A Week in Paris: The Ideal Itinerary for First-Time Visitors
Please note this list may change. I’ve been to Paris five times (soon to be six). It sounds like a lot, but I actually don’t spend that much time in Paris. I spend far more time in Pays de la Loire than Île-de-France. I’ve always treated Paris as a place to pass by because it happens to be on the way to somewhere. Paris is a hub connecting you to other cities whether it is by bus, train, or plane.
The first time I was in Paris, I was there for a week. But really, I spent half of that on daytrips to EuroDisney and Northern France.
The second time in Paris, we were there for less than 48 hours. At the time I thought I’d seen enough but I was very wrong. I went to Sacre Couer and Les Invalides. Then we left for the Loire.
The third time, We returned from the Loire. We were there for a few hours because were waiting for our bus to Munich. There was a park nearby, Parc de Bercy. We people watched to pass the time. In some strange way Paris was starting to grow on me. If I could raise my kid in Paris, I would.
The fourth time, I stayed in an apartment at the 13th arrondissement. I relaxed. I explored the Latin Quarter, Ile-de-Saint-Louis, and Chinatown. Stayed for two days before heading to Le Mans for the 24 Heures du Mans race.
The fifth time, I stayed in Paris for a week after spending a week a Le Mans. I came back to Paris feeling really tired. After all, I stayed up very late every single night during race week in Le Mans. When I arrived to my hotel, I took a nice long nap. I woke up to have dinner and went grocery shopping. The following day I slept in and started my day late by going to Musee d’Orsay. I went to quite a bit of excursions. I took a daytrip to visit chateaux scattered around the Loire — yes, I know another day at the Loire. I took another daytrip to check out Bruges, Belgium because I never been to Belgium. In this visit to Paris, I met up with a college friend. She frequents to Paris because she has family there. I also made lots of new friends by joining lots of events around the city.
Those are my past visits to Paris. Here is my list of places to explore in Paris if you are visiting for the first time:
The Eiffel Tower - This is inevitable. Even my kid is enchanted by a photo of the Eiffel Tower. She always asks me, “Where is this place?”
Eiffel Tower at Champs de Mars
You can also admire her from different views.
Galleries LaFayette — An iconic luxury department store. Marvel at its magnificent stained-glass dome while exploring the latest trends in fashion, beauty, and gourmet delicacies. Go to the rooftop for a nice view (see photo gallery above for reference). My friend and I went to this very photogenic cafe…but I prefer their food court across the street.
Palais Garnier (Opéra Garnier) - A breathtaking opera house in Paris, renowned for its opulent architecture showcasing the grandeur of the Second Empire Style. Features ornate decorations, lavish chandeliers, and a stunning marble staircase.
Triangle de Choisy (Quartier Asiatique) — I’m bias. As an Asian, I like to find Asian food everywhere I go. There are two Chinatowns within Paris but the Quartier Asiatique (Asian Quarter) in the 13th is the largest full of other restaurants indochinois. The second, smaller Chinatown is located in the 20th arrondissement (Belleville)
Latin Quarter — A vibrant hub of intellectual and cultural activity, known for its bustling bistros, bookshops, and bohemian atmosphere. This historic neighborhood, named for the Latin language once spoken here by university students, is home to the famous Sorbonne University and offers a picturesque maze of narrow streets and hidden courtyards to explore.
Jardin des Tuilleries -A public garden located between the Louvre Museum and Place de la Concorde. As a beloved spot for both tourists and locals, the Jardin des Tuileries provides a perfect setting for leisurely strolls, picnics, and enjoying panoramic views of Parisian landmarks. But I prefer going to parks with more trees. If you’re feeling adventurous go to Buttes de Chaumont. I warn you, it’s very hilly.
Île de la Cité - It’s the birthplace of Paris. You’ll be surprised to learn that Paris is an island. There you’ll find Cathedrale de Notre Dame.
Île de St. Louis — This is second island on the Seine River. It’s quieter. It is residential and where the 0.0001% live. Experience quiet luxury here but you’re likely not going to walk into any home.
Montmartre — Exploring this charming neighborhood is a delight, though one must be cautious of the steep hills. A walking tour is highly recommended as it offers an opportunity to discover and learn about numerous landmarks, including the Moulin Rouge, Moulin de la Galette, historic windmills, the blue love wall, Vincent Van Gogh's apartment, and the many renowned artists and writers who resided in Montmartre.
Louvre - The Louvre was originally a royal palace and now it’s the world's largest and most visited museum. The glass pyramid entrance designed by I.M. Pei in 1989 serves as a modern counterpoint to it the Louvre’s classical architecture. The Louvre offers a unique blend of the ancient and the contemporary, attracting millions of art lovers and curious visitors each year. Personally, I have not explored the entire Louvre because spending three hours there was not enough. On my upcoming visit, I plan to spend the day at the Louvre.
Musée d’Orsay - This musuem was formerly a railway station built for the 1900 World Fair. Renowned for its rich collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces, the museum showcases works by artists such as Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, and Cézanne.
Boat ride around the Seine - I believe this is something one should do for their first time in Paris.
If anything, this should be enough for a week in Paris. Paris is deceiving small at 40.7 square miles. For reference Los Angeles is 469 square miles which is 10x larger than Paris. San Francisco is 46.9 square miles — similar in size to Paris. Generally, when I travel, I don’t really do a checklist of everything I need to see. I just take my time which is why every time I visit Paris or any city, the experience is always different. If I like the city enough, I will find a way to return. For example, I only went to Bruges to wander around for a day. I think I like it enough to find a way to return to visit the Torture Museum.
What else is good to know:
Pharmacy for beauty products - Sephora is also from Paris, but it’s worth checking out any local pharmacy in France.
The Navigo Week pass (Navigo Semaine) - The Navigo Semaine is a Paris metro pass valid for one week from Monday to Sunday. It gives you unlimited travel within the zones you have selected. If you are staying in the outskirts of Paris, you would choose more zones to allow you more travel coverage by Metro. Navigo Semaine can be purchased starting on the Friday before the following week. The catch when buying the pass is that you also need to find the nearest photomat (photobooth) to place a photo on your metro pass. In my most recent visit, I purchased a week pass but I couldn’t locate a photomat right away. To save time, take along your passport sized photo just in case.
