Planning the perfect itinerary for 4 days in Paris can be overwhelming, especially if you’re visiting Paris for the first time! But don’t worry, I’ve lived a quick train ride away in London for the last 12 years and have been numerous times, so have LOADS of suggestions to share.

Paris is hands down one of my favourite destinations for a city break in Europe and this travel guide includes all of my personal recommendations for the best restaurants, activities, nightlife and neighbourhoods Paris has to offer. So if you’re visiting Paris for the first time or the 10th time, let me help you plan your next trip!

The Perfect Itinerary for 4 days in Paris

How to get to Paris

Paris is easily accessible by train, plane, or car depending on where you’re coming from. My favourite way to get to Paris from the UK is via the Eurostar departing from St. Pancras multiple times daily and arriving right in the middle of Paris at Gare de Paris-Nord train station (perfect for a quick weekend in Paris). Your other option is flying to Charles de Gaulle Airport.

How to get around Paris

Paris has an extensive public transport system that includes buses and trains. The underground subway system is called the Metro. You can buy tickets from the machines at the stations or the ticket window (if the station has one). The transport website has all of the details here, but in summary, a single trip ticket will cost you around €1.90 and a day pass is around €5.80.

Layout of Paris

An important thing you should know about Paris is that it’s divided into twenty districts referred to as arrondissements. The twenty arrondissements are arranged in the form of a clockwise spiral starting from the middle of the city.

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Best Time to Visit Paris

Wondering what month is best to visit Paris? This will depend on personal preference as Paris experiences your standard four seasons (spring, summer, autumn, winter). If you choose to go in summer, the hottest month is July with an average temperature of 20°C (68°F) but can reach up to 25-30°C (77-86°F). The coldest month of the year is January at 5°C (41°F).

Average Weather in Paris

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
C	5	6	9	11	15	16	20	20	16	12	7	5
F	41	43	48	52	59	61	68	68	61	54	45	41

Currency used in Paris

The currency used in Paris is the Euro and cash or card are acceptable forms of payment.

How much should you tip in Paris

The general rule of thumb in a restaurant would be to tip around 10% if it’s not already included. At a café or bar where table service isn’t provided, it’s normal to round up to the nearest Euro and sometimes add another on top if you’d like. Paris taxi drivers won’t expect a tip, but if they provide something a but extra like giving directions, tips, or helping with your luggage, I’d throw in an extra Euro or two.

How to get phone data when visiting Paris

If your phone provider doesn’t have a great international roaming plan, then I’d recommend getting an eSIM. I normally use the Airalo app to get my eSIM to access data abroad. You can use my code WRIGHT3 to get $3 off your first eSIM with Airalo.

Do people speak English in Paris

While the main language spoken in Paris is French, plenty of people will speak English as their second language so it’s fairly easy to communicate. That being said, whether they WANT to communicate in English is another story 😂

The French are notorious for expecting people to at least try to speak French and even they try, if it’s bad, good luck. That being said, I’ve never had an issue simply starting a conversation by saying “Parles-tu anglais?” (Do you speak English?) and then immediately having the conversation switch to English. I think at least trying to speak a little French goes a long way.

Pro Tip: I use the Google Translate App on my phone to translate text or audio when I’m abroad.

Is Paris a good destination for solo travellers

Yes! Paris is a great place for solo travellers as there’s plenty to see, eat, and do. As a solo female traveller, I’ve always felt safe visiting and I would definitely recommend Paris for your next solo trip. It is the city of love after all, maybe you’ll get lucky. 😏

Is Paris Safe

Yes Paris is safe. I felt completely comfortable walking around day and night everywhere in Paris. Like most big cities, you need to watch out for pickpockets but other than that, there’s not much to worry about.

No matter how safe a destination is, you should ALWAYS have travel insurance. I highly recommend Safety Wing for travellers who will be traveling long term. Their essential plan not only covers medical emergencies but also travel emergencies such as lost luggage or trip cancellation.

Is Paris Dirty

You may have heard some negative things about Paris, so let’s address that as well. You might be wondering, is Paris dirty? Firstly, don’t let people put you off by saying “Ah but Paris is so dirty”, it’s a city, literally every city is a bit dirty. Also, if you’ve ever been to countries in places like South East Asia, South America or the Middle East trust me, you’ve seen much much worse.

Are Parisians Rude

Secondly, Parisians have this bad reputation of being rude so you might be asking yourself, “Are all Parisians rude and will I have an awful time?”. I’ve never had an issue with people being more rude to me in Paris more than any other place in the world. Again, you’re in a city, some people are just going to be rude for no reason.

4 Days in Paris Itinerary

Ok let’s get into building the perfect itinerary for 4 days in Paris. I’ve made sure to select my favourite places keeping geography in mind that way I’m not sending you back and forth all over the city in one day.

Day 1 in Paris

Morning – Grab breakfast at literally any boulangerie in Paris

On Day 1 in Paris and literally every morning after, I’m going to need you to check out as many boulangerie’s as you possibly can. You haven’t truly experienced Paris if you haven’t had a fresh baked croissant, pain au chocolat, or pain au raisin at a boulangerie while sipping a steaming Café au lait watching the world go by.

Afternoon – Sacre Coeur, Lunch, and Wine Shopping in the Local Supermarket

After having breakfast, it’s time to get the lay of the land with a stunning birds eye view of the city from the Sacre Coeur. This is the second-most visited monument in Paris and for good reason. Firstly, it is located at the summit of one of the most famous neighbourhoods in Paris, Montmartre which means it has views of the entire city and you’ll get to visit one of the most famous, historical, artistic neighbourhoods at the same time. Secondly, it’s one of the most beautiful churches I’ve ever seen in my life. I was actually moved to tears the first time I visited.

There are loads of street vendors selling souvenirs in this area so it’s a great time to pick something up. One of my favourite souvenirs to buy when I’m visiting a new place is an art print. It doesn’t need to be anything expensive, I just see what catches my eye and when I get home, I put it in a frame and hang it on the wall so every time I see it, I can remember my trip.

For lunch, I’d recommend grabbing something light nearby such as a savoury crepe at Crêperie Brocéliande which is just near the Sacre Coeur. They have a lunch time menu with drink included.

Before heading home to get ready for the evening, I’m going to give you my next insider tip. Everyone loves having a little glass of wine while getting ready and since you’re in one of the most famous wine countries in the entire world, you would be mistaken not to pick up a few bottles for the hotel (and some extra for the suitcase home). Forget the expensive fancy wine shops (well actually, those are nice too), some of the best wine in Paris can be found for €5 a bottle in the local supermarket (or supermarché as they say). Some popular ones to look out for are Franprix, Carrefour, or Monoprix.

Evening – Wine Bar, Dinner, Out

It’s your first night in Paris, time to get ready and go out! Since you stocked up on wine at the grocery store, go ahead and treat yourself to a glass while you’re getting ready but after that, it’s time to hit the town. One of my absolute favourite things to do while in Paris is to go to a wine bar and people watch, a popular Parisian past time. Le Barav is a lovely wine bar located in Republique. It’s a great place for trying new French wines and ordering small sharing plates for dinner.

After dinner, head to Le Comptoir General for a cocktail or two. This is a really cool place with rustic-chic vibe and an outdoor terrace right on the canal. If you want a change of scenery and are up for a dance and possibly wilder night, scroll down to my suggestions for bars on Day 3. I kept Day 1 fun but light as Day 2 has loads of activities.

Day 2 in Paris

Morning – Breakfast and the Notre Dame Cathedral

Again, for breakfast I want you to look up Boulangerie on Google Maps and find the best one nearby. After your daily croissant, it’s time for the first site of the day which happens to be one of the most famous sites in Paris, the Notre Dame Cathedral. The Cathedral is located in the 4th arrondissement of Paris and is considered one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture. I’ve never been inside but I’m pretty sure you can buy tickets now it’s been restored after the fire.

Afternoon – Lunch and Luxembourg Gardens

After seeing Notre Dame, I want you to walk across the river seine to Saint Germain where you’ll find my favourite restaurant in the entire world. I’m not even kidding, Le Bistrot d’Henri is probably my favourite restaurant in the entire world and hands down my favourite restaurant in Paris. I send every single friend that visits Paris here. If you only eat at one place during your weekend in Paris, make sure it’s here. Located next to St. Germain metro station in the 6th arrondissement, this tiny hole in the wall French bistro serves up the most authentic, rich, and classic French cuisine.

The menu changes daily and is written on a chalkboard. Unlike some places you come across, the staff are so incredibly friendly they’ll help translate the menu for you. You honestly can’t go wrong with anything you order here, but my favourites are beef bourguignon, chateaubriand, entrecôte, potato dauphinoise or mashed potatoes, and of course any of the red wine.

After having all of that deliciously rich French food, you’re going to need to walk it off. Head over to the Luxembourg Gardens for some peace and quiet and a nice stroll.

Evening – Dinner, Wine Bar and Relax

Since it’s been a full day of sightseeing and you’re probably tired from your first night out, I’ve provided some suggestions to take it easy. For a change of cuisine, I’d highly recommend trying the Italian food at Ober Mama. If you’re still full from lunch, this is the perfect option to split either a pizza or pasta rather than getting your own.

Afterwards, if you’re up for another wine bar, head to Barawine just a few minutes walk away. If it’s nice you can grab one of their outdoor tables.

Day 3 in Paris

Morning – Champs-Elysees and Arc de Triomphe

You know the drill, croissant and coffee. Afterward, head to the Arc de Triomphe which is a monument located in the middle of the 16th, 17th, and 8th arrondissements and honours those who fought and died for France in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. It’s a cool monument to visit with great view of the city.

Afternoon – Picnic Lunch at the Eiffel Tower

I mean, duh, you have to visit. Now, how you choose to see the Eiffel Tower is up to you.  Your first option is to buy a ticket to go up the Eiffel Tower itself (don’t worry, there’s a lift). Tickets can be purchased here directly from the website. Prices for adults range from €11-27 and €6-14 for children. Another option would be to book a guided tour of the Eiffel Tower with Get Your Guide.

You’re next option would be to picnic near the Eiffel Tower in one of the surrounding parks. The Champs du Mars is the perfect place for this. Paris has no shortage of cheese shops or boulangeries (bakery) so pop in and grab yourself some brie and a baguette, a nice bottle of French red, and take in the view. You can do this either day or evening. If you didn’t already know, the Eiffel Tower sparkles for 5 minutes on the hour every hour after nightfall until 1:00 a.m. It truly is a magical site to see.

Your final option is to book a hotel with views of the Eiffel tower. My friend Jackie has a great list of hotels on her blog here so check it out!

Evening – Dinner and Out

Its you’re last night in Paris so we’re going all out. First up is dinner at Chez Janou. This is a lovely French restaurant serving Provençal-style dishes. The service is also friendly and welcoming plus they have an extensive pastis list which is a traditional anise-flavoured spirit and aperitif from France.

Next, it’s time to hit up some of my absolute favourite bars in Paris. First up, Café Chéri. This is where I go when I want to dance and just have a great night out. It’s definitely not for everyone as it has quite a bit of character. I’d describe it as a a grimy, hole in the wall, dive bar. Your other nearby option is Zoco Bar. This is just a really fun random bar we stumbled upon on our walk home from Cafe Cheri one night which was filled with locals.

Day 4 in Paris

Morning – Breakfast and/or Food Market

Last day in Paris 🙁 If you’re up early then go ahead and grab that daily croissant, but if not, I have a better suggestion. Now this one assumes your last day in Paris is on a Sunday, so if not, make sure you shuffle this suggestion around accordingly. Head to one of my favourite markets in Paris called Marche Bastille. It’s only open on Sunday and Thursday mornings from 8:30-1:30 and is a local favourite so not overwhelming like some of the bigger markets but still has a wide selection of cheese, wine, food stalls, and random goods and souvenirs.

Afternoon – Shopping in a Parisian Pharmacy

Parisian women are world renowned for their beauty routines and secrets. What better way to discover some for yourself then to head to a local drug store or pharmacy and check out the products. This is actually how I found my favourite makeup remover.

Where to Stay in Paris & The best Neighbourhoods in Paris

To get the most our of your weekend in Paris, you’ll want to stay in the heart of the city. Where you should stay will depend on what type of neighbourhood you’re after, so I’ve broken it down for you below.

Firstly, I usually stay around the 3rd and 4th arrondissement in the neighbourhoods of either Le Marais, Oberkampf, or République. This is where many young professionals live which makes it quite lively and full of choice for restaurants and bars. It’s also very LGBTQ+ friendly! Bastille is also a good choice located just nearby in arrondissement 11 and tends to be slightly cheaper.

Montmartre is one of the most famous neighbourhoods known for it’s artistic history. Here you’ll find café lined streets, quaint multi-coloured houses, and of course, the Moulin Rouge and the Sacre Coeur.

Lastly, if you’re looking for 5 star service and price is no object, check out the likes of Saint-Germain-des-Prés with the Luxembourg Gardens right on your doorstep.

More Places to Eat in Paris

Chez Paul

Located in Bastille, this is where you’ll find the best French onion soup of your life.