5 Unforgettable Days in Paris + Excursion to the French Alps

Pick up your rental vehicle at the airport. Try out a Tesla or other electric vehicle, since France is plentiful in charging stations. After a short drive, check into The Waldorf Astoria in nearby Versailles. The hotel borders the grounds of the Palace at Versailles and offers curated picnic basket lunches and specialty tours. Have a picnic on the magnificent grounds or choose to savor a decadent lunch within the Palace at Angelina, known for their incredible hot or iced chocolate and delicious pastries and quiches. Make sure to check out the King’s private rooms and the Hall of Mirrors. After returning to the hotel, take a swim in the historic hotel’s pool then savor exquisite white-glove room service.

Start your day early and head out on your journey to Chamonix-Mont Blanc in the French Alps. It’s a very simple but substantial drive on well-maintained toll roads. Pick up some local food in Dijon while you charge up. Spot the castles on your journey and enjoy breathtaking scenery as you near the Alps. Check into the Hotel Mont Blanc, a gorgeous 5-star with incredible views from every room. The hotel has its own free charging stations for guests. Enjoy an exquisite dinner at the renowned Le Matafan, located within your hotel before you retire with your balcony doors wide open to the fresh Alpine air.

Start your day with the extraordinary hotel breakfast spread, then head over to your timed-entry reservation to the Aiguille du Midi cable car and head to the very top where you will be able to see breathtaking views of France, Italy and Switzerland all at once. If you’re feeling brave, go into the all-glass lookout at the very top for an unforgettable photo. After descending, explore the Alpine town for shopping and local eats. If you feel like hiking, take the scenic red train at the Montenvers Station into the mountains where you have your choice of trails and can explore the glacier via the ice cave. Have cocktails and dinner in town as you head back to your hotel.

Get an early start back to Paris and check into Maison Souquet, a lusty hotel with a seductive history and refined taste, located in the heart of Montmartre, an area of Paris most resembling its former glory with cobblestone streets and artistic enclaves. Join a food and wine tour for local eats and to learn about the history of romantic Montmartre. Head down to Blvd. de Clichy and catch the risqué late show of the Moulin Rouge, where champagne is included with your ticket.

Head straight to the Louvre to beat the crowds, grabbing espresso drinks and whichever incredible French pastry catches your eye on the way. Use the quick guide to get you to the most important pieces, efficiently. Head over the Pont des Arts bridge and take a leisurely stroll down the bank of the Seine, checking out the vendors until you arrive at the Musée d’Orsay. Head straight to the top floor to see iconic pieces by Van Gogh, Monet and Gaugin. After a delicious lunch in the clocktower, head over to the Eiffel Tower. Grab some baguette, cheese, meat and champagne and hop on a Seine river cruise for a sunset tour while enjoying your picnic dinner. As the boat returns to dock, the Eiffel Tower will begin sparkling for 10 minutes on the hour until midnight. Head for drinks and viewing at the Sequoia rooftop bar to celebrate your final evening before heading back to your hotel.