4 Days in Paris: A Local’s Perfect First-Time Itinerary

Planning 4 days in Paris can be surprisingly tricky. Four days is enough time to see a lot, but it’s also very easy to spend half your trip crossing the city from one attraction to another — or trying to squeeze so much in that you barely have time to enjoy any of it.

I’ve lived in Paris for almost 20 years, and if you’re visiting for the first time, this is how I’d plan your four days.

You’ll see the big sights, of course. The Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Montmartre and Notre-Dame are famous for a reason, and I’m not going to tell you to skip them just to make this itinerary seem more “off the beaten path.

But I’ve also included neighborhoods I love, restaurants I’ve actually eaten at, a few less obvious stops, and plenty of time to simply experience Paris rather than race through a checklist.

Most importantly, I’ve planned each day with location in mind. Paris is compact, but constantly zigzagging from one side of the city to the other wastes an incredible amount of time.

So, here’s how I’d spend 4 days in Paris — especially if it’s your first trip.

Before You Start: A Few Things to Know About This 4-Day Paris Itinerary

Before we get started, here’s a little context on how I’ve planned this itinerary — and how to make it work best for you.

Who is this itinerary for?
I’ve designed these 4 days in Paris primarily for first-time visitors . You’ll see the big sights like the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and Montmartre, but I’ve mixed them with neighborhoods, good food, and some of my personal favorites as well.

What’s the pace like?
The days are fairly full, but I’ve grouped attractions together as much as possible so you’re not constantly crossing Paris. And you absolutely don’t need to do everything. If you’re tired, skip something, sit down for a coffee, and enjoy where you are.

What should you book in advance?
For major attractions like the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and Sainte-Chapelle, I strongly recommend booking ahead. Some time slots can sell out, especially during busy travel periods.

How closely should you follow the itinerary?
Use it as a framework rather than a strict schedule. I’ve planned the days in an order that makes sense geographically, but swap things around when you need to. Weather, opening days, restaurant reservations, and your own interests will inevitably play a part.

Most importantly, don’t measure a successful trip to Paris by how many attractions you manage to check off. Four days give you enough time to see a lot — but leave yourself some time to actually enjoy being here, too.

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Your 4 Days in Paris at a Glance

Here’s how your four days will look. I’ve grouped each day geographically as much as possible, so you’ll spend more time exploring Paris and less time getting from one side of the city to the other.

Day 1 – The Eiffel Tower & Classic Paris
Private 2CV Tour → Eiffel Tower → Arc de Triomphe → Le Marais

Day 2 – The Louvre & Historic Paris
Louvre → Sainte-Chapelle → Notre-Dame → Latin Quarter → Luxembourg Gardens → optional Panthéon

Day 3 – Art, the Seine & Rue Montorgueil
Day 3: Musée d’Orsay → Saint-Germain → Seine Cruise → Covered Passages → Rue Montorgueil

Day 4 – Montmartre & Parisian Passages
Montmartre → Galeries Lafayette → optional Opéra Garnier → Covered Passages → Final Evening in Paris

Don’t worry if this looks like a lot. I’ll show you what I’d prioritize, what you can skip, and where I’d slow down throughout the itinerary.

Morning: Ease Into Paris with a Private 2CV Tour

👉 This is the private 2CV tour I’d book

For your first morning in Paris, I’d skip the big hop-on hop-off bus and book a private sightseeing tour in a classic French 2CV instead.

I’ve done this tour myself, and I think it’s a fantastic way to ease into Paris, especially if it’s your first visit. Rather than trying to figure out the Metro and find your way around an unfamiliar city straight away, you can simply sit back and let your driver show you around.

And because it’s a private tour, it doubles as a bit of a personal introduction to Paris. You can chat with your driver, ask all those questions you inevitably have when you’ve just arrived, and get recommendations along the way. Plus, the little 2CV can squeeze down streets that the big sightseeing buses can’t access, so you get to see more than just the major avenues.

It’s also surprisingly affordable for a private experience, particularly if you’re traveling as a couple.

There’s another reason I recommend doing the tour first: ask your driver if they can drop you off at the Eiffel Tower when you’re finished. That way, you’ve had your introduction to Paris, you’ve got your bearings, and you’re already exactly where you need to be for the next part of the itinerary.

👉 Check prices & availability for the 2CV tour I’d pick

📍 My Tip: Tell your driver that it’s your first time in Paris and don’t be shy about asking questions. Having a local to yourself at the beginning of your trip is one of the biggest advantages of doing a private tour.

Late Morning: Visit the Eiffel Tower

👉 Find Eiffel Tower tickets for your dates

It may be the most obvious stop on this 4-day Paris itinerary, but if it’s your first time in Paris, I absolutely think you should go. And if you’ve never been up the tower before, I’d go up rather than just taking a photo from below.

The most important thing is to book your ticket in advance. Don’t plan on simply showing up and hoping for the best, especially if you’re visiting during a busy time of year.

For this itinerary, I’d book a late-morning time slot that works with your 2CV tour. Just remember that visiting the Eiffel Tower takes longer than you might expect once you factor in security, waiting for the lifts, and actually spending some time at the top.

You also don’t necessarily need to go all the way to the summit. If summit tickets aren’t available — or you simply don’t want to spend the extra time — the second floor already gives you fantastic views across Paris.

👉 Book your Eiffel Tower tickets in advance

📍 My Tip: Don’t schedule the rest of your day too tightly around the Eiffel Tower. Queues and security can be unpredictable, and this is one place where I’d rather give myself some breathing room than spend the whole visit checking the time.

Lunch Near the Eiffel Tower

For lunch, I wouldn’t just sit down at the first restaurant you see around the Eiffel Tower. There are some perfectly decent restaurants in the area — check Google Maps and recent reviews — but you’re definitely paying a premium for the location.

Honestly, on your first day, I’d probably keep it simple.

Stop at a bakery, pick up a sandwich, and eat it along the Seine below the Eiffel Tower. It’s cheaper, quicker, and sitting by the river with a baguette sandwich feels pretty Parisian anyway.

And remember: you may be jet-lagged. This day is already fairly full, so don’t feel like you need to squeeze every possible minute out of it.

I’d much rather spend the time you saved on lunch going back to your hotel for a short afternoon nap. You’ll enjoy the rest of your day so much more than if you drag yourself exhausted from one attraction to the next.

Afternoon: Arc de Triomphe

After lunch head to the Arc de Triomphe. You can absolutely just see it from below, especially if you’ve already gone up the Eiffel Tower. But if you still have the energy, I think the rooftop is worth considering.

The view is completely different from the Eiffel Tower. You’re much lower, right in the middle of the city, with the avenues radiating out around you and the Champs-Élysées stretching away below. And, of course, there’s one big advantage: your Paris skyline photos actually have the Eiffel Tower in them.

If you’re tired or running behind, though, this is one of the places I’d happily shorten. See the Arc, walk around it, take your photos, but you don’t have to walk the Champs-Élysées down until Place de la Concorde. Instead, head back to your hotel for a little nap.

📍 Important: Do not try to cross the enormous roundabout to reach the Arc de Triomphe. There’s an underground pedestrian passage that takes you safely underneath the traffic.

👉 Check Arc de Triomphe rooftop tickets

Late Afternoon & Evening: Explore Le Marais

For the rest of the afternoon and potentially after a little nap, head to Le Marais, one of my favorite neighborhoods in Paris.

Also read: 17 Most Essential Things to Do in Le Marais (+ Free Map)

After a day of sightseeing, this is where I’d stop following a strict itinerary for a while. The Marais is much better when you simply wander: explore the smaller streets, browse the shops, stop for a coffee or a drink, and make your way eventually toward Place des Vosges, one of the prettiest squares in Paris.

I love the Marais because it’s both historic and one of the hippest parts of Paris, with beautiful old streets mixed with boutiques, cafés, bars, and plenty of great places to eat.

For dinner, I recommend Le Colimaçon. It’s a French-owned restaurant serving traditional French food, but everyone speaks English.

I think it’s perfect for your first evening because you get a proper French restaurant experience without being pushed too far outside your comfort zone while you’re still settling into Paris. Definitely reserve ahead, though.

And after that? I’d call it a day. You’ve seen plenty, and you have three more days of Paris ahead of you.

Morning: See the Louvre Without Losing Half Your Day

👉 Check availability for the Louvre Masterpieces Tour

Start Day 2 at the Louvre, and this is one place where I strongly recommend taking a guided Masterpieces Tour rather than trying to tackle the museum on your own.

The Louvre is massive — and honestly, it’s a maze. You could spend days inside and still not see everything. If you only have 4 days in Paris, wandering around trying to find the major works isn’t necessarily the best use of your time.

A Masterpieces Tour solves that problem.

You’ll enter through the dedicated group entrance, which is typically quicker than the regular visitor entrance, and your guide takes you directly to some of the Louvre’s most important works.

Instead of just standing in front of the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and other masterpieces, you’ll actually learn what you’re looking at and why they’re significant.

But for this itinerary, there’s an even bigger advantage: you know exactly how long your Louvre visit will take.

The tour lasts around two hours. That’s it. You can plan the rest of your day around it instead of disappearing into the Louvre, realizing you’ve been wandering around for hours, and either running late or leaving frustrated because you somehow still didn’t see the Mona Lisa.

With only four days in Paris, I think that’s well worth it.

👉 This is the Louvre Masterpieces Tour I’d book

📍 Lunch Tip: Before heading to your next stop, grab lunch near the Louvre. You can’t go too wrong with Le Fumoir or Le Relais du Louvre for classic French brasserie and bistro food without making a big detour.

If you’re more in the mood for coffee and a snack, head to Café Kitsuné in the Palais Royal instead. The Palais Royal is right nearby and well worth a little wander while you’re there.

Afternoon: Sainte-Chapelle

After lunch, head to Sainte-Chapelle on Île de la Cité.

📍 My Tip: Don’t just rush from the Louvre to Sainte-Chapelle. Take a little detour through Place Dauphine, one of my favorite little squares in Paris, and then pass by the Marché aux Fleurs, the flower market on Île de la Cité, before heading to the chapel. It’s a lovely way to see a little more of historic Paris along the way.

This is one of those places that doesn’t require hours of your day but still feels completely worth the stop. The chapel is famous for its enormous 13th-century stained-glass windows, which cover almost the entire upper chapel.

And while it’s beautiful in any weather, if the sun is shining, you’re in luck. The light coming through all that colored glass makes a huge difference.

You don’t need to spend particularly long here, which is another reason Sainte-Chapelle works so well in a 4-day Paris itinerary. Take your time upstairs, enjoy the windows, and then continue on to Notre-Dame, which is just a short walk away.

📍 My Tip: Book a timed ticket in advance. Sainte-Chapelle is relatively small, and I’d rather have a set entry time than lose part of an already busy afternoon waiting to get in.

👉 Check Sainte-Chapelle tickets for your dates

Afternoon: Notre-Dame

From Sainte-Chapelle, it’s just a short walk to Notre-Dame Cathedral.

Don’t just admire Notre-Dame from outside — make time to go in. The cathedral reopened in December 2024 after more than five years of restoration following the 2019 fire, and the beautifully restored interior is absolutely worth seeing.

Entry to the cathedral is free, making this an easy stop to add while you’re already exploring Île de la Cité. If you can, reserve a time slot here, but you can also just queue.

Afterwards, cross over toward Shakespeare & Company, the famous English-language bookstore just across the Seine. Even if you don’t go inside, this side of the river gives you a beautiful view back toward Notre-Dame.

📍 My Tip: Right next to Shakespeare & Company you’ll find Odette, a little pastry shop specializing in choux filled with different creams. If you still have room after lunch, this is a very good place for an afternoon sugar break.

Take a Break Before Your Evening

By this point, you’ve already packed quite a lot into Day 2: the Louvre, lunch, Sainte-Chapelle, and Notre-Dame.

If you’re feeling tired, this is a good moment to head back to your hotel for a bit. Put your feet up, take a short nap, change for the evening — whatever you need.

If you’re still full of energy, of course, keep going. But don’t feel guilty about taking a break. You’ll enjoy the Latin Quarter much more if you’re not completely exhausted by the time you get there.

Late Afternoon & Evening: Explore the Latin Quarter

When you’re ready to head out again, make your way to the Latin Quarter, one of the oldest and liveliest neighborhoods in Paris.

Also read: Latin Quarter, Paris – A Local’s Quick Guide

This is another part of Paris where I wouldn’t plan every minute. Wander the little streets, have a look around the Sorbonne, and make your way toward the Luxembourg Gardens if you still have daylight.

You’ll also be close to the Panthéon, but personally, I wouldn’t add a visit to this itinerary. It’s interesting and certainly worth seeing from the outside while you’re nearby, but with only 4 days in Paris, I don’t think going inside should be a priority.

🎬 Film Location Alert: If you’re a Midnight in Paris fan, stop by Église Saint-Étienne-du-Mont — the famous scene where Gil waits for the mysterious car was filmed on the church steps. And Emily in Paris fans will probably recognize nearby Place de l’Estrapade, where Emily’s apartment building is located.

Spend some time enjoying the neighborhood. The Latin Quarter is full of cafés, restaurants, bookshops and little streets, and it’s a great area to simply walk around before dinner.

From here, I’d gradually make my way toward Rue Mouffetard, one of the oldest streets in Paris and a fun area to end your second day.

Dinner in the Latin Quarter

For dinner, I’d avoid the restaurants around Rue de la Harpe and Rue de la Huchette near Saint-Michel. They’re very tourist-oriented, and with only 4 days in Paris, I think you can do much better. Life is too short — and your trip to Paris definitely is — for mediocre food.

Instead, here are two restaurants I’d recommend:

Narro is one of my favorite restaurants in Paris. They serve modern French cuisine with some Japanese influences, and this would be my pick if you want to finish the day with a really good dinner.

Comme Chai Toi is another great option in the Latin Quarter, especially if you want to stay closer to the Seine and enjoy spectacular views over Notre Dame.

Whichever you choose, I’d reserve your table in advance.

Day 3 – Art, Saint-Germain & the Seine

Day 3 is a little different. You’ve already ticked off many of the big Paris landmarks, so today is less about rushing from one major sight to the next and more about enjoying the city along the way.

You’ll start at the Musée d’Orsay, wander through Saint-Germain for lunch, and then see Paris from the Seine on a river cruise. After that, you can either head back to your hotel for a break or, if you still have energy, continue through some of Paris’s beautiful covered passages toward Rue Montorgueil.

Late Morning & Lunch: Walk Through Saint-Germain-des-Prés

After the Musée d’Orsay, don’t head straight to your Seine cruise. You’re right next to Saint-Germain-des-Prés, so this is the perfect opportunity to wander through one of Paris’s most famous neighborhoods on your way.

Take your time walking through Saint-Germain. If you’ve always wanted to stop at one of Paris’s legendary cafés, you’ll pass Les Deux Magots and Café de Flore. They’re iconic, touristy, and not cheap — but if having a coffee or lunch at one of them is part of your Paris dream, go for it.

Otherwise, I’d continue toward Rue de Buci and the area around Odéon, where you’ll find plenty of options for lunch. Check recent reviews, pick somewhere that appeals to you, and don’t overthink it.

After lunch, make your way toward the Seine for your afternoon river cruise.

After lunch, gradually make your way back toward the Seine for your afternoon river cruise.

Afternoon: Take a Seine Cruise with Vedettes du Pont Neuf

👉 Book your Vedettes du Pont Neuf Seine cruise here

After lunch, head toward the Seine for a river cruise. But for this itinerary, make sure you book with Vedettes du Pont Neuf.

There are several Seine cruise companies in Paris, and many of the popular ones leave from around the Eiffel Tower. That’s not where you want to be right now. Vedettes du Pont Neuf departs from Île de la Cité, which fits perfectly with today’s route and saves you from unnecessarily crossing Paris just to catch your boat.

And honestly, the timing is perfect. After the Musée d’Orsay and walking through Saint-Germain, you’ve already spent quite a few hours on your feet. Sit down for an hour, relax, and let Paris come to you.

I know a Seine cruise sounds like a very touristy thing to do, but I genuinely love them. Even my husband, who was born and raised in Paris, enjoys going on Seine cruises.

You’ll also see many of the landmarks you’ve already visited from a completely different perspective, and cruising underneath the bridges gives you a lovely view of the city from the water.

📍 Important: Don’t just book any Seine sightseeing cruise for this itinerary. Choose Vedettes du Pont Neuf specifically for the departure location.

Late Afternoon & Evening: Covered Passages & Rue Montorgueil

After your cruise, make your way north toward the Palais Royal and some of Paris’s beautiful covered passages.

And if you’re feeling tired, this is also a good moment to head back to your hotel for a break first. You won’t have to skip anything — it simply means you’ll have a little less time to linger along the way. If you don’t need a break, take advantage of the extra time to browse, stop for a coffee or a glass of wine, and enjoy a slower afternoon.

Start around the Palais Royal and continue through passages such as Galerie Vivienne, Passage des Panoramas and Passage Jouffroy. They’re completely different from the grand monuments you’ve seen over the past few days: elegant little arcades filled with shops, cafés, restaurants, and beautiful old details.

Also read: The 14 most charming Arcades in Paris (+ Covered Passages Map)

From there, continue south toward Rue Montorgueil, one of my favorite food streets in central Paris. It’s pedestrian-friendly, lively in the late afternoon and evening, and full of bakeries, cheese shops, cafés, bars, and restaurants.

There are also some fantastic cocktail bars around here. My favorite is Experimental Cocktail Club, followed closely by De Vie. They are both on rue Saint-Sauveur, so if you still have energy, this is a great area to simply stay for the evening.

There’s no need for a strict plan here. Wander, browse, stop somewhere if you feel like it, and enjoy having a bit more room in your schedule today.

Day 4 – Montmartre & a Final Day in Paris

It’s your last day in Paris, and we’re starting in one of my favorite parts of the city: Montmartre.

I’d get here fairly early. Montmartre is one of the most visited neighborhoods in Paris, and the area around Sacré-Cœur and Place du Tertre gets incredibly busy as the day goes on. In the morning, you’ll have a much better chance to experience the neighborhood before the biggest crowds arrive.

After Montmartre, you’ll head toward the Grands Boulevards and Galeries Lafayette. I’ve deliberately left the second half of today a little more flexible, so you have time for anything you’ve missed, some last-minute shopping, or simply one final afternoon enjoying Paris without racing through another list of attractions.

Morning: Explore Montmartre & Sacré-Cœur

Start your last day at Abbesses Métro station and try to get here fairly early.

From Abbesses, don’t take the most direct route to Sacré-Cœur. Instead, zigzag your way uphill through Montmartre. That’s the best way to experience the neighborhood and discover its smaller streets, staircases, cafés, old houses, and little squares along the way.

You’ll naturally pass plenty of Montmartre sights, and you can make your way through Place du Tertre before eventually reaching Sacré-Cœur.

Montmartre gets incredibly busy later in the day, particularly around Place du Tertre and the basilica, so starting early makes a real difference.

Once you reach Sacré-Cœur, take some time to enjoy the view over Paris and have a look inside the basilica, which is free to enter.

Also read my complete Montmartre guide for my favorite streets and stops to include on your walk.

📍 My Tip: Save your legs where you can! When you arrive at Abbesses Métro station, don’t miss the elevator — there are a lot of stairs to get up to street level. And if you’ve had enough of climbing by the time you reach Sacré-Cœur, take the funicular for the final stretch. Both make a real difference, especially after three full days of walking around Paris.

Before leaving Montmartre, I’d stop for lunch — but skip the restaurants directly on Place du Tertre, which are very tourist-oriented. Instead, head to La Boîte aux Lettres, one of my favorites in the neighborhood, or Bouillon Pigalle for a more traditional Parisian experience at a reasonable price.

La Maison Rose is another good option. Yes, it’s famous and touristy, but I’ve eaten there myself and was pleasantly surprised — the food is genuinely good. Whichever you choose, reserve your table in advance.

Early Afternoon: Galeries Lafayette & Opéra Garnier

After lunch, head toward Galeries Lafayette Haussmann.

Even if shopping isn’t high on your Paris agenda, it’s worth stopping by to see the beautiful glass dome and, most importantly, head up to the rooftop terrace. The view is free, and you get a fantastic panorama over the Paris rooftops with the Eiffel Tower in the distance.

If you do want to shop, this is also a good moment for souvenirs, French beauty products, or anything else you still want to bring home.

Right next door is the spectacular Palais Garnier. If you’re particularly interested in the Paris Opera, you can visit the interior, but I wouldn’t consider it essential on a 4-day trip. By Day 4, I’d rather leave you some flexibility than squeeze another ticketed attraction into the itinerary.

📍 My Tip: If you’re looking for souvenirs, head to the upper floors of Galeries Lafayette. They have the best selection I’ve found in Paris, with far more than the usual Eiffel Tower keychains and magnets. And if you’re looking for edible souvenirs or French food to take home, cross the street to Lafayette Gourmet — that’s where I’d go for chocolates, biscuits, jams, and other French treats.

Your Final Afternoon in Paris

By now, it should be around 3 pm, which leaves you with a good chunk of your final afternoon — and I’ve deliberately left these last few hours open.

If you still have plenty of energy, there are a million ways you could spend them without having planned your afternoon weeks in advance.

You could finally make your way to Père Lachaise Cemetery, do some shopping around Les Halles, or visit the Petit Palais if you’re in the mood for a little more art. Or try a smaller museum such as the Musée Marmottan Monet, which is particularly lovely if you haven’t had your fill of Impressionism yet.

You could also forget about sightseeing altogether. Head over to the Canal Saint-Martin, go back to the neighborhood you liked most, return to that café you spotted earlier on your trip, or simply start walking and see where you end up.

There are a trillion things to do in Paris, and there is never enough time to do all of them. It doesn’t really matter whether you’re here for 4 days or 4 weeks — you’ll always leave with something you didn’t get around to.

Some of my favorite moments here aren’t the ones with a reservation or a famous monument at the end of them. They’re the times when you go with the flow, take the street that looks interesting, sit down somewhere because you like the look of it, or change your plans completely.

No matter how short your trip is, I think you should always leave a little time for that, too.

Map of your Paris 4 Days Itinerary

Want to see exactly where you’ll be going? Check the map below to see all the stops on this 4-day Paris itinerary, organized by day.

Click on any of the stars to learn more about that stop, or click the small square in the upper-right corner to open the map in full screen.

Where to Stay for This 4-Day Paris Itinerary

Where you stay in Paris makes a big difference when you only have four days in town, so the hotels I recommend below aren’t random — I’ve chosen locations that work particularly well with this itinerary.

You’ll probably have noticed that most days end somewhere fairly central, and that’s intentional. I’ve planned the itinerary so you’re rarely stranded on the opposite side of Paris at the end of a long day.

It also makes the breaks I’ve suggested throughout the itinerary much more realistic. When I’ve suggested heading back to your hotel for a nap or an hour with your feet up, I’ve calculated that into the route.

You’re generally already on the Right Bank and relatively close to where I’m recommending you stay, rather than wasting an hour crossing Paris just to take a break.

With one of the hotels below, you’ll usually be able to get back easily on foot, by Métro, or with a short taxi ride.

So if you want to follow this itinerary fairly closely — while still having the freedom to head back to your room when your feet have had enough — these are the areas and hotels I’d look at.

Hotels That Work Well With This Itinerary

I’ve picked the hotels below primarily for their location. They’re all central enough to work well with this itinerary, particularly when you want to head back to your hotel for a break during the day.

Hôtel Le Relais des Halles — My pick if you want to be right in the heart of things. Les Halles is extremely convenient for getting around Paris, and you’ll be within walking distance of the Marais, the Louvre, the Seine, and plenty of restaurants and cafés.

Hôtel Ducs de Bourgogne — Another excellent central option, close to the Louvre and the Seine. A particularly good choice if being able to walk to as much as possible is important to you.

Hôtel Square Louvois — A little farther north, around the 2nd arrondissement, but still very central. This location works especially well with the Louvre, Palais Royal, covered passages, and the Opéra area.

Hôtel Malte – Astotel — Another well-located option near the Palais Royal and covered passages, with easy access to both the Louvre area and the Grands Boulevards.

Hôtel Astra Opera – Astotel — A good option if you’d rather stay closer to Opéra and Galeries Lafayette while still having easy Métro access to the rest of the itinerary.

Snob Hotel — Close to Les Halles and Centre Pompidou, putting you within easy walking distance of the Marais and some of the most central parts of Paris.

Don’t get too hung up on finding the hotel that’s closest to every single attraction. None of them will be. What matters for this itinerary is having a central base that makes it easy to walk, jump on the Métro, take a short taxi ride, or head back to your room for a break without losing half your day crossing Paris.

More Resources for Planning Your Paris Trip

This itinerary covers what to do once you’re here, but there are a few other things you’ll want to know before your trip. These guides will help you with the practical side of planning:

• How to Use the Paris Métro — tickets, passes, and everything you need to know about getting around Paris by public transportation.
• Paris Pre-Trip Checklist — everything to check, book, download, and organize before leaving for Paris.
• Paris Arrondissement Guide — get to know the different neighborhoods of Paris and figure out which areas you want to explore beyond this itinerary.
• Paris by Month — check my monthly Paris guides for weather, events, seasonal tips, what to pack, and what to expect during the specific month you’re visiting.

You certainly don’t need to read everything I’ve ever written about Paris before you get on the plane, but these are the guides I’d start with.

Is 4 Days in Paris Enough?

Yes, I think 4 days in Paris is a great amount of time for a first trip.

You won’t see everything — not even close. But four days give you enough time to see the big landmarks, explore several very different neighborhoods, visit a couple of museums, eat some good food, and still have moments when you’re not rushing from one reservation to the next.

And that’s important.

I’ve lived in Paris for almost 20 years, and I still constantly discover streets I’ve never walked down, restaurants I haven’t tried, exhibitions I want to see, and places I’ve somehow never visited.

So don’t arrive thinking you need to “complete” Paris in four days. You can’t, and you don’t need to.

Use this itinerary as your framework, book the things that really need reservations, and then give yourself permission to change the plan when Paris gives you a better idea.

Because if you leave after four days already thinking about everything you want to do next time, I’d say your first trip to Paris was a pretty successful one.

Want more Paris recommendations? Here’s my free Google Map with 200+ spots 🗺️

À bientôt,

Lena

Parisienne since 2006 🇫🇷
Sharing Paris life, French culture, cafés, food & honest travel tips

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