All Articles 4 days in Paris, a bespoke guide to the best of the city

4 days in Paris, a bespoke guide to the best of the city

A group of people walking along a bridge in the Seine
Image: edmondlafoto / Pixabay
By Gina Dellios22 Nov 2022 6 minutes read

Four days is more than enough to see the best that Paris has to offer—major attractions, hidden gems, and even a day trip to Versailles. You'll be able dig into all that the city has to offer, without feeling rushed for time. Start your trip mid-week and spill over into the weekend—a number of museums, restaurants, and attractions close on Mondays or Tuesdays.

Since many of Paris' attractions are concentrated within specific areas, walking is a great way to see the city. To save time, the metro, hop-on-hop-off buses, e-scooters, and e-bikes are great alternatives to exploring Paris.

If you're after a whistle-stop tour of Paris’ key highlights, you might even want to consider a 2-day or 3-day long weekend trip.


Where to stay in Paris

For elegant yet affordable hotels, look no further than the Latin Quarter; check out Hotel de l'Esperance, Hotel Quartier Latin, and Hotel Minerve. Or base yourself in Montmartre and check out these gems: Hôtel Des Arts Montmartre, Le Relais Montmartre, and Maison Souquet.

If you’re planning a day trip, Versailles is a good place to spend the night. There’s a wide range of hotel choices for different tastes and budgets available around the Palace of Versailles: Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle (recently opened and on the premises of the palace), Waldorf Astoria Versailles - Trianon Palace, Hotel Le Louis Versailles Chateau, and Hotel Paris Boulogne come highly recommended by fellow travelers.

Day 1: The Louvre, Jardin des Tuileries and the Latin Quarter

The Louvre museum
People looking at Mona Lisa
Image: Dan Asaki (left), Keith Tanner (right) / Unsplash

The most-visited museum in the world, the Louvre contains some of the most iconic artwork ever known. This was home to Louis XIV before he moved to Versailles. See the Louvre with skip-the-line tickets or small group tours, or opt for combined visits with other attractions like the Museeé d'Orsay for better value. Before embarking on a tour of this impressive museum, grab a tasty treat and coffee from a local bakery such as Les Soeurs Sucrees or Aux Castelblangeois

If you’ve worked up an appetite, check out a well-deserved lunch spot not far away: Le Pot de Vins or Casa Festa.

Jardin des Tuileries, Paris, France
A university in Paris
Image: Svetlana Gumerova (left), Roman Kraft (right) / Unsplash

Take in the scenery of lush gardens and ponds at Jardin des Tuileries, located within Place de la Concorde. In the southwest corner of Jardin des Tuileries is the Musée de l'Orangerie, known for its impressionist masterpieces; in the northwestern corner is the photography museum Jeu de Paume, and on the western tip of the Louvre Richelieu sits the Musée des Arts Décoratifs.

Not to mention, Angelina tea room, famous for its hot chocolate, is worth checking out for an afternoon break.

Travel tip: Other than art, Jardin des Tuileries is a great place for nature lovers and to wind down amidst your busy vacation schedules. You can admire various species of flowers and plants while relaxing by the fountain.

Just across the Seine, the quaint, old-world Latin Quarter comes alive at night when its numerous bistros and bars spill into the streets. Home to one of the oldest universities in Europe, La Sorbonne, this neighborhood is packed with young people and intellectuals.

Walking tours in Paris are a great way to see the area; join this tour of the Latin Quarter to experience all its splendor. Furthermore, there are plenty of good restaurants in the Latin Quarter, it’s hard to choose just a few. Here are some gems: Bistro des Augustins, Tzeferakos, and Hugo & Co.

Must-see attractions in the Latin Quarter:

Day 2: Saint-Germain, Eiffel Tower and the 15th arrondissement

Jardin du Luxembourg in Paris
Eiffel tower in Paris
Jardin du Luxembourg, Paris, France
Image: Michelle Maria (left), nuno_lopes (right) / Pixabay

Poilâne, a family-owned bakery known for its rustic sourdough bread and artisan pastries, is a must-try. After, stroll around Jardin du Luxembourg, located between Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Latin Quarter, and be mesmerized by 60 acres of pristine, manicured gardens.

Not far from Jardin du Luxembourg, Saint-Germain des Prés is a lively and cosmopolitan neighborhood that boasts several major attractions as well as amazing shopping. International boutiques and high-end brands line the popular street. For some history and culture, pick any of these sites in the district: Église Saint-Germain-des-Prés, the oldest abbey in Paris from the 6th century; St Sulpice Church; Musée Delacroix; and Odéon-Théâtre de l’Europe.

If you’re up for it, you can walk and see many sites on your way to the famous Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe, including Musée d'Orsay. If you’d like to slow it down, you can take a cruise on the Seine River with Bateaux Mouches. The company offers many options, including lunch and dinner cruises, and at different times of the day. 

L’Arc de Triomphe looks even more impressive the closer you get to it. Make your way to the terrace for stunning views of the city. You can also enjoy skip-the-line admission tickets and take a scenic cruise along the Seine.

Much less touristy than the other districts and largely residential, the 15th arrondissement is full of upscale boulangeries, markets, and restaurants. The ideal place to gaze at the sunset, Tour Montparnasse is one of the tallest structures in Paris. Some best-kept secrets in the area include the Church of Saint-Seraphin de Sarov, Musée Bourdelle, and Musée de la Poste.

Travel Tip: Venture off the beaten path to uncover secret museums and hidden walking trails. Consider visiting the Île aux Cygnes (Isle of the Swans), a man-made island formed in 1827 to protect the port of Grenelle.

Day 3: Day trip to Versailles

Wide shot of the Château de Versailles
Château de Versailles, Versailles, France
Image: Mathias Reding / Unsplash

Four days is more than enough time to squeeze in a day trip from Paris. The extravagant Palace of Versailles was built by Louis XIV, also known as “the Sun King.” The palace has 700 rooms with frescoes and the Gardens of Versailles (Jardins de Versailles) are made up of geometric walkways, fountains, and manicured trees and shrubs. The palace is open every day except Monday; we recommend getting there first thing in the morning. The grandeur of Versailles is like no other and shouldn’t be missed.

The area and history of Versailles are rich and comprise the main palace, Trianon palaces, gardens, and the park. At the start of the grand apartments tour, the gallery of the history of the palace is an important part of the visit. These rooms were the apartments of the royal princes during the monarchy.

Day 4: Le Marais, 11th arrondissement and Montmartre

A bar in france
View of Montmartre at sunset
11th arrondissement, Paris, France
Image: Megan Bucknall (left), Henrique Ferreira (right) / Unsplash

You can feel the artistic energy in Le Marais. There are plenty of sites, boutiques, cafés, and bookstores lining its charming streets. For a truly indulgent and inventive breakfast that matches the vibe of Le Marais, visit Carette, under the arches of the Place des Vosges, one of the most beautiful squares in the area. Explore more with this food and wine-tasting tour of Le Marais.

Travel tip: If you want to flâner, a French term for "observing life," visit the Jardin des Archives Nationales, a treasure tucked away in the heart of Le Marais for maximum Paris vibes.

After breakfast, visit Hôtel de Sully, Maison de Victor Hugo, Église Saint-Paul Saint-Louis and Village Saint-Paul. Paris’ oldest food market, Marché des Enfants-Rouge, is full of lively stands offering food from all over the world including East Asia, the Mediterranean, and North Africa.

Known for its diverse culture and gourmet restaurants and bars, the 11th arrondissement is a hidden gem for many tourists. You’ll find Edith Piaf’s large collection of mementos, belongings, and correspondence in one of Paris’ tiniest museums in a private apartment. Visit Place de la République to see the 31-foot statue of Marianne. For lunch, head to Cafe Chilango, known for its bright, bold Mexican flavors and lively vibe.

Evenings are a peaceful time to appreciate the winding streets of Montmartre; sunsets are best seen from the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur, accessible by funicular from the Place Saint-Pierre or by walking up from the Square Louise Michel. Don't miss the best of the area's art, culture, and food with this walking tour of Montmartre.

For a non-touristy locale, try La Boîte aux Lettres, which serves modern and elegant food created by chef Fréderic Paul Chartier, who trained under the iconic Alain Ducasse.

Must-see attractions in Montmartre:


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Gina Dellios
Based in the south of France and having grown up in a well-known flambé restaurant in California, Gina Dellios is a writer who is passionate about food and travel. She has extensive knowledge of Brazil, Croatia, France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Mexico, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, Uruguay, and the U.S. She spends her free time globetrotting and trying out the latest foodie destinations.