Paris was on our travel list for years, and after spending four days exploring the city, I completely understand why it remains one of the most visited destinations in the world.

From sipping French wine at 35,000 feet to wandering through centuries-old gardens, standing beneath iconic monuments, and enjoying long afternoons at sidewalk cafés, Paris delivered exactly what we hoped for—and more.

If you’re planning your first trip to Paris, here’s how we spent four unforgettable days in the City of Light.

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Starting the Journey in Air France Business Class

Before we even landed, France was already making an impression.

We flew nonstop from Vancouver (YVR) to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) in Air France Business Class, and it turned out to be my favourite flight experience to date.

One flight attendant noticed my interest in the wine menu and offered something I wasn’t expecting. Instead of simply serving a glass with dinner, he arranged a mini wine tasting featuring several French wines, complete with tasting notes and a pen so I could record my impressions.

Over the course of the flight, I sampled a Pouilly-Fumé, Chablis, Crozes-Hermitage, and Bordeaux while learning more about each region and style.

For someone who loves wine, it felt like the perfect introduction to France.

By the time we landed in Paris, the trip had already begun.

If you’re arriving in Paris in the evening, and need a hotel near Charles de Gaulle Airport, check out my guide to the best overnight hotels near CDG Airport.

Staying in Saint-Germain-des-Prés

For our first visit to Paris, we chose Hotel Pas de Calais in the 6th arrondissement, and we wouldn’t hesitate to stay there again.

We booked a Superior Room with a balcony, which gave us a small but memorable outdoor space to enjoy the atmosphere of the neighbourhood.

The biggest advantage, however, was the location.

Saint-Germain-des-Prés turned out to be the perfect base for a first-time visit to Paris. The area is beautiful, incredibly walkable, filled with cafés, and close to many of the city’s most famous attractions.

We found ourselves walking almost everywhere, often discovering new streets, bakeries, and hidden corners along the way.

If you’re wondering where to stay in Paris for your first visit, Saint-Germain deserves a place at the top of your list.

One tip that makes every trip easier is travelling with carry-on luggage only. Between navigating airports, walking through Paris, and continuing our journey onward by train, not having checked baggage was a huge advantage.

If you’re planning your own European adventure, check out my guide on how to pack carry-on only, where I share what I bring for multi-week trips.

Walking Through Paris

One thing that surprised us about Paris was how much of the city can be explored on foot.

The city itself became part of the attraction.

Every walk seemed to reveal another beautiful building, café terrace, garden, or monument.

We averaged roughly 10 kilometers of walking each day and rarely felt the need to use public transit. In fact, the only train journey we took during our stay was when we departed Paris on a high-speed rail trip toward Switzerland.

Paris was just the beginning of our European adventure. After exploring the French capital, we continued our journey through the French countryside and beyond. You can read the full France road trip itinerary here.

The Panthéon: My Favourite Landmark in Paris

Of all the famous places we visited, the Panthéon was the biggest surprise.

While many visitors focus on the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre, the Panthéon quickly became my favourite attraction in the city.

Its massive dome dominates the skyline, and the interior is every bit as impressive as the exterior. The scale, architecture, and history make it feel both grand and surprisingly peaceful.

If I could recommend one attraction that deserves more attention from first-time visitors, this would be it.

Exploring the Louvre and Palais Royal

No first visit to Paris would be complete without seeing the Louvre.

The museum itself is staggering in size, and even if you spend an entire day there, you’ll only scratch the surface. Beyond the famous artworks, the building itself is worth admiring.

Just steps away, Palais Royal became another unexpected highlight.

The elegant courtyard, beautiful architecture, and quieter atmosphere offered a welcome contrast to some of the busier tourist areas. It was one of those places that felt unmistakably Parisian.

Luxembourg Gardens and the Beauty of Everyday Paris

One of our favourite aspects of Paris wasn’t a monument at all.

It was simply spending time in places like Luxembourg Gardens and the Tuileries Garden, watching locals and visitors enjoy the city.

The gardens were beautiful in early October, with sunny skies and comfortable temperatures making them ideal places to slow down and enjoy the surroundings.

These quieter moments often became some of our most memorable.

The Eiffel Tower: Iconic but Busy

Of course, we visited the Eiffel Tower.

Seeing it in person is one of those experiences every traveller should have at least once.

That said, we found the area around the tower far more tourist-focused than many other parts of Paris. For us, it was very much a “take a picture and move on” experience. If you’re looking for a guided tour, consider this tour with 2nd floor access.

The Eiffel Tower is undeniably iconic, but some of my favourite memories came from the city’s neighbourhoods, gardens, and historic buildings rather than its most famous landmark.

Food, Wine and Parisian Cafés

No trip to Paris would be complete without enjoying the local food and wine.

We sampled escargot, enjoyed an incredible cheese board near the Tuileries Garden, and spent plenty of time at cafés throughout the city.

European café culture is on another level.

Whether it was a morning coffee, an afternoon glass of wine, or simply watching the city pass by from a sidewalk table, the cafés became an important part of the experience.

Paris encourages you to slow down, sit for a while, and just be in the moment.

Is Four Days Enough in Paris?

Four days gave us a fantastic introduction to Paris.

We visited many of the city’s most famous attractions, explored several neighbourhoods, enjoyed great food and wine, and still left feeling like there was much more to discover.

If you’re planning your first trip, I would recommend at least four days.

That said, another one or two days would have allowed for a more relaxed pace and a deeper exploration of some of the city’s museums and neighbourhoods.

Paris is the kind of city that rewards staying longer.

Tannins & Travel Takeaway

Paris exceeded every expectation we had.

Of course, the city delivered on the iconic landmarks. The Louvre was every bit as impressive as imagined, the Panthéon quickly became my favourite attraction, and wandering through Luxembourg Gardens felt like stepping into a postcard.

But what we’ll remember most are the smaller moments.

A flight attendant turning a business class flight into an impromptu French wine tasting. Sitting at a café in Saint-Germain watching the world go by. Sharing a cheese and charcuterie board, sipping a glass of wine in the sunshine near the Tuileries Garden. Discovering that some of the best parts of Paris aren’t attractions at all—they’re simply moments spent slowing down and enjoying the city.

If you’re visiting Paris for the first time, my advice is simple: see the famous sights, but leave room for the unexpected. Walk a little farther. Stay a little longer at lunch. Order another glass of wine.

Paris rewards travellers who aren’t in a hurry.

And if you’re a wine lover like me, your Paris experience might just begin before you even land.