Things to Do in Paris in 4 Days

Whatever your version of Paris is, a 4-day travel itinerary is enough time to experience everything the City of Light has to offer: art, monuments, gastronomy, culture... Follow this itinerary, and you will fall in love with the French capital.

On the first day of your itinerary, I recommend focusing your efforts on discovering the most charming spots in the 7th and 8th arrondissements. You can do most of the tour on foot, although booking a seat on the Big Bus in Paris is always an excellent option for getting a first impression of the city, especially if it's your first visit.

Coffee and morning stroll along the Champs-Élysées

Start your first day in Paris with a morning stroll along the Champs Elysées, the city's most beautiful shopping avenue. Along the way, you'll find some of Paris's best cafés, restaurants, fashion houses and most important shops. If you like shopping, make the most of this moment!

You'll also be able to see some of Paris's most iconic monuments, such as the Arc de Triomphe. Take photos, stop to admire the giant statues that adorn its walls and the structure of the arch, and if you want to go inside to enjoy the panoramic view or visit the exhibition it houses, don't forget to book your tickets in advance.

Finally, you will arrive at the Place de la Concorde, the largest square in Paris and the place where French nobles, including King Louis XVI, were executed during the Revolution. Take a moment to look at the Obelisk and the two wonderful fountains located at its ends.

Book lunch at the Eiffel Tower

From your location at Le Place de la Concorde, it is easy to reach the Eiffel Tower. Simply take the Pont de la Concorde, cross the Seine, and walk up the right-hand side of the promenades that border the Seine area. It is a 30-minute walk during which you can enjoy the attractive scenery.

Once there, you have several options:

• You can book skip-the-line tickets for the Eiffel Tower, which also include optional access to the top.
• You can also take a guided tour of the Eiffel Tower to discover all its secrets.
• Or, if you're feeling hungry, you can book lunch at Madame Brasserie in the Eiffel Tower. You'll have a unique experience!

Visit the Rue Cler market

Just a 10-minute walk from the gardens surrounding the Eiffel Tower, you'll find the Rue Cler market, an authentic Parisian shopping street where locals gather to buy their favourite foods and sit with friends to have a coffee and enjoy each other's company.

Highly recommended for spending a few hours on a quiet first day in Paris, especially if you want to visit a unique destination that isn't crowded with tourists.

Visit the Trocadero Gardens and Square

After having a coffee at the Rue Cler market, head to the Trocadero Square and Gardens to watch the sun set over the Eiffel Tower. Have you brought your camera with you? Now's the time to get it out!

The most characteristic feature of the Trocadero Garden is its giant reflecting pool with numerous fountains around it, which provide a breathtaking spectacle. At certain times of the day, such as sunset or sunrise, the effect of the mirror-like fountain is truly beautiful.

Located just opposite the gardens, Trocadero Square is the best place in Paris to take photos of the Eiffel Tower. You don't have to be an expert photographer; the view is so perfect that all you need to do is clean your camera lens and focus correctly.

End the day with a dinner cruise

I can't think of a better way to end your first day in Paris than with a cruise on the Seine that includes a gourmet dinner and live music.

It will be an unforgettable evening!

Take a half-day tour of the Latin Quarter

The Latin Quarter of Paris is an area known for its student life, lively atmosphere and delicious bistros.

On your second day in Paris, I recommend joining a tour of the Latin Quarter to discover the attractions and curiosities of this corner of Paris.

Among the points of interest you will visit are:

• The Panthéon, where the remains of Victor Hugo and Voltaire are located, which you can also visit by purchasing tickets to go on your own.
• The Luxembourg Gardens.
• The Sorbonne University.
• Shakespeare & Co.

Visit Notre Dame Cathedral and Sainte-Chapelle

In just a short 5-minute walk, you can go from the Latin Quarter (5th arrondissement) to the Île de la Cité (4th arrondissement) to visit Notre Dame and Sainte-Chapelle. Both are jewels of French Gothic architecture, admired throughout the world.

Notre Dame is an architectural gem from the Middle Ages which, unfortunately, has been closed to the public since the devastating fire in 2019 that destroyed the roof and the central spire. However, access to the Front Square is permitted and you can also take a tour of the exterior of Notre Dame with entry to the crypt, which will leave you spellbound.

Sainte-Chapelle is considered one of the greatest works of Gothic architecture due to its rich interior decoration and dreamlike stained glass windows. If you want to visit the interior, I recommend booking your tickets for Sainte Chapelle in advance.

Take a guided tour of the Louvre

Leave Île de la Cité behind by taking the Pont au Change to cross the Seine, then turn left onto Boulevard Georges Pompidou on your way to the Louvre. This walk will take you about 13 minutes while you admire the banks of the Seine.

The Louvre is a gigantic museum and the artworks it houses are almost infinite. To make the most of your visit to the Louvre, I recommend buying skip-the-line tickets in advance and, if you are really interested in art, booking a guided tour where you can enjoy the museum's most iconic works in two and a half hours.

Have an aperitif at a Parisian wine bar

In French, an aperitif is a drink taken before dinner and is a traditional French ritual.

In Paris, you will find many bars offering this type of gastronomic experience, combined with a relaxed atmosphere that will help you end your second night on a high note.

Half-day tour of Versailles

Versailles is a French community located on the outskirts of Paris, known worldwide as the site of the Palace and Gardens of Versailles, one of the greatest expressions of French Baroque art.

In addition to the impressive amount of detail you will find inside its extravagant halls, it is surprising how well preserved the entire structure is despite its age.

Versailles has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is open to the public every day. From Paris, you can book an excursion to Versailles to tour the interior of the palace and the outdoor gardens.

Tour of the Musée d'Orsay

On your return from Versailles, I recommend setting aside a few hours of your afternoon to visit the Musée d'Orsay. Considered one of the most important museums in Paris and the world, it is a must-see for all those who enjoy art and history.

Its facilities house one of the largest collections of modern and impressionist art, with works by artists such as:

• Monet.
• Degas.
• Van Gogh.
• Rodin.

Two tips to help you get the most out of your visit to the Musée d'Orsay:

• If you are going on your own, book your tickets for the Musée d'Orsay in advance to avoid queues.
• If you want to make the most of your visit, consider booking a guided tour of the Musée d'Orsay, which lasts an hour and a half.

On your last day in Paris, wake up early to see three important historical monuments located close to each other in the 3rd arrondissement, followed by several alternative museums in Paris.

Place de la Bastille

During the French Revolution, the Bastille, then a symbol of the frivolity and despotic power of the King of France, was stormed by an armed mob of Parisians in the early days of the uprising, fuelling the political movement that would culminate in the abolition of the monarchy and the execution of the kings.

Place des Vosges

One of the oldest squares in Paris, it is also one of the most beautiful. Take a moment to stroll under its arches, walk along the garden paths and admire the beautiful red brick facades of its shops. You're allowed to stop for a coffee!

Next, visit the Victor Hugo Maison, home of the famous French writer, poet and politician, which became a museum after his death. It is located near the Place des Vosges.

Excursion to the Picasso Museum

At the Picasso National Museum in Paris, you will find a large collection of sculptures by the artist, as well as thousands of documents and photographs that belonged to this important figure in art history. The museum itself is a research centre on the life and work of Picasso, so if you admire or are curious about his work, you cannot miss it.

From the Place des Vosges to the Picasso Museum in Paris, it is a short 8-minute walk through the streets of the Le Marais neighbourhood. As always, I recommend buying tickets for the Picasso Museum in advance to save time and avoid unnecessary queues.

Sacre Coeur

Starting from the Picasso Museum, you can reach Sacré-Coeur by metro. Take line 8 at the Saint-Sébastien - Froissart station and then change to line 4 to get off at the Barbès-Rochechouart station. Finally, you will have to walk up the hill for about 15 minutes.

You can also spend a few euros and take a 25- to 30-minute taxi ride through the important Parisian neighbourhoods located in the north of the city.

However, my favourite option is to take a private tour of Sacré-Cœur, which will take you from the heart of the Montmartre neighbourhood to the basilica, while a guide tells you all the secrets of the artists who lived there.

Dalí Museum Paris

Walking down the hills of Sacré-Coeur, just 5 minutes from the basilica, you will find the Dalí Museum or Espace Dalí.

Here you will find a permanent exhibition of the master of surrealism, with a collection of 300 works on display. A tour of the entire museum usually takes no more than 1 hour.

Tour of Montmartre Square

Just a few minutes from the Dalí Museum, you will find one of the favourite entertainment options of the inhabitants of Montmartre.

This square, located at the top of the hill, is famous throughout Paris for the painters who have always exhibited their best works there.

In the past, important historical figures such as Monet and Picasso were part of the vibrant Montmartre community as their careers took off and their work gained fame and recognition.