Paris in 4 Days: The Perfect Trip 🇫🇷

Day 1: Arrival & Le Marais 🍷

After dropping off our bags (Uber from Orly is around €40), we immersed ourselves in Le Marais. It is an area that was saved from the great Haussmann renovations of the 19th century, so it retains its medieval alleyways and mansions.

Your first stop must be the Place des Vosges, inaugurated in 1612. It is the oldest square in Paris, a perfect quadrilateral of red brick buildings and blue slate roofs. It is ideal for sitting on the grass (weather permitting) and admiring the house where Victor Hugo lived.

Walking north, you will see the contrast of the Centre Pompidou and we will pass the Agoudas Hakehilos Synagogue. Also wander through Rue des Rosiers, the heart of the Jewish quarter, ideal for whetting your appetite.

Day 2: Notre Dame, Latin Quarter & Louvre 🖼️

Today we cross the Seine to the Rive Gauche (Left Bank). We start the day surrounded by science in the Jardin des Plantes 🌿 and head up towards the Pantheon, where Marie Curie and Voltaire rest. You are in the heart of the Latin Quarter, a historic university area.

From there, head down towards the Seine passing through the Luxembourg Gardens, the Parisians' favorite place to read and relax. Look for the Medici Fountain, one of the most romantic corners of the park 💘. You can also find a small replica of the Statue of Liberty hidden among the trees 🗽.

You will reach the Île de la Cité, the place where Paris was born. Here you will find the majestic Notre Dame. Although the interior may have restrictions due to restoration, seeing its facade and gargoyles is mandatory. Just opposite is Kilometre Zero of French roads. From there, visit the Shakespeare and Company bookstore 📚, a legendary literary refuge.

In the afternoon, visit Sainte-Chapelle (its stained glass windows are impressive). If you have to pay to enter a church in Paris, make it this one: its 15-meter high stained glass windows create a 'jewel box' of light.

We end the day crossing to the Louvre Museum. Going in the afternoon (from 16:00) is usually quieter. Don't try to see everything. Make a plan: Antiquities, Italian Renaissance (Mona Lisa), and French Sculpture. Leaving the museum and seeing the Pyramid illuminated at night is the finishing touch ✨

Day 3: Eiffel, Invalides & The Seine ⚓

Today we dedicate the day to the icon of Paris. Have a pain au chocolat breakfast from Maison Bergeron and go straight to Trocadéro for the best photos.

If you go up the tower, do so with a prior reservation. When coming down, relax on the Champ de Mars, which hosted beach volleyball in the 2024 Olympics.

For lunch, we suggest a more local plan: buy sandwiches at the Boulangerie du Musée and have a picnic in front of Les Invalides (Napoleon's tomb). It is a beautiful and quiet area.

In the afternoon, cross the Seine via the Pont Alexandre III, considered the most beautiful in Paris with its lampposts, cherubs, and golden statues, and get close to the Grand Palais (Olympic fencing venue). End the day strolling through the lively Rue Cler or taking a sunset cruise on the Seine.

Day 4: Montmartre & Farewell 🎨

For the last day, we reserve the most artistic neighborhood: Montmartre. Being on a hill, it offers unique views. Start at the bottom, in front of the legendary Moulin Rouge ❤️, and wander up through the streets (or take the funicular).

Visit the Basilica of the Sacré-Cœur. Its white stone shines even on cloudy days. Right next door is the Place du Tertre, full of painters and caricaturists. Although very touristy, it retains the bohemian spirit of when Picasso lived here.

The best way to delve into Montmartre is with a guided tour ( Free Tour of the Montmartre district) starting at the Moulin Rouge. The tour should include key points of interest such as Vincent Van Gogh's former house and Pablo Picasso's first studio.

One of the highlights not to be missed is the Montmartre vineyard 🍇, saved from urbanization in the 30s thanks to the mobilization of artists and intellectuals. The harvest is celebrated annually at the famous Fête des Vendanges.

It is also interesting to visit the cabaret Lapin Agile 🎶, known for having been a regular meeting point for artists and writers in the late 19th century.

Other essential points of interest are the Wall of Love (Le mur des je t'aime) and the Maison Rose. This neighborhood was home to artists such as Modigliani and Utrillo, and still retains an atmosphere that evokes its rich creative past.

In the afternoon, change the atmosphere radically and head to the 9th Arrondissement, the area of luxury and grand boulevards. Visit the Opera Garnier (the building that inspired 'The Phantom of the Opera'), a display of gold and velvet.

A few steps away are the Galeries Lafayette. Enter just to see its spectacular glass dome and go up to the top floor terrace: it's free and you have one of the best views of the Eiffel Tower with the rooftops of Paris in front.

Say goodbye to Paris strolling through Place Vendôme, where the most expensive jewelry stores in the world and the Ritz Hotel are located. An elegant end to an unforgettable trip.