Going to Paris? Jealous. Paris is the capital of France and one of the most iconic cities in the world. It’s a global hub for culture, fashion, food and rich history, so there’s entirely enough to do. That’s actually the hardest part – narrowing down your itinerary to include the activities and places that are most enjoyable for you. I’ve now been to the city a couple times, so if you’re looking for ideas, here’s how to spend five days in Paris, France.
And yes – one full day is dedicated to visiting the Champagne wine region, which is almost two hours away from the city, but entirely worth making time for. I explain below how to make if work!
This is just one post of my larger France series: 14-Day France Itinerary: Explore Paris, Bordeaux, and More
How to get to Paris, France
By plane – shocking! The best part about Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport is that you can get a direct flight from some main international airports, including Chicago (where I’m from). Just be warned that immigration can sometimes have a super long line, so get there early if you fly home from Paris like I did.
By train – France’s TGV high speed trains are often the easiest way to go from one French city to another. A TGV train can get you from Bordeaux to Paris Montparnasse in about two hours, but the TGV links Lyon, Marseille, Nice, and other French cities to Paris in a few hours. We were able to take a direct ride after buying tickets on Trainline. Sometimes you can find a direct train between the two, otherwise you can transfer in between stations (it’s pretty easy). Just be sure to double check what train station you are departing and arriving to!
By Chunnel – coming from London? I highly recommend taking the chunnel, which is an undersea tunnel linking southern England and northern France. It was a lovely experience and so much easier than taking a flight. The whole thing only takes a couple hours. You can book it on Eurostar.
By Car – If you’re coming from certain countries, like Luxembourg, Germany, Belgium, or the Netherlands, you could consider driving (all around five hours or less).
Where to stay in Paris
Thereโs a lot of options when deciding where to stay in Paris, so do some research on the arrondissements and how far away you want to stay from the hotspots like the Eiffel Tower, museums and more. Itโs going to be more quiet and relaxed the farther away you stay.
If you want a pretty but not outlandish hotel, I highly recommend Hotel Bienvenue, which is located in the 9th arrondissement, an area known for its charming streets, proximity to the Opรฉra Garnier, Montmartre, and Gare du Nord. The hotel is also close to several metro stations, including Cadet and Notre-Dame-de-Lorette, which makes it easy to access other parts of the city.
I loved it because it had a boutique feel, with a delicious and simple breakfast each morning and a great outdoor courtyard to enjoy a bottle of wine in the evening. The rooms were also full of Diptyque products, which I loved, including hand cream, shampoo and body wash.
AirBnb’s are also plentiful, and you can find a lot of good options. I once stayed in a quaint spot near the 3rd arrondissement, just north of the Seine and other landmarks, and another time I stayed in the heart of Montmartre, by endless bakeries, the Moulin Rouge and the Sacrรฉ-Cลur.
While the hotel served breakfasts and clean towels and sheets daily, AirBnBs usually have laundry, coffee makers, and full kitchens to store leftovers. So, the choice is up to you. Keep in mind that a lot of Paris buildings are old, and that means that elevators are few and far between. If stairs are an issue, pick the hotel!
Day 1 – Enjoy a classic Parisian Day
Have a day dedicated to the big landmarks and French goodies. Don’t forget to wear comfy shoes.
Grab a croissant and hot chocolate at Carette
Carette is a well-known cafe with tons of bakery treats and desserts. Go to the Trocadรฉro location (near the Eiffel tower) and grab a croissant and a cappuccino. They also have dreamy hot chocolate and whipped cream. You can also sit down and have a normal brunch (eggs and such) if you prefer.
See the Eiffel Tower
After Carette, walk to the Eiffel Tower and take some photos. If you really want to, get a ticket to ride up to one of its three floors. Book in advance to avoid long queues. The tower is located in the Champ de Mars park, which is fun to stroll around as well.
You can also consider buying a ticket to a Big Bus Tour, which stops at major sights like the Eiffel Tower, and a tour guide is usually present. The nice part is that you can hop off at any stop and re-board when the next one arrives. It’s an easy way to see things quickly rather than on foot. A ticket for a day is about 40 euros, which is cheaper than taking a bunch of Ubers. Book here.
Peruse Art Along the Seine
After the tower, you can easily walk along the Seine, often referred to as the “river of love.” It’s over 700 kilometers long, and I encourage you to peruse the art by the local vendors that typically set up stalls with their latest paintings and drawings. It’s a great way to get a souvenir.
Visit a boulangerie or bakery
Fill up on some bread or other buttery, flakery items at options like La Parisienne, Maison Pichard, or Le Moulin de la Vierge. Or just walk in somewhere that looks good and give it a try!
Climb the Arc de Triomphe
The Arc de Triomphe de lโรtoile is one of the most famous monuments, standing at the western end of the Champs-รlysรฉes. You can purchase a ticket online to climb to the top to get a breathtaking view of the city.
Go shopping!
It wouldn’t be a trip without some shopping. If you need a place to start, the Champs-รlysรฉes stretches approximately 1.9 kilometers (1.2 miles) through the 8th arrondissement of Paris, connecting the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe. It’s a great area to peruse some shops. A couple of other notable places sprinkled around Paris that I think are worth going to:
Officine Universelle Buly
A French apothecary brand that has gained popularity for its high-quality skincare and beauty products. You can get a perfume or engrave your name into one of their famous combs.
The original Diptyque store
If you haven’t been here before, Diptyque sells high-quality scented candles, fragrances, and home products, each with unique and luxurious scents. The first store is located at 34 Boulevard Saint-Germain and found in the 1960’s. A great place to get a gift!
Sandro
Sandro is a French fashion brand founded in 1984 by Evelyne Chetrite and her husband, Didier Chetrite. The brand is known for its chic, contemporary clothing that combines Parisian elegance with a casual, modern vibe. Just a personal favorite!
Sezane
I have to mention the flagship store which is in the 2nd arrondissement, but worth the visit if you like nice blouses, sweaters and more.
Steak Frites for Dinner!
End the day with a French staple: steak frites! Check out Le Relais de l’Entrecรดte, Le Bon Georges or Chez Janou for a hot plate!
Day 2 – Day Trip to Versailles
Versailles is a historic city about 12 miles away from Paris. If you didn’t know, Versailles is the home of The Palace of Versailles, which became a royal residence for Marie Antoinette and King Louis XVI. It’s sheer size and opulence is something worth seeing, but you’ll need to carve out about half a day to make it work!
How to get there
Versailles can be reached by RER train (Line C) from central Paris, taking about 30-40 minutes. Trains run frequently, but it’s really important that you buy the correct ticket – it is different than just a standard train ticket to the surrounding zones of Paris. If you’re unsure, just ask the attendant working the window at the train station and they will get you the right one.
Timing: GO EARLY. I am unfortunately not kidding. We arrived around nine in the morning and it was already crowded. Buy your tickets in advance here and go as early as you can to reduce your wait times (and try to go during the week). You can buy a guided tour, but we did a self-guided experience which was plenty enjoyable.
See the Hall of Mirrors
While the palace itself is beautiful, one of the main highlights is the Hall of Mirrors, a room with countless mirrors and numerous chandeliers that reflect the light from large windows. The Hall of Mirrors was used for important ceremonies and events, such as royal receptions, treaty signings, and celebrations.
Explore the gardens
The gardens of Versailles are massive and you can get lost in its hundreds of acres. The best way to see it all is to rent a golf cart for 45 euros (per hour) and get rolling. You can cover a lot of ground and take a few brief stops to explore.
Have lunch
There are a few spots throughout the grounds to take a rest and have lunch. It’s an easy option before heading back to Paris.
Enjoy a spritz or a coffee
After you journey back to the city, you’ll probably be tired, so find a spot for happy hour. We really enjoyed limoncello and Aperol spritzes at Gloria’s, which isn’t too far from your dinner spot. Or, go get an afternoon cappucino at places like Cafรฉ de Flore or Cafรฉ Kitsune.
Eat Dinner at Pink Mamma
Finish the day with a meal at this Italian hotspot. A gorgeous place where we shared fresh pizzas, burrata, champagne, pesto and pasta dishes. And tiramisu of course. Definitely get a reservation as soon as you can. AND โ thereโs a speakeasy on the bottom level that you have to check out for some cocktails.
Day 3 – Explore Montmartre
Located in the 18th arrondissement of Paris, Montmartre is a charming area that is one of the highest parts of the city. It’s my favorite part of Paris so it’s worth dedicating a day to it. You can take the subway to this area easily!
Get a breakfast crepe
You have to try a crepe while you’re in town – whether sweet or savory, they’re both divine. My favorite spot was La Creme de Paris in Montmartre and I loved the ham and cheese.
Sacrรฉ-Cลur Basilica
Head to the Sacrรฉ-Cลur Basilica, which is at the highest point of the city. Be prepared for steps! This huge church is free for entry, so don’t be alarmed if there’s a line (it moves quickly).
Shop art at Place du Tertre
Head nearby to Place du Tertre, a town square where talented artists are painting and selling their work. They are amazing to see. Be warned that their work isn’t cheap, but it’s still worth beholding, even if you don’t buy anything.
Eat lunch at Le Consulat
Walk around the corner and find Le Consulat, a famous cafe known for having been frequented by Pablo Picasso, Henri Toulouse-Lautrec, and Vincent van Gogh. Get the French onion soup and escargot – both delicious!
Explore Cimetiรจre de Montmartre
Make your way to this famous cemetery (it’s featured in Emily in Paris) for its elaborate tombstones, statues, and mausoleums. I imagine it’s stunning in the Fall, as it is filled with trees, benches and pathways. It’s a serene and quiet place to take a stroll. It’s open to the public and it’s free.
Get pastries at Alexine or grab a cookie at Urban Bakery
I don’t know how else to say this: I had the best pastries at Alexine. Their almond croissants with chocolate and powdered sugar were so good, I ended up going back a couple times. Then wander around a bit, walk into shops or grab a coffee, as the surrounding area is full of cobblestones and little stores. At Urban: get the white chocolate macadamia chip cookie. That’s all.
Eat Dinner at La Maison Rose
Get a reservation in advance and dine at La Maison Rose, recognizable by its pink facade and green shutters, making it a picturesque spot for photos. The menu changes frequently, but there’s a set price for appetizer, entree and dessert. It’s delicious.
Bonus: splurge on a night at Moulin Rouge
The Moulin Rouge is just steps away, and you can purchase tickets for a cancan show. There are shows at night (around 9 PM) and you can get tickets for anywhere between a hundred to two hundred euros (sometimes this includes champagne). Check out the website for all the options. While a bit pricey, it will definitely end your day with a bang!
Day 4 – Art and History
Spend the day seeing some iconic spots and museums!
Enjoy morning tea and breakfast at Lauduree or Angelina’s
Ladurรฉe was established in 1862 by Louis Ernest Ladurรฉe as a bakery in Paris. It evolved into a tea room in 1871 when he transformed the shop into a place for people to enjoy both! You can sit down and order high tea, pastries, eggs and other brunch fare. If you don’t want to sit, just be sure to stop into their world-renowned macaron bar, where you can fill a box to take with you. I love pistachio, coffee and raspberry the best.
As an alternative, you can go to Angelina’s, a famous tea and hot chocolate spot (although if you go to Carette, you might not want to do it again). It’s located near the museums!
Museum hopping
There are a few museum options to pick from, and it’s hard to get to them all. I recommend one of two options:
Musรฉe d’Orsay + Musรฉe de l’Orangerie
These both are much smaller than the Louvre and I think you could do both if you wanted. Musรฉe d’Orsay has a great impressionist wing with Renoir, Degas, Van Gogh and others while Musรฉe de l’Orangerie is pretty small (takes an hour honestly) but has Monet’s infamous water lilies, which are definitely worth seeing. Get your tickets online in advance to book your time slots and move past lines.
The Louvre
The Louvre is massive, and it’s honestly too exhausting to try to see it all. Go see the Mona Lisa and pick a couple other sections ahead of time that you really want to see. Beware that it’s closed on Tuesdays, but you can get tickets in advance here.
Picnic in Jardin de Tuileries or near the Seine
Grab some sandwiches and snacks and eat in this nearby garden or revisit the Seine.
Visit Shakespeare Books and Company
This bookstore opened in the early 1900’s and became a gathering place for expatriate writers and artists, including James Joyce, Ernest Hemingway, and F. Scott Fitzgerald. It’s full of English-language books and has nice-bound versions of classics. Buy a new book and one of their tote bags.
Tour the Notre-Dame Cathedral or Sainte-Chapelle
The Notre Dame cathedral is still under construction from the fire, but it’s reopening soon (2025!). If anything, go see the outer exterior and enjoy the immense Gothic architecture, gargoyles and more. When it’s open, visitors can climb the steps to the top of the towers for a breathtaking view of Paris.
If that’s not an option, consider visiting Sainte-Chapelle, a church that is a short walk away. It has stunning stained glass windows. It costs about thirteen euros, but reserve your spot ahead of time, here.
Dinner at Parcelles
Located in the third arrondissement, this quaint little spot serves French food and plenty of wine. Book a table in advance.
Day 5 – Champagne region
Champagne is a great way to end your trip, especially as you might be tired of sightseeing and want to sample some of the best Champagne (and technically, the only real Champagne) in the world. Plus, it’s great fun to learn exactly what kinds of grapes are grown, how they are pressed, and how the wine is bottled and turned into bubbly.
Book a tour
Booking a tour is going to be a lot easier than planning your own day. Why? Well, champagne houses are spread out across a few different areas, including Reims and Epernay, which are both around two hours away with Paris traffic. Plus, it’s challenging to book tastings and tours at the houses in a way that it lines up nicely. SO. Why not book a tour that picks you up in Paris, takes you to three champagne houses, brings you to lunch and then all the way home? If you are interested, here’s the exact tour we signed up for and really enjoyed.
During the day, we stopped at three places: Nicolas Feuillatte, Moรซt & Chandon and Taittinger. We received a tour of the cellars and then got to taste a couple glasses at each place. I enjoyed tasting the rosรจ and the extra brut (less sweet than regular brut). We also bought a couple bottles to bring home, which was great, and I can attest that they survived the plane ride just fine. If you book tours by yourself, I do recommend these three, but you can also check out Veuve Clicquot or Ruinart which I’ve heard are fun as well.
We also stopped at the Cathedral of Notre-Dame of Reims which was exciting to see since the Notre Dame in Paris was closed.
Eat one last dinner anywhere!
You’ll be exhausted, so finish the day by picking a spot close to your hotel or wherever you are staying. You’ll want to crawl in bed after all those bubbles and a long car ride.
What to wear in Paris
It depends what time of year you go. I’ve been there in April, which was very rainy and brisk, and September, which was balmy and warm during the day time. Bring a trench or leather jacket, jeans, a few dresses, a couple sweaters, short sleeves, and skirts. Basically, bring some layers and an umbrella because things fluctuate!
Where should Paris go in my larger France itinerary?
Since it’s easy to fly to and from Paris, I recommend either starting or ending with Paris, with other stops like Bordeaux and Avignon in between. Hereโs my full, 2-week itinerary that you can check out at my larger blog post:
- 2 days in Nice
- 1 day trip to the Gorge du Verdon (in Provence)
- 2 days in Avignon
- 2 days in Bordeaux (including a day in Saint Emilion)
- 4 days in Paris
- 1 day in Champagne country
- 2 days dedicated to travel
I hope you enjoyed this quick guide and feel like you know how to spend five days in Paris, France! Your trip is going to be a memorable time.
Have questions?
If you have more questions about Paris, feel free to leave a comment below or DM me on Instagram: @caroline_hoffman.
Other travel guides
Going elsewhere in France and beyond? Check out these other guides I have on the blog.
How to Spend 48 hours in Nice, France
How to Spend 48 Hours in Avignon, France
How to spend 10 days in Europe: Dublin, Paris and London
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