Ultimate Guide to 4 Days in Paris

Are you looking for the perfect 4 days in Paris itinerary?  Well, I’ve got you covered! Plus bonus ideas of places to day trip to from Paris if you decide to spend more than 4 days in the city.

It can be so overwhelming planning a trip to Paris because there is so much to do and see plus the city is huge!  You definitely want to maximize your time by taking advantage of purchasing tickets ahead of time and seeing the sights that are close together on the same day.

To help you in your planning I put together this Paris itinerary that will help you make the most out of your 4 days in the city of light.

Day 1

The first day in Paris requires visiting all the classic sites like the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, and the Louvre.

Eiffel Tower

The most famous landmark in Paris!  I highly recommend getting your first view of the Eiffel Tower from Trocadéro Gardens or the Champs de Mars.  

If you want to go up the Eiffel Tower be sure you book your tickets in advance online using the Eiffel Tower’s official website.  The view from the top is incredible and it gives a great sense of how the city is laid out.  While I loved going all the way to the top of the tower, I do feel that the second floor had the best views of the city.

Arc de Triomphe

At the end of the Champs-Élysées is the famous Arc de Triomphe.  You can go up to the top of the Arc for another great view of the city with this one including the Eiffel Tower.  Also, be sure to pay your respects to the unknown soldier site.  

Tip: Be sure when you cross to the Arc de Triomphe that you use one of the underground passages and DO NOT try to cross the street.  

Louvre

Another one of the most popular landmarks in the city of Paris is the Louvre.  Fair warning the Louvre is huge and crowded and when we visited very, very hot.  

Here you will find famous works of art including the Mona Lisa and The Venus de Milo.  You could spend days at the Louvre if you are an art lover, so I highly recommend preplanning which pieces of art you want to see before visiting.

Tip: Pre-purchase your tickets to the Louvre on their official website to guarantee admission and to skip the line for tickets.

Day 2

Start your second day on Ile De La Cite which is the historical heart of Paris.  It’s where Sainte-Chapelle and Notre Dame is located.  If you have time, the flower market near the Cite Metro stop is a lovely detour.

Sainte-Chapelle

Built-in seven years during the 13th century, the Sainte Chapelle was intended to house precious Christian relics, including Christ’s crown of thorns (which was moved to Notre Dame).  The chapel has an impressive display of stained glass.  

Be sure to take the staircase to the second floor.

Notre Dame

While Notre Dame is not currently opened to visitors, you can still walk around the outside and see the amazing flying buttresses.  Constructed between the 13th century and 15th century the cathedral is a beautiful masterpiece.

Latin Quarter

Stroll through the Latin Quarter on your way to Les Jardins du Luxembourg.  The Latin Quarter is full of cafes and shops.  You can also visit the Church of Saint-Séverin.  If you are hungry, there is a Turkish Stand to the side of the Church of Saint-Séverin located on Rue Saint-Séverin that serves the best crepes!  We sampled several items from the menu which was all good and huge portions.

Luxembourg Gardens

The Luxembourg Gardens are beautiful and were created by Queen Marie de Medici in 1612.  The gardens are formally laid-out gardens with trees planted in patterns (which makes for lots of small areas to explore) and statues on pedestals.  

If you are traveling with children, they will love renting toy vintage sailboats to sail in the pond.  Kids place the sailboats in the water and give it a push with their stick and then watch as the wind takes it across the pond.  

There is also a replica of the Statue of Liberty in the gardens.  Fun fact: Paris actually has three replicas of the Statue of Liberty.  The second is located on Île aux Cygnes in the Seine which was given to France by the United States in 1889.  The third Statue of Liberty is located in the entrance to the Museum D’Orsay.

Additional Sites Nearby

If you have time, you may want to visit either the Catacombs or Montparnasse.  The Catacombs was built in the 18th Century to house the bones of Paris’s overrun cemeteries using the tunnels in the former quarries.  It took nearly 12 years to move the bones from bodies numbering between 6 and 7 million. 

Montparnasse is a great place to view the sunset over Paris.  Head up the tower to the observation deck on the 56th floor.  There are two levels with the lower one being completely glassed-in while the terrace has glass panels with a few openings where you can take pictures without getting a reflection.

Day 3

Take the Metro to the Montmartre area which is a huge artist area.  You can climb the stairs to Sacre-Coeur or take the funicular.  

Tip: If you have a Metro pass, your ticket is good for use at the funicular.  Be very careful of pickpocketers and games being played outside of the funicular.  

Sacre-Coeur

This basilica sits on the highest natural point in Paris!  You can visit the inside of the basilica for free and it is beautiful.  If you would like a higher view of the city, you can climb to the top of the dome (about 300 steps), however, there is a fee for that.  

Montmartre

Leaving Sacre-Coeur, head towards Place du Tertre which is where lots of artists display their work.  You can stop for lunch or coffee at one of the many cafes.  

There is the Dali Museum if you are a fan of his work.

Museum d’Orsay

Musée d’Orsay houses one of the finest collection of Impressionist art and it also explores the post-Impressionist work of artists such as Van Gogh.  If you love Manet, Monet, Degas, Renoir, Pissarro or any other Impressionist you will really enjoy this museum.  The museum is located in an old train station and the design is just beautiful.  

Day 4

On your last day in Paris, I recommend visiting any places, museums, or parks that you may have missed or anywhere you really wanted to visit that I did not list above.  Some ideas include Versailles or Père Lachaise Cemetery, however, both of these locations are a little further out from the center of Paris.  You could also choose to take a day trip from Paris which I have listed a couple of suggestions below.  If you have the time I highly recommend having family photos taken.  We used Flytographer (affiliate link) and our photographer Olga was so sweet, gave us directions during the shoot, and we received our photos quickly.  If you use this link (affiliate link) you will receive $25 off your first photoshoot.

Versailles

The Palace of Versailles was the royal residence in France from 1682 until 1789.  It is located about 12 miles southwest of the center of Paris and can be reached by taking the RER.  The grounds also contain vast gardens with fountains, canals, and groves.  The park adjacent to the palace includes a small rustic Hameau de la Reine created for Marie Antoinette.

Père Lachaise Cemetery

Located in the 20th Arrondissement, the Père Lachaise Cemetery is home to some of the most famous people in the world.  Jim Morrison of the Doors,  Chopin, Moliere, Edith Piaf, Rossini, and Oscar Wilde are all buried here.

Day Trips from Paris

If you are looking for a day trip from Paris, Disneyland Paris is an easy ~40-minute RER train ride away.  You can read more about visiting Disneyland Paris including my tips and must-do list here.

Another great option is to take the train to another city in France like Strasbourg or Colmar in Alsace (~2-hour train ride) or to Giverny to visit Claude Monet’s home and gardens.  You can read more about visiting Alsace including my tips and must-do list here.

 

While Paris is a large city its main tourist sites are fairly close to one another.  As long as you plan your route well and take the metro when needed, you can see many of Paris’ famous landmarks in a short amount of time.

Have you visited Paris?  What is your favorite spot in the city?