5 Days in Paris Itinerary
Plan the perfect 5 days in Paris with this thoughtful itinerary. From the Eiffel Tower and Montmartre to cafés and hidden gems, discover how to travel slow and savor the city.
8 min read
Introduction
Paris isn’t a city you rush through — it’s a place you linger, notice, and return to in memory long after you’ve left. If you have 5 days in Paris, you’ll have time to see the icons while also slowing down for café mornings, riverside walks, and moments that can’t be scheduled.
Where to Stay in Paris: Latin Quarter
Before diving into the itinerary, let’s talk about where to stay. Location shapes your Paris experience, and the Latin Quarter is one of the best bases in the city. It’s historic, lively, and central, with quick metro access to the rest of Paris.
For a quieter stay off the busy streets, I recommend Hotel du College de France - A boutique property with a warm atmosphere and great metro connections, it’s ideal if you want evenings that feel more restful.
If you’d rather be in the middle of it all, try Europe Saint Severin–Paris Notre Dame. This is actually one of our personal favorites. This hotel sits right in the heart of the Latin Quarter, surrounded by cafés, shops, and energy — plus as you can see on the map, it's very close to the metro!
Both hotels give you excellent metro access, just a short walk from Notre Dame, and make it easy to explore landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Montmartre — or even take a day trip to Versailles. Both options also keep you close to the cafés, bookshops, and lively spirit of the neighborhood without sacrificing convenience.
Europe Saint Severin–Paris Notre Dame Hotel in the heart of the Latin Quarter, Paris. Photos by Second Time Around Travel, 2023
Hotel du College de France in the Latin Quarter, Paris. Photo by Second Time Around Travel, 2025
Day 1: Arrival & the Latin Quarter
Your first hours in Paris should be about soaking it all in, not rushing through a checklist. After settling into your hotel, wander the Latin Quarter, one of the city’s most atmospheric neighborhoods. Here, cobblestone streets wind past historic bookshops, lively cafés, and hidden courtyards that make you feel instantly connected to the Paris rhythm.
✨ Suggested Stops
Shakespeare & Company – A legendary English-language bookstore full of history and charm.
Place Saint-Michel – A bustling square that makes a great starting point for exploring the area.
Café Terrace Break – Pause for a coffee or glass of wine at one of the cafés that spill into the streets — this is the Paris you came for
🌙 Evening Highlight
End your first night with a stroll along the Seine River, where the bridges glow at dusk. Don’t miss your first sparkling glimpse of the Eiffel Tower, which lights up every hour after sunset. It’s the perfect way to start your Paris story.
Day 2: The Icons of Paris
After a gentle first evening, Day 2 is about soaking in Paris’s most iconic landmarks — the ones you’ve seen in films and photos, now right in front of you.
☀️ Morning: Notre Dame & Sainte-Chapelle
Begin your day on Île de la Cité, one of the two small natural islands in the Seine and considered the birthplace of Paris. This is where the city began, and today it’s home to some of its most important monuments.
Visit the Notre Dame Cathedral, now reopened to visitors after years of restoration. Step inside to see the soaring Gothic architecture and learn about its history.
Just a few steps away is Sainte-Chapelle, a smaller Gothic chapel with some of the most stunning stained-glass windows in the world.
👉 Notre Dame & Sainte-Chapelle entry tickets — Explore the island where Paris began, with two of its most extraordinary Gothic masterpieces.
🏙️ Afternoon: The Louvre Museum
Spend your afternoon at the Louvre, the world’s largest art museum and home to over 35,000 works. For a slower experience, choose one or two sections that interest you most — perhaps Renaissance paintings, Egyptian antiquities, or French sculpture.
Take breaks in the courtyards or at cafés nearby. Slow travel here means savoring the art, not trying to see it all.
👉 Louvre skip-the-line tickets
🌃 Evening: Seine River Cruise
End your day with a Seine River cruise, gliding past Notre Dame, the Louvre, and the Eiffel Tower glowing at night. Watching the city light up from the water is one of the most memorable experiences in Paris.
👉 Hop on-hop-off River Cruise
👉 Gourmet Dinner Seine River Cruise with Singer and DJ Set
📝 Traveler’s Tip
Depending on the time of year and crowd levels, you may want to flip the order of your day — starting with the Louvre in the morning (before the biggest crowds arrive) and visiting Notre Dame and Sainte-Chapelle in the afternoon. Paris is best enjoyed with flexibility, so adjust your timing based on what feels right for the season.
Day 3: Art & Gardens
After two days of monuments and icons, Day 3 shifts into a slower rhythm. It’s about pairing Paris’s artistic treasures with the calm of its gardens — a balance that lets you experience both the city’s cultural richness and its everyday beauty.
☀️ Morning: Musée d’Orsay
Begin at the Musée d’Orsay, housed in a Beaux-Arts railway station that feels like a work of art itself.
The museum is home to the world’s largest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings — Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, Degas. Standing in front of Starry Night Over the Rhône or Monet’s Rouen Cathedral is unforgettable.
Unlike the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay is more manageable in size, perfect for a half-day visit without overwhelming you.
🌿 Afternoon: Luxembourg Gardens
After a morning of art, shift into the outdoors at the Luxembourg Gardens. This isn’t just a park — it’s where Parisians truly live.
You’ll find locals reading on benches, children sailing toy boats in the fountains, and groups gathered around for casual chess matches.
Take time to sit, stroll, and enjoy a slow lunch at a nearby café or bring a picnic of pastries and cheese from a market.
If you’d like a more guided culinary experience, you can also explore Paris through its flavors. A food tour is a wonderful way to taste cheeses, breads, pastries, and even wine while learning about local traditions.
--> Paris Latin Quarter Food Tour
--> Cheese and Wine Tasting in the Latin Quarter with Chef Alex
--> Saint Germain Area Food Tour
🌙 Evening: Le Marais
In the evening, wander into Le Marais, a district full of character. Once the aristocratic heart of Paris, today it’s a lively neighborhood with narrow streets, hidden courtyards, and boutique shops.
It’s also an excellent dinner spot — choose from classic bistros, falafel stands, or modern wine bars.
👉 Le Marais District & Jewish Quarter Guided Walking
📝 Traveler’s Tip
This day works so well because it’s balanced: art for the mind, gardens for the soul, and a lively neighborhood for the evening. If you want to add even more, stop at the Orangerie Museum earlier in the day for Monet’s massive Water Lilies murals before continuing to the Orsay.
Day 4: Montmartre Magic
Montmartre feels like a village tucked inside Paris — winding streets, local artists, and views that stretch across the whole city. This day is about slowing down, enjoying food, and letting yourself get lost in its charm.
☀️ Morning: Sacré-Cœur Basilica
Begin at the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, perched on the hilltop with some of the best views of Paris. Take a quiet moment inside the church, then step outside for the sweeping panorama.
Walk down the steps into the surrounding streets, where small bakeries and corner cafés invite you in for breakfast.
🛍️ Afternoon: Eating & Shopping in Montmartre
Stroll along Rue Lepic and Place du Tertre, where painters still set up their easels in the square. Even if you don’t buy, it’s worth pausing to watch.
Browse small boutiques for handmade goods, vintage finds, and Paris-themed souvenirs.
Stop for a long lunch — Montmartre has everything from cozy bistros to crêperies with outdoor seating.
If you’d like a deeper culinary experience, Montmartre is famous for its food tours. Guides lead you through bakeries, cheese shops, and wine stops, offering tastings and local stories.
--> Paris Montmartre & Sacre Coeur Semi-Private Guided Tour
--> Montmartre District and Sacre Coeur - Exclusive Guided Walking Tour
--> Paris Montmartre Food & Wine Tour with Eating Europe
🌙 Evening: Montmartre by Night
As the day winds down, Montmartre glows with warm lights and lively streets. Stay for dinner — whether it’s a tucked-away bistro or a café overlooking the square.
After dinner, wander back through the cobblestone alleys. Montmartre feels quieter in the evening, almost like stepping back in time.
👉Paris Montmartre Food Tour - A Full French Meal
📝 Traveler’s Tip
Montmartre has hills and cobblestones, so wear comfortable shoes. Plan to take it slow — this neighborhood is less about checking sights off a list and more about savoring atmosphere, food, and small discoveries.
Speaking of comfortable shoes, here are just a few women's sneakers that I recommend.
--> Brooks Women’s Ariel GTS 24 Supportive Running & Walking Shoe
--> Brooks Women’s Ghost Max 2 Neutral Running & Walking Shoe
Day 5: Boulevards, Icons & Elegance
Your last day in Paris is all about classic Parisian moments — starting with a bakery breakfast, stepping inside the Opera House, strolling the Champs-Élysées, and ending with a sparkling farewell from the Arc de Triomphe.
🥐 Morning: Bakery Breakfast
Begin your day like a true Parisian with breakfast from a local boulangerie — a flaky croissant, pain au chocolat, or fresh baguette sandwich with coffee.
This simple ritual is one of the best ways to feel the rhythm of daily Paris life.
--> Paris Croissant Small-Group Baking Class with a Chef
🎭 Late Morning: Paris Opera House (Palais Garnier)
After breakfast, head to the Palais Garnier, the Paris Opera House. Its grand staircase, gilded halls, and chandeliered auditorium are breathtaking — and it’s easy to see why this building inspired The Phantom of the Opera.
Take a guided tour to explore its history and architecture, or admire the lavish exterior if time is short.
--> Paris Opera Garnier Private Tour
🌆 Afternoon: Champs-Élysées Stroll
From the Opera, continue your day along the Champs-Élysées, Paris’s grand boulevard. Stroll past cafés, luxury boutiques, and leafy promenades.
Stop for lunch at a brasserie or simply enjoy people-watching with a coffee.
🌙 Evening: Arc de Triomphe & Sparkling Finale
End your day — and your Paris adventure — at the Arc de Triomphe, located at the top of the Champs-Élysées.
Climb to the rooftop terrace for sweeping views of the city. Time your visit just before sunset to see the city lights come alive.
If you’re lucky, you’ll catch the Eiffel Tower sparkle one last time, the perfect goodbye to Paris.
Video taken at 10pm in July 2025. Courtesy of Second Time Around Travel.
📝 Traveler’s Tip
Check closing times — the Opera House often closes in the late afternoon, while the Arc de Triomphe is open later, making it the ideal spot for your evening finale.
This 5-day Paris itinerary may look full, but remember — you don’t have to do it all. The heart of travel isn’t in checking off every sight, it’s in the moments you choose to linger. Whether that’s reading a book by the Seine, watching children sail toy boats in the park, or simply people-watching from a café terrace, leave space for the unscripted. That’s the spirit of slow, intentional travel — and the kind of memories that last long after the trip is over.
Wherever your Paris days take you, may they be filled with moments that linger. Travel slow, stay present, and carry it with you.
✨ Second Time Around Travel
Affiliate Note: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. That means if you book through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only share tours and experiences I truly believe add value to your travels.
Wander through Paris where it all began — from the stones of Notre Dame to the winding lanes of Île de la Cité. This walking tour invites you to slow down and see the city’s story unfold.
Looking for a guided path?
Contact Us
hello@secondtimearoundtravel.com
© 2025. All rights reserved.