Paris in 4 days: an itinerary with Versailles

Four days let you enjoy Paris without rushing and leave a whole day for Versailles, which deserves far more than a morning. The three city days cover the Île de la Cité, the great museums, the Eiffel Tower, Montmartre and the Marais.

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Day 1. Île de la Cité and the Latin Quarter

  1. Notre-Dame de Paris

    The cathedral reopened after the 2019 fire and entry is free. Go early to beat the queue.

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  2. Sainte-Chapelle

    The most stunning Gothic stained glass in Paris. Best on a sunny day, with a booked ticket.

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  3. Panthéon

    A neoclassical temple where Victor Hugo, Marie Curie and Voltaire are buried. Its colonnade looks over the whole Latin Quarter.

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  4. Jardin du Luxembourg

    Parisians' favourite garden, with green chairs around the pond. Perfect to rest at the end of the day.

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Day 2. From the Louvre to the Eiffel Tower

  1. Musée du Louvre

    Book a time slot and pick two or three wings: you can't see it all. Closed on Tuesdays.

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  2. Jardin des Tuileries

    A walk between the Louvre and the Concorde, with cafés for lunch.

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  3. Musée d'Orsay

    The Impressionists in a former railway station. Closed on Mondays.

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  4. Tour Eiffel

    Go up at sunset with a booked ticket, or watch it sparkle on the hour from the Champ de Mars.

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Day 3. A day at Versailles

  1. Château de Versailles

    About 40 minutes on the RER C train. Arrive at opening with a booked ticket: the Hall of Mirrors fills up fast. Closed on Mondays.

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  2. Jardins de Versailles

    Miles of formal gardens with fountains and the Grand Canal, where you can rent rowing boats or bikes.

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  3. Domaine de Trianon

    Marie Antoinette's small palaces and her rustic hamlet at the far end of the park. Much quieter than the palace.

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💡 On musical fountain show days (weekends in season) the gardens charge entry; the rest of the year they're free.

Day 4. Montmartre, the Opéra and the Marais

  1. Sacré-Cœur, Montmartre

    Climb to the Sacré-Cœur early and wander around the place du Tertre and the cobbled lanes.

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  2. Palais Garnier

    Paris's most lavish opera house can be visited inside without seeing a show.

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  3. Place des Vosges, Le Marais

    Finish at the place des Vosges and the Marais: shops, falafel on rue des Rosiers and bars.

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Practical tips

  • Book the Sainte-Chapelle, the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower and Versailles in advance.
  • Mind the closing days: the Louvre on Tuesdays; Orsay and Versailles on Mondays.
  • The metro and RER go everywhere; for Versailles a zones 1–4 ticket is enough.
  • Many national museums are free on the first Sunday of the month, though busier.

Frequently asked questions

Is it worth spending a whole day at Versailles?

Yes. The palace, gardens and Trianon estate fill the day, and with four days in Paris you don't have to give up anything in the city.

How do you get from Paris to Versailles?

Take the RER C to Versailles Château Rive Gauche (about 40 minutes), or a suburban train from Saint-Lazare or Montparnasse.

Which day should you avoid Versailles?

It's closed on Mondays, and Tuesdays and Sundays tend to be the busiest days.

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Opening hours and rules can change: check the official websites before you go.