Seven days in Paris is the real luxury. You have time to see all the classics at an easy pace, to really soak up the neighborhoods, and even to treat yourself to two days at Disneyland and a shopping day without ever feeling rushed. It's the ideal length if it's your first time and you want to do it all without stress.
Here's how I'd plan these seven days, with my own addresses. Roughly: day 1 around the Eiffel Tower and the left bank, day 2 in Montmartre, days 3 and 4 in the center (the Louvre, the islands, le Marais), days 5 and 6 at Disneyland, and day 7 for shopping.
Day 1: Eiffel Tower, Left Bank and Musée d'Orsay
Kick off day one with the postcard version of Paris. The smart move is to head up to Trocadéro right when it opens: the view of the Eiffel Tower from there is unbeatable, and before 9am you basically have the place to yourself. From there you cross the Champ de Mars and you end up right under the tower.
Should you go up? If it tempts you for your first time, go ahead, but get your ticket online well in advance, otherwise it's a guaranteed two hours in line. Personally, I think the tower looks better from below, and I'd rather save the sunset for the Arc de Triomphe another day.
For lunch, Auberge Bressane is right nearby and it's an institution. The food is generous French cooking, the comforting kind: their bouchée à la reine and their comté soufflé are to die for. Exactly the good old Parisian restaurant you dream about.
In the afternoon, head to the left bank around Saint Germain des Prés, the neighborhood of literary cafés. Les Deux Magots is pricey and packed with tourists, I know, but sitting on the terrasse once for the atmosphere is worth it. Otherwise, the best thing is just to wind through the little streets, between the bookshops and the galleries.
Finish at the Musée d'Orsay, my favorite of the big Paris museums. Set in a beautiful former train station, it brings together the impressionists: Monet, Renoir, Degas, Van Gogh. Far less exhausting than the Louvre, you can get through it in two or three hours. Here too, book a time slot to skip the line.
Day 2: Montmartre
Day two is for Montmartre. Start by climbing up to Sacré Cœur early in the morning: from the square you get one of the best views over Paris, and you dodge the crowd that shows up later. Then take your time getting lost in the little streets behind the basilica, that's really where the neighborhood is at its cutest: Place du Tertre, the vineyard, the small squares, the famous pink house.
Montmartre has kept its village feel, you almost forget you're in Paris. The best thing is to grab a coffee at random and walk with no route in mind. One piece of advice: don't eat on the touristy squares, it's usually expensive and pointless. Go back down toward Abbesses, you'll eat much better.
And if you have energy left in the evening, Pigalle, just below, has really transformed over the past few years. You'll find plenty of nice bars for apéro.
Day 3: the Louvre, the Tuileries and Île de la Cité
Now for the center. We start with the Louvre, but with a real game plan, because the place is gigantic and trying to see it all means hitting a wall. Target two or three works that speak to you: the Mona Lisa of course (she's small and surrounded by a sea of people, you'll probably be let down, but still), the stunning Winged Victory of Samothrace at the top of the stairs, the Venus de Milo, or the Napoleon III apartments. Book a time slot, and go in through a side entrance rather than the pyramid, it saves you the big line.
On the way out, cross the Jardin des Tuileries all the way to the Orangerie at the far end. It's small, but seeing Monet's Water Lilies, those giant canvases in their own oval rooms, is absolutely worth it. And the museum is much calmer than the others.
In the afternoon, head to Île de la Cité. Sainte Chapelle is a marvel: with the sun coming through the stained glass, it's pure magic, my coup de cœur in the area. Notre Dame, reopened since the fire, can be visited again, just remember to book your free time slot online because it gets crowded. And finish on Île Saint Louis right next door, with a non negotiable stop at Berthillon: the most iconic ice cream in Paris, homemade. Parisians are crazy about it.
Day 4: le Marais
If there's one neighborhood where I love to walk with no goal, it's le Marais. Here, nothing is mandatory to check off: you take your time, you browse the shops, you look up at the gorgeous old mansions. Start with Place des Vosges, the oldest square in Paris and one of the prettiest, with its arcades and its little central garden. Fancy lunch with a view? The terrasse of Pavillon de la Reine, under the arcades, is gorgeous (one Michelin-star!)
For the rest, go by feel: the little streets, the art galleries, the concept stores, and rue des Rosiers with its falafel (try it, no question). For food, Café des Musées never disappoints, their bœuf bourguignon was even voted best in Paris, and it's completely deserved.
And if you want to keep going, walk up to Montorgueil, a pedestrian street that's always lively, full of cafés, grocers and terrasses. It's one of my favorite corners to watch Parisian life: people doing their shopping, stopping for a drink after work.
Days 5 and 6: Disneyland Paris
With seven days, you can treat yourself to two days at Disneyland without rushing, and honestly that's the right pace. The park is about forty minutes from Paris on the RER A, heading to Marne la Vallée Chessy, the last stop. You get off and you're at the entrance.
There are two parks side by side. Disneyland Park, the great classic with the castle, Main Street and the legendary rides like Big Thunder Mountain or Pirates of the Caribbean, is the one you picture when you think of Disney. And right next to it, Disney Adventure World (the former Walt Disney Studios, renamed in early 2026), which has changed a lot with the new World of Frozen, the Avengers area and the Tower of Terror.
Over two days, the best approach is one park per day, no rushing. You take your time, you enjoy the parades, you eat on site, and you stay in the evening for the castle show, which is really worth it. Remember to book your tickets online ahead of time and to download the Disneyland Paris app: it gives you wait times in real time and lets you reserve access to the big attractions, which changes everything for planning your day.
And if Disney isn't really your thing, you can always keep one of these two days for Versailles instead. The château and its huge gardens make for a great day out, with the RER C straight there.
Day 7: Shopping
For your last day, it's all about shopping, and in Paris you're spoiled for choice depending on your style.
For department stores, head to the Opéra area. Galeries Lafayette is worth it just for its stained glass dome, which is stunning, and the rooftop view is free and gorgeous. Right next door, Printemps plays in the same league. It's big, it's beautiful, but it's also very touristy and packed, so the best time to go is early in the morning.
If you're after something more chic and calmer, go to Le Bon Marché instead, on the left bank. It's my favorite of the department stores: fewer crowds, a beautiful selection, and its Grande Épicerie right next door for bringing home something to eat. La Samaritaine, near the Pont Neuf, reopened a few years ago, is also worth a look for its Art nouveau building.
But honestly, my favorite spot for browsing shops is le Marais. The small designer labels, the concept stores, the French brands you don't find everywhere. That's where you dig up the real gems, far from the chains. Saint Germain is great for this too, sharper and more chic.
As for the Champs Élysées, I'll be honest: for actual shopping, it's not worth the trip. Nothing but big chains you find everywhere. See it once for the avenue itself and the luxury window displays, but not to fill your bags.
And for a sweet break in the middle, Angelina on rue de Rivoli for its old style hot chocolate, thick, almost a dessert. Or a detour to Pierre Hermé or Ladurée to bring back a box of macarons, the perfect Parisian gift.
Where to Stay in Paris
For the neighborhood to stay in, it depends on the vibe you're after.
Le Marais (the 3rd, and the 2nd right next to it) is my first pick for a first visit: central, lively, full of restaurants and shops, you can do almost everything on foot. It's by far the most fun neighborhood.
The 11th is a great alternative, a bit cheaper, very lively at night with its bars and good tables, and well connected by metro.
The left bank (Saint Germain, the Latin Quarter, the 7th) is more residential and quiet. Perfect if you're after a calmer, more chic Paris.
And for a full week, it's worth looking at apartments and Airbnb: you get more space, a kitchen for breakfasts, and it often works out cheaper than a hotel over seven nights.
A Few Things to Know Before You Go
For transport, grab a Navigo Easy card as soon as you arrive and load a book of tickets on it, it's the simplest for the metro and the RER. For a full week, the weekly Navigo pass can work out cheaper if your dates line up with the Monday to Sunday week. For getting around, Citymapper or Google Map guide you in real time, super handy.
If you're doing a lot of museums, the Paris Museum Pass can be worth it: it covers most of the big museums and monuments, and it saves you time in the lines. Worth doing the math based on your plan.
For the good restaurants, book ahead, especially in the evening and in summer.
On safety, Paris is a safe city, but watch out for pickpockets in the metro, around the big monuments and on terrasses: never leave your phone on the table or in a back pocket. A small bag that closes and sits in front of you is ideal.
For timing, spring and early fall are the nicest. Summer can be beautiful but also very hot, and in August a lot of restaurants close because Parisians go on holiday. Worth checking before you book a specific spot.
One last thing: always keep a bit of free time in your plan. The best moments in Paris are often the ones you didn't plan.
Want to Explore More of Paris?
This itinerary gives you the essentials for a first time, but Paris has so much more to offer. I've gathered all my best addresses in my Paris Guide: where to eat, where to stay, and how to explore the city like a true Parisian. The perfect way to round out your trip, well beyond these seven days.
And if you want to see all these places in action, come find me on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube @ellevousguide. I share new spots and honest reviews every week.