5 Days in Paris: In-Depth Exploration with Day Trips

This comprehensive itinerary unveils Paris’s layers of history, culture, and neighborhood character while including an enchanting day trip to the Palace of Versailles. You’ll experience everything from world-famous landmarks to hidden local gems, authentic bistros, and emerging cultural districts that showcase both classic and contemporary Parisian life.

Day 1: Central Paris – Royal Heritage & River Life

Morning (9:00 AM – 1:00 PM): Île de la Cité & Île Saint-Louis

9:00 AM – Sainte-Chapelle Begin with Paris’s most spectacular stained glass windows, featuring 1,113 biblical scenes that transform sunlight into rainbow cascades. Arrive early to avoid crowds and experience the chapel’s ethereal atmosphere.

Admission: €11.50, combined tickets with Conciergerie available for €18.50 Metro: Line 4 to Cité or RER B/C to Saint-Michel Notre-Dame

10:30 AM – Conciergerie Explore this medieval palace turned revolutionary prison where Marie Antoinette spent her final days. The Gothic halls and prison cells provide haunting insights into French history’s darkest chapters.

Hidden detail: Look for graffiti carved by prisoners on cell walls, including revolutionary slogans and personal messages

11:30 AM – Notre-Dame Exterior & Archaeological Crypt While the cathedral undergoes restoration, the exterior showcases Gothic architecture mastery. The underground crypt reveals Roman and medieval foundations, offering 2,000 years of Parisian history.

Secret viewpoint: Square Jean XXIII behind Notre-Dame provides peaceful garden setting with perfect cathedral views

12:00 PM – Île Saint-Louis Village Walk Cross Pont Saint-Louis to this intimate island village featuring 17th-century architecture, boutique shops, and tree-lined quays. The island maintains authentic Parisian residential character despite its central location.

Lunch (1:00 PM – 2:00 PM)

Berthillon (31 Rue Saint-Louis en l’Île) Paris’s most famous ice cream maker has operated since 1954, serving over 70 flavors including exotic sorbets and classic French varieties. Enjoy your selection while strolling along the Seine.

Alternative: Café Saint-Régis (6 Rue Jean du Bellay) – Traditional bistro with outdoor seating overlooking the river

Afternoon (2:00 PM – 6:00 PM): Latin Quarter Depths

2:00 PM – Shakespeare and Company Browse this legendary English-language bookstore where writers like Hemingway and Joyce gathered. The second-floor reading rooms maintain bohemian atmosphere with floor-to-ceiling books and vintage typewriters.

Literary connection: The store continues traditions of the original 1920s bookshop that published James Joyce’s “Ulysses”

2:30 PM – Panthéon Climb to the dome of this neoclassical mausoleum housing Voltaire, Rousseau, Marie Curie, and other French luminaries. The panoramic city views rival those from more famous monuments.

Admission: €11.50, includes access to crypt and dome Hidden feature: Foucault’s pendulum demonstrates Earth’s rotation in the nave

4:00 PM – Latin Quarter Neighborhood Walk Explore medieval streets around Sorbonne University, discovering student cafés, independent bookshops, and the authentic atmosphere that has attracted intellectuals for centuries.

Must-see streets:

• Rue Mouffetard: Ancient market street with specialty food shops
• Rue de la Huchette: Medieval alley with traditional restaurants
• Place de la Contrescarpe: Village-like square with café terraces

5:00 PM – Jardin des Plantes End your day in these peaceful botanical gardens featuring rose gardens, greenhouses, and quiet pathways away from tourist crowds. The National Museum of Natural History anchors the complex.

Secret spot: The Alpine Garden’s winding paths lead to secluded benches perfect for afternoon rest

Evening (6:00 PM – 10:00 PM)

Le Procope (13 Rue de l’Ancienne Comédie) Dine at Paris’s oldest café (1686) where Voltaire, Diderot, and Napoleon once gathered. The historic dining rooms serve traditional French cuisine in an authentically preserved setting.

Signature dishes: Coq au vin, duck confit with garlic potatoes, tarte tatin

Day 2: Artistic Montmartre & Alternative Belleville

Morning (9:00 AM – 1:00 PM): Montmartre Village

9:00 AM – Sacré-Cœur Basilica Ascend to Montmartre’s white crown for panoramic city views and Romano-Byzantine architecture. Early morning visits provide peaceful atmosphere before tour groups arrive.

Metro: Line 12 to Abbesses, then funicular (€1.90) or scenic stairs

10:00 AM – Montmartre Village Walking Tour Discover cobblestone streets where Picasso, Renoir, and Toulouse-Lautrec created masterpieces. The area maintains village charm despite tourism, especially in quieter back streets.

Essential stops:

• Place du Tertre: Historic artists’ square with portrait painters
• Rue de l’Abreuvoir: Paris’s most beautiful street with ivy-covered buildings
• Clos Montmartre: Last Parisian vineyard, visible from Rue des Saules
• Moulin de la Galette: Surviving windmill immortalized in Renoir paintings

11:30 AM – Montmartre Museum This intimate museum in a 17th-century manor showcases Montmartre’s artistic heritage through paintings, posters, and artifacts from the area’s bohemian heyday.

Admission: €14, includes access to Renoir Gardens Hidden treasure: The museum gardens provide spectacular city views away from Sacré-Cœur crowds

Lunch (1:00 PM – 2:00 PM)

La Maison Rose (2 Rue de l’Abreuvoir) This pink corner café where Picasso once dined maintains authentic Montmartre atmosphere with traditional French cuisine and sidewalk seating on the area’s prettiest street.

Afternoon (2:00 PM – 6:00 PM): Belleville – Paris’s Creative Quarter

2:00 PM – Transit to Belleville Metro Line 11 to Belleville station brings you to this multicultural hilltop neighborhood where artists, immigrants, and young Parisians create contemporary Parisian culture.

2:30 PM – Belleville Street Art Tour Explore Europe’s largest concentration of legal street art along Rue Dénoyez and surrounding streets. The outdoor gallery changes constantly, showcasing emerging and established artists.

Photography tip: Golden afternoon light enhances mural colors and creates dramatic shadows

3:30 PM – Parc de Belleville Climb to Paris’s second-highest point for spectacular city views rivaling those from tourist monuments. The terraced park features vineyard, waterfall, and children’s areas where local families gather.

Secret viewpoint: The park’s upper terrace provides unobstructed Eiffel Tower views without crowds

4:30 PM – Belleville Market & Neighborhood Walk Explore this authentic working-class neighborhood where Chinese, North African, and Eastern European communities create vibrant cultural mixing. The Tuesday and Friday markets showcase international cuisine.

Cultural discovery: Belleville’s tea houses, spice shops, and family restaurants provide insights into contemporary multicultural Paris

5:30 PM – Père Lachaise Cemetery End your alternative Paris exploration in this peaceful cemetery-park where famous graves including Jim Morrison, Édith Piaf, and Oscar Wilde attract pilgrims among tree-lined paths.

Free maps: Available at entrances for self-guided tours of notable graves and architectural features

Evening (6:00 PM – 10:00 PM)

Le Baratin (3 Rue Jouye-Rouve, Belleville) This neighborhood bistro serves exceptional modern French cuisine using seasonal ingredients. The intimate setting and excellent wine list attract local food enthusiasts rather than tourists.

Alternative: Pink Mamma (20bis Rue de Douai) – Instagram-worthy Italian restaurant with plant-filled décor

Day 3: Versailles Day Trip – Royal Grandeur

Full Day Excursion (9:00 AM – 7:00 PM)

9:00 AM – Departure to Versailles RER C train from central Paris stations (Saint-Michel Notre-Dame, Musée d’Orsay, Invalides) direct to Versailles Château – Rive Gauche station. Journey takes 45-60 minutes.

Ticket: €7.10 round-trip, included in Navigo weekly passes

10:00 AM – Palace of Versailles Explore the opulent royal apartments, Hall of Mirrors, and royal chapel where French kings lived in unprecedented luxury. Audio guides provide historical context for each magnificent room.

Admission: €20 for palace, €27 for palace + gardens during fountain shows Strategy: Purchase timed-entry tickets online to skip entrance lines

12:00 PM – Marie Antoinette’s Estate Discover the queen’s private retreat including the Petit Trianon palace and her fantasy farm village where she played at pastoral life while revolution brewed in Paris.

Hidden gem: The English-style gardens around Petit Trianon provide peaceful contrast to the formal French gardens

Lunch (1:00 PM – 2:00 PM)

La Petite Venise (within Versailles gardens) This canal-side restaurant provides garden views and traditional French cuisine. The terrace overlooks the Grand Canal where Louis XIV once held elaborate water festivals.

Alternative: Angelina Versailles (in the palace) – Famous hot chocolate and pastries in elegant Second Empire setting

Afternoon (2:00 PM – 6:00 PM)

2:00 PM – Gardens of Versailles Explore 800 hectares of formal French gardens featuring geometric patterns, sculptures, and fountain displays. The vast scale demonstrates absolute monarchy’s power and artistic ambition.

Fountain shows: Weekends April-October feature choreographed water displays set to classical music (€9.50 supplement)

3:30 PM – Grand Trianon Visit this pink marble palace where Louis XIV escaped court ceremony for more intimate gatherings. The neoclassical architecture and period furnishings showcase royal family life.

4:30 PM – Garden Exploration Rent bikes (€7.50/hour) or take the petit train (€8.50) to cover more ground efficiently. The gardens’ far reaches provide solitude away from crowds near the palace.

Must-see areas:

• Apollo Fountain: Centerpiece of the garden’s main axis
• Queen’s Hamlet: Marie Antoinette’s rustic village fantasy
• Grand Canal: 1.7-kilometer waterway for royal boating parties

6:00 PM – Return to Paris RER C train back to central Paris, arriving by 7:00 PM for dinner in the city.

Evening (7:30 PM – 10:00 PM)

L’Ambassade d’Auvergne (22 Rue du Grenier Saint-Lazare) This traditional bistro specializes in hearty regional cuisine from central France, perfect after a day of palace exploration. The rustic atmosphere provides authentic contrast to Versailles grandeur.

Day 4: Art Museums & Canal Saint-Martin

Morning (9:00 AM – 1:00 PM): Artistic Treasures

9:00 AM – Musée d’Orsay Explore the world’s finest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces in a stunning Belle Époque railway station. Works by Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, and Degas showcase artistic revolution.

Admission: €16, free first Sunday of each month (October-March) Strategy: Start on the fifth floor with Impressionists, then work downward chronologically

Hidden highlight: The museum’s clock faces provide unique Seine river views while surrounded by priceless art

11:30 AM – Musée de l’Orangerie Cross the river to see Monet’s monumental Water Lilies paintings displayed in specially designed oval rooms. The immersive experience places viewers within Monet’s garden at Giverny.

Admission: €12.50, combined tickets with Orsay available Viewing tip: Sit on central benches to fully appreciate the paintings’ scale and changing light effects

Lunch (1:00 PM – 2:00 PM)

Loulou (Tuileries Garden) This chic restaurant terrace overlooks the garden with views toward Place de la Concorde. Mediterranean-inspired menu features fresh salads, grilled fish, and excellent people-watching.

Afternoon (2:00 PM – 6:00 PM): Canal Saint-Martin District

2:00 PM – Transit to Canal Saint-Martin Metro Line 5 to République, then short walk to this trendy waterway where young Parisians gather along tree-lined banks for picnics and conversation.

2:30 PM – Canal Saint-Martin Walk Stroll along both sides of this peaceful canal featuring iron footbridges, plane tree canopies, and colorful houseboats. The area epitomizes contemporary Parisian lifestyle away from tourist centers.

Local culture: Weekend afternoons bring impromptu picnics, musicians, and markets creating authentic neighborhood atmosphere

3:30 PM – République to Bastille Walk Follow the canal south through increasingly trendy neighborhoods, passing vintage boutiques, artisanal coffee roasters, and design studios that define modern Paris creativity.

Hidden gems:

• Hôpital Saint-Louis: Historic hospital complex with beautiful courtyards
• Place de la République: Large square with contemporary art installations
• Marché des Enfants Rouges: Paris’s oldest covered market (1628)

4:30 PM – Le Marais Exploration Continue south to this perfectly preserved medieval district featuring narrow streets, historic synagogues, trendy boutiques, and beautiful courtyards blending history with contemporary culture.

Must-see courtyards:

• Place des Vosges: Paris’s oldest planned square with perfect Renaissance symmetry
• Hôtel de Sully: Magnificent 17th-century architecture (enter at 62 Rue Saint-Antoine)

5:30 PM – Jewish Quarter & Rue des Rosiers Explore this historic neighborhood where traditional Jewish bakeries, bookshops, and restaurants preserve cultural heritage alongside trendy boutiques and art galleries.

Evening (6:00 PM – 10:00 PM)

L’As du Fallafel (34 Rue des Rosiers) This legendary institution serves outstanding falafel sandwiches that attract long lines of locals and knowledgeable visitors. Eating while walking provides authentic Parisian street food experience.

Dinner alternative: Breizh Café (109 Rue Vieille du Temple) – Modern crêperie with creative fillings and excellent cider selection

Day 5: West Paris Elegance & Modern Culture

Morning (9:00 AM – 1:00 PM): Trocadéro & 16th Arrondissement

9:00 AM – Eiffel Tower & Trocadéro Gardens Begin your final day with Paris’s most iconic landmark, approaching via Pont de Bir-Hakeim for spectacular views. The Trocadéro Gardens provide classic tower photography opportunities.

Strategy: Early morning visits offer optimal lighting and manageable crowds for photos

10:00 AM – Palais de Chaillot Museums Choose between the Maritime Museum showcasing French naval history or the Architecture Museum featuring building models and architectural artifacts. Both occupy wings of this Art Deco palace.

Admission: €12 each museum Hidden terrace: The palace’s upper terraces provide elevated Eiffel Tower views away from crowded gardens below

11:00 AM – 16th Arrondissement Walk Explore Paris’s most elegant residential district featuring Belle Époque mansions, designer boutiques, and tree-lined avenues where wealthy Parisians maintain traditional lifestyle.

Architectural highlights:

• Avenue Foch: Paris’s widest avenue leading to the Bois de Boulogne
• Rue de la Pompe: Luxury shopping street with high-end boutiques
• Maison de Balzac: The writer’s former home, now a small museum

12:00 PM – Bois de Boulogne Stroll through this vast park featuring lakes, gardens, and the famous Longchamp racecourse. The park provides peaceful escape with activities from rowing to horseback riding.

Secret spot: The Shakespeare Garden features plants mentioned in the playwright’s works

Lunch (1:00 PM – 2:30 PM)

Le Pré Catelan (Route de Suresnes, Bois de Boulogne) This Michelin three-star restaurant offers exceptional French cuisine in an elegant Belle Époque pavilion surrounded by parkland. The lunch menu provides more accessible pricing for this culinary temple.

Alternative: Café de l’Homme (Place du Trocadéro) – Spectacular Eiffel Tower views with refined French cuisine

Afternoon (2:30 PM – 6:00 PM): Modern Art & Design

2:30 PM – Fondation Louis Vuitton Take Metro Line 1 to Les Sablons, then shuttle bus to this architectural marvel designed by Frank Gehry. The glass sail structure houses rotating contemporary art exhibitions in stunning galleries.

Admission: €16, advance booking recommended Architecture focus: The building itself rivals the art collections, with curved glass surfaces creating ever-changing light effects

4:00 PM – Parc Monceau Walk through this English-style garden popular with local families, featuring classical ruins, ornamental pond, and elegant Belle Époque gates. The park epitomizes Second Empire Paris elegance.

Hidden features: Ancient columns, pyramid, and Chinese pagoda create romantic landscape garden atmosphere

5:00 PM – Opéra Garnier End your Paris exploration at this architectural masterpiece showcasing Second Empire opulence. The grand staircase, chandelier-lit foyer, and Chagall ceiling create theatrical grandeur.

Admission: €14 for self-guided tour, €18.50 with audio guide Performance option: Evening opera or ballet performances provide unforgettable cultural experiences (advance booking essential)

Evening (6:00 PM – 10:00 PM): Farewell Dinner

Le Grand Véfour (17 Rue du Beaujolais) Conclude your Paris adventure at this historic restaurant where Napoleon and Victor Hugo dined. The 18th-century décor and exceptional French cuisine provide perfect finale to your comprehensive exploration.

Alternative: Hemingway Bar (Ritz Paris, 15 Place Vendôme) – Classic cocktails in the legendary writer’s favorite watering hole

Practical Information

Transportation

5-Day Navigo Pass: €30 covers all metro, bus, and RER travel including Versailles Walking: Paris rewards pedestrian exploration; comfortable shoes essential Bike sharing: Vélib’ stations throughout the city for short-distance travel

Budget Breakdown (Per Person)

Accommodation: €100-300/night depending on location and season Museums/Attractions: €150-200 for five days Meals: €200-400 depending on restaurant choices Transportation: €30 (Navigo pass) + €15 (airport/occasional taxi) Total: €495-945 per person for five days

Essential Apps

Citymapper: Best navigation for public transportation Google Translate: Camera feature translates menus and signs Foursquare: Local restaurant and café recommendations Museum Apps: Many major museums offer detailed guides

Packing Essentials

Comfortable walking shoes: Cobblestones and extensive walking require proper footwear Weather layers: Paris weather changes quickly; pack adaptable clothing Small daypack: For water, snacks, and daily purchases Portable charger: Essential for navigation and photography Umbrella: Useful for sudden showers

Cultural Tips

Dining hours: Lunch 12:00-2:00 PM, dinner 7:30-10:00 PM Greeting etiquette: Always say “Bonjour” when entering shops and “Au revoir” when leaving Tipping: Service included in bills; small tips (€1-2) appreciated for good service Sunday closures: Many shops close Sundays; museums and restaurants remain open

This comprehensive itinerary reveals Paris’s incredible depth, from world-famous landmarks to neighborhood secrets that locals treasure. The combination of iconic sights, cultural immersion, culinary experiences, and the magical Versailles day trip creates an authentic understanding of why Paris remains the world’s most beloved city. Take time to pause in cafés, people-watch in parks, and embrace the leisurely pace that defines true Parisian living – the memories created through these slower moments often prove more lasting than any photograph of famous monuments.