C’EST LA VIE: HOW TO SPEND A WEEK IN PARIS

C’EST LA VIE: HOW TO SPEND A WEEK IN PARIS

Paris holds a special place in my heart as one of my favorite cities I’ve ever visited. It was my first solo trip abroad, and the experience was both liberating and transformative. Without a smartphone to guide me, I wandered the charming streets, savoring the freedom to explore at my own pace. I stayed right in the heart of the city on the Rue du Rivoli. Along the way, I made friends, had a whirlwind romance, discovered hidden gems, and gained the confidence to take on new adventures. From relaxed afternoons spent at bistros with a café in hand to the city’s endless art, iconic sites and architecture, and incredible cuisine, Paris completely captivated me.

I’ve made return visits to Paris, including one memorable New Year’s Eve when the city lit up around the Arc de Triomphe. It was a very different way to ring in the new year for me, followed by enjoying Steak Tartare from my hotel bed—because why not? Once you’ve checked off all the iconic highlights, you can start to embrace Paris like a local: lingering longer at cafés, taking cooking classes, creating your own perfume at one of the oldest perfumeries, and spending evenings in jazz clubs and cocktail bars. There’s nothing quite like experiencing Paris at a leisurely pace. Below, you’ll find some of my suggestions on how to spend a week in this beautiful city of lights.

Day 1: Iconic Paris Landmarks

• Morning: Start at Notre Dame (re-opening in December 2024) and then go visit Sainte-Chapelle, marveling at its stained-glass windows.
• Afternoon: Stroll through Jardin du Luxembourg, relaxing by the pond or enjoying the gardens. Make sure you don’t miss the Medici Fountain. 
• Evening: Pop into Deyrolle to see an extensive collection of artifacts at the oldest taxidermist in the world. Then enjoy a romantic dinner at L’Relais Encountre, a classic Parisian bistro known for its perfect steak frites. 

Day 2: Art & Gardens

• Morning: Start your day and give yourself ample time to explore the Louvre and its vast collection of masterpieces, including the Mona Lisa.
• Afternoon: Wander through Place Vendome for luxury shopping at Louis Vuitton and more. Then stroll through the Jardin des Tuileries and stop in to enjoy a delicious hot chocolate and a Mont Blanc at Angelina; the cafe where Coco Chanel used to frequent.
• Evening: Visit one of my favorite museums in the city, the Musée de l’Orangerie to see Monet’s Water Lilies, followed by dinner at Pink Mamma and end your day over at the Moulin Rouge while you take in a show of iconic French dance of the can-can. 

Day 3: Montmartre & Sacré-Cœur

• Morning: Take the train up to Montmartre and visit the Sacré-Cœur Basilica for beautiful views of Paris and explore the artist village.
• Afternoon: Enjoy lunch at Le Recrutement, then head to Musée Rodin to see the famous sculpture “The Thinker” and then take a stroll down beautiful Rue Cler Market Street. Grab some chocolates at À la Mère de Famille and a coffee at Petibon for an afternoon pick me up.
• Evening: Stop into Officine Universelle Buly to treat yourself to beautiful personalized gifts to remember your trip. Enjoy a cozy dinner at Chez Fernand and then wander over to La Cave de la Huchette to enjoy some jazz into the evening. 

Day 4: Modern Art & Unique Experiences

• Morning: Grab a morning coffee and treat at Café Nuances and then visit Palais de Tokyo, an avant-garde contemporary art museum.
• Afternoon: You can then have lunch at the hip Italian eatery Bambini Paris inside the Palais de Tokyo or lean into a fine dining experience at Girafe with epic views of the Le Tour Eiffel. After lunch you can discover the collections at Pompidou Centre, home to modern and contemporary art. Make sure you go up to the roof for an amazing view of the city amongst contemporary sculptures. And don’t forget to stop at Stravinsky Fountain to snap some pics before you leave the area. 
• Evening: Dine at Les Résistants before you head over to enjoy cocktails at Lavomatic, a speakeasy hidden behind a laundromat.

Day 5: Versailles Day Trip

• Morning & Afternoon: Take a day trip to the Palace of Versailles, visiting the Hall of Mirrors and the grand gardens. It wil make youl feel like a royal! First embark the RER C train at a local Paris stop (there are many with access throughout the city). Then you’ll ride the train for a quick 45-min trip out of the city where you’ll disembark at Versailles Château – Rive Gauche. 
• Evening: Return to Paris for dinner at Les Deux Magots in the Saint-Germain district and cap off your evening with drinks at cocktail bar Tiger Paris. 

Day 6: Foundation Louis Vuitton & Arc de Triomphe

• Morning: Visit the Foundation Louis Vuitton for its incredible architecture and art exhibitions.
• Afternoon: Have lunch outside at Le Cristal Bar Brasserie for the perfect view of the Arc de Triomphe and then climb to the top for panoramic views of the Champs-Élysées. Wander down to the Place de la Concorde stopping in iconic spots like Hermès and Boutique Maille where you can get some local fares to take home.
• Evening: Take a moment for a photo op with the Colonnes de Buren/Les Deux Plateaux at the Palais Royal and enjoy pre dinner drinks at Le Wills’s Wine Bar before you head to dinner at Ellsworth. 

Day 7: Museums & Wrap-up

• Morning: Visit the Musée d’Orsay, housed in a stunning Beaux-Arts train station, showcasing works from the Impressionist era.
• Afternoon: Enjoy tea and a bite at Café du Flore and explore the nearby Saint-Germain-des-Prés district. Then make your way back to the right bank of the Seine and explore the Palais Garnier where you’ll swoon at the beautiful artistry of the building and the birthplace of the Phantom of the Opera.
• Evening: Enjoy some final shopping at Galerie Lafayette and Pharmacie de l’Opéra to stock up on all things French. From scarves to wine to perfume to face care; some of my favorite face care items to stock up on are Biafine, A212, Avene and Caudalie products. Finally end your trip with drinks at the Bar Hemingway inside The Ritz and don’t forget to catch one last sparkle show at the Le Tour Eiffel. 

This is just the beginning of what you can explore in La Ville Lumière (the City of Lights). I’ve put together a comprehensive map of places to have coffee, meals, sweet treats, enjoy cocktails and wine, shop, and take in stunning monuments and views. You can access the details of this map below here.

TIPS & TRICKS

Skip the Lines with Advance Tickets & Book Experiences

• Eiffel Tower: Buy tickets online to avoid long queues. Opt for a summit access ticket or, if you want a faster visit, choose tickets to the second floor. Skip-the-line tickets or booking a guided tour can save hours.
• Louvre Museum: Book your tickets in advance on the official Louvre website, or go early (before 9 am). Consider visiting on Wednesday or Friday evenings when the museum is open late and often less crowded. You can also use Paris Museum Pass for easy entry and gives access to over 50 monuments and museums, including the Louvre, Versailles, and the Arc de Triomphe. The pass includes skip-the-line entry to most places and can be purchased for 2, 4, or 6 days.
• Notre-Dame & Sainte-Chapelle: Pair these two locations together. You can use your Paris Museum Pass for Sainte–Chapelle. Get tickets ahead of time to save waiting in line at Notre–Dame when the beautiful landmark reopens in December 2024.
• Versailles Palace: Purchase a passport ticket online to access the palace, gardens, and other areas. Visit early or late in the day and avoid Tuesdays when the palace is particularly busy. Use skip-the-line tours to enter quicker.
• Use apps like GetYourGuide and Viator to book tickets, check reviews, and discover new attractions.
• Book cooking/baking classes, walking tours and photographers through Airbnb Experiences. 

I always enjoy my time in this beautiful city and each visit reminds me of why this city continues to capture my heart every time I visit. Its timeless beauty, rich history, and vibrant culture offer endless possibilities for adventure and discovery. Whether you’re strolling along the Seine, savoring a pastry at a cozy café, or exploring the city’s world-class art and architecture, Paris has a way of making every moment feel special. So whether it’s your first trip or your tenth, I hope this guide inspires you to fall in love with Paris in your own way. Bon voyage!