A Simple 4-Day Itinerary for Paris (With Food Stops Too)
This itinerary works best if you’re staying in or near the 1st arrondissement, close to the Tuileries and Louvre. Many of the steps involve walking directly from one landmark to another, which is easy from this central base. If you’re staying farther out, you’ll want to use the metro to link some of these stops.
Credit: this itinerary is inspired by u/JollyBuffalo2642’s trip report on r/ParisTravelGuide, where she packed four days with smart stops, good food, and plenty of walking!
1. Arrival Day: Gardens and the Seine
Start your trip with a walk through the Tuileries Garden, right in the heart of Paris. From there, cross the Seine to the Musée d’Orsay, one of the city’s most stunning museums, housed in a former train station and filled with Impressionist masterpieces.
On the way back, wander around Place Vendôme before dinner. A classic stop is Le Petit Vendôme, a small bistro known for its cured ham and goat cheese baguette sandwiches.
2. Day Two: Islands and the Latin Quarter
Begin with a pastry at Bo&Mie, a popular bakery near the Louvre. Then head to Notre-Dame Cathedral. Even when the line looks long, entry usually moves quickly.
Take time to explore Île de la Cité and walk across to Île Saint-Louis for ice cream at Berthillon.
Book an early afternoon slot for Sainte-Chapelle, famous for its stained-glass windows, then continue to the Panthéon and the surrounding Latin Quarter. Behind the monument, you’ll find the spots featured in Emily in Paris.
Spend the late afternoon in the Luxembourg Garden. It’s one of the most beautiful parks in Paris and home to a small replica of the Statue of Liberty.
End the day at the Montparnasse Tower. The rooftop offers wide-open views of the city, including the Eiffel Tower, and makes a great alternative if you don’t plan to climb the Eiffel Tower itself.
3. Day Three: Paris Icons
Walk to Place de la Concorde and continue to Rue Cler, a lively market street where you can grab breakfast and chocolates while people-watching.
Head toward the Eiffel Tower and see it from several vantage points: Rue de Monttessuy, the Champ de Mars, and across the river at the Trocadéro.
Continue to the Arc de Triomphe (note that access can occasionally be restricted). Then make your way to Galeries Lafayette. The rooftop terrace is free and gives another excellent city panorama, though it can get crowded.
In the evening, consider a Segway tour for a different way to cover more ground.
Day Four: Food, Art, and Shopping
Spend the morning on a food tour of Le Marais. A good guide will introduce you to pastries, croque monsieur, falafel, chocolates, and desserts while explaining the neighborhood.
In the afternoon, head to the Rodin Museum. Both the gardens and sculptures are worth lingering in.
Afterwards, browse Printemps and Galeries Lafayette for shopping. The interiors of these department stores are as striking as the merchandise.
End your trip with something simple but satisfying, like a street-side crêpe.
Practical Tips
- Consider buying individual tickets for museums rather than the 2-day pass unless you plan carefully.
- The Île-de-France Mobilités app makes buying metro tickets easy from your phone.
- Always greet staff with a bonjour or bonsoir before ordering; it sets the tone for positive interactions.
- Paris is very walkable, so expect long days on foot – 20,000+ steps in a day isn’t unusual.