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5 Days in Paris: The Complete First-Timer Itinerary
Five days in Paris gives you time for the icons, the museums, the neighborhoods, and one flexible day that can become either Versailles or a calmer city-based finish.
Paris rewards structure, especially on a first visit. This itinerary keeps major sights grouped by area, avoids unnecessary backtracking, and leaves enough room for cafes, walks, and spontaneous detours, which are often the moments people remember most.
Day 1
- Morning
Start with a focused Louvre visit while your energy is highest. Choose a few wings or themes instead of trying to conquer the whole museum.
- Afternoon
Walk through the Tuileries, then continue to Palais Royal for arcades, gardens, and a quieter architectural pause.
- Evening
Stay near the Right Bank or drift toward the covered passages for dinner and an easy first Paris evening.
Day 2
- Morning
Spend the morning in the Marais, mixing historic streets, small museums, boutiques, bakeries, and quiet squares.
- Afternoon
Visit Sainte-Chapelle for its stained glass, then cross toward Ile Saint-Louis for a slower island walk.
- Evening
Stay central for dinner so you can add an after-dark river walk without turning the evening into a commute.
Day 3
- Morning
Give the morning to Musee d'Orsay, where the scale is easier to manage than the Louvre and the collection is ideal for a half-day visit.
- Afternoon
Spend the afternoon in Saint-Germain with cafes, bookstores, churches, galleries, and elegant side streets.
- Evening
Stay on the Left Bank for dinner, then walk toward the river if the weather is kind.
Day 4
- Morning
Arrive early in Montmartre for Sacre-Coeur, hilltop views, stair streets, and quieter corners before the busiest hours.
- Afternoon
Head to Canal Saint-Martin for waterside walks, independent shops, casual cafes, and a more local rhythm.
- Evening
Stay around the canal or nearby neighborhoods for a relaxed dinner with a less formal feel than central Paris.
Day 5
- Morning
Choose Versailles if you want a grand day trip with palace rooms and gardens, or stay in Paris for the Rodin Museum if you prefer a calmer final day.
- Afternoon
If you stay in Paris, continue to Invalides and the surrounding area. If you go to Versailles, leave space for the gardens and return without rushing.
- Evening
End with a simple dinner and one last walk along the Seine, ideally near the bridges and illuminated monuments.
Paris itinerary: FAQs
Yes, if you enjoy palaces and gardens. If crowds and transit sound draining, the Rodin Museum and Invalides make a better city-based alternative.
Most first-timers are happier with a focused morning or three-hour visit than with an all-day attempt.
Yes for major sights with timed entry, especially the Louvre, Sainte-Chapelle, and Versailles.
Plan the rest of your trip
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- Paris at Night: The Sparkle, the River, and a Late Walk
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- Louvre vs Musee d'Orsay: Which Should You Visit?
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Worth it, or skip it?
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