Paris in 5 Days: The Complete Couple's Trip 🇫🇷

Day 1: Arrival & Le Marais 🍷

We landed at Orly and opted for an Uber (~€40) directly to our accommodation in Le Marais. It is the most comfortable way to start.

Our first stop is the Place des Vosges, the oldest square in Paris (1612), famous for housing the home of Victor Hugo. From there, we walk towards the modern contrast of the Centre Pompidou and pass by the Agoudas Hakehilos Synagogue, designed by Hector Guimard.

We walk along Rue des Rosiers, the heart of the Jewish quarter. For dinner, the golden recommendation is the Marché des Enfants Rouges (founded in 1615). You have to arrive before 19:00 or many stalls close. If you arrive late, the bistro L'Aller Retour Marais is excellent for trying a pâté board and French wine.

Day 2: Gardens, History & Louvre 🖼️

We start by combining science and nature in the Jardin des Plantes 🌿, a great green space in the city. Adjacent you can find the National Museum of Natural History.

Continue towards the historic Sorbonne, known for its role in the research of Pierre and Marie Curie 🔬. The neighborhood is characterized by a distinctive academic atmosphere.

You must visit the Pantheon of Paris, the mausoleum of illustrious figures such as Voltaire, Rousseau, and Marie Curie. From there, head to the Luxembourg Gardens. Look for the small replica of the Statue of Liberty! 🗽 It was a gift from the USA to France.

Walk to the Pont Neuf (1607), the oldest bridge. From this point, the views of Notre Dame are impressive. The cathedral is in the process of restoration after the 2019 fire.

Opposite the cathedral, you have to see the Shakespeare and Company bookstore 📚, a place of great literary relevance that has been frequented by authors such as Hemingway and Joyce. The space retains its essence as a sanctuary for readers and writers.

In the afternoon, visit Sainte-Chapelle, known for its stained glass windows, and the Hôtel de Ville. Head to the Saint-Jacques Tower, a historic starting point for the Way of St. James. We grabbed a pain au chocolat at Boulangerie Le Parisienne for a snack in Nelson Mandela Park.

The route should continue through the Jardins du Palais Royal, and then to the magnificent Opera Garnier. As the last stop of the afternoon, go up to the rooftop of Galeries Lafayette, which offers spectacular free panoramic views of the city, including an excellent perspective of the Eiffel Tower 🗼. Head to the Louvre Museum passing first by the Madeleine Church and Place Vendôme.

The day should culminate with a visit to the Louvre Museum, where I recommend entering at the last minute and focusing on the Italian painting area. Finish at Rue de Rivoli, observing the museum's night illumination.

In case you prefer to be guided by professionals and forget about Google Maps, I recommend taking this Indispensable Free Tour of Paris

Day 3: Palace and Gardens of Versailles 🏰

Dedicate the day to visiting Versailles 🏰, an indispensable excursion. This palace, built by Louis XIV, symbolizes 17th-century monarchical power. The Hall of Mirrors and its various rooms offer an unparalleled view of the splendor of the era. It is highly recommended to book the ticket in advance (approx. €30) and plan a visit of about 6 hours. The train journey from Paris is comfortable and takes only 40 minutes. The official site to purchase your tickets is Chateau Versailles. If you would like to hire a guided tour, I recommend this activity which includes entry tickets!.

For those who wish to cover more ground without getting so tired, the park also offers bicycle and golf cart rentals to traverse its vast expanses. 🚲

Upon returning to Paris, an excellent idea is to explore the Eiffel Tower area. The route can include the Pont de l’Alma and the Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral. If looking for a break, Rue Cler is the perfect place to stop and enjoy a beer 🍺.

To end the day, nothing better than eating a pain au chocolat from Maison Bergeron and heading to the Champ de Mars and Trocadéro to see the Eiffel Tower illuminated at 22:00 ✨. A truly memorable experience, despite the crowds.

Day 4: Eiffel Tower, Champs-Élysées & Montmartre 🎨

The morning should start with a visit to the Eiffel Tower. Make sure to go up early to enjoy the best views of Paris.

Subsequently, head to the Arc de Triomphe and walk down the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, a main artery combining luxury and history.

For lunch, an excellent option is to reserve at Pink Mamma , an Italian restaurant in Montmartre. Before arriving, it is worth exploring Parc Monceau, a serene and very well-kept space.

In the afternoon, it is recommended to delve into Montmartre, ideally 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 home 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.

To culminate the route, nothing better than the Sacré-Cœur, which offers impressive panoramic views. For dinner, a good nearby suggestion is La Fresh .

Day 5: Invalides & Farewell 🛫

Dedicate the last day to the Les Invalides area. Start the walk at Place de la Concorde, a venue that hosted the BMX and skate Olympic competitions in 2024 🛹. This site also witnessed the French Revolution, bridging historical past with contemporary events.

Continue the tour towards the Grand Palais, which hosted the Olympic fencing events, and cross the Pont Alexandre III, known worldwide for its elaborate decoration.

It is important to check availability, as the Les Invalides complex may be closed to the public for official visits, preventing access to Napoleon's tomb. An excellent alternative is to improvise a picnic with sandwiches from Boulangerie du Musée and enjoy the gardens from the outside.

Later, explore the Montparnasse neighborhood and its cemetery, where figures like Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir are buried. Go up the Montparnasse Tower to enjoy a final panoramic view of the city.

Return to the center to say goodbye to Notre Dame, visit the Orsay Museum, and buy souvenirs on the banks of the Seine. The trip can ideally conclude with dinner at Le Maryland , a perfect place to enjoy a cheese and wine board 🍷🧀.

The next day is for the return. Head to CDG airport at the scheduled time, using the metro (€12, approximately 1 hour journey) 🚇. We bid you farewell from Paris with the hope that you will return in the future.