Friday afternoons and evenings - Île de la Cité, Latin Quarter and Marais
2:00 pm - Notre-Dame de Paris
Notre Dame emerging from the ile de la Cité in the heart of Paris. Photo chosen by monsieur de France: olgacov via depositphotos
In the heart of the Île de la Cité, Notre-Dame is a global masterpiece of Gothic art. Begun in 1163, it has seen eight centuries of history pass by. The west facade impresses with its sculpted portals, biblical kings and gargoyles. The 69-metre-high towers and 100-metre-high spire are beautiful, tall and well-balanced. The 13-meter-diameter rose windows illuminate the interior in brilliant colors. Since its reopening,visits are only accessible by reservation here. The Place du Parvis is the ideal place to feel the energy of Paris, as it was from here that the "kilometer zero" of all roads in France was once calculated. Allow around 1 hour for the visit.
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Metro: Cité (line 4)
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Batobus: Hôtel de Ville stop
When we go into Notre Dame. Photo chosen by Monsieur de France: gilmanshin via depositphotos
3:30 pm - Sainte-Chapelle and Conciergerie
La Sainte Chapelle it's 670 M2 of stained glass. Photo chosen by Monsieurdefrance.com: depositphotos.com
Built by Saint Louis in the 13th century, the Sainte-Chapelle was designed to house Christ's crown of thorns.It impresses with its 1113 stained glass windows, which, over 15 meters high, bathe the upper chapel in spectacular colored light. Next door, the Conciergerie recalls the dark days of the French Revolution: this is where Marie-Antoinette was imprisoned. It also contains one of the largest halls in medieval Europe. Allow around 1h15 to visit both.
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Metro: Cité (line 4)
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Batobus: Hôtel de Ville stop
The former reliquary of the Sainte chapelle. Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.com: Stephanie LeBlanc on Unsplash
17h00 – Quartier Latin
Cross the Pont Saint-Michel and immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of the Latin Quarter around the Sorbonne. An intellectual center since the Middle Ages, it is marked by the Sorbonne University and its students. Flank to the Panthéon, where Voltaire, Hugo, Zola and Marie Curie are laid to rest. Continue along rue Mouffetard, one of the oldest streets in Paris, with its small stores and terraces. This district blends student effervescence and literary heritage. Allow around 1h30 for the walk.
The Latin Quarter is very lively at night/ Photo chosen by Monsieur de France: depositphotos
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Metro: Saint-Michel (line 4 and RER B/C)
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Batobus: Saint-Michel stop
The facade of the Pantheon and the dome in the background. Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.com: Mix7777 via depositphotos.
7:00 pm - Evening in the Marais
Head for the Marais, a historic district that has become one of the trendiest in Paris. Lined with 17th-century private mansions transformed into museums and galleries, it seduces with its cobbled streets and lively terraces. The Place des Vosges, a classical masterpiece lined with arcades, is ideal for a sunset stroll. Victor Hugo lived here and his apartment can still be visited. For dinner, choose Rue Vieille-du-Temple or Place Sainte-Catherine. Allow 2 hours to enjoy the atmosphere.ùù
La place des Vosges and its very own architecture / Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.com : masterlu via depositphotos
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Metro: Saint-Paul (line 1)
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Batobus: Hôtel de Ville stop
Saturday - Eiffel Tower, Seine, Invalides and Louvre
The Seine flows through Paris / Photo chosen by monsieur de France: depositphotos
9h00 - Tour Eiffel
Inaugurated in 1889 for the Universal Exhibition, the Eiffel Tower remains the absolute emblem of Paris. High at 330 m, it dominates the Champ-de-Mars. Go up to the 2nd floor for a unique panorama of the Seine and Parisian rooftops. Online booking here is highly recommended to avoid waiting times. The tour lasts around 1h30 to 2h. The Champ-de-Mars at the foot of the building is perfect for souvenir photos.
The Eiffel Tower seen from the Trocadero. Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.com : phototraveller via Depositphotos.
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Metro: Bir-Hakeim (line 6)
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Batobus: Tour Eiffel stop
11h00 - Cruise on the Seine
From the Port de la Bourdonnais, embark on a 1-hour cruise. This river cruise passes by the most famous monuments: Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, Grand Palais, Notre-Dame and most of the historic bridges. It's an ideal break to contemplate Paris in a different way, from the comfort of the boat's deck. Regular departures throughout the day.
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Subway: Pont de l'Alma (RER C)
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Batobus: Tour Eiffel stop
12:30 - Lunch in the 7th arrondissement Stop off at a brasserie on rue Cler or avenue de la Bourdonnais. This lively residential neighborhood exudes Parisian charm with its markets and terraces.
2:00 p.m. – Les Invalides and Pont Alexandre III
Built by Louis XIV,the Hôtel des Invalides was intended for wounded soldiers. Today, it houses the Musée de l'Armée and, above all, the Dôme d'Or, which houses the monumental tomb of Napoleon I. The visit lasts around 1h30. On your way out, join the Pont Alexandre III, one of the most beautiful in Paris, with its Belle Époque lampposts and gilded statues. The perfect spot for unforgettable photos.
The invalids at sunrise from the Alexandre III bridge / by Dennis van de Water/Shutterstock.com
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Metro: Invalides (lines 8, 13 and RER C)
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Batobus: Invalides stop
The Alexandre III bridge and its candelabras. Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.com: ivanmateev via dépositphotos.
4:00 pm - Musée du Louvre
Former royal residence transformed into a museum in 1793, the Louvre is the world's largest museum with 35,000 works on display. Pei's signature glass pyramid has become a symbol of modernity. Masterpieces include the Mona Lisa, the Victory of Samothrace and the Venus de Milo. For a weekend, concentrate on a few galleries and allow around 2 hours. Book your tickets here.
Pyramide du louvre photo par Pavel L Photo and Video/Shutterstock.fr
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Metro: Palais Royal - Musée du Louvre (lines 1 and 7)
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Batobus: Louvre stop
The Mona Lisa / Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.com : alfredosaz.gmail.com via depositphotos
6:30 pm - Evening on the quays of the Seine
End the day with a romantic stroll along the quays. Between Pont Neuf and Pont Alexandre III, the pedestrian banks are alive with barge bars and musicians. It's the perfect place to dine or simply enjoy the Parisian atmosphere.
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Subway: Pont Neuf (line 7)
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Batobus: Hôtel de Ville or Louvre stop
Sunday - Montmartre, Orsay and Saint-Germain-des-Prés
The Sacré-Coeur basilica in Montmartre. Photo chosen by Monsieurdefrance.com: Shutterstock.com
9:00 a.m. - Sacré-Cœur
Perched on the Montmartre hilltop, the Sacré-Coeur basilica can be seen from all over the city. Built in the late 19th century, it boasts a striking Romanesque-Byzantine style and a giant mosaic of Christ in glory. Access is free, and the forecourt offers a breathtaking panorama. Take the funicular to avoid the 222 steps. Allow 45 min.
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Metro: Anvers (line 2) or Abbesses (line 12)
10:00 am - Place du Tertre and Montmartre alleyways
La place du tertre in Montmartre with its painters and cafés. Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.com: Daboost / Shutterstock.com
Place du Tertre is the artistic heart of Montmartre. Painters and caricaturists perpetuate the bohemian tradition that made the district famous in the early 20th century. Stroll the cobbled streets, discover Clos Montmartre, a small hidden vineyard, and the Musée de Montmartre, which tells the story of the district. Allow 1h30.
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Metro: Abbesses (line 12)
12h00 - Lunch in Montmartre
Choose a table in the streets around Abbesses or rue Lepic, friendly atmosphere guaranteed.
2:00 pm - Musée d'Orsay
The Musée d'Orsay is a former railway station / Photo monsieurdefrance.com : via depositphotos
This museum housed in a former railway station is home to the world's largest Impressionist collection. The rooms devoted to Monet, Renoir, Degas and Van Gogh are among the most visited. The building itself, with its large glass roof and monumental clock, is well worth a visit. Allow 2 hours. Open until 6pm, closed on Mondays. If you'd rather get some fresh air, there's the Jardin des Tuileries, which extends from the Louvre to the magnificent Place de la Concorde.
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Metro: Solférino (line 12) or RER C - Musée d'Orsay
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Batobus: Musée d'Orsay stop
The Tuileries Gardens / Photo chosen by Monsieurdefrance.com: depositphotos
4:30 pm - Champs-Élysées and Triumphal Arc of Paris
Avenue des Champs-Élysées is a Parisian myth. From the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe, it is a hub of stores, cafés and cinemas. The Arc, commissioned by Napoleon in 1806, commemorates French victories. The flame of the Unknown Soldier has burned there since 1923. Climb to the top (until 11pm in summer) to admire the view from the Louvre to La Défense. Allow 1h30.
The Arc de Triomphe in Paris one evening. Image chosen by Monsieurdefrance.com : Hervé Lagrange de Pixabay
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Metro: Charles de Gaulle - Étoile (lines 1, 2, 6 and RER A)
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Batobus: Champs-Élysées stop
L'Arc de Triomphe / photo par Bill Perry/Shutterstock.com
7:30 pm - Dinner in Saint-Germain-des-Prés
Le café de Flore in Saint Germain des prés Photo by Alex Segre/Shutterstock
For your last evening, settle into this iconic Left Bank neighborhood. Around Boulevard Saint-Germain and the eponymous church, historic cafés like Les Deux Magots or Café de Flore recall Paris's intellectual golden age. The elegant, literary ambience is ideal to round off your stay.
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Metro: Saint-Germain-des-Prés (line 4)
Monday morning – Departure
Breakfast in a traditional bakery (croissant, pain au chocolat or baguette), before heading to the train station or airport.
