I can’t even count anymore how many times I’ve been to the French capital city and since Nick and I got married years ago, we’ve made it a yearly ritual to spend time in Paris, sometimes more than once a year because we love it so much.  Paris is one of those cities that you could visit a hundred times and never see everything, so in my opinion, the best way to see one of the world’s most famous cities is to simply just wander it, to take everything in and not worry so much about seeing every single tourist site.  Here is all the information you need for the perfect Fall itinerary for 4 days in Paris.

DAY 1 : EXPLORE THE LEFT BANK 

Arrive in Paris!  

Take the train from the airport to your hotel on the RER Blue line and get off at the St. Michel/Notre Dame stop.

I like the Hotel Oratio in Paris to stay.

Do a quick outfit change, freshen up and head out to explore, starting with lunch at St. Regis on the Île St. Louis.

Head back across the river and spend your first day just wandering the Left Bank.

Don’t miss stops at Jardin du Luxembourg, Panthéon, and the St. Germain neighborhood.

Just before sunset – jump on the metro from wherever you are on the Left Bank and head to the Eiffel Tower to take in the light show as the world goes dark.  I prefer the views from the Trocadero, but find a spot to take it all in!

DAY 2 – SEE THE SIGHTS

Start early with a croissant from a local boulangerie on the Île St. Louis.

Grab a crossiant and an Orangina from local shops in the neighborhood near your hotel to start the day off right.

Head off to see the sights!

Start at Notre Dame Cathedral and St. Chapelle Chapel.  Then make your way to the Right Bank and wander past the Hotel de Ville.  Walk or catch the metro to the Louvre and spend your afternoon wandering the museum, followed by a wander through the Tuileries Gardens on the Louvre Grounds.

Spend your evening shopping and eating on the Champs Élysees.

After your day of seeing the sights, head to the famous Champs Élysees and wander until you see the Arc de Triomphe at the end.  For a more authentic Parisian meal, try to venture off the Champs Élysees down the side streets.

DAY 3 – EXPLORE THE RIGHT BANK

Have a leisurely breakfast near your hotel, then catch the metro to head over to the Right Bank.

Start by wandering around the Palais Garnier Opera Building, then shop for a while with some of the best shopping in Paris right around the corner!

Then make your way toward the Montmartre neighborhood and the famous Sacré Coeur Basilica, where you’ll have panoramic views all over Paris.  This spot is amazing at sunset!

DAY 4 – TAKE IN A QUIETER PARIS + WANDER

Spend your final day in the City of Light just wandering neighborhoods and seeing less popular sights.

Begin in Le Marais neighborhood and stop for a leisurely breakfast in the many restaurants in this area of the city.  After your French omelet wander to the Place des Vosges and take a seat on one of the many benches, taking in a beautiful Parisian day.

Head back toward the Left Bank by crossing the Seine through the Île St. Louis and take in this old section of the city and tiny narrow alleyways.

At twilight, jump on the metro and head to the Tour Montparnasse to spend your last evening in Paris with incredible views of the city from the top of this tall building.  As the city lights up, you’ll be overwhelmed by the magic of Paris!

Headed to Paris?

Here are all my posts on the city.

Where to Stay in France