paris, so I highly recommend taking the time to see it during your trip.
- Explore le marais. Centre Pompidou is located in Le Marais, another one of Paris’s most iconic neighborhoods. Le Marais is dotted with a number of good, affordable restaurants, so I would suggest sticking around there for a late lunch or early dinner. The Lebanese restaurants in Le Marais are particularly reputed for their food—notably, their falafel. Paris has an excellent international food scene, so definitely take advantage of that during your trip. Afterwards, stroll over to Place des Vosges, a park located at the Center of Le Marais, to relax after your meal.
- Happy hour in Bastille. Once you’ve recharged in Place de Vosges, make your way over to the Bastille neighborhood. Boasting a lively bar and club scene, Bastille is an excellent neighborhood for a happy hour drink. For those less interested in nightlife, you can also take the time to explore the Bastille neighborhood. Walk in Place de la Bastille— the square in which the Bastille prison once stood— or head over to Monument de la République— a square dedicated to Marianne, the allegory of the French republic. The République plaza is also one of the most iconic skate spots in Paris so, as you take your walk, you may have the good fortune of witnessing a street-side skate show.
- *Bonus*: Atelier des Lumières. Wrap up your day with a show at Atelier des Lumières, an immersive art center where classic art is paired with music and video. The Atelier is not super close to Bastille– it is about a 20 minute walk away– but, for any lovers of art, the experience will certainly be worth the walk.
Day 4: ~25 min walk from your first destination to your last, 4 stops in between
- Tour the Opera Garnier. Begin the day with a tour of the stunning Opera Garnier. The Opera Garnier is an actual theater venue; however, not all Paris Opera’s are actually held there. Therefore, should you be interested in actually seeing the Palais Garnier building, make sure to book a tour. You can book both shows and tours on the Paris Opera website, or on GetYourGuide.
- Shop in les Galeries Lafayette. The Lafayette Galeries are just a few minutes away from the Opera Garnier. What makes this mall special is its beauty: Galeries Lafayette is designed in the image of an opera house. Today, however, it is a famous luxury shopping mall. All lovers of fashion should surely visit les Galeries Lafayette while in Paris– afterall, Paris is the birthplace of high fashion! After shopping or window-shopping, you can make your way up to the Galleries’ rooftop to take in the view— this is one of the few Paris rooftops that you do not have to pay to access! Should you be hungry, you can also grab a snack at the rooftop café.
- Explore Montmartre. From Galleries Lafaytte, head north to the picturesque, tranquil neighborhood of Montmartre. With winding stone streets and colorful buildings, it’s ideal for a leisurely stroll. You’ll find plenty of places to eat here, so I recommend stopping for lunch. For an authentic French meal, consider the charming Moulin de la Galette.
- Visit Sacré Coeur. Sacre Coeur is another one of Paris’s famous cathedrals. However, unlike Paris’s other cathedrals, Sacre Coeur is built in the Roman-Byzantine style. It is rare to see Roman-Byzantine churches in France and in Western Europe more broadly, so a visit to Sacre Coeur will definitely be a unique, worthwhile experience, Entrance to the church is free; however, should you want to visit the dome, you will need to either purchase tickets on-site or in advance. Although the dome will offer you an incredible vantage point from which to see Paris, Sacre Coeur is already located at one of the highest points in Montmartre, so you need not go all the way to the top of the church for a picturesque view. Instead, I recommend just sitting on the iconic steps of Sacre Coeur and watching the sunset with all of Paris in full view.
- See the Moulin Rouge. The Moulin Rouge is a cabaret in Paris and the most famous burlesque venue in the world. Should you be interested in seeing a live show at the Moulin Rouge, you should definitely buy tickets in advance from the Moulin Rouge website or on GetYourGuide. If burlesque isn’t your thing but you still want to experience a cabaret show, you should visit the Cabaret Au Lapin Agile, an artistic cabaret also located in Montmartre. However, regardless of your preferred cabaret, you should definitely see the Moulin Rouge from the outside at least once: its red facade and windmill are a tourist attraction in their own right.
Day 5: ~45 min walk from your first destination to your last, 4 stops in between
- Crêpes on Montparnasse. Like Rue Moufftard, the neighborhood surrounding Avenue de Montparnasse is an excellent spot for crepes. You probably can’t go wrong with most Crêperies on that street, but I personally recommend La Crêperie Bretonne!
- Explore the Catacombs de Paris. After breakfast, stroll through the bustling Montparnasse neighborhood towards the Catacombs de Paris, an underground maze of ossuaries. With over 6 million people buried there, the Paris catacombs the largest in the world in terms of population. The catacombs are worth adding to your Paris itinerary if you like seeing unique historical sites. In order to see the catacombs, you must buy your tickets in advance.
- Decompress at the Luxembourg Gardens. After the catacombs, lift your spirits with some fresh air at the Luxembourg Gardens. With its manicured lawns, tree-lined promenades, and duck pond, these gardens are a lovely spot to relax, take a walk, or enjoy an ice cream from the nearby Amorino ice cream store.
- Lunch at Le Bon Marché. From the Luxembourg Gardens, you can walk over to Le Bon Marché. Le Bon Marché is one of Paris’s few department stores— it is large, boasting both high quality fashion brands and authentic artisan foodstuffs. Le Bon Marché is a nice place to shop (or window shop), but even if you decide against buying clothing or souvenirs, I would suggest buying lunch in one of its restaurants!
- Visit the Musée Rodin. After lunch, walk over to the Musée Rodin, a sculpture museum dedicated to French sculptor Auguste Rodin. This museum is one of the most unique in Paris because most of the art is displayed in an outdoor sculpture garden, creating a unique art-in-nature experience.
- Eat Dinner on a Seine River Cruise. A Seine dinner cruise is the perfect activity for your last night in Paris. The cruise will essentially offer you a walk down memory lane as you sail past many of the monuments you’ll have seen throughout your trip. Seine cruises are extremely picturesque and thus one of the best “dinner with a view” experiences you can have in Paris. This cruise departs from Pont Alexandre III, just a short walk from Musée Rodin.
There is so much more that Paris has to offer.
However, this itinerary will ensure you see the city’s must-see tourist attractions, as well as a few lesser-known local gems. With a mix of art, history, nature, nightlife, cuisine, and urban exploration, this itinerary has a bit of everything for every kind of traveler. These diverse experiences, when put together, will allow you to experience the magic of the City of Lights!
