5 Days in Paris

Our 5 days in Paris in winter was a magical experience. This itinerary made our much-anticipated sisters’ trip absolutely fabulous. Here are some highlights of a memorable week including the Louvre, Musèe d’Orsay, fashion, shopping, food, Notre Dame Cathedral, Tuileries Garden, Arc de Triomphe and more. I hope it will help you plan your Paris itinerary of 5 days (or more) with the additional recommendations. Also, check the best places to stay in Paris close to everything you need to visit on your first trip to Paris.

Map of Paris attractions

This interactive map includes the attractions described in this Paris itinerary of 5 days, along with some of our pictures. Activate layers by clicking the top-left button below, so you can view groups of attractions and get directions.

Day 1 – Acclimating in Paris in Winter, Picasso Museum

We arrived in Paris on a pleasant Sunday morning in November. We expected it to be cold, but the first couple of days were wonderfully sunny. Later in the week, it got colder and drizzled, so our jackets came in handy.

We had an Airbnb apartment in the Avenue Parmentier Republic. After a warm welcome from our host, she explained all about the nice neighborhood and things to do in the area – the best cafes, bakeries, chocolatiers, sights, shopping, etc.

We spent the afternoon exploring the neighborhood and getting lunch. It is really true that every little ally has an amazing bakery. Be sure to find your neighborhood bakery and you’ll love it. The French have really figured out how to make bread. As my friend once told me the French believe that everyone deserves a good bread. So cafes came up in every corner, causing competition and race to excellence.

Overall the apartment was in the best place to stay in Paris, close to everything in the eastern part of the city. We were able to walk to attractions nearby.

Picasso Museum

Picasso Museum was fairly close to our neighborhood, so we wandered in. It houses Pablo Picasso’s life’s work donated to the state in lieu of estate tax. So the state got the fantastic collection and the Picasso family got a well-maintained museum to share their inheritance. Read all about the history of this lovely museum of art in Paris at the History of Picasso Museum. It is one of the newest museums in Paris and set up as the environment Picasso would have painted in.

Paris Boutiques and Shopping

While in the area, we checked out the many Paris boutiques. This area has designer stores, pop-ups (little boutique stores that only open for a few days) and vintage (discount or used fashion) store. Such as Les Petites, Sandro, ba&sh, The Kooples, Bimba and Lola, Maje, and Journées Priviléges.

While on the topic of shopping, there are many high-end designer stores around Galerie Lafayette, Arc de Triomphe, and Louvre. Also, there are popular everyday stores like Printemps department store, BHV department store, Esprit, French Connection, Zara, Opera Garnier etc.

Our first bedtime in Paris on a clear winter night, with a view of the Eiffel Tower.

Day 2 – Notre Dame Cathedral, Tuileries Garden, Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe

We work up early due to our jetlag and started early in the morning with a visit to Notre Dame Cathedral.

Notre Dame Cathedral

Notre Dame is the finest example of gothic art and architecture. Built between 1160 and 1260 it is a medieval Catholic cathedral.

Update: On 15 April 2019, the Notre Dame Cathedral caught fire, causing extensive damage to the roof and spire. Most of the works of art, the organs, and the interior were saved with little damage. Several organizations have pitched over €1 billion for Notre Dame’s restoration, which may take about 20 years.

Tuileries Garden in Winter

We strolled through Tuileries Gardens, the big park in the heart of Paris was once the site of the French Kings’ palace. I believe it’s the one shown in the series Reign, where Mary Queen of Scott’s lives in the French court. The flagship store of Laduree is close to the garden,

Champs-Élysées

We walked from Tuileries Garden to Arc de Triomphe along the Avenue des Champs-Élysées and adjacent streets. It’s always alive with activity (and pick-pockets). All the high-end and trendy fashion stores can be found on this stretch. Brands like Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Apple, Chanel have their gorgeous stores. But also the trendy stores like H&M, Zara, Gap, Nike, you name it, has their presence on Avenue des Champs-Élysées.

It was fun to explore all the stores as we strolled the street. We used our umbrellas in the light winter drizzle and the stepped into some stores to escape the drizzle.

Arc de Triomphe

If the line is not too long, it’ll be worth a climb up to Arc de Triomphe for expansive views of this part of Paris. If stairs are an issue, ask for an elevator reserved for those that need it. The line may be shorter for the elevator but it’s small and infrequent. Even with the elevator, be prepared to climb a few flights of stairs at the top. During our Paris winter visit, there were no lines and we got to visit the top within minutes.

Day 3 – Palace of Versailles and Eiffel Tower

Palace of Versailles and the Eiffel Tower are some of the top attractions of Paris (or the world) for good reason. Their magnificence is beyond words.

Palace of Versailles on a Pleasant Winter Afternoon

The Palace of Versailles was built towards the end of the French Monarchy. Despite the tragic events and poverty across France, this palace was built to the King and the (in)famous Queen Marie Antoinette’s aristocratic tastes. The Netflix series on the King’s life in Versailles tells an interesting story of Queen Marie Antoinette and the Palace of Versailles.

We took an Uber to Versailles but it’s said to have great connections by subway from Paris. Versailles is less than 30min drive from Paris. The car was more convenient in Paris’s in winter weather because the rideshare parking is right at the entrance.

In addition to the interiors of the palace, I highly recommend renting a golf cart to visit the rest of the property, including

• Marie Antoinette’s Petit Trianon
• The many elaborate gardens
• Grand Trianon
• Hidden grottoes
• The vast grand canal.

Plan to spend some time strolling at these spots. If time (and lots of walking) is not a constraint, take the full day to visit the palace and walk to all parts of the property. We rented a golf cart to get around quicker. There is also a mini train that stops at some of the locations. Since we had only 5 days in Paris, we could take only one day trip and I’m glad we visited the Palace of Versailles. I have my wishlist of day trips from Paris for next time.

Eiffel Tower on a Winter Evening

From the Palace of Versailles, we went to the Eiffel Tower on a cab. We didn’t have a reservation. But, luckily we were in Paris in winter, a low tourist season. The crowds were small so it took us just an hour in line. It would have been a much longer line in summer.

To avoid long lines, the best thing to do is get a prior reservation for the Eiffel Tower and your day around it. Some people think it’s hype but I feel it’s iconic and quite a feat of engineering at the time it was built.

Once you’ve made it to the top, take the time to check out the views of Paris. It’s quite something else! Don’t waste any time in the gift shop with its cheap souvenirs. It was very cold and windy on top of Eiffel Tower, so be sure to have warm jackets, scarfs, gloves.

Day 4 – Musèe d’Orsay and the Louvre

Visiting the world’s grandest museums is a perfect way to enjoy Paris in winter. It’s warm and comfortable inside and as an extra bonus, the museums (and all attractions in Paris) are not crowded.

Musèe d’Orsay on a Winter Afternoon

Musèe d’Orsay is probably my most favorite museum in the world. Read all about it in Musèe d’Orsay

Louvre

No visit to Paris in 5 days can be complete without a day in the Louvre. It would probably take a week to see and grasp the whole museum. So, we took an Airbnb experience call Louvre-A Crash Course in Art History. It was probably the most enjoyable and educational 3-4 hours in art history ever possible.

We met at our guide’s house, a mini art museum cum French nobility home, across from the Louvre. She is a portrait artist, curator at the Louvre, certified Louvre guide and art educator. We started with a brief art lesson of the period, French tea, pastries, and cookies. Thereafter we walked over to the Louvre. She took us through the entire museum during the tour and we learned so much in art appreciation, art history, and the various important pieces. If you can find this tour, it is definitely the best way to make the most of the Grand Louvre, quite possibly the largest art museum in the world.

Day 5 – Fashion Consultant and Christian Dior Exhibition

Paris is the fashion capital of the world. Our visit couldn’t have been complete without consultation with a fashion consultant. The temporary Christian Dior Exhibition was a bonus treat.

Find Your Style with a Fashion Consultant

So, our second Airbnb experience was ‘Find your Style’ with an upcoming and super knowledgeable fashion consultant. We met is a beautiful library-style cafe. After a body structure and complexion analysis, we discussed the basics of color and styles for each of us. She had a detailed personalized analysis for us. Then she took us all around for shopping and I still love wearing the outfits we bought with her. Unlike other professional guides, this was like going shopping with a knowledgeable friend. She obviously had no connection with the stores but knew all about mixing and matching and creating outfits that worked. I was also told that some department stores like Printemps also have fashion consultants to guide through personal style and the whole process. I believe they need an appointment or minimum purchase but are otherwise free of charge. Visiting Paris in 5 days only allows for a couple of experiences, I’m glad we picked this one.

Christian Dior Exhibition

A great way to end the trip was luckily making it into the temporary exhibition hall next to the Louvre. The Christian Dior Exhibition was on display at that time. We were in for an amazing treat.

There was no advance booking so we waited in line for about 2 hours in the cold and drizzle that winter evening in Paris. But it was so worth it.

The French for sure know fashion and the art of display. The combination of Christian Dior fashion and exquisite displays is beyond spectacular. The exhibition took us from the very early days of house and its evolution to one of the best-known brands on the runway. There were halls upon halls of unique displays of runway fashions – famous dresses, shoes, jewelry you name it. It also had a section for each creative director and how their reigns influenced the world of fashion. I had just wanted the movie Yves Laurent so seeing his work life was surreal.

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Tips for Visiting Paris in 5 Days During Winter

• Take the local bus when you can they have huge clear windows to view and experience the city. As compared to a taxi, car or subway, they are so much better to see the city while going from one place to another. They are comfortable and frequent. We used Uber mostly but also used buses and subway. We didn’t feel the need for a car.
• Beware of pickpockets, or so we were told over and over again. They are many gypsies and others. A popular trick is to engage tourists in a conversation e.g. signing a petition or talking about a cause. Once the tourist is engaged, their buddies will assess and pick valuables very efficiently.
• Enjoy the food. It’s awesome!
• Visit the Louvre and d’Orsay Museums with a guide, you’ll appreciate the art so much more when you know the back story. You’ll need to move fast so wear good walking shoes and go in a small group. We had 6 people in the group and it was a good size.
• Make a reservation for the Eiffel Tower elevator months in advance to reduce wait time.
• I was worried about visiting in winter but it was lovely. With small/no crowds and the winter charm. Visiting Paris in 5 days would be much crazier with the summer crowds.
• Take warm jackets and an umbrella because Paris’s weather in winter can be chilly and wet. Check out Andi’s guide on what to wear in Paris in Fall.
• Learn a few French phrases as most locals don’t speak much English.
• While we’ve enjoyed houses rented via Airbnb in many cities, don’t use Airbnb in Paris based on our experience in two apartments. They were both well below our expectations and nothing like how they were advertised. They were so bad that Airbnb refunded part of our stay. I’ve heard the same from others. Best to stay in a good hotel and save the trouble.
• Skip the gift shop in Eiffel Tower.
• Plan to spend a good amount of time in the many gift shops in the Louvre. They reminded me of the amazing collection at the British Museum in London. Even if you don’t believe in adding souvenirs luggage, it’s a good browse.
• Check what showing in the temporary exhibit hall next to the Louvre (in the same building). It may be amazing.
• To get discounted tickets to the Opera house, get in line around 6 pm on the same day.

Accommodation in Paris

On our first couple of days, we stayed in another apartment in Avenue Parmentier which was the best place to stay in Paris close to everything on the north-east side such as Notre Dame, Picasso museum, boutique shops, cafes, food markets, etc. Also, the apartment was a more upscale and in a less touristy neighborhood.

I would recommend the Champs-Élysées area as the best place to stay in Paris close to everything on the west side. We stayed in an Airbnb apartment walking distance from Arc de Triomphe. Eiffel Tower and the western side of Paris are close by. It’s well connected by public transit and taxis. There are bakeries and cafes everywhere.

Restaurant Recommendations in Paris for Vegetarians and Vegans

The food that I still remember after many months were at

• Chateau Versailles, the formal restaurant in the Palace of Versailles. It’s pricy with entree starting at Euro 40 but they had absolutely delicious truffle risotto, while the casual cafe had nothing interesting.
• Artisan Boulanger Traiteur, a cafe across from our second Airbnb apartment on Ru Lauriston. I still taste the veggie baguette sandwich the friendly server custom made for us each morning, just as I love. She looked totally Indian but they only speak French, being raised in French New Guinea and brought to Paris as a kid. It was nice to see a similar bakery in Barcelona with amazing bread.
• Our last dinner in a Thai restaurant up the street from our apartment on Ru Lauriston was delicious but more importantly, they were exceptionally helpful. They made our arrangements to get to the airport in the wee hours of the following morning.
• After our visit to the Louvre, it was so late that all the restaurants were closing or had no vegetarian options. As we walked around we ran into a restaurant at 4 Rue de I’Èchelle. They prepared simple and delicious pasta dishes and salad for us.

In preparation for the trip, we got a list of restaurant recommendations but visiting Paris in 5 days doesn’t allow enough time for checking out all the restaurants. If you’re able to give them a try please leave a note below.

• Pierre Hermè (best cakes and macaroon). Locals say it’s better than Laduree.
• Au pied de cochon
• La Tour d’argent
• la Bebe
• Crêperie Chez Georges
• Soya – vegan
• Wild & the moon – vegan, local foods
• Wok
• Feni
• Chez Colette for lunch
• Rue des Rosiers rest L’As du Falafel
• Le paradis du fruit
• Paradis Marguerite (vegetarian restaurant by the river)
• Desi Road
• Cafe de Roma, champs elysees
• Ganda bakery and cakes
• M. Landemaine great bakery

More for next time

Visiting Paris in 5 days allows very little time for all that the city offers. There is so much we missed and would want to go back.

If you have only 3 days in Paris, try this post for highlights of Paris.

Here are some recommendations we had received –

• Opera – we saw the opera hall from the outside and its architecture in Musèe d’Orsay but didn’t get to experience it. The local tip was to stand in the last minute tickets line at 6 pm to get seats at deeply discounted prices. Or purchase well in advance.
• The church on top of the hill. Nirmal visited it and some beautiful pictures.
• Musée De L’Orangerie
• Musèe de Pompidou – museum of modern art
• there are many more museums in Paris, one could fill a month and not be done.
• Isle St Louise by Norte Dame.
• Shakespeare and Company bookstore.
• Chocolate factory or chocolatier – the local tip was La Manufacturer de Chocolat Alain Ducasse
• Local fresh food market – Market by Oberkampf.
• I was keen to take the boat tour but people said to pass it in favor of the other sights.
• Versailles market – the bike tour of Versailles market and picnic seemed awesome on Airbnb experiences.
• Baking class – Baguette or bread-making class would another experience I’d love to try in Paris. I even found some classed that would do a vegan option.

Day Trips from Paris

Our Paris itinerary of 5 days includes only one day trip to Versailles because 5 days in Paris is barely enough to visit the attractions within the city. I would more day trips from Paris by train next time. Following are additional day trips from Paris that I had wanted to do and will save for next time –

• Beaches of Normandy was at the top of my list for its history and quaint villages along a 3-mile long stretch. Also, visit Honfleur while in the area for its charm.
• The village of Giverny at the heard of the impressionist movement. If you love Musee d’Orsay’s collection of impressionist art, you’ll want to visit it too.
• Mont-Saint-Michel, a UNESCO world heritage site.
• Chateau de Chantilly is built in a lake surrounded by acres of forests and gardens.
• Astérix the Gaul – I loved reading Astérix. Although I’m not a big fan of theme parks, I’d probably visit this one.

5 days in Paris seemed a lot shorter than 5 days in Malta. There is so much more to do in Paris. I’m sure we’ll be back soon.

Please share your recommendations and experiences below in the comments section.

Related Articles

• Our gallery of Paris photographs from a different trip in June
• Experience Musèe d’Orsay through our blog
• Anisa’s Paris bucket list ideas
• 6 Day Itinerary for London
• What not to do in Paris
• More French attractions

Paris is a city of love, delicious foods, museums, culture, amazing architecture. We loved every minute of the 5 days in Paris in winter. Have you visited Paris? What’s your favorite memory of Paris?