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5-Day Summer 2026 Paris Itinerary: Classic Sights, Neighborhoods & Versailles Day Trip

Viewed by 202 travelers

Day 1: Classic Central Paris

Paris, France on July 13, 2026

8:00am

Breakfast at Café de Flore (Saint‑Germain)

Historic Parisian café for a croissant and café au lait; great for people-watching and starting your day in Saint‑Germain. Café de Flore typically opens around 7:30am; verify seasonal hours.
EUR12, 0h45m

9:00am

Luxembourg Gardens stroll

Formal gardens ideal for a relaxed walk after breakfast; see the Medici Fountain and local life. Gardens open from early morning (around 7:30am) and are free.
EUR0, 1h0m

10:30am

Panthéon visit

Impressive neoclassical monument with crypt of French luminaries; good overview of French history and city views from the dome. Typical opening 10:00am–6:30pm; check seasonal hours and closures.
EUR11, 1h0m

12:00pm

Lunch in the Latin Quarter — Les Papilles or nearby bistro

Traditional bistro plates or set-lunch menus in a lively student neighborhood; perfect for sampling classic French home cooking. Many bistros serve midday set lunches from 12:00–2:30pm.
EUR20, 1h15m

1:45pm

Sainte‑Chapelle & Île de la Cité

Stained-glass jewel box that dazzles in summer light; combine with a walk around Île de la Cité to see historic Paris. Sainte‑Chapelle usually open ~9:00am–5:00pm (later on some days); check exact times and ticketing.
EUR11, 1h0m

3:00pm

Stroll along the Seine & bookshop browsing (Shakespeare & Company)

Walk the riverbanks, browse English-language books at Shakespeare & Company, and enjoy views of Notre‑Dame's exterior and the quays. Bookshop hours vary; river walk is free.
EUR0, 1h15m

5:00pm

Seine evening cruise (Bateaux Mouches or Bateaux Parisiens)

One-hour cruise offers classic views of Paris monuments as the light softens — an efficient, scenic orientation to the city. Typical departure times run through evening; many run until 10:30–11:00pm in summer.
EUR18, 1h0m

7:30pm

Dinner at Le Procope or nearby bistro

Historic restaurant in the Latin Quarter offering classic French cuisine in an atmospheric setting; reserve ahead for summer evenings.
EUR35, 1h30m

9:30pm

Evening walk along Pont Neuf & Île de la Cité

Finish the day with a relaxed riverside walk to see monuments lit up; pleasant and safe in central Paris with many people out in summer.
EUR0, 0h45m

Day 2: Louvre & Le Marais

Paris, France on July 14, 2026

8:00am

Breakfast at Angelina (Rue de Rivoli)

Famous for its hot chocolate and pastries; a classic Paris start a short walk from the Louvre. Opens early (around 8:00am) but lines form in summer — consider arriving early.
EUR15, 0h45m

9:00am

Louvre Museum (timed entry)

World-class art collection from antiquities to the Mona Lisa; reserve a timed ticket to avoid long lines. Typical hours 9:00am–6:00pm; closed Tuesdays — confirm opening day for your date.
EUR17, 3h0m

12:30pm

Lunch at Café Marly or a nearby bistro

Elegant lunch with Louvre courtyard views at Café Marly, or a casual bistro if you prefer quicker service; expect busy service in summer.
EUR30, 1h15m

2:00pm

Walk to Le Marais: Place des Vosges & Musée Carnavalet

Historic neighborhood of narrow streets, boutiques, and galleries; Place des Vosges is lovely for photos and Musée Carnavalet explores Paris history (check opening hours).
EUR0, 1h30m

3:45pm

Shopping and snacking on Rue des Rosiers (Jewish quarter)

Famous falafel, specialty shops, and independent fashion boutiques; great for an informal late-afternoon snack and exploring local food culture.
EUR10, 1h0m

5:00pm

Optional: Centre Pompidou visit or contemporary galleries

Modern art complex with rooftop views; open usually 11:00am–9:00pm (hours vary) — good for a late museum visit in summer.
EUR15, 1h30m

7:30pm

Dinner at L'As du Fallafel (for casual) or Chez Janou (bistro)

L'As du Fallafel offers a famed casual experience on Rue des Rosiers; Chez Janou is a lively Provençal bistro nearby with good dinner service. Both are popular — expect queues in summer.
EUR18, 1h15m

9:30pm

Evening drinks in Le Marais

Le Marais nightlife is lively with bars and terraces; choose a wine bar or cocktail spot to end the day.
EUR12, 1h0m

Day 3: Versailles Day Trip

Versailles, France (west of Paris) on July 15, 2026

7:30am

Early breakfast and depart by RER C to Versailles Château–Rive Gauche

Take the RER C (allow ~1h from central Paris) and aim to arrive when the palace opens to avoid the biggest crowds; trains start early but check schedules and strike notices.
EUR7, 1h0m

9:00am

Palace of Versailles — State Apartments & Hall of Mirrors

Visit the opulent palace interior with a timed ticket; the palace typically opens around 9:00am — prebook tickets (often sold as Palace + Trianon/Gardens).
EUR20, 2h0m

11:30am

Gardens of Versailles and the Grand Canal

Stroll or rent a bike/rowboat to explore the spectacular gardens and fountains; gardens are expansive and ideal for summer picnics or a boat on the Grand Canal.
EUR0, 1h30m

1:15pm

Lunch at La Petite Venise or picnic in the gardens

Simple Italian/French options at La Petite Venise or bring a picnic to enjoy on the lawns near the Grand Canal; many visitors prefer an alfresco lunch in summer.
EUR25, 1h15m

2:45pm

Visit the Grand Trianon & Petit Trianon / Queen's Hamlet

Quieter, intimate estates offering insight into royal life away from court; allow time for the short train/walk between the palace and Trianons.
EUR12, 1h30m

4:30pm

Return to Paris and relax at hotel

RER C back to central Paris; use late afternoon to rest or enjoy a neighborhood café before evening.
EUR7, 1h0m

7:30pm

Dinner in Saint‑Germain — Le Relais de l'Entrecôte or similar

Classic steak-frites experience at Le Relais de l'Entrecôte or a relaxed riverside bistro; expect queues — arrive early or reserve if possible.
EUR30, 1h15m

Day 4: Montmartre & Opéra

Paris, France on July 16, 2026

8:00am

Breakfast at Le Pain Quotidien (Montmartre area)

Light organic breakfast near the hill of Montmartre to fuel your uphill stroll; many cafés open from 8:00am.
EUR12, 0h45m

9:00am

Sacré‑Cœur & panoramic views

Basilica offering sweeping views over Paris; open early (typically 6:00am–10:30pm) though dome access has separate hours — check on-site for dome/crypt access.
EUR0, 1h0m

10:30am

Place du Tertre & Musée de Montmartre

Charming artists’ square and small museum that capture the bohemian history of the neighborhood; Musée de Montmartre usually opens mid-morning.
EUR12, 1h15m

12:00pm

Lunch at Le Consulat or a Montmartre bistro

Iconic cafés and bistros in the square serve solid midday menus — sit outside when weather permits to enjoy the atmosphere.
EUR18, 1h0m

1:30pm

Descend to Opéra / Boulevard Haussmann shopping (Galeries Lafayette)

Visit the ornate Galeries Lafayette (rooftop view of Paris) and explore Haussmann department store shopping; Galerie Lafayette’s rooftop is typically open until the evening.
EUR0, 1h45m

3:30pm

Opéra Garnier tour (Palais Garnier)

Lavish 19th-century opera house with guided or self-guided tours; typical hours are late morning to early evening — check schedule for guided-tour times.
EUR14, 1h0m

6:00pm

Optional Moulin Rouge show (book ahead) or dinner nearby

If you want a cabaret night, Moulin Rouge shows usually begin around 9:00pm with dinner+show options; otherwise choose a lively bistro near Opéra for dinner.
EUR95, 3h0m

7:30pm

Dinner at Bouillon Chartier

Historic, affordable Parisian brasserie with classic dishes and fast service; popular and atmospheric for a memorable evening meal.
EUR22, 1h15m

Day 5: Museums & Eiffel Finale

Paris, France on July 17, 2026

8:30am

Breakfast near Musée d'Orsay — Café Campana (inside the museum) or nearby café

Start near the Seine with pastries and coffee; Musée d'Orsay cafés open with museum hours (usually 9:30am), so check times if you prefer museum café service.
EUR12, 0h30m

9:30am

Musée d'Orsay visit

Impressionist and Post‑Impressionist masterpieces in a converted Beaux‑Arts railway station; typical opening 9:30am–6:00pm and often closed Mondays — verify for your date.
EUR16, 2h0m

12:00pm

Lunch at Les Antiquaires or Les Ombres (for view of Eiffel)

Enjoy classic French dishes with nearby views; Les Ombres offers a direct view of the Eiffel Tower from the terrace (book ahead for midday in summer).
EUR30, 1h15m

1:45pm

Stroll the Champs‑Élysées and Arc de Triomphe

Walk up the grand avenue for shopping and cafe stops; climb Arc de Triomphe for panoramic views (open roughly 10:00am–11:00pm).
EUR13, 1h30m

3:30pm

Relax at Trocadéro gardens and photograph the Eiffel Tower

Classic photo vantage point across the Seine; good time to rest and prepare for an evening Tower visit. Gardens are public and free.
EUR0, 0h45m

5:30pm

Early dinner at 58 Tour Eiffel (first-floor brasserie) or nearby restaurant

Dine on or near the Tower for the full experience — 58 Tour Eiffel requires reservations and has set menus; alternatives on the rue Cler market street offer lively options.
EUR60, 1h15m

8:30pm

Eiffel Tower summit visit (timed evening slot)

Evening visit to see Paris by night and watch the Tower sparkle after dark; Tower opening hours extend late in summer (often until 11:00–11:45pm) but vary — prebook a timed ticket.
EUR26, 1h30m

10:30pm

Optional Seine riverside nightcap and last views

End with a relaxed drink on the riverbank or a café terrace to soak up final Parisian ambiance; many terraces stay open late in summer but check local closing times.
EUR12, 0h45m
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