Paris is one of those cities where there seem to be endless things to do and places to visit. So what can you do in 4 days? Our travel guide includes a comprehensive itinerary as well as personal jottings from our own trip to Paris in summer. Table of Contents Paris: A 4 Day Itinerary Day 1: Sweeping Views and Art · Jardin de Tuileries · Place des Abbesses · Montmartre · Basilique du Sacré Coeur · Tour Montparnasse Day 2: The Louvre and The Eiffel · Musée du Louvre · Le Palais Royal · Arc de Triomphe · Eiffel Tower · Pigalle Day 3: Shakespeare and the Seine · Shakespeare and Company · Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris · Latin Quartier and La Sorbonne · River Seine Cruise · Jardins du Trocadero Day 4: Old and New Museums · Luxembourg Gardens · The Pantheon · Institut du Monde Arabe · Centre Georges Pompidou · Musée d’Orsay Reaching Paris Getting Around in Paris What to do in Paris at Night When to Visit Paris What to Eat in Paris Where to Stay in Paris Do you Need French for a Paris Trip? Paris: A 4 Day Itinerary This is a brief pictorial overview of your four days in Paris. Feel free to pull it up and refer whenever you’re wondering where to go next. In the rest of this travel blog, we'll talk about each of the days and attractions in detail. Do keep in mind that this is a hectic itinerary, and if you have five or even six days, you could slow down your pace, which might be a nice thing to do! Consider it more as a master list of the 20 must-see attractions in Paris. Day 1: Sweeping Views and Art Today's day is relatively relaxed, because it's your first day in Paris, and you're likely a little tired by your flight/train. Also, we feel that the first day in a new place should always be spent in getting to know its soul and vibe. Jardin des Tuileries The Tuileries Garden was fashioned by Catherine de' Medici in 1564, to serve as the garden of the Tuileries Palace. The garden is enormous, and there are many things to explore, including summer festivals, two idyllic ponds, the Musée de l’Orangerie, and the Maillol statues. It is located on Rue de Rivoli, between the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde. You could also club this garden with the Louvre on day two if you want. Place des Abbesses Place des Abbesses is the closest metro station to Montmartre and it is named after the abbesses who used to live there. A quiet park adjoins the station, and the neighbourhood runs below the hill that Montmartre sits on. Take a walk through the quiet lanes, pausing to buy some Camembert or Brie from the local artisanal shops. We discovered this beautiful area quite by chance, and we're glad, because Abbesses is the deepest station of Paris métro, at 36 metres (118 feet) below the ground. The station opened on 31 October 1912. Also don't miss the 'I love you' wall ('Le Mur Je t'aime') with a mosaic of colourful tiles at the Abbesses park. Montmartre Montmartre is the legendary artists' quarter of Paris. You have to climb the hill to reach the village, and on top, the winding lanes lined by portrait-sketching artists and al fresco cafes are prettier than you can imagine. You could walk for ages without being bored. At the summit of the hill lies the Basilica of Sacre Coeur. Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, and Raymond Duchamp-Villon were all inspired by Montmartre. At the bottom, you'll come upon the famous Moulin Rouge cabaret! Coming here at night means that you'll have a different sort of experience: the sex shops (yes, there are many) are lit up in gaudy lights, and the bars and clubs coax you into seeing a new side of Paris. There are many museums in Montmartre too, but if you have only four days in Paris, you're better off visiting the larger ones. Basilique du Sacré Coeur The Basilica of Sacre Coeur is known for its Ancient Roman and Byzantine architecture. It's not that old: it was built in 1914 and consecrated in 1919. Nevertheless, the exquisite white dome, gables, and equestrian statues of King Louis and Joan of Arc are a sight to behold. Inside, one of the largest mosaics in the world grace the apse called 'Christ in Majesty'. A big and detailed pipe organ, huge church bells, and vibrant ceiling art are the other remarkable features of the basilica. You can get beautiful views of Paris from the breezy terrace outside, which is a better idea than paying to go to the top. Street musicians often set up shop outside the church, and the area has a lovely vibe. Tour Montparnasse The view from the tallest observatory in Paris is bound to be stunning. But you have to be strategic about the timing. We went there in the middle of the day, and the sun shone so bright that our view (and photos) were a little washed out. Visiting in the morning or evening might be a better idea. But, consider the time that you'd be visiting the top of the Eiffel as well - you want to see Paris in as many light conditions as possible. Rest assured, you will get THE best view of the Eiffel Tower from Tour Montparnasse. The tower itself is not much to look at. It's a 210 metre tall office skyscraper and the third highest structure in the Paris area. Day 2: The Louvre and The Eiffel You are going to need a lot of energy for today, because you'll be covering the most famous of Paris' attractions: The Louvre and the Eiffel, and much more. We find that the second day in any place is the best for hectic exploration, because you're well rested after a slow first day. Musée du Louvre The Louvre Museum opens at 9 AM and you must make sure you're among the first if you want to have a decent look at your favourite artwork. As the museum fills up, hordes of crowds gather in front of famous pieces like the Mona Lisa, making it possible to even catch a proper glimpse! Be warned: If you love museums, you might want to spend your entire Paris trip at the Louvre! You will need an entire day to see the collections of the Louvre properly, but we managed to see our favourites in half a day. The museum is built around an inverted pyramid and divided into three main sections – the Sully wing, the Denon wing, and the Richlieu wing, each containing different artworks, antiquities, and sculptures across the ages. You look at the Louvre and you can't help but wonder: Have we, in our time, created anything as evocative as those Greco-Roman relics? Or are we only about TV shows, films and music videos? The Louvre is much more than a museum – it is an homage; a temple to the past – and one ought to tread with reverence for who knows, there might still be some divinity left in those statues of forsaken Pagan Gods. Expect to find a lot of religion, portraiture, and tragedies in the painstakingly painted artworks and ceramics. But now and then, you will also come upon happier, pastoral depictions. Mona Lisa's not the only one. Many of the portraits at The Louvre are enigmatic, and one can only imagine the emotions concealed behind their poker faces. Perhaps, the artist saw it all. Apart from Mona Lisa, the most renowned works on display at The Louvre include The Winged Victory of Samothrace, a classical hand-sculpted marble statue; The Venus de Milo, an armless ode to female beauty; The Raft of the Medusa, a Romantic painting by Theodore Gericault; Liberty Leading the People, and many more. Le Palais Royal Just steps away from the Louvre is the 17th century Palais Royal, surrounded by charming gardens and a courtyard. When the sun peeks through the thickets lining its perfectly manicured boulevards, the garden looks ethereally beautiful. Enjoy a little breakfast on one of its benches or simply sit back and soak in the peace. The courtyard features modern black and white sculptures. Arc de Triomphe The Arc de Triomphe is an important monument in French history. The arched landmark was commissioned by Napoleon in 1806, and on the inner arches, you'll find inscribed the names of all the French generals who fought and died for France in the French Revolutionary and the Napoleonic Wars. You'll see locals searching for surnames they recognize on the arches! We could imagine doing the same, if we were French. For a fee, you can also go to the top of the monument and get a bird's eye view of Paris, but we didn't feel that it was worth it. The top of Tour Montparnasse and Eiffel Tower are arguably the best viewing points. Champs Elysées The Avenue des Champs-Élysées is a boulevard that runs from the Place de la Concorde in the east to the Place Charles de Gaulle (the metro station we used) in the west. At the western end, you'll find the Arc de Triomphe. The avenue is famous for its boutique shops and cutesy cafes - so you could probably have a nice break here. Back in college, when we were learning basic French, we heard a song by Joe Dassin that went like this: Aux Champs-Elysées, aux Champs-Elysées | Au soleil, sous la pluie, à midi ou à minuit | Il y a tout ce que vous voulez aux Champs-Elysées.