5 Days in Paris: Where to Stay, Eat & What to Do

Paris, round two (and three… and four)

Okay, Paris. This was my third time in the city, and this time we spent 5 days exploring, so everything in this guide comes from all of my trips. I’m combining the best of both so you don’t have to figure it out yourself. Coming from Lyon? Here’s my Lyon travel guide, since Lyon was the first leg of this trip.)

The first time you visit Paris, it can feel like a lot. The crowds, the museums, the endless list of things you “have to” see. The second time around, I got to slow down, try different things, and see which experiences were actually worth it. So here’s my honest take on where to stay, what to book, what to skip (or at least do smarter), and what to eat.

Flying into Paris? Book your airport transfer ahead

If you’re coming to Paris by flight, my favorite transfer app is Kiwitaxi. After a long flight, the last thing you want is to hunt for a ride, so it’s so nice to have your transfer booked before you land and know someone will be there for you.

You can use my code NANCY for a discount when you book.

Where to stay in Paris: my top 3 areas

Paris is divided into 20 arrondissements, which can feel overwhelming when you’re booking. These are the three areas I’d pick, depending on the kind of trip you want.

1. Le Marais (3rd and 4th arrondissements)

This is my number one pick. It’s historic, walkable, and full of cafés, boutiques, and gorgeous old streets. You’re also close to Place des Vosges and the Seine, so you can walk to a lot of the main sights.

• Budget: Hôtel Jeanne d’Arc Le Marais, a simple two-star hotel near Place du Marché Sainte-Catherine.
• Mid-range: Hôtel de la Bretonnerie, a 17th-century townhouse with beamed ceilings and stone walls.
• Luxury: Pavillon de la Reine, an ivy-covered hotel at Place des Vosges with a courtyard garden and a spa.

2. Saint-Germain-des-Prés (6th arrondissement)

If you want that classic, romantic Left Bank feel, this is it. Think café terraces, bookshops, and the Luxembourg Gardens nearby. It’s a great pick if you want something a little more refined and still central.

• Budget: Hôtel de Nesle, a quirky, bohemian hotel with a private garden and good value for the area.
• Mid-range: Hôtel des Marronniers, with traditional rooms and a shaded courtyard garden.
• Luxury: Hôtel Lutetia, an Art Deco landmark on the Left Bank with a rooftop bar.

3. Near the Eiffel Tower (7th arrondissement)

This one is perfect if you want to wake up close to the tower, and it’s a quieter, more residential area than the Marais. You’ll trade some nightlife for peace and those Eiffel views.

• Budget: Hôtel du Champ de Mars, a friendly two-star steps from the Champ de Mars.
• Mid-range: Hôtel de la Motte Picquet, a renovated three-star about a 12-minute walk from the tower, with a strong breakfast.
• Luxury: Shangri-La Hotel Paris, just across the river in the 16th arrondissement, in a former imperial palace with upper-floor views of the tower.

Tips for any area: book early if you’re traveling in spring or summer, and check whether your hotel is close to a metro station, since you’ll use it a lot.

What I did in Paris (and what I’d book)

A guided tour of the Louvre with a wine tasting

This was one of my favorite things we did. We booked a City Wonders tour of the Louvre, and it’s such a nice way to see the Louvre without getting overwhelmed.

The Louvre in general gets very crowded and honestly a bit much. Going with a guide gave me a preview of the highlights, and if I want to go back, I can explore on my own and know where to focus.

And here’s the bonus: if you like wine, the tour comes with a wine tasting at the end. They poured a lot, and it was a really nice way to wrap up the visit for wine lovers. Want to see how it went? Here’s my experience on Instagram.

Tip: While you’re near the Louvre, walk over to the Palais Royal. It’s a really nice place for photos, and it’s right next door.

A Montmartre tour with Context Travel

If you want a deep dive and more context on a place, I really recommend Context Travel. We booked their Montmartre neighborhood tour, and it’s perfect for art and history lovers. I learned so much about the neighborhood, and it was all really interesting.

You can use my code FANCYNANCISTA for a discount when you book. Here’s my experience on Instagram.

Take a food tour

A food tour is always my favorite way to explore a city. In Paris, I did a Secret Food Tour, and it was so much fun. We explored different neighborhoods and tasted a lot of food along the way. I highly recommend it, especially at the start of your trip, when you can use it to find places you’ll want to go back to.

Visit the Eiffel Tower

You can’t go to Paris without seeing the Eiffel Tower, and there are a few ways to do it. You can climb to the top for the views, pack a picnic and relax on the Champ de Mars, or just stop by in the evening when it sparkles after dark.

A Vintage Car tour (a word of warning)

We also booked a vintage car tour, and I’ll be honest: it didn’t go the way I hoped. We hit so much traffic and congestion that we spent about 40 minutes sitting in it, and we only had time for 2 sites during the 1-hour tour. It felt very rushed, though we did manage to get some nice photos.

If you want to try one, choose wisely. Book it early in the morning or during non-busy hours, and check for big events or holidays that could cause traffic (for context, we booked it during Paris Fashion Week and some other events were happening). It’s a cool concept, so just plan around the timing.

See the Moulin Rouge

Seeing the Moulin Rouge is a classic Paris experience, and it’s worth adding to your list. Book your tickets ahead of time so you’re not scrambling for a spot.

Visit Disneyland Paris

If you’re a Disney fan, you’ll want to make time for this one. I went a few years ago, and it was really nice. It’s smaller than the other Disney parks, but it’s still a fun thing to do while you’re in Paris. You can book your ticket here, and if you use my code FANCYNANCISTAKLOOK, you will receive a discount!

Save money with the Go City Paris pass

If you’re planning to see a lot in Paris, I’d look into the Go City Paris pass. I’ve booked Go City in London, Rome, and Barcelona before, and I think it’s 100% worth it if you want to get your money’s worth and see as much as possible.

Here’s why I like it:

• You save money. Instead of paying for every attraction one by one, you bundle your sightseeing into one pass, which adds up fast if you’re packing in a lot.
• It takes the planning off your plate. Once you have the pass, you can pick from a list of attractions and tours instead of researching and booking each ticket separately.
• It nudges you to see more. When you’ve already paid, you’re more likely to say yes to that extra museum or tour you might have skipped.

Before you buy, look at which attractions are included and make sure they match what’s on your list, so you get the most out of it.

More things to do in Paris

If you have extra time (or you’re on your second visit like me), here are a few more ideas to add to your list:

• Take a Seine river cruise. It’s an easy, relaxing way to see a lot of landmarks in one go, and it’s especially pretty around sunset.
• Visit Sainte-Chapelle. It’s small, but the stained glass is stunning.
• Take a French cooking class. Learn to make classic French dishes, then sit down and eat what you made. It’s one of the most fun ways to spend an afternoon.
• Make macarons in a class. A hands-on macaron class is a sweet activity, and you get to take your creations home.

• Try a perfume-making class. Create your own custom scent to take home as a souvenir you’ll actually use.
• Go to the Musée d’Orsay. If you love Impressionist art, this museum in a former train station is a great alternative to the Louvre.
• Spend a day at the Palace of Versailles. It’s an easy day trip from Paris, and the gardens are beautiful.
• See Notre-Dame. Even if you only admire it from the outside, it’s worth a stop.
• Relax in the Luxembourg Gardens. A perfect spot for a break, especially if you’re staying in Saint-Germain.
• Head up the Arc de Triomphe. The views of the avenues and the Eiffel Tower from the top are great.

What to eat in Paris

Let’s talk about the best part: the food. Here’s what I’d put on your must-eat list:

• Escargot. Yes, it’s a classic (and my favorite!!). Try it at least once, since it’s usually served with garlic butter and is really tasty.
• Crêpes. Sweet or savory, they’re great for a quick snack or a lazy breakfast.
• Cheese. Honestly, you can’t go wrong. Order a cheese plate and pair it with a glass of wine.
• Pastries. Croissants, éclairs, macarons, and everything in between. Hit a bakery every morning.
• French onion soup, steak frites, and fresh baguettes. These are the cozy classics you’ll want on a bistro menu.

And if you don’t know where to start, a food tour like the one I mentioned above is a great way to try a bunch of things at once.

How many days in Paris, and a few tips

How long to stay: I’d say 4 to 5 days is a good amount of time, depending on what you want to do. With 4 days, you can see the main sights and enjoy a tour or two. With 5 days, like we did, you can slow down, add a day trip like Versailles or Disneyland Paris, and leave room for long café stops.

A few tips before you go:

• Book your tours and tickets ahead of time, especially for the Louvre and the Moulin Rouge.
• Check opening days before you plan your schedule, since the Louvre is closed on Tuesdays.
• Wear comfortable shoes. You’ll walk a lot.
• Go early in the morning to beat the crowds at the big sights.

More France travel guides: If you’re traveling through France, you might also like my Lyon travel guide, my South of France travel guide covering Nice, Cannes, Antibes, and Eze, and my 7 underrated day trips from Cannes.

Have you been to Paris, or is it on your list? Tell me in the comments what you’d do first!