Best of Paris in 7 Days Tour — Monday Start
For 2027, some of our Best of Paris tours depart on Monday rather than Sunday. The sightseeing and included activities are the same, but the schedule for days 3 to 6 is different. Understanding the differences is important when planning free-time activities.
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Paris
We'll gather at our hotel in Paris at 4 p.m. for a short meeting and orientation stroll around our neighborhood. Then we'll get acquainted with one another over a delicious "Welcome to Paris" dinner together.
Light walking: 2–4 miles throughout the day on mostly level terrain. Sleep in Paris.
Day 2: The Historic Heart of Paris
Let's begin where Paris did, on the Ile de la Cité. Your guide will lead a walking tour of the city's early history, including a pair of the world's most significant medieval Gothic churches: the resilient and legendary Notre-Dame (exterior) and the exquisite Sainte-Chapelle. Next we'll stroll through the bohemian Latin Quarter, named for the language you'd have heard on these streets if you'd walked them in the Middle Ages. Then you'll be set free for the afternoon to explore more of the city.
Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. No bus. Sleep in Paris.
Day 3: The Marais District and the Louvre
We'll begin our day with a walking tour through Paris' diverse, history-layered Marais district. We'll learn about enlightened 17th-century urban planning at the beautiful Place des Vosges, the cultural roots of the Jewish Quarter, and how the French Revolution grew from this neighborhood. This evening, Europe's greatest museum — the Louvre — is open late and we'll take full advantage. You'll come face to face with the works of Raphael, Delacroix, and Leonardo, and timeless treasures that include Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, Venus de Milo, and hundreds more.
Strenuous walking: 2–8 miles throughout the day with lots of hills, stairs, and uneven terrain. No bus. Sleep in Paris.
Day 4: Colorful Montmartre
This morning we'll hop on the Métro, then hike up Montmartre to tour the colorful neighborhood that was the haunt of artistic geniuses a century ago — including Van Gogh, Picasso, and Renoir — and generations of hopeful artists since. We'll end our walk with spectacular views of Paris from the Sacré-Cœur Basilica. After free time for lunch and exploration, we'll regroup this evening to enjoy dinner together.
Strenuous walking: 2–8 miles throughout the day with lots of hills, stairs, and uneven terrain. No bus. Sleep in Paris.
Day 5: All Day at the Château de Versailles
Today we'll explore the elaborate palace that Louis XIV, XV, and XVI called home. We'll make the 30-minute train trip to Versailles, where we'll have a guided tour of the dazzling Hall of Mirrors and other sumptuous rooms of the palace. You'll then have free time to wander through the expansive gardens and visit the farm animals at Marie Antoinette's hamlet, or to zip back to Paris early via one of the frequent trains.
Strenuous walking: 2–8 miles throughout the day with lots of hills, stairs, and uneven terrain. No bus. Train: 1 hour. Sleep in Paris.
Day 6: Masterpieces of the Orsay
This morning we'll tour the Orsay Museum, home to the world's greatest collection of Impressionist art with works from Monet and Degas to Cézanne and Gauguin and beyond. Then you'll be free to visit the nearby Orangerie Museum, featuring Monet's magnificent water lilies and other fine works by Renoir, Matisse, Picasso, and more. Tonight we'll enjoy a farewell feast together, sharing travel memories and toasting new friends. Santé!
Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. No bus. Sleep in Paris.
Day 7: Tour Over After Breakfast
Breakfast is provided, but there are no group activities today. It's a breeze to reach Paris' airports by taxi, shuttle, or public transportation. Your guide will help you with any post-tour planning, leaving you well prepared for the road ahead. Merci et au revoir!
(This tour does not include the Eiffel Tower. To avoid its long lines, we recommend booking tickets several weeks in advance. For details, see our Eiffel Tower ticket tips for tour members.)
Itinerary specifics subject to change.