For weeks we have been busy planning how to spend 5 days in Paris. Travel planning and getting ready for our trip to Paris in July 2024 has been all consuming, in a good way. We’ve researched the attractions we want to visit. The sights we want to see. Trendy areas to explore. Potential bakeries we need to experience. And more.
Since we like to maximize our time in a place, especially when that place is many hours and multiple modes of transportation away from our current home, we plan. We map out where we want to go, what we want to see, how we will get there, and everything in between.
Pre-Planned Itinerary: 5 Days in Paris
The itineraries we create for ourselves are not incredibly strict. We don’t have to follow them. There are no time limits. Attractions and activities are added or removed continually. Nothing is off limits. We deviate from the plan as much as we desire.
With all this flexibility, you may be wondering: why have a plan at all? Our daily itinerary serves as a rough guide that helps us prioritize and optimize our trip. In the process it also helps us learn more about the destination we are traveling to.
It should come as no surprise that we have our Paris itinerary sorted 4 weeks before leaving our home country. 5 weeks before actually arriving in Paris.
Flexibility is Key
The following is a 5 Days in Paris Itinerary planned before arrival. We expect that the bulk of sightseeing will remain the same as those are priorities for us. What will change, however, is the addition of unique places to explore and things to do once we start exploring.
Instead of stressing over not following our itinerary or getting caught up in details, we go with the flow and accept the new adventures the destination has in store for us. Like little life plot twists.
We will update with our actual experienced itinerary once we’ve completed our trip. However, for now, come plan with us and discover our 5-Day Travel Itinerary for Paris.
Interested in how we decided on what to see and do? We wrote about our planning process in How to Plan a Trip to Paris in 2024: What to Know Before You Go.
Day 0 – Arrival
We arrive in the evening so I am not counting this as a first day. If we were arriving in the morning we would hit the ground running. But that is not the case for this 2024 trip.
Day 0 consists of fumbling from the airport to our accommodation. Finding and eating food (including supplies for the morning). And, depending on how we feel we may explore the 15 arrondissement, the district we are staying in on the left bank of the River Seine.
A more likely situation is us staying in, eating snacks in bed, while watching either Friends or Tennis. It’s always Friends or Tennis.
To learn more about logistical information to help you prepare for your arrival in Paris check out Practical Information Essential For Planning a Trip to Paris in 2024.
Day 1 – Adventures Begin: Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Champs Élysées
The first official day for us is always a big one. We usually plan a walking tour to help us situate and orient ourselves to a new destination. Since we’ve both done walking tours in Paris before, we are able to get right into all the action on this trip.
We are generally early risers when traveling. Especially so when in a popular tourist destination in the middle of high season. The best way to take in as many amazing sights as possible and beat the crowds is to get an early start.
Obviously this depends on what you want to see and do. If you’re visiting museums and art galleries, showing up at 6am isn’t helpful. Most places don’t open until 9am or later.
However, if you like street photography, admiring architecture, visiting parks, and other such things that don’t require you to enter an open establishment, early morning is a great time to get out! See the sunrise. Listen to birds chirp. Take photos without a million tourists and locals bustling around. Start your 5 days off in Paris on the right foot!
Sunrise Picnic Under the Eiffel Tower
Our first day in Paris is a big one. We plan to explore some of the city’s most famous iconic attractions, starting off with the Eiffel Tower for sunrise. Our accommodation in Paris is just over 1km away from the Champ de Mars, perfect for a morning stroll. We will get up early and walk towards the tower for a sunrise picnic in the park.
From here we will walk across the Pont d’Iéna to the Jardins du Trocadéro before heading to the Arc de Triomphe. Word to the wise, do not try to cross the road to get to the Arc de Triomphe. Take the underground tunnel. Nobody needs to try to cross 8 lanes of traffic.
Stroll the Champs-Élysées
Next we will stroll down the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, one of the world’s most famous shopping streets. We will not be doing any shopping but rather taking in the beautiful architecture, admiring store windows, and pretending we belong.
Depending on our mood, we may take a detour to see the Pont Alexandre III. A 19th-century bridge known for its ornate Beaux Arts style. Or we continue down the Champs-Élysées wandering through the gardens as we go. Eventually ending up at the Place de la Concorde.
Continuing our theme of parks and gardens we will head to Jardin des Tuileries, an expansive, 17th-century formal garden with many bronze statues. Next, depending on our energy level we may visit Jardin du Palais Royal and Domaine National du Palais-Royal, a palace with unique architecture and contemporary sculptures.
What About Food?
As with any tourist destination, the restaurants and cafés surrounding the major attractions are usually overpriced, overcrowded, and overhyped. We do a few things to avoid visiting these places as much as possible.
First, ahead of getting to our destination we research and save alternative options in Google maps. We look for places off the beaten path, down cute laneways, or just a few blocks away from the main sights.
Second, we carry snacks and water with us at all times. We stop by local markets and grocery stores and load up with portable goods that will survive being shoved in a backpack all day.
Third, and this is something new we are going to try, we eat as soon as we are hungry. We are bad at ignoring our hunger because we want to continue exploring. Or wait until we arrive at a certain place. Sometimes we have something very specific in mind for what we want to eat.
Time and time again this backfired on us. By the time we end up eating, we have either failed on our mission of finding the perfect meal or are so hungry we are irritated with each other. Our new plan is to eat when the hunger strikes. Whether that be a small snack or a full meal, we will be eating it.
Because hunger or thirst can strike at any time so we may succumb to the tourist restaurants in Paris. Not willingly, and a little begrudgingly. But sometimes saving a few extra dollars isn’t worth the extra stress and effort.
Day 2 – Heading North: Palais Garnier and Montmartre
Our second full day in Paris will be off to a slower start. I have the distinct pleasure of attending school virtually from 2am to 6am due to the time difference. I’m going to sleep as soon as we get back to our accommodation on day one, wake up and learn, then go back to sleep for a few hours. It’s either going to work great or I will personally keep the café scene thriving.
Opera and Shopping
Day two begins with a visit to the Palais Garnier, the opera house. The Palais Garnier is known for its extraordinary opulence. Built in the 1800’s, it is now mainly used for ballet.
Next we are heading to Galeries Lafayette, a historic department store. We aren’t visiting for the shopping, but for the Art Nouveau decor, iconic dome, and stained-glass Neo-Byzantine windows.
From here we will make our way further north towards Quartier Pigalle and Montmartre. This area is famous for its neon-lit red light district and eclectic nightlife.
Montmartre
We have a walking tour booked in the evening taking us through several major sights. A highlight of the tour is visiting the Sacré-Cœur Basilica. Standing at the summit of Montmartre hill, the basilica offers breathtaking views of the entire city of Paris.
We will also see the infamous Moulin Rouge and learn about the history of the area. As well as famous artists that called Montmartre home.
Depending on where the tour takes us, we’ve saved several other picturesque areas to explore such as Place du Tertre. As well as popular instagrammable spots like Le Moulin de la Galette and La Maison Rose.
Day 3 – Louvre, Latin Quarter, and Montparnasse
One simply cannot visit Paris without visiting the Louvre. Unless you’re me circa 2013 who didn’t check opening dates and times. My bad. I will fix my faux pas in 2024.
I feel it goes without saying, but the Louvre is a famous art museum. It’s home to some of the world’s most iconic artistic pieces including paintings, sculptures, and more.
Once we’ve had our fill of artwork, we will head back across the River Seine towards Montparnasse. On our way we will stop at Jardin du Luxembourg. The garden is split into two styles, French and English, with many different species of plants and monuments scattered throughout.
From here we will take a slight detour to visit the Panthéon. Known for its tombs and city skyline views, the Panthéon is the final resting place of more than 70 noteworthy figures in French history.
Finally, the only way forward is up. The Montparnasse Tower, that is. Luke has a thing for towers. This one in particular offers a spectacular view of the Eiffel Tower.
Day 4 – Versailles
We are taking a break from city life to visit the Palace of Versailles. This UNESCO World Heritage site is a former royal residence commissioned by King Louis XIV.
The lavish Palace of Versailles is rich in history. The grounds consist of the main palace, the Trianon Estate, the park, the gardens, stables, and more.
There are 2,300 rooms spread over 63,154 m2. Some of the more notable areas are the Hall of Mirrors, where the Treaty of Versailles was signed in 1919, the Chapel, the Royal Opera, and the Museum of the History of France.
In addition to the main palace are more intimate palaces known as the estate of Trianon. The Petit Trianon served as a peaceful escape from royal duties for Marie Antionette. The Grand Trianon is made with pink marble and houses beautiful gardens. There is also the Queen’s Hamlet and Queen’s Theatre.
The Gardens and the Park cover substantial ground. There are lakes, canals, statues, fountains, manicured gardens, and even an orangery.
Day 5 – ?
This may surprise you, but day 5 of our 5 days in Paris is currently empty. We haven’t made grand plans for our last day. It’s a flexible day enabling us to continue where we left off some of the other days. Or explore new areas and attractions we weren’t aware of before.
Two things we recently considered incorporating into the last day are the Rue Crémieux and the Jardin des Plantes (botanical gardens). The Rue Crémieux is lined with brightly colored houses. Based on pictures, it reminds me a bit of Notting Hill in London.
Notre-Dame and Catacombs
But Erin, what about Notre-Dame? Or the Catacombs?
Fear not dear reader, we haven’t missed the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris. We both visited 10 years ago. And spectacular as it is, as heartbroken we were watching the news coverage of it burning years ago, and how happy we are for its renovations, we don’t feel the need to visit it again. However, this may change when we actually get to Paris.
And as for the Catacombs. It’s a no for me, dawg. Luke did them years ago and I’m not overly interested. Small confined spaces, especially those underground, are not my favorite. Neither is the thought of being surrounded by millions of skulls.
And just like that, 5 days in Paris have been planned!
We will provide a follow-up post after our trip with our actual itinerary. Including where we stopped for food and drinks. If we did any shopping. And any other incredible things we saw and did.
Any guesses as to how closely we will end up following our itinerary? Or suggestions to add? Let us know in the comments section below.
