Paris is the most-visited city in the world, and for a first trip the challenge is less finding things to do than pacing yourself among them. The famous sights are concentrated and the city is wonderfully walkable, but the queues are real and the temptation to overschedule is strong. Three days covers the essentials; four or five lets you breathe and explore neighborhoods. Here's how to approach it.
When to come. Spring (April-June) and early fall (September-October) are the loveliest — mild weather, gardens in bloom or turning, and slightly thinner crowds than peak summer. Summer (July-August) is warm and busy, with long days but also many Parisians away and some businesses closed in August. Winter is cooler and quieter, atmospheric and cheaper, with festive lights around the holidays. Whenever you come, Paris is a walking city — bring comfortable shoes.
Where to stay. Paris is organized into 20 arrondissements spiraling out from the center, and the central ones are best for a first visit. The 1st (Louvre/Tuileries) and the Marais (3rd/4th) put you in the heart of things, walkable to everything. Saint-Germain (6th) and the Left Bank (7th) offer cultured, café-lined elegance near the great museums. The 7th around the Eiffel Tower is iconic. Montmartre (18th) is bohemian and characterful but a bit removed. Stay central if you can, and pick a neighborhood whose character appeals.
Skip the queues. This is the single most important practical tip. Book timed tickets in advance for the big sights — the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Musée d'Orsay, Sainte-Chapelle, the Catacombs, Versailles — to avoid losing hours in line. Note which museums close on Mondays (Orsay, others) or Tuesdays (the Louvre), and plan around them. A museum pass can be worthwhile if you'll visit several.
The essentials. See the Eiffel Tower (and view it from the Trocadéro). Visit the Louvre and the Musée d'Orsay (pick highlights; don't try to see everything). Take a Seine river cruise, ideally in the evening. Climb the Arc de Triomphe or wander up to Sacré-Cœur for the views. See the restored Notre-Dame and the jewel-box Sainte-Chapelle. And take a day trip to Versailles. Crucially, leave time simply to wander, sit in cafés, and stroll the neighborhoods — that's the real Paris.
A sample three or four days. Day one: the Eiffel Tower and the 7th (Rodin or Les Invalides), then a sunset Seine cruise. Day two: the Louvre or Musée d'Orsay in the morning, the Tuileries and Orangerie, and the Île de la Cité (Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle). Day three: Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur, the Marais, and the Latin Quarter, with time to wander and eat. Day four: a day trip to Versailles (or Giverny in season). Don't cram — Paris rewards lingering.
