Delightful and Complete 4-day Paris Travel Guide for Couples

This is a complete 4-day travel guide for Paris for a couple, but can easily apply to solo and group travel.

The City of Light and Love is a typical dream destination for couples seeking a getaway that blends romance, history, and modern charm so effortlessly. This enchanting city has been the muse for countless artists, writers, and lovers. Daniel and I both love to travel, so we easily prioritise travel as a couple. There is magic in creating lasting memories in new and known places, and experiencing this incredible world together. We share more, connect more deeply, try new things, and escape the monotony of work life.

Why Paris? Apart from its iconic views, Paris is a city where history and modernity coexist harmoniously. Strolling through its streets, you’ll encounter stunning examples of centuries-old architecture, juxtaposed with contemporary art installations and chic boutiques. The city’s rich history is palpable in every corner, yet it also pulses with the energy of a modern metropolis, boasting cutting-edge fashion, cuisine, and entertainment.

The beauty of travel is that this delightful and complete 4 day Paris travel guide for couples can be applied for family travel or a friends getaway. This is because the itinerary of activities is possible for any number of people and can connect people with different interests.

Long Weekend in Paris in February

We spent four days in Paris, travelling up from Stuttgart on a Friday evening and back on a Tuesday evening.

Daniel had been to Paris before, so I had free rein to create an itinerary for us. Over four days, we immersed ourselves in the grandeur of the past while indulging in the delights of the present. We marveled at the splendor of the Palace of Versailles, wandered the artistic streets of Montmartre, and gazed upon the masterworks in the Louvre. Yet, we also discovered hidden speakeasy bars, enjoyed a dazzling performance at the Moulin Rouge, and experienced the magic of a dinner boat cruise on the Seine. To say it was a dream trip would not have been an understatement, at least for me.

We had Paris Museum Passes and unlimited transport tickets (all were bought online via Paris Info and everything was delivered to our hotel the day we arrived, so we collected it when we checked in)..

Hotel Bienvenue in the 9th District

Hôtel Bienvenue is in the interesting and lively 9th District of Paris.

The charming and quaint hotel is one we would happily return to and can easily recommend. We loved the style of the hotel, from the floral curtains to the wallpaper in the bathroom to the bright breakfast room. We booked with breakfast included and enjoyed the morning offerings greatly.

We travelled by train to Paris and arrived at the Paris East station (Gare de l'Est). From there, we easily walked to the hotel. There are different bus and metro (train) stations scattered around the hotel, making it easy to get to any attraction or district in Paris. We really found the location to be brilliant.

The area around the hotel has a great vibe! There are grocery stores, restaurants and bars nearby. You can easily fit into the Paris café culture or nightlife.

Day 1: The Palace of Versailles (ft The Eiffel Tower) and a Speakeasy Bar

Arriving late the night before, meant a relaxed morning, enjoying breakfast at the hotel.

Many of the monuments in Paris require you to book a time slot to visit. Our time slot for Versailles was at 13:00, so we had time to see the Eiffel Tower before heading to the palace. We took a few pictures and took in the moment of seeing one of the most iconic attractions in the world in person.

Paris city transport zones are from 1 to 5. To reach Versailles, we had a transport ticket for zones 1-5 (you would need the same for Disney Paris, but would head in the opposite direction). Visiting the Palace of Versailles was something new for both of us.

As a lover of history, to be walking through a place of such deep history is always incredible. As you walk the halls and rooms you can imagine the people and fashion from centuries before, you think about what it must have been like during the revolution and then onto its renewal. Always look up, there is always something magnificent to marvel at.

My love for history started young, having grandfathers who loved knowledge and easily shared it. History documentaries commonly played on our TV and any questions were happily answered and explained by Grampa. So, walking the grounds and halls of a palace you have read and watched about is somewhat unreal.

From absorbing Paris' history, we then immersed ourselves in Paris' present. I gave Daniel the choice of going to a grocery store or a laundromat. With no other context given, he chose the grocery store. The reason for the question was to decide which speakeasy-type bar we would visit.

L'Épicier is the name lit across a small grocery shop with stocked shelves. The movement of an inconspicuous box takes you to a hidden cocktail bar. The music was a vibe, and the drinks were interesting and different. Of course, well-known and loved cocktails were also served. If we had another night in Paris, we would have visited the laundromat too.

Day 2: Sacré-Coeur, Île de la Cité (Notre-Dame, Saint-Chapelle, Conciergerie), Shakespeare and Company, Moulin Rouge

This day was filled with so much beauty and things so quintessentially Paris (minus the Eiffel Tower) that it will always have a special place in my heart.

We started the day’s journey by walking to the Basilica of Sacré-Coeur de Montmartre. The roads leading to it are full of pedestrians on journeys of their own. There are squares with artists selling their works and cafés offering warm drinks and a place to rest your legs. Sacré-Coeur is as exquisite as you think. I always love visiting places of worship because there is intention, beauty and love in the architecture, history, and upkeep of them.

Sacré-Coeur sits atop the highest hill in Paris, and you can overlook the city from the grounds. We entered the church during Sunday Mass, something that we didn’t expect. I cannot begin to put into words how beautiful it was to experience. During the blessing of the body and blood of Christ, there was no movement in the church. Visitors stopped walking and showed respect for the catholic practice, regardless of their own beliefs. Around the back of the church, you can walk up hundreds of steps to have a panoramic view of Paris from the top of the basilica. While entry into the church is free, you will pay to enter this back part of the church and have this experience.

From there we headed to Île de la Cité (the island of the city is where Notre-Dame Cathedral can be found). The cathedral is still undergoing repairs from the fire, so we couldn't get close to it, never mind enter it. Nevertheless, it was beautiful to see the two Gothic towers rising above us. Also on the island is the lesser-known splendid Sainte-Chapelle. Once a royal residence and chapel, the Holy Chapel is worth a visit. The upper floor has blue arched ceilings and walls with 1,113 stained glass windows towering 15 m - the room takes your breath away. From there we went to the Conciergerie. This monument went from a royal residence to a place of the judiciary, becoming a revolutionary tribunal and prison (where Marie-Antoinette was held - you can walk through her cell, it’s very interesting!).

My family is one of readers. My mother read to my brother and me since my earliest memories, and since then we have taken many a journey together through different worlds and joined different expeditions in all the book series, we have shared with each other. It is easy for me to say, and I mean it wholeheartedly, that I truly lived a dream when Daniel and I visited the Shakespeare and Company bookstore.

Tucked at the end of the street and looking across at Notre-Dame, we waited in line to enter the most iconic bookshop in the world. The bookshop is small, with shelves filled with books from floor to ceiling. The upstairs area is for reading and writing and looks like many a book-lovers dream. It is at 0 km Paris, meaning it is the centre of this exciting city. It was a gathering place for expat writers like Hemingway, Fitzgerald, and Joyce. Yes, we bought books (one of which was The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, eek!). And yes, we got them stamped. I will be thinking about this bookshop forever.

To end this epic day, we spent the evening at another iconic Parisian place: Moulin Rouge. A mix of Paris’ past and present performed in a glitzy, sultry, awe-filled and also humourous show. It was brilliant! While we found the price steep, after watching it - I would easily pay it again.

Day 3: Louvre Museum, Tuileries Garden, Place de la Concorde, Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe, Dinner Boat Cruise

We started at the Louvre Museum even though our time slot was in the afternoon. We walked through the Tuileries Gardens towards the Place de la Concorde. We loved how there are always chairs around fountains and ponds in most of the parks we strolled through. There are statues around the gardens, giving you the chance to view the likes of Hercules and Caesar.

Place de la Concorde is a public square on one end of the Champs-Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe at the Place de l'Étoile/Place Charles de Gaulle on the other end. This is the public square where King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were executed. In the centre of the square stands an ancient Egyptian obelisk covered in hieroglyphics. From the square, we headed to the Arc de Triomphe.

The Champs-Élysées was busy (as expected) but not uncomfortably so. The Arc de Triomphe is glorious. We climbed the stairs to the top of the Arc and looked over Paris. To be honest, visibility wasn’t great (from what I can only assume is smog). So while that was less than ideal, we easily let it go as Sacré-Coeur was spotted on her hilltop and the Eiffel Tower stood tall on another side. We did go back to the Eiffel Tower (because why not) before heading back to the Louvre.

The Louvre Museum is massive. We were told this before we went, but goodness gracious, it is massive. There are different zones and different floors. The art and statues are awe-inspiring, and it’s easy to see why some people spend a whole day at the museum. There is a line of people waiting to get a close-up photo of the Mona Lisa (we did not queue, just walked by to see it). As with Versailles, always look up. We entered the louvre from the side entrance, getting in from the bottom and not standing in hours-long lines.

For our last night in Paris (and the night before Valentine’s Day) we took a dinner boat cruise on the Seine. This was a real treat of an experience! We enjoyed a three-course meal, delicious wine, a birthday song and two marriage proposals. The musical entertainment on the boat was stunning. The Eiffel Tower at night (and the sparkle at the top of each hour) is everything.

Day 4: Panthéon, Jardin du Luxembourg, Seine Walk, Home

A lot of the attractions are on one side of the Seine, so on our last day, we went across to the other side.

We went to the Panthéon in the 5th District. The Pantheon is what the Abbey of Saint Geneviève used to be, with some changes (Saint Geneviève is the Patron Saint of Paris). In the Pantheon tombs, lie Voltaire, Rousseau, Victor Hugo, and none other than Marie Curie. It may be a lesser-known attraction, but is definitely an interesting place to visit.

We walked down the road to the Luxembourg Gardens. The gardens are big and beautiful, and a wonderful area to stroll around or find moments of peace in a busy city. We enjoyed a cup of coffee and hot chocolate in the sun, listening to the birds. A simple and sweet Valentine’s moment. In the gardens, we also saw our second Statue of Liberty while in Paris.

We went back to Notre-Dame (read Shakespeare and Company ;)) and walked along the Seine. Our last lunch was in a café along the Seine.

The charming Hotel Bienvenue, nestled in the 9th District perfectly embodies the spirit of Paris, combining classic elegance with modern comforts. It served as a perfect base for our adventures, allowing us to easily explore both the historic and contemporary sides of the city. This travel guide is designed to help you make the most of your romantic escape to Paris. Each day is carefully planned to ensure a balance of sightseeing, relaxation, and romance, providing a comprehensive yet flexible itinerary. So pack your bags, grab your partner’s hand, and get ready to fall in love with Paris—a city that promises to captivate your heart with its timeless allure and modern charm.

There is a real hype around Paris, so I was nervous it wouldn't be as great as I have always hoped… I adored our trip. There were countless times (honestly) when I was on the verge of tears. I was in Paris, doing everything I could ever want to do, with the love of my life (tears are welling up as I write this). I am so grateful for these experiences, and I genuinely hope you will be able to have them too.

Remember, this complete 4-day travel guide was done by a couple, but can be easily applied to solo and group travel.

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