5-Day Art and Cuisine Adventure in Paris on a Moderate Budget

Day 1: Arrival & Montmartre

Paris, France on June 13, 2025

9:00am

Breakfast at Le Consulat

Start your day at this charming café in Montmartre, known for delicious croissants and café au lait in a quintessential Parisian setting.

EUR10, 1h

10:15am

Explore Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur Basilica

Discover the art-filled streets of Montmartre and visit the basilica for panoramic views over Paris; the basilica is free to enter and opens at 6:00am.

Free, 2h

12:30pm

Lunch at Le Refuge des Fondus

Enjoy a fun and authentic French fondue experience in this lively Montmartre restaurant known for its affordable local cuisine.

EUR20, 1h

2:00pm

Visit Musée de Montmartre

Museum dedicated to Montmartre’s artistic heritage, exhibiting works from Renoir and Toulouse-Lautrec. Open from 10:00am to 6:00pm.

EUR12, 1h30m

4:00pm

Leisure walk through Place du Tertre

Enjoy the artists’ square where painters display and sell their works; great for soaking in local artistic vibes.

Free, 1h

7:00pm

Dinner at Bouillon Pigalle

Dine at an excellent budget-friendly traditional French brasserie with classic dishes like boeuf bourguignon, open until 11:00pm.

EUR25, 1h30m

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Day 2: Louvre & Seine

Paris, France on June 14, 2025

8:30am

Breakfast at Café Marly

Enjoy breakfast overlooking the Louvre’s pyramid at this beautiful café, offering pastries and coffee in a scenic setting.

EUR15, 1h

9:30am

Visit the Louvre Museum

Dive into the vast art collections including Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo; the museum opens at 9:00am and is closed on Tuesdays.

EUR17, 3h

1:00pm

Lunch at Le Fumoir

Elegant bistro near the Louvre offering French classics in a refined atmosphere, perfect for a moderate budget meal.

EUR25, 1h

2:30pm

Walk along the Seine & visit Notre-Dame area

Stroll along the river banks, browse bouquinistes (bookstalls), and admire the Notre-Dame Cathedral exterior (interior closed for restoration).

Free, 2h

5:00pm

Relax at Square du Vert-Galant

A peaceful park island tip of Ile de la Cité for rest and people-watching by the river Seine.

Free, 1h

7:00pm

Dinner at Les Papilles

Taste affordable set-menu French cuisine featuring fresh local ingredients in this popular bistro, open until 10:30pm.

EUR30, 1h30m

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Day 3: Musée d'Orsay & Latin Quarter

Paris, France on June 15, 2025

8:30am

Breakfast at Carette

Enjoy elegant pastries and coffee near Trocadéro, a perfect start before heading to Musée d'Orsay.

EUR15, 1h

9:30am

Visit Musée d'Orsay

Explore Impressionist and post-Impressionist masterpieces from Monet, Degas, and Van Gogh; museum opens at 9:30am, closed on Mondays.

EUR16, 3h

1:00pm

Lunch at Le Procope

Dine at Paris’ oldest café located in the Latin Quarter, offering traditional French dishes with a rich historic atmosphere.

EUR28, 1h

2:30pm

Walk through Latin Quarter and Luxembourg Gardens

Enjoy the lively streets of the Latin Quarter and relax in the expansive Luxembourg Gardens, open daily from 7:30am until sunset.

Free, 2h

5:00pm

Visit Panthéon

See the monumental neoclassical church and burial place of great French figures; open 10:00am-6:30pm, closed Mondays.

EUR11.50, 1h

7:30pm

Dinner at Le Petit Pontoise

Cozy bistro in the Latin Quarter serving well-priced regional French cuisine, closed on Sundays.

EUR25, 1h30m

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Day 4: Le Marais & Pompidou

Paris, France on June 16, 2025

8:45am

Breakfast at Café Charlot

Typical Parisian brasserie breakfast in a lively Marais area setting to start the day.

EUR12, 1h

10:00am

Visit Centre Pompidou

Explore the modern art collections and unique architecture; open daily from 11:00am to 9:00pm, closed Tuesdays, consider arrival at 11:00am after breakfast.

EUR15, 2h

12:30pm

Lunch at Breizh Café

Enjoy authentic Breton galettes and cider in this highly recommended but moderately-priced restaurant in Le Marais.

EUR20, 1h

2:00pm

Walk through Le Marais historic district

Wander through cobbled streets, visit Place des Vosges, and browse unique boutiques and art galleries.

Free, 2h

4:30pm

Visit Musée Picasso

Dive into one of the largest collections of Picasso’s work; museum open 10:30am-6:00pm, closed Mondays.

EUR14, 1h30m

7:00pm

Dinner at Les Philosophes

Classic French bistro cuisine in the heart of Le Marais serving affordable and quality dishes, open until 11:00pm.

EUR25, 1h30m

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Day 5: Versailles & Farewell

Paris & Versailles, France on June 17, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at Hotel or nearby café

Early quick breakfast to prepare for the day trip to Versailles.

EUR10, 0h45m

8:30am

Travel to Palace of Versailles

Take the RER C train from Paris to Versailles Château Rive Gauche station, about 1 hour travel.

EUR7, 1h

9:30am

Visit Palace of Versailles and Gardens

Tour the magnificent palace, Hall of Mirrors, and expansive gardens; palace opens 9:00am to 6:30pm, closed Mondays. Gardens free unless there is a fountain show.

EUR20, 4h