Start at Le Jardin du Luxembourg for a peaceful morning stroll among the lawns and statues; grab a coffee and a croissant from Café de la Mairie near the garden entrance.
Walk to Odéon metro (Line 4) and take Line 4 north to Palais Royal - Musée du Louvre (change at Châtelet if needed) to arrive near the Louvre; enter for a focused 60-75 minute visit to highlights like the Mona Lisa and the Winged Victory.
From Palais Royal - Musée du Louvre walk to Tuileries or take a short ride if tired; enjoy a brief courtyard and garden walk and then head to La Carette on Place du Trocadéro—take Metro Line 1 from Louvre - Rivoli to Charles de Gaulle — Étoile and change to Line 6 to Trocadéro—for a mid-morning pâtisserie and hot chocolate with views of the Eiffel Tower.
Stroll across the Seine from Trocadéro toward the Eiffel Tower for exterior photos and the option to queue or pre-book a summit visit; if you choose to go up, allow at least 60-90 minutes including security and elevator time.
From the Eiffel Tower, take Metro Line 6 from Bir-Hakeim to Charles de Gaulle — Étoile to see the Arc de Triomphe; climb the monument for panoramic views or admire it from the Champs-Élysées.
Finish the morning by taking Metro Line 2 from Charles de Gaulle — Étoile to La Villette then transfer as needed toward Rue Crémieux area (suggest disembarking at Gare de Lyon and walking) to wander the colorful street Rue Crémieux and take photos.
From Rue Crémieux, walk or take Metro Line 1 from Gare de Lyon one stop to Bastille and enjoy a relaxed late-afternoon coffee at Café de la Bastille while watching locals pass by; this is a good time to rest and check photos.
Take Metro Line 1 from Bastille to Charles de Gaulle — Étoile (transfer at Concorde if needed) for a closer look at the base of the Arc de Triomphe and a stroll along the Champs-Élysées toward boutique shops like Ladurée for macarons.
From Charles de Gaulle — Étoile, take Metro Line 6 from Charles de Gaulle — Étoile to Bir-Hakeim, then walk to the Seine for a relaxing riverside promenade and photos of the Eiffel Tower from the opposite bank.
Head to Le Bistro Parisien near the river for an early light meal or hot chocolate with a view; it's an easy spot to warm up and enjoy classic French bistro fare before continuing.
Finish the afternoon by taking Metro Line 6 from Bir-Hakeim to Trocadéro for one last panoramic viewpoint of the Eiffel Tower, then walk to La Carette if you’d like a final pastry before heading back to your departure point.
Walk a short distance from Trocadéro to the riverside and board a Bateaux-Mouches at Port de la Bourdonnais for a 45-60 minute sunset cruise along the Seine, enjoying views of Notre-Dame, Louvre, and the Eiffel Tower illuminated.
Disembark and take Metro Line 6 from Bir-Hakeim to Charles de Gaulle — Étoile for a relaxed evening stroll along the Champs-Élysées; stop at Ladurée or Pierre Hermé for macarons or a sweet treat.