Exploring the City of Love: A 5-Day Paris Itinerary with a Focus on City Experiences

  • Day 1: Eiffel Tower
    10 minutes (3.1 km) from Notre-Dame Cathedral

    Begin your Paris adventure by visiting the most iconic landmark, the Eiffel Tower. Take the elevator or stairs up to the top and enjoy stunning panoramic views of the city. To beat the crowds, visit during the early morning or late evening. Be sure to take some Instagram-worthy photos and soak in the romantic atmosphere.

  • Day 2: The Louvre
    20 minutes (2.9 km) from Eiffel Tower

    Experience Paris’s rich artistic and cultural heritage by visiting the Louvre Museum, one of the world’s largest museums. Home to more than 35,000 artworks, including Leonardo da Vinci's ‘Mona Lisa,’ you can easily spend hours exploring. Don't miss the iconic glass pyramid entrance from the movie 'Da Vinci Code'.

  • Day 3: Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur Basilica
    20 minutes (4.5 km) from The Louvre

    Head to the charming neighborhood of Montmartre and take a stroll through its picturesque streets full of cafes and artists stalls. Make your way up to the Sacré-Cœur Basilica for breathtaking views of the city. Be sure to explore the beautiful interior of the Basilica, its Roman-Byzantine architecture is truly a sight to see.

  • Day 4: Sainte-Chapelle and Luxembourg Gardens
    20 minutes (3.7 km) from Montmartre

    Begin your day by visiting the Sainte-Chapelle, a beautiful Gothic-style chapel built in the 13th century, famous for its stunning stained glass windows. Then, make your way to the Luxembourg Gardens to relax and unwind. Walk around the beautiful lawns and flower gardens, take a boat ride on the lake or enjoy a picnic.

  • Day 5: Musée d'Orsay and River Seine Cruise
    15 minutes (2.6 km) from Luxembourg Gardens

    End your Paris adventure by visiting the Musée d'Orsay, which houses the world's biggest collection of impressionist and post-impressionist art. From there, take a leisurely cruise along the River Seine and see the city's most famous landmarks from a unique perspective. It's the perfect way to end your trip to Paris.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Eiffel Tower (2 hours, €25)
  • The Louvre (3–4 hours, free entry on first Sunday of the month, €15 otherwise)
  • Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur Basilica (2–3 hours, free entry to Basilica, small fee for dome access)
  • Sainte-Chapelle (1 hour, €10)
  • Luxembourg Gardens (2 hours, free entry)
  • Musée d'Orsay (3–4 hours, €14)
  • River Seine Cruise (1 hour, €15)

  • Total Estimated Costs: €94 (excluding food and transportation)

Transportation

Getting around Paris is easy with its vast transportation network of metros, buses, and trains. Consider getting a Paris Visite Pass, which provides unlimited use of public transport in Paris zones 1-3 for 1-5 days starting from €13.30. Alternatively, walking is the best way to explore the city and most of the attractions are accessible by foot within a reasonable distance (less than 5 km).

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider visiting the Palace of Versailles, Disneyland Paris or taking a day trip to the Champagne region. If you have less time, prioritize the landmarks you want to see the most and plan accordingly. Be sure to maintain caution against pickpocketing, especially in tourist-heavy areas.

Airports

The main airport in Paris is Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), which is located 23 km northeast of the city center. The second airport is Paris Orly Airport (ORY), situated about 18 km south of the city. Both airports offer multiple transportation options such as train, bus, taxi and ride-sharing services that can take approximately 30-60 minutes to reach central Paris.

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