10-Day Paris Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival & Central Paris Introduction

Morning: Arrive at Charles de Gaulle Airport and take a taxi or train to your hotel in the 1st arrondissement. Settle in, freshen up, and enjoy a quick coffee at a nearby café.

Afternoon: Stroll to the iconic Eiffel Tower, ascend to the second floor for panoramic views, and then relax on the Champ de Mars lawns.

Evening: Dine at a traditional bistro in the Latin Quarter and enjoy a leisurely walk along the Seine, admiring the illuminated bridges.

Day 2: Historic Heart of Paris

Morning: Explore the majestic Louvre Museum, focusing on the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and the Egyptian antiquities.

Afternoon: Wander through the historic Palais Royal gardens, then visit the nearby Sainte-Chapelle to admire its stunning stained‑glass windows.

Evening: Enjoy a Seine river cruise with dinner, soaking in the glittering lights of Paris’s landmarks.

Day 3: Artistic Montmartre

Morning: Climb the steps to the Sacré‑Coeur Basilica for sweeping city views, then explore the artists’ square, Place du Tertre.

Afternoon: Visit the historic Moulin Rouge district, stopping at the Musée de Montmartre to see Renoir’s former studio.

Evening: Savor dinner at a classic Montmartre cabaret, followed by a relaxed walk down Rue Lepic.

Day 4: Royal Splendor

Morning: Take the RER to Versailles Palace, touring the Hall of Mirrors, the King’s Grand Apartments, and the expansive gardens.

Afternoon: Rent a bike to explore the Trianon Palaces and the Grand Canal, pausing for a picnic on the lawn.

Evening: Return to Paris and unwind with a casual dinner in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood.

Day 5: Modern Paris

Morning: Visit the contemporary Centre Pompidou, exploring its modern art collections and interactive installations.

Afternoon: Walk through the trendy Le Marais district, browsing boutique shops and historic mansions such as the Place des Vosges.

Evening: Experience a lively dinner in the Marais followed by a nightcap at a rooftop bar with a view of the city skyline.

Day 6: Literary & Culinary Delights

Morning: Start with a guided tour of the Musée d’Orsay, admiring Impressionist masterpieces by Monet, Degas, and Renoir.

Afternoon: Join a cooking class in the Latin Quarter to learn how to make classic French pastries and a traditional coq au vin.

Evening: Sample the dishes you prepared, then wander to the historic Shakespeare and Company bookstore for a late‑night literary stop.

Day 7: Day Trip to Giverny & Normandy

Morning: Travel by train to Giverny to visit Claude Monet’s House & Gardens, strolling through the water lily ponds that inspired his paintings.

Afternoon: Continue to the coastal town of Deauville for a seaside walk and a tasting of local seafood.

Evening: Return to Paris and enjoy a relaxed dinner near your hotel.

Day 8: Shopping & Leisure

Morning: Browse the luxury boutiques along the Champs‑Élysées and stop at the iconic Arc de Triomphe for a quick climb.

Afternoon: Visit the department store Galeries Lafayette for a rooftop view and a shopping spree of French fashion.

Evening: Attend a performance at the historic Opéra Garnier or catch a jazz show in the Oberkampf district.

Day 9: Parks and Science

Morning: Explore the vast Luxembourg Gardens, renting a rowboat on the pond and admiring the Medici Fountain.

Afternoon: Head to the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie in Parc de la Villette for interactive exhibits and the impressive planetarium.

Evening: Dine in the vibrant Canal Saint‑Martin area, enjoying riverside cafés and a relaxed atmosphere.

Day 10: Farewell Paris

Morning: Take a leisurely walk through the historic Île de la Cité, revisiting Notre‑Dame Cathedral (exterior) and the nearby Île Saint‑Louis for its charming boutiques.

Afternoon: Enjoy a final French lunch at a classic brasserie, then collect souvenirs at the nearby Marché aux Fleurs.

Evening: Transfer to the airport for departure, reflecting on an unforgettable ten‑day adventure in Paris.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Eiffel Tower – 2 hours – €27 (ticket)
• Louvre Museum – 3 hours – €17 (ticket)
• Sainte‑Chapelle – 1 hour – €10 (ticket)
• Seine River Dinner Cruise – 2 hours – €85 (incl. meal)
• Sacré‑Coeur Basilica – 1 hour – Free
• Musée de Montmartre – 1 hour – €12 (ticket)
• Versailles Palace & Gardens – 5 hours – €20 (ticket) + €8 (garden)
• Centre Pompidou – 2 hours – €15 (ticket)
• Place des Vosges (Le Marais walk) – 1 hour – Free
• Musée d’Orsay – 2 hours – €16 (ticket)
• Cooking Class (Latin Quarter) – 3 hours – €95 (incl. meal)
• Monet’s Giverny – 4 hours – €12 (ticket) + €30 (train round‑trip)
• Deauville seaside visit – 3 hours – €25 (train round‑trip + lunch)
• Arc de Triomphe – 1 hour – €13 (ticket)
• Galeries Lafayette Rooftop – 1 hour – Free
• Opéra Garnier show – 3 hours – €70 (ticket)
• Luxembourg Gardens – 2 hours – Free
• Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie – 3 hours – €12 (ticket)
• Notre‑Dame Cathedral (exterior) – 30 minutes – Free
• Île Saint‑Louis – 1 hour – Free
• Marché aux Fleurs – 1 hour – Free (shopping extra)
• Transportation (metro, RER, taxis) – 10 days – €150
• Meals (average €45/day) – 10 days – €450
• Accommodation (mid‑range hotel, €130/night) – 10 nights – €1,300
• Total Estimated Cost – €3,221

Tips

If you need more time, add a day in the Loire Valley for château visits or extend your stay in Giverny to explore the nearby town of Vernon. To shorten the trip, combine the Musée d’Orsay and Louvre visits into a single half‑day museum tour and replace the day trip to Normandy with a quick train ride to the nearby town of Chartres to see its famous cathedral.