For a romantic getaway, the area around the Arc de Triomphe provides an ideal starting point for exploring western Paris. From the Arc de Triomphe to the banks of the Seine, its grand avenues, gardens and museums can be discovered through a series of walks that can be completed almost entirely on foot.
The Champs-Élysées, Avenue Montaigne, the Petit Palais and Pont Alexandre III are all located within a two-kilometre radius. The Trocadéro and the Eiffel Tower provide a natural continuation of the itinerary and can be reached in around twenty minutes on foot.
Here is a suggested three-day itinerary that you can adapt to suit your interests, combining cultural discoveries, fine dining, riverside walks and memorable moments together.
Day 1: From the Arc de Triomphe to the Seine at Sunset
Begin your getaway at the Arc de Triomphe. The monument is accessible via the underground passage located on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, allowing visitors to reach it without crossing the busy Place Charles-de-Gaulle.
From the terrace, Paris reveals its remarkable symmetry. Twelve avenues radiate from the square, while the view stretches towards La Défense on one side and the Louvre on the other. Late afternoon is a particularly beautiful time to admire the soft light over the rooftops of the capital. Before your visit, check the opening times and admission information on the monument’s official website.
Continue down the Champs-Élysées towards Place de la Concorde. Over approximately 1.9 kilometres, the avenue gradually changes character: lively and lined with shops in its upper section, it becomes quieter as you approach the gardens.
The Champs-Élysées gardens offer an opportunity to slow down before visiting the Petit Palais. Behind its monumental façade, the museum houses permanent collections that can be visited free of charge. Its café, set around an inner garden bordered by colonnades, is an especially pleasant place for a break away from the crowds.
From the museum, Pont Alexandre III is only a five-minute walk away. Its gilded details catch the final rays of sunlight, its lamps gradually begin to glow and the dome of Les Invalides appears directly in line with the bridge. It is an ideal setting for a romantic walk, particularly when the riverbanks become quieter in the early evening.
Day 2: Fashion, Architecture and Museums in the Golden Triangle
Spend the morning exploring Avenue Montaigne. Between the Champs-Élysées roundabout and Place de l’Alma, the façades of the major fashion houses form one of the most elegant walks in Paris.
At number 15, the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées is worth a closer look. Designed by Auguste Perret, its Art Deco façade stands out for its clean lines and geometric forms. Depending on the programme, a concert, ballet or opera can provide a memorable end to the day.
Around ten minutes away on foot, the Palais Galliera continues the exploration of the world of fashion. Located in a 19th-century palace at 10 Avenue Pierre-Ier-de-Serbie, the Fashion Museum of the City of Paris hosts exhibitions devoted to the history of clothing, haute couture and contemporary design. As opening hours may vary depending on the exhibitions, check the current programme before visiting.
In the afternoon, make your way to Avenue du Président-Wilson. Two major cultural institutions stand opposite one another: the Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris, whose permanent collections can be visited free of charge, and the Palais de Tokyo.
Open until late in the evening, the Palais de Tokyo makes it easy to keep your schedule flexible. You can visit during the afternoon or extend the day with an exhibition without having to organise the rest of your itinerary around it.
From 23 July to 10 September 2026, the museum will also hold free summer late-night openings every Thursday from 7 p.m. to midnight. This is an opportunity to discover contemporary art in a different atmosphere after nightfall on the Seine. Check the latest programme on the official Palais de Tokyo website.
Day 3: A Parisian Market, the Trocadéro and a Seine River Cruise
For your third morning, visit the Marché Président-Wilson. Located between Place d’Iéna and Rue Debrousse, the market brings together stalls selling seasonal fruit, cheese, flowers and fresh produce.
The market takes place on Wednesdays from 7 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. and Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. It is a pleasant place to put together a late breakfast, choose a few products to enjoy along the way or simply experience the atmosphere of a Parisian neighbourhood market.
From Avenue du Président-Wilson, walk towards the Passerelle Debilly footbridge before continuing to the Trocadéro gardens, around fifteen minutes away.
The terrace of the Palais de Chaillot offers one of the clearest views of the Eiffel Tower. In the morning, the light is especially flattering across the monument and the gardens leading down towards the Seine.
To end the day on the water, walk back towards Pont de l’Alma. The Bateaux-Mouches depart from Port de la Conférence, approximately ten minutes away on foot.
The cruise passes some of Paris’s most iconic landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower, Les Invalides, Île de la Cité and the Louvre. A late-afternoon departure allows you to admire the city in the fading light before its bridges and façades are gradually illuminated. As departure times and frequency vary according to the season, check the official Bateaux-Mouches website before your visit.
Where to Dine and Take a Break
For a memorable dinner, two restaurants are located within walking distance of this itinerary.
Le 39V occupies the sixth floor of a building at 39 Avenue George V. Its panoramic dining room and glass-covered terrace overlook the rooftops of Paris. Chef Frédéric Vardon serves precise, contemporary French cuisine inspired by the seasons. An eight-seat chef’s table can also be reserved upon request.
A few streets away, Pages welcomes diners at 4 Rue Auguste-Vacquerie. Chef Ryuji Teshima offers a personal interpretation of French cuisine, enriched by Japanese precision and sensitivity. Awarded one Michelin star, the restaurant serves tasting menus that evolve with the seasons. It is currently open for lunch and dinner from Monday to Friday.
For a more spontaneous evening, move slightly away from the main avenues. Rue Marbeuf, Rue de Ponthieu and Rue du Colisée are home to several bistros and neighbourhood restaurants with a quieter atmosphere.
During the day, the Ladurée tearoom at 75 Avenue des Champs-Élysées is an iconic setting for a sweet break. For somewhere more peaceful, choose the inner garden of the Petit Palais, which is quieter and slightly removed from the busiest part of the itinerary.
Where to Stay
Choosing accommodation in the area makes it possible to reach most of the places included in this itinerary on foot. In the morning, the Champs-Élysées, Avenue Montaigne and the Arc de Triomphe are only a few minutes away. In the evening, you can walk back after dinner or a stroll along the Seine.
For a romantic stay, a suite with a kitchenette also provides welcome freedom: enjoy coffee after waking up, prepare an informal breakfast or relax in the privacy of an apartment after a day exploring Paris.
Located at 12 Rue Christophe-Colomb, Helzear Étoile offers 29 suites and apartments with kitchenettes, only a few minutes from the Champs-Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe. Breakfast can be delivered to your room between 7.30 a.m. and 10.30 a.m.
A few streets away, Helzear Champs-Élysées, located at 49 Avenue Marceau, offers 27 suites. Selected categories feature a private terrace, providing an especially pleasant setting for a romantic stay.
To continue planning your getaway, discover our selection of activities for a romantic weekend in Paris and browse all Helzear residences in Paris.