notre dame

5-Day Paris Itinerary

ByKyle

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Starting Point: Notre-Dame Area

Day 1 Paris Itinerary: Historic Heart of Paris

Breakfast

  • Café Marlette (51 Rue des Martyrs) – Famous for organic pastries and excellent coffee
  • Alternative: Grab fresh croissants from Du Pain et des Idées (34 Rue Yves Toudic)

Morning

  • Start at Notre-Dame Cathedral (exterior viewing due to ongoing reconstruction)
  • Explore the charming Île de la Cité and Île Saint-Louis
  • Visit Sainte-Chapelle for its stunning stained glass windows
  • Walk through the Latin Quarter, exploring the medieval streets

Lunch

  • Chez Gladines (30 Rue des Cinq Diamants) – Classic French bistro
  • Alternative: Le Baratin (3 Rue Jouye-Rouve) – Intimate local favorite

Afternoon

  • Luxembourg Gardens and Palace
  • Panthéon
  • Browse the famous Shakespeare and Company bookstore
  • Evening stroll along the Seine River banks

Dinner

  • L’Ami Louis (32 Rue du Vertbois) – Traditional French cuisine in the Marais
  • Alternative: Chez L’Ami Paul (27 Rue Saint-Paul) – Cozy bistro atmosphere
  • Follow with a night river cruise on the Seine

Day 2 Paris Itinerary: Art and Elegance

Breakfast

  • Le Pain Quotidien (18-20 Rue des Archives) – Organic breakfast options
  • Alternative: Treize Bakery (5 Rue de Médicis) – American-style breakfast

Morning

  • Early visit to the Louvre Museum (arrive before opening to avoid crowds)
  • Focus on key works like the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and Winged Victory

Lunch

  • Café Marly (93 Rue de Rivoli) – Elegant dining with Louvre views
  • Alternative: Bistrot Vivienne (4 Rue des Petits Champs) – Historic covered passage setting

Afternoon

  • Tuileries Garden
  • Place de la Concorde
  • Champs-Élysées walk
  • Arc de Triomphe (climb for sunset views)

Dinner

  • L’Abeille (10 Avenue d’Iéna) – Michelin-starred French cuisine
  • Alternative: Le Relais de l’Entrecôte (15 Rue Marbeuf) – Famous for steak-frites

Day 3 Paris Itinerary: Montmartre and Culture

Breakfast

  • Hardware Société (10 Rue Lamarck) – Australian-style café with city views
  • Alternative: Soul Kitchen (33 Rue Lamarck) – Cozy brunch spot

Morning

  • Take the metro to Montmartre
  • Visit Sacré-Cœur Basilica
  • Explore Place du Tertre (artists’ square)
  • Wander through charming Montmartre streets

Lunch

  • La Maison Rose (2 Rue de l’Abreuvoir) – Iconic pink house restaurant
  • Alternative: Le Coq Rico (98 Rue Lepic) – Specializing in poultry dishes

Afternoon

  • Musée d’Orsay (home to impressive Impressionist collection)
  • Rodin Museum and Gardens

Dinner

  • Les Antiquaires (13 Rue du Bac) – Classic French in Saint-Germain
  • Alternative: Fish La Boissonnerie (69 Rue de Seine) – Seafood focus
  • Optional: Jazz club in Saint-Germain

Day 4 Paris Itinerary: Palace and Fashion

Breakfast

  • Coutume Café (47 Rue de Babylone) – Excellent coffee and light breakfast
  • Alternative: Carette (4 Place du Trocadéro) – Famous for hot chocolate

Morning

  • Day trip to Palace of Versailles (take RER C early)
  • Explore the Palace and Hall of Mirrors
  • Visit the magnificent gardens

Lunch

  • La Flottille (Versailles Gardens) – Lovely garden restaurant
  • Alternative: Ore – Ducasse au Château de Versailles (Palace of Versailles)

Afternoon

  • Return to Paris
  • Shopping in Le Marais
  • Place des Vosges
  • Visit the Picasso Museum

Dinner

  • L’Arpège (84 Rue de Varenne) – Three Michelin stars
  • Alternative: Chez Janou (2 Rue Roger Verlomme) – Provençal cuisine
  • Evening walk through Île Saint-Louis for ice cream at Berthillon

Day 5 Paris Itinerary: Modern Paris

Breakfast

  • Fragments (76 Rue des Tournelles) – Hip coffee shop with great pastries
  • Alternative: Ob-La-Di (54 Rue de Saintonge) – Instagram-famous café

Morning

  • Centre Pompidou (modern art museum)
  • Les Halles area
  • Walk through covered passages near Grands Boulevards

Lunch

  • Bouillon Chartier (7 Rue du Faubourg Montmartre) – Historic budget-friendly
  • Alternative: Chez L’Ami Louis (32 Rue du Vertbois) – Classic French

Afternoon

  • Eiffel Tower visit (book tickets in advance)
  • Trocadéro Gardens
  • Walk along Champ de Mars

Dinner

  • Le Jules Verne (Eiffel Tower) – Spectacular views
  • Alternative: Les Ombres (27 Quai Branly) – Rooftop restaurant with tower views
  • Watch the Eiffel Tower light show

Restaurant Tips:

  • Make reservations 2-3 weeks in advance for dinner, especially for high-end restaurants
  • Lunch reservations are also recommended but usually easier to obtain
  • Many restaurants are closed on Sundays and Mondays
  • Typical dining times: Lunch 12:00-14:00, Dinner 19:30-22:00
  • Service is included in France but additional tipping (5-10%) is appreciated for good service
  • Always greet staff with “Bonjour” (day) or “Bonsoir” (evening)
  • Ask for “l’addition s’il vous plaît” when you want the check

Practical Tips:

  • Purchase a 5-day Paris Museum Pass to save money and skip lines
  • Download the RATP app for metro navigation
  • Carry comfortable walking shoes
  • Keep valuables secure and watch for pickpockets in tourist areas
  • Learn basic French phrases for greetings and courtesy

Emergency Contacts:

  • Emergency number: 112
  • Police: 17
  • Ambulance: 15
  • Fire: 18
  • Tourist Police: +33 (0)1 53 71 53 71
  • Nearest Hospital to Notre-Dame: Hôtel-Dieu (1 Place du Parvis Notre-Dame)

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