🇫🇷 Paris, France
Paris through the centuries: 8 days of history
Explore Paris from its medieval heart to the grandeur of Versailles, with time for memorable meals and relaxed neighbourhood walks. The plan gives the Louvre and Eiffel Tower dedicated visits and assumes a central base near the Palais-Royal.
Day 1 map
Day 1 · A gentle landing in the heart of Paris
Check in, stretch your legs around the historic centre and ease into the trip with a classic Parisian dinner.
Place André Malraux, 1st arrondissement
A polished, upscale base opposite the Louvre, well placed for the historic centre and easy walks to many sights. Use it as a suggested hotel, or choose another central hotel nearby.
Booking recommended~60 minReserve accommodation as soon as your dates are firm. Find tickets
Book early and confirm the hotel’s airport-transfer options once your flight details are set.
5 min walk
Palais-Royal, 1st arrondissement
Take a gentle first stroll through the formal garden and arcades of this former royal residence. Its calm courtyards offer an easy introduction to central Paris.
~60 minThe garden is a pleasant place to pause if you are feeling the effects of travel.
12 min walk
Place de la Concorde to the Louvre, 1st arrondissement
Wander the historic royal gardens between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde, with plenty of benches for a restful first afternoon.
~60 minStay for the golden light over the garden’s long central axis.
~10 min by taxi
Saint-Germain-des-Prés, 6th arrondissement
Settle in over generous French bistro cooking at this much-loved Saint-Germain address.
Booking recommended~90 minBook several days ahead if possible. Find reservations
Reserve ahead, especially for dinner.
Day 2 · The Louvre and the royal city
Spend the morning with the Louvre’s vast collections, then enjoy the surrounding palace quarter at a gentler pace.
Palais-Royal, 1st arrondissement
Pick up excellent coffee and a light breakfast just steps from the museum, then head over before the galleries fill.
~45 minCheck the opening hours for your date before setting out.
5 min walk
Rue de Rivoli, 1st arrondissement
Focus on a few wings or themes—such as Egyptian antiquities, French painting and the palace’s own history—rather than trying to see it all. This is your dedicated visit to the world-famous former royal residence.
Your must-see Book ahead~210 minBuy timed-entry tickets on the official museum website as early as available. Find tickets
Choose a timed entry and decide in advance which collections matter most to you.
12 min walk
Rue de la Banque, 2nd arrondissement
Take a relaxed bistro lunch after the galleries, with traditional French dishes in an old-Paris setting.
Booking recommended~75 minReserve ahead for a preferred lunchtime. Find reservations
A good spot to sit down properly after a long museum morning.
5 min walk
2nd arrondissement
Circle this elegant 17th-century royal square and notice how its architecture frames the equestrian statue of Louis XIV.
~60 min~15 min by taxi
Rue Saint-Martin, 4th arrondissement
Enjoy a refined, classic Parisian bistro dinner in a historic dining room.
Booking recommended~90 minBook several days ahead. Find reservations
Reserve ahead for this established address.
Day 3 · Impressionists, military history and the Eiffel Tower
Pair the Musée d’Orsay’s celebrated art collection with the military history of Les Invalides, then finish at the Eiffel Tower.
Saint-Germain-des-Prés, 6th arrondissement
Start the day at one of Paris’s best-known historic cafés, an atmospheric place to fuel up before the museums.
~45 minGo early for a calmer café experience.
15 min walk
Rue de la Légion d’Honneur, 7th arrondissement
Explore the former railway station’s Impressionist and Post-Impressionist galleries, with time to admire the building’s grand clock and architecture.
Book ahead~150 minReserve the 09:30 timed-entry slot online in advance; no ticket has been booked. Find tickets
Book a timed ticket for the 09:30 entry slot in advance.
5 min walk
Inside the Musée d’Orsay, 7th arrondissement
Have lunch inside the museum beneath its ornate clock, a convenient pause before continuing the day.
~75 minIf it is busy, the museum’s other café options may be quicker.
20 min walk
129 Rue de Grenelle, 7th arrondissement
Trace French military history through the museum’s collections and the monumental Invalides complex, including Napoleon’s tomb.
Booking recommended~120 minBuy admission online if you want to avoid ticket queues. Find tickets
Check which galleries are open on your visit and allow time for the tomb.
25 min walk
Champ de Mars, 7th arrondissement
Visit Paris’s defining landmark and, if you wish, take the lift up for sweeping views across the city. The late-day light makes a memorable finish to your history-filled day.
Your must-see Book ahead~150 minReserve official timed-entry tickets as soon as your date becomes available. Find tickets
Book a summit or second-floor ticket for a specific time well in advance.
15 min walk
Rue Saint-Dominique, 7th arrondissement
End the day with contemporary French comfort food near the tower, served in individual cast-iron casseroles.
Booking recommended~90 minBook a few days ahead. Find reservations
Reserve to secure a table at your preferred time.
Day 4 · Medieval Paris and the Île de la Cité
Explore the island’s Gothic and revolutionary landmarks in the morning, then continue into the Middle Ages at the Musée de Cluny.
Rue Galande, 5th arrondissement
Have coffee and a pastry near the river before crossing to the Île de la Cité.
~45 minArrive early for a quieter stop.
10 min walk
10 Boulevard du Palais, Île de la Cité
See the luminous stained-glass windows of this 13th-century royal chapel, one of the city’s great Gothic treasures.
Book ahead~75 minBook timed-entry tickets online in advance. Find tickets
Morning light is especially lovely through the upper chapel windows.
5 min walk
2 Boulevard du Palais, Île de la Cité
Explore the medieval royal palace turned Revolutionary Tribunal and prison, including the story of Marie Antoinette.
Booking recommended~90 minBook online to reduce queueing. Find tickets
Consider a combined ticket with Sainte-Chapelle if available for your date.
10 min walk
Rue Chanoinesse, Île de la Cité
Pause at a characterful old restaurant on one of the island’s atmospheric lanes.
Booking recommended~75 minReserve ahead for lunch. Find reservations
Ask for a table in the historic interior if one is available.
15 min walk
28 Rue du Sommerard, 5th arrondissement
Discover medieval art and daily life in a museum built around Roman baths, best known for the Lady and the Unicorn tapestries.
Booking recommended~105 minCheck opening arrangements and reserve online if timed tickets are offered. Find tickets
Allow time for both the collections and the remains of the ancient baths.
10 min walk
Rue Thénard, 5th arrondissement
Enjoy creative French cooking in the Latin Quarter, a short walk across the river from the island.
Booking recommended~90 minBook several days ahead. Find reservations
Reserve ahead for dinner.
Day 5 · Royal squares and the old Marais
Spend a relaxed Sunday among aristocratic mansions, historic squares and one of Paris’s richest neighbourhood museums.
Rue des Tournelles, 4th arrondissement
Start with quality coffee and a light breakfast on the edge of the Marais.
~45 minOpening hours can vary, so check before you go.
10 min walk
23 Rue de Sévigné, 3rd arrondissement
Follow the history of Paris from antiquity to the present through art, interiors and objects in two beautifully restored mansions.
~120 minThe permanent collections are free; check ahead for any temporary exhibitions that interest you.
10 min walk
Le Marais, 4th arrondissement
Walk beneath the arcades of Paris’s oldest planned square, a handsome reminder of the early 17th-century royal city.
~45 minTake a short loop through the central garden before lunch.
12 min walk
Rue des Rosiers, 4th arrondissement
Try a renowned falafel sandwich on the lively historic street at the centre of the Marais’ Jewish quarter.
~75 minExpect a queue at busy times; takeaway is often the quickest option.
15 min walk
5 Rue de Thorigny, 3rd arrondissement
See Picasso’s work and personal collection inside the elegant Hôtel Salé, a striking Marais mansion from the 17th century.
Booking recommended~90 minReserve online if timed slots are offered for your date. Find tickets
Check the museum’s Sunday hours and current ticket arrangements.
15 min walk
Boulevard Beaumarchais, 4th arrondissement
Close your Marais day with carefully prepared French bistro classics in a relaxed neighbourhood setting.
Booking recommended~90 minBook a few days ahead. Find reservations
Reserve for dinner, particularly on a weekend.
Day 6 · The Latin Quarter and Notre-Dame
Explore the Panthéon and the ancient Latin Quarter, then visit Notre-Dame Cathedral before a leisurely riverside lunch.
Rue de Babylone, 7th arrondissement
Have a good coffee and breakfast before heading to the Left Bank’s historic quarter.
~45 minCheck Monday opening hours before you set out.
~15 min by taxi
Place du Panthéon, 5th arrondissement
Visit the neoclassical monument and its crypt, where many figures from French history are buried.
Booking recommended~90 minBuy tickets online if you want to avoid the admission queue. Find tickets
Check whether the dome is open during your visit; access can be seasonal.
15 min walk
Parvis Notre-Dame, Île de la Cité
Visit the restored cathedral and take time to appreciate its Gothic façade and long history at the heart of Paris.
Booking recommended~75 minCheck whether a free reservation is available or advised for your visit date. Find tickets
Check the cathedral’s official visitor information for entry arrangements and service times.
5 min walk
Rue de la Bûcherie, 5th arrondissement
Take a leisurely French lunch in a historic-looking riverside restaurant, close to the bookshops of the Left Bank.
Booking recommended~75 minReserve ahead for a riverside table. Find reservations
Ask for a table with a view toward Notre-Dame if available.
15 min walk
Rue Monge, 5th arrondissement
See the remains of a Roman amphitheatre tucked into a quiet neighbourhood garden, a surprising trace of ancient Lutetia.
~60 minThis is an outdoor site, so check the weather and access hours.
~15 min by taxi
Quai de la Tournelle, 5th arrondissement
For a splurge-worthy evening, enjoy fine French dining at one of Paris’s storied restaurants overlooking the Seine.
Book ahead~90 minReserve well in advance and check the restaurant’s dress and service details. Find reservations
Request a window table when booking, though it cannot be guaranteed.
Day 7 · Versailles: the Sun King’s world
Make a full-day excursion to the palace and gardens that embodied the power and ceremony of the French monarchy.
Rue Yves Toudic, 10th arrondissement
Pick up pastries and coffee for an early start before the journey to Versailles.
~45 minCheck opening hours on the day, as bakery schedules can vary.
Transfer: ~1 h by public transport
Paris to Versailles Château–Rive Gauche
Take the RER C toward Versailles Château–Rive Gauche, then walk to the palace. Check for planned rail works and service changes close to your travel date.
~60 minAllow extra time for the station walk and security queue at the palace.
10 min walk
Place d’Armes, Versailles
Tour the royal apartments, Hall of Mirrors and other key rooms to understand the court life and political theatre of the French monarchy.
Book ahead~180 minBuy a timed palace ticket online in advance and verify which ticket covers your chosen areas. Find tickets
A timed entry is essential; arrive early for security screening.
20 min walk
Versailles Palace Park
Pause for lunch in the palace grounds before exploring more of the estate.
Booking recommended~75 minReserve ahead if you want a sit-down lunch. Find reservations
Check restaurant opening and reservation details for your date.
10 min walk
Versailles Palace Park
Walk the formal gardens and, if time and your ticket allow, continue to the Grand Trianon and Marie Antoinette’s estate for a contrasting view of royal life.
Booking recommended~120 minCheck whether your palace ticket includes the gardens and Trianon areas on this date. Find tickets
The grounds are extensive; use the estate map and check any seasonal access or transport options.
Transfer: ~1 h by public transport
Versailles Château–Rive Gauche to Paris
Walk back to the station and return by RER C, allowing extra time for crowds and any service changes.
~60 minCheck the return train before leaving the palace grounds.
~45 min by public transport
77 Rue de Richelieu, 2nd arrondissement
Enjoy traditional French bistro cooking at this established restaurant near the Palais-Royal.
Booking recommended~90 minCheck the restaurant’s official booking channel for 6 October 2026; date availability has not been verified. Find reservations
Live availability for 6 October 2026 could not be verified, and no reservation has been made.
Day 8 · A last stroll before departure
Keep the final morning close to your hotel, enjoy one last historic arcade and leave plenty of time for the airport.
Rue Saint-Honoré, 1st arrondissement
Have a relaxed final breakfast at a long-established Paris café near the hotel and the city’s central sights.
~60 minConfirm your checkout and luggage-storage arrangements with the hotel.
10 min walk
2nd arrondissement
Take a final unhurried walk through this elegant 19th-century covered passage, a fitting last glimpse of old Paris.
~60 minSome individual shops may open later than the passage itself.
8 min walk
Rue Vivienne, 2nd arrondissement
Enjoy a final classic brasserie lunch in a grand Belle Époque dining room before collecting your bags.
Booking recommended~75 minBook ahead to keep lunch on schedule. Find reservations
Reserve if you have a fixed departure schedule.
Transfer: ~1 h 15 min by taxi
Central Paris to CDG Paris Charles de Gaulle
Leave central Paris by road for CDG, allowing up to 75 minutes and aiming to arrive around 14:25, three hours before your 17:25 flight.
Booking recommended~75 minPre-book a taxi or car service and confirm the pickup point. Find transport
Allow extra time for traffic and confirm your luggage collection arrangements before leaving for the airport.
Good to know
- Hotel pick: Hotel du Louvre is a convenient upscale base for this route; also compare other central 1st-arrondissement hotels and reserve early.
- Flight times and Paris airport are unconfirmed. This plan assumes a midday arrival and an evening departure; adjust the first and last days once you have flight details.
- Reserve timed entry for the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Sainte-Chapelle and Versailles in advance, and recheck official opening hours before travelling.
- Versailles is closed on Mondays, so it is planned for Tuesday; check RER C service notices and any planned maintenance nearer your date.
- Early October weather can be changeable: bring comfortable walking shoes and a light rain layer.