Paris Quick Travel Guide

seasonal itineraries
where to eat & drink
instagrammable spots

Paris 4-Day Seasonal Itineraries

Spring in Paris - City of Light Blooms

🗼

Morning (8:00 AM)

Eiffel Tower€29

✓ THE Paris icon! Book online weeks ahead. Summit €29, 2nd floor €23. Early morning best. 1,083 steps to top! Spring blooms Champ de Mars. 2 hours. Essential!
🌉

Late Morning (11:00 AM)

Trocadéro GardensFree

✓ BEST Eiffel Tower view! Palais de Chaillot. Spring flowers blooming. Fountains active. Photo spot #1. Walk from Tower 15min. Absolutely iconic!
⛵

Afternoon (2:00 PM)

Seine River Cruise€15-20

✓ 1-hour cruises. See main sights from water. Notre-Dame, Louvre, Musée d'Orsay. Bateaux Mouches classic. Spring sunshine perfect. Audio guide included!
🏛️

Evening (5:00 PM)

Notre-DameExterior only

✓ 2019 fire, rebuilding until 2024. Exterior photos from across Seine. Still beautiful! Île de la Cité area. Spring walk along river. Historic heart Paris!
🎨

Morning (9:00 AM)

Louvre Museum€17

✓ World's LARGEST museum! Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo. Book online skip lines! Under 18 free EU. 3-4 hours minimum. Glass pyramid entrance. Essential Paris!
🌳

Afternoon (2:00 PM)

Tuileries GardenFree

✓ Between Louvre & Place de la Concorde. Spring tulips spectacular! Green chairs. Orangerie Museum nearby (Monet's Water Lilies €12.50). Perfect spring stroll!
🛍️

Evening (5:00 PM)

Champs-ÉlyséesFree

✓ Most famous avenue world! Arc de Triomphe end. 2km walk. Luxury shopping. Tourist trap prices but iconic. Spring tree-lined. Must-walk once!
🎨

Morning (9:30 AM)

MontmartreFree

✓ Artist quarter! Sacré-Cœur basilica white domes. Place du Tertre artists. Moulin Rouge nearby. Cobblestone streets. Spring perfect exploring. Bohemian Paris!
⛪

Midday (11:30 AM)

Sacré-CœurFree

✓ White basilica 1914! Highest point Paris. Panoramic views. Free entry. Dome climb €6. Steps famous. Spring grass picnics. Essential Montmartre!
🎭

Evening (7:00 PM)

Moulin Rouge Show€87-230

✓ Legendary cabaret 1889! Can-can dancers. Red windmill. Dinner + show or drink + show. Book ahead. Tourist but iconic. Unique Paris experience!
🏰

Day Trip

Versailles Palace€20

✓ 30min train RER C. Palace €20, gardens free (except musical days €10). HUGE! Hall of Mirrors. Marie Antoinette estate. Spring gardens blooming. Full day trip. Book palace ticket online!

Summer in Paris - Seine Sunshine

☀️

Perfect Weather

Paris summerEssential

✓ Summer 18-28°C ideal! Long days sunset 10pm. Outdoor dining peak. Seine riverbanks. Parisian life outdoors. Best weather! Festival season July-August!
🏖️

Afternoon (2:00 PM)

Paris PlagesFree

✓ Summer beaches Seine! Mid-July to August. Sand, palm trees, deckchairs. FREE beach Paris! Swimming pools. Activities. Unique summer tradition!
🎆

Evening (10:00 PM)

Bastille Day (July 14)Free

✓ July 14 HUGE! Military parade Champs-Élysées morning. Eiffel Tower fireworks 11pm spectacular! National day. Crowded but amazing! Book accommodation ahead!
🍷

Evening Life

Seine riverbanksFree

✓ Summer = picnics Seine! Wine, cheese, baguette. Locals gather. Pont des Arts. Sunset late. Perfect Parisian evening. Bring blanket!
🌳

Park Season

Luxembourg GardensFree

✓ Summer parks gorgeous! Luxembourg, Tuileries, Buttes-Chaumont. Green chairs. Reading. Picnics. Locals' summer life. Essential experience!
🎪

Summer Events

FestivalsVaries

✓ Rock en Seine (August music festival), Paris Plages, outdoor cinema. Summer = events everywhere. Jazz concerts. Check listings!

Autumn in Paris - Golden Season

🍂

Perfect Season!

Ideal autumnFree

✓ September-October BEST! 12-20°C perfect. Summer crowds gone. Autumn colors stunning. Fashion week September. Wine harvest. Photography paradise!
🍁

Morning (9:00 AM)

Luxembourg GardensFree

✓ October foliage peak! Golden leaves. Medici Fountain. Palace backdrop. Autumn most beautiful. Photo perfect. Essential Paris park!
🎨

Afternoon (2:00 PM)

Musée d'Orsay€16

✓ Impressionist heaven! Monet, Van Gogh, Renoir. Former train station. Clock tower views. Autumn perfect museums. 2-3 hours. Essential art!
☕

Café Season

Historic cafés€5-10

✓ Autumn = café season! Café de Flore, Les Deux Magots. Literary history. Coffee + croissant. People-watching. Cozy interiors. Quintessential Paris!
📚

Cultural Season

Museums & galleries€10-17

✓ Autumn = cultural peak! New exhibitions. Rodin Museum gardens. Picasso Museum. Perfect museum weather. Quality culture time!
🍷

Harvest Season

Wine tasting€15-30

✓ Autumn = wine harvest! Beaujolais Nouveau (November). Wine bars peak. Harvest celebrations. Perfect season French wine!

Winter in Paris - Illuminated City

🎄

Afternoon (2:00 PM)

Christmas marketsFree entry

✓ Late Nov-Dec. Champs-Élysées main market. Tuileries, La Défense. Vin chaud (mulled wine) €5. Crepes. Beautiful lights. Magical atmosphere!
💡

Evening (6:00 PM)

Christmas lightsFree

✓ Champs-Élysées illuminated! Galeries Lafayette windows. Place Vendôme. Eiffel Tower sparkling hourly. November-January. Most beautiful winter!
❄️

Winter Weather

Cold but manageableEssential

✓ Winter 3-8°C. Rain possible. Dark 5pm December! Layer up. Christmas lights compensate. Cozy cafés. Museums heated. Romantic winter!
🎆

New Year's Eve

Champs-ÉlyséesFree

✓ Arc de Triomphe fireworks midnight! Huge crowds. Eiffel Tower sparkling. Book accommodation year ahead. Cold but spectacular! Champagne everywhere!
🛍️

January Sales

Soldes (Sales)Varies

✓ January sales HUGE! Les Soldes official. Up to 70% off. Galeries Lafayette, Le Bon Marché. Fashion capital discounts. Winter shopping paradise!
🍲

Winter Food

French comfort€15-30

✓ Winter = French stews! Coq au vin, boeuf bourguignon, onion soup. Hearty & warm. Bistros cozy. Raclette, fondue. Perfect cold days!
Paris Food & Drink Guide

Where to Eat & Drink in Paris

From Michelin stars to authentic bistros, explore the culinary capital of the world

L'Arpège
⭐⭐⭐ Michelin
7th Arr.

L'Arpège

Fine Dining €€€€€

3 Michelin stars! Chef Alain Passard. Vegetable-focused haute cuisine. Own organic gardens. Legendary. Book 2-3 months ahead! Ultimate Paris dining. World-class!

3 stars • €300-400+ • Vegetable garden • Book months ahead • Legendary

📍 View Location
Le Cinq
⭐⭐⭐ Michelin
8th Arr.

Le Cinq

French Haute Cuisine €€€€€

Four Seasons George V! 3 Michelin stars. Chef Christian Le Squer. Opulent dining room. Classic French perfection. Wine cellar 50,000 bottles! Palace experience!

3 stars • €290-390 • Four Seasons • 50,000 bottle cellar • Opulent

📍 View Location
Septime
⭐ Michelin
11th Arr.

Septime

Modern French €€€

1 Michelin star! Hardest reservation Paris. Chef Bertrand Grébaut. Modern creative. Natural wines. Minimalist. Book 3 weeks ahead online exactly 9am! Worth effort!

1 star • €80-120 • Hardest reservation • Modern • Book 3 weeks ahead

📍 View Location
Comptoir
6th Arr.

Le Comptoir du Relais

Classic Bistro €€€

Chef Yves Camdeborde! Saint-Germain. Classic French bistro. Lunch no reservations (queue!). Dinner tasting menu book ahead. Authentic Paris. Locals love!

Chef legend • €40-70 • No lunch reservations • Queue! • Authentic

📍 View Location
Paul Bert
11th Arr.

Bistrot Paul Bert

Traditional Bistro €€

CLASSIC Paris bistro! Red banquettes. Steak frites perfect. Terrine. Wine list excellent. Reasonable prices. Book ahead. Essential bistro experience!

Classic • €30-50 • Steak frites • Book ahead • Essential experience

📍 View Location
Ami Jean
7th Arr.

Chez L'Ami Jean

Basque Bistro €€€

Basque-style bistro! Chef Stéphane Jégo. HUGE portions. Shared tables. Lively atmosphere. Rice pudding legendary! Book ahead. Fun experience!

Basque • €45-65 • Huge portions • Rice pudding! • Lively • Book ahead

📍 View Location
Flore
6th Arr.

Café de Flore

Historic Café €€

Since 1887! Saint-Germain. Sartre & Simone de Beauvoir regulars. Art Deco interior. Coffee €5, croissant €7. Tourist trap but iconic. Essential Paris!

Since 1887 • €5-15 • Sartre's café • Art Deco • Tourist but essential

📍 View Location
Deux Magots
6th Arr.

Les Deux Magots

Literary Café €€

Since 1885! Hemingway, Picasso hangout. Next to Café de Flore. Terrace famous. Hot chocolate legendary! Tourist prices but history rich!

Since 1885 • €6-18 • Hemingway's spot • Hot chocolate! • Literary

📍 View Location
Angelina
1st Arr.

Angelina

Tea Room €€

Since 1903! FAMOUS hot chocolate! Thick & rich. Mont-Blanc dessert. Belle Époque interiors. Rivoli location. Queue always! Worth waiting!

Since 1903 • €9-20 • BEST hot chocolate Paris! • Queue • Essential

📍 View Location
Du Pain
10th Arr.

Du Pain et des Idées

Artisan Bakery €

BEST bakery Paris! Pain des Amis legendary. Escargot pistachio €4. Original 1900s interior. Morning queues. Closed weekends. Essential bread!

Best bakery! • €3-6 • Escargot pistachio • Morning queue • Closed weekends

📍 View Location
Poilane
6th Arr.

Poilâne

Historic Bakery €

Since 1932! World-famous sourdough. Round loaves 2kg. Wood-fired oven. Butter cookies "Punitions". Ships worldwide! Paris institution!

Since 1932 • €8-12 • Sourdough famous • Wood-fired • Paris legend

📍 View Location
Pierre Herme
Multiple

Pierre Hermé

Pâtisserie €€

Macaron KING! "Picasso of Pastry". Ispahan macaron signature (rose, lychee, raspberry). Multiple locations. €2.40/macaron. Best in world!

Macaron king • €2.40 each • Ispahan signature • Best world • Essential

📍 View Location
Fallafel
4th Arr.

L'As du Fallafel

Street Food €

BEST falafel Paris! Marais Jewish quarter. HUGE queues. Special falafel €8. Closed Saturdays. Takeaway faster. Locals obsessed! Essential!

Best falafel • €8 • Marais • Queue always! • Closed Saturday • Essential

📍 View Location
Crepes
14th Arr.

Crêperie Josselin

Breton Crêpes €

Authentic Breton! Galettes (savory) & crêpes (sweet). €8-12. Cider. Montparnasse. Cash only! Locals' favorite. Essential French!

Breton authentic • €8-12 • Cash only • Cider • Locals love • Essential

📍 View Location
Baron Rouge
12th Arr.

Le Baron Rouge

Wine Bar €

ICONIC Paris wine bar! Aligre market. Barrels inside. Stand outside. Oysters Sundays! Wine €3-5/glass. Cheap & authentic. Essential experience!

Iconic • €3-5/glass • Oysters Sunday • Stand outside • Authentic • Essential

📍 View Location
Verre Vole
10th Arr.

Le Verre Volé

Natural Wine Bar €€

Natural wine specialists! Small plates. Canal Saint-Martin. Tiny space. Book ahead. €30-45. Natural wine pioneers Paris. Excellent food!

Natural wine • €30-45 • Canal location • Book ahead • Small plates • Pioneer

📍 View Location
Paris Photo Spots

Paris Instagram Photo Spots

From the Eiffel Tower to hidden Parisian gems, capture the magic of the City of Light

Eiffel Tower
Iconic

Eiffel Tower

€29 summit
👗 Outfit: Classic Parisian, elegant, romantic
⏱ Best Time: Sunrise (empty!), sparkling lights hourly at night
📷 Photo Tips
• THE Paris icon!
• Shoot from Trocadéro (best view)
• Champ de Mars for underneath shots
• Sparkles 5min every hour after dark
• Sunrise 7am nearly empty
• Book summit tickets weeks ahead
• Most photographed monument world!
📍 View Location
Trocadero
Iconic

Trocadéro Gardens

Free
👗 Outfit: Flowing dress, Parisian chic
⏱ Best Time: Golden hour, blue hour, sunrise
📷 Photo Tips
• BEST Eiffel Tower view!
• Palais de Chaillot stairs
• Fountains active daytime
• Early morning fewer people
• Sunset golden light perfect
• Instagram capital Paris!
• Essential photo spot #1
📍 View Location
Louvre
Iconic

Louvre Pyramid

Free courtyard
👗 Outfit: Sophisticated, museum chic, neutral tones
⏱ Best Time: Early morning 7am, night illuminated
📷 Photo Tips
• Glass pyramid 1989 iconic!
• Courtyard free access always
• Perspective tricks (hold pyramid)
• Early morning nearly empty
• Night pyramid lit spectacular
• Symmetry perfect photos
• World's most visited museum!
📍 View Location
Arc
Iconic

Arc de Triomphe

€13 top
👗 Outfit: Classic, Parisian chic, stripes
⏱ Best Time: Sunset from top, Champs-Élysées views
📷 Photo Tips
• Napoleon monument 1836!
• Champs-Élysées centerpiece
• Climb 284 steps top €13
• 12 avenues radiate out (perfect)
• Sunset views spectacular
• Underground passage to center
• Essential Paris landmark!
📍 View Location
Sacre Coeur
Iconic

Sacré-Cœur Basilica

Free basilica
👗 Outfit: Romantic, white dress, bohemian
⏱ Best Time: Sunrise steps, sunset city views
📷 Photo Tips
• White basilica Montmartre!
• Highest point Paris views
• Steps perfect sunset
• Dome climb €6 panorama
• Artists' quarter vibe
• Romano-Byzantine beauty
• Essential Montmartre photo!
📍 View Location
Pont Alexandre
Iconic

Pont Alexandre III

Free
👗 Outfit: Elegant, flowing, golden hour tones
⏱ Best Time: Golden hour, blue hour, early morning
📷 Photo Tips
• MOST BEAUTIFUL bridge Paris!
• Belle Époque 1900
• Gold statues & lamps
• Eiffel Tower background
• Invalides dome view
• Emily in Paris scenes!
• Essential romantic spot!
📍 View Location
Rue Cremieux
Hidden Gem

Rue Crémieux

Free
👗 Outfit: Colorful, playful, match the houses
⏱ Best Time: Morning 8-9am (residents live here!)
📷 Photo Tips
• Pastel houses RAINBOW!
• Instagram famous street
• Private residential (respect!)
• Morning best light & empty
• Near Gare de Lyon
• Quiet please (locals)
• Hidden Paris gem!
📍 View Location
Shakespeare
Hidden Gem

Shakespeare & Company

Free
👗 Outfit: Literary, vintage, bohemian
⏱ Best Time: Morning quiet, afternoon golden light
📷 Photo Tips
• Legendary bookstore!
• Notre-Dame views
• Green storefront iconic
• Hemingway, Joyce hangout
• Inside photos allowed
• Literary Paris essential
• Hidden gem landmark!
📍 View Location
Galerie Vivienne
Hidden Gem

Galerie Vivienne

Free
👗 Outfit: Elegant Parisian, classic chic
⏱ Best Time: Midday natural light through glass
📷 Photo Tips
• Covered passage 1823!
• Glass ceiling mosaic floors
• Belle Époque architecture
• Natural light through glass
• Boutiques & cafés
• Hidden Paris beauty
• Essential covered passage!
📍 View Location
Canal
Hidden Gem

Canal Saint-Martin

Free
👗 Outfit: Casual chic, Parisian cool
⏱ Best Time: Golden hour, Sunday afternoon locals
📷 Photo Tips
• Hipster Paris!
• Iron footbridges picturesque
• Tree-lined canal
• Lock operation shots
• Locals picnic here
• Amélie film location!
• Non-touristy Paris!
📍 View Location
Montmartre
Hidden Gem

Montmartre Cobblestone Streets

Free
👗 Outfit: Bohemian, artist, romantic
⏱ Best Time: Early morning empty streets, golden hour
📷 Photo Tips
• Artist quarter vibes!
• Rue de l'Abreuvoir perfect
• Pink house La Maison Rose
• Cobblestone streets
• Early morning empty
• Picasso, Van Gogh lived
• Quintessential Paris!
📍 View Location
Palais Royal
Hidden Gem

Palais Royal Columns

Free
👗 Outfit: Modern chic, monochrome, architectural
⏱ Best Time: Any time, covered courtyard
📷 Photo Tips
• Striped columns Buren!
• 260 black/white columns
• Unique Instagram art
• Covered courtyard
• Walk on them allowed
• Near Louvre hidden
• Modern art Paris!
📍 View Location