I’ve written a lot of posts about traveling to France, especially Paris. Having been there more than a handful of times, Paris continues to be a city that I love dearly. These days I feel more comfortable than ever there, traversing the neighborhoods I love, practicing my French language skills, and really immersing myself like a local. But there’s nothing like your first time in Paris. The excitement of seeing a city you’ve only ever read about or seen in movies is equally matched by the sheer magnitude of the city itself. It’s big, I mean really big. And there is a lot to see and do. It can be breathtaking and completely overwhelming at the same time. I just recently came back from a trip to Paris with my mom (you can watch my reel here). It was her first time after years of leaving the City of Lights unchecked on her bucket list. I really wanted her to have an amazing time and see the parts of the city that I think every first-timer should see. We had the absolute best time together and if we could have done it sooner we would have. We spent five nights in Paris and followed an easy itinerary that I’m sharing with you as part of my first-timer’s guide to Paris.

About My First-timer’s Guide to Paris

Each day of the itinerary focuses on one particular neighborhood in Paris. This way you’re not criss-crossing the city and wasting time and energy. Does the guide include absolutely everything there is to see in Paris? No. But it’s a great highlight reel. You’ll see the major sights and have plenty of relaxation time for things like cafe hopping, picnicking on the Seine, and strolling through parks. The guide had a few restaurant recommendations. We almost always stay in an Airbnb or apartment rental so a couple of the evenings include dinner at home. This makes for an enjoyable stay as you’ll feel like a local but can also help with your budget. For this guide, the location of the Airbnb was in the area of the Louvre, making it a mostly central location. The itinerary has a lot of walking, as Paris is best seen on foot. But the metro is also really convenient as well as Uber. The itinerary covers five days (Monday to Friday). If you choose to alter the schedule just be aware of museum and restaurant hours. In-depth reviews of the restaurants listed can be found in my Eat + Stay + Play Paris guides linked below.

Day One – Eiffel Tower

Drop your bags at your hotel or Airbnb and head to the Eiffel Tower. Spend time on the Champ de Mars and if the weather is good, grab lunch and have a picnic. There are plenty of nice cafes in the area too. Afterwards, walk to Rue Cler and have wine on one of the cafe terraces. There are some great specialty food shops here as well as an outdoor market (check for operation times) so you can pick up some charcuterie and other provisions for your stay. Head back to your hotel and rest/refresh for dinner. Have dinner at Le Bistro Marbeuf (reservation recommended). After dinner, walk down the Champs Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe. I love seeing it at night.

Day Two – Paris Opera and Galeries Lafayette

Start the day with a coffee from Café Kitsuné and walk through Palais-Royal. Have fun taking photos in the Courtyard of Honor amongst the black and white sculptural work of Daniel Buren. Have a croque monsieur for lunch on the terrace at Le Parisien Saint-Martin. After lunch go to the Opéra National de Paris at The Palais Garnier (home of the legendary Phantom of the Opera). Even if you decide not to go in, the building is a sight to behold. Nearby is the Galeries Lafayette department store that is always a fun time. If shopping isn’t your thing, at least step inside to take in its stained glass dome and art nouveau architecture. Head to the rooftop terrace and be rewarded with one of the best views of Paris, including the Eiffel Tower. Stop at a cafe for an afternoon glass of wine. Enjoy a cozy dinner in.

Day Three – Louvre

Explore the Louvre Museum in the morning. I recommend getting tickets in advance for 9:00 am when they open to avoid the massive crowds. The Mona Lisa is the most popular artwork here so go straight there first (again, you’ll avoid a huge line). Then you can take your time through the rest of the museum. While you’re there, find one of the outdoor terrace cafes and grab a beverage and a snack. The view from there is amazing. After the museum, wander through the Tuileries Garden. Have lunch at yam’Tcha Boutique for some of the best bao buns you’ve ever had. I recommend getting one of their teas and taking it all to go. Find a spot on the Pont Neuf and enjoy lunch with a view of the Seine and Eiffel Tower. After lunch pop into Bibliothèque nationale de France (BNF Richelieu). It dates from the 17th century and just reopened in 2022 after twelve years of renovation. Have pre-dinner drinks at Cafe Hugo and then grab dinner right around the corner at L’Ange 20 (reservations required). This is a special place with great food that we’ve enjoyed on every trip to Paris.

Day Four – Montmartre and Musée de l’Orangerie

Spend your morning in Montmartre. Wander its hilly streets. There are some great boutiques and cafes. You may wish to see Sacré-Cœur first as the entrance line can get rather long. See the famous pink house – La Maison Rose, and see Picasso’s first studio from 1900. You can also see his other studio, The Bateau Lavoir. Montmartre also has an historic vineyard called Clos Montmartre where grapes have been grown and made into wine since the 1930s. Have a classic French lunch at Le Consulat. The French onion soup there is amazing. After lunch go to the Musée de l’Orangerie to see Monet’s Water Lilies. Tickets must be purchased in advance. After the museum, treat yourself to a glass of wine on the terrace of a cafe. Enjoy a cozy dinner in.

Day Five – Notre Dame and Musée d’Orsay

Purchase morning tickets ahead of time to the Musée d’Orsay. I like to think of this museum as a “mini Louvre.” The building itself is just as amazing as the artwork it holds. Take a break from the art and enjoy breakfast at the museum’s Cafe Campana. You’ll have a view of one of the impressive exterior clocks. This is a great photo spot. Have lunch at Les Deux Magots, my favorite literary cafe in Paris. After lunch, wander through the Latin Quarter on your way to Notre Dame. At the time of this post it was still not open to the public, but an exterior view above the Seine is also really special. Shakespeare & Co., a famous English bookstore, is also nearby and worth a pop in. Also on the Île de la Cité is Place Dauphine, a little hidden gem lined with cafes and a tree-filled park in the center. Grab a glass of wine and perhaps an assiette de frites for a snack. Have dinner at La Jacobine, a cozy restaurant with French comfort food. We always have dinner here when we come to Paris. I think they have the best escargot. Reservations are required and can only be made by phone. 

My Other Paris Posts You Might Like

Weekend in Paris with a Dog

Rouen and Chartres: Two Easy Day Trips From Paris

Touring Paris in a Vintage Citroën

Eat + Stay + Play: Paris Summer Travel Guide

My Paris Summer Wardrobe & Tips For Packing

How to Eat and Drink in Paris Like a Real Parisian

15 of the Best Instagrammable Spots in Paris 

Eat + Stay + Play: Paris Winter Travel Guide

Packing for Paris in Winter

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xo – Erin

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