A visit to Paris is likely to be a wonderful experience!
Paris has been on the top of my travel bucket list for so long. After the pandemic travel restrictions have been lifted, I immediately booked flight tickets to the dream land! And I yearned to return to Paris even more after my first visit.
Since I came back, many asked that whether 6 days is enough to see Paris and what to see in Paris in 6 days. To answer the question of How long should I spend in Paris? For first-time visitors, 5-6 days in Paris is just about enough to enjoy some signature Parisian highlights and make you fall in love with the city.
As Paris is an interesting city. There are so much to explore other than the famous sights. On my first trip to Paris, we were reluctant to leave and wished we could stay for a few more days. So I would suggest staying longer because the French capital is so fabulous that you’ll fall in love with it and wish you could stay longer.
However, even if that’s all you’ve got, you’ll be able to see the main sights and even take a stroll around aimlessly at times. This Paris itinerary will cover the places I visited and main things to do on my last trip to Paris.
Let’s explore the city’s art, culture, gastronomy and cutting-edge fashion with me!
Paris Itinerary : Day 1
Ideally, plan to arrive in Paris early in the morning or the night before. Drop your luggage off at the hotel and go for some light walk around the city. We arrived the night before we began our trip in Paris. On the first night, we were wandering around the neighbourhood of our hotel near the iconic Arc de Triomphe and we got back to rest earlier to make sure we were energised for our trip the next morning.
Where to stay in Paris: Best Hotels With Eiffel Tower Views
Getting from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport
If you arrive at the airport, you can get to the centre of Paris by train, Uber, private transfer or taxi. We took an Uber ride to our hotel and the journey took about 40 minutes.
Paris Itinerary : Day 2
There are so many to see in Paris and on the first day of the sightseeing, we planned to visit the top 3 most iconic places in Paris.
Visit Eiffel Tower
The first site we went to was the world renowned Eiffel Tower!
We had seen a lot of photos of the Iron Lady but nothing compared to seeing it with our own eyes. The Eiffel Tower is the world’s most visited paid monument. If you want to go up to the Eiffel Tower, remember to book the Skip the Line ticket in advance as there was already an incredibly long queue when we arrived early in the morning around 9am.
There are several spots to take your best shot with the Eiffel Tower. We went around a few spots to take the best shot of the Eiffel Tower. One of the best spots is Trocadero. It is also the most famous photoshoot site and could be seen in many movies.
What time does the Eiffel Tower light up?
The magical moment when the Eiffel Tower lights up at night is a sight not to be missed! So how to get the most of the view of Eiffel Tower sparkles at night? My suggestion is to spend a full one hour there when the sun down because the Eiffel Tower will light up from sun down to 1 am in the midnight and the tower will glitter with thousands of lights for a full five minutes for every hour! Take time to enjoy the magical moment!
Where to stay in Paris : Best Hotels in Paris with Eiffel Tower View
Cafes near Eiffel Tower
- Bistrot de la Tour Eiffel : Just a turn at the corner of the famous Eiffel Tower photo spots. They have a good selection of artisan coffee,cakes, and pastries.
- Les Cocottes : A very good restaurant near the Eiffel Tower. Head to this restaurant for a decent lunch!
- La Fontaine de Mars : This famous restaurant just in front of the tower is famous and it is hard to get a seat here. The baby pink awnings that frame the arched entryway make this restaurant easy to spot. Make a reservation before you head here.
- L’Éclair : If you are looking for a bistro type of cafe in Paris, L’Eclair is the one you should not miss.
- Cafe du Trocadero : Enjoy the view of the tower while sipping your favourite coffee at this cafe. This Parisian cafe has a wonderful ambience and is the best place to unwind after a day tour in the city.
Check out another 10+ cafes with Eiffel Tower view
Visit Champs-Élysées
After half a day well spent around the Eiffel Tower, you may head to Champs-Élysées which is an avenue at the 8th arrondissement of Paris. This 2-kilometre long avenue connects the Place de Concorde to the famous Arc de Triomphe.
It is a shopper’s paradise since it’s been home to a number of luxury brands since 100 years ago.
Spend your afternoon window-shopping (or spending if you can afford it!) and grab a bite to eat at one of the cafes or restaurants.
Visit Arc de Triomphe
The Arc de Triomphe was built to commemorate Napoleon’s victory in the Battle of Austerlitz. The Arc is 164 feet tall and 148 feet wide, far exceeding the typical dimensions of Roman Arcs.
Opening Hours: 10am – 11 pm ( Last access 30 minutes before closing)
Tickets: 13€ , Free for age below 18
Buy Arc de Triomphe tickets here
The monument is very imposing and you will be able to take photos of it from many angles. The best one is the direct angle from Champs-Elysees. You can walk across the street and take the iconic shot with the Arc.
The ticket is paid for your access to the top of the monument. You will have to climb the 284 steps of spiral staircase to reach the viewpoint and once you reach the viewpoint, the fabulous view of the city is right before your eyes! Visit in the early morning or in the evening to have the best views. If you are visiting at peak hours, it’s best to have the skip the line ticket to save you time!
For more updated info about Arc de Triomphe : Arc de Triomphe Website
Paris Itinerary : Day 3
Take a day trip to Montmartre
On this day, we went for a charming town strolling and visiting the garden.
Montmartre is a charming artsy town just a 18-minutes drive away from the heart of Paris. It became famous with artists in the 19th century like Van Gogh, Monet and Picasso, to name a few.
With the endless cobblestone streets and some quaint looking coffee shops, this hilly town located at the 18th arrondissement has unique differences from the rest of Paris.
Stroll at Luxembourg Garden
The Luxembourg Gardens is a place made for locals, although you might see plenty of tourists at here but it is less crowded compared to Jardin de Tuleries. You may bring a book here, draw a sketch or come for a picnic.
Paris Itinerary : Day 4
Shakespeare And Company Bookstore
“I created this bookstore like a man would write a novel, building each room like a chapter, and I like people to open the door the way they open a book, a book that leads into a magic world in their imaginations.” —George Whitman
On the bank of the Seine, opposite Notre-Dame, is where this iconic bookstore is located. This bookstore has been popular since 1951 and attracted many writers and artists from all over the world to visit.
You may get some books from the store and get stamped as a souvenir or grab a book and read in the reading corner.
Opening hours: Mon-Sat (10 am – 8pm) ; Sun (12 – 7pm)
Entree Fee: Free
Website: https://shakespeareandcompany.com/
Strolling along the bank of River Seine
After visiting this bookstore, you may spare some time to stroll along the left bank of the Seine river where you will find the books vendors selling books and arts.
Shopping Spree at Galeries Lafayette Haussmann
Paris is the shopper’s paradise. And Galeries Lafayette Haussmann is the one that you shouldn’t miss visiting before leaving the city. It is the largest department store chain in Europe. If you are not fond of shopping, take the time to admire the architecture, especially the remarkable dome.
Paris itinerary : Day 5
A Tour to Palace Versailles
Located just 20km from the center of Paris,The Palace of Versailles was the primary residence of the Kings of France for over 100 years until the French Revolution.
Opening hours: Monday Closed; Tue-Sun (9am – 5.30 pm)
Entree Fee: The fees varied based on different entrances, check out Tickets & Prices
Website: https://www.chateauversailles.fr/
The lines are incredibly long, so I recommend buying tickets in advance online.
When is the best time to visit Palace Versailles?
Summer is the most crowded season. Consider visiting in late spring to have decent weather with less crowd. Avoid visiting on weekends as it is the most busy period. The best time? I highly recommend visiting early at 9 am during weekdays in the late spring.
What are the must-see in Palace Versailles?
- The Main Palace
This is where you will spend most of the time exploring as there are over 2300 rooms in the palace. The famous part is the Hall of Mirrors and Marie-Antoinette’s bedrooms.
- The Gardens
Outside the Palace is the huge gorgeous Gardens where you can also find plenty of sculptures and fountains to admire.
- The Queen’s Hamlet
Built in 1783, Marie Antoinette had this retreat built for her as a place to get away from the palace life and spend some quality time with friends.
Paris Itinerary : Day 6
Visit Louvre Museum
Welcoming over 10 million visitors per year, Louvre Museum is without a doubt the most visited museum in the world! It is so popular because it is home to many timeless works of art like Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, Liberty Leading The People, The Wedding at Cana and many more.
Opening hours: Closed on Tuesday. Wed-Mon ( 9am – 6pm ); Fri ( 9am – 9.45pm)
Entrance Fee: EUR 17 for Adults
Website: https://www.louvre.fr/en
The lines to get into the Museum can be crazy! I recommend visitors to get the ticket online in advance so you won’t have to wait in the super long line at the security entrance especially if you are visiting in the summer. Besides, getting yourself an audio guide could be very helpful. Not only does the audio guide explain to you the story behind the artworks, it also shows you how to get to the masterpiece you can never afford to miss.
The must-see pieces in Louvre Museum
The “Venus de Milo,” “Winged Victory of Samothrace,” and Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” are the start and must-see in Louvre Museum. Another one I would suggest is “The Wedding at Cana” which is just located in the same room with “Mona Lisa”.
When is the Best time to visit Louvre Museum?
In general, I recommend visiting during the weekday if in any way possible. Take note that the Louvre is closed on Tuesdays and will be slightly busier on Wednesday. Arrive before the museum opens in the morning. As the day progresses, large tours become absolutely packed.
How long do I need inside the museum?
If you are a true art-lover and also a first-timer to the Louvre, then I suggest you spare one full day at the museum to admire the art pieces. The museum is enormous, and you could easily spend 3-4 hours looking through the top collectibles.
Travel Expenses in Paris
Flight ticket : USD 680 (RM 3200)
Accommodation : USD 1,500 (RM 7000) for 5 nights, shared between 2 persons
Transportation : USD 255 (RM 1,200) , mostly Bolt and Uber, shared between 2 persons
Food : USD 1,000 (RM 4,800) , shared between 2 persons.
Souvenirs to buy in Paris
Figuring out what to bring home from Paris after the visit? Paris is a place with great food, great places and also great for shopping! There are plenty of unique things from Paris that you could bring as souvenirs for yourself and your friends and family. Below I made a list of the souvenirs that I find special and bought:
Handmade French Soap
France has the long history with handmade soap and most of the soap are made from Provence and Marseille. However, you will find soap all around Paris too! The range of the scent of soap is broad and if you are looking for cute fragrance souvenirs for your girls, head over to La Maison du Savon de Marseille or any soap shop in the Paris.
Hot Chocolate Mix from Angelina
Paris is full of fantastic sweet delicatessens like Ladurée macaroons and chocolates. Pay a visit to the Angelina’s tearoom on rue de Rivoli which was visited frequently by Coco Chanel and many fashion designers of the time.
Perfume
Perfume has long played an important role in Parisian life. You will find many perfume store whenever you stroll on the shopping street in Paris, be it the high-end brands or the local perfume shop.
If you look for a more special experience, Fragonard is one of the most renowned perfume brand and offers an apprentice workshop for visitors looking to create their own fragrance. You will learn how to create fragrance and find the perfect fragrance that suits you too!
Mariage Frères Tea
Postcard from the Les Bouquinistes
Since 1854, this France’s oldest tea house has held the world’s largest tea selection title. It is definitely worthwhile to pay a visit to the elegantly designed tea shop and bring home some gorgeous tea cans as souvenirs.
Postcard from the Les Bouquinistes
On the left bank of the River Seine, you will find the book vendors set up their stalls along the pavement. They sell postcards, books and drawings from the little green boxes on the bank.
It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it is absolutely worth getting a few postcards or books while visiting.
A Stamped Book from Shakespeare and Company Bookstore
If you are a book lover, the stamped book from the famous bookstore in Paris is definitely the most precious souvenir you could get from Paris! Once the hangout place of popular writers and artists like Hemingway and Fitzgerald, getting a book and have it stamped on the inner page would be a perfect souvenir for your book lover friends!
Designer Brands Fashion and Leather Goods
Paris is known for its fashion culture and a lot of designer brands were born in Paris. So if you love designer brands and could afford it, treat yourself or your loved ones the designer brands fashion and bags from the Department store.
It is also worth to buy designer brands goods in Paris because the rate is comparatively lower and you will get VAT tax return too! The bag I bought from Louis Vuitton in Paris is about 28% cheaper than the price in Malaysia.
I am glad that I finally visit Paris, which has been one of the top destinations of my travel bucket list. I hope you found this Paris itinerary helpful for planning your dream trip to Paris. This 6-day Paris Itinerary takes you to the most iconic spots of the city.
If you have more time to spare, you could extend your trip to the Paris Disneyland, Wine yard, Museums and shopping galleries! I adore the cafe culture in Paris, I hope you will too!
