Last Updated on January 5, 2025 by gregor
Paris, the City of Light, is a destination that typically requires several days or a full weekend to fully explore its iconic landmarks, charming neighborhoods, and culinary delights. But what if you’re on a business trip or a stopover, with only a short time to take in the magic of Paris? The good news is that you can still embrace the very best of Paris’s history, culture, architecture, lifestyle, and cuisine, even in a limited timeframe.
From marveling at the Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame Cathedral to strolling through the Champs-Élysées and savoring authentic French pastries, it’s possible to create a memorable Parisian experience in just a few hours. With the right plan, you can enjoy a whirlwind adventure that captures the essence of this magnificent city.
Here are the best things to discover in Paris within only 4 hours.
1- Place de l’Etoile with the Arc de Triomphe
achieved in 1836 and that celebrates the military victories of French Emperor Napoleon 1st (not included in the 4 hours, you can climb up and enjoy the view over Paris on the East and over La Defense, the business Parisian center, on the West).
2- Walk on the Champs Elysées
to enjoy the iconic perspective down to the Tuileries gardens and the beautiful buildings on both sides
3- Take the subway at George V station down to station “Concorde”
(3 stations line 1 direction “Chateau de Vincennes”).
With the Arc de Triomphe behind you, enjoy the view over the beautiful Madeleine church on your left and the Assemblée Nationale (lower chamber of Parliament) on your right on the other side of the Seine river.
4- Little walk in the Tuileries gardens in direction of the Louvre
(not included in the 4 hours). Pass by the beautiful Jeu de Paume and Orangerie buildings (both lovely museums, not included) when you enter the gardens, and the pools, notice the iconic green chairs, cross the “Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel” (also deals with some Napoleon military victories) and reach the Louvre with the “Pyramide”. Around you, enjoy all the beautiful frontages that run from François 1st around 1546 to Napoleon 3rd around 1870 and are all considered masterpieces of their times. Then head to the “Cour carrée”.
5- Exit straight ahead on the East side of the “rue de l’Amiral de Coligny”
the Louvre is in your back with the amazing « colonnade du Louvre » (the frontage that closes the East side of the Cour carrée and is considered a masterpiece of French classicism, achieved in 1670). On the other side of the street, the beautiful frontage of both the Saint Germain l’Auxerrois church (the parish of French kings when they lived in the Louvre) and the 1st “arrondissement” city hall (they look like they are the same building).
6- Take the subway from “Louvre Rivoli” station to station “Saint Paul”
(3 stations line 1 direction “Chateau de Vincennes”). You are now in the heart of Le Marais. Looking to the East, the “Saint Pierre Saint Paul” church is close somewhere on your right. Walk straight ahead in that direction until you cross the “rue de Turenne” on your left which you take to the North and you then turn right in the “rue des Francs-Bourgeois” to reach the amazing “Place des Vosges”.
7- Take some time to enjoy this royal square-built
achieved in 1612 and dedicated to Louis XIII (his statue stands in the middle of the garden) with its beautiful arcades all around and the garden in the middle.
8- It may be time for a little typically Parisian Tea-time at the beautiful Carette
(northwest face of the square under the arcades, a great place for everything from brunch to macarons and lots of decadent pastries of course).
9- In the South West corner of the square, under the arcades, find the entrance to the Hôtel de Sully (a small museum).
You can pass by two lovely courtyards and exit back on the “rue Saint Antoine”.
10- Turn left and walk straight to the “Place de la Bastille”
with the July Column in the middle and the statue of the “Spirit of Freedom ”, which celebrates what animated the Parisian people when they decided to fight for their freedom in the 1830 revolution, on top of it. This circus is where stood the famous “Bastille fortress” that was stormed on July 14th, 1789 which started the French revolution and was then destroyed. In the South East of the circus, you can also see the other Parisian Opera house built at the end of the 20th century by President François Mitterrand.
Credits to Catherine for following her wonderful blog and Instagram
My recommended place to stay in Paris The Westin Paris Vendome
