The answer by traveller profile
| Length | Who it suits | What you can see |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Layover or day return | The major exteriors and a single museum |
| 2 days | Weekend, been before | Louvre or Orsay, Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, one stroll |
| 3 days | First visit | The must-sees, at one major site per half day |
| 4 to 5 days | Comfortable stay, families | The must-sees, Versailles or Giverny, one or two neighbourhoods |
| 7 days | Art lovers, return visitors | Museums in depth, day trips, residents' neighbourhoods |
A good rule: plan two major sights a day, no more, and keep time for walking. In Paris the pleasure comes as much from the streets as from the monuments.
2 days: the essentials of a weekend
Two days force choices. A morning at the Louvre (or Orsay if you prefer the Impressionists), an afternoon on the Île de la Cité with Notre-Dame and the Sainte-Chapelle, then the Eiffel Tower and an evening cruise. There is no room for Versailles. Our guide to a weekend in Paris gives the hours, and if you only have one day, see what to do in Paris in one day. To stay close to everything, Le Marais is central and saves you travel time.
3 days: the ideal length for a first visit
Three days give an honest pace: the first for the Île de la Cité, the Louvre and the Tuileries, the second for the west (Arc de Triomphe, Trocadéro, Eiffel Tower), the third for Montmartre and the Canal Saint-Martin. Everything is detailed in Paris in 3 days. It is also the right length for a family trip with children who walk well. Saint-Germain-des-Prés is a pleasant base, close to the museums.
4 to 5 days: adding Versailles and free time
From the fourth day you can dedicate a whole day to the Palace of Versailles, closed on Mondays, or to Giverny, open every day from 1 April to 1 November 2026. The remaining days add the Musée d'Orsay, the Luxembourg Garden and the Marais, and let you slow down. The detailed version, with the neighbourhoods where to stay, is in our itinerary Paris in 5 days. For the excursion, a guided Versailles trip from Paris saves you organising the journey, but the RER C is enough if you prefer to stay independent (visiting Versailles from Paris).
7 days: Paris in depth
A week lets you visit several museums without pressure (Louvre, Orsay, Orangerie, Rodin Museum), make two day trips (Versailles and Giverny, or a Loire château by train) and discover residents' neighbourhoods such as Belleville, the Butte-aux-Cailles or the canal. Stay in Montmartre or the Marais depending on the atmosphere you want. Beyond seven days, Paris becomes a place to live rather than to visit.
How to choose by season
In high season (summer, school holidays) queues lengthen every visit: add half a day of margin. Off season, three days are plenty for the same list. Our page on the best time to visit Paris helps you pick your dates, and to decide where to sleep, see where to stay in Paris.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need to visit Paris for the first time?
Three full days cover the essentials. If you want to add Versailles without rushing, plan four or five days.
Are 2 days in Paris enough?
Yes for a selective weekend: one major museum, the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame and a stroll. You have to accept leaving out Versailles and most neighbourhoods.
Do you need a full day for Versailles?
Yes: the journey, the entry slot and the gardens easily take six to seven hours. The palace is closed on Mondays.
