The City of Lights beckons tourists with its art, architecture, history, culture, and cuisine. You could spend a year in the city and still discover new things to enthrall you! But most of us don’t have a year, so we have to pick and choose how to best spend our allotted time. The suggested itinerary below can be conducted in any order you choose based on attraction operating hours for the day of the week you plan to visit. So, grab a croissant while we discuss the best sites to see with only one week in Paris!
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Day 1 – Iconic Paris
It is worth the 284-step spiral staircase climb to the top of the Arc de Triomphe! The terrace provides great views of the city, including the Eiffel Tower and Champs Elysees, and the twelve radiating avenues. Dedicated to the armies of the Revolution and the Empire, the Arc de Triomphe was inaugurated in 1836 by French King Louis-Phillippe. Under the Arc de Triomphe, you will find the Tomb of the unknown Soldier from World War I.
Upon leaving the Arc de Triomphe, take a bit of time to window-shop on the Champs Elysees, before heading to Champs de Mars. Champs Elysees is called “the world’s most beautiful avenue” and is a favorite place for Parisians and tourists to stroll. It is also home to many luxury boutiques, restaurants, and night-clubs. Champs de Mars is a public green-space adjacent to the Eiffel Tower. This is a great place to enjoy a baguette and cheese before making your way up the Eiffel Tower.
The Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is the most recognizable icon of Paris and you will see this magnificent landmark from almost any place you go in the city. The lattice-worked tower, constructed for the 1889 World’s Fair in Paris, commemorated the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution. It also served to show-off France’s mechanical prowess as it was the world’s tallest structure for four decades. The view from the top of the tower is gorgeous! The only drawback to the view is that you can’t see the Eiffel Tower when standing on the Eiffel Tower.
Before you arrive for your week in Paris, purchase round-trip tickets for the lift to the summit. These tickets sell-out early so plan ahead! You can also opt to stop on the first or second levels where you will find dining and shopping venues but I recommend going all the way to the top first. You can climb to the first and second levels by foot for a lower cost, but it is about 300 steps to the first level and another 300+ to the second. I see no reason to waste my steps in Paris climbing to scary heights!
Paris By Night
After an exhausting first day, rest your feet before dinner and board a Bateaux Parisians Seine Dinner River Cruise at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. Taking this slow evening cruise to see the City of Lights at night is the perfect end to a perfect first day of your week in Paris.
Day 2 – Versailles: “Let Them Eat Cake”
The splendors of Versailles are incredible! The sheer opulence of the chateau is over-the-top. From the Royal Gate of gold leaf to the breathtaking gardens, Versailles is a site to behold. King Louis XIII ordered the construction of the original chateau to serve as a hunting lodge. Through the years, the residence was transformed into an immense complex intended to glorify the king. The Palace of Versailles was declared the official royal residence of the Kings of France in 1682. It was nearly destroyed following the French Revolution but it kept its place in history and is a wonderful place to spend your second day in Paris.
To get to the chateau, take the Réseau Express Régional (RER) C-Line train at Pont de l’Alma. The RER connects central Paris to the surrounding suburbs. After about a 30-minute ride, you will arrive at the Versailles-Chantiers station. From there it is a 10-minute stroll to the golden gates of Versailles.
Other royalty: Near the train station at Pont de l’Alma you will find a Memorial to Princess Diana. The much loved Princess died in a car accident in the nearby underpass. The bronze Flame of Liberty, a replica of the one atop the Statue of Liberty, serves as a memorial.
Day 3 – Cathedrals & Basilicas to the Moulin Rouge
Notre-Dame
The Cathérale Notre-Dame is a medieval Catholic cathedral and is one of the finest examples of French Gothic Architecture. Notre-Dame is the most famous of Gothic cathedrals from the Middle Ages due to its size, antiquity, and architecture. Due to the tragic fire of 2019, this beautiful cathedral is currently closed to the public but expected to reopen in December 2024. Until then, take a few moments to admire the exterior. You may also visit the crypts under Notre Dame during the reconstruction of the cathedral.
Montmartre
No trip to Paris would be complete without a trip to Montmartre. During the 19th century, the bohemian lifestyle of this Paris neighborhood attracted artists and writers galore. Today, it draws tourists from all over the world. Stroll along the streets of Montmartre to take in the architecture and energy of the neighborhood. You will find a lot of great cafes, restaurants, and shopping in this area and it is a great place to grab lunch.
Don’t forget to take a peek at the famous Parisian cabaret and home of the Cancan, The Moulin Rouge. The cabaret is still in operation and you can take in a show during your visit. Or, if Cancan dancers are not your thing, you can just take a snap of this famous cabaret from the outside.
Sacre Coeur Basilica
A visit to the summit of Butte Montmartre to visit the Sacre Coeur Basilica is worth your time and energy. This Roman Catholic church and minor basilica looks out upon Paris from the highest point in the city. It is quite a climb to the top but you can also opt to ride the funiculaire up the steep incline.
Day 4 – Masterpieces of Paris
Paris is home to several museums featuring great works of art and culture as well as stunning gardens that are masterpieces in and of themselves.
The Louvre
The Louvre, originally constructed to serve as a fortress in the 1200s, was rebuilt as a royal palace in the mid-16th century. Today it is one of the most outstanding and well-known museums in the world, housing such famous pieces as the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, Winged Victory, and many others. Honestly, you could get lost in the Louvre for an entire week in Paris! Get in line before opening to ensure you are allowed entry and are ahead of the crowds.
Jardin des Tuileries
Nearby, the Jardin des Tuileries connects the Louvre Museum, the Musee d’ Orsay, the Jeu de Paume Museum, and Place de Concorde. Commissioned by Catherine de’ Medici in 1564 as the garden of the Tuileries Palace, it became a public park following the French Revolution. Today, the Jardin des Tuileries is one of the city’s most popular green spaces. This is a wonderful place to take a break to enjoy a baguette and cheese after a visit to the Louvre.
Musee d’ Orsay
The Musee d’ Orsay is located in the former Orsay Railway Station built for the Universal Exhibition of 1900. Whether you enjoy art or not, it is worth the time just to enter this stunning building. The Musee d’ Orsay displays art from the period of 1848 to 1914 including pieces by Renoir, Monet, Van Gogh, Gauguin, and others. Be sure to grab an audio-guide or use the app to hear information about the most famous pieces in the museum.
Musee Rodin
If you have time, hop over to the Musee Rodin. The museum displays many of the artist’s bronze and marble sculptures, including “The Thinker.” There is also a lovely garden with sculptures and shade trees. This is a nice quiet place to rest and contemplate. Hmmmm, maybe that is what “The Thinker” is doing!
Day 5 – The French Revolution – and other sites along the way
You can’t help but think of of the French Revolution and its aftermath as you walk through the streets. The city abounds with monuments, former prisons, and sites where these historic events took place. Some sites of particular interest include:
The Hotel des Invalides, built in the 1670s by Louis XIV, was constructed to provide housing for 4000 disabled war veterans. On July 14, 1789, a mob converged on the site and seized 28,000 weapons before storming the Bastille, marking the start of the French Revolution. The remains of Napoleon Bonaparte, encased in six coffins, are housed under the central dome.
The famous prison is no longer there, but in the center of the Place de la Bastille you will find the Colonne de Juillet (July column). The greenish bronze column is topped by a gilded and winged figure of Liberty. Erected, in 1833 this is a memorial to the people killed in the street battles during the July Revolution of 1830. The lost are buried beneath the column.
From Prison to the Guillotine
The Conciergerie was built as a medieval royal palace. Visitors can still see the Salle des Gardes (Guards Room) and Salle des Gens d’Armes (Hall of Soldiers) built under King Philip the Fair as well as the kitchens built under King John the Good. The palace was converted into a seat of justice when the Kings of France abandoned the palace in the late-14th century. During the Revolution, the Conciergerie held many prisoners from the Revolutionary Tribunal, including Marie Antionette. Visitors can visit a commemorative chapel on the site of her cell.
Place de Concorde is a major public square in Paris. It is most famous as the place of execution during the French Revolution. Many notable people lost their heads to the guillotine here, including Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.
Moving From Monument to Monument
You can easily move from site to site by foot and/or metro, but if you are ready to give your feet a break, consider purchasing a pass for the Big Bus Hop-on/-off Tour. This bus moves from location to location and provides unlimited access for the length of the pass. Your pass also includes commentary on the various sites as you move through the city. This commentary can be a nice supplement to your pre-trip research. If you purchase the All-inclusive Pass from Go City Paris, access to the hop-on/-off bus is included.
Day 6 – The Middle Ages to the Reformation
On the 6th day of your week in Paris, you can travel through time. Visit a museum with artifacts from the Middle Ages, a chapel from the Renaissance, and a garden from the early years of the Reformation.
Musee de Cluny
The Musee de Cluny (National Museum of the Middle Ages) is a lesser-known museum but one that is absolutely worth visiting. It houses one of the best collections of medieval art in the world with many important pieces dating from antiquity to the Renaissance. Some important items include stained glass, weapons and shields, reliquary, and even tombstones. The most famous items are the tapestries of the Lady and the Unicorn dating back to the 15th century. The structure houses Gallo-Roman baths from the late 1st century and the town house of the abbots of Cluny daring from the 15th century. It is an archeology site in addition to serving as a museum.
The Sainte-Chapelle
The Sainte-Chapelle (Holy Chapel) is a gothic style church built in the 1200s. The upper chapel’s 15 stained glass windows are stunning but the enclosed columns with 1,113 scenes narrating Genesis to the resurrection of Christ are the bigger draw. In the lower chapel you will find a fresco of the Annunciation made during the 13th century. This is the oldest mural in the city. The Sainte-Chapelle was built to house the relics of the Passion of Christ (the Crown of Thorns and a piece of Santa Cruz) that King Louis IX purchased from the emperors of Constantinople. The relics are now located at Notre-Dame.
Jardin de Luxembourg
The Jardin de Luxembourg is a beautiful place to spend the afternoon. Marie de’ Medici, widow of King Henry IV, commissioned the garden in 1612. It consists of over 56 acres of lawns, tree-lined promenades, flowerbeds, tennis courts, and the Medici Fountain. Children of all ages enjoy operating model sailboats on its octagonal Grand Basin.
Day 7 – Opera, High Fashion, and the Sewers of Paris
The Opera Garnier, designed by Charles Garnier, opened in 1860. The renowned opera house, with its magnificent central chandelier, is famous as the setting for the Phantom of the Opera. You can tour all public areas including a pass by Box 5 which belonged to the Phantom!
Paris is the fashion capital of the world. While most of us can only afford to window shop on the Champs Elysees, a visit to the Galeries Lafayette flagship store on Blvd Haussmann could result in use of your travel credit card. This 750,000 square foot French upmarket fashion department store is breathtaking. Visit the store to admire the architecture, purchase souvenirs, take in the sweeping views of Paris from the rooftop bar, or to grab a snack for later.
One of the smelliest, but most unique museums is the Musee des Egouts de Paris (The Paris Sewers Museum). Installed in the 1200s, the Paris sewers continue to flow today. As a working museum, in the Musee des Egouts de Paris raw sewage flows beneath your feet as you walk through. This sounds awful, but it is truly fascinating.
After visiting the sewers and the top of the Eiffel Tower, you will truly have seen Paris from top to bottom in just a week!
Planning Your Week in Paris
There are many wonderful accommodations throughout the city in which to spend a week in Paris. Also, the Public Transportation System is one of the easiest and most comprehensive. For details on accommodations, transportation, and what to pack, check out Planning Your Trip to Paris: What You Must Know.
What to Eat During Your Week in Paris!
Paris is filled with world-class cuisine. While I most enjoyed grabbing a croissant, baguette, cheese, and/or a crepe for a little picnic in one of the beautiful gardens or green-spaces, you should also seize this opportunity to taste, and perhaps even prepare, french cuisine. Here are a few wonderful ways to explore the culinary arts in Paris.
Bon Appetit!
Paris Tour Tickets
You can elect to purchase tour tickets through the individual links above, but to save money I consider purchasing a Go City Paris Pass instead. The All-inclusive Pass will give you access to an unlimited number of attractions each day. This is great because sometimes an opportunity to add an attraction arises and you seize it. But for those of you who prefer to stick to a strict schedule, the Explorer Pass might be more your style. I advise you to do the math before selecting a pass over individual tickets. Savings depends on how many activities you want to do.
If Time Allows During Your One Week in Paris
You really can’t fit all the awesome things to do into one week in Paris. If you have an extra day or two – or if you would like a different option for one of the days discussed above, consider a visit to Disneyland Paris or check out a myriad of other great activities!
Bon Voyage!
What is your favorite way to spend one week in Paris?
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