PARIS IN 5 DAYS

We organized this guide by neighborhoods so that you better plan your 5 days visit to Paris:

NICE HOTELS (AND WELL LOCATED):

• CHOUCHOU HOTEL (4.5 stars).

• HÔTEL COSTES (4 stars).

DAY 1 Start the day at Notre Dame, a Gothic church dedicated to the Virgin Mary located on the Ile de la Cite. It was the place for Napoleon's coronation, the Beatification of Joan of Arc and the coronation of Henry VI of England. Notre Dame has two 69-meter towers on its façade. Accessing the top of the towers, in addition to appreciating the fantastic views, you can visit the bell tower where the mythical Hunchback of Notre Dame lived and see the multiple gargoyles up close. To visit the towers, you access through the entrance on the left side of the cathedral and climb 387 steep steps on foot, since Notre Dame does not have an elevator. We recommend going early to avoid so many people.

Then, you can explore its surroundings a bit and walk to the Latin Quarter, St. Germaine. Some musts: stop by the St. Michelle chapel, the Sorbonne and the Faculty of Law. They are very impressive buildings. You must also stopy by the iconic Café de Flore. Continue the tour to the Pantheon, which is a truly incredible neoclassical monument. The name comes from the Greek πάνθειον, which means "of all gods". This monument is intended to honor the great characters who were huge part of the history of France with the exception of military careers normally honored at the Invalides Military Pantheon. On any trip, the best way to soak it all in is to take breaks to rest and connect with what you are seeing and experiencing. A good way to do it is, when you leave the Pantheon, buy a sandwich in Le Bon Marché or in any place around the neighborhood and make a picnic at the Jardins du Luxembourg. Great plan!

After a chill out and a round about through one of the most iconic gardens in the world, continue the walk along Boulevard Saint Germaine. Pass by the St. Suplice church (the one from "The Da Vinci Code") and walk around the Seine. We recommend stopping here and sitting down to enjoy the view! You will reach Pont des Arts, one of the bridges that crosses the Seine. It is where all lovers tie a padlock and then throw the key into the river. There are millions of padlocks of all sizes and colors. Around, you will see many artists and musicians. It is best to walk without rushing, go over the other bridges (such as Pont Neuf). Live it calmly since it is one of the places where you really feel that you are in the city of love. They also offer tours of the Seine itself! If at night you want to keep the circuit and continue through the same area, we recommend eating at Chez Fernand, in Saint Germaine. Small restaurant that offers native food (just in case, book in advance because it is almost always full). #GuestTravelTips: Please also walk around Paris at night, mainly along the Seine and its bridges!

DAY 2

Start very early towards the Louvre. The best thing is to already have the Paris Museum Pass so you avoid the long line and you don't pay for the entrance. On your way out, grab a coffee at Kawa, a croissant at The French Bastards (or have some brunch at Matamata) and then go through the Jardins des Tuileries. They are beautiful, they are full of statues inserted by the plants that are cut to perfection (we wouldn't expect it any other way). There is a fountain with chairs with reclining backs so that you can lie in the sun for a while to appreciate everything you have around even more. If you are in the mood for something sweet, you can take a little detour and stop by Aki Boulangerie. One of their specials is the "yuzu eclair". You can also have some lunch or grab a coffee at Café Kitsuné. Or closer, go to Ritz Paris Le Comptoir and try their pastries and Madeleine fondants hearts. Returning to the gardens to continue with the tour, walk through the Place de la Concorde, where Marie Antoinette, Louis XVI and other revolutionary characters were guillotined, and reach the Champs Elysees. At one end you'll spot the Arc de Triomphe and at the other, the Louvre. For lunch, we recommend going for a pizza at: Pizza a Roma. And then stay wandering around this famous avenue that goes through 1.9 kilometres long and 70 meters wide. One of the best views of the Tower is from the Arc de Triomphe, especially at sunset. Therefore, if the time is getting closer, we recommend going up to the Arch and staying to watch the sunset from there with the Eiffel Tower in the background. If it is still very early, you can continue touring the area and return when the sun goes down. The Arc de Triomphe was sent to be built by Napoleon in 1806 to honor his army after the battle of Austerlitz, on the lower walls you can see the 558 generals of the French Empire. It is one of the best ways to see Paris, since you can see it with the Eiffel Tower in the background. On the other hand, going up the Tower, you see Paris but without the Tower itself, which is what gives its special touch.

If you could stay and appreciate the sunset then please wait a little longer until it gets dark, to also see the city illuminated. It's worth it. When you go down, you can walk through the Champs Elysees at night, which also has its magic, and get lost in the streets inside the neighborhood. To eat out there: La Villa D'Estee, the food is great and they have an impressive créme brûlée. If the afternoon was long and you couldn't stay to see the illuminated city, you can come here to eat first and then go up the Arch again since the restaurante is located near by.

Other great, local and more sophisticated options around the area: Le Stresa, L'Avenue or La Pagode de Cos.

If you still have time and energy left and you want to continue experiencing Paris at night for a while longer, we recommend you take the metro to the Eiffel Tower and see it illuminated from up close. A good spot for this is to walk up to the Trocadero Hill crossing Pont D' Lena. Stay for a while because there is usually a light show at different times!

To level up the experience you can eat at Girafe and enjoy the amazing tour views at night.

DAY 3

Start very early towards the Eiffel Tower, now to see it during the day and go up. The line is usually very long. You can choose to do it by stairs or by elevator. When going downstairs, the best is to lie down for a while in its garden. Then, cross the Champ de Mars, the gardens that go from the tower to the Military School, and walk around the neighborhood. For lunch, we recommend Le Tourville, which is there on the way. It has tables outside, ideal for a sunny day, and the food is great! Or you can also eat at Girafe and enjoy the tour views at daytime. You can continue to Les Invalides, one of the most beautiful monuments in Paris built in the 17th century to house those affected by the war who were disabled, injured or homeless. Today there is a Military Museum. You enter the Dome Church and find a large hole; when you look out you see Napoleon Bonaparte's grave below. To the sides you will see open rooms with different graves that belong to his generals. You can go down to see the imposing grave. Outside the church you have lovely gardens and what was the military hospital.

When leaving, you can cross the Alexander III bridge, it is the most elegant of all; it was built for the universal exhibition in 1900. From there you can see: Les Invalides and the Tower behind; to the sides the Seine and all its bridges; and ahead the Tuileries Gardens, Place de la Concorde, the Grand Palais and Petit Palais. If you are interested in modern art, you can go to the Musée de L`Orangerie.

DAY 4

Start your morning with the Place de la Bastille (you can grab a croissant on the go or have breakfast at Café des Phares).  If you are closer to lunch we recommend eating at Chez Janou (try the chocolate mouse) or Le Servan, and if you want a kebab: Sürpriz. From the Place, continue to the Pompidou center. It is a large glass complex building and its entire internal structure has exposed pipes. Inside you have cinemas and avant-garde exhibitions. At the exit, there is a shop where you can find objects for all tastes and needs, very original.

If you are around the area at night, we recommend the wine bar Septime.

Start at Place de la Bastille (you can take a croissant with you on the way or have breakfast at Café des Phares). If you are closer to lunch we recommend eating at Chez Janou (try the chocolate mouse) and if you are tempted by a kebab: Sürpriz. From the Place, continue on the way to the Pompidou. When leaving, head towards the Le Marais neighborhood, which is full of mostly Chinese restaurants and businesses. Avoid going on a Saturday because everything may be closed. It is a neighborhood to return to at night as well, as it has a lot of night life. For lunch we recommend: La Derriere. For coffee and bakery: Recto Verso, everything is delicious, specially they cookie with chocolate. Other options for coffee: Café Charlot, Boot Café or the clothing and concept store The Broken Arm.

Near the area there's a very cool fashion store: The Next Door.

You can continue the afternoon at Place Vendom. Although this square is close to the Tuileries Gardens, it is best to go another day to have time to explore the neighborhood that is located above the Louvre. It is very cute and where you can see the best houses and buildings. We recommend taking the time to walk around the neighbourhood, enter some stores and experience a bit of the life of the high society of France. But if you need, per schedules issues, you can visit it the same day you go through the gardens! From there, change course and go towards Montmartre calculating to arrive in the late afternoon when the sun goes down (the best moment). As soon as you get off the subway, the neighborhood is not very pretty, but as you go up you come across Sacre Coeur. You have to go with comfortable shoes because you climb many stairs. If you stay a little longer you get to see how all of Paris is lighting up with the Tower in the center, it's spectacular. After appreciating this moment, the key is to get into the neighborhood and walk through its little streets where you will find many restaurants, bars, artists, musicians... You'll live a real "Parisian night".

For dinner we recommend without a doubt: Le Cenit. And try the typical (and the best) Soupe a l'Oignon.

From there, head to the Moulin Rouge! You can also get a ticket in advance and go to see a show.

Other delicious place to eat in the area is: Brasserie Bellanger.

If you are in the mood for chocolats, croissants & patisserie: Stohrer, is your place. It's said to be the older patisserie in Paris founded in 1730. They have stores in other locations as well.

DAY 5

We recommend starting the last day very early towards Versailles. It takes almost all day and there are a lot of people and a long line to enter. A good way to explore it is: first see the Palace and then rent a golf cart and explore the gardens (they are very large and on foot you may not get to explore them thoroughly). There are days that "the show of the great fountains" take place. While there, be sure to visit the Grand Trianon, the resting place of Marie Antoinette and a couple of other places that are lost in the gardens. Just get lost and be surprised! There are people who are going to ride a bike or run. There are places to have lunch...

We highly recommend to end the trip to Paris here and really discover all it has to offer!

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