Explore Paris in 4 Days: The Ultimate 4 Day Paris Itinerary for First-Timers
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The city of love. The city of lights. The city of delicious croissants.
This 4 day Paris itinerary has it all!
You’ve probably heard everything about Paris — the iconic landmarks, the charming cafés, the endless romance. So why not experience Paris for yourself?
After visiting “the city of everything” (my new phrase for the iconic French capital) multiple times, I’ve seen and done it all. From a casual bakery crawl in search of the BEST croissants in Paris, to exploring iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe, I’ve compiled the PERFECT 4 day Paris itinerary for first-time visitors.
This extensive four day Paris itinerary will guide you through the basics – the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, and other famous landmarks – and also bring you to some hidden gems and delectable bites. Did I mention I have the perfect recommendation for THE BEST crêpes in Paris?
Explore this 4 day Paris itinerary, one cobblestone step at a time!
The Ultimate Paris 4-day Itinerary
Paris Itinerary – Day 1
A Scenic River Cruise, Iconic French Landmarks and the BEST Crêpes YOU’ll EVER EAT
There’s no better way to see Paris than from the sparkling waves of the Seine!
A scenic one-hour river cruise with Vedettes de Paris – which can be booked seamlessly through Get Your Guide – is the perfect way to get an overview of the city’s most iconic landmarks.
Here are a few of my FAVORITE guided Seine river cruise tours!
When I brought my family to Paris, we really enjoyed our river cruise with Vedettes de Paris on our first day in the city. Starting at the base of the Eiffel Tower – the perfect photo location for travelers hoping to snap a few pics with the monumental landmark – Vedettes de Paris takes you on a one-hour guided tour along the river. You’ll learn about the history of the Eiffel Tower, see beautiful French architecture, and pass by historic museums (the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay) and churches (Notre Dame).
A guided river cruise with Get Your Guide is the perfect way to start your four day Paris itinerary.
After the cruise, you’ll find yourself back at the famous Eiffel Tower. So why not spend some time exploring the incredible monument?
On my first trip to Paris, I really enjoyed climbing to the Eiffel Tower’s second floor. Travelers have the option to take the lift or the stairs, so this activity is accessible to all people. From the esplanade to the second story, you’ll see incredible views of the city of Paris through the monument’s wrought-iron lattice.
The Eiffel Tower not only boasts incredible views, this world-renowned monument also offers bougie travelers the experience of dining at a Michelin-starred restaurant 125 meters above the city of Paris. Le Jules Verne is a Michelin-starred restaurant which offers incredible views of Trocadéro and Champ-de-Mars. For travelers with a BIG budget, Le Jules Verne is one place worth adding to your four day Paris itinerary!
After visiting the Eiffel Tower catch the iconic metro line 6 from Bir Hakeim to the Arc de Triomphe. One of Paris’ most scenic metro rides across the Seine, which gives travelers an incredible view of the Eiffel Tower, metro line 6 is a convenient way to travel around Trocadéro.
The final stop of the day is the monumental Arc de Triomphe.
Serving as a “gateway” to the city of Paris, the Arc de Triomphe is a triumphal arch inspired by the Arch of Titus in Rome. Paris’ triumphal arch was completed during the reign of Louis-Philipe I and stood to commemorate the armies of the revolution and the French republic. Today, the Arc de Triomphe monument makes for a great viewpoint of the Eiffel Tower.
travel tip!
Travelers under the age of 18 (or under 26 if you are an EU citizen) can get FREE access to the top of the Arc de Triomphe. This includes students studying abroad with an EU student visa.
The viewpoint at the top of the Arc de Triomphe is one of the most incredible ways to see Paris from above, especially at night!
On the streets nearby the Arc de Triomphe, you can find AMAZING crêpes. The BEST crêpes I’ve ever had!
Look for Fait Maison Crêpes, an elusive orange street cart never in the same exact location twice, which serves the BEST crêpes in Paris! This street cart is usually located near the Arc de Triomphe…but you might have to go on a Paris scavenger hunt to find it!
Paris Itinerary – Day 2
Memorable Museums, Delectable Gyros and Beautiful Churches
Raise your hand if you’re a museum-lover like me? There’s something so special about strolling through the decorative hallways of a museum.
With so many incredible museums in Paris, there’s something to see for every type of traveler. Your Paris four-day itinerary should have at least one museum on the list! If it’s your first time visiting Paris, you likely have the Louvre on your Paris itinerary. However, if it’s not your first rodeo, you’ll love Paris’ other museums like Musée d’Orsay (my favorite museum in Paris!) and Musée Rodin.
Long before you step foot into a museum, you should have one thing on your mind. Croissants!
The BEST place to get flaky, golden croissants in Paris is at La Maison d’Isabelle, the winner of the “Best croissant in Paris” in 2018. Since it received its crown, La Maison d’Isabelle has gotten more and more well-known. It’s worth getting to the bakery early before you head to one of Paris’ iconic museums.
If you plan on visiting the Louvre, I highly recommend booking a guided tour with Get Your Guide to learn about the museum’s most notable artworks.
Choosing a guided tour of the Louvre made the massive museum – which holds over 35,000 artworks – much less overwhelming.
The Louvre is ALWAYS busy, so I recommend going early OR going late. On Wednesday and Fridays, the Louvre is open until 9pm, so visiting after dinner is a great idea, especially during peak season. Otherwise, the early bird gets the worm!
For more information about my favorite museums, landmarks, and places to eat in Paris, check out my Paris travel guide!
The Ultimate Paris Travel Guide
Exploration always makes me hungry! On my second visit to Paris, I stumbled upon a small restaurant that offered take-away Greek gyros. If there’s one non-French cuisine you have in Paris, MAKE IT La Maison de Gyros. Located near Notre Dame, the next stop on your four-day Paris itinerary, La Maison de Gyros was MY FAVORITE cheap eat in Paris.
For just EIGHT euros – or cheaper if you share with someone (they are huge gyros!) – you can get a delectable gyro with fresh sizzling meat from the skewer. Topped with frites (french fries), veggies and sauces of your choosing, these gyros were so good, I returned to eat here several times. I still dream about La Maison de Gyros!
Near La Maison de Gyros (what I now consider a Parisian landmark), is Notre Dame Cathedral. After a devastating fire destroyed parts of the cathedral, Notre Dame has since been reconstructed. One of the first examples of French Gothic architecture, Notre-dame is an unforgettable basilica with spectacular architecture!
The last stop on day two of your Paris four day itinerary is Sainte Chapelle. Sainte Chapelle is a beautiful royal chapel with biblical scenes painted in light all around the chapel. The stunning stained glass, reminiscent of a Gothic-style architecture, will make your jaw drop!
In need of dinner plans?
My favorite restaurant in Paris happens to be Italian cuisine! Osteria Brutto, located in the fifth arrondissement, is the perfect place to devour Italian pasta. This restaurant offers guests affordable and delicious pasta dishes in a classy, intimate setting. As a HUGE fan of spaghetti with clams, I was pleased by Osteria Brutto’s fresh take on the classic dish. Bon appetit!
Paris Itinerary – Day 3
Explore Paris’ Bohemian District – Montmartre
“I can’t believe I spent SEVEN days in Paris, and didn’t visit Montmartre!”
…said Bella on her second visit to Paris. I was one of those people who DIDN’T visit Montmartre until my second visit to Paris. And I couldn’t believe how much bohemian charm I missed out on during my first trip! If you plan to visit Paris in 4 days, you absolutely MUST add Montmartre to your itinerary!
Montmartre is Paris’ charming bohemian district. Formerly the location of many art studios – including the famous Le Bateau Lavoir, Picasso’s studio – Montmartre has retained its artistic charm for centuries.
If there’s one neighborhood you add to your Paris 4-day itinerary, let it be Montmartre!
I spent an entire morning exploring the cobblestone pathways of Montmartre, and I could easily have spent all day there. From Basilique du Sacré-Cœur to Place du Tertre (“caricature avenue”), Montmartre has so much timeless charm!
Le Poulbot is a great place to grab lunch or dinner in Montmartre. Serving up French classics like beef bourguignon, French onion soup, and escargot, I highly recommend booking a reservation for Le Poulbot after your self-guided Montmartre walking tour!
If you have extra time on day three of your four-day Paris Itinerary, I recommend catching metro line 2 to the 11th arrondissement. Known for its vibrant bar scene and too many amazing restaurants to count, the 11th arrondissement is a foodie paradise. Travelers will enjoy strolling along Canal St. Martin to experience a more local side of Paris.
Also in the 11th arrondissement is Atelier des Lumières, an awe-inspiring immersive experience that paints scenes of light and art. This activity is perfect for travelers who want to experience “the city of light” through a vibrant, immersive art experience.
Paris Itinerary – Day 4
Escape the Bustling, Modern City – Journey to the 17th and 18th Centuries at Versailles
The last day of your four-day Paris itinerary should be spent marveling at 17th and 18th century splendor and opulence.
I’ve visited Versailles multiple times, each time seeing and learning something new. If you don’t plan on booking a guided tour with Get Your Guide, I highly recommend booking the Passport Ticket, an all-encompassing ticket offering guests entry to the main palace and its galleries, and the Estate of Trianon.
Not a first-time traveler to Versailles? The palace also offers a night show featuring eye-catching fireworks that light up the massive estate. This experience is perfect for travelers who have already visited the palace.
Versailles is located approximately thirty minutes outside the city of Paris. The easiest, most affordable way to get to the Palace of Versailles is to take the RER C train from any local metro station in Paris. A private taxi will be very expensive, especially for families and budget travelers.
As your four unforgettable days in Paris come to a close, you’ll leave with a heart full of memories, a camera full of photos, and a longing to return to the City of Light!
I hope this extensive Paris 4 day itinerary helps you plan the most incredible adventure!
Want to explore even MORE Paris content?
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