Morning: Arrive at CDG from Nairobi (10‑hour flight, $820 round‑trip, Kenya Airways). Take a 45‑minute taxi to the boutique Hôtel Le 123 (check‑in 2 pm). Unwind with a quick bite of croissants at Du Pain et des Idées (opens 7 am) while watching the bustling street from the café’s patio.
Afternoon: Walk 10 min to Jardin du Luxembourg (free, open 7:30 am–9 pm). Spend 2 h strolling the gardens, climbing the Medici Fountain and spotting the iconic Medici statue. Then head 15 min on foot to the Louvre’s lesser‑known wing, the Carrousel du Louvre (ticket ¥30, pre‑booked) for a quick immersion in French art.
Evening: Walk 12 min to L’Arc en Ciel (reserve a table; dinner $40‑$65). After dinner, a 10‑minute stroll leads to the Le Caveau de la Huchette, famed for nightly jazz (show starts 9 pm, tickets $20). End the night with a gentle walk along the Seine to soak up the sparkling Eiffel Tower from the Pont de l’Alma (free).
Find HotelsMorning: Start with breakfast at Café de Flore (opens 7 am; classic Parisian pastries). Walk 5 min to Île de la Cité for a self‑guided walking tour of Notre‑Dame (exterior, free) and the nearby Sainte‑Chapelle (ticket $15, opening 9 am). Spend 30 min strolling the iconic **Sainte‑Chapelle** inside for its stained‑glass splendor.
Afternoon: Take a 30‑minute RER train to the charming village of Vincennes for a boutique wine tasting at La Cave de Vincennes (reservation, $40 per person, 60 min). Enjoy a guided tasting of French regional wines with a cheese board. Return by 4 pm (RER 30 min) and walk 10 min to the **Marxist** market area for a light lunch of fresh crepes at Chez Jacques (lunch $25).
Evening: 15‑minute walk to Le Bouillon Chartier for a rustic dinner (prix‑fixe $35). Then wander 5 min to the **Sundown at the Montparnasse Tower’s open‑air terrace** (30 min, free) for a panoramic sunset over Paris. End with a 20‑minute metro ride to Le Sunset Jazz Club (tickets $22) for live music.
Find HotelsMorning: Breakfast at Café de l’Île (opens 8 am). Walk 12 min to Parc des Buttes‑Chaumont (free, 7 am‑10 pm) for sunrise views from the Temple de la Sibylle and a stroll over the charming suspension bridges. Spend 2 h exploring the park’s hidden grotto and lake.
Afternoon: Walk 10 min to the eclectic Le Marché des Enfants Rouges** (open 8 am‑3 pm) for a lunch of market‑fresh flavors at Le Petit Marché (bites $30). After lunch, drift 15 min to Musée de la Vie Romantique (ticket $12, open 10 am–6 pm) for a quiet cultural immersion.
Evening: Take a 20‑minute walk to Sacré‑Cœur (free, 6 am‑10:30 pm). Enjoy a 1‑hour sunset session on the dome’s terrace for a breathtaking view of the city lights. Finish with dinner at Le Moulin de la Galette (moderate‑premium, $70) featuring live French chanson (performance starts 8 pm, no reservation needed).
Find HotelsMorning: Breakfast at Garde Manger (artisan pastries, opens 9 am). Walk 8 min to the trendy **Le Marais** for boutique shopping at Merci and local designer boutiques (no entry fee). Spend 2 h exploring the narrow streets, popping into the historic **Musée Carnavalet** (free, opening 10 am–6 pm).
Afternoon: 10‑minute walk to Galeries Lafayette for high‑end shopping and an on‑site rooftop food court (lunch $40). Then stroll 5 min to Le Musée Rodin (ticket $15). Spend 2 h admiring the statues and gardens.
Evening: Enjoy a boutique wine tasting at Le Verre Volé** (wine bar, 7 pm–midnight; $35 per tasting). Pair with small plates and soak in the relaxed ambiance. Finish the night with a 15‑minute walk to the nearby Le Théâtre de l’Odéon to watch an intimate jazz session (tickets $25).
Find HotelsMorning: Early sunrise at the Montparnasse Tower’s 56th‑floor observatory (ticket $20, open 9 am–11 pm) for a breathtaking city‑wide sunrise. Then breakfast at Rendez‑vous Café (opens 6 am) overlooking the Eiffel Tower, with croissant & espresso (budget $15).
Afternoon: Walk 10 min to the hidden **Passage des Panoramas**, a hidden vaulted arcade full of antique shops and secret cafés (free). Grab a light lunch at **Café des Poètes** (bistro, $30) and explore the vintage record store within.
Evening: After a 30‑minute metro ride, take a quick 15‑minute stroll to the **Île de la Cité’s** *Pont de la Concorde* for a sunset view of the Seine and a final “bon voyage” picture (free, sunset). End the trip with dinner at Le Jules Verné (up‑market, $80) offering a view of the Eiffel Tower sparkling at night (reservation required).
Find HotelsTotal Estimated cost: $3,617
To extend the trip, add a half‑day day‑trip to the Champagne region (Reims) for premium wine tasting and a scenic boat ride on the Marne—add roughly $150 for transport and tasting. To shorten, consolidate the Marais boutique shopping with a quick “quick‑pick” visit to the **Marché d'Aligre** for gourmet snacks and skip the Montparnasse sunset, replacing it with a leisurely walk along the Seine, saving both time and $30‑$50 in costs. The key to a relaxed experience is to keep each day's walking distance under 2 km between stops, allowing spontaneity with cafés and hidden gardens without feeling rushed.