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PARIS
Things to see and do in Paris
5-days tour - exploring history, art and cabaret
Visiting Paris in 5 days - 8 places you should see:
Published on June 1, 2024
In a magical realm, Paris is a young girl with a fragile appearance, captivating travelers with her youthful charm and soothing them with the sound of her voice as she shares her art.
She talks about poetry and reflects it in her graceful movements and composed demeanor.
Paris doesn't grab you right away, but it slowly seduces you until you're deeply in love with it.
Romance is what keeps it alive, and unmatched elegance is its primary quality.
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Marais District
Take a leisurely walk through the narrow streets of the Marais district, wander around its art galleries and neoclassical shops, pause in front of store windows with mysterious contents that captivate you more than ever, and finally, relax on the terrace of a bistro to observe the hustle and bustle while savoring a glass of fine French wine.
In the area, you'll come across the Centre Pompidou, a modern art museum designed by Renzo Piano.
From the highest floor of the museum, you can observe the narrow, slim zinc roofs lined up next to each other, extending as far as the eye can see in a series of lit dormers and chimneys.
2 - Louvre Museum
The reflection of one of the Louvre's pyramids can be seen on the damp ground
Make sure you catch the sight from the Ferris wheel
As you keep walking towards the Seine, you'll come across the iconic glass pyramids, well-known symbols of the Louvre Museum.
Book your tickets ahead of time and plan to spend at least an afternoon there without trying to see everything. Bring a guide who can show you around and concentrate on what interests you the most.
We came back in the evening for a stroll in the square out front, where the glowing pyramids' reflection in the puddles added even more charm to the building.
From the cabins of the nearby Ferris wheel, we sit and look at the dots of light that extend as far as the eye can see.
The Eiffel Tower, with its iconic golden silhouette, stands out on the starry skyline of the City of Light.
3 - Notre Dame
Notre Dame view during renovation
Island City
The Ile de la Cité is a small island situated in the center of the Seine River.
The lovely cobblestone pathways take you to the Gothic Sainte Chapelle and the grand Notre Dame.
During our visit in 2021, Notre Dame was still being renovated due to the fire on April 15, 2019, so we couldn't go inside.
We strolled along the fenced perimeter of the construction site, where photos showing the challenging restoration of the interiors and the artworks damaged by the fire were exhibited, along with the stages of the renovation project, expected to take 5 years.
The area in front of the cathedral is bustling with tourists looking up at the fortunately undamaged towers of the facade, street vendors, and buskers performing French songs.
4 - The Latin Quarter and the Luxembourg Gardens
We cross the Seine once more and head to the cultural hub of Paris: the Latin Quarter.
Known for its neat cobblestone streets, graceful buildings, and the renowned Sorbonne University, the area got its name from the tradition of using Latin as the academic language until the late eighteenth century.
Among the streets of the Latin Quarter, there are many charming cafes and bookstores to explore
At Luxembourg Gardens
If you're searching for somewhere to unwind before venturing out to discover the city, make sure to include a visit to the Luxembourg Gardens in your plans.
You can relax on one of the numerous chairs placed around the fountains adorned with statues and lose track of time while admiring the gardens, tree-lined paths, and Renaissance-style mansions within the park.
5 - Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is a breathtaking sight at sunrise or dusk when it illuminates with millions of sparkling lights. Looking up from the street, we are left speechless by the iron lattice structure that reaches a height of 330 meters.
The architect Gustave Eiffel, whose name is now closely associated with the city, created his masterpiece for the Universal Exhibition of 1889 despite facing strong criticism.
The tower, originally planned for demolition twenty years after the exhibition, has now turned into the city's symbol and calling card for creative energy.
Paris wouldn't be Paris without the Eiffel Tower!
Make sure to book your tickets ahead of time to go up and appreciate the view from above of the City of Light.
Essential for this journey
Champs Elysees and Arc de Triomphe
We start at the Eiffel Tower and follow the river until we get to Place De La Concorde, where the mesmerizing circular traffic swirls around its obelisk at the center of the square.
We allowed ourselves to be carried along the Champs Elysees by an invisible thread, a boulevard lined with trees, chic stores, and classy clubs. Eventually, we also strolled beneath the Arc de Triomphe, just like Emperor Napoleon did after his triumphant return from the Battle of Austerlitz, greeted by cheering crowds.
7 - Versailles Palace
In the morning, we catch the Rer C train (yellow line) that will get us to the lovely town of Versailles in about an hour.
The train journey feels like a party: musicians with accordions and violins entertain the passengers, creating a lively and fun atmosphere until it's time to disembark.
Visiting the Royal Palace will occupy an entire day: we start by going inside the building and walking through its rooms filled with valuable furniture, statues, and mirrored rooms.
We head out to visit the park: vast gardens with ponds where swans live, gravel paths, and trees lining the trails with their bare branches signaling the arrival of winter.
Montmartre and the Moulin Rouge Cabaret in Paris
Our final evening in Paris is here, and we aim to depart the city with a unique memory.
We took the metro to Gare Du Nord station and climbed up Montmartre hill, step by step, to the entrance of the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, where a crowd had gathered to watch the sunset over the city.
We strolled down the hill along narrow cobbled streets, passing by the lowered shutters of shops that had wrapped up their day's work.
In the dim shadows created by streetlights and persistent street vendors, the feeling of safety I had during the day disappeared, and I was relieved I wasn't by myself.
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart illuminated by the evening lights
During our trip, we took a break for a drink at the spot known for being the filming location of "The Magical World of Amelie." It was disappointing to find out that the place, which appeared enchanting in the movie, was actually dirty and neglected.
However, it didn't matter because we were in for a memorable evening with the show "Feerie" at the Moulin Rouge: nearly two hours of entertainment featuring gorgeous dancers with red lips, revealing outfits, and ostrich feathers, artists that looked like they came from the 1920s, and the iconic can-can dance of Paris.
Make sure not to miss out on anything and go see the show, picturing yourself in the lively years of the early 1900s.
Hurry and book your tickets quickly because they are selling out fast.
The Mulin Rouge Theater
The inside of the Moulin Rouge theater
Practical information and helpful tips for Paris
Population: 10.9 million residents
Climate: characterized by continental climate with severe winters and extremely hot summers.
Safety: pickpocketing happens a lot, especially on trains and subways. Just be cautious at Gare du Nord!
Currency: Euro
Entry requirements: ID card (Europeans), Passport
When to visit: Any time of the year
How to dress: Wear light clothes during summer and warm clothes during winter. Also, make sure to wear comfortable shoes.
How to move: The subway is comfortable and runs often, making it very user-friendly. Tickets are available for purchase from vending machines at the stations
You can get to the city center from Charles de Gaulle airport in approximately an hour by train, with a transfer at Gare du Nord.
Food: consider having meat tartare, savory crepes from the kiosks, and a variety of exquisite desserts.
Street food is super popular and a great choice for a fast and budget-friendly lunch.
Accommodation: central areas like the Marais and Latin Quarter ideal for exploring
Power sockets: similar to those in the rest of Europe
Connectivity: wifi is widely spread
Guidebook: “Les Miserables” by Victor Hugo
Souvenir: wine, local delicacies, art pieces, beret
Estimated 5-day cost (medium range hotel): €1,200 per person flight included
