Paris is dense enough that five days of unhurried walking covers more than most week-long rushed itineraries. This route groups sights by neighborhood to minimize crosstown backtracking.
Day 1: Eiffel Tower and the Seine
Start at the Eiffel Tower — book a timed entry slot in advance, especially for summit access. Walk across the Trocadéro for the classic photo angle, then follow the Seine east. In the evening, take a river cruise (Bateaux-Mouches or similar) to see the illuminated landmarks from the water.
Day 2: The Louvre and the Champs-Élysées
The Louvre needs a full morning at minimum — book a timed entry and prioritize a handful of wings rather than trying to see everything. In the afternoon, walk through the Tuileries Garden and up the Champs-Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe, climbing it for a view down the avenue.
Day 3: Montmartre
Spend the day in Montmartre — the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, the artists’ square at Place du Tertre, and the neighborhood’s steep, quiet backstreets away from the main tourist path. This is the lightest day on the itinerary, built for wandering rather than ticking off sights.
Entry to the basilica itself is free; the dome climb around the back has a separate paid ticket.
Day 4: Versailles (day trip)
Take the RER C train from central Paris (about 40 minutes) to the Palace of Versailles. Tour the State Apartments and the Hall of Mirrors in the morning, then spend the afternoon in the gardens — rent a bike or golf cart if you don’t want to walk the full grounds.
The Hall of Mirrors is on the main State Apartments route, so the first entry slot of the day is your best chance to see it without a crowd.
Day 5: The Marais and Île de la Cité
Finish in the Marais for boutique shopping and Place des Vosges, then walk to Notre-Dame on Île de la Cité (reopened for visits in late 2024 after long-term restoration following the 2019 fire) and Sainte-Chapelle for its stained glass. End at the Latin Quarter for a final dinner.
Practical tips
Book the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and Versailles time slots online in advance — all three regularly sell out same-day, especially in summer. A carnet of metro tickets or a Navigo Easy card covers transit for the whole trip, including the RER out to Versailles.
