5D4N In Paris: A Complete Itinerary For First-Timers!

Officially known as the City of Lights and occasionally dubbed the City of Love, Paris is perhaps one of the most romantic places in the world. If you've spent your whole life watching romcom protagonists fall in love by the Eiffel Tower, maybe now it’s your turn to do the same 😉.

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Much like other metropolitan cities, Paris has its own complex web of underground train systems. The Paris Métro is what you’ll probably be using the most, as it’s the fastest way to get around, with 16 lines spanning across the city. You can hop on a metro as early as 6AM and as late as 12:45AM from Sundays to Thursdays, and 1:45AM on Fridays and Saturdays. In the case of outskirts-of-Paris excursions, you can use the RER. 

Other modes of transportation here include trams and buses. There’s even a night service bus called The Noctilien that offers late-night workers and party-goers rides around Paris from 12:30AM to 5:30AM.

The best way to get the most out of your trip is by ensuring that you get a good night’s rest everyday! Being exhausted before you even step out of your hotel lobby isn’t fun, so here are some hotel recommendations that’ll leave you feeling refreshed the moment you wake up.

Whether you landed the night before or on the day of, it’s always best to keep your first day chill and flexible— long plane rides are no joke. We suggest starting with the Panthéon, a famous attraction with centuries of stories hidden within its walls. Right after its inception, the Panthéon functioned as a church, as intended. Soon after, it was treated as a mausoleum to commemorate important French figures who had passed.

Opening hours: 10AM - 6PM (Daily)

As soon as you’re done admiring the beauty and history of the Panthéon, head over to The Basilica of Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre, a monumental church that’s been standing strong for over 100 years. 

Sacré-Cœur can be translated to Sacred Heart, highlighting this religious structure as a sanctuary. This building is pretty hard to miss. With Roman-Byzantine architecture and white exterior that stands out against the blue sky, Basilica of Sacré-Cœur is favoured by both locals and tourists for its beauty that’s present both physically and spiritually.

Opening hours: 6:30AM - 10:30PM (Daily)

After, make your way to Montmartre, the same charming village where Sacré-Cœur Basilica is located. A walk down the cobblestone streets will make you feel like you’ve been transported into a film set. Vineyards, artists offering live portrait drawings, and whimsical cafes inviting passersby to enter, Montmartre is said to be the city’s cutest neighbourhood, and every corner is picture-worthy.

As a post-lunch activity, we suggest visiting the Musée Montmartre. Here, you’ll get to learn about the artists who flocked to the village in the 1870s, turning Montmartre into a fluorescent creative hub. Fans of Suzanne Valadon are in for a treat as one of the permanent exhibitions in this museum is a recreation of the famed French painter’s atelier-apartment. 

A national symbol, a tangible ode to those who died fighting for France, the Arc de Triomphe is a must-visit for lovers of history and stories of victory. It was first built in 1806 to mark Napoleon I’s success in battle, and construction continued for another 30 years before reaching completion. 

There’s a spiral staircase that leads to the top of the arc, but don’t be swayed by this— this is the best part of visiting Arc de Triomphe as the roof grants you access to a bird’s eye view of Champs-Élysées. Visitors will also find a museum as well as a gift shop inside. 

Opening hours: 10AM - 10:15PM (Daily)

Now that you’ve seen Paris’ most visited avenue from afar, it’s finally time to experience it up close. There’s something for everyone at Champs-Élysées, and we mean that earnestly.

The avenue is a first and foremost, an avid shopper’s dream. Galeries Lafayette is a good option if you want to go to a department store! Even if you’re not into luxury fashion, there are plenty of other things to see and do here. Browse through Ladurée’s colourful macaron selection, sniff your way through Guerlain’s entire fragrance library, and maybe stop by Théâtre du Rond-Point to watch a local theatre performance!

The next location is the Latin Quarter. Its name alone indicates its status as one of the oldest districts in Paris— Latin was widely spoken between the 10th and 15th century. Its cobbled streets and abundance of quaint shops makes this district a charming one worth visiting.

The Latin Quarter is where you’ll find Paris’ most popular bookstore: Shakespeare and Company. Oftentimes, you’ll find a line of eager tourists queuing up to purchase one of their uber popular self-branded tote bags, and who can blame them? The store’s merchandise is equally beautiful as it is practical. You even get your freshly-purchased book stamped with the bookstore’s logo, making it a fantastic souvenir to commemorate your trip.

If you’re into vintage goods, you can’t miss out on Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen, the world’s largest antique market. It isn’t your typical flea market with just a couple rows of vendors— it’s a whole web of shops and warehouses filled with the most unique goodies you’ll even find. Think of it as a market of markets.

Short on time? Check out Marché Dauphine where you can find vintage vinyls and books, art galleries, and intricately woven tapestries all under one roof. Another major antique market you can visit is Paul Bert Serpette, where you’ll come across artful furniture and interior decor like chandeliers and silverware. There are other markets in the area as well, so strap on your comfiest pair of shoes and have fun exploring!

Opening hours: 8AM - 12PM (Friday), 10AM - 6PM (Saturday & Sunday), 11AM - 5PM (Monday), Closed Tuesday to Thursday

An homage to an art movement born in the city of love, Musée d'Orsay is dedicated to preserving, restoring, and showcasing some of the most important artworks from the impressionist era. This museum houses paintings created by the likes of Vincent Van Gogh, Claude Monet, and Gustave Caillebotte, as well as sculptures by Auguste Rodin, Camille Claudel, and Edgar Degas. 

You’ll be surrounded by impressionist and post-impressionist art the moment you step inside, making Musée d'Orsay the best museum to see pieces from that era. Whether you’re well-acquainted or a stranger to these art styles, do allocate at least a couple of hours to this museum— it’s jam-packed with things to see and learn! 

Opening hours: 9:30AM - 6PM (Tuesday to Wednesday & Friday to Sunday), 9:30AM - 9:45PM (Friday), Closed on Monday

 A feat of engineering and a celebration of a century-long history, the Eiffel Tower is the symbol of Paris. Did you know that this iconic monument was completed in just 2 years? 

There are 4 levels for visitors to explore. The first is The Esplanade, otherwise known as the ground floor, where you get a view of the Eiffel Tower from below. This is where engineering and architecture enthusiasts get to really soak in and analyse the construction of the tower. At the very top is where you’ll see the beauty of Paris from above. You can choose between taking the stairs or the elevator, but do note that the latter will cost more.

Opening hours: 9:30AM - 10:45PM (Daily)

The Catacombs of Paris comes with a dark history— the reason why there are over 6 million human remains in this underground tunnel is due to the cemeteries in the 18th century overflowing with bodies. The relocation of the remains aided in combating 2 of the city’s biggest problems simultaneously: the spreading of diseases, as well as the collapse of underground cellars and passageways. 

If you’re visiting the catacombs, there are a couple things to keep in mind. Firstly, the catacombs are not wheelchair accessible. Secondly, the temperature inside always remains at 14℃, so bring a jacket if you’re here during the warmer months. 

Opening hours: 9:45AM - 8:30PM (Tuesday to Sunday), Closed on Monday

What was once a palace is now an art museum, and what was once a piece of history, remains culturally significant. The Louvre Museum, also known as Musée du Louvre, is the place all travellers should visit while in Paris. If you can only visit one art museum on your trip, let it be this one.

With 400 rooms and over 35,000 artworks on display, the Louvre is the biggest museum in the world. It’s impossible to cover the whole museum in a few hours, in fact, some suggest that it takes a few days to see everything. Most of us don’t have the luxury of time, and the museum itself recommends visitors to spend the couple of hours they have at the Denon wing— this is where the Mona Lisa is.

Opening hours: 9AM - 6PM (Saturday - Thursday), 9AM - 9:45PM (Friday)

The Seine River cuts through the middle of Paris, separating the left and right banks. The left bank is often linked to the arts, with the presence of bookstores and cafes, while the right bank is for business and commerce. With its length at a whopping 777km, it’s safe to say that walking from one end to the other is impossible. You can, however, cover more of it by joining a sightseeing cruise than you can by foot. As you cruise down the river, you’ll pass by iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre. This cruise would be a sweet conclusion to your days in Paris, a summary of all the places you’ve visited and the things you’ve experienced.

This Seine River Sightseeing Cruise departs from Bateaux Parisiens or Bateaux Mouches, depending on the time of day. It also runs for about an hour, giving you ample time to soak in the sights.

As the main place of residence of the French monarchy for many years, one can only imagine the sheer grandeur of the Palace of Versailles. It started off as a hunting lodge before becoming the primary palace, and now, it’s open to all as a museum. The compound is enormous, consisting of a park, gardens, an estate, a tennis court, stables, and the palace itself. Rooms ornately decorated with golden fixtures and chandeliers, and water fountains scattered across across the gardens, this palace is a true testament to the beauty that comes with wealth and power.

The Palace of Versailles itself is about an hour away from Paris, so we highly recommend starting your day early. It opens at 9AM and if you want to make the most out of your day, it’s best to leave your hotel by 8AM. It can take up to a full day to cover the whole palace, so do plan accordingly!

Opening hours: 9AM - 5:30PM (Tuesday to Sunday), Closed on Monday

Le Marais, or The Marais, is the perfect place to be for one final hoorah. This district perfectly encompasses the Parisian experience with art, architecture, food, and shopping. 

Le Marais is full of iconic landmarks and historical sites. In other words, every building in this town has a story to tell. Here, you can stroll around the oldest square in the city: Place de Vosges. This is also where Hôtel de Ville, home to Paris’ city council, is. You should also stop by Musée Picasso, a museum dedicated to the Spanish painter.