Paris in 5 Days: The Ultimate Itinerary for Paris First-Timers
DAY ONE:
There’s no better way to start off your trip than the Eiffel Tower. Go first thing in the morning to go to the top of the tower before it gets super crowded! A ticket to the second floor viewing and the top of the tower is 14.5 €. Don’t forget to buy a macaroon & some champagne at the top – it’s worth it!
Next, enjoy a picnic at the tower with some world famous crepes and wine. After you’ve rested a bit, head over to the Musee D’Orsay, which has beautiful collections of art.
Take tour of the Les Invalides, a beautiful complex of buildings located in the 7th arrondissement of Paris. Here you can find Musée de l’Armée, which has collections of France’s military history as well as Napoleon’s tomb.
DAY TWO:
Start the morning off at The Louvre, the worlds largest museum. You’ll definitely want to allow yourself a few hours here! Seeing the Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa and Winged Victory of Samothrace are just the beginning for you in this amazing museum!
Next, head over to the Notre-Dam Cathedral. On your way, take a stop at the Pont des Arts Bridge (more commonly known as the “Lock Bridge.”) Here the streets are lined with boulangeries, artists, and specialty shops, and don’t worry if you forgot to bring a lock – there are plenty selling them nearby!
After you are done touring Notre-Dam Cathedral, walk on over to the Panthéon. Purchase tickets inside to go the top of the building and see the best view of Paris and the Eiffel Tower! Lastly, end the night with a walk through Luxemourg Gardens which is right next door.
Day Three:
Take a day trip to the Palace of Versailles. There are guided tours of the exhibition available which I highly recommend. Outside of the palace there are Segway tours, biking, rowing boats, and train tours available. *Keep in mind that the Palace is closed on Mondays!* Next, enjoy some delicious gourmet crepes at A La Côte Bretonne which is just a few blocks from the Palace.
For dinner, enjoy some escargot or oysters at a local Perisian restaurant. My recommendation is Au Passage, the staff is amazing and the food is excellent!
DAY FOUR:
In the morning, visit the Palais Garnier Opera house, which is regarded by many as the most famous Opera house in the world. This opera also served as inspiration for “Phantom of the Opera.”
Go shopping at Champs-Elysees. Buy some macaroons at Laduree, it is ahhhmazing. Next, walk over to the Arc De Triomphe to see a beautiful ceremony that takes place at 6:30p.m. daily at the tomb. You can also pay €8,00 to explore the rooftop of the building and see a beautiful view.
DAY FIVE:
Spend the day at Disneyland, Paris! Tickets are very inexpensive in comparison to Disney World, FL. Just make sure you buy your tickets online a day before to get the discount! If you are not a fan of Disney, then spend the morning visiting the Sacré-Cœur and shopping at the nearby markets surrounding the area.
The perfect way to end your final evening in Paris is with a Seine River Dinner Cruise. At the end of the cruise, walk on over to the Eiffel Tower to see it light up at night. The tower will sparkle on the hour starting at dusk, and it truly is a magical experience!
