Paris – ah what a truly incredible city! The style, the food, the architecture, the romance oozing from its pores – I mean what’s better than that! Paris has SO much to offer and if you’re like me, you want to see and experience it all! You can spend several weeks in Paris and still not scratch the surface. But, if you don’t have all the time in the world to explore this French delight of a city, no need to worry! Be ahead of the game, prepare yourself, and plan a vacation that you will whole-heartingly enjoy for years to come! Read on for how you can explore this awesome city in 5 days!
Day 1
The wonderful thing about Paris (well there are many!) is that it is such a walkable city. Spend your first day taking the time to walk around and explore the various cafés, shops, and the like. This would be a great day for you to walk along Champs-Élysées and explore the famous shops! Right at the top of this street is the Arc de Triomphe – a stunning structure which offers beautiful panoramic views of Paris (including a great view of the Eiffel Tower!). The line ups are generally not too long here so take your time and be sure to get your cardio in and take the stairs to the top!
Continue your journey to Notre Dame – a truly stunning Gothic-style church. This is a popular stop, like many in Paris, so it’s best for you to arrive early to avoid the huge queues. Take your time exploring the gorgeous Basilica and say Notre Damn to the stained-glass windows! Head up to the Bell Tower if you have a chance. One word of caution here – be mindful of beggars outside of this church. Protect your belongings and be aware of your surroundings!
Now is the time for you to take in some greenery! Head to Jardin du Luxembourg for a relaxing walk in nature or admire the other tourists around you! This would also be a great time to visit your first Parisian café – indulge in a banana and Nutella filled crepe paired with an espresso!
Day 2
What a perfect day to visit the famous Eiffel tower! Get there early to avoid the long lines and any potential elevator mishaps! Sometimes there will be a few elevators that are not functioning so safe to arrive early to avoid disappointment! Marvel at the history of this amazing structure and head to the top, the views of the city are remarkable! Bring a light jacket as it can get a bit chilly at the top. Finish off your Eiffel Tower adventure by relaxing along the grassy area adjacent to the tower – have yourself a little picnic or just people watch!
There are great walking tours available in Paris and I would totally take advantage of one while you’re here! The one I did, ‘Secrets of Paris’, was so fantastic as it took us around a lot of the hidden gems in Paris. We toured through small alley ways which houses the original Christian Louboutin shop, explored the outdoor area of the Louvre, stopped by a cheese shop for a tasting – the list goes on! It was a wonderful way to take in the hidden, less tourist-y parts of the city while learning the history and getting to know other fellow tourists!
Day 3
If you’re in Paris, you HAVE to go to The Louvre. You simply must! The outdoor courtyard area is beautiful (again watch out for beggers!) and the museum itself is simply unbelievable. Not only does this museum house the most beautiful and famous works of art in the world (hello Aphrodite and Mona Lisa!), the actual architecture of the museum itself, too, is stunning! It’s a win-win. My advice to you though is, have a game plan before heading in! This museum is huge, I mean HUGE huge. It’s simply impossible to see it all in one day, not even in one month, so be sure to research the art pieces you want to see most and plan your route accordingly. Each room leads into another, so it can get overwhelming! Be sure to arrive early as well and remember that this museum is typically closed on Tuesday. Once you’ve tired yourself out, take a break at one of the lovely cafés along Rue de Rivoli.
Musée d’Orsay is probably my favorite museum in Paris (if I really had to choose one!). It’s close to the Louvre so you can head over there after exploring that museum. I love the beautiful, large, golden clock that overlooks the whole museum and it’s so easy to lose yourself in the amazing masterpieces housed here! Monet, Manet, and Van Gogh showcase their famous work here. Since it’ll be sometime in the afternoon at this point in your day, you will experience a bit of a line but it’s worth it! This museum is typically closed on Mondays but is opened late on Thursdays!
Day 4
Who wants to go visit a Palace? ME! The Palace of Versailles is a must for any tourist visiting Paris. You will want to spend a full day here so, wake up early, and hop on the train to this splendor of a Palace located approximately 45 minutes outside of Paris.
Approaching the tall, golden gates of this Palace is truly a site for the eyes! Every single detail of this Palace is incredible, from the Hall of Mirrors, to Marie-Antoinette’s Estate, to the immaculate gardens – it’s like you’ve been transported to another world. Take your time to truly take in all there is to experience here – because there’s a lot! This is a very tourist heavy spot, so be prepared to share your personal space with many other tourists! You many often find yourself shuffling through crowds to get into one room of the Palace to the next but, don’t let this take away from your experience! This is an opportunity that you’ll never forget.
Day 5
As an Interior Designer, I have such an appreciation for the artistic qualities of Montmartre! After all the busy hustle and bustle you just went through in the main parts of Paris, this part of town will be a nice, quiet break for you! It’s generally quiet in this neighborhood and lined with beautiful shops and endless artwork. Walk along the streets of the galleries and make your way to Sacre-Coeur, another beautiful Basilica with more great views of the city!
Once you’ve finished taking in another great view of Paris, head on over to the, shall we say – sketchy? (I mean, every city has a sketchy neighborhood!) part of town and take in a show at the Moulin Rouge or just snap a quick shot outside of the famous theatre.
Now you’re a true Parisian! You’ve experienced the famous museums, architecture, had one too many crepes, and maybe even picked up a couple of French words along the way. 5 days will never be enough time to see all what Paris has to offer and you probably could squeeze in more things to do in this short amount of time but, the point here is to take it by day and ENJOY! Relax, take your time, and fall in love with Paris!
What’s your favorite part of Paris? Let me know in the comments section below!
