Paris in 5 Days: The Itinerary I Would Follow on My First Trip

If you have 5 days in Paris, you can see many of the city’s most famous landmarks without turning your trip into a race from one attraction to another. In this itinerary, I prioritized the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Panthéon, Jardin du Luxembourg, Notre-Dame, Montmartre and Versailles, while still leaving plenty of room to walk around, admire the architecture, explore different neighborhoods and stop for coffee.

Introduction

Hi! My name is Bruna, I’m the author of this blog, and in this post, I’ll help you plan your own trip to Paris.

The idea behind this itinerary is to see some of Paris’s main landmarks without turning five days into a race from one attraction to the next.

If I were planning my own first trip, I would prioritize the things I would personally want to experience in the city: architecture, history, gardens, beautiful streets, cafés and, of course, croissants and desserts.

That’s why the Louvre, for example, is included in this itinerary, but not as a mandatory indoor visit. If you love art, you can easily adapt the itinerary and add it.

I’ve also tried to group the attractions by area so that each day makes geographical sense and you don’t have to spend half your trip crossing the city.

Before We Start: One Important Thing About This Itinerary

This is not an itinerary for someone who wants to see absolutely everything Paris has to offer in five days.

To be honest, I think trying to do that would be one of the best ways to not enjoy the city.

Paris has enough attractions for you to create several completely different itineraries. So instead of trying to squeeze 20 tourist attractions into every day, I would rather choose a few places I actually want to see and leave some breathing room to enjoy the city.

In my case, that means I would probably spend more time looking at buildings, gardens and streets than inside museums. I would also make a point of stopping at a café every day and having some kind of dessert.

And if you travel in a completely different way from me, that’s totally fine. Throughout this itinerary, I’ll show you some swaps you can make to adapt the days to your own travel style.

Day 1 – Paris’s Biggest Icons

Area: Trocadéro → Eiffel Tower → Champ de Mars → Les Invalides → Arc de Triomphe → Champs-Élysées

I would start the trip with one of those places that, even though it isn’t my personal priority, I consider essential on a first visit.

You probably already know which one…

Of course, the Eiffel Tower.

Trocadéro and the Eiffel Tower

I would start at Trocadéro, an area located across the Seine from the Eiffel Tower. It is home to the Trocadéro Gardens and the Palais de Chaillot, with one of the most classic views of the Eiffel Tower.

The Trocadéro Gardens were created for the 1937 World’s Fair and offer a wide-open view toward the tower.

That’s exactly why I would start here. Before even getting close to the Eiffel Tower, you can admire it from one of the most famous viewpoints in Paris.

And I would probably stay there for a few minutes just looking at it.

Then, I would cross the Pont d’Iéna toward the Eiffel Tower itself.

For me, seeing the Eiffel Tower up close would already be part of the experience of visiting Paris.

I don’t have that much interest in going up the tower myself, but if you do, there are several ticket options.

How much does it cost to go up the Eiffel Tower?

The official adult ticket prices in 2026 are:

• €23.50 — second floor by elevator;
• €14.80 — second floor by stairs;
• €36.70 — summit by elevator;
• €28 — stairs to the second floor + elevator to the summit.

Reduced fares are available for young people aged 12–24 and children aged 4–11. Children under 4 enter free.

I recommend buying tickets directly through the official Eiffel Tower website, choosing your date, time and type of access. Booking in advance is especially useful if you want to reach the summit, as the most popular time slots can sell out.

Buy Eiffel Tower tickets – official website

If you don’t want to go up, you don’t need a ticket to enjoy the area around the Eiffel Tower.

Champ de Mars

After visiting the tower area, I would continue through Champ de Mars, the large green space stretching out in front of the Eiffel Tower.

I would leave some free time here.

I wouldn’t put another attraction immediately after it.

I want to be able to look at the Eiffel Tower from different angles, admire the surrounding buildings, take some photos and simply enjoy the fact that I’m in Paris.

And this is something I would do quite a lot during this trip: leave little pockets of unscheduled time between attractions.

Les Invalides

After that, I would head toward Les Invalides.

This complex fits the spirit of this itinerary quite well because it combines striking architecture with an important part of French history.

I would visit the complex even if I didn’t go inside the museum.

But if you enjoy military history, it may be worth visiting the Musée de l’Armée, which is located inside the complex.

How much does the Musée de l’Armée cost?

The full adult ticket currently costs €17.

You can buy tickets in advance through the museum’s official ticket office.

Buy Musée de l’Armée tickets – official website

My choice: I would keep the indoor museum visit optional.

Since I’m not particularly interested in museums, I wouldn’t spend several hours here if it meant giving up another place I really want to see. But if military history is one of your interests, I would absolutely consider making the swap.

Arc de Triomphe

Next, I would head to the Arc de Triomphe.

This is another place I would definitely want to see, especially because of its historical importance.

Even if you don’t want to go inside, it’s worth seeing the monument from the outside and taking in the perspective of Avenue des Champs-Élysées.

If you want to climb to the panoramic terrace, you’ll need a ticket.

How much does the Arc de Triomphe cost?

In 2026, an individual ticket costs:

• €22 from April 1 to September 30;
• €16 from October 1 to March 31.

During the summer season, Wednesdays have the €16 rate. The ticket includes access to the monument and panoramic terrace.

You can buy your ticket in advance through the official Centre des Monuments Nationaux ticket office.

Buy Arc de Triomphe tickets – official ticket office

Champs-Élysées

After the Arc de Triomphe, I would walk along Avenue des Champs-Élysées toward the Place de la Concorde area.

You don’t necessarily have to walk the entire avenue if you’re tired.

My idea is to enjoy the route itself.

This is one of the busier days of the itinerary, so I wouldn’t add another major attraction afterward.

☕ My coffee break of the day

At some point during this first day, I would find a café or pâtisserie along the way.

It doesn’t need to be the most famous café in Paris, or the most expensive.

Actually, I want to create an article later with options that offer good value for money, because I don’t want to spend a fortune every afternoon just to sit in a pretty café.

After the Eiffel Tower + Les Invalides + Arc de Triomphe, I would rather go back to the hotel, rest and enjoy the evening without another obligation.

Day 2 – Panthéon, Jardin du Luxembourg and Historic Paris

Area: Panthéon → Latin Quarter → Jardin du Luxembourg → Saint-Germain-des-Prés

This would probably be the most “Bruna” day of the itinerary.

This was actually the area that caught my attention when I started exploring Paris on Maps.

When I saw the Panthéon, Jardin du Luxembourg and the whole Latin Quarter area, I thought: this is where I would want to start exploring Paris.

This is part of the Rive Gauche, or Left Bank of the Seine, known for its history, architecture, universities, bookstores, cafés and streets that invite you to explore without rushing from one attraction to another.

Panthéon

I would start with the Panthéon.

If I had to choose one attraction to visit first in Paris, this would probably be it.

The monument stands on Montagne Sainte-Geneviève in the 5th arrondissement and was designed by architect Soufflot. Today, besides its impressive architecture, the Panthéon is one of France’s major historic monuments.

And here I would do something different from the Louvre:

I would go inside.

I have much more interest in history and architecture than in art, so I think the inside of the Panthéon would be much more my thing.

How much does the Panthéon cost?

The individual ticket costs €16 from April 1 to September 30, 2026, and €13 from October 1 to March 31. During the summer season, Wednesdays have the €13 rate.

The self-guided visit takes approximately 1.5 hours.

You can buy your ticket in advance through the official ticketing service.

Buy Panthéon tickets – official website

Latin Quarter

After the Panthéon, I wouldn’t rush to another attraction.

I would explore the Latin Quarter.

This is where I would want to do what I imagine when I think about a trip to Paris: walk through the streets, look at the buildings, go into a bookstore if one catches my attention, explore little squares and discover a café that looks interesting.

The neighborhood itself is part of the attraction.

Jardin du Luxembourg

After that, I would head toward Jardin du Luxembourg.

The garden is free to enter, and it’s one of those places I wouldn’t visit just to take a photo and leave.

I would walk through the gardens, look at the sculptures, the Luxembourg Palace and the resting areas and, if I were tired, sit down for a few minutes.

That’s exactly the kind of experience I want to have in Paris.

Saint-Germain-des-Prés

After Luxembourg Gardens, I would continue toward Saint-Germain-des-Prés.

I would keep exploring without rushing, checking out the streets, cafés, shops and historic buildings.

If you’re following my itinerary, this is a day when I wouldn’t try to add five more attractions just because “there’s still time.”

If there’s still time, great.

Use it to enjoy Paris.

☕ My coffee break of the day

This would probably be the day when I would most insist on having a long café break.

My choice would be somewhere with good coffee, a croissant or dessert and a price that doesn’t make you feel like you just paid for the entire renovation of the place.]

Day 3 – Louvre, Tuileries Gardens and Historic Paris

Area: Louvre → Tuileries Gardens → Place de la Concorde → Île de la Cité → Notre-Dame → Sainte-Chapelle

Now we’ve reached the part where I have to admit something:

Yes, the Louvre is in my itinerary.

But no, I won’t be going inside.

Louvre

I would visit the Louvre from the outside.

I want to see the Pyramid, the courtyards, the façades and the whole monumental area around it.

And I think this is important to say because there’s a tendency to think that if you’ve been to Paris, you absolutely have to spend hours inside the Louvre.

Not necessarily.

The Louvre is one of the most important museums in the world, and if you love art, I definitely wouldn’t recommend following my plan here.

But since I don’t have that much interest in art, I’d rather spend those hours discovering other parts of Paris.

What if you want to go inside the Louvre?

In 2026, the admission price for visitors who are neither citizens nor residents of the EEA is €32. Citizens or residents of the EEA pay €22.

I recommend booking your timed entry in advance.

Buy Louvre tickets – official website

If you love art: I would reserve several hours for the Louvre and remove some of the other attractions from this day.

If you’re like me: admire it from the outside and keep going.

Jardin des Tuileries

After the Louvre, I would cross into the Jardin des Tuileries.

Here we go back to what I like. Gardens, architecture and space to walk.

The gardens sit between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde, making them a natural continuation of the route and helping prevent that feeling of simply jumping from one attraction to another.

Place de la Concorde

I would continue toward Place de la Concorde.

I wouldn’t plan a long visit here. It’s more of a stop to see the square and take in the area before continuing.

Île de la Cité

After that, I would head to Île de la Cité, one of the most historic parts of Paris.

And this is where the itinerary starts becoming exactly what I would enjoy: lots of history and architecture concentrated in an area that can be explored on foot.

Notre-Dame de Paris

Notre-Dame is one of those attractions I consider essential on a first trip.

And the best part is that admission to the cathedral is free.

You can visit without a reservation, but Notre-Dame recommends making a free time-slot reservation to reduce waiting time. The reservation is not mandatory.

In other words: don’t buy a ticket from a third-party website to enter Notre-Dame. Admission is free.

Reserve free entry to Notre-Dame – official website

The reservation is particularly useful during busy periods.

Sainte-Chapelle

After Notre-Dame, I would include Sainte-Chapelle.

This is one of the indoor visits I’m most interested in on this itinerary, precisely because of the architecture and history.

Sainte-Chapelle is located on Île de la Cité and is especially famous for its enormous stained-glass windows.

How much does Sainte-Chapelle cost?

In 2026, the individual ticket costs:

• €22 for visitors who are neither citizens nor residents of the EEA;
• €16 for citizens or residents of the EEA.

There is also a combined ticket for Sainte-Chapelle + Conciergerie, costing €30 for visitors outside the EEA and €23 for EEA citizens/residents.

The individual visit takes approximately 45 minutes.

I would buy the ticket in advance through the official ticket office, especially because the visit involves security checks and timed access.

Buy Sainte-Chapelle tickets – official website

And what about the Conciergerie?

If you are particularly interested in history, the combined ticket with Sainte-Chapelle may be worth considering.

But for my itinerary, I would keep it optional.

I don’t want to turn a pleasant day into a marathon of monuments.

☕ My coffee break of the day

After exploring Île de la Cité, I would find a pâtisserie or café around Saint-Michel for my mandatory break.

And yes, I would probably order dessert.

We’re in Paris, after all.

Day 4 – Montmartre, Sacré-Cœur and a More Bohemian Side of Paris

Area: Montmartre → Sacré-Cœur → Place du Tertre → Montmartre streets → Pigalle

I couldn’t create a first-trip itinerary and simply pretend Montmartre doesn’t exist.

And although it’s a very touristy area, I think it fits quite well with the kind of experience I would want to have in Paris.

Montmartre sits on a hill and has a different atmosphere from many other parts of the city, with cobblestone streets, cafés, small shops and buildings that give the area an almost village-like feel within Paris.

Sacré-Cœur

I would start with Sacré-Cœur, at the top of Montmartre.

The basilica is one of Paris’s best-known landmarks and its surroundings offer beautiful panoramic views over the city.

Admission to the basilica is free. Access to the dome and crypt is paid separately.

So, for my itinerary, I wouldn’t make any ticket mandatory here.

If you want to climb to the dome for a wider view of Paris, you can add that visit.

Place du Tertre

After that, I would walk through Place du Tertre, known for its artists and its very characteristic Montmartre atmosphere.

I would explore the surrounding streets too, because part of the fun of Montmartre is simply walking around the neighborhood.

The Streets of Montmartre

I would reserve a good part of the day to explore the neighborhood.

Some places you could include along the way are:

• Rue Lepic;
• Moulin de la Galette;
• Place des Abbesses;
• Le Mur des Je t’aime;
• small squares and side streets.

You don’t need to go inside every attraction.

Just choose the ones that naturally fit your route and leave the rest for another trip.

Pigalle and Moulin Rouge

If I still had the energy, I would continue toward Pigalle.

The Moulin Rouge can be a quick stop to see the exterior.

I wouldn’t make the show part of the mandatory itinerary, especially because it changes both the budget and the type of trip you’re having.

If you want to see a show, though, you can turn the evening into a completely different experience.

☕ My coffee break of the day

Montmartre is probably the place where I would have the hardest time choosing just one dessert.

I would definitely look for a good-value pâtisserie or café and sit down for a while before continuing.

Day 5 – Versailles

Area: Palace of Versailles → Gardens → Grand Trianon → Petit Trianon and Queen’s Hamlet

I know this itinerary is supposed to be about five days in Paris.

But if this were my trip, I would dedicate one of those days to Versailles.

And this one wasn’t even a difficult decision.

The architecture of the Palace of Versailles appeals to me even more than the architecture of Paris itself, and when I started researching the complex, the Grand Trianon was one of the places I liked the most.

So yes, it would definitely be on my itinerary.

Palace of Versailles

I would reserve practically the entire day for the complex.

I don’t think it makes much sense to leave Paris, get to Versailles and then rush through everything just to return a few hours later.

The Passport is the option I would choose because it gives you access to the entire complex, including:

• Palace of Versailles;
• Hall of Mirrors;
• State Apartments;
• Gardens;
• Grand Trianon;
• Petit Trianon;
• Queen’s Hamlet;
• temporary exhibitions.

How much does Versailles cost?

In 2026, the Passport costs:

• €35 during high season, from April 1 to October 31;
• €25 during low season, from November 1 to March 31.

For EEA citizens or residents, the prices are €32 during high season and €22 during low season.

The Passport is the ticket that covers the entire complex and, most importantly, it is the only ticket that includes timed admission to the Palace. The other areas can be visited freely according to their opening rules.

Buy Versailles tickets – official website

I recommend booking in advance, especially because your Palace visit depends on the selected time slot.

Gardens of Versailles

After the Palace, I would spend plenty of time in the gardens.

The complex is huge.

Besides the formal gardens, there are fountains, groves, paths and many different areas to explore.

It’s one of those places where you simply have to accept that you won’t see everything.

Grand Trianon

After that, I would head to the Grand Trianon.

This would be one of the places I would personally make a point of seeing.

The Passport includes the Grand Trianon, as well as the Petit Trianon and Queen’s Hamlet.

Petit Trianon and Queen’s Hamlet

If I still had the time and energy, I would continue to the Petit Trianon and Queen’s Hamlet.

If you’re tired, you don’t need to feel obligated to see every single corner.

Versailles is more than big enough to take up an entire day.

One important thing about high season!!!

Between April and October, the gardens may require a separate ticket on certain days for events such as the Musical Fountains Shows and Musical Gardens.

The Passport includes access on those days, but it’s important to check the calendar before choosing your date.

☕ My last coffee break in Paris

After returning to Paris, I wouldn’t schedule another major attraction.

If I still had the energy, I would choose one last pretty café or pâtisserie to end the trip.

And I would probably eat another croissant.

Because five days would definitely not be enough to try all the croissants I want 😅

What If You Don’t Want to Go to Versailles?

That’s a completely valid choice.

I chose Versailles because I would go.

But that doesn’t mean you have to.

If you’d rather spend all five days in Paris, I would use this final day to explore an area that caught your attention during the rest of the trip.

One option would be to have a slower day around neighborhoods such as Le Marais, visit Place des Vosges, explore shops and cafés and simply enjoy Paris.

Another option would be to make the day more art-focused and visit the Musée d’Orsay, Musée de l’Orangerie, or finally do the full Louvre experience.

I don’t think there is one universal answer here.

For me, Versailles would win.

For you, Paris might.

How Would I Adapt This Itinerary for Different Types of Travelers?

One of the things I like most about this kind of planning is that there isn’t one correct way to experience Paris.

My itinerary is based on what I would do, but you can swap things around.

🎨 If You Love Art

This is where I would make the biggest change:

Day 3 → Louvre inside.

I would reserve several hours for the museum.

In that case, I would reduce the number of attractions for the rest of the day.

I wouldn’t try to do Louvre + Tuileries + Place de la Concorde + Notre-Dame + Sainte-Chapelle all in a rush.

If the Louvre is important to you, it deserves the time.

I would also consider replacing Day 5 with the Musée d’Orsay and Musée de l’Orangerie if you prefer to spend all five days in Paris.

🏛️ If You Love History and Architecture

In this case, I would keep almost the entire itinerary.

My priorities would be:

• Panthéon;
• Les Invalides;
• Arc de Triomphe;
• Notre-Dame;
• Sainte-Chapelle;
• Montmartre;
• Versailles.

This is probably the travel style that comes closest to mine.

🥐 If You Want a More Relaxed Trip

I would do even less.

I wouldn’t try to fill every empty space.

If you finish a visit earlier than expected, don’t automatically open Maps and look for another attraction.

Go to a café.

Sit in a square.

Explore a street that caught your attention.

Walk into a shop.

Stop and look at a building.

That’s it.

💰 If You Want to Save Money

You can reduce your budget quite a lot.

Some of the experiences in this itinerary don’t require an admission ticket:

• Trocadéro Gardens;
• Champ de Mars;
• Champs-Élysées;
• Jardin du Luxembourg;
• Tuileries Gardens;
• streets and neighborhoods;
• Notre-Dame;
• Sacré-Cœur.

Notre-Dame is free, and admission to the Sacré-Cœur basilica is also free.

In this case, I would choose only the paid attractions that really matter to you.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 If You’re Traveling With Children

I would reduce the number of museums and long indoor visits.

The Eiffel Tower, gardens, Montmartre, Champs-Élysées and Versailles can be more engaging experiences to mix in with historical attractions.

I would also avoid putting too many indoor monuments on the same day.

❤️ If This Is a Romantic Trip

I would keep the itinerary, but leave more room for:

• cafés;
• gardens;
• Seine cruises;
• Montmartre;
• city views;
• sunset;
• special dinners.

And I wouldn’t try to fill every minute.

Paris already does a pretty good job in the romance department by itself.

What Would I Leave for a Second Trip to Paris?

If I only had five days, some things would stay on the list for another trip without me feeling guilty about it.

For example:

• other museums;
• the Paris Catacombs;
• more neighborhoods;
• other palaces;
• day trips;
• more specific attractions;
• more elaborate food experiences.

I would stay far away from the Catacombs, to be honest!

I have absolutely no interest in going underground in Paris, so that one can happily wait for someone who actually wants to go.

Do You Need to Book Paris Attractions in Advance?

Some of them, yes.

My rule would be:

Book in advance

Eiffel Tower, if you want to go up.

Louvre, if you want to go inside.

Versailles, especially because of the timed Palace admission.

Sainte-Chapelle, mainly to organize your day and secure your visit.

Reserve for free

Notre-Dame doesn’t require a reservation, but it offers a free time-slot reservation that can help reduce waiting time.

No ticket needed

For visiting from the outside or simply walking around:

• Eiffel Tower;
• Trocadéro;
• Champ de Mars;
• Les Invalides from the outside;
• Arc de Triomphe from the outside;
• Champs-Élysées;
• Jardin du Luxembourg;
• Tuileries Gardens;
• Montmartre;
• Sacré-Cœur.

Just remember that some attractions have paid areas if you want to go inside or access specific sections.

Check out tickets and tours on Tiqets!

For tickets and tours, it’s worth checking the options available on Tiqets and booking in advance when needed. Just click HERE to check what’s available.

My 5-Day Paris Itinerary at a Glance

Are 5 Days Enough to See Paris?

Yes, five days are enough for a first trip to Paris, but not enough to see everything.

If I had five days, I would rather go home having seen the city’s main landmarks, some historic places that genuinely interest me, beautiful gardens, different neighborhoods and lots of cafés than spend the entire trip rushing around trying to check every attraction off a list.

The Eiffel Tower would be there.

The Arc de Triomphe too.

I would see the Panthéon, Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle, Montmartre and Versailles.

But I also want time to look at the buildings, sit in a garden, walk into a pâtisserie and order something I don’t even know how to pronounce.

Frequently Asked Questions About Paris in 5 Days

Can you see Paris in 5 days?

Yes. Five days allow you to visit many of Paris’s main attractions while still leaving some time to explore neighborhoods and gardens. The key is not trying to fit too many attractions into the same day.

What should you do in Paris for 5 days on your first trip?

Some of the places I would prioritize are the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Panthéon, Jardin du Luxembourg, Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle, Montmartre and Versailles.

Is Versailles worth visiting on a 5-day Paris trip?

For me, yes. I would dedicate an entire day to Versailles because I really like architecture and history. But if you’d rather explore Paris at a slower pace, you can use that fifth day to discover another part of the city.

Do you need to go inside the Louvre on your first trip to Paris?

No. The Louvre is one of Paris’s main attractions, but whether you go inside depends largely on your interest in art. Personally, I would see the exterior and use the time for other attractions.

How much does it cost to go up the Eiffel Tower?

In 2026, adult tickets range from €14.80 to €36.70, depending on whether you choose stairs or elevator access and the second floor or summit.

Is Notre-Dame free to enter?

Yes. Admission to the cathedral is free. You can also make a free time-slot reservation to reduce waiting time, but it is not mandatory.

Is Sacré-Cœur free?

Yes. Admission to the basilica is free. Access to the dome and crypt is paid separately.

How much does Versailles cost?

In 2026, the Passport costs €35 during high season and €25 during low season. Reduced rates are available for EEA citizens or residents.

Is it better to spend five days in Paris or include Versailles?

It depends on your travel style. I would include Versailles because it’s one of the places I most want to see. If you prefer exploring Paris more slowly, I would spend all five days in the city.

My Conclusion

If this were truly my first trip to Paris, I wouldn’t try to come home saying that I saw everything.

I want to see the Eiffel Tower, even though I have absolutely no desire to go up it.

I want to see the Panthéon and Jardin du Luxembourg because they were some of the first places that made me think, “I would love to be there.”

I want to see the Arc de Triomphe because I like history.

I want to visit Versailles and, especially, the Grand Trianon.

I want to walk around Montmartre, admire the architecture, sit in cafés, eat croissants and discover which French desserts I will want to remember forever.

And I want to do all of this without checking the clock every five minutes.

Maybe I won’t be able to see everything Paris has to offer in five days.

But I think I’ll see enough to start planning the second trip already.

Don’t go just yet! How about checking out these articles that might interest you?

→ How Much Does a 5-Day Trip to Paris Cost? A Realistic Budget