Paris in 4 Days with Friends: Ultimate Itinerary & Must-See Spots
You have four days ahead of you and you're looking to explore Paris? Perfect!
Whether you're hesitating about traveling solo as a woman or worried about getting bored during your solo female trip to Europe, Paris remains an absolute must-see. So why not invite a girlfriend and discover Paris together?
I'm going to reveal how to make the most of every single hour in this iconic capital. Forget the typical tourist programs – let me guide you through the perfect itinerary for the City of Light.
So, where do you start this Parisian adventure?
To make things easier for you, know that NomadSister offers over a hundred free accommodations in Paris alone. You'll be hosted by supportive women who are delighted to share advice and fascinating stories!
Got a bit less time?
Have more time and want to broaden your horizons?
Before our Parisian getaway: planning our 4 days
Anticipation is part of the fun! Three weeks before our departure to Paris, Sarah and I met up with our laptops to organize our stay.
First smart move: find a NomadSister female host in central Paris. You can also find last-minute apartments on Airbnb for princess-level comfort.
Timing-wise, avoid July-August if you dread crowds. May-June or September-October offer ideal temperatures for strolling along the Seine quays and enjoying terraces.
Essential apps to download:
- Citymapper to navigate the Parisian metro
- Too Good To Go to find the best pastries at reduced prices
- Uber for safe nighttime returns
-
Museum Pass to skip the lines at Musée d'Orsay and Centre Pompidou
Day 1: Paris, a two-woman conquest
Morning: first steps into Paris history
The first day begins by walking on the cobblestones of the historic center with sparkles in your eyes and the adrenaline of discovery in your veins.
Head to the Louvre Museum for your first Instagram selfies in front of the Pyramid, then a colorful stroll through the Tuileries Gardens.
What could be better than attaching a love lock or a vintage friendship bracelet on Pont des Arts? You can find treasures in the small boutiques of the Latin Quarter.
Afternoon: from Place de la Concorde to the Eiffel Tower
The Champs-Élysées avenue naturally leads you to the Arc de Triomphe. Climb to the first floor for that panoramic view over all of Paris: a breathtaking moment that deserves a thousand photos from every angle.
End this first day with THE ultimate shot in front of the Iron Lady. The Eiffel Tower at sunset, with original poses for two, will remain etched in your memories.
Our Day 1 selfie spots:
⭐ Louvre's Napoleon Courtyard
⭐ Tuileries Garden facing the ferris wheel
⭐ Arc de Triomphe from Avenue Foch
⭐ Pont de Bir-Hakeim with the Eiffel Tower in the background
Day 2: Paris fashion, culture and gastronomy
Morning: Shopping and wandering in Le Marais
To avoid crowds, you need to visit Le Marais district in the early hours. Between the designer boutiques on Rue de Rosiers and the vintage thrift shops on Rue des Archives, your wallet is going to suffer (in the best way possible).
Afternoon: Culture break and modern art
The afternoon at Centre Pompidou immerses you in 20th-century modern art. The permanent collections are filled with Picasso, Kandinsky, and other masters who revolutionized contemporary art.
The Centre Pompidou rooftop offers a stunning view over all of Paris: Sacré-Cœur, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral outline the horizon. It's the most beautiful panorama to see absolutely!
Gourmet snack and Palais Royal
Head to Palais Royal for a journey back in time in the heart of this courtyard with Buren's striped columns. Then an unmissable gourmet stop at Angelina on Rue de Rivoli: their creamy hot chocolate and their mont-blancs have been a Parisian institution since the 19th century.
Day 3: Carefree and unusual Paris
Morning: Montmartre, between art and panorama
The Montmartre Hill is an enchanted parenthesis in Parisian art. The ascent to the Sacré-Cœur basilica is worth every effort: this panoramic view of Paris extends to Île Saint-Louis on clear days.
Why not get your portrait sketched together? It's an original souvenir to bring back from your getaway.
Afternoon: Canal Saint-Martin and Belleville
In the afternoon, head to Canal Saint-Martin for this so typically relaxed atmosphere. The colorful barges, romantic little bridges, trendy cafés: all these activities are perfect for relaxing.
Belleville reveals exceptional street art between the murals of Parc de Belleville that tell the contemporary history of Paris with overflowing creativity.
- Rue Crémieux and its colorful houses (perfect for Instagram)
- Parc des Buttes-Chaumont for an impromptu picnic
- Marché des Enfants Rouges to taste the whole world
Day 4: Paris memories and shared emotions
Morning: sweetness and creative shopping
This morning is the last chance to fulfill your wildest desires.
On the program: strolling in the Luxembourg Gardens to breathe in this Parisian serenity, then shopping with independent female designers in Saint-Germain.
Galeries Lafayette and Printemps Haussmann offer free rooftops with views of the Opéra Garnier and Sacré-Cœur. Perfect for your last panoramic selfies!
Evening: cruise and champagne
To close this Parisian adventure, nothing beats a Seine River cruise at sunset. The illuminated monuments parade by: Pont Alexandre III, Notre Dame Cathedral (under reconstruction), Sainte-Chapelle...
Getting around as a duo: girlfriend tips
Navigating Paris between girlfriends requires strategy and complicity! The Parisian metro serves all districts in less than 30 minutes.
My transport advice:
🚇 Weekly Navigo Pass: economical from 4 daily trips
🚲 Vélib' for rides along the Seine
🚗 Uber for safe nighttime outings
👟 Walking: we take advantage to move our bodies!
Nighttime safety: stay together, keep your phones charged, and don't hesitate to take an Uber after 11 PM. Central Paris districts (1st to 8th arrondissement) remain very safe, even late at night.
Paris between girlfriends: tips and original activities
Set little challenges for yourselves: find THE card that will please your girlfriend's mother or the ugliest jewelry possible, photograph a specific object each day to find in the streets...
Small money-saving tips: Too Good To Go to stock up on pastries and sandwiches at -50%. Take advantage of free museums on the first Sunday of the month (outside tourist season) and cocktail bar happy hours from 5 PM to 7 PM.
Paris by night between girlfriends:
🍸 Hemingway Bar at the Ritz for the intimate atmosphere
🎭 Moulin Rouge for the iconic show (reservation essential)
🌃 Illuminated Parisian boats to admire sparkling Paris
🍾 Marais rooftops to sip champagne under the stars
What to do for free in Paris between girlfriends
Free Paris is full of unsuspected treasures! The Seine quays offer kilometers of romantic walks, from Pont Alexandre III to Île Saint-Louis.
We loved lounging on the iconic green chairs of Luxembourg and wandering between the stalls of the Saint-Ouen flea market. The view from Sacré-Cœur amazed us, as did our pilgrimage to Père-Lachaise Cemetery to track down the graves of our favorite icons.
Municipal museums (Petit Palais, Musée Carnavalet) offer exceptional free permanent collections. Musée Carnavalet traces the history of Paris from the Middle Ages to the Paris Commune.
Secret parks and gardens:
🌸 Square du Vert-Galant on Île de la Cité
🌿 Promenade Plantée (Coulée Verte) former railway line
🌹 Rose garden of Parc de Bagatelle (Bois de Boulogne)
🍃 Albert Kahn Gardens and their Asian atmospheres
I lived this magnificent experience with Sarah, then with other friends. Each time, Paris reveals new faces according to your travel companion's personality. The City of Light, shared between two women, becomes a catalyst for friendship.
So, what are you waiting for to convince your best friend? Paris is even better for two women.
ITINERARY| TRAVEL
The editorial team:
Whether you are an avid traveller or a first-time adventurer, all NomadSister editors are passionate about travel. They share their advice and experiences with the desire to give you wings!
Who are we?