4-day city trip Paris, your complete 4-day guide
So you are planning a trip to the most romantic city in the world? Great that you are going to one of our favorite cities. Within a city trip of 4 days you can certainly see the best of Paris. Admire the beautiful view from the Eiffel Tower, get lost in the Louvre, climb the Arc de Triomphe for a magical sunset, go back in time in romantic Montmartre and eat crêpes in Parc des Tuileries.
Visit all icons during your 4-day city trip to Paris
During our 4-day planning for the perfect city break in Paris you will see all the icons of Paris and you will also be taken into the magic and romance of this unique city in France.
Walk along the beautiful sights of Paris during your city trip
Read our day to day planning for this 4-day city trip below. We have put together various walking routes along the most beautiful and special sights of Paris, so that you certainly don't miss anything. Paris is a very big city, so if you plan to walk everything, then comfortable shoes are definitely recommended.
Day planning city trip Paris, Day 1
Once you're in Paris, you can't wait to visit the most important icon of Paris. Because this icon immediately draws you into the magic of Paris. We are of course talking about the Eiffel Tower and that is where we start on day 1 of our Paris city trip. And most of the stops on this first day in Paris revolve around this icon of Paris, this icon of France.
The Eiffel Tower, The must-see of Paris
The Eiffel Tower is THE icon of Paris. This Parisian icon represents romance and magic. Perhaps it is the place in the world where the most marriage proposals are made each year.
Did you know that the Eiffel Tower was built in 1889 and that the World's Fair took 2 years, 2 months and 5 days to complete? You don't have to climb the Eiffel Tower to enjoy the magic of the Eiffel Tower, but if you have the opportunity to do so, we would definitely recommend it. Because that makes seeing the Eiffel Tower even more magical. The view from the top is phenomenal.
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Address: Champ de Mars, 5 Av. Anatole France, 75007 Paris, Frankrijk
Avenue de Camoens, an Eiffel tower view
Avenue de Camoens in Paris is a pretty boring dead end street in Paris. But it is the view that makes Avenue de Camoens so special. Avenue de Camoens has a great view of the Eiffel Tower and that is why this street is in our guide for a city trip to Paris.
At the end of Avenue de Camoens you will find a balcony and from this balcony you have a great view of the most important icon of Paris, the Eiffel Tower. It's also a good place to take a photo with the Eiffel Tower, as you can have your photo taken with this tower without the hordes of other tourists.
Address: Avenue de Camoens 75116 Parijs, France
Place du Trocadero, the Eiffel tower from a different angle
Place du Trocadero is again all about the Eiffel Tower. And this place is on our tour during your Paris city trip, because Place du Trocadero also offers a great view of the Eiffel Tower.
Place du Trocadero is perhaps the most famous place in Paris to admire the Eiffel Tower and have your picture taken with this icon. It is also a wonderful place to take a break in Trocadero Park and enjoy the view of the Eiffel Tower. It can get very busy here, so getting your picture taken without other tourists can be a challenge.
BUY YOUR TICKETS FOR THE EIFFEL TOWER HERE
Address: Place du Trocadero
Arc de Triomphe, a phenomenal view over Paris
Arc de Triomphe is our next stop on our walking route through Paris on the first day of our city trip. Arc de Triomphe is the next icon we visit, a red brick triumphal arch in Paris. The Arc de Triomphe, like the Eiffel Tower, was built for a world exhibition at that time. This triumphal arch was the entrance to the 1888 World's Fair.
Despite the fact that the Arc de Triomphe is not even that high, the view from this tower is phenomenal. And maybe the view is even more beautiful than the view from the Eiffel Tower. From the Arc de Triomphe you have a great view over the Champs d'Elysees. You should definitely not miss this stop during your Paris city trip.
Address: Pl. Charles de Gaulle, 75008 Paris, France
Petit Palais, impressive facade in Paris
Petit Palais is a museum in Paris, it was also built for one of the world exhibitions in Paris, namely the world exhibition of 1900. In Petit Palais you can view a large collection of ancient and modern art. It is above all the grandeur of the facade of this impressive museum that makes a lasting impression and that is why it is also the next stop on our Paris city trip.
Address: Av. Winston Churchill, 75008 Paris, France
Pont Alexandre III, the most lavish bridge in Paris
Pont Alexandre III is the next stop in Paris and you should not miss it during your city trip. It may be the most lavish and exaggerated bridge you've ever seen with all gold, black and large statues. And besides the fact that this bridge, Pont Alexandre III, is already very impressive to see, the view from this bridge is also a must-see. Pont Alexandre III of course gives a beautiful view over the Seine, but from this bridge you also have a great view of the Eiffel Tower. Unfortunately this bridge attracts a lot of tourist, but it is still quite possible to make a good picture here without the groups of tourist in the back.
Address: Pont Alexandre III, 75008 Paris, Frankrijk
Rue de L’universite, almost back at the Eiffel tower in Paris
Rue de L'universite is on our way back to the Eiffel Tower. Rue de l'Université is a street in Paris that is actually quite ordinary. The street itself is therefore not really a must-see in Paris. What makes Rue de l'Université so special is that this street is an access road to the park that surrounds the Eiffel Tower and therefore also gives a super view of the Eiffel Tower. With the trees of the park and the Eiffel Tower in the background, this is the perfect photo spot for your perfect picture with the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
Address; Rue de l'Universite, 75007 Parijs, Frankrijk
Unfortunately, there are also many tourists here, so a photo without other people is a challenge. With this stop we are almost at the end of our day 1 planning on during our Paris city trip.
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Eiffel Tower, the end of day 1 of your city trip to Paris
The Eiffel Tower is both our starting point and our end point of day 1 during our Paris city trip. So if you haven't had a chance to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower in the morning, this is your second chance.
BUY YOUR TICKETS FOR THE EIFFEL TOWER HERE
Address: Champ de Mars, 5 Av. Anatole France, 75007 Paris, France
Total duration walking tour through Paris
The total walking tour for day 1 during your Paris city trip is 7.9 km and without the necessary breaks, 1 hour and 43 minutes walk.
Here you will find the complete tour in Google Maps.
Day planning city trip Paris, Day 2
During day 2 of our city trip to Paris we cover a little less kilometers than during day 1 of our city trip. Of course you can also travel through Paris by metro, but you will miss a bit of the atmosphere of Paris, although the metro is of course also part of Paris.
We have put together a walking tour for you of 4.4 kilometers, which is a 57-minute walk without stops and breaks. But of course we advise you to fully enjoy the terraces in Paris and especially to actually visit a few stops.
Here you will find the entire walking tour for day 2 in Google Maps.
Het Louvre, an icon in Paris
The Louvre is another icon of Paris that you absolutely should not miss during your city trip to Paris. And that is why the Louvre is also the starting point on day 2 of our city trip through Paris. The Louvre is an impressively large museum and without preparation it is quite easy to get lost in this museum because there is SO much to see. The main attraction is the Mona Lisa, which you can also see in Louvre. However, don't expect too much from it, because of everything that can be seen in this museum, the Mona Lisa is perhaps the most disappointing. You have to join a long queue to catch a glimpse of this small painting.
The Louvre is also known for the glass pyramids on the main square, centrally located between the buildings of the Louvre. So if you don't feel like visiting the Louvre museum, this square is a must-see in Paris. Visiting the Louvre, whether it's inside or out, is part of a Paris city trip.
Address: Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France
Palais Royal, a palace in the middle of Paris
Palais Royal is a relatively small palace, which is located in the middle of Paris, right next to the Louvre. Besides the fact that the palace is beautiful to see, it is especially the gardens of Palais Royal that make a big impression. In the middle of these gardens you will find a large fountain with cozy chairs around it, which are free to use. Wonderful during a summer day to relax with a book or just to sit and let the children run around. In this garden, the work of art or the art installation of the French artist Daniel Buren, Les Deux Plateaux, stands out. This work of art makes this stop on day 2 of our Paris city trip perhaps the most enjoyable. Because this work of art is fun for children to climb on and for adults it is a great photo spot.
Address: 8 Rue de Montpensier, 75001 Paris, France
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Galerie Lafayette Hausmann, luxury Paris
Galerie Lafayette Hausmann is the next stop on day 2 of our Paris city trip. And no, not to go shopping. Although that is of course also possible. Galerie Lafayette in Paris is known for the luxury brands it sells, but we especially added this stop to our walking route through Paris because the impressive building itself. In the center of Galerie Lafayette Hausmann you will find a large dome with beautiful stained glass in the most beautiful, bright colors. Galerie Lafayette Hausmann even made a special photo bridge to take a picture with this beautiful dome. But this special dome is not the only reason why Galerie Lafayette Hausmann is on day 2 of a city trip through Paris. What not everyone knows is that Galerie Lafayette Hausmann also has a roof terrace with a spectacular view over Paris. You should definitely not miss this stop during your Paris city trip.
Address: 40 Bd Haussmann, 75009 Paris, France
Opera Garnier, grandeur in Paris
Opera Garnier is right next to Galerie Lafayette Hausmann. Opera Garnier can mainly be described as impressive. This opera is one of the most beautiful stops during day 2 of your Paris city trip. Everything about this opera is grand and majestic, it is truly one of the most beautiful buildings in Paris. The interior of Opera Garnier cannot be described in words. It is a combination of grand and impressive architectural styles with lots of gold and decorations. This architectural style is called Beaux-Arts architecture and this name describes Opera Garnier perfectly, as it really is a great work of art. Opera Garnier is one of the largest opera houses in the world and simply a must-see during a Paris city trip.
Address: Pl. de l'Opéra, 75009 Paris, France
Place Vendôme , surrounded by Paris luxury
Place Vendôme is a not so well-known stop on day 2 of your Paris city trip. Place Vendôme is a large square in Paris and is surrounded by the most luxurious jewelers and design stores. The five-star hotel The Ritz can also be found on this luxurious square. This square is also known for having had a number of famous residents in the past, such as Chopin and Coco Chanel.
This square feels very luxurious and therefore also surprisingly beautiful. This square is also very beautiful during the Christmas season, because all the luxury shops and especially the hotel the Ritz then bring out the most beautiful Christmas decorations to bring Place Vendôme into Christmas atmosphere.
Address: 15 Pl. Vendôme, 75001 Paris, France
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Place de la Concorde, Historical Paris
Place de la Concorde is a historic square in the middle of Paris and also the largest square in Paris. This attraction is definitely a must-see on day 2 of your Paris city trip. The history of this square is perhaps a bit sinister, because during the French Revolution, Place de La Concorde was renamed Place de la Révolution. Louis XV's statue was destroyed and replaced by the statue of liberty. During this revolution, a guillotine was also placed on this square and no fewer than 1200 executions took place. This square is therefore really an important square in the history of France.
Place de La Concorde has undergone a major metamorphosis since the French Revolution. In the middle of the square you will find a large obelisk of no less than 23 meters high. Furthermore, the square is decorated with statues and fountains that must represent different French cities.
Address: 75008 Paris, France
Jardin des Tuileries, the gardens of Paris
Jardin des Tuileries is the oldest park in Paris and is also known as the gardens of the Louvre. Jardin des Tuileries are the gardens of the former royal palace and were laid out in Italian style. These gardens form the link between Place de La Concorde and the Louvre and make it a wonderful walking route between these two sights in Paris. The fountain in the middle of Parc des Tuileries in particular is a wonderful place to take a rest during your Paris city trip. Around this large fountain are chairs that everyone can use freely and where you can enjoy Paris for a while.
Address: Pl. de la Concorde, 75001 Paris, France
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The Louvre, back at the most important museum of Paris
We end this walking tour at the same point where we started, at the Louvre in Paris. This brings this walking tour to an end on day 2 of our Paris city trip. It is time to rest your feet a little but, because we have more walking planned for day 3.
Adress: Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France
Day 2 of your Paris city trip is already over.
Day 2 of your Paris city trip comes to an end with this stop. And we can once again cross off a few important and beautiful sights in Paris from our list. But we have not seen everything yet, even for day 3 there are a number of important sights in Paris on the schedule.
Day planning city trip Paris, Day 3
On day 3 of your Paris city trip, there are again two important sights on the schedule, the Sacre-Coeur and Notre Dame. We have divided these sights over 2 different walking tours, because especially the Sacre Coeur is quite far from the center. You will really have to go there by taxi or metro.
Walking tour 1, day 3 of your Paris city trip
The first walking tour that we will walk during day 3 of your Paris city trip is still in the center of Paris. This walking tour is a total of 2.7 km and a 35-minute walk. There are not many stops on this route where you can actually enter, so you will not lose much time visiting the various sights. You will of course also find enough terraces, bars and restaurants in this part of Paris and make sure to take the time to enjoy them. Because these cozy terraces are perhaps the best in Paris.
Here you will find the first walking tour for day 3 in Google Maps.
The Notre Dame, the grande lady of Paris
Notre Dame is the absolute lady of Paris and of course also a sight that you should not miss during a city trip to Paris. That's why this is our first stop on day 3. Unfortunately, you can't admire this imposing church from the inside at the moment because of the destruction that the great fire of a few years ago caused to this church.
Surprisingly enough, the exterior of this church, and in particular the facade, has remained virtually intact. Fortunately, because that way you can still admire the outside of Notre Dame.
A nice photo is a bit difficult with all the fences around it. We recommend that you take some distance or even stand on the other side of the Seine, so that these fences are not visible at all in your photo.
Address: 6 Parvis Notre-Dame - Pl. Jean-Paul II, 75004 Paris, Frankrijk
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Shakespeare and company, a unique bookshop in Paris
Shakespeare and company is, as the title suggests, a bookshop in Paris. A unique, historic bookshop with a beautiful antique look. It is also highly recommended to visit this bookshop. Shakespeare and company really feels like a bookstore should feel, like a bookstore from the movies. Actually, this whole neighborhood around this bookshop is a nice stop during your Paris city trip, because this neighborhood feels more like the old Paris, the Paris of the past.
Adress: 37 Rue de la Bûcherie, 75005 Paris, France
Saint-Chapelle, an underrated gem in Paris
Saint-Chapelle is in our opinion an underrated church in Paris and that is why it is also a stop on day 3 of our Paris city trip. Saint-Chapelle is the former chapel of the royal family. The lower floor is a fairly simple chapel for the court of the royal family and on the top floor of Saint-Chapelle you will find a beautifully decorated chapel for the royal family itself.
It is mainly the large stained glass windows in the most beautiful colors that give this chapel its impressive appearance.
Address: 37 Rue de la Bûcherie, 75005 Paris, France
Centre Georges Pompidou, a crazy piece of Paris
Center Georges Pompidou is actually a crazy and completely misplaced building in Paris and that is precisely why it is on our tour for day 3 of our Paris city trip. Center Pompidou is a museum of modern art with important works of art by Duchamp and Yves Klein well worth a visit.
But it is mainly the exterior of this museum that attracts attention. The idea behind this building is that the building is turned inside out and that's why you see all kinds of different pipes on the outside, all of which have different functions, such as the water pipes for example. The square at the foot of the Center Pompidou is also nice. It is a square full of terraces and where there is always enough entertainment due to the different street artists.
Address: Place Georges-Pompidou, 75004 Paris, France
Hôtel de ville, Paris City Hall
The Hôtel de ville de Paris is the city hall of Paris. It is a beautiful building with a beautiful old look. However, this town hall is actually not that old at all. This town hall was set on fire in 1871 and has since been completely rebuilt. They have managed to recreate the style of the original town hall perfectly. In front of this town hall you will find a square with beautiful fountains on both sides. What is not generally known is that this building is even more beautiful inside than outside. Everything in this building is richly decorated.
You can also visit this town hall, but you must have booked the tour in advance.
Address: Pl. de l'Hôtel de Ville, 75004 Paris, France
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Notre Dame, back with our favorite lady in Paris
And so we are back at our favorite lady in Paris, the Notre Dame and with that we come to the end of our first walking route on day 3 of our city trip to Paris. And now quickly on to the next nice district of Paris. This neighborhood is our absolute top favorite in terms of cosiness, atmosphere and that real Parisian feeling.
Address: 6 Parvis Notre-Dame - Pl. Jean-Paul II, 75004 Paris, France
Walking tour 2, day 3 of your Paris city trip
And then we are already at the last walking tour of our Paris city trip. And we close with a topper, the nicest district of Paris, Montmartre. Montmartre is an artistic district, which feels completely different from the other districts of Paris. It really feels like you are going back to the old times of Paris. With the artists, the authentic shop facades and the cozy streets, this is by far our favorite neighborhood in Paris.
Just another 3 kilometers of walking left during your Paris city trip
The last walking route we have put together through the nice neighborhood of Montmartre is 2.9 kilometers long. Another 2.9 kilometers walk through the most authentic part of Paris, Montmartre. It is a 40 minute walk if you would not stop in between. But we definitely recommend to enjoy this corner of Paris a long as you can.
Here you will the last walking tour through Montmartre in Google Maps.
Quartier Pigalle, our arrival point in Montmartre, Paris
Quartier Pigalle is our starting point, as this is the metro station from which we will explore Montmartre. Quartier Pigalle is mainly known for the many neon lights that this district is rich in and where you will also encounter a number of important sights.
Address: 75018 Paris, France
Moulin Rouge, a little bit of sexy in Paris
Moulin Rouge is of course a well-known location in Paris and you want to see it during your city trip to Paris. Moulin Rouge is located in the Quartier Pigalle neighborhood and has arguably the neighborhood's most notable neon lights.
This red-lit mill has been an icon of Paris since the end of the 19th century. But it's not the exterior that the Moulin Rouge is known for. The Moulin Rouge is best known for the cabaret shows that are given there, a modern variant of the cancan. We've never been inside, but it's definitely still on our list.
Address: 82 Bd de Clichy, 75018 Paris, France
Moulin de la Galette, a piece of history in Paris
Moulin de la Galette is one of the mills that is left from the old days in Paris, when Paris was still small and Montmartre was still a piece of countryside. These mills were then widely used. Moulin de la Galette is the most famous surviving mill. In the 19th century, this mill was once used as a cabaret venue, but today there is a restaurant where you can eat deliciously. The most beautiful spot is in the garden of this restaurant, where you can eat with this antique mill, Moulin de la Galette, in the background.
Address: 83 Rue Lepic, 75018 Paris, France
Buste de Dalida, singing in Paris
Bust de Dalida is a statue in the center of Place Dalida, named after the famous singer Dalida. Dalida was a singer best known during the 1950s. She loved the Montmartre district, as did many other well-known artists.
In 1987, the singer Dalida passed away at the age of 54. In her honor, a bust of the singer was placed on Place Dalida in 1997.
The square itself is also very pretty, as it is centrally located between two very picturesque streets that perfectly capture the character of Montmartre.
Address: Rue de l'Abreuvoir, 75018 Paris, France
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Rue de l'Abreuvoir, picturesque Paris
Rue de l'Abreuvoir is one of the most famous picturesque streets leading to Place Dalida. And we cannot think of a better description of this street than picturesque and charming. It is by far one of the most adorable and charming streets in Paris. La Maison Rose is one of the houses on Rue de L'Abreuvoir. With its pink color, La Maison Rose is one of the most famous houses in Paris and every year thousands of people cross Rue de L'Abreuvoir for a photo with this house.
Address: 75018 Parijs, France
Rue de la Bonne, more picturesque Paris
Rue de la Bonne is another charming street in Montmartre, which, with its cozy cobblestones, feels just as picturesque as Rue de L'Abreuvoir in Paris. These are just two streets that you would like to see during your Paris city trip, because these streets really feels like the Paris from the movies.
Address: 75018 Parijs, France
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The Sacre Coeur, the Sacred Heart of Paris
When you think of Montmartre, the Sacre Coeur might be one of the first things that comes to mind. And it should be, because the Sacre Coeur, also called the white basilica, is definitely the icon of Montmartre. This beautiful basilica towers over Paris and provides one of the best views of this romantic city. The Sacre Coeur is actually not even a very old church and if you compare it with other historical buildings in Paris, it is a fairly new building. Construction of the Sacre Coeur started in 1875 and lasted until 1914. The Sacre Coeur was built to commemorate the 58,000 killed during the war between the French and the Germans between 1870 and 1871. The most striking thing about the Sacre Coeur is the white color of the church. Despite all the smog in the air in Paris, the Sacre Coeur remains beautifully white. This is due to the type of stone used for the construction of this white basilica, travertine. This travertine comes from the Château-Landon quarry and after every rain shower this stone creates a new white lime layer on the stones.
Unfortunately, it can get quite busy at the Sacre Coeur. If you want to avoid the crowds, you will have to get up early to visit the white basilica of Paris. You can also visit the Sacre Coeur from the inside. Definitely recommended, because the inside is also a beautiful church. And then take the 300-step spiral staircase up, because the view over Paris is beautiful. It's also just lovely to take a moment of rest on the steps of the Sacre Coeur and enjoy the street performers and the fantastic view.
Adres: 35 Rue du Chevalier de la Barre, 75018 Paris, France
You can read more about the Sacre Coeur HERE.
Place du Tertre, artists in Paris
Our favorite square in Montmartre and even in Paris is Place du Tertre. This square is filled with draftsmen and painters who sell the most beautiful works or make a drawing live on the square.. Besides the fact that this is a lovely square to stroll through to watch the various drawings and paintings, the atmosphere of this square is especially nice. Montmartre's bohemian artist vibe is most palpable in this square in Paris, Place du Tertre. Fortunately, there are also a lot of terraces and restaurants on Place de Tertre, so you can take in the whole atmosphere of this square for a while and where you can easily spend a few hours watching the artists and the people walking by. Our favorite stop on day 3 during our Paris city trip.
Adress: Pl. du Tertre, 75018 Paris, France
Le mur des je t'aime, love in Paris
Le mur des je t'aime, the ultimate love wall in the city of love. This wall of love is our last stop on our walking route through Montmartre. The name says it all, this whole wall is inspired by love. This wall contains 612 tiles, where in 250 languages, it is written 311 times I love you. If you do make a city trip to the city of love, Paris, then this wall should definitely be on the route through Montmartre.
Adress: Square Jehan Rictus, Pl. des Abbesses, 75018 Paris, France
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Quartier Pigalle, our arrival point and end point in Montmartre, Paris
And we end our tour through Montmartre where we also started at the Pigalle metro station in Quartier Pigalle. And with that, Quartier Pigalle is also our last stop of day 3 in Paris.
Adress: 75018 Paris, France
Day planning city trip Paris, Day 4
For day 4 of this complete Paris city trip planning, we have nothing planned. That may sound wrong, but it is true. There is still so much to see, for example museums or nice shops, that we fill this day as free to spend. Also read our other blogs about Paris for information on what to do during this free day in Paris. Or just do nothing and walk from terrace to terrace to take in Paris completely.
Or maybe you want to explore the surroundings of Paris, then Versailles is definitely recommended. Have fun in Paris.
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