The 5 days at a glance
| Day | Theme | Main stops | Watch out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Île de la Cité and Louvre | Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle, Louvre, Tuileries | Louvre closed on Tuesdays |
| 2 | Day trip | Versailles (or Giverny from April to October) | Versailles closed on Mondays |
| 3 | West Paris | Arc de Triomphe, Trocadéro, Eiffel Tower, cruise | Eiffel Tower slot to book |
| 4 | Left Bank | Orsay, Saint-Germain, Luxembourg, Latin Quarter | Orsay closed on Mondays |
| 5 | Montmartre and canal | Sacré-Cœur, Montmartre, Canal Saint-Martin | Go early, fewer crowds |
Day 1: the Île de la Cité, the Louvre and the Tuileries
Start with Notre-Dame de Paris, where entry is free, then walk five minutes to the Sainte-Chapelle and its stained glass. Continue along the quays to the Louvre for a visit of about three hours, booking your slot (the museum is closed on Tuesdays). Finish in the Tuileries Garden, free, as far as Place de la Concorde.
Day 2: Versailles, or Giverny in season
The Palace of Versailles opens at 9:00 and closes at 18:30, and is closed on Mondays; the Trianon estate opens only at noon (source: the palace's official website, October 2026). The RER C links central Paris to the palace in 30 to 40 minutes; everything is detailed in visiting Versailles from Paris and in the page on the Palace of Versailles. If you would rather not organise anything, a guided Versailles tour with transport is possible.
Another choice from April to the end of October: Claude Monet's house and gardens at Giverny, open every day from 1 April to 1 November 2026, from 10:00 to 18:00 (last admission 17:30, source: Fondation Claude Monet). See visiting Giverny from Paris. Outside these dates Giverny is closed: choose Versailles.
Day 3: Arc de Triomphe, Trocadéro, Eiffel Tower and cruise
Climb the Arc de Triomphe, walk down the Champs-Élysées or take the metro to the Trocadéro for the view of the tower. Then visit the Eiffel Tower with a booked slot. To end the day, a Seine cruise at the foot of the Eiffel Tower gives a different perspective on the monuments you have already seen. Comparison: Seine cruise.
Day 4: the Left Bank
Spend the morning at the Musée d'Orsay (closed on Mondays; see Orsay tickets, which offer), have lunch in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, then stroll through the Luxembourg Garden and the Latin Quarter. A calmer day, good for recovering after Versailles.
Day 5: Montmartre and the Canal Saint-Martin
Arrive early at the Sacré-Cœur and wander the streets of Montmartre (see also the Montmartre guide). In the afternoon, head down to the Canal Saint-Martin for a free walk in a more local Paris.
Where to stay for 5 days
For five nights, favour a well-connected area over the one closest to a monument. Le Marais (€€€ level) is central and pleasant on foot. Saint-Germain-des-Prés (€€€€) suits museum lovers. Montmartre (€€) is picturesque but more out of the way. On a tight budget, the Canal Saint-Martin (€€) offers good value. Details in where to stay in Paris.
Frequently asked questions
Can you change the order of the days?
Yes, as long as you respect the closing days: Louvre on Tuesdays, Orsay and Versailles on Mondays. Swap two days if needed.
Do you need a pass or a Navigo?
It depends on your journeys; see the comparison Navigo or Paris Visite and the Paris passes comparison.
What if 5 days is too much or too little?
See how many days to plan in Paris and the shorter version Paris in 3 days.
