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Eiffel Tower by night in Paris - Visit Paris In 5 Days

4 Days in Paris or 5 Days ? The Ultimate Guide

by Imogen S

Planning a visit to Paris in 4 or 5 days? Follow our guide to get the most out of your time in the French capital. Our local guides have selected the best activities, museums, landmarks, and off-the-beaten-track spots for your short stay. It is the perfect amount of time needed to discover the City of Light for the first time.

What to do in Paris in 4 days or 5 days

Romantic Cruise in Paris
Romantic Cruise in Paris

Find out must do’s for 4 days in Paris:

  1. Enjoy the view on the Eiffel Tower from the Trocadero
  2. Climb to the top of the Arc de Triomphe at sunset
  3. Enjoy a boat tour on the Seine River with dinner
  4. Have a Bateaux Mouches boat tour on the Seine River.
  5. Have a romantic stroll on the Seine banks
  6. Enjoy the romantic atmosphere of Montmartre
  7. Visit an art gallery or a concept store in the trendy Marais Neighborhood
  8. Have a shopping session in Opera district
  9. Have a guided visit to the Louvre Museum.
  10. Visit the European painting collection of the Orsay Museum.

If you stay one day more, you can add:

  1. An excursion to the Chateau de Versailles.
  2. Or a half-day trip to Giverny and the Monet Garden

Top activities for 4 days in Paris:

>more activities in Paris

Best itinerary for 4 Days in Paris

1st Day : Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Arc de Triomphe

Eiffel Tower  - 4 days in Paris
Eiffel Tower Paris in 4 days

Start your Paris adventure by visiting the famous Eiffel Tower! You can reach this iconic monument by going by Metro to the Trocadéro station. From there, you’ll have a fantastic view of the tower. Cross the Iéna bridge to get to the tower.

To avoid waiting a long time in the queue, book a ticket online.

>> book now q-jump ticket for the Eiffel Tower

Louvre Museum in Paris
Louvre Museum in Paris

Next, head to the Louvre Museum in Paris where you can admire the masterpieces of the Romanticism era, the Renaissance as well as World History (the Middle Ages, Egyptology, and ancient relics). The visit lasts at least 2 hours.

It’s nearly lunchtime, and there is many places where you can have a good lunch in the area of Montorgueil and Palais Royal.

Take a lovely walk through the beautiful Jardin des Tuileries in the afternoon. Enjoy the colorful flowers and the serene atmosphere. Visit the impressive Place de la Concorde and explore the famous Musée de l’Orangerie or the photography museum, Jeu de Paume. Don’t miss the majestic Arc de Triomphe on Place de la Concorde. Get ready for an amazing adventure!

Stautes and flowers at Tuileries garden Paris
Statues and flowers at Tuileries garden Paris

Before arriving there, you will pass through the ‘most beautiful avenue in the world’, the Champs-Élysees. While you are in the area, you have a good opportunity to have a shopping spree. You could take a small detour through the rue Montaigne.

Once you arrive at the Arc de Triomphe, you must go to the top of the monument to see the splendid view. Of course, it is at its best at sunset.

Boat Tour in Paris
Boat Tour in Paris

Sure, let’s take a stroll along the charming banks of the Seine and embark on a delightful adventure aboard the renowned Bateaux-Mouches. These enchanting tourist riverboats offer an exceptional way to experience the beauty of Paris. You may also consider the esteemed Bateaux Parisiens for their highly recommended boat tours. For those fortunate enough to indulge in a four-day stay or longer, treating yourself to a magical dinner-cruise will undoubtedly be an unforgettable experience. Immerse yourself in the enchantment of Paris and create cherished memories along the Seine.

You will have the choice of a short tour of the Seine, offering a one-hour-long trip with beautiful views of Paris’ most spectacular landmarks – or a dinner cruise along the main stretch of the City of Light.

>> Choose your Dinner cruise

2nd day in Paris : Notre Dame, Islands & Montmartre

Notre Dame de Paris - view from Arab World Institute
Notre Dame de Paris & Cité Island

Start your second morning exploring the vibrant ‘Ile de la Cité‘ (the city’s island) – the beating heart of Paris. Begin your adventure with a visit to the magnificent square of Notre-Dame, where you can immerse yourself in the grandeur of the iconic Cathedral. Don’t miss the opportunity to marvel at the exquisite stained-glass windows of the enchanting Sainte-Chapelle – a true visual delight that is sure to leave you in awe.

Sainte Chapelle
Sainte Chapelle

The picturesque square of Vert-Galant will not be too far away either. You can also easily reach the Latin quarter to visit the Musée Cluny, the Museum of the Middle Ages.

End your morning on the Ile Saint-Louis where you can taste the Berthillon ice cream – one of the best in Paris.

For your second afternoon, you can discover one of the best-known quarters of the capital: Montmartre. You will pass by the Place du Tertre, and then you will arrive at the top of the hill where the Sacré Coeur stands. The view over the rooftops of Paris from here is breathtaking.  Enjoy your afternoon stroll in the neighborhood of Les Abbesses, where you can walk through the narrow streets and visit the museums (such as Espace Dali, Halle Saint-Pierre, and Musée de Montmartre).

View of Paris from Montmartre - Paris in 4 or 5 days
View of Paris from Montmartre – Visit Paris In 5 Days

Among the fairytale places of the city are the Moulin de Galette and the Lapin Agile, two former cabarets popular with Paris’ famous artists, as well at the Bateau Lavoir (Picasso’s shop).

You can also pay a visit to the Moulin Rouge.

Moulin Rouge Cabaret Paris
Moulin Rouge Cabaret Paris

You can spend the evening in one of the quarter’s restaurants. Avoid the Place du Tertre – it’s far too busy with tourists – opt for a trendy bistros around Lamarck-Caulaincourt metro which are popular with the locals.

The place is also ideal for a post-dinner drink to end the evening.

> Read our guide to Fun Activities in Paris.

3rd day: Orsay Museum, Luxembourg Garden & Latin quarter

The third day will be focused on the left-bank. Begin the day with a visit of the Musée d’OrsayThis is one of the holy grails of Impressionism and for art lovers. You can admire the masterpieces of Monet, Van Gogh, and Renoir. The architecture of the building, a former train station, it in itself worth the visit.

Orsay Museum
Impressionism at Orsay Museum

Make sure you set aside at least 2 hours for this museum. The queue can be very long.

A pre-booked ticket for the Musée d’Orsay will be helpful if you want to make the most of your time.

Once you have finished this visit, you can take a walk in Saint-Germain des Près Area. This district was the artistic soul of Paris in the mid 20th century. You can dive into the Musée Rodin if you would like to see more art. Its garden is one of the most romantic places in the French capital.

If you’re looking for more shopping, Saint Germain is the perfect place. The shopping streets like rue de Rennes, rue de Sèvre and the Boulevard Saint-Germain propose many shops. The Bon Marché and the Grande Épicerie are worth the walk. If you are more interested in home design, the Conran Shop will surely be the place for you.

Need a break from the business of the city? So, the Jardin du Luxembourg is the ideal place for this. This beautiful park ornamented with spectacular fountains. Ernest Hemingway used to enjoy have a stroll here.

Luxembourg Garden - Paris
Luxembourg Garden – Paris

If you are staying in Paris for five days, you are now halfway through your visit.

Spend your afternoon in the Latin quarterThere are plenty of attractions: begin your visit of the quarter at Saint-Michel and its fountain. This is a popular meeting point for the locals.

Neighboring Sorbonne is one of the world’s oldest universities, and namesake of the quarter: the students and professors spoke Latin in this area until the Revolution.

You can visit the Cluny thermal baths before heading to the PantheonThis is the burial site of many great men and women in the country’s history. You are now at the top of the Saint-Geneviève des Bois hill.

The pantheon - Paris
The Pantheon in Paris

Next, you can walk back down the hill and head toward the Jardin des Plantes. If you are visiting with your family, the menagerie will delight your children. The Arab World Insitute and its beautiful exhibitions are sure to please. You can also walk along the quays of the Seine.

In the late afternoon, head in the direction of Place Monge and rue Mouffetard. This is one of the most lively areas in the city. Many students meet here for a drink. You can also have a meal at one of the good-value restaurants.

4th Day: Opera, shopping, Centre Pompidou & the Marais

Lafayette department store
Lafayette department store

Your fourth day in Paris will be a ‘sporty’ one. You will start at the holy grail of Parisian shopping: the Haussmann-Opéra quarter. It is here that you will find the huge department stores such as Galeries Lafayette and Le Printemps.

You will find many stores like Citadium (urban fashion) and the Apple Store. On Saturdays, it can become very crowded, so take your time and be patient. during the end-of-year celebrations, the window displays attract many curious shoppers.

You must not miss the Palais Garnier (Opéra Garnier) – a true masterpiece of architecture of the Belle Epoque.

Place Opera - Paris
Opera Garnier – Paris

Benefit from breezeways in bad weather: Passage des Panoramas, the Galerie Vivienne and the Passage Choiseul. Use these to reach Place de la Madeleine and Place Vendôme .

In the afternoon, for a change of mood visit the incredibly trendy Marais quarter.

If you are only visiting Paris for four days, your vacation is coming to an end! Make the most of your last few hours in Paris.

You can begin the last day with a museum: the Centre Pompidou for contemporary art, the Musée Carnavalet for the history of Paris, or the Picasso Museum. 

Marais trendy neighborhood in Paris
Marais trendy neighborhood in Paris

Take a walk through the ancient narrow passages of the quarter – some of these dates from the 13th century. Some hotels are also very old. Don’t miss the beautiful Place des Vosges and the Marché des Enfants Rouges, the city’s oldest indoor market.

>Please find our selection of affordable best hotels in Paris

You can also do your shopping in Marais’ many trendy boutiques and designers’ shops. Stay in the quarter for your evening meal and a drink afterward.

It’s worth knowing that a 4-day stay will allow you enough time for an excursion to the Palace of Versailles.

Alternative itinerary to spend 4 days in Paris

You can find below another itinerary for your first visit of Paris. You can start with the Eiffel Tower , the Invalides and Seine banks for the 1st day.

4 days in Paris : day 1

And continue for the 2nd day with the Louvre, the Champs Elysées and the Arc de Triomphe.

4 days in Paris : day 2

For the 3rd day, discover the Latin quarter and Montmartre, 2 iconic neighborhoods in Paris.

4 days in Paris: day 3

For the last day, start from the Latin Quarter, go to the Island and finish in the Marais Neighborhood.

4 days in Paris : day 4

What more for 5 days in Paris?

Would you like to spend your last day outside of the city walls? If you have chosen to stay 5-days in Paris, now is the time to visit the Palace of Versailles.

Dedicate half-a-day to this excursion. You can, of course, admire the Palace and the Galeries des Glaces but that’s not all. A good section of your visit should be spent in the gardens, the royal stables, and the Grand Trianon.

Chateau de Versailles - Visit Paris In 5 Days
Chateau de Versailles – Visit Paris In 5 Days.

You can have lunch in the center of Versailles which is very quaint and has lots of good-quality restaurants. Return to Paris for the afternoon. An alternative would be to visit the Château de Fontainebleau. It is a bit further away but is in a beautiful place. If you are spending 5 days in Paris, this favorite residence of Napoleon and François 1st is worth seeing.

For your last afternoon, start at the Place de République and make your way to the banks of the Saint-Martin Canal.

You can go up the canal to reach the lively Bassin de la Villette.

Then, you can make this journey on foot, by bike, or by boat thanks to Canauxrama which offers one of the most beautiful boat trips in Paris with an impressive tunnel. This is the ideal way to end your 5-day visit to the French capital.

Once in la Villette,  you can visit the Cité des Sciences (Science City) which will be enjoyable for both young and old. In Summer, you can end the evening at the Villette lakeside.

You can also decide to go outside Paris Area at Giverny to visit the wonderful gardens of Claude Monet. This small is easily accessible from Paris (1 hour by car or train). Many excursions to Giverny are possible.

Are 4 days or 5 days enough to visit Paris?

A stay of 5 days in Paris is the perfect duration for a first visit of the French capital. 4 days is ok even if it can be light. Of course, 4 or 5 days in Paris is not enough time to uncover all the secrets of the city, but it is a good amount to get to know the capital and see the sights.

Can I visit Paris with kids ?

Of course, you can visit Paris In 5 Days with kids. Firstly, it is a safe city and secondly, their are many attractions kid-friendly like boat or bus tours

Of course, 4 or 5 days in Paris is not enough time to uncover all the secrets of the city, but you can enjoy the best of the capital and its sights.

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2 comments

Maria 03/05/2022 - 10:30 am

We are visiting Paris for 4 days on June and we are considering the visit of the chateau de Versailles . Will we have enough time for this ? Or do you recommend us to stay only in Paris .

Reply
stillinparis 03/05/2022 - 12:17 pm

Visiting the chateau de Versailles is worth a trip during a stay in Paris. And you can do it during a 4 day trip in the French capital.

Reply

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