Begin with your confirmed Accra–Paris flight, allowing approximately 12–16 hours door-to-door rather than counting only the time in the air. Arrive at Kotoka International Airport around three hours before departure for check-in, baggage drop, security and exit formalities. On arrival in Paris, allow roughly 60–90 minutes for immigration and luggage, then use the RER B where practical—typically about 35–50 minutes to central Paris, plus the walk or taxi connection to your hotel—or pre-arrange an airport pickup, particularly if you have substantial luggage. Do not schedule anything fixed this evening until your confirmed flight and arrival time are clear.
Allow two to three hours for hotel check-in and rest. December weather can be cold and damp, so keep your first outing deliberately light; leave valuables secured at the hotel and carry only what you need. Once refreshed, take a taxi or Metro toward Place de la Concorde for an unhurried 45-minute introduction to Paris. From the square, you will have broad views up the Champs-Élysées and toward the Tuileries side of the city. Be cautious crossing the large traffic circles, and return by Metro or taxi rather than walking too far if jet lag is heavy.
Continue to Café de Flore in Saint-Germain-des-Prés for a classic Parisian coffee, light meal or early dinner. Budget approximately €15–30 per person, more for a full meal; service is usually added separately or reflected on the bill, so check before paying. From there, finish with a gentle Seine evening walk toward Pont Neuf, allowing about an hour and staying on the better-lit riverside sections. The route is especially atmospheric after dark, but keep your phone and wallet secure around busy Metro entrances and crowded viewpoints. If you are tired, shorten the walk and take a taxi back to the hotel; the priority tonight is recovering well for tomorrow.
Start early at the Musée du Louvre, ideally arriving 15–20 minutes before your reserved entry time. Book a timed ticket in advance through the official museum website; security and ticket checks can still take time, and same-day access is not guaranteed. Allow about three hours, focusing on a manageable selection such as the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, Winged Victory of Samothrace, and the French and Egyptian collections rather than trying to cover the entire museum. Expect admission to cost roughly €22, subject to the current 2026 tariff. Wear comfortable shoes—the galleries are vast.
Exit toward the Tuileries Garden and spend about an hour walking along the formal avenues, stopping by the fountains and chairs near the central basin. In December, the garden can be cold and damp, so bring a warm layer; it is still a lovely way to decompress after the museum. Continue to Angelina Paris on Rue de Rivoli for its famous hot chocolate and a light lunch or pastry. Budget approximately €20–40 per person. It is popular, so allow time for a short queue, particularly around lunchtime; if the dining room is busy, ordering a pastry and hot chocolate can be more efficient.
Take Métro line 8 or 9 from the area around Concorde toward Opéra, or walk for roughly 20–25 minutes if you prefer to see the grand boulevards. Visit the Palais Garnier, allowing about 1½ hours to admire the Grand Foyer, staircase, auditorium and Chagall-painted ceiling. Self-guided visits are generally available during daytime hours, but access can change because of rehearsals, performances or private events, so check the official schedule and reserve ahead if a timed ticket is offered. Admission is commonly in the €15–20 range.
Finish at Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, a short walk from the opera house. Explore the department store’s Belle Époque glass dome before going up to the rooftop terrace for one of the best free central views of Paris, including Opéra Garnier and the distant Eiffel Tower. The rooftop usually closes before late evening and may be restricted by weather, so check on the day and aim to arrive before dusk. From here, you are well placed for dinner around Rue Sainte-Anne, South Pigalle or Montorgueil; keep the evening relaxed after a full museum-and-monuments day.
Begin at Sainte-Chapelle, arriving 15–20 minutes before your timed entry. Its jewel-like upper chapel is particularly beautiful in winter light, but admission is security-controlled and advance reservation is strongly recommended; allow about an hour, including the queue. From there, walk a few minutes to Notre-Dame de Paris. Entry arrangements and security procedures may change, so check the cathedral’s official visitor information shortly before going and allow roughly an hour rather than assuming immediate access. The two sites are close enough to explore comfortably on foot, with no need for a taxi.
Cross to Île Saint-Louis for Berthillon, a classic stop for ice cream, sorbet or a dessert even in December. Allow around 45 minutes and budget approximately €8–15 per person; opening days and the number of flavours available can vary seasonally, so check before setting out. Continue on foot into Le Marais, taking your time through the quieter lanes around Rue des Rosiers, Rue Vieille-du-Temple and the Hôtel de Sully area. This is a good part of the day for independent boutiques, courtyards and small galleries rather than a rigid list of sights. The walk from Berthillon to the central Marais takes approximately 15–20 minutes.
Finish at Marché des Enfants Rouges, Paris’s historic covered market, where you can choose a relaxed meal from the stalls. Budget approximately €15–30 per person and allow about an hour, but verify the market’s Wednesday opening hours before leaving because individual vendors may keep different schedules. It is around a 20-minute walk from the central Marais, or you can take a short taxi if the weather is poor. After lunch, keep the evening unplanned: the Marais is especially pleasant after dark, with warm cafés and lively streets, but December temperatures can drop quickly, so wear comfortable waterproof shoes and a warm layer.
Make Musée Rodin your first stop, arriving close to opening time so you can enjoy the sculpture galleries before the larger groups arrive. Allow about two unhurried hours for The Thinker, The Kiss, and the winter garden; in early December, some outdoor areas may have seasonal access changes, so check the official timetable when booking. Admission is usually around €15, with combined or reduced tickets sometimes available. From central Paris, use Metro line 13 to Varenne or line 8 to Invalides; allow roughly 20–30 minutes, including the walk.
Walk through the 7th arrondissement to Les Invalides, about 10–15 minutes away. Spend approximately two hours in the Army Museum, then visit Napoleon’s Tomb beneath the golden dome. Allow time for security and note that museum hours and last admission can vary by season; a standard ticket is commonly around €17. For lunch, continue toward Le Café de l’Alma, near the Eiffel Tower, budgeting approximately €25–45 per person. Reserve if possible, especially for a Friday, and keep lunch to about an hour so the afternoon remains comfortable rather than rushed.
After lunch, walk or take a short taxi ride to the Eiffel Tower and Champ de Mars—roughly 15–25 minutes on foot, depending on your exact table. A pre-booked timed ticket is essential for the second floor or summit; arrive 20–30 minutes early for security, lift queues and ticket checks, and allow around 2½ hours overall. In December, sunset is early, so an afternoon slot can give you both daylight views and the city beginning to sparkle. Later, board your reserved Seine dinner cruise from the Eiffel Tower area or Port de la Conférence, depending on the operator. Expect two to three hours and a substantial premium over an ordinary dinner—often €100–200 or more per person—so confirm the boarding point, dress code and cancellation terms. This is a lovely celebratory choice before the graduation, but keep your passport, phone and booking confirmations secure throughout the evening.
Keep the morning deliberately open for formal preparation, breakfast, registration and the journey to the confirmed graduation venue. Allow at least 3–4 hours around the programme, including security checks, seating, photographs and any reception afterwards. Leave your accommodation with extra time for December traffic and possible Metro disruptions; a taxi or pre-booked ride is the simplest option if you are dressed formally, while the Metro is usually quicker at peak hours. Carry your invitation, identification and venue instructions, and confirm the exact arrival time and dress code with your client or the organisers beforehand.
After the ceremony, head to Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche in the 7th arrondissement for about an hour of relaxed browsing. From most central venues, allow roughly 20–30 minutes by taxi or Metro, plus time for the post-ceremony crowd. The store is an elegant place to look for design pieces, fashion and thoughtful graduation gifts; typical opening hours are around 10:00–19:45, but verify the December schedule. Continue directly to La Grande Épicerie de Paris, either on foot or by a short taxi ride, for French chocolates, preserves, biscuits, wine and beautifully packaged food gifts. Set aside about an hour, and remember that liquids and food may need to go in checked luggage for your return flight.
For a classic celebratory dinner, take a taxi or the Metro towards Brasserie Lipp in Saint-Germain-des-Prés; allow 15–25 minutes from the department stores depending on traffic. Reserve ahead, especially for a Friday evening, and budget approximately €35–60 per person before drinks. Afterwards, walk towards Pont des Arts for about 45 minutes, enjoying the illuminated Seine and views towards the Louvre. Keep valuables secure on the bridge and nearby riverfront, and use a taxi back to your accommodation if the evening is cold or you are carrying shopping.
Start with a quiet hour at Montmartre Cemetery, entering from Avenue Rachel. It is a peaceful, slightly elevated corner of the 18th arrondissement, with ornate family tombs and the graves of artists and performers; wear comfortable shoes, as the paths can be uneven. From there, walk uphill through Montmartre toward Sacré-Cœur Basilica—about 20 minutes, or use the funicular from Place Suzanne-Valadon if the slope is uncomfortable. Allow roughly 1½ hours for the basilica and its viewpoint, including possible security queues. Entry to the basilica is free, while the dome has a separate charge of roughly €8–€10 and involves many stairs. Winter daylight fades early, so this is a good time to enjoy the city panorama.
Continue a few minutes to Place du Tertre, where portrait artists and sketchers work among the cafés and narrow lanes. Spend about an hour wandering rather than stopping at the first terrace, and keep bags and phones secure in the busiest spots. For lunch, settle at Le Consulat on Rue des Saules, one of Montmartre’s most recognisable traditional restaurants. Expect approximately €25–45 per person; service can be leisurely, so allow a full hour and consider arriving before the main lunch rush. A short walk through Rue de l’Abreuvoir afterwards gives you some of the neighbourhood’s prettiest old-house views.
Head to Musée de Montmartre, around 10 minutes on foot from Le Consulat, for a more curated look at the area’s cabaret and artists’ history. Allow about 1½ hours for the galleries and gardens, including the former studio spaces associated with the neighbourhood’s artistic life. Check the museum’s official weekly opening schedule and book ahead if required, as opening days and last admission times can vary. General admission is commonly around €15–€18. Afterward, leave a little time for coffee or a slow wander down toward Pigalle rather than adding another major sight.
Make your way to Moulin Rouge in Pigalle, allowing 15–25 minutes by foot or Métro depending on where you finish at the museum; a taxi is sensible if you are dressed formally or the weather is wet. Attend only with a pre-booked cabaret ticket—the shows commonly run for about two hours, with separate pricing for performances, drinks and dinner, often from roughly €90 upward. Arrive at least 30 minutes early for seating and security, and check the dress guidance and exact performance time on your booking. If you have not reserved a show, admire the illuminated façade and have a final drink nearby instead; do not rely on same-day availability.
Have breakfast near your hotel, then complete checkout and confirm that you have your passport, boarding pass, phone charger, travel documents and any graduation-related papers before leaving. For a long-haul flight, aim to depart Paris approximately three hours before take-off; allow around 2–3 hours door-to-door, depending on your hotel and terminal. A pre-booked taxi or official G7 transfer is the easiest option with luggage. The RER B is usually cheaper for Charles de Gaulle Airport, but a taxi is more comfortable and predictable on a Sunday morning. For Orly Airport, use the Metro Line 14 or a taxi, allowing extra time for luggage and possible service disruption.
At Charles de Gaulle Airport or Orly Airport, complete check-in and baggage drop promptly, then allow generous time for security, passport control and walking to the gate. Use the remaining time for a terminal meal, coffee and last-minute purchases rather than attempting another sightseeing stop. Airport food is convenient but expensive—roughly €15–€30 for a meal—so keep your receipts and check your departure terminal carefully, as the two Paris airports are not interchangeable. If you have lounge access through your airline or payment card, this is a good opportunity to sit quietly before the flight.
Take your confirmed Paris–Accra flight and follow the airline’s stated check-in and boarding requirements; do not rely on a flight duration alone when planning your day. After landing at Kotoka International Airport, allow time for immigration, baggage collection and customs before arranging your onward taxi or pickup. A pre-arranged airport transfer is preferable after the overnight journey, particularly if you are carrying checked luggage.
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