How To Spend One Week In Paris
When planning an international trip it’s so easy to get analysis paralysis. In fact, you probably googled 7 Days In Paris and along with this travel article, you opened ten other tabs of travel articles to read. If you landed here because you’re interested in what to do in Paris, scroll to the bottom for a complete 7 days in Paris itinerary.
If you want to know step by step how to schedule one week in Paris, just read on. It’s worth noting that none of the tours below are affiliates. This article is not sponsored. These are tours that I booked and experienced.
If you’ve not traveled to Paris or anywhere internationally, travel can seem quite intimidating. And I have to be honest, even though I’ve traveled to over 20 countries, I am a bit anxious right after I land. I get caught up in all the “What if?”
What if I do something wrong? What if people aren’t nice to me? What if I don’t understand the language? What if I get lost? On and on and on.
Should I Take The Train Or A Taxi Or Uber?
What if by taking the train it takes you longer than you thought to get out of the airport? What will happen? You’ll be delayed, that’s all. If you’re that worried about arriving at your hotel or Airbnb on time, take a taxi.
Do not, I repeat, DO NOT get into anyone’s car that is not YOUR scheduled Uber or a legitimate taxi. If you do that, you will be taken for a ride. Literally and figuratively.
The driver will tell you they will accept credit cards. Then they will drive all over creation to run up the fare (without a meter mind you). Then you’ll get to your destination and they’ll tell you that they do not take credit cards and they will yell at you until you pay cash. It’s a terrible experience and not a good way to start your trip.
What If I Get Lost?
That’s not too big of a deal in most cases. If you’re on vacation you’re not likely to stumble into a neighborhood that you shouldn’t be in. Having said that, always keep your head up and your wits about you.
If you are walking with your head down and looking at your phone, you’re not paying attention to your surroundings. You will look out of place and will look like an easy target for petty thieves (pickpockets).
So what if you get lost? Go into the next coffee shop, buy a beverage, get on the Wifi and see where you need to be.
It’s fun to get lost. It will give you an opportunity to do something unexpected. Matt (my SO) and I schedule at least one day to get lost. We play a fun game where we pick a number between one and ten and randomly ride the train for that number of stops to see what’s there. We find adorable parks, art galleries, bookstores, eateries and watering holes.
What If People Aren’t Nice?
Except for the example of the gypsy cab, most people are inherently kind even though the media tells us otherwise. As long as you’re respectful you will be welcomed.
You should always learn how to say, Please, Thank You, Hello and Goodbye in the local language. After that you can use Google Translate, point to what you want or take a photo of what you want from the case and show it to the employee.
How To Avoid Jet Lag
Having traveled to Europe and Asia multiple times I’m sorry to say, jet lag cannot be avoided. But, you can manage it. Your body is a clock and cannot be tricked.
The best way to help avoid jet lag (the insane feeling of being overtired) is to sleep on the plane as much as you can, avoid alcohol on the plane (I know, I know) and try to stay awake for as long as possible when you arrive at your destination. I have an entire article dedicated to tips and tricks.
How To Navigate The Trains in Paris
This is probably the most intimidating experience when traveling anywhere in the world, even in the US. The Paris metro is super easy to use to get around and CHEAP. In this article I talk about the best way to learn to navigate public transportation.
The train into Paris from Charles de Gaulle leaves from Terminal 2E. If you get lucky enough to land in Terminal 2E, just follow the signs for “Train” after you grab your bags.
You’ll go down an escalator and from there, the kiosks will be on your right. The whole family doesn’t need to accompany you to the kiosk. Park them in the waiting area and go get your tickets.
You’ll need to buy tickets from the airport into Paris. When I traveled in June 2022 the price was 10.30euro per traveler. You may be thinking, “I am traveling with four other people so we’ll just split a Taxi.
While the taxis will cost only a bit more in this case the travel time into Paris will be an additional 30-60 minutes depending on traffic. The train line that you’ll take into the city is the B Line (get it? Bee line?).
You’ll likely need to make a transfer to get to your final destination. That can be stressful the first time you do it but just stand out of the way when you get off the train and look for the signs to your transfer. No big deal.
I found that the best way to navigate the trains was by using the map on my iPhone. Just put in my destination and used the transit mode. For example, if you are at the Eiffel Tower and you want to take the train to Notre Dame, you’ll just put Notre Dame into your map and it will tell you where to transfer and how far your walk will be to and from the trains.
Or, you can download the Paris Metro app. This is the app that the NYC subway uses.
How Do I Buy Train Tickets In Paris?
When you get into the city of Paris you’ll need to buy tickets for the train within the city. You can use the kiosks to buy individual tickets. Each trip (one way) is 1.90euro. You can purchase one ticket at a time, multiple tickets, or you can buy a Navigo Easy pass with 10 rides.
You’ll buy this pass from the employee at the service window. These passes are reloadable. I chose to buy individual tickets. It’s really all about your preference.
How Much Cash Should I Take To Paris?
For 7 days in Paris, I took 200 euros. I used that for taxis, tips, bathrooms, or very small coffee shops. I used my Apple Pay everywhere else because very few places will accept American Express.
What Do I Do If I Arrive In Paris In The Morning?
That’s so common. Obviously you can check with your Airbnb or hotel to keep your luggage or you can use luggage storage. There are luggage storage options all over the city.
At this point, you’re tired and cranky and you just want to sleep. The best thing to do after you’ve parked your luggage is to jump right in. My advice is to grab a hop on hop off bus or you can go to the Champs de Mars for a picnic.
Have a picnic on the Champs de Mars- There’s a grocery store on Rue de Federation for easy grab and go or you can visit a Boulangerie Patisserie for bread and pastries. Grab a bottle of wine and some cups before heading over. Make sure you have a corkscrew or you can ask the merchant to open it for you if you bought your wine at a wine shop. The clerk at the grocery store will not open it for you.
Pro tip: Do not take a nap in the park. Your belongings may not be there when you wake up.
Can I Drink Alcohol On The Champs de Mars?
Yes, you can drink alcohol on the Champs de Mars but if you’re acting like a fool the police may take your alcoholic beverages.
Most Popular Things To Do In Paris When It’s Raining
Where To Eat In Paris
The answer is simple. You should eat whatever is close by! But most of the time you’ll find that if you travel one or two blocks off the main street it’s super local (and they won’t take American Express). Here is a list of a few places I love.
Cafe Beaujolais– Near the Eiffel Tower. We had lunch here twice.
Boulangerie Suffren 55– Beautiful tarts! (see picnic shot below)
Zia Paris– Near the Eiffel Tower.
XVeme Avenue– Montparnasse
Pap’s Cafe- Montparnasse (my favorite place in Montparnasse!)
La Marquis– Montparnasse
Day 1 In Paris: Versailles
Website: https://en.chateauversailles.fr/
A Short History of Versailles
In 1623 King Louis XIII built a small hunting lodge but his son, King Louis XIV transformed Versailles from a hunting lodge into an impressive palace that expressed the King’s power and authority.
After his death, the palace was neglected until 1722 when Louis XV returned to complete his grandfather’s work by including the number of small bedroom chambers. King Louis XV died of smallpox at Versailles in 1774.
That brings us to the reign of King Louis XVI and the French Revolution. At the age of fifteen, King Louis XVI married the fourteen-year-old Habsburg Archduchess Maria Antonia (better known by the French form of her name, Marie Antoinette. She was his second cousin btw).
King Louis just wanted to be loved and Marie Antonoinette loved luxury. Learn about what started the French Revolution in my favorite podcast, Noble Blood- The Second Death Of Marie Antoinette .
How To Get To Versailles From Paris
There are a few ways to visit Versailles Palace. Depending on your group’s activity level, you may want to either take the train in and spend the day at the palace or book a guided tour. I was traveling with my mom and we chose to go on a guided tour. We booked an Airbnb experience and it was wonderful. Our guide was very knowledgeable and gave our group several bathroom breaks so that was nice. There’s a cafe, restrooms and a gift shop inside the palace. There’s also a cute little cafe outside of the palace where you can enjoy an espresso or glass of wine before you head back to Paris. The gardens are massive. It is so worth spending an entire afternoon meandering through the gardens. You can bring your own lunch for a picnic also.
Day 2 In Paris: Omaha Beach-Normandy
The history of Omaha beach (also called “The Beach of blood”) needs no explanation. If you have the time, it is absolutely worth the trip. Standing on the beach where the Americans came ashore is a powerful experience. My grandfather fought in WWII. Although he was not a part of the D-Day Landings he fought in Tunisia and Italy.
A visit to the D-Day Landing sites is a very long day but can be broken up quite nicely with a stop for lunch in Arromanches or any other town. You can rent a car and spend a few days in Normandy or book a tour for a day. We booked with Paris City Vision.
Omaha beach is located below the 70-hectare Colleville Cemetery. The famous St. Lawrence American Military Cemetery is home to 9387 white marble headstone crosses, the memorial, a chapel and the garden of the missing.
Arromanches is the site of the artificial harbor that the British built to funnel machinery and fuel to Allied troops in France. Today, floating reinforced concrete caissons called “Phoenix” are still visible. If you stop for lunch in Arromanches get the muscles cooked in Camembert crème and don’t forget the cider! You’re welcome.
Day 3 In Paris: Eiffel Tower To The Top By Lift
If you’re traveling during peak season (June/July) buy your tickets online. If you expect there to be lift tickets available upon arrival they may be sold out. They only sell a number of tickets for a designated time. I purchased lift tickets to the top only one week prior to my travel and there was only one day and time available for the entire week. So we went on a Sunday at 3:00. It was SO HOT and packed. It was like Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Honestly, it’s nice to say we experienced it but I will not do that ever again. We were miserable.
Day 4 In Paris: Picnic On The Champs de Mars
A trip to the top of the Eiffel Tower on the lift can be combined with a picnic and that might make the most sense for you and your travel mates. We decided to break it up because we wanted to spend the day without being on a schedule.
We slept in, went for a coffee, stopped at the grocery and just camped out at the park. Don’t spend a lot of time worrying about bathrooming when you’re out and about. It doesn’t need to be scary or tricky. You can stop at a cafe for a drink and use their bathroom.
I don’t advise using a paid toilet on the street unless you’re dying to write home about it. It’s most def an experience. Not a good one.
My sister flew in to join us for the remainder of our trip so we went all out on our picnic but you don’t need to do that. We carried a blanket with us from our apartment so we could really spread out. We’re from the US and love to take up as much space as possible ;).
On the menu was caviar, creme fraiche and Lays potato chips (it’s a thing I guess), baguette, camembert, cured meats, raspberry tart, lemon tart from Boulangerie Suffren and wine. Lots of wine. Blue skies, puffy clouds and a beautiful Sancerre. I can’t think of anything better.
Dinner Cruise On The Seine River
This experience was really amazing. The dinner cruise that begins at 8:30 PM will guarantee you the best experience in my opinion. If your cruise is in the summertime, you’ll leave the dock well before the sunset.
You’ll see the most popular sites in Paris during the magic hour accompanied by four courses and plenty of wine. We booked with Bateaux Parisiens. When the boat docks at the completion of the cruise The Eiffel Tower is lit up and sparkling in all her glory. It’s absolutely magic.
Day 5 In Paris: Giverny-Monet’s House and Gardens
The Giverny Monet’s Gardens Tour
This tour from Paris is a half day tour, about 5 hours. You can always rent a car but we booked a tour. You’ll leave Paris and head out through the country. It’s just a lovely drive.
When you arrive on Claude Monet’s property. You will absolutely feel like you’ve stepped back in time (except for all the people). Before you even get to his home you’ll pass the water garden and Japanese bridge. Which is, of course, famous for the way the light reflects off the water. It’s breathtaking.
In 1893 Monet created his pond by rerouting a local river and imported exotic flowers to create his famous garden. I’m sure the neighbors were outraged. If there was an HOA at the time you better believe he’d be fined.
Cross the road through an underground passageway and you find yourself at his home. Before you reach the pink house you’ll travel through his magnificent gardens. You’ll round the corner and the pink house just pops into view. The beauty of the property is indescribable.
The gardens that he would paint from their creation in 1890 until his death in 1926, were created before the pond. During their creation, Monet wrote daily instructions to his gardeners that were hired to realize his vision.
(I waited an insane amount of time to get this shot without any people)
Monet’s early story is just as interesting. Monet founded the impressionist movement with a few of his now famous buddies. But before that he was a caricaturist at age 15. He was drafted into military service to serve in Algeria in 1861 at the age of twenty. In 1868, he attempted to drown himself in the Seine river after his father cut him off.
Fortunately, he survived and created the most incredible works of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Day 6 In Paris: The Galleries Lafayette
Interested in doing some shopping? Is it a rainy day or is Paris experiencing a heat wave? Check out the Galeries Lafayette or any other passage shopping. Galeries Lafayette is a high end department store and also offers heritage tours. It gets its draw from the shops and eateries, yes. But, it’s also absolutely beautiful.
The dome is an emblem of Art Nouveau and is much appreciated by all. The Galeries Lafayette Haussmann in the 9th Arrondissement near the Opera Garnier, is the flagship store.
Day 7 In Paris: Perfume Workshop
One of the experiences at the top of my things to do in Paris list has always been a perfume workshop. The French have really perfected the art of fragrance.
In a 2 hour perfume workshop you will learn the history of perfume and how to pair different fragrances. It can seem a bit intimidating but the experience we chose was well guided by a pro. And, I got to bring my fragrance home! (I’m wearing it now!)
We booked our workshop with Candora. With a background with luxury brands, this sister and brother duo created their company in 2011. In an effort to reduce their carbon footprint, they’re keeping it local. Their fragrances are produced in Grasse, which is next door to Nice, and their bottles are manufactured in the historical glass-making region of the Bresle Valley.
Super fun experience and probably the best souvenir I came home with!
Frequently Asked Questions About Planning A Trip To Paris:
- Is 7 Days In Paris Too Much?
If Paris is your first stop on your European tour, plan at least 3 days in Paris. The first time I went to Paris I planned 2 days in Paris. You can power through the main sites in Paris in 3 days. But if you don’t want to feel rushed you should really plan for 7 days in Paris.
- Is 1 week in Paris Enough?
Paris is magical. If I could, I would spend a month there. But, you should at least plan 1 week in Paris to take in as many sites as possible. You can even plan a day trip outside of the city. For example you’ll have enough time to travel to Versailles, Normandy, Loire Valley to see more of the French countryside.
- How Do I Plan For 7 Days In Paris?
Alternatively, you could sprinkle in a few of these must see attractions in Paris.
Day 1: Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Elysées and Tuileries Garden
Day 2: Louvre
Day 3: Musee d’Orsay, the Latin Quarter and Ile de la Cité
Day 4: Palais-Royal, Place de la Concorde
Day 5: Montmartre
Day 6: Loire Valley
Day 7: Montparnasse Tower and Catacombs
There are so many incredible sites to observe and history to take in, there’s no way to list them all in a 7 days in Paris itinerary. And that’s the best reason of all to return!