Which museums are included in this Paris plan?

This itinerary features significant visits to the Musée d’Orsay on Thursday and the Musée du Louvre on Friday. For the Louvre, the plan recommends focusing on selected Greek and Roman sculpture, Italian paintings, and French grand-format galleries.

What kind of dining experiences are planned?

The itinerary includes a contemporary Saint-Germain bistro dinner at Semilla, a wine-oriented lunch at Juveniles after the Louvre, and a special, shorter tasting experience at Alliance on Friday evening. Breakfasts are at a Marais café and the hotel.

Is public transportation used in this itinerary?

Yes, the plan relies on walking and the Metro for transfers, including RER B and Metro Line 8 for airport connections and local travel. Individual Metro tickets are recommended, and helpful apps like Bonjour RATP and Citymapper should be installed.

What is the booking window for the Louvre and Sainte-Chapelle?

Reserve a timed Louvre entry as soon as the September calendar opens. For Sainte-Chapelle, confirm its current entry rules and reserve the 2:00 PM window when it becomes available. Both require timed tickets.

What nightlife is included?

Friday evening features a late jazz experience at Caveau de la Huchette in the Latin Quarter, starting around 9:50 PM. The plan suggests spending about two hours enjoying live jazz and dancing.

Paris rooftops at golden hour with the Eiffel Tower on the horizon

Sample itinerary · 4 days

4-Day Paris Itinerary for First-Timers

The big ones booked ahead, and time left over to sit down.

Going to: Paris, France
Length: 4 days
Travelers: Couples
Trip total: $2,170–$3,198

$2,170–$3,198

The total covers flights from New York, New York, lodging, getting around and tickets and tours for the whole party, plus food, gas and parking estimated in the breakdown below.

Things to do

Musée d’Orsay (Day 2)
Saint-Germain-des-Prés evening walk (Day 2)
Musée du Louvre (Day 3)
Sainte-Chapelle (Day 3)
Historic Marais and Place des Vosges (Day 3)
Late jazz at Caveau de la Huchette (Day 3)

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Why this plan works

The first day is deliberately limited to meals and the overnight flight, preserving energy for Paris rather than adding incidental stops before a late departure.

12:30 PM
Lunch before departure
12:30 PM
There is no reason to add a restaurant detour in the starting city on a long-haul travel day.
Have an easy lunch at home before final packing; this avoids starting the overnight journey hungry.
8:30 PM
Quick dinner at JFK Terminal 1
8:30 PM
Eating before boarding makes it easier to sleep soon after takeoff.
After security, buy a simple hot meal or sandwich in the international departures area; concessions may change before you travel, so use the closest open airside counter.
11:25 PM
Air France · JFK → CDG
11:25 PM
A late nonstop maximizes usable time at home while delivering an early-afternoon Paris arrival.
Book ahead · Fares typically open ~11 months out and are usually cheapest 2–4 months ahead
Operating airline: Air France. Typical departure 11:25 PM from JFK and arrival about 12:55 PM the next day at CDG; nonstop routing, approximately 7 hours 30 minutes. Arrive 3 hours before departure. Confirm the exact schedule and terminal; grab breakfast on the way or use the onboard morning service.

If you fall behind

What to cut if you fall behind: nothing; go directly to JFK and protect the recommended international check-in margin.

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Bookings & costs

$2,170–$3,198

No stay price yet for 1 night (after day 1), so they aren't in this figure.

0 of 9 bookable items booked

Food not included: about $770, listed below

0 of 9 bookable items booked

Locked in

paid or reserved

Still to book

$2,600

est. $2,090–$3,100 · 9 items

Gas & parking

$90

est. $80–$98

Booked prices are exact. Everything else is an estimate.

Know before you go

Practical notes for this trip — the things worth sorting before you leave.

Booking windows & timing

Reserve a timed Louvre entry as soon as the September calendar opens; choose the first comfortable morning slot rather than forcing an early start.
Time-sensitiveMusée du Louvre
Sainte-Chapelle uses timed admission and security lines can persist even with a ticket. Confirm the monument’s current entry rules and reserve the 2:00 PM window when it becomes available.
Time-sensitiveSainte-Chapelle
Book Alliance several weeks ahead and mention that you need to leave by about 9:35 PM for the jazz set. Confirm its service days before finalizing the evening.
Time-sensitiveSpecial dinner at Alliance

Set up before you go

Install Bonjour RATP and Citymapper, download an offline Paris map and add a contactless bank card to your phone. For this short stay, compare individual Metro tickets with the current visitor fare rather than automatically buying a multi-day pass.

Getting around & driving

The plan uses walking and the Metro only. Keep each person’s ticket or transit card until leaving the station because inspections occur, and use the same card or device consistently if contactless entry is available.

Weather & packing

Late September commonly brings mild afternoons, cooler evenings and intermittent rain. Bring a compact umbrella and a light water-resistant layer, especially for the Marais walk and the late return from the jazz club.

Crowds & timing

At the Louvre, enter through the access point named on your ticket and focus on one wing plus selected highlights; trying to cover the entire museum would break the requested moderate pace.
Musée du Louvre

Money

Cards are broadly accepted, but carry roughly €30–€50 for small purchases. Decline dynamic currency conversion and choose euros when a payment terminal offers a currency choice; restaurant service is included, with small additional tips optional.

Local etiquette & language

Begin interactions with “Bonjour” and finish with “Merci, au revoir.” At dinner, ask for “une carafe d’eau” for tap water and explicitly request the bill because servers generally will not rush the table.

Embassy & emergency

Embassy of the United States of America in ParisFrance
2 Avenue Gabriel, 75008 Paris, France
+33 1 43 12 22 22

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Make this yours — free, no account, no card.

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Questions about this plan

Which museums are included in this Paris plan?: This itinerary features significant visits to the Musée d’Orsay on Thursday and the Musée du Louvre on Friday. For the Louvre, the plan recommends focusing on selected Greek and Roman sculpture, Italian paintings, and French grand-format galleries.
What kind of dining experiences are planned?: The itinerary includes a contemporary Saint-Germain bistro dinner at Semilla, a wine-oriented lunch at Juveniles after the Louvre, and a special, shorter tasting experience at Alliance on Friday evening. Breakfasts are at a Marais café and the hotel.
Is public transportation used in this itinerary?: Yes, the plan relies on walking and the Metro for transfers, including RER B and Metro Line 8 for airport connections and local travel. Individual Metro tickets are recommended, and helpful apps like Bonjour RATP and Citymapper should be installed.
What is the booking window for the Louvre and Sainte-Chapelle?: Reserve a timed Louvre entry as soon as the September calendar opens. For Sainte-Chapelle, confirm its current entry rules and reserve the 2:00 PM window when it becomes available. Both require timed tickets.
What nightlife is included?: Friday evening features a late jazz experience at Caveau de la Huchette in the Latin Quarter, starting around 9:50 PM. The plan suggests spending about two hours enjoying live jazz and dancing.