Planning your Paris adventure with limited time might seem like a challenge, but don’t worry! We’ve got you covered with an exciting itinerary that ensures you see all the must-visit spots stress-free.
Pro Tips:
- Bookmark this post for easy access during your visit
- Check out our guide to Paris for more planning resources
- Look at our top Paris tours for a memorable trip
- Make sure you’re staying in the right area of Paris.
4-Day Itinerary in Paris
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Is it Worth Going to Paris for 4 Days?
Short Answer: Yes!
A four-day itinerary means you can get the most out of the more time-consuming attractions, and our advice is to schedule one of those each day, leaving the afternoon free for a number of smaller activities (and a long lunch!).
How much money do you need for 4 days in Paris?
Considering a 4-day trip to Paris? The cost can vary depending on your preferences and how much you’re willing to spend. Here’s a breakdown of the approximate costs for three different budget levels:
Budget: €600 – €1000
Mid-Range: €800 – €1, 300
Luxury: €1,500 – €2,400+
When is the Best Time of the Year to Visit Paris?
When not to go? The City of Light is beautiful year round but certain times may be more fitting for you. And, it’s important to know how the travel seasons typically fluctuate.
Paris is enjoyable at any time of year, however, to have the best possible experience it’s important to think about what time you want to go and how the different seasons may suit your needs.
As expected, the summer season, particularly the months of July and August are the busiest time of year as millions of tourists flock to the city to experience its unique culture in nearly perfect weather. If you choose to go during this time, be prepared to be amongst large crowds of both locals and tourists. Many consider the Spring and Fall to be the best seasons for travel to the city, as the weather is still mild and there are typically much less tourists exploring the city at those times.
Although I must confess, Paris can sprinkle a bit of extra magic in December, twinkling with all its festive Christmas lights, adding an extra dash of romance to the air!
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See the Best of Paris in 4 Days
No doubt you’ve seen images of Paris in the movies, from Ratatouille to Emily in Paris, and you have a rough idea of what the streets and the people are like.
Is the real thing just as romantic, just as historic or just as breathtaking as you’ve always imagined? Only time will tell – and by that we mean the time you take to get to know the city. So let’s break down the top four attractions, assuming you’ll tackle one of these per day and spend each afternoon doing something else.
Day 1
The Eiffel Tower
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No trip to Paris is complete without seeing the iconic Eiffel Tower, the city’s unmistakable symbol. Crafted from iron, it was erected as the centerpiece of the 1889 World’s Fair and to commemorate the centennial anniversary of the French Revolution.
The tower offers three visitor levels, with restaurants located on the first and second floors. At the top level, the upper platform stands at 276 meters (906 feet) above the ground, making it the highest observation deck accessible to the public in the European Union.
You can save time by buying online tickets in advance, but you will still need to queue for the lift, although there is also the option of using the stairs. Either way, this will be a time-consuming activity.
In fact, you will probably spend more time admiring this feat of engineering from the surroundings than actually taking in the Eiffel Tower views from its high platforms.
This is because of the inviting green areas at the base of the tower – the Trocadéro and Champ-de-Mars parks, and the nearby terrace – all provide any number of angles for your essential selfie with the Eiffel Tower.
Day 2
The Louvre Museum
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![Mona Lisa Paris Louvre La Gioconda Leonardo da Vinci](/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Mona-Lisa-Paris-Louvre-700-x-425.jpg)
The four floors of the Louvre contain 380,000 objects and 35,000 works of art, making it the world’s largest museum, so this too is worthy of an extended visit.
Aim to see the big draws first – such as the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo and Winged Victory of Samothrace – so that you can deal with queues; and then you can seek out other sections that might be of interest. You might get ideas for what else to see while you’re making your way to these must-see items.Other well-known paintings in the Louvre museum are Eugène Delacroix’s Liberty Leading the People, and the agonizing Raft of the Medusa by Théodore Géricault. Looking to delve deeper into the artistic wonders of the Louvre? Check out our curated list featuring the 17 most important works of art at this renowned museum.
Not ready to book a tour? Find out if a Louvre Museums tour is worth it.
Day 3
Wandering Montmartre and Pigalle
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While not as extensive or queue-prone as the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower, Montmartre is a network of traditional corners, alleyways and steep stairways where you are sure to linger for photo opportunities or just to observe the street life.
The cobbled Rue Saint Rustique is the oldest street in Paris and the first to be reserved for pedestrians. Place du Tertre retains the Bohemian atmosphere in modern day times, with street artists, buskers and charming cafés.
Nobody visits Montmartre without hiking up to the iconic white facade of the Sacré-Coeur Basilica, which rewards the effort with an unmissable panoramic view of the city and, of course, the Eiffel Tower. Have a look at this article for more info on where to stay and what to do in Montmartre.
Then down below Montmartre hill is the racy Pigalle district with world-famous entertainment hotspots like the Moulin Rouge and Folies Bergère music halls.
Day 4
Versailles
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![family taking picture in hall of mirrors](/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Versailles-hall-of-mirrors-family-smiling.jpg)
You can undertake any number of day trips from Paris, such as Disneyland or the garden at Giverny made famous by artist Claude Monet, but no matter how many days you have in Paris the number one side-trip has to be the Palace of Versailles.
It’s only a 15-minute train ride from central Paris, but it gives you a taste of open country outside the French capital, and the splendor of the architecture, furnishings and the geometrically designed gardens will keep you wandering the site for hours.
If you’ve read about the extravagant king Louis XIV, known as the “Sun King”, or the equally colorful Marie-Antoinette, wife of Louis XVI, a visit to the palace will bring to life their stories of high-society functions and excess.
A prime example of such opulence is the Hall of Mirrors, where an array of chandeliers and mirrors augment the lavish decor.
![How to See the Palace of Versailles](/wp-content/plugins/wp-youtube-lyte/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2Fdwbs4kiVpzI%2F0.jpg)
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Not ready to book a tour? See if a Versailles tour is worth it.
Make it Up as You Go Along
Even if you take your time over the key attractions we’ve listed, you can only do so much at each site, and you will almost certainly have time for some of these additional ideas, perhaps after lunch.
From almost every Paris landmark there is another iconic monument or attraction within easy walking distance, but the metro is so accessible and affordable that you always have the option of skipping from zone to zone for whichever activity takes your fancy.
Here is a brief list of extra things to consider if you have a spare hour or so:
Museums Galore
- The Centre Pompidou modern art museum – a distinctive building in itself that offers works by Picasso, Matisse, and Kandinsky, as well as fascinating temporary exhibitions.
- Musée Rodin, which showcases classic works by sculptor Auguste Rodin, and also boasts some beautiful gardens.
- Musée d’Orsay, which has a valuable collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces by the likes of Monet, Renoir, Degas and Van Gogh.
- Musée de l’Orangerie, where you can see Claude Monet’s famous Water Lilies series.
Legendary Churches
Notre Dame and Sacre Coeur are of course essential, but there are many more Paris churches that have just as much history built into them:
- Saint-Sulpice Church in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district is noteworthy for its fine interior, and gained fame through scenes in the “Da Vinci Code” movie.
- Saint-Gervais-et-Saint-Protais church – well worth fitting in while you’re in the Le Marais district.
- Panthéon – a former church that now functions as a mausoleum, housing the tombs of famous French figures, including Voltaire, Rousseau, and Marie Curie.
- Père Lachaise Cemetery – not so much a church visit, but in this cemetery you can find the graves of luminaries like Jim Morrison, Édith Piaf, Oscar Wilde and Frédéric Chopin.
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Where To Stay in Paris
With a city as magnificent as Paris, it can be hard to find the perfect hotel at the perfect price. Explore the best hotels and places to stay in these incredible neighborhoods in Paris.
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