Paris in 4 Days — Classic Sights on Foot

Map

A relaxed 4-day walking itinerary for two adults based in central Paris (city center). Focuses on top tourist attractions, efficient walking routes, time to savor cafés, and short shopping stops for souvenirs and local crafts.

Day 1: Île de la Cité, Latin Quarter & Luxembourg

09:00

Walk to Île de la Cité & view Notre‑Dame exterior

10:30

Visit Sainte‑Chapelle

11:30

Stroll to Latin Quarter & lunch

13:00

Explore Sorbonne area & Musée de Cluny (optional)

15:00

Relax in Jardin du Luxembourg

19:00

Dinner in Saint‑Germain‑des‑Prés and Seine walk

Café Panis - Near Pont Neuf / Île de la Cité
Casual bistro with river views.
Le Procope - 24 Rue de l'Ancienne Comédie, Latin Quarter
Historic Parisian brasserie.

Bouquinistes (Seine bookstalls) - Quai de la Seine, along Île de la Cité
Second‑hand books, prints, postcards.
Souvenir stalls, Latin Quarter - Around Rue Mouffetard area
Affordable Paris mementos.

Day 2: Louvre, Tuileries & Champs‑Élysées

09:00

Louvre Museum highlights

12:00

Lunch in Tuileries / museum cafés

13:00

Walk Tuileries to Place de la Concorde

15:00

Champs‑Élysées stroll to Arc de Triomphe (climb option)

19:00

Dinner near Champs‑Élysées or back central

Café Richelieu – Angelina (Louvre) - Inside Richelieu wing, Louvre
Elegant tea room, pastries.
Le Relais de l'Entrecôte - Multiple central locations
Classic steak‑frites with fixed menu.

Galeries Lafayette (if detour) - Boulevard Haussmann (short taxi/walk)
Large department store for gifts and fashion.
Champs‑Élysées boutiques - Avenue des Champs‑Élysées
Flagship stores and souvenirs.

Day 3: Musée d'Orsay, Île Saint‑Louis & Le Marais

09:30

Visit Musée d'Orsay (Impressionists)

11:30

Walk to Île Saint‑Louis, lunch & ice cream

13:00

Explore Le Marais: Place des Vosges, boutiques

17:00

Gallery visits or Musée Picasso (optional)

19:30

Dinner in the Marais

Café de Flore - Saint‑Germain area (short walk)
Iconic Paris café for people‑watching.
L'As du Fallafel - 34 Rue des Rosiers, Marais
Famous fast casual falafel.

Le Marais boutiques - Rue des Francs‑Bourgeois
Independent designers, homewares.
Marché des Enfants Rouges - 39 Rue de Bretagne
Historic covered market, food & crafts.

Day 4: Eiffel Tower, Seine Cruise & Montmartre

08:30

Walk to Trocadéro for Eiffel Tower views; visit tower if booked

11:00

Seine sightseeing cruise

12:00

Lunch near river / return toward Montmartre

14:30

Explore Montmartre: Sacré‑Cœur, Place du Tertre

18:30

Final dinner near accommodation and short evening walk

Les Ombres - Quai Branly (Eiffel view)
Modern French, rooftop views of Eiffel.
Le Consulat - 18 Rue Norvins, Montmartre
Historic café in Montmartre.

Rue Cler market (if walking route passes) - 7th arrondissement, near Eiffel
Food stalls, cheeses, souvenirs.
Montmartre art stalls - Place du Tertre
Local artists, small prints & portraits.

All days assume walking between central sites; times are approximate and designed for a relaxed pace. Prebook major museum and tower tickets where possible.

Sainte-Chapelle

Gothic chapel renowned for breathtaking stained-glass windows that flood the interior with color.

Tuileries Garden

Historic formal gardens between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde — elegant lawns, sculptures and terraces.

Musée d'Orsay

Impressionist and post‑Impressionist masterpieces in a former railway station with a scenic clock face.

Champs-Élysées

Famous grand avenue of shops, theaters and cafés linking Place de la Concorde with the Arc de Triomphe.

Arc de Triomphe

Monument honoring French history with rooftop views down the Champs-Élysées and tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Montmartre

Bohemian hilltop neighborhood of artists, narrow streets, cafés and sweeping city views.

Louvre Museum

World-class museum housing masterworks from ancient to modern — home of the Mona Lisa.

Eiffel Tower

Iconic iron landmark with panoramic Paris views and dining — a must-see symbol of the city.

Day 1 — Île de la Cité, Notre‑Dame & Latin Quarter

Morning

Start at your city‑center accommodation. Walk to Île de la Cité. Visit Notre‑Dame exterior and the island’s historic streets; Sainte‑Chapelle (stained glass) and Conciergerie nearby.

Afternoon

Cross to the Latin Quarter. Lunch at a café, then stroll the Sorbonne area, Jardins du Luxembourg (relax, people‑watch, small gallery/pond).

Evening

Dinner in Saint‑Germain‑des‑Prés. Optional Seine sunset walk on the Left Bank.

Tips

Sainte‑Chapelle has timed entry—book ahead. Bring a light layer for evening by the river.

Day 2 — Louvre, Tuileries & Champs‑Élysées

Morning

Walk to the Louvre Museum; plan 2–3 hours to see highlights (Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, Grande Galerie). Enter via the pyramid or Carrousel entrance.

Afternoon

Stroll through the Tuileries Garden to Place de la Concorde, then head up the Champs‑Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe (climb if you want a view).

Evening

Dinner near the Champs‑Élysées or return toward your neighborhood for a quieter meal.

Tips

Buy Louvre tickets in advance to skip lines. Comfortable shoes recommended—Champs‑Élysées is long.

Day 3 — Musée d'Orsay, Île Saint‑Louis & Marais

Morning

Walk to Musée d'Orsay (Impressionist masterpieces). Allow ~2 hours.

Afternoon

Cross to Île Saint‑Louis for a light lunch (berthillon ice cream recommended). Explore the Marais: Place des Vosges, Picasso Museum (optional), narrow streets and boutiques.

Evening

Dinner in the Marais — lively atmosphere and many small bistros.

Tips

Marais is great for independent galleries and vintage shops; carry a small tote for purchases.

Day 4 — Eiffel Tower, Seine Cruise & Montmartre (half day each)

Morning

Early walk toward the Eiffel Tower (Trocadéro viewpoint recommended). Option to go up the tower (book tickets) or picnic on the lawns.

Afternoon

Short Seine sightseeing cruise (Bateaux Mouches) from nearby docks. After the cruise, take a longer but scenic walk or public stairs up to Montmartre (Place du Tertre, Sacré‑Cœur) — enjoy panoramic city views.

Evening

Return to city center on foot (longer walk) or take a short local transit if preferred. Final dinner near your accommodation.

Tips

For Eiffel Tower, morning or late‑afternoon visits are less crowded. Montmartre streets are steep—take it slow and hydrate.

General recommendations

Pace: Walking between nearby central sights (all within ~30–50 minutes max) with frequent café/rest breaks—designed for two adults.
Reservations: Book timed entries for Louvre, Sainte‑Chapelle, Musée d'Orsay and Eiffel Tower where possible.
Money & shopping: Many small shops accept card, but carry some euros for markets and small stalls.
Safety: Keep belongings secure; pickpockets can operate in tourist areas.
Language: Basic French greetings appreciated (Bonjour, Merci).

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