Planning 1 week in Paris can feel overwhelming with so many iconic landmarks, hidden gems, and delightful experiences to choose from.
I get it—you’re here to make sure every moment counts without feeling rushed or missing out on the essence of this world-class capital city.
This article is designed to help you strike that perfect balance between must-see attractions and unique, off-the-beaten-path experiences.
Based on my 10 trips to Paris, I’ll share my personal tips and favourite spots, including some unexpected finds that will make your 1 week trip to Paris truly memorable.
Table of Contents
This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on an affiliate link, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you decide to book. Please check out my privacy policy and disclosure for more information.
Ultimate Paris Itinerary: 7 Days Overview
This itinerary is designed by the day and does not have to be followed by subsequential order. I’ve included various options to suit different interests. If history and museums aren’t your thing, feel free to skip those activities and choose what excites you more.
This itinerary focuses on what to see in Paris in a week, not restaurant recommendations.
I’ll reference specific articles where you can read more, and when you need to pre-book tickets. Be aware that almost all museums offer free admission on the first Sunday of each month, but expect it to be extremely crowded. Also, most museums are closed on Mondays.
Day 1
- Arc de Triomphe
- Eiffel Tower
- Seine River Cruise
Day 2
- Louvre
- Jardin Tuileries
- Palais Royal
Day 3
- Le Marais
- Ile de la Cite
- Ile Saint Louis
Day 4
- Day Trip to Versailles
Day 5
- Latin Quarter
- Saint Germain
Day 6
- Montmartre
- Covered Passages
- Palais Garnier
Day 7
Choose your own adventure. No doubt there were things on the list of Day 1 to 6 that piqued your interest but you ran out of time. Or maybe you want to spend the day just exploring on your own. This is your day to do that!
1 Week in Paris Itinerary
Day 1: Paris Iconic Landmarks
Start your day with a visit to the Arc de Triomphe, one of Paris’ most iconic monuments. Climb to the top for amazing panoramic views of the city. If you do, reserve your ticket in advance.
Detours:
- Parc Monceau is a small, elegant park that is a local’s favourite
- Champs-Élysées, the famous street in Paris lined with shops and cafes, is best admired from the top of the Arc de Triomphe. In my opinion, it’s not worth walking down.
Next, make your way to the Eiffel Tower, arguably the most famous landmark in Paris. You can choose to admire its architectural beauty from the ground or take an elevator ride to one of the observation decks for stunning views over the city. If you decide to go up, pre-booking your ticket is mandatory.
Nearby options:
- Jardins du Trocadéro offers stunning panoramic views of the Eiffel Tower
- Champ de Mars is a vast open grassy space at the foot of the Eiffel Tower where you can enjoy a picnic
- Rue Cler is a charming street lined with food shops and cafes
- Some of the best streets offering views of the Eiffel Tower can be found at Rue Saint-Dominique and Rue de l’Université
- Art Nouveau fans will want to check out the Lavirotte Building on Avenue Rapp
- Hôtel des Invalides is a historical complex housing Napoleon’s tomb
- Musée Rodin is a beautiful museum and garden dedicated to the works of the renowned sculptor
End your day with a relaxing Seine River Cruise. This evening cruise offers a unique perspective of Paris’ illuminated landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower sparkling at night.
Day 2: Art and Elegance
Start your day at the Louvre Museum, home to thousands of artworks including the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. The vast collection offers a deep dive into art history, making it a must-see in Paris. Pre-booking your ticket in advance is a must.
After exploring the Louvre, take a walk through the Jardin des Tuileries. This historic garden is perfect for a relaxing stroll through its beautiful grounds.
Make your way to Palais Royal, known for its stunning courtyard and the iconic black and white striped columns of Daniel Buren. I love the elegant arcades and the garden in any season, this is always a visit I look forward to.
Nearby things to do:
- Seek out the covered passages in the 2nd arrondissement like Galerie Véro-Dodat, Passage Choiseul, and Passage du Grand Cerf
- Visit Petit Palais, an underrated art museum whose permanent collection is free
- Place Vendôme is one of the most prestigious squares in Paris, known for its upscale boutiques and hotels for luxury shopping
- Walk along the famous street, Rue Rivoli, and treat yourself to a decadent French hot chocolate at the beautiful tea room from 1903, Angelina
- Across the Seine is Musée d’Orsay, housed in a former railway station and home to an extensive collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist pieces
Day 3: Exploring Le Marais and the Islands
Start your day wandering through the charming streets of Le Marais, a historic district known for its medieval architecture, trendy boutiques, and vibrant café culture.
There is so much to see in this must-see neighbourhood from the gorgeous Place des Vosges, the oldest planned square in Paris, to charming museums like Musée Carnavalet.
Want to dive deeper into my adventures in this neighbourhood? Check out my detailed article where I share all the must-see Le Marais sights.
Ready to explore on your own? Purchase my curated self-guided Le Marais walking tour! This digital guide offers background on each sight—streets, museums, landmarks, gardens, and recommended restaurants. Plus, it includes a QR code to a curated Google Map to make your journey even easier. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to experience the magic of Paris like a local!
Cross the bridge and explore Île Saint-Louis, a quiet island with quaint streets and charming shops. Head to the famous Berthillon ice cream and take a stroll along the serene, tree-lined quays with beautiful views of the city.
End your day on the neighbouring Île de la Cité, the heart of Paris. Visit the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral and admire its stunning Gothic architecture. Don’t miss Sainte-Chapelle, famous for its incredible stained glass windows.
Day 4: Day Trip to Versailles
Spend a full day at the Palace of Versailles. Just a short train ride away from Paris, this opulent palace is a France UNESCO World Heritage Site that is a must-see.
Walk through the Hall of Mirrors and its gorgeous interiors before visiting the beautifully manicured gardens. Be prepared to spend a full day here, and you must pre-book for tickets in advance.
Day 5: Exploring the Latin Quarter and Saint-Germain
Start in the lively Latin Quarter, a neighbourhood in the 5th arrondissement. Home to bookstores like Shakespeare and Company and the Abbey Bookshop run by a fellow Canadian no less. I like to always pop into the nearby Odette for their cream puffs.
Another famous landmark is the iconic Panthéon. It’s where the great thinkers and artists are buried.
Make your way to Saint Germain, the chic neighbourhood in the 6th arrondissement with highlights like the Saint-Germain-des-Prés church and the stunning Luxembourg Gardens. Grab a coffee at the famous cafes Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots, and soak up the Parisian vibes.
Want to find out everything there is to see in Saint-Germain? Check out my article about things to do in the 6th arrondissement.
Want to explore on your own? Purchase my curated Saint Germain self-guided walking tour! This digital guide takes you to the best streets, museums, landmarks, gardens, and recommended restaurants. Plus, it includes a QR code to a curated Google Map so you don’t have to do any additional planning.
Day 6: Exploring Montmartre and Beyond
No visit to Paris is complete without exploring the quintessentially Parisian neighbourhood of Montmartre.
Start at the iconic Sacré-Cœur Basilica, where I climbed to the top for an amazing panoramic view of the city.
Afterward, wander through the charming Place du Tertre where artists display their work, or the Instagrammable love wall where ‘I love you” is displayed in multiple languages. Walk along the pretty streets, especially Rue de l’Abreuvoir where you’ll find La Maison Rose cafe and Rue Lepic, the street where Vincent Van Gogh once lived.
If you want to experience this neighbourhood fully, check out my curated Montmartre self-guided walking tour. This digital guide uncovers it all – local’s favourite streets, squares and historical points of interest that you won’t find anywhere else. I’ve crafted the perfect walking tour bringing you to hidden gems and popular landmarks, and restaurants to eat at.
When you’re ready to leave Montmartre, walk down one of my favourite streets, Rue des Martyrs, a street teeming with local shops, bakeries, and fromageries.
Some detours:
- Covered passages of Passage des Panoramas and Passage Jouffroy offer some great eateries under the glass ceiling of the 19th-century arcade
- Take the elevator to the rooftop terrace of Galeries Lafayette Haussmann where you’ll have a panoramic view of Paris with the Eiffel Tower and other landmarks dotting the skyline
The final stop of the day is to the Palais Garnier, the historic opera house. You won’t believe the opulent interior, with its grand staircase and lavish chandeliers. All it requires is an entrance ticket, you don’t have to take in a performance to see the inside. Trust me it’s worth it.
Day 7: Choose Your Own Adventure
Hopefully, you’ve found time to walk along the Seine River and check out the charming green book stalls called Bouquinistes selling used and rare books along the riverbanks.
Now you have a choice. Do you want to revisit any of the neighbourhoods that you felt were too rushed? Or, if you want to continue exploring some new places?
Here are some things I recommend:
- Canal Saint Martin: enjoy a relaxing day by the canal, it’s a great area in the 10th arrondissement that offers many nearby eateries and trendy shops
- Walk along the nearby Coulée Verte René-Dumont which is a former elevated railway turned into a hidden garden similar to the Highline in New York
- Take the metro to La Pere Chaise Cemetery, Paris’s famous cemetery where many famous figures like Oscar Wilde and Jim Morrison are buried
- Visit the popular underground of Paris Catacombs in Montparnasse (via the metro) to explore the maze of tunnels lined with bones
As a Holidaymaker
I have another resource you might be interested in to help with your Paris trip planning. Seeing that you are spending 7 days in Paris France, I recommend booking a vacation rental rather than staying in a hotel.
If you found this article helpful, please share it.