Paris
5
Day Itinerary •
France
Five days in Paris and Ile-de-France gives you the full extraordinary breadth of the French capital and its remarkable region, from the greatest museum on earth at the Louvre and the extraordinary Impressionist collection of the Musee d'Orsay to the extraordinary palace and gardens of Versailles and the remarkable Gothic cathedrals of the Ile-de-France. This route covers the complete Paris experience. The extraordinary Eiffel Tower and Champ de Mars, Notre-Dame and the Sainte-Chapelle, the extraordinary Marais, Montmartre and the hilltop village above the city, the palace of Versailles with the most extraordinary formal gardens in the world, the extraordinary Chateau de Fontainebleau and the forest of Fontainebleau.
Best Time To Visit
April to June or September to October
Getting There
Eurostar from London, TGV from French cities, or fly to CDG or ORY
Getting Around
Metro and RER in Paris. No car needed. Rental car for Fontainebleau forest.
Budget Per Day
Approx 130 to 220 euros per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, walking
DAY 1
THE EIFFEL TOWER AND THE LOUVRE
MORNING
TOUR EIFFEL, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY IRON STRUCTURE IN THE WORLD
The Eiffel Tower is the most extraordinary iron structure in the world, rising 330 metres above the Champ de Mars in three extraordinary platforms. Arrive at 9am opening for the shortest queues. The second platform view is finer than the summit on hazy days. The extraordinary ironwork details and the view of the Trocadero gardens from above are unmissable. Book online weeks ahead. Lift to summit approx 29 euros. Drive: 20 min walk
MIDDAY
THE LOUVRE, THE GREATEST MUSEUM IN THE WORLD
The Louvre is the greatest museum in the world, its extraordinary 380,000-work collection in the finest palace in Paris requiring a lifetime to explore. The Winged Victory of Samothrace, the Venus de Milo, the Grande Galerie of Italian masterpieces and the Mona Lisa are unmissable. Enter through the Richelieu wing to avoid the pyramid queue. Book online for Wednesday or Friday evening. Entry approx 22 euros. Drive: 20 min walk
AFTERNOON
TUILERIES, PALAIS ROYAL AND THE PONT DES ARTS
The Jardin des Tuileries between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde is the finest formal garden in Paris, its extraordinary alignment to the Arc de Triomphe the greatest urban axis in Europe. The extraordinary Palais Royal arcades with the Buren columns and the Musee de l'Orangerie with Monet's extraordinary Water Lilies oval rooms are both unmissable. Walk the Pont des Arts and the Seine embankment at dusk. Entry to Orangerie approx 12 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Musee de l'Orangerie in the Tuileries contains Monet's Water Lilies in two oval rooms, the paintings wrapping the walls in continuous 360-degree panoramas of extraordinary light and colour. Monet designed the rooms himself before his death in 1926. Entry approx 12 euros. Far fewer visitors than the Louvre. One of the most extraordinary art experiences in Paris.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Du Pain et des Idees, 10th arr. The finest croissant in Paris. Queue before 8am. The escargot pastry is extraordinary. | Lunch: Cafe Marly, Louvre Outstanding brasserie overlooking the Louvre pyramid. Duck confit and Bordeaux by the glass. | Dinner: Le Grand Vefour, Palais Royal Two Michelin stars in the most beautiful restaurant in Paris. Napoleon and Victor Hugo both ate here.
DAY 2
ILE DE LA CITE AND THE MARAIS
MORNING
NOTRE-DAME DE PARIS, THE SOUL OF FRANCE
Notre-Dame de Paris is the most extraordinary Gothic cathedral in France, its extraordinary twin towers and rose windows rising from the Ile de la Cite at the very heart of Paris. Reopened in December 2024 following the extraordinary fire of April 2019, its extraordinary interior has been restored to outstanding condition. The extraordinary gargoyles, the Square Jean XXIII garden behind and the view from the towers are all unmissable. Entry free. Drive: 10 min walk
MIDDAY
SAINTE-CHAPELLE, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY GOTHIC CHAPEL IN THE WORLD
The Sainte-Chapelle on the Ile de la Cite is the most extraordinary Gothic chapel in the world, its upper chapel consisting almost entirely of 15 windows of 13th-century stained glass covering 600 square metres in extraordinary colour. Built by Louis IX in 1248 to house the Crown of Thorns, the effect at midday when the sun floods through the glass is the most overwhelming interior experience in Paris. Entry approx 13 euros. Book online. Drive: 15 min walk
AFTERNOON
LE MARAIS, THE PLACE DES VOSGES AND PERE LACHAISE
The Marais is the most extraordinary historic quarter in Paris, its concentration of 17th-century hotels particuliers and the oldest planned square in France at the Place des Vosges making it extraordinary for walking. The free Musee Carnavalet tells the history of Paris with extraordinary objects. Pere Lachaise cemetery with the extraordinary tombs of Chopin, Proust, Wilde, Morrison and Piaf is the finest outdoor space in Paris. Both free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Crypte Archeologique beneath the parvis of Notre-Dame reveals 2,000 years of Parisian history from Roman Lutetia to the medieval city in extraordinary underground excavations. Entry approx 9 euros. Almost entirely unknown to visitors queuing above for the cathedral. The most extraordinary hidden gem on the Ile de la Cite.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe de Flore, Saint-Germain Coffee at the most celebrated cafe in Paris. Sartre and Beauvoir wrote here every morning for decades. | Lunch: L'As du Fallafel, Marais The finest falafel in Paris on the rue des Rosiers. The queue is extraordinary but worth every minute. | Dinner: Benoit, Marais The finest traditional bistro in Paris. Extraordinary pot-au-feu, sole meuniere and vintage Burgundy.
DAY 3
MONTMARTRE AND THE LEFT BANK
MORNING
MONTMARTRE, THE EXTRAORDINARY HILLTOP VILLAGE ABOVE PARIS
Montmartre is the most extraordinary neighbourhood in Paris, its hilltop village of cobbled streets, working vineyard, artist studios and the extraordinary white dome of Sacre-Coeur rising 130 metres above the city. The Place du Tertre where Picasso had his first Paris studio, the Musee de Montmartre in the oldest house on the hill and the extraordinary Moulin de la Galette are all extraordinary. Arrive before 9am. Sacre-Coeur entry free. Drive: 20 min metro
MIDDAY
MUSEE D'ORSAY, THE FINEST IMPRESSIONIST COLLECTION IN THE WORLD
The Musee d'Orsay in the extraordinary converted Gare d'Orsay contains the finest Impressionist collection in the world. Monet's extraordinary series paintings, Renoir's Bal du Moulin de la Galette, Van Gogh's self-portraits, Degas's dancers and Cezanne's Card Players are among the most extraordinary paintings in existence. The extraordinary station clock gives the finest view over the Seine. Entry approx 16 euros. Drive: 20 min metro
AFTERNOON
CENTRE POMPIDOU AND THE CANAL SAINT-MARTIN
The Centre Pompidou is the most extraordinary building in Paris, its extraordinary inside-out architecture by Piano and Rogers shocking the city in 1977 and still extraordinary today. The Musee National d'Art Moderne inside contains the finest collection of 20th-century art in Europe after MoMA. The extraordinary Canal Saint-Martin in the 10th with its iron footbridges and lock gates is the finest hidden neighbourhood in Paris. Entry approx 15 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Musee Gustave Moreau in the 9th arrondissement is the most extraordinary artist's house museum in Paris, its double-height studio crammed with the Symbolist painter's extraordinary mythological canvases in the studio where he worked for 40 years. Entry approx 7 euros. Almost entirely unknown to visitors. The finest hidden museum in Paris.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: La Maison Rose, Montmartre Coffee at the most photographed corner in Montmartre before the tourists arrive. | Lunch: Le Comptoir du Relais, Saint-Germain Outstanding bistro by Yves Camdeborde. Extraordinary lunch menu and natural Burgundy wines. | Dinner: Septime, 11th arr. The finest modern bistro in Paris. Book weeks ahead. Extraordinary seasonal menu and extraordinary wine list.
DAY 4
VERSAILLES
MORNING
CHATEAU DE VERSAILLES, THE GREATEST PALACE IN EUROPE
The Chateau de Versailles is the greatest palace in Europe, its extraordinary 700 rooms, the Hall of Mirrors stretching 73 metres in extraordinary gilded and mirrored magnificence, the extraordinary Grand Appartements of the Sun King and the extraordinary royal chapel all unmissable. Arrive at the 9am opening to walk the Hall of Mirrors alone. The extraordinary Opera Royal added by Louis XV in 1770 is a separate extraordinary ticket. Entry approx 20 euros. Drive: 30 min walk
MIDDAY
THE GARDENS OF VERSAILLES, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY FORMAL GARDENS IN THE WORLD
The gardens of Versailles are the most extraordinary formal gardens in the world, their extraordinary 800 hectares of parterres, fountains, canals and bosquets designed by Le Notre for Louis XIV. The Grandes Eaux Musicales fountain shows on weekends from April to October are extraordinary. The extraordinary Petit Trianon and Marie Antoinette's extraordinary Hameau de la Reine are the finest hidden corners of the park. Gardens entry free, fountains extra. Drive: 20 min walk
AFTERNOON
THE GRAND AND PETIT TRIANON, MARIE ANTOINETTE'S EXTRAORDINARY RETREATS
The Grand Trianon, Louis XIV's extraordinary pink marble retreat from court ceremony, and the extraordinary Petit Trianon where Marie Antoinette created her private world away from Versailles are the finest and least-visited buildings in the park. The extraordinary Hameau de la Reine, Marie Antoinette's extraordinary model farm and hamlet built in 1783, is among the most extraordinary follies of the French monarchy. Entry to Trianons approx 12 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Potager du Roi in Versailles, the royal kitchen garden created by La Quintinie for Louis XIV in 1683, produces 40 tonnes of fruit and vegetables annually for restaurants and sells directly to the public. The extraordinary espaliered fruit trees trained against walls for 340 years are the finest horticultural heritage in France. Entry approx 8 euros. Almost entirely unknown to palace visitors.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Boulangerie in Versailles town Coffee before the 9am palace opening. The queues build rapidly from 9.30am onwards. | Lunch: La Flottille, Versailles gardens Outstanding restaurant on the Grand Canal in the park. Local pike, duck and Burgundy wine. | Dinner: Gordon Ramsay au Trianon, Versailles Two Michelin stars at the finest hotel in Versailles. Extraordinary French cuisine and wine list.
DAY 5
FONTAINEBLEAU AND BARBIZON
MORNING
CHATEAU DE FONTAINEBLEAU, THE EXTRAORDINARY ROYAL CHATEAU OF THE FOREST
The Chateau de Fontainebleau is the most extraordinary royal chateau in Ile-de-France after Versailles, its extraordinary 1,500 rooms spanning seven centuries of French royal history from Francis I to Napoleon III. The extraordinary Gallery of Francis I, the first great Renaissance interior in France, Napoleon's extraordinary throne room and the remarkable horseshoe staircase where Napoleon made his abdication speech in 1814 are all unmissable. Entry approx 14 euros. Drive: 30 min walk
MIDDAY
THE FOREST OF FONTAINEBLEAU, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY ROYAL FOREST IN FRANCE
The Forest of Fontainebleau is the most extraordinary royal forest in France, its 25,000 hectares of extraordinary sandstone gorges, ancient oaks and bizarre rock formations entirely surrounding the chateau. The forest gave birth to the Barbizon school of landscape painting that preceded Impressionism. The extraordinary Gorges de Franchard and the boulders of the Cuvier Chatillon are the finest landscapes. Free. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
BARBIZON, THE VILLAGE THAT CHANGED FRENCH PAINTING FOREVER
Barbizon is the most extraordinary artists' village in France, the small settlement at the forest edge where Millet, Rousseau, Corot and Daubigny gathered from the 1840s to paint directly from nature, creating the first school of plein-air landscape painting. The extraordinary Auberge Ganne where the painters stayed, now a museum, and the extraordinary Millet studio are both unmissable. Entry to auberge approx 5 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Vaux-le-Vicomte, 20km north of Fontainebleau, is the finest 17th-century chateau in Ile-de-France, its extraordinary Le Notre gardens and Le Vau architecture inspiring Louis XIV to build Versailles. Still privately owned by the same family. Extraordinary candlelit evenings on Saturday nights from May to October. Entry approx 18 euros. The finest hidden chateau in the Paris region.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Boulangerie in Fontainebleau town Coffee before the chateau opens. The morning light on the horseshoe staircase is extraordinary. | Lunch: L'Axel, Fontainebleau One Michelin star in the finest restaurant in Fontainebleau. Extraordinary local produce and Burgundy. | Dinner: La Table du Marche, Barbizon Outstanding Provencal-influenced cooking in the artists' village. Local game, mushrooms and Burgundy.
Where To Stay
Marais or Saint-Germain, all nights Central Paris is best. Hotel du Petit Moulin or Hotel Lutetia. Approx 150 to 280 euros. Alternatively Appartement rental in the 6th, 7th or 4th arrondissement. More space, often better value. Near Versailles Only necessary if visiting midweek to beat the opening crowds. Hotel Trianon Palace.
Top Tips
1. Book the Louvre for a Wednesday or Friday evening. Open until 9.45pm, crowds halve after 6pm.
2. Versailles Grande Appartements open at 9am. Arrive at 8.30am to walk the Hall of Mirrors alone.
3. Sainte-Chapelle at midday when sun floods 600 square metres of medieval glass is extraordinary.
4. Du Pain et des Idees in the 10th is the finest bakery in Paris. The escargot pastry is extraordinary.
5. Fontainebleau forest at dawn for bouldering or walking is extraordinary. Almost no visitors before 8am.
6. Pere Lachaise before the Jim Morrison crowd arrives is the most peaceful extraordinary garden in Paris.
Total Budget
130 to 220 euros/day