Paris in Four Days

The perfect itinerary for seeing Paris in four days

 

Day 1

By the time you arrive and check into your hotel, it'll be time for lunch. Afterwards, head to the Rodin Museum, then hustle on over to the Eiffel Tower before sunset to get your requisite picture and drink in the panorama of Paris. Take an evening cruise along the Seine River, then treat yourself to a first-class dinner to celebrate your arrival in one of the world capitals of cuisine.

Day 2

Be at the cathedral of Notre-Dame early (8am) to beat the hordes, then clamber up the cathedral towers when they open to examine the famed gargoyles up close and enjoy a much more intimate view across Paris than the Eiffel gets you (don't buy a regular ticket for the towers, but rather ask for the 3-day Paris Museum Card, which you then validate on the spot and it will get you into every sight we'll be visiting for the rest of your stay).

When you get back to ground level, cross the square in front of the cathedral and descend into the Archaeological Crypt to puzzle out Paris's earliest origins. Continue to the far end of the square for the jewelbox chapel of Saint-Chapelle, hidden amidst the government buildings. Grab some lunch on your way to the Picasso Museum.

Don't stay too long with the works of this 20th century master (leave by no later than 2:30pm), since one of Paris biggies lies ahead: the impressionist treasure trove of the Musée d'Orsay. Stay in there as long as they'll let you before heading off to dinner.

Day 3

This morning it's off to the Louvre, which is French for "ludicrously huge museum." Pay your respects to Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo, and have lunch in the cafeteria. By mid-afternoon, give up on trying to see it all and take the Metro out to the original Bohemian quarter of Montmartre to wander the streets, peek at windmills and vineyards, and people-watch and write postcards at a classic Parisian café to rustle up some dinner.

 

Day 4

It's daytrip time. Catch the RER out to Versailles to spend a day exploring the palace to end all palaces, where a string of King Louis's held court in the powdered wig exuberance of 18th-century über-elegance. Take at least one guided tour, and save time to wander the acres of gardens. You should return to Paris in time for a pleasant stroll down the quais of the River Seine before dinner.

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