Paris
4 Days in Paris: My Itinerary
Paris gave me all the iconic moments I expected, but also a few very personal ones I was not expecting.
I did the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Versailles, Sainte-Chapelle, and the Catacombs, but somewhere in the middle of all that I also tried snails for the first time.
And the last time lol.
That is part of what I liked about the trip though. It was not just monuments and museums. It was trying things, having little moments I still remember, and seeing a city I had heard about forever finally feel real in front of me.
Four days went fast (went in April), but Paris definitely gave me enough memories to make it count.
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Day 1: Eiffel Tower + Arc de Triomphe + Birthday Lunch
Eiffel Tower
Start with the obvious.
You cannot really come to Paris for the first time and not see the Eiffel Tower.
Even if you have seen it a hundred times in photos, it still feels different in person.
I’d give yourself time to walk around the area instead of rushing straight to the next thing.
Birthday Lunch at Les Ombres
For my birthday lunch, I went to Les Ombres at Quai Branly.
My reservation was at 12:30 PM.
The reason I’d keep this in the itinerary is the setting.
You get this elevated Paris experience with the Eiffel Tower right there, which makes it feel more like a moment than just another lunch reservation.
Arc de Triomphe
Later in the day, head to the Arc de Triomphe.
I like doing this later because the city starts to feel completely different as the light changes.
The monument itself is impressive, but the surrounding streets and views are what make the stop worth it.
Day 2: Louvre + Sainte-Chapelle + Luxembourg Gardens
Louvre Museum
My Louvre ticket was for 10:30 AM, and I’d absolutely keep it as one of the anchors of the trip.
The Louvre is massive, so trying to see everything is a setup.
I focused on the Denon Wing, which includes some of the museum’s most famous works, including:
Mona Lisa
Winged Victory of Samothrace
The Raft of the Medusa
That gave the visit some structure instead of wandering around completely overwhelmed.
Sainte-Chapelle
After the Louvre, head to Sainte-Chapelle.
This is one of the places I think deserves more attention.
The stained glass is the reason to go.
It is one of those interiors where the experience really comes from standing there and taking it in rather than rushing through for a photo.
Luxembourg Gardens
Later, slow the day down at Luxembourg Gardens.
This is a good reset after spending time inside museums and churches.
Walk around, sit for a while, people-watch, and let the day breathe.
Day 3: Palace of Versailles
Palace of Versailles
I’d give Versailles most of the day.
My entry was for 4:30 PM, and I planned to arrive by 4 PM.
Versailles is not something I would try to squeeze between three other major attractions.
The scale alone makes it worth treating as its own experience.
You have the palace itself, the grounds, and the feeling of being somewhere completely different from central Paris.
If Versailles is on your list, I’d build the day around it instead of trying to make it an add-on.
Day 4: Paris Catacombs + More of the City
Paris Catacombs
This is probably one of the most unique experiences from the trip.
The Paris Catacombs are completely different from the polished, romantic version of Paris people usually picture.
You are walking through underground tunnels lined with human remains.
It is dark, strange, historic, and honestly one of those experiences that sticks with you because there is nothing else on the itinerary that feels like it.
If you want one stop that breaks up all the palaces, museums, and monuments, this is it.
Revisit Central Paris
After the Catacombs, I’d keep the rest of the day flexible.
This is a good time to:
Walk through neighborhoods you did not get enough time in
Stop for coffee or pastries
Spend more time around the Seine
Revisit the Eiffel Tower area
Shop
Have one last dinner somewhere you really want to try
I would not overplan the final day.
Paris is one of those cities where wandering can be part of the experience.
What I’d Prioritize
If I only had four days again, the experiences I would make sure stay in the itinerary are:
Paris Catacombs
Palace of Versailles
Sainte-Chapelle
Louvre Museum
Eiffel Tower
Arc de Triomphe
Birthday lunch at Les Ombres
Those are the stops that gave the trip the best mix of classic Paris, history, art, architecture, and something a little unexpected.
The Bottom Line
Four days in Paris is enough to experience a lot without turning the trip into one long race between reservations.
See the landmarks.
Do the Louvre.
Go to Versailles.
But also make room for something completely different like the Catacombs.
The best Paris itinerary is not just the one with the most famous places.
It is the one that mixes the iconic stuff with a few experiences you actually remember afterward.
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