5 Days in Paris for First-Timers – What to See in Paris in 5 Days

How to Spend 5 Days in Paris

This article describes the perfect 5-day Paris itinerary for first-time visitors. If you’re in a hurry, jump to the itinerary overview here.

What to see in Paris in 5 days? As King François I said, “Paris is a world,” and so there is plenty to fill your time during 5 days in Paris. With five days in Paris, you’ve got plenty of time to see all the very best attractions, get lost exploring the quaint Parisian streets, enjoy delicious French cuisine, and even take a day trip further afield!

If you’re planning your trip to Paris, this guide is a great starting point. Follow this Paris itinerary 5 days step by step, or simply use it as inspiration for your own itinerary. Whatever you decide to do, you’ll have a wonderful trip to Paris!

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Paris Itinerary 5 Days – My Proposal for Five Days in Paris

What to do in Paris for 5 days? Here’s an overview of the perfect 5 days in Paris itinerary.

• Day 1 – Ile de la Cité and Le Marais
• Day 2 – Louvre and Montmartre
• Day 3 – The Latin Quarter and Saint Germain des Prés
• Day 4 – Day trip to Versailles
• Day 5 – Paris 7 and Paris 8

This 5-day itinerary Paris comes with four different maps (one for each day spent in Paris) with the suggested points of interest.

This itinerary is completed with suggestions on where to stay in Paris for 5 days and insider tips on how to get around at the end of the article.

5 Days in Paris Itinerary, Day 1 – Ile de la Cité and Le Marais

On day 1 of this 5 days in Paris itinerary, you will visit:

• Notre Dame
• Ile de la Cité
• Le Marais

Click here to view this 5 days in Paris map, Day 1 on Google

Day 1 – Morning

The Seine River flows through Paris, cutting the city in two. You’ll hear the locals refer to one side of the river as Paris’ Left Bank (Paris Rive Gauche) and the other side as Paris’ Right Bank (Paris Rive Droite).

In the center of the River is a small island called Ile de la Cité, which was once the heart of Medieval Paris. It is here that the first Royal Palace stood, as well as the city’s main religious and institutional buildings. As such, it is not surprising that some of the best places to visit in this 5-day itinerary are located on Ile de la Cité.

To kick off your five days in Paris, get off at the metro station Cité, grab yourself a cup of coffee, and head to Notre Dame de Paris (Our Lady of Paris). The construction of this jewel of Gothic Architecture began in the 12th century and was finally completed in the 14th century.

Before visiting Notre Dame Cathedral inside, don’t forget to admire its main façade. The huge rose window is a dedication to Our Lady of Paris, and the 28 sculptures below represent the kings of Judah and Israel, the ancestors of Christ. These sculptures lost their heads during the French Revolution, and what you see today are replicas.

Before leaving Notre Dame, be sure to find the plaque on the ground indicating France’s Point 0. All French roads (including those overseas) are measured from this point.

On Ile de la Cité, consider visiting one or two of the other historical sights. Places of interest include the Archaeological Crypt, Sainte-Chapelle, Conciergerie, and Pont Neuf.

» Archaeological Crypt: Just in front of Notre Dame, this underground museum houses a range of ancient remains discovered during excavations between 1965 and 1972. The museum was built around the Roman remains of former Lutetia, including some streets, part of Lutetia’s walls, and Roman baths.

» Sainte Chapelle: This Gothic-style royal chapel was built in just seven years, from 1238 to 1248. Today, it has one of the most extensive 13th-century stained glass collections in the world.

» Conciergerie: This 14th-century Gothic building was formerly the King of France’s palace, later used as a prison. Visitors can explore the dungeons and the chapel where Queen Marie-Antoinette was held prisoner during the last days before dying under the guillotine.

» Pont Neuf: the oldest bridge in Paris.

Now leave the Ile de la Cité North through Rue d’Arcole and Pont d’Arcole. After passing by the Hotel de Ville, you will arrive at Le Marais.

Day 1 – Afternoon and Evening

Le Marais is one of the most beautiful areas in Paris. It is well known for its elegant mansions, gorgeous hotels, and art galleries.

Le Marais is perfect for simply wandering the streets, admiring the gorgeous buildings you pass, and stopping by various museums or art galleries along the way.

Check out this self-guided walking tour of Le Marais, which takes you through the best of this area. This tour starts at Place des Vosges, one of the royal squares in Paris and also the oldest. This square features stunning architecture and a beautiful central garden, making it a must-see in Le Marais.

And why not visit one of the museums in the area? There are a few to choose from, such as:

• Centre Georges Pompidou: This is a museum dedicated to contemporary art. It opens from 11 a.m. until late (closed on Tuesdays)
• Picasso Museum: Located in a beautiful private mansion, this museum houses over 5,000 artworks by Picasso. It is open from 9.30 a.m. until 6 p.m. (closed on Mondays)
• Carnavalet Museum: This museum showcases the history of Paris with a focus on the French Revolution. It is open from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. (closed on Mondays).

Le Marais has great dining options. Click here for the best restaurants in Le Marais.

Paris in 5 Days Itinerary, Day 2 – Louvre Museum and Montmartre

On day 2 of this Paris in 5 days itinerary, you will be visiting:

• Louvre Museum
• Tuileries Garden
• Montmartre Neighborhood
• Moulin Rouge

Click here to view this 5 days in Paris map, day 2 on Google

Day 2 – Morning

Day 2 of this Paris itinerary starts with a visit to the Louvre, and for this, you’ll need to book your timed-entry tickets in advance.

Initially, the Louvre was the Louvre Palace, home to the Kings of France. This former royal palace is today the Louvre Museum, one of the world’s most visited museums and certainly one of the things to see in Paris in 5 days.

While this 5 days Paris itinerary only allows you the morning to visit the Louvre, you could quite literally spend days exploring this popular tourist attraction. If you don’t want to spend the full morning in the museum, check out how to get the most out of the Louvre in 2 hours or less.

Day 2 – Afternoon and Evening

From the Louvre, take a short walk to the Tuileries Garden, one of the most beautiful gardens in Paris and the perfect place to unwind after all that artwork.

The Tuileries Garden was built in 1564 as the garden of the Tuileries Palace (today disappeared) and became a public garden in 1667. The name of the Garden comes from the tile factory that once stood where the gardens are now.

There is no particular path to follow to explore the gardens; just wander wherever you please.  There are several ponds that you can relax by or grab a quick bite from one of the guinguettes in the park.

Now it’s time to leave central Paris to explore the neighborhood of Montmartre. Take the metro from Tuileries or Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre stations to Anvers metro station (line 12).

In Montmartre, I recommend following this self-guided Stories of Old Montmartre walking tour, which starts at Place du Tertre and explores the top sights of Montmartre, including the Sacré-Coeur, the Moulin de la Galette, and the Wall of Love.

Of course, the best Paris 5-day itinerary includes a cabaret show and dinner at the Moulin Rouge, one of the best cabarets in Paris. Remember to book your tickets well in advance, as they often sell out! – Click here to buy your tickets to the Moulin Rouge

Paris 5 Day Itinerary, Day 3 – The Latin Quarter and Saint Germain des Prés

On day 3 of this Paris 5-day itinerary, you’ll cross the Seine River to visit:

• Latin Quarter Neighborhood
• The Panthéon (optional)
• Luxembourg Gardens
• Saint-Germain-des-Prés Neighborhood

Click here to view this 5 days in Paris map, day 3 on Google

Day 3 – Morning

The Latin Quarter is known as the center of university life in Paris. Here, it’s also where the Roman Paris – Lutetia (1st century AD) was born. It is believed that Lutetia’s Roman Forum, the center of religious and civil life during Roman times, was located at the current Rue Soufflot while today’s Rue Saint Jacques was the former Cardo Maximus (one of the two main streets in Roman times).

As well as exploring some of the historical buildings and sights in the area, you will also see a few beautiful gardens.

Start at the Jardin des Plantes. This 400-year-old garden is the main botanical garden in France, with over 2.5 hectares of French-style gardens to explore. Depending on the weather, stroll around the park to admire the flowers and remarkable trees, or visit the 18th-century greenhouses, which feature plants from all over the world.

While you’re here, you may also like to visit one of the museums inside the park, like the Grande Galerie de l’Évolution (my favorite) or the Paleontology Museum.

After you visit the Jardin des Plantes, take Rue Jussieu or Rue Cuvier and walk to Les Arènes de Lutèce. Les Arènes de Lutèce is a Roman theatre that was constructed in the 1st century AD and was where people came to watch gladiatorial combats. You can visit Les Arènes de Lutèce for free and see where the actors once stood, the stage platform, and lapidary parts.

Now, continue to Rue Mouffetard, which is approximately 550m from the Arènes de Lutèce, and then to Place de la Contrescarpe, which is a great place for lunch. Choose your favorite terrace for lunch and watch the people go by.

Day 3 – Afternoon and Evening

After lunch, take a 650m walk to the Panthéon in Paris, which sits high on the hill of Montagne Sainte-Geneviève. The Panthéon is a mausoleum dedicated to notable French citizens. Here, you can see the tombs of people like Voltaire, Rousseau, Victor Hugo, Émile Zola, Jean Moulin, Louis Braille, and Soufflot, the architect of the Panthéon. 

The Panthéon was also the place where Foucault demonstrated in 1851 the rotation of the Earth by hanging a 67-meter-long pendulum from the central dome. Today, visitors can see a replica of this famous pendulum still hanging from the dome to commemorate this achievement.

Depending on the time, you may want to visit inside (you can buy your tickets here) or head to the Luxembourg Gardens, 550 m downhill.

The Luxembourg Gardens were built in 1612 at the initiative of Queen Marie de Médicis, the widow of King Henri IV, and were inspired by the Boboli Gardens in Florence. The Gardens cover 25 hectares and are split into French and English gardens, with a geometric forest and a large octagonal pond dividing the two.

Other things to see at Luxembourg Gardens include the Médicis Fountain (considered one of the most romantic places in Paris), an orchard of old apple varieties, an apiary where you can learn about beekeeping, a rose garden, and greenhouses with an orchid collection. 

After exploring the Luxembourg Gardens, take a 700m walk to Saint-Germain-des-Prés Church. Completed in 558, Saint-Germain-des-Prés Church is the only remaining Romanesque building in Paris.

Saint-Germain-des-Prés started out as a rural village in the 12th century that grew around the former Saint-Germain Abbey. After the Second World War, this area changed, and its cafés became a common meeting place for intellectuals, writers, and artists. Soon, the area saw the opening of small printers, more cafés, and bookstores.

These days, Saint-Germain-des-Prés has been transformed due to the tourism industry. Instead of small bookstores and cafés, the neighborhood is now filled with first-class hotels, luxury boutiques, and modern art galleries. Nevertheless, the area is still a gorgeous spot to explore and an excellent place for dinner and some drinks.

5-Day Paris Itinerary, Day 4 – Day Trip to Versailles

Day 4 of this 5-day Paris itinerary visits Versailles. If you’re not interested in Versailles, there are many other wonderful day trips from Paris. Any of these small towns near Paris are also worth exploring.

Versailles is home to one of the world’s most famous châteaux. Built in the 17th century as a hunting lodge for King Louis XIII, Château de Versailles is a jewel of French baroque architecture.

The State of Versailles spans more than 800 hectares. In addition to the world-famous Château of Versailles, one can explore the magnificent Versailles Gardens, the Trianons, and the Queen’s Hamlet, making it well worth a visit during your 5-day Paris itinerary – Click here to buy your tickets to Versailles

Check out this guide with all the options for a day trip to Versailles from Paris. Versailles is easily accessible by public transportation. Here’s how to get from Paris to Versailles Palace.

MAKE IT SPECIAL: From April to October, the gardens offer stunning baroque shows of water and music around the fountains of Versailles and the Grand Canal!

Paris 5 Days Itinerary, Day 5 – Paris 7 and Paris 8

On day 5 of this Paris 5 days itinerary, you’ll visit:

• Arc de Triomphe
• Champs-Élysées
• Orsay Museum
• Eiffel Tower
• Seine River Cruise

Click here to view this 5 days in Paris map, day 5 on Google

Day 5 – Morning

On your 5th and final day in Paris, you’ll take a closer look at some of the famous landmarks in the city, as well as spend some time admiring the brilliant architecture of the city’s buildings.

Start your day by climbing the Arc de Triomphe. From the top of the Arc de Triomphe, you’ll be rewarded with some brilliant views across the Champs-Élysées as well as the Eiffel Tower – Click here to buy your tickets

The Arc de Triomphe, which stands at the western end of the Champs-Élysées, is one of the most famous landmarks in Paris. Built between 1806 and 1836, the Arc de Triomphe honors those who fought for France, in particular, those who did so during the Napoleonic Wars.

After the visit, walk down to the world-famous Champs-Élysées. This 1.9km avenue is the perfect place for some shopping or just to admire the gorgeous buildings that line “the world’s most beautiful avenue.” I highly recommend stopping by Guerlain’s historical shop (68 Avenue des Champs-Élysées) to admire this stunning historic building and perhaps buy some perfumes.

From the Champs-Élysées, continue onto the Grand Palais and the Petit Palais. The Grand Palais is a large site that houses an exhibition hall and a museum. The building, constructed for the 1900 World’s Fair, is recognizable by its large glass dome.

Just in front of the Grand Palais is the Petit Palais, housing the City of Paris Museum of Fine Arts. The Petit Palais is free to enter, and its cafeteria, with lovely views over an inner garden, is a good place for a quick lunch.

Day 5 – Afternoon and Evening

Just by the Petit Palais is the Pont Alexandre III, said to be one of the most romantic bridges in Paris. Built between 1896 and 1900, it features Art Nouveau lamps, cherubs, nymphs, and winged horses at either end.

This bridge connects the Champs-Élysées quarter with the Eiffel Tower District, and as you stroll across it, you’ll have brilliant views of the Eiffel Tower.

For a cultural afternoon, visit the Orsay Museum, one of the best Impressionist museums in Paris. The Orsay Museum is in the former Gare d’Orsay, a Beaux-Arts railway station built between 1898 and 1900 – Click here to buy your timed-entry tickets.

The Orsay Museum primarily features French art from the period 1848 to 1914, including artworks by Van Gogh, Gauguin, and the Impressionists. Even if you’re not into art galleries, a visit here is well worth it just to see the train station, which looks like a palace! Allow yourself a couple of hours to visit the must-see artwork at Musée d’Orsay.

I’ve saved the Eiffel Tower for the last moment of these 5 days in Paris. Before sunset, head to Champ de Mars for a close look at the Eiffel Tower. Is it worth going up to the Eiffel Tower? You can read my thoughts in this post.

Seeing the Eiffel Tower lit up at night is truly magical. Did you know that while it is lit up, it sparkles for the first five minutes of every hour?

If you decide to climb up, book your Eiffel Tower tickets well in advance! With only five days in Paris, it’s important to secure the date and time slot as soon as possible.

After your Eiffel Tower experience, what better way to finish off your 5 days itinerary in Paris than by taking a Seine River cruise?

This dinner cruise down the River Seine with live music always has good reviews. During the cruise, you will see many of the most famous Paris landmarks magically illuminated, including the Eiffel Tower, the Musée d’Orsay, the Conciergerie, and more.

Where to Stay in Paris for 5 Days

When it comes to where to stay in Paris, there is no one right answer; it very much depends on the sort of trip you are planning. Check out my suggestions on the best districts to stay in Paris, which comes with hotel suggestions for each arrondissement, or browse the map here below.

How to Get Around Paris

Best Ways to Get to/from the Airports of Paris

Once you are in Paris, the easiest way to get around is by using the metro. Check out this Metro of Paris guide, with all the information, different types of metro tickets and passes, and my top tips.

And there you have it, what to see in Paris in 5 days. If you decide to shorten or extend your stay, have a look at my other Paris itineraries:

• 1 day in Paris Itinerary
• 2 days in Paris Itinerary
• 3 days in Paris Itinerary
• 4 days in Paris Itinerary
• 6 days in Paris Itinerary
• 7 days in Paris Itinerary

Click here to read more Paris Itineraries

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