5 Day Paris Itinerary for First Timers (With Cost Breakdown)
There is nothing wrong with playing tourist in Paris. In fact, it’s one of the best times I’ve ever had on a trip.
Dining on the Seine, exploring the packed halls of the Palace of Versailles, and being face-to-face with Vincent Van Gogh’s self-portrait? Sign me up again.
If you’re thinking of your Paris trip, this 5 day Paris itinerary covers all the best things to do in Paris for first-time visitors. And I include the costs and budget breakdown for all the activities, with some more budget-friendly options.
Disclosure: Some links to products and recommendations are affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase (at no extra cost to you).
Some of the activities, tours, and tickets mentioned:
👯 Moulin Rouge Tickets
🎨 Paris Museum Pass
🥐 Paris Seine River Lunch Cruise
👑 Palace of Versailles Ticket
🇫🇷 Mont Saint-Michel Day Trip from Paris
Get 10% off your first Klook booking with my code “KAYLACOSMOS”
First Timers’ 5 Day Paris Itinerary
Take this 5 day Paris itinerary as a guide for how to plan your days and what to expect to spend.
Each activity also has a ticket-booking link so you can save it for later.
Pro Tip: It’s wise to check ticket-booking platforms ahead of time to see availability, as some of the top things to do in Paris sell out weeks in advance.
Day 1: Perfume Making Workshop + Moulin Rouge
Starting off this 5 day Paris itinerary, we’re gonna be feelin’ a little expensive, smelling good, and sippin’ champagne.
After the perfume making workshop, give yourself time to head back to your hotel to get changed for an evening at the Moulin Rouge.
Perfume Making Workshop
Cost: $35
The Perfume Making Workshop is at the Fragnord Perfume Museum and Shop. It’s one of my favorite things I did in my 5 day Paris Itinerary.
I loved getting to try my shot at making my own perfume (based on one of their fragrances), but the museum tour was short but exceptional. Our guide was funny and made learning about the history and art of perfume in France really intriguing.
The tour and workshop are only about an hour long, but worth it. And yes, you get to keep the little perfume you make!
Evening at the Moulin Rouge
Cost (Show with Champagne): $197.50 (varies seasonally and by day of week)
The Moulin Rouge is one of the more pricey things to do in this 5 day Paris itinerary, but trust me…you won’t forget it.
To put it simply, it’s worth seeing once.
The dancers, costumes, storylines…it really is one epic show.
I went on a weekday and booked the show with champagne. I heard the dinner was kinda meh, so I decided to eat beforehand.
Pro Tip: Book for the 9:00 PM show if you’ll need to take the metro back to your accommodation. The show itself is about 2 hours.
Day 2: River Cruise + Louvre Museum
Day 2 of this 5 day Paris itinerary dives into some of the highlights of Paris.
If you can’t go to the Louvre on a Wednesday or Friday (during evening hours), then switch the lunch cruise for a dinner one.
Seine River Lunch Cruise
Cost (Center of the Boat Window): $111
If there’s any activity in this list where the cost to experience is 100% worth it, it’s this. I would do it again.
The Seine River Lunch Cruise lasts about 2 hours and there are multiple courses. Each course you could pick from a few options, all stunning upon presentation, and delicious.
As the boat cruises along the Seine, you can take in all the sights, like the Notre Dame, the Musée d’Orsay, and even wave to a few people hanging out along the river banks.
I felt well taken care of the whole time, not ready to leave once it was over.
Pro Tip: If it’s not too hot, spend the extra money for a center-of-the-boat window seat. I was there in November, and the views were unobstructed, and the sun shining just right.
Louvre Museum Ticket with Audio Guide
Cost: $65 more budget-friendly option below/bundle in the Paris Museum Pass
Note: The Louvre Museum is closed on Tuesdays, and has extended hours on Wednesdays and Fridays until 9:00 PM.
From the Seine River Lunch Cruise, I made sure I had about 2 hours until I had to be at the Louvre.
I took a long post walk lunch from the river cruise base (near the Eiffel Tower), and strolled along the Seine to the Louvre, taking my sweet time. Stopping a few times to hang my legs over the edge and chill as the locals do.
I reserved my time slot at the Louvre for a Wednesday when it had extended museum hours. If you’re feeling pressed for time, this opens up a lot more flexibility.
The Louvre is massive and will take a good 3 hours at least to explore.
Pro Tip: For cheaper individual tickets, buy them from the official Louvre ticketing website. Or get the Paris Museum Pass and bundle all the top museums together.
Day 3: Eiffel Tower & Musée d’Orsay
I like to keep the days busy but not too packed in this 5 day Paris itinerary. Today’s first-timer things to do in Paris include a bit of both outdoors + indoors.
Eiffel Tower’s 2nd Floor Tour:
Cost: $75 (with tour) budget option listed below
You can buy a ticket to climb the stairs, take the elevator, or get into the details with a guided elevator tour. For my 5 day Paris itinerary, I went with a guided tour.
Sometimes a guide really makes the whole difference. You get all the information and someone to take you along, so instead of wondering what to do next, they’ve got it all covered.
I recommend taking one of the earlier tours, since you still need to wait in line for tickets. Earlier, there will be fewer people, and you can buy more time for the rest of the day.
I went on the 9 AM tour, and it lasted until about 12 PM.
For a more budget-friendly Eiffel Tower option, go without a guide. Tickets are from €14 – €40.
Musée d’Orsay
Cost: $14 (late-night access, Thursdays after 6 PM)
This was my first ever visit to the Musée d’Orsay, but it better not be my last. The museum requires at least 2-3 hours to see it all.
I’m not an art person, so I can’t be super detailed about the works and artists, but trust me, you’ll know the Vincent Van Gogh works when you see them.
As someone who used to live in Philadelphia, there’s a “Gates of Hell” sculpture copy outside the Rodin Museum. The Musée d’Orsay is where the original lives, so that was also amazing to see.
Individual tickets are a steal price-wise, or you can visit with the Paris Museum Pass.
I went during the extended museum hours (Thursdays, after 6 PM), and the Musée d’Orsay ticket cost only $14.
Day 4: Palace d’ Versailles
This is one of my favorite days in this Paris itinerary for first-timers. It’s a long day, but you can also take it at your own pace.
I was skeptical, but now that I’ve been, don’t skip adding a day trip to Versailles to your Paris itinerary.
Palace d’ Versailles
Cost: $40 (was $28 in winter)
The Palace of Versailles is a commitment. I wouldn’t attempt to plan anything else unless it’s necessary.
The ticket price (palace + Trianon + gardens) is so worth it. And I find it’s generally quite affordable for what you get. I went in November, so it was cheaper, but even the summer price is reasonable.
In the palace, you can spend at least 2 hours seeing it all. And be sure to get the audio guide! The audio guides’ palace stories bring everything in front of your eyes to life.
The gardens are also massive, and you could spend hours there. All the way in the back is the Queen’s Hamlet, where Marie Antoinette had a fake village built to replicate “normal” life.
Pro Tip: Stop at the boulongeries (bakeries) on the way to load up on baguettes, sandwiches, and more. The cafes at the palace are expensive and busy. I was perfectly happy with my €5 baguette sandwich tucked away in my bag.
Day 5: Mont Saint Michel Day Trip
And this is why you need a 5 day Paris itinerary: to make an extra day for Mont Saint-Michel.
If you’re short on days in your first-time Paris itinerary, then skip Saint-Malo and prioritize everything else.
Mont Saint Michel Day Trip from Paris
Cost: (November Price): $85
One place that always demanded my attention just through photos was Mont-Saint-Michel.
And while I knew it would be a whole 12-hour day trip, there was no stopping me from seeing it in person. It had to take my chance while I could.
On a day trip from Paris, you only get about 4 hours to explore, so spend your time wisely.
To get there and back, a shuttle runs from the parking lot. I would suggest taking the shuttle there and then walking back (about 1 hour) as the return shuttle lines can be packed.
This day trip also included tickets to the Mont Saint-Michel Abby.
Pro Tip: To buy more time to explore Mont Saint Michel, skip the busy restaurants.
Save This Paris Itinerary for First Timers
Don’t forget to bookmark or copy this blog post link into wherever you’re planning your Paris travels.
You can always come back to my 5 day Paris itinerary for first-timers for inspiration, tips, and the booking links.
If you’re planning a whole Eurotrip, check out my other guides:
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