A one-week Paris plan packs icons, neighborhoods, and a day trip into seven balanced days.
Seven days give you time for headline sights, leisurely café stops, and a quick hop beyond the city. This plan groups landmarks by area to cut transit time and bunches ticketed visits in smart slots. You’ll see art without rush, eat well, and still have room for strolls along the Seine.
How This Seven-Day Paris Plan Works
This schedule clusters nearby sights, sets timed entries during quieter hours, and leaves cushion for lines, photos, and pastries. Mornings lean museum-forward. Late afternoons lean outdoor. Evenings switch to views and food. Swap days if a site closes on your dates.
Seven Days At A Glance
| Day | Morning & Afternoon | Evening |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Île de la Cité walk: Sainte-Chapelle, Conciergerie, riverside loop; Latin Quarter | Seine cruise or sunset on Pont Neuf; bistro near Odéon |
| Day 2 | Louvre main wings; Tuileries and Palais-Royal arcades | Covered passages food crawl; rooftop view near Opéra |
| Day 3 | Montmartre: Sacré-Cœur, artists’ square, vineyard lane | Moulin Rouge area photo stop; wine bar in South Pigalle |
| Day 4 | Orsay highlights; Orangerie waterlilies; stroll along the Seine | Left Bank brasserie; night view from the Iron Lady’s lawn |
| Day 5 | Grand boulevards: Garnier inside tour; Galeries Lafayette dome | Marais dinner and late window-shopping |
| Day 6 | Versailles palace and gardens (full half-day or longer) | Return for crepes near Saint-Germain; jazz cellar |
| Day 7 | Le Marais: Picasso/National Archives courtyard; Canal Saint-Martin walk | Final views from Montparnasse tower or the riverbank steps |
One-Week Paris Plan With Map Tips
Use the river as your compass. North of the Seine sits the Right Bank; south sits the Left Bank. Group pairs that live well together: Louvre with Tuileries, Orsay with riverbank time, Montmartre with an easy metro hop to Pigalle. Drop pins for food and metro exits before you head out.
Smart Reservations And Closures
The Louvre closes every Tuesday and sets late nights mid-week. Book a timed slot and arrive early; the last entry is one hour before closing. Check the museum’s page for hours and dates in case your visit spans a holiday. Confirm details on the Louvre hours page.
Versailles shuts the main palace on Mondays, with gardens open daily. If your week includes Monday, swap palace day to Tuesday or later and keep the rest intact. Full practical notes live on the Versailles practical information page.
Transit Basics For A Week
Pick a reloadable card at metro stations and load singles or day passes. A simple option is the Navigo Easy, a non-named card that holds tickets and works across metro, RER, bus, and tram. Details sit on the Île-de-France Mobilités site; see Navigo Easy.
Rides to the palace use RER C to Versailles Château-Rive Gauche. For airports, RER B serves CDG; OrlyBus and tram T7/orlyVAL combinations reach Orly. Taxis post flat rates from airports; card works in most cabs.
Day-By-Day Plan With Time-Savvy Slots
Day 1: Islands And Latin Quarter Warm-Up
Start with the Seine. Step inside Sainte-Chapelle for the stained-glass glow. Timed slots run in 30-minute windows; enter within your window to avoid a re-queue. Ticketing notes are listed on the monument’s site. See Sainte-Chapelle time-slot rules.
Walk to the Conciergerie, then loop the islands’ quays. Cross to the Left Bank for Shakespeare & Company and a café near Place Monge. Keep the pace light; jet lag fades faster in daylight.
Day 2: Louvre Highlights And Nearby Arcades
Book the first slot. Start at Denon for Winged Victory and Mona Lisa, then dip into Richelieu for Napoleon III Apartments. Step out to Tuileries for a lawn chair and a snack cart. Swing through Palais-Royal for arcades, fountains, and a quick espresso.
Day 3: Montmartre Lines And Views
Climb to Sacré-Cœur early, then slide through Rue de l’Abreuvoir and the tiny vineyard. The artists’ square fills fast; morning is easier. Save the funicular ride for the descent if knees complain. In the evening, shoot the windmill façade, then steer to a low-key wine bar in South Pigalle.
Day 4: Impressionist Core And River Time
Orsay shines with a tight loop: ground-floor Courbet, middle-level Manet, top-floor Monet, Renoir, Degas, and the clock view. Cross the bridge to Orangerie for the waterlily rooms. The river paths nearby grant wide views and small picnic spots. Carry a baguette, cheese, and fruit; leave glass bottles at home.
Close the night under the Iron Lady’s beam cycle from the lawn. If you want to ride up, buy online on the official site and pick a late slot for shorter lines. Use the official Eiffel Tower ticket office.
Day 5: Grand Boulevards And The Marais
Tour Palais Garnier’s gold-trimmed foyers and the grand staircase. Pop up to Galeries Lafayette’s dome terrace for free views. Later, cross to the Marais for falafel lanes, vintage shops, and quiet museum courtyards. A simple dinner here pairs well with a slow evening wander.
Day 6: Palace Day Beyond The City
Leave early for the palace. Aim for gates near opening to beat group tours. Walk the Hall of Mirrors, the King’s Apartments, and then the gardens. If music fountain days run, plan a bit more time outside. Many travelers grab bikes or the petit train to reach Trianon and the Queen’s Hamlet.
Day 7: Marais Corners And Canal Time
Save this softer day for shops, smaller museums, and local streets. The canal area offers bridges, cafés, and leafy banks suited to a book and a drink. End with a high view at Montparnasse tower or a golden hour riverbank sit with a picnic.
Tickets, Passes, And When A Pass Pays Off
A multi-site pass can save time and money if you plan three or more fee-based sites on linked days. A well-known option grants entry to dozens of museums and monuments for 2, 4, or 6 days. Validity runs by the hour from first use, not by calendar day, which helps late starts. See the official details on the Paris Museum Pass.
Tip: line-bypass does not skip security. Keep a buffer between back-to-back entries. Some big names still require timed slots even with a pass; always check each site’s page before purchase.
Quiet-Hour Patterns
- Louvre: first slot of the day, or late nights mid-week; closed Tuesdays.
- Orsay: early entry works well; mid-afternoon dip is common outside summer.
- Iron Lady: late evening slots run calmer outside summer peaks.
- Versailles: arrive near opening; gardens keep space when the palace gets dense.
Food, Coffee, and Quick Stops Near Sights
Plan light bites between galleries. Near Tuileries, grab a butter-rich croissant. Around Orsay, café terraces line Rue de Lille. In Montmartre, target side streets away from the square to dodge set menus. In the Marais, falafel alleys and natural wine bars sit within a short walk.
Simple Budget Planner For One Week
| Category | Typical Spend (Per Person) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Metro/RER | €20–€35 | Reload a travel card; airport rides extra |
| Museums/Monuments | €80–€140 | Mix of single tickets or a multi-site pass |
| Day Trip (Palace) | €20–€35 | RER fare + basic entry; extras add more |
| Food | €30–€60 daily | Breakfast pastry + set lunch + casual dinner |
| Views/Extras | €20–€40 | Rooftops or tower ascent |
Packing Light And Moving Smoothly
Wear layers. Galleries run temperate; river wind can chill evenings. Comfortable shoes matter on cobbles and stairs. Carry a compact umbrella and a fold-flat tote for market finds. In big museums, a slim crossbody bag clears security faster.
Photo Spots By Time Of Day
- Sunrise: Trocadéro terrace lines up the tower without crowds.
- Late Morning: Arcades of Palais-Royal filter soft light for portraits.
- Golden Hour: Bridges between Concorde and Alma shimmer on calm days.
- Blue Hour: Courtyards at the pyramid glow nicely after sunset.
Rain Plan Without Losing A Step
Slide more indoor time to the front: museum wings, covered passages, and church interiors. Keep short dashes outside between metro exits and doors. When clouds lift, pivot to gardens or a quick view stop before dinner.
Safety, Etiquette, And Simple Dos
Tickets And Time Slots
Buy timed entries from official sites. The Louvre locks date and time after purchase, so pick a slot you can make. See the museum’s FAQ for ticket rules on the Louvre ticket FAQ.
Transit And Taxis
Validate your card every ride. On buses, board at the front doors and show the driver if asked. In taxis, confirm the flat airport rate before departure and ask for a receipt at drop-off.
Meals And Tipping
Service is included. Small change for standout service is fine, not mandatory. Tap water is free; ask for a carafe. Bread may carry a cover charge in some places; menus list details.
Sample Timed-Entry Route Ideas
Classic Art Loop
Morning slot at the Louvre, quick lunch in the Tuileries, mid-afternoon Orangerie, late stroll by the river, dinner on the Left Bank. This chain keeps walking short and feeds you fresh air between galleries.
Right Bank Icons Loop
Start at Garnier, slide through the passages, climb a rooftop terrace, then cross to the Marais for small museums and dinner. Add a sweet stop at a neighborhood patisserie near closing time to dodge lines.
Day Trip Details For The Palace
From central Paris, take RER C toward Versailles Château-Rive Gauche. On arrival, follow signs to the main gate. The palace opens at 9:00; Trianon opens later at noon. Mondays are off for the main site, so plan another day if your week starts then. Times are posted on the official page listed earlier.
When To See The Cathedral Area
The cathedral on the island drew worldwide attention after its fire. It reopened to the public in December 2024, and interest surged. Plan early or late visits for calmer streets and quicker entry to nearby monuments.
Final Checklist For A Smooth Week
- Pin metro exits and food stops for each day.
- Book big names first: Louvre, tower ascent, palace.
- Plan one flexible slot daily for rest, parks, or a pastry detour.
- Carry a light scarf or packable layer for evenings on the river.
Printable Seven-Day Flow You Can Stick To
Morning Rhythm
Day 1 islands; Day 2 Louvre; Day 3 Montmartre; Day 4 Orsay; Day 5 boulevards; Day 6 palace; Day 7 Marais/canal.
Afternoon Rhythm
Gardens, passages, and riverside loops. Keep one snack stop in the middle and a coffee near 3 p.m.
Evening Rhythm
Views, easy dinners, and one live set or cruise night across the week. Leave the last night open for a favorite repeat.