Ah, Paris! Just saying the word conjures up images of romance, beauty, and intrigue. I remember reading some Paris books and getting so excited about visiting the city one day.
I mean, Paris is one of the things that France is famous for.
I will tell you, though, you have to be careful, or Paris can overwhelm you, and you definitely don’t want to waste your valuable vacation time being overwhelmed! To help you not succumb to this and to get the most out of this bucket list city, we have created our incredible 4-day Paris itinerary!
Our 4-day Paris itinerary for couples outlines Paris airport transfers, which arrondissement to stay in Paris, and what to see and do while spending 4 days in Paris!
So grab your loved one and head for one of the most romantic cities on Earth.
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To help save time and money while in Paris, you may want to consider purchasing the Paris Pass.
This pass will give you access to many of Paris’ top attractions and allow you to skip the line! Skipping the line privileges alone is worth the money. It also includes free access to the public transportation system and a 48-hour Hop on Hop off bus ticket.
Get Your Paris Pass Here
4-Day Paris Itinerary
I will say that this itinerary is by no means inclusive of all of the fabulous places in Paris. In order to do Paris justice, you have to visit several times, especially if you want to check out all of the fun, hipster things to do in Paris.
You have to pause long enough to take in the city. You know, don’t rush through everything to get to the next tourist attractions, I mean, Paris is one of the top cities in Europe to visit, so take your time.
Hopefully, you are reading this and considering Paris as part of a larger itinerary for 2 weeks in Europe. Either way, whether you have a few days in Paris or a few weeks, you are going to love it!
With that in mind, we have only included a few attractions each day in our 4-day Paris itinerary. For the rest of the time, stop and smell the roses, hang out in cafes, and enjoy a beautiful park.
Trust us, you’ll be glad you did because spending only 4 days in Paris is just a taste of this fabulous city!
Getting from Paris Airport to the City
Once you have figured out exactly where to stay in Paris, then you have to get from the Paris airport to your hotel, which is probably in the city.
In order to accomplish this, you have three options for Paris airport transfers, the train, a bus, or a hired car.
Which option you choose to get from Paris airport to the city is a personal preference and will probably be contingent upon budget and time.
The RER train is a cheap Paris airport transfer costing around 10 euros, but it takes 30-50 minutes to get to the city center (depending on the stop you choose) and is not a good option if you are traveling with a lot of luggage.
Another cheap option is to take the bus. Bus tickets cost about 12 euros but take 70 minutes to get you into the city. The exception is the Le Bus Direct, which offers faster service but is a bit more expensive, costing 17 euros.
Of course, hiring a car is the fastest way to get to the city center. Whether you choose a shuttle, a taxi, or a rental car, all of these will cost more than the previous options, but you will have the ease of someone taking care of everything for you.
For more detailed information about these options, check out our post dedicated to Paris airport transfers.
Find Paris airport cars for hire here.
4-Day Paris Itinerary for Couples-Day 1:
If you are traveling from the United States, your flight will probably be an overnight flight, meaning you will arrive in Paris early in the morning. I know you will be tired and jet-lagged, but you can’t afford to waste a day of your 4 days in Paris.
Besides, hitting the ground running and acclimating to the local time as quickly as possible is the best way to recover from jet lag.
So…..let’s get going! (Don’t worry, we are going to take it a little easy today)
If you’re like Marty and like to “get your bearings” for a city, you will first want to grab tickets for a hop-on, hop-off bus tour.
As you might have read in our 3 Days in Paris post, we did not choose Big Bus Tours and totally regretted it! Learn from our mistakes and pick a different company for your 4-day Paris itinerary!
If you would prefer a more personal tour of the city, there are several walking tours, including the Paris Greeters Walking Tour.
Explore Montmartre
This bohemian Parisian neighborhood is a must-do, even for a 4 day Paris itinerary!
Stroll along the beautiful cobblestone streets and pop into one of the quaint cafes for breakfast (you need your stamina). After breakfast, head to Place du Tertre to watch the street artists perform their talent for curious visitors.
You can almost imagine the Montmartre of the past, where Monet, Picasso, Van Gogh, and Renoir just had to be among these great street artists. I mean, we can imagine, right?
Take time to explore some of the jewels of this artistic neighborhood, including:
- Museum of Montmartre- where Renoir lived and painted
- Lapin Agile- one of the oldest Parisian cabarets
- Le Bateau-Lavoir- where Picasso lived and worked
If you’re up to it, consider booking a Montmartre walking tour or a Montmartre food and wine tour to hear all about this fabulous neighborhood from a local expert.
Admire the Sacre-Coeur
While in the Montmartre area, you must visit the beautiful Basilica of the Sacre-Coeur. This gorgeous Catholic Church is one of Paris’ most famous landmarks. Be sure to see the fabulous ceiling mosaic and grand interior architecture inside.
If you’re feeling up to it, you can climb up the 3000 steps to the top of the dome and admire the scenic views of Paris.
See a Show at the Moulin Rouge
Montmartre is most famous for its nightlife and fabulous cabarets, notably the Moulin Rouge.
Made famous by songs, movies, books, paintings, and photographs, the Moulin Rouge is a cabaret show not to be missed! Even if you don’t want to see a show, taking a picture of the Moulin Rouge lit up at night is still fun.
Get your tickets to the Moulin Rouge here.
4 Days in Paris-Day 2:
Notre Dame
Opening Hours: Daily 7:45 am- 6:45 pm
Update-Unfortunately, the world experienced a great tragedy in the spring of 2019 when Notre Dame burned. While they plan to rebuild the beautiful cathedral, it will not be part of your 4 day Paris itinerary for a while.
No trip to Paris is complete without a visit to the beautiful Notre Dame Cathedral. One glance at this amazing church shows why it is said to be one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture in the world.
The gorgeous 12th-century church will mesmerize you with its flying buttresses, enormous stained glass windows, and incredible rib vault roof.
Remember that Notre Dame is one of the most visited sites in Paris, so plan accordingly! I’ve made this the day’s first stop so that you might be able to beat some of the crowds.
You can access Notre Dame easily by using your Hop-on, hop-off tour or taking the purple line to the Saint-Michel stop. Plan on arriving as close to 8 am so you can get inside before the crowds get too bad.
After visiting the inside, head to the side by 10 am to get in line to go up the bell tower. It’s worth it for the great views of Paris and to get up close and personal with the gargoyles.
Seine River Cruise
After leaving Notre Dame, now is a great time to take a Seine River Cruise. A cruise down the Seine River is relaxing and allows you to see Paris from a new perspective.
For a truly romantic experience, opt for a champagne-tasting Seine River Cruise.
Either way, I’m sure you and your loved one will love floating down this lovely river with the beauty of Paris surrounding you.
Eiffel Tower
OK, we’ve kept you waiting long enough. It’s time to see one of the most iconic landmarks on Earth, the Eiffel Tower.
I must admit that I have dreamed of seeing the Eiffel Tower in person since I was a little girl. The thought of standing in front of the Eiffel Tower in all of its French glory and having someone take my photo made me giddy!
And you know you have to get the perfect photo of the Eiffel Tower, so be sure and make sure you know where to find the best view of the Eiffel Tower!
What I didn’t think of as a little girl is all the other people who also dream of doing this. This place was crowded! LOL! Despite that, visiting the Eiffel Tower was one of the highlights of my time in Paris and will be a memory I will always cherish.
You will probably find yourself visiting this famous landmark several times. I know we did. We went during the day to take photos and then back in the evening to see the tower lit up. It was fabulous.
4-Day Paris Itinerary- Day 3
Today we will get out of the city, so you have several options. You can take a day trip to Versailles, Chateau de Fontainebleau, Mont Saint Michel, or a Champagne tour from Paris.
For more information on these day trips and others, check out our post on day trips from Paris by train.
Day Trip from Paris to Versailles
Located about 45 minutes outside of Paris, Versailles is an easy day trip to get out of the city and a great addition to your 4 days in Paris. Just know that this is a hugely popular tourist attraction, so plan on it being crowded.
That said, you have a couple of options if you choose Versailles. You can take the RER C that leaves from central metro stations in Paris and then walk a few minutes to the castle, or you can book a guided tour to the palace.
No matter which one you choose, plan on arriving early. Versailles opens at 9 am.
You can purchase your Versailles tickets in advance to help you save waiting in line!
The sooner you get there, the more people you get to avoid. LOL! You can purchase your tickets in advance online if you are choosing to go on your own, or you can book a day trip here.
Day Trip from Paris to Chateau Fountainbleau
If you want to avoid the crowds of Versailles but still see an opulent French chateau, then Chateau Fountainbleau is for you. Hey, that rhymes. LOL!
Chateau Fountainbleau is the day trip that Marty and I chose during our time in Paris.
We loved the history connected with this fabulous chateau, including Napoleon and Marie Antoinette. Wander the gorgeous grounds and tour the beautiful chateau before grabbing lunch in the cute town of Avon. Read all about our time at Chateau Fontainebleau here.
Mont Saint Michel Day Trip from Paris
Head to the UNESCO World Heritage Island of Mont Saint Michel. Here you can learn all about the island’s medieval history. You can tour the famous abbey and walk the cobblestone streets before grabbing lunch in a romantic little cafe.
I would suggest taking a guided tour for this excursion so that you can relax and enjoy.
Wine day Trip from Paris to Champagne
Any wine lover would swoon to visit the French Champagne region. On this guided tour from Paris to Champagne, you will visit three wineries and enjoy tastings at each one.
Learn about the bubbly drink while touring vineyards, entering cellars, and enjoying lunch at these fabulous estate wineries.
4 Days in Paris- Day 4
Visit the Louvre or Orsay Museum
Today we are going to spend the majority of our day visiting museums. You have your choice of the Louvre or the Orsay Museum!
The Louvre is one of the most famous museums in the world and home to priceless works of art, including the infamous Mona Lisa. Did you know that the Louvre served as a royal palace until the 17th century? Just an interesting little fact.
So research and plan for your visit in advance so you don’t miss the exhibit you have your heart set on.
Buy your Louvre tickets in advance, as the lines can get long!
The Orsay Museum is located on the west bank of the Seine River and is renowned for the French art contained inside.
Once inside, immerse yourself in incredible paintings and artwork from masters like Monet, Renoir, Cezanne, and more!
Like the Louvre, we recommend purchasing your Orsay Museum tickets well in advance as the lines can be long, especially in high season.
Arc de Triomphe
Just outside the Louvre, you will find the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, one of three arcs commissioned by Napoleon to celebrate his military accomplishments.
If you want, you can go to the top of the arc. Whether you go to the top or not, grab a photo in front of this famous monument.
Champs Elysees
During your 4 days in Paris, spend some time leisurely strolling the Champs Elysees. This beautiful street is definitely famous for its high-end shops! Think Rodeo Drive in California!
If these are out of your price point, that’s ok. It doesn’t cost anything to window shop or browse without buying!
I mean, this is where the flagship Louis Vuitton store is located. You have to go inside at least!
Tours in Paris
Final Thoughts: 4-Day Paris Itinerary
As you can see, this 4-day Paris itinerary is packed to the gills. Of course, we want you to customize it and make it your own to have the best 4 days in Paris possible!
What did we miss? Comment below and let us know!
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The Jetset Boyz
Wednesday 24th of March 2021
When we do citybreaks we tend to do a LOT of walking and don't use public transport all that much. So for us, when in Paris their Metro Carnet (book of 10 tickets) is perfect. Two great things about them:
1: They don't expire so any leftover tickets can be kept & used for the next time you visit Paris. 2: They’re 10 individual tickets so you can hand tickets to friends who’re travelling with you and you both benefit from the cheaper price per ticket.
It’s a great way to save money and get cheaper transport, so may be an option for your next city break.
thattexascouple
Wednesday 24th of March 2021
This is a great tip! Thanks so much!
Pam
Monday 9th of March 2020
This is a great four days - I feel like you captured Paris in a short time frame. I mean who wouldn't love more time to explore, but we make do with the time we have! Definitely saving since I hope to go back to Paris in warmer weather (we were there in January)
Sage Scott
Monday 9th of March 2020
There's SOOOOOO much to see and do in Paris, but this is a really great itinerary that covers all of the highlights in just four days! What a great resource!
Brian
Sunday 8th of March 2020
We visited Paris a few years ago around Christmas time and it was beautiful! As an added bonus, they still had some of the Christmas markets up, which was nice. A day trip to Versailles is definitely worthwhile and we enjoyed our visit. Would love to get to Mont St. Michel the next time we are in France and spend more time outside of the city, enjoying the countryside. Thanks for sharing your tips!
thattexascouple
Monday 9th of March 2020
This sounds so great. I would love to see the European Christmas markets. It is definitely on my bucket list. It sounds like you all had a great experience!
Erica
Saturday 7th of March 2020
Great post! I didn't have time to visit Montmartre the first time I was in Paris but fell in love with it when I visited the next time I was in Paris. It is by far my favourite area in the city. I'm so glad you included a day trip to Chateau Fountainbleau in your itinerary. It is one of my favourite day trips from Paris, and I recommend it to everybody I know going to Paris. It is so beautiful and has such an interesting history.
thattexascouple
Sunday 8th of March 2020
This is so exciting to hear, Erica. I love it when fellow travelers are able to validate the experiences we have suggested. Thank you so much for reading and taking the time to comment!