This seven-day Paris plan maps each day by neighborhood, must-book sights, meals, and metro tips.
Here’s a practical, time-saving plan for a seven-day stay in the French capital. You’ll move by area to cut backtracking, book the few tickets that sell out, and leave room for cafes, markets, and river views. The outline starts with the icons, then opens space for gardens, day trips, and food finds.
Seven-Day Paris Itinerary Plan
This overview shows where you’ll be each day, what to reserve, and how the route flows. You’ll find deeper detail below the table, plus dining ideas and timing notes.
| Day | Main Area | Reserve Ahead |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Île de la Cité & Right Bank core | Louvre time slot |
| Day 2 | Eiffel Tower & Seine banks | Eiffel Tower ticket |
| Day 3 | Montmartre & Opera district | Cabaret seats (optional) |
| Day 4 | Left Bank classics (Latin Quarter, Saint-Germain) | Catacombs time slot (optional) |
| Day 5 | Versailles day trip | Palace pass or timed entry |
| Day 6 | Canal Saint-Martin & Marais | Cooking class or food tour (optional) |
| Day 7 | Parks, markets, and last-minute picks | None |
What To Book Before You Fly
Louvre Entry
Pick a timed entry in the late morning or mid-afternoon to avoid the biggest crunch. The museum confirms that entry is tied to a booked slot, and that advance booking is the safe route for smooth access.
Eiffel Tower Ticket
Stair tickets sell out slower, lift tickets can go weeks out in peak seasons. If top-level access matters to you, reserve early using the official portal.
Passes That Can Save Time
The citywide museum pass covers 50+ sights with 2-, 4-, or 6-day options, clocked by the hour once activated. It’s handy if you plan several paid entries on back-to-back days.
Arrival Day Logistics
Airport To City
From CDG, the RER B train links the airport to central stations. Roissybus runs nonstop to Opéra. Trains and buses run roughly from early morning to past midnight; frequencies vary by time of day.
Where To Stay For Easy Days
Pick lodging near a metro hub (Châtelet-Les Halles, Saint-Lazare, République, Montparnasse) to keep rides short. If you prefer late-night dining and a lively street scene, the Marais and Saint-Germain are dependable bases. For postcard views, look to the 7th near the tower or to the 1st near the Tuileries.
Day-By-Day Detail And Timing
Day 1: Louvre, Tuileries, Palais Royal
Start at the gardens to reset your clock, then enter the museum for your reserved slot. Follow a theme—Italian masters, the Egypt wing, or a “greatest hits” loop—to keep your visit focused and fresh. Step out for a coffee at Palais Royal, then stroll Rue Saint-Honoré toward Place Vendôme and the covered passages near Grands Boulevards.
Food Ideas
- Bite near the gardens: salad and a tartine at a terrace on Rue de Rivoli.
- Dessert run: classic hot chocolate or a pastry stop around Palais Royal.
Day 2: Tower Views And Seine Walks
Book the tower earlier or just before sunset, then walk the Champ de Mars and Trocadéro for the broadest views. Add a river cruise late afternoon or at dusk. Keep dinner nearby or head to Rue Cler for a market-street vibe.
Food Ideas
- Picnic gear: baguette, cheese, fruit from Rue Cler or Marché Saxe-Breteuil.
- Sit-down: bistro classics near Ecole Militaire or along Avenue de la Bourdonnais.
Day 3: Montmartre Morning, Opera In The Afternoon
Arrive early at Sacré-Cœur for a quiet basilica and soft light over the rooftops. Wind down Rue des Abbesses for coffee, then ride south to the Opera district. Step into the Garnier opera house, browse the grands magasins, and end with a rooftop view at sunset.
Food Ideas
- Crêpes and galettes on Rue des Martyrs.
- Seafood or steak-frites near Place de la Madeleine.
Day 4: Left Bank Classics
Start at the Latin Quarter lanes, cross into Saint-Germain for cafes and bookshops, and set a mid-day window for a tiny museum (Rodin, Orsay, or Cluny). If you want an underground thrill, the Catacombs requires a timed slot; pick a late-day entry to avoid mid-day crowds.
Food Ideas
- Morning croissant raid near Odéon or on Rue Bonaparte.
- Evening wine bar near Saint-Sulpice or along Rue de Buci.
Day 5: Versailles Day Trip
Ride the RER C to Versailles Château-Rive Gauche. Go early for the palace, then take your time in the gardens and the Trianons. If heat or queues build, rent a bike or an electric cart and circle the Grand Canal, then catch the train back late afternoon.
Food Ideas
- Market nibble at Marché Notre-Dame near the station.
- Return-to-town dinner in the 7th or Saint-Germain.
Day 6: Canal Saint-Martin And The Marais
Start with coffee by the locks, then drift south to Place de la République and into the Marais for museums, vintage shops, and falafel lanes. Pick one paid museum—Picasso, Carnavalet, or a house museum—then stroll the river islands at golden hour.
Food Ideas
- Street-side falafel on Rue des Rosiers.
- Natural-wine bistros around Oberkampf or Haut Marais.
Day 7: Parks, Markets, And Open Slots
Keep this day loose. Choices: Jardin du Luxembourg, Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, Marché des Enfants Rouges, a long lunch, and any museum you missed. Cap the trip with a last sweep along the riverbanks at sunset.
Transit Made Simple
For a week-long stay with daily rides, a weekly pass over zones 1–5 is a solid pick and covers metro, RER, bus, and tram. The transport authority lists the fare at €31.60 for all zones as of January 1, 2025. Load it starting Friday for the week that begins Monday.
When A Day Pass Wins
If you plan one heavy sightseeing day with lots of hops, a day ticket can pay off. For light days with only one or two rides, buy single fares with a rechargeable card or phone-based options where eligible.
Operating Hours
Metro and RER generally run from early morning to shortly after 1 a.m., with later service on Friday and Saturday nights. Night buses fill the gap after trains close.
Museum Strategy That Saves Time
Group paid sights so a short pass covers them in a tight window. For instance, line up Orsay, Orangerie, Arc de Triomphe, and a smaller site in two days. The pass is valid for 2, 4, or 6 days and counts by the hour from first scan, so plan your start time with care.
Check official details before purchase: the Paris Museum Pass lists current formulas and conditions, and the transport authority posts weekly Navigo pricing and rules.
Timed Entries Worth Booking
- Louvre: choose a time slot and arrive a bit early for security.
- Eiffel Tower: secure lift access if heights are on your wishlist; stair tickets are a solid backup.
- Catacombs: lines are long; the slot keeps your day on schedule.
Budget Snapshot And Where The Money Goes
Costs vary by taste and season, yet the pattern is consistent: lodging and dining take the largest share, with museum and transit fees a smaller slice. Use the table as a planning baseline and adjust up or down.
| Category | Mid-Range Daily | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lodging | €160–€260 | Double room in central arrondissements |
| Food & Drink | €45–€85 | Coffee, lunch menu, bistro dinner |
| Transit | €5–€8 | Pro-rated weekly pass |
| Attractions | €15–€40 | Mix of paid sights across the week |
| Extras | €10–€30 | Snacks, tips, small buys |
Packing And Practical Tips
Clothes And Shoes
Bring layers and a compact rain jacket. Cobbled streets reward low-profile sneakers or leather shoes with grip. A light scarf and a small umbrella cover quick weather shifts.
Money
Cards are accepted nearly everywhere. Keep a contactless card for metro gates and small purchases. For markets, a few coins still help.
Phones And Power
Carry a plug adapter (Type E compatible). A small power bank saves the day on long photo runs and map-heavy afternoons.
Dining Without Losing Time
Breakfast
Many cafes open early; order a set with coffee, juice, and a pastry. Bakeries are faster if you want an early start at a museum.
Lunch
Look for the fixed-price menu at bistros; it’s good value and quicker than a long tasting spread. In warm months, grab salads and cheese for a picnic in the nearest park.
Dinner
Popular spots fill up. Book a couple of dinners in neighborhoods you’ll already be visiting that day so you’re not crossing town at rush hour.
Sample Daily Schedules
Day 1 Sample
- Morning: Tuileries walk and coffee.
- Late Morning: Louvre entry slot.
- Afternoon: Palais Royal, covered passages.
- Evening: Bistro near Opéra or a rooftop view.
Day 2 Sample
- Morning: Tower visit or Seine cruise booking.
- Afternoon: Seine walk, museums along the river.
- Evening: Market-street dinner near Rue Cler.
Day 3 Sample
- Morning: Sacré-Cœur and Abbesses coffee break.
- Afternoon: Opera house and grands magasins.
- Evening: Rooftop sunset and late dessert.
Day 4 Sample
- Morning: Latin Quarter lanes, bookshops.
- Afternoon: Orsay or Rodin.
- Evening: Wine bar in Saint-Germain.
Day 5 Sample
- Morning: RER C to Versailles; palace first.
- Afternoon: Gardens, Trianons, canal loop.
- Evening: Back to town; dinner in the 7th.
Day 6 Sample
- Morning: Canal Saint-Martin coffee and locks.
- Afternoon: Marais museums and lanes.
- Evening: Small plates around Oberkampf.
Day 7 Sample
- Morning: Park of choice.
- Afternoon: Open slot for a missed sight.
- Evening: Farewell stroll along the river.
Time Savers That Add Up
- Stack paid museums on two or four consecutive days and activate a pass at midday to stretch the clock.
- Pick late-afternoon entries for big sights to ease lines and heat.
- Ride a few stops, then walk the last leg along the river or through a park; it’s faster than waiting for a perfect transfer.
- Keep dinner in the same neighborhood as your final stop to avoid long rides at rush hour.
Safety And Common Sense
Pickpockets target packed spots and train doors. Wear a cross-body bag, keep phones zipped during boarding, and split cards and cash across two pockets. At night, use lit streets and main boulevards for long walks, or ride door-to-door by metro or a taxi.
What To Do If It Rains
Lean into covered passages, the Opera house, Orsay, Rodin sculpture halls, and the food halls under the grands magasins. End with tea or chocolate at a cozy salon before dinner.
Leaving Day
Pack a bakery run, a last market stop for gifts, and a short walk through your favorite square. For flights, pad time for station lines on the RER and airport security. If you’re early at the gate, that’s one more croissant and a final postcard home.
Final Notes
This plan favors clustered sights, timed entries for popular places, simple transit, and steady food breaks. Tweak it to match your pace. Keep the big bookings on Days 1–2 and Day 5, then let the rest bend to weather, mood, and cafe seats that tempt you on the way.