How to spend 5 days in Paris, France
Paris. It’s one of my favorite destinations in the entire world and a city that would take a lifetime to see.
Understandably, planning a trip to Paris is hard. Just when you think you’ve seen everything the city has to offer, you find new attractions, new cafés, or new markets to explore (not to mention visiting Disneyland Paris). There are layers to this city — which is partially why I love it so much.
To help you plan your trip to Paris and figure out what to see, what to do, where to stay, and where to eat, here’s my suggested itinerary for a five-day visit (and some other suggestions in case you decide to spend longer there!)
Days
Day 1:
Stay
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Hostel Recommendations - St. Christopher’s Canal
https://www.hostelworld.com/st/hostels/p/19865/st-christopher-s-inn-canal/?source=affiliate-PHG-1101lHtj&affiliate=PHG&ref_id=1011lwQvGinD -
Hostel Recommendations - 3 Ducks Boutique Hostel
https://www.hostelworld.com/st/hostels/p/600/the-3-ducks-eiffel-tower-by-hiphophostels/?source=affiliate-PHG-1101lHtj&affiliate=PHG&ref_id=1011l5X494WZ -
Hostel Recommendations - The People Paris Nation
https://www.hostelworld.com/st/hostels/p/100113/the-people-paris-belleville-ex-les-piaules/?source=affiliate-PHG-1101lHtj&affiliate=PHG&ref_id=1011lwQvGkTH
Transit
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Flights to Paris
Use https://www.skyscanner.com to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.
Day 2:
Visit
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Arc de Triomphe
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Luxor Obelisk
The Luxor Obelisk is a monument that the French stole from the Egyptians. It’s over 3,000 years old and stands 75-meters (246 feet) tall. This square was also where they guillotined people during the French Revolution (1789-1799). -
Jardin des Tuileries
The Jardin des Tuileries is a beautiful garden that was once home to a palace that burned down in the 1800s. -
Sainte Chapelle
Stroll to my favorite church of all time, Sainte Chapelle, with its incredible 12th-century stained glass. There’s usually a line, so book tickets in advance (11.50 EUR) if you want to see the interior. -
Notre Dame
The world’s most famous Gothic church. It was damaged in a fire in 2019 and is still closed, however, you can still admire the building as it’s still being repaired. -
Panthéon
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Saint-Sulpice
If you’re into The Da Vinci Code, you’ll be looking for symbols and hidden meanings throughout this church. If symbols don’t interest you, just marvel at how grandiose this place is.
Transit
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Optional (Paris Walking Tours)
https://www.getyourguide.com/paris-l16/?partner_id=LLKQJ38&utm_medium=online_publisher&placement=content-top&cmp=travel-blogs%2Fhow-to-spend-5-days-in-paris_amcid-JzNFszbOmBrb6B2sooZxN&deeplink_id=de8b26a0-b33c-5d06-b444-9c347adcb3f0 -
Start the day at Champs-Élysées
Start at the Champs-Élysées and see the Arc de Triomphe. -
Walk to Pont Neuf
Enjoy the Pont Neuf and the statue of Henry IV. This stone bridge, the first in Paris, was built in 1578.
Day 3:
Visit
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Louvre
With over a million pieces of art, you could spend a whole month in the Louvre and still not see everything. I don’t particularly enjoy medieval art; it’s too religious for me, and I can only see so many pictures of Mary and Jesus before I get bored. -
Musée d’Orsay
The Musée d’Orsay, located in close proximity to the Louvre, houses the best impressionist and post-impressionist work in Paris. It’s one of the largest museums in Europe and my favorite museum in Paris. I always go when I’m in town. The museum sees over 3 million visitors each year and is home to masterpieces by all the great artists of the world, including Degas, Monet, Manet, and Van Gogh, to name a few. -
Musée de l’Orangerie
Finish off a wild museum day with this Monet showcase. The museum displays eight tapestry-sized Nymphéas (water lilies), housed in two plain oval rooms. Monet painted these images later in his life, and each one represents a different time of day and season.
Day 4:
Visit
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Palace of Versailles
Located just outside of Paris, the Palace of Versailles was a hunting lodge before becoming the primary residence of the Kings of France until the French Revolution. A decadent symbol of royal power, the palace sees over 10 million visitors each year. -
Père Lachaise Cemetery
Finish off the day with a train ride east of the city center to visit Paris’s most famous graveyard, where you’ll see the graves of celebrities like Antonio de La Gandara, Honoré de Balzac, Sarah Bernhardt, Frédéric Chopin, Jim Morrison, Édith Piaf, Camille Pissarro, Gertrude Stein, and Oscar Wilde.
Day 5:
Visit
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Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is Paris’ most iconic monument. Built in the 1880s for the 1889 World Fair, it was actually disliked by many people when it was first built. Today, the locals love it; it’s a symbol of the city and one of the most recognized buildings in the world. Standing 324 meters (1,062 feet) tall, it offers the best views of the entire city. -
Champ de Mars
After visiting the Eiffel Tower, have a picnic on the grass and enjoy the sunshine and views. This park is right next to the Eiffel Tower. -
Wander Rue Cler
Located near the Eiffel Tower, this street is filled with good Parisian eateries. You’ll find cheese, meat, bread, vegetable, and chocolate stores to explore. I never walk away from this street without a pile of food and wine. -
Paris Sewer Museum
You may be put off by the idea of a “sewer tour,” but don’t be. It doesn’t smell down there and you’ll learn how modern Paris came to be. Before there was a suitable drainage system, waste from the city just ended up in the river. It then spread disease and polluted the entire area, putting the entire city at risk. It wasn’t until the city developed a complex sewer system that it was able to overcome diseases, boost trade, and develop into the world-class city that it is today. -
Les Invalides (The Tomb of Napoleon)
Also known as Hôtel National des Invalides, this enormous complex was built in 1670 by Louis XIV as a hospital for wounded soldiers. Nowadays, it’s home to several museums and monuments, including the Musée de l’Armée (the Military Museum of the Army of France) and Napoleon’s tomb. -
Mémorial de la Shoah (The Holocaust Museum)
Despite having an excellent exhibit on France, anti-Semitism, and the Holocaust, the Museum of the Shoah never draws a lot of people. It’s a real shame, as the information and collection here is really great and in-depth. I’ve been to many Holocaust museums, and this is one of the best and most detailed in the world. I highly recommend it.
Day 6:
Visit
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Catacombs of Paris
The Catacombs of Paris are a fascinating but grim tourist attraction. They go on for miles (no one really knows how far) and the endless winding tunnels house thousands of bones. Only a small section of the tunnels is open, and there’s a ton of history and information about the growth of Paris. The Catacombs themselves are actually old stone quarries that were located far outside the edge of the city during medieval times. -
Rue Mouffetard
This pedestrian street is filled with cafés and shops and has an outdoor market. It’s great to just wander down or for sitting in front of a café and watch Parisian life go by. Make sure to stop by the nearby Place de la Contrescarpe too. -
Musée de Cluny
The Cluny Museum, also known as the National Museum of the Middle Ages, is the finest surviving example of medieval architecture in Paris. Built in the 15th century, it was the former home of the abbots of Cluny and now houses Roman and medieval art, including many architectural fragments found during excavations around the city. -
Bibliothèque Nationale de France
One of the grandest libraries in the world, the Bibliothèque Nationale de France was founded in 1368 by Charles V. Stop in for a quick visit and be sure to take a peek at the old rotunda of the art library and the 20-foot globes in the permanent collection. The collection is massive at over 40 million items, including some 15 million books and over 5,000 manuscripts from Ancient Greece. -
Montmartre
Another artistic center of Paris, this is where artists and writers like Hemingway spent their time. There’s still a lot of art, and you’ll find galleries and artists throughout the area. The streets are quiet and beautiful to wander around. Sacré-Cœur (the church here) offers a superb view of the city and is a great place to have lunch.
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