Planning Your Time in Paris: Paris in One to Seven Days

Eiffel Tower as seen from Arc de Triomphe, Paris
Sunset’s a perfect time for climb up the Arc de Triomphe.
By Rick Steves, Steve Smith, and Gene Openshaw

Paris is magnificent, but it's also super-sized, crowded, and fast-paced. These suggested itineraries from my Paris guidebook will help you prioritize the many sights, whether you're spending one day, two days, three days, or up to a week in Paris. With the proper approach and a measure of patience, you'll fall head over heels for Europe's cultural capital.

In the day plans below, I've listed sights in descending order of importance. If you have only one day, just do Day 1; for two days, add Day 2; and so on. When deciding where to plug in Versailles, remember that the main palace is closed on Mondays and especially crowded on Sundays and Tuesdays — try to avoid these days.

Paris in One, Two, or Three Busy Days

To fit in Versailles on a three-day visit, try it either on the morning of the third day or the afternoon of the second day.

Day 1

Morning:  Follow my Historic Paris Walk, featuring Ile de la Cité, Notre-Dame, the Latin Quarter, and Sainte-Chapelle.

Afternoon:  Tour the Louvre.

Evening:  Enjoy the Place du Trocadéro scene and a twilight ride up the Eiffel Tower.

Day 2

Morning:  Follow my guidebook's self-guided Champs-Elysées Walk from the Arc de Triomphe down the grand Avenue des Champs-Elysées to the Tuileries Garden.

Midday:  Cross the pedestrian bridge from the Tuileries Garden, then tour the Orsay Museum.

Afternoon:  Tour the Rodin Museum, or the Army Museum and Napoleon's Tomb.

Evening:  Take one of the tours by bus, taxi/Uber, or retro-chic Deux Chevaux car recommended in my guidebook. (If you're staying more than two days, save this for your last-night finale.)

Day 3

Morning:  Catch the RER suburban train by 8:00 to arrive early at Versailles (before it opens at 9:00), then tour the château and sample the gardens.

Afternoon:  Versailles can take up a full sightseeing day, so be realistic. If you plan to do anything once back in Paris, consider a sight near one of the RER-C stations: the Army Museum and Napoleon's Tomb or Rodin Museum (near RER-C stop: Invalides), or the Musée d’Orsay or my guidebook's self-guided Left Bank Walk (near RER-C stop: St. Michel).

Evening:  Cruise the Seine River or have dinner on Ile St. Louis.

Paris in Five to Seven Days Without Going In-Seine

Day 1

Morning:  Follow my book's "Historic Paris" walk, featuring Ile de la Cité, Notre-Dame, the Latin Quarter, and Sainte-Chapelle. If you enjoy medieval art, visit the Cluny Museum.

Afternoon:  Tour the Opéra Garnier, and end your day enjoying the glorious rooftop view at Galeries Lafayette or Printemps department stores.

Evening:  Cruise the Seine River.

Day 2

Morning:  Tour the Louvre (arrive 30 minutes before opening). Have coffee or lunch at Café le Nemours (across the street from the Louvre).

Afternoon:  Follow my book's Champs-Elysées walk from the Arc de Triomphe downhill along the incomparable Avenue des Champs-Elysées to the Tuileries Garden, and possibly the Orangerie Museum. Reversing the morning and afternoon activities on this day could also work well.

Evening:  Enjoy dinner on Ile St. Louis.

Day 3

Morning:  Tour the Orsay Museum (arrive 15 minutes before opening).

Midday:  Tour the Rodin Museum (café lunch in its gardens).

Afternoon:  Visit the Army Museum and Napoleon's Tomb, then take my book's Rue Cler walk and relax at a café. If it's balmy, consider walking the Left Bank riverside promenade that runs between the Orsay and Pont de l'Alma (near the Eiffel Tower).

Evening:  Take one of the nighttime tours by taxi/Uber, bus, or retro-chic Deux Chevaux car recommended in my book.

Day 4

Morning:  Ride the RER suburban train to arrive early at Versailles and tour the palace's interior.

Midday:  Have lunch in the gardens at Versailles.

Afternoon:  Spend the afternoon touring the gardens, Trianon Palaces, and Domaine de Marie-Antoinette. (Late risers should reverse this plan and tour the palace's interior in the afternoon to minimize crowd frustrations.) Or return to Paris and do this book's Montmartre Walk.

Evening:  Dine in Versailles town or back on Paris.

Day 5

Morning:  Follow my book's Marais walk and tour the Picasso Museum. Have lunch on Place des Vosges or Rue des Rosiers.

Afternoon:  Choose from these Marias sights — Pompidou Center, Jewish Art and History Museum, or Père Lachaise Cemetery.

Evening:  Enjoy the Place du Trocadéro scene and a twilight ride up the Eiffel Tower.

Day 6

Morning:  Spend most of your day at Chartres or a half-day touring the château of Vaux-le-Victomte.

Late Afternoon:  Enjoy the balance of your day exploring the shopping districts of Paris (follow the Left Bank Walk or seek out what appeals to your from the many options in the Shopping in Paris chapter).

Evening:  Join the parade along the Champs-Elysées (which offers a different scene at night than the daytime walk you enjoyed on Day 2). If you haven't hiked to the top of the Arc de Triomphe yet, consider doing it by twilight. Or ride the Paris Ferris Wheel, if it's spinning.

Days 7

Choose from:

  • More shopping and cafés
  • Luxembourg Garden
  • My book's Bus #69 tour, followed by Père Lachaise Cemetery
  • Montmartre and Sacré-Coeur
  • Marmottan or Jacquemart-André museums
  • Day trip to Vaux-le-Vicomte and/or Fontainebleau
  • Day trip to Disneyland Paris

Evening:  Night bus or boat tour (whichever you have yet to do)


Steve Smith and Gene Openshaw are the co-authors of the Rick Steves Paris guidebook.