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4.5 Days in Paris--Very Preliminary Itinerary Help

Posted by (Seattle, WA) on

Hi all,

My fiance and I will have 4.5 days in Paris at the end of our three week honeymoon in Europe. I'm just starting to piece together a rough itinerary and although it is early, I would love any feedback as I'm finding it a bit overwhelming. I think I've grouped things together that make logistical sense but I'm not sure. Would some of you mind taking a look and letting me know your thoughts? Do we have any days that are too heavy or too light? About us: 29 & 30, active/fit, not super interested in art museums (will see a few but won't spend all day at them), want to make sure we have enough time to spend just walking the city, people watching, picnicking, etc. We aren't going to be rushing around from site to site. Food is a big priority (you'll notice I've already chosen a few restaurants!)

We are staying in Montmartre at a B&B and although we tend to early risers we most likely will not be up and out the door by 8am as we plan on enjoying our homemade breakfasts. :)

Thurs 8/17 Train to Paris from Bayeux middmorning (half-day in Paris)
Check in: La Chambre Parisienne

Champs-Elysees & Arc de Triomphe
Palais de Chaillot/Trocadero, cross the Pont d’lena for Eiffel Tower views
Dinner at Paul Chene
Walk back toward Pont Alexandre III to see the bridge in the evening, catch metro back to B&B

Fri 8/18 Paris
Explore Montmartre
Sacre-Couer (climb the Dome)
Get a picnic lunch and eat at Square Louise Michel
Pont des Arts
Louvre in the evening
Dinner at Le Louis

Sat 8/19 Paris
Rue Mouffetard market
Aux Merveilleux de Fred (patisserie)
Shakespeare & Co Bookstore
Latin Quarter
Pantheon
Sainte-Etienne-Du-Mont (church from Midnight in Paris)
Picnic at Jardin du Luxembourg

Sun 8/20 Paris
Bastille Market & Place de la Bastille Square
Ile de la Cite (Notre Dame & Sainte-Chapelle)
Ile St Louis
Le Marais

Mon 8/21 Paris
Saint Germain de Pres
Champ de Mars
Rue Cler
Army Museum/Napoleon’s Tomb

Tues 8/22 Depart for Seattle

Posted by
6501 posts

That looks like a very sensible and fun itinerary. You've grouped sights geographically so you can spend most of your time on foot instead of rushing around the city. Friday evening is a good time for the Louvre. On Monday you might want to stop at the Rodin Museum near the Invalides, not for the museum itself so much as for the sculpture garden, which also has a nice café. I don't really see the appeal of Rue Cler that day, especially since you'll be on market streets at Bastille and Mouffetard.

I don't know a thing about the restaurants but I presume they're in the neighborhoods where you'll be spending the days, so again logistically easy.

Perhaps on Sunday, consider a river cruise. Les Vedettes du Pont Neuf leaves from the Ile de la Cite, good way to spend an hour if the weather is good. No need to reserve in advance. There's a similar cruise from a pier near the Champ de Mars if you want to do it Monday.

I could list various places you're not seeing, but it looks like you've done your research and know what you want to do. Congratulations and have a wonderful time!

Posted by
288 posts

Thank you, Dick! Appreciate it and I'm always open to suggestions of course!

Posted by
7836 posts

You've got it covered based on your research. You can subtract as you go depending on how you feel.
No one here ever does everything planned and that is alright.

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