Four Day Paris Itinerary
Following is a Paris itinerary for four days that lists the best things to do in Paris along with some historical facts. For example, in Montmartre visit the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, Place du Tertre, and the Salvador Dali Museum. On the Right Bank is the Musée du Louvre, Tuileries Gardens, Place de la Concorde, the Champs-Elysées, and Arc de Triomphe. When you explore the Left Bank check out Les Invalides, Rodin Musée, the Eiffel Tower, and the 6th Arrondissement. Also, look for the Notre Dame Cathedral on the Ile de la Cité.
Most importantly, when we visited Paris in July, not only did the sun appear at 6:14 a.m., but it didn’t set until 9:38. For this reason, we enjoyed plenty of daylight for exploring, and we were able to pack a busy Paris itinerary into four days.
Additionally, the 6th Arrondissement is my favorite because it’s artsy and there’s so much to see and do. It’s full of restaurants where you can dine outside, and watch people stroll by. Additionally, you can find numerous bakeries, galleries, and clothing and accessory boutiques in this district.
Paris Itinerary Day One
Rive Droite
Right Bank of La Seine
Musée du Louvre
As part of your Paris itinerary, take a half day guided tour of Musée du Louvre. Definitely, check out Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa who became famous when someone stole her in 1911. Moreover, she was missing for two years.
Tuileries Gardens
Walk through the Tuileries Gardens that was created by Catherine de Medicis in the 16th century.
Place de la Concorde
Visit the Place de la Concorde where many faced the guillotine during the French Revolution. Today, the 3,300-year-old Obelisk Luxor marks the guillotine location.
Champs-Elyées
Arc de Triomphe
You can’t have a Paris itinerary and miss the Champs-Elysées. While you walk this famous street duck in and out of the stores, and lunch at one of the cafes. Then work your way to the Arc de Triomphe that Napoleon built.
Paris Itinerary Day Two
Rive Gauche
Left Bank of La Seine
Les Invalides
For the second day of your Paris itinerary, visit Les Invalides that was formerly a military hospital. You can also find Napoleon’s tomb, and don’t miss the World War II wing of the building.
Musée Rodin
Tour Musée Rodin and find The Thinker and The Gates of Hell that was inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy. The Thinker initially represented Dante positioned over The Gates of Hell pondering the chaos of the damned.
6th Arrondissement
Head to the 6th Arrondissement and relax at one of the many sidewalk cafes and people watch while you sip wine.
Paris Itinerary Day Three
Paris Open-Air Markets
Begin day three of your Paris itinerary exploring the open-air markets like Raspail organic market. You can buy fresh bread, desserts, a variety of cheese, fruits, vegetables, meat, flowers, and more. Noteworthy, Raspail is only open on Sundays, but you can find additional markets and hours here.
Left Bank Shops and Restaurants
Peruse the multitude of shops and eateries on the Left Bank. Stop in one of the bakeries for a pastry and a café au lait.
Les Deux Magots
Add Les Deux Magots to your Paris itinerary. Dine at one of the oldest Paris cafes, where Ernest Hemingway, Pablo Picasso, Jean-Paul Sartre, and many other renowned figures frequented. Also, if weather permits reserve a table outside.
Eiffel Tower
Visit the Eiffel Tower at night when it shimmers in gold.
Paris Itinerary Day Four
Ile de la Cite
Notre Dame Cathedral
For the fourth day of your Paris itinerary, take a half-day tour of the Notre Dame Cathedral and then hop in a cab to Montmartre.
Montmartre
Visiting Montmartre is one of the best things to do in Paris. It’s one of my favorite neighborhoods because its full of artists, and it has a seedy side since it’s not too far from the red-light district. You should walk Montmartre where Pablo Picasso, Vincent van Gough, Auguste Renoir, and many other famous artists had lived.
Sacre-Coeur Basilica
Another Paris tip is to add the Sacre-Coeur Basilica in Montmartre to your Paris itinerary. It’s known as the “Mount of Martyrs,” because in the 3rd century the first Parisian Christians faced martyrdom where the Basilica of the Sacre-Coeur stands today. Walk up the 270 steps to the top for panoramic views of Paris.
Place Du Tertre
Another Paris tip is to hire an artist to sketch your portrait at Place Du Tertre. Then browse through the local artwork.
Salvador Dali Museum
Explore the Salvador Dali Museum that “holds the largest collection of Dali’s art in France.”
To sum up, though there is much more to see, these are my best things to do in Paris during a four-day stay. If you don’t have time to do it all, I would definitely see the top tourist places like the Notre Dame Cathedral, Champs-Elysées, Place de la Concorde, the Arc de Triomphe, Tuileries Gardens, the Eiffel Tower, and the Musée du Louvre. However, I hope that you can use some of my Paris tips and explore some of the other places too.
What are your best things to do in Paris? Do you have a favorite Paris itinerary?
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Nice itinerary 👍
Thanks for reading it, we tried to see as much as possible but still missed a lot.
Although i am a French citizen, i appreciate your suggestions to visit these particular spots! Well done!
Thank you for checking it out.
Thanks for checking out my post, we loved Paris.
Thank you for putting together such an informative post! I missed a lot of these things during my Paris trips, and now I’m kicking myself. I have to plan another trip back soon so I can fit it all in!
Thank you for your comment. We missed a lot too, and I can’t wait to return.
Great list of things to do in Paris! I was just there in May and you hit all the good spots!
Good for you, we still didn’t see everything on our itinerary,
I just went to Paris for the first third time and FINALLY saw the Mona Lisa. haha.
Funny thing, though it was difficult to get to The Mona Lisa, my daughter and niece edged their way up and took a selfie with her.
great suggestions! I LOVED the Eiffel Tower at night!
The Eiffel Tower at night was amazing. Thanks for reading my post.
I can’t wait to go to Paris again and do some of these things!
Thanks for reading my post, we can’t wait to return too!
Great tips! I’ve only been to Paris once and I wasn’t able to go to some of places yet. Can’t wait to go back.
I can’t wait to return too, we weren’t there long enough.
Good ideas. There are also arcades with shops, nice in bad weather. And wonderful free evening concerts, marvelous small museums (and too much to see in short visits, of course). Good also to have a few polite expressions in French!
We were not in Paris long enough and hope to return. Before we do, I would love your advice and I will note the details. Thanks again for following me!
It’s been too long since my trip to Paris #theweeklypostcard
I feel the same way, thanks for your comment. #TheWeeklyPostcard
Tanja, I feel the same way I would love to visit Paris soon. Thanks for commenting.
What a great list! We went to Paris for part of our honeymoon and we’re going back in a few months for our anniversary! I’m excited to start planning our trip. While we saw most of these things on our first trip, I’m definitely saving your post to reference as I start putting together our itinerary! We’re actually going to be there for a week, so there’s plenty to see!! #TheWeeklyPostcard
Sara, we stayed in Arrondissement 6, and I loved the artsy atmosphere and the cafes and shops. Enjoy celebrating your anniversary in Paris. #TheWeeklyPostcard
What a great guide! You definitely hit up all the major sites! Thanks for linking up with #TheWeeklyPostcard!
Thank you, I enjoyed writing it. #TheWeeklyPostcard
So much to do in Paris! I like the way you organized it. I do also love eating outside in Paris whether it is at a brasserie or picnicking, the people watching is great. Thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard.
Anisa, thank you for your comment, there is nothing like sipping on French wine at an outdoor cafe in Paris and watching people stroll by. #TheWeeklyPostcard
Beautiful post and a great itinerary. I have been to Paris so many times, yet I don’t think I have seen it all. I love the city. Enjoyed reading the post. #theweeklypostcard
Ushasita, thank you for your comment. I agree there is so much to see. Next time I would love to visit the art shops. #TheWeeklyPostcard
Found this on Community of Bloggers, love Paris!
Jo, thank you, I love Pairs too. I especially liked that it didn’t get dark until after 10 p.m.!
To steal Meg Ryan’s line from When Harry Met Sally: Yes, yes, yes, YES! We have a serious Travel Crush on Paris, and love every idea here. And completely agree with everyone who says it’s been too long since they’ve been in Paris. 🙂 Thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard!
RobRob, thank you for your kind words. On our next visit, I am looking forward to visiting some local haunts. #TheWeeklyPostcard
Thanks for sharing TraveLatte
Thanks for sharing the really nice information
Ashwini, thanks for your comment.