The Best Things To Do in Paris in 4 Days
You’re going to Paris.
But you don’t have a month to get your “Emily in Paris” fantasy on.
You only have 4 nights with about 3 ½ days.
So what are the best things to do in Paris in 4 days?
I’m going to approach it from what I would do in Paris for 4 days for a first time visit — taking into account that I’ve been to this city twice.
In other words, I may be offering up some things I wish I would have done or giving some advice on the things I might skip as a first timer in Paris.
Okay.
Let’s look at the best things to do in Paris in 4 days.
Arrival Day: Day #1
You’re probably going to arrive in the morning if you’re coming from the States.
And you may be able to drop your bags at your hotel and then go explore before you officially check in.
But you’ll probably be tired.
So for Day #1 I’m recommending doing just a little bit as you don’t want to overdo it when you’re not feeling super energetic.
Mid Afternoon: Notre Dame
Because you don’t need a ticket or a reservation for Notre Dame, this is an ideal site to take in on your first day.
Depending on the time of year, you may have to wait to get in.
But this is one of the sites you’ll want to see now that it’s open.
Just know that the entire cathedral is not open — the bell tower is not yet open so you are not going to get the full experience you could get prior to the fire in 2019.
However, you can see the main parts of Notre Dame which is enough to at least appreciate this amazing site in Paris.
After your visit, grab a quick bite, but don’t drink alcohol as it will make you sleepy.
In fact, you may want to go for street food as the moment you sit down, you may feel like lying down and catching some zzz’s.
Do your best to stay awake!
Mid-late Afternoon: Sainte Chapelle
Right across the way from Notre Dame is another of the best things to do in Paris — Sainte Chapelle.
I’ve actually not visited this site — yet.
But I certainly wish I had as it’s a beautiful royal chapel with stunning stained glass windows.
It’s also a site that you only need about an hour for.
So it’s a good “first day in Paris” site since you don’t have to invest too much time — especially if you are a bit tired and jet lagged.
After you finish, you may want to grab an early dinner and get to bed by 21:00 (9pm) so you can start your Day #2 feeling refreshed.
Hit the Ground Running: Day 2
Morning: Walking tour
Walking tours are fabulous ways to get to know a city.
So one of the best things to do in Paris is a walking tour — your choice.
You can do a basic overview which is my recommendation for a first time visit to this city.
But you may have a special interest.
If this is the case, you can choose a walking tour that focuses on that interest.
Perhaps it’s the French Revolution or architecture or Paris during WWII or yes, even a food tour.
Walking tours are simply an excellent way to get the lay of the city and get to know a location.
After your mid-morning walking tour, find a spot to grab a light lunch.
Unless you’ve taken a food tour in which you’ve already eaten!
Afternoon: Panthéon
I visited this site on my second trip to Paris.
But I love it and think it’s a fantastic site for a first time visit.
The Panthéon started as a church but ended up as a monument to famous French citizens.
And does, in fact, house the remains of many of these folks.
The Panthéon also has an observation area — called the Panorama — that offers awesome views across Paris.
So visit the interior then end your time with the panorama.
Note: The Panorama is open seasonally. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to go to the Panorama because it was winter when I visited.
Since the Pantheon closes at 18:30 you can stay until about closing time then have a pre-dinner drink in the neighborhood (5th Arrondissement / Latin Quarter) and then dinner.
Hitting Your Stride: Day 3
One thing I want to note is that there are days in which the museums are closed.
The Louvre is closed on Tuesdays.
The Orsay is closed on Mondays.
These museums also have late hours on certain days.
In summer, the Louvre has 2 evenings — Wednesdays and Fridays.
The rest of the year the only day is Friday.
The Musée d’Orsay’s late opening day is Thursday.
So as we look at these next couple of days, you’ll need to make adjustments depending on the days you are actually in Paris.
Morning: Musée du Louvre
There is no doubt that one of the best things to do in Paris is to spend time in the Louvre.
I’ve been to this HUGE museum twice.
I still haven’t been to one of the wings because I always seem to end up going in one direction and not getting to this wing.
Anyway…
Plan your time accordingly and, in fact, a tour may not be a bad idea.
You can either visit first thing in the morning or — if you are in Paris for one of the late openings — you can arrange your visit in the evening — at 5 or 6pm.
I might consider aiming for that late day time if you are in Paris on one of these days.
It’s a wonderful time to avoid some of the crowds by going in the early evening.
Afternoon: Cooking or Baking Class
After taking a cooking class in Florence recently, I’m sold on this type of experience.
It was so fun and is such a wonderful way to get to know a culture.
So I think this is one of the best things to do in Paris — and something I wish I had done on my first visit.
You may choose to learn to cook a very French dish like coq au vin.
Or you may want to take a baking class and learn to make croissants or macarons.
The other option is to take the class in the morning and visit the Musée du Louvre in the evening if you are in Paris on the proper days.
If you take a full on cooking class, your dinner is your reward.
If you take a baking class, you’re going to need a proper dinner after.
So find a nice spot for dinner.
Soak It All In: Day 4
Morning: Musée d’Orsay
I love the Musée d’Orsay!
It is one of THE best things to do in Paris.
This museum is much smaller than the Louvre and has some of my favorite paintings by some of my favorite artists — Monet, Pissarro, Van Gogh, Matisse, Cézanne.
I would plan for a couple of hours to peruse your way through this lovely museum that is also a very cool building — a former train station.
It sits in the 6th Arrondissement so after your time in the museum, you can find a lovely spot for a light lunch and maybe even peruse the shops in St Germain.
You’ll also be along the River Seine so you may want to take in some of the sites from the river or one of the bridges.
Late afternoon / Evening: Eiffel Tower
Admittedly, I am not a huge fan of visiting the Eiffel Tower — at least not all the way to the top.
I did this on my first visit and was not happy.
It was crowded in the lift going up.
It was busy at the top.
And there is netting at the top so you can’t get clear views or photos.
I remember it being packed with people and all I wanted was some space.
So I made my way to the second platform and thought it was much better.
My advice for the Eiffel Tower is to definitely go and see it.
Maybe pick up some wine, some snacks and have a picnic in the park by it and just admire it from afar.
Or if you really want to go up it, just go to the 2nd platform.
You can take the lift or you can walk up the stairs.
Tickets to walk the stairs are not available until 14 days prior to your selected date.
You may want to make this a late afternoon or early evening experience so you can catch the sunset.
I do think the visit to the top is overrated.
My opinion, of course.
If you go at sunset you may be having a late dinner in summer.
If you are more in the shoulder season or even winter, you can have a reasonably timed dinner after your visit.
But some of the best things to do in Paris are…
Popping into a local patisserie or boulangerie for a croissant or a sweet treat.
Discovering a statue dedicated to some important French person in a small green space/park.
Exploring the food markets such as the one on Rue Mouffetard in the 5th or Marché Couvert des Enfants Rouges in the 3rd.
Sitting at an outdoor cafe with a glass of wine.
Wandering around and getting a bit lost.
Don’t pack your time in Paris with “things to do”.
Leave time open to “do nothing” — explore, wander and discover.
This is a wonderful way to get to know this city, its people, its culture and its vibe.
Paris is such a fabulous city for wandering.
So while I think the above ideas are fantastic ideas for a first time visit to Paris, I also would say that you cut out a couple of things and leave more time for wandering.
Above all, just enjoy this magnificent city!
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