Itinerary Summary
Day one arrives near the Left Bank with a Seine-side walk. Day two is a full Louvre day - the Denon wing's Mona Lisa and Winged Victory, then the Sully wing's Venus de Milo and crown jewels. Day three…
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival by RER B and a first walk beside the Seine
10:00
1.5h
RER B from CDG to Chatelet
Follow the RER signs from arrivals and ride to Chatelet-Les Halles, about 35 minutes. Buy a single from the machine and keep your ticket through the exit gate at the far end.
📍 Charles de Gaulle Airport to Paris
13:00
1.5h
Check-in near the Louvre
Settle into a hotel between the Palais-Royal and the river, an easy walk to three of the trip's museums. Ask the desk to hold bags if you arrive before the 15:00 check-in.
📍 Louvre district
17:00
2h
Quays from Pont Neuf to Pont des Arts
Walk downstream past the booksellers' green boxes to the footbridge facing the Louvre. Late afternoon light lands on the stone facades, and the quays stay busy and safe into the evening.
📍 Seine River, Paris
💡 Pro Tip: The RER B runs from CDG to Chatelet in about 35 minutes and is far cheaper than a taxi. Buy museum tickets for the Louvre and Orsay now, since walk-up queues can reach two hours. Entry rules depend on your passport; see the France visa section. France is UTC+1, or UTC+2 from late March to late October.
Days 2-5 are member-only
Members get the complete day-by-day plan with timing, transport and on-the-ground tips.
Budget Breakdown
AccommodationUS$50035%
Left Bank hotels, 4 nights
Food & DiningUS$28020%
Cafe lunches, croissants and Left Bank dinners
Remaining cost categories are member-only
Members see the full breakdown for flights, hotels, food, tickets and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Paris Museum Pass worth it for a five-day museum trip?+
The pass covers the Louvre, Orsay, Pompidou, Orangerie and many others, and lets you skip ticket queues at partner sites. Whether it saves money depends on how many museums you visit each day. Compare the pass price with individual tickets, and note some sites still need a timed slot.
How far in advance should I book Louvre and Orsay tickets?+
Book timed-entry tickets online several weeks ahead, and earlier for school holidays and summer. The Louvre sells out on many days, while the Orsay is quieter but still busy at weekends. The first and last slots are usually calmest for the Louvre's Denon wing.
Which Paris museums close on Mondays and which stay open?+
Closing days vary: several national museums in Paris shut one day a week, often Monday or Tuesday, while others stay open. Check each museum's official site before fixing your daily plan, and confirm holiday closures around 1 May and Christmas.
Can I see the Louvre, Orsay and Pompidou in five days without rushing?+
Yes, if you give the Louvre a full day and split the Orsay, Orangerie, Pompidou and Marmottan across the remaining days. This route is mostly indoors, so rain does not disrupt it. Keep one evening free rather than adding a fourth major museum.
Attractions in This Guide
Guide at a Glance
- Duration: 5 days
- Budget: Comfort · approx. $1,200–1,640 (≈ €1,040–1,430), excl. int'l flights
- Difficulty: easy
- Best for: Art & Museums
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