paris travel pass 4 days

Paris Visit

One-day or multi-day transportation pass in Paris

Paris Visite

Paris Visite is a transport pass that allows you to use all public transport networks in Paris : metro, tram, bus, RER trains and SNCF Transilien.

It is available for 1, 2, 3 and 5 days. It starts counting from the first use, even at the end of the day, take this into account to get the most out of it.

It is not a single-use plastic card, it is a simple cardboard ticket that you can buy at the station machines.

What transport can I use with Paris Visite?

With this pass you can use the public network buses , metro , RER (trains), trams , Orlyval , Noctilien (night buses) and Montmartre Funicular .

Is the entire center of Paris covered by the Paris Visit?

Yes, to move around the center of Paris you only need Paris Visit Zones 1-3.

Can I get to Disneyland Paris with the Paris Visit?

Yes. You can get to Disneyland Paris using the Paris Visite. Zones 1-5.

Can I get to Versailles Using the Paris Visit?

Yes. You can get to the Palace of Versailles using the Paris Visite. Zones 1-5.

Can I get from the airport to Paris with the Paris Visite?

Yes. You can arrive from Orly or from Charles de Gaulle Airport using the Paris Visite. Zones 1-5.

Paris Visit prices

Zones 1-3 (central paris, does not include airports).

• 1 day – €12.06
• 2 days – €19.50
• 3 days – €26.65
• 5 days – €38,355

Zones 1-3 (children under 10 years old)

• 2 days – €9.75
• 3 days – €13.30
• 5 days – €19.15

Zones 1-5 (includes Charles de Gaulle , Orly , Disneyland   and   Versailles )

• 1 day – €25.50
• 2 days – €38.35
• 3 days – €53.75
• 5 days – €65.80

Zones 1-5 (children under 10 years old)

• 1 day – €12.60
• 2 days – €19.15
• 3 days – €26.85
• 5 days – €32.90

Where to buy the Paris Visit?

You can buy the Paris Visite travel passes at the ticket offices and in the automatic vending machines of all RATP stations.

Discounts for holders of the Paris Visit

Arc de Triomphe : 20% discount Conciergerie (Palace of Justice) : 20% discount Museum of the Army or Invalides : 20% discount on admission to the permanent collection Bateaux Parisiens Ships: 25% discount Grevin Museum : 30% off discount Montparnasse Tower : 30% discount Shopping at Galeries Lafayette : 10% discount

Differences between Navigo and Paris Visite

You can see more on our page Differences between Navigo and Paris Visite .

Other transport passes in Paris:

• Tarjeta Navigo

Weekend Youth Ticket

Paris Visite Pass / Card

Paris visite overview.

A Paris Visite Pass card / ticket is valid for 1, 2, 3 or 5 days on Paris Metro , RER trains , buses and Ile-de-France (Transilien) trains & trams (not TGV).

Not visitors, not residents.

See Paris 2024 Pass for the offered alternative.

See Why is Navigo/Paris Visite not sold during Olympics for more information.

On the front of the ticket on the left hand side you’ll see how many days the Paris Visite is valid (5  jours  = 5 days in this example):

The Paris Visite ticket will also show the number of zones covered .  In the Paris Visite ticket example image below it is valid for 3-zones, but you can buy a 1-5 zone ticket if you want coverage to include CDG Airport , Orly Airport , Disneyland Paris , Versailles , Fontainebleau , Stade de France.  Zones 1-3 is basically only good for central Paris.

Take note of the multiple blank spaces on the Paris Visite coupon ticket.  These blanks spaces are meant to be filled in by you using a pen/ink with the following information:

• NOM : your last name
• Prénom : your first name
• du : dd/mm of first day using the ticket
• au : dd/mm to the last day of the ticket validity period

You’re asked to filled in these personal details so the Paris Visite pass isn’t shared between multiple people at different times during its validity period.  A single Paris Visite can’t be used back-to-back for entry past the same set of turnstiles and fare gates, so it would be very inconvenient to try to share this pass in any case.

The Paris Visite pass is valid for Paris Airport travel from both CDG airport to Paris on RER B train and for Orly airport to Paris on OrlyVal train to/from Orly Airport to Paris (both require a 5 zone  Paris Visite).

Paris Visite Prices

Price of Paris Visite ranges from 13.95€ to 76.25€ depending on zones covered (1-3 or 1-5) and duration (1 to 5 days). Coverage of Central Paris (not including airports) for 5 days would be 44.45€ adults, 22.20€ for children between 4 & 11 years of age. (Prices current as of Jan 4, 2024.)

Paris Visite pass counts days from day of first use, not 24 hour periods. If you arrive at night and use the pass before midnight, that will be counted as one day.

The Paris Visite Pass is a 1, 2, 3 or 5 day pass good for either Zones 1 to 3 or 1 to 5 around Paris. If you’re staying just within Paris itself and not venturing out to Chateau Versailles , Chateau Fontainebleau nor Disneyland® Paris  (all of which are in zones 4 & 5), stick with the Zone 1 to 3 card, which will cover all of “central” Paris.  See the Paris Fare Zones Map for more information.

Paris Visite Zone Map

Navigo vs. Paris Visite

The key difference between the Paris Visite Pass and the Navigo Découverte Pass is the timing. Navigo passes are valid strictly from Monday 00:00 to Sunday 23:59:59, regardless of when you buy it. If you land at CDG Roissy-Charles de Gaulle Airport on Thursday and buy a week long Navigo Découverte pass, it will work only up until Sunday midnight. Starting from Friday, you will not even be able to purchase Navigo pass for use in the same week.

Paris Visite pass is good from the day of first use (not time of first use) up until midnight of its last day of validity, starting from any day of the week. This means that if you arrive on Friday evening at 8pm, buy and use a 3 day Paris Visite pass, by midnight that night (four hours later), the card will have “used” an entire day and in two days (Sunday) at midnight the Paris Visite will have expired. So to maximize the value of the Paris Visite Card, start using a Paris Visite pass during the morning.

If you’ve arrived in the evening at one of the Paris airports, simply buy a single-use  RER ticket  from a ticket window that will get you into Paris (see prices for CDG to Paris 11.80€ from CDG, vs. 1 day Paris Visite 5 Zone ticket listed above).  You can purchase a Paris Visite at the same time and begin using it at any time in the future.  The 3 or 5 day validity period of Paris Visite does not begin until you first validate the ticket in a turnstile / fare-gate in a station or on a bus/tram.

In summary, if you’re arriving in Paris on Friday and want to have an unlimited Paris transit pass for 3 or 5 days, this is the least hassle pass option. Navigo Day passes are cheaper if you only need 1 or 2 days. But for 3+ days the Paris Visite avoids the hassle of return to a ticket vendor or ticket machine to buy/recharge your day passes or day tickets.

In addition, there are discounts for various tourist attractions and services for Paris Visite pass holders, such as 25% off boat tours on the Seine, 20-40% off admission to the Arc de Triomphe, the Opera house, the Pantheon, and other sights and services.  Paris Visite pass discounts change often so use the discount list below as an example of discounts you may get when purchasing a Paris Visite pass (a booklet detailing all of the discounts available to you will be provided upon purchase of the pass).

Paris Visite Card Discounts

Paris Visite ticket holders get discounts on various Paris area attractions during the validity period of their travel pass.  The latest Paris Visite discount attractions list for 2021 can be found here:

Paris Visite Discounts 2021

Paris Visite Discount Booklet 2021

These discounts change often so this list of Paris Visite discount offers is only meant as an example of savings (last updated July 2021):

• Picasso Museum : 2€ off entrance
• Army Museum/Invalides: 20% off entrance to permanent collection
• Open Tours : 29€ instead of 35€
• Chateau de Versailles : 7€ (vs. 10€) for guided tours of private apartments
• Chateau de Fontainebleau : 2€ off entrance
• Disneyland Resort Paris: 20% off – Discount No Longer Available
• Grevin museum : 25% off entrance
• Tour Montparnasse : 25% off entrance
• Cité des Sciences et Industrie : 3€ off entrance fee
• Lido de Paris : 10% discount for shows after 9pm
• Seine Boat Cruise on Vedettes de Paris : 2€ discount
• Shopping at Galeries Lafayette: 10% off your purchase + a gift
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Paris tourist passes 2024 pros & cons

Is a tourist pass essential in paris.

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Visitor passes

Visitor passes are not essential, but they are very valuable, you will want a pass if...., you will not need a pass if..., ticket queues and security queues, compare the main  different paris passes:  updated 2024 prices.

• Paris City Pass : Recommended by About-France.com The cheapest and best value of the all-in-one pass: includes museums (Louvre, Orsay etc.) , travel and sightseeing. Adult passes start at 109.90 € for two days. Check out or buy
• Go City Paris inclusive :   Check out or buy .  More attractions to choose from, but most of the additional ones are less known and others are outside Paris
• Go City Paris explorer:   Does not include  public transport  Provides access to between 2 and 7 attractions only; includes a Disneyland option  More info here
• Paris Pass'Lib. Access to between 3 and 6 attractions only, to be chosen from a list. Four tarifs with different lists.
• Paris visite: Travel only - just a Paris public transport pass. 2 day adult pass zones 1-3: 19.50 €  More info here
• Paris Museum pass : Museums only : just gives entry into the main museums (Louvre, Orsay etc.) 2 day pass 52 € . More info here

The passes in more detail....

•    Buy your pass in advance, and avoid the queues to get in.  It is pretty well impossible to visit everything covered by these two inclusive passes, even with a five or six day pass, as the list of attractions covered includes several that are well outside Paris . And the passes do not include cafés and restuarants where you will want to stop off and relax
• Paris Pass'Lib Culture . this has replaced the "museum pass". This pass keeps changing. Now it comes in 2 versions, offering entry to between 3 and 6 attractions out of a list. With the cheapest version (35€), choose 3 activities out of a list of 17. With the more expensive version (75€) choose five out of a list of 18 attractions - the difference being the Eiffel Tower. A Pass'Lib is valid a year.
•   Go City Paris explorer  This may be  a good idea if you want to include a day at Disneyland Paris, since the 104€ cost of a 3-attraction pass is the same as the indicated "normal" adult day-ticket to Disneyland alone. (For the record fixed-date adult day passes for Disneyland Paris cost between 81€ and 124€ on the Disney site depending on date). Otherwise, it is mainly useful for people spending up to two months in Paris, who know that they will want to visit certain attractions.  Passes are valid for between 2 and 7 attractions only. Take care:   the choice of attractions is capped by a "purse value" which  is the maximum amount you can use based on the standard gate price for each attraction. For example, with a 3-choice adult Explorer costing 119 €,  you can visit three attractions the sum of whose normal ticket prices is not greater than €205... which could include both Disneyland and Parc Astérix. One advantage of the Paris Explorer pass is that it can include the second floor (not the top) of the Eiffel Tower. However, be warned; the date and time of the Eiffel tower visit has to be booked in  advance, and the claimed 42€ value of the tour to the second flooor of the Eiffel Tower can be misleading. The actual cost of access to the second floor of the Eiffel tower is not 42€ but just  16.70 € if you take the elevator (lift), and just 10.50 € if you walk up (Prices as from  2023)  (see Eiffel Tower )

Paris visite:   [Public transport only ]

• Paris Museum pass   [Museums only ] - giving unlimited admission to some 60 monuments / museums in and around Paris, excluding the Eiffel Tower. Prices start at 52 €uros for two days or 66€ for four days.  This pass - best purchased on the day at the first museum you visit -  does not include any transport, so things like Seine river cruises, metro tickets and sightseeing tours must be purchased separately. See below. The Paris Museum Pass is included in the Go City inclusive pass and the Paris City Pass (see above). 
• Choose tickets à la carte :   Just buy tickets for what you have time to see.  Check out sightseeing bus tickets and river-bus tickets below; check out prices for individual monuments on their websites, which are listed at the foot of our Paris tourist attractions page .  Tickets for many attractions can now be bought on the attraction's own website, and with an online ticket (print your own or on your phone) you don't need to stand in a queue to buy on the spot.
• Hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus pass  The Open-Tour /Cityrama service, has a choice of hop-on hop-off passes from 39 € for a one-day pass, and covers four different routes (plus optional Batobus service on the Seine). Alternatively Big Bus Tours (formerly les Cars Rouges) run open-top guided tour buses linking nine major sites; a two -day pass costs  45€.
• The "Batobus" and travel on the Seine. The Batobus are river buses that go up and down the Seine from the Eiffel tower to the quai de Montebello (near Notre Dame). There are 8 stops in all. An adult day pass at the start of 2022 costs 19 €, and a 2-day pass (consecutive days) costs 21 € per adult.

WHICH PASS BEST SUITS YOUR NEEDS?

• Do you want to take in at least three paid entry attractions a day (between monuments, museums, river cruise...)  . If so, the  Paris City Pass is probably your best value option, 
• Do you want primarily to visit Paris's world-class museums, more than other attractions? If so, the  Museum Pass may be your best solution.
• Do you want to avoid the big paid-entry sites, with their queues, and enjoy Paris by visiting smaller museums, taking in Paris's free attractions (including museums), soaking in the atmosphere of the old streets and riverbanks, and enjoying the bars and cafés ? If so, you don't need a pass at all, it would be a waste of money. Just pay at the entrance to the paid-entry sites you visit, and enjoy the others for free.
• Do you plan to use the metro or buses several times in a day, including getting to and from your hotel located in central Paris or the inner suburbs? If so, the Paris city pass will give you free public transport plus entry to dozens of attractions. Alternatively the Paris Visite transport pass will just provide you with free travel in the city for the duration chosen.
• Do you want to pack in as much as possible in a short space of time, including the main sights ?  If so, the  Paris City Pass is your best value option. If you want a pass including hop-on hop-off buses, the go for the  Go city Paris inclusive Pass
• Are you spending a few weeks in Paris, during which time you'll visit different attractionsin your own time, on different days? Then maybe the Go city Paris explorer pass is best suited to your needs.

In an emergency in Paris:

Paris Visite Pass: Benefits and How to Use It

TripSavvy / Taylor McIntyre

If you're looking for an easy, stress-free and cost-efficient way to travel on the Paris Metro, the Paris Visite Pass may be the right choice for you. Unlike individual metro tickets, this pass gives you unlimited travel in Paris (Metro, RER, bus, tramway, and regional SNCF trains) and the greater Paris region for several days at a time.

You can choose between passes that cover all your travel 1, 2, 3 or 5 days, and--an added boon that many visitors appreciate--Paris Visite also gets you discounts at several museums, attractions, and restaurants around the French capital.

Which Pass Should I Choose? 

It really depends on whether you're planning to spend most of your time in Paris proper, or are hoping to extensively explore the wider region, particularly through nearby day trips from the city center.  

• As a general rule, the zone 1-3 card will be adequate to really take advantage of central Paris and the near suburbs.
• You should choose the zone 1-5 card to see attractions outside Paris including the Chateau de Versailles or Disneyland Paris .
• The 1-5 card also provides travel to and from Paris' main airports (Roissy-Charles de Gaulle and/or Orly), so it may be well worth the cost. 

How to Make the Most of the Pass

Once you have purchased your pass online or from an agent in a Paris Metro ticket stand (do not purchase through the automatic machines as these will not provide you with the required card component) make sure to take the following steps before using the pass:

• Write your first and last name on the card (please this is a required step: you can be penalized by an agent if asked to show your pass and you have not done this). 
• Look for the serial number on the back of your non-transferable card and write this number on the magnetic ticket accompanying the card.
• If you do not see a start and end date on the magnetic ticket, go ahead and write these in yourself. This will prevent unnecessary hassles if a Metro agent asks to see your card.

You're now ready to use your pass. Remember that the pass may only be used by the person it's attributed to by name, and may not be transferred.

Lost Card? Pass Not Working Properly? Other Problems?

If you run into any problems using your card, have lost it or wish to change your number of zones, see the official RATP site for help.

Why Can't I Use the Digital "Navigo" Metro Passes I've Seen Parisians Using?

Technically, tourists can get a Navigo pass, which is indeed less expensive than the Paris Visite Pass (and also offers no frills). It's usually not worth the red tape unless you'll be in Paris for at least a month or come to the city on a regular basis since you'll need to provide a photo of yourself and formally apply for the card at one of several agencies. It can be a nice choice for travelers who come to Paris often since you can keep the card and recharge it whenever you wish. If you're interested in learning about how to buy and use the Navigo for an extended stay or repeated trips, read  an excellent primer on how to crack the Navigo system , if you decide it's worth a try.

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Which Paris Metro Tickets Or Passes Should You Buy In 2024

Traveling to Paris but are not sure which Paris metro tickets or Passes to buy ? Then this article will help you figure that out!

In my last article, I showed you exactly how to use the Paris metro . Today, I want to go a bit further and talk about the different types of metro tickets available. 

Disclaimer:  This post might contain affiliate links. This means we may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) should you choose to sign up for a program or make a purchase using one of our links. It’s okay – We love all of the products we recommend anyway, and you will too! Also, that commission helps us keep this awesome free blog up to date! You can read our  full disclosure here  for more details!

With several options like the Navigo Easy Pass, the classic T+ tickets, the Paris Visite Pass, and the Navigo Découverte Pass, it can be quite overwhelming to choose the right one, and figuring out the transportation zones doesn’t make it any easier.

So in this article, I’ll talk about all the Paris metro tickets and passes available to make sure you choose the right one!

Before You Go, Here’s How to Plan Your Visit To Paris: Practical Quick Tips

WHERE TO STAY Best Eiffel Tower Views:  Hôtel Le Walt  (9.0) Luxury stay:  Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel  (8.2) Mid-range stay:  Hôtel Eiffel  (8.7) Budget Stay:  People – Paris Bercy  (8.9) Apartment Rental:  Résidence Charles Floquet  (9.1)  

BEST GUIDED TOURS Louvre Museum guided tour : (4.5/5) Seine River Dinner Cruise : (4.7/5) Montmartre Walking Tour : (4.8/5) Le Marais Walking Food Tour : (4.5/5) Versailles Guided Tour : (4.8/5) Eiffel Tower Guided Tour : (4.4/5)  Private Transfer from CDG Airport to Paris : (4.7/10)

MUST-DO EXPERIENCES HAPPENING NOW IN PARIS Luminiscence at Saint-Eustache Church : A music and lighting show in one of Paris’s most beautiful churches: (4.7/10) Candlelight show : Perfect if you want to be treated to a candlelit music show in a beautiful Parisian venue: (4.8/10) Cabaret at Moulin Rouge : A cabaret in the iconic Moulin Rouge is a must: (4.7/10)

What are the Transport Zones in Paris?

To decide which ticket or pass to buy, you need to understand the transportation zones of Paris. 

This is often the most confusing part of navigating the city’s transport system but I’ll try to simplify it as much as possible.

The first thing to know is that Paris’s transportation system is divided into 5 different zones. 

Zone 1 encompasses central Paris covering all the 20 arrondissements or districts.

Zone 2 includes suburbs close to the city including Boulogne-Billancourt, Montrouge, Ivry, and Stade de France.

Zone 3 stretches further out, featuring places like La Défense, the Basilica of Saint-Denis, Parc de Sceaux, and Château de Vincennes.

On the other hand, Zone 4 has the Palace of Versailles and Orly Airport.

Zone 5 reaches the farthest, including Parc Astérix, Disneyland Paris, Provins , Fontainebleau Castle, and Charles de Gaulle (CDG) Airport.

Now that you know which popular attractions fall into each zone, let’s look at the different types of tickets available.

Paris Metro Tickets And Passes

T+ single journey ticket.

The T+ single journey ticket costs €2.10 for a full fare and half that price for children aged 4 to 11. Kids under 4 years old can ride the metro for free.

You can use this ticket on the metro, buses (except the Orlybus and Roissybus, which serve Orly and CDG airports respectively), and trams throughout the Île-de-France region. You can also use it on the RER but only within Paris, meaning just Zone 1.

For example, you can travel to La Défense using a T+ ticket on the metro, bus, or tram, but not on the RER, since La Défense is in Zone 3, not Zone 1.

This ticket also allows you to transfer between metros, buses, and RER trains within 90 minutes of the first validation. However, you cannot transfer between different types of transportation (e.g., from metro to bus, or tram to RER).

You can purchase the T+ ticket as a physical paper ticket or load it electronically onto a Navigo Easy Pass, which we will discuss next.

Navigo Easy Pass

The Navigo Easy Pass costs just €2 and can be loaded with any number of T+ tickets directly from the RATP counter, ticket vending machine, or even via the RATP or Île-de-France Mobilités apps on your phone.

If you’re not sure how to do this, you can check out my recent YouTube video here .

You can also load the pass with a bundle of 10 tickets, known as a ‘Carnet,’ which is more cost-effective than purchasing 10 individual tickets.

Is the Navigo Easy Pass worth it?

Absolutely. It saves you time since you won’t need to queue for tickets each time, and it also saves money when you buy tickets in bulk.

Just like the paper ticket, you can use this pass on the metro, buses, and trams throughout the entire Île-de-France region, but remember, it’s only valid in Zone 1 for the RER.

One-day Navigo travel Pass

Another option to consider is the One-Day Navigo Travel Pass , which can be loaded onto a Navigo Easy Pass or a Navigo Découverte Travel Card — we’ll talk more about the latter option later in the article. 

When purchasing this pass, you need to select at least two zones, with combinations available from Zones 1 to 2, up to all 5 zones. For any two zones, it costs €8.65; three zones cost €11.60; four zones, €14.35; and all five zones are €20.60

This pass grants you unlimited rides on all transportation modes within the chosen zones until midnight on the day of purchase, excluding the OrlyBus and RoissyBus services. 

Is the Navigo One-Day Pass worth it?

It’s convenient as it saves you from needing to recharge your card throughout the day. However, you’ll need to do the math to see if it’s more cost-effective than buying T+ tickets and individual tickets for each trip, especially outside Zone 1.

To give you an example, let’s assume you’re planning to visit Disneyland Paris which is located in Zone 5. 

If you choose a day pass covering all 5 zones for €20.60, you might find it slightly more expensive compared to buying individual round-trip Disney tickets at €5.50 each way, plus 2 or 3 T+ tickets for additional rides in Paris.

And if you’re just spending a day in central Paris (Zone 1), the pass breaks even if you use the metro, bus, or tram at least four times. So, calculate based on your travel needs to decide if this pass is cost-effective for your itinerary.

Navigo Youth Weekend Pass

If you’re under 26 years old, consider the Navigo Youth Weekend Pass . It costs €4.70 for zones 1 to 3,  €6.05 for zones 3 to 5, and €10.35 for all 5 zones.

It offers unlimited transportation on the metro, RER, and buses, but note that it’s only valid on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.

Is the Navigo Youth Weekend Pass worth it? 

Absolutely! If you’re under 26 and in Paris for the weekend, this pass is a no-brainer. It’s not only affordable but also incredibly practical for extensive travel across the city.

Paris Visite Travel Pass

The Paris Visite Travel Pass is a pass that gives you unlimited access to all forms of transportation be it the metro, bus, tram,  RER, and SNCF trains in the Île-de-France region for either 1, 2, 3, or 5 consecutive days.

The daily price depends on the zones you select, starting at €13.95 for zones 1 to 3 and going up to €29.25 for zones 1 to 5. 

With this pass, you can easily visit major attractions such as Disneyland Paris , Versailles, and Fontainebleau Castle, and travel to Orly and CDG airports.

You may also get discounts on some popular landmarks in Paris . Just remember to write your name and the dates on the ticket for it to be valid.

Is the Paris Visite Travel Pass worth it?

While it’s convenient for accessing various landmarks, this pass is somewhat more expensive compared to other options. 

For example, a one-day pass for zones 1 to 3 costs €13.95, whereas the Navigo One-Day Pass for the same zones is only €11.60.

Similarly, for all 5 zones, the Paris Visite costs €29.25 compared to €20.60 for the Navigo One-Day Pass.

Navigo Découverte Travel Card 

The Navigo Découverte card offers a flexible way to travel around Paris and its neighboring suburbs, covering all forms of transportation from zones 1 to 5. 

The card itself costs €5, and you can load it with various types of passes including the Youth Weekend Pass and the 1-Day Navigo Pass we looked at earlier, or a Weekly Pass.

The Weekly Pass costs €30.75 for all zones, and although it sounds like a good deal, it comes with certain limitations. 

It is only valid from Monday to Sunday midnight, regardless of when you start using it, and it can only be purchased starting on the Friday before your travel week. 

Additionally, you must write your name on the card and attach a passport photo. If you don’t have a photo, you can take one at the photo booths available in various metro and train stations.

You can also purchase this pass on your phone, which eliminates the need for a physical card, though be aware that validation machines sometimes fail to read from phones. 

For Android users, there’s an option to buy tickets directly on the phone, but this feature isn’t yet available for iPhones — though it’s expected by May 2024.

Is the Navigo Découverte Travel Card worth it?

The value of the Navigo Découverte card depends largely on your travel plans. If you’re staying in Paris from Monday to Sunday, or even for four days, and plan to visit places like the Versailles palaces, and Disneyland Paris, and travel to and from CDG airport , then it is worth it.

Just the round trips to the airport by train would cost €23.60, Versailles would be €8.10, and Disneyland Paris €10, totaling €41.70, which already exceeds the cost of the pass, making it a cheaper option.

However, if your visit is concentrated in zones 1 and 2, or you arrive mid-week, the pass might not be the best value. As always, do the math based on your specific trip.

Paris Metro Price Changes During the 2024 Olympics

If you’re visiting Paris during the Paris 2024 Olympics, you should note that the metro ticket prices will go up from July 20 to September 8.

The cost for a single ride t+ ticket will jump from €2.15 to €4, and a bundle of 10 tickets from 17.35 € to €32. 

However, a special pass known as the Paris 2024 Pass will be available for €16 a day or €70 a week, covering travel in Paris and to both Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports.

During this period, the Navigo Découverte Travel Card and the One-Day Navigo Pass will not be available for purchase.

With all that being said, what’s the best ticket option for your time in Paris?

Ultimately, the right choice depends on several factors including the number of days you’re in Paris, the places you plan to visit, and the zones you’ll be traveling through.

If you’re mainly staying in central Paris and don’t plan any day trips to places like Versailles, Disneyland, or Fontainebleau Castle, I’d recommend purchasing a carnet of 10 tickets on a Navigo Easy Pass. It is more convenient and offers more value.

And although I find the Paris Visite Travel Pass to be more expensive than the other options available, it might still make sense for your specific itinerary if you’re planning extensive travel across multiple zones. As I mentioned earlier, do the math and see what works for your trip.

Check out these posts to help you plan your trip to Paris

• Big Mistakes to Avoid in Paris
• What Not to Wear in Paris
• Important Things to Know Before Traveling to Paris
• The Ultimate Paris Bucket List

Was this post on the different Paris metro passes and tickets helpful? Then please consider sharing it with others.

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Esther is the face and voice behind Dreams in Paris! She has always been obsessed with Paris even before she moved there. She has lived in Paris for a couple of years, and that obsession has not changed! That love for Paris, plus her passion for writing led to the birth of Dreams in Paris! She now shares all the practical tips and guides she’s picked along the way to help you plan a memorable trip to the city of love! You can learn more about her here !

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Paris Metro pass, tickets and travel prices

Public transport passes on metro, buses and rer trains in paris.

Paris public transport, (the Metro, buses and RER trains) is highly integrated and this includes the ticketing system.

If you want to travel outside the centre of Paris covered by the Metro you should be aware that Paris uses a zonal system with six circular zones radiating out from the centre.

For perhaps the majority of visitors to Paris using the Metro system they will often not want to go anywhere outside the central zone or Zone 1. Zone 1 is where nearly all hotels are and where all the city centre sights are located.

You need to assess which zones you will use before buying your respective tickets. This, of course, also depends on how long you are likely to stay.

Fare zones   Single journey tickets   Day tickets 1-5 day Paris Visite cards   Weekly & monthly Navigo passes

Paris fare zones

If you are looking to see where the various travel zones are, the Metro & RER map on the left indicates where the various zones start and finish.

• Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) - zone 5 - RER details
• Orly Airport - zone 4 - RER details
• Disneyland Paris (Eurodisney) - zone 5 - RER details
• Versailles - zone 4 - RER details

Top of the page

Single tickets (t+ ticket) and carnets or books of ten tickets.

The RATP run the Metro, RER, buses and trams within Paris and a single ticket can be used on any of the four modes for a single journey.

Note: 'single journey' includes connections between the same types of vehicle (i.e. if you were using the tram you would remain on the tram system), as long as you do not 'exit' the transport system. You are allowed up to two hours for metro and RER after validation and 90 minutes for buses and trams.

Tickets purchased individually or in packages of 10 are permanently valid for single use and are issued without an expiration date.

Single tickets can be purchased from metro/RER stations, some bus terminals, and registered retailers, usually tobacconists and bookshops, displaying the RATP sign.

You can also buy from the same sources a booklet of ten, called a carnet (pronounced kar-nay), offering good savings.

Save money, go contactless

The cardboard t+ ticket packs of 10 have now been entirely replaced. The reasoning is that these types of tickets often get lost, so not all the tickets are used as one is put away somewhere and lost. The cardboard magnetic strip gets easily demagnitised and can no longer work and there are better electronic solutions now available.

From 13 October 2022, cardboard t+ ticket packs were no longer sold from vending machines at 182 stations and bus stations.

As a visitor your alternative is Contactless t+ ticket packs of 10, these are actually €2 cheaper overall than the cardboard version. You can also get a Navigo Easy Pass for €2 which you can top-up at ticket machines and retailers or with your smartphone. Finally, you can still buy a single use ticket on board the bus for €2.10.

PARIS SINGLE TICKET FARES (T+ TICKETS) 2024

For use on one journey of the Paris Metro or Buses or on zone 1 RER trains in Paris.

Day ticket - Carte Mobilis (now discontinued from 2024) use Navigo Day Pass

The Carte Mobilis was an option most visitors seemed to be unaware of. A single calendar day card that provided unlimited rides on the transport system of the Ile-de-France region for a stated number of calendar days. This covers the Metro, RER (express regional trains), bus, tramway, funiculaire de Montmartre, Montmartrobus, Noctambus (night bus) within a given fare zone. Most visitors will only need zones 1&2, broadly coinciding with the extent of the Metro system. If in doubt about zone coverage the zones are marked on the RER map (above). Single tickets can be purchased from metro/RER stations, some bus terminals, and registered retailers, usually tobacconists and bookshops, displaying the RATP sign.

Navigo Day Pass

You can buy a Navigo Day Pass at CDG Airport Train Stations, Orly Airport, Paris main trainline stations, Metro stations, RER stations and Transillien Stations. There is also an option to buy the Navigo Day Pass online using the official Navigo apps. The pass is put onto a Navigo Decouverte or Navigo Easy card or use via your app. If you do not have a Navigo Decouverte card you will need to buy one first (€5). You can choose to start your day pass from the moment you buy it or up to 6 days later, you decide this at time of purchase. You can put up to two day passes onto your Navigo Decouverte or Easy card, so you can plan your travel ahead of time.

NAVIGO DAY TICKET PRICES 2024

Available at all metro, bus and RER stations.

Paris Visite card

This is the ticket heavily promoted to tourists and visitors. Lots of people like the convenience of these tickets.

As well as being a travel pass the ticket also provides discounts to tourist attractions though not the main headliners like the Eiffel Tower and Louvre Museum. Typically a 25% discount on entrance to the Arc de Triomphe and 25% off entrance to the Grévin Museum, which may not be a high priority for you.

Paris Visite counts calendar days from day of first use, just like other Paris tickets, not 24-hour periods. If you arrive at night and use the pass, that will be counted as one day.

Paris Visite is widely available from outside Paris through agents and online but you will normally pay a premium for this convenience over purchasing in Paris.

PARIS VISITE CARD PRICES (WHEN PURCHASED IN PARIS) 2024

* Children 4-11 years old.

Navigo Decouverte monthly and weekly travel passes

The Navigo card represents good value for money - IF you are spending at least a full week in Paris. It is a card that allows you to travel in all zones for just €22.80 , plus the cost of the card itself (€5). In many cases for the average traveller, the carnets (above) will still work out cheaper. If you add on the cost of the photos needed for the pass, you're looking at nearly €30 and that will buy you two books of 20 carnets - twenty trips.

The key point about this product is that the week runs Monday to Sunday, with the last day for sale of the week you are in being on the Thursday. So if you arrive on the Friday wanting to use one for that weekend - you cannot.

The Navigo is an electronic smart card similar to schemes introduced recently worldwide into mass transit systems, allowing you unlimited use of the public transport networks in the zones you have selected. The smart card stores electronically the fare product you choose. Most visitors will go for the weekly fare.

It's reusable so if you return to Paris you can load up fares onto the same card. The first time you buy, you have to pay a €5 for the card itself and then you buy a week or month's worth of transportation that is loaded onto the card.

There are two versions of the card: "all zones" and 'two zones". The “2-zone” pass, as it sounds, gives you (unlimited) travel in just two selected zones - of your choice. To travel outside of your two zones, you may purchase a “top-up ticket” and only pay for the extra distance travelled. There is also “zone-free” travel during certain periods, on 2-zone monthly travel passes. The “all zones” travel pass allows you unlimited travel in all zones, every day of the week.

For all travel passes (regardless of the duration), the validity period starts at 12am on the first day of the period and ends at 11.59pm on the last day.

You also need to bring along a passport sized portrait photo measuring 25 x 30mm (0.98" x 1.18"). There are plenty of photo machines in the stations that produce such a photo if you need it.

A convenient place to purchase these cards for many visitors is the RER train ticket offices at Charles de Gaulle airport (CDG) or the major train stations in Paris like Gare du Nord.

NAVIGO DECOUVERTE PASS PRICES 2024

Weekly tickets available from the Friday preceding the Monday starting the week of validity until Thursday of the week included in the 7 days of validity.

4 Days in Paris: Detailed Itinerary, Map & Tips (Perfect for 1st Visit)

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: July 10, 2024

Visiting Paris for 4 days and wondering how to best plan your time so that you can make the most of your trip?

In this guide, we share a suggested Paris 4 days itinerary based on our recent trip (and taking into account what can actually be done!). It includes all the must-sees, a few amazing places that are often overlooked by first-time travelers, and some lesser-known gems that will make your trip even more special. Take a look!

The capital of France, Paris is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. With such an old history and an incredible number of landmarks, I’m sure you understand that there is no way to see ‘everything’ in Paris in four days. But if you plan well, you can definitely see all the musts and get a good feel of what Paris is truly like.

Below, you’ll find our suggested 4-day Paris itinerary that covers all the main landmarks and most interesting places in the most efficient way. Of course, there are many ways to plan any visit to Paris and this is just one of them. But if you want to see the very best of Paris, but also get a bit off the beaten path and truly experience the city, this guide should help you do just that.

Good to know: This itinerary is quite packed, but it’s based on our personal experience and on what can actually be done . It takes into account opening times/ walking distances/ metro and the time you need to visit each place. Plus, when possible, you’ll be at the most popular places at the best possible time. We also include some alternative suggestions so that you can personalize and plan your own perfect trip based on what interests you the most.

We also created an interactive map indicating all the sights. That way, you can have a better idea of how it all fits together.

Please note that the hours in the itinerary below are only indicated for your reference and are based on our personal experience. That way you have a better idea of how much time you need and can also decide to skip some places if you rather take it easier.

PRO TIP! Where applicable, we also share practical info and tips on which tickets to prebook. Without advance reservations , you will waste many hours waiting in lines and won’t be able to see as much. In fact, you may not even be able to visit certain places at all. Paris has changed a lot in recent years, and planning a spontaneous visit as we often did in the past is no longer straightforward.

Furthermore, by booking in advance, you can immediately see if the place is open on the day of your visit and can avoid unpleasant surprises. We had to adjust our itinerary several times based on the availability of some tickets (like Moulin Rouge , for example, where almost all the shows appeared to be sold out 3 weeks before our trip, or Paris Opera which was exceptionally closed on several days during our visit).

As a minimum, book the tickets/ tours/ experiences for those sights which you absolutely don’t want to miss!

For some of the most popular attractions in Paris, booking in advance will save you money but also lots of time! You can go straight to the entrance without having to queue at the ticket desk.

Good to know: If you visit at least 2-3 museums per day and stay in Paris for a few days, Paris Museum Pass offers excellent value for your money. It includes most of the ‘musts’ and offers skip-the-line access at most attractions. However, keep in mind that you will first have to pick it up at a certain location and you’ll also have to book timed-entry slots for several of the most popular places. That’s why we personally opted to just get timed-entry tickets for each place separately.

If you are visiting Paris with kids, teens, or young adults , you will be glad to know that most Paris landmarks offer FREE entry to everyone under 18 (and for EU residents, even under 26). However, you also need a timed reservation for the free tickets.

READ ALSO: Paris Travel Tips & Tricks

• DAY 1: Île de la Cité, Arc De Triomphe, Champs Elysées, (optional) Les Invalides and/or Rodin Museum, Place de La Concorde, Tuileries Gardens, Louvre Museum.
• DAY 2: Musée d’Orsay, Versailles, Eiffel Tower, Seine Cruise.
• DAY 3: Place Vendôme, Opera, Galeries Lafayette, Hidden Passages, Montmartre, Moulin Rouge.
• DAY 4: Hôtel de Ville, Pompidou Center/ Stravinsky Fountain, La Marais, Pantheon, Latin Quarter, Luxembourg Gardens, Catacombs, Montparnasse Tower.
• Where to stay

MAP of this 4-day Paris itinerary

To help you plan your visit to Paris, we created a map indicating all the places mentioned in our guide.

As you can see below, each day has a different color, so you quickly get a good overview of how it’s structured. We tried to group the sites in the most logical way so that you can walk between the sights as much as possible. When possible, we also take into account the best times to be at each place.

How to use this map:  Use your computer mouse (or fingers) to zoom in or out. Click on the icons to get more information about each place. Click the arrow on the top left corner for the index. Click the star next to the map’s title to add it to your Google Maps account. To view the saved map on your smartphone or PC, open Google Maps, click the menu and go to ‘Your Places’/’Maps’. If you want to print the map or see it in a bigger window, click on ‘View larger map’ in the top right corner.

Île de la Cité – Arc De Triomphe – Champs Elysées – Les Invalides or Rodin Museum or l’Orangerie (optional) – Place de La Concorde – Tuileries Gardens – Louvre Museum (at the quietest time).

Day 1 – planning info/tickets to book:

• Sainte-Chapelle – timed entry tickets .
• Arc De Triomphe – skip-the-line tickets are valid the entire day and save you time at the ticket desk.
• Louvre – timed-entry tickets or a guided tour (recommended). We opted for this tour – Closing Time at the Louvre: Mona Lisa at Her Most Peaceful . It covers all the musts in 3 hours at the quietest time of the day.
• Optional: Les Invalides or Rodin Museum or l’Orangerie .

Good to know: All of these places are included with the Paris Museum Pass . Even if you decide to visit the Louvre with a guided tour as we did, this pass can still be good value, depending on your overall Paris itinerary. The Louvre and l’Orangerie are closed on Tuesdays and Rodin Museum is closed on Mondays. Other places are normally open daily.

Île de la Cité: Sainte-Chapelle, Notre-Dame & More

Île de la Cité is a small island in the middle of the River Seine, best known for the Notre-Dame Cathedral. This was the birthplace of Paris in the 3rd century BC.

If you come here before 9 am, you could walk around the island and explore it a bit deeper. In that case, you may want to start at Pont Neuf , the oldest stone bridge in Paris, with 384 grotesque face ornaments lining its sides. Next, head to Square du Vert-Galant , the westernmost point of the little island. The views from here are quite nice.

Then walk past Place Dauphine , a cozy town square at the western end of this little island, and on to the Conciergerie and its Clock Tower. Built in the 14th century, this is the oldest public clock in France, and you can see it from the street.

The Conciergerie is a former courthouse that also served as a prison. Nowadays, this is a museum that you could consider visiting if you have at least an hour to spare. With 4 days in Paris, and depending on your interests, I’d just see it from the outside.

The most impressive place to visit on Île de la Cité is Sainte-Chapelle . This is the 13th-century royal chapel that I can only describe as the most beautiful chapel in the world. It will take your breath away!

Please note that there are actually two chapels here, connected by a small staircase. The lower level (where you enter) was used by servants and the upper chapel – by the Royal family. They are both very impressive, but the upper one is absolutely stunning, so if it’s not too busy as you enter, head there first.

TIP: You really have to reserve your tickets in advance for Sainte-Chapelle!!! For this itinerary, it’s best to book the tickets for 9 am and arrive at least 15-20 minutes before it opens. You will still have a small queue at the security check, but it will be incomparably quieter than later during the day.

Near Sainte-Chapelle, you can visit a flower market . It’s just a short photo spot, but quite nice to see.

If interested, you could also walk to see Au Vieux Paris , aka the most charming café in Paris. It usually only opens at lunchtime, but most people come here just for the picture of its exterior anyway.

It’s definitely not a must and we saw many other cafés in Paris that looked at least just as charming, but it’s just a small detour. You could also come for lunch here, but it will likely be much too early for that.

Next, head to Notre-Dame Cathedral . At the moment, it’s being rebuilt after the 2019 fire. Behind the fences, you can still see the two towers of Notre Dame, but that’s really it. You can’t even step on the iconic ‘Point Zero’ from which all the road distances in France are measured.

Anyway, it’s still worth a few minutes of your time to see this famous Paris landmark.

Good to know: Based on the official sources at the moment of the last update, Notre-Dame Cathedral is supposed to reopen on December 8, 2024.

Arc De Triomphe

11-12.30 PM.

Time for the next place on your Paris itinerary – Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile . The distances are big and you’ll be walking a lot as it is. So to get there, it’s best to take the metro.

Arc de Triomphe needs no introduction. Commissioned by Napoleon to celebrate all his victories (he never lived to see its completion), this is one of the most recognizable landmarks of Paris. Under the arch, you can see the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the eternal flame that is rekindled at 6.30 pm every evening. Inside, there’s also a small exhibition.

While you can just see the arch from a distance, we highly recommend that you also visit the rooftop . The views from here are among the best in Paris! Keep in mind that there are 284 steps to reach the top. They also have a small elevator which is reserved for people with reduced mobility, but it stops at the exhibition level, so you’ll still have to do some stairs.

Good to know: Do not attempt to cross the busy roundabout in order to get to Arc De Triomphe. There is a well-indicated underground passage for that!

TIP: While not absolutely needed, booking a ticket in advance will save you at least one queue (you’ll still have a security check, as in most places). If you are visiting in the high season, definitely book upfront! Even with the skip-the-line tickets or Paris Museum Pass , count at least 45 minutes for a visit here.

READ ALSO: Best Views in Paris

Champs-Élysées & Lunch

12-1.30 PM.

Avenue des Champs-Élysées is probably the most famous street in Paris. This wide avenue is nearly 2 kilometers in length, but the liveliest part with most shops and restaurants is right next to Arc de Triomphe.

Here, you will find some of the most expensive designer shops in the world. Amazingly enough, there are often huge queues to get inside the luxury stores of Dior, Moncler, or Louis Vuitton, to mention just a few. Most of the restaurants in this area are also on the pricier side and very busy.

Time for lunch !

You’ll find many traditional Parisian brasseries and restaurants in this area, or you can just get a sandwich at PAUL’s or similar (this will save you a lot of time vs sitting down for lunch). For a truly Parisian experience, you could also opt for some sweet pastries and macarons at the iconic Ladurée. And yes, there are fast-food restaurants here too, but come on – you are in Paris!

Good to know: If you want to be sure to have a table at a specific restaurant, be sure to reserve in advance! For example, without a reservation, you’ll likely waste at least 30-40 minutes in line at Ladurée, maybe even more in the high season.

Just keep in mind that these are not the places where you go if you are hungry ; rather for a special treat. I always have to laugh at my husband’s experience at Ladurée years ago. He ordered a coffee and a sandwich and ate the one-bite snack thinking that it was something extra served with coffee. He then sat there waiting for his sandwich to arrive. But it never did. It turned out that the tiny bite was in fact the sandwich that he ordered. We’ve been to Paris many times, but there is no way I can ever convince my husband to go for ‘lunch’ at Ladurée again. 🙂

In fact, we have similar stories about a few other restaurants on Champs-Élysées. Let’s just say this area is really touristy and you won’t find the best value or service. But I guess it’s just part of visiting Paris for the first time…

TIP: There’s one traditional Parisian restaurant that we quite liked near Arc de Triomphe. It’s called La Flamme and is located on one of the side streets, so not on Champs-Élysées itself. On our recent visit, we had dinner here and found that the service, as well as the food, were excellent. The prices were also very reasonable for this area.

Jardin des Champs-Élysées – Grand Palais – Petit Palais – Pont Alexandre III

1.30-2.30 PM.

After lunch, continue east down the Champs-Élysées. You’ll soon reach the greener area with several small parks on both sides of the boulevard. If you have some time, it’s nice to explore these gardens a bit more.

Be sure to also check out the two iconic buildings known as Grand Palais and Petit Palais . These Art-Nouveau-style buildings date from the early 1900s.

At the moment, the Grand Palais is being renovated and is not open to the public.

Petit Palais houses an art museum which is free to visit. However, it sometimes closes for special events, which was the case every time we were in Paris… Anyway, it’s worth seeing it from the outside too, and if it’s open when you are there, be sure to take a look inside!

TIP: Check out the “Bouquet of Tulips” sculpture in the gardens behind the Petit Palais. This huge hand holding a bouquet of colorful flowers is the work of American artist Jeff Koons.

Just nearby, you can see one of the most beautiful bridges in Paris – Pont Alexandre III . Even if you decide not to walk to Les Invalides on the other side of the river, it’s well worth making a small detour to see this bridge.

This remarkable Beaux-Arts style bridge was inaugurated in 1900. It is lined with beautiful lampposts and lots of impressive sculptures. On each corner, you can also see four winged horses which represent Sciences, Commerce, illustrious Arts, and Industry. 

From the bridge, you also have great views over the River Seine and Eiffel Tower in the distance.

Les Invalides OR Rodin Museum OR Musée de l’Orangerie (optional)

If you are not going shopping at Champs-Élysées and want to pack as much as possible into your day, there are a few interesting places in this area that you could add to this itinerary.

Hôtel des Invalides (or simply Les Invalides) and Rodin Museum are located just next to each other on the other side of the river, about 15 minutes walk from the bridge. Alternatively, you could visit Musée de l’Orangerie which is conveniently located on the way to the Louvre.

TIP: Depending on your interests, I’d only visit one of these museums or not even at all, or you risk getting a ‘museum burnout’ on your first day in Paris already. You can get tickets for Rodin Museum , or for Les Invalides , or l’Orangerie separately, but if you decide to come here in addition to all the other places mentioned in our guide, then it’s definitely better to get the Paris Museum Pass . That way, you can just decide if/which of these museums you want to visit on the day itself.

While not unknown, these places are not on the must-see list of most first-time visitors to Paris. But you really need either a skip-the-line ticket or a museum pass so that you don’t waste any time in lines, definitely in the high season.

• Built as an accommodation and a hospital for wounded soldiers in the 17th century, the Hôtel des Invalides is now a military museum. It’s best known for the incredibly grand Tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte . While you likely need at least 2 hours for all the museums here, you could visit the tomb in about half an hour.
• Rodin Museum is dedicated to the works of the French sculptor Auguste Rodin, showing how his technique and style evolved over time. The must-see here is the Sculpture Garden and his most famous work “The Thinker” ( Le Penseur ). However, there are multiple copies of this sculpture worldwide and you can also see one inside the D’Orsay Museum (see day 2 of this itinerary).
• Musée de l’Orangerie is a recently-restored art museum mostly focused on impressionism and post-impressionism. The most famous works here are “Water Lilies” by Claude Monet, but you’ll also find paintings by Picasso, Renoir, Cézanne, Henri Matisse, Modigliani, and many others.

READ ALSO: Best Museums in Paris

Place de La Concorde – Tuileries Gardens

5 – 6 PM.

Next, return to the northern side of the river and walk to Place de La Concorde . This is the largest square in Paris, and since there’s lots of traffic here, it’s an experience in itself. Be careful when crossing the streets! Even if it’s green, be sure to look well in all directions – also for bikes, e-steps, tourist rickshaws/ pedicabs, etc.

While navigating the crazy traffic, don’t miss the Egyptian Obelisk and the beautiful fountains !

Interesting to know: During the French Revolution, this square was the site of many public executions, including that of the last king of France, Louis XVI, and his wife Marie Antoinette.

Next, walk to Tuileries Gardens (this is also where Musée de l’Orangerie is located). These beautiful gardens connect the Place de la Concorde to the Louvre and are popular among tourists and locals alike. There are chairs around the big pond in the middle and benches throughout the park. It’s a nice place to sit down, rest a bit, and do some people-watching.

TIP: If you are not planning on doing shopping or visiting any of the museums, you’ll have quite some free time left. You may want to stop for some afternoon tea at Angelina Paris , just next to Tuileries Gardens.

This is a very popular 120-year-old tea room that – according to the locals – serves the best hot chocolate in the world. However, it’s pricey and very busy. Try to reserve in advance or prepare to wait for a while.

Next, check out the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel , right in front of the Louvre. Built in 1806-1808 to celebrate Napoleon’s victories, this ornate arch is a predecessor of the more famous Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile that we mentioned earlier.

Louvre Museum

End your first day in Paris with a visit to the most famous museum in the world, The Louvre . It’s also one of the most-visited tourist attractions in Paris, so it’s always busy here. But if you come in the evening, a few hours before the closing time, you will be able to avoid the biggest crowds.

Louvre Museum is so big that you could spend several weeks inside and still not see everything. But most people come here for the most known artworks such as La Gioconda (Mona Lisa) by Leonardo da Vinci, the ancient Greek sculpture Venus de Milo, or the Winged Victory of Samothrace (the Nike), etc. For the highlights, you need at least 2-2.5 hours, plus count that it will also take you some time to get inside.

Good to know: The opening times of the Louvre Museum depend on the season and on the day when you visit. But since you need to get timed tickets anyway, you can immediately see what is available. In the high season, it’s normally open late (9-9.45 PM), so you could come here at around 6-6.30 PM.

Alternative – if visiting Paris in the low season. In the low season, the Louvre is normally open until 6 PM (unless on Fridays when it remains open until 9.45 PM). In that case, you will have to adjust this itinerary. You can come here after visiting Notre-Dame and then continue with all the other places as described above and end your day at Arc de Triomphe which remains open late.

PRO TIP: No matter when you visit, be sure to get timed-entry tickets for the Louvre in advance. But in all honesty, this is one place where it really pays to visit with a guided tour . Otherwise, it can get very overwhelming just trying to figure out which entrance to take and where to go or what to see inside.

We opted for this closing time at the Louvre tour (Mona Lisa at her most peaceful ). It’s a great way to skip the queues at the entrance and see all the musts in a short time. It wasn’t our first time at the Louvre, but we learned so much from our guide! Highly recommended.

As you exit the museum, take the time to enjoy the Louvre Pyramids . You can take some nice pictures here, especially around sunset.

READ ALSO: Tips & Tricks for the Louvre Museum

Colonnes de Buren

Just a few minutes walk from the Louvre, you can also check out the Colonnes de Buren at the courtyard of the National Royal Palace. It’s just a quick photo stop and there are quite some restaurants nearby, so you could come here before dinner.

Alternatively, you can also visit here on day 3 of this sightseeing itinerary. This square is also the start of many walking tours that visit the covered passages of Paris .

For dinner , you’ll find lots of restaurants in all price categories in the area to the north/northeast of the Louvre. We reserved a table at Pizzeria Popolare , which is located about halfway between the Louvre and the hotel where we stayed .

This is a very trendy Italian restaurant, one of the Big Mamma Group restaurants in Paris. They are all excellent and extremely popular with long queues every evening. So it really pays to reserve a table in advance.

Riverside walk (optional) – Musée d’Orsay – Versailles – Eiffel Tower – Seine Cruise – Eiffel Tower Lights & Sparkles.

Day 2 – planning info/tickets to book:

• Musee d’Orsay – timed entry tickets .
• Versailles Palace & Gardens – timed entry tickets . We opted for this guided tour .
• Eiffel Tower – timed entry tickets on the official site . If certain times are not available, or if you rather have someone guide you, be sure to also check the best options on GetYourGuide . If you don’t mind waiting longer (it can be really crowded and take a few hours though), you can get the tickets on the spot too. If you want to visit the Summit, be sure to book weeks ahead!
• Seine Cruise – see all the cruise options here . Sunset cruises with dinner are also available. This is one of the best-value cruises (departs close to Champs-Elysees).

Good to know: Orsay Museum and Versailles Palace are included with the Paris Museum Pass (although we really recommend a guided tour in Versailles). Also, extra shows in Versailles Gardens are not included. Keep in mind that both – Orsay Museum and Versaille Palace – are closed on Mondays , so adjust your itinerary if necessary.

Riverside walk

You could start your morning with a stroll on the Seine riverside . The first stop on your itinerary today is Orsay Museum, so you could start from Ile de La Cite or from the Louvre, and walk to the museum enjoying the nice views of the river and the surroundings.

Of course, this is not a must, and you can just take the metro straight to the museum.

Musee d’Orsay

10 AM-noon.

Start your day with a visit to one of the best museums in Paris – Orsay Museum . It’s located inside an old railway station and the building is worth seeing in its own right. As you walk inside the huge covered hall, it’s easy to imagine steam trains arriving and departing from here a hundred years ago.

D’Orsay museum is probably best known for its incredible collection of impressionist- and post-impressionist art. It’s here that you will find some of the best works of Monet, Manet, Renoir, and Van Gogh.

You can see lots of other masterpieces here too, including some fantastic temporary exhibitions. When we visited, we could also see the works of Edvard Munch, but also some incredible and touching contemporary art by American artist Kehinde Wiley.

Don’t miss the impressive station clock on the top floor. From here, you also have nice views of the city and the river, and the clock makes for some nice pictures too.

TIP: The impressionist collection is located on the top floor and it’s the most popular area of the museum, so you may want to head there first before it gets too busy. For that, walk straight all the way to the back of the museum. Against the back wall, a bit to the left, you’ll find escalators that can take you all the way to the top floor.

Train to Versailles and quick lunch

Right next to Museum d’Orsay, there is a train station from where you can take a direct train to Versailles . There are regular trains throughout the day and the journey takes about 30-35 minutes. You can get a ticket at the station (a regular Paris metro ticket will not be sufficient).

Important! You will need line C in the direction of Versailles Château Rive Gauche station. The same line splits in many different directions and there are lots of trains on the same track too, so double-check the direction so that you do not get on the wrong train!

In the old town of Versailles, you will find plenty of cafés and restaurants. However, if you don’t want to waste too much time, you can also just get a sandwich or something small to eat. We stopped for a sandwich at Madeleine just across the station and it was excellent (and quick). It’s conveniently located right next to the GetYourGuide office, which was the meeting point of our guided tour of Versailles .

Versailles Palace and Gardens

1.30-4.30 PM.

Together with the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, the Palace of Versailles is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Paris. And once you see this grand palace with its opulent royal chambers and impressive vast gardens, you’ll understand why.

There is a lot to see in Versailles. In fact, you could easily spend an entire day here. But if you just want to see the main palace and some of the gardens, you’ll need about 2-3 hours. That’s what we recommend if you have just 4 days in Paris because there are just so many other amazing places to see.

Versailles Palace boasts more than 2,300 rooms. The most impressive are the King’s and the Queen’s bedrooms and the world-famous Hall of Mirrors. And while the gardens are huge and have a lot to offer too, some of the nicest ones are located right next to the main building. So with just a few hours in Versailles, concentrate on the main sights.

TIP: While you can easily visit Versailles on your own (be sure to get a timed entry ticket !), we highly recommend taking a guided tour . It’s not just the best way to see all the ‘musts’ in a few hours, but you’ll also appreciate it all so much better. With a good guide, the walls and the furniture come to life and you leave Versailles with a much better understanding of how unique this place really is.

We opted for this highly-rated tour and it was really worth it. Alternatively, you can also opt for a tour that includes a guide/transportation from Paris ; this is a good option if you are worried about the practical side of getting to Versailles (it’s really not difficult though).

Train to Champ de Mars & Eiffel Tower Views

4.30-5.30 PM.

After visiting Versailles, take a train back to Paris and get off at the ‘Champ de Mars’ station. This is right at the Eiffel Tower, which is the next destination on your itinerary.

If you have some time to spare before visiting the tower, you could first walk to the nearby bridge Pont de Bir Hakeim . It’s located just next to the train station.

This metal multi-storey bridge is a sight in itself, but the main reason to come here is the amazing views of the Eiffel Tower. This bridge is just a tiny bit further away from the tower and gives you a nice perspective. Plus, it’s not nearly as busy as the Pont d’Iéna bridge right in front of the Eiffel Tower and is lined with street vendors and hundreds of tourists posing for pictures.

Cross the bridge and walk to Trocadéro Gardens . From the upper terrace here, you have an amazing view of the Eiffel Tower.

Of course, you can also visit all these places after visiting the tower, but if you want to go to the top at around sunset, it’s probably better to do this first.

Eiffel Tower

Eiffel Tower is at the top of any Paris bucket list. So if this is your first time in Paris, you will likely want to go to the top of the tower too. There are a few things you should know.

First, there are several types of Eiffel Tower tickets. First, you have to make the choice of visiting up to the 2nd floor or going all the way to the summit . To keep things cheaper, you could also opt to climb to the 1st/2nd floors via the stairs instead of taking an elevator. Depending on the day, this might also mean that you’ll spend less time queuing.

I find that the city views are best from the 1st and the 2nd floors of the Eiffel Tower. The only reason to go all the way to the top is to tick the box and have done it all so that you have no regrets later. It is a special experience, that’s for sure, but not an absolute must.

No matter which option you choose, if you want to visit Eiffel Tower at a specific time without wasting too much time in lines, it’s best to book your timed tickets online in advance . And if you can time your visit so that you are at the top about half an hour before sunset , it might make it even more special. But remember that a nice sunset is never guaranteed, so don’t obsess about this.

For the tickets, at the moment, the cheapest option is booking via the official site . Just keep in mind that these tickets are non-refundable and you can’t change the dates either. Also, sometimes summit tickets are not available on the official site anymore, but can be available via other websites like GetYourGuide or Tiqets .

The biggest advantage of booking Eiffel Tower tickets via GetYourGuide is that – for most tickets – they allow free cancelation up to 24 hours before your visit. On this website, you can also find some guided tour options, or get a ticket where you’ll also meet a host and get some guidance on where to go, etc.

Good to know: You can always just queue at the tower upon arrival and get your tickets on the spot, but – depending on how busy it is – it can mean that you are queuing for a few hours. Also, even with the timed tickets, arrive at least 30-40 minutes earlier so that you have enough time to get through the first security check before you even get to the actual queue to go up (and the second security check).

Seine Cruise (with dinner)

+ -8.30 PM.

To end your second day in Paris, you could opt for another typical Parisian experience – a Seine cruise . It’s something that’s popular not just among tourists, but also business travelers, and locals who take their guest for a special treat. This is especially the case with the cruises that include dinner.

There are many various cruise options , and most Seine cruises depart from one of the bridges at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. So if you want to do this at any time of your trip, this is the best moment in this itinerary.

The most popular option is the 1-hour cruise . You can take any boat which suits your schedule best and see all the highlights next to the river. On the way, you’ll pass many of the most famous landmarks of Paris, including the Louvre and Notre Dame. It’s a really nice way to see the city from a different angle and something I really recommend doing.

Alternatively, you can opt for an evening cruise that includes dinner. There are also quite a few options here and the choice can be overwhelming. This highly-rated dinner cruise offers really good quality and it starts/ends at the Eiffel Tower, so it would be a great fit for this itinerary. The fact that it’s also popular with the locals says it all.

Eiffel Tower Lights and Sparkles

As it gets dark, the Eiffel Tower is lit up every evening . In addition, it also sparkles for a few minutes every hour. It’s an unforgettable sight!

So after returning from your (dinner)cruise wait for the tower to sparkle. If you are visiting in the summer when it gets dark late, you could first go for dinner nearby. If you take a dinner cruise, it should be dark by the time you get back. In the winter, it’s quite likely that the tower will light up when you visit it or even before that.

Good to know: Eiffel Tower light installation is automatic and it switches on a few minutes after sunset. At the moment, the tower remains lit until 11.45 pm. The sparkles go on on the hour every hour, between dusk and 11 pm. The spectacle lasts for about 5 minutes.

TIP: Some of the best places to enjoy the view of the sparkling Eiffel Tower are Champ de Mars, a park southeast of the tower, or Trocadero Park northwest of the tower, on the other side of the river. When the weather is nice, you will see hundreds of people (often with picnic blankets and wine bottles) enjoying the views of the beautifully-lit tower. It’s always a great atmosphere! You will usually see street vendors walking around selling wine and champagne (and also paper cups), so you can join in with the fun.

At this point, I would like to share a photo of the Eiffel Tower nicely lit in the dark, but apparently, the image of the tower lit at night is copyrighted, so you’ll just have to go and see it yourself!

Place Vendôme – Opera – Galeries Lafayette Haussmann and (optional) Printemps Haussmann – Grévin Wax Museum or Covered Passages (optional) – Montmartre – Moulin Rouge Show.

Day 3 – planning info/tickets to book:

• Opera – skip-the-line tickets.
• Grévin Wax Museum – entry tickets (booking isn’t a must, but can save you some time).
• Montmartre – a guided walking tour or a self-guided tour is really recommended.
• Moulin Rouge show (with dinner) – you really should book the tickets long in advance.

Good to know: None of these places are included in the Paris Museum Pass . Also, your overall itinerary on this day (and how much time you’ll have everywhere) will depend a bit on which Moulin Rouge tickets you get – an early show with dinner (+-7 PM), just the show (+- 9 PM), or the late-night show (+-11.30 PM). So if you opt for a later show, you’ll have more time everywhere and/or be able to get back to your hotel to change if you like.

Place Vendôme

In the morning, you could visit Place Vendôme , one of the famous squares in Paris. This huge square is lined with some of the most expensive designer clothing- and jewelry stores. It’s much more exclusive than the luxury stores on the Champs-Elysees or pretty much anywhere else in Paris.

One of the most luxurious hotels in Paris – the Ritz – is also located here. This is where Princess Diana stayed on her last night in the city.

The main landmark on the square is Colonne Vendôme . This is a 44-meter-high bronze column that dates from the early 19th century and was ordered by Napoleon. It was made using over 1,200 cannons that were seized from the enemy during the battle of Austerlitz and was dedicated to the French soldiers.

You don’t really need much time here, but since the next place on this itinerary is nearby, you could make a small effort and visit Place Vendome in the morning. Alternatively, just head straight to Palais Garnier (see below).

Palais Garnier (Paris Opera)

Opera Garnier is one of the places you really should see in Paris! I have to admit that it took me multiple trips to finally make the time for it, and wow, we should have done it right from the start. The architecture and the grandeur of this palace is absolutely dazzling!

Built in the late 19th century, Palais Garnier is the largest opera house in Europe. It’s not only its size that is impressive, but mostly the interior. I can’t even start to compare it to any other opera house we had seen (and we visited quite a few of them all over Europe including some of the most famous opera houses in Italy).

It’s not just the main hall/stage that is worth seeing, but there are so many other impressive halls and chambers. Everywhere you look, it’s a real feast for the eyes! In fact the Grand Foyer inside Palais Garnier is so exquisite that it could compete with the famous Hall of Mirrors in Versailles!

Good to know: Paris Opera is normally open for visits daily from 10 AM. However, it sometimes closes for special events. You can immediately see if it’s open on the day of your visit when you check the availability and buy your ticket . If needed, adjust your Paris itinerary, but don’t miss it!

Of course, you could also check their calendar and see if there are any performances that you could potentially visit during your stay in Paris.

TIP: For a small additional fee, you can get an interactive audio/tablet guide at the opera. If you have time to explore deeper, it’s worth it. And otherwise, just walk around and enjoy!

Galeries Lafayette – Printemps – Lunch

11 AM – 1 PM.

Right across the street from the Opera, you will find the most famous department store in Paris – Galeries Lafayette Haussmann . This is where the richer tourists come to do some shopping, but even if you are not interested in buying anything, you should really take a look inside!

The central area with an impressive glass dome is absolutely not to be missed! However, in addition, be sure to also visit the rooftop terrace ! The views from here are really nice and there is now a big ‘Paris, je t’aime’ (Paris, I love you) sign where you can take some nice pictures with the Eiffel Tower in the distance.

TIP: If you are looking for a similar experience without the crowds, check out the nearby Printemps Haussmann department store as well. Its top floor also has a very impressive glass dome, and they also have a rooftop terrace with stunning city views. There was one other tourist here when we visited; for the rest – only locals.

Good to know: Both of these department stores have some nice restaurants and cafes where you could sit down for lunch .

If the weather is good, you could also try to find a table at one of the cafés on the rooftop terraces (both, at Lafayette and Printemps). However, if you are just looking for a more simple quick meal, then you’ll find much better options in the nearby streets.

We really enjoyed crepes at La Crème de Paris , about 12 minutes walk from here, but there are tons of other nice options in this area too. And no worries – I indicated all the places mentioned here on our map, so you don’t have to write down or remember all the names.

Grévin Wax Museum or Covered Passages (optional)

In this same area, you can visit Grévin Museum . If you have been to a wax museum (like e.g. Madame Tussauds), it’s a very similar experience. Except that here, you will see more famous French people. But there are plenty of big international names too.

You can get the tickets for this museum in advance and in the high season, it can help you to skip the lines, but they aren’t very well organized so it’s not always the case. Or you can just see how busy it is on the day itself and decide if you want to visit at that time.

Another nice alternative in this same area are the covered passages . There used to be about 150 covered galleries in Paris, out of them about 20 remain today. You can see a couple of them here – on both sides of the street next to and opposite the museum.

Good to know: There are some tours that also visit these – and many other – covered passages. Or you can also opt for the self-guided audio tour . Just keep in mind that almost all of them start at Colonnes de Buren (close to the Louvre – see day 1 of this itinerary), which is about 15-20 minutes walk from the Opera or Grevin Wax Museum. If you are interested, I think that the self-guided tour will be the best option for this itinerary since it gives you complete flexibility on when to start/end.

TIP: It’s also really easy to adjust this itinerary so that you start with the self-guided covered passages tour in the morning (you can start as early as you like). The tour ends close to Grevin Wax Museum and you can then visit the Opera and the department stores nearby.

Montmartre & Sacré-Cœur Basilica

Next, make your way to Montmartre , one of the most iconic neighborhoods of Paris. You could walk here or take the metro which will take about the same amount of time.

A good place to start your visit to this area is Abbesses metro station at the foot of Montmartre. From here, you can walk/ take a funicular to Sacré-Cœur Basilica which is located on the hill.

I highly recommend that you take a guided tour of Montmartre , or you risk missing all the best parts of this neighborhood!

There are really nice tours of Montmartre , and many of them start at around 3-4 PM. So it could work for this itinerary really well.

If you rather explore on your own, you can also opt for this great self-guided audio tour (this is what we did since we weren’t sure how the timing would work out). Despite having visited Montmartre many times in the past, we’ve learned so much more and saw some nice areas that we would have missed otherwise.

The main landmark of Montmarte is the Sacré-Cœur (Basilica of the Sacred Heart). Most tours will end here allowing you plenty of time to see it inside.

TIP: If you are fit and can do 300 steps, be sure to climb the Dome of Sacré-Cœur . The 360° views from the top are absolutely worth the effort. Normally, the Dome is open until 8.30 PM and you can just get the ticket on the spot. When we recently visited Paris in October , there was no queue at all and we could just walk in (despite it being quite crowded at the Basilica itself).

READ ALSO: Best Things to Do in Montmartre

Moulin Rouge Show (with dinner)

Next and final stop on this itinerary is the iconic Moulin Rouge , the most famous cabaret in Paris. It’s located just near Montmartre and so you could easily come here after seeing all the rest.

If you are wondering whether a Moulin Rouge cabaret show is a good idea, I’d say don’t hesitate. It’s an amazing experience and so typically Paris. You can even do it with kids, just prepare them for the fact that there will be some nudity. And yes, there are quite a few other cancan shows in Paris (and you could easily visit one or two more), but if you choose just one, make it the Moulin Rouge!

A few things to keep in mind. They do have a certain dress code , so ideally, you don’t come here in jeans and sneakers (shorts are definitely not a good idea). But it’s not like you need evening attire either. When we visited, we saw everything – from very casual pants/blouses to high heels and evening dresses (these were rather an exception and not the rule). So if you want to go back to your hotel to change, foresee some time for this. Or simply dress up a bit more during the day already.

Normally, there are two shows every evening , one at around 9 PM and one at around 11.30 PM. You can also opt for dinner+show option , which usually starts at around 7 PM. This is a really high-quality dinner created by an award-winning chef, so the food is excellent.

PRO TIP: No matter which option you choose, be sure to book your Moulin Rouge tickets asap! Because this is a very popular experience in Paris (also among locals and business travelers), the shows usually sell out a few weeks in advance. Sometimes, there are only late shows available, which was the case when we booked tickets 3 weeks (!) before our visit.

Our experience: Due to it being the only available choice, we booked a late show at the Moulin Rouge and it worked out really well. Since our hotel wasn’t that far away, we went back to change our clothes. At 9 PM we had dinner at a very popular restaurant Bouillon Pigalle , just a few blocks from Moulin Rouge.

I indicated this and one other good restaurant in this area on our map. Try to reserve in advance because both of these restaurants are really popular and very busy! Alternatively, you’ll find plenty of other places to dine in this area.

Based on our experience, I say don’t worry about the late show . In fact, it’s maybe even better if you don’t mind staying up late. It leaves you more time for sightseeing and you can also get back to the hotel to change your clothes and have a quiet dinner before coming here. So just see what works best for you.

TIP: If the Moulin Rouge is sold out, you should be able to find tickets for one of the other cabaret shows . A popular (and also more budget-friendly) choice is Paradis Latin , the oldest cabaret in Paris. We once also went to see the Crazy Horse show and it was excellent too.

Hôtel de Ville – Centre Pompidou – Stravinsky Fountain – Le Marais neighborhood – Pantheon – Latin Quater – Luxembourg Gardens – Catacombs + Montparnasse Tower .

Day 4 – planning info/tickets to book:

• Le Marais neighborhood – book a guided tour (walking tours or bike tours). We opted for this amazing food tour . Optional Picasso Museum .
• Pantheon: skip-the-line ticket .
• Catacombs: timed-entry tickets are a must! We wanted to do this tour , but unfortunately, it was sold out (4 weeks before our trip!).
• Montparnasse Tower: skip-the-line ticket .

Good to know: The Pantheon and Picasso Museum are included with the Paris Museum Pass .

Hôtel de Ville – Pompidou Center – Stravinsky Fountain

Start your day at the Hôtel de Ville , the city hall of Paris. It’s a beautiful neo-renaissance-style building that is well worth seeing.

In front of the city hall, there is also a large square with fountains where various events are held. For example, in December, you’ll find a Christmas market here. During our last visit, Paris was already in preparation mode for the 2024 Summer Olympics, with colorful Olympic Rings set right in front of the city hall.

Next, walk to the Centre Georges Pompidou . This iconic building dates from the 1970s and is best known for its unique architecture.

You can see colorful piping all over the facade and each of the colors actually means something. Yellow pipes are for electricity, green – for water, blue – for ventilation and air-conditioning, and red for lifts and escalators. The building has several functions including a library and a modern-art museum. There is also a rooftop restaurant with nice city views.

You could spend a few hours here, but with just four days in Paris, we suggest only seeing this remarkable building from the outside. Also – if you would like to visit – keep in mind that it only opens later in the day. In that case, you’ll have to adjust your itinerary.

Good to know: Centre Pompidou will be closed for renovation starting from late 2024 until 2030. Even so, it’s still worth coming here – see below.

Just next to the Pompidou Center, on the southern end of the square, you can see another famous Paris landmark – the Stravinsky Fountain .

Built in the early 80s, this colorful fountain is made up of 16 moving figures, each representing different works of composer Igor Stravinsky. It’s very unique and makes for some fun photos.

The fountain has been recently reopened after a complete renovation, so the colors are as bright as ever!

In this same neighborhood, you could also walk to Forum des Halles , a huge modern shopping mall.

Next to it, you can also visit an impressive Saint-Eustache church . You could also start here early in the morning, but nothing will be open yet.

This is not really a must, but something to consider depending on the rest of the plans for this day.

Le Marais Neighborhood (walking/food tour)

10 AM – 2 PM.

With 4 days in Paris, you should be able to have at least a few hours to get a bit off the beaten path, beyond the main landmarks. For that, we highly recommend a walking tour through the charming Marais neighborhood .

Located in the heart of old Paris, this is the best-preserved medieval area of the city and also the heart of the Jewish community . Despite its proximity to so many popular landmarks and touristy places, this is a wonderful area with a feel of authentic Paris.

Le Marais is a great place to taste all kinds of food, which is as diverse as the residents of this neighborhood. From traditional Parisian and French food to Moroccan and middle-eastern cuisine and typical Jewish dishes, there’s truly something here for everyone.

And if you need some more convincing to visit this neighborhood, you might want to know that Le Marais is also home to the Picasso Museum , which is located in a beautiful building that is worth a visit in itself.

TIP: If you decide to visit this neighborhood, I highly recommend that you consider a guided tour. There are quite a few tours that come here (on foot or by bike), sometimes in combination with some other neighborhoods nearby. Without a guide, you might not appreciate this area unless you do lots of research in advance and know exactly the best spots.

We opted for this amazing food-tasting tour and it was by far the best tour we did in Paris. We also considered this walking tour (which doesn’t include any food and is much cheaper) and met a few people who did it and said it was excellent. As you can see, there is truly something for everyone and all budgets. Needless to say, 3-4 hour tours that include food tasting will be much more expensive than walking tours of less than 2 hours.

Good to know: Your overall itinerary on this day will depend on the tour that you choose here (if any). As you can see in the indicated timing, we foresee about 4 hours for this area (based on the tour that we did). If you join a shorter tour, you could also visit Picasso Museum, or simply continue with the rest of this itinerary allowing yourself more time at the other places indicated further below.

Also, pay attention to the starting times of the tours when deciding as this might be different depending on the season, etc. Ideally, you finish at no later than 2.30-3 PM so that you still have plenty of time for the rest of this itinerary.

READ ALSO: French Food: Best Local Dishes to Try in France

Panthéon

2.30 – 3.30 PM.

Built in the 18th century as a church, the Paris Panthéon later became the burial place for many famous French personalities, artists, and intellectuals, since the time of the French Revolution.

In the underground crypts of the Pantheon, you can see the tombs of French writers such as Voltaire, Victor Hugo, and Alexandre Dumas, but also the scientists Pierre and Marie Curie, and many others.

The building itself is really grand too and the interior is very impressive. Plus, you can climb to the top of the dome from where you have nice views of central Paris.

Good to know: Unless you have the Paris Museum Pass , get the tickets for the Pantheon online in advance. This was one place where we didn’t book upfront and we wasted almost 45 minutes in line (and it wasn’t even high season). The tickets are not timed and are valid the whole day, and it can save you a lot of time.

Saint-Étienne-du-Mont Church (optional)

3.30-3.45 PM.

Right next to the Pantheon, you will see the church of Saint-Étienne-du-Mont . And while there are countless beautiful churches that you can visit in Paris, this one is truly one of the most impressive ones (and it fits this itinerary really well, so you don’t have to go out of your way to see it).

The interior of this impressive church is even more breathtaking than its exterior. Inside, you can also see the shrine of Saint Geneviève, the patron saint of Paris . On the right side close to the altar, you’ll find an impressive glass coffin containing her relics.

There is no fee to visit and it only takes a few minutes of your time. I highly recommend that you check it out!

TIP: If you’d like to see more churches in Paris, you may want to make a small detour and visit the Église de Saint Germain des Prés . It’s a bit out of the way, but still in the same neighborhood. It’s beautifully restored and many Parisians say it’s now one of their favorite churches to show to tourists. We didn’t get there anymore – there’s just so much you can squeeze in a day. But if you have some time to spare, you’ll find it indicated on our map.

Latin Quarter – Luxembourg Gardens

Next, explore the Latin Quarter a bit more and walk to Luxembourg Gardens . These gardens are among the must-sees in Paris and really worth a visit at any time of the year.

You could start at Luxembourg Palace . This former Royal Palace is now used by the Senate. Then check out the beautiful pond in the middle, and walk south all the way to the “4 Corners of the World” fountain .

From here, it’s just a short walk to the next stop on this itinerary – the Catacombs.

5.30-6.30 PM.

It took me many years and many trips to Paris to finally visit the Catacombs . And now that I did, I highly recommend considering adding this unique place to your Paris sightseeing itinerary. It’s a truly unique place that will show you the dark side of the City of Lights.

Paris Catacombs date from the 18th century when the city was expanding and the decision was made to clear up the overflowing cemeteries. The remains of about 6 million people were carefully moved to this new location. Already at that time, it became a quirky attraction. They even organized midnight concerts here…

It’s really special to descend deep under the streets of Paris and discover this huge labyrinth lined with millions and millions of bones and skulls. We have visited numerous catacombs and bone chapels in Italy ( Rome , Naples ) and Portugal (Evora) before, and each and every one of them is so different.

The Paris Catacombs are absolutely massive! To give you an idea, you exit them about 0.5 km further than where you entered.

Good to know: While it’s not a spooky place, a visit to this ‘Empire of Death’ can be quite confronting. Plus, you will be underground for about 1 hour, so it’s not suited for people with claustrophobia. There are also some stairs that you have to negotiate, but nothing too strenuous.

TIP: Book your tickets for the Catacombs in advance ! The tickets are timed and they only allow a certain number of people inside. It usually sells out, so you really can’t count on being able to visit without a reservation. On Tiqets , you can usually book the tickets weeks upfront. On the official site , they only start selling 7 days upfront. The price is normally the same everywhere, but not all time slots are available on all sites. If it’s available, get them as soon as you start planning your itinerary; and if not, mark your calendars and try the official site 7 days before your visit.

Alternatively, if available for your travel dates, you could consider visiting the Catacombs with this tour . They take you to some chambers inside the Catacombs that are not open to the general public. This tour has fantastic reviews, but it is often sold out. It was also fully booked when we traveled. A self-guided visit is also ok, but I’m sure we would have learned so much more with a guide.

Montparnasse Tower

The last place on this 4-day Paris itinerary is one more amazing viewpoint – the rooftop terrace of Montparnasse Tower . This is the second-highest viewing terrace in the city (after the Eiffel Tower summit) and the views are really nice. In fact, the view is better than from the Eiffel Tower since you are looking at it.

Depending on the time of the year, you could time it to be here around sunset. But it’s worth it either way!

TIP: Get your ticket in advance and skip the queues at the entrance. People with reduced mobility get a big discount – in that case, get the ticket once you get there.

There is also a nice restaurant here if you are looking for a special treat for your last evening in the city (in that case, be sure to reserve in advance!). But there is really no shortage of good restaurants, cafes, cocktail bars, and pubs in this part of Paris, so you’ll find plenty of nice places to eat nearby. I indicated a few of them on our map.

Where to Stay

There are so many nice areas where you could stay in Paris and there is really not one ‘best’ place. As a general rule, try to stay in the heart of the city center, close to the metro, next to lots of local restaurants, and – ideally – within 15-20 minutes walking distance to places like the Louvre or Opera. That way, you are really centrally located for most sights.

Good to know: Many hotel rooms in Paris are tiny ! Often, there is just enough place in the room for a double bed and one person can hardly turn around in the bathroom. Pay attention to this when making your choice so that you know what to expect!

Advice based on our multiple trips to Paris. If your main focus of visiting Paris is sightseeing and getting to know the city a bit deeper, I recommend staying in the area north of the Louvre and east of the Paris Opera. There are many nice hotels here for various budgets, this area has lots of restaurants, and so many of the main landmarks are within easy reach from here. Some of the best department stores are also located in this area.

Here are some hotel recommendations in this area for various budgets:

€€€€€ InterContinental Paris Le Grand . €€€€ Chouchou Hotel . €€€ Leonardo Boutique Hotel Paris Opera (we recently stayed here – see below for more info). €€+ Hotel Choiseul Opera (one of the most popular 3* hotels in this part of Paris). €+ Hotel des Arts – Cite Bergere .

Our recent experience: On our recent visit on which this 4-day Paris itinerary is based, we stayed at Leonardo Boutique Hotel Paris Opera (previously Hotel Prelude Opera). This hotel is located very close to Grevin Museum, next to some of the nicest covered passages of Paris, about 15 minutes walk from the Opera and 20 minutes walk from the Louvre.

The location of the hotel was excellent, with the metro just behind the corner and lots of good price/quality restaurants. It’s a very good-value mid-budget 4* hotel that has been recently renovated. Also, by Paris standards, the rooms are of a rather comfortable size.

On a somewhat higher budget, a very nice choice in this area is La Maison Favart , with an indoor swimming pool and big family rooms for up to 4 people. You’ll find lots of other options for all budgets nearby too.

So, this sums up our recommendations on how to spend 4 days in Paris.

I hope that this very detailed guide will give you a better idea of what can be done in Paris in about four days. Of course, you can also skip the places that don’t interest you that much and take it easier leaving more time to relax and explore deeper.

So use this itinerary as it is or adjust it to your interests and plan your own perfect trip.

TIP: Be sure to also take a look at our first-timer’s guide to visiting Paris . It contains lots of useful information and tips for your trip to the City of Light. Check it out!

Enjoy Paris!

More travel inspiration for Paris:

• Traditional French Food
• Best Views in Paris
• Top Museums in Paris
• Tips for Visiting the Louvre Museum
• Best Things to Do in Montmartre
• Paris Itinerary for 1 Day
• Paris in October

If you found this post helpful, don’t forget to bookmark it and share it with your friends. Are you on Pinterest? Pin these images!

More travel inspiration for some of the most beautiful cities in Europe:

If you are visiting other European cities and are looking for in-depth information for your trip, take a look at some of our city guides:

• Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Antwerp, Belgium
• Barcelona, Spain
• Bern, Switzerland
• Bologna, Italy
• Brasov, Romania
• Brussels, Belgium
• Bruges, Belgium
• Bucharest, Romania
• Colmar, France
• Edinburgh, UK
• Florence, Italy
• Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
• Geneva, Switzerland
• Krakow, Poland
• Lisbon, Portugal
• Liverpool, UK
• Lucerne, Switzerland
• Madrid, Spain
• Manchester, UK
• Milan, Italy
• Naples, Italy
• Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal
• Ravenna, Italy
• Reykjavik, Iceland
• Rome, Italy
• Salzburg, Austria
• Seville, Spain
• Siena, Italy
• Sintra, Portugal
• Toledo, Spain
• Venice, Italy
• Verona, Italy
• For more… check our  destinations page.

READ ALSO: Best Time to Visit Europe

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Monday 15th of April 2024

Hi Jurga, I’m planning a trip in September and found your 4 day itinerary extremely helpful. Yours is by far my favorite out of the several Paris traveler blogs that I’ve read.

My question or concern is that it seems very busy. While I would like to see as much as possible for the four days we will be there, Im also a bit worried about just running around like crazy in order to not miss timed entries and not being able to relax and enjoy each place. It seems like a lot of ground to cover each day and I’m not clear on distances since I’ve never been there.

For example the Versailles trip in between D’Orsay museum and the Eiffel Tower. Seems like a lot but I’ve never been so I don’t know.

I know this might be a big question but…is there really enough time to do all this stuff each day?

Tuesday 16th of April 2024

@Jurga, thanks so much for the speedy response. All great advice again! Probably stuff I should already know but it definitely helps to hear from an expert. Much appreciated!!

Hi Damian, I sure understand your concern. This itinerary is packed. But yes, it's also doable (it's based exactly on what we did on one of the recent trips to Paris (it was me and my mother, so no kids on this trip)). Whether you should follow it to the t, it's really your call. In that case, you will have to plan well and pre-book everything well in advance to get the time slots you want. And yes, there will be moments when it might feel rushed. You won't have half a day to spend at each museum or in Versailles, so if you want to explore deeper, skip some places and concentrate on those that interest you the most. You could easily spend the entire day in Versailles alone if you prefer. On the other hand, keep in mind that slowly walking between the museum exhibits is usually quite tiring too and after 2-3 hours, most people can't really concentrate on anything anymore. Also, what do you do in a city if you didn't plan anything for 2-3 hours? Sit down at a cafe, go shopping, do some people-watching? If you like to do that, then skip something else and foresee some extra time in between. Only you know yourself and how you like to travel, so decide based on that. If having too much planned on the same day without much extra time gives you stress, see if you can adjust the itinerary to make it more relaxing for you. For example, you can visit Museum d'Orsay first thing when it opens and then Versailles in the afternoon. But maybe plan the Eiffel Tower later and/or skip the Seine Cruise. Or only visit the 2nd floor of the Eiffel Tower instead of the Summit (that saves a lot of time)... There are so many ways to adjust the itinerary and still see a lot without feeling overwhelmed. This itinerary is just meant to give you ideas on what to do, how you could plan your time, and show what's possible. But there are a million other ways to do it. Hope this helps.

Friday 2nd of February 2024

Q: what is the train station for Varersaille, to purchase entry tickets I want to ensure there is a train leaving early enough for a 9:30 entry. Thank you

Saturday 3rd of February 2024

Hi Terri, depending on where you are coming from in Paris, here are some of the best train stations from where you can take a train: Invalides 'close to d'Orsay Museum or Invalides', Champs de Mars (close to the Eiffel Tower), or Pont de l'Alma (a bit in between). You need to take a train line C to Versailles Château Rive Gauche Station. There are trains running more or less every 15 minutes throughout the day and you can just get tickets at the machines at any station. There is no need to book train tickets in advance. And yes, there are plenty of trains in the morning and the journey from the center takes about half an hour. In addition, it takes about 15-20 minutes to walk to the Palace from the station in Versailles. TIP: You can use Google Maps to find the best route and see the train schedule. Choose the little train icon instead of a car or a pedestrian and you'll see all public transport options. Ideally, check it the day in advance or on the day itself - that way, you get the most up-to-date info. Hope this helps.

Michael Cicchi

Monday 17th of April 2023

I have not been at Place Vendrôme yet but I hope to have high tea at the Ritz next time in Paris. That is probably all I can afford there.

@Jurga, Yes, I just googled Angelina and it sounds like a great place.👍👍👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

I still haven't been inside the Ritz either, Michael. Locals recommended Angelina tea house (they have several locations in Paris, including one not too far from this area). That might be a more affordable choice for your high tea experience ;).

Tuesday 31st of January 2023

Thank you SO much for putting this blog together! It has been extremely helpful as I plan our trip this spring! I have a couple questions. I love that we can reserve skip the line and timed entry tickets ahead of time. I've noticed though, for skip the line we aren't given the opportunity to select a specific time... Does this mean that we can show up any time during that day and are able to skip the line? That will be helpful in planning but I noticed when I go to reserve tickets I'm not prompted to select a given time. And for the Cruise/Bistro dinner tour. That also doesn't inlcude a time? Will more information come after we book it or do we just show up to the destinition sometime during that day and it works? I'm sure I'm making this more difficult than it needs to be. Any help appreciated! Thank you!!

Wednesday 1st of February 2023

@Jurga, Thank you so MUCH for you quick response! That was extremely helpful! I will start reserving times when my planning is nailed down. There are a few things I can't reserve yet because some calendars only go till March. The dinner cruise in our budget is the $54 one. 1 hour sight-seeing cruise with Bistro dinner. That is the one within our budget. Sorry. It won't let me link it. But it's on the list of ones you shared in that section. Thank you so much for all your help!

Hello Jacque, many Parisian attractions have timed entry tickets (e.g. Sainte-Chapelle, Musee d'Orsay, etc.). But there are many others where you just get a ticket that is valid the whole day and it doesn't matter when you arrive. So it really depends on the specific attraction that you book. I linked to the tickets as we bought them throughout the article. For the Seine dinner cruise, if you mean this one, it shows 8.30pm for me as a starting hour. I now realize that maybe you haven't chosen the date when looking at tours/tickets - you need to do that first in order to see the possible hours. So when you open a specific ticket or tour on the GetYourGuide website, you have to select participants, travel date, and in some cases, you can also choose between different languages. When you do that, you either see the hours to choose from or - like for the dinner cruise - you see the only possible starting time. Alternatively - for tickets to the main attractions - you can also try booking tickets on this website. Maybe it's simpler for you to understand. Also here, you have to select the travel date, choose your timeslot (where applicable), and then the number of tickets that you need. Hope this helps.

Home > Paris Travel Tips > Paris Pass Comparison: What is the Best Paris City Pass?

Paris Pass Comparison: What is the Best Paris City Pass?

Why a paris tourist pass.

If you’re planning a trip to Paris and you want to visit most of the main tourist attractions, a Paris city pass (or Paris tourist pass ) is well worth considering. With a Paris pass, you will save yourself both time and money. A Paris city card generally works out cheaper than purchasing individual attraction tickets, and you won’t need to bother with lining up for tickets at the various attractions.

A Paris tourist card usually includes top museums in Paris and famous Paris landmarks like the Louvre Museum , Arc de Triomphe , Sainte-Chapelle , Orsay Museum , Château de Versailles , and more.

I’ve put together this Paris Pass Comparison to help you decide which is the best Paris pass for your upcoming trip. Take your pick from money-saving Paris passes and decide which is the best city pass for Paris for you.

Are You Planning a Trip to Paris Last Minute?

If you are booking a last-minute trip to Paris, I’ve got you covered! Below are our must-guides, top tours, hotels, and more:

» Plan:  Paris Travel Planner ; Paris Arrondissements Guide ; Check out the  best Paris Metro tickets for tourists

» Book your flight tickets with  Omio ; book your train tickets with  Omio

Book your transfer from the airport to the city with Welcome Pickups .

» Where to Stay:  Best Districts to Stay in Paris

• Le Pavillon de la Reine  (historical 5-star hotel in Le Marais)
• Hotel La Comtesse  (mid-range hotel with Eiffel Tower view from all the rooms!)
• Hotel Ducs de Bourgogne (super central 4-star hotel near the Louvre)

» Top-Rated Paris Tours & Tickets:

• Louvre Museum Skip-the-Line Ticket
• Eiffel Tower Summit Access Ticket
• Seine River Night Cruise
• Catacombs Skip-the-line tour with VIP access to restricted areas

Want skip-the-line access at museums & attractions in Paris?  Get your hands on a  Paris Museum Pass !

» Don’t leave without travel insurance!   Safety Wing works well for long and short trips (starting with a minimum of 5 days). SafetyWing covers COVID-19 for new policies purchased, and unplanned quarantine is covered, too.

Looking for the Best Paris City Pass: Paris Passes Compared

Paris City Pass vs. Paris Pass; Paris Pass vs. Paris City Pass; Which Paris Pass is best?

There’s no right or wrong answer; it really depends on what attractions you’d like to see and how many days you have in Paris. Here’s a table comparing the most popular Paris passes so you can decide which is the best Paris City Pass for you.

NB: This is not an exhaustive list of all the tourist passes in Paris, I have chosen only the ones that I consider the best.

GOOD TO KNOW:  To avoid overcrowding, it is compulsory to book a time slot in some sites (e.g., Louvre Museum, Sainte-Chapelle, Château de Versailles ). This applies to all visitors, pass holders or not. Of course, the reservation of a time slot is free since, by purchasing the pass, you have already paid for the entrance tickets. When you buy the Paris pass of your choice, you will receive all the details and instructions with the purchase confirmation.

1. Paris Museum Pass

The Paris Museum Pass is definitely the best pass for museum lovers. With a duration of 2, 4, or 6 consecutive days, it offers skip-the-line entry, over 60 museums, and other top attractions in Paris and the surrounding regions. You can read more about this fantastic Paris card in our Paris Museum Pass review .

What’s Included

» The Paris Museum Pass includes skip-the-line tickets to more than 60 museums (the permanent exhibitions) and other monuments in Paris and the surrounding regions.

» The list includes popular tourist places like the Louvre Museum, Versailles, Orly Museum, Centre Pompidou, and Arc de Triomphe. Click here for the full list .

» This Paris card comes with a booklet to help you work out which attractions to see while you’re in Paris.

How Does it Work?

Purchase your Paris Museum Pass online and choose either the 2-day, 4-day, or 6-day pass options. After the payment, you will receive a voucher by email.

Remember that some museums require booking a date and time slot to visit. The booking confirmation explains everything.

Upon arrival in Paris, go with your printed email confirmation to the agency (located near the Louvre Museum) to exchange the voucher for your Paris Museum Pass. Now, whenever you go to one of the included museums or attractions, you can skip the ticket line and show your pass upon entry.

The days of use for the Paris Museum Pass are consecutive and are based on calendar days. If you begin using your Pass at 14:00, for example, that day will be considered day 1– Click here to buy the Paris Museum Pass

2. The Paris Pass (now Go City Paris)

For those who want to see it all while in the city, The Paris Pass is the best city pass for Paris. Enjoy the top museums and landmarks of Paris, plus interesting guided tours to Montmartre, Stade de France, and more, and fun experiences like French apéritifs, wine tasting, or perfume workshops.

The Paris Pass includes a ride on the hop-on hop-off bus, a Seine River Cruise, a guided tour of the Eiffel Tower (up to the second floor), and a visit to Tour Montparnasse’s observation deck. You can buy The Paris Pass for 2 or 3 consecutive days.

What’s Included?

» Access to more than 35 museums, activities, and guided tours (including guided tour up to the Eiffel Tower-second floor).

» Entrance to the Louvre Museum, Orsay Museum, Centre Pompidou, Palace of Versailles, Arc de Triomphe, and many other interesting museums. See the full list here .

» Paris Bus Tour – one-day access to hop on hop off bus – and Seine River cruise.

» 120+ page guidebook to help you work out which attractions to see while in Paris.

» Discounts at a wide range of shops and restaurants in Paris.

Purchase The Paris Pass online and choose either the 2-day or the 3-day option. You will receive a voucher by email.

Upon arrival in Paris, go with your printed email confirmation to the agency to exchange the voucher for your Paris Pass. Now, whenever you go to one of the included museums or attractions, simply skip the ticket line and show your pass on entry.

Your Paris Pass is activated the first time you scan it through at an attraction and is valid for consecutive days of your pass duration – Click here to buy the Paris Pass

3. Paris City Card

Visit the best of Paris with the Paris City Card by Tiqets.com . The Paris City Card lets you visit three of Paris’ best attractions: the Eiffel Tower (or Montparnasse Tower ), the Louvre Museum, and an apéritif on a Seine Cruise. The pass also comes with a city audio guide to upload to your smartphone.

This is one of the few Paris passes that include the Eiffel Tower (up to the second level), so it is great for first-timers in Paris. In addition to this offer, you’ll also get a 10% personal discount code to use on your next booking on Tiqets.com . Enjoy other iconic Paris attractions and activities, like Versailles Palace, the Arc de Triomphe, the Catacombs of Paris, the Musée de l’Orangerie, and more!

» Entrance to the Louvre Museum.

» Access to the Eiffel Tower, second floor, + an audio guide.

» A 1-hour apéritif cruise on the Seine River.

» City audio guide app for your smartphone.

» 10% discount on your next booking with Tiqets.com

Purchase your Paris City Card online and choose the start date of your pass.

Choose the dates and time slots for each of the attractions (Eiffel Tower or Montparnasse Tower, Louvre Museum, Seine Cruise). You can visit the three attractions on the same day or on different days.

Complete secure payment and receive the tickets by email. You will also receive a personal discount code that will save you 10% when you visit another nearby attraction.

Get your tickets by email – follow the instructions and enjoy your visits!

There’s no time limit for this Paris tourist pass. When you book, you need to select the start date of your Paris city card and your desired dates for each venue. It can be the same day or any other day as per your choice and the availability of the tickets – Click here to buy the Paris City Card

4. Paris Seine Pass

Enjoy the best of the iconic Seine River , Paris’ most beautiful avenue, with the Paris Seine Pass .

The Paris Seine Pass by Tiqets.com lets you visit four of the best attractions along the Seine River: the Orsay Museum , the Sainte Chapelle , the Conciergerie , and an atmospheric Seine River cruise . Enjoy the best of Medieval Paris , stunning Modern Art, and drinks along one of the most famous rivers.

In addition to this offer, you’ll also get a 10% personal discount code to use on your next booking on Tiqets.com . Enjoy other iconic Paris attractions and activities, like Versailles Palace, the Arc de Triomphe, the Catacombs of Paris, the Musée de l’Orangerie, and more!

» Entrance to the Orsay Museum, the Sainte-Chapelle, and the Conciergerie.

Purchase your Paris Seine Pass online and choose the start date of your pass.

Choose the dates and time slots for each of the attractions (Orsay Museum, Sainte-Chapelle, Conciergerie, Seine Cruise). You can visit the three attractions on the same day or on different days.

There’s no time limit for this Paris tourist pass. When you book, you need to select the start date of your Paris card and your desired dates for each venue. It can be the same day or any other day as per your choice and the availability of the tickets – Click here to buy the Paris Seine Pass

TIP:  In addition to the Paris City Card and the Paris Seine Pass, Tiqets.com offers interesting Paris combo tickets with good combinations of 2-3 attractions.

Paris Passes FAQ

What Paris Card has the biggest choice?

The Paris Museum Pass has more Paris attractions listed (60+ museums and landmarks).

What Paris Tourist Pass offers the best value?

The Paris Pass (now also known as Go City Paris Pass ) is the most comprehensive of the all-in-one passes: it includes museums (Louvre, Orsay, etc.), tours, a Seine River Cruise, and an Eiffel Tower guided tour (up to the second floor).

Can I visit the Louvre Museum when I want with any of these Paris Passes?

Due to the new entrance policy of the Louvre Museum, all visitors (including the Paris pass holders) need to book a date and time slot in advance to visit the Louvre. This online reservation has no extra cost.

When you book your Paris card, you will receive a PDF with all the information on how to book your Louvre Museum time slot.

What if I only want to visit a couple of sights?

The Paris passes are only convenient if you visit many sites. If you want to see only a few sites, choose the Paris Seine Pass (if you are interested in those four specific attractions), the Paris Top 3 Museums (for visiting the Louvre Museum, the Orsay Museum, and Centre Pompidou). Tiqets has many interesting Paris combo tickets with good combinations of tours & tickets for everyone.

What if I only want a Paris Transport Pass?

Check out our quick guide to the best Paris metro tickets and passes for tourists .

And there you have it; a Paris Pass Comparison with the best Paris passes. Paris City Pass vs. Paris Pass; Paris Pass vs. Museum Pass, what is the best Paris pass for you?

Click here to read more Paris Tips

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About WORLD IN PARIS

Quirky parisian explorer with a preference for lesser-known sights, i am continuously looking for new ideas and tips to bring you the best of the city of light read more about me ., i am elisa, the travel blogger behind world in paris. quirky explorer with a preference for the local side of my city and its lesser-known sights, i am continuously looking for new ideas to enjoy the best of paris & around . do you want to go beyond the louvre museum or the eiffel tower keep clicking for first-hand information & my best tips learn more.

4 Days in Paris: Complete Itinerary & Insider Tips

Planning your 4 days in Paris getaway and feeling a bit overwhelmed? I know how tricky it can be to craft the perfect itinerary.

You want to catch all the famous spots, discover some secret corners, and, of course, dive into the fantastic food scene. It’s quite a puzzle to put all these pieces together, especially if you’re not familiar with the city yet.

You’ve landed in just the right place! As a Paris insider , I’ve crafted the ultimate 4-day itinerary for you , packed with everything needed for a fabulous trip. This plan is your gateway to experiencing the best of Paris in a short but memorable stay.

Here’s a breakdown of what this article covers:

• 4 Days in Paris Itinerary
• Comprehensive Map with Key Destinations
• Culinary Recommendations
• Hotel suggestions perfectly in line with this itinerary
• Local Insights and Travel Suggestions

Salut, I am Lena – travel planning expert and parisienne since 2006 🩷

If you purchase through links on this site, I may earn – at no cost to you – a small commission. This helps me cover my costs and keep my website running. Thank you so much for your support 🙂   Learn more

Paris in 4 Days: Everything you need to know

Before we jump into the itinerary for 4 days in Paris, let’s first address some common pitfalls that many travelers to Paris encounter. I’m placing this crucial information upfront so it’s not missed.

Paris, renowned for its enchanting allure and stunning sights, is a great choice for short getaways. In my Facebook group (which you’re welcome to join here for free ), I often come across travelers sharing experiences of scams, miscommunications, feelings of being taken advantage of, or running into unexpected situations.

The best way to sidestep these issues and ensure a fantastic trip is to be aware of the typical mistakes tourists make in Paris before you set off on your journey!

Paris Essentials: Must-Have Travel Items

Travel Adapter for Europe

Order from Amazon

Portable Charger

Common Scams and Pitfalls to Avoid

To keep this section concise, I’ve included links to additional resources that will be useful as you prepare for your trip.

• Stay Alert for Scams: Be sure to read our article on the most frequent scams in Paris and learn how to safeguard yourself. (you find it here: Scams in Paris here )
• Advance Booking for the Eiffel Tower: The Eiffel Tower often gets fully booked weeks ahead. Secure your tickets early, like you can do here .
• Keep Your Metro Ticket: Always retain your metro ticket until the end of your journey. Failure to present it upon inspection can lead to fines, and excuses won’t help. Also, check out our guide to navigating the Paris Metro .
• Greet with ‘Bonjour’: Always start interactions (in restaurants, shops, or with tour guides) with a ‘Bonjour’. Many perceive the French as unfriendly, without realizing the importance of this polite greeting in French culture.
• Saving Money in Paris: For tips on enjoying Paris on a budget, take a look at our Paris Budget Guide .

All-Inclusive Pass: Save Time & Money

— visit as many attractions in Paris as you like — valid for 4 days — Includes more than 90 landmarks, museums & attractions — for example: Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Hop on Hop off Tour, Wine Tasting, Seine Cruise and many more

Your Perfect Four Days in Paris Itinerary

So, here’s the 4 days Paris itinerary you’ve been waiting for. Don’t forget to also look at my hotel suggestions, which you’ll find right after the itinerary.

✦ Day 1 – Paris Itinerary

You have arrived, you are in Paris ! Bienvenue! Today, you are going to check off a sightseeing tour, the Eiffel Tower, The Arc de Triomphe, and the Marais from your bucket list.

Sightseeing Bus Tour (Morning)

(included in the Paris All-Inclusive Pass )

Begin your first day in Paris at a leisurely pace: opt for a classic bus sightseeing tour .

It’s an ideal way to ease travel weariness and jetlag. Just sit back, unwind, and soak in your initial impressions of Paris.

A bus tour’s big plus is its efficiency – you’ll get a snapshot of the city in a short time. This overview eases any pressure to see ‘everything’ in the next four days. Additionally, the audio guide offers a wealth of information, more than you might gather on a guided walk.

The Eiffel Tower (Lunch / Early Afternoon)

No Paris trip is truly complete without seeing its most iconic symbol, the Eiffel Tower. To bypass long lines and secure your spot, it’s wise to book your tickets well in advance .

The Eiffel Tower tickets often sell out weeks ahead , especially if you are traveling over the weekend.

You have the option to book directly through the Eiffel Tower’s official website or through a ticket provider like Get Your Guide . I find Get Your Guide more convenient – their tickets tend to be available on shorter notice, and they offer full refunds up to 24 hours before.

• Eiffel Tower Summit, buy tickets here .
• For Direct Access to the 2nd Floor, buy tickets here .
• For the Eiffel Tower & Seine Cruise Combo, buy tickets here .

Lunch by the Eiffel Tower

Looking for a memorable lunch spot near the Eiffel Tower? How about dining right on the tower itself? On its first floor, you’ll find the charming Madame Brasserie .

The place is run by the celebrated chef Thierry Marx , a big name in France’s culinary scene. He’s not just a Michelin Star recipient for his past ventures, but also known for his role as a judge on ‘Top Chef’. These are just a few feathers in his cap.

Lunch at Madame Brasserie is a treat, and surprisingly, it won’t completely break the bank. It offers an affordable yet exquisite 3-course menu , coupled with skip-the-line access to the 1st floor and a view that’s nothing short of breathtaking.

Curious to see if they’re available during your visit? Take a look at their availability for your travel dates right here .

Budget Lunch Around the Eiffel Tower

If you’re on the hunt for a more budget-friendly lunch choice, I’d suggest Galettes . Absolutely, I’m a big fan of this French specialty, typical of the Bretagne (Brittany) region.

Galettes are these delicious, hearty crêpes made from buckwheat flour , and they come with various fillings like cheese, ham, or a fried egg. It’s traditional to pair them with a cup of cider, and then follow up with a sweet crêpe for dessert. Yum!

There are a few good Crêperies nearby the Eiffel Tower. For example, Les Frères Bretons . (You can book a table online with TheFork and save €10 on your bill with my code 83FDC2B7)

Arc de Triomphe (Afternoon)

A mere 25-minute walk or a quick metro hop from the Eiffel Tower takes you to the majestic Arc de Triomphe. This grand monument, a symbol of national pride, was commissioned by Napoleon to honor French war achievements.

Standing at the head of the Champs-Élysées, it’s one of the largest arches globally, offering a stunning view of Paris from above.

The Arc de Triomphe is more than just a landmark; it’s a pivotal part of Paris’ rich tapestry. Interested in its intriguing story? Dive into our article with 35 captivating facts about the Arc de Triomphe .

The Arc de Triomphe sits on a line with the Place de la Concorde on one side and the modern Arc de la Défense on the other, creating a striking scene for photography enthusiasts.

But, when you’re heading to visit the Arc de Triomphe, you might ponder the best way to reach it. This iconic structure is perched right in the middle of Paris’ bustling Place Charles de Gaulle, also known as Étoile (Star), surrounded by a gigantic roundabout.

A word of advice: don’t try to cross the street above ground. There are underground walkways designed for safe crossings!

If you are holding a Paris All-Inclusive Pass , admission to the Arc de Triomphe is free. Otherwise, you need to grab a ticket at the booth to visit the Arc de Triomphe. The lines are generally short, so it shouldn’t take too long. Additionally, you can also prepurchase your ticket here.

Le Marais (Later Afternoon / Evening)

Once you’ve marveled at the panoramic views of Paris and the whirl of traffic encircling the Arc de Triomphe, hop on Metro Line 1 to Hôtel de Ville, a must-visit for your “what to do in Paris in 4 days” list.

If time’s on your side, consider a leisurely walk down the Champs Élysée towards the Hôtel de Ville, Paris’ Town Hall. It’s a total of 5 km, but you can always shorten the journey by catching the Metro Line 1 at any point.

At Hôtel de Ville, begin your exploration of the Marais. This area was once the aristocratic district of Paris pre-French Revolution . Today, it’s celebrated for housing one of the largest Jewish communities in Paris and being a hub for LGTB culture.

Roaming the Marais is a delight – its cobbled alleys, quaint designer boutiques, vintage shops, and a plethora of cafes and bars make it an enchanting place to wander and explore, perfect for adding to your 4-day Paris itinerary.

Dinner in the Marais

The Marais is one of the areas of Paris that is known for its bars and restaurants. Being the Jewish quarter of Paris, it’s not surprising that it’s the go-to area if you want to eat a superb Falafel.

“L’As du Fallafel” is probably the most famous food stall within the area, and it’s known to be the favorite Falafel place of Lenny Kravitz. If you’re up for something casual, you really don’t want to miss this place. You can either eat in the restaurant or get a sandwich to take away.

Do you prefer to enjoy some classic French food in a cozy Parisian restaurant ? No problem! Have dinner at the Camille  and try typical french cuisine with snails (they have other starters, too, no worries), Magret de Canard, and a yummy Crème brûlée.

Alternatively, pick one of these restaurants:

• La table cachée par Michel Roth
• Les Enfants Rouges
• BigLove (Vegetarian & Vegan Trattoria)

It’s a good idea to reserve a table beforehand: Parisian restaurants can get quite crowded, and there’s no guarantee you’ll get a table if you just drop in.

Tip: book a table online with TheFork and save €10 on your bill with my code 83FDC2B7.

✦ Day 2 of 4 Days in Paris

Following a restful night, kick off your day in true French style: enjoy a coffee paired with a croissant (or a baguette with jam and butter) at a local café. And if you’re watching your budget, opt to stay at the bar – it’s pricier to sit down!

Don’t miss our Paris Mistake post to avoid the most popular tourist traps and silly Paris mistakes!

The Louvre (Morning)

Ready to start your day? Head to the Louvre. Without a Paris Pass, it’s wise to get a skip-the-line ticket beforehand and dive straight into the exhibits. But if you have a Paris Pass, you’re all set.

Just make sure to reserve a time slot for your visit on the Louvre Website . (I explain this point a bit further down)

Truth be told, you could spend all four days of your Paris trip in the Louvre and still not see everything. That’s why I highly recommend the official audio guide. It’s not just informative about the exhibits, but the best part are the curated tours.

You might also be interested in these articles:

• Is the Louvre Worth It? Your No-Nonsense Guide
• 20 Famous Paintings in the Louvre you can’t miss!
• 16 Art Museums in Paris you shouldn’t miss!

The “masterpieces” tour was a personal favorite. You can download it on your mobile device or rent a Nintendo DS at the Louvre for €5.

I’m not an art buff myself and don’t know much about it, but the audio guide significantly enhanced my Louvre experience. It helped me understand and appreciate what I was seeing!

How to enter the Louvre as fast as possible?

To get into the Louvre as fast as possible, avoid the entrance through the pyramid in the courtyard. The entrance through the shopping mall “Carrousel du Louvre” is always less frequented.

Just know that regardless of which ticket you purchased, you always have to go through security checks.

I got the Paris All-Inclusive Pass . How do I reserve my Louvre ticket?

Even if you hold the Paris pass and won’t have to pay for admission, you need to reserve your time slot in advance. It’s pretty easy, though, and you can reserve your timed slot through this link and pick the free entrance option.

Opening times of the Louvre

Daily (except Tuesdays): 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Wednesday, Friday: 9 a.m.–9:45 p.m.

Closed on Tuesdays, January 1, May 1, and December 25

Rooms begin closing 30 minutes before museum closing time.

Lunch near the Louvre

After spending the morning enjoying breathtaking art at the Louvre, it’s best to have lunch nearby. The Louvre is very centrally located in a very busy and rather expensive area of Paris .

If you’re not on a shoestring budget, you’ll find easily a restaurant to have lunch and to rest a little.

Otherwise, or if you want to plan ahead, just take a look at The Fork . You can book the restaurants directly online and often get even 20% or more off your bill . And if not, you can always use my code 83FDC2B7 for a €10 reductions.

My tip: Have Lunch at Baguett’Café. It’s a quite hip brunch and lunch place with delicious pancakes and French toast. It is a bit pricey though for what it is, and the portions are rather small.

Sainte-Chapelle (Afternoon)

After exploring one of Paris’ top attractions and savoring a delicious lunch, your next stop should be the stunning Sainte Chapelle. This Gothic chapel stands as one of the most awe-inspiring structures in the city and is a must-see in Paris in 4 days.

Sainte Chapelle is known for its remarkable stained-glass windows made in the 13th century . These windows, encompassing 15 large panels and a rose window, intricately depict various biblical scenes.

The way light filters through the vibrant colors and detailed designs creates a mesmerizing atmosphere, turning the chapel into a spectacle of light and color. Fingers crossed you’re visiting on a sunny day, it’s purely magical.

If you have a Paris All-Inclusive Pass , you’ll be glad to know the entrance is included. If not, it’s a good idea to get your ticket in advance here .

Notre Dame (Afternoon)

Now’s the perfect time for a leisurely stroll. Just a short walk from Sainte Chapelle, you’ll find the renowned Notre Dame Cathedral. While the 2019 incident means you can’t go inside currently, the exterior still makes for a great photo opportunity.

The area around the cathedral is quite restricted, but you can still find some excellent spots for pictures. Try capturing it from one of the nearby bridges, or get a unique view from the upper-floor window of the famous English bookstore in Paris , Shakespeare & Company.

My Tip: Right next to the bookstore, you find the pastry shop Odette . They have delicious choux pastry, filled with sweet and fruity creams.

From Notre Dame, make your way across one of the bridges connecting Île-de-la-Cité to the left bank of the Seine. The vicinity of the St. Michel fountain serves as an ideal spot to begin exploring central Paris and the Latin Quarter at a pace that suits you.

The Latin Quarter: A highlight in any Paris in 4 days itinerary

The Latin Quarter is an excellent area to cover some essential “must-see in Paris in 4 days” locations. The map below will provide you with a glimpse of the many sights you can enjoy simply by meandering through the Latin Quarter.

A standout spot in the Latin Quarter is the Jardin du Luxembourg . It’s not only one of Paris’ largest parks but also among its most iconic. It’s the perfect place to relax, whether that’s sitting back in one of the green chairs with a good book or enjoying a sandwich from a nearby bakery.

The Jardin du Luxembourg is also an ideal spot for a game of Pétanque. This traditional French boule game might not be fast ball game , but it certainly can get heated. It’s equally fun to watch or join in.

And here’s a fun fact: within the Jardin, you’ll find beehives and even a Statue of Liberty replica!

The Panthéon (Afternoon)

Good to know: if you want to visit the inside of the Pantheon, you better head there right after Sainte-Chapelle and visit the rest of the Latin quarter afterward. Last access is at 17:15.

A short stroll from Jardin du Luxembourg takes you to the magnificent Panthéon. Perched on Mount Sainte-Geneviève , its dome is visible across the city, marking a significant point in the Parisian skyline.

More than just a temple, the Panthéon serves as a mausoleum for some of France’s most illustrious citizens, including Voltaire, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Marie Curie. Paris Pass holders enjoy free entry, while others can secure their tickets here .

Dinner in the Latin Quarter

While they might seem appealing and budget-friendly, it’s better to skip the quaint, attractive restaurants near St. Michel. The eateries along Rue de la Harpe and Rue de la Huchette cater primarily to tourists.

They’re not utterly terrible, but for a little extra, you can find much better quality food just a few streets away, where the culinary experience is more authentic and satisfying. 4 Days in Paris is just too short for mediocre food.

Read more about popular Paris mistakes and silly tourist traps here !

Evening: Dinner at Rue Mouffetard

Just a stone’s throw from St. Michel, Rue Mouffetard in the Latin Quarter is an excellent spot for dining out. This pedestrian street is steeped in history, being one of Paris’ oldest roads, dating back to Roman times.

Nestled on the hill of Sainte-Geneviève, Rue Mouffetard was left unchanged by Baron Haussmann, the architect behind the iconic Haussmann buildings that shape much of Paris. This has preserved its old-world charm, complete with cobbled streets and buildings that feel almost medieval, something you shouldn’t miss if you are in Paris for 4 days.

Today, Rue Mouffetard is celebrated for its daily market and array of specialty shops . A perfect place to pick up French delicacies and gourmet treats to take home – think cheeses, cold cuts, wines, pastries, and more. It’s a true treasure trove for food lovers.

It’s a favorite spot among Parisians for dining out or enjoying a drink, offering something for every taste

My restaurant recommendations in the Latin Quarter are:

• Restaurant Narro upscale French Japanese
• TranTranZai budget friendly
• Maison Perché Modern French / International ( save €10 with code 83FDC2B7 )
• Au Bon Coin French Bistro ( save €10 with code 83FDC2B7 )

✦ Day 3 – Paris Itinerary

Start your day with the essential Parisian breakfast of a croissant and café, and then head out to visit the Musée d’Orsay.

Musée d’Orsay (Morning)

The Musée d’Orsay is renowned for its impressive collection of impressionist and post-impressionist masterpieces , making it a top pick for things to do in Paris in 4 days. Get ready to admire works by Monet, Renoir, Sezane, and van Gogh.

Personally, I also found the replica of Rodin’s Gate to Hell most impressive.

But it’s not just the art work that’s worth seeing at the Musée d’Orsay. The building itself is a gem, offering a fantastic photo spot. From the old clock in this former railway station , you can get a unique view of the Louvre.

If you have a Paris Pass , you can enter the Musée d’Orsay for free. If not, you can buy your entrance ticket here .

Opening times of the Musée d’Orsay

Daily (except Mondays): 9:30 a.m.–6 p.m. (room clearing starts at 5:15 pm) Thursdays: 9:30 a.m.–9:45 p.m. (room clearing starts at 9:15 pm)

Closed on Mondays, May 1, and December 25

Lunch at the Musée d’Orsay

To make the most of your time, consider having lunch at the Musée d’Orsay. They offer four different lunching options, ranging from upscale gastronomy restaurants to snack bars. hence, more or less suitable for all budgets.

Alternatively, you can grab a sandwich from a nearby bakery or even buy one in the morning. It’s your cheapest option.

Cruise on the River Seine (Early Afternoon)

After enjoying some fabulous art head over to the Seine and take a cruise on the Seine. This river cruise , which is covered by the Paris Pass, opens up an entirely different perspective on Paris for you.

If you don’t have a Paris Pass, you can reserve your spot on a Seine riverboat here .

A Seine river cruise is a lovely way for you to take in the beautiful views of Paris. You’ll sail past the Eiffel Tower, the Grand, and the Petit Palais, the Louvre, Notre Dame, Pont Neuf, and Pont Alexandre III , among other sights.

Don’t worry if the weather isn’t ideal; you can sit inside and still admire Paris through the panoramic windows.

If you’re traveling to Paris with kids , a river cruise is sure to be an enjoyable and memorable experience for them. My kids, even though native Parisians, love it.

Cemetery Père Lachaise (Afternoon)

( a walking tour of the Cemetery is included in the Paris All-Inclusive Pass )

For the afternoon, let’s venture a bit beyond the city center – it’s just a quick metro ride away. Père Lachaise Cemetery , one of Paris’ oldest and largest cemeteries , offers a truly unique atmosphere.

But there’s more to it than just its ambiance. The list of famous figures resting here is remarkable : Chopin, Edith Piaf, Oscar Wilde, Jim Morrison, Molière, and many others.

At each entrance, you’ll find maps pinpointing the exact locations of these notable graves. It’s a good idea to snap a photo of the map on your phone to help navigate the sprawling grounds. On busy weekend days, you might even be greeted by an employee who will provide you with a free paper map.

And while looking for the famous graves, don’t miss the other intriguing tombs – they range from slightly eerie to beautifully solemn, adding to the cemetery’s rich complexity.

By the way, did you already watch the latest season of the Lupin Series on Netflix? The creepy graveyard scene was produced here, on the Père Lachaise Cemetery.

Dinner around the Père Lachaise Cemetery

Although Père Lachaise Cemetery is a bit outside my usual area, I can still recommend two restaurants nearby. I’ve dined/lunched at both and truly enjoyed the experience.

• L’Ami Justin – Brasserie & Couscous (I loved the Couscous)
• Le Sot l’Y Laisse – French Upscale Restaurant

If you are lucky, you might even get a table at Septime . The most affordable Michelin Star Restaurant in Paris. But don’t get your hopes up too high, I have been trying to get a table since January 2023.

Discover Paris’ Bar Scene (Evening)

After your trip to Père Lachaise, head to a vibrant area for an evening out, located between Voltaire, Bastille, and République. It’s an easy walk from Père Lachaise.

This neighborhood offers a wide array of bar and nightlife options. You’ll find everything from cozy cocktail bars and local breweries to speakeasies and music-focused spots, including metal and rock bars. My personal favorites include:

• Fréquence Great Cocktails, Snacks & Music
• Fauve Parisian Brewery with a large choice on tab
• Mezcaleria Speakeasy bar specialized on Cocktails & Mezcal
• Mobster Bar Prohibition Style Speakeasy Bar

For more options and my absolute favorites when it comes to cocktails and speakeasy bars, take a look at these posts. It’s curated lists of favorites of my husband and me:

• 7 Best Speakeasy Bars in Paris for your Paris Agenda
• 5 Cocktail Bars in Paris you need to try

✦ Day 4 – Paris Itinerary

On your final day in the enchanting city of Paris, a visit to Montmartre is a must.

My Tip: If you are a holder of the Paris All-Inclusive Pass , start your day at the famous restaurant La Mère Catherine for a free hot drink and Macarons for breakfast. Or, if you want to start boozy, head to Au Cadet de Gascogne for free Champagne and Pastries. (or both!)

Historically, Montmartre was the heart of the French art scene . It’s where many renowned artists, including Monet, van Gogh, and Picasso, spent considerable time. While those days have passed, Montmartre retains its artistic essence. This isn’t just because of the artists painting around Place de Tertre or the numerous galleries.

However, Montmartre has become quite touristy, now home to more souvenir shops than art galleries. But there’s a way to experience a more authentic side of Montmartre: visit early in the morning before the crowds arrive.

Montmartre and the Sacre Cœur (Morning)

( a Montmarte walking tour is included in the Paris All-Inclusive Pass )

That’s precisely when your Montmartre adventure should begin: as early as possible, ideally before 10:00 a.m. This is before the souvenir shops open and before tourist buses start flocking to this quaint micro- arrondissement in Paris’s north.

The charming cobblestone streets, the local painters, the breathtaking view over Paris, and of course, the Sacré-Cœur… these are experiences you won’t want to miss. And they’re twice as magical when you can enjoy them without the throngs of other visitors.

For your visit to Montmartre, there’s no need for a rigid plan. The best way to explore is to meander slowly up the hill, taking as many side streets as you wish. Sure, you could head straight to the Sacré-Cœur and arrive in about five minutes, but the real magic of Montmartre lies in its detours.

You’ll stumble upon charming cafés, quaint boutiques, vibrant street art , galleries, unique architecture, and many hidden gems.

Some Montmartre highlights you shouldn’t miss include:

• Le mur des je t’aimes
• La Maison Rose
• The two remaining windmills
• The bookstore and café at the Halle Saint Pierre
• Le Passe-Muraille
• The Montmartre Museum (I strongly recommend this one)

If you wish, you can travel the last bit up the hill by using The Montmartre Funicular . This train requires a regular Metro ticket.

Tip: Don’t buy a ticket from the guys who are offering cheap tickets. They are a scam.

I recommend descending from Montmartre via the quaint streets and steep stairs located behind the Sacré-Cœur. While the front of the basilica is bustling and touristy, the backside presents a stark contrast: it’s relaxed, quiet, and has an almost offbeat charm.

This area is less frequented by visitors, making it a worthwhile part of Montmartre to explore for a more authentic experience.

Lunch in Montmartre

Montmartre is brimming with lunch options, making it a delightful dilemma to choose where to eat. I, personally, recommend Maison Rose. Despite its touristy reputation and location, I was pleasantly surprised: excellent food, and friendly, accommodating service.

They also offer vegan and vegetarian options. Just remember to book in advance, especially in high season.

Another great choice in Montmartre is Bouillon Pigalle . If you’re looking to savor traditional French cuisine without spending a lot, this is the place to go. It’s a popular spot, known for its authentic dishes and inviting atmosphere.

They don’t take reservations and you might have to queue, but eating in a Bouillon is an experience you don’t want to miss.

If you don’t know what a Bouillon Restaurant is, read my Bouillon article here and learn why it is so special.

If you’re not hungry yet, next to Opéra Garnier lies the Japanese Quarter of Paris , with some of the best Ramen in town.

Galeries Lafayette (Afternoon)

The next point on your ultimate 4 day in Paris itinerary are the magnificent Galeries Lafayette .

From Montmartre, the Galeries Lafayette is quite accessible. You have the option to walk – it’s about a 30-minute journey from the Sacré-Cœur – or, for a quicker route, you can catch the next Metro and be there in just a few minutes.

The Galeries Lafayette is renowned as a shopping paradise in Paris. If you’re looking to purchase perfume, makeup, a Longchamp handbag, or designer fashion, this is the place to be.

But even if (high-end) shopping isn’t on your Paris agenda, don’t skip a visit to the Galeries Lafayette. The store features an incredible rooftop terrace that’s free to access and offers a stunning view over Paris – a must-see for any visitor!

My Tip: A few months ago, I was lucky enough and joined this Macaron Baking Class in the Galeries Lafayette. It was a 90-min course that fits perfectly in tight schedules. And as a plus, with the Paris All-Inclusive Pass , the workshop is free.

Opéra Garnier (Afternoon)

Right next to the Galeries Lafayette, you’ll find the Opéra Garnier. Constructed during the era of Napoleon III, the Opéra Garnier is also known as the Palais Garnier, a nod to its extravagant opulence.

This 19th-century neo-baroque building boasts one of the most stunning interiors in Paris. It has been the inspiration for numerous plays, including the famous “Phantom of the Opera!”

If you have an hour or 2 to spare, do visit. It’s remarkable! The tickets are, for once, not included in the Paris Pass, but you can buy them here .

Secret Covered Passages (Late Afternoon/ Evening)

Just a short distance from Galeries Lafayette, you can explore some of the most charming covered passages in Paris .

Start with Passage Choiseul, then wander through the picturesque Galerie Vivienne. From there, you can almost seamlessly transition to Passage de Panoramas, followed by Passage Jouffroy, and finally, Passage Verdeau.

These passages are remnants of the 18th century , a time when over 180 covered arcades were built to ensure the shopping enjoyment of the wealthy, even in rainy weather.

Today, only about 20 of these historical arcades remain, each offering a unique glimpse into Parisian history and architecture.

And they are still a lovely spot to shop. Especially the Passage Jouffroy has some lovely souvenir shops.

My Tip: If it’s time for a break or an early evening drink, Danico in the Galerie Vivienne is a top address. Elected as one of the best 100 bars in the world, you find it hidden behind the Italian restaurant Daroco. (Which I can warmly recommend as well).

Day 4: Evening Entertainment

For your final evening in Paris, here are a few suggestions to make it memorable and end your vacation on a high note.

One option is Olivier Giraud’s comedy show, “ How To Become A Parisian in One Hour ?” While I haven’t seen it myself yet, I plan to do so soon. It comes highly recommended, with an impressive 4.9-star rating on Google Reviews.

Plus, it’s included in the Paris All-Inclusive Pass – well, who could have guessed that?

Another great final for your four days in Paris France is to experience a cabaret show at the iconic Moulin Rouge. If this is what you opt in for, then absolutely make sure to reserve your tickets well in advance. On popular nights, it’s always sold out. You can check their availabilities here.

Or, you could simply enjoy a leisurely stroll through the beautifully lit streets of Paris at night .

However, my personal favorite is to embark on a night sightseeing tour in a classic CV2 ca r – it’s a truly unique way to see the city’s highlights under the stars and a worthy final. Check rates and schedules here.

Map of your Paris 4 Days Itinerary

Want to know where you’ll be going to? Check the map below to see your destinations per day. You can click on each star to know more about the landmark, or click the little square in the upper right to see the map on full screen.

⊗ – Day 1    ⊗ – Day 2

⊗ – Day 3     ⊗ – Day 4

4 Days in Paris: Where to stay?

Paris can be quite costly, especially when it comes to finding a place to stay. Yet, the city’s compact size is a plus. Its efficient public transport system allows for quick and easy travel throughout the city, irrespective of your accommodation’s location.

Rest assured, if your accommodation is within Paris’s city limits, there will be a Metro station conveniently close.

However, to make the utter most of your four days in Paris, France, I suggest you stay as central as possible. Lovely areas in this regard are the Quartier Latin, Opéra (more budget friendly) and of course the Marais.

Below, you find a short list of great hotels in Paris, that you can book without thinking twice. If they aren’t what you’re looking for, take a look at my Paris hotel guides for more options.

Paris Hotel Picks for Every Budget

Ibis Hotels Grands Boulevards

• perfect location near Opéra
• family rooms & modern design
• free wifi & AirCon

Les Jardins du Luxembourg

• perfect location in Quartier Latin
• cozy and stylish rooms

Hôtel Ducs de Bougogne

• Dream location Rue de Rivoli
• unique boutique Hotel

Voilà. That’s my suggestion on how you could spend 4 days in Paris without missing a thing. Even though Paris in 4 days is not the longest vacation, it allows you enough time to explore the most important sights and have a wonderful time. Bon Voyage!

Parisienne since 2006 🩷

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PS: Check out these posts, they will help you plan your trip to Paris

• 20 Arrondissements in Paris (Quick Guide + Map)
• Paris hidden gems: 80+ well kept secrets you shouldn’t miss
• What NOT to do in Paris -23 (costly) Paris Mistakes you need to avoid!
• 14 Hotels with stunning Eiffel Tower views- for (almost) every budget!
• Your Perfect 2 Days in Paris! Itinerary & Insider Tips
• 5 ways to get from Charles de Gaulle airport to Paris – THE complete guide!
• Scams in Paris! How to avoid the most common cons

Pin it now – read it later (and find it back!!)

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One comment.

Love it, Lena! I’ll definitely try to make those 3 days work! Thanks!

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Savvy Travel Advice

Paris Pass Review: Is it Worth it?

Last updated: July 23, 2024 - Written by Jessica Norah 104 Comments

If you are planning a trip to Paris and plan to visit a number of the city’s top attractions, you may be able to save money and time by purchasing the Paris Pass.

The Paris Pass provides free admission into over 80 of the top attractions in Paris. Depending on the duration of Paris Pass you purchase this includes popular attractions like the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Arc de Triomphe, Versailles, Eiffel Tower and a Seine River cruise .

It also includes a free Hop on Hop Off Bus Tour ticket. It also allows you to skip long ticket lines at some of the top museums and attractions to save you time on your trip.

While the Paris Pass can be a great deal and save some travelers time and money, it will not be a good value for all travelers. We’ll help provide all the information you need to know to decide if the Paris Pass is a good deal for you, decide on which pass to buy, and how to get the most value out of your pass.

We’ll also share our own experiences using the Paris Pass, which we have used on a number of trips to Paris, and provide an honest breakdown of our own cost-savings.

Table of Contents:

What Is Included in the Paris Pass?

The Paris Pass includes two separate elements: 

• Paris Attractions Pass
• Paris Museum Pass 

The Paris Pass includes free admission to a number of popular museums and attractions in and around Paris, as well as free 1 day use of the Hop-on Hop-Off sightseeing bus. The Paris Pass also comes with a free digital guidebook.

If you have questions not answered by this article, the guidebook, or their website, you can contact the company’s customer service team during business hours or send them an email. You can find out more about the Paris Pass on their official website .

Over the years, there have been some changes to the Paris Pass product. We’ll summarize the key changes below, as many websites still share outdated information, and this helps explain why.

In 2021, the Paris Pass changed the Paris Attractions Pass to a digital only product rather than a physical pass. The guidebook also became digital only, and the Paris Visite travel card was no longer included with the pass. The Paris Museum Pass remained a physical product at this point.

In 2022, the Paris Pass changed so that only the 4 and 6-day versions of the Pass included the Paris Museum pass. Pricing for the 2 and 3-day Paris Passes was reduced to account for this fact.

In 2023, the Paris Museum Pass component of the pass changed to a digital version. Previously this was a physical pass that had to be collected in Paris, however as of August 2023 this is now delivered digitally as with the rest of the product.

In October 2023, the Paris Pass started including a Paris Museum Pass with all versions of the pass again. The 3 day Paris Pass includes a 2 day Paris Musuem Pass as there is no 3 day Paris Museum Pass. The price of the 2 and 3 day Paris Passes went back up to account for this inclusion.

Our review has been updated to include these all of these changes, but note that some of the images we use still reflect the old products.

Attractions Included in the Paris Pass?

Paris Pass holders are currently granted free admission to up to 90 museums, tours, and other attractions in and around Paris. These include some of the most popular Paris museums and attractions.

The Paris Pass is divided into two components, which are the Paris Attractions Pass and the Paris Museum Pass.

The Paris Attractions Pass includes:

• Eiffel Tower (guided climb tour)
• Grevin Wax Museum
• Paris Aquarium
• Montparnasse Tower
• Seine river cruise
• Galeries Lafayette fashion show
• Notre Dame (guided tour of exterior during its closure)
• Mini Perfume Workshop
• Macarons in Montmartre
• Ballon de Paris Generali
• A number of walking tours, including an Emily in Paris Tour and a Montmartre Tour

The Paris Museum Pass covers the majority of museums in and around Paris, including highlights such as:

• Arc de Triomphe
• Musée Rodin
• Musée d’Orsay
• Centre Pompidou
• Sainte-Chapelle
• Château de Versailles
• Château de Fontainebleau
• Picasso Museum

Y ou can check out the full up-to-date list of attractions here . Fast track options are available at several attractions , allowing one to enter a faster entrance line designed for pass holders. 

Note that while the pass ensures general admission to the covered sites, the pass may not cover admission to special exhibits, audioguides, or special events.

Reservations are required or recommended at a number of the attractions (e.g., popular attractions, wine tasting, walking tours), but this information is clearly noted in the free Paris Pass guidebook that comes with the passes as well as on the website.

You can see all the attractions and tours that require pre-booking on the Paris Pass website here . That page also has all the links you need for pre-booking.

Since 2019, the Louvre also requires that all visitors pre-book tickets online to handle a higher volume of visitors. Without a pre-booked ticket, you may not get entry or may have to wait longer. You will need your Paris Museum Pass number and the date and time you wish to visit.

You can book your timeslot here once you have your pass.

Although the Paris Pass covers a lot of attractions in and around Paris, there are several major attractions in Paris that are NOT currently included with the Paris Pass that you should take into consideration when planning your trip.

These include the Grand Palais, the Paris Catacombs, Jacquemart-André Museum, Luxembourg Museum, Disneyland Paris, Marmottan Museum, Musée de Montmartre, and the dome at Sacré Coeur.

Transportation Options included with the Paris Pass?

All Paris Passes come with the option to collect a free all-day 1-day ticket for the Big Bus Paris sightseeing Hop-on, Hop-off bus. The bus route stops at 9 different stops (e.g., Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Louvre, Trocadéro) and the buses stop every 8 to 15 minutes at each stop. Audio commentary is available in over 10 different languages.

The free bus ticket can be collected from staff at any of the noted Big Bus Paris bus stops (just wait for the bus to come by if there are no staff there). You can get on and off the bus as many times as you like in a single day.

PARIS PASS SIGHTSEEING BUS TIP: Start using the bus in the morning to get the most out of your ticket. Note that there are several hop-on hop-off bus companies in Paris, so look out for the Big Bus Paris logo so you get on the right buses included on your ticket.

Other Paris Pass Inclusions?

The pass includes fast-track access to a handful of attractions (e.g., Paris Aquarium, Centre Pompidou, Grevin Wax Museum) where you get to skip the ticket lines although it does not allow you to skip security lines. 

Types of Paris Passes?

There are adult passes (anyone 18 years or age or older), and child passes (ages 2-17). All the Paris Passes include the Paris Attractions Pass, however the lower priced child Paris Passes do NOT include a Paris Museum Pass.

The Paris Museum Pass is not included with any child passes because most museums covered by the Paris Museum Pass give free entry to children under age 18 accompanied by an adult. Currently there are only 6 of the over 50 museums and monuments that do not provide free entry to children (e.g., Museum of French Cinema, Interactive Science Museum) and these are noted as such in the Paris Pass Guidebook.

Children under age 4 get free entrance to most attractions in Paris and ride for free on public transit with an adult with a ticket or pass. So if you have young children, you should check to see if the pass makes sense for them.

The only decision you need to make is which length of pass do you want to purchase. The Paris Pass is currently sold as 2-day, 3-day, 4-day, or 6-day passes. 

Passes are activated after your first usage and must be used on consecutive days. So if you purchase a 4-day pass with your first visit to an attraction on July 10th, it will be valid from July 10th through July 13th.

Cost of the Paris Pass

You should check the website for the latest prices , but as of July 2024 here are the Paris Pass prices.

TIP: You can save 5% on the Paris Pass with code “ AFFGOALL “, just enter the discount code at checkout for your saving!

Adult Paris Pass Prices (anyone 18 years of age or older):

• €189 for a 2-day pass
• €224 for a 3-day pass
• €264 for a 4-day pass
• €309 for a 6-day pass

Children (any child age 2 to 17 years of age):

• €94 for a 2-day pass
• €114 for a 3-day pass
• €129 for a 4-day pass
• €139 for a 6-day pass

How do I Decide if the Paris Pass Will Save Me Money?

So now that you know what the Paris Pass is, what it includes, and the cost, the next step is deciding whether it is going to be good value for you and your trip to Paris.

Deciding whether the Paris Pass will save you money is a bit complicated. A s mentioned earlier, the pass includes two separate passes (the Paris Attractions Pass and the Paris Museum Pass) with each card having its own value. In addition, passes with shorter durations don’t include the Paris Museum Pass.

We’ll try to break it down into steps to help you decide if the Paris Pass will save you money.

Step 1: What Attractions do you want to Visit?

First, you should make a list of all the attractions you want to visit during your time in Paris and specifically note the ones that are included on the Paris Pass for the duration you will be visiting Paris.

Try to come up with a realistic list based on the amount of time you’ll be in Paris as you don’t want to spend your entire trip going from attraction to attraction. Once you come up with your list, check the normal entrance fee cost for each online or using a recent guidebook. Add up the costs to come up with a total.

Note the examples below (based on July 2024 prices):

Example A: Let’s say from the Paris Pass sites I want to visit the Louvre (€22.00), Musee d’Orsay (€16.00), Versailles (€21), Musee Rodin (€14.00), Tour Montparnasse (€25.00), Sainte-Chapelle (€13), Conciergerie (€13), Arc de Triomphe (€16), Centre Pompidou (€15.00), do the Eiffel Tower guided climb (€39) and do a Seine river cruise (€18.00). The grand total of normal adult entry fees for all these attractions would be €212.

Example B: Let’s say from the Paris Pass sites I want to visit the Louvre (€22.00), Arc de Triomphe (€16.00), Musee d’Orsay (€16.00), Versailles (€21), guided Eiffel Tower climb (€39), Sainte-Chapelle (€13), Conciergerie (€13), The Army Museum (€15.00), Pantheon (€13), Centre Pompidou (€15.00), Château de Vincennes (€13), Dali Paris (€14.00), Paris Aquarium (€27.5), Montparnasse Tower (€25.00), a walking tour (€36.00), wine tasting (€36.00), and do a Seine river cruise (€18.00). I also want to take advantage of the Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour (€47.00) to connect some of these sights on one of my days of sightseeing. The grand total of normal adult entry fees for all these attractions would be €435.5.

Step 2: How many days do you need to visit all the included attractions? 

Next, you’ll need to decide how many days it will likely take you to visit all the attractions you want to visit. Remember it can be easy to be too ambitious and think you’ll take in three museums, a castle, an aquarium, and a boat tour in one day. Try to leave yourself plenty of time so you don’t get exhausted and overwhelmed. Try to be realistic.

Example A: On my first day I want to visit Sainte-Chapelle and the Conciergerie in the morning, then do the guided Eiffel Tower Climb (see our Eiffel Tower guide ). After lunch in the afternoon, I will visit the Arc de Triomphe and the Centre Pompidou.

On my second day I want to visit the Louvre all morning, have lunch, and then spend the afternoon at the Musee d’Orsay. I will then watch the sunset from the Tour Montparnasse.

On my third day, I want to head out to Versailles to explore the palace and gardens, return in the afternoon to visit Musee Rodin and then do an evening Seine river cruise. This means I would need 3 days. 

Example B: On my first full day I want to get oriented to the city using the Paris hop-on, hop-off bus and use it to visit some of the sites included on the pass (Arc de Triomphe, Musee d’Orsay) plus do the Eiffel Tower guided climb.

On my second day I want to get up early to visit Sainte Chapelle and the Conciergerie before lunch, take a Montmartre walking tour and visit the Dali Museum in the afternoon, and then do some shopping.

On Day 3, I want to visit the Louvre in the morning, do the wine tasting after lunch, then visit the Paris Aquarium.

On Day 4, I want to head out to Versailles for the morning and afternoon and return to visit the Centre Pompidou which is open late.

On Day 5, I want to visit the Army Museum, the Pantheon, and go up the Tour Montparnasse.

On Day 6, I want to do a Paris walking tour, visit the Chateau de Vincennes after lunch, and then do a Seine river cruise to finish up my last night in Paris. This means I would need 6 days.

Step 3: Compare your total cost versus the cost of the Paris Pass. 

Now, add together the total attraction costs, then compare it to the cost of the needed Paris Pass. This should tell you your cost savings, if any.

Example A: OK, so it would cost me €212 to visit all the places on my list. A 3-day Paris Pass costs €224 as of July 2024. In this scenario I would not save money. As most of the attractions I want to visit are actually covered by the Paris Museum Pass it would make more sense to just buy that and pay for the other attractions separately.

Example B: OK, so it would cost me €435.5 as an adult to visit all the places. I think I need 6 days to visit all the attractions and the cost of the 6-day Paris Pass is €309 (as of July 2024). The cost savings with a Paris Pass would be €126.5 for one adult. In this case I would have ample cost savings and it would keep me from waiting in line at a couple of attractions. In this case, the Paris Pass is probably a very good value. 

Note: I would also be sure to check for current sales of the Paris Pass as 5% to 20% discount sales are run occasionally each year. A reduced pass price can significantly increase your cost savings!

Step 4 (optional): Paris Pass versus separate Passes

The next step is optional and requires some more calculations. For some people, the above will be enough as it shows the Paris Pass will either save them money (answer: buy the Paris Pass) or doesn’t save them money (answer: don’t buy the Paris Pass). But you can find out more information by digging further into the numbers if you wish. 

As previously mentioned, the Paris Pass includes the Paris Museum Pass. However, the Paris Museum Pass can also be purchased separately as a standalone product. Depending on which attractions and activities you are visiting, you might find that just purchasing the Paris Museum Pass is more cost effective for your trip.

Understand the Paris Pass components

As mentioned earlier, the Paris Pass is made up of 2 separate passes as explained below:

1.) Paris Museum Pass

The Paris Museum Pass is a popular museum pass in Paris that allows free entry into a number of the city’s most popular museums and monuments. It also includes priority line entrances at some of the included sites.

This is a pass I have long recommended and you can read my full review of the Paris Museum Pass in an earlier post. Museums include:

• Musée de l’Orangerie
• National Museum of Asian Arts
• The Army Museum
• Quai Branly Museum
• Conciergerie
• Basilica Cathedral of Saint-Denis

2.) The Paris Pass ( Paris Attractions Pass )

This is the unique pass that is part of the Paris Pass package. It can not be purchased separately, only as part of the Paris Pass. It includes free entry into a number of Paris attractions, museums, and tours. Attractions include: 

• Eiffel Tower guided climb
• Hop-on Hop-off sightseeing bus tour
• Dali Museum
• Musée Grévin
• Paris Aquarium 
• Paris Chocolate Museum
• Paris walking tours
• Wine tasting
• Seine river cruise 
• Petit Train de Montmartre
• Parc Asterix

Calculate the Cost of each of the 2 Paris Pass components

Next you need to find out the value of each component of the Paris Pass. You can look up the cost for the Paris Museum Pass Card online. Then take the Paris Pass price and subtract the Paris Museum Pass price to get the Paris Attractions Pass value.

Cost breakdown (based on July 2024) pass prices:

• 2 Day Paris Pass: €62 (Museum Pass) + €127 (Attractions Pass) = €189.00
• 3 Day Paris Pass: €62 (2 Day Museum Pass) + €162 (Attrractions Pass) = €224.00
• 4 Day Paris Pass: €77 (Museum Pass) + €187 (Attractions Pass) = €264.00
• 6 Day Paris Pass: €92 (Museum Pass) + €217 (Attractions Pass) =  €309.00

Check the Paris Pass savings per component

Next with the information from above, use your particular Paris itinerary (see an example 2 day Paris itinerary here ) to calculate your cost savings for each of the three Paris Pass passes.

This step can take a while as it requires you to sort the attractions you want to visit by whether they are covered by the Paris Museum Pass or Paris Pass.

You can check the Paris Museum Pass website for the list of museums and monuments covered by that pass and then check this list for the attractions  covered by the Paris Attractions Pass.

Example A: I had determined that I would need 3 days to visit all the attractions on my list. I determined that a 3-day Paris Pass would not save me money as most of the attractions I want to visit are on the Paris Museum Pass, which is not included in the 3-day Paris Pass.

However I can still check if it makes more sense to buy the Paris Museum Pass and then purchase individual tickets for the other attractions I want to visit which are not on the Paris Museum Pass.

So my relevant information I need is that it is €77 for a 4 Day Paris Museum Pass (there is no 3-day Paris Museum Pass).

Paris Museum Pass – In Example A, many of the attractions that I want to visit are included on the Paris Museum Pass. These are Sainte Chapelle, Conciergerie, Arc de Triomphe, Musee d’Orsay, Centre Pompidou, the Louvre, Musee Rodin, and Versailles. These total €130.

As the Paris Museum Pass only costs €77 for four days, I will definitely save by investing in that, however the Paris Pass doesn’t make as much sense for this itinerary.

Example B:  I had determined that I would need 6 days to visit all the attractions on my list, and that the Paris Pass would provide cost savings. 

So my relevant information I need is for the 6 Day Paris Pass: €92 (Museum Pass) + €217 (Attractions Pass) =  €309.00

From the attractions I want to visit, the following were covered by the Paris Museum Pass: the Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, Musee d’Orsay, Versailles, Sainte-Chapelle, Conciergerie, Army Museum, Pantheon, Centre Pompidou and Chateau de Vincennes. These would cost €157 with normal adult entry fees.

Given that a 6 Day Paris Museum Pass costs €92, I would have significant cost savings with the Paris Museum pass.

Paris Attractions Pass – In Example B, I wanted to visit a number of attractions included on the Paris Attraction Pass. These were the Eiffel Tower, Paris Aquarium, Montparnasse Tower, Montmartre walking tour, Dali museum, another walking tour, wine tasting, Seine River cruise and Hop on Hop off bus. Booking these myself would cost €278.5. The Paris Attractions pass component on the 6-day Paris Pass costs €217, so this is another significant cost saving.

In this case the 6-day Paris Pass is definitely worth it.

Finally, Decide What you Need to Purchase

Now, you can take all the above information you calculated to determine if you should buy the Paris Pass, or whether it would make more sense to buy the Paris Museum Pass and then purchase separate tickets.

Example A: In this case, I would probably want to individually purchase a 4-Day Paris Museum Pass and then purchase a ticket for a Seine river cruise , the Eiffel tower and Montparnasse Tower separately. 

Example B: In this case, I would want to purchase the Paris Pass as it represents a significant cost savings. 

Summary of Paris Pass vs Paris Museum Pass

We appreciate that the decision to buy either the Paris Pass or the Paris Museum Pass (or neither!) can be tricky. Of all the passes we have used and reviewed over the years, the Paris Pass is definitely one of the more complex options.

The decision will generally come down to how long you are staying in Paris and which attractions you will be visiting.

For stays of 4 days and longer, we think the Paris Pass generally makes sense as it includes the Paris Museum Pass and covers the majority of what you will likely want to see in the city.

For stays of 3 days or less, the decision is less clear. If you will primarily be focusing on museums, then a standalone Paris Museum Pass will likely make more sense. You can then purchase separate tickets for the other attractions you are interested in visiting.

For stays of 3 days or less where you would like to experience things like wine tasting, the views from Montparnasse Tower, hop-on hop-off bus and guided tours, then the Paris Pass can definitely offer good value.

How to Buy the Paris Pass?

The Paris Pass can currently only be purchased online . It is valid for 24 months after date of purchase. Once purchased, the pass is available as a digital product which you can save in your smartphone in the Paris Pass app. You can also print it out if you would prefer a physical copy.

The Paris Museum Pass when purchased with the Paris Pass is, as of August 2023, is also a digital product which you can print out or save to your smartphone. Note that previous to August 2023 this it was a physical product that had to be picked up in Paris, so if you purchased your Paris Pass before August 2023 you will still need to collect it in person.

Some websites may still refer to this collection process but for new pass purchases everything is now delivered digitally, which saves you having to lose time collecting it.

If you did buy your Paris Pass prior to August 2023 then you will need to collect your Museum Pass in person. The collection point is the  Big Bus Ticket Shop located at 11 Avenue de L’Opera, 75001 Paris. The office is open 7 days a week from 9:30am (09:30) to 6:30pm (18.30). Any discounts offered online will not apply to in-person purchases.

One other thing to be aware of is the refund policy. Currently you can apply for a refund for the Paris Pass up to 90 days after purchase, should your plans change, and you have not activated the pass.

However, the refund only applies to the Paris Attraction Pass component of the pass. The Museum Pass is non-refundable, so that will be deducted from your refund. This is due to Paris Museum Pass policies on refunds.

Tips on Getting the Most Out of Your Paris Pass

• Plan ahead. Do a little research and figure out what attractions are included with the pass and which ones you plan to visit so you can make an informed choice of whether the Paris Pass makes sense for you or not. Use the information and examples above.
• The Paris Pass is valid for 24 months after purchase so you can purchase them up to a year before you plan to activate them.
• The Paris Pass is going to be of the most value for those coming for longer stays as the longer the Pass duration, the greater the potential value. So a 4 day pass will likely lead to greater cost savings than a 2 day pass. Similarly, the value multiplies by the number of travelers in your group so even if each person only saves €20, that is a saving of €80 for a family of 4!
• Note that the Pass may not offer as much savings for those who are eligible for concessions (e.g., seniors, EU citizens under 26, young children) as they may get reduced entrance fees at some attractions and some sites grant free admission. Many museums in Paris grant free admission to younger children, particularly children under age 12.  So if you are traveling with those who qualify for reduced entry fees, check out the prices before buying a Paris Pass. 
• If you are considering a 2 or 3 Day Paris Passes, note that these both come with a 2 day Paris Museum Pass. So you will need to plan your sightseeing accordingly. In some cases, the 4 Day Paris Pass might make more sense for a 3-day trip, depending on your itinerary. 
• Read through the Paris Pass digital guidebook BEFORE your trip. The more you know and the more prepared you are, the more value you can get out of your pass. 
• Remember that once you first use the pass, the time begins and it is only good for the next 2, 3, 4, or 6 consecutive days. When we had the pass, we thought about our days in Paris as either Pass days (focused on Pass attractions) or non-Pass days (focused on free things and attractions not covered by the pass).
• The Paris Pass has two separate components and you’ll want to have each of these on you throughout your trip. All the products are delivered digitally. You can however print them out if you’d prefer not to rely on your smartphone.
• The Paris Pass for children does not include a Paris Museum Pass as they get free entry into almost all of Paris’s museums and monuments if accompanied by an adult. Teens should carry a photo ID showing their birthdate as proof may be required to get free entry or receive age-related discounts.
• Try to begin using your Paris Pass on the morning of the first day you want to start using it so you can the get the most of it! Remember that once you first use the pass, the time begins and it is only valid for the next XX consecutive days. So if you have a 2 day pass and start using it on Monday (whether it is 8am or 8pm), it will be good for Monday and Tuesday only.
• Prioritize attractions you want to visit with higher entry fees if your pass does not cover your entire time in Paris. Use your Paris Pass to get you into those places you want to visit that are more costly (and have skip the line access) such as Versailles, the Louvre, Hop-on Hop-off bus, Eiffel Tower , the wine tasting, and the Seine river cruise to get the most value of your pass. If you don’t have time to visit lower cost places with your pass, then you can always visit them at your own expense later in your trip.
• When planning your time in Paris, be sure to consider attractions you want to visit that are not covered by the Paris Pass such as the Moulin Rouge , or the Catacombs. Don’t forget to factor in things like wandering around the city’s parks, shopping, comparing macarons , and sipping coffee or having a fancy afternoon tea . Plan your days so that you can maximize your Paris Pass days, and group together attractions by geographical location so you can minimize time spent traveling around the city.
• I f you plan to use the Paris hop-on, hop-off sightseeing bus, start using it in the morning so you can use it for the full day. You can get on and off as many times as you like in that time.
• The Paris Pass smartphone app has a built-in map. However, I personally prefer a physical map, and I love the detailed laminated Streetwise Paris Map produced by Michelin and always have it with me in Paris.
• As of 2021, the Paris Pass does NOT include travel on public transport. You will need to buy separate Metro or bus tickets. Tickets are easy to buy at Metro self-service stations, Metro ticket windows, or from bus personnel. Getting caught without a valid ticket can get you an instant fine, so be sure to always keep your ticket on you until your journey is completed. See our complete guide to getting around Paris for tips on transport.
• In the past, you could use the Paris Museum Pass to visit the same attraction multiple times if you wished during the pass’s validity period. This has changed. You can now only visit each museum or attraction once. You will not be allowed multiple entries or re-entry. So plan your visits wisely if there is a place you want to spend a lot of time visiting.

• Paris is the most visited city on earth so be prepared for some crowds and lines pretty much any time of the year, but summers can be particularly crazy. Try to visit the most popular attractions (e.g., Versailles, Louvre, Orsay) in the mornings near opening or alternatively later in the afternoons for the best experience. Also check for evening hours as many museums have late opening hours on certain days of the week which are often less crowded times to visit. Evening hours can also make it easier to see more attractions in a single day.
• For some of the attractions you will need to book ahead. These currently include things like the wine tasting experience, guided Eiffel Tower tour, as well as some museums like the Louvre. The guidebook will have the information you need to make any reservations. I would organize these tours as soon you know when you plan to visit to ensure you get a spot on your desired date as they are both popular.
• Most attractions in Paris shut down for at least one day per week. Smaller attractions may have limited hours and may only be open a few days each week. Also attractions may be closed or partially closed for long periods of time for restoration work. It is always a good idea to check their website or call ahead before setting out.
• Check ahead in the Guidebook or on the Paris Pass website to see which attractions you plan to visit provide Skip the Line access to pass holders. If you get to one of these attractions and are not sure if you are in the correct line for pass holders, ask a security guard or museum personnel so you can be sure.
• If there’s a tour of guided experience you want to do, check what times it runs as some only run once or twice a day. For example, the Eiffel Tower is likely on your list, and this is managed as a guided tour which runs at specific times a day. You will definitely want to plan your day and book these tours well in advance so as to avoid disappointment. The Paris Pass website and guidebook lists the regular tour times available.
• Note that although you get to skip the ticket lines at most places, you can’t fast-track security lines. Several places with tighter security still require that you wait in the same security line as everyone else. These include Sainte-Chapelle (only priority access for ticketing, not security line) the Louvre (only skips the ticket line), and Versailles (can skip ticketing line but must wait in same security line). For these three busy attractions (especially Versailles), I would suggest trying to get there around opening to avoid a long wait.
• Make note if any of the attractions you want to visit offer a free admission day during your visit. If they do, you could always visit them on a non-pass day. For instance, we’ve visited the Louvre, Château de Fontainebleau, and Musée Cluny on free admission days without needing to have a pass. Just be warned that they tend to be much more crowded on free days!
• Don’t try to see all the included attractions (or even half) in one visit. Some people get their Paris Passes and go down the list visiting as many as they can squeeze into their trip. We certainly know the feeling of wanting to see everything, but if you do this, you are going to be exhausted. Paris has so much to offer that is not on that list and you’ll want to take time to slow down and soak up the city whether it is lingering over a cup of coffee at a café, sitting in a park, watching the sunset over the Seine, or dancing at a club. Hopefully you’ll be back again in the future to catch those attractions you miss, but don’t go through Paris as if it is one big checklist of famous places.

Our Experience Using the Paris Pass & Our Cost Savings

Laurence and I often use city passes and museum passes in cities to save money and time and although we had both visited Paris before, we hadn’t been to a number of the attractions offered by the Paris Pass.

In fact, Laurence had never been to a few of the city’s most famous attractions (e.g., the Louvre, Versailles, Sainte-Chapelle) despite a number of prior visits and I wanted to revisit some of these attractions. We had been sent a voucher online for our Paris Passes and then picked up the Paris Passes at the Big Bus Ticket desk in central Paris (note this was when they were physical passes, only the Paris Museum Pass is still a physical pass). We had no problem getting our Paris Passes and we were also able to pick up a sightseeing bus map.

We were in Paris for 6 days total and so we used our Paris Pass for four of those days. During our 4-day Paris Pass period, we ended up visiting 13 attractions covered by the Pass plus the Hop-on Hop-off bus. That is about 3.5 attractions per day. In some attractions we spent a long time (e.g., Versailles, Louvre) whereas we spent much less time in other attractions (e.g., Espace Dali, Arc de Triomphe, Museum of Decorative Arts).

We were able to skip the ticket line at most attractions and three of the attractions we visited (Louvre, Centre Pompidou, Grevin Wax Museum) allowed Pass holders to join priority lines with the Fast Track Entry privilege. This definitely saved us time at the Louvre which had long lines when we visited although we still had to wait in the security line.

As far as cost-savings, here is how things worked out for us:

Note that prices have changed since we did the trip, and some attractions or features have been added or removed since our visit in this example. However, this should give you an idea of what’s possible.

As you can see from our example we ended up with a savings of €74.15 each for a total of €148.30 for the two of us. This is definitely a considerable cost savings for four days of sightseeing! 

We also broke down the cost savings by each Paris Pass component. We saved €28.00 each with the Paris Museum Pass or €56.00 for the two of us, and €46.15 each with the Paris Attractions Pass or €92.30 for the two of us.  We didn’t keep track of our public transportation usage but we probably either saved money or broke even as we used public transit a lot during our trip.

So the Paris Pass was definitely the best fit for this particular trip to Paris!

We would highly recommend that all visitors to Paris consider purchasing the Paris Pass. It is not a great fit for everyone, but it can potentially save you a lot of money on attractions.

The pass is particularly good for first-time visitors, active sightseers, those who plan to use public transportation, and those interested in doing the activities (e.g., sightseeing bus, walking tour, river cruise).

Check the official website for the Paris Pass and see if this attraction pass is a good fit for your next trip to Paris.

However, it is probably not a good fit for those on a tight budget, those who don’t plan to visit a lot of attractions, those visiting Paris for a shorter period of time, or those primarily interested in visiting attractions not covered by the Pass.

In these cases, you might consider either a standalone Paris Museum Pass, or just booking attractions individually. Here are our recommended links to book some of Paris’s top attractions, as well as the Paris Museum Pass. We list both the official site (where available) and GetYourGuide, which is where we normally book our tickets for attractions and tours around the world.

• Paris Museum Pass – Book on Official Site / Book on GetYourGuide
• Eiffel Tower – Book on Official Site / Book Tour on GetYourGuide
• Louvre Museum – Book on Official Site / Book on GetYourGuide
• Tour Montparnasse –  Book on Official Site / Book on GetYourGuide
• Seine River Cruise – Book on GetYourGuide
• Versailles –  Book on Official Site / Book on GetYourGuide

We hope this Paris Pass review is helpful to anyone planning a trip to Paris. Feel free to leave us any questions you have about the Paris Pass below and we are happy to try to answer them! Have you used the Paris Pass? We’d love to hear from others who have also used the pass.

**Disclosure: We were provided complimentary Paris Passes by The Paris Pass managed by Go City® in order to write a review and provide feedback; however, this article contains only our own honest thoughts and opinions. We specifically chose to visit Paris and all the stated attractions on our own, and have since used and purchased the Paris Pass ourselves multiple times on trips to Paris **

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Chloé D. Post author

August 8, 2023 at 7:42 am

Hi there, just wanted to say what a wonderful article! My family used the Paris Pass (4 day ones) on a recent 5 day visit to Paris and it helped us so much. Your tips really helped us make the most of our time in Paris (we used one of your itineraries on Finding the Universe) and how to use this pass. Definitely need to book ahead the popular attractions and tours in advance, but we did that and all went smoothly!

Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author

August 8, 2023 at 12:44 pm

Thanks so much for taking the time to come back and comment to let us know about your trip to Paris! So happy to hear it was a great trip for you and your family and that our Paris Pass tips and Paris itinerary helped you make the most of your time in the city!

Wishing you many more safe & wonderful travels!

Best, Jessica

GH Jung Post author

August 6, 2023 at 11:47 am

Hi, first of all thank you for so much information! I’m going to spend this October in Paris, and have purchased 6 day Paris Pass, and as that my stay is far longer than 6 days, I wanted to make sure if I could use the pass and the museum pass separately. Actually many reviews from web say it’s possible while the official website and CS answers it’s not. But as far as what your article is saying, it’s they can be used completely separately, right?

1. The first use of Paris Pass will only activate the Paris Pass when the Museum Pass gets collected later 2. The collection of the Museum pass at the Big Bus office won’t activate neither of the two passes (or at least the museum pass) 3. The collected museum pass will work just like any other museum pass purchased other wise (ie, it will be valid for144 hours after the first museum visited)

Are they all correct? There’s just too many information over many years, so it’s very hard to be sure to plan a trip… Thank you very much.

August 8, 2023 at 12:42 pm

Sorry for the delayed response but on the day I was originally writing a reply, we learned that the Paris Pass is changing the way the passes are given/work. If you already purchased your Paris Pass, then yes, they should work as we have previously discussed on here (lots of comments on this in the past). They are separate passes, the digital Paris Attractions Pass and the physical Paris Museum Pass (which you pick up once in Paris now). Each pass activates on first use, not upon receipt/download/reservation/pick-up. The Paris Museum Pass works just as we describe in our separate post detailing how it works. Technically using the two passes separately was strongly discouraged but this could be done as we have mentioned before. So you *should* be able to use it as you detailed above.

Now, if you have not purchased your Paris Pass yet (or did so on August 7th or later), then this has changed. The Paris Museum Pass (as part of the Paris Pass) is now a digital pass you need to download like the rest of the Paris Pass. So you no longer appear to have the opportunity to get a physical Paris Museum Pass, either for pick-up in person or to be mailed to you, as part of the Paris Pass. We are not sure how this will change how it works in terms of activation. But it appears that both passes are now synced together so you may not be able to use one without activating the other but we are not sure. The policy from Paris Pass: “The Paris Museum Pass must be used on a consecutive-day basis and in conjunction with your Paris Pass.”

We have contacted the Paris Pass folks about this for further clarification about the new change and how it will affect purchase and use of the pass. I’ll comment again once we have an update.

GH Post author

August 8, 2023 at 12:50 pm

Oh, wow I did not notice that they changed the way they distribute the Museum Pass until now. I guess I will and can still pick up the physical copy in person luckily. Thank you for all the valuable information, your website has been so much help to me so far and I appreciate so much!

Sarah Junke Post author

July 26, 2023 at 7:51 am

I’m so glad reading your article. Thanks for sharing wonderful information.

How many times can I visit the Louvre with the Paris Pass, can I leave and come back in the same day?

July 27, 2023 at 8:28 am

So, for each museum or attraction included on the Paris Pass, you can only visit once during the pass’s validity time. So you can only enter and exit the Louvre Museum once. And you also need to have a reserved time to enter the Louvre which you can do with the Paris Museum Pass (which is included if you get a 4 day or 6 day Paris Pass – the Louvre entrance is not currently included as part of the 2-day Paris Pass). I would recommend booking your times before you leave for your trip and once you know what date you would like to visit.

You can’t leave and re-enter the Louvre with the pass. So if you want to spend a full day here, I’d go in the morning so you can spend as much time as you wish. There are several places inside to get food or drinks so you can have a break inside the museum without needing to exit the museum. There are also nights when the museum is open later than usual, which can give you more time inside so you can check for those as well during the dates of your visit.

Hope that helps and just let us know if you have any further questions as you plan your trip to Paris!

Erica B. Post author

April 29, 2023 at 10:47 am

Your review is a paid review, per your disclosure, so it’s not going to be unbiased. I just used the ParisLib pass in April 2023, and I have to provide honest feedback for anyone considering buying this pass. If you are that person, I totally don’t recommend the ParisLib Pass to anyone. You don’t save any money and the only advantage is that you get to skip the ticket line. HOWEVER, you can skip the ticket line by also booking directly on an attraction’s website. Either way, you still have to wait in the security line for each attraction.

The WORST thing about the pass is the lack of customer support. There is no customer support number and if you email, they take 48 hours to respond. If you’re in Paris for a short time, this will be a major problem. If you accidentally book the wrong attraction (like I did), you have to contact the place you booked the ticket at and ask for a cancellation/refund. The problem is that they don’t always answer the phone at these places, nor do they always speak English. The APP itself is awkward to use. After you purchase the Pass, you choose your attraction to book and then a link takes you to the attraction’s website where you then book your ticket. Just think about it. You could’ve saved yourself the hassle of booking through the Paris Lib app by booking directly through the attraction’s website. Did I already say that? Yes, I did. YOU WON’T REGRET NOT BUYING THE APP.

May 1, 2023 at 12:27 pm

Thanks for taking the time to leave your review; however, this article is a review of the Paris Pass not the ParisLib Pass (which you used) so they are not the same product or pass. The Paris Pass is a pass sold by Go City and the Paris Passlib’ is a digital city card sold by the Paris Tourism Board. We have not used the Paris Passlib’ and have never written about it. I am sorry to hear that you did not have a good experience with it. I would recommend leaving a review directly with that company.

The two passes we have used and do recommend people consider are the Paris Museum Pass and the Paris Pass. I have purchased and used the Paris Museum Pass and/or Paris Pass many times. We have never written a paid review of a place or product, but we did receive free Paris Passes on one visit to Paris which is in our disclosure and we do receive affiliate commission from some sales of the pass as disclosed. But we used passes in Paris before I started this blog and we try very hard to write reviews that are as unbiased as possible.

Anyone considering a Paris city pass of any kind should always check what is included and how it works, and do the math to see if it will save you time and money. If you have any questions related to the Paris Pass or Paris Museum Pass, we are happy to try to answer them!

May 1, 2023 at 1:59 pm

Thanks Jessica. Sorry I didn’t get that you were reviewing a different pass. I actually thought it was the ParisLib pass. There are many passes offered so it can get confusing. Feel free to remove this comment unless you’d like to keep it up.

Thomas Rainger Post author

February 8, 2023 at 12:17 pm

You state “The Paris Museum Pass allows unlimited entry into the museums during your Pass days so if you want to make 3 visits to the Louvre, you can!

Is that still true?

P.S. These are amazingly complicated and you do a great job of explaining them!

February 13, 2023 at 7:31 am

No, that has changed as they updated the pass in recent years and now are able to digitally track the use of the pass (before most museums just looked at it). So it is now just one entry per museum/attraction. We’ve updated this on that post since that information is now outdated.

This is important to know when planning your time as you can’t just visit the Louvre for a few hours one day and then plan to return with the pass. You’d need to buy a separate ticket to return again.

The COVID pandemic has caused a lot of changes to the passes and to attraction entry in general in Paris. The other thing to note is that the Paris Museum Pass may no longer be part of the Paris Pass in the future. So you can still currently purchase it as part of the Paris Pass (4 and 6 day ones only) but this may change in the future. So if you wish to purchase both together, I’d do that soon. But if not, you will still be able to purchase the Paris Museum Pass separately.

Hope that helps, and just let us know if you have any further questions about the Paris Pass and/or Paris Museum Pass!

Rishav Jain Post author

November 27, 2022 at 1:38 pm

I am planning a tour of 10 days in Paris. Can you please help with the itinerary you had planned and if you would suggest any modifications?

November 28, 2022 at 7:51 am

Happy to try to help you with planning your trip in Paris. Are you planning to be in Paris for 10 days, or are you doing a tour starting in Paris for 10 days in Europe?

The itinerary we mention in the post is just an example itinerary for 4 days so yes, it would definitely need to be modified for 10 days if you have 10 full days in Paris. If you want to send us your drafted itinerary, happy to take a look and make suggestions or answer any questions.

The Paris Pass is a good deal for those planning to visit a lot of attractions. For a 10 day stay in Paris, we’d recommend the 6 day pass . You can plan the included pass activities you want to do over the 6 day period of the pass, and then use the other 4 days for other attractions and free things in Paris.

Hope that helps, let us know if you have further questions as you plan your trip to Paris.

Tatiana Post author

August 3, 2022 at 11:55 am

Hi Jessica. Me again.. now in Paris. we will be 3 days in Paris. here is what I’m thinking. not sure if I should get the passes Thursday: Versailles – paid a tour to avoid lines Friday: Eiffel tower – paid a tour to avoid lines ; louvre, st chapelle, notre dame Saturday: hop bus, maybe D’orsay, Arch I have been in Paris with my older daughter and definitely don’t want to go to many museums. what I’m missing? my kids are 16 and 21. not sure if the pass will be worth. maybe because only the bus is 42euros?

August 3, 2022 at 12:47 pm

Hi Tatiana,

Yes, so it sounds like you’d be able to use the Paris Pass go into the Louvre, St. Chapelle, sightseeing bus, Musee d’Orsay and the Arc de Triomphe. So you can calculate if you would have savings from the Paris Pass or not on those places. The sightseeing bus, if you plan to take that, is a significant value. Note that with or without a pass, you do need to make reservations for the Louvre and St. Chapelle to visit.

Notre Dame is obviously still closed (since the fire in 2019) so you can’t go into the cathedral, towers, etc. The only parts that I think are currently open are the square in front of the cathedral and part of the crypt. So that may or may not be worth visiting to you.

The Paris Pass also includes some walking tours of different neighborhoods that might be of interest to your daughters as well as the fashion show at Galeries Lafayette. But I would maybe ask your daughters what they are most interested in to see what else you might want to do in Paris. If one has already done the main tourist sites, they may not be very interested then in visiting the Louvre or Musee d’Orsay for instance.

Tatiana DeMauro Post author

August 3, 2022 at 2:38 pm

Thanks. I might just get the Museum pass for me and my older daughter. Looks like my 16 does not need passes for all the sites we are visiting. Am I correct? Louvre we definitely need to go for the Mai’s attractions. Other than that I don’t think we will go to any other museum. Is the bus worth. The Paris Pass also includes transportation but we will basically use for 2 days.

August 4, 2022 at 8:31 am

Yes, I think if you are OK with the sightseeing bus not being included, the Paris Museum Pass (rather than the Paris Pass) would be a better deal. And yes, your 16 y.o. should get into most of the attractions on your list for free so doesn’t need the pass. You will want to be sure to bring along her passport or another photo ID with her date of birth if asked to verify her age.

The sightseeing bus can be good to get a nice view and overview of city. And if your day is planned well (e.g., goes in order of bus stops) it can also serve as a good way to get between attractions. But if you are comfortable using the Metro and buses, it is easy to get around by public transporation plus walking. You can get the tickets/passes for the metro at the ticket machines there. So it really depends. We tend to only use sightseeing buses in a new city for one day rather than two. So it just depends. But if you don’t get the Paris Pass, you can buy the tickets separately. There are a couple of companies, one of the big ones is the Big Bus company .

You said your daughters like walking around. A couple of places you might enjoy strolling around are the neighborhoods of Montmartre (up on the hill) and I also really like strolling around the Marais as well as the two islands (île Saint-Louis and île de la Cité) there. St. Chapelle and Notre Dame are on the larger island, Ile de la Cité, so you will already be in that area. The larger gardens in Paris, such as the Jardin du Luxembourg, are also really lovely places to stroll and have an ice cream or coffee and people watch. You might also consider a Seine cruise as those normally run from morning to fairly late in the evening.

But there are so many interesting things in Paris that you will of course have to pick the ones that are most interesting to you and work with your schedule!

August 4, 2022 at 12:55 pm

Thanks Jessica. that is really helpful. I might just buy the Museum Pass and not use the bus. If I change my mind I can buy separately. We also hired a private driver that will drive us around at night time. Thanks for taking the time

RavelO Post author

July 23, 2022 at 5:36 am

Hi Jessica, would like to ask if I purchase the 3 Day Paris Pass and start using it on Day1, can I separately activate 1 Day Hop-on Hop-off bus only on Day2 instead?

July 23, 2022 at 11:24 am

Yes, you can use the HOHO sightseeing bus pass any day of your 3 days once you start using the Paris Pass. So you can indeed start using the Paris Pass on Day 1 and then do the HOHO bus on Day 2 of your trip. I think they will still give you a bus voucher once you get on the bus – you just need to show your pass to the bus conductor or at the Big Bus kiosk.

I think the bus is currently running one route which has 10 stops and it runs 10am to 5pm (but do check schedule for when you actually visit. I would recommend picking it up in the morning so that you can use it as much as you want for a full day and get the most out of it. If you plan to get on and off, I’d plan your stops so they coincide with the bus route stops. The bus stops at each stop about every 30-40 minutes.

Hope that helps. Wishing you a wonderful trip to Paris!

July 23, 2022 at 8:37 pm

Thanks for the quick reply! This really helps in our planning!

Lalit Post author

June 27, 2022 at 3:33 am

Hi Jessica and Laurence I am planning a 4 day Paris Trip from July 26 (Hotel arrival at 3pm at Montrouge). We are family of 04 including 02 youth (12 and 17), plan to take a 02 day Paris Pass and would Want to cover the following – Seine River Cruise, HOHO Bus, Arc De Triomphe, Louvere (Mona Lisa), Wine tasting, Eiffel Guided tour to Level 2 and 01 full day at Disney.

Have planned the following Day -1 : Seine river cruise and collect Museum Pass Day -2: HOHO morning + Louvere till Lunch + Arc De Triomphe after lunch + Eiffel Guided tour by eve + Stay back to watch Illuminating Eiffel. If time permits, take HOHO Blue route for pictures at Moulin Rouge Day -3: Full day at Disney Day 4: Picnic at garden near Palace de la Concorde and Go back to Eiffel for more pictures and Walk at Seine River in evening

Need help with 1. Is this itinerary ok with Young Children. If not, please suggest. 2. What will be the best way to travel from Hotel at Montrouge to these places – At the least cost yet with least inconvenience of hopping much 3. Suggest nice places to eat, closer to Asian tastes

June 27, 2022 at 6:29 am

Happy to try to help you with your Paris trip.

A few comments on your itinerary:

Day 1 – Just note that you will probably want to pick up your Paris Museum Pass before your Seine cruise ride as you want to make sure you arrive to pick it up before the office closes. Day 2 – Once you have your Paris Pass, be sure to book and reserve times for both the Louvre and Eiffel Tower climb as these need to be pre-booked. The wine tasting tour (if doing one next to Louvre included on Pass) would also need to be booked if you plan to do that on Day 1 or 2? Also note that this will be a busy full day so I would recommend leaving your hotel early and maybe just grabbing a quick lunch at the Louvre (there are a couple restaurants/cafes there) to save time to make sure you have enough time to do everything. Day 3 – No comment, just be sure that you have your ticket reservation and your transport figured out for how you will get to and from Disneyland. Day 4 – Sounds like a relaxing final day.

1. Yes, I would say so. Your children are older so I am sure they will enjoy a mix of different attractions and sites. But, of course, it just depends on what your kids like to do and see. I would ask them to see if there is anything really special they want to do or see.

2. Your accommodation is pretty far from the main attractions in Paris if staying in the Montrouge area so you will need to plan ahead to try to leave early to get the most of your time. The best way to get around is going to be to take the Paris Metro. It will take you about 40-50 minutes to get into central Paris where the attractions you want to visit are such as the Eiffel Tower or to the Bateaux Parisiens ticket booth (for Seine River cruise). You can use Google maps, a printed metro map, or the Bonjour RATP app to help you figure out which lines you need to take. You can buy tickets at the station, cost of each ride is about 1,90 euros per person.

3. We tend to eat French food in Paris so don’t have a lot of recommendations for good Asian food. It is also going to depend on where you are when you are wanting to eat and what type of Asian food you prefer (e.g., Thai, Indian, Chinese, Japanese). I would just google what you are wanting to find what is available. For example if you are looking for Indian restaurants near your hotel, you can just search something like “best Indian restaurants in Montrouge Paris” For a more special meal (perhaps on your last day), you can check the online Michelin Guide for the most highly rated restaurants in Paris and then search by Asian cuisine.

Hope that helps! Jessica

Catherinr Post author

June 20, 2022 at 12:34 pm

I read it on here but I want to confirm as of June 20, 2022. If we purchase a 6 day Paris Pass we can activate the attraction pass for the first six days and then activate the museum pass for the second 6 days?! This would make the 6 day pass essentially a 12 day pass?! This would be great?! Thank you!

June 21, 2022 at 4:34 am

Hi Catherinr,

So the Paris Pass is designed and sold with the intention that all the components are used in the same 6 days. But as far as we know, you could still use them in this way as the components are separate and can be activated separately. They would still need to be used on consecutive days.

Just note that this is against how they are supposed to be used (by contract with the company) so we can’t promise that this will work and continue to work in this way.

Hope that helps and wishing you a wonderful trip to Paris! Jessica

Jenny Post author

June 4, 2022 at 8:58 am

You may want to update your article – the Children’s pass is for age 2-12 not 2-17. Over 12 must buy the adult pass at which point it isn’t really worth it as they get into museums free.

June 4, 2022 at 11:37 am

The information is correct in the article. I think you are getting the Paris Pass confused with the Paris Museum Pass (or perhaps another Paris discount pass?). The Paris Pass includes a Paris Museum Pass for adults.

For the Paris Pass as noted from their website on how a child is defined: “You can buy Child Passes for 2-17-year-olds. Adult Passes are for 18-year-olds and above.” So the information is correct as stated in our article. When you go to purchase the pass on their website, it shows the ages and says a Child pass is for those age 2-17.

As noted, children can get into a lot of museums in Paris for free (particularly the national museums) that are included on the Paris Museum Pass (see tips in Paris Museum Pass article, I think there were only about 5 museums/attractions on that pass not free for children). This is why we generally don’t recommend the Paris Museum Pass for children. The Paris Museum Pass is not included with child Paris Passes for that reason and is why they are much less expensive than the adult passes.

However, this is not the case with the attractions included on the Paris Pass itself as children of most ages do not get free entry into most of those. These include things like the HOHO sightseeing bus, Eiffel Tower tour, city walking tours, fashion show, Parc Asterix, Seine river cruise, Paris Aquarium, the wax museum, and the Tour Montparnasse observation tower.

Depending on the age of your children, I would check the specific attractions you want to visit and calculate the prices to see if the Paris Pass would be any savings for you and your family.

Hope that helps, Jessica

Steve Post author

May 28, 2022 at 3:58 am

Thank you for sharing. I am going to Paris this summer and surely needed this tip because I want to spend more on wine hahah.

May 28, 2022 at 3:45 pm

You’re welcome. Hope that Paris Pass can help you save money on your trip this summer so you can spend the savings on some nice French wine!

Have a great trip! Jessica

Sandra Post author

April 30, 2022 at 10:13 pm

Thank you so much for this comprehensive guide! I have one slight concern. We have just purchased the Paris Pass and are happily planning and booking at the attractions. The first two (Eiffel Tower and Aquarium )state that a adult is 13 years and above but we have purchased two child Paris Passes for my sons (11 & 15 years old) because that is what the Paris Pass site said. Are we going to encounter problems when we arrive at the attractions? Many thanks in advance

May 1, 2022 at 5:48 am

Yes, as long as you purchased the Paris Pass that matches your child’s age at time of entry that should not be an issue. The attractions have agreed to be on the passes and to accept those conditions. We have confirmed this with Paris Pass and they said that should not be an issue at either of those attractions.

Just be sure when making reservations that you follow the instructions as given by the Paris Pass website or app when making your bookings.

Hope that helps, and wishing you and your family a wonderful trip to Paris!

Lin Post author

April 19, 2022 at 7:17 am

I bought the Paris Pass after read your article on this website for my trip a couple of weeks ago and had really bad experience. 1. The Paris Pass is run by a company called GoCity located in Germany, the pass does NOT include transportation such as buses and train. 2. I spent an extra 2 hours and about 25 Europes for Uber to get the Big Bus station to get the museum pass. 3. It sounds good that the pass covers whole lots of the entries, but the reality is that, during two days, I was only able to visit several museums, which would be cheaper just to buy the tickets from the museum website. 3. The tour guides are from an independent company called Experiencefirst from New York, which are not part of the Paris Pass company. So if you could not make it to the tour you booked, the Experiencefirst will still charge you for it because you used your credit card to book the tour. This charge will NOT be refunded by the Paris Pass even it says the tour is covered, which means you will pay twice for some service you did not get!!!! 4. There is only limited places you can skip the line, for most places such as the river cruise, you need first to go the ticket office (of course a long line) for ticket, then get in another long line to get on the cruise. Basically, the Paris Pass just brought extra stress during our trip after I paid ~$250USD for two people. I hope no more people will experience what I had and I would NEVER recommend the Paris Pass!.

April 19, 2022 at 8:14 am

I am very sorry to hear that you did not have a good experience with the Paris Pass. It is not a good deal for everyone and everyone’s trip to Paris. And certainly if you have a short or rushed trip to Paris or are planning to visit relatively few attractions, it may make sense to purchase individual tickets. It also sounds like you were in Paris during a busy period.

I am glad you shared your experience with us and I am sure it may be helpful to future travelers. However, it also seems like you had some inaccurate beliefs about the Paris Pass and some of the information you noted is not correct. So I wanted to clarify some of that info below and comment on some of your points to help future travelers.

1. Go City (formerly Leisure Pass) is based in London and is a UK registered company as far as I am aware and it looks like it has been registered in London for over 20 years. But they have offices in different locations including London, Boston, Singapore and New York. GoCity operate over 20 passes in different cities worldwide. I don’t work for the company but I am pretty sure it is not based in Germany nor do I think they have any significant presence there…I am wondering if perhaps you are reading the information for the TurboPass Paris City Pass which I believe is based in Germany? And yes, Paris Pass is not a company, it is just the name of the pass.

2. Yes, the only transportation included with the Paris Pass is the Big Bus sightseeing bus pass as noted in our article and on their website so I am not sure if you expected otherwise? If you purchased your pass more than a year ago, then a public transit pass that included the metro, buses, and local trains was included. Unfortunately, that was taken out of the pass over a year ago so that information would not have been on the website if you purchased it only a couple of weeks ago. Again, I am wondering if you are instead talking about the TurboPass here instead as it does still include public transport?

3. Yes the Paris Museum Pass (that comes with the digital Paris Pass) is a physical pass so you do need to pick it up in central Paris. But I think this is something clearly noted in our article as well as in the information on collecting it when you buy the pass. But something for people to keep in mind.

4. For individual attractions, yes the tours guides are going to be employed by either the attraction itself or by a tour company. Go City is not a tour company but just sells city passes. So for example, the ExperienceFirst company is the one that currently offers the included guided climbing tour of the Eiffel Tower on the pass. The tour is free if you book with a valid Paris Pass. I would check the cancellation policy at the time of your booking with ExperienceFirst in terms of their refund/rescheduling policy – it looks like they ask customers to cancel at least 24 hours in advance.

5. Yes, I agree, that is one annoyance of the river cruises is that they ask you to collect your free ticket before the cruise when using a pass. They do this if you purchase a voucher beforehand as well. I wish they would just scan passes and vouchers at boarding instead to save time. We have experienced this with multiple companies and with dinner cruises on the Seine. It is not specific to the Paris Pass though.

Hope the above clarifies some of the points made by Lin for those reading this.

Lin, I am sorry again that you had a negative experience with the Paris Pass. I would definitely recommend passing on this feedback about your experience to them with any specific recommendations of what they could improve if you have not done so already.

Wishing you safe and happy future travels, Jessica

Simon Post author

April 13, 2022 at 3:23 am

Hello , Thank you so much for the tips. Can you please advise me if my plan is okay to use the paris museum pass first and then the paris attraction pass afterwards. For example in a 4 day pass that we will purchase, we will use the museum pass from June 11-14 and then the paris attraction pass from June 15 to June 18.

Thanks in advance for your reply, Simon

April 14, 2022 at 5:43 am

You’re very welcome. And yes you should be able to use the Paris Pass in that way (as long as things don’t change) as the Paris Pass which is a digital pass is separate from the Paris Museum Pass which is a physical pass. You just need to make sure you don’t activate them before you want its 4-day period to start and will want to plan out your trip to do the Paris Pass attractions during the first 4 days and the Paris Museum Pass the final 4 days in Paris.

Hope that helps, and just let us know if you have any further questions.

Have a great trip to Paris!

Louis Post author

February 20, 2022 at 9:26 am

Thank you very much for this detailed article.

Would you know if it’s possible to mix 2x adults 6 days pass with a 2 day child pass by doing 2 separare purchases?

Most of the attractions we want to visit are free for kids whilst for us parents a 6 days pass makes total sense.

On the official website you have to select the length and then all passes are the same so I was thinking of making 2 separare purchases one for 6 days and the other for 2.

However, I don’t know how it would work in practice when visiting attractions and I would be asked to enter the pass code number (particularly for those attractions for which a reservation is required).

Do booking systems allow for multiple pass code numbers to be entered or are they designed on the assumption the whole family will be issued with one pass code number? (in which case my plan won’t work and I will have to go for a 6 days pass for all of us, even though I only really need a 2, max 3 days pass for the kids)

February 22, 2022 at 5:30 am

Yes, you should be able to buy 2 6-day Paris Passes for adults and then the 2 2-day Paris Passes for children. Just do the two separate orders. Younger children in particular get in free to most Paris attractions and younger children only need to pay for a handful of attractions included on the pass. So if you can plan so that all the paid attractions and tours are together over 2-3 days that is a good strategy to save money.

Most places included on the Paris Pass do not require reservations although COVID has definitely increased the number and we expect that reservations will continue to be required for a number of places throughout 2022. For those that do you should be able to put in each of the Paris Pass or Paris Museum Pass codes separately (if a number is required) as each person would need an individual pass. Some don’t require the pass number to make a reservation and you can see specific instructions for each attraction on the Pass here (some require you to select a special option or put in a particular code): https://parispass.com/en-us/reservations .

Your passes will be checked/scanned and validated at the actual attraction rather than in advance so I don’t think they validate the Paris Pass numbers at the reservation stage anyway, just once you arrive in person. For all places that require reservations like the Lourve, just be sure to bring your e-ticket or printed reservations along with your physical Paris Museum Passes and digital Paris Passes for everyone. You will need both your e-tickets/reservations and passes to enter an attraction. Note some attractions and tours will require the physical Paris Museum Pass and some the digital Paris Pass code so always have both on you.

Hope that helps, and wishing you a wonderful trip to Paris with your family!

Ajinkya Jagtap Post author

January 13, 2020 at 7:34 am

Hi, i want to buy a separate Paris museum pass & Paris travel pass, can i do it? If so, please also share a link, as i cannot find a way to email the company! The contact support from seems to be broken too!

January 14, 2020 at 7:20 am

Hi Ajinkya,

Yes, you can buy those parts of the Paris Pass separately if you are not needing the Paris Attractions Pass portion. You can purchase them either in person once in Paris or online.

You can purchase the Paris Museum Pass either here or here online.

For the Paris Visite Pass, you can purchase that here .

Jonathan Coleman Post author

October 17, 2019 at 11:47 am

Hi Jessica and Laurence.

Thank you for such a detailed analysis of the pass. We will look closely at the museum pass for our Late-November 6 day trip. A question for you. Do you have recommendations for wine tastings in Paris?

Thanks, Jonathan

October 17, 2019 at 12:44 pm

Hi Jonathan,

Glad you have found our article helpful. Just note that the Paris Museum Pass and the Paris Pass are different passes, so be sure to look at each separately when deciding which (if either) is best for your trip to Paris.

There are several places where you can do wine tasting in Paris, with wine bars, classes, private guides, tasting dinners, etc.. I’d take a look at O Chateau as it a popular venue for wine tasting although we’ve not been here ourselves. But there are lots of different options, and you can see many options and read reviews of different experiences here .

Another option to consider, since you have 6 days in Paris, is to take a day tour from Paris to a wine region of interest, such as the Loire Valley or Champagne (or even Burgundy although perhaps too long of a trek for most). Then you can visit wineries and do tastings and learn about that particular region. Some tours are only focused on wine and some mix wine tasting with sightseeing (e.g., castle tours + wine tasting lunch). We’ve been to all these regions and they are all great in different ways. You can see some tour options here .

Hope that helps! Just let us know if you have further questions as you plan your trip.

JAYESH NISAR Post author

September 5, 2019 at 9:29 am

Hi Jessica and Laurence

Thanks a ton for your absolutely elaborate step by step guide. I am rather concerned about the new Louvre rule which makes it incumbent to pre book a slot. I intend to visit the Louvre twice, once for the 11 am tour, and later in the evening on Friday. So how odes the pass allow you to do that? Further, the pass website mentions guided tours at 11 am. Are these the same as organised by the museum and booked on its website?

Thanks again Jayesh

September 5, 2019 at 11:28 am

You will only be able to use the Paris Museum Pass once to enter the Louvre. You will need to pre-book your time slot online with your name and Paris Museum Pass number and bring both with you to the museum. They will check them at security and then scan them when you enter the actual museum sections. The Paris Pass only allows entry to each attraction once.

If you want to visit the museum twice, I’d recommend pre-booking a regular separate ticket for one of your visits.

For those tour times, I think they have just inserted the regular times for the Welcome to the Louvre tours which normally take place at 11am and 2pm each day. These are not included with the Paris Museum Pass but you can pre-book them online or book that once inside the Louvre at the tour desk under the Pyramid. But to ensure you get the tour time you want, I’d recommend pre-booking the entrance ticket that comes with the guided tour, I believe they are currently 26 euros.

September 6, 2019 at 9:25 am

Dear Jessica

So grateful for your prompt reply. Unfortunately, the Louvre guided tours are booked out till the last week of September, and our last day in Paris is the 23rd. So thats out of the question. The Paris Pass web page of attractions shows in its overview section on the Louvre, that 60 minute tours depart every 30 minutes. That’s confusing, isn’t it? Hoping against hope… Jayesh

September 6, 2019 at 10:34 am

We have contacted the Paris Pass team on your behalf to clarify the information about the tours. I am 98% sure that there are no guided tours that are included with the Paris Pass but I will reply back once we get a confirmed response from the team. I agree that the text is confusing.

I am sorry to hear that the Louvre tours are sold out already, I am surprised but they have been seeing a large influx of visitors this summer which is why they have had to start using a reservation priority system. But all is not lost if you want to a tour of the Louvre, as you can get a tour from an outside guide.

• Take Walks offers a 2 hour highlights tour of the museum. They also have a couple of other Louvre tours. We have not done this specific tour but we have had really good experiences with this company and their guides.
• You can check out a number of guided tours on reputable third-party sites like GetYourGuide and Viator , which both offer a large number of different guided Louvre tours.
• Context Travel has a popular 3 hour tour led by art historians that is either in a small group or private. You can 10% off booking price for any Context tours using our links.

If you see a guided tour you like, most of the above tours have good cancellation policies (check the terms!) so you could book one until you know for sure about the Paris Pass. I will reach back out shortly once we get a response from the Paris Pass team.

September 9, 2019 at 8:07 am

I heard back from the Paris Pass team today and just want to confirm that only the entry to the Louvre’s main collection is included in the Paris Pass (and Paris Museum Pass). The pass does not include any guided tours, so you will need to book any tours separately.

irene Post author

September 4, 2019 at 3:59 pm

Hello Jessica and Laurence, I loved this article and appreciate the time you put in to give us all this information! I am seeking some advice to see whether or not it would be worth buying the 6-day pass (or any pass for that matter) if we are going to be in Paris for more than 2 weeks. I have read and understood that we can activate the paris pass and museum pass at different times which seems like it would workout with our time in Paris.

Thank you in advance! 🙂

September 5, 2019 at 3:49 am

Yes, I think that if you plan to visit several attractions with both passes as part of the Paris Pass (Museum Pass and Attractions pass), then yes, it is definitely worth getting. The longer your time, the better the value. It is a shame there is not a 10 day Paris Pass (as there is in London) as the longer passes, offer the best value.

But yes, you can use the 3 components separately if you wish and spread it out longer than the 6 days. I’d plan out your itinerary to maximize the use of the two passes. You can just buy carnets of Paris metro tickets (sets of 10, best value) or another transit card to use once you run out of your 6 day Visite Paris transit tickets.

Note: The most recent version of the Paris Museum Pass (as of the new versions being issued starting in June 2019) is no longer operating on consecutive days, but consecutive hours from first scan at an included attraction. Still works the same way, but it is now timestamped and so you don’t need to start using early in morning to get in a full day. So if you had a 2 day bass, it would be valid for the following 48 hours after your first visit.

Hope that helps, and enjoy your 2 weeks in Paris!

Melodie Dombrowski Post author

June 21, 2019 at 3:33 pm

Thank you for your really complete review of the Paris Pass. I want to restate something you said to be certain that I am correctly understanding the details as it seems almost too good to be true! You state that the three components of the Paris Pass can be activated separately, the Muesum, the metro visite, and the Paris Attractions pass. So, I am going to be in Paris for 9 days. Does this mean I could use the Attractions pass for the first 6 days, doing the Seine and bus tour at the beginning of my trip, and then activate the museum pas for the last 6 days, knowing the attractions pass will run out of days before the museum does. The travel card, I will use for 6 solid days within that time frame. This essentially stretches out my passes to the full nine days if I stick to what is covered by one card at a time. That is an incredible bargain if I am understanding the rules correctly. Am I right? I’m thoroughly enjoying your posts on Paris, thank you for them.

June 22, 2019 at 1:39 pm

Hi Melodie, Yes, you read that correctly. The Paris Pass is designed to be used for the length you purchase it for but since there are separate components, you don’t have to activate them at the same time. So if you purchased a 6 day Paris Pass, you could activate the Paris Museum Pass and the Paris Attractions pass on separate days. You just need to use all three components within the 6 consecutive days of activation of that component. Enjoy your trip to Paris!! Jessica

Francois Londt Post author

May 17, 2019 at 10:53 pm

Hi Jessica and Lawrence I am so grateful for the excellent advice and recommendations you proposed in your reply. It is going to prove very helpful, but it looks like, by my asking what I had asked from you, is going to prove quite a mouthful. Be that as it may , with your advice , I am certainly going to use the recommendations as a jumping off plank and go through your note stage by stage. This is as sane an approach as I can imagine and as soon as my mind is clearer, i.e after having digested contents of your note, I’ll bravely proceed. Wish me luck! I’m shifting my starting date for the six day pass and have decided not to include the Eiffel Tower visit within those six days. Thanks again, and for all the best, Francois

May 18, 2019 at 3:03 am

Hi Francois, Glad our advice was helpful and just let us know if you have further questions. Best of luck! Jessica

May 14, 2019 at 4:16 pm

I am planning to visit Paris and London for 6 weeks and have bought the 6 day passes for each city. I have already purchased 2 six day passes via your website . I have also made a booking for the Eiffel tower for 12 July in the 10.30 a.m. slot. I would like to commence using the Paris Pass on Sunday, 7 July. I plan to visit the Louvre, Rodin ,Pompidou, Picasso, l’Orangerie and Orsay museums. I’m also hoping to see St Chapelle, St Denis, Opera Garnier, Tour Montparnasse, Versailles,hop on hop off bus and the Bateaux Parisiens. I would be so grateful if you could help with planning such an itinerary. I tried , but have not come up with anything near to workable. The London one is also giving me headaches! I would especially like to visit the Louvre and Orsay for at least 2 hours each. I have read your advice and found them very helpful, not to mention your clear website on the matter. Thanks again so much.

May 16, 2019 at 6:54 am

Hi Francois,

Sounds like you will have lots of time to explore London and Paris. The passes will definitely help you save money, the 6 day passes are a good value, especially since you plan to visit a lot of attractions.

We don’t have a 6 day Paris itinerary (yet) to share. But we do have a 3 day itinerary that should get you started that covers about half or more of the places you wish to visit.

The most important thing is to try to group attractions together. And then check opening dates and time to make sure all are open on the date you plan to visit. Most attractions close for 1 day per week in Paris. Many museums and attractions, particularly in summer, have late opening hours one or two nights a week which can extend your sightseeing potential on certain days.

-1 day you could group together Eiffel Tower, Bateaux Parisiens cruise (starts and ends near tower), Rodin Museum, and maybe Tour Montparnasse -1 day you could visit l’Orangerie and Orsay museums since close together and this is also maybe a good day to walk down Champs-élysées (famous shopping boulevard) and see Arc de Triomphe (included on pass if you wish to climb to top). You can then head over by metro to do the tour of the Opera Garnier. -1 day you can visit Centre Pompidou, Picasso Museum, Saint-Chapelle (easy to combine with Conciergerie), and explore the other sites on the isles (Notre-Dame, Deportation Memorial , Île Saint-Louis). Notre-Dame is of course currently closed but definitely worth seeing from outside. -I’d also leave most of a day to explore Versailles, perhaps head there in a morning and then choose something open in the evening to do when you return (like Eiffel Tower, late night museum opening like Pompidou, theatre performance, or Tour Montparnasse). -I’d leave most of a day to explore the Louvre at a leisurely pace since you have a lot of time in Paris, good cafes and restaurants for breaks and food. The wine tasting experience included as part of the Paris Pass (Paris Attractions Pass) is near the Louvre and a good add-on as are some lovely gardens and parks. -St. Denis definitely gets less tourists and we enjoyed our visit here and have stayed in this area. The highlight of course is Basilica Cathedral of Saint Denis and it is a good alternative to Notre-Dame and very impressive. If the cathedral is of particular interest to you, you might consider doing a guided tour here . The other big attraction here is the Stade de France. I’d allow about 4 hours if just visiting the cathedral (travel return time plus visit to cathedral), or most of the day if also visiting the soccer/football stadium and doing the tour. You can have lunch in between. -I’d recommend using the hop on hop off bus on the very first day or first full day as it is great to get an overview of city from the top of the bus. I’d do the full route and then use it to get to where you want to start for that day. Best on a good weather day.

For a London itinerary, we have a suggested 6 day London itinerary which should be very helpful. It takes the London Pass in mind and you can modify it based on your needs and preferences.

Hope that helps, and wishing you a great trip to London and Paris in July! Jessica

Tracy Hastie Post author

March 30, 2019 at 2:52 pm

I just wanted to say how useful I found this article. After following the steps you outlined I have worked out that the museum pass and travel card is the way to go and it will definitely save me money. Cannot wait for my trip to Paris!

March 30, 2019 at 5:38 pm

Hi Tracy, Thanks for taking the time to comment. So happy that you found our Paris Pass review and tips helpful. Wishing you a wonderful trip to Paris! Best, Jessica

Sachin Post author

January 27, 2019 at 6:13 am

Wow!! I have never ever seen an article as precise and elaborate as this ! Amazing!

I am coming with 2 kids under 12 but greater than 5 and my wife (4 in total). We arrive on 10th May approximately at 230 pm and leave on 14th at 5 pm. Can you suggest an itenerary for me please? And your views on a 4 day pass? Is it worth the money?

January 27, 2019 at 7:13 am

Glad you found our Paris Pass review useful in planning your upcoming trip. A 4 day Paris Pass is a better value than a 3 day pass as the Paris Museum Pass portion is only valid for 2 days with a 3 Day Pass. So if deciding between a 3 day Paris Pass and a 4 day Paris Pass, I’d choose the 4 day since you will be in Paris for 4 days. You can start using it as soon as you arrive and keep using it until you leave.

For whether it will save you money, I’d make a list of attractions you want to visit with your family and then do the calculations as described in the article to see if the Paris Pass will save you money. But you may also want to calculate time savings as well.

For an itinerary, we don’t have a 4 day Paris itinerary up yet on the blogs, but you can see our suggested 3 day itinerary . With kids, I’d take this more slowly and add in more breaks. So I’d probably stretch this out to 3 days so it should be useful in planning your trip. But you may want to add in more family attractions as well.

Hope this helps, just let us know if you have more questions.

January 27, 2019 at 7:56 am

Thanks again! We are going to get half a day on the 10th. We check in at about 3 pm. What can I do? I just have Eiffel tower in mind . And for that day, what is the pass that you suggest that would probably take care of the Paris Nord (Thalys) to 4 Rue Castagnary, 75015 Paris, France fare? On 14th, we leave from Paris to Edinburgh. The flight is at 5 pm. Please suggest for these days.

January 27, 2019 at 9:38 am

You’ll have to check the hours for the attractions you are interested in visiting for what will be open at 3pm or later that day. The Eiffel Tower, Seine River Cruises, Montparnasse Tower, and Les Caves du Louvre Wine Tasting are a few of your options — all but the Eiffel Tower are included on the Paris Pass. Also most Paris museums are open late one night of the week including the Louvre and Pompidou so you can check for the late nights opening days and times for those as well.

Yes, you can use the transport ticket included with the Paris Pass if you plan to get around by either metro or bus.

Since you are leaving at 5pm, you will need to be at the airport around 3:00pm for your flight. So you will still have most of the day to sightsee so should be able to visit a few attractions with your Paris Pass.

Georgie Post author

December 25, 2018 at 1:18 pm

We are going to Paris next July and then going on to London. We will be arriving Wednesday afternoon and then heading out Sunday. We really want to go to Disney, but because it’s high travel season we want to go on Thursday. I imagine it would be the least busy day( at least I hope) Unfortunately, this means that we can only purchase the 2 day city pass. I wanted to get the three to use on arrival that evening. Any advice.

December 26, 2018 at 4:14 am

Hi Georgie,

Yes, I think going to Disney on a weekday (versus a weekend) would be better as the Disney parks are definitely going to be busy then as July and August are their busiest months. They do have fast passes that may be worth checking out if you only have 1 day at the park, depending on the types of rides/attractions you and your family plan to do.

For the Paris Pass I would recommend either:

1.) Getting a 2 Day Paris Pass and using the Paris Attractions Pass for 1 of those days and doing everything you want on it. Then for the other 2 days, just use the Paris Museum Pass portion (don’t activate or use it at all on day you use Paris Attractions Pass). Of course, you will only have the transit ticket for 2 of the 4 days, but can buy tickets for the other days. This would be the best in terms of cost savings. -OR- 2.) Getting a 4 Day Paris Pass – this way you’ll be covered for public transit within Paris for 4 days and both the Paris Attractions and Paris Museum Pass will be good for four consecutive days. This will allow you to use both the Paris Museum Pass and Paris Attractions Pass on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.

I’d think about how many attractions you plan to visit and then compare the costs of the 2 day versus 4 day Paris Pass. I don’t recommend the 3 day Paris Pass as much since it only comes with the 2-day Paris Museum Pass (Museum Pass only comes in 2, 4, and 6 day versions).

Taaha Boxwala Post author

November 6, 2018 at 4:00 am

Hi Jessica & Laurence.

What a lovely and well explained article. Thank you.

I do however have one doubt which I hope you can clarify. I have purchased a 3-Day Paris Pass. As you know this comes with a 2-Day Paris Museum Pass. I am visiting Louvre Museum on day 1, Orsay Museum on day 2 and I plan to visit Versailles Palace on day 3.

In this case, can I use the the Paris Attractions Pass only to enter Versailles Palace? or does the Attractions Pass not cover what is already included in the Museum Pass?

Your help is most appreciated.

November 9, 2018 at 1:20 am

The Attractions and Museum Passes are both part of the Paris Pass and they each cover completely different attractions. The guidebook you get along with your Paris Pass will tell you which attractions are covered by which pass. But I’d just always have both passes (plus your transit ticket) on you whenever you are in Paris.

The Paris Museum pass covers most of the museums associated with the Paris Pass, so the Louvre, Orsay and Versailles Palace are all include in the Paris Museum portion of the pass.

The Paris Attraction pass part of the Paris Pass includes things such as the Hop-on Hop-off sightseeing bus tour, Espace Dali, Musée Grévin, Opera Garnier tour, Paris Aquarium, Paris Chocolate Museum, Montparnasse Tower, Paris Story, Paris movie walking tour, wine tasting, Seine river cruise, and Petit Train de Montmartre.

DANIELLE Post author

October 2, 2018 at 3:33 pm

Hi, my husband and I are going to Paris in December. We will only be there Friday evening in which I hope to go to the Eiffel Tower and the River Cruise. The next day we would like to take the Eurostar to London to see the Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and Abbey Road. We will have to leave first thing in the morning to maximize our time. Sunday we will tour the town and Monday we will have a small window before we have to go to the Airport. What do you think the best pass will be for us? Is there any pass that includes the skip the line pass for the Eiffel Tower? Is there a pass that includes the River Cruise? We would like to do the historic Paris walk featuring the Ile de la Cite, Notre Dame, the Latin Quarter and Sainte Chapelle. Tour the Louvre, and enjoy the Place de Trocadero Scene. What do you think we should purchase and recommend? Thank you so much!

October 3, 2018 at 9:17 pm

Hi Danielle,

Hmmm, since you have such a very short time and broken up schedule for Paris, I would probably recommend that you just pre-book individual tickets and get skip-the-line ones for attractions like the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower which are always busy. You may save a little money with a pass such as the Paris Museum Pass so I would look at that one to check your cost savings. But I think in your case, I’d just purchase advance individual tickets.

I’d also pre-book any guided walking tours and you can purchase the Seine River cruise in advance as well and save a little money by buying your ticket online.

None of the passes we have used or recommend include the Eiffel Tower. I’d recommend booking those ticket separately even if you do decide to purchase a pass as most do not include it.

Since you have limited time in Paris, I’d recommend staying in the city center if you can and planning out what you want to do at least broadly each day so you maximize your sightseeing time.

Hope that helps! Do let us know if you have further questions as you plan your trip to Paris and London.

Wes Post author

August 20, 2018 at 4:41 am

Thanks for your assessment of the Paris Pass. We are spending 3 nights/ 2 1/2 days commencing next week and mailing of the pass is not an option. Is there any benefit to purchasing on line and picking up in central Paris versus just purchasing it when we get there? Also is The Big Bus Ticket Shop easily located. We are staying in Isle de Saint-Loius area.

August 20, 2018 at 5:02 am

Yes, having the pass mailed would not be an option, and the advantage to having it mailed is that you don’t need to pick it up, you can start using the guidebook to plan, and can start using it as soon as you are in Paris.

But I would still recommend purchasing it online before your trip, because it is currently on sale online for 5% off the 3-day or 4-day passes so you will save money by buying it online. There are no discounts if you purchase it in person, you will be charged the regular full price. So I’d definitely recommend taking advantage of an additional savings 😉

Note that the 3 day Paris Pass only includes a 2 day Paris Museum Pass (there is no 3 day Paris Museum Pass unfortunately), whereas the 4 day Paris Pass includes a 4 day Paris Museum Pass so gives you more flexibility in seeing attractions. So something to keep in mind depending on which days you plan to see which attractions.

Yes, the Big Bus Ticket Shop where you pick up the pass is easy to find and it is centrally located in Paris. It is a short walk from the Pyramides metro stop, or a 7 minute walk from the Louvre Museum. There is no Metro stop on the Île Saint-Louis but it is a short walk to Pont Marie metro stop and that lines goes directly to Pyramides I believe.

The hop-on, hop-off bus stops are also fairly easy to find in Paris. When you pick up the pass, just be sure to grab a brochure of the HOHO bus stops. They are generally located near the big attractions.

BTW, The Île Saint-Louis is very central and I have stayed in an apartment on the island twice, one of my favorite areas to stay in Paris 😉

Elena Post author

April 17, 2019 at 10:31 pm

Hello I just ordered a Paris pass and chose to pick it up in Paris. Can you please tell me if you managed to get yours and if everything was ok because I read mixed opponions and I’m currently afraid of not working and spending all that money on nothing. Thank you so much and I’d appreciate your reply. Also amazing article, thank you!

April 18, 2019 at 8:24 am

Hi Elena, Yes, we picked up city passes from this company multiple times and have never had any trouble. You just need to go to the address given and have your order confirmation and photo ID to present to collect the pass. I’ve never heard of anyone not being able to pick up their Paris Pass if they had purchased it via the website and had their order information with them. There is also a customer service number you can call if you have questions. Best, Jessica

April 18, 2019 at 9:41 pm

Thank you for replying so quickly. I’m really looking forward to my trip and now that you reassured me I can plan without worrying. Thank you

Al Post author

April 1, 2018 at 12:13 pm

Hi Jessica,

We are planning to visit paris this coming oct. Can you help us out for a detailed itinerary using paris pass please? That would really a great help for us.

We are flying from UAE oct 17 and arrives oct 18 until oct 21. Leaves oct 22 – 4 nights and 3 + half day

Thank you. Al

April 1, 2018 at 1:34 pm

Given your schedule I’d recommend the 4 day Paris Pass as it will probably represent the best value and comes with the 4 day museum pass (the 3-day pass comes with a 2 day museum pass).

I don’t have a 3 or 4 day Paris itinerary on here, but you can check out this 3 day Paris itinerary on our other travel blog that would work well with a Paris Pass. This should help give you a good basis to plan your Paris itinerary with the Paris Pass. If you have any specific questions about the Paris Pass or the itinerary once you have taken a look, please let us know. Best, Jessica

Rachna Post author

March 20, 2018 at 7:42 am

Hi, We are visiting Paris for 2 days in May and it’ll be 2 adults and 2 10-years olds. We would like to visit Louvre, Orsay, Arch, Notre Dame, St Chappell and Eiffel. I’ve already booked out Eiffel tix and am now contemplating the Paris Pass vs buying individual tix or the museum pass only. If we buy advance tickets to the attractions listed above, do we still have to wait in line or can we get fast track access like with the Paris pass/museum pass? Also- do we have line up to pick the hop-on-hop off bus tickets and the river cruise tickets if we buy the Paris Pass or are they part of the packets we receive at one time?

March 20, 2018 at 11:01 am

If you are only want to visit the attractions you mentioned, I’d recommend getting the Paris Museum Pass as it covers entry into all of them except the Eiffel Tower. It is good that you have already booked your Eiffel Tower tickets and have a time as that will save you time there.

In terms of entry, you can skip all the ticket lines (but not security lines) with either of the Passes but not all places offer fast-track entry. If an attraction offers a fast-track entry ticket, it would likely be the same as having the pass. But having the pass is much more convenient than having a bunch of tickets for each site.

But if you want to also do the hop-on hop-off bus and a Seine River cruise, then you might consider the Paris Pass. The Paris Museum Pass does NOT include either the sightseeing bus or river cruise tickets so those experiences are only included with the full Paris Pass package. If you have a Paris Pass, to use the HOHO bus you will show you card to a staff member before your board the bus at any of the participating bus stops and they will give you a ticket good for the full day. Similarly for the river cruise, you just show your Paris Pass at the noted ticket booth next to the dock and they will give you the free vouchers. Neither took long in our experience.

Hope this helps! Jessica

March 21, 2018 at 5:12 am

Thanks so much for your advice Jessica! Really helps us with the planning. For now, we are leaning towards the Museum Pass as we are big walkers and will probably prefer to walk. One more question: If the kids have free entry at the museums, and if we buy a museum pass only for the 2 adults, would we still need to line up for entry?

March 21, 2018 at 6:40 am

Hi Rachna, Yes, if you are with your kids with the Paris Museum Pass at the attractions, they will get free entry to the vast majority of attractions included on the Paris Museum Pass which is great.

If you decide to add a Seine River cruise , we have a post comparing the main companies if you decide to book tickets separately.

The question about the entry for the children with the Paris Museum Pass is a bit difficult to answer. It is up to the individual museum or attraction but in most cases they should not need a ticket as long as you have the passes. That said, there may be some places that may ask you to collect a free ticket for the kids. At busier attractions, it is always a good idea to try to ask if you see staff before getting into line so you know in advance. When you return from Paris, I’d love to hear about your experience with this as it is a question other readers have asked as well.

You can see our review of the Paris Museum Pass here for more information on making the most of the pass. If you are purchasing the 2-day Museum Pass, we have access to a slight discount right now if you order here and collect it in Paris.

Wishing you a wonderful trip to Paris! Jessica

March 21, 2018 at 7:11 am

Thanks again!

Peter Korchnak Post author

November 12, 2017 at 8:53 pm

Whoa, this is intense. One reason I forgo buying tourist passes in places is the math. You break it down to the T and it’s super helpful. But I still would be too lazy to spend the time and try to figure it out just to get the savings, as significant as they may turn out to be. I guess it depends on what you want to see/do in Paris and how much time you have.

November 13, 2017 at 5:22 am

Hi Peter, Yes, the math can take some time although you could probably figure it out for any trip within an hour if you have a good idea of where you want to go in the city. The Paris Pass is more complicated than most because of the inclusion of 3 separate passes which is not the case for most other city passes. For people who just want to save time and are not necessarily as concerned about money savings, city passes are almost always a good bet for those who plan to visit a lot of places as they allow you to skip buying tickets and often allow for skip the line access at some busy attractions as the Paris Pass does. In this case, you also have your public transportation covered and can use the HOHO bus. We always do the math first, but in the last several months we have personally purchased city passes in several cities, including Rome, Vienna, and Barcelona and each saved us money on entrance fees as well as time. Best, Jessica

Liz Deacle Post author

November 11, 2017 at 10:49 pm

We are hoping to visit Paris next summer but with two teenagers in tow I was concerned about the cost. This seems like one way we could save money. Im not ure how many museums etc they would tolerate, probably just the big famous ones but by buying this pass its going to save us a lot of money! Thanks for such an in depth look at how it all works!

November 12, 2017 at 5:01 am

Hi Liz, Yes, traveling with children can be tricky and more costly. But city passes can definitely make things a bit easier and give families the flexibility to split up if some want to see one attraction and the others another. I think most teenagers would be interested in several of the iconic and more famous sites (e.g., Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame tower, Versailles) as well as some of the more active things like the movie tour, the amazing city views from Montparnasse Tower, and the Seine boat ride. The Paris Pass offers a lot of museums and attractions so I think most people could find several things of interest, even teens 😉 Best, Jessica

Kirstie Post author

November 11, 2017 at 7:00 pm

So it’s pretty much like Hong Kong’s Octopus Card and probs even better! Thank you for this and your photos of Paris are beautiful!

November 12, 2017 at 4:44 am

Hi Kirstie, Glad you enjoyed our photos! I haven’t been to Hong Kong, but it is very much like a number of city discount cards around the world. In fact, the company that runs the Paris Pass also offers passes for popular destinations worldwide (e.g., London, NYC, Vienna, Dublin, Cape Town). We always check out city and regional passes, as they so often can help us save money and time when visiting a new destination. Best, Jessica

Kevin Wagar Post author

November 10, 2017 at 10:22 am

I was only in Paris for 48 hours, but we got the pass and it was SO worth it! It saved us so much time and effort. AND we got to see so many incredible things during our short visit. This is such an awesome and detailed guide to it. I know it’s going to help a lot of people out.

November 11, 2017 at 7:29 am

Hi Kevin, Thanks for sharing your own experience using a 2 day Paris Pass. Glad that it was helpful in saving you both time and effort! Best, Jessica

Jeni Post author

November 28, 2018 at 5:10 am

which pass did you purchase.. we are having a tour only for 3 days but 2 days only for roaming around?

Caroline Post author

November 3, 2017 at 12:02 pm

I got the Museum Pass when I was in Paris and I thought that was an amazing deal. I had no idea there was a more all-inclusive option with an attractions pass and transit card included! Thank you for this informative guide to the Paris Pass, I might have to consider it the next time I’m in Paris.

November 3, 2017 at 12:28 pm

Hi Caroline, I love the Paris Museum Pass and that was the pass I used on my first trip to Paris as well. I have actually used it again since, as well as with the Paris Pass and still have yet to visit all the places included (over 50!). The Paris Pass is a fuller package for sure but also more expensive so not a great fit for budget travelers. But it can be a good deal for those with a bigger budget who want to take advantage of a few of the attractions included (e.g., Seine cruise, aquarium, wine tasting, movie tour, Montparnasse Tower). ~ Jessica

Jessica Post author

November 3, 2017 at 11:54 am

Great informative post! I always intend to do the price breakdown on city passes and then run out of time and just don’t get them! I need to be more diligent about it!

November 3, 2017 at 12:05 pm

Hi Jessica, It can be easy to not do a lot of research with all the other things that go into trip planning, but it can definitely save you money on things like city passes! ~ Jessica

Kavita Favelle Post author

November 3, 2017 at 2:41 am

Passes like this can be such a great deal, and save a lot of valuable sightseeing time as well instead of queueing to buy tickets everywhere! I really like that it includes public transport as well as the sightseeing buses — I’ve been to cities where only the sightseeing bus was included which was far less convenient.

November 3, 2017 at 3:56 am

Hi Kavita, Yes it is good that the Paris Pass have both unlimited public transport plus the hop on hop off sightseeing bus. The HOHO bus is good for sightseeing but less practically as a mode of transport to actually get from place to place efficiently! ~ Jessica

Lori Post author

November 2, 2017 at 12:24 pm

Lots of good info. A little research before heading out is always a good idea and you’ve provided most of the analysis here which should help a lot of folks. We’ve purchased passes in Florence and it worked well both economically and for not having to wait in long ques. Thanks for the review.

November 2, 2017 at 1:30 pm

Hi Lori, You’re very welcome. Yes, indeed, research is always the key to whether city passes are a good value or not – and hopefully the info above can help people figure it out as it can be a bit of work. That is a good point about skipping the lines, as even if a pass doesn’t save you much money, the value of being able to skip the ticket lines and sometimes get fast-track entry is an important factor for many people, especially families. ~ Jessica

Tami Post author

November 2, 2017 at 10:11 am

First I have to say I absolutely love that view of the Eiffel Tower from the Montparnasse Tower. I don’t think I have ever seen the Eiffel from that perspective before, and it is quite stunning! About the Paris Pass, I have spent a total of 8 days in Paris (two different trips), and the pass would not have worked for what we did. However I have purchased passes (or similar membership cards) in other cities, like Florence or New York City, and for those trips they WERE good deals. Like you said, you really just have to know what you want to see and then make comparisons.

November 2, 2017 at 1:26 pm

Hi Tami, First, yes, the view from the observation decks of the Montparnasse Tower are some of the nicest views in Paris. Definitely worth the visit – we’ve been a couple of times now and it is great that free entry is included with the Paris Pass. Yes, it really depends whether city passes will be a good value for any individual traveler or trip as there are so many factors. Indeed, research is always key! ~ Jessica

Medha Post author

November 2, 2017 at 10:03 am

You’ve done a fantastic thing here by giving such a detailed review of the places you can visit, the positives of the Paris Pass, how one can benefit and everything they need to know to make a decision as to whether it is worth it or not. This information is great, I get asked so many times about so many cities the same question. Thanks for sharing !!

November 2, 2017 at 1:23 pm

Hi Medha, Thanks, yes, it can be difficult for people to figure out easily if a city pass is good for them or not. We hope this review of the Paris Pass will help those asking themselves that question! Best, Jessica

Fiona Maclean Post author

November 2, 2017 at 9:54 am

I’ve used a similar London version of this Pass. They are good on a number of levels – not just cost savings but of course, they also provide a convenient guide of ‘must see’ things! I would say for anyone newish to a City they are an excellent idea

November 2, 2017 at 1:22 pm

Hi Fiona, Thanks for taking the time to comment! Yes, we also used the London version of this pass (our review of the London Pass ), and really found it to be a great city discount card. We always check out city passes when in a new city where we want to visit a lot of attractions. ~ Jessica

Seana Turner Post author

November 1, 2017 at 6:43 am

I’ve been to Paris a couple of times, but there is always more to see and do. As always, I love the level of detail you provide. You can tell you are a real traveler who is trying to get the most “bang for the buck.” It sure looks appealing right about now:)

November 1, 2017 at 7:08 am

Hi Seana! Yes, it is always good to save money when you can and Paris although not as expensive as London, has comparatively few free museums or galleries. So you end up paying for almost every museum and attraction so discount passes can be really useful if you are an active sightseer. The Paris Pass can save some people money, but is not a good investment for all which is why I try to provide enough information for people to decide for themselves. Hope you get a chance to return to Paris again soon 😉 Jessica

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Paris Itinerary 4 Days for First-Time Visitors

Europe , France , Itinerary

How to Get to Paris & What to do in​ Paris for 4 days 

Oh, Paris…Who has not dreamed of Paris? You finally bought a flight ticket and cannot wait to jump on that plane. Congratulations! Not to bust your dream, though, planning a trip to Paris can be overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time.  

Everyone who has been to Paris would agree that 4 days in Paris will not be enough. Paris is a HUGE metropolitan city with rich history and culture. The City of Light offers plenty of things to do – perhaps overwhelmingly too many.  

Here is my Paris itinerary for 4 days to include as many top things to do in Paris as possible while best utilizing Paris Museum Pass (more on that later). If you loathe tourist-crowded places, too bad. You simply cannot avoid that in Paris! But in this plan, I present a good balance of both popular sites that you gotta visit once in your lifetime and lesser-known local things to do.

This itinerary will surely tire you out yet help maximize your time during the stay. But with tips on how to take this itinerary as an example to customize yours, you should be able to create your perfect Paris itinerary. Let’s do this!  

Table of Contents

Check out my other articles to plan your perfect trip to the City of Light!

Start here >> Paris Itinerary for 4 days Then this >> Where to Stay in Paris First Time Should you buy Paris Pass or Paris Museum Pass? 10 Best Small Museums in Paris Without the Crowds Female Solo Travelers >> How to Take a Fabulous Solo Trip to Paris & 15 Things to Do Alone Shopping: 10 Trendy Travel Shoes for Paris Shopping: Best Shopping Guide in Le Marais Food: 25 Iconic French Desserts in Paris Food: 20 Best Casual Restaurants in Paris   Paris Neighborhood Guide: Hidden Gems in Montmartre Paris Neighborhood Guide: 22 Amazing Things to Do in Le Marais 7 Most Beautiful Covered Passages in Paris Day Trip: How to Survive Overcrowded Palace of Versailles in Summer Day Trip: Best Paris Day Trip for Spring & Summer: Giverny Monet’s Gardens   Weekend Trips from Paris by Train or Car

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Disclosure : This article may contain affiliate links. If you purchase by clicking some of these links, I may receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you . Click here to read full disclaimer. 

Paris Itinerary Summary

Day 1 : Palais-Royal Garden  →  Louvre  →  Tuileries Garden  →  Place de la Concorde  →  Champs-Élysées  →  Arc de Triomphe →  Seine River Cruise Day 2 : Notre Dame  →  Saint-Chapelle  →  Sacré-Cœur  →  Montmartre  →  Moulin Rouge Day 3 : Jardin de Trocadéro  →  Galerie Lafayette  →  St-Germain →  La Grande Épicerie → Eiffel Tower → Champs de Mars Day 4 : Musée d’Orsay  →  Le Marais  →  Canal St. Martin

How to Get to Paris

Charles de gaulle to paris.

Charles de Gaulle (CDG) Airport is located outside of Paris in Roissy-en-France. You may opt for an  RER B train from CDG airport to Gard du Nord in Paris (€11.40 one way) , which takes about 30 minutes. At Gare du Nord, you can transfer by metro or bus to your final destination. (If your hotel is closer to Châtelet-les-Halles or Saint-Michel-Notre-Dame, you can also get off there.)

I found it challenging to drag and carry my luggage over the stairs out of metro stations and on the street. My poor husband took one luggage up one flight of stairs at a time while I watched for the other. Unfortunately, Paris is not the safest city to leave your luggage out of sight!

The  best way to get from Charles de Gaulle to Paris  is a private airport shuttle   for its convenient door-to-door service. Especially for group (or family) travelers, it makes sense to  hire private airport transport  (Book:  a group up to three  or  four passengers ). You may also ask your hotel for an airport shuttle service to compare pricing.

Orly to Paris

Orly Airport does not offer direct train service to Paris. Take an airport shuttle called Orlyval to the RER B station at Antony. Transfer to an RER B train, which goes to Gare du Nord, Châtelet-les-Halles and Saint-Michel-Notre-Dame. The Orlyval + RER combo ticket costs €13.30. The total journey takes about 40 minutes and up.

For a more convenient and faster option, hire a private transfer from Orly airport to anywhere in Paris . It takes about 30 minutes.

Paris Travel Essentials

>> Paris City Pass : Consider getting tourist discount cards such as  Paris Museum Pass  or  The Paris Pass . Not only do they save you money, but you can also skip the line on the most popular sites. That’s a huge time-saver! (READ>> Is Paris Museum Pass Worth It? )

>> SIM card : Orange is France’s No.1 telecom company with the best coverage. I used this Orange Holiday Europe Prepaid SIM , which worked well throughout Europe without hiccups. But if you have any trouble using it or need to recharge, you can walk into any Orange store for help (so many in Paris!).

>> Wine Corkscrew : Yeah, I know it is an unusual item for travel. But if you plan to drink wine in France (and you should!), bring a  simple, reliable corkscrew yourself. (I hate when a cheap grocery store corkscrew breaks the cork!) Believe me, it will come in handy when you go on a picnic as this itinerary suggests.

Day 1 of 4 Days in Paris : Louvre, Champs-Élysées & Arc de Triomphe

​ Palais-Royal Garden

The Palais Royal and its garden were created by the Cardinal Richelieu in 1633 to house royal families until the construction of the Palace of Versailles.

Perhaps the most iconic Paris thing here is the Colonnes de Buren. Designed by artist Daniel Buren, 260 black and white striped octagonal columns stand in the courtyard.

We will visit  Domain National du Palais-Royal  as early as its opening at 8 am for the iconic Paris photo opportunity. Make it a quick stop before heading over to Louvre.

Admission : Free Hour : 8 am – 10:30 pm Location : [ Open Google Map ] Metro Station: Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre

Louvre Pyramid (Pyramide du Louvre)

​Your Paris trip would not be complete without taking a few snaps with Louvre Pyramid. Like the Eiffel Tower, it was controversial when it was being constructed. But now, no one questions that Louvre Pyramid is one of France’s most recognizable architectural icons.

The glass pyramid was designed by legendary Chinese-American architect I.M. Pei in 1989. He built the 71-feet-tall geometrical structure using glass and stainless steel.  

Located in the heart of the court of Napoléon, the Louvre Pyramid is actually an entrance into the Louvre museum’s lower-ground exhibition area. Due to its popularity, this entrance gets crowded. So we won’t get in through here. For now, let’s appreciate the Pyramid and take some photos.

Hour : Thur/Sat/Sun/Mon 9 am – 6 pm, Wed/Fri 9 am – 9:45 pm (Closed on Tuesdays) Location : [ Open Google Map ] Metro Station : Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre

Louvre Museum (Musée du Louvre)

Once a royal palace, the Louvre houses enormous universal collections of Greek, Eastern, Egyptian, Roman antiquities, and Islamic arts, ranging from the Middle Ages to 1848. In its eight departments, 35,000 arts are on display.

Of course, you cannot possibly see everything in Louvre in one day! So you need a game plan . You will need to have your checklist to make the most of your time. If you are not sure how to navigate this gigantic museum, follow this trail  recommended by the museum.

I took a Western Arts History class in college. This helped me recognize the Louver’s treasures and why they are considered masterpieces. A few of them I recommend checking out:

(Left) Aphrodite, “the Venus de Milo” | (Right) The Winged Victory of Samothrace, “Nike”

Aphrodite, “the Venus of Milo” : This ancient Greek sculpture is one of the most famous Venus statues depicting the ideal Greek beauty despite missing two arms. The sculpture highlights contrapposto (standing with the weight on one leg) and drapery flowing on the body.

The Winged Victory of Samothrace, “Nike”:  The Greek statue represents the goddess Nike standing on a ship. Its torso and wings were painstakingly restored from numerous marble fragments. The head and arms are still missing.

Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa – Don’t expect too much, though. My professor taught me to walk left and right in front of Mona Lisa to see if her eyes followed me. In reality, there is no way I could do that over cameras and cell phones of the crowd. It is a tiny painting, to begin with. Did you know it got famous only after it was stolen once?

Update : The museum has set up a line so visitors can have a chance to see Mona Lisa up close and personal. Smart move!

Liberty Leading the People –  This   painting by Eugène Delacroix commemorates the July Revolution of 1830. This large oil painting on canvas is a universal symbol of liberty and democracy.

La Belle Jardinière “Madonna and Child with Saint John the Baptist”  – The painting by Italian Renaissance artist Raphael portrays Mary, Christ and a young John the Baptist. Note that three figures make the pyramid structure, with Mary being the focal point.

Beat the Crowd : The Wednesday and Friday late-night openings (until 9:45 pm) tend to attract fewer crowds. If you can plan your itinerary to accommodate the visit on Wednesday or Friday, it’s worth pushing it back to the evening.

Insider’s Tip : Although  booking a time slot is mandatory , the Louvre is the world’s most-visited museum and will be crowded. Instead of entering through the super-crowded Pyramid, opt for an underground entrance via Carrousel du Louvre [ Open Google Map ]

Admission : Online €17 [ Book tickets with an audio guide . Included in  Paris Museum Pass ]. At door €15. Hours : 9 am – 6 pm Last entry 1 hour before closing. (Closed on Tuesdays, Jan. 1, May 1 and Dec. 25) Location : [ Open Google Map ] Metro Station : Concorde

Louvre Guided Tours

Unless you want to  study Louvre art collections   in advance, I recommend joining a guided tour. Louvre Museum is enormous and crowded ALL THE TIME. Without knowing what to look for and appreciate it, you won’t enjoy your time or get much out of it.

>> This guided tour   (fast-track admission included) explores the highlights of the Louvre with an expert for 2-3 hours.

>> Book a private live guide tour for your group to see the crown jewels of the Louvre at your pace. Different languages are available upon request.

>> Family travelers can appreciate the treasures of the Louvre in the most educational yet fun way with this private tour specially designed for families with kids .

Tuileries Garden (Jardin des Tuileries)

The Tuileries Garden was initially built as part of the Palais des Tuileries in 1564 by Queen Catherine de Medici. Its French formal garden style did not come alive until King Louis XIV’s famous gardener, André Le Nôtre, re-landscaped this enormous garden.

It is a large garden to stroll and people watch. There are some chairs to sit in front of the fountains. Free public toilettes are at one end near the Place de la Concorde.

If you can prepare sandwiches or snacks from Monoprix, you can eat lunch on one of the benches here. Or, the famous Angelina Paris [ Open Google Map ] is right on Rue de Rivoli. (Be sure to make a reservation.)

Admission : Free Hours : April/May/Sept. 7 am – 9 pm, June/July/Aug. 7 am – 11 pm, or the rest 7:30 am – 7:30 pm Location : [ Open Google Map ] Metro Station : Tuileries or Concorde

Musée de l’Orangerie (Optional)

Located in the Tuileries Garden, the Musée de l’Orangerie is most known for the Water Lilies murals by Claude Monet. The modern art collection also includes Renoir, Cézanne, Modigliani, Matisse and Picasso masterpieces, ranging from impressionism to contemporary arts.

But if you have had enough with museums for today, maybe best to save the Musée de l’Orangerie for the next time. I personally was overwhelmed and dead-tired after my visit to Louvre.  

Admission : €12.50 [ Book tickets here . Included in Paris Museum Pass ]   (book your time slot).   Hours : 9 am – 6 pm (Closed on Tuesdays.) Location : [ Open Google Map ] Metro Station : Concorde

>> READ: Take a Paris Day Trip to Giverny. Monet's Garden & House is breathtakingly gorgeous!

Place de la Concorde

Place de la Concorde is one of the major public squares in Paris. This 18th-century plaza is adorned with beautiful fountains, statues and an Egyptian obelisk.  

During the French Revolution, notable public executions took place, where King Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette and Maximilien Robespierre were guillotined.

The plaza’s centerpiece is the 3,300-year-old Luxor Obelisk, given by Egypt in 1829 as a diplomatic gift. It is called Luxor Obelisk because it once marked the entrance to the Luxor Temple.

Hours : 24 hours Location : [ Open Google Map ] Metro Station : Concorde

(Image Credit: Hannah Reding from Unsplash)

Pont Alexandre III

Pont Alexandre III is an ostentatious bridge named after a Russian czar that connects the Invalides on the Left Bank and the Grand Palais and Petit Palais on the Right Bank. It is the most symbolic and ornate bridge in Paris , boasting gilt bronze sculptures of winged horses. Enjoy the impressive view of the Eiffel Tower and the city over the Seine. This is also a great starting point to walk towards the Avenue de Champs-Élyées.  

Admission : Free Hours : 24 hours Location : [ Open Google Map ] Metro Station : Invalides

Frankly, I enjoyed the luxury vibe more than shopping on Champs-Élysées.

Avenue des Champs-Élysées

The Champs-Élysées is the most luxurious and grandeur avenue in Paris , if not in the world. This pedestrian-only road stretches two kilometers from Place de la Concorde to Arc de Triomphe. The area is lined with high-end restaurants, luxury boutiques, iconic flagship stores (Louis Vuitton, Rolex, Guerlain, Ferrari, Mont-Blanc, etc.) and clubs.  

While super commercialized and extremely touristy, you just have to get a taste of it at least once in your lifetime. I did not spot any limited editions you cannot find somewhere else, so I recommend soaking up the atmosphere instead of shopping.  

Admission : Free Hours : 24 hours Location : [ Open Google Map ] Metro Station : Depending on from which point you want to start walking: Concorde, Champs-Élysées – Clemenceau, Franklin D. Roosevelt, George V, Charles de Gaulle – Étoile

>> READ: 10 Best Paris Small Museums WITHOUT the Crowds

A stunning view of Paris from the rooftop terrace!

Arc de Triomphe

Arc de Triomphe is another iconic architecture built to commemorate the victory of Napoleon’s Great Army against the Austro-Russian troops in 1805 (a.k.a. the Battle of Austerlitz). Since Napoleon I ordered, it took 30 years to complete in 1836. Although his army could not march through it on their return to Paris, Napoleon’s ash did upon its return from Saint Helena in 1840.

Fun Facts about Arc de Triomphe:

• The national monument is engraved with the names of battles and Generals from wars fought by France during the Revolution and the First Empire. ( See the left photo above .)
• On the ground, the inscriptions commemorate recent events such as the proclamation of the Republic on September 4, 1870.
• The eternal flame has been rekindled every day at 6:30 pm since it was first lit on November 11, 1923.

Located in the center of the Place de l’Étoile, the terrace showcases the spectacular 360-degree view of Paris with the Eiffel Tower. Note: You need to go up the spiral staircases! ( See the right photo above )

There is a long line of people standing in the median to snap a shot with Arc in the background. A photographer (or your tripod) needs to be in the middle of the road to get the entire architecture. Watch out for oncoming cars around the rotary. You can also go to the other side to capture photos without the crowd.

Admission : €13 [ Book tickets here . Included in Paris Museum Pass ] Booking a time slot not required. Hours : 10 am – 10:30 pm Location : [ Open Google Map ] Metro Station : Charles de Gaulle – Étoile

Dinner Options near the Arc de Triomphe

I failed to make a reservation at any of these restaurants. That said, if you want to have a nice sit-down dinner with a romantic view, do your diligence and book as soon as you know the date.

• L’Oiseau Blanc  [ Open Google Map ]: A Michelin-starred gourmet restaurant with a rooftop terrace.
• Terrasse de l’hôtel Raphael  [ Open Google Map ]: A rooftop garden serving all-day snacks, cocktails, and champagne with a panoramic view of the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe. Open April through September.  Book your stay at Hôtel Raphael >>

Seine River Cruise in the Evening

Perhaps the most romantic way to end your first day in Paris is to see the City of Light on the Seine River. Simply hop on an evening cruise from a dock near the Eiffel Tower. Admire the Eiffel Tower light show and enjoy the most iconic sights of Paris on a cruise.

Admission : [Book  Seine River Cruise with Dinner . Included in   The Paris Pass .] Hours : 12 – 9 pm Location : Port de la Bourdonnais [ Open Google Map ] Metro Station : Pont de l’Alma or École Militaire

Alternative Neighborhood Walking Tours

>>  This Paris highlight tour   takes you to all Day 1 stops plus Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower. This is a great way to explore Paris if you want to see Paris in a limited time.

>> Join this affordable private tour   with a local guide to customize your itinerary.

>> For those who do not want to walk, you can consider an  e-bike  or  Segway tour .

Day 2 of 4 Days in Paris : Île de la Cité & Montmartre

Île de la Cité: Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris

Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris is a 13th-century Gothic cathedral on the Île de la Cité in the 4th arrondissement. While it is often simply referred to as Notre Dame, it is one of many Notre-Dame cathedrals scattered all over France.

Victor Hugo’s historical novel “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame” is set in this church. This medieval cathedral is also known for its bold and graceful architecture featuring ribbed vaults, flying buttresses and gargoyles. It stores priceless artifacts and religious relics, such as the holy crown of thorns worn by Jesus Christ, the cross on which Jesus was crucified, the 2000-year-old archaeological crypt, etc.

Since the mass fire on April 15, 2019, Notre-Dame de Paris has been closed for restoration until further notice.  Before the unfortunate incident, the church was open (free of charge) to the public, and visitors could climb up the tower to see the view of Paris with gargoyles (at an additional fee).

Nevertheless, you can still visit the site to take photos outside  and tour the crypt. After all, how can you say you have been to Paris without visiting this iconic site?

Admission : €9 for Crypt [ Book tour here . Tour included in  The Paris Pass ] Hour : Indoor is temporarily closed. Location : [ Open Google Map ] Metro Station : Cité or Saint-Michel Notre-Dame

>>  Alternative Tours : The   Île de la Cité guided tour  explores places like Notre-Dame and St. Severin Church. Or meet a   neighborhood group tour   for Notre Dame.

Île de la Cité: Point Zéro

Point Zéro des Routes de France is the center of Paris in Notre Dame square. This is a geographic marker from which the distance from Paris to all other places is measured .  

Apparently, there are many rituals people like to follow here. Some throw coins to make a wish, while others kiss a loved one above the plate for eternal love. I want to believe that I will one day return to Paris if I take a photo of my feet on the plate.  

It is a surprisingly low profile on the ground in a crowded square. It is super easy to miss if you don’t look for it. So look down!  

Admission : Free Hours : 24 hours Location : [ Open Google Map ]

Lunch: Au Vieux Paris d’Arcole

Au Vieux Paris d’Arcole is a pretty cute cafe in a 16th-century townhouse near the Notre-Dame. Its purple chairs and cascading Wisteria vines on the exterior wall immediately captured my eyes. (Wisteria blooms in April!) The small restaurant is filled with antiques creating an inviting atmosphere. It has decent food at a reasonable price.

Hours : 12-2:30 pm, 6:30-9:30 pm (Wed only open for dinner) Location : [ Open Google Map ] Metro Station : Cité or Saint-Michel Notre-Dame

Le Saint-Regis  [ Open Google Map ] is another nearby brasserie if you are looking for more options. Or, just a hop over the Seine river is also a cute neighborhood you can explore. You can grab a seat at  Le Petit Châtelet  [ Open Google Map ], a French bistro with classic dishes.

For desserts,  Berthillon Ice Cream  [ Open Google Map ] is supposedly the best ice cream in Paris. But I have to say, it was just ok for me.

I recommend  Odette  [ Open Google Map ], a quaint pastry shop with a desirable terrace. Its colorful cream choux puffs are delightful. Its terrace is also an excellent place to rest your tired feet. Bonus, I witnessed a French wedding in the church across the street.

>> READ: Discover 25 Iconic French Desserts in Paris!  

Île de la Cité: Sainte-Chapelle

Sainte-Chapelle is a gorgeous 13th-century Gothic chapel. While the ground floor might not impress you with souvenir stalls, wait until you go upstairs. Wowza! You will be mesmerized by 1,113 stunning stained-glass windows depicting biblical scenes and a rose window. (I got goosebumps!!)

Louis IX was a bit obsessed and bought a lot of Christian relics from the emperor of the East Roma. He built Sainte-Chapelle in the Palais de la Cité to house the relics of the Passion of Christ, including the crown of Jesus.

Insider’s Tip : Paris Museum Pass doesn’t technically get you a no-queue privilege here. I stayed in line for 30 minutes with everyone else before passing the security line outside the building. Once I got in, I skipped the ticket line with the pass.

Admission : €18.50 for Sainte-Chapelle & Conciergerie [ Book tickets here . Included in Paris Museum Pass ] Hour : April – Sept. 9 am – 7 pm, Oct – March 9 am – 5 pm (Closed on May 1, Dec. 25 & Jan. 1) Location : [ Open Google Map ] Metro Station : Cité or Saint-Michel Notre-Dame

Conciergerie locates below the Palais de Justice.

Île de la Cité: Conciergerie

Right next to the Sainte-Chapelle is the Conciergerie. It is a Gothic riverside fortress and palace built by King Philip the Fair. In the 14th century, it was converted into prison cells.  

During the French Revolution, it became the central prison. After Louis XVI was executed, Marie-Antoinette was locked up here alone and said to have aged so fast from the stress that her blonde hair turned silver in less than 3 months.  

Admission : €18.50 for Sainte-Chapelle & Conciergerie [ Book tickets here . Included in Paris Museum Pass ] Hour : 9:30 am – 6 pm (Closed on May 1, Dec. 25) Location : [ Open Google Map ] Metro Station : Cité or Saint-Michel Notre-Dame

Île de la Cité: Clock Tower

Clock Tower (Tour de l’Horloge du Palais de la Cité) is the first public clock in Paris , installed in 1370, to help people be aware of the time. This elaborate clock is on the corner of the Palais de la Cité on the Boulevard du Palais. Two prominent figures in the frame represent Law and Justice.  

Admission : Free Hour : 24 hours Location : [ Open Google Map ] Metro Station : Cité or Saint-Michel Notre-Dame

I’m posing with a parked bike on the hilltop of Montmartre. But I had to climb up some steep stairs to get here!

Montmartre: Rue de l’Abreuvoir & Place du Tertre

Montmartre is an artsy and bohemian neighborhood up on the hill in the northern 18th arrondissement. It is home to artists and revolutionaries who have played an essential part in the history of Paris. This particular area of Paris has inspired Picasso, Dalí, Van Gogh, and many other artists.

I suggest starting at Lamarck – Caulaincourt (Take the metro at Châtelet, transfer at Madeleine to Line 12). Pass sculptures like Buste de Dalida  [ Open Google Map ], a statue of French music icon Dalida. Take a famous  Rue de l’Abreuvoir  [ Open Google Map ], where Emily in Paris was also filmed. See that pink house,  La Maison Rose  [ Open Google Map ]. Then you will soon reach  Place du Tertre  [ Open Google Map ], where artists offer portraits and artworks for sale.

Insider’s Tip : Climbing up the stairs is too challenging for you? Take funicular [ Open Google Map ] directly to the top to reach the Sacré-Cœur Basilica. In this case, you will have to skip most of the Montmartre spots, but can stop by on the way down. Metro card also works for a funicular.

>> READ: Discover 20+ Hidden Gems in Montmartre & Munch-Worthy Shops  

Montmartre: Basilique du Sacré-Cœur

On the hilltop of Montmartre, you will eventually reach a white-dome church — Sacré-Cœur Basilica (The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris)! The church is recognized for its Roman-Byzantine style. Inside, the ceiling features the most giant mosaic in France at about 480 square meters.

This place has one of the best panoramic views of Paris from the highest hill in the city.

Insider’s Tip : Stay alert in Montmartre. I have heard many stories of scams, threatened soliciting, etc., happening in this area.

Admission : Free Hours : 6 am – 10:30 pm Location : [ Open Google Map ]

Montmartre: Wall of Love

Head down the hill in the direction of Abbesses Metro Station. Wall of Love (Le Mur des Je t’aime) is a mural with “I love you” written in many different languages. Make a pit stop here. It’s fun to find your own language.  

Admission : Free Hours : 8 am – 5:30 pm Location : [ Open Google Map ]

Montmartre: Van Gogh House

Walk 10 more minutes, and you can easily recognize a vibrant blue door of Van Gogh House. This is an apartment Van Gogh used to live and work with his brother Theo from 1886 to 1888. You can’t go in, but it is exciting to see the area that inspired master artists like Van Gogh.  

Location : [ Open Google Map ]

Montmartre: Moulin Rouge

Your self-guided tour of Montmartre ends at Moulin Rouge. Its bright red decor and windmill at the bottom of Montmartre are so eye-catching that you cannot miss them!

The famous 19th-century cabaret theater features a dance performance and dinner. It is the most popular cabaret show in Paris. Book the dinner show at the Moulin Rouge or just  with Champagne . 

Admission : Varies per time and season. Hours : Martinées 1 pm & 2:45 pm| Evening 7 pm, 9 pm & 11 pm Location : [ Open Google Map ] Metro Station : Blanche

Alternative Tours :  

>> Check out Sacré-Coeur & Montmartre group   or  semi-private walking tours to discover hidden gems of Montmartre.

>> Follow a Montmartre foodie trail  for a cheese & wine experience while visiting key tourist sites in Montmartre.

>> Should you buy Paris Museum Pass or The Paris Pass? If you follow the above two days in this itinerary, you will already save money. Check out how.  

Day 3 of 4 Days in Paris : Eiffel Tower & St-Germain

Jardins du Trocadéro

Jardins du Trocadéro is a large public park built in 1937 in the upscale residential area of Paris 16th arrondissement. The garden is beautifully decorated with lush trees, sculptures and a water-jetting fountain. But it is most well-known for its unobstructed direct view of the Eiffel Tower.

Be there before 8 am to get the best shot with no crowd. Have the park and the view of the Eiffel Tower all to yourself.

Insider’s Tip : Go to Cafe du Trocadero [ Open Google Map ] for breakfast or Carette [ Open Google Map ] for crêpe and macaroons.

Admission : Free Hours : 24 hours Location : [ Open Google Map ] Metro Station : Trocadéro          

Galerie Lafayette Haussmann

Galerie Lafayette Haussmann is a century-old department store with a steel-frame art nouveau glass dome . Even if you don’t mean to shop (but why wouldn’t you?), its architectural beauty makes it impossible to skip this place!  

By law, French department stores and shops must hold two major sales a year : one in January and the other in July. So if you happen to travel at this time, chi ching, you might score a deal!  

Another reason the Galerie Lafayette Haussmann is a must-stop? Head up to La Terrasse (8th floor, 10 am – 8 pm, free access) for a magnificent view of Paris with Opéra Garnier, the Eiffel Tower, Sacré Cœur and Notre Dame.  

There is a fancy outdoor terrace restaurant you can dine in, as well as an indoor food court where you can grab a decent lunch and wine.  

Interesting facts : The department stores are separated by women and men. I mean not by the floor but in separate buildings. Imagine the size of the collections?

Hours : 10 am – 8 pm. Sunday 11 am – 8 pm Location : [ Open Google Map ] Metro Station : Chaussée d’Antin — La Fayette

A gorgeous cafe and eye-catching artworks in the streets of Saint Germain

Quartier Saint-Germain-des-Prés

Now let’s head to Saint-Germain-des-Prés, one of the quarters in the 6th arrondissement. This area is centered around the city’s oldest church, the former Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. In the late 19th to early 20th centuries, many famous artists and writers lived in this cultural heritage neighborhood.

The quarter is dotted with famous, historical restaurants frequented by artists, authors and intellectuals . If you are interested in dining at the same place with Picasso, Ernest Hemingway, James Joyce, Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, or Albert Camus, grab a meal or drink at one of these restaurants:

• Les Deux Magots [ Open Google Map ]
• Café de Flore [ Open Google Map ]
• Brasserie Lipp [ Open Google Map ]
• Le Procope [ Open Google Map ]

Some classic French gourmet we had at Le Procope, including French onion soup, escargot, coq au vin and steak

St-Germain is also known for art galleries, antique stores, theaters and shopping. Check out  Decathlon  [ Open Google Map ] for affordable athletic goods. For duty-free French beauty shopping, head over to  CityPharma  [ Open Google Map ]. Anyone with a sweet tooth will be in heaven at  Pierre Hermé  [ Open Google Map ] or  Ladurée  [ Open Google Map ].  Luxembourg Garden  [ Open Google Map ] is also in this neighborhood.

>>  Alternative Tours : Don’t know where to stop by? Gobble your way around with  the St-Germain food tour !

La Grande Épicerie de Paris  

Le Bon Marché  [ Open Google Map ] is an upscale department store for high-fashion labels in St Germain. But its gourmet market across the street would win the heart of the foodies. (And this stop is kind of important for this itinerary.)

La Grande Épicerie de Paris  is a high-end gourmet grocery store and the foodie’s heaven. This market is the true epitome of French gastronomy , and you simply cannot miss it.

This multi-floor supermarket is very well organized by section. But due to its expansive selections, allow yourself to explore at least two hours here. You can find cheese, cured meats, yogurt, foie gras, caviar, chocolates and sweets, jams and spread, truffle everything (oil, mayo, etc.), fruits and fresh produce, ethnic food, baked goods, the salad, and other ready to eat food, a wide selection of wines, and waters of the world.

Let’s grab a bottle of wine and packable dinner for our picnic. But feel free to get some edible souvenirs for home, too, like jams and chestnut spread.

Hours : 8:30 am – 9 pm, Sunday 10 am – 8 pm Location : [ Open Google Map ] Metro Station : Sèvres

Eiffel Tower (Climbing Optional)

Opened in 1889 for the World’s Fair, the Eiffel Tower (Tour Eiffel) is one of the world’s most recognizable landmarks. It has become the iconic symbol of Paris and France that doesn’t require any further introduction.

I personally prefer to appreciate the Eiffel Tower from a distance rather than climb it up. But going up the Eiffel Tower is a super popular activity on many tourists’ bucket lists. So I included it here as an option.

With a whopping 7 million visitors a year, you can only imagine it will get crowded. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of booking your tour in advance.  Also, unless you plan to challenge yourself to climb up a 330-meter (1,083 ft) tower by stairs, sign up for elevator access.

Interesting Facts : When Germany occupied France, the French resistance cut the elevator cables. Hence, the Nazis had to climb the stairs to hoist their flag on top.

On the 2nd floor , enjoy the city view of the Louvre, Notre Dame, and other landmarks. This is where you find the souvenir shops, the Michelin-starred restaurant Jules Verne, and Pierre Hermé macaroon bar. ( Book Eiffel Tower 2nd floor by elevator here >> )

The Summit features a panoramic view of Paris from 276-meter (906 feet) above the ground. Grab a glass of bubbly at the Champagne Bar. Check out the secret apartment where Gustave Eiffel hosted VIP parties. ( Book Eiffel Tower direct access to Summit by elevator here >> )

Do you want the whole shebang ? You can visit the 2nd floor, the Summit, Champs de Mars (our next stop), and Jardin du Trocadero (our first stop) with an all-in-one Eiffel Tower Tour here .

Note:  Children under 18 or EU residents under 26 do not receive free access to the Eiffel Tower. Only children under 4 get free access.

Admission for 2nd floor (by elevator) : €17.10, Age 12-24: €8.60, Age 4-11 & Disability: €4.30 Admission for Summit (by elevator) : €26.80, Age 12-24: €13.40, Age 4-11 & Disability: €6.70 Hours : May 5 – June 17 9:30am – 10:45 pm, The rest 9 am – 11:45 pm Location : [ Open Google Map ] Metro Station : Bir-Hakeim or Champ-de-Mars Tour-Eiffel (RER)

Champs de Mars

Can you really get enough of the Eiffel Tower in Paris? Probably not. Good news. We will have a very romantic Parisian picnic at Champs de Mars.

Champs de Mars is a landscaped park with an expansive lawn where the Eiffel Tower is. Grab a seat (it’s good to have a towel or blanket) and have a picnic while waiting for the Eiffel Tower illumination.  The Eiffel Tower sparkles every evening from sunset to 1 am.  It is so magical and romantic that your tired eyes will wide open!

What does not make this picnic not so romantic is people consistently soliciting cheap Eiffel Tower key chains and low-quality wines. But if you already got everything you need, you just say no thanks and turn away.

Insider’s Tip : If you skipped La Grand Epicerie de Paris above, there is a Carrefour City nearby [ Open Google Map ].

Admission : Free Hours : 24 hours Location : [ Open Google Map ] Metro Station : École Militaire

>>  Alternative Tours : If you instead take the Eiffel Tower tour to the Summit and evening cruise on the same day, skip Champs de Mars and  join this combo tour .

Day 4 of 4 Days in Paris : Orsay, Le Marais & Canal St. Martin

Musée d’Orsay

If you are a fan of Impressionist art, Musée d’Orsay is the place you do not want to miss. The museum has the largest collection of famous Impressionist paintings by Monet, Manet, Renoir, Pissarro, Degas, Cézanne and Seurat. It also houses western arts from 1848 to 1914.

The museum had been converted from an abandoned train station in 1986. Its unique beauty is credited to keeping the original architectural details.  

Compared to Louvre or Notre Dame, the crowd level is much more manageable. But I recommend visiting early in the morning, getting an audio guide and map to plan out your visit.  

Insider’s Tip : Start from Level 5 – the crown jewel of this museum – and make your way down.

Head straight to Level 5 to beat the crowd to capture an Instagram-worthy silhouette shot of the famous clock. The clock is all the way back in front of a souvenir shop.

The museum map indicates the most critical art collections and their locations.

On Level 5, take your time to enjoy all the impressionist & Neo-impressionist collections and Rodin’s sculptures, including:

• Manet: Lunchoen on the Grass, Olympia
• Monet: La Rue Montorgueil
• Degas: Ballet l’étoile
• Renoir: Danse á la Ville

Don’t miss Van Gogh’s  Self-Portrait  and  Starry Night over the Rhône  and Gauguin on Level 2. Check out Millet, Courbet, Bazille, Pompon and Delacroix on Level 0.

If you want to eat lunch here, Orsay Museum has beautiful restaurants on the 2nd, 4th and 5th floors.

Admission : €16. After 6 pm €12   [ Book tickets here . Included in Paris Museum Pass ] Hours : 9:30 am – 6 pm. Thursdays open until 9:45 pm (Closed on Mondays, May 1 & Dec. 25.) Location : [ Open Google Map ] Metro Station : Solférino or Musée d’Orsay (RER)

>> Alternative Tours : Book a ticket and guided tour of Musée d’Orsay with different language options  

In the 4th arrondissement, Le Marais (South Marais) is a charming historic neighborhood dotted with boutiques and art galleries. Explore Paris’ hippest fashion, LGBTQ scene and Jewish Quarter.

The district is also home to many heritage museums in the 17th/18th-century mansions, such as Musée Picasso Paris  [ Open Google Map ] and  Maison de Victor Hugo  [ Open Google Map ]. It is also considered a gay district with many LGBTQ-friendly restaurants, gay bars and clubs.

For this itinerary, I suggest you explore from south to north.

Hôtel de Ville  [ Open Google Map ; metro station: Hôtel de Ville] is the city hall of Paris located near the Seine Riverbank. It is more than an administrative center as it regularly hosts art exhibits. And the Neo-Renaissance building is gorgeous to just look. Not far away from here is  Rue de Barres  [ Open Google Map ], one of the prettiest streets in Paris with the 14th-century houses.

I had a delicious shawarma platter for lunch at L’as du Fallafel.

Head to the  Rue de Rosier  [ Open Google Map ], the epicenter of the Parisian Jewish community with Kosher restaurants and pretty little shops.  L’as du Fallafel  [ Open Google Map ] is a Middle Eastern restaurant with delicious shawarma, kebabs and falafels. Swing by the Rosiers-Joseph Migneret Garden  [ Open Google Map ], a small community garden tucked between historic mansions.

You may also want to check out  Place des Vosges  [ Open Google Map ]. It is the oldest planned square in Paris, built by Henri IV in 1612. The small park is surrounded by lush trees, red brick houses, little shops and cafes.

There are so many boutique shops in this area. Whichever catches your eyes, you can go in. One of the shops I went to is  Merci  [ Open Google Map ], a trendy 3-story boutique and coffee shop. You will find a collection of clothes, shoes, kitchen, and interior items. The concept is similar to Anthropologie – not cheap but hip designs.

Finally, I recommend checking out  Marché des Enfants Rouges  [ Open Google Map ]. It is a covered market in the alleyways lined with restaurants, cheese shops, fruit and vegetable sellers, etc. You can grab quick bites and drinks or buy fresh produce.

>>  Alternative Tours : Explore the historic  Le Marais on an e-bike   or munch on French delicacies with  Le Marais Food Walking Tour . 

Du Pain et des Idées

Between Le Marais and the next destination, there is a very famous traditional French boulangerie I highly recommend you try: Du Pain et des Idées. This  award-winning bakery  has won the heart of picky Parisians since 1875. Luckily, my hotel was nearby, so I religiously visited this bakery during my stay. Try their  signature pain des amis  and different flavored  escargot pastries .    

Hours : 7 am – 7:30 pm (Closed on Sundays.) Location : [ Open Google Map ] Metro Station : République

↡↡ Looking for hotels in Paris? Book Your Paris Hotel here ↡↡

Speaking of hotels, book your hotel way in advance! I was scrambled to find a hotel 3 weeks before my trip in panic mode because all decent hotels were booked. I ended up staying at Hôtel Beaurepaire Paris ( Book here ) near République metro station. The hotel is nothing fancy — no A/C, coffin-like elevator and narrow shower booth, which are common in Paris. But the airy, bright room is clean and comfortable. The neighborhood is also convenient with supermarkets, pharmacies, restaurants/cafes, (of course, Du Pain et des Idées), and plenty of public transportation. The République is only one-stop away from Gare du Nord and a major transfer station with direct access to multiple lines. It was not the best hotel I stayed in; however, my experience was overall great!

Canal St. Martin

Canal Saint-Martin in the 10th arrondissement is lined with chestnut trees and adorned with Venetian-style bridges. It is a nice little place to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon/evening, hang out with friends or sit on the bench with your significant other.

I suggest you go picnic here, relax and imbibe in the romantic Paris vibe as much as possible on the last day of Paris. I brought a bottle of wine, fruits and other snacks for my picnic. I ordered Pink Flamingo Pizza nearby and sat at the bench to feast.

Pink Flamingo has recently closed down. But this neighborhood has a vibrant food scene with lots of restaurant options:

• Le Petit Cambodge  [ Open Google Map ] with authentic SE Asian rice noodle soups
• Le Comptoir Général  [ Open Google Map ], a cafe/bar along the canal with a cozy, inviting ambiance
• Siseng  [ Open Google Map ] with Asian-influenced burgers, spring rolls and creative cocktails

Hours : 24 hours Location : [ Open Google Map ] Metro Station: République

Day 5 : Day Trip to the Palace of Versailles

One extra day in Paris? I suggest visiting Château de Versailles. This is one of the top things to do in Paris; however, four days in Paris is too short to include a full-day trip to Versailles.  

If you are inclined to, you may take one day out from the 4-day itinerary above and replace it with Versailles. It spreads in a massive estate, and I experienced the worst line and crowds there. Be there early and allocate an entire day. 

Like the Louvre, I strongly believe that Versailles is one of the places  worth joining tours with an expert guide and transportation to/from Paris. These tours usually use a separate entrance from the crowds, granting skip-the-line access .  

>>  Versailles Palace & the Trianons Tour by Coach : This full-day guided tour takes you to the majestic Palace and tickets to the Garden Show.

>> Palace & Gardens Skip-the-line Tour (optional Musical Gardens & Fountain Shows)

>> Versailles Tour by RER Train (optional Musical Gardens & Fountain Shows)

Read my detailed guide on the Paris day trip to the Palace of Versailles. Lots of tips and hacks on how to beat the crowd in Versailles in summer! >>

How to Plan Your Paris Itinerary

1. start with your paris bucket list..

Make a list of what you want to experience in Paris. There is no way one trip will cover all of them. But it helps to see the complete list to prioritize the places you want to visit this time and save others for the next time. Check your bucket list against my itinerary to see which needs to be adjusted.

2. Group them by geographical proximity.

Once you decide what to do in Paris in 4 days , look them up on Google Map to check the locations. This step is necessary to save your travel time within the city.

Paris is a planned city with 20 arrondissements (districts). Starting with the first arrondissement in the center, the number goes up clockwise in a circle outwardly, resembling a snail shell. Understanding this helps locate each location and group them together.

3. Check opening dates and hours.

The next step is to assign a group of daily activities on the day of the week. Opening days and hours vary by attraction. Some museums open in the late evenings on certain days of the week, attracting fewer crowds.

4. Consider purchasing Paris tourist cards.

Whether you get  Paris Museum Pass  or  The Paris Pass , these tourist cards usually pay for themselves, bringing you good savings. Your itinerary can be grouped as pass days vs. non-pass days. To maximize your savings, try to keep pass days closely together so you can shorten the length of the pass validation dates (=saving money).

(READ>> Is Paris Museum Pass Worth It? )

5. Booking tickets and a time slot is now mandatory, not a recommendation!

Avoid wasting time in line. The rule of thumb is to purchase tickets and book every place you want to visit in advance. I find it absolutely necessary for any season of the year in Paris. In fact, many Paris attractions now require you to book tickets and a time slot before you show up!

6. Check your eligibility for free admission.

Most of the Paris museums and historical places grant free admission for those under 18 or EU residents under 26. Booking a time slot is still required.

The first Sunday of each month is a free museum day at national museums. But personally, I would avoid the most visited museums like Louvre and the Orsay on this day, especially if you have the Museum Pass.

7. Finalize your plan.

Voila! Based on all these factors above, you should be able to have your customized itinerary.

Hello, I'm Chloe!

I'm an aspiring world traveler, who moved across the Pacific Ocean twice. After leaving my PR career, I'm currently exploring Asia from Taiwan and learning Chinese. Follow my journey as I will share my travel experiences, tips & tricks and cultural insights.

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