5 Days Paris, France Itinerary
A classic yet local-focused journey through the City of Light, balancing iconic monuments with the bohemian charm of Le Marais and Montmartre. This itinerary maximizes value by utilizing the metro, enjoying high-quality bistro dining, and prioritizing walkable exploration.
Duration
5 days
Budget
$1,300 - $1,700 (excluding flights)
Best Time
April-May or September-October for mild weather and manageable crowds
Activities
24
Daily Avg
$160/day (excluding accommodation)
Pace
Moderate
Paris offers an unmatched blend of history, art, and culinary excellence, accessible via a highly efficient public transport system. It is a city where world-class landmarks like the Eiffel Tower coexist with charming, walkable village-like neighborhoods.
Your itinerary covers 6 of 10 must-have experiences
A Classic Bistro Meal
Day 2: Dinner at Bouillon Chartier
A Bakery Morning
Day 1: Picnic Lunch (Boulangerie visit)
A Market Visit
Day 1: Picnic Lunch at Rue Cler
River Views
Day 1: Seine River Cruise
Art Immersion
Day 2: The Louvre Museum
Café Culture
Day 3: Lunch: Galettes at Breizh Café
Panoramic View
Day 1: Eiffel Tower Climb
Hidden Passage
e.g., Galerie Vivienne, Passage des Panoramas
Palace Garden
Day 2: Tuileries Garden Stroll
Street Food
Day 4: Fallafel in Le Marais
Parisian food ranges from cheap, high-quality street staples to haute cuisine. The focus is on fresh ingredients, bread, cheese, and wine. Dining is a slow, social ritual.
Must-Try Dishes
Flaky, buttery pastry. Must be eaten fresh in the morning.
📍 Any 'Artisan Boulangerie'
Steak with french fries, usually served with peppercorn or béarnaise sauce.
📍 Le Relais de l'Entrecôte or any Bistro
A baguette sandwich with high-quality ham and salted butter.
📍 Caractère de Cochon or local bakeries
Rich onion soup topped with toasted bread and melted Comté cheese.
📍 Les Antiquaires or Bouillons
Food Neighborhoods
Vegetarian options are common (goat cheese salads, omelets). Vegan is harder in traditional bistros but easy in modern cafes. Halal is widely available in the Latin Quarter and 10th/11th arrondissements.
Keep your hands on the table (wrists resting), not in your lap. Do not ask for modifications to the dish unless for allergies.
Bastille Day
Fete NationaleFrench National Day with military parade on Champs-Elysees and Eiffel Tower fireworks.
Note: Book hotel near Champs-Elysees early
Cannes Film Festival
Festival de CannesWorld's most prestigious film festival attracting celebrities and cinema lovers.
Note: Book 4+ months ahead
🛣️Interesting Detours & Side Trips
- 🚶Metro Line 6 or 9 to Trocadéro stationFREE
9:00 AM - Trocadéro Gardens
Start here for the best unobstructed view of the Eiffel Tower across the river. Great for photos before the crowds swell.
Book on Klook - 🚶10 min walk across Pont d'Iéna$30 (Summit) or $12 (Stairs)
10:30 AM - Eiffel Tower Climb
Walk via the stairs to the second floor for a sense of achievement and lower cost, or take the elevator to the summit. Pre-booking essential.
Book on Klook - 🚶10 min walk from Eiffel Tower$15
1:00 PM - Picnic Lunch at Rue Cler
Visit this famous market street. Buy cheese (fromagerie), baguette (boulangerie), and fruit, then eat at the Champ de Mars park.
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- 🚶15 min walk back to river$18
3:00 PM - Seine River Cruise
A 1-hour boat tour (Vedettes de Paris or Bateaux Parisiens) to see the city's architecture from the water.
Book on Klook - 🚶Metro Line 6 from Bir-Hakeim to Charles de Gaulle – Étoile (15 min)$16
6:00 PM - Arc de Triomphe Sunset
Climb the 284 stairs to the top. The view of the 12 radiating avenues and the Eiffel Tower is arguably the best in Paris.
Book on Klook
11th Arrondissement (Bastille/Oberkampf)
Trendy, full of locals, great food scene, and cheaper than the center.
📅 Best Time to Visit
April-May or September-October for mild weather and manageable crowds.
Mornings can be brisk requiring a light jacket or trench coat, warming up pleasantly by the afternoon.
Late September offers crisp air, golden light, and the return of locals from summer holidays.
Watch for Paris Fashion Week (late Sept/early Oct) which spikes hotel prices.
Getting Around
TGV high-speed rail; Paris Métro is extensive
Navigo Card (Paris)
Get a Navigo card for unlimited Paris transport. Book TGV tickets early for best prices.
Travel
$60 (Metro/RER pass)Accommodation
$750 (approx. $150/night for moderate hotel/Airbnb)Food
$350 ($70/day - mix of bakeries and bistros)Activities
$200 (Museum passes and entry fees)Order the 'Formule Midi' (lunch set menu) instead of dinner for the best value at restaurants.
Ask for 'une carafe d'eau' (tap water) at restaurants; it is free, safe, and saves €5-7 per meal compared to bottled water.
Buy a 'Navigo Easy' card and load 10 tickets (carnet) digitally for a discount compared to single paper tickets.
Many museums are free on the first Sunday of the month (check specific dates/seasonality).
Avoid Euronet ATMs; use bank ATMs (BNP, Societe Generale) to avoid high fees.
Stay in the 11th or 12th Arrondissement for significantly lower hotel rates while remaining safe and well-connected.
- Always say 'Bonjour' when entering a shop and 'Au revoir' when leaving; it is considered rude not to.
- Keep your Metro ticket until you exit the station; inspectors check frequently and fines are high.
- Dinner service starts late; 7:30 PM is the earliest, 8:30 PM is standard.
- Don't stand on the left side of escalators; stand right, walk left.
- Museums are often closed on Mondays (like Musee d'Orsay) or Tuesdays (like the Louvre)—check beforehand.
- Public restrooms are often paid (50 cents to €1) or hard to find; use museum or restaurant facilities when possible.
- Bread is usually free and unlimited at restaurants, but water is only free if you ask for a 'carafe'.
- 1Comfortable walking shoes (you will walk 15k+ steps/day)
- 2Universal travel adapter (Type E/F)
- 3Portable power bank for phone (maps drain battery)
- 4Trench coat or light rain jacket
- 5Scarf (essential Parisian accessory for any gender)
- 6Cross-body bag with zipper (anti-theft)
- 7Reusable water bottle
- 8Blister plasters/Band-Aids
Book Louvre Museum timed entry
Mandatory booking; aim for 9:00 AM slot 1-2 months in advance.
Reserve Eiffel Tower Summit tickets
Tickets release 60 days in advance and sell out instantly.
Book dinner at popular Bouillons
Places like Bouillon Chartier or Pigalle are popular for budget dining.
Purchase Seine Cruise tickets
Can usually be bought day-of, but online is cheaper.
Note: Travel conditions, regulations, and local customs may change. We recommend verifying essential details — such as visa requirements, emergency contacts, and payment options — closer to your travel date.
SIM & Connectivity
SIM Options
📍 Online before departure
📍 Kiosks in 'Free' shops in Paris
Available in most cafes, museums, and public parks ('Paris Wi-Fi').
Useful Apps
Download offline maps on Google Maps before leaving your hotel to save data.
Electric Socket Guide
Socket Types
Two round pins (Europlug)
Two round pins + round ground hole
230V
50Hz
Tipping Etiquette
Service included (service compris); round up for good service
Round up to nearest €1–2
€1–2 per bag
Service is legally included in all restaurant bills. Rounding up is a nice gesture.
Safety & Travel Advisories
Generally safe, but be highly vigilant of pickpockets in Metro stations and tourist hotspots.
Check official government advisories for the latest safety information, entry requirements, and travel warnings before your trip.
Emergency Numbers
17
15
18
112 for European emergency number
Payments
Cash useful at markets and small cafés
Widely accepted (Visa/Mastercard)
Very common
Chip and PIN is standard. American Express less widely accepted.
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Trip Summary
How was this itinerary?
Yes, if you plan to visit more than 4 major museums/monuments (like Louvre, Orsay, Arc de Triomphe, Versailles) in 2-4 days. It also helps skip ticket-buying lines, though security lines remain.
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- Weather-aware recommendations
- Offline access
- Real-time pricing
- Budget tracking
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