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Last updated: June 2026
Paris rewards slow travel. A croissant at a zinc bar, the Seine at golden hour, the Louvre's endless wings — the city reveals itself to those who resist rushing.
Plan My TripParis is the world's most visited city for a reason. Art, fashion, gastronomy and romance converge in every arrondissement, from the grand boulevards of the 8th to the village-like streets of Montmartre.
The city punches far above its weight in world-class institutions: the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay and Centre Pompidou alone would make Paris unmissable. And beyond the galleries, the food scene — from neighbourhood bistros to three-Michelin-star temples — is simply unrivalled.
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Whether you have a weekend or a full week, here's how to make the most of Paris. Each day is crafted to minimise travel time and maximise experiences.
The essential highlights
Arrive early (9am) to beat the queues. Book summit tickets in advance — the views over Paris at dawn are extraordinary. Walk across to Trocadéro for the classic postcard shot.
Don't try to see everything — focus on the Denon Wing: Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, Winged Victory. Pre-book timed entry to skip the 2-hour walk-up queue. Grab lunch in the Carrousel du Louvre food court.
A 1-hour Bateaux Mouches cruise at sunset is one of Paris's great pleasures. Afterwards, stroll to Île de la Cité to see Notre-Dame's reconstruction progress, then dinner in the Latin Quarter.
Add art, culture & neighbourhood life
Cover the essential highlights on Day 1.
Climb to Sacré-CÅur early for panoramic views before the tourist crowds arrive. Explore the Place du Tertre artists' square, have breakfast at a local café on rue Lepic.
The d'Orsay houses the world's finest Impressionist collection — Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh. Afternoon: explore Le Marais's galleries, vintage shops and the Place des Vosges. Dinner at a Marais bistro.
Add a Versailles day trip
Follow the 2-day itinerary for Paris's core attractions.
Take the RER C (40 min, €7.10 return) to the Palace of Versailles. Arrive at 9am — book timed entry weeks in advance. Allocate a full day for the State Apartments, Hall of Mirrors and the vast gardens. Return to Paris for a final dinner in Saint-Germain.
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Generate My Paris Itinerary with AI →The permanent collections of the Musée Carnavalet (Paris history), Petit Palais (fine arts), Musée d'Art Moderne and Maison de Victor Hugo are all free. A full day of world-class art at zero cost.
Entry to Sacré-CÅur Basilica is free. The climb offers one of Paris's best panoramas. The surrounding Montmartre streets, vineyard and Place du Tertre are free to explore.
The Jardins des Tuileries, Champ de Mars (Eiffel Tower views), Parc des Buttes-Chaumont and the Canal Saint-Martin are all free and among the most pleasant spots in the city.
On the first Sunday of each month (Oct–Mar), the Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, Versailles and many national museums are free for all visitors — one of Paris's best-kept budget secrets.
Most flights land in the morning. Most hotels check in at 3pm. That gap is the part of a trip nobody plans — and it is usually the part that gets wasted. Three things, in order, turn it into your first afternoon of sightseeing.
Airport wifi is slow and the queue at the SIM kiosk is long. Install a travel eSIM at home, activate it on landing, and you have maps, tickets and taxis working before you reach passport control. Your home number stays active on the second line.
Left luggage points sit next to most Paris stations and in shops across the centre — booked from your phone, insured, and cheaper than dragging a suitcase through a museum. The same trick works on your last day, after checkout.
Hands free and connected, you have half a day left. Pick one timed-entry sight rather than wandering — arrival day is when queues hurt most and energy runs lowest. The planner above builds the rest of the trip around it.
May–June is Paris at its finest — mild weather (18–24°C), café terraces in full swing and the city at its most beautiful before the summer crowds arrive. Perfect for outdoor markets and long evening walks.
July–August brings warm weather and the tourist peak. The Louvre and Eiffel Tower queues can be brutal — book everything in advance. Many Parisians leave in August, giving the city a quieter, more local feel.
September–October is the connoisseur's choice: back-to-school Paris, fashion week energy, golden light on the Seine and shorter queues at major attractions. Ideal for first-time and returning visitors alike.
Explore Paris Experiences →Métro is the fastest way around — 16 lines covering the entire city. A single ticket costs €2.15; a 24h Navigo pass is €9.10. Buy a carnet (pack of 10) for savings if staying several days.
Walking is ideal for the central arrondissements (1st–8th). The distance from Notre-Dame to the Eiffel Tower is just 4km — Paris is a wonderfully walkable city when the weather cooperates.
RER B connects both airports: CDG to Châtelet-Les Halles takes 35 minutes (€11.80); Orly via OrlyVal to Antony takes 35 minutes (€13.10). Taxis are metered and reliable but expensive during peak hours.
Explore Paris Experiences →Paris's most stylish neighbourhood — medieval lanes lined with cutting-edge galleries, the Place des Vosges and some of the city's best falafel. Equally beloved by art lovers, foodies and the LGBTQ+ community.
The artists' hill: steep staircases, the white dome of Sacré-CÅur and the last surviving vineyard in Paris. Tourist-busy by day but atmospheric at dusk when the crowds thin and the city lights up below.
The intellectual heart of Paris — Café de Flore, Les Deux Magots and the Musée d'Orsay. Upscale shopping on boulevard Saint-Germain and the finest cheese shops in the city.
The authentic, multicultural Paris that Instagram hasn't fully discovered yet. Street art, panoramic city views from the Parc de Belleville, and a thriving restaurant scene from Chinese to North African.
Last updated: June 2026