paris 3 tage trip

Paris   Travel Guide

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3-days Itinerary in Paris

• 3-Day Itinerary
• All Things To Do
• 1-Day Itinerary
• 2-Day Itinerary

Sacred Heart Basilica of Montmartre (Sacre-Coeur) Sacred Heart Basilica of Montmartre (Sacre-Coeur) free

Rising high above Paris, the Sacré-Coeur (meaning "Sacred Heart") looks more like a white castle than a basilica. Towering over the eclectic neighborhood of Montmartre (once a hangout for Paris' bohemian crowd), this Roman-Byzantine, 19th-century masterpiece is easily recognized by its ornate ivory domes. As blanched as it may appear on the outside, the basilica's interior is a sight worth beholding: The ceilings glitter with France's largest mosaic, which depicts Jesus rising alongside the Virgin Mary and Joan of Arc.

You'll also likely be left in awe with the panoramic views found from atop the Sacré-Coeur's outdoor staircase. But for an even better photo-op, climb all 300 steps to the top of the dome. The dome is accessible to visitors every day from 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Mass is held multiple times a day every day.

Palais Garnier - Opera National de Paris Palais Garnier - Opera National de Paris

A masterpiece of architectural opulence, the Opéra Garnier – also known as the Palais Garnier – still exudes the opulence it radiated in the late 1800s. This palpable sense of intrigue and mystery that permeates the opera is due in part to its awe-inspiring Old-World interiors as well as Gaston Leroux, the author of "Phantom of the Opera," for which the Garnier served as his inspiration. Leroux claimed the phantom was indeed real, successfully incorporating real life opera occurrences (such as the chandelier falling and killing a bystander) into his fiction. The Garnier's lack of a robust historical record, as well as Leroux's writing talents, have left many wondering if there really was a dweller that lurked beneath the opera. Staff have claimed otherwise, but say with the opera's very real underground "lake" (water tank), it's easy to see how the story could be so convincing. Without Napoleon III, who was responsible for commissioning the opera, Leroux's tale may never have never come to fruition.

The best way to fully experience the Palais Garnier is by purchasing a ballet or opera ticket. Remember to book your tickets several months in advance, as performances are highly coveted. If you won't be in town for a performance or aren't up for forking over the oftentimes high price of a performance, you can explore the building's magnificent interiors on your own.

Champs-Élysées Champs-Élysées free

Musician Joe Dassin once sang "Il y a tout ce que vous voulez aux Champs-Élysées," which translates to "There's everything you could want along the Champs-Élysées." And he's right. Paris' most famous boulevard – stretching more than a mile from the glittering obelisk at Place de la Concorde to the foot of the Arc de Triomphe – is a shopper's mecca. Along its wide, tree-lined sidewalks, you'll find such luxury stores as Louis Vuitton and Chanel rubbing elbows with less-pricey establishments like Adidas and Zara.

While the Champs-Élysées is no doubt a shopping paradise, recent travelers noticed the price tags at most stores can be pretty high. And the more affordable options are constantly swamped with people. The Champs-Élysées itself is no different. Because this is such a famous street in Paris, expect there to be crowds galore, both during the day and the nighttime. Still, many travelers enjoyed taking in the Champs-Élysées' bustling atmosphere and observing both locals and tourists come and go. Some recent visitors said a trip to the Champs-Élysées is not complete without a stop at Ladurée, the city's famous macaron shop.

Arc de Triomphe Arc de Triomphe

Situated at the western end of the Champs-Élysées , the towering Arc de Triomphe was commissioned by Napoléon to honor the Grande Armee during the Napoleonic Wars. The arch, which is the largest of its kind in the world, is adorned with several impressive, intricately carved sculptures. Underneath the arch, travelers will find the names of the battles fought during the first French Republic and Napolean's Empire, as well as generals who fought in them. Travelers will also find the famous tomb of The Unknown Soldier. The unknown soldier currently buried there is meant to represent all the unidentified or unaccounted for soldiers who lost their lives during World War I. The flame that was lit when the soldier was laid to rest has not extinguished since it was initially lit in the 1920s, and is rekindled every night at 6:30 p.m. by a member of the armed services.

Aside from admiring the arch, visitors can climb to the top and take in the Parisian panorama. Most visitors are wowed by the immense size of the structure and recommend ascending to the top for the spectacular Paris views. Visitors caution that you'll have to wait in line to get to the top and the climb, which is made up of hundreds of stairs, can be a serious workout. Others strongly cautioned against trying to cross the roundabout to get to the Arc. Instead, take the underground tunnel near the metro that leads directly to the base of the structure.

Eiffel Tower (Tour Eiffel) Eiffel Tower (Tour Eiffel)

U.S. News Insider Tip:  For the best photo opportunities of the Eiffel Tower, head to Place du Trocadéro. (Just expect to contend with some crowds!) – Nicola Wood, Senior Editor

Designed and constructed for the 1889 Exposition Universelle (the World's Fair), the Eiffel Tower was always meant to be a temporary structure, but it has skirted demolition twice. The first time, in 1909, the tower was kept around because of its potential as a transmission tower (an antenna was installed atop the tower). Gustav Eiffel, chief architect of the Eiffel Tower, had a variety of scientific experiments tested on the tower with the hope that any discoveries would help prolong its lifespan. One of these included a wireless transmissions test, which the tower passed with flying colors. During World War I, the Eiffel Tower's transmission capabilities enabled it to intercept communications from enemies as well as relay intel to troops on the ground. The second time the Eiffel Tower was almost destroyed was during the German occupation of France during World War II. Hitler planned to get rid of the tower, but never ended up going through with his plan.

Notre-Dame Cathedral (Cathedrale de Notre Dame de Paris) Notre-Dame Cathedral (Cathedrale de Notre Dame de Paris) free

Note that the cathedral sustained significant damage as a result of a fire on April 15, 2019. Its wooden roof and spire collapsed during the fire. The interior of the cathedral remains closed to the public until further notice. It is set to reopen in December 2024. In the meantime, visitors can peruse a new exhibit that debuted in March 2023. It's located in an underground facility in front of the cathedral, the free exhibit highlights the ongoing construction work at the site, including the expertise of the workers, as well as some remains from the fire and works of art from the cathedral. There are also free, volunteer-led informational tours around the outside of the cathedral select days of the week. Consult this online calendar to see when English tours are offered.

Like the Eiffel Tower , the Notre-Dame Cathedral is seen as a Parisian icon. Located along the picturesque River Seine , the Notre-Dame Cathedral is considered a Gothic masterpiece and is often regarded as one of the best Gothic cathedrals of its kind in the world. Construction of the famous cathedral started in the late 12th century and final touches weren't made until nearly 200 years later. Once you get an eyeful of the cathedral yourself, you'll start to understand why it took so long.

Le Marais Le Marais free

U.S. News Insider Tip: On Place des Vosges, Paris’s oldest square, you’ll find the former house of Victor Hugo, which is now a museum that’s free to enter. – Laura French

Straddling the 3rd and 4th arrondissements (districts), Le Marais is one of Paris' oldest and coolest districts – so cool, in fact, that French writer Victor Hugo (author of "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" and "Les Misérables") called it home. With all of its cobblestone streets, stately stone architecture and tucked away courtyards, it's easy to feel as if you're strolling through medieval Paris. Back in the day, Le Marais housed some notable French royalty. King Henry IV was the one responsible for the construction of the Place des Vosges, Paris' oldest square. And Louis XIV called this neighborhood home for a while until he decided to move his family and court to Versailles . Much of Le Marais also survived the destruction of the French Revolution.

Musée du Louvre Musée du Louvre

U.S. News Insider Tip:  The Louvre is free for all visitors on the first Friday of the month after 6 p.m. (except in July and August), and all day on Bastille Day (July 14). – Laura French  

If you only had time to visit one museum in Paris, it should undoubtedly be the Musée du Louvre. That's because the Louvre is not only widely considered to be one of the best art museums in Europe, but one of the best in the world. The museum first opened its doors in 1793 and features more than 35,000 works of art on display. Here, you can get up close to a variety of art from different time periods and cultures. The Louvre features everything from Egyptian mummy tombs to ancient Grecian sculptures (including the renowned Winged Victory of Samothrace and curvaceous Venus de Milo). There are also thousands of paintings to peruse as well. Masterpieces such as "Liberty Leading the People" by Eugene Delacroix, "The Raft of the Medusa" by Théodore Géricault and Leonardo da Vinci's "Mona Lisa," the museum's biggest star, can be found here.

Musée d'Orsay Musée d'Orsay

U.S. News Insider Tip: Visit on the first Sunday of the month for free entry (when it’s also free to enter the Centre Pompidou, Musée de l'Orangerie, Musée du Rodin, Musée Picasso and several other attractions). – Laura French

Although the extensive Louvre may appear to get most of the Parisian limelight, recent travelers seem to enjoy the Musée d'Orsay more. Travelers say the museum is much more manageable than the often-overwhelming Louvre and note that there are also significantly fewer crowds here. Many visitors confidently report that you can easily get through this museum in a few hours. As for the art, travelers loved the museum's colorful collection of paintings as well as the building itself, with many calling the Belle Epoque architecture of the d'Orsay a work of art on its own.

Luxembourg Gardens (Jardin du Luxembourg) Luxembourg Gardens (Jardin du Luxembourg) free

U.S. News Insider Tip:  Pick up picnic provisions at a nearby farmer's market, such as Marché Raspail, to enjoy in the gardens. –  Ann Henson, Assistant Managing Editor

A warm-weather oasis that offers the simplest of pleasures, the Luxembourg Gardens provide ample green space (60 acres) for sun-soaking and people-watching, plus there are plenty of activities to keep kids entertained. When the city bustle becomes too overwhelming, meander around the paths and formal gardens, or just relax with a picnic. Kids can float sailboats at the Grand Basin, ride ponies, take a spin on the merry-go-round, or catch a puppet show at the on-site Theatre des Marionnettes. Adults might delight in the on-site Musée du Luxembourg, the first French museum that was opened to the public. Though with 106 sculptures to its name, including a replica of the Statue of Liberty, the Luxembourg Gardens could easily be considered an open-air museum itself.

Centre Pompidou Centre Pompidou

The Centre Pompidou is one of the most visited cultural sites in Paris. But keep this in mind – and recent travelers attest to this – if you're not a fan of modern art, you probably won't enjoy this museum. The Pompidou is all modern and contemporary art (think cubist, surrealist and pop art, among others). Even its exterior is a little "out there," with its insides (piping, plumbing, elevators, escalators, etc.) exposed on the outside.

Inside the inside-out museum, you'll find one of the largest collections of modern and contemporary art in the world (more than 120,000 pieces of art are in its complete collection). The most notable attraction within is France's National Museum of Modern Art, which features works from 20th and 21st-century artists. Here, you can find big names such as Matisse, Picasso and even Andy Warhol. Also within the Centre Pompidou is additional exhibition and entertainment spaces as well as a library, rooftop restaurant and cinemas.

Paris Catacombs (Les Catacombes de Paris) Paris Catacombs (Les Catacombes de Paris)

Not every inch of Paris is as romantic as you think – in fact, the Catacombs are downright chilling. Prior to the creation of the Catacombs in the late 18th century, Parisians buried their dead in cemeteries. But as the city continued to grow, burial grounds ran out of space, graves started to become exposed and stunk up surrounding neighborhoods. The limestone quarries located 65 feet beneath Paris eventually became the solution, providing ample and safe space for the city's deceased loved ones. It took years to move millions of bodies from all the Parisian graves.

Today, the solemn, skull-and-boned lined tunnels weave beneath the heart of the City of Love, beckoning to visitors with an interest in the departed. The catacombs stretch for miles all over the city, but visitors are only allowed to access about a mile's worth for 45 minutes at the Denfert-Rochereau (lines 4,6 and RER B) metro station. Trying to access the catacombs at any other entrance throughout the city is illegal. You'll want to wear sturdy footwear as the paths inside are full of gravel, uneven and even slippery in some sections. What's more, you'll have to descend 131 steps and climb 112 steps back up. As such, the catacombs are not wheelchair-accessible. And because of the attraction's unique nature and popularity, expect a queue.

Versailles Palace (Chateau de Versailles) Versailles Palace (Chateau de Versailles)

U.S. News Insider Tip: In summer, the palace hosts weekend fountain shows in the gardens, featuring music and special effects; come on a Saturday night to see the best, with grounds lit up to magical effect and a firework display at the end. – Laura French

The Château de Versailles, the sprawling palace and former seat of power, is located 10 miles southwest of Paris in Versailles. Every year, nearly 10 million travelers make the trek from Paris to bear witness to the chateau's world-famous grandeur in person. But between all of the gold figurines, dramatic frescoes and cascading crystal chandeliers you'll no doubt find in bulk throughout the chateau, you might be surprised to learn that King Louis XIV's extravagant former residence had pretty humble-ish beginnings.

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The Ultimate 3 Days in Paris Itinerary

When you only have 3 days in Paris, you need to get your Paris itinerary just right.

With a nearly unlimited number of incredible things to do (and eat, and see) in the City of Light, it’s important to plan a short trip carefully.

Sure, y ou want to see as much as you can–but you’ll also want to prevent yourself from burning out and/or wasting too much time in transport bouncing all over the city .

As first-time visitors to Paris quickly learn, the city is enormous and quite spread out, and without a solid plan, it’s easy to get overwhelmed.

That being said, Paris ranks among our absolute favorite cities in the world, and we want you to love it as much as we do !

After roughly 10 trips to Paris (and counting!), we’ve designed this itinerary for Paris in 3 days to cover the best of the city, fast.

Follow this travel itinerary to see a solid chunk of Paris’ best highlights, eat some delicious food, wander stunning neighborhoods, and make sure you travel home with a snapshot of Paris that leaves you dying to plan your next trip to the city.

Here’s exactly how to make the most of a few days in Paris, France!

Table of Contents

The Perfect 3 Days in Paris Itinerary

Where to stay in paris, more than 3 days in paris, france, getting around during your 3 day paris itinerary, the paris pass & paris museum pass: worth the money, when to visit paris for 3 days, staying safe during this itinerary for paris.

• What to Wear in Paris, France

What to Pack for Paris

Your 3 day paris itinerary map.

Some links in this post may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more detail.

Day 1: Classic Paris Highlights

Start your morning on île de la cité near notre dame..

What better way to start 3 days in Paris than to visit one of Paris’ most famous landmarks?

Even after the awful April 2019 fire , Notre Dame’s status as an icon of Paris and its convenient location in the center of the city still make it a great place to kick off your few days in Paris.

While you’re nearby, check out the view from the corner of Rue de la Cite and Quai de Montebello , near the Pont de Coeurs , where you can photograph the tops of the towers and some of the front of the cathedral looking semi-normal.

U nfortunately, though, the damage to the cathedral is extensive, and Notre Dame is not expected to reopen before 2024 .

I’m leaving our photos from the rooftop of Notre Dame in place in this 3 day Paris itinerary out of nostalgia, but scroll down for a look at the current view from the corner mentioned above for a more realistic take at the moment.

Step inside Shakespeare & Company.

5-minute walk from Notre Dame

Paris’ most famous bookstore is known as the former haunt of Lost Generation writers like James Joyce, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and the ever-present Ernest Hemingway (he knew all the good travel destinations before the rest of us).

What some don’t know is that the present Shakespeare & Company is a bit different than the original!

T he original location closed during the Nazi occupation, and this store was opened by new management in 1951, in order to nurture a new generation of writers–think Henry Miller, Ray Bradbury, and Langston Hughes.

I could wax poetic about bookstores forever, but I suggest you check out this great article from Vanity Fair if you’re interested in a thorough history of Shakespeare & Company.

Here’s what you need to know to visit: it’s delightful and beautiful, they’ll stamp any books you buy with their seal on the title page (which make wonderful souvenirs from Paris ), there’s a cat who lives upstairs, and the view from the second-floor window over the Seine and toward Notre Dame is divine.

Photos are forbidden inside, so you’ll just have to step across the Seine from Île de la Cité to see the beautiful interior for yourself!

I will note that we’ve after almost a decade of visiting this bookstore on the majority of our trips to Paris, we skipped it on our July 2022 visit because of the huge line in front–we had never seen one there before.

When we returned in December 2022, we were able to walk right in, but if you are planning to visit Paris during the high season, we recommend visiting as early in the morning as you can (Shakespeare & Company opens at 10:00 AM).

Grab a coffee and pastry from a beautiful Parisian cafe.

Having checked a tiny bit of Paris sightseeing off your list, it’s officially time for a traditional French breakfast of a delicious coffee and pastry.

Here are a few cafes nearby (and by nearby I mean practically hidden in plain sight) that you may want to check out.

Famous for its beautiful building nestled into the corner of a cobblestone street near Notre Dame, Odette is a lovely (and photogenic) choice for grabbing breakfast on your first morning in Paris.

Shakespeare & Co. Cafe

Surprisingly affordable and home to delicious coffee, if you want to keep your 3 days in Paris itinerary simple this morning, head next door to Shakespeare & Company for breakfast at their popular cafe by the same name.

(Odette is mere steps away from here, so if you’re a huge Parisian cafe lover, you could even visit both).

A. Lacroix Patissier

This cafe isn’t famous, but it is delicious, cozy, and boasts views of Notre Dame!

We’ve been eating here for years and can highly recommend it.

Au Vieux Paris d’Arcole

This one is more for the photo snappers and late risers among us, as it doesn’t open until noon, but Au Vieux Paris d’Arcole is worth mentioning as an option here.

Famous for its gorgeous wisteria, this Parisian cafe is practically next door to Notre Dame, is quite well known among places to eat in Paris , and is incredibly charming.

Pay a visit to the oldest clock in Paris.

8-minute walk from Odette or Shakespeare & Company.

En route to Sainte-Chapelle during your 3 days in Paris, be sure to make your way past the Tour de l’Horloge on the side of the Conciergerie.

Here you’ll be able to take a peek at the oldest clock in Paris, which was installed in the 14th century, is still steadily ticking to this day, and also happens to be incredibly gorgeous.

Stroll over to Sainte-Chapelle.

6-minute walk from Shakespeare & Company

Sainte-Chapelle boasts one of my favorite church interiors in the world, but you likely won’t notice when you first enter: the first floor is rather typically decorated and quite dark.

Climb up to the second floor, though, and you’re in for quite a show: nearly every inch of the 50-foot walls (about 15 meters) are covered in elaborate stained glass.

It is colorful, magical, and absolutely beautiful–I haven’t seen anything quite like it anywhere else in the world , and it’s well worth fitting into your itinerary for Paris.

We recommend grabbing a skip-the-line in advance (for no extra fee!) to save time in lines and ensure that this (small and very popular) attraction doesn’t sell out.

Get your ticket for Sainte-Chapelle today to skip the ticket line!

Make your way to the Luxembourg Gardens.

15-minute walk from Sainte-Chapelle

Obviously, the Luxembourg Gardens are most impressive in the spring and summer, but they’re worth visiting regardless of time of year: the gardens feel distinctly Parisian and are a joy to visit.

The Luxembourg Palace sits to one side, and be sure to stop by to admire it.

If you want to take a peek at some of the garden’s hidden treasures, the Medici Fountain and Luxembourg Gardens’ very own beehives are both nearby.

If you’re trying to stay on a budget, this is a great place for a picnic lunch!

S imply pick up some Parisian staples (a baguette with cheese and fruit, perhaps) and bring them into the gardens to eat.

If you’d prefer a restaurant, the area surrounding the park is lousy with them (Le Prince Racine is close by and a favorite of ours, and Restaurant Polidor is both tasty and served as a Midnight in Paris filming location!).

During your 15-minute walk over from Sainte-Chapelle, a slightly longer route will also take you by the Pantheon if you’d like to stop by.

Walk toward the Louvre via St. Germain.

18+ minute walk from the Luxembourg Gardens.

Head to the Louvre through St. Germain, one of the most classically Parisian neighborhoods.

As you explore, you’ll pass by some beautiful boutiques, great restaurants, and gorgeous architecture .

Those classic Paris streets you see in photos? St. Germain is a great place to photograph them!

In addition to the restaurants mentioned above, we’ve also enjoyed eating at Eggs & Co. while here, which specializes in omelets.

The food is tasty, and the decor is adorable.

The walk from the Luxembourg Gardens to the Louvre is technically under 20 minutes, but depending on how much you want to meander around the neighborhood, it could take quite a bit longer!

Pay a visit to the largest art museum in the world.

The Louvre is a hard thing to budget time for–for people who aren’t very into art, an hour or 2 of checking out the most famous works might be enough.

For art and history lovers, weeks would be needed.

With only 3 days in Paris, we’d recommend booking timed entry skip-the-line tickets and spending around 2-3 hours in the Louvre, and doing a bit of research before you go.

If there are particular works you’re dying to see (say, the Venus de Milo or the Mona Lisa), make sure you plan accordingly and head in the right direction.

Alternatively, you can book a tour ( we absolutely loved this one ) to ensure you see the best of the Louvre in an efficient way!

We’ve now visited the Louvre three times and have seen almost none of the same exhibits on any of our visits !

Personally, one of my favorite things I’ve found in the Louvre is the Napoleon III apartments, which are an unexpected surprise amongst all of the paintings, sculptures, and historical artifacts.

It took us a few trips to Paris before we splurged on a Louvre tour, but we’re  so  glad we did.

This tour was amazing and gave us great context for the pieces we saw in the museum, and we can heartily recommend it. For a different take, this tour is also well recommended.

Lines at the Louvre get notoriously long–plan ahead and book your visit to the Louvre today! You can get timed entry skip-the-line tickets here , book the same  amazing tour we took here , or book another  well-reviewed tour of the Louvre here .

Stop by the Colonnes de Buren or grab a hot chocolate at Angelina.

Once you finish exploring the Louvre, it’s time for a quick Paris sightseeing pitstop before heading off to the Eiffel Tower.

If you’re searching for popular Paris photo spots , this is a great time to stop by the Colonnes de Buren in the Palais Royale.

The columns are free to visit and fun to see in the evening, when there will be plenty of people hanging out (and even working out–we’ve seen everything from group lunges to kids playing soccer) nearby.

After you finish at the Colonnes de Buren, the Galerie Vero-Dodat is  just  around the corner and is another one of Paris’ beautiful covered passages, so you can consider swinging by there for a quick look as well.

If you’re done seeing the sights and simply want to sit down and indulge, famous Angelina is a short walk away, ready to serve you a steaming cup of their legendary hot chocolate.

Admire the Eiffel Tower from the Trocadero Gardens.

50-minute walk or 30-minute metro ride from the Louvre.

Are your feet killing you yet?

If so (and depending on the time), you may want to consider a metro ride at this point.

If not, we highly recommend the long walk along the Seine to the Trocadero Gardens, which will take you along some beautiful Paris views and past the famous Pont Alexandre III .

Regardless of how you get there, it’s safe to say that your first day spent visiting Paris isn’t complete without a picture-perfect view of the Eiffel Tower!

Head to the river to take a Seine river cruise before sunset.

To be perfectly honest, it took us many trips to Paris before we signed up for a Seine river cruise … and after taking one, we can’t believe that we waited so long!

Yes, they’re a bit touristy, but there’s nothing quite like admiring Paris and its many gorgeous monuments from the water.

Add in the possibility of a sunset, and the view is even better.

Many Seine river cruises leave from very close to the base of the Eiffel Tower, too, making taking one an easy addition to this 3 day Paris itinerary!

Want to splurge a bit for your first night in Paris?

You can even sign up for a full dinner cruise if a standard one-hour cruise doesn’t sound like quite enough time on the Seine.

Book your Seine river cruise today!

Day 2: The Elegant Side of Paris

Begin your day at the arc de triomphe..

What better way to kick off your second day in the City of Light than by admiring one of the best views in Paris?

Climb (all 284 steps of) the Arc de Triomphe for great views over Paris, including views of the Eiffel Tower, Champs-Élysées, La Defense, Montmartre , and more.

If you would like to zoom in (especially on faraway spots like Montmartre) it would be a great idea to pack travel binoculars so you don’t miss out on the details.

Be sure to stroll under the Arc de Triomphe as well–it is ornate and beautiful in a way that is hard to pick up from a distance.

Like most of Paris’ most famous attractions, the line to climb the Arc de Triomphe gets very long.

We love using skip-the-line tickets to walk right in–and there’s no extra charge for booking ahead!

Buy tickets to climb the Arc de Triomphe today!

Stroll down the Champs-Élysées.

The famous Champs-Élysées dead ends into the Arc de Triomphe, so after snapping photos both from the top of the monument and of the arch itself, continue your morning by heading down one of the most famous shopping streets in the world.

If you have time in your Paris itinerary (ie, depending on how early in the morning you got started!), consider continuing all the way to the Place de la Concorde before heading outside the city to enjoy one of the most iconic day trips from Paris !

Jump on the RER and spend most of the day at Versailles.

A day trip to Versailles is a perfect addition to 3 days in Paris: while some people do spend a whole day there, when trying to see Paris in 3 days, it makes more sense to squeeze in the Arc de Triomphe first.

(If you have no desire to visit the Arc de Triomphe, though, feel free to head right to Versailles after breakfast).

While at Versailles, be sure to tour the palace itself ( be sure to book tickets in advance if you’re not taking a tour ), and then head outside to the gardens for a long stroll.

Bear in mind that the property is the largest royal domain in the world and it is therefore predictably difficult to see absolutely everything !

The gardens alone take up 230 acres, and that’s without even considering attractions like Grand Trianon, Petit Trianon, and the Queen’s Hamlet.

Booking a tour is a great way to get a thorough oversight on your first visit!

After seeing the popular main gardens near the palace, which boast the opulent fountains of Versailles seen in so many photos, consider taking a 25-minute walk through the gardens to visit the other palaces on site (plus Marie Antoinette’s hamlet, of course) .

How to Get to Versailles from Paris

To get to Versailles from Paris, take the RER C line to Versailles.

Transit takes less than an hour, and bear in mind that the RER is separate from the metro.

Y ou’ll need to purchase an RER ticket to head to Versailles.

Be sure to validate your ticket before you travel!

Book your timed entry skip-the-line tickets or guided tour of Versailles today!

Day 3: Parisian Food, Art, and Grit

Start your morning with a parisian food tour..

It’s no secret that French food is some of the most delicious in the world–and before leaving Paris, it’s a great idea to take some time to learn all about it!

We absolutely loved our experience on the Paris Ultimate Food Tour with Devour Tours , which focuses on the trendy La Marais neighborhood.

Taste award-winning pastries and macarons, delectable meats and cheeses, a memorable soup, and much more on this delicious (and extremely filling) food tour.

Devour Tours is one of our favorite food tour companies in Europe, and one of the many reasons for that is the history and culture that is woven into every tour.

The fight for the survival of long-standing traditional markets, the history of the Jewish community in Le Marais, and how French food gets its various designations are just a few details that made their way into our tour, and we walked away very satisfied with the experience.

(As is usual for us, we paid our own way for this tour and told no one we were travel bloggers while there).

Book the Paris food tour we loved today!

Choose Your Own Parisian Adventure: Catacombs vs. the Musée d’Orsay

As your 3 days in Paris rapidly come to a close, it’s incredibly ambitious to try to fit both the catacombs and Musée d’Orsay into the itinerary, especially as they’re quite far apart!

For that reason, I’ll leave your next stop up to you.

Travelers looking for something funky, offbeat, and unusual will love the catacombs.

Art lovers (especially impressionist lovers) will delight in the Musée d’Orsay .

Here’s what to love about each!

Option 1: See a different side of Paris at the Catacombs.

50-minute walk or 25-minute metro ride from the end of the Paris Ultimate Food Tour.

Technically an ossuary and not catacombs, this Paris highlight is a bit spooky and unusual, but a fascinating place to visit while in Paris for 3 days (unless you get freaked out by bones, that is).

Skip-the-line tickets are essential here, or you can even sign up for a guided tour to learn more about the (absolutely wild) history.

Set in Paris’ former quarries, the catacombs hold millions of former Parisians… but they didn’t start their time in the afterlife there.

From the late 18th to the mid-19th century, many of Paris’ cemeteries were emptied out due to health concerns, and the skeletons were relocated to the catacombs.

Artfully arranged and complete with cemetery-appropriate art (Bible verses and such, but also a sign saying “Stop! This is the empire of the dead” over the entrance, so, there’s that), the catacombs are a bizarre mix of fascinating, creepy, historical, and artistic.

The catacombs themselves go on for over 200 miles/320 kilometers, and we have loved each of our visits–and also loved staring down the dark paths that are not intended for tourists to visit.

Fair warning: it’s easy to get lost down there and people have died by breaking in and then getting too lost to find their way out. Stick to the path!

Even during our January visit, the line for the catacombs was still more than 2 hours long! Book your  skip-the-line tickets here or epic in-depth guided tour here !

Option 2: Enjoy Paris’ second-most-famous art museum, the Musée d’Orsay.

40-minute walk or 25-minute metro ride from the end of the Paris Ultimate Food Tour.

Many first-time visitors to Paris walk away saying that the Musée d’Orsay , not the Louvre, is their favorite museum in Paris.

We wouldn’t go quite that far (we love both too much), but it’s easy to see what draws people in.

Not only is the Musée d’Orsay home to some incredible art, including iconic works by Monet and Van Gogh, but the building itself is a bit of an attraction.

The Musée d’Orsay is set in a gorgeous former train station built at the end of the 19th century, complete with the famous clock on the top floor that provides a unique view of Paris.

In addition, the Musée d’Orsay is much smaller than the Louvre, and therefore less overwhelming and easier to visit without getting turned around.

Book your timed entry skip the line ticket for the Musée d’Orsay today!

Spend the rest of the afternoon and evening in Montmartre.

25-minute metro ride from the Paris catacombs or 20-minute metro ride from the Musée d’Orsay .

Your last afternoon and evening in Paris are dedicated to a neighborhood that’s not quite as old or as stately as some Parisian neighborhoods… but it is delightfully fun and very well known.

Montmartre is home to Sacré Coeur, the Moulin Rouge , the famous Place du Tertre, and some incredibly adorable streets, squares, bakeries, cafes, and bars .

Once the haunt of artists and Bohemians, and today the haunt of travelers seeking out some of the prettiest streets and best views in Paris, Montmartre is a beloved favorite among Parisian neighborhoods for good reason.

This area is great for taking iconic Parisian photos, we take our Sony a7R III along with us and end up using it constantly.

While you’re there, be sure to visit Sacré Coeur (the 300 steps to the top of the dome are worth it), see the artists at the Place du Tertre, and duck into the art shops along the nearby side streets .

The steps of Sacré Coeur are one of the most popular sunset spots in Paris, and a wonderful place to watch the light disappear from your last full day in Paris (though the top of the dome is even better–you can see the Eiffel Tower from there!).

If you feel like sticking around for the evening, Montmartre is the perfect place to find nightlife in Paris, too.

W hether you want to go crazy and see a show at the Moulin Rouge (which is just downhill from Montmartre in the Pigalle area) or find a quieter bar to settle down at, you’ll have plenty of options.

Shop tickets to shows at the Moulin Rouge !

Say goodbye to Paris.

Three days in Paris go by so fast: it’s already time to say goodbye.

As you head back to your hotel on your last night in Paris, you may be able to squeeze in one more experience off your Paris wish list.

There are a million worthy options, but one reliably magical one is to grab a warm street crepe and admire the Eiffel Tower twinkling at night.

In our opinion, t here’s no better image to end your trip to Paris with than that one.

In a city as large and dense as Paris, deciding where to stay can be quite daunting!

Paris is famously divided into 20  arrondissements , or neighborhoods, that are named via a number system that starts with 1 in the center of the city (where you’ll find the Louvre) and circles outward like the shell of a snail.

After roughly 10 trips to Paris, we’ve stayed in many neighborhoods spread across the city, from Montmartre ( we loved this aparthotel ) to the Bastille area (an underappreciated place to stay, and this hotel was wonderful ).

And, while everyone has their own opinions about where to stay in Paris (there’s no one right answer) we love and highly recommend Saint-Germain-des-Prés (6th arrondissement ) or the Latin Quarter (5th arrondissement ) to travelers visiting Paris for the first time and frequently choose to stay there ourselves.

In these areas, you’ll be within walking distance of attractions like Île de la Cité (home of Notre Dame and Sainte-Chapelle), the Seine, the Luxembourg Garden, the Louvre, and many more.

And, by choosing a hotel near a metro stop, you’ll also have the rest of Paris at your fingertips!

Here are a few hotels we’ve personally stayed in and loved in the 5th and 6th, arranged more or less from most budget-friendly to most luxurious (though if it’s Parisian charm you’re after, this one is the clear winner).

Hotel Abbatial Saint Germain (Centrally Located & Cozy)

We love this cute boutique hotel in Paris, mostly because of its truly unbeatable location less than a 10-minute walk from Notre Dame and therefore an easy walk away from much of the attractions of Île de la Cité (and a metro stop, of course).

Despite the super central location, the streets outside were still quiet at night, a huge benefit, and the views during the day were lovely.

The customer service was excellent, the bed cozy, and the room, while still very small by global standards, was a bit roomy compared to what we’ve gotten used to in Paris.

We’d be happy to stay again!

Check rates & book your stay at Hotel Abbatial Saint Germain!

Relais Hôtel du Vieux Paris  (Classic Parisian Charm)

Located on a quiet street less than a block from the Seine and Île de la Cité, Relais Hôtel du Vieux Paris  offers all the advantages of a central location while maintaining its peace and quiet.

… and it does all that while still managing to have one of the most charming interiors we’ve experienced in a Paris hotel!

The ceilings, wallpaper, and overall decor never let you forget that you’re in the City of Light, and we loved every second.

The breakfast is also delicious, served at the table, and includes a generous selection of pastries as well as fruit, cheese, orange juice, coffee, and tea.

Check rates & book your stay at Relais Hôtel du Vieux Paris!

Citadines Saint-Germain-des-Prés Paris (Modern Amenities + Kitchens on the Seine)

Located right on the Seine in one of the most convenient locations in Paris, the crisp and modern Citadines Saint-Germain-des-Prés Paris offers ease at every turn.

And, that includes the fact that studios and apartments here include kitchens or kitchenettes!

If you’re looking for a peaceful retreat from sightseeing in Paris, a chance to enjoy an occasional dinner of cheese and baguette you picked up at the market, and a bit more elbow room than is traditional in the City of Light, this is the place for you.

We loved our stay here–and, thanks to the hotel being pet-friendly, so did Ranger.

Check rates & book your stay at Citadines Saint-Germain-des-Prés Paris!

Paris is a city that can occupy a lifetime and still not be fully discovered–no matter how much time you have in Paris, you will never leave feeling that you’ve unturned every stone.

After about 10 trips to Paris and counting, we still find ourselves discovering new gems every time we visit!

A few things to consider adding to your Paris itinerary if you have longer than three days in the city include a visit to the Pere Lachaise Cemetery, or heading to the top of Montparnasse Tower (this tower is generally reviled for disrupting Paris’ beautiful skyline, but it does have quite the view at the top!).

You could also splurge on a Michelin Star meal, take a class on learning how to bake macarons or croissants (we did the macarons and adored it!), tour the Paris Opera House, duck into a smaller museum like the Musée de l’Orangerie (one of our favorites)… you get the picture.

Our gigantic Paris bucket list and/or our guide to the hidden gems of Paris are great blog posts to peruse if you’re looking for fun ideas to round out your itinerary for Paris!

There are plenty of hidden gems in Paris that lurk in plain sight, from the former home of Nicholas Flamel to lesser-known but interesting churches like the Church of Saint Sulpice to fascinating flea markets, all of which are worth seeking out if you have more than a few days in Paris.

If you’re looking to head out of town on one of your additional days in Paris, popular day trips other than Versailles include the town of Rouen, the castle of Fontainebleau, and Giverny to experience the water gardens that inspired Monet.

Paris is a large city, but it is surprisingly easy to get around.

As I mentioned above, the City of Light is made up of 20 arrondissements , or districts, starting with the 1st in the center (this is where you’ll find the Louvre), and spiraling outward from there.

When deciding where to stay in Paris, try not to put too much stock in being near any particular attraction.

Paris’ main sights are spread far and wide in its arrondissements (a few examples: the Eiffel Tower is in the 7th, the Louvre in the 1st, Montmartre in the 18th, and Notre Dame in the 4th), and wherever you end up staying, you’ll be traveling through the city during your stay.

Here’s how to get around during your itinerary for 3 days in Paris!

Paris’ metro system is extremely dense and developed.

O ther than walking, we recommend using it as your main method of transportation while in Paris.

The easiest way to purchase tickets is as a carnet, or group of 10 tickets at a time, and replenish as you run out.

However, if you happen to purchase the Paris Pass , access to the bus, metro, and RER systems are all included, so you won’t need to purchase separate tickets.

Taxis & Uber

Taxis and Uber are both prevalent in the city, though high prices and heavy traffic make them a less attractive option than the metro.

Lyft is not available in Paris.

Walking is our absolute favorite way to get around Paris, which is part of why this 3 days in Paris itinerary includes the option to walk so much.

Not only do you save money and work off the copious amounts of pain au chocolat you’re probably consuming, but you also get to discover Paris at its very best!

Meandering through a dorable side streets, sampling cute cafes, admiring gorgeous buildings, enjoying the enormous dog population, and more, are all part of the essential Parisian walking experience.

Do not rent a car in Paris.

Parking is an expensive nightmare, driving is difficult and traffic-laden, and the metro system is extensive and functional.

R enting a car in Paris is far more trouble than it is worth, and that’s without even including the cost of doing so as a factor. Just don’t do it.

If you follow this 3 days in Paris itinerary, a full Paris Pass likely won’t be worth the money unless you are going to be using a lot of transportation.

If you want access to benefits like a Hop-On-Hop-Off bus tour , you may want to consider it.

The Paris Museum Pass , though a better fit for this 3 day Paris itinerary than the Paris Pass is, still isn’t likely to be worth the money as compared to buying tickets individually.

In 2022, with so many tickets easily available for online purchase in advance, a lot of the convenience of city passes and museum passes has been left behind, leaving only monetary benefit as a reason to buy one.

If you have your heart set on visiting several other small museums in Paris not covered on this itinerary that are included with the pass (check the list carefully, as what is included and excluded can be a bit surprising), you may be able to get a good deal.

Please note that if you do purchase a Paris Museum Pass , you’ll still need to sign up for a timed entry reservation for the Louvre.

There is no bad time of year to spend 3 days in Paris.

In the spring, you’ll see beautiful flowers (and if you’re lucky , even cherry blossoms!), and get to see the city in full bloom.

In the summer, Paris is at its sunniest and warmest, and it’s the perfect time of year for long evenings spent outside of adorable cafes.

In the fall, the autumn foliage is stunning.

In the winter, you can experience Paris at its emptiest and with its lowest prices (but it’s all relative–this is still Paris).

It doesn’t typically snow in Paris, but December does offer the bonus of Christmas decorations and decor!

We’ve now been lucky enough to visit Paris during most months of the year, and haven’t had a bad trip yet.

Whenever you have a chance to visit, go: no matter what time of year it is, it is the perfect time to be in Paris.

Traveling in Paris is generally a very safe activity, but like in all large cities (and especially large cities crawling with tourists), scams and petty crime run rampant.

Beware anyone approaching you asking you to sign a petition, offering you a rose or “friendship bracelet”, or enticing you to buy a “gold” ring that they “found”.

In general, keep an eye on your belongings, watch out for pickpockets (especially in crowds), and avoid getting overly intoxicated  (especially alone or late at night).

In other words: use common sense.

Generally speaking, the riskiest places for encountering potential scams or pickpockets are in the areas most dominated by tourists–near the Eiffel Tower, for example, or in front of the Louvre.

Keep your wits about you, but there’s no reason to be overly worried: millions of people safely visit Paris each year, and we’ve never had any trouble.

An anti-theft purse or backpack can help add a layer of protection from petty theft, though of course you’ll still need to be vigilant.

We’ve happily used this anti-theft backpack for years, and a couple of our friends swear by this one .

If you’re not used to traveling in large cities, you could also consider using a money belt during your Paris vacation.

This is up to you: we no longer use one, and thieves are certainly aware of them, but if you’re more comfortable having your valuables more secure than they are in your pockets while exploring, it’s an option.

What to Wear in Paris , France

Our general rule of traveling is that we never expect to (or try to) pass as locals, but we aim to look like ex-pats or frequent travelers that at least know what we’re doing… and, okay, in Paris, we want to look somewhat good.

It is Paris, after all.

The big key to blending in and looking fashionable in Paris? Less is more.

Think lots of dark colors (I swear, 90% of Parisian women we saw on our most recent winter trip were wearing a black coat), fashionable jeans or pants, and cute dresses.

Flats or boots for women depending on the season and casual loafers or boots for men are just fine–much more important than the exact shoe is that they’re very comfortable and well broken in.

For men, think fitted slacks or jeans, and fitted shirts. Not particularly fancy or dressed up, but not sloppy, either.

We generally consider the whole “Europeans don’t wear jeans!” rule to be either complete fiction or at least wildly outdated, but Parisians certainly don’t tend to wear ill-fitting, or worn-out ones, either.

Bottom line?

Don’t worry too much about what to wear in Paris–we find that people tend to overthink it.

Pack clothes you’re comfortable in, leaning toward classic, basic styles, and dark colors, and you’ll blend right in (as much as any tourist can).

And hey, if you get there and feel completely out of place in your wardrobe, Paris is a pretty fantastic place to shop!

Travel Insurance  — We don’t ever suggest traveling without travel insurance–anything can happen, and this is definitely a case of better safe than sorry.

Travel Adaptors for France — If you’re coming from outside of Europe, you’ll definitely need adaptors for your electronics.

Swiss Army Knife   — AKA, your handy baguette-and-cheese-slicer plus wine bottle opener all in one–it’s a Parisian essential!

Pacsafe    — We bring this with us everywhere these days. Simply place your important belongings inside before you leave for the day, string the safe around the sturdiest thing in the room (the base of the toilet or a pipe under the sink is a good option), and voila! You’re good to go.

Travel Journal — I personally love the One Line a Day Journal that covers 5 years–you write one sentence a day, and every date is on the same page through the years (so, for example, you can easily see what you were doing on all the April 18th’s).

I adore the concept (I’m currently on my second volume), and a quick sentence each day is about all I can commit to in a journal!

Camera — This one comes from personal experience: on our first trip to Paris in late 2013, we took all of our photos on our cell phones, and we definitely regret it.

While phone photography has come a long way in the last decade, if you’re even the tiniest bit into photography as a hobby, definitely bring the camera.

We recently upgraded to our Sony a7R III and absolutely love it, but whatever camera you’re comfortable with works–just make sure you have something with you to preserve your memories! 

They’re incredibly handy and we recommend adding one to your packing list. We’ve been carrying ours for years and it never stops coming in handy!

Reusable Water Bottle  — Even in fashionable cities like Paris, we always prefer to keep water with us—it saves both money and plastic as compared to buying water bottles along the way.

Hand Sanitizer — We’ve never been sorry to have this floating around in our day bag.

Money Belt   — This is up to you: we no longer use one, but if you’re more comfortable having your passports with you at all times in Paris, you can consider bringing one.

We used to use this one   and had no complaints. These days, we prefer just to leave valuables in our Pacsafe during the day.

Take This Map With You! Click each highlight to pull up the name of the destination. To save this map to “Your Places” on Google Maps, click the star to the right of the title. You’ll then be able to find it under the Maps tab of your Google Maps account! To open the map in a new window, click the button on the top right of the map.

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About Kate Storm

In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, I’m working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA.

53 thoughts on “The Ultimate 3 Days in Paris Itinerary”

Your itinerary seems to cover all the major attractions of Paris in a tightly packed schedule. I’m bookmarking this for future reference for whenever I finally manage to make my way down to Paris. Nice photos, I particularly enjoyed the ones taken from the gargoyles’ perch.

Thanks, Denny! We love the gargoyle photos too.

I never say no to a trip to Paris, even though I’ve been many times. Still haven’t seen Saint Chappelle or the Luxembourg Gardens though! Those stained glass windows are stunning. Looks like I have to make it back for trip no. 5!

There’s no such thing as too many trips to Paris! 😉

That’s a great itinerary for a short trip! I loved all the crepe vendors, I ate one too many banana Nutella crepes while there. Did you have a chance to go to Angelina? Best hot chocolate ever!

We did not–something to add to the list for our next trip! We’d love to make it back to Paris again in 2018– we shall see.

Angelina’s is divine. We will be back in Paris in Sept, and getting so excited. Looking for some new neighborhoods to explore off the main attractions path.

September is such a wonderful time to go!

You might like this post on getting off the beaten path in Paris–some of these spots are in quieter neighborhoods, and some are hidden in plain sight: https://www.ourescapeclause.com/secret-paris-off-the-beaten-path/

I have never been to Paris so this guide is just perfect for me! You curated the itinerary very thoughtfully. It has a mix of touristy as well as offbeat things to do! I love walking and public transport, so this guide feels like it is tailor made for me!

Thank you, Abhinav! 🙂

I have been to Paris many many times before so i was curious if your list has something that I havent seen yet and indees there are two things! The galery Lafayette although I knew its existence. However, the catacombs is new to me! But if I am not wrong, they made a horror movie about or inspired about this? The title is “Upside…” something.

Ha, yes there is! It’s called “As Above, So Below”. It came out a year or so after we first visited the catacombs, so of course we had to go see it. It was only an okay movie, but the shots of Paris and the catacombs were more than enough to keep us entertained.

What a fantastic itinerary! I love how you’ve planned each day out. It would be an exhausting three days, but it would be worth it!

When we were in Paris, we never made it over to Versaillas. I hope to do that next time we’re there, plus visit in the spring for those beautiful cherry blossom in front of the Eiffel Tower pics! 🙂

I hear you on the Eiffel Tower pictures!! Both of our visits have been in winter so far (technically this one was at the beginning of spring, but Paris’ flowers hadn’t bloomed yet), and I want those iconic cherry blossom views!!

What a comprehensive itinerary for visiting one of my favorite cities. Love all your suggestions and it makes me yearn to return.

Thanks, Sue! I hear you on wanting to return–I think I said “I miss Paris” out loud at least a dozen times while writing this post. 🙂

This is such a great itinerary for Paris. I made it to several of your suggestions during my visit but missed a few. Seeing you with that crepe made my mouth water. I loved the banana/nutella/strawberry crepes-amazing!!

Haven’t actually tried that combo yet–next time I’ll need to! The one I’m holding is a butter & sugar–so simple and yet so tasty.

I love Paris!! We visited last May and couldn’t wait to go back again! There are a few spots we missed like Musee d’Orsay and Luxembourg Garden. Definitely need to go back when we’re in the city next time. I don’t know about the catacombs though 😛

Ha, you’re not the only one! Some people aren’t into the whole bones thing… we find it completely fascinating, though. 😛

This post is SO thorough! One of the best I have read on Paris.

Thank you, Natalia! That was the goal. 🙂

This is a perfect itinerary for me. I am keeping it for my future visit to Paris. Wow Paris is still a dream. I am sold on the Sainte-Chapelle. Its such a stunning architecture. Someday I will make to to this destination. I loved your guide for the clothing. Great post.

Sainte-Chapelle is amazing–easily one of the most memorable houses of worship we have been in.

We are planning to visit Paris in July. Such a gorgeous place and there is so much to see and do there. can’t wait to explore and take some pretty pictures for sure 🙂

I hope you have an amazing trip! You will definitely come home with pretty pictures. 🙂

Excellent guide, I’ve been to Paris twice, the first time I had about 8 days and the 2nd time was only over a weekend so this itinerary would have been helpful! I was there in the middle of summer though and it was stinking hot. I love the French fashion and style but it was hard to dress in style with such heat! Excellent advice in this piece.

I’ve heard the heat can be killer! Hoping to make it in the summer one of these days to feel it for myself–worth it to see all the beautiful gardens in bloom, hopefully. 🙂

One of the best destination! It’s also known for its French architecture and mouthwatering variety. Thanks for the reminder that it doesn’t matter how long you wait until traveling, just that everybody can start once.

Thanks, Chi! Glad to have you stopping by.

I’ll be in Paris in the next few weeks and this is definitely helpful in planning my trip!

I stumbled on your site while planning a trip to Italy (Florence and Rome), Monte Carlo, Paris and London in July 2019. I loved all of your itineraries for Florence, Rome and Paris. I’ve been to Paris (but that was 30 years ago), and visited all the spots you mention. That being said, I’m eager to see them all again. Thanks for your suggestions on what to see in 2 or 3 days in each of these cities. You definitely helped me plan out our days so they make the most sense. I cannot wait until we get there!

Thank you so much, Melissa! The detailed trip itineraries are honestly some of my favorite things to write, and nothing makes me happier than hearing that other people found them useful.

Your trip sounds fantastic–hope that you have an amazing time in July!

Hi Kate, I, like many others here, stumbled across your site while planning our 1st trip to Paris coming up May 2019. My husband and I will be in Paris for 3.5 days. So this itinerary seems perfect. Since I am a planner and wanting to make sure I can plan and purchase tickets to the museums and such ahead of time, I don’t want to feel so committed as well in case we change our minds or want to see something (like the Eiffel Tower) at night rather than mid day. I certainly do not want to spend hours in lines to purchase tickets and then another hour in line to view the museums. Any suggestions on pre-arrival planning and do some of the tour companies offer cancellations up to a day in advance? Thank you for this great information. I will be using it as a guideline for our trip. We will be headed to Barcelona after… have you been?

We use Get Your Guide for buying all our tickets and tours in Paris–you can buy skip-the-line passes to things like the Arc de Triomphe through them and then just show the ticket on your phone at any time that day (we just did that one personally last August). In Paris, we normally book our tickets for whatever we want to do that morning before heading out for the day and download them to our phones, so we stay pretty flexible while also having our tickets ready to go and avoiding lines during the day.

This is perfect for museum entrances, visiting the Palais Garnier and Versailles, etc. Where it becomes an issue is with the Eiffel Tower (which is a special case requiring a time slot) and guided tours–if you’re looking for a guided tour of the Louvre, for example, that will be time-sensitive and we really recommend booking at least a few days in advance (especially in May, which is a popular time to visit Paris).

What I’d recommend in your case is to book any timed experiences (food tours, Eiffel Tower climb, guided tours) ahead of time and then using those to structure the rest of your trip. Pretty much everything else can be bought day-of, though we definitely still recommend buying skip-the-line tickets online to avoid lines. Cancellation policies will be a company-by-company thing, but I know Get Your Guide usually allows cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.

We have not been to Barcelona yet, but would love to go soon! We thought about going this April, actually, but getting back to Italy again won out (as it so often does with us).

Hope you have an amazing trip!

I am taking my husband and 2 children to Paris in July 2020. We are also going on to Rome and Florence. I have been to Paris for work. My family has never been. We are thinking 3 days in Paris. Should we go for 4 and reduce our time in Italy, or can we see enough in Paris?

I would say it depends on how long you have to spend in Rome and Florence. Ideally, I’d say the minimum number of days to spend in each city is 3 days in Paris, 3 in Rome, and 2 in Florence–though you could easily triple the time in any of them and still leave with lots left to do!

They happen to be 3 of our favorite cities in the entire world–we visit all of them regularly–so in my opinion, you can’t go wrong with extra time in any of them.

Hello, thank you for the comprehensive and interesting itinerary!

However, the day that I’m arriving happens to be on a Tuesday, which I heard that Louvre would be closed. May I know how I can switch my itinerary around?

Sure thing! Of course there are a million ways to do so, but the easiest would be to swap the Louvre and Montmartre on your itinerary–so see Montmartre the afternoon of day one and the Louvre the afternoon of day three. 🙂

Hope you have a great time!

Hi,loved your article. I am an armchair traveller and My son is on his first backpacking trip to Europe ,I read through lot of articles and found yours the best,sent him the links and he followed them almost to the the T, except doing Louvre in the evening as after 6 pm,as it’s open for students. Thanks a lot.

Thanks so much, Asiya! So glad your son had a great time–we love visiting the Louvre at night as well, it has such a nice atmosphere in the evenings.

WOW!! What a great itinerary, practically covered with many, if not all the places you should definitely know if you want to go to Paris, I would love to be able to take my girlfriend for a journey to know Paris, I will definitely take into consideration these places, I would like the idea of being able to visit the catacombs, however she is very scary, so I think she won’t be interested much hehe

Thanks, Mauel! Hope you and your girlfriend have the chance to visit Paris soon. 🙂

This is such detailed guide to Paris and saving it up for next travel to Europe.

Thanks so much, Mayuri! Hope you enjoy your next Europe trip!

Hi Kate, Your itinerary for Paris is as good as it gets. I am planning a trip to Europe in June 2020 with Paris as the first stop. Stay will be for 3 days which is perfect as per the itinerary. However, the only glitch is that our arrival will most probably be at 14:20 LT in Paris. Which means that after checking in at the hotel, we may make it for the evening cruise only. Our arrival will be most probably on 1st June and will leave Paris on 04th June. Will it be enough or should I add one more day?

Thanks, Sanjeev! To do absolutely everything on this Paris itinerary you might need another day, but if it doesn’t fit into your trip, no worries at all! You can still have a great trip and just either hurry through the sights a bit or cut whichever 1-2 things appeal to you the least–whichever fits your travel preferences more.

You mention hiking 3 towers in one day, but did I miss it…I didn’t see anywhere that you reviewed the Eiffel Tower? I only saw Arc De Triomphe and Sacre Coeur? I wanted your input on Eiffel Tower? Heard it’s not worth the amount of time spent to go to top? How about second floor? Worth it?? Thank you.

Apologies, that must be left over from years ago when this itinerary also included climbing Notre Dame. I’ll get it updated.

We’ve never gone to the top of the Eiffel Tower due to the number of friends who have told us it’s not worth it. Personally, it has never appealed to us as much as other monuments–I like having the Eiffel Tower in my Paris skyline photos!

We keep saying we’ll go up one day just so we can offer a first-person review–maybe this will finally be the year we do. 🙂

I would love it if there was a schedule with approximate times for each attraction!! Is there something like that <3 ? Thanks anyways 🙂

We don’t include any specific times since everyone moves at their own pace and starts at different times of the day (some families love to start sightseeing at 7, others at 9–and the itinerary can easily be adapted for both).

Have a wonderful time in Paris!

I really like this article as a fan of literature, I would really like to visit the Shakespeare and company. And the itinerary was so well plan and detailed. I will be bookmarking this for future references. Thank you for this post!

Thanks, John!

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Finding the Universe

Travel tales, photography and a dash of humor

3 Days in Paris: The Perfect Paris Itinerary

Last updated: December 16, 2023 . Written by Laurence Norah - 107 Comments

Thinking about spending 3 days in Paris? Great choice! We think that’s the perfect amount of time to spend in one of our favourite European cities, giving you the chance to see many of the top sights and attractions and really get a feel for the city.

Of course, if you have longer, that’s even better, but three days in Paris is certainly enough to see a lot, and works well either as a long weekend, or as part of a longer Europe trip itinerary like this .

To help you with your planning, we’re going to share with you everything we think you need to know to spend three days in Paris. We’re going to give you a suggested itinerary, tips for getting around, advice on where to stay in Paris, our thoughts on when is best to visit and even some suggested ways to save money in Paris.

Let’s get started!

3 Day Paris Itinerary

This three-day Paris itinerary has you hitting all the major sites and attractions in the city. Naturally we suggest you use this as a guide, and add to or remove from it as necessary.

We also suggest you check the opening times and days for each attraction. For example, the Louvre is closed on Tuesdays, so depending on when your trip to Paris is, you might need to re-order the days to get everything in.

Paris Itinerary:  Day 1

Eiffel tower.

What better way to start off your trip to Paris than with a visit to the Eiffel Tower . This is without doubt the most iconic landmark in Paris (if not France!), and a visit here is a must for any visit to Paris. When we visit Paris, we always visit at least once, and every time we are amazed at the sheer scale of this beautiful building.

There are a number of ways to enjoy the Eiffel Tower. First, you can just enjoy the views of the tower, which we think are particularly good from the Trocadero Gardens across the river, or the Champ de Mars gardens behind the Tower.

You can also go up inside the Eiffel Tower to one of the different floors, for expansive views of the city. We do like the experience of going up inside, but we don’t think it offers the best view of the city – because the view from inside the Eiffel Tower is missing the most famous part of the skyline – the Eiffel Tower itself!

Still, if this is your first visit to Paris, we highly recommend the experience. We do suggest that if you want to go up the Eiffel Tower, that you book your tickets in advance from the official website . The queues here for tickets can be very long, and with a pre-booked ticket you can skip the wait.

Alternatively, if you are feeling fit, you can also take the stairs up to the first level. There is not usually a very long queue for the stairs, which have their own ticket line, and it is also slightly cheaper. See our guide to visiting the Eiffel Tower to help you plan your visit.

There are other options for visiting as well. A guided climb of the Eiffel Tower is included on the Paris Pass . This runs in the middle of the day, so if you want to take advantage of this, you will likely want to switch the Eiffel Tower and Seine River Cruise around in this itinerary. It’s also included on the Paris City Card , with a choice of timeslots.

Finally, this tour includes a guided visit (with elevator) to the second floor with the option to visit the summit if you want. It also includes free cancellation, which the official ticket does not.

Seine River Cruise

Another must-do experience in Paris is a river cruise on the Seine. This is a very popular activity, with multiple operators offering cruises up and down the river.

We’ve actually written a post about the various Seine River sightseeing cruise options which goes through the majority of the operators. If you’d prefer a dinner cruise, check out our guide to the best Seine River dinner cruises .

We can definitely recommend the Bateaux Parisiens River Cruise . These depart from just next to the Eiffel Tower, so fit in nicely with this itinerary, and they are included for free if you pick up a Paris Pass or a Paris City Card .

The cruise takes in all the highlights from the Eiffel Tower to Notre Dame, and there’s commentary included. So sit back, relax, and let the scenery roll by.

Hop on Hop off Bus

Talking of sitting back and relaxing, we find that a great way to get oriented in a new city and get an idea of the sights we want to see is to take a Hop On Hop Off (HOHO) bus tour.

Paris is no exception to this rule, and you can pick up a HOHO bus in Paris from right next to the Eiffel Tower, which will then take you around Paris’s key attractions.

There are multiple operators running different routes around the city. If you pick up a Paris Pass, it includes a 1 Day Big Bus Tour . We took this tour and enjoyed it – it’s both an easy way to get around the city, plus you can learn about many of the sights as you go.

However there are a few different HOHO options in Paris, so pick the one that works for you!

Paris Walking Tour

All this sitting around on buses and boats is great for getting oriented, but at some point you’re going to need to put your feet on the pavement! Paris is a wonderful city to explore on foot, and a guided walking tour is an excellent way to do that.

We think that if you are going to do a walking tour in a city, the first day is the best, as you can ask your guide for local recommendations such as their favourite places to eat or get a coffee, as well as get suggestions for hidden gems you might not find in the guidebooks.

There are lots of operators offering tours in Paris. We’ve taken a number of walking tours with Context Travel , and have always loved their detailed tours. They have a number of tours available in Paris, and you get 10% off with this link . We particularly enjoyed their Hemingway themed walking tour of Paris.

We also love Take Walks walking tours, and they have recently launched a number of Paris Tours . For example, they have a full day Paris tour , although this would require you to significantly alter this itinerary.

If you have a Paris Pass, it comes with a choice of free walking tours , which is worth looking into.

Tour Montparnasse

Last on our list for your first day in Paris is a trip up the Tour Montparnasse . I recommend this to everyone going to Paris, as it is, in my opinion at least, the location with the best view of Paris and the Eiffel Tower.

This is particularly the case at sunset, so if you can time your visit for sunset, you will get to witness a wonderful sunset across the Eiffel Tower, and then watch the city lights come to life.

The observation level is across two levels, one is inside and one is outside. The outside area is surrounded by glass, but there are cutouts so you can get reflection-free shots of the view. You can also bring a tripod up here! No wonder therefore that it’s on my list of favourite Paris photography locations .

There’s a fee to go up Tour Montparnasse, but it’s free for holders of the Paris Pass . You can also buy individual tickets online in advance  here .

Paris Itinerary:  Day 2

Our second day in Paris takes in some more iconic sites including some of Paris’s most famous museums and churches. It’s quite a full day, so do feel free to edit the itinerary to suit your particular interests, pace and needs!

Sainte Chapelle

It took me multiple visits to Paris before I finally made it to Sainte Chapelle . Now I urge everyone to make it a priority on their trip to Paris!

This is a relatively small chapel that is not too far from Notre Dame, but the interior, which consists of almost floor to ceiling stained glass, is absolutely outstanding. It will definitely take your breath away.

The 13th century Saint Chapelle is quite popular, and the small size and mandatory security checks mean that the line to get in can be long. This is why I have put it on my list as the first thing for your second day in Paris – you want to get here early, ideally get in line ten – fifteen minutes before the opening time. After all, no-one wants to spend their time standing in lines.

There’s a fee to enter Saint Chapelle, which is free to holders of the Paris Pass and Paris Museum Pass .

You can also buy tickets online in advance here , which is highly recommended as it can get busy here. There’s also a combination ticket for Sainte Chapelle and the nearby Conciergerie here , which is worth visiting.

No more than ten minutes’ walk from Sainte Chapelle is Paris’s most famous religious building, known for her flying buttresses, twin towers and, of course, hunchback resident.

You will definitely see two out of those three when you visit Notre Dame , the major Catholic cathedral in Paris. Construction of this magnificent building took nearly two hundred years, and was completed in 1345.

Unfortunately, on April 15th 2019 a devastating fire seriously damaged Notre Dame. The cathedral will be closed for the foreseeable future as a result of this tragic incident.

We certainly think it is worth visiting the facade, but as you can’t go inside at the moment, you might wish to visit another nearby attraction like the Conciergerie (where Marie Antoinette was imprisoned) as well. You can get a combined ticket for that and Sainte Chapelle here

Musee d’Orsay

If you like museums, Paris has definitely gotten you covered. Our next stop is the Musee d’Orsay , but before you get here, you’re going to take a walk along Paris’s iconic left bank, from Notre Dame to the Musee d’Orsay. This isn’t too far, but you’ll see the booksellers and get a feel for this part of town.

Paris’s museums are quite logically set up, with three main art museums covering three distinct time periods.

The Musee d’Orsay, first on our list, covers art dating from the middle of the 19th century up to the early 20th century, and is home to masterpieces from the likes of Duchamp, Kandinsky and Picasso, to name but a few.

The Louvre (see below), covers the time period before this, whilst the Centre Pompidou covers the time period afterwards, right up to the modern day. The Centre Pompidou isn’t on this itinerary, but you could fit it in if you wanted to of course!

The Musee d’Orsay is absolutely stunning. It’s set in what was once one of Paris’s main train stations, and the grand central atrium is gorgeous – almost worth visiting in of itself.

There’s a fee to get in here, but holders of the Paris Pass and Paris Museum Pass get free entry as well as skip the line privileges.

You can also buy tickets and tours online in advance here or on the official site here .

If you only visit one museum in Paris, I can highly recommend making it the Louvre . This is one of the world’s most famous museums, and is home to an incredible collection of art, including Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo and Michelangelo’s Dying Slave, to name but a few.

Obviously, seeing the Mona Lisa is on the wishlist for many visitors, but this museum, which covers art from ancient times up to the middle of the 19th century, has obviously got a great deal more to offer. True art lovers could lose themselves for days in the vast collection here!

Of course, if that’s you, you are welcome to do the same, although for the purposes of this itinerary we’d probably recommend you try and limit your time to two to three hours so you can fit more of Paris in.

We’d also highly recommend that you pick up either a Paris Pass , Paris City Card or a Paris Museum Pass , which will give you fast-track access to the Louvre.

Note that in the busy times, which tend to be the summer periods especially, the Louvre gets very busy. In summer 2019, there were multiple days when the museum actually sold out, and only holders of advance purchase tickets or timed reservations were able to enter the museum.

If you have a Paris Pass or Paris Museum Pass , you must reserve your entry online on the official website . This is mandatory for holders of these passes in order to guarantee entry, and we highly recommend you do this in advance. If you do not reserve your slot in advance, you are not guaranteed entry even with the pass.

If you have a Paris City Card , you’ll book the timeslot you want when you book the card.

If you do not have a pass, you can buy your ticket and reserve your entry time either on GetYourGuide here (where we normally get our tickets), or online on the official website here . We’ve sometimes found that GetYourGuide has availability even when the official site is out, so it’s always worth checking if you want to visit and can’t find tickets on the official site.

Whichever ticket you buy, you will still have to queue for security, but the line for people with tickets is a lot quicker moving than the general admission line. In addition, when the Louvre sells out on its official website, tickets will usually not be sold on site, so you may not be able to just turn up and queue – only holders of advance tickets will be given entry.

Note the Louvre is closed on Tuesdays. See opening times and more on the official site here .

Wine tasting

When you think of France, a few things likely come to mind, and I suspect that wine is likely one of them. So why not take a break from the sight-seeing and museums, and indulge in a little wine tasting.

Conveniently located just by the Louvre Museum, the Caves du Louvre  is a wine-tasting experience which will guide you through the French wine making process and introduce you to a number of different French wines. Which you get to drink.

The tour is set in an actual 18th century wine cellar which originally housed the wine collection of the French King. Not a bad setting to learn about French wine we think!

There’s a fee for the tour (which includes the wine tasting), and it is included for holders of the Paris Pass. You can also book it separately here .

If you aren’t into wine tasting, there are a number of nearby cafes and restaurants where you can refresh and revive.

We can recommend afternoon tea at Le Meurice , the Ritz or the Hotel de Crillon if you like afternoon tea (see our guide to the best afternoon tea in Paris if so).

For a shorter and less expensive experience, the hot chocolate at Angelina Cafe is also superb.

Arc de Triomphe

We’re going to finish off the second day of our three-day Paris itinerary with a visit to the Arc de Triomphe , another of Paris’s iconic landmarks. From the Louvre you can either take public transport here, or you can walk up the Champs Elysees, Paris’s most famous shopping street.

The Arc de Triomphe, built in memory of those who died in the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars, is wonderfully photogenic.

From the top you get an excellent view of the city, which includes the roads spanning out into the distance and the Eiffel Tower.

As you journey up into the monument, you will also come to a museum which details some of its history. Below the monument, you will also find the tomb of the unknown soldier.

To get to the Arc de Triomphe, don’t try and cross the traffic roundabout. Head to one of the underpasses, and cross in safety.

Going up inside the Arc de Triomphe carries a fee, holders of the Paris Pass and Paris Museum Pass get free access with skip the line privileges.

You can also book a ticket online in advance here , which is worth doing as the lines can get quite long.

Paris Itinerary:  Day 3

On the last day of our 3 day Paris itinerary we’re heading out of the city centre to take in one of Paris’s most famous Royal Palaces. We’re also including some extra sights in the city at the end if you can tear yourself away.

The really nice thing about having 3 days in Paris is that you have the flexibility to go a little further out of the centre. My suggestion for your third day is to visit Versailles , the incredible palace that was the seat of French political power and home to French Royalty, including Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.

To truly appreciate Versailles, I would suggest allocating at least half a day of your third day in Paris, if not more. There is easily enough to see here to fill an entire day, which is why we don’t recommend coming here on our two day Paris itinerary .

We suggest starting off by touring the Palace. You’ll want to get here for opening time, as this is a really popular tourist attraction and it gets busier as the day goes on. Once you have toured the Palace and seen such highlights as the incredible Hall of Mirrors and the Kings Grand Apartments, you can head outside, where there is a great deal more to see.

A walk in the incredible (and vast!) gardens is a must. We particularity enjoyed heading over to Marie Antoinette’s estate, which is a slightly quieter part of the gardens, and home to a small model farm, tucked away temples, and walking paths.

It’s very easy to spend a whole day exploring Versailles and the grounds, and don’t feel bad if you do, it’s totally worth it.

Visiting Versailles is quite easy, you can get a train (RER C) from central Paris to the Gare de Versailles Chateau Rive Gauche, and from the train station to the Palace it is a well sign-posted ten minute walk.

Fast-track entry to the Palace, Gardens and other Versailles attractions is included on the Paris Museum Pass – although you will still need to join the security line. You can also book tickets online here , or book a guided tour online here .

If you manage to tear yourself away from Versailles, my suggestion for finishing off your last day in Paris is to head to the Montmartre region. This is home to a large hill, atop which sits the glorious Sacre Coeur de Montmartre, another of Paris’s iconic buildings.

This area of Paris was particularly famous as being home to artists, and folks like Dali, Picasso and Hemingway all either lived or frequented this area.

It’s still popular with artists, and the Place du Teatre is the place in Montmartre is the place to go to get your portrait or caricature painted. Fans of Dali will also want to visit the Dali Exhibition , home of the largest collection of works by Dali in France.

Montmartre is a maze of cute little streets, cafes and shops. The Basilica is free to visit, if you get here in time, although there is a small fee if you want to climb the tower.

Montmartre is also a popular place to watch the sunset across the city, and what better way to finish your 3 days in Paris than by watching the sun set across this magical city from atop Montmartre?

3 Days in Paris Itinerary Map

To help you visualise our 3-day Paris itinerary we’ve put together this helpful map which shows the attractions for each day. You can access this on Google Maps here .

3 Days in Paris Itinerary Overview

Here’s a quick day by day breakdown of all the sights this itinerary covers:

• Day 1 : Eiffel Tower, Seine River Cruise, Hop on Hop off Bus, Paris Walking Tour, Tour Montparnasse
• Day 2 : Sainte Chapelle, Notre Dame, Musée d’Orsay, The Louvre, Wine tasting, Arc de Triomphe
• Day 3: Versailles, Montmartre

Where to Stay in Paris

As you would expect from a major European capital city, Paris has no shortage of options when it comes to accommodation. We’ve stayed in a variety of places, from hotels to homestays to apartments.

Ideally you want to be fairly central if you can, to minimise your travel time. Our suggestion is to take a look at the listings for Paris on booking.com . They’re our favourite booking engine when we travel, usually giving us the best choice and the best prices. They also have everything from apartments and hostels to high end hotels. Here are some options we suggest, depending on your budget.

• Hotel Dress Code & Spa , a highly reviewed centrally located 4 star hotel right a few hundred yards from the opera house
• Hôtel Eiffel Turenne , a well rated 3* hotel within a ten minute walk of the Eiffel Tower
• Ateliers de Montmartre , an apartment in Montmartre with views of the Sacre Coeur
• The People – Paris Marais , a well-reviewed hostel in the Marais, one of our favourite parts of Paris to stay
• Hotel le Compostelle , a highly rated 3* hotel centrally located near the Louvre Museum

If you prefer an apartment, then we recommend Plum Guide or Vrbo .

Plum Guide carefully curate their listings so their options tend to be of a very high quality whilst still being available at a range of price points. We’ve stayed at a number of their properties around the world, including a beautiful apartment in Paris with spectacular Eiffel Tower views. See their listings for Paris here .

If you can’t find what you want from the above choices, or you want some new options to try out, we wrote a whole post on the  best alternatives to AirBnB  which you should check out!

We also have a page full of travel resources, which includes our tips for getting the best deals on accommodation, which you can find  here .

When to Visit Paris

We’re actually happy to visit Paris at pretty much any time of year, and this Paris itinerary would work at any time of year.

Summer brings sunshine and warmth, although of course the city is a lot busier at this time of year, so if crowds aren’t your thing, you might want to skip the summer months.

We also love Fall and Spring in the city, when the temperatures are a bit cooler and the crowds less. In the run up to Christmas, the city is beautifully decorated and some of the stores in particular are worth visiting just to see the elaborate decorations they put up. After Christmas the city is a lot quieter, and of course temperatures are at their lowest.

Ultimately, we think Paris is worth visiting whenever you can, so just decide how busy you can handle, and if you’d prefer it to be warm or cold, and go from there!

How to Get to and From Paris

As the capital of France, Paris has multiple options for visitors looking to visit. There are three major airports in Paris. Charles de Gaulle is the main airport for international arrivals, with Paris Orly being the second most popular international airport. Both of these airports are easily reachable by public transport from the city centre.

Paris Beauvais-Tille airport is where you will likely arrive if you are flying with a budget airline. This is some way out of the city centre, but regular shuttle buses are available to take you into the city.

Paris is also connected to the high-speed French and European rail network, and there are a number of train stations in central Paris. You can even travel from the UK by train, taking the channel tunnel to do so. See our guide to getting from London to Paris for more suggested options.

Finally, of course, you can reach Paris by car from France and the rest of Europe. Our advice would be to park your car in a secure long stay car-park on the outskirts of Paris and take public transport to the centre.

We recommend against driving in the city centre, as public transport is cheap and fast, and a lot easier than stressing about driving around the crowded city streets, and trying to find a parking space.

How to Get Around Paris

Paris has an excellent public transport network, and in particular the Paris Metro system is really good, getting you around all the major parts of the city at minimum cost. There’s also a good bus network, as well as local trains.

For public transport, you can purchase t+ tickets which allow for one-off travel on the Paris bus, RER trains and metros. These are available at train and metro stations using the ticket machines. These machines accept both credit cards and cash, and can be configured for English language.

Each ticket can be used for a single journey of up to 2 hours on the metro (including transfers) and 90 minutes on buses (including transfers). For more information on these tickets, see the official page .

From 2019, the Paris transport system has introduced the Navigo Easy Card. This is a rechargeable card system which is designed to replace the cardboard T+ tickets. A card costs €2 to buy, but allow you to buy a discounted pack of 10 tickets which will save you money if you do quite a bit of travel.

Other than being electronically stored, the tickets work the same, so we would recommend visitors to Paris using the Navigo Easy system as the most cost-effectivee method of paying for transport as a visitor to Paris.

For more on getting around Paris, see our detailed guide to how to get around Paris , which should help you plan all your transport in the city.

Walking Tours of Paris

If you’d like to take a guided tour of Paris, the two companies we usually use are Take Walks and Context Travel . These both offer small group walking tours in Paris, which are a great way to learn about some of the sights and history of the city. Of course, if you decide to take a walking tour you will have to adjust the itinerary accordingly to suit.

If you were interested in a tour, Take Walks has this  Paris in a Day tour which includes a major Museum, the Eiffel Tower, Montmartre & a Seine River Cruise – an excellent introduction to the city!

Context travel offer a number of very focused tours of Paris , and these offer very specialised insights into particular subjects. We’d suggest maybe taking one of these for a specific area of interest that you really want to learn about, perhaps for Versailles . They also offer an introduction to Paris tour .

There are of course other options for various tours in Paris, including all the tours on this page , which offers a variety of things to do from different providers.

For example, there’s this delicious looking food tour ,  this in-depth tour of Hemingway locations in Paris or this tour of Montmartre .

So definitely check out the options to figure out what is best for you!

How to Save Money in Paris

Being a major European city, Paris is definitely not a budget destination. There are a few ways to save money of course, even on an itinerary as packed with attractions as this one is. Food is one way – rather than eating out for every meal for example, you could stay in an apartment or hostel that lets you cook your own meals.

If that’s not an option, consider having picnic lunches or breakfasts, and eating out in the evenings. Also, keep an eye out for the “menu du jour”, most restaurants offer a fixed lunch or evening menu which includes a number of dishes at a fixed price.

You can usually get a meal for between €12 & €25 which includes two or three courses, bread, and sometimes even wine or coffee. Check out our guide to the best restaurants in Paris for lunch deals.

The cheapest way to get around Paris is to walk of course, followed by the excellent public transport system. We usually walk as much as we can, and then take the metro for the longer trips. Taxis can be convenient, but they will eat into your budget very quickly.

One of our favourite ways to save money when we visit a major city where we want to see a lot of sights is to invest in a city sightseeing pass. In Paris there are three main passes that we recommend, the Paris Pass ( buy yours from the official site here ), the Paris Museum Pass (buy here ) and the Paris City Card .

Calculating if a pass is worth it for you will of course depend on exactly which attractions you want to visit.

From our itinerary, here’s what’s included on which passes, as well the cost of individual tickets as of December 2023 and links to book each attraction directly.

• Eiffel Tower (€38 for guided tour, €11.30 for standard stair access ticket) – tour included on Paris City Card, Go Paris Pass and Paris Pass. Book tickets on the official website here
• Seine River Cruise (€18) – included on Paris City Card, Go Paris Pass and Paris Pass. Book online here .
• Hop on Hop off bus (€45) – included on Paris Pass. Book online here .
• Paris Walking Tour (~€35) – various options included on Paris Pass. Book online here .
• Tour Montparnasse (€19) – included on Paris Pass. Book online here .
• Sainte Chapelle (€11.5) – included on Paris Pass and Paris Museum Pass. Book online here .
• Musee d’Orsay (€16) – included on Paris Pass and Paris Museum Pass. Book online here .
• Louvre Museum (€17) – included on Paris Museum Pass and Paris City Card. Book on GetYourGuide here , or on the official site here .
• Wine Tasting (€35) – included on Go Paris Pass and Paris Pass. Book online here .
• Arc de Triomphe (€13) – included on Paris Pass and Paris Museum Pass. Book online here .
• Versailles (€19.5) – included on Paris Pass and Paris Museum Pass. Book online here .

Adding all the above together and you are looking at around €270 in entry fees.

Our recommendation is to consider a 3-day Paris Pass.

We suggest the 3-day Paris Pass because it actually comes with a 2-day Paris Museum Pass.

With that, you get access to pretty much everything on our itinerary, as well as many more activities and attractions including more museums, walking tours, and even dining activities!

You just have to plan your itinerary so you visit the sites covered by the Paris Museum Pass on two out of your three days in Paris. Hint – we’ve already done that for you in our itinerary!

As of December 2023, a 3 day Paris Pass costs €194 for an adult, saving you around €75 per person if you do everything in our itinerary.

Of course, your individual situation will vary, and you might have different attractions you want to visit. In addition, you should be aware that if you are an EU citizen under the age of 26 that many attractions are free or discounted to visit (you need ID!).

Also, on the first Sunday of every month, many museums are free to visit – although very crowded as a result!

We think the Paris Pass can be good value for money ( click here to buy ), but do feel free to check out our detailed reviews of both the Paris Pass and the Paris Museum Pass , and come to your own decision as to what works for you!

You might also decide that purchasing individual tickets makes more sense. In that case, we highly recommend booking online in advance, especially for major attractions like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, which can get very busy and even sell out a long time in advance.

Finally, we can also suggest checking out the Paris City Card . This includes a guided Eiffel tower ticket, Seine River cruise and access to the Louvre. It also comes with an audioguide to Paris, as well as a further 10% discount on other Paris attractions.

This is a good option if you aren’t planning on visiting everything in our itinerary. It also has the advantage that you book the timeslots for the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower when you book the card, so can be convenient.

Practicalities for visiting Paris

Paris is a safe city in our experience, although it does have a reputation for being home to a number of scams. Most of these are easy to avoid once you know about them (read up on some of the common scams in Paris here ).

As with any major city, of course you need to keep your wits about you – keep your possessions in view all the time, keep your wallet or phone in a front pocket (with a zip if possible), and don’t do anything that you wouldn’t do at home.

We’ve not had any problems in Paris, although there are a few scams to be aware of – check our guide to avoiding common Paris scams so you are prepared in advance.

Electricity in Paris is of the 220v standard, with the 2 pin European style plug. Travellers from countries like the UK and the US will need an adapter like this . See more on travel adapters and how to choose one for your trip in our guide to the best travel adapters .

US travellers need to check their equipment supports the 220v standard – it will be written clearly on the power adapter. As a general rule, we have found that laptops, phone and camera chargers and other small electronics are universal, whilst larger devices like hair dryers and hair straighteners are not.

Paris is part of the Eurozone, so the currency is the Euro. You can get Euros from ATM’s, banks and currency exchanges, although credit cards are of course widely accepted, and there is no need to carry large quantities of currency.

Internet Access

Internet access is widely available in the form of WiFi all around the city and in hotels and coffee shops, so you shouldn’t have any trouble getting online. You can also pick up local SIM cards if you have an unlocked phone. If you are travelling from the USA, consider a Google Fi package which lets you use your data overseas.

Alternatively, consider an eSIM service like Airalo .

For more options on getting online when travelling, check out our guide to getting online when travelling to help you figure out the best options. We also have a guide to picking the best travel router , which can help you extend a weak WiFi network and share it across multiple devices.

Water 

The water in the taps in Paris is safe to drink unless otherwise indicated. If you don’t like the taste, bottled water is widely available. We usually recommend you travel with a re-usable water bottle like one of these  to save on having to buy water bottles.

We love our Klean Kanteen water bottles for travel as they are lightweight, easy to clean and the company is a certified B-Corp.

Eating in Paris

If you want to eat at one of the more popular restaurants in Paris , we recommend that you book in advance. We recommend and use La Fourchette (the fork), which is the most popular online restaurant booking website in France.

It’s easy to use and makes booking restaurants a breeze, especially if you don’t speak French. Check it out here to find reviews, sample menus and book a table.

Further Reading for your 3 Days in Paris

We have visited Paris on a number of occasions, and have written a good deal about our experiences in the city. To help you further plan your stay in Paris, here are some of our favourite posts and external resources.

• A detailed guide to 2 Days in Paris , should you be there for a shorter period or are looking for some alternative options
• We also have a guide to spending a day in Paris , if you’re on a really tight schedule and just want to focus on the highlights
• We have a detailed guide to attending the famous Moulin Rouge show in Paris
• Our guide to the  best photography locations in Paris , to help you get the best shots on your trip
• A guide to  choosing a Seine river cruise , choosing a Seine River dinner cruise , buying Paris opera tickets ,  attending a fashion show in Paris  and our tips for  the best restaurants in Paris for lunch .
• Our  review of the Paris Pass  and the Paris Museum Pass to help you decide if these might save you money during your time in Paris
• Galeries Lafayette is one of the most well known stores in Paris. However, there’s more to do here than shop! See our complete guide to visiting Galeries Lafayette for more information.
• A guide to  Airbnb Alternatives  to help you find the right accommodation
• If you like afternoon tea, check out our definitive guide to the  best afternoon tea locations in Paris
• If you are heading out of town, check out our itinerary for 2 Days visiting Normandy and the D-Day beaches
• We have reviewed many travel related products you might find useful. Check out our guide to the best travel routers , best travel cameras and best travel wraps to get started!
• If you want a book, we always like to recommend the Rick Steves guides – here’s the  Rick Steves Paris  edition

And that’s it for our guide to spending 3 days in Paris! As always if you have any feedback or questions, just let us know in the comments below.

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Deidre Smith says

22nd December 2023 at 6:04 pm

We arrive at the paris airport at 8am on a Sunday, will have to get our luggage and take it to our hotel. I was hoping to be to hotel by 10am. I thought of doing: Eiffel Tower, Seine River Cruise, Hop on Hop off Bus, Notre Dame, Tour Montparnasse.

Monday: Sainte Chapelle, Musée d’Orsay, The Louvre, Catacombs, Arc de Triomphe (do Tour Montparnasse this day if didn’t have time on Sunday)

Tuesday: Versailles in the morning, leave to go get our luggage at hotel at 3pm, get to hotel at 4pm, get to airport by 5pm for 7pm flight to Venice.

I had to move Notre Dame on your days to Sunday, since it’s closed Monday. So my question is, is this doable? Second, I was going to get the Paris Pass but it seems that wouldn’t work on Versailles if I use it on Monday at Notre Dame, so is there a better pass for me to buy. I was worried if I bought the paris pass, and then used it to book Versailles, it might not work since it’s not consecutive days.

Laurence Norah says

22nd December 2023 at 6:47 pm

So, Notre Dame itself is not due to re-open until the end of 2024. The only area you can currently visit is the Crypt, which you are correct, is closed on Mondays. So I just wanted to clarify that that was what you meant.

For the general timing, if you don’t mind having quite a long day on the Monday you should be ok. My main concern would be that the Hop on Hop off bus is likely going to take a while (it’s a sightseeing experience rather than a quick way to get around the city). Also if you plan on using the Paris Pass or similar pass, you should be aware that some attractions are visited with a guided tour, specifically the Eiffel Tower. Those tours only run at specific times.

Given your schedule with Versailles on the Tuesday and the fact that the Paris Pass only comes with a 2 day Paris Museum Pass, you are correct that this might not be the best pass for you as the 2 day Musuem Pass would expire by Tuesday. One option would be to just get a 2 day Paris Museum Pass and use it for the Monday / Tuesday attractions. From your list it should cover everything except the Catacombs I believe. Then you could just book individual tickets for the other sights. There are passes which include some of the sights on your list such as the Go City Explorer Pass . However I honestly don’t think that it is going to offer better value than just booking individual tickets for each attraction.

I hope this helps, have an amazing time in Paris and let me know if I can offer any more help!

Catrina says

24th November 2023 at 3:13 pm

My husband and I will be celebrating our 20 year anniversary in March and are planning a trip to Paris! I love the 3 day itinerary, giving us a couple days to visit Disneyland Paris. I am interested in a budget friendly-ish stay that allows for a gorgeous view of the Eiffel Tower as in your photo above. Any way to narrow down my hotel/apartment search? Any info is greatly appreciated! Thanks for all the info already given. Super excited for our trip 🙂

24th November 2023 at 4:47 pm

Congratulations and your anniversary and what a lovely way to spend it 🙂 So there are definitely quite a few hotels and apartments with views of the Eiffel Tower. The downside is that properties are aware that this is a desirable feature, so these rooms tend to cost a bit more. We actually have a complete guide to the Eiffel Tower which has a section on recommended hotels , with many of them offering views.

We cen definitely personally recommend the Pullman , which has lovely views from many of the rooms.

Otherwise, your best option is going to be to search properties in the region of the Eiffel tower (like this search I’ve set up for you ). Any hotel or apartment with a view of the Eiffel Tower will definitely make that obvious in it’s description. You just want to be sure you book a room with a view of it, which should also be pretty clear in the room description!

I hope you have a wonderful time in Paris and if you have any more questions please let me know 🙂

Catrina Baugus says

28th November 2023 at 9:43 am

Thank you so much! This gives us a great place to start 🙂

G. Heartwell says

20th March 2023 at 4:32 pm

Thank you so much for the details on the 3 day Paris tour. Sounds perfect for starting a 7 day first visit.! My granddaughter and I are planning to go after the end of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris! Any helpful travel do s and don’ts for that time period?

24th March 2023 at 6:29 pm

It’s my pleasure. So the main advice I would give is to book any attractions you want to visit as far in advance as possible. This is especially the case for popular attractions like the Louvre or the Eiffel Tower, which can book out months in advance at busier times of year. I’d also recommend picking a hotel with air-conditioning. It’s not always included, but summer in Paris can be hot so be sure to pick somewhere that specifically states it has A/C for a more comfortable stay.

Otherwise have a great time in Paris!

27th January 2023 at 12:07 am

Hello from snowy Toronto, Canada

My son (almost 18) and I would like to travel to France end of July for perhaps a week or so then on to England. With respect to France he wants to see the Eifel Tower and Louvre and from what I read a sunset river cruise would be great too. We can visit the Notre-Dame and anything else you suggest. I personally would then like to go south to Nice, Cannes etc. If we base ourselves in Paris for sites would you suggest base in Nice and branch from there to surrounding areas? Are Roven, Marselle and Carcassone (sp) worth visiting? Would you suggest other areas? Bordeaux looks beautiful but being that this isn’t a wine tour for myself I don’t want to visit this time. Any suggestions are much appreciated.

29th January 2023 at 9:21 am

It’s great to hear from you. So for Paris I think this guide should cover most of the highlights of what you want to see. For the south of France, it is definitely a good option to pick one or two locations as a base. However, it’s worth pointing out that France is quite a big country, so you will want to plan what you want to see. Carcassone is very pretty and definitely worth visiting, but it’s about 350 miles from Nice for example. So I think you would want to work out exactly what you wanted to see and then decide which location or locations makes the most logical sense. You will also want to figure out how you want to get around. The train network in France is very fast and good value, but it doesn’t go everywhere, so you might also consider hiring a car for example. With only a week total, I’d suggest picking one other location outside of Paris and focusing on that. Bordeaux would actually be a great option as it’s about 3 hours by fast train from Paris and there is plenty to see (lots of which doesn’t involve wine!).

Have a great trip 🙂

jacques Martial says

9th January 2023 at 3:26 am

Interesting site.. we have some friends visiting Paris for 3 days and we found your site.. Being a Parisian myself, I was surprised that you included Versailles and a Wine Tasting visit into your planning. Nothing against Versailles, it is a beautiful place but there is more to see in Paris that spending time in Versailles and tasting wine when you are not a drinker. Suggest that you give these visits as alternate. One suggestion: why don’t you have a Romantic 3 days in Paris planning? Many young couples may appreciate more for honeymoon, wedding anniversary or other. Thank you Jacques from Vancouver in Canada

11th January 2023 at 9:02 am

Hi Jacques,

Thanks for your input! We definitely appreciate that this itinerary will not work for everyone, and of course we always suggest folks adjust for their own personal interests and tastes. Many visitors to France do want to try French wine, hence the wine tasting. We also think Versailles is worth visiting with three days in Paris, but of course, everyone can make their own choice 🙂 Thanks for the idea about the romantic visit to Paris as well, we shall definitely consider that!

Marybeth says

5th January 2023 at 10:00 pm

Your information is fabulous! I will be traveling to France in June for a wedding. The wedding will take place in Provence. I plan on starting in Paris for at least 3 days. Then off to Lyon, Avignon and Provence. I am open to suggestions on what to see between Paris and Provence. Lastly, 3 or 4 days for Paris? My travel dates are a bit flexible. Thank you for any suggestions you may offer.

11th January 2023 at 9:32 am

Thanks Marybeth, and sorry for the slow response, we’re currently traveling in Uganda with limited internet!

Given your planned route from Paris to Avignon with a stop in Lyons, a few suggestions that might work for you are below. However, this depends on if you are driving or traveling by train.

Fontainebleau – most famous for Fontainebleau Palace. A nice quieter alternative to Versailles if you are not already visiting that on this trip.

Guédelon Castle near Treigny, France which is a 13th century castle they are building using traditional materials and methods

Dijon – heart of Burgundy region so lots of vineyards in area, city has a number of attractions like Musée des Beaux-Arts

Beaune – lovely walled town with cobblestones, distinctive tiled roofs and the Hôtel-Dieu Museum

3rd January 2023 at 3:09 am

Hi, Your itinerary is so great! Thank you for doing this as I plan to follow it. I’m going in February. I’d like to see the Eiffel Tower all lit up what’s the best time to get there? Thank you

3rd January 2023 at 4:46 pm

So the Eiffel Tower automatically lights up within 10 minutes of it getting dark. It’s an automated system that is based on the light. In February, the sunset in Paris is normally around 6pm (6.30pm at the end of the month), so anytime around then if you just want to see it lit up. It’s also worth noting that the tower also sparkles for five minutes every hour on the hour once it’s been lit up, so that would likely take place at 7pm when you are there. I’d definitely recommend watching that as well!

Have a great time in Paris, let me know if you have any more questions! We also have a detailed guide to the Eiffel Tower you might find useful 🙂

Andrej ands Heather says

5th July 2022 at 4:58 am

Hi Laurence and Jessica Norah

We were planning the Paris trip, actually a trip to Europe, with the first stop in Paris. We found your web blog, read it carefully and decided to follow your advice in the detail. We stayed for 4 days and used 3 days Paris pass, it is good value for the money we paid for. That was the best decision we made!

We create our own itinerary, we scheduled our trips and we made it even more than we predict. We bought a weekly Navigo on arrival( it is good to have two photos with) and travel all around by public transport, a lot of walking up and downstairs( we are 50 and 51), but we managed. We are extremely grateful for your work and effort. Thank you, guys!

5th July 2022 at 11:12 am

Hi Andrej and Heather,

I am so pleased that you had a good time in Paris (and Europe!) and that you found our sites useful. It is very kind of you to take the time to stop by and let us know, it is very much appreciated. Also for the tip on the Navigo. Here’s to many more years of adventures ahead!

All the best,

6th June 2022 at 11:03 pm

So can I upgrade the Eiffel Tower tour to an elevator one all the way to the summit with the Paris pass? That says guided climbing tour only to the second floor. Thanks

7th June 2022 at 11:45 am

This is a great question! I reached out to Experience First who handle the tour that comes with the Paris Pass, and they responded as follows:

You can First book your tour with Paris pass through: https://www.exp1.com/paris-tours/book-with-pass/

Then, after booking you will receive an email with a Booking reference number which you can use it to upgrade to summit.

To Upgrade after booking : https://upgrade.exp1.com/

So in summary, yes, you can upgrade to the summit access tour with the Paris Pass, although obviously this will be subject to availability.

Have a great time in Paris!

13th November 2021 at 7:57 pm

My husband and I will be visiting Paris in a couple weeks for 4 days (Sun – Wed). This is our first time visiting France and working on a draft itinerary. I plan on getting the Paris Pass for the 1st 2 days so to include all the museum visits. Also your thoughts on doing the river cruise at night (Bateaux Parisiens Seine River) instead of during the day one.

Sunday – Bus hop, Eiffel Tower and late afternoon head to watch the sunset…Arc de Triomphe and do Tour Montparnasse Monday – Sainte Chapelle, Notre Dame, Musée d’Orsay, The Louvre, Wine tasting, River ride at sunset Tuesday – The catacombs or Montmartre then Versaille in the afternoon

Thanks in advance!

14th November 2021 at 11:10 am

Great to hear from you! Your plan sounds great to me. The only thing I’d mention, which might be obvious, is just to remember that in winter the sun sets around 5pm in Paris. I’m sure you factored that in, but just something to remember if you’re wanting to catch the sunset from the Tour Montparnasse.

It definitely sounds like you have arranged everything in a sensible order. I am not sure how busy Versailles is at the moment. In the old times visiting in the afternoon without a guided tour booked was a challenge due to the long ticket lines, but now they have timed tickets I suspect it’s less of an issue – we’ve not been since they introduced the time slots.

For the Seine River Cruise, we’ve done both day time cruises, sunset cruises and an evening dinner cruise. I think sunset is a good time as you get the mix of the city at day and at night, with the potential for a nice sky as well. If it was my first time, I’d probably not do a tour at night, just because it’s obviously dark and so harder to see everything. But that’s just my personal preference. Seeing everything lit up is lovely as well!

Let me know if you have any more questions, I’m happy to help! Have a wonderful trip to Paris – we’re planning to be there at the start of January 😀

amanda Pimm says

31st October 2021 at 4:12 pm

Hi , my husband and I plan to take my daughter and her friend to Paris next may 2022 for her 16th birthday. We have never been before and can’t speak any French, will this be a problem. I also wondered what pass would be good to buy for our 3 day sight seeing please. Would be very great full for any advice.

31st October 2021 at 6:33 pm

Great to hear from you. Let me do my best to answer your two questions.

In terms of not speaking French, this shouldn’t be a major problem, especially in Paris. It’s a popular part of the world with visitors, and English is widely spoken. However, I would say that you will likely have a better experience if you learn a few basic phrases, such as hello (bonjour), thank you (merci) please (s’il vous plait), and do you speak English (parlez vouz anglais). The Parisians have developed a bit of reputation for being rude to foreigners, but in my experience, if you start off with a simple “bonjour”, they will pretty much instantly realise that you are not a native speaker, and nine times out of ten they’ll respond in English. However, if you start in English, they’ll be less receptive. I guess you could imagine the reception if it were reversed, and a French person arriving in the UK or USA and trying to start a conversation in French. So even learning “hello” can be a bit step in getting things off on the right foot!

For city cards, this will very much depend on what you want to see. For most visitors, a trip to the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and a Seine River Cruise are popular, so the Paris City Card is a good starting point as it includes those things. You then get a 10% discount for additional attractions you book through the site. If you plan to see more sights, then you might instead consider the Paris Pass , which includes a lot more attractions and activities, but it will definitely depend on what you plan to do to make sure it is good value. For example, if you plan to do most of the attractions in this itinerary, it will likely offer cost savings.

I hope this helps, have a great trip to Paris and let me know if you have any more questions!

21st April 2020 at 11:55 pm

Exploring the City of Love is such a dream come true! This 3-day Itinerary in Paris is such a great help to those who are planning to discover Paris. Thanks for sharing, nice article.

22nd April 2020 at 10:36 am

Thanks James!

rj digma says

11th February 2020 at 7:08 pm

Great site. Very helpful. One question, if I buy the paris museum pass but want to hire a private guide to take us to the museums and give us art history info, would you know someone.

11th February 2020 at 11:20 pm

Thanks very much! We don’t know any private guides personally, however we have regularly used Context Travel , who do provide private guides, so that would be worth looking into.

Good luck, and have a great time in Paris!

Veronica Webster says

1st February 2020 at 11:36 pm

Hi Laurence, We have already cleared doubts with Jessica about our London trip, and now we’re working on the Paris part. We will be visiting Paris from March 27th to April 1st. Arriving on Friday around 11:00 am. We know that being a weekend everything will be more crowded, but it is what it is. We have made our numbers and we’re thinking that the Museum Pass will work better, given that the Paris Pass 3 days only includes 2 days museums, and we have actually 4.5 days, so not really need to fit all museums in 2 days (and we’re visiting Versailles too) My question is: The delivery options for the Museum pass is pick up at arrival or Fedex (24euros to Canada). If we arrive on a Friday, if I want to reserve time slot for Louvre on Saturday, is there’s a risk I won’t find available the time I’m looking for? Same for Orsay on Sunday morning (we want to be there for both at 9:00 am) Given that we would be already saving time by avoiding lines and buying the tickets, the 24 euros fee to have the pass with us sooner and book weeks ahead sound like a reasonable option. Your thoughts please?

here’s a draft of our trip: Friday after 1 pm: Eiffel Tower, Seine River Cruise (we pay for those 2) Sat: Louvre (9am, museum pass), Hop OnOff (we pay) Champs E./Arc the T (mpass) Sun: Orsay (9am mpass) Montmartre Mo: Saint Chapelle (mpass), Notre Dame (just views), Pantheon (mpass), Invalides (mpass) Tu: Versailles (mpass) – We think Versailles will be less crowded on Tu, but we could switch this to Sunday.

Thank you in advance to you and Jessica! your blog has been very useful to plan this trip!!

2nd February 2020 at 3:32 pm

Hi Veronica,

Thanks for your comment. To answer your question, for the Louvre, it has become very popular, and if you want to guarantee a particular time for your entry, then paying for the delivery of the museum pass is definitely going to be the way to do that. You need the number on the pass in order to make the reservation, which obviously you will need the pass for. If you decide to do this, make sure you bring both the pass and proof of reservation with you, and then join the correct line at the Louvre for those with reservations.

Of course, Paris in March / April is not as busy as it is over the summer months, so it may be that the Louvre has plenty of availability. However, it’s all down to your personal risk preference 😉

For the Musee d’Orsay, as far as we know you can’t book in advance with this museum, you just turn up with your pass. This is the case for most of the museums in Paris, it’s only the Louvre that has the timed requirement due to its popularity.

For Versailles, the weekends are usually very busy, however, bear in mind that many sights in Paris are also closed on Tuesdays (like the Louvre), so this also means more folks head out to Versailles. We would urge you to arrive early at Versailles, as the lines can get very very long for entry. Again, March / April should not be *too* busy, but it is best to err on the side of caution in our experience!

You have done a great job with the itinerary, putting the busiest places first 🙂 Let us know if you have any more questions and we’ll try to help. Have a fantastic trip – do feel free to join our facebook group and share your experiences in our friendly facebook group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/travelloversandphotography/ 🙂

Afitha says

31st August 2019 at 12:47 pm

Hi Laurence, Me and my husband will be going to paris-switzerland-italy for 11 days trip..pls gve me an advise regarding howmany days we will stay per country…eagerly waiting for ur reply..TIA

2nd September 2019 at 6:12 am

It really depends on which cities you want to visit and your personal interests. I haven’t visited Switzerland for a while but I would say if you were to do something like Paris for 3 days, then Switzerland for 3-4 days, then Italy for 4-5 days. I would suggest with that much time that you could visit 2 cities in Italy, so I’d say maybe Rome and Venice. You could also base in Rome and do day trips to places like Florence.

Have a great time!

19th August 2019 at 11:55 am

Hello Laurence and Jessica, I’m planning to go on a solo trip on January 2020 to Paris (and going to Italy). It will be my first time in Europe, and I’m very excited. I know it’s winter and it will be very cold, but I was wondering if you have any tips for a 21 year old solo female traveller? I’m planning to book an AirBnB so I can also cook some meals to be able to save some money. How much do you think I need for the three day sightseeing in Paris alone? I’m hoping to hear from you guys soon. Thank you.

19th August 2019 at 12:01 pm

So I will briefly answer your question on solo female travel. We definitely aren’t experts in that area as we usually travel as a couple, however, Paris is no more or less safe than other major western European cities, so if you practice the same sort of safety precautions that you would in your own home cities, then you shouldn’t have any problems.

For budget, January is not too busy in Paris so you should be able to find an apartment on AirBnb in the region of $60 – $100 a night. The other main costs will be food and sightseeing. For food, lunch is the best time to go out for meals generally as restaurants tend to have fixed price menus. So if you do choose to dine out during your stay, we’d recommend doing so at lunch. Otherwise we suggest croissants from a bakery for breakfast and there are lots of supermarkets for picking up supplies for cooking 🙂

Sightseeing will be your other major costs. The price will obviously vary depending on exactly what you want to do and see. If you plan on going inside many museums and attractions, then we recommend either the Paris Pass or Paris Museum Pass. The best one for you will depend on what you want to see. Note that neither of them includes Eiffel tower access. If you want to go up the Eiffel Tower, the cheapest way is to buy second floor tickets with stair access. You can do this online or in person – see our full Eiffel Tower guide for more on that.

https://independenttravelcats.com/eiffel-tower-paris-france/

Overall, I would say that if you budget $60 – $100 a day for accommodation, $20 – $50 a day for attractions and $15 – $30 a day on food that would be reasonable. Of course, you could go above or below these figures based on your own preference, but that is a ballpark.

Have a great time in Paris, and don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any more questions!

29th July 2019 at 4:15 am

I am looking into going to Paris July 3-5 2020. I have never traveled or anything else like that how would I go about making sure I had enough money. Thank you in advance.

29th July 2019 at 7:42 pm

Well, that’s quite a big question 🙂 It will depend a bit on your travel style (hostel – luxury hotel), what attractions you want to see and what sort of food you want to eat. Also how you get around, from walking -> taxis. The main costs will be your flight to and from Paris, your accommodation, and then your sight-seeing and food costs. It’s hard to give an exact number as everyone will be different, but if you take a look at my guide to the costs for travelling in the UK, this will give you an idea of what to estimate. Paris will be a bit more expensive, as capital cities often are, but you should at least get a rough estimate. You can see that guide here:

https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/cost-travel-uk/

Let me know if you have any more questions!

29th July 2019 at 9:34 pm

Thank u so much I’ll check that link in just a few when I have a bit more time ????????

7th July 2019 at 3:57 am

Hi Laurence!

My husband and I will be going to Paris for six days in October. However, it’s our first time there, and I’m starting to think that we might have too many days in Paris and we might run out of activities.

Any suggestions or thoughts on that based on your experience?

9th July 2019 at 3:42 pm

You definitely won’t run out of things to do. I have just covered the major highlights in this post – there is so much more to the city! We usually visit for 5-7 days at a time, and have done so multiple times, and have never run out of things to do!

9th September 2019 at 11:13 pm

My sister and I who are in our 70 are going on a river cruise with Viking on Oct 6 an want to come in a few days early.. What hotel and tours . Is the show mon la rougue still there as I saw it 20 years and want to see it again.

11th September 2019 at 5:50 pm

Thanks for your e-mail. So the hotel you choose will very much depend on your budget, but we have some suggestions in this post for you to choose from. If you’d like to stay near the Eiffel Tower, we also have a lot of suggestions in our guide to visiting the Eiffel Tower, which you can read here . Of course, you might want to find out where your cruise departs from so you are not too far away.

The Moulin Rouge is still very much in operation, and we visited quite recently. You do need to book in advance, I have a full guide to the Moulin Rouge here which you might find helpful.

Rupali says

25th June 2019 at 2:47 pm

Hi I really like the detailed itinerary. It very good to look if you are planning the trip to Paris in advance. I would like to know if the Paris pass includes guided tours or some discount on guided tours in the museums? Also, if now do you think it is worth to take the guided tours to know about the significance of that place.

25th June 2019 at 3:20 pm

Thanks very much 🙂 So some city passes do include discounts on walking tours. However, the Paris Pass does not include many discounted guided tours. Looking at the inclusions, it includes a Montmartre walking tour, as well as discounts on a Segway tour, cycling tour and Citroen 2CV tour. It also includes the guided Opera Garnier tour. You can see some of the tours it includes on this page – just filter by Paris tours.

So if you want to do a guided tour of the museums, or a guided tour in Paris in general, then you would want to book that separately. I do think that a guided tour is a good way to learn about the city, and I link to some suggested walking tours in the post. It’s really up to you though if you want to do that. If you take a full day walking tour of Paris, then you might not find the Paris Pass offers such good value as most tours include entry to a number of attractions.

Let me know if I can be of any more help!

9th June 2019 at 7:07 pm

Hi Laurence, We stumbled across your blog recently while planning for our trip to Paris in September this fall. We enjoyed reading it. We will be arriving Paris on a Wednesday morning and leaving by plane on a Saturday 5:50pm flight. On Thursday we’ve booked a Versailles morning tour that ends 1:45pm and on Saturday morning we’ve booked the Louvre tour that ends 12:45 pm, then we will retrieve our luggage from hotel and on to the airport. Questions: Should we stay at a hotel that is near the Louvre for our convenience of Saturday’s luggage retrieval before airport Or should we stay at a hotel that is a short walk to the Hop on Hop off bus route so we can visit most of the top attraction via the bus and not to let the luggage retrieval limit the hotel location ? Could you please give us a few hotels suggestions and what top attractions we can fit in our schedule?

9th June 2019 at 8:53 pm

Thanks for your comment!

So, I think it’s up to you in regard to the hotel location. However, as the Louvre is a popular location for visitors, most Hop on Hop off buses will have a stop close by. So you can do both – just pick a hotel close to the Louvre and it will also be close to the Hop on Hop off bus.

In terms of specific hotels, it’s hard to give advice without a budget. I’d suggest using this link to start , and then narrowing your filter by price, date and what type of accommodation you are looking for. I’d generally also suggest looking for properties with a good review score, ideally an 8 or higher 🙂

PS – sorry about the slow response, we’ve been travelling for the past few days with limited internet 😀

Angela B says

9th June 2019 at 3:30 pm

Laurence & Jessica, Such an amazing and thorough explanation. My daughter (13) and I will be arriving into Paris next Sunday (16th) to watch USA play in the World Cup. My husband will be working the Paris Air Show, so my daughter and I have 3 days (17-19) to ourselves, meeting my husband at night for dinner and sightseeing. I think we will do the 3 day tour with Versailles on the last day. Based on this itinerary, does the 3 Day Paris Pass still make the best option? I am guessing it does since it includes travel, entrance, and skipping lines. We are sooooo excited!!!!! Angela

9th June 2019 at 8:57 pm

Thank you so much Angela – sounds like you’ve got a great trip coming up!

So I would say that the Paris Pass would make sense if you intend on using the various additional features it offers like the Seine Cruise, transport and so on. The one thing to be aware of is that whilst the pass is three days, it only includes a 2 day museum pass. And that pass is what you will use for places like the Louvre, Versailles and so on.

I have structured this itinerary to account for that, however, if you want to move things around, it might make less sense, and instead you might consider the 4 day Paris Museum Pass, and then a separate travel card. Of course, it’s up to you.

We have a full review of both types of pass if you would like some further reading to help you decide! They are at the following links:

https://independenttravelcats.com/tips-buying-using-paris-museum-pass/ https://independenttravelcats.com/buying-paris-pass-review-worth-it-tips/

Sumona says

30th May 2019 at 5:31 pm

Thank you so much for writing this. Really helpful and very well written!

30th May 2019 at 5:38 pm

Thank you very much Sumona – have a wonderful trip to Paris and do let us know if you have any questions 🙂

17th May 2019 at 4:52 pm

Hi Laurence and Jessica! I am travelling to Paris soon and your elaborate writing and practical tips is what exactly I was looking for. Brilliant! Thanks : )

17th May 2019 at 5:53 pm

Thank you very much Jasma – have a wonderful time in Paris! Do let us know how you enjoy the city 🙂

17th May 2019 at 7:27 pm

I will sure have a good time in the City of love . Also, Your expert advice on the accommodation pls- the place I am planning to stay is at Courbevoie. Per the owner it says 10 mins to Paris. Do you think during my stay at Paris for 3-4 days this place will be in proximity to the list you had advised in your blog. Thanks Jasma

17th May 2019 at 7:33 pm

It’s hard to tell as Courbevoie is a little bit outside the city centre, and so it will depend on which metro or train station you are near, and how far it is to the metro station. In a best case scenario it will be 10 minutes to the Arc de Triomphe, in a worse case scenario, more like 40 minutes. The Arc de Triomphe is the closest attraction in our itinerary though to Courbevoie, other attractions are further away. So it is definitely not the most convenient location, but it will work. However, if you can find somewhere more central it might work out more easily for you.

18th May 2019 at 3:33 pm

Thanks a million Laurence. You are doing a great job and I truly appreciate it. Regards, Jasma

Godfrey says

29th March 2019 at 8:41 pm

You guys are amazing..just about saved me hours of research into finding things to do in 3 days…This is exactly what fits within our 3 day visit..Keep up the great work!

30th March 2019 at 12:12 am

Thanks Godfrey – we will certainly try! Have a lovely trip to Paris and let us know if we can be of any help!

22nd February 2019 at 5:50 pm

hi! I like your blog,it’s very informative and easy to follow. but can I just know, roughly how much do we need to prepare? I mean if Im a big spender how much money will I probably spend for the tours? excluding the food. I would really appreciate if you could give me the figure so we can save for it. thanks! ☺️

23rd February 2019 at 7:25 am

It’s really hard to give figures as budgets vary greatly between people. So you can see from the tours I have suggested what they cost, and also if you buy one of the passes then many of the attractions will be included. So then your other costs will be accommodation and food. For this itinerary, including food and accommodation, you would probably be looking in the region of €500 – €1000 per person, but that would vary hugely depending on your tastes and accommodation quality.

I hope this helps a bit!

Anjana says

12th February 2019 at 11:17 pm

Hello. I liked the itinerary you suggested. We are planning to be there by mid April. Can you please guide us for weather. Also, I am an artist and wish to visit art gallary, can you please suggest?

13th February 2019 at 9:05 pm

The weather in Paris in April will be fairly warm, like around 17 – 22C. It might be cooler in evenings. Rain is always a possibility, but you would be unlucky if it rained a lot.

If you want to visit an art gallery, I would suggest the Louvre, or the Centre Pompidou if you prefer modern art!

12th February 2019 at 4:52 pm

How to get Paris Pass and the bus passes. Required details about the inclusions and exclusions of the Paris Pass .

12th February 2019 at 5:28 pm

You can buy the Paris Pass with this link .

You can see the inclusions here .

Enjoy your time in Paris!

12th February 2019 at 5:31 pm

Thank you so much.. I will sure be in touch with you if i require any more details .

Regards Shree

13th February 2019 at 7:45 am

Hi Is it mandatory to get the paris pass before hand or the same can be availed after reaching the destination as well..

13th February 2019 at 7:09 pm

You can buy the pass in Paris as well, but they don’t offer sales as they sometimes do online,

Amanda Che says

19th December 2018 at 3:09 am

If I want to visit Montparnasse will I need to purchase tickets if I have the Paris pass? Or do we just show up and they will let us in at whatever time?

19th December 2018 at 8:03 pm

If you have the Paris Pass the Tour Montparnasse is included, so you can just turn up at any time and they will let you in. It’s best at sunset if you can make it them!

Have a great trip

19th December 2018 at 10:02 pm

Thank you for responding!! I’m glad I got he passes! Does this apply to the wine tasting as well?! I’m just not sure about the places that have specific times that need reservations when visiting.

19th December 2018 at 11:10 pm

My pleasure! The wine tasting was the same when we used the Paris Pass – we just turned up and it was fine. However, if you have any doubts you can always reach out to either the attraction or Paris Pass folks to confirm 😀

24th October 2018 at 9:29 pm

Thank you so much for making my life easy!!! You have the best detailed itineraray in Paris. I purchased the 3 day Paris Pass. 🙂 I’m so excited to visit next month!

25th October 2018 at 8:13 pm

Thanks so much! Have an awesome trip 😀

Evelyne says

23rd October 2018 at 10:23 am

Hello, I am a Parisian and I read your post. I think this itinerary is very heavy (espécially days 2) unless you don’t visit the museums and just shoot the buildings. It is just an accumulation of monuments to visit but it does not give the feel of what is Paris. Fortunately, Paris is not just an opan air museum.

23rd October 2018 at 1:03 pm

Hey Evelyne!

Thanks for your feedback. I definitely make that clear at the beginning that this is a very busy itinerary, and people should adjust to suit their own pace 🙂 We usually visit Paris for no less than seven days at a time when putting these posts together, but we know not everyone has that luxury, so we try to fit everything in that people might want to see, based on our conversations with folks planning a trip 🙂

Thanks for stopping by!

kunal gupta says

30th September 2018 at 10:45 am

After having read so many posts, I felt this is the best post. It has all the tips, recommendations and anecdotes that I was looking for to create an itinerary. I am visiting Paris next month and will surely provide you guys my feedback on the experience.

Any tips on finding Indian or vegetarian lunch/dinner will be extremely helpful too !

1st October 2018 at 2:26 pm

Thanks Kunal! I’m not personally an expert on vegetarian dining, but the search engine happycow.net lists vegetarian restaurants around the world, so that would be a good place to look 🙂 Have a great trip!

Kritika says

13th September 2018 at 8:22 am

Hi, Your blog is one simple answer to all the queries I had while planning for my trip. 🙂 We are a couple visiting Paris from 29 Sept to Oct1. We would like to visit a vineyard and taste wine over there. Do you have any information regarding any vineyard nearby and how to commute? Also, We would be going to Lyon for a day. Can you suggest me a short itinerary for the same?

Regards Kritika

13th September 2018 at 11:47 am

Hi Kritika!

Thanks very much, we are happy to have been of help 🙂 We would suggest that the closest wine region to Paris is going to be the Champagne region, and the easiest way to get there would be to take a tour from Paris, which will save you figuring out transport. Plus someone else will drive, leaving you to enjoy the wine 🙂 I found this one which has good reviews so that would be my suggestion, although there are sure to be other options!

For Lyon, we haven’t visited there yet, so I can’t make any recommendations unfortunately 🙁

Have a great trip!

9th September 2018 at 7:25 am

Hi! Just read your wonderful article helps out a lot we are a family of 6..would metro\bus be cheaper or renting a car..staying in a hotel near cdg since all the good/affordable ones are taken near the center….and how I the weather in the end of September? 6 days all Together and Disneyland is included please let me know confused about driving and or bus thanks 🙂

9th September 2018 at 11:38 am

I would recommend against hiring a car as driving in Paris is not so much fun, plus you will have to spend time finding parking and paying for it. Instead I would recommend either taking the metro, or hiring a taxi to take you in. For a group of people, you would have to find the right size of taxi of course, but it should be possible. For Disneyland, the easiest way is the RER from Paris.

The weather in Paris in September should be quite good, not too hot but not too cold, I would say around 12 – 22C, so you will want to have some warmer clothes for the evenings. There is always the possibility of rain as well, so a rain jacket or umbrella would be wise 🙂

Hope this helps!

Susan Morris says

30th August 2018 at 4:14 am

Hi, I have just read your 3-day itinerary for Paris, and I thought it was awesome. Very clear and easy to follow. I look forward to following it when we head to Paris next year! My husband is also keen to visit the area of the D-Day landings at Normandy (Omaha Beach I believe). Do you have any similar itineraries or advice for a 1 or 2 day visit to that area? Many thanks

30th August 2018 at 10:50 am

Thanks very much Susan. We certainly do, we have a two day itinerary which we think you should find useful 🙂

https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/normandy-2-day-itinerary-d-day-beaches-mont-st-michel/

24th August 2018 at 9:15 pm

Hi I am traveling to Paris in second week of oct 18… what would be the climate that time? Do I need to carry a lot of winter clothing?

24th August 2018 at 9:26 pm

October in Europe varies. I’d say the best option is to bring layers, and to have sufficiently warm clothes for cold weather and rain in particualr. The temperature will likely be between 5 degrees C and 15 degrees C, although if it is windy it might feel a lot colder. So it’s not like visiting Iceland or Finland in winter, but you’ll want to be prepared.

I don’t have a guide for Paris, but we do have a packing list for London at any time of year, which should help a bit:

https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/london-packing-list-what-to-pack-for-london-and-the-uk-at-any-time-of-year/

Qinwan says

22nd July 2018 at 1:02 pm

Hi Laurence, I am planning my visit to Paris in Oct 2018, the blog of 3 days itinerary is very much helpful and perfect for my plan. Where do you recommend to proceed after Paris for a 10 day Europe trip?

22nd July 2018 at 9:31 pm

Awesome! Well, if this if your first time in Europe, I’d probably recommend some of the other capital cities, like London or Rome, and then maybe Barcelona, depending on how much time you want to spend in each location. You can easily spend three or four days in both Rome and London. From Paris to London it’s an easy journey, as you can take the train direct. Then there are mutliple flights from London to Rome. If you like the sound of Barcelona, there’s an overnight train from Paris straight to Barcelona. Another idea might be to do Paris – > London, Edinburgh and then a bit of Scotland as well.

I’d definitely suggest not trying to see too much, and spending a bit longer in each location. Three days is a nice amount of time to see a city 🙂

Have an awesome trip!

Elizabeth Higgins says

22nd July 2018 at 5:26 am

This post is just so detail-oriented, Laurence! Any reader would not be having a difficult time browsing because you have also included hyperlinks to the sub-sections. Everything has just been written so wonderfully that I felt spoon-fed with information, in a really great way. I am so glad to find your blog! Thank you so much!

22nd July 2018 at 8:54 pm

Hi Elizabeth – thanks so much! It’s always wonderful to hear that people are finding our posts helpful! Hopefully you have a great trip, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions! Laurence

Tisaygwapa says

9th July 2018 at 9:56 am

Hi, I am a fan of your blog. My planning for my euro trip makes it easier. I have an inquiry though, can you tell me what is the difference between and Paris Pass and a Paris Explorer pass? What airport is near to the attraction on day1?

We will be in Paris for 3 days.

9th July 2018 at 10:03 am

Hi Tisaygwapa 🙂

Thanks very much! The Paris Explorer Pass is a much more limited pass, and instead of giving you free access to all the attractions, it lets you choose from 3, 5 or 7 attractions. For our itinerary, we definitely suggest either the Paris Pass or the Paris Museum Pass for cost saving.

For airports, Paris has three major airports. The two closest to the city and that most people arrive at are Paris Orly and Paris Charles De Gaulle.

From Paris Orly to the Eiffel tower you can take the Ouibus, it only takes around 16 minutes: https://www.ouibus.com/routes/paris-paris-orly-sud-airport

Charles de Gaulle (CDG) is a little further away, you can take the RER train from the airport – it’s probably more like an hour.

Shashank says

20th June 2018 at 5:11 pm

Hi, would like to know if we can walk in directly to Bateux Parisiens any time with the Paris Pass? Do we need to reserve online even if we have the Paris Pass?

20th June 2018 at 7:03 pm

Hi Shashank!

In our experience you can just walk up and show your pass at the ticket booth, no reservation required 🙂

Hope this helps – have a great trip!

18th June 2018 at 9:29 am

I would like to know more details of 3 day Itinerary . In the mentioned Places , how long it will take? that is regarding time span we can spent there comfortably .Can u pls suggest

20th June 2018 at 7:10 pm

IT’s really up to you and your interests as to how long you want to take. The itinerary as laid out is doable, but if you spend four hours at each location, obviously not so much 🙂 So my advice would be to look at each location and decide how much time you would like to spend their. As an example, Sainte Chapelle is quite small, so 15 – 20 minutes would be fine. The Louvre is gigantic, so will take a bit longer! But it’s really up to you 🙂

Karuna says

11th June 2018 at 5:31 pm

Thanks a lot, we are planning to visit Paris, and Italy for 12 days of vacation and this is very helpful for Paris. Can we have an advice on Hotels where we can stay like 4* hotels work walk around to these attractions if possible or nice evening walks?

And can we have an itinerary for Italy for 9-10 days trip,

Thanks a lot

11th June 2018 at 11:29 pm

Thanks very much! In the post I do link to a centrally located 4* hotel, under the accommodation section. The hotel is this one, but I’m sure you can find some other options 🙂

http://www.booking.com/hotel/fr/dress-code-amp-spa.html?aid=385205&no_rooms=1&group_adults=1&label=FTU3DaysinParis

I will update the post in the next few weeks with some more specific recommendations. For the Italy guide, I will add an itinerary to the to do list, you should subscribe to the blog so you get notified of future posts and don’t miss out.

Sunil Chawla says

31st May 2018 at 8:44 am

I will be travelling to Paris with my wife in the month of August. This detailed information will surely be helpful to plan our trip Thank you very much Sunil Chawla India

31st May 2018 at 7:23 pm

Thanks Sunil! Have a great trip 🙂

Chitra Shah says

16th May 2018 at 8:36 pm

I am travelling with my husband and 2 kids ( 7 years and 1 year) to Paris in June. This is exactly what I was looking for, Thanks you. Do you think Paris is stroller – friendly or you recommend a baby carrier.

17th May 2018 at 9:26 am

Thanks Chitra! I must preface my response by saying that we don’t have kids, so haven’t faced this problem 😉 Certainly, part of Paris would be stroller friendly, but things like the metro for example are definitely not easy for stroller access as there are often only stair entrances and exits. So a baby carrier might be easier, depending on how you want to get around the city. I hope this helps a bit – have a great trip!

3rd May 2018 at 7:51 pm

This is one of the best, well elaborated and detailed article. Thank you for putting up so much effort and sharing your experience. It is indeed a great help!

3rd May 2018 at 8:35 pm

Thank you very much 😀

Nitin Bansal says

21st April 2018 at 7:15 pm

That’s a brilliant detailed summary of 3 day Paris itinerary. I am travelling to Paris soon although for a short time and will be looking forward to cover most of the places from your list here.

22nd April 2018 at 10:17 am

Thanks very much Nitin – have a great trip 😀

kristin says

28th March 2018 at 2:25 pm

I envy you guys living in Edi and being able to jet away for so many long weekend trips for cheap! I was pricing Europe from Nashville this summer, and I can’t find anything for under $1000, no matter the hub I fly into =/

29th March 2018 at 9:49 am

We are lucky on that front for sure 😀

Matheresa says

21st March 2018 at 7:49 pm

To go through in u’ll article/blogging i find it very informative and the easiest way for me to make my itinerary,,, specially i saw the Spain article but i didn’t leave a comment there coz of wanted to check for paris too,,, Spain features was fantastic keep it up LOVERS all the best in your Wanderlust started to following u’ll…

22nd March 2018 at 9:19 am

Thanks very much Mathresa 🙂 Have a wonderful trip!

kazim Gurmani says

19th March 2018 at 1:53 pm

The amazing place for the lovers. You guys are so lucky enjoying all this

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How to see Paris in 3 days

Paris feels like a huge city, but it's surprisingly small (almost the size of Houston, Texas) and with a little planning, it’s definitely possible to hit most of the must-sees in three days. We’ve got the perfect itinerary to get you started.

To give you a good feel for the city, we’ve packed each day with famous sights and lesser-known attractions. And because no trip to Paris would be complete without (lots of) food, we’ve highlighted some of the best spots to grab a bite. We’ve also included top-rated recs from the Tripadvisor community, so you can trust that each stop is worth your time.

MORNING: Time travel to old Paris

Start your day in the Latin Quarter , where the cobbled alleyways, narrow streets, and historic architecture will make you feel like you traveled back in time. This neighborhood, located on the Left Bank of the Seine River, is home to one of the oldest universities in the world, La Sorbonne (the original scholars spoke Latin!).

Grab breakfast at award-winning bakery La Maison d’Isabelle —they make their croissants with organic French butter and flour, and it’s one of the few places where you can still get pastries at a reasonable price. Then, walk around the Latin Quarter, soaking up the scene in one of Paris’ oldest and most atmospheric arrondissements.

LATIN QUARTER TOUR OPTIONS:

• Learn from a local guide about the Latin Quarter’s hidden gems and historic landmarks on this 2.5-hour small-group walking tour , which also covers neighboring Île de la Cité.
• To see a more local side of the Latin Quarter, opt for this four-hour bike tour , which skips the major monuments in favor of quiet courtyards, ancient Roman ruins, street art, and cozy bookstores. Bonus: a snack break away from the crowds is included.
• If you’re craving a more personal experience, book this two-hour private Latin Quarter walking tour . A local guide will take you to the landmarks, like the Luxembourg Gardens and the Panthéon, as well as lesser-known sights like the College of Bernardins and the Arenas of Lutetia.

AFTERNOON: Stop and smell the roses

Make your way to Saint-Germain-des-Prés , with a stop at Jardin du Luxembourg to wander 60 lush acres inspired by the Boboli Gardens in Florence.

Saint-Germain-des-Prés attracts intellectuals, celebrities, and travelers from all over the world, and is a great area for lunch. Stop at popular oyster bar Huîtrerie Régis , or Michelin-starred Semilla for elevated French fare. If you want a taste of old Paris, try Les Deux Magots or Café de Flore , where famous writers and artists like Ernest Hemingway and Pablo Picasso used to hang out in the early 20th century.

Spend the rest of the afternoon shopping on Boulevard Saint-Germain, or checking out iconic sights like St. Sulpice Church , the Musée Delacroix , and the Odéon-Théâtre de l’Europe . Église Saint-Germain-des-Prés is also worth a visit—it’s the oldest abbey in Paris, dating back to the 6th century.

EVENING: Sparkles in the sky

The Eiffel Tower is a must-do and can be visited any time of day, but it’s extra special to see at night. Starting at dusk until 11 p.m., it lights up on the hour and sparkles for five full minutes. For an epic view—plus dinner and live music—hop on a Seine River cruise with Bateaux Mouches. You’ll enjoy four delicious courses and wonderful entertainment while taking in the city lights from the water.

Worthy detours along the way

MORNING: A garden tea (or hot chocolate) party

Wake up with treats from Boulangerie Eric Kayser , which specializes in croissants, pain au chocolat, and rustic bread. After breakfast, head to Jardin des Tuileries —dreamed up by Catherine de' Medici in 1564 and opened to the public after the French Revolution, it’s a prime example of intricate Parisian landscaping. If you’re short on time, download a self-guided audio tour , which will take you straight to the highlights while teaching you the history of the gardens.

In the southwest corner of Jardin des Tuileries is the Musée de l'Orangerie , built by Napoleon III in 1852 to store citrus trees during the winter and now home to several Impressionist masterpieces. There’s also the Jeu de Paume photography museum in the northwestern corner of the gardens and the Musée des Arts Décoratifs at the northeastern tip. Hungry after all that museum-ing? Refuel at Angelina , a tea room that’s famous for its hot chocolate and pastries.

AFTERNOON: An island in Paris

Head to Île de la Cité , home to the famous Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris . It’s one of two tiny islands—the other being Île Saint-Louis—in the middle of the Seine and features everything from parks and boutiques to cafes full of history. Browse the beautiful Marché aux Fleurs ; marvel at the exquisite stained-glass windows in Sainte-Chapelle , a royal chapel built by Louis IX in the mid-13th century; visit La Conciergerie , the palace where Marie-Antoinette was held before her execution; and shop on Rue Saint-Louis en l’Île .

For lunch, enjoy traditional French fare like entrecôte (rib-eye steak) and escargots at Comme Chai Toi , which has next-level views of Notre-Dame.

EVENING: Explore Le Marais

In the early evening, explore the trendy Le Marais district, with its charming streets full of hip cafes, boutiques, and bookstores. It’s also home to major attractions like Place des Vosges , Paris’ oldest public square; Maison de Victor Hugo , the former home turned museum of 19th-century author Victor Hugo; Église Saint-Paul Saint-Louis , the first church in Paris to be built in the Baroque style of the Jesuits; and Village Saint-Paul , a 13th-century building complex that now houses art galleries, antique shops, and several restaurants and bars.

For dinner, take a food tour of Le Marais, or visit Paris’ oldest food market, Marché des Enfants-Rouge , to sample food from all over the world, including the Mediterranean, North Africa, and East Asia. For something more straightforward, watch the sunset over cocktails and snacks at Le Perchoir Marais (the rooftop bar at the BHV Marais department store, open late spring through early fall), then go to Chez Omar for authentic Moroccan food like lamb and couscous at good prices.

LE MARAIS FOOD TOUR OPTIONS:

• Come hungry for this three-hour small-group food tour of Le Marais, which includes stops for favorite Parisian foods like fine cheese, oysters, falafel, and crêpes, plus a sit-down dinner of boeuf bourguignon and crème brûlée at a traditional brasserie.
• On this four-hour Le Marais walking food tour , you’ll pop into the neighborhood’s best markets, bakeries, and brasseries to discover the local culinary scene.
• This 3.5-hour Le Marias tasting tour includes 10 stops at fine foods and specialty stops to meet local artisans and vendors and sample everything from wine and cheese to macarons.

MORNING: See the sunrise from Montmartre

Mornings in Paris are calm and quiet. Take advantage of this peaceful time to catch the sunrise from the highest point in Paris: Montmartre . Take the funicular from the Place Saint-Pierre or walk up from the Square Louise Michel to the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre , which has the largest mosaic in France, and watch the sun come up over the city.

Nearby, Boulangerie Les Deux Frères serves buttery viennoiseries (pastries) with pistachio, chocolate, and other fillings, as well as tasty crêpes. Boulangerie Raphaëlle is another popular spot for its reasonably priced croissants and baguettes.

AFTERNOON: Stroll the Champs-Élysées

Next up: L’Arc de Triomphe . The impressive landmark, modeled after the great arches of antiquity, was commissioned by Napoleon I in 1806 to honor the victories of his Grande Armée. Go up to the terrace for amazing views of the city; just be sure to book a skip-the-line ticket ahead of time (it includes quick entry, plus a scenic boat cruise on the Seine).

From L’Arc, take a walk down the Champs-Élysées . The mile-long shopping strip stretches all the way to Place de la Concorde , Paris’ largest square, and is lined with boutiques from both French luxury and affordable brands.

For lunch, drop by Le Fouquet’s , a chic brasserie with sophisticated French fare. A 10-minute walk away, Hotel Raphaël has a killer terrace for cocktails and snacks.

EVENING: City lights and the Louvre

For a magical experience, visit the Louvre Museum at night, when it’s less busy and the famous pyramid is illuminated. It stays open until 9:45 p.m. on Friday nights. Afterward, walk ten minutes north to La Bourse et La Vie for dinner. The bistro serves refined French fare like steak frites and foie gras. Make reservations ahead of time (the space is tiny) and don’t miss the giant gougères (cheese puffs).

LOUVRE AT NIGHT TOUR OPTIONS:

• Get into the Louvre after it’s closed for the evening on this private night tour , which covers highlights like the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo as well as the little-known stories behind some of the museum’s most famous works.
• On this two-hour guided Louvre tour at closing time , you’ll enjoy skip-the-line entry and the chance to see famed works without the daytime crowds.
• This three-hour private Louvre tour by night includes priority admission and a knowledgeable guide, who will point out works by Italian artists like Raphael, da Vinci, and Caravaggio as well as French sculptures lit up in the museum courtyards.

Know before you go

There’s never a bad time to visit Paris, though the weather can be rainy and cold in the spring. Late summer and early fall bring the warmest temps, plus a range of cultural activities, from new museum exhibits to lively festivals. For a festive experience, go in December or January, when Christmas markets and twinkling lights take over the city.

Wednesday through Friday is the best time of week to be in Paris, as many restaurants are closed on Mondays and several key sites are closed on Tuesdays.

Restaurants in Paris are typically open from 12 to 2 p.m. for lunch, then again from 7 p.m. until late (though most Parisians don’t eat dinner until 8 p.m. or later). Bars and cafes open early, around 7 or 8 a.m., and stay open until at least 2 a.m. Shop hours are generally from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

For affordable and well-located hotels, stay near the Eiffel Tower. Great options include Hôtel 33 Marbeuf and Hôtel de l'Avre . The trendy district of Le Marais offers stylish lodging like Hôtel du Petit Moulin , Hotel Bastille Speria , Hotel Jules & Jim , and Little Palace Hotel . Staying near the Louvre in the 1st arrondissement is also a fool-proof option, with plenty of places to suit different budgets. Check out Hotel du Louvre , Relais du Louvre , Le Pradey , Hôtel Cambon , Hotel Louvre Saint Honore , and Timhotel le Louvre .

Walking is the best way to see Paris, but to save time (and energy), the metro , hop-on-hop-off buses , e-scooters , and e-bikes are also great ways to tour the city.

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How to Spend 3 Days in Paris – the Perfect Itinerary

Last Modified: February 5, 2024 //  by  Anda //   26 Comments

Paris is one of the most sought after destinations in Europe and that’s not surprising. It’s charming, rich in history, easy to walk, and very atmospheric. There is a lot to see and do in Paris, so if this is your first time here and you only have 3 days, you’ll need a well planned itinerary.

Ideally, you should spend more time in the City of Lights to fully experience it, but sometimes a packed European itinerary doesn’t allow for more time. When planning your first trip to Paris it’s tempting to load up your itinerary. But unless you are very selective with your schedule, you’ll burn yourself out very quickly.

With that in mind, I’ve put together a 3-day Paris itinerary that will allow you to discover the city’s most famous attractions without feeling rushed and overwhelmed. There are many other beautiful sites in Paris which I intentionally left out, as I believe they can be skipped if you only have a few days. Obviously if you have more time, you can also include these attractions and maybe even take some day trips from Paris .

3-DAY PARIS ITINERARY FOR FIRST TIME VISITORS

Day 1 : Arc de Triomphe, Louvre, Eiffel Tower Day 2 : Latin Quarter, Notre-Dame, La Sainte-Chapelle, Sacré Coeur Day 3 : Musée d’Orsay, Dôme des Invalides, Saint-Denis Basilica, River Cruise

PARIS ITINERARY DAY 1

1. arc de triomphe de l’étoile.

Start your walk at the Arc de l’Étoile – the monument honoring those who fought and died for France. From here head east toward the Place de la Concorde ,  one of the major public squares in Paris.

At the center of Place de la Concorde you’ll see the  Obelisk of Luxor –  a gift to France from the Ottoman rulers of Egypt in 1829. Place de la Concorde was the filming locations of the final scene in The Devil Wears Prada (starring Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep) – one of the movies you should watch before coming to Paris.

After passing through Place de la Concorde, continue to the Tuileries Gardens , which once belonged to Catherine of Medici (wife of Henry II). This place has always been a popular retreat in Paris, so if you need a break, this is a great place to relax.

At the east end of the Tuileries you will see the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel which commemorates Napoleon’s victory in the Battle of Austerlitz.

From the Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile to the Arc du Carrousel there are roughly 3 miles, so depending on how many stops you make along the way, it may take you 2-3 hours to walk between these points.

2. The Louvre Museum

Just one street crossing away from Arc du Carrousel is one of the world’s most famous art museums: the Louvre . If you want to visit the museum you can stop here, but don’t plan to visit everything in one visit. It’s one of the things you should avoid on your first trip to Paris .

Visiting the Louvre may easily take an entire day and since you only have 3 days in Paris, I would suggest you limit your visit some of the main sites. These are also pretty safe, especially if you are on a solo trip to Paris.

You could visit the Apollo Gallery (where the crown jewels are kept), the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and the Winged Victory.

TIP : On Wednesdays and Fridays the Louvre stays open till 10 p.m. If you come to the museum after 6 p.m., chances are you’ll have the rooms all for yourself. 

The lines to visit the Louvre can be very long. So rather than waiting for hours to get inside, book your tickets online in advance at the Louvre official website , or purchase a Skip-the-Line Guided Tour that will take approximately 2 hours.

If you have any extra time after visiting the Louvre, consider dropping by the Galeries Lafayette. This is one of the most beautiful department stores that you will ever see. The enormous stained-glass dome at the center of the store is definitely worth a little detour.

READ NEXT : What to Buy in Paris: 15 Souvenirs You’ll Just Love!

3. The Eiffel Tower

What better way to end your first day in Paris than a visit to the Eiffel Tower? This easy recognizable landmark is at the top of every travel bucket list for Europe . Therefore there are always long lines, if you want to go up.

My favorite spot to view the Eiffel Tower is from Trocadero. This large square that sits on the hill of Chaillot is the perfect place to photograph the Tower. Especially in the evening, when the city lights glitter in the background. 

After you take it all in, you can start walking toward the Seine River to reach the Eiffel Tower itself. Unfortunately, the lines at the Eiffel Tower can also be huge (2-3 hours sometimes).

There are two ways to get to the top of the Eiffel Tower: you can either climb the stairs (much shorter lines, but more tiring), or you can take the elevator.

PARIS ITINERARY DAY 2

1. the latin quarter.

If there is one thing you shouldn’t miss in Paris is the Latin Quarter ( Quartier latin) . This district has always been the epicenter of bohemian Paris. Here you’ll find a many historic buildings and monuments, lots of restaurants and cafés, and some very fascinating book shops.

Make sure you stop by the famous  Shakespeare & Company , the English bookstore that was once the meeting place of the likes of Ernest Hemingway and James Joyce.

Some of Paris’s most astounding cathedrals are also in this area and two of them should definitely be on your 3 day itinerary.

2. Notre-Dame Cathedral

Updade: No matter how many times I went to Paris, I could never skip this Gothic masterpiece that keeps watch over the Seine River. Unfortunately, in April 2019 a massive blaze devastated large parts of the Notre Dame Cathedral.

Notre Dame de Paris is located on Île de la Cité , one of the two remaining natural islands in the Seine within the city of Paris (the other being the Île Saint-Louis). The church’s magnificent façade can be seen from far away, but the details in the sculptures and the famous gargoyles at the top become obvious only as you get close to it. 

Before entering the cathedral, take time to go around and look at the outside of the building and the beautiful rose window.

3. La Sainte-Chapelle

Also on Île de la Cité, just a few minutes walk from Notre Dame, is the beautiful Sainte-Chapelle. This royal chapel is located within the walls of Palais de Justice (formerly known as Palais de la Cité), the former residence of the Kings of France until the 14th century.

To visit the chapel you have to get through the security line at Palais de Justice. After passing the security line, you enter the chapel’s first level which is nice but not very spectacular.  

There are plastic folders everywhere, in different languages, telling the story of the place. Don’ miss them as they have valuable and interesting information not just about the church but also about Paris.

From this floor you begin ascending a narrow spiral staircase toward the second level. As you enter the second level, the ceiling opens up into the most brilliant display of color and light.

I can’t really describe the feeling I’ve got when I first saw  La Sainte-Chapelle.  It’s like walking into a surreal space with ever changing colors and kaleidoscopic patterns. The chapel is stunning display of stained glass – 15 windows depicting over 1000 scenes from the Old and New Testament.

4. Sacré Coeur Basilica

From here head to Montmartre, a large hill in Paris that gives its name to the surrounding district. At the top of the hill you can visit the iconic Sacré Coeur de Montmartre, another famous church in Paris that you shouldn’t miss. There is no view of Paris like that from the dome of the basilica. 

Montmartre is all about atmosphere: narrow streets, bohemian art galleries, street painters and chic restaurants. Parisians consider Montmartre a heaven of peace and many of them wouldn’t live anywhere else.

Walking through Montmartre feels like walking in the footsteps of Renoir, Matisse, Picasso and the other artistic figures who revolutionized the late 19th and early 20th century painting. Besides the beautiful Sacré Coeur, Montmartre is also home to the Moulin Rouge , Paris’s famous cabaret.

PARIS ITINERARY DAY 3

1. musée d’orsay.

You can start your 3rd day in Paris with a visit to one of the richest and most exciting museums in the world: Musée d’Orsay. Its exclusive Impressionist art collections containing works by Matisse, Monet, Degas, or Van Gogh can be overwhelming.

It’s almost impossible to see the entire museum in a single visit. If this is your first time here, it’s best to focus on one or two wings at the most. 

The museum building has a very interesting history. It was originally Gare d’Orsay Station and served as the terminus for the railways of southwestern France until 1939. During World War II, it became a mail center.

Over the years, the building had many other roles: a temporary hotel, an auction house, and even a film set. Before becoming an art museum in 1986, it even survived a demolition attempt. The building still feels very much like a train station, with its huge clocks and wide open spaces.

2. Napoleon’s Tomb and the Dôme des Invalides

Most people go to Dôme d es Invalides  just to visit Napoleon’s tomb, but there is so much more to this monumental structure. The large complex of 17th-century buildings was initially designed for the care of disabled veterans and as a place of worship. Parts of the building were later converted into Musée de l’Armée and into a tomb for Napoleon I.

This is one of the world’s most fascinating military museums, but I didn’t include it in your 3 day itinerary since your time in Paris is too short. If however you are planning to return for a longer trip, make sure to add it to your must-see list.

Even if you don’t have military inclinations, the artifacts on display will amaze you. You’ll also find out a lot about France’s tumultuous history and the many wars it fought.

TIP : Book your guided tour for Napoleon’s tomb online and skip the lines:

3. Saint-Denis Basilica

If this is your first time in Paris, you might not be aware about the historic importance of St. Denis Basilica. I included it in your 3 day Paris itinerary because I believe this is one of the most grandiose and important royal necropolis in Europe.

The cathedral is the burial place for most of the kings and queens of France. From the 6th to the 19th century, 43 kings, 32 queens, 63 princes and princesses, and 10 historical personalities have been buried here. There are over 70 statues marking the final resting place of some of France’s most important figures. I have only seen grandiose crypts at the Capuchin Church in Vienna .

Beneath the cathedral’s floor lies the crypt, where you can see the remains of Saint-Denis, patron saint of France (martyred in 250 AD). Also in the crypt are the tombs of Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette, who were beheaded during the French Revolution.

Located in a small suburb just North of Paris, this gem is often overlooked by visitors, which is a pity. For history buffs St. Denis Basilica is an absolute must and totally worth the short trip outside the city limits.

TIP: If you decide to tour the Saint Denis Basilica, you can book your tour here:  

4. Boat Tour on the Seine River

What better way to close your three day visit to Paris than a boat tour on the Seine? Pass by the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre Dame, the Musée d’Orsay and get one more look at the city’s iconic sights.

There are many options to choose from for a boat tour in Paris . From Hop-On-Hop-Off to a luxurious dinner cruise, you can pick whatever fits your budget and lifestyle.

Sites You Can Skip If You Only Have 3 Days in Paris

Paris certainly has countless attractions that are worth checking out. In fact, many of the sites are so popular, that missing them will make you feel like you haven’t even been in Paris. But there are also some famous places that you can skip if you only have 3 days in Paris, so here is what you can leave out of your itinerary:

The Catacombs

Seeing the over 6 million skeletal remains stacked in an underground ossuary is certainly a unique experience. But unless you are visiting Europe off-season , when Paris sees way less visitors, I would skip the Catacombs.

During the peak season the lines for the Catacombs are endless (2-3 hours wait) and the narrow tunnels are crowded and stuffy. This is definitely not a good place to visit in summer!

The Palace of Versailles

The Palace of Versailles is definitely worth seeing if you are in Paris, but not if you only have 3 days. Between the ride itself (40-45 minutes), the long lines at Versailles and the time you’d need for visiting the Palace, you’d be spending probably an entire day on this trip.

The Top of the Eiffel Tower

Before deciding whether to go up the Eiffel Tower or not, you should be aware that you will be competing with 19,500 other people who want to see Paris’s landmark on every single day. You could easily spend 2-3 hours standing in line.

But if you don’t want to leave Paris without seeing the Eiffel Tower up close and personal, you can book a special tour below. With this tour you will not only skip the ticket line, but also get priority access on 2nd floor.

Museum Pass vs. Paris Pass

Both passes are designed to reduce the costs of visiting Paris in a short time period. In order to decide which one works best for 3 days in Paris, you need to now what’s covered under each pass.

The Museum Pass covers the entrance fee for over 60 attractions and can be bought for 2, 4 or 6 days (from $65).

The Paris Pass is more expensive ($120) but way more complex. It includes all the attractions covered by the Museum Pass covers, plus free transportation in Paris. The big advantage of the Paris Pass is that it helps you skip the lines.

How to Get Around Paris in 3 Days

If this is your first time in Paris, getting around the city will seem intimidating. Public transportation works great in Paris, but deciphering the metro maps is not always easy may take too much of your precious time.

Instead of spending precious time asking for directions in Paris, I suggest buying a 3 day ticket for the  Hop-on Hop-off Bus.  This ride will help you get acquainted with the city and give you an idea about the most important landmarks. I find this to be the best way to explore any new city we travel to and Paris is no exception to this rule. 

Best Time to Visit Paris

Paris is not the same at every time of year, so before you decide when to schedule your 3 day trip you need to know what to expect during the different travel seasons.

Summers are beautiful in Paris, but during the day time it may get a little hot. Also, most Parisians leave town in summer, so you’ll have more tourists around than locals.

Fall and Spring in Paris are absolutely beautiful. The weather is good, the prices are a bit lower and crowds are smaller, so September-October and April-May are probably the best time to visit Paris.

Winters are not that great in Paris. Between November and Mark the city seems sad, although not deserted. There are always people around in Paris, even during the coldest and rainiest days.

We have visited Paris several times during the winter and late fall and the experience wasn’t that great. On the plus side, January and February are the cheapest months to visit Paris, in terms of hotel and airfare prices.

Practical Tips for Visiting Paris

Safety tips.

Overall Paris is pretty safe, but like in any big city around the world you should exercise common sense and be aware of scams and pickpockets. Major crime is not an issue in central Paris. Here are a few things to consider for your safety:

• don’t walk down poorly lit streets at night
• don’t go near/through gardens at night
• be aware of your surroundings when you are withdrawing cash from an ATM (and don’t do that at night)
• don’t venture outside the city late at night and if you have to return to your hotel from a late night show, take a cab rather than using the metro
• lock your passport and valuables away when you leave your accommodation and don’t carry them with you

Other Tips for an Improved Experience in Paris

• Parisians are very formal, so don’t expect to start up a conversation with a stranger in a cue, like you would in America. 
• Say hello and good-bye ( bonjour and au revoir ) any time you enter/leave a store or a restaurant. Failing to do so is perceived as very rude and may attract a rude treatment in return. 
• Be sure to use the bathroom whenever you are at an attraction or in a restaurant. Free public restrooms are rare and usually very dirty in Paris.
• Know your hotel’s name and address. It seems obvious but there are multiple Marriott’s (or whatever) in Paris and things can get confusing with the language barrier.

Where to Stay in Paris

As you may expect, there is no shortage of accommodations in Paris. Over the years we have visited the city many times and stayed in different places and neighborhoods. We tried hotels, bed-and-breakfasts and apartments. We even tried some unusual hotels in Paris .

Ideally you should try to find lodging as close to the city center as you can, in order to avoid commuting. Unfortunately Paris hotels tend to be very expensive, especially in the more upscale neighborhoods. That’s why I think you have a better chance to find a good deal by using VRBO or Airbnb.

You can also take a look at the listings for Paris on Expedia . Besides hotels, they also have apartments and hostels. I use Expedia quite often when I travel and it always game me good prices. 

If you found this article helpful, pin it for later

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Anda is an award winning travel writer, avid globetrotter and passionate photographer. She is the voice behind "Travel Notes & Beyond," a collection of stories and travel impressions from her wanderings around the world. When she is not busy writing, traveling, or editing photographs, you can find her hiking in the foothills behind her house together with her husband and their dog.

Reader Interactions

David Foong

October 5, 2023 at 1:22 am

Hi, Good morning. Planning to spend 3nites 4 days in Paris. Can you recommend a good itinerary as what to do and sightseeing in Paris with tours and hotel rates included for 2 paxs with thanks David Foong.

October 5, 2023 at 6:30 am

Hi David, The post that you just commented on is the perfect itinerary for 3-4 days in Paris. As for hotels, I can’t make any specific recommendations. We usually stay in the 4th ‘arrondissement’ which is very central.

September 8, 2018 at 4:17 pm

Great post! I agree mostly with everything you said. I’d probably leave off Saint-Denis if I only had 3 days although I love it! I’m personally not a big fan of the boat ride down the Seine because of previous bad experiences, no fault of the boat tour company, just some of the tourists that were a bit obnoxious but yes, it colored my opinion! I think it is lovely at night though!

Anda Galffy

September 8, 2018 at 7:02 pm

Thanks for your comment in input, Lorri. Always appreciated.

Rob+Ann @TravelLatte(.net)

August 17, 2018 at 12:39 pm

Anda, we LOVE this post! Sure, we’ve done most of these, but we want to go again and again and again! We could spend days in Musee d’Orsay, or walking through the Latin Quarter. Of course, it would take days to really explore the Louvre, and we would visit Galleries Lafayette daily, if we could. Ah Paris, je t’aime!

August 17, 2018 at 4:06 pm

Hahaha, yea, you are right! We can’t get enough of Paris.

Mary(The World Is A Book)

August 12, 2018 at 7:13 am

What a great resource and love this type of itinerary post. We’ve gone to Paris a few times and it’s usually 3-4 days with a day trip thrown in. Glad to see we haven’t missed anything from this list. It just made me miss Paris.

August 11, 2018 at 10:58 am

Paris was the first trip me and my husband(boyfriend back then) made together, and we also went for 3 days! But we definitely need to go back to see Versailles, Catacombs, Musée d’Orsay and Napoleon´s Tomb! I so agree: you could visit the city hundreds of times and still come across new charming places!

Kelly Price

August 11, 2018 at 10:38 am

Love this! It’s great how you broke it up into 3 themes. I never knew of St. Denis – so much history! I’m going to make the effort to get up there next time I’m over in Paris. 🙂

August 11, 2018 at 8:57 am

This is an excellent list. I spend 3 days in Paris a few years back, and I still regret not spending more.

August 11, 2018 at 3:12 am

I have been to Paris many times as it’s only 4 hours drive from where I live. It’s always nice to read what others think about it. Love your pictures.

August 11, 2018 at 9:07 am

Thank you, Wendy. It’s nice to live so close to Paris.

August 11, 2018 at 2:03 am

I just love Paris! So much to see, I think you did a great job of fitting the highlights into three days. I have spent weeks in Paris and there is still so much I want to see. Need to plan another trip.

August 11, 2018 at 9:08 am

Just writing about it makes me want to go back, Anisa. There is always something new to discover in Paris.

carolyn eddie

August 11, 2018 at 1:50 am

We first went to Paris on our honeymoon over thirty years ago and have ben back many times. Love your three day trip suggestions and despite having seen most of them on our many trips to Paris have pinned them for later. Fabulous city, fabulous post. Thanks for sharing on

August 11, 2018 at 9:09 am

Thanks, Carolyn. I appreciate it.

August 10, 2018 at 11:27 pm

I couldn’t agree more with this guide. I especially loved Dome des Invalides when I was in Paris. It’s been ages and I really feel like going back again!!

August 11, 2018 at 9:10 am

You are very close to Paris, Esther. When your baby grows a little bigger you can take him along too.

August 10, 2018 at 1:55 pm

We only spent a few hours inside the Louvre, mostly because it was so crowded and I just felt a little claustrophobic in there. It’s a gorgeous place though, and I’d love to go back after 6pm on a Wednesday anf Friday. Great tip! I missed out on the Galleries Lafayette as well, so that’s definitely on the list for next time.

Rhonda Albom

August 10, 2018 at 1:11 pm

Paris can be such a difficult city to visit but your guide puts things in order and makes it look easy. I think planning your itinerary and key site visits is essential and your information is spot on. I did not have 3 days in Paris so I missed a huge chunk of your list. There is always next time.

August 10, 2018 at 2:46 pm

There is so much to see in Paris, Rhonda! If you ever return, you should try to stay at least 3-4 days to make any sense of the city.

Rosemary Kneipp

August 10, 2018 at 2:47 am

Great post, Anda! The only thing I think that first-time visitors may have missed in your itinerary is the Place de la Bastille, perhaps instead of Saint Denis as they will already be visiting the Orsay Museum and Napoleon’s Tomb. Experiencing Paris before the shops open is a wonderful experience as well. Visitors could get up early (easy for Australians with jet lag!) to begin your first day walking tour. May I recommend my powerwalking series from the days when I lived in the Palais Royal in Paris? Just enter “powerwalking” on http://www.aussieinfrance.com .

August 10, 2018 at 2:50 pm

Thanks for your input, Rosemary. It’s always good to hear from you.

Mayuri Patel

August 10, 2018 at 2:28 am

This so helpful guide which covers everything about paris..thank you so much for such lovely post

August 9, 2018 at 10:16 am

We are heading to Paris next month! Even though I’ve been there before, I enjoy reading itineraries for new suggestions. I have yet to take a boat tour on the Seine, so I’m looking up your info. It’s either been too cold or too hot. Maybe this September it will be just right! I also would like to see the store with the lovely ceiling. And the D’Orsay is one of my favorite places in Paris. Wonderful, inspiring photos, Anda!

August 9, 2018 at 3:21 pm

Thanks, Sharon. Hope you’ll have fun in Paris. September is a good month to go there.

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Three days in Paris

Visiting Paris for a long weekend? Here's our 3-day itinerary with top recommendations of the best places to visit in Paris over three days.

Best time to visit

Any time of the year

fabulous architecture

Don't miss

the flea markets

Paris 3 days itinerary

There are so many iconic places to visit in Paris, it’s hard to know where to start. This three day itinerary gives you some ideas of what to see if you’re only in Paris for a few days and want to make the most of your time.

As walking around museums can be quite tiring, we’ve spread the big ones out over three days so you don’t get overwhelmed. There are tips for avoiding queues, getting the best price on attractions and addresses of bars, restaurants and cafes for pit stops along the way.

DAY 1: The Left Bank

This is the area south of the river where the 6th and 7th districts are located, home to the Musée d'Orsay, the Eiffel Tower, Les Invalides, Napoleon's Tomb, the Rodin Museum and some of the city's most beautiful streets.

Morning at the Musée d'Orsay

Try get to the Museum at 9:30 am when it opens to avoid the queues. In France, museums are closed either on Mondays or Tuesdays so check before you plan a visit. Both the Musée d'Orsay and the Rodin Museum are closed on Mondays.

Lunch on the river

When you've had your fill of fabulous art, head west along the river past the Assemblée Nationale to Les Invalides (it's about a 10-minute walk), stopping for lunch at Rosa Bonheur , a restaurant and bar on a barge moored next to the beautifully ornate Alexandre III bridge .

If the weather is good, get yourself a seat on the terrace and enjoy views of the Grand Palais across the river and the Eiffel Tower further to the west.

Les Invalides and the Rodin Museum

After lunch, take a stroll up the Invalides gardens towards the Army Museum and its golden dome. If you're a military enthusiast there is lots to see within the complex, including a museum dedicated to military models of towns. You can also visit the main courtyard for the tanks and artillery collection, and the tombs of famous soldiers, including Napoleon, who has pride of place under the dome. 

If sculpture is more your thing, the Rodin Museum is just around the corner on Rue de Varenne, to the side of the Army Museum. Set in an 18th century mansion, the museum and its gardens are a stunning setting for Rodin's beautiful sculptures and a haven of peace and tranquility on a busy day.

The Eiffel Tower and the Champ de Mars

Next stop, Rue Cler, just a short walk from Les Invalides and one of the best street markets in Paris (it was Julia Child's favourite street). Take a wander into La Fromagerie at number 31 for some smelly cheese tasting and pick up a perfectly ripe Brie. Then pop into Les Grandes Caves at number 55 for a bottle of delicious red. Now all you need is a crusty baguette, and you have all you need for a picnic on the Champ de Mars as the sun goes down behind the Eiffel Tower .

If you fancy the views from the top of the tower be prepared for long queues. There are several ticket options available and you can also buy fast track tickets online with specialist agencies, but they are very pricey. If you are fit and able, you can walk up the stairs to the second floor and take the lift to the top from there. It cuts down on the queues and is considerably cheaper than getting a lift all the way from the bottom.

The cheaper tickets will just get you on the lift to the second floor, not to the top where the best views are.

DAY 2: The Louvre, Centre Pompidou and the Marais

Today is a day of contrasts, taking you from the ultra modern pyramid of the Louvre to the quaint winding streets of the Marais via historic Palais Royal and an icon of 20th century architecture.

Breakfast at the Louvre

The Louvre is the biggest museum in the world, covering 60,000 square metres (652,300 square feet), so there is no way you can see it all in one day, let alone one morning. In fact, it's been calculated that it would take 100 days to see everything in the Museum. So, plan what you want to see in advance and be realistic. You can always come back another time.

Avoid the main entrance when it's busy and use either Galerie du Carrousel from the Commercial Centre, or Porte des Lions on the river side of the building.

Lunch at Palais Royal

Time to sit down, have some food and rest your feet. Exit the Louvre on the Rue de Rivoli side and walk the short distance to Rue de Valois. Take one of the entrances into the Palais Royal  on the left hand side of the street and walk through into the gardens.

There are several high-end restaurants in the arcades, but you'll also find more modest establishments like Cafe Kitsune and Villalys on the far side of the gardens, where you can have a very pleasant lunch on the terrace.

The Pompidou Centre

It's about a 20 minute walk from Palais Royal to the Pompidou Centre , or you can hop on Metro line 1 from Palais Royal - Musée du Louvre to Hotel de Ville, and walk up Rue du Renard.

The Pompidou Centre houses collections of modern art and industrial design and is considered one of the most influential buildings in 20th century architecture.

It was designed by architects Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers in the 1970s, and since then its distinctive brightly-coloured exterior has become one of the must-see sights in Paris.

For the rest of the afternoon head into the trendy Marais district, a short walk east of the Centre.

A walk around the Marais

Take Rue Rambuteau at the back of the Pompidou Centre and continue past the National Archive building along Rue des Francs Bourgeois into the heart of the Marais. This district has a very different feel to most parts of Paris, there are no wide boulevards and grand 19th century buildings, here the streets are narrow with a medieval feel.

Grand 13th century mansion houses are hidden behind high walls and unmarked gateways and many have now been turned into hotels or museums.

You'll walk past the Musée Carnavalet (reopening after renovations at the end of 2019) and arrive at the 17th century Place des Voges , the oldest square in Paris, just in time for an aperitif.

Finish your evening with dinner at the superbly ornate Brasserie Bofinger at nearby Bastille , or head back into the Marais to Rue des Rosiers for some window shopping and a kosher feast at one of the many Jewish restaurants, left over from the days when the area was the city's Jewish quarter.

DAY 3: Notre Dame and Montmartre

No trip to Paris is complete without visiting these two iconic monuments, made famous in film and literature.

Notre Dame and the islands

Day 3 starts with a visit to the very heart of Paris, Ile de la Cité , one of the two islands on the Seine and the official centre of Paris.

Notre Dame Cathedral opens at 8am so get there as early as possible to avoid the crowds. Access to the cathedral is free, but if you want to go up the tower or down to the crypt you'll need to pay (included in the Paris Pass ).

Due to a recent fire, Notre-Dame cathedral will be closed until further notice.

Next stop, the Sainte-Chapelle (about a 5 minute walk away) to see the glorious stained-glass windows that illuminate this 13th century Gothic chapel.

As you're walking between Notre Dame and the Sainte-Chapelle you may see a massive flower market on your right, on Place Louis Lepine. The Marché aux Fleurs Reine Elizabeth II (renamed after the Queen in 2014 to commemorate her state visit) is open all day every day, and on Sundays gets louder and even more colourful when it is joined by the bird market.

If you have time, cross over to Ile St Louis , the smaller island behind Notre Dame, and pay a visit to Berthillon, the most famous ice cream parlour in Paris. If it's not ice cream weather, they also have a tea room for hot drinks. While you're there, have a wander around the island which has some of the most expensive and exclusive real estate in Paris.

If the weather is good and you have time, you can take a 1-hour river cruise, departing from the tip of Ile de la Cité, which will take you up as far as the Eiffel tour and drop you back at Pont Neuf . It's a good way to see all the monuments along the river from a different perspective and get some great photos.

Lunch in Montmartre

Next you're heading to Montmartre for lunch. Take line 4 from Cité Metro (direction Porte de Clignancourt) and get off at Barbes Rochechouart. It's not the nearest stop but it saves you having to change. This is a back way up to Montmartre and is a bit less busy than the main access from Abbesses Metro. 

When you exit the Metro, walk west along Avenue Rochechouart and turn onto Rue de Clignancourt, then take the third street on the left, Rue André del Sarte. Don't be put off if the street looks a bit seedy, the whole area is being regenerated and trendy upmarket restaurants are moving in. At the end of the street take the flight of stairs on the right which will bring you up to a very pretty square with a choice of restaurants and terraces for lunch.

Then, take the next flight of stairs up from the square to just below the Sacré Coeur   Basilica  on the east side. Just one more flight of stairs to go and you're up at the top with superb views over Paris. Be aware that it gets very crowded, especially in peak periods.

The main village is to the west of the Basilica, around the Place du Tertre . It is very touristy so don't expect to find any bargains, but it's fun to browse the shops, galleries and restaurants and have your portrait or caricature done by one of the many artists on the square.

If you have any mobility issues the best option is to take a taxi or Montmatrobus from Pigalle as there are a lot of steps to get to the top. The funicular is only suitable if you can manage a couple of flights of steps or a steep walk, as it takes you to the level below the Basilica.

Once you get to the top, be aware that the streets are cobbled and quite uneven so walking may be difficult.

Palais Garnier and the big department stores

On your last afternoon in Paris it's probably time to hit the shops and pick up some gifts to bring home. From Montmartre, walk down to Abbesses Metro and take line 12 (direction Mairie d'Issy) and get off at Saint-Lazare station. Walk down Rue du Havre to the intersection with Boulevard Haussman. On your left you'll see Printemps , one of the biggest department stores in Paris

A bit further down the street, you will see  Galeries Lafayette with its stunning internal stained-glass dome. Both stores extend over several buildings so there is plenty of choice.

Just opposite Galeries Lafayette you'll see the back of Palais Garnier , the original Opera house. Walk around the building to Place de l'Opera to see the stunning Neo-Baroque facade. Guided tours of the inside are available in English.

Last supper in Paris

While you're in the area of Opera, you may want to pop into the legendary Harry's New York Bar at 5 Rue Danou, for a cocktail or two and some star spotting.

When you're ready to eat there are plenty of restaurants around the area, from the elegant  Cafe de La Paix , just next to Palais Garnier, to high street pizza joints. Serious carnivores should try A Coté on Rue Lafayette where you can order meat by the kilo and to share (they have English menus).

If you fancy something a bit more traditional, hop on the number 29 bus from the corner of Rue du Quatre Septembre and take it as far as Sebastopol-Etienne-Marcel. The restaurant you're heading to is Chez Poulette , possibly one of the prettiest restaurants in Paris.

Frequently asked questions

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Distances between stops on the Paris Metro are much shorter than in London, so it's quite quick to get around. Unlike the London Tube map, the Metro map reflects actual distances between stops so you can judge whether it's walkable or not.

To use the Paris Metro, you need to know the number of the line you are taking and the end station which gives you the direction. So, for example, where in London you might be on the Victoria line Southbound, in Paris you would be on Line 4, direction Porte de Clignancourt.

Paris also has the RER, which is a bit like Thameslink or the Overground, going a bit further out to the suburbs and the main airports. There are 5 lines, A-E, which branch out to different destinations. RER Line A, direction Marne-la-Valee Chessy, is the line that goes to Disneyland Paris and Line C, direction Versailles Chateau, will take you out to Versailles.

The RER connects with the Metro and you can use the same tickets, within equivalent zones. Visit the RATP site for service updates, maps and a travel planner.

• In Paris, on the older Metro trains, the doors don't open automatically. You need to lift the little lever (which can be quite stiff) to open the doors.
• As with every big city, be aware of your personal security and make sure that money and phones are safely zipped away in pockets or bags.
• The Paris Pass  gives you free unlimited travel on the Metro, RER and bus as well as free entry to some of the main museums and attractions. There are also some fast track museum entries and discounts available on many attractions.
• If you're not planning on doing much travelling or sightseeing, buy a 'carnet' of tickets. This gives you 10 tickets that you can use at any time. If you have any left over, you can use them on your next trip to Paris.
• You can buy Metro tickets at Eurostar Café on board Eurostar. They are a bit more expensive than buying them in Paris, but handy for avoiding queues on arrival if you want to get through the station quickly.

The bus is a lovely alternative to the Metro as you see so much more as you're travelling around. Paris has a good network of routes and the buses themselves are modern and air conditioned.

Every bus has a map of the route on the wall and the name of the next stop is shown on a screen and announced, so you don't need to worry about not knowing where to get off. If you don't speak French, be aware that the names of the stops may not be pronounced the way they are written - so keep your eye on the screen.

August is the best time to take the bus in Paris as the streets of the city empty during the summer holidays, when locals head off to the country.

Metro tickets are valid for buses as well as the Metro and RER. It's best to have your ticket already before boarding the bus. Once onboard you'll need to stamp it in the machine next to the driver. On the long stretchy buses you can also get on by the middle door, where there is also a machine.

Taking the bus around Paris

Buses are a great way to see the sights without spending money. If your feet are tired and you fancy a bit of armchair sightseeing, there are a few routes that are well worth taking for the views along the way

Line 80 : From Montmartre (Place de Clichy) to the Eiffel tower (Ecole Militaire), via the Champs Elysées

Line 69 : From Pere Lachaise Cemetery to the Eiffel Tower, via Bastille and the Louvre

Line 82 : From the Luxembourg gardens to Trocadero, via Les Invalides and the Champs de Mars

Line 39 : From Boulevard Hausmann (Grands Boulevards) to Sevres Babylone via the Louvre and St Germain des Pres (great for shoppers)

Taking the bus

Can i get around paris on a bike.

Paris has its own equivalent of the Santander hire bikes, called Velib , including the new electric bikes with a range of 50 kms. You can get 1 and 7 day passes that allow you to take up to 5 bikes a day. Just find the nearest docking station via the app, hop on and get exploring.

Some good areas to try are along the Canal St-Martin up to Bassin de la Villette and around the Bois de Vincennes.

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Paris in 3 Days Itinerary – A Helpful Detailed Travel Guide

September 6, 2023

Paris is the perfect getaway whether it be for a romantic retreat or for a shopping trip , for a week-long adventure or a whisked away weekend for you and your loved one.

I recommend at least 7 days to visit Paris and enjoy it; check my article on How long to stay in Paris .

For those of you looking to visit Paris in a shorter time-frame, you may be a little overwhelmed with how much there is to see in the city while only having a limited time to do it all.

I guarantee you that even if all you did on your trip to Paris was sip a latte at a Parisian Café , the city of Paris would captivate your heart.

Though it might be a jam-packed three days, if you are looking to see as much of the city as you can, here is the perfect Paris 3 days itinerary to see it all!

Day 1 in Paris

Day 2 in paris, day 3 in paris, 2. food/drink, 3. transportation, 4. arrondissements, what can you do in paris in 3 days.

The perfect first day in Paris should be filled with some of the iconic landmarks at the top of your list.

Paris architecture is absolutely breathtaking with all its character and charm.

The major landmarks are no different. With all their ornate detail and beauty, you will find they are better than you could have imagined.

Here are the ideal stops for day one of your Paris adventure:

• Arc de Triomphe duration 1h/1h30 – The Arc de Triomphe is known to many as just a beautiful arched landmark circled by a roundabout in the road. However, on a deeper level, under the arch is the home to the unknown soldier. You can learn the history of the arch and go up to the top for a beautiful view.
• Avenue des Champs-Elysées duration 2h/3h – This beautifully landscaped strip is a great place to stroll along and it is filled with shops and restaurants. The Champs Elysées runs from the Arc De Triomphe to the Place de la Concorde.
• Eiffel Tower duration 1h30/2h30 – Whether you decide to visit during the day or night, the Eiffel Tower won’t disappoint. Standing at 1063 feet, the Eiffel Tower is the one place you can’t miss while in Paris. It is beautiful to look at, but more impressive are the views it provides of the city. It is simply unparalleled to anything else.
• Bateaux Mouches (Seine River Cruise) duration 1h/2h – Finish off the day by enjoying the sites along the Seine River. You can sit back and relax on a sunset river cruise where you can see the beautiful sites of Paris by water as the Seine winds its way through the city. It really is a romantic and one of a kind experience.

A great way to spend your second day is by immersing yourself in some of the unique beauty of Paris .

Paris, one the most visited cities in the world , is known to be home to world-renowned artwork, beautiful gardens, and enchanting architecture.

Your second day in Paris will bring all these aspects to Paris alive.

Here are the perfect stops for your second day in the city:

• Notre-Dame Cathedral duration 1h/2h – Located in the exact center of Paris is the Notre-Dame Cathedral. Through recent events, the Notre-Dame Cathedral is current closed for renovations. Even though you will not be able to tour the stunning Catholic Church, you can still stop by and take in its beauty from the outside.
• Musée du Louvre duration 3h/5h – The bulk of your day will be spent at the Louvre. With it being the world’s largest museum , there will be more for you to see than you will likely even have time for. Here you will get to see the iconic Louvre Pyramid, the Mona Lisa and so many other amazing pieces of art.
• Luxembourg Garden duration 1h/1h30 – For a calming touch on your second day, the Luxembourg Gardens will provide the perfect escape. It is filled with incredible landscaping, a beautiful fountain to sit by and quaint pathways to walk through and enjoy your beautiful surroundings.

On your third and final day in Paris, you may be up for a little further travel to see some key pieces of Paris History.

Through these places you will not only find Paris history, but also a look into Parisian culture .

Here are 2 locations for your third day in Paris that will really open your eyes to the heart of the city:

• Versailles duration 3h/5h – Though a little bit far from the city itself, the Palace and Gardens of Versailles are worth the drive (or the train ride). They are absolutely stunning and will have you in awe. The Palace was home to French Royalty and is a work of art itself. The Gardens are simply remarkable and could be explored for days. This is where you will spend the bulk of your day, so you will want to arrive early.
• Montmartre duration 1h/2h – This area of Paris is the perfect spot to end your day. It is a quaint picturesque area with little boutiques and cafes to explore. Here you will also find the home to Sacre-Coeur and the cancan dancers at the Moulin Rouge. This is one of the areas of the city that really captures the Parisian art scene.

Quick Tips for 3 Days in Paris

When picking out where you will be staying, keep in mind the duration of your visit.

With just staying in Paris for three days, you will want to avoid one the most stupid Paris travel mistakes and to stay in the center of the city.

This will allow you to have easier and quicker access to all the sites.

For perfect transportation options, stay close to one of these metro stations: Chatelet Les Halles, Saint Michel Notre Dame, Etoile, Haussmann Saint Lazare, Montparnasse-Bienvenüe, or Denfert Rochereau.

While hitting all the highlights of Paris and exploring the city make sure to take the time and stop at some patisseries, cafes, and restaurants.

It is the perfect way to people watch, enjoy the scenery and eat some delicious food!

The Parisians take great pride in their food and it shows. You will have some of the most delectable fine quality cuisines during your stay in Paris.

The easiest way to get around the city is through public transportation.

They always say, do as the locals do and Paris offers great public transportation options from the metro to buses and trains.

It allows for cost-effective quick access to all the places you will want to visit and you won’t need to worry about parking.

During your three-day trip, you will want to keep in mind that Paris is divided into twenty arrondissements. These are different districts or sections to the city.

With traveling to Paris for a short time, planning your travel with the arrondissements will help to see as much as you can in that section of the city so you are not wasting too much of your time traveling and can spend more time exploring.

About the author

Travel Reporter & Editorial Director

Ph.D. in Geography, Travel Photographer, and Software Engineer. Been on 4 continents and loved them all.

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3 Days in Paris Itinerary (Tips, Suggestions & Attractions)

Paris is one of the most visited cities in Europe and has a surplus of iconic things to do and see. This is what makes a long weekend in Paris the perfect getaway with your loved one or even your girlfriends.

I would recommend a bare minimum of 3 days to hit the highlights of Paris but also be able to take some time to enjoy a glass of wine and people watch. With that said, be prepared for a fairly packed 3 days in Paris itinerary in this guide of the best things to do in Paris.

Before you start your long weekend in Paris, I highly recommend purchasing the Paris Pass . This little gem is going to give you access to pretty much everything listed in this guide, free access to the entire public transportation system including the metro and a 48 hour Hop on Hop off bus ticket.

Get the Paris Pass online to save time and money on your trip.

Your Ultimate Itinerary of Paris Planner

Table of Contents

Day 1 – Itinerary for Paris

If you’re flying from the USA, most flights leave in the evening and arrive in Paris in the morning. While you’ll have jetlag, this is going to give you a whole day to relax and start seeing the city at a slow pace.

Try to sleep on the plane so that once you land in Paris, collect your luggage and make your way to your hotel, you have the energy to go for a walk and start seeing the city.

This will likely be your first solid day in the city, so try not to waste it if you’re limited to a long weekend or only a couple of days.

Don’t leave home without:   Lonely Planet Discover Paris .

Latin Quarter

The Latin Quarter of Paris is located in the 5th and the 6th arrondissements of Paris. It is situated on the left bank of the Seine and arguably the best location to be based on a visit to Paris.

If you’re not able to snag a good deal in this area, head to the Latin Quarter via Metro and get off at Cluny, La Sorbonne (Line 10 – yellow line).

Get off the main road and wind your way down one of the smaller alleys to find a small cafe to have breakfast – they’re literally everywhere.

A Parisian breakfast is usually light, just a croissant or pain au chocolat or maybe tartine and jam and coffee. I was lucky enough to stay in this district on my last visit to Paris and every single morning I’d follow my nose down the street for a coffee and croissant.

My incredible base at the Hotel de Seine made the rest of Paris very accessible.

Notre Dame is the most visited site in Paris. A 12th-century gothic church with beautiful architecture and stain glass windows, one could easily spend a couple of hours here exploring. Climb the nearly 400 steps to the top for a fantastic view of Paris.

There is an English guided tour around 2PM which is why I put this site in the middle of the day, but you could easily make this your first stop if you want to self-guide and miss the crowds.

Also, don’t forget to check out the Saint-Chapelle Church nearby which also has beautiful narrow stain glass windows reaching up toward the ceiling. Notre Dame is accessible via the Saint-Michel Stop on Line 4 (Purple).

General Admission: Free, Ascend: €8.50, Crypt: €4 Opening Hours: Daily 7:45 AM-6:45 PM

Seine River Cruise

Your next few days will be pretty busy so today is a great time to take advantage of a Seine River Cruise. You can put your feet up and get a unique perspective of Paris with a beautiful cruise down the Seine.

A fabulous introduction to Paris is to do a Champagne Tasting on a Seine River Cruise tour.

Ile Saint-Louis

A peaceful island in the Seine River behind the Notre Dame gardens, Ile Saint-Louis is beloved for its bustling streets, small boutique shops, and historical buildings. Visit the Brasserie de l’Isle Saint-Louis to sample one of the 90 flavors of handmade ice creams.

Louvre Museum

If you have the energy and are lucky enough to arrive on a Friday, the Louvre is open until 10pm and on these days, the crowds are thinner after 6pm.

The Louvre is the largest and one of the best art museums in the world with over 400,000 pieces of art so make sure you grab your coffee and have your good walking shoes on.

Take the Metro to Palais-Royal–Musée du Louvre (Line 1, yellow) and enjoy both the inside and outside of this enormous and beautiful museum.

It opens at 9AM but do note that the Museum is closed on Tuesdays. Plan to spend at least 3 or 4 hours here.

If you happen to visit the Louvre Museum during the day, after you’ve tired yourself out looking at so much wonderful art, take a breather in the Jardin de Tuileries right next door.

Grab some food and have a picnic lunch outside on the grass. It is a truly beautiful garden that you could walk for several hours.

If you’re going it on your own, I recommend a good guide book and a Louvre Museum Skip the Line Ticket so you don’t waste hours standing in line.

Related Article: Facts about the Louvre Museum

Admission: €15 Adults, Children Free Opening Hours: Mon, Thurs, Sat,Sun (9AM-6PM), Tues (CLOSED), Wed,Fri (9AM-10PM) Covered under the Paris Museum Pass.

Day 2 – Paris in 3 Days

After a successful landing in Paris, an exciting introduction to the city on your first day and some successful sleep, it’s time to really hit the streets of Paris and explore.

Buy a Hop On – Hop Off Bus Ticket

First things first, I highly recommend you buy a 48 hour Hop on Hop Off bus ticket to see the city. Yes, they are cheesy, yes they are an iconic tourist thing but let me tell you, they get you to the best parts of the city and you get to see everything in between the sights.

Don’t get me wrong, I am all for the use of public transport and usually end up combining the two of these to tour a new city, but I love taking the HOHO bus around.

It lets you hop off where you want and this lets you explore at your own pace. They typically run audio for you to listen to during the ride that tells you interesting facts and history about the things you are seeing and the city itself.

Hot Tip: Book your HOHO bus ticket in advance and save yourself the time and frustration of trying to find a place to buy tickets!

Once you have your bus tickets, make your way to the closest pickup point and get ready to explore Paris. At this point, your options are endless and completely up to your interests.

However, I recommend breaking up your 48-hour pass in the ways described for the next 2 days. There are so many options for things to do in Paris, but we’ll make sure you see the best.

You can experience a Hop on Hop off bus tour with two companies in Paris, L’Open and Big Bus. I used the L’Open bus because it has 4 routes that get you into the nooks and crannies of Paris.

The Big Bus has 2 routes and while it hits all the major sights, I like having the option to get off the beaten path a bit. Save time and money, book your bus tickets before you arrive in Paris: L’Open | Big Bus

Get the best city map of Paris: Lonely Planet Paris City Map (Travel Guide)

Place de la Concorde

Honestly, I truly believe this is one of the prettiest plazas in Paris. This site not only showcases great architecture and a huge fountain but is also rich in history.

Measuring 21 acres, it is the largest square in Paris and the official historical site where Marie Antoinette and King Louis XVI were beheaded during the French Revolution.

Be sure to spend some time wandering here and contemplating French history. Marvel at the fountains and take in the views as you’ll see the Eiffel Tower poking over the tree line in the distance.

You have two options once you’ve finished here, you can get back on the bus or you can start walking down the Champs Elysees towards the Arc de Triomphe.

Champs-Élysées

No matter how you arrive here, be sure to take some time to walk about 15 minutes down the famous boulevard and do some window shopping. Paris’s most famous street, you’ll find high-end designer stores here and enjoy the hype.

Something else to note is that some of the top end macaroon shops reside here, you’ll pay a pretty penny but you’ll be in for a treat. Grab a coffee, a macaroon and do some people watching. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch a glimpse of a celebrity.

Arc de Triomphe

Easily one of the most visited sites of Paris behind the Eiffel Tower is the Arc de Triomphe. Sitting at the head of the Champs Elysees, it’s a sight to behold.

Whether you arrive by bus or by foot, prepared to be wowed by this large structure adorned with intricate sculptures and sculpted reliefs. You shouldn’t miss a climb to the top of the arch, stopping halfway at the history museum, and get a beautiful panoramic view from the top.

When gawking at the structure from street level, be very careful of traffic. Don’t stand in the middle of the road. If you set up a tripod , be aware of your surroundings as this is a popular place for diversion snatch and grabs. Always make sure you have a hand on your tripod.

Admission: €12 Opening Hours: Daily 10 AM – 11 PM Covered under the Paris Museum Pass

Walkabout 10 minutes along the Rue de Grenelle and discover Paris’s famous market street. Full of bakeries, cafes, and specialty stores, this is where locals come to do their daily shopping.

Personally, I feel you get some of the best views of the Eiffel Tower from the Trocadero Gardens. It is by far the best place to capture night photos of the tower if you’re into photography.

Not only does it afford you great views but it has beautiful architecture and huge fountains that run down the hill, leading to the Eiffel Tower. Take some time weaving through the fountains and gardens.

Eiffel Tower

Gather your strength and explore the Eiffel Tower . There are three levels you can choose to ascend to depending on how energetic you feel. You have the option of taking an elevator or the stairs.

To take the stairs to the very top platform is about 1700 steps but you will be able to get a view of every angle of this most famous structure and get a spectacular night view at the top. Admission prices vary based on age and how high you want to go.

Admittedly, I was very drawn to this iconic landmark on my last visit to Paris. I couldn’t get enough of it so I ended up visiting it several times during my long weekend in Paris to capture it in a different light with my camera and just take in the changing atmosphere with the time of day.

Visiting the Eiffel Tower is one of the best things to do in Paris, hands down.

Another great option is to visit the  Eiffel Tower by Night . See the ‘City of Lights’ sparkle on a guided night tour of the Eiffel Tower.

Skip the ticket desk line and rise straight up to the second-floor observation deck of Paris’ most recognizable landmark.

Take in spectacular panoramic views of the cityscape, and admire illuminated monuments like Notre-Dame Cathedral, Sacré Coeur Basilica, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Louvre.

Admission: €4-€11 Opening Hours: Daily 9 AM-12 AM Accessible independently via the Trocadéro – Line 6 (green-blue) or line 9 (yellow)

Champ de Mars

Head to the end of the Champ de Mars, a long green park leading to the Eiffel Tower, and take a load off. Bring a picnic blanket and a bottle of wine, and enjoy people watching as the sun sets and the Eiffel Tower lights up.

This is a great place to come with friends and just take some time to soak in the Parisian atmosphere.

Also note, there always seems to be some type of art exhibition going on. When I was there, the Champ de Mars was lined with bear statues, each one painted differently to represent a different country in the world.

Seine River Night Stroll

If you still have some energy after descending the great tower, take a peaceful stroll along the Seine River and enjoy seeing the City of Lights lit up. Poke your head into one of the many cafes for a bite to eat and if you’re lucky, some live music.

Day 3 – Paris Itinerary

Set that alarm for another early start, freshen up, grab a coffee and croissant in the street and head for the bus pickup for a second day of seeing the city with your HOHO bus ticket .

Les Invalides

First stop, head for Les Invalides to visit the military museum, see Napoleon’s Tomb and wander the Alice in Wonderland type garden. 

This wasn’t a stop that was originally on my radar but it was beautiful and I can’t imagine visiting Paris and not seeing it.

The museum is captivating with an intense history of the military of France. On top of it, the tombs of several famous French war generals can be seen here and you can also take a visit to the crypt.

The surrounding grounds are worth at least 30 minutes before hopping back on the bus and continuing to the other things to do in Paris.

Admission: Full price: €11; Reduced price: €9

Opening Hours: 10 AM to 6 PM. Closed every first Monday in the month, 1 January, 1 May, 1 September and 25 December.

The Pantheon is an impressive 18th-century mausoleum with columns in the front and a large dome dominating the rest of the building.

The edifice is truly a stunning piece of architecture and it is definitely worth at least a 30 minute wander inside to appreciate the size of the dome and the paintings within.

Also not to be missed are the crypts below which act as the final resting place for some of France’s greatest heroes.

Admission: 9€/ Free under 18 Opening Hours: 10 AM-6:30 PM

Luxembourg Gardens

Leave the Pantheon, grab a gelato from Amorino and walk just 5 minutes to the west to feel like you’re entering a French painting at the Luxembourg Gardens.

Hopefully, your day is a sunny and warm one- when I visited it was October and the forecast was 50 and sunny…. we froze. So pack accordingly.

Families having picnics, children floating sailboats in the lagoon or riding ponies, audiences watching puppet shows, people sunbathing or playing chess in the shade – you will certainly feel like you’ve entered an enchanting another world here. 

If you want to head indoors you can also check out the Luxembourg Museum that displays collections of 19th-century art or of course, the Luxembourg Palace.

Admission: Free (Gardens), 11€ (Museum) Opening Hours: Daily 7am-4pm (Gardens), Sat-Thurs 10:30 AM-7:00 PM, Fri 10:30 AM-10 PM (Museum)

Le Marais & Rue Des Martyrs

Part of visiting Paris is also discovering the many districts within the city. Don’t limit yourself to just one area as they are all different and all have their own flare.

Wander along with this historic district’s 60 shops and tour through Paris’s charming Jewish Quarter. This is also a great, central place to stay that will make you feel like you’re in medieval Paris.

If the Marais gets too crowded for you, explore the Rue Des Martyrs, a more bourgeois neighborhood of friendly vendors and residents. Located in the Montmartre district, this street is a hill leading to the highest point in Paris.

Have a coffee at Café des Deux Moulins, the cafe made famous by the movie Amelie. Enjoy the old fashioned charm of one of the busiest streets in Pigalle.

Basilique du Sacré-Cœur

Explore Montmartre, Paris’s most famous hill, fully by summiting the highest point of Paris at the Sacred Heart Basilica.

The completely white Roman Catholic Church has a beautiful exterior with a nice interior as well. The entrance is free but you can climb the 300 steps to the top for a spectacular panoramic view for €6.

Be very wary of pickpockets and scammers here and keep a tight hold on your belongings. It is not uncommon for snatch and grabs to take place here, as well as pickpocketing.

The vendors will also be overpriced, so save your souvenir shopping for a different area. If you’ve paid the money to climb the stairs be sure to take some time and enjoy the inevitable musicians performing at the top while you soak in the views of Paris below. Easily one of the best things to do in Paris.

General Admission: Free, Balcony Admission: €6 Opening Hours: Daily 8.30 AM to 8 PM (May to September), 9 AM to 5 PM (October to April)

Place du Tertre

Just five minutes away from the Basilica is the Place du Tertre, a square where outdoor art vendors sell their fare. I, for one, always like to visit the art scene if there is one and in Paris, it’s not to be missed.

Get a memorable souvenir and have one of the artists paint you in this classic cobblestone square or just take in the artistic atmosphere.

Moulin Rouge

End your day in style with Paris’s most popular show. This famous Cabaret is the birthplace of the Can-Can. And if you can, you really should buy a ticket in advance for the cabaret theater show. Enjoy the vibrant colors and compelling choreography of this spectacular performance.

This is not a cheap option for dinner but I guarantee you’ll have a memorable night out in Paris’s risque district. Like many things in Paris though, you’ve got options.  If you don’t fancy waiting in line or showing up only to find out that all the tickets are gone, book ahead of time.

Immerse yourself in the extravagance of the Moulin Rouge , the most popular show in Paris, during an unforgettable evening that includes a gourmet 3-course meal. See talented troupes of colorful showgirls and expert dancers strut their stuff on the historical stage of the Moulin Rouge.

Cabaret Show Tickets: €100-€200 per person

Optional Itinerary for 4 Days in Paris

Now that you’ve spent 3 days taking in some of Paris’s best sights, I highly recommend heading outside the city for a day trip. There are, of course, many on offer and it’s really hard to choose so I’ve compiled the very best for you to choose from.

Learn about the Best Day Trips from Paris

Day Trip to Palace of Versailles

Located about 45 minutes outside the city, you can take the RER C (leaving from central Metro stations in Paris including Tour Eiffel, Notre Dame, and Musee d’Orsay) and walk a few minutes to the castle or you can book a tour if you’re not comfortable taking the train a long distance. However you get there, plan to do so early.

The palace opens at 9 AM and if you arrive too late you could be waiting for an hour to enter. Purchase your ticket online in advance to avoid the lines.

If you bought the Museum pass, admission to the Palace is included but the entrance to the Musical Gardens is not so if you want access to the Garden shows, buy a ticket in advance for about €9.

As for the palace itself, it is beautiful and full of history. Go through the interior in the morning (audio guides available), find a place on the grounds for lunch (great place for a picnic!), and then explore the breath-taking gardens in the afternoon.

Don’t miss the famed Hall of Mirrors, the table where the Treaty of Versailles was signed, and Marie Antoinette’s apartment.

You can choose to see Versailles in a number of ways. Popular options include a dedicated trip, combining with visits to other places and on your own.

Full Admission: €18, Park and Gardens: Free Musical Garden Shows Admission: €8.50 Palace Entry covered under the Paris Museum Pass Opening Hours: Mon (CLOSED), Tues-Sun (9 AM-5:30 PM) Transport: Book a round trip Paris – Versailles Rive Gauche ticket

Day Trip to Chantilly

Admittedly, I was drawn to Chantilly for the horses but wow, this proved to be a fantastic and not very exercised day trip from Paris.

There were no crowds and we enjoyed the castle, stables, and grounds with very few other people. Not to mention the village of Chantilly is very charming to explore with garden walkways from the main part of town to the castle.

Each day there are performances in the stables with the royal horses that demonstrate upper-level dressage and talk about the riding program at the property.

There are also international horse shows held on these grounds at certain times of the year. The castle is extremely photogenic and a beautiful way to spend a day away from Paris.

Go on your own by taking the train from central Paris to the village of Chantilly and then walk to the castle or take a guided tour for an in-depth experience with a complete history of the property.

Related Article: Amazing castles to visit in France’s fairytale Loire Valley

Other Popular Day Trips from Paris:

• Normandy D-Day Battlefields and Beaches Day Trip
• Mont Saint-Michel Day Trip including Local Lunch
• Skip the Line: Chateaux de Chambord, Chenonceau and Loire Valley Wine-Tasting Day Trip
• Paris to Bruges Day Trip
• Champagne Region Day Trip from Paris
• Reims and Champagne-Tasting Day Trip from Paris
• Chateaux de Fontainebleau and Vaux le Vicomte Day Trip from Paris
• Paris Day Trip to Fontainebleau and Barbizon with Private Driver and Guide
• Full-Day Excursion to Étretat and Le Havre Including Impressionist Cooking Class and Visit to Musée Malraux
• Small-Group Day Trip from Paris to Honfleur and Cote Fleurie

Filling your Itinerary in Paris

Museums in paris you shouldn’t miss.

Determining what museums to visit is a very personal thing. Besides the Louvre Museum, which everyone that visits Paris should see, there is a museum to suit every interest imaginable.

With that in mind, I’ve curated some of the best museums to take in on a visit to Paris. Museums, after all, are one of the best thins to do in Paris.

All of the museums listed below are covered by the Paris Museum Pass unless noted. Don’t forget to purchase this pass if you want to see several museums during your long weekend in Paris.

Paris Museum Pass – Choose 2, 4 or 6 Days with Hotel Delivery in Paris

Musee Rodin

You could either walk 25-30 minutes or take the metro to Varenne (métro line 13) the next part of the day.

Unlike other Parisian museums, this hidden gem of a museum housing Rodin’s works is actually rather peaceful and once done touring the interior, you can stroll the English style rose garden outside where you can find such famous works as The Thinker and The Gates of Hell.

Admission: €10 Opening Hours: Mon (Closed), Tues (10 AM-5:45 PM), Wed (10 AM-8:45 PM), Thurs-Sun (10 AM-5:45 PM)

Musée d’Orsay

The Louvre isn’t the only remarkable museum in Paris. If you walk through the Tuileries garden and across the river you’ll find the Musée d’Orsay to the left.

Some even claim to enjoy the Musée d’Orsay better than the Louvre because it is less overwhelming and focused on just impressionist and post-Impressionist works.

If you climb to the balcony you will get a stunning view of the Sacré-Cœur Basilica. The Musée d’Orsay is closed on Mondays.

Admission: €12 Adults, 18-25 y.o. €9, Children Free Opening Hours: Mon (CLOSED), Tues-Wed, Fri-Sun (9:30 AM-6 PM), Thurs (9:30 AM-9:45 PM)

Musée de l’Orangerie

Head back across the river and walk through the gardens to the left and in the end, you will find our final museum of the day, the Musée de l’Orangerie.

The Musée de l’Orangerie houses 8 famous Monet paintings known as The Water Lilies as well as other impressionist works. Though small, this museum is well worth a visit, especially if you are a Monet fan!

Admission: €9 Adults, 18-25 y.o. €6.50, Children Free Opening Hours: Tues (CLOSED), Wed-Mon (9 AM-6 PM)

Picasso Museum

If you’re a fan of Picasso, take a quick tour of the Picasso Museum which gives a comprehensive overview of Picasso’s life. Take the Metro to Saint-Paul on 1 line.

Admission: €12.50 Opening Hours: Mon (CLOSED), Tues-Fri (10:30 AM-6 PM), Sat-Sun (9:30 AM-6 PM)

Opera Garnier

If you’ve still got some time left in the day, exit the gardens and walk about 20 minutes to the opulent Opera Garnier. One of the world’s most renowned opera houses, take a guided tour to appreciate the beautiful architecture and decor or even try to book an evening performance for around €30.

Admission: €8-12 Opening Hours: 10 AM-5 PM (Last tour starts 4:30 PM)

Galeries Lafayette

And if Opéra really isn’t your thing, walk just 2 minutes and go shopping at the Galeries Lafayette, another decadent building with beautiful inner decor.

You can find all the designer brands for jewelry, perfume, cosmetics, and clothing and even visit the terrace on the top floor for a beautiful nighttime view of Paris.

Opening Hours: Mon-Wed, Fri, Sat 9.30 AM-8 PM, 9.30 AM-9 PM Thur

Want to get out of the city? Rent a car and take a road trip

General Information for Visiting Paris

• Pro tip: Bring your student ID with you and get in for free or for reduced admission to several main attractions.
• Caution: Beware of clever pickpockets everywhere in this city. Don’t carry all your valuables in your purse (keep some locked in your hotel or safe in a money pouch). Guys, don’t leave wallets loosely in your back pocket, and girls, wear a small crossbody bag to avoid being an easy target.
• Tipping: Customers do not usually tip in France. Service is almost always included in the bill. But if you feel you had a good experience, you could round the bill up or leave 5%; or if you felt the service was outstanding, you could leave up to 10%. Leave the change on the table rather than adding it to your credit card bill.
• Time of Year: Paris will have the best weather in the summer but the trade-off is that the city will be absolutely packed. It’s worth considering a visit to Paris during the off-season for both your wallet and sanity. Consider winter in Paris as a festive and beautiful alternative to summer.
• Buy a Museum Pass: If you’re over 25, I advise investing in the Paris museum pass . For most students and children, a lot of the attractions are going to be free of charge or reduced admission but if you’re not a youngin’ anymore, the four-day pass is €62. With access to permanent exhibitions at the Palace of Versailles, the Louvre, and many other top attractions, it saves you money and lets you skip all the ticket lines so you won’t have to waste time. (Do note that the pass does not give you access to temporary exhibitions)
• Buy a Paris Pass: I am a huge fan of city passes if I plan to see a lot of attractions in a big city. The Paris Pass is hefty and allows you to choose a 4-day pass that not only includes admission to most of the popular sites but also includes a 48-hour HOHO bus pass and free access to the metro and public transport options for the duration of the pass. It will make your life so easy during your long weekend in Paris, don’t contemplate, just get it. Trust me. Buy your Paris Pass , thank me later!

Top Hotels in Paris We Recommend

Looking for a great hotel for your long weekend in Paris? We have put together the top hotels we recommend for your Paris vacation.

These hotels have some of the best locations in Paris and are rated well be other travelers:  Hotel de Seine (This is where I stayed and LOVED the location),  La Reserve Paris – Hotel and Spa ,  Maison Souquet ,  Hotel Monge .

Also check out: Best Area to Stay in Paris – Best Hotels & Travel Tips

Brush Up on your French

Why not learn to speak like the locals? You are strolling down the street in Paris when you find this amazing food stall at a local market.

The employees are chatting away together in their native language. You order something, in English, interrupting their conversation.

Meanwhile a local comes by while you are waiting, orders some food in the local language, and starts talking up a storm with the cook about something.

A few minutes later, the cook stops talking and hand you your food with a simple “Thank you, bye!” You just missed out on an authentic cultural experience because you couldn’t join in.

Why not learn to speak French?   Learn French quick and easy with Rosetta Stone

More on France:

• Ultimate Europe Travel Guide
• 10 Stunning Places to Visit in Paris (Do Not Miss These!)
• What is the Best Time to Visit Europe?
• Ultimate Guide to Eurail Pass Train Travel in Europe
• Travel Insurance for Europe Vacation

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Travel planning resources, about lina stock.

Lina is an award-winning photographer and writer that has been exploring the world since 2001. She has traveled to 100 countries on all 7 continents. Member: SATW, NATJA, ATTA, ITWA

13 thoughts on “3 Days in Paris Itinerary (Tips, Suggestions & Attractions)”

Paris is one of the most beautiful parts of the world and most visited by tourists. Thanks for sharing your itinerary with us it will help many people.

Lina, great article. I was planning a trip to Paris with a friend. While I have been several times, my friend had not. This itinerary was a perfect way for her to enjoy the city during our whirlwind trip. We also got the Paris Pass and loved it! Thanks again for the suggestions.

This is so great to hear, you’re welcome! I am glad you and your friend found the article useful and were able to enjoy Paris. 🙂

Great suggestions! My friend and I are reading to Paris for 4 days in September and this has helped plan our intinery. The only thing it’s missing is a day trip to Disneyland. 😉

Glad to hear you are finding it useful! Funny to point out a day trip to Disneyland! Didn’t even THINK about that! lol Enjoy Paris, it’s a fabulous city.

Great summary of all the major highlights to hit while in Paris. Have been to Paris a few times but picked up up a few new tips here, thank you.

Great to hear! It’s a big city with lots to offer but we tried to include the highlights at least. 🙂

Thoroughly impressed by the details, wish you had written this piece before I went to Paris. Detailed and perfect itinerary. Way to goo !!!

Thanks Rekha and great feedback for our guide, cheers!

Great suggestions! I spent 2 weeks in the city couchsurfing. I definitely missed a few things from the list.

Thanks for stopping in! Guess you’ll have to revisit Paris again someday…. 🙂

What beautiful city!! Thank you for your advices and your rich content!! With your suggestions, for my next trip in Paris, I will see all things I must see and your describe here. Thank again!!

Love to hear this! Enjoy, Paris. 🙂

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3 Days in Paris – The Best Itinerary for your First Visit

Last Updated on April 3, 2024

Few cities evoke the same romanticism and emotions that Paris does. I have curated this 3-day Paris itinerary for anyone visiting the fabled city for the first time.

Certainly, three days is never enough to know such a great city. But thanks to tourism being so well-organized and a great transport network, it is possible to explore the best of Paris in three days.

On our first trip to Paris, not only did we see the most iconic places in Paris but also some offbeat ones, and we did it all on a budget.

I must say, despite the meticulous planning we did, what really helped us explore so much was the Paris pass .

And the one thing that I didn’t have then but could have it now is an audio guide to Paris on my smartphone.

So, without much ado, let’s dive into our 3-day Paris itinerary. While everyone can take some inspiration from it, it is the best suited for first-time visitors living outside Europe, who cannot visit Paris every other year. 

A Quick Outline

Paris in 3 Days Itinerary

This is the best Paris Itinerary for 3 days considering you reach Paris before noon.

Day 1 in Paris Itinerary

Highlights: Louvre (3-4 hours), Tuileries Garden, Champs des Elysses, Pont Alexandre III, Champ De Mars, Seine river cruise, Eiffel tower

If you reach start your sightseeing tour after 12 noon, then skip Louvre on Day 1 and do Orsay museum instead. If you are able to start by noon, then this is the best plan for the day.

Remember that these are all at a total walking distance of 5.6 km, although you will end up walking a lot more just to explore the Louvre. So, wear comfortable shoes and get those muscles to work.

◦Remember to start by collecting the Paris pass at the Big Bus office near Louvre

Day 2 in Paris:

Highlights: Get on board the Big Bus tour , Hop-off at Notre Dame, Orsay Museum, Rodin Museum, and Arc De Triomphe at the end of the tour, then visit Montparnasse 56th floor.

◦The Big Bus tour is a fantastic way to explore Paris and probably the best way to “know it” in just 1 day. Will discuss it at length in this post later.

◦If you want to skip the Big Bus tour and other museums, you can head straight for the Palace of Versailles which is away from the other major attractions of Paris

◦After a half-day trip to Versailles, you can join a free walking tour of Paris , which is another great way to explore the city.

Day 3 in Paris:

Highlights: Guided tour of Grand Opera (free with Paris Pass), Paris Aquarium, Palais de Trocadero, walk by the riverside, Place du Tertre, sunset at Sacre Coeur, end with Moulin Rouge and neighborhood.

◦Alternatively, you can visit the Palace of Versailles or Disneyland, both of which are a bit far off from the other major attractions of Paris.

Few other places you can explore are the Luxembourg gardens, Les Invalides and Pantheon. However, you must not discount the traffic, queue and various uncertainties that come with traveling in such big cities no matter how good the transport system is. We saw these places from outside but did not enter. 

We reached Paris late and famished after 2 pm. But we had an extra morning on the 4th day before we left for 3 days in Barcelona . So, we managed our itinerary well. But before we get into the details, I’d like to share a few more travel tips I wish I knew before I visited Paris.

Alert: The post is long and full of details, albeit very important ones. You may like to pin the image below to save it for later!

Top Budget Travel Tips for Paris in 3 days

Being such a huge tourist destination in Western Europe, Paris is obviously expensive. However, following these tips, you can save money without compromising on your travel experience in Paris.

• Buy the Paris Pass if you are staying for 3 or 4 days. It makes transportation free and as you would have noticed in my itinerary; it cuts off all expenses on the major attractions in Paris. The short guide accompanying the Paris pass helped us discover obscure gems like the Notre Dame crypt and Montparnasse Tower, which were not on our original itinerary.
• When in Paris use the amazing public transport system. The metro connectivity in Paris is one of the best in the world. 
• Be very careful of your belongings. Even on our trip, we heard people discussing how their stuff got stolen right under their nose, while they were busy eating and talking in their cafe. 
• The hop-on-hop-off bus is my favorite, and we got a 1-day free tour on it with Paris Pass (Click on the link to know if this is still included). However, if the traffic situation is bad, you may be stuck. It’s still worth it for you to get a tour of the city and see all the magnificent monuments, the beautiful roads and Paris landscape in one day.
• You will not have the time to enter each and every place on your list, even with skip-the-line access you get with. But you can certainly see them from outside.
• Do not buy Paris Pass if you are looking for a relaxed holiday. A 3-day Paris pass starts from €129 for adults, and it can save you loads if you want to be out on the road for a better part of the day.
• Paris pass is mainly for first timers who have never been to Paris before or didn’t get a chance to explore it earlier.
• Paris is one of the best European destinations to visit in Spring because of the bright blossoms that adorn the city, the relatively lower costs compared to summer and much pleasant weather compared to fall and winter.
• Free Walking tours are a great way to explore Paris and know the tidbits behind each place. This is a great pocket-friendly way to have an immersive experience in Paris
• Do not eat near the Eiffel Tower or Louvre. We grabbed an over-priced Panini near the Eiffel Tower, and it was not even heated properly.
• The best place to buy souvenirs is at the shops at the foot of Montmartre Hill. The quality of scarves and t-shirts here are also better than the ones available in the souvenir stores in the rest of Paris
• Book complimentary breakfast at your hotel.
• Tap water in Paris is safe to drink so carry a reusable bottle with you in your carry-on bag.
• For other items like packaged food or stationery, head to the nearest Carrefour is available.

For more budget travel tips read our articles – Europe Trip on Budget and Travel Cards Review .

Going for the dream Euro-trip? Insure yourself against adversities using Visitors Coverage

How To Reach Paris?

Among all European Countries I have found French embassy to be one of the best in terms of speedy delivery of Visas, so Paris happens to be a top choice of entry-point for many Euro-trippers.

You can reach Paris by a flight to one of the two major international airports – Charles-de-Gaulle (CDG) or Paris Orly (ORY) .

If Paris is not your starting point you can reach by train via one of the 5 main railway stations that connect Paris to almost all places in Europe – Gare du Nord, Gare de l’Est, Gare de Lyon, Gare d’Austerlitz, Gare Montparnasse, Gare Saint-Lazare . Get the best prices on train booking at Rail Europe .

You can also reach Paris by spacious buses from nearby cities. It’s cheaper than train if you don’t have a Euro rail pass.

Paris in 3 days – Places to visit in Paris in 3 Days

Let’s begin with the story of our first trip to Paris. We traveled from Bruges and reached Bercy Seine in Paris a little after 2 pm. From there we went straight to our hotel at Montmartre to unpack, and then to collect our Paris Pass from the Big Bus Office near Louvre.

After the initial hiccup of getting confused in the subway, the rest of the journey was easy. However, by the time we set off for our tour, it was already almost 4 pm and we were famished. Our first-day plan was therefore reduced to an evening in Paris.

That is what inspired my very first post of Backpack & Explore, Paris at Night. Thankfully we had the entire morning of day 4 to us for exploring Montmartre before we left.

Miss travel? Explore Paris-themed books, movies and souvenirs online .

1. Eiffel Tower and Champs De Mars | Paris Itinerary Day 1 Highlights

Since we reached Paris very late, I couldn’t resist visiting the Eiffel Tower. It is almost the symbol of Paris, and no matter how much you hate the clichéd, you cannot skip the Eiffel tower in Paris.

Champs de Mars is the beautifully curated public park in Paris which leads you to the Eiffel tower.

The first sight of the Eiffel tower truly mesmerized me, so much that I almost forgot that we have been starving by then. Champ De Mars and the banks of Seine River offer great photo spots with Eiffel tower in the background.

I feel that there are better places for panoramic views of Paris than the Eiffel tower summit, but I know it’s hard to resist the Eiffel. So, for all those romantic souls, here are some important information.

• Queues during peak season can be over 2 hours, so pre-book your trip from here . • Open time: 9:30 am – 11:45 pm. (So no need to rush to the Eiffel tower because you can squeeze it any time in your schedule) • Fees: For Adults- €25 to Summit, €17 to the second floor, discounted entry for youth.

If you decide to skip and save at least two hours and 25 Euros, then I would say you didn’t miss much. Arc De Triomphe and Montparnasse tower offer more spectacular views of Paris.

With this Paris Pass , a guided climb to Eiffel tower summit is covered. The cost of an all-inclusive Paris Pass of 2024 starts from €159.00 for 2 days.

2. Seine River Cruise | 3 days in Paris Day 1 highlights

I knew I would enjoy the Seine River cruise because I love waterways. However, it surpassed all my expectation. If you can do only one thing in Paris, it should be the Seine River Cruise, preferably in the evening.

Since days are long in April, we strolled around for some time till the sunset before we boarded. The Bateaux Parisiens is a one-hour cruise trip on the river which offers you the most amazing experience of watching the great “river-line”.

The Seine Riverbank is a UNESCO World Heritage site . Both sides of the river are speckled with historic structures of Paris -Eiffel Tower, the Notre Dame cathedral, the Orsay museum, the Roue De Paris to name a few.

The city of Paris was born on the banks of this river, which happened to be the lifeline of the Parisians for centuries. It was the perfect time to board the cruise as the sun began to set and the city of lights started to light up.

The fully illuminated Eiffel Tower is a sight to behold but add to it the five minutes of sparkling display and you have a visual that would stay in with you forever. That was the moment when the glittering Eiffel Tower showed us what was in Paris that inspired artists, writers, and travelers over the decades. It was the highlight of our cruise tour as well as the Paris trip.

Open time: 10:30 am to 10:30 pm

Ticket Price: €15 *Free with Paris Pass*

3. Louvre Museum | Three Days in Paris 

The tickets of Louvre Museum are available in packages of 1-day to 6-days, and there are good reasons for that. It’s one of the greatest art museums in the world both in the size and the diversity of its collections. It is impossible to see all of it in a couple of hours.

If the typical Bengali’s predisposition to fine arts was not enough, Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code was there to push the Louvre museum to the top of our bucket list.

The Renaissance art of Louvre is so inspiring that you will surely end up spending more than the couple of hours you planned for museum and you will have to push yourself out to see the other places. But as soon as you get out of the museum there are other attractions waiting for you right across at Louvre.

•Open Time: 9 am to 6 pm, except on Wednesdays and Fridays when Louvre is open till 9:30 pm at night! The illuminated pyramid at night is a sight to behold. Besides, you will also be able to avoid the maddening crowd at late hours of the night! •Ticket Price: € 15 *Free with Paris Pass*

Tuileries Garden in Louvre

The Tuileries Garden in Louvre just outside the museum is not a place you can ignore. It is another lovely highlight of Paris where photographers can spend half the day capturing different angles.

Wine Tasting Tour in Louvre

This has to be on your list if you love wine, or if you hold a Paris Pass. France is known for breathtaking wineries. Well, you cannot find them in Paris, but what’s the harm in going for the Wine Tasting tour Caves de Louvre. This is another free offering with Paris Pass.

4. Hop-on Hop-off Bus tour – Best of Paris in 3 days

There are multiple operators for this tour in Paris but the one that is free for 1 day in your Paris Pass is the Big Bus tour. I earlier claimed that Hop on Hop off Bus tour is best to explore large European cities like Paris or Barcelona in a short time. Let me explain why.

While walking is unavoidable to explore museums, markets and nooks and corners of a city, you cannot cover the whole city on foot. Not if you are there for just 3 days and are of average fitness that I am. After a tour of Louvre which already means we had walked at least 5 km within the museum itself, we hopped on to the double-decker Big Bus.

It was so relaxing to plug in the earphones and listen to the audio guide while touring one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It gave us an orientation of the city map, how we can plan out our trip to save time and introduced us to new interesting places.

The best part is the audio guide which is available in many different languages. The English audio guides are in neutral accent and very well written. With background music changing at every location, it gives an impression of walking into a Nat Geo documentary. 

The tour took us through all the iconic landmarks of Paris, introduced us to the beautiful bridges, the Champs Elysees Avenue, the Invalides, the Grand Palais and the Petit Palais, the parliamentary buildings and many more. You will not have the time to enter each monument, but you can hop off anywhere and take a walk as we did at Petit Palais.

5. Notre Dame Cathedral – Day 2 of 3 days in Paris

Update: As you would have known by now, the beautiful cathedral has been partly destroyed in a fire accident on April 15, 2019. We lament the destruction of this beauty but believe that it will rise from the ashes as it had before. 

The Notre Dame Cathedral of Paris is an imposing monument, considered to be one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in the world. The construction of the cathedral dates back to the 12th century after which it was modified several times. The cathedral was destroyed and many of the religious sculptures were damaged during the French revolution in the 1790s.

Victor Hugo’s classic “Hunchback of Notre-Dame” revived popular interest in the building and a major restoration project was started in 1845. The magnificent structure we see today is a result of years of restoration and welcomes approximately 12 million visitors every year.

The roof of the cathedral accessible through a narrow flight of steps is another great place to capture a panoramic view of the city. When you visit the Notre-Dame cathedral you have to book a ticket to the rooftop, which is free for Paris pass holders.

However, you still get a time-stamped token, and you need to revisit within that 30-minute time slot allotted to you. You can choose the time slot among the ones that are available at the time of booking. The regulations are in place for maintenance of the building and safety of the tourists. 

Notre Dame Crypt

An underrated and under-visited hidden gem lies right beneath the Notre Dame Cathedral. It is the Notre Dame crypt which contains archeological ruins excavated during the reconstruction work of the cathedral. The crypt has an exhibit of architectural models of different times that trace back to the earliest settlements in Paris. The touchscreen guides allow you to travel back in time, with models and remains of 2000 years of history. Photography though allowed, is not quite possible in the darkness, but it’s one of the obscure gems of Paris. ( More Info ).

As per the latest news, the crypt is safe although we don’t know if the entry is restricted. 

Open hours: From Tuesday till Sunday from 10 am till 6 pm, the last admission at 5:30 pm

Fees: 8 €, 6 € with concession, Free for youth below 17 *Free with Paris Pass*

6. Arc De Triomphe – Day 2 Evening Highlights 

Arc De Triomphe historic monument raised during the First World War to honor the soldiers who laid their lives for the country. The monument is not only a symbol of patriotism but is a reminder of the inevitable death and destruction due to wars. A fire burns all the time at the site where people come to pay their respects.

During WWII, when Hitler marched with his forces into Germany, he too went around the monument and not between the 2 towers, as a sign of respect. It is probably the most iconic structure in Paris after the Eiffel Tower.

Climb through the narrow staircases to the rooftop of Arc De Triomphe to get a breathtaking view of the city, a view that trumps the one from Eiffel Tower any day. If you take the big bus tour, I recommend you complete the tour in a day (because you have just 1 day free with your Paris Pass). It is open till 10:30 pm at night so you need not be worried about getting late.

•Open time – 10:30 am to 10:30 pm •Ticket price: 12 Euros  * Free with Paris Pass *

7. 56th Floor Montparnasse Tower Day 2 Evening Highlights

After a visit to the Arc De Triomphe, we were at a loss about where to go as most places of attraction would be closed by then. That’s when the Paris Pass pointed us to the Montparnasse Tower, another underrated attraction in Paris.

This 689-foot-high office building is the only skyscraper in Paris. The glass terrace is weather-proofed for all seasons and is at a height above the Eiffel Tower summit. It was 11 p.m. when we went there and experienced the mesmerizing view of the city illuminated at night.

The roof is open till 11:30 pm but the restaurant below, which happens to be the highest restaurant in Paris, is probably open even after that. It also has the fastest elevator in the world! We ate at an Indian Restaurant, about a 5-minute walking distance from here- fantastic food at really affordable rates.

•Open time – 9:30 am to 10:30 pm from Sunday to Thursday. Open till 11 pm from Friday to Saturday. •Price of the ticket – 18 Euros *Free with Paris Pass*

Like the pin below? That’s one of the many views from Montparnasse Tower

8. Orsay Museum – For the lovers of painting | Day 3 of Paris itinerary

Where the tour of the Louvre ends, in the mid-19th century, the tour of Orsay begins on the other side of Sienne. The museum has a large collection of impressionist paintings which will blow your mind. You can either visit the Louvre multiple times on your 3 days in Paris, or you can pay short visits to Orsay and Rodin museums instead.

Book tickets to Orsay here

We chose to do the latter because we wanted to see the architecture inside the buildings. An interesting fact about the Orsay museum is that it was a train station till 1939, after which it served as a postal depot during WW II.

It was also the temporary office of Drouot, the oldest auction house of Paris and the western façade was a hotel for a long time. was converted into this massive museum in just two years.

9. Rodin Museum – Day 3 highlights of Paris itinerary

The museum is focused on showcasing the work of Auguste Rodin, the father of modern sculpture. Auguste Rodin’s sculptures are regarded as a departure from the traditional methods used for centuries.

With nearly 150 statues of bronze, marble, and plasters and the beautiful Hamilton Garden, Rodin Museum is a great place to visit with children. The most famous works on display in the Hamilton Garden are “The Thinker” and “The Gates of Hell”.

Taking the liberty to go a little personal with revisiting my memories of Paris here. The Rodin Museum is an easy walk from Orsay, however, the direct entrance was blocked, and we were forced to take a 1 km detour.

The reason was the event of Formula E racing championship. On our roundabout way to the Rodin Museum, we couldn’t help but stop to take a glance at the racing cars. Well, the event coinciding with our trip wasn’t fortunate because a part of the garden at Rodin Museum was also reserved for the guests of formula E.

Open time: Wednesday to Monday, from 10 am –5 pm. Closed on Tuesdays

Entry Fees: 10 Euros for Adults, $8 euros for Seniors (65+), 7 Euros for Youth (13-18), free for children

* Free with Paris Pass*

10. Guided tour of Opéra National de Paris

A guided tour of Grand Opera would not be on our 3-day Paris itinerary if not for the Paris Pass. Commissioned by King Louis XIV in 1669, the Paris Opera remains the primary Opera and Ballet group of France. The interiors of the Paris Opera redefine opulence.

The guided tour made the moments in history come alive in front of our eyes. The noble ladies dressed in their best descending down the royal staircases with commoners cheering through their pigeon-hole docks.

The uncanny resemblance of this moment with the modern movie awards functions is hard not to notice. If you have the Paris pass, you must not miss this wonderful opportunity to take a guided tour of the Paris Opera.

You will need to submit one identity card at the reception for verification when you collect your headsets.

• The timing for guided tours in English: 11 am and 2:30 pm
• Entry Fees: € 17 for adults, €12.5 for students

11. Paris Aquarium

When we left the grand Opera we were juggling between two options – the wax museum or the Paris Aquarium. My husband’s fondness of “creatures” took us to the Paris Aquarium.

L’Aquarium de Paris, a.k.a. the Paris Aquarium is conveniently located near the Place du Trocadero. With more than 500 aquatic species living in the largest tank of Paris, the place can easily rekindle the curious spirit of a child within you.

You can see a huge variety of jellyfish from different parts of the world, sharks, seahorses, and many other exotic Pisces. You will be amused to see children running about and looking at the exhibitions with sparkling eyes.

The interactive shows, documentary movies and a lot of interesting GK trivia about aquatic life make it an amazing place to visit in Paris with children.

• Open time: till 7 pm
• Fees: €20  *Free with Paris Pass*

12. Place du Trocadero

The Place Du Trocadero is the monumental plaza of Paris which gives you the best perspective of the Eiffel Tower. It is located in between the wings of the Grand Palais de Chaillot. Shutterbugs throng the place all day to capture the Eiffel tower from this perfect angle at the hill of Chaillot.

Some things to watch out for are the Fountain of Warsaw which lit up at night complimenting the twinkling of Eiffel tower. We missed that special view, but we enjoyed exploring the complex and watching the open-air performances.

This is one of the best free experiences in Paris.

13. Walk on the banks of Seine and the bridges

Speaking of free things to do in Paris, what’s better than walk on the banks of the Seine, the only UNESCO world heritage center in Paris. From Place du Trocadero walk on the beautiful roads of Paris to the banks of Seine to watch the sunset.

One of the most romantic things to do in Paris is to do nothing at the banks of Seine. Just walk, sit, talk, wave at the boats and watch the sunset.

There are a total of 37 bridges on the Seine River in Paris some of which are as ornate as any monument would be. One of my favorite parts of the Paris trip was a walk on the Pont Alexandre III bridge connecting the Invalides to the Grand and Petit Palais.

Well, it was less of a leisurely stroll and more of a run for us as we were once again faced with a transport hiccup on our way to the Opera. After reading the nearest station we came to know that the trains were not going to stop there on that day for some reason, so we had to walk (run) to the next metro station to avail our metro to the Paris Opera.

14. Walking tour of Montmartre – Place du Tertre and Sacre Coeur

Funny that we were so engrossed in our 3-day attraction hopping in Paris that we almost skipped exploring our own backyard. We were staying near the Pigalle metro station at Montmartre. On our last day in Paris, we decided to just see the iconic Moulin Rouge.

Book a free walking tour of Montmartre with a local so you don’t miss the secret spots.

We weren’t dressed for attending a show out there, but we just wanted to see the building. The area is dotted with strip clubs and sex shops, as well as some amazing restaurants, much like the red-light district in Amsterdam. We had an amazing dinner at an Indian restaurant here.

Next morning, we decided to check out early after breakfast and leave our packed luggage at the hotel reception, to go out and explore the Montmartre hill. The rain prevented us from clicking pictures in one of the most “Instagrammable” streets of Paris. Our delightful walk uphill took us through some picturesque streets lined with cafes, shops, and beautiful houses.

It’s easy to see why almost all the great artists of the 19th century had once lived in Montmartre. If you want to see where the artists live these days slide left to Place du Tertre while walking towards Sacre- Coeur. They may not be Van Gogh or Picasso watercolor landscapes and caricature sketches are a treat to the eyes.

The Sacre-Coeur is certainly the top attraction at Montmartre and one of the highlights of our 3 days in Paris. The pristine white marble of Sacre-Coeur makes is stand out from far. Perched atop the hill of Montmartre is offers one of the best sunset views of the city. The reason why I recommended it in the evening of day 3 if you have 3 full days in Paris. If you don’t want to walk you can hop on the toy trains that run in Montmartre at specific timings.

Budget accommodation in Paris

Hotels in Paris can be expensive during the peak season so make sure to book it early. I will recommend any of the IBIS budget and IBIS style hotels around Paris. They are reasonably priced and have standard service. Explore the best deals for Paris below.

We booked IBIS Style B&B at Pigalle . It is conveniently located 200 meters away from the metro station, 550 meters from Moulin Rouge and 1 km from Sacre Coeur. We booked hotels about 4-5 months in advance at ~Rs. 5500 per night including breakfast for two. There are many hotels at a budget range if you book in advance.

Check out more hotels in Paris

Books and Movies Based In Paris

Here comes my favorite park. Paris has inspired creative souls all over the world for centuries, so there is no dearth of inspiring books in the fiction and non-fiction category. These are some of the best books based out of Paris that you may like to read if you haven’t already.

• Da-Vinci Code written by Dan Brown
• The Tale of Two Cities was written by Charles Dickens. (I just can’t forget Sydney Carton)
• Mistress of Paris is based on the real-life story of a mistress who controlled the rise and fall of men who controlled Paris. I learned about her on our Hop-on-hop-off bus tour and its definitely on my wishlist.
• Lonely Planet Travel Guide – For an in-depth guide to Paris – local life, places to eat, etc.

How much did the Paris trip cost?

I added this section after an overwhelming response within 2 days of publishing this. Everything I mentioned in the itinerary with Paris Pass, except the Eiffel Tower.

We went to Paris in the last week of April, just before the peak season of summer, but thanks to the advance booking we managed a good price for the hotel.

The price of Paris in 3 days for 2 people living in comfortable hotel accommodation can be managed within Rs.40,000 (Indian currency) if planned properly. I have updated the costs below as per the rates of 2024.

• 3-day Paris Pass : €194 (including guided Eiffel Tower Climb) , i.e. ~Rs.14,000 
• Hotel price: Rs.~30000 to Rs. 60000 (this is the price that has increased a lot since my visit in 2018)
• Brunch – included in the hotel
• Food and drinks for the rest of the day – ~Rs.5000 for two
• Transport and entry fee for all other attractions – 0 (covered by Paris Pass)

Check out the list of the best travel sites to plan the best Euro trip for yourself.

The Best Travel Resources for Europe

💷 Secure your vacation with travel insurance from  Visitors Coverage

🎫Save money with City Passes on Go City 🏨Get the best hotel deals in European destinations on Booking.com

🏩Book awesome hostels in Europe on Hostel World – the largest site for hostels

🚶‍♀️ GetYourGuide for amazing thematic tours in new destinations

✈️ Book cheap flights on Wayaway and CheapOAir

🚂Take advantage of the iconic rail network of Europe using Rail Europe

🛵Rent a motorcycle, scooter or bicycle anywhere in Europe on BikesBooking.com 🚵

🚌Book Big Bus tours for HOHO experiences.

🚗 For road trips in Europe use Rental Cars

Hope you found this 3-day Paris itinerary and travel tips useful. We would love to hear your thoughts in the comment section. Be sure to share with your friends and family.

After 3 days in Paris, we headed to Spain. You may also like to read more about the trip in these posts.

Madrid itinerary for 3 days

Barcelona itinerary for 3 days

A Day Trip to Toledo

If this helped you in planning your first trip to Paris, please come back and write us a note on the contact box. If you like what you read, subscribe to our blog for weekly newsletters. 

All content and photographs are my own unless otherwise mentioned. If you want to use any of these, please do so with proper citation and link back to this post as the source.

Author Alice is a full-time business professional with a penchant for writing and travel planning. She shares her travel stories and exclusive practical tips on Backpack & Explore, that you won't find anywhere else.

86 Comments

Good read. Haven’t visited Paris yet, on reading I felt so anxious that I added Paris to my 2019 bucket list. This post is definitely a pick for first time visitors to Paris as it has all the information needed.

Thanks Koushik. Glad you liked it

Great itinerary! I still haven’t been to Paris but I hope to go very soon. This will come in helpful for my planning!

What an evocative account of the joys of seeing Paris! My first visit was – ahem – 40 years ago now, and I remember entirely that feeling of magic on the boat at seeing the city light up. Montmartre was another big highlight, and my teenage self had visions of a small rooftop apartment and an arty life…sadly still awaiting fulfillment but never say never, eh? Thanks for bringing back so many great memories,and inspiring future plans – Rodin next time, I reckon.

Thank you so much Bernadette for sharing your thoughts. Loved reading your nostalgic comment. Glad it brought back pleasant memories for you.

This is a great read and a brilliant guide for those visiting Paris for the first time. My husband and I have been many, many times but are yet to explore the city with our son and see it from a child’s perspective. We’re eager to go back and do just that and the hop on hop off bus will be ideal for us!

Very comprehensive list! I love that you added books and movies recommendations, that is an awesome way to get one acquainted with a destination!

Paris is my favourite city in the world. Great post for first-time visitors. You take them to many of the must-see landmarks. I find that every time I return there is so much to discover and I love just people watching!!

As a travel agent, I sell trips to Paris frequently and I can say this is a good itinerary for 3 days in Paris. Another note would be that skip the line tickets to the Louvre for example can be purchased with hop-on/hop-off bus tickets and save you money. Great article! I love the use of google maps.

Thanks Laura. The Paris pass gives you skip the line access to Louvre and all other places. We saved atleast 2 hours in the queue 🙂

Trocadero square is probably the best place to see the Eiffel Tower if one is not interested is going super close to it or climbing it. Really awesome guide! When I visited Lourve, I also walked over to Pont des Arts which still had the love locks back then. Thanks for mentioning all the costs and suggesting to get the Paris pass!

Thanks Arunima for your comment. I didn’t know about the locks when I went, but it had already been taken off by then. So I guess I didn’t miss a lot.

What an action-packed couple of days you had in my favourite city. It’s hard not to fall in love with Montmartre. It is such a wonderful part of the city to lose yourself in and soak up the atmosphere that is quintessentially Parisian.

This looks like a fantastic itinerary and you’ve packed so much practical information into it! My partner and I have been hoping to visit Paris together for a long time. This is some extra motivation and will be so useful for planning our trip when the time comes 🙂

Thanks Alex. Hope you visit Paris soon, it’s such a romantic city.

“A walk about Paris will provide lessons in history, beauty, and in the point of Life.” – Thomas Jefferson. Paris sure is a moveable feast and you have captured it well 🙂 If I could something to your lovely list it would be the Grave of Jim Morrison. He was buried in the Pere Lachaise cemetery. Since then, fans from all around the world come to see his grave, making it one of the most visited tombs of the cemetery.

Thanks Richa for sharing your thoughts and adding another wonderful place to the list. Surely it must be a special place to visit for Jim Morrison’s fans.

What a beautiful place! I would love to visit now that I have this guide!

I swear by Hop-on-Hop-off especially when I’m travelling solo. It’s been a while since I last visiting Paris, want to go back after reading your post.

Love this itinerary with practical tips and information for first time travellers. Would love to visit someday and will definitely use this guide.

Unfortunately my one trip to Paris got cut short when I got sick. I did Notre Dame and the Eiffel tower before I was taken down, but there’s clearly so much more I have to do!

I have been to Paris a few times and it never fails to amaze me. Besides being romantic, there are so many cultural elements to it that I love spending time just walking around. You’ve captured all the main attractions in the itinerary. They are a definite must for anyone visiting Paris for the first time. I must confess though, I missed out on the Notre Dame Crypt on all my visits, so that’s something to do next time.

Thank you Raghav. Nice to know that we could show something new to a seasoned Paris-lover like you.

Agreat tip about the traffic and the Hop On Hop Off Bus. Looks like the Metro and the Paris Pass is the way to go. There is so much to see and do in Paris it could take more than 3 days.

Thanks Jane. That’s actually true for all the great cities of the world – the longer you stay the better. However, not everyone can spend as much time they want to. 3 days is a good amoung of time to have a fabulous introduction to Paris i believe

That’s a packed itinerary of Paris, and I would like to see the city in no other way. This is the best! You have put in all the important sites to see and convenient ways to look forward to them to cover Paris in 3 days. I believe hop on hop off bus tour is really beneficial to cover many places at a go, also the Paris Pass. These two are very important to explore the city in the way you did.

Thanks Shreya, I really curated this post with the objective to make it the best itinerary for 3 days in Paris. Ofcourse you can’t foresee events like strikes or metro stoppages, but I loved the tourism infrastructure in Paris

I visited Paris on multiple occasions. It’s not one of my most favorite cities in Europe but I still liked it. I have to say, I’m impressed how much you covered in just three days. I hope you get the chance to visit again and stay a bit longer though Thank you for this lovely read and keep up the great work

These are such awesome recommendations for first timmers in Paris! I did most of everything on this list except the aquarium visit or Louvre wine/hop on hop off tours. Defs didn’t know there was a wine tasting tour in Louvre and kinda bummed out I’d missed it. Your post is definitely making me miss Paris now and perhaps this is a sign for me to revisit!

Paris is definitely on my travel bucket list! This itinerary is going to be a great help in my planning. I am most excited about touring the Louvre!

I did not like this article at all.. by that I mean it made me want to get back to Paris sooo bad. not just read about it 🙂 This is a great itinerary for seeing the major places in Paris. Three days is not much time, but this is a great outline of what to see!

I loved Paris and great that you have listed all the important tourist attractions in 3 days. Paris is huge and so much to see that it is very confusing how to start with. So your itinerary with detailed travel tips will help first timers to plan their own trip.

This is such a comprehensive itinerary . I loved the way you have described everything. Its a great guide for first-timers for sure. I haven’t been to Paris till date and this itinerary is quite handy. Out of all , my favorite is Seine River cruise. I simply love river cruise after sunset. I find the most romantic way of exploring a city and see the other side after sunset. And of course, the Paris Pass is quite helpful. I also loved the idea of exploring Paris by choosing the Big Bus tour.

Thanks Parnasree. I completely resonate with you on the city cruises. They are my favorite too.

Thanks a lot Parnashree. Glad that you found this useful/

This is definitely a good itinerary for the first-time visitor. You’ll be tired though! And great tip about not eating anywhere near the Louvre or the Eiffel Tower…so true.

Thanks Sarah. With that awesome weather and so many dream places, we didn’t get tired at all 🙂

Excellent guide- you covered a LOT in just a few days! I love that it also includes great places to stay. I went to Paris when I was young but I can’t wait to take my family there!

Could you inform me what style are you utilizing on your internet site?

It looks good.

Nobody will expect to get to know a city like Paris in three days; therefore, your itinerary, packed with the most important information, is perfect for a start. By the way, I didn’t like the Aquarium too much, but isn’t the building just breathtaking?!

Yes, the building and the location. I enjoyed the aquarium as it is the first of the kind i have been to.

I still haven’t been to Opera National de Paris but I hope to go very soon. The popular opera is so amazing. The structure itself, its decorations, and its history are impressive.

This brought back lovely memories from my trip to Paris. The cruise or boat trip over Seine river is a must do. Also I had loved Arc De Triomphe and Notre Dame Cathedral for all the history that it revolves around. My favorite from the city happens to be Louvre Museum and the freshly baked breads from the bakeries.

That’s a great itinerary and agree with most of them. we were there last year and did an almost identical trip. It was snowing when we were there and that made it all the more magical!

Wow.. snowfall would be magical but I would be worried about putting up with the sub-zero temperatures.

I never get tired of visiting Paris. My favorite sightseeing activity is just wandering the streets and stopping at little cafes to people-watch. But I do love visiting the museums and galleries too, and my favorite is the Museum D’Orsay .. they have some fabulous Van Gogh and impressionist art there.

Thanks Jay. Yes, the next time I visit Paris it will be more about sitting on the banks of Sienne and watching people, than hopping from one place to another. Orsay has a truly amazing collection of paintings.

Thank you for sharing your Paris recommendations, Sinjana! We were there a couple of years ago, thankfully before the Notre Dame fire. We were able to go to a few of these spots but didn’t have nearly enough time. I would love to go back and spend a few weeks. It’s such a beautiful city, as you’ve shown in your post. We weren’t able to get to the Louvre, so that will be high on our list. The wine tasting tour sounds like a winner too. BTW, another movie to add to your list is “Midnight in Paris”, a magical Woody Allen film with a creative way to tell the stories of many of the famous people that lived in Paris in the past, with great shots of the city at night.

Thanks a lot Nancy for your suggestion. I’d certainly watch this movie.

Lovely recommendations for 3 days in Paris! I would love to return to Paris again soon- it is truly one of my favorite cities. I haven’t done the 56th Floor Montparnasse Tower yet, so I’ll keep that in mind for my next visit.

These 3 days sound wonderful! I’m glad to see you included the Rodin Museum, which I think many people miss on their visits. The DOrsay is my favorite of the museums. Paris is always a good idea, right?!

Absolutely. It’s so full of life!

I love Henry Miller quote at the beginning of your post. Needless today, this is a very detailed, comprehensive and very well organized Paris itinerary! Well done!

We have just now booked that long overdue trip to Paris so your article is well timed. Thank you for sharing 🙂

Well, we should have been going to Paris in a few weeks, well… well that will not happend :/ I am so bummed out, and superready for the world to get back on its feet!

You’ve covered a lot of the highlights of Paris. One of my favorite places to visit is the Rodin museum!

Isn’t Paris wonderful?! You managed to do a lot in 3 days. It sounds like the Paris Pass is the way to go!

I love Paris and have been more than 50 times- and trying to figure out what to see and do is ALWAYS overwhelming! Excellent job putting together an itinerary for people going for the first time!

Definitely Seine River cruise was also the highlight of our trip too & our kid loved the night view so much we took the trip 3 times in 4 days 🙂

Wow! 3 times in 4 days! that’s something! Thanks for visiting my page

Have been wanted to visit Paris. Your list is very comprehensive and detailed. Will definitely help in planning

Thanks Afreen. hope you visit soon

Visiting Paris is in my Wishlist . Buying Paris pass seems good and economical . Thanks for sharing details.

Thanks a lot for visiting my page.

Wow! Such detailed Paris travel post. Will b so useful to travellers. Will visit page again when I plan.

This is such an excellent guide for anyone visiting Paris. There is a lot you blanketed in your stay there. One is looking for a good post that provides meaty information about a city and you’ve done a great job with this post on Paris. Enjoyed the read.

We explored Paris exactly last year and stayed there for around 4 days. This seems a perfect itinerary that you’ve shared

Quite a detailed and exhaustive post

I have been yearning to travel but haven’t mustered the courage in the pandemic situation. Thanks to your post, I could get a virtual tour of Paris. :). Brilliantly written post!

Oh wow! This is the most detailed, and dare I say the best, a guide for anyone looking to visit Paris. Whenever I plan a trip there, this is what I am going to refer to. Thanks!

That’s such a detailed post. Thanks for sharing.

This is precisely penned highlights of ‘The City of Love’. I have visited Paris twice and absolutely admired the wonderful place and its attractions. Missed out a few you have jotted down here. Maybe a third trip is due for me Disneyland and Palace of Versailles are also must in Paris, but that would require more than 3 days I guess! Very well written!

Excellent guide. Very handy and helpful.

That’s a very well written detailed post and the pictures are making it even more beautiful. Paris is still in my list, let’s see, hopefully after the pandemic.

This is a detailed post about travel to Paris. You shared so many points and is really helpful to plan a trip.

I loved your itinerary as Paris is my favourite and I’ve been there thrice for 2-3 days trips from Brussels. You’ve covered almost everything.

This is one amazing read if you plan to go to Paris. It has all detailing on the costing and also the best places to visit. Loved the info on Paris Pass, not eating near Eiffel tower and stay options as well.

Wow! This post has all the information needed during a Paris visit. Great pics! And informative tips on what to do and what not to do!

Thanks Shrishti!

Very exhaustive and detailed post.

WOW! This is teh ultimate itinerary one can have before tripping to Paris. YKW, Sinjana, I’m bookmarking this. This one has to become a brochure.

Paris is one place I really really wanna go…I’m really fascinated by it and you just gave me a great virtual tour….

Wondeful pictures and a great deal of information. Thank You for sharing!

wow, this is so beautiful and amazing travelling of Paris. i just love to visit different places. thanks for sharing this amazing article about the 3days Paris itinerary.

I am reading this wonderful blog really too good about this information thanks sharing this lovely and great article and helping us

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Itinerary for Three Days in Paris

By: Author Gabi Ancarola

Posted on Last updated: January 4, 2024

With the impressive collection of places to see and things to experience, having only 3 days in Paris can be a bit of a daunting experience that might even feel rushed. Also consider that walking seems to be the best way to explore hidden corners, discover unique sights, and soak in the local atmosphere.

However, an itinerary for 3 days in Paris , when well organized like this one, will allow you to fit several interesting places during your day. If you add to that a good metro pass, a few early mornings, and a bit of organization, you will be astonished to see how many wonderful Paris attractions you can enjoy in such a short stay.

Are you ready to discover Paris in three days ? This is a truly tested plan that you can follow during your next French adventure!

LEARN MORE: Best Areas to Stay in Paris

Itinerary for 3 Days in Paris

Please Note: Most of the activities, museum entrances, and other accesses are meant to save time. That means that most tickets will be purchased in advance before arriving at the actual venue. Since most attractions in Paris are extremely popular, purchasing your activities in advance will allow you to skip at least one queue and it will be easier to head directly to the entrance.

Now let’s jump into the details of this Paris itinerary .

Day 1 : Sainte Chapelle, Notre Dame, Louvre, Eiffel Tower and Seine Cruise

Tickets to purchase in advance:

• Sainte Chapelle timed entrance – skip the line ticket + tour
• Louvre Museum timed entrance with a guide
• Eiffel Tower (if you want to access the top)
• Cruise over the Seine River or Seine River Gourmet Dinner + Sightseeing Cruise

Sainte Chapelle

For day one you need to start early since there is a lot to see…and also lots of wonderful food to eat in Paris .

The first stop will be a visit to the gorgeous Sainte Chapelle, arguably the most beautiful church in Paris, with incredibly detailed stained glass walls.

The visit can last from 30 minutes to an hour, getting your timed entrance ticket beforehand will help you save time. You can book this short tour that includes entry ticket .

Also known as Holy Chapel, the church is considered to be a rare jewel of the medieval gothic.

During the visit, you can admire the two levels of the chapel, as well as the exceptional stained glass windows, depicting Old and New Testament stories.

The church is a royal chapel located within the walls of the medieval Palais de la Cité, which was the residence of the Kings of France until the fourteenth century.

This ancient building also features an impressive ancient and it was built to house Louis IX’s collection of relics. The chapel was consecrated in 1248.

LEARN MORE: 8 Best Day Trips from Paris

On Day One of your itinerary for Paris you’ll visit St Chapelle and see this extraordinary stained glass

Notre Dame de Paris and Conciergerie

Once you exit Sainte Chapelle, it is a good idea to head to the nearby Notre Dame de Paris. Considered the most important church in the country, the cathedral is unfortunately closed to the public following the terrible fire that destroyed parts of its structure back in April 2019.

Often thought to be one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture, access to the public is at the moment forbidden due to restoration works.

The cathedral will open its doors again sometime around spring 2024. In the meantime, you can still admire its facade and outside architecture.

Once you have visited both churches, cross the Seine walking over the Pont au Change towards the right bank of the river.

Here you will get a complete view of the impressive Conciergerie , a fantastic castle in gothic style that was a prison during the French Revolution prison and that hosts one of the most Clock Towers in town.

If you have allowed enough time between Saint Chapelle’s and the Louvre’s timed entrances, you can even stop for a cup of coffee at a riverside cafeteria before heading to your next stop. You will need the caffeine as a visit to the Louvre can be exhausting!

Alternatively, you can check out some of the lively streets in the Latin Quarter and visit the world-famous Shakespeare and Company , one of the oldest libraries in Paris. It is located only steps from Notre Dame, and it is a must-visit landmark in town too.

ONLY HAVE ONE DAY IN PARIS? LEARN MORE: One Day Paris Itinerary

Louvre Museum and Tuileries

Walk along the Seine to reach the main entrance to the Louvre.

It is a good idea to skip the main entrance next to the glass pyramids to beat the crowds.

Access the Louvre through the Carousel du Louvre , an underground shopping mall right under the museum. Here the queues are shorter as not everyone is aware of the entrance.

Since the museum is really massive (the biggest in the world), and a thorough visit could take weeks, it is a great idea to hire a guided tour in order not to get lost and see the pieces you are interested in.

Among the most popular works of art, the Louvre houses the Venus of Milo , the Mona Lisa , and the Winged Victory .

And since everybody wants to see them, they tend to have endless queues for just a picture!

However, there is so much more to see at the museum that spending even two hours would not feel like enough.

Get the help of a guide or an audio tour to head directly to the halls exhibiting the pieces you are interested in.

From Ancient Egypt to Rome, Greece, and Renaissance paintings, there will be a lot to see!

Do wear comfortable shoes, the museum requires a lot of walking and by the time you go out, you will be exhausted.

It is a good idea to head to the Tuileries, the Garden of the Louvre , and purchase something to eat or drink from any of the different food stalls scattered around the area.

You will discover that Parisians love to picnic on the grass. Don’t be shy and do the same, you will adore the experience and you will also get some much-needed rest.

Of course you will visit the Louvre during your time in Paris

Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower is not that far from the Louvre, and you could easily walk there, taking advantage of the wonderful views along the Seine River. However, taking the metro or a bus is a good idea to save some energy.

Once at the tower, you have choices. You can either be happy by just walking around the area, taking pictures, and admiring the impressive iron structure and the surrounding Champs de Mars garden.

Or you can decide to climb to the top and get one of the most spectacular views of Paris.

Access to the tower must be purchased in advance ( at least a month before the visit ), so don’t get frustrated if you didn’t do so in time. Here is the link if you want to book the Eiffel Tower ticket now.

A picnic with the Eiffel Tower in view is a good Paris bucket list item

Trocadero (view of Eiffel Tower)

In fact, the best way to admire the tower is not from the tower itself, but from the nearby Trocadero for instance, the place where most photographers meet their clients for a fancy photo session – you can book a photo shoot too .

The tower is another wonderful place to visit when the sun starts setting over Paris. The tower lights up at night, usually at 9 pm, and it is a magical moment that you won’t want to miss.

READ MORE: Paris at Night – Best Things to Do

Something fun to do in Paris at night is to visit the Eiffel Tower which is lit up from dusk to 11:45 pm every evening

Seine River Cruise and Dinner

The best way to end your day is to jump on a boat over the Seine to enjoy a cruise.

This is a clever way to see most of the landmarks in Paris while also taking a break from all the walking.

There are affordable plain sightseeing cruises, but there are also more fancy boats with dinner, music, or a glass of champagne, with prices ranging from just €16 to a couple of hundred. Check your budget and book accordingly.

If you are traveling with a limited budget, keep in mind that most locals love to purchase a bottle of wine and a baguette, sit at the Champs e Mars or by the Seine, and spend time looking at the tower, chatting with friends, and soaking in the romantic atmosphere without spending a dime. You can do so too, it will be really unforgettable!

A Seine River cruise is the ideal way to see many of the top sights in Paris

Day 2: Musee d’Orsay, Le Marais, and afternoon in Montmartre

Musée d’Orsay timed entrance with a guide

Musée d’Orsay

Housed in a former train station, this is one of the most beautiful museums in Paris.

Some people even prefer this over the Louvre and although it is much smaller, you might also need some time to explore.

You’ll want to spend time here especially if you’re interested in visiting some of the famous works of art displayed in the permanent d’Orsay exhibition.

During the visit, you will be able to admire the famous ballet dancers of Degas , but also the works of Van Gogh , Monet , Cézanne , and Renoir .

The museum hosts the world ’ s largest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art and joining a guided tour or purchasing an audio guide can be helpful to learn the history behind the art exhibited.

After visiting D’Orsay Museum, walk along the Seine and cross the river over the Pont Neuf, one of the most beautiful bridges in Paris.

This gives you spectacular views over the nearby Pont des Arts, and both the left and right banks of the river.

Once you reach the Hôtel de Ville , the spectacular city hall of Paris, you can walk a bit more and spend a few hours just exploring the unique Le Marais neighborhood , one of the most authentic corners of Paris.

This picturesque district, between the 3rd and the 4th Arrondissements , features ancient houses, winding alleys, old synagogues and churches, and fabulous restaurants.

It is the only place in town where you can see what Paris looked like in Medieval times as it was not affected by the urban reforms (known as Haussmannian) that took place in the mid-1800s.

If you want, you can eat a delicious falafel in the Jewish district, or join a walking tour of the neighborhood to discover some unique gems that only locals know about.

Today, Le Marais hosts perfume and vintage shops, small local food stalls, and dozens of French cafes and terraces but also secret courtyards, and a lively LGBT district.

Since the district is also known for its spectacular food scene, joining a food tour in Le Marais can be an exciting experience during which you would not only sample some amazing local delicacies, but it will be a great activity to both sightsee and eat without wasting time stopping for lunch!

Watching the sunset from the Pont Neuf bridge with a view of Pont des Arts bridge in Paris is a great way to start an evening in Paris

Montmartre and Sacré Coeur

Jump on the metro and head to Montmartre, in the 18th arrondissement.

Although the district is not close to the center of Paris, it is probably the place where you can enjoy the most iconic sights of Paris.

With its characteristic bohemian atmosphere, this district up the hill boasts some amazing views of the city and hosts the famous Sacré Coeur church , a fairly modern basilica with impressive domed ceilings.

The building was completed in 1914 and it was formally consecrated in 1919 after World War I.

Access to the basilica is free and visiting at lunchtime or right after is a great idea to avoid the queues.

Among the curious things to know about the Basilique du Sacré Coeur are its impressive measurements:

The immense elongated ovoid cupola is 83.33 meters high.

The church’s bell tower is 84 meters high.

And it hosts the “Savoyarde” which is the largest bell in France!

Once you exit the church, get lost in the oldest streets of Montmartre, the art district, where you will find dozens of artists painting portraits and landscapes in the Place du Tertre , the most important square in the neighborhood.

Visit the Montmartre district to see the Sacré Coeur church and the art district

Coffee and Dinner

You can purchase souvenirs, enjoy a cup of coffee at Le Consulat , one of the most famous spots in the district, or walk along rue Sainte-Rustique which was voted as one of the most beautiful streets in Paris with a unique view of the Sacré Coeur Basilica.

If you are already tired, you can pick a small bistro and enjoy a light dinner in the neighborhood, or, if stamina is still running strong, climb down the Sacré Coeur hill and walk to snap a picture of one of the most iconic views in town, the Moulin Rouge . You can also get there by metro, your stop is “Blanche”.

Although the Moulin Rouge area does not offer the best views of Paris with streets lined up with sex shops and similar stores, a stop by the Blanche metro station is worth at least a few minutes.

End your day with a nice dinner in the area, Les Apotres de Pigalle is a well-rated brasserie with affordable dining options not far from the Pigalle metro station.

The famous Moulin Rouge cabaret in Paris

Day 3: Galerie Lafayette, Canal Saint Martin, and the Bastille

Galerie lafayette and canal saint martin.

It is a good idea to spend your last day in Paris visiting more relaxed sights, where queuing is not really necessary and when you can even indulge in some shopping.

Start by heading to the spectacular Galerie Lafayette , and if buying stuff is not in your plans, do not worry, the impressive beauty of the building is well worth the trip.

You can devote the whole morning to window shopping, or simply admire the structure, the unique art nouveau style architecture, and the impressive stained glass cupola.

The gallery even offers guided heritage tours to learn everything about it or you can also climb to its rooftop for the best views of Paris.

Devote at least an extra hour to discover Le Gourmet , a part of the gallery devoted to French cuisine which also includes a selection of wines and spirits as well as an impressive variety of sweet and savory displays of delicatessens.

Spend the early afternoon walking along Canal Saint Martin , a tranquil canal that has turned into one of the trendiest areas in Paris.

Along both sides, you will find interesting cafeterias, ethnic restaurants, and bistros where you can spend some time enjoying a drink and even resting your feet!

Place de la Bastille

A great place for a quiet afternoon, walk from Canal Saint Martin to this lively square to discover the many cafes, restaurants, and gathering places where Paris locals love to spend their time chatting and enjoying a succulent crepe.

However, the place carries much more history than what it’s possible to see nowadays.

Once upon a time, the infamous state prison, La Bastille , stood in the square.

The former symbol of horror and absolutism was torn down after the storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789.

In the center of Bastille Square , you can now admire the 51-meter-high Colonne de Juillet boasting on top the Génie de la Liberté , a figure representing Liberty. The column commemorates the July Revolution of 1830, which overthrew King Charles X.

In the same area, it is possible to check out Paris’s more modern opera house, the Opéra Bastille which was inaugurated by President Mitterrand back in 1989. This modern theater with superb acoustics features opera and ballet performances all year round.

The Bastille area is a trendy neighborhood with stylish clothing shops and boutiques plus some of the lesser-known and best restaurants in Paris.

If you are in the area, check out the small but delicious Rosie Brasserie for a taste of old-time Paris cuisine.

In Bastille Square you will find the Colonne de Juillet commemorating the revolution of July 1830

Final Thoughts on 3 Days in Paris

Does this three-day itinerary of Paris offer all that the city has for you to discover? Of course, it doesn’t… You would need months to explore and get to know all the most charming corners in town.

However, it was thought keeping in mind smart itineraries with a little walking and good metro connections. Most tourists underestimate how much they will walk in town and how tired they might get, and I’ve tried to keep this in mind when getting this 3-day Paris guide ready.

Finally, don’t forget to enjoy the city. Paris is one of the most amazing cities in the world, and maybe time is not enough to see all you want, but wear a smile, enjoy everything, and make all that you see count!

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The Ultimate Paris Itinerary: How to Spend 3 Days in Paris

Are you planning a trip to Paris? Need any ideas on how to spend the perfect 3 days in Paris? Read our guide below to find out more.

Paris, a beloved European destination, captivates visitors with its charm. Its glistening boutique shops, iconic landmarks, vibrant markets, and fantastic nightlife are irresistible. However, Paris can easily overwhelm you with its myriad experiences, making itinerary planning a challenge.

When it comes to travelling to this lovely city, a 3-day trip can offer an impressive range of experiences. In this relatively short span, you can truly appreciate the city’s distinctive attractions.

This includes iconic visits to the Eiffel Tower and the renowned Louvre Museum, as well as indulging in delectable street food crepes and strolling through the enchanting neighbourhoods of Paris. In just three days, you can make the most of your visit and explore some of the city’s finest highlights.

Yes, a 3 day trip to Paris will be enough for you to admire its unique attractions most pleasantly. From touring the famous Eiffel Tower and the Louvre to eating street food crepes and exploring Parisian neighborhoods – you can cover most of the best attractions in Paris.

Considering the time & budget, we’ve put together a perfect 3 day Paris itinerary. It’s made for all age groups, especially first-time travelers seeking to find the best experiences on their Paris trip.

Overview of your 3 Days in Paris

In most of the Europe itineraries you book, Paris is either included for a day or two – making you hurry to switch between other European countries. While it seems that three days in Paris is less, it’s the other way round.

This Paris itinerary is designed to ensure you make the most of your visit by focusing on the city’s top sights and landmarks. The suggested schedule below provides a solid framework, allowing you to seamlessly incorporate optional tours to elevate your overall Parisian experience.

But, since Paris is a famous city to visit – you’ll often find long queues around its famous attractions. And, that’s the last you want to do – spending your vacation standing in long lines.

Following extensive research, we’ve compiled valuable tips to help you bypass long queues at Paris’s iconic landmarks. It’s crucial to secure your tickets well in advance, long before your actual trip, and within this post, you’ll find helpful links and resources to facilitate this process.

Additionally, please keep in mind that the timeframes outlined in the itinerary below are approximate, as your actual timings will vary based on the activities and experiences you choose, as well as the amount of time you decide to dedicate to each attraction.

That’s not all; along with your itinerary for 3 days, we’ve also put suggestions on where to stay in Paris, how to get around, the best time to visit, and budget travel tips.

Paris 3 Day Itinerary Schedule

Day 1 : Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Paris Walking Tour, Arc de Triomphe, Seine River Cruise Day 2 : Saint Chapelle, Notre Dame Cathedral, Musee D’Orsay & Wine Tasting Tour Day 3 : Versailles & Montmarte

Detailed 3 Days in Paris Itinerary

Paris itinerary: day 1, eiffel tower.

There’s hardly a better way to kick off your Parisian adventure than by beginning with a visit to the iconic Eiffel Tower. Yes, it’s undoubtedly one of the most frequented tourist attractions in Paris, but no experience quite compares to basking in its enchanting ambience when you’re actually in the City of Light. For first-time travellers, setting foot on the Eiffel Tower may feel like the realization of a dream.

The Eiffel Tower stands as not only one of France’s but also one of the world’s most historic landmarks. It’s an absolute must-see, deserving to be explored and appreciated in its fullest glory. Whenever I find myself in Paris, I always prioritize a trip to the Eiffel Tower, and its sheer grandeur and beauty never cease to leave me awestruck.

There are different ways to experience the charm of the Eiffel Tower. If you plan on admiring its tower views, I recommend heading to either the Trocadero Gardens or the Champ de Mars Gardens to capture the best angles. These spots not only provide unparalleled vistas of the tower but also offer a delightful setting for a picnic with your friends and family

Alternatively, if you want to enjoy the Eiffel Tower from the inside, there are two options for ascending its heights. You can opt to climb the stairs for a more leisurely ascent or take the elevator for a quicker journey.

However, it’s crucial to note that if you intend to take the elevator, booking your tickets well in advance is a must. I’m talking about reserving them at least 6-7 weeks ahead of your planned visit. Some of my friends attempted to purchase tickets for a July visit at the end of May, only to find that all the tickets had already been snapped up.

Once you get to know your travel dates, make a note of booking your tickets immediately to avoid hassles.

Alternatively, you can book a guided tour of the Eiffel Tower . It’s probably the best option to tour the insides and get the skip-to-line option to avoid long queues. Moreover, you’ll also have the advantage of an expert guide leading your way across the tower sections. Most tours include only visiting the tower up to the second floor, but few like these can get you to the summit as well.

Note : If you don’t get a skip-to-line ticket for yourself, the long queues will be a nightmare. On the busiest summer day, the waiting can get up to 2-3 hours. Try to arrive early at the Eiffel Tower before its opening time or book your tickets in advance to avoid this frustration.

• The Louvre Museum

The Louvre holds a special place in my heart as one of my favourite destinations in Paris. What truly captivates me about this place isn’t solely its remarkable art or rich history, but the sheer scale of its architectural beauty that beckons me to return time and time again.

As one of the world’s largest museums, the Louvre stands as an awe-inspiring attraction that appeals to art enthusiasts and history aficionados alike. Visiting this iconic museum is an absolute must, offering a chance to immerse oneself in a treasure trove of legendary artworks, magnificent paintings, and an array of historical displays that truly bring history and art to life.

The Louvre is undeniably vast, and you could easily spend days exploring its extensive collections. To make the most of your visit, I recommend prioritizing the renowned paintings housed within this magnificent museum. This list includes masterpieces like Da Vinci’s iconic “Mona Lisa,” Michelangelo’s powerful “Dying Slave,” and the timeless “Venus de Milo.”

While there are countless other treasures to discover (which I’ll let you explore at your leisure), be sure to start with these main attractions to ensure an unforgettable experience.

The only drawback when visiting the Louvre Museum is the crowds. It’s a place that consistently draws throngs of tourists throughout the day. Sometimes, the serenity of appreciating art can be disrupted by the hustle and bustle of fellow visitors.

To enjoy a more tranquil experience, consider planning your museum visit during quieter times, specifically on Wednesday and Friday evenings. On these days, the museum extends its hours until 9:45 pm, allowing you to explore its treasures in the late evening when the crowds tend to thin out.

How to Skip the Lines at the Louvre?

These three ways can help you beat the long queues.

Get a Museum Pass : Purchasing a museum pass has many added benefits. Firstly, your entry fee to prominent sightseeing places gets covered, and secondly, you get the skip-the-line advantage. You can skip the ticket counter line for the Louver Museum but will mandatorily have to wait for the security queue. Visit this page to learn more.

Book your tickets : You can reserve your tickets on the official website. These usually cost €17 and need to be booked well in advance to block your slot. Sometimes, the website might show tickets being sold out. The other alternative to use is GetYourGuide . They often have the Louver Museum’s best tours and include skip-the-line access in the tour.

Arrive early morning or late evening : Arrive before the museum’s opening time can help you to beat the crowd. In the same way, on Wednesdays and Fridays, the Louvre is open until 9.45 pm. A late evening tour can also help you avoid significant tourists.

Sip Hot Chocolate at Angelina’s

A typical Parisian experience is treating yourself to the delectable hot chocolate at Angelina’s. Conveniently, it’s just a short, pleasant stroll from the Louvre, passing through the charming Tuileries Gardens. Angelina’s is renowned for its diverse range of hot chocolate recipes and scrumptious French pastries.

Paris Walking Tour

One of the best ways to admire the beautiful City of Lights is by taking leisurely strolls through its streets. While it may not be the quickest means to cover Parisian landmarks, exploring on foot offers a unique and immersive experience, allowing you to see the city’s sights from a different perspective and fully soak in its beauty.

I highly recommend considering a guided walking tour when exploring Paris. Don’t hesitate to engage with your knowledgeable guide, as they can provide invaluable local insights, recommend hidden gems, and share their favourite places to enhance your walking tour experience.

This personalized approach allows you to discover aspects of the city that often go unnoticed in guidebooks, making it one of the most enriching ways to travel and uncover the true essence of Paris.

While numerous tour operators offer guided walking tours in Paris, I would like to recommend considering Context Travel and Localers. These providers offer subject-based tours that delve into literary, art, history, and cultural themes, providing a unique lens through which to explore the city’s attractions.

These specialized tours can offer a deeper and more enriching experience for travellers who are passionate about these topics and wish to discover Paris from a unique perspective.

Moreover, if you prefer free walking tours around Paris, check this page.

Travel Tip : To save money on this 3-day Paris trip, get yourself a Paris Pass. With access to over 75+ attractions and tours including hop-on hop-off, Seine River cruise, museums and multi-combo trips. You can even choose from the 2,3,4 or 6-day city pass.

Arc de Triomphe

Following your walking tour, the next stop on your Parisian adventure should be to savour the breathtaking panoramic views from the Arc de Triomphe. This iconic monument offers one of the finest vantage points in the city, allowing you to immerse yourself in the stunning vistas of the roads stretching out towards the Eiffel Tower, the Champs Elysees, and the Louvre.

As you ascend the monument, take the opportunity to explore the museum nestled within the Arc de Triomphe. Here, you can delve into the rich history and significance of this iconic landmark. Beneath the museum, you’ll discover the tomb of an unnamed soldier, a poignant tribute to the sacrifices made throughout French history.

When you finally reach the top, be sure to gaze downward, and you’ll be treated to a remarkable sight—the sprawling expanse of one of the world’s largest roundabouts, where all the avenues of Paris converge.

Note : Exploring the interiors of Arc de Triomphe carries a small fee, and you will get free access with skip-the-line advantage if you’ve got your Paris Pass .

Seine River Cruise

Embarking on a Seine River Cruise is an absolute must when visiting Paris. It’s not only one of the city’s most popular activities but also a highlight of any Parisian itinerary, with multiple departures available throughout the day.

Cruising along the Seine River offers an unparalleled perspective for marvelling at the iconic landmarks featured in our 3-day Paris itinerary. The experience becomes even more enchanting when you opt for an evening cruise.

Witnessing the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Hotel de Ville, and other historical monuments illuminated against the night sky is nothing short of extraordinary, leaving you with unforgettable memories of Paris’s timeless beauty.

Paris Itinerary: Day 2

Our second day of 3 days in Paris takes you around historic monuments, churches and iconic museums. Feel free to edit this day as per your pace, interest and requirements.

Sainte Chapelle

Our first stop today is the beautiful Sainte Chapelle. While it may be a relatively small chapel, it boasts a breathtaking display of stained glass windows that stretch from the floor to the ceiling. The intricate craftsmanship on these glass panels is truly awe-inspiring, making it one of the absolute highlights of your 3 days in Paris.

Because of Sainte Chapelle’s popularity, the line to get inside can be extended. Like the Louvre and Eiffel Tower, you’ll need to arrive early in the morning before its opening time. Moreover, the Museum Pass will provide a skip-the-line advantage on your arrival.

You’ll need to pay a fee to enter Saint Chapelle. You can book your tickets here or combine them with another attraction within Paris to bundle up a combo price.

Notre Dame Cathedral

A mere 10-minute stroll from Sainte Chapelle brings you to another of Paris’s iconic landmarks—Notre Dame Cathedral. This magnificent structure took nearly two centuries to complete and was finally inaugurated in 1345.

While a devastating fire in 2019 temporarily closed the doors of Notre Dame to the public, the cathedral is set to reopen in 2024 after an extensive renovation. However, there’s no need for disappointment, as you can still explore the cathedral’s parvis and outer facade, which in itself offers a striking and historic experience.

Moreover, it would be best to visit other nearby attractions like Conciergerie and Au Vieux d’Arcole (the prettiest cafe).

• Musee d’Orsay

Paris boasts an astounding array of renowned museums, and exploring them all could indeed require a separate itinerary. However, one museum that truly distinguishes itself is the Musee d’Orsay.

Before you even reach this institution, I recommend taking a leisurely stroll along the Seine River. Along the way, you’ll encounter charming bookstands offering an array of books, covers, magazines, and posters.

Notably, you’ll also come across the iconic Shakespeare & Company bookstore, a celebrated literary haven in Paris. After this delightful exploration, make your way to the Musee d’Orsay for a memorable art experience.

I don’t get much fascinated by art, but the experience of visiting Musee d’Orsay was simply remarkable. The museum is home to the world’s most significant Impressionist art. If you love such a category, this place will be a paradisal site to visit. Famed artists like Van Gogh, Monet, Manet, and Gaugin have their works displayed inside the museum to explore.

The museum’s location was once Paris’s central train station. Thus, the olden French look sets Musee d’Orsay stand as unique from other museums. There’s a small fee to get inside, but if you’ve your Paris Pass then its free.

Wine Tasting Tour

When you think of France, its rich wine culture naturally comes to mind. Indeed, the country is renowned for its exceptional wines and classic French vintages. So, why not take a break from your sightseeing agenda and savor some wine-tasting?

Near the Louvre Museum, you’ll discover Caves du Louvre , one of Paris’s premier destinations for experiencing the art of winemaking. Knowledgeable tour guides at this establishment will lead you through the essential steps of crafting a traditional French wine, allowing you to gain insights into the process. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to sample a variety of culinary wines, making it a delightful and educational experience for wine enthusiasts.

What adds a unique charm to this wine tour is its historical location. Set within an 18th-century wine cellar, which once served as the original wine collection spot for the French King, the setting itself is steeped in history and regal significance.

When you visit, you have the option to explore the cellar at your own pace using an interactive app. Alternatively, you can choose to be guided through the cellar by an expert narrator, gaining deeper insights into the wine-making process and the cellar’s historical importance.

Recommended : Want to explore Europe in 10 Days? We got you covered! Read our popular guide on London Paris Amsterdam Itinerary to discover amazing landmarks, top-rated attractions, planning tips, and other useful resources.

Paris Itinerary: Day 3

Ready for your final day in Paris? Today, we are heading out of the city to explore one of the lavish, most stunning venues – the Palace of Versailles. Along with it, we will also explore other sights.

Exploring the Palace of Versailles

Nestled just beyond the city limits of Paris, Versailles holds a significant place in France’s history. This royal chateau has been the residence of illustrious figures from French royalty, including Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI. Beyond its regal associations, the palace also played a pivotal role in the consolidation of French political power, which was centralized at Versailles in 1682.

However, the era of Versailles as the epicenter of political power came to a close during the turbulence of the French Revolution, with political authority shifting back to the city of Paris, marking a momentous historical transition.

Versailles is undoubtedly a must-visit attraction in Paris, and it’s not just its historical significance that makes it so compelling. The sheer vastness of the estate, the meticulously manicured French-style gardens, and the opulent, sprawling rooms within the palace all add gloriousness to your visit.

The main palace alone boasts an astounding 2,300 rooms, with some of the most famous highlights including the Battles Gallery, the Hall of Mirrors, Marie-Antoinette’s Bedrooms, and the King’s Apartments.

Undoubtedly, your first-ever visit to Versailles might be a little overwhelming – as you would want to tour every room, corner, and outer grounds. But, do allow yourself the time to experience its beauty.

Recommended | Looking for a stay near Versailles? Book Appartements – Le Logis Versaillais – on your next visit to experience the best of comfort & luxury.

How long should you spend in Versailles? If you’re looking to cover the palace’s highlights and a specific section of the gardens, budgeting 3 to 4 hours is reasonable.

However, if you want to fully immerse yourself in the Versailles experience, plan for an entire day. In this case, I recommend dedicating around two to three hours to the Château de Versailles, an additional hour for exploring the outer gardens, and an optional one to two hours for delving into the Domaine de Marie-Antoinette.

Operational Timings : The Palace of Versailles is closed on Mondays. If your day three supposedly happens to come on a Monday, you might need to change the order of this itinerary. The usual timings are from 9 am to 5.30 pm.

How much does Versailles cost? A ticket to the palace costs 18€, a musical garden pass costs 8,50€, and the Estate of Trianon and Fountains Night Show costs 33€ and 29€ respectively. For more details, check this page .

How to reach Versailles? Since the Palace of Versailles is located outside of the city, your travel card (t+ ticket) won’t be valid. You will need to purchase a full roundtrip ticket from the metro station to travel to Versailles. The RER C from Paris usually costs 7,3€. Other routes include travelling from train line L (Saint Lazare) and train line N (Montparnasse).

If you don’t spend your entire day in Versailles, here’s what you can do in the afternoon period.

Visit the Montmarte Region

Return to the city and make your way to the neighbourhood of Montmartre. This area is renowned for hosting another one of Paris’s iconic landmarks, the Sacré-Cœur Basilica.

If you’re considering a visit to Montmartre, I recommend planning it for late afternoon. During this time, the neighbourhood comes alive with the presence of locals, charming cafes, and unique shops that add to the area’s allure. If you arrive in time, you might also want to explore the magnificent Sacré-Cœur Basilica.

You have the option to climb its tower for an even more breathtaking view, but please be aware that there is a small fee for this experience.

Montmartre is renowned for offering some of the most stunning sunset views in Paris. This historic neighbourhood was once a favoured haunt of legendary artists such as Picasso and Hemingway, who either lived in or frequented the area. To this day, Montmartre remains a gathering place for artists who come to set up their easels and capture the essence of the neighbourhood and its visitors.

Recommended | You should definitely consider booking Hôtel des Arts Montmartre on your trip to the Montmartre region. This hotel has been a preferred choice by most visitors travelling to Paris.

Itinerary Map of 3 Days in Paris

To help you give a visual representation of your 3-day trip to Paris, we’ve put together a map jotting all the attractions day-wise. You can view this on Google Maps here .

How to Customize 3 Days in Paris Itinerary

This 3-day trip to Paris can completely be modified or altered as per your travel schedule & timings. If you’re arriving in Paris on the exact same (day one) of your tour, then you’re likely to be tired/exhausted to carry on with the schedule.

One effective approach is to move the main attractions originally planned for day one, including the Eiffel Tower, Champs-Elysées, Arc de Triomphe, and Seine River Cruise, to the second day of your itinerary. This adjustment can help you avoid exertion and ensure you have a more enjoyable and relaxed start to your Paris adventure.

In the same way, if you wish to extend your Paris trip to more days – feel free to explore these other Paris itineraries. Moreover, these optional full-day excursions will help you plan a perfect trip outside of Paris.

Planning Tips for 3 Day Paris Itinerary

These are some of the essential tips you need to follow during your 3-day trip to Paris.

What to Pack for 3 Days in Paris

The question of “What to pack for Paris?” is indeed a common concern for many visitors, and it’s an essential aspect of trip planning. My recommendation is to prioritize travelling light. Regardless of your travel destination, opt for a minimalist packing approach.

By packing efficiently and carrying only what you truly need, you can make your trip more comfortable and enjoyable. Focus on versatile clothing items that can be mixed and matched, and consider the weather conditions during your visit to ensure you have appropriate attire. Additionally, don’t forget to pack essential items like travel documents, chargers, and personal necessities.

I’ve written a separate detailed guide to help you with your Paris packing list. You’ll get a brief idea of what you need to pack, what you need to wear, and some other tips to help you travel smoothly.

Recommended : What to Wear in Paris – A Complete Clothing Guide & Packing List .

Get a Guidebook

Having a guidebook on tour comes in really handy to know insider tips, secret locations, and undiscovered pathways. I personally recommend using Lonely Planet or Fodor guidebooks for any of your trips. These two are the pioneers in curating books that provide useful resources. You can check some of my suggestions below:

Learn French Language

English is widely spoken across France. Especially in Paris – most locals are well-versed in English. But there’s no harm in prepping yourself with some French.

Personally, French sounds very elegant to me, and the language seems so charming that you can please anyone with a few local words.

Try to learn a few words or lines which you can use to interact with the locals in Paris. Saying ‘ bonjour ‘ or ‘ Bonsoir ‘ to greet can please the opposite person. Even if you make a mistake, nobody will judge you, and the Parisians will much appreciate your efforts.

I am sure there are many resources on the internet to improve your French skills. But here’s a helpful page to memorize fancy French words quickly.

Protect your Belongings

If this is your first time visiting Paris, you might not be aware, but pickpocketing has been a common issue.

There have been many incidents of pickpocketing, especially in crowded places like the Louvre and Eiffel Tower. I even read an article  on this issue, and it certainly gave me a good idea of how to avoid or protect your belongings from pickpockets.

Other than this issue, Paris is a safe city overall. Violent crimes are very low, so don’t get much bothered by them.

Museum Operational Timings

One of the things you need to consider is the timings of particular museums. Many museums in Paris do have varying schedules and may close on specific days, often Mondays or Tuesdays. It’s advisable to consult their official websites or calendars in advance to ensure you are well-informed about their operating hours during your visit.

If you find that a museum you planned to visit is closed on the day you intended, it’s a good practice to have alternative attractions or activities in mind. This flexibility in your itinerary allows you to make the most of your time in Paris and ensures that you’re well-prepared to adapt to any unforeseen situations

Museums that are closed on Monday:

• Musee Rodin
• Versailles Palace

Museums that are closed on Tuesday:

• Pompidou Centre
• Musee de l’Orangerie

Note : If a museum is closed, the place will likely to receive a larger crowd than normal the following day. This is something you need to be aware of.

Where to Stay in Paris for 3 Days

Like any other European capital city, Paris is home to tons of accommodation options. From budgeted stays and luxurious hotels to homestays and apartments – you’ll find an ideal place to stay for your 3-day Paris itinerary.

Ideally, I would recommend you locate somewhere central to make it convenient to explore Parisian landmarks. This will help you will save you a lot of time.

Furthermore, have a look at these hotels listed on Booking.com . It’s my favourite booking platform to check out excellent hotels and deals, and my suggestion is to go through their categories to find and locate hotels that will be ideal for your trip.

Best Time to Visit Paris

The curated Paris itinerary provided above is versatile and suitable for travel in all seasons. Paris offers something unique in each season, making it a year-round destination.

Summer in Paris, from June to August, brings warmth and sunshine, making it a delightful time to explore the city’s outdoor attractions. Conversely, winter has its own charm with the allure of Christmas markets and festive stalls.

For a well-rounded experience with pleasant weather, many travelers prefer visiting Paris in September and October. During this period, the weather tends to be more moderate, making it ideal for exploring the city’s numerous attractions comfortably.

However, it’s important to note that summer does come with the downside of crowds. Popular landmarks, museums, shops, and markets can be heavily crowded, often leading to long queues. Additionally, the summer season tends to be the most expensive in terms of airfare, hotels, and ticket prices. Therefore, you should weigh the pros and cons of each season and plan your visit accordingly based on your preferences and priorities.

If you need to budget travel to Paris, I recommend visiting in the winter. Lesser people travel during this time, cutting off most of your travel expenses. Here’s my detailed guide if you need to experience the Parisian winter activities .

Ultimately, I think Paris is a year-round destination, and it all depends on your budget, travel style, preference, and experience.

How to Get Around Paris

Paris boasts an exceptional public transport network, and the Paris Metro system is a prime example of this. Designed to provide convenient and cost-effective travel options, the metro system efficiently connects major parts of the city.

This means that travellers can easily navigate Paris without worrying about high transportation expenses, making it an affordable and accessible way to explore the many delights of the French capital.

In addition to the extensive metro network, Paris offers excellent connectivity through buses and local trains, providing travellers with a comprehensive public transport system.

For one-off travel within Paris, I recommend using t+ tickets. These tickets start at a reasonable price of 1.90€ and can be used interchangeably on buses, metros, and RER trains within the city. You can conveniently purchase these tickets at metro stations or through ticket vending machines, making it a cost-effective and flexible option for getting around Paris.

Further details and information can be found on the official transportation website for Paris.

The one-off t+ticket can only be used for a journey of up to 2 hours (metros) and 90 minutes (bus transfers). You can check their official page for more details. Moreover, I recommend purchasing a pack of 10 tickets which is much more cost-effective than a single pass.

Alternatively, you can get a Navigo Easy Card for yourself. This rechargeable card can get you a pack of 10 tickets more cheaper than the cardboard versions, and it’s also convenient to use for other transport modes within Paris.

Experiential Walking Tours of Paris

Walking tours are simply the best if you feel like exploring Paris more deeply. While the itinerary will take you to significant attractions of Paris, a walking tour will make your venture more about the city’s hidden gems and unexplored places.

Note:  If you feel like taking a walking tour, you’ll need to adjust your 3 day Paris itinerary accordingly. You can even extend the itinerary to include these excursions.

I recommend two operators who are best at providing these walking trips around Paris. One is the City Free Tour , which offers small group tours around Paris, exploring its vibrant communities. This tour focuses on discovering neighbourhoods and getting to know their history & culture. For example, their Montmartre tour only focuses on showcasing the life and reality of the bohemian community.

The other one I recommend is the Localers . They specialize in unique walking tours, that are niche and context-based. For example, if you are interested in literary, food, heritage, and historical excursions – then Localers take you around places focusing on these particular subjects.

There are, of course, plenty of other walking tour operators that take you around Paris showcasing the Eiffel Tower, Versailles, and Seine River cruises in rather a unique way. So definitely check out to explore the ideal one for you.

Further Readings

Paris Packing Guide – What to Wear in Paris in Winter: A Complete Clothing Guide & Packing List

Paris Winter Guide – Exploring the Best Parisian Activities in Winter

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Your Paris itinerary: plan your three day trip to Paris

I hope you are enjoying my Paris itinerary series, whether you are planning a trip to Paris, or just like reading about Paris.  Following from my one and two day Paris itineraries , I’m now considering what to do on a three day trip to Paris.  Paris in three days definitely gives you far more options for what to do in Paris.  If it is your first trip to Paris I think three days is a good length of time to spend – plenty of time to see all the “must sees” but not so much time as to be overwhelming if it is your first stay.

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Start morning one, day one with a trip to the Louvre.  You can visit the Tuileries garden before or after depending on the weather.  Plan to spend around two hours on a basic Louvre tour, unless you are an art lover, when, of course, you will want to linger longer. You need to book a timed entry ticket for the Louvre. If you have a Pass you can go onto the Louvre website and reserve a time for free.

Book your Louvre timed entry ticket here > >

Regardless of how long you are staying in Paris, do not spend time doing things just because you think you should.  See what you want to see at the Louvre and then leave.

Next it’s time to head along the Seine towards the Pont Neuf and the Ile de la Cité.  First up on the Ile de la Cité is the Conciergerie.  It is rather spartan, but contains a Revolution prison museum, which personally I found quite interesting.

Don’t worry about the Conciergerie being spartan, because our next destination is anything but – the gorgeous Gothic jewel that is Ste Chapelle.  Turn right out of the Conciergerie and find the queue for the next door Ste Chapelle.  Even with a Museum Pass or skip the line ticket you will need to queue for security so don’t panic.  Once through security just show your ticket/pass to gain entry rather than queuing again.

Ste Chapelle is a genuine delight, so don’t rush to your next destination.  Just relax and absorb one of the most dazzling sites in Paris.

If you choose not to buy a Museum Pass, you can buy a combined Ste Chapelle and Conciergerie ticket:

Buy your Ste Chapelle and Conciergerie combo ticket here >>

Once you manage to drag yourself away from Ste Chapelle it is tempting to head directly to the very nearby Notre Dame, but I suggest detouring to the Latin Quarter to enjoy some outside time.

Are you planning a trip to France? My France Travel Planning Facebook group is a vibrant and friendly group where you can ask questions, learn from others and get great advice. You can join here >>

Now, I must admit, the Latin Quarter is not my favorite part of Paris, but the architecture can be interesting in parts, and once you get off the main streets, it’s definitely not all bad.

There are some places in the Latin Quarter that I do not believe are worth visiting.  Boulevard St Michel is touristy and can be more than a bit tacky.  While the word Sorbonne may sound romantic, there is little to actually see once you get there.  The Pantheon may look impressive from the outside but that’s about it.

If you like the Middle Ages or tapestries, the Cluny Museum is well worth visiting, being home to the mysterious Lady and the Unicorn tapestry series.  (It’s just off the corner of Boulevard St Germain and Boulevard St Michel). 

My suggestion for a late lunch is the touristy, but pretty, street market on rue Mouffetard.

After lunch, head back towards the river, but stay on the Left Bank side to visit Shakespeare & Co bookshop.

You will note I haven’t specified a route for this walk.  Avoiding the things I’ve outlined above, my suggestion is to grab a good map and find your own special part of the Latin Quarter – just try to come out on the river at or near Shakespeare & Co to pick up the tour.

Next up:  Notre Dame Cathedral.  The Cathedral forecourt will be quite busy at this time of the day so do pay close attention to your belongings.

Before you finish your first day in Paris, it’s time to visit the Eiffel Tower.  From Notre Dame take the Batobus (one of the companies offering boat tours along the Seine) down to the Eiffel Tower.  After all that walking this is a relaxing way to see the city, and is one of my favorite things to do in Paris with kids.

Buy your Batobus tickets now >>

The Eiffel Tower is always busy and security is very tight, so you definitely need a skip the line ticket here (the Museum Pass does not cover the Eiffel Tower).

If you want to enjoy a drink or early dinner before going back to your hotel, the rue St Dominique/rue Cler neighbourhood is right near the Eiffel Tower.  Rick Steves’ Paris guides are excellent for well priced eating options in this part of Paris:

Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:

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If you still have some energy left, a great way to end the evening is a sunset cruise of the river followed by an evening visit to the Eiffel Tower (even if you’ve already been up earlier in the day, it’s worth the trip).  You can read about this Seine River cruise and Eiffel Tower visit here .

How to spend your second day in Paris

This morning we are going walking again – this time along the Champs Elysées.  I recommend you start at the Place de la Concorde where the Champs Elysées starts, although you can do this walk in reverse and start at the Arc de Triomphe instead.

Before you leave the Place de la Concorde, step inside the Hotel Crillon.  After a four year renovation it is recently reopened – looking is free.

Start your walk on the left hand side of the Champs Elysées where the Grand and Petit Palais are.  Their free exhibitions are not worth breaking your journey for, but the Grand Palais often has very good paid exhibitions, so do check out what is currently showing.

Further along the street (past the Renault dealership), Ladurée is at number 75.  Regardless of your budget, do stop and buy a little something.  A macaron can be had for a couple of Euro.

It’s only a short walk from Ladurée to the flagship Louis Vuitton store – another pricy Paris institution which is also free to look in.  Just watch out for scams here.

Then it’s the Arc de Triomphe.  If you want to get up close to the Arc de Triomphe, do not attempt to cross the traffic of the place d’Etoile as you will cause, or be involved in an accident.  Instead, use the pedestrian underpass on the right hand side of the Champs Elysées just near the Charles de Gaulle-Etoile metro entrance.

When you have finished at the Arc de Triomphe stay on the right side of the street and head down back towards the Place de la Concorde.  The historic Guerlain flagship store and Arcades Mall are down towards the Place de la Concorde.

At the Guerlain store cross the road again, and continue back towards the Place de la Concorde until you reach Ave Montaigne (just near the entrance to Franklin D. Roosevelt metro).  Ave Montaigne is one of the most fabulous streets in Paris being home to literally all the big fashion labels.  It’s also home to the luxurious Hotel Plaza Athenée (a good spot for a little sit down and a very expensive cup of coffee).  For car lovers, the luxury care spotting on this street is second to none.  Stop by Christian Dior and Dolce & Gabana for the best window displays.

At the top of Ave Montaigne head across the Seine where if you look to your left, the Musée d’Orsay should be just near by.

You need a skip the line ticket or Museum Pass for the Musée d’Orsay regardless of what time you visit – queues are always long.  The entrance for skip the line ticket holders is at Entrance C (on the right hand side of the building).

You can book your skip the line ticket for the Orsay here >>

The Musée d’Orsay is smaller than the Louvre, but you still need to allow around 2hours to do a visit justice.  If you are short on time, or on interest, the big ticket Renoirs, Degas and Monets are upstairs.  There are also some lovely views back over Paris from upstairs.  For more detailed advice on what to see at the Musée d’Orsay you can read my Musée d’Orsay private tour here.

On a three day Paris visit there’s definitely time for shopping.  To minimise traveling time, and maximise your shopping time I’m suggesting you stay on the Left Bank and either walk or take the short metro ride to Le Bon Marché (metro Sévres Babylone).  There are two building to Le Bon Marché – the main building with the usual department store stock and the next door Grand Epicerie, Le Bon Marché’s fabulous food hall.  Even if you aren’t into shopping, the main building has stunning architecture that is well worth checking out.

What should you buy at Le Bon Marché?  It obviously depends on your taste and budget, but pastries or sandwiches are just a few Euros (there is a sweet little garden at the Metro entrance where you can sit to eat.)  The main building has a lovely stationary department, with gorgeous notebooks and all sorts of other goodies.  They also stock a huge range of beautiful French table and bed linens.  And then of course there’s fashion.  Scarves, ties and hosiery are very French and not necessarily expensive.  The lingerie department is very, very good but I have found the service inconsistent over the years.

This short Paris itinerary doesn’t have time for a tour of the Marais or Montmartre, so in the evening it is worthwhile doing a food tour.

Choose your Paris evening food tour now >>

Day three of your Paris itinerary

Three days in Paris allows you to do the best day trip from Paris – a trip to the Chateau of Versailles and its gardens.   Versailles definitely deserves a full day of your time to enjoy the best of the Chateau and its gardens, so don’t scrimp on your time here.  You can read more about Versailles day trips here.

How to get to Versailles from Paris:   Versailles is an easy 35min train trip from Paris.  To travel to Versailles from Paris you need to take the RER from any of these RER stops:  Gare d’Austerlitz, St Michel, Musée d’Orsay, Invalides, Pont de l’Alma or Champ de Mars.  At the RER station you can catch any train that says Versailles Chateau RG or Versailles Chateau Rive Gauche (there are other stations at Versailles, but the Rive Gauche is the closest to the Chateau.)  To return to Paris you can catch any Paris train.  When you exit the Versailles station turn right out of the station, then take the first boulevard left.  It’s about a ten minute walk.

To make the most of your day trip to Versailles, beat the crowds by leaving Paris by 8.00am, which will get you to the entrance to the Chateau when it opens at 9.00am.  If you’re not a morning person, and arrive later, go to the gardens first, then enter the Chateau after 2pm when the tour groups are more likely to have left.

Planning your visit to Versailles:   assuming you arrive nice and early, hit the Chateau first.  Then visit the gardens (including the Trianon and the Domaine de Marie-Antoinette).  My favorite tip for lunch at Versailles is to either enjoy a well prepared meal in the cafeteria-style eatery near the entrance, or even better, to take a little picnic to enjoy in the garden.

See options for Versailles tickets and tours here >>

France Travel Planning travel tip:

Pick pockets are prevalent within the Chateau, so keep your bag, and valuables close.  The Chateau and gardens are especially busy on Tuesdays (when many Paris attractions are closed) and on Sundays, so unless you have no choice avoid those days.

The best three day Paris with kids itinerary

Follow on my Paris two day itinerary with children with the kid’s favorite things to do in Paris.

You can research family tours suitable for children here (including Disneyland entry tickets) >>

Disneyland is obviously one of the best things to do in Paris with children as well as being one of the best day trips from Paris.

How to get to Disneyland Paris:  take the RER A to Marne-la-Vallée-Chessy.  At the platform before you get on, check on the screen that your train is servicing Marne-la-Vallée-Chessy because this line splits in two towards the end.  Best places to catch this train are from Charles de Gaulle-Etoile, Auber, Chatelet-Les Halles or Gare de Lyon.  The train takes around 45minutes and the station is right at the park.

Avoid the worst of the Disneyland Paris queues by avoiding weekends, Wednesdays and public holidays.  You can use their express pass system to avoid queueing for some of the most popular rides.  Buying your entry tickets in advance will save queuing to enter.

What to do in Paris in three days for the art lover

Art lovers can trim back their Latin Quarter walk to make sure they have plenty of time to enjoy the Cluny Museum on the first day.  On the second day, take the metro to the Quai Branly Museum from the Eiffel Tower for what is possibly the world’s best collection of African, Polynesian and Asian Art.  Then spend the afternoon at the Orsay.

Purchase Quai Branly Museum tickets here >>

Art lovers have a choice on the third day of their visit to Paris – either the Pompidou or Picasso Museums, although I’m sure there will be some who will do both.

Three day Paris itinerary for the garden lover

Garden lovers will spend less time inside the museums and will make more time for the Luxembourg and Tuileries gardens.

On the second and third days there’s a choice.  You could either complete my two day itinerary and save Giverny for day three, or do Giverny on day two, and then head to Versailles on day three.  The gardens of Versailles are definitely not of the detail of Giverny, but their sheer scale, and formal French style make them a winner for gardeners.

Three day Paris itinerary for the food lover

On your first day, start the day with a special breakfast Angelina’s just across from the Louvre.  Stopping at Ladurée or the nearby Fauchon is a given on the Champs Elysées.  Rather than spending time in the main store of Le Bon Marché, enjoy the gorgeous Grand Epicerie food hall.  If you happen to be in this part of Paris on a Tuesday, Friday or Sunday, try to be at the nearby Marché Raspail while it is open between 7.00 and about 2.30pm.  The market is on Boulevarde Raspail between rue du Cherche-Midi and rue de Rennes (metro Rennes).  This market is organic (bio) on Sundays.

On the evening of your second day consider a river dinner cruise.  You can find plenty of options at different price points here >>

On day three, take the day trip to Versailles and enjoy the finest dining at Gordon Ramsay au Trianon ( in the Trianon, book well in advance).  Budget food lovers can curate a gourmet picnic to enjoy when they shop at Le Bon Marchée on day two (there is also a Ladurée at the Chateau).

Plan your trip to Paris here:

The   Ultimate Paris Address Book 2024  is your insider address book to Paris with 100 pages and 500 places to sleep, eat, shop and see.  Listed by arrondissement,   The Ultimate Paris Address Book 2024  is the perfect accompaniment to a traditional guide book to plan your trip to Paris.  From where to find a charming country lane in the middle of Paris to ice cream and chocolates from a multi Michelin starred legend, The Ultimate Paris Address Book will help you say au revoir to the tourist traps and bonjour to the real Paris. Buy your copy now >>

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3 Tage Paris – Programm für ein tolles Wochenende in Paris

Dieser Artikel enthält Empfehlungs-Links. Wenn du über diese etwas buchst, erhalte ich eine kleine Provision - ohne Mehrkosten für dich. Danke für deine Unterstützung.

Du planst ein Wochenende in Paris und hast richtig Lust auf tolle 3 Tage in Paris? Dann bist du hier genau richtig. Ich lebe seit 16 Jahren in Paris und habe dir ein Programm zusammengestellt, das einen tollen Urlaub in Paris garantiert.

Ich zeige dir, wie du deine 3 Tage in Paris optimal planst , um kein Paris Highlight zu verpassen. Schau direkt hier, um mehr über die Paris Highlights zu erfahren !

Salut, ich bin Lena – Ich lebe seit 2006 in Paris und freue mich, dir meine Wahlheimat zeigen zu dürfen🩷

Reisevorbereitung für dein Wochenende in Paris

Bevor du mit der Planung deines 3 Tage Paris Programm startest, habe ich zunächst ein paar Paris Tipps für dich, damit du mit den besten Rahmenbedingungen in dein Abenteuer “Paris” starten kannst.

CHECKLISTE für deinen Paris Urlaub

✔ Hotel reserviert?

• Budget:   Hotel France Albion  (8.6)
• Mittelklasse:   Hôtel des Arts   (9.6)
• Schicker:  Millésime Hôtel   (9.2)
• Luxus:  La Demeure Montaigne   (9.1)
• Mein Favorit:   Hôtel Monte Cristo

✔ Eintrittskarten gebucht?

• Eiffelturm ( hier buchen )
• Louvre ( hier buchen )
• Seine Bootstour ( hier buchen )
• Arc de Triomphe ( hier buchen )
• Paris City Card ( hier buchen )
• Hop on Hop Off ( hier buchen )

Kostenlose Aktivitäten

• Pariser Passagen und Galerien
• Die Pariser Flohmärkte
• Die schönsten Pariser Parks
• Paris Geheimtipps
• Kostenlose Museen in Paris

Paris Survival Tipps

• Touristenfallen in Paris
• Der Metro Guide
• Spartipps für Paris
• Tipps für die Anreise mit dem Auto
• Paris Karte mit allen Highlights (+ download)

Paris ist vollgepackt mit Museen, Sehenswürdigkeiten , schönen Stadtvierteln, erstklassigen Restaurants, tollen Geschäften …. selbst nach all den Jahren entdecke ich tatsächlich immer noch Neues in meiner Wahlheimat.

Das sollte dich allerdings nicht davon abhalten, auch für einen Kurzurlaub nach Paris zu kommen. Die Höhepunkte kannst du nämlich einem Paris Wochenende leicht erkunden. Allerdings solltest du darauf achten, dass du mindestens einen vollen Tag in der Stadt bist , damit sich dein Ausflug nach Paris richtig lohnt.

Falls du aber tatsächlich nur sehr wenig Zeit hast, schau dir gerne auch unseren Artikel Paris in 1 Tag an! Paris kann man nämlich auch als Tagesausflug besuchen!

Dein Paris Wochenende: Sind 3 Tage Paris genug?

Paris ist ein perfektes Ziel für ein verlängertes Wochenende. Am besten reist du bereits am Vorabend an . Von Nordrhein-Westfalen aus gibt es die Möglichkeit, donnerstags am späten Nachmittag mit der Bahn nach Paris zu reisen. Gleiches gilt für Frankfurt mit dem TGV/ICE.

So hast du sogar 3 komplette Tage für deinen Kurztrip nach Paris. Paris in 3 Tagen ist absolut machbar, ohne dass du dich sonderlich abhetzen musst.

Viele Paris Besucher planen ein verlängertes Wochenende inklusive des Freitags. Dementsprechend ist es freitags schon ziemlich voll an den bekannten Sehenswürdigkeiten.

Wochenendtrip Paris: Verlängere über den Montag

Mein Tipp: Wenn du übers Wochenende nach Paris möchtest, um drei Tage in Paris zu verbringen, verlängere dein Wochenende über den Montag ! Auch wenn du an dem Tag bereits abreist, hast du am Morgen die Möglichkeit, z.B. den Louvre zu besuchen und dem größten Besucheransturm zu entgehen.

Das Louvre ist nämlich, wie einige andere Pariser Museen auch, am Montag geöffnet. Paris erkunden in 3 Tagen ist so etwas effizienter und entspannter.

Ein perfektes Wochenende in Paris : Wo übernachtest du?

Um das meiste aus deinem Kurzurlaub in Paris herauszuholen, empfehle ich dir, ein möglichst zentrales Hotel als Unterkunft zu wählen. Kurze Heimwege sind nicht nur praktisch nach einem langen Tag auf den Beinen, sie sparen auch unheimlich Zeit fürs Wesentliche: dem Genießen von Paris! Für einen kurzen Aufenthalt in Paris wäre es einfach zu schade um die Zeit, die du in der Metro verschwendest.

Spartipp : Falls du mit kleinem Budget reist, du aber dennoch nicht auf Komfort und hervorragende Lage verzichten möchtest, empfehle ich dir, in einem Ibis Hotel einzuchecken. Die besten und zentralsten Ibis Hotels in Paris findest du hier .

Ansonsten schau auch gern hier, für weitere Ideen für deine 3 Tage Paris-Reise:

• 8 Tolle Hotels im Marais: Hier schläfst du gut
• Die 9 schönsten Paris Hotels mit Pool
• 15 Exklusive Paris Boutique-Hotels für deinen Städtetrip
• Die schönsten Hotels mit Blick auf den Eiffelturm

Meine Hotelempfehlungen für dein Wochenende in Paris

Es gibt in Paris tausende Hotels und man verliert schnell die Übersicht. Wenn du dich nicht selbst durch das Angebot kämpfen möchtest, kann ich dir die folgenden Hotels empfehlen, die sich super für ein perfektes Wochenende in Paris eignen. 

Sie befinden sich alle strategisch gut gelegen, um Paris zu erkunden, aber natürlich auch in schönen und sicheren Pariser Ortsteilen. Behalte aber im Kopf, dass Paris allgemein eher teuer ist und die Preise steigen mit Nachfrage.

Kommst du mit dem Auto nach Paris? Dann sind diese Artikel sicherlich hilfreich:

• Die 10 besten Hotels mit Parkplatz in Paris
• Paris mit dem Auto – Parken, Plakette & Péage!
• Einfach Parken in Paris: So vermeidest du das Knöllchen!

Moris Grands Boulevard

• Zentrale Lage im nördlichen Marais
• Animiertes Viertel mit vielen Restaurants & Bars
• Frühstück & Klimaanlage
• Super Verkehrsanbindung

Hotel Trianon Rive Gauche

• Wunderschön gelegen im Quartier Latin
• Nähe Jardin du Luxembourg & Pantheon
• Schönes belebtes Viertel mit vielen Ausgehmöglichkeiten

Wenn es etwas ganz Besonderes sein soll – Le Grand Hôtel du Palais Royal

Dieses wunderschöne exklusive Hotel liegt direkt nur wenige Gehminuten vom Louvre und den Tuileries entfernt. Auch das Marais und das Ausgehviertel Châtelet liegen direkt um die Ecke. Das Hotel verfügt über einen Wellnessbereich und einige Zimmer sogar über einen Balkon . Das Hotel liegt in einem ruhigen Innenhof – der dir übrigens bekannt vorkommen könnte: Die Netflix Serie Emily in Paris wurde dort gedreht! Folge diesem Link für mehr Informationen über das Grand Hôtel du Palais Royal. 

Die Königsklasse eines jeden Paris Besuches: Ein Hotelzimmer mit Aussicht auf den Eiffelturm

Auch wenn der Eiffelturm nicht im Zentrum von Paris liegt, ist es verständlicherweise ein Traum von vielen, den Eiffelturm direkt vom Hotelzimmer aus zu sehen. Falls das auch dein Traum ist, kann ich dir die Qual der Wahl etwas erleichtern. Ich habe für dich eine Liste mit 14 tollen Hotels mit Blick auf den Eiffelturm zusammen gestellt, in der sogar für fast jedes Budget etwas dabei ist.

Welches Metroticket ist das Beste für 3 Tage in Paris?

Hier gehts zu unserem ganz aktuellen Metro-Guide , der alle deine Fragen beantwortet

Die beste und günstigste Möglichkeit in Paris von A nach B zu kommen ist die Pariser Metro. Die über 300 Stationen decken die komplette Stadt ab und sorgen dafür, dass sich tatsächlich immer eine nächste Metrostation in unmittelbarer Nähe befindet.

Für einen dreitägigen Aufenthalt in Paris kommen nur Einzelfahrscheine, das ticket+ infrage. Diese gibt es im 10er-Pack für 1,69 € pro Fahrt per kostenloser App aufs Handy (Android), oder für 2 € als Plastikkarte am Schalter. 10 Tickets reichen normalerweise, wenn du Paris an einem Wochenende entdecken möchtest.

Die auf der App hinterlegten Tickets können jedoch nur vom jeweiligen Smartphonebesitzer genutzt werden. Gleiches gilt, wenn du statt App die Navigo Easy Plastikkarte nutzen möchtest. Jeder Reisende benötigt also seine eigene Karte. Für mehr Informationen schau dir auch gerne unseren Pariser Metro Guide an!

Achtung! Die Papiertickets, die es bis in jüngster Vergangenheit noch gab, werden im Laufe 2023 abgeschafft. Sind bereits nicht mehr an jeder Station erhältlich. Wenn du sie trotzdem bekommst, kannst du sie natürlich noch nutzen.

Wichtig! Buche deine Eintrittskarten rechtzeitig!

Schau hier für eine Übersicht über alle schönen Aktivitäten in Paris

Paris ist eines der beliebtesten Ziele für Städtereisen überhaupt und deswegen ist Paris am Wochenende meistens ziemlich voll. Es kommt deswegen nicht selten vor, dass die beliebtesten Sehenswürdigkeiten in Paris ausverkauft sind . Selbst wenn es noch Karten gibt, betragen die Wartezeiten mitunter SEHR lang.

Bei deiner 3 Tage Paris Reise solltest du hier kein Risiko eingehen.

Vor allem beim Louvre und am Eiffelturm ist dies täglich der Fall. Natürlich musst du auch trotz vorhandener Tickets durch die Sicherheitsschleusen, aber die Wartezeit an den Verkaufsschaltern hast du eingespart.

Paris in 3 Tagen: Vergeude keine Zeit in Warteschlangen

Deshalb rate ich dir dringendst davon ab, auf gut Glück zu den beliebten Sehenswürdigkeiten von Paris zu fahren und vor Ort auf Karten zu hoffen. Du wirst höchstwahrscheinlich enttäuscht. Besonders, wenn du Paris übers Wochenende besuchst.

Tickets kannst du bequem unter diesen Links im Vorfeld von Zuhause aus bestellen:

• Eiffelturm: Tickets bekommst du hier
• Louvre: Tickets bekommst du hier
• Katakomben: Tickets bekommst du hier
• Arc de Triomphe: Tickets bekommst du hier
• Flussfahrt auf der Seine: Tickets bekommst du hier
• Hop-on Hop-off Bustour: Tickets bekommst du hier

3 Tage Paris-Reise: Was gehört in dein Gepäck?

Für nur ein Paris Wochenende brauchst du natürlich nicht viel Gepäck. Aber es gibt dennoch ein paar Dinge, die du auf jeden Fall mitnehmen solltest.

Am wichtigsten sind bequeme Schuhe . Auch wenn die Pariser Metro praktisch ist und Paris an sich auch eher klein, wirst du einiges an Kilometern am Tag zurücklegen. Bequeme Schuhe sind demnach ein absolutes Muss.

Damit dies nicht zum Stressfaktor wird, solltest du eine kleine portable Ladestation dabei haben. Ich selbst nutze diese Powerbank von Anker und bin sehr zufrieden. Sie hat ausreichend Kapazität, um dein Handy bis zu zweimal komplett aufzuladen (je nach Handymodell) und passt dabei in jede Hosentasche. Falls du noch keine Powerbank besitzt, kannst du sie einfach hier bestellen .

Einen Adapter für deine technischen Geräte brauchst du in Paris nicht. Die deutschen Stecker passen auch in die Pariser Steckdosen.

Wenn deine Handtasche oder dein Tagesrucksack eher klein sind, empfehle ich dir auch, einen Stoffbeutel oder Ähnliches dabei zu haben.

Ich finde es in vielen Geschäften oder Museen viel zu warm. Gerade in der kälteren Jahreszeit habe ich gerne etwas dabei, in das ich bei Bedarf meine Jacke oder meinen Schal stopfen kann, ohne es gleich umständlich im Rucksack verstauen zu müssen.

Dein Programm für 3 Tage in Paris

Paris Reise planen leicht gemacht, jetzt geht’s los mit deinem Programm für deinen Paris Urlaub!

Auch interessant : 2 Tage Paris: Dein perfektes Sightseeing Programm

Wenn du bereits am Vorabend angereist bist, kannst du direkt starten. Falls du erst heute im Laufe des Vormittags ankommst, achte darauf, dass dein Hotel über die Möglichkeit verfügt, dein Gepäck bis zum Check-in aufzubewahren. Der ist für gewöhnlich in den meisten Hotels nämlich erst am Nachmittag.

Tag 1 in Paris

Nachdem du entweder deinen ersten Pariser Croissant gefrühstückt oder dein Gepäck untergebracht hast, geht es los. Am ersten Tag deines Paris Kurztrips kannst du dich auf Folgendes freuen:

• eine Flussfahrt auf der Seine
• Sacre Coeur
• das Moulin Rouge

Der Eiffelturm

Das Wahrzeichen Paris’ befindet sich – anders als man vielleicht denkt – nicht im unmittelbaren Zentrum von Paris, sondern ein klein wenig außerhalb. Aber dank des guten Metronetzes, ist er dennoch schnell zu erreichen.

Du hast mehrere Möglichkeiten, den Turm zu erklimmen. Die sportliche Variante ist der Aufstieg zu Fuß, was allerdings nur bis zur 2. Etage möglich ist.  Alternativ kannst du auch einen Platz im Aufzug, entweder zur 2. Etage oder auch bis zur Spitze buchen.

Die günstigste Variante ist es, die Tickets online auf der Seite des Eiffelturm zu kaufen. Allerdings sind diese meist Wochen im Voraus ausgebucht . Falls du also dort keine mehr bekommst oder du deine Reise nach Paris für ein Wochenende spontan planst, gibt es zum Glück noch Seiten wie Get your Guide , Tiqets oder Viator, über die auch kurzfristig noch Karten erhältlich sind:

Die Karten sind zwar etwas teurer, aber oft leider die einzige Chance den Eiffelturm zu besuchen, wenn Karten an der offiziellen Verkaufsstelle nicht mehr erhältlich sind.

Aber es hat auch Vorteile: Die Tickets von Get Your Guide können in den meisten Fällen bis zu 24 Stunden vorher annulliert werden und die Seite ist auf Deutsch und einfach navigierbar Hier kannst du alle verfügbaren Touren und Kartenoptionen einsehen .

Flussfahrt auf der Seine ( Hier Tickets buchen! )

Eine Übersicht aller Stadtrundfahrten in Paris findest du hier:  Die schönsten Stadtrundfahrten in Paris

Von einem Highlight geht es gleich zum nächsten bei deinem Paris Kurztrip. Eine Flussfahrt auf der Seine ist nämlich etwas, das du auf keinen Fall verpassen solltest. Praktischerweise fahren viele Seine Flussfahrten am Eiffelturm ab, sodass du direkt und ohne Unterbrechung zum nächsten Programmpunkt übergehen kannst.

Du kannst sogar Tickets kaufen, die sowohl den Eiffelturm, als auch eine Seine Fahrt beinhalten. Hier bekommst du mehr Informationen zu den Kombitickets.

Ich bin ein großer Fan der Bootstour auf der Seine. Natürlich ist es vom Touristenaspekt her kaum zu überbieten, aber eine solche Fahrt ist wirklich schön. Allein schon, weil du dir ganz in Ruhe und entspannt Paris ansehen kannst, und das von einer Perspektive, die kaum zu überbieten ist.

Dazu kommt, dass die Touren verhältnismäßig günstig sind und ein gutes Preis-Leistungs-Verhältnis haben. Diese Flussfahrt auf der Seine ist besonders beliebt und günstig (klick den Link).

Trocadero, ein guter Fotospot! 

Hier gibts noch mehr schöne Aussichtspunkte in Paris , die es sich zu entdecken lohnt.

Direkt gegenüber dem Eiffelturms und der Abfahrtsstege der Seine Flussfahrten befindet sich das Trocadero. Im Grunde gibt es hier nicht sehr viel zu sehen, aber dank seiner Lage ist es einer der besten Plätze, um ein richtig tolles Foto vom Eiffelturm zu machen. Wenn du also ein bisschen Luft hast, lohnt sich ein Besuch auf jeden Fall.

Tipp: Ums Trocadero herum gibt es viele sogenannte Hütchenspieler. Lass dich nicht in deren Bann ziehen, du kannst nur verlieren. Schau auch gerne hier , um dich über alle gängigen Pariser Touristenfallen zu informieren.

Montmartre, das Künstlerviertel

Nach dem Trocadero steigst du am besten direkt in die Metro, denn am Nachmittag geht es zum berühmten Künstlerviertel, nach Montmartre . Der Hügel im Norden von Paris zählt zu den bekanntesten Stadtvierteln der Stadt. Freu dich auf kleine Gassen, viele Galerien und Künstler und nicht zuletzt natürlich auf die berühmte Basilika Sacre Coeur, die den Gipfel des Hügels kürt.

Das Moulin Rouge

Falls du noch Energie hast und etwas Schönes für den Abend planen möchtest, schlage ich vor, gleich in Montmartre zu bleiben und das berühmte Moulin Rouge zu besuchen. Das Cabaret ist weltbekannt und zieht jährlich tausende Besucher an.

Besonders beliebt sind die Dinner Shows um 19 Uhr, bei denen ein 3 Gänge Menü serviert wird und der Champagner nur so fließt. Es heißt, dass das Moulin Rouge der größte Einzelabnehmer von Champagner der Welt ist!

Mehr Informationen zu den Cabaret Shows im Moulin Rouge findest du hier . Aber selbst, wenn du keine Lust auf das Event hast, solltest du auf jeden Fall am Moulin Rouge vorbeigehen – die rote Mühle ( frz. moulin rouge ) auf dem Dach solltest du dir nämlich auf jeden Fall ansehen.

Fun Fact: Das Moulin Rouge wurde im selben Jahr eröffnet wie der Eiffelturm, 1889, pünktlich zur Weltausstellung 1900 in Paris.

Tag 2 in Paris

Nach einer hoffentlich erholsamen Nacht wartet das Programm deines 2. Tages in Paris auf dich. Heute kannst du dich auf folgende Aktivitäten freuen:

• Champs Élysée und der Triumphbogen

Quartier Latin

• Île de la Cité
• Optional: Seine Cruise

Champs Élysée und der Arc de Triomphe

Spare Zeit und buche dein Ticket für den Triumphbogen hier.

Nach einem Frühstück mit frischen Croissants geht es direkt los: Ab zur Champs Élysée! Die wohl mitunter berühmteste Allée der Welt darf bei einem Wochenende in Paris natürlich nicht fehlen. Ich muss leider gestehen, dass ich sie – auch wenn sie einen Besuch wert ist – für vollkommen überbewertet halte: überlaufen, teuer und recht langweilig.

Deswegen empfehle ich dir, so früh wie möglich direkt zum Arc de Triomphe zu gehen und die Aussicht zu genießen, natürlich die Champs Élysée runterzulaufen, aber dich ansonsten dort nicht länger als nötig aufzuhalten. Insbesondere rate ich dir davon ab, dich in ein Café zu setzen – die Preise lohnen einfach nicht. Tickets für den Triumphbogen findest du hier .

Das historische Quartier: Marais 

Von der schicken Champs Élysée geht es zum Marais . Du kannst bei “Champs Élysée Clemenceau” die Metro Linie 1 nehmen und bei Hôtel de Ville aussteigen. Von dort musst du nur die Straße überqueren und schon bis du im Marais.

Ein Besuch dieses historischen Viertels darf bei deinem Wochenendtrip nach Paris nicht fehlen.

Der Name „Marais” bedeutet übrigens ‚Sumpf‘ und ganz richtig handelt es sich bei dem Stadtviertel um ein ehemaliges Sumpfgebiet, das im 13. Jahrhundert trocken gelegt und kurz darauf zu Paris eingemeindet wurde. Schnell wurde es zum städtischen Hotspots des französischen Adels und Könige, Fürsten und sonstige Oberschicht ließen sich im Marais nieder.

Noch heute zeugen die vielen „Hôtel Particulier“ und auch z. B. der Place de Vosges von der ehemaligen noblen Gesellschaft, die natürlich nach der Französischen Revolution aus ihren Herbergen vertrieben wurde.

Das Marais ist heute eines der Pariser Zentren für jüdische und nahöstliche Kultur (es gibt im Marais die BESTE Falafel der Stadt!), aber auch bekannt für seine LGTBQ Community.

Das Beste, was du im Marais machen kannst, ist dich einfach ein wenig treiben zu lassen. Es gibt hier unzählige schöne Ecken und urige Gassen, Cafés, Restaurants , sowie sehr viele kleine Boutiquen und Galerien jeglicher Art. Eine gute Idee ist es auch, an einem geführten Rundgang durch das Marais teilzunehmen.

Sehr beliebt ist diese Gebäck und Schokoladentour durch das Marais. Hier erfährst du nicht nur Interessantes über das Viertel, sonders hast auch die Möglichkeit, die leckersten Backwaren von Paris verkosten. Großes Plus: Die Führung ist auf Deutsch! Hier findest du eine komplette Übersicht über die verschiedenen Stadtrundgänge in Paris.

Das Marais ist nur eine Flussüberquerung vom Quartier Latin entfernt. Hierzu nimmst du am besten den Weg über die Seine Insel Île-Saint-Louis und gönnst dir ein Eis von Berthillon – einer der weltbesten Eishersteller!

Beim Quartier Latin handelt es sich um das älteste Pariser Stadtviertel, das gleichzeitig aufgrund der vielen dort ansässigen Hochschulen auch das Studierendenviertel ist. Letzteres spiegelt sich auch im Namen wider: Quartier Latin heißt nichts anders als lateinisches Viertel und Latein war früher (gaaanz früher) natürlich die Sprache der Gelehrten.

Beim Quartier Latein verhält es sich ähnlich wie beim Marais – am besten einfach treiben lassen. Ein paar Highlights möchte ich hier aber dennoch erwähnen, die du auf deinem Streifzug durchs Quartier Latin nicht verpassen solltest:

• Shakespeare & Company – ein Anglo-amerikanischer Buchladen (kein Geheimtipp mehr, aber dennoch toll)
• Der Brunnen Saint Michel
• Das Pantheon , Mausoleum, in dem die wichtigsten französischen Persönlichkeiten begraben liegen – Tickets gibt hier
• falls du Fan der Serie “Emily in Paris” bist, schau auch beim Place de l’Estrapade vorbei, einem der Hauptschauplätze der Serie

Mein Tipp: auch wenn es verführerisch ist aufgrund der mehrsprachigen Menüs und der unfassbar günstigen Preise, meide die Restaurants in der Rue de la Harpe und Rue de la Huchette – es sind absolute Touristenfallen und du findest bessere Restaurants quasi überall in Paris.

Île-de-la-Cité und Notre Dame

Bei der Île-de-la-Cite handelt es sich um eine der Seine Inseln im Zentrum Paris` und ist am bekanntesten, da sie Standpunkt der berühmten Kathedrale Notre Dame de Paris ist. Leider befindet sich die Kathedrale aufgrund des fürchterlichen Feuers im Jahre 2018 nach wie vor im Wiederaufbau und kann derzeit noch nicht wieder besichtigt werden.

Als Fotomotiv macht sie sich dennoch nicht schlecht und dieÎle-de-la-Cite ist auch so einen kleinen Spaziergang wert.

Optional für den Abend: Eine Flussfahrt auf der Seine durchs nächtliche Paris

Wer es bisher noch nicht geschafft, an einer Flussfahrt auf der Seine teilzunehmen, kann dies jetzt nachholen. Die Pont Neuf, direkt bei Notre Dame und des Saint Michel Brunnens ist ebenso ein beliebter Abfahrtsort für die Flussfahrten. Die Reederei Vendette de Pont Neuf bietet viele verschiedene Optionen an, einsehbar hier .

Tag 3 in Paris

Nun ist bereits dein Abreisetag gekommen, aber in der Regel solltest dir noch mindestens ein halber Tag für dein Paris Ausflugsprogramm zur Verfügung stehen. Falls dein Abreisetag auf einen Montag fällt, ist ein Besuch im Louvre optimal – das Museum ist montags etwas weniger gut besucht.

• Tuileries Garten

Palais Royal

Spare Zeit vor Ort und reserviere deine Eintrittskarten gleich hier

Wenn du das Louvre besuchen möchtest, rate ich dir ganz dringend, deine Eintrittskarten bereits im Vorfeld zu kaufen. Dies kannst du hier tun . Zum einen umgehst du damit die Wartezeit an den Ticketkassen (Zeitersparniss!) und zum anderen läufst du nicht Gefahr, vor ausverkauftem Haus zu stehen.

Wenn du nicht die Zeit hast, gemütlich durchs Louvre zu schlendern, empfehle ich dir, einer vorgefertigten Tour zu folgen. Diese kannst du kostenlos über die Louvre App herunterladen. Bei der “ Louvre Masterpieces ” Tour wirst du innerhalb 1.5 Stunden zu den wichtigsten Ausstellungstücken des Louvre geführt. Natürlich dürfen die Mona Lisa und die Venus von Milo nicht fehlen.

Am besten informierst du dich bereits im Voraus, welche die wichtigsten Kunstwerke im Louvre sind, damit du eine Idee bekommst.

Falls du den Louvre schon kennst, findest du hier 15 weitere tolle Museen in Paris , die es sich zu besuchen lohnt.

Nach dem Louvre schlage ich vor, dass du eine kleine Runde durch die Tuileries drehst. Beim Louvre handelt es sich übrigens um die Stadtresidenz der ehemaligen französischen Könige und die Tuileries waren folglich einst die königlichen Gärten, in Auftrag gegeben von Katharina von Medici. Der Eintritt ist natürlich frei und somit sind die Tuileries auch ein toller Tipp für Budget Reisende !

Falls du noch etwas Zeit hast, kannst du von den Tuilerien einfach die Straße überqueren und einen Abstecher in den Palais Royal machen. Hier findest du zum einen die – kontrovers diskutieren – Buren Columns und zum anderen den klassisch schönen Garten des Palais Royal.

Tipp : in den Arkaden des Palais Royal befindet sich ein Kitsuné Café, bekannte für hervorragende Kaffees und Tees. ( Mehr Café Tipps findest du hier )

Ganz in der Nähe des Palais Royal findest du auch die wunderschönen überdachten Passagen von Paris. Falls du noch ein halbes Stündchen Zeit hast, schau auf jeden Fall in zumindest einer vorbei. Eine komplette Liste der Passagen findest du hier .

Das war mein Leitfaden für deine 3 Tage Paris-Reise. Jetzt sollte eigentlich nichts mehr schiefgehen. Bon voyage!

Hat dir dieser Artikel bei deiner Paris Reiseplanung geholfen? Supi, denn ich unterstütze dich sehr gerne bei deiner Urlaubsvorbereitung.

Falls du dich dafür revanchieren möchtest und denkst „ ach Mensch, die Lena steckt so viel Arbeit in diese Seite, der würde ich gerne mal einen Kaffee ausgeben “ dann kannst du das hier tun. Ich freu’ mich sehr über deine Wertschätzung.

PS: Wirf auch einen Blick auf diese Artikel, sie helfen dir bestimmt bei deiner Reiseplanung:

• Paris mit Kindern – Alles was du wissen muss!
• Paris mit Teenagern: 25+ tolle Tipps & Aktivitäten
• 55+ Paris Geheimtipps – Entdecke Paris neu!

FAQ – 3 Tage in Paris

Wie viel kostet ein wochenende nach paris.

Paris ist eine kostspielige Stadt und nach oben gibt es gewissermaßen keine Grenzen. Eine Hotelübernachtung schlägt mindestens 50€/Person und pro Nacht zu Buche und für Sehenswürdigkeiten solltest du zwischen 10€ und 20€ pro Person und Attraktion einplanen. Ein einfaches Gericht gibt es ab ca. 12€, ohne Getränke.

Wie viele Tage sollte man in Paris bleiben?

Paris ist bekanntermaßen immer eine Reise wert und selbst ein kurzer Trip lohnt sich bereits. Für eine ausgiebige Stadterkundung solltest du etwa 5 Tage einplanen, aber auch in 3 Tagen kannst du so einiges sehen.

Wann ist die schönste Zeit in Paris?

Jede Jahreszeit hat in Paris ihren Reiz, aber die Frühlingsmonate außerhalb der Feiertage und der September und Oktober sind zweifelsohne mit am schönsten. Du kannst mit recht schönem Wetter rechnen, und die absolute Hochsaison ist vorbei. Für Wochenendtrips nach Paris ist es nie der wirklich falsche Zeitpunkt.

Kann man Paris zu Fuß erkunden?

Paris ist zwar eine Großstadt, aber dennoch recht klein. Wenn du die Stadt von Norden nach Süden zu Fuß durchquerst, würde dich der Spaziergang nicht einmal 3h dauern. Wenn du dich im Zentrum aufhältst, kannst du viel zu Fuß erkunden, aber die Metro oder das Fahrrad ist gelegentlich doch praktisch.

Wie viel kostet ein Kaffee in Paris

Ein einfacher Espresso, im Stehen an der Bar in einer lokalen Brasserie getrunken, kostet etwa 1,60€. In schicken Gegenden oder hippen Bars, kann er auch das 3 oder 4-fache kosten.

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Wochenende in Paris

Das perfekte programm für 3 tage in paris.

Enthält Empfehlungs-Links.

Dein Vertrauen ist uns sehr wichtig: Dieser Artikel enthält Empfehlungs-Links. Wenn du über diese Links etwas kaufst oder buchst, erhalten wir eine kleine Provision. Dir entstehen dadurch keine Mehrkosten und du kannst so unsere Arbeit ganz einfach unterstützen. Ein riesiges Dankeschön, Jenny & Basti.

Kurz und knackig: Programm für 3 Tage in Paris

• Tag 1 : Am Anreisetag schaffst du nichtmehr so viel. Du schaust dir am besten die Saint Chapelle , das Rathaus Hotel de Vill und die Notre Dame an. Den Abend lässt du auf der Dachterrasse des Turm Montparnasse ausklingen.
• Tag 2 : Heute geht es weiter mit den berühmten Highlights. Du startest mit dem Eiffelturm , den du auch vom Trocadero toll siehst, schaust dir den Triumphbogen an und verbringst den Abend in Montmartre . Eine Bootsfahrt auf der Seine darf heute auch nicht fehlen.
• Tag 3 : Den letzten Tag verbringst du im Louvre und dem Petit Palais . Zum Abschluss spazierst du noch über die Champs-Élysées .

Diese Highlights schaffst du gut in einem Wochenende in Paris. Noch mehr über die Sehenswürdigkeiten und wie du sie am besten verbindest, erfährst du in unserem Artikel über ein Wochenende in Paris.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

• Optimale Vorbereitung
• Programm auf einer Karte

Hier findest du eine Übersicht aller meiner Paris-Artikel

Die optimale Vorbereitung für dein Wochenende in Paris

Bevor ich mit dem Programm starte, möchte ich dir noch ein paar Tipps und Infos für die Vorbereitung deines Kurztrips geben.

Je besser du alles geplant hast, desto intensiver kannst du die Zeit vor Ort nutzen.

#1 Wie viele Tage solltest du für deine Reise nach Paris einplanen?

Ein Wochenende in Paris ist das absolute Minimum, was du planen solltest. Besser wäre aber ein verlängertes Wochenende, das macht tatsächlich einen großen Unterschied.

Falls du in Nordrhein-Westfalen wohnst, kannst du zum Beispiel ganz früh am Morgen in den ersten Thalys-Zug steigen, und bist dann schon um kurz nach zehn in Paris. Aus Frankfurt funktioniert das genauso, dort mit dem ICE oder TGV.

Aus vielen Städten gibt es auch sehr frühe Flüge nach Paris, die sich für ein Wochenende anbieten.

Für den Rückweg gibt es diese Möglichkeiten auch am späten Nachmittag oder Abend. Das hier vorgeschlagene Programm habe ich auf diese Anreisezeiten abgestimmt, so dass du das Beste aus deiner Zeit zwischen der frühen Hinfahrt und der späten Rückfahrt zwei Tage später machen kannst.

Mein Tipp: Falls du die Möglichkeit dazu hast, verlängere dein Wochenende lieber um einen Montag, statt um den Freitag. Damit schwimmst du quasi gegen den Strom, am Montag sind in Paris wesentlich weniger Touristen unterwegs als freitags.

#2 Die Unterkunft

Für ein Wochenende in Paris empfehle ich dir eine möglichst zentrale Unterkunft zu buchen.

Wenn du dein Hotel weit außerhalb buchst, verlierst du sonst einfach zu viel Zeit in der Metro.

Ich habe einen ausführlichen Guide zum Übernachten in Paris geschrieben, in dem ich dir verschiedene Hotels in allen Preisklassen empfehle:

Wo übernachten in Paris? Meine Hoteltipps.

Wenn du dir den Artikel nicht durchlesen möchtest, findest du hier drei empfehlenswerte Mittelklasse-Hotels in guter Lage, die sich für einen Kurztrip sehr gut eignen:

Hotel Ducs de Bourgogne – Zentrales Hotel mit elegant eingerichteten Zimmern Hôtel des Arts Montmartre – Hübsches Hotel im Künstlerviertel Montmartre Le Relais Saint Honoré – Schönes Hotel in der Nähe vom Louvre

#3 Tickets für Sehenswürdigkeiten und Museen vorher online kaufen

Gerade an Wochenenden und besonders rund um Feiertage ist Paris mehr als gut gefüllt mit Besuchern. Dabei stehen natürlich die Top-Highlights auf nahezu jedermanns To-Do-Liste.

Am Eiffelturm und am Louvre zum Beispiel sind Wartezeiten von vier Stunden im Sommer keine Seltenheit.

Wenn du deine Tickets vorher online bestellst, kannst du zwar immer noch nicht einfach durch die Tür des Louvre marschieren, aber du musst statt vier Stunden nur etwa 30 bis 60 Minuten warten. Du kannst also deine Zeit in Warteschlangen mit online Tickets ganz erheblich reduzieren.

Überall dort, wo das möglich ist, findest du im folgenden Programm direkt den Link zu den Online-Tickets.

In der folgenden Tabelle findest du eine schnelle Übersicht über die Tickets, die du im Voraus buchen kannst:

Für Touristen gibt es außerdem verschiedene City Cards. Finanziell lohnt sich ein solcher Paris Pass für das hier vorgeschlagene Programm eher nicht. Falls du trotzdem wissen möchtest, was dir welcher Pass bietet, schau dir gerne meinen Paris Pass Vergleich an.

#4 Metro Tickets

Für dieses Programm eignet sich das 10er Paket Carnet am besten. Damit kaufst du für 14,90 Euro zehn Einzelfahrscheine, die du über mehrere Tage hinweg nach und nach nutzen kannst.

Derzeit ist es leider noch nicht möglich, diese Tickets vorher online zu kaufen, es gibt sie nur in den Metrostationen.

Da das Ticketsystem der Metro aber grade umgestellt wird, und in naher Zukunft auch Handytickets erhältlich sein sollen, wird das hoffentlich bald eine Option sein.

Nähere Infos dazu, wie und wo du die Metrotickets erhältst und welche Ticketoptionen es sonst noch gibt, findest du in meinem Artikel über die öffentlichen Verkehrsmittel in Paris.

Metro Paris: Tickets, Infos und Alternativen

Mein Tipp: Wenn du mit dem Thalys nach Paris reist, und ein Metro Ticket für die Fahrt zum Hotel brauchst, kannst du einzelne Tickets im Bordbistro des Thalys kaufen. Das ist sehr praktisch, da in den Bahnhöfen die Warteschlangen für Metrotickets manchmal gefühlt genauso lang sind wie die am Eiffelturm. So kannst du erstmal zum Hotel fahren, und dir dann in einer anderen Station ohne Warteschlange dein Carnet holen.

#5 Die Ausrüstung

Die unumstößliche Nummer eins der Regeln für einen Besuch in Paris: bequeme Schuhe! Nimm am besten zwei paar bequeme Schuhe mit, damit kannst du deine Füße für ein paar Kilometer mehr überlisten.

Ich habe auf meinen Touren in Paris immer mal wieder Gäste mit Schrittzähler dabei. Der aktuelle Rekord liegt bei 28 Kilometern an einem Tag. Das ist aber tatsächlich sehr viel, normalerweise läuft man eher um die 15 Kilometer am Tag, was ja auch schon nicht wenig ist.

Ansonsten solltest du noch einen kleinen Schirm oder Regenponcho, Sonnencreme, deine gebuchten Tickets, deinen Personalausweis und eine Flasche Wasser in deinem Tagesgepäck haben. Auch im Sommer kann eine Strickjacke oder Ähnliches für die Abendstunden nicht schaden.

Achtung: Lass dein Taschenmesser zuhause, egal wie praktisch es ist. An nahezu allen Museen und Sehenswürdigkeiten gibt es Sicherheitskontrollen, an denen dir das gute Schweizer Taschenmesser abgenommen wird, wenn du reingehen möchtest. Es wird auch nicht verwahrt bis du wieder raus kommst, sondern wandert direkt in den Müll.

Nun bist du perfekt vorbereitet für dein Wochenende in Paris. Jetzt schauen wir uns das Programm für die drei Tage an.

Programm für drei Tage Paris auf einer Karte

Für einen ersten Überblick findest du alle Programmpunkte pro Tag übersichtlich auf einer Karte eingezeichnet.

Du kannst dir die Karte auch herunterladen und auf deinem Handy oder Computer abspeichern.

Klicke hier, um die Karte für das Paris-Programm als PDF herunterzuladen.

Nachdem du den ersten Zug oder Flug nach Paris genommen hast, solltest du spätestens am frühen Mittag in deinem Hotel sein.

So früh stehen die Zimmer meist noch nicht zur Verfügung, achte daher bei der Buchung darauf, dass du dein Gepäck im Hotel lagern kannst, um dann direkt mit dem Programm durchzustarten.

Eine gute Adresse für dieses Programm ist das Holiday Inn Notre Dame . Sowohl bei einer Anreise mit dem Zug, als auch mit dem Flieger ist dieses Hotel leicht zu erreichen, da die Metrostation Saint-Michel nur ein paar Meter von der Hoteltür entfernt liegt.

Nach Saint-Michel kannst du mit der Metro Linie 4 vom Gare du Nord oder vom Gare de l’Est ohne Umsteigen durchfahren.

Alle Programmpunkte für den ersten Tag im Überblick:

• Saint Chapelle
• Bouquinisten
• Hotel de Vill
• Dachterrasse des Turm Montparnasse

Wir starten aber erst einmal mit einem Zwischenstopp: Da du vermutlich Hunger hast, schau erst noch schnell in der Boulangerie Saint-Michel (31 Rue de la Huchette) vorbei. Bei diesem Bäcker bekommst du belegte Baguettes oder getoastete Panini. Ideal für einen Snack zwischendurch.

Gut gestärkt geht es dann endlich los mit Sightseeing.

#1 Saint Chapelle

Das Meisterwerk der Gotik mit seinen riesigen, bunten Fenstern liegt nur etwa 400 Meter entfernt vom Hotel. Im Inneren der versteckten Kirche erwartet dich eine ganz besondere Atmosphäre.

Von der Straße aus siehst du die Kirche erstmal gar nicht, sondern nur die Sicherheitskontrolle. Achte auf die Beschilderung „Saint-Chapelle“. Nach der Sicherheitskontrolle stehst du im Innenhof direkt vor der gotischen Schönheit.

Erst wenn du die Kirche betreten möchtest, brauchst du dein Ticket. Hier lohnt es sich das Ticket vorher online auf der Website zu bestellen.

Etwa 60 bis 90 Minuten solltest du für die Saint-Chapelle einplanen.

Zwischenstopp für einen Kaffee:

Wenn du nach deinem Besuch der Saint-Chapelle wieder auf der Straße stehst, und nach links schaust, siehst du auf der anderen Straßenseite auf der Ecke schon das Café Le deux Palais.

Für einen Café Creme zwischendurch und um überhaupt erstmal das Pariser Café Flair zu erleben, ist das ein hervorragender Ort. Essen ist hier leider sehr teuer, aber du solltest sowieso noch einigermaßen satt sein von dem Baguette vorher.

Du bist mit deiner besseren Hälfte in Paris? Sieh dir auch meine Paris-Tipps für Verliebte an.

#2 Bouquinisten

Geh vom Café aus weiter über die Brücke Pont au Change zum anderen Seineufer. Geh dann nach rechts und schlendere entlang der Bouquinisten Richtung Hôtel de Ville.

Die Bouquinisten sind Händler antiquarischer Bücher, die ihre Stände schon seit Jahrhunderten am Ufer der Seine haben. Bei ihnen kannst du dich mit den etwas anderen Souvenirs von Paris eindecken.

Neben antiken Büchern, findest du hier zum Beispiel hübsche Nachdrucke vom Poster von der Eröffnung des Eiffelturms.

#3 Hôtel de Ville

Das Rathaus gehört zu den schönsten Gebäuden in diesem Viertel. Besichtigen kannst du es leider nicht, da hier ja tatsächlich gearbeitet wird. Trotzdem ist das Rathaus ein tolles Fotomotiv!

Auf dem Platz vor dem Rathaus wird dem Besucher und dem Einheimischen immer mal wieder etwas geboten. Manchmal gibt es Ausstellungen, im Winter findest du dort eine Eisbahn und im Sommer wird der Platz mit Sand aufgeschüttet und es finden Beachvolleyballturniere statt.

#4 Notre Dame

Wenn du auf das Rathaus schaust und dich nach rechts drehst, läufst du genau auf die Brücke zu, die dich zur Notre Dame führt.

Nach dem Brand am 14. April 2019 wird das Innere der Kathedrale erstmal lange nicht zu besichtigen sein. Von außen kannst du sie aber natürlich trotzdem sehen, und sie ist auf jeden Fall einen Besuch wert!

Mein Tipp: Vom Seineufer direkt neben Notre Dame hast du einen hervorragenden Blick auf die 800 Jahre alte Fensterrosette, die den Brand unglaublicherweise unbeschadet überlebt hat. Geh am besten runter zum Kai, von dort kannst du die schönsten Fotos machen.

Zwischenstopp: Abendessen

Neben Notre Dame, in der Gegend rund um Saint-Michel, gibt es eine Ansammlung kleiner Gassen, in denen sich ein Restaurant an das andere reiht.

Diese Gegend ist super-touristisch und die Restaurants sind qualitativ sehr unterschiedlich. Einige sind wirklich einfach schlecht.

Ein Restaurant kann ich aber absolut empfehlen: Le Marmiton de Lutèce in der 6 Rue Saint-Séverin.

Hier gibt es klassische französische Tellergerichte, wie zum Beispiel Boeuf Bourguignon, sowie Fondue und Raclette in einem urigen Ambiente. Das Preis-Leistungsverhältnis ist super, vor allem wenn du ein Menü bestellst.

#5 Dachterrasse des Turm Montparnasse

Falls du jetzt noch nicht vor Müdigkeit vom Stuhl fällst, kannst du noch Paris bei Nacht von oben genießen.

Von Saint-Michel aus bist du in ein paar Minuten mit der Metro ohne Umsteigen beim Turm Montparnasse. Die Metrostation heißt Montparnasse-Bienvenüe.

Im Sommer ist der Turm bis 23:30 Uhr geöffnet, im Winter bis 22:30 Uhr. Letzter Einlass ist jeweils eine halbe Stunde vorher.

In 210 Metern Höhe stehst du auf der Dachterrasse des Hochhauses mit traumhaftem Blick auf den Eiffelturm bei Nacht. Ein ausgezeichneter Abschluss für den ersten Tag.

Ticket für den Tour Montparnasse online bestellen

Du hast hoffentlich gut geschlafen und lecker gefrühstückt und bist nun bereits für den zweiten Tag in Paris.

Alle Programmpunkte für den zweiten Tag im Überblick:

• Bootsfahrt auf der Seine
• Triumphbogen

#1 Eiffelturm

Los geht es direkt mit dem Wahrzeichen von Paris schlechthin: dem Eiffelturm.

Wenn du so wenig Zeit wie möglich in der Warteschlange verbringen möchtest, dann solltest du früh aufstehen. Der Eiffelturm öffnet im Sommer um 9:00 Uhr und im Winter um 9:30 Uhr.

Tickets solltest du hier unbedingt vorher kaufen, da die Warteschlangen oft sehr, sehr lang sind.

Es gibt verschiedene Ticketoptionen. Ich empfehle am liebsten die geführte Tour auf die zweite Etage des Eiffelturms. Mit einem deutschsprachigen Guide besteigst du über die Treppen den Turm.

Weiter geht es ab der zweiten Etage mit dem Aufzug bis zur Spitze. Dort kannst Du den Blick über Paris genießen.

Ticket für den Eiffelturm online kaufen

Mit drei bis vier Stunden solltest du rechnen um den Eiffelturm ausführlich zu erkunden.

Schau auch mal in meinen ausführlichen Artikel zum Besuch des Eiffelturms rein. Dort findest du noch viele weitere, wichtige Informationen zum Besuch der stählernen Dame und weitere Ticket-Optionen.

Infos und Tipps zum Besuch des Eiffelturms

#2 Bootsfahrt mit Vedettes de Paris

Direkt an der Brücke am Eiffelturm findest du die Treppen nach unten zu den Bootsanlegern.

Ich empfehle mit dem Eiffelturm im Rücken nach links runter zu gehen.

Dort findest du den Bootstourenanbieter Vedettes de Paris, die meiner Meinung nach die schöneren Boote haben.

Da du auf dem Eiffelturm wahrscheinlich viel Zeit verbracht hast, ist jetzt bestimmt schon wieder Zeit für einen Snack.

Am Bootsanleger gibt es zum Glück eine Bude mit Crêpes, Panini und Pizza.

So bist du gut gerüstet für die einstündige Rundfahrt auf der Seine. Die Rundfahrt endet nach einer Stunde wieder dort, wo du auch eingestiegen bist.

Du suchst nach weiteren Ideen für besondere Stadtführungen durch Paris? Schau dir meinen Artikel dazu an:

Lies auch meinen Artikel zu 11 besondere Stadtführungen in Paris

#3 Trocadero

Geh nach der Bootsfahrt über die Brücke, weg vom Eiffelturm und einfach geradeaus hoch Richtung Trocadero. Von der Platform hast du den allerbesten Blick auf den Eiffelturm und die Stadt.

Fototipp: An den Seiten auf der Plattform stehen große, goldene Statuen, die sich hervorragend auf den Eiffelturm Fotos machen.

#4 Triumphbogen

Vom Trocadero zum Triumphbogen sind es nur 1,5 Kilometer über die Rue Kleber.

Alternativ kannst du auch mit der Metro Linie Sechs die drei Stationen bis Charles de Gaulle – Étoile fahren, das dauert nur etwa 5 Minuten.

Der Triumphbogen ist schon beeindruckend wenn man nur drunter steht. Versuch aber auf keinen Fall über den achtspurigen Kreisverkehr zum Triumphbogen zu kommen, sondern nutze die Unterführungen. Die findest du an der Ecke, wo die Champs-Élysées auf den Kreisverkehr trifft und in der Straße genau gegenüber.

Unter dem Triumphbogen kannst du gratis herumschlendern. Um den Triumphbogen über die steinerne Wendeltreppe im Inneren zu besteigen, brauchst du ein Ticket. Wie so oft, macht es auch hier Sinn dieses Ticket vorher online zu bestellen.

Falls du auf das Dach des Triumphbogens steigen möchtest, solltest du mit 60 bis 90 Minuten für diesen Besuch rechnen.

Tickets für den Arc de Triomphe online buchen

#5 Montmartre

Für die Abendstunden bietet sich ein Besuch im Künstlerviertel Montmartre an.

Mit der Linie 2 kannst du vom Triumphbogen ohne Umsteigen bis nach Blanche fahren. Dort stehst du direkt vor dem Moulin Rouge. Ein Foto der roten Mühle darf ja nicht fehlen.

Geh danach rechts vom Moulin Rouge hoch in die Rue Lepic, mitten rein ins Künstlerviertel.

Da bestimmt wieder Zeit zu Essen ist, steuere das Le relais Gascon (13 Rue Joseph de Maistre) an.

Das relais Gascon liegt ein klein wenig abseits vom großen Touristen Trubel und ist auch bei Einheimischen ziemlich beliebt, was ja immer ein sehr gutes Zeichen ist. Außerdem kannst du hier bei schönem Wetter draußen sitzen.

Es gibt französische Küche und vor allem gigantische Salate, die auch so heißen: Salade Géantes. Sehr empfehlen kann ich den Salade du Bernaise. Lecker!

Danach kannst du noch an der Liebesmauser am Place des Abbesses vorbeigehen und dann noch ein wenig weiter rauf auf den Hügel zum Place Émile-Goudeau.

An diesem idyllischen Fleckchen Erde findest du ein Café mit einer Terrasse, wo du bei einem Glas Wein eine tolle Aussicht auf Paris hast.

Geh dann noch kurz über den Place du Tertre mit seinen Künstlern, bevor du dich auf dem Weg zur Sacre Coeur machst.

Auf den Treppen vor Sacre Coeur kannst du den Abend mit Blick auf die Stadt ausklingen lassen.

Tourentipp: Rundgang durch Montmartre

Und schon beginnt der letzte Tag deines Wochendes in Paris.

Alle Programmpunkte für den dritten Tag im Überblick:

• Petit Palais
• Champs-Élysées

Damit du nicht zwischendurch dein Programm unterbrechen musst, um dein Hotelzimmer zu räumen, check am besten schon am Morgen aus und stell dein Gepäck wieder an der Rezeption unter.

#1 Louvre Museum

Der Louvre öffnet morgens um 9:00 Uhr. Falls du deine Reise nach Paris so organisieren konntest, dass dein letzter Reisetag ein Montag ist, musst du aber nicht unbedingt schon wieder so früh aufstehen.

Falls dein dritter Tag aber auf ein Wochenende fällt, empfehle ich aber doch den Louvre so früh wie möglich ins Programm zu planen. An Samstagen und Sonntagen ist ab 10:00 Uhr richtig was los am Louvre.

So oder so solltest du dein Ticket auf jeden Fall vorher online bestellen, am besten mit einer festen Uhrzeit. Ab einer halben Stunde vor der angegebenen Zeit kommst du dann in den Louvre.

Mit etwa drei Stunden musst du für einen Besuch des Louvre mindestens rechnen.

Tickets für den Louvre online bestellen

Was du im Louvre alles sehen musst und worauf genau du am Eingang achten musst, habe ich dir in meinem ausführlichen Artikel zum Louvre aufgeschrieben:

Infos und Tipps zum Besuch im Louvre

#2 Petit Palais

Nach so viel Kunst wird es Zeit für einen Kaffee und einen Snack.

Geh vom Louvre durch die Tuileriengärten und über den Place de la Concorde in die Champs-Élysées.

Nach etwa 400 Metern siehst du auf der linken Seite den Petit Palais.

Im Petit Palais ist das Museum der schönen Künste untergebracht, und der Eintritt ist gratis.

Aber nicht deshalb empfehle ich dir den Petit Palais, sondern weil sich im Innenhof des Palastes ein überraschend günstiges Café versteckt.

Diese kleine, grüne Oase ist der perfekte Ort für eine Pause!

Wenn du nach dem Louvre Besuch noch nicht genug von Kunst hast, kannst du natürlich auch noch eine Runde durch das Museum drehen.

#3 Champs-Élysées

Egal ob du nur spazieren gehst, oder eine Runde shoppen bei Sephora, Louis Vuitton, H&M oder Adidas möchtest, ein Streifzug über Frankreichs Prachtstraße darf zum Abschluss natürlich nicht fehlen.

Ziemlich weit oben, kurz vor dem Triumphbogen, findest du auf der rechten Straßenseite Brioche Dorée. Hier gibt es belegte Baguettes und viele andere Leckereien.

Wahrscheinlich wird es jetzt leider viel zu schnell Zeit, an die Rückreise zu denken. Aber was soll’s, so weit weg ist Paris ja nicht. Komm einfach nochmal zurück.

Fazit und weitere Informationen

Dieses Programm für 3 Tage Paris ist in erster Linie für einen ersten Besuch der Stadt der Liebe ausgelegt.

Falls du schon mal da warst, und den Eiffelturm oder Louvre schon besucht hast, dann ersetze diese Punkte einfach durch andere Pariser Sehenswürdigkeiten , oder sogar einen Geheimtipp für Paris .

Mehr Punkte pro Tag als in meinem Programmvorschlag solltest du aber nicht in deine Tagesplanung packen. Sonst wird deine Reise sehr stressig.

Ich hoffe du hast nun einen guten Überblick darüber, was du alles in Paris in welcher Zeit machen kannst. Da bleibt mir nur noch zu sagen: Bon Voyage!

Schau dir auch gerne noch meine anderen Artikel über Paris an, in denen du noch viel mehr Infos und Tipps für deinen Kurztrip nach Paris findest:

Überblick über alle Tipps und Artikel zu Paris Die 22 besten Sehenswürdigkeiten in Paris 14 echte Insider-Tipps für Paris Meine Hoteltipps für Paris

Hast du noch Fragen zu deinem Kurztrip nach Paris? Oder vielleicht hast du ja selbst noch einen guten Tipp für ein Wochenende in Paris? Wir freuen uns auf jeden Fall über deinen Kommentar.

Gib einen Suchbegriff oder einen Seitencode aus dem Reiseführer ein.

Das perfekte Wochenende in Paris: 3 Tage Paris erleben

Euer reiseplan für 3 tage.

Ihr plant ein Wochenende in Paris? In der französischen Hauptstadt gibt es unfassbar viel zu sehen, sodass man am besten mehrere Tage hier verbringt. Doch auch wenn ihr nur ein verlängertes Wochenende Zeit habt, könnt ihr in 3 Tagen Paris einiges sehen und erleben.

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An einem verlängerten Wochenende in Paris könnt ihr die schönsten Highlights der Stadt besuchen – wenn ihr euren Kurztrip gut geplant habt. Wir haben eine ideale Planung für 3 Tage in Paris für euch zusammengestellt.

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Ein Wochenende in Paris

Wir haben das Programm der 3 Tage Paris jeweils so erstellt, dass die Sehenswürdigkeiten nah beieinander liegen und meist fußläufig erreichbar sind. Auch haben wir darauf geachtet, dass ihr nicht von Highlight zu Highlight hetzen müsst, sondern euer Wochenende in Paris auch genießen könnt.

Kosten für ein Wochenende in Paris

Damit ihr eine ungefähre Ahnung habt, wie viel ein Wochenende in Paris etwa kostet, haben wir die Preise der Einzeltickets der vorgeschlagenen Attraktionen für euch zusammengerechnet:

Verfolgt ihr unser vorgeschlagenes Programm, zahlt ihr zusätzlich zum Hotel noch etwa 422,50 Euro pro Person. Die Kosten können leicht abweichen , da einige Attraktionen wie der Eiffelturm je nach Tag, Uhrzeit und Auslastung unterschiedliche Preise verlangen. Das ist natürlich viel Geld, doch erlebt ihr so wirklich die Highlights der Stadt und habt durch die Dinner Cruise ein Abendessen bereits im Preis mit drin.

Die Reiseplanung für 3 Tage Paris

Das ist unser Reiseplan für 3 Tage in Paris:

• Tag 1 in Paris: vom Louvre nach Montmartre
• Tag 2 in Paris: Von den Champs-Élysées zum Eiffelturm
• Tag 3 in Paris: Centre Pompidou, Notre Dame, Quartier Latin und Montparnasse

Tag 1: Louvre, Opéra Garnier und Montmartre

01 baguett's café paris.

Der ideale Ort, um einen Tag im Zentrum von Paris zu beginnen. Baguett’s Café, ein kleines Café ganz in der Nähe des Louvre, bietet für jeden etwas, darunter natürlich auch das einfache französische Frühstück schlechthin: Kaffee mit Milch und ein Croissant. Diejenigen, die ein herzhaftes Frühstück bevorzugen, finden hier ebenfalls einige leckere Möglichkeiten.

Wir starten unser Wochenende in Paris direkt mit einem Must-See: dem Louvre. Der Louvre ist nicht nur die am dritthäufigsten besuchte Sehenswürdigkeit von Paris, sondern auch eines der weltweit am meisten frequentierten Museen. Über 15.000 Menschen drängen sich täglich auf den 60.000 Quadratmetern Ausstellungsfläche zwischen den über 35.000 Kunstwerken. Für die meisten von ihnen ist das Ziel klar: Sie folgen den eigens installierten Wegweisern direkt zum bekanntesten Gemälde der Welt: „La Gioconda“ von Leonardo Da Vinci – besser bekannt als die Mona Lisa . Hier drinnen werdet ihr sicherlich mehrere Stunden verbringen.

Neben den zahlreichen Kunstwerken ist auch die Architektur des Louvre selbst ein echtes optisches Highlight. Die großen gläsernen Pyramiden im Innenhof, deren größte als Haupteingang zum Museum dient, sind bei Besuchern aus aller Welt ein beliebtes Fotomotiv.

03 Jardin des Tuileries

Nach dem Museum-Besuch könnt ihr durch den an den Louvre angrenzenden Jardin de Tuileries schlendern – der älteste Garten der Stadt! Bereits 1564 wurde er für Katharina dei Medici , die damalige Königin Frankreichs, angelegt. Euch erwarten breite Alleen, zahlreiche Wasserspiele – unter anderem am Medici-Brunnen – und ikonische Statuen von Rodin oder Maillol.

Setzt euch auf einen der typischen grünen Stühle an den großen Brunnen und macht eine kleine Verschnaufpause.

Ein schneller Crêpe zum Mittagessen

So langsam knurrt der Magen? Bei gutem Wetter ist jetzt der richtige Zeitpunkt, um nach einer Boulangerie oder Crêperie Ausschau zu halten und etwas zum Mitnehmen zu kaufen. Gleich auf der anderen Seite der Pont de la Concorde findet ihr beispielsweise die Crêperie Food Breizh, die köstliche süße und herzhafte Crêpes serviert. Euren Crêpe könnt ihr euch an den Tischen am Fluss oder in einen der nahe gelegenen Parks schmecken lassen.

04 Place de la Concorde mit Obelisk

Nach der Pause geht der Spaziergang weiter zum Place de la Concorde. Im Herzen des großzügig angelegten Platzes seht ihr – wahrlich unübersehbar – den rund 22 Meter hohen Obelisk von Luxor . Der Obelisk geht zurück auf das 13. Jahrhundert vor Christus. An seinem jetzigen Platz steht er allerdings erst seit 1836. Denn er war ein Geschenk des damaligen ägyptischen Königs für Hilfe französischer Archäologen und Wissenschaftler bei der Entzifferung und Übersetzung von Hieroglyphen. Auch der Platz selbst hat eine bewegte Geschichte. Er wurde Mitte des 18. Jahrhunderts im Auftrag von König Louis XV. erbaut und auch nach ihm benannt. Während der Französischen Revolution wurden hier König Ludwig XVI., Marie Antoinette und über 1100 weitere Menschen hingerichtet. Nach dem Ende der Revolution erhielt der Platz seinen heutigen Namen.

05 Opéra Garnier

Vom Place de la Concorde schlendert ihr in rund 15 Minuten zur berühmten Opéra Garnier. Die Pariser Oper ist eines der ältesten Opernhäuser Europas und das Gebäude ist ein Wunderwerk. Das Phantom der Oper wohnte einst hier. Auch außerhalb der Aufführungszeiten könnt ihr das Innere besuchen. Das Gebäude der Opera Garnier ist sowohl innen als auch außen spektakulär.

06 Galeries Lafayette

Noch nicht mal 5 Gehminuten von der Oper entfernt liegt das weltweit bekannte Luxus-Kaufhaus Galeries Lafayette. Doch nicht nur teure Handtaschen gibt es hier zu shoppen. Auch Modemarken zu erschwinglicheren Preisen könnt ihr erwerben, euch durch die Feinkostabteilung probieren oder die neuesten Parfüm-Düfte beschnuppern. Auch wer nicht auf ausgedehnte Shopping-Touren aus ist, sollte hier vorbei schauen – der prunkvolle Bau mit der Glaskuppel ist wirklich beeindruckend! Bereits seit 1912 ist auch die Dachterrasse des Kaufhauses am Boulevard Haussmann im 9. Arrondissement ein echter Besuchermagnet. Besonders schön ist der Blick auf die gegenüberliegende Opéra Garnier, aber auch den Eiffelturm und den Triumphbogen kann man erblicken – und das sogar kostenlos.

07 Sacré-Coeur

Je nach Jahreszeit seid ihr zum Sonnenuntergang an der Sacré-Coeur. Sie ist nach Notre-Dame die meistbesuchte Kirche der Stadt – und zieht jährlich genauso viele Besucher an wie der Louvre! Wenig verwunderlich, denn auch für uns gehört die schneeweiße Basilika bei jedem Wochenende in Paris zu den absoluten Höhepunkten! Die Kirche aus dem Kalkstein, der auch über 100 Jahre nach der Fertigstellung der noch recht jungen Kirche nicht nachdunkelt, thront hoch über dem Vergnügungsviertel Montmartre. Rund 237 Stufen müsst ihr erklimmen, bis ihr vor ihr steht. Entsprechend sensationell ist der Ausblick über die Stadt – vor allem in den Abendstunden. Wer noch Puste hat, steigt weitere 300 Stufen auf die rund 55 Meter hoch gelegene Kuppel hinauf. Hier erwartet euch ein beeindruckendes 360-Panorama weit über die Grenzen der Stadt hinaus.

Der Besuch in die Basilika Sacré-Coeur ist kostenlos. Wenn man die Türme und Krypta besuchen möchte, gibt es ein Kombi-Ticket (8 Euro).

08 La Boite aux Lettres

Zeit fürs Abendessen nach einem langen, aber schönen Tag! Im belebten Viertel Montmartre tummeln sich beliebte Restaurants und Bars. Wenn ihr ein typisches französisches Bistro besuchen wollt, ist La Boite aux Lettres (auf Deutsch „der Briefkasten“) im 18. Arrondissement eine sichere Sache. Ein traditionelles Restaurant mit einem Hauch von Kreativität und einer preisgünstigen Speisekarte.

09 Moulin Rouge

Der erste Tag unseres Wochenendes in Paris endet mit einer unvergesslichen Show im berühmten Kabarett-Theater Moulin Rouge. Das für seine (zumindest nach früheren Maßstäben) verruchten Shows berühmte Varieté-Theater existiert bereits seit über 130 Jahren! Seit den 1950ern ist das Moulin Rouge weltberühmt für die rot gekleideten Cancan-Tänzerinnen, die hier allabendlich ihre Shows aufführen. Über 600.000 Besucher im Jahr besuchen die großartigen Aufführungen im Moulin Rouge. Diesen Abend werdet ihr nicht vergessen!

Seid ihr danach noch nicht müde, könnt ihr noch in eine der vielen Bars im Viertel den Abend ausklingen lassen.

Tag 2: Von den Champs-Élysées zum Eiffelturm

Der zweite Tag des Wochenendes in Paris startet bei Ladurée auf der berühmtesten Straße des Landes – der Champs-Élysées. Hier gibt es die besten Macarons in ganz Paris! Es ist definitiv kein Geheimtipp mehr, dennoch solltet ihr vorbei kommen, wenn ihr Lust auf etwas Süßes habt. Die Auswahl ist der Hammer, ihr könnt aus über 20 Varianten auswählen: Neben den Klassikern wie Schokolade, Vanille oder Kaffee gibt es noch ausgefallenere Sorten wie „Grünes Gold“ mit Matcha-Tee, Lavendel, Passionsfrucht oder Kokos-Karamel. Wenn euch das Ganze als Frühstück zu süß ist, könnt ihr hier natürlich auch ein französisches Croissant oder Pain au Chocolat frühstücken.

Das Traditionshaus (vor über 150 Jahren gegründet!) wird euch in Paris noch mehrfach auffallen, sie haben mittlerweile über 10 Filialen – das an der Champs-Élysées finde ich jedoch am schönsten. Die bunten Macarons eignen sich auch perfekt als schönes Mitbringsel.

02 Champs-Élysées

Gestärkt könnt ihr jetzt in den Tag starten und die wohl berühmteste Allee der Welt entlang spazieren. Auf über zwei Kilometern Länge zieht sich die Champs-Élysées durch das Stadtzentrum, gesäumt von schicken Boutiquen der edelsten Marken. Doch auch erschwingliche Modemarken wie Zara oder H&M haben sich inzwischen hier angesiedelt, sodass ihr einen kleinen Shopping-Trip einlegen könnt.

03 Arc de Triomphe

Wer den Prachtboulevard Champs-Élysées mit seinen zahllosen Geschäften und Boutiquen in Richtung Westen entlang spaziert, erspäht ihn schon von Weitem: den Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile. Er entstand in der ersten Hälfte des 19. Jahrhunderts unter Kaiser Napoleon. Dieser versprach seinen Soldaten nach der Schlacht von Austerlitz durch einen Triumphbogen nach Hause zurückkehren zu können. Zwar musste Napoleon noch vor Vollendung des Bauwerks im Jahr 1836 abdanken – dennoch ist der Triumphbogen bis heute sin stolzes Erkennungsmerkmal von Paris. Zu Füßen des 50 Meter hohen Monuments bewachen Soldaten die von Blumen umringte „Ewige Flamme“: Denn unter dem Triumphbogen befindet sich seit dem Ende des 1. Weltkriegs das Grab des unbekannten Soldaten. Ihr könnt auf den Arc de Triomphe hinaufsteigen und die Aussicht von oben genießen.

04 Trocadéro

Mit der Metrolinie 6 oder einem 20-minütigen Spaziergang gelangt ihr zum Platz Trocadéro. Dieser wurde im 19. Jahrhundert gegründet, als Napoleon III. den Bau des „Place du Roi de Rome“ anordnete. Der Platz erhielt jedoch bald den offiziellen Namen „Place du Trocadero et du 11 novembre“, nachdem hier der französische Sieg in der Schlacht auf der Insel Trocadero in Cádiz im Jahr 1823 gefeiert wurde. Umgeben vom Palais de Chaillot habt ihr hier einen phänomenalen Blick auf das Wahrzeichen der Stadt – dem Eiffelturm.

05 Pont de Bir-Hakeim

Bevor es jetzt zum Eiffelturm geht, macht einen kleinen Schwenker zu der Pont de Bir-Hakeim. Hierher verirren sich nur wenige Touristen, doch von dieser Brücke hat man einen der besten Ausblicke auf den Eiffelturm in ganz Paris! Doch auch die Brücke selbst ist ein besonderer Anblick, denn sie besteht aus zwei Etagen . Während sich unten Fußgänger, Radfahrer und Autos bewegen, fährt auf der wie ein Viadukt angelegten oberen Etage die Metrolinie 6 zur gleichnamigen Metrostation Bir-Hakeim, die zu den schönsten von ganz Paris zählt. Das Bauwerk ruht auf insgesamt 34 eisernen Pfeilern und führt über die kleine künstliche Île de Cygnes in der Mitte der Seine, wo sich auch eine der Pariser Freiheitsstatuen befindet. Der Name der Brücke verweist auf eine Schlacht in der lybischen Wüste im Zweiten Weltkrieg.

06 Eiffelturm

Das nächste Highlights der Stadt darf bei einem Wochenende in Paris auf keinen Fall fehlen. Wohl kein Bauwerk steht so für die „Stadt der Liebe“ wie der zur Weltausstellung 1889 eröffnete Eiffelturm. Rund 7 Millionen Menschen pro Jahr besuchen den stählernen Koloss im Herzen der französischen Metropole. Dabei stieß das 324 Meter hohe Wahrzeichen der Stadt bei den Einheimischen zu Beginn auf wenig Liebe. Man sah den Eiffelturm als hässlichen Schandfleck an der Seine. Doch mit der Zeit änderte sich die Sicht auf das Bauwerk, das heute kaum aus dem Stadtbild wegzudenken ist. Drei Etagen mit Aussichtsplattformen und gastronomischem Angebot könnt ihr bequem per Lift erreichen; die untersten beiden auch per Treppe. Die Aussicht, die sich bietet, ist wirklich einmalig!

01 Centre Pompidou

Wir starten den letzten Tag des Wochenendes in Paris mit dem Besuch eines Museums. Seit 1977 polarisiert das Centre Pompidou mit seiner extravaganten Optik. Der Clou: Die Architekten verlegten wesentliche Teile der Gebäudetechnik wie die Träger-Konstruktion, Rohre und Rolltreppen an die Fassade. Am Anfang verspottet, wurde das Centre Pompidou schnell zum Besucher-Magneten – und gilt heute als Vorzeige-Beispiel für jeden angehenden Architekten. Passend zur modernen Fassade ist die Hauptattraktion im Centre Pompidou das größte Museum für zeitgenössische Kunst Europas. Aber auch Kino, Theater und einige Geschäfte finden sich im Bauwerk.

02 Notre Dame

Nach dem Museum geht es Richtung Île de la Cité. Auf der Insel mitten in der Seine gelegen thront die alte Dame von Paris: die Kathedrale Notre-Dame. Sie gilt als eine der wichtigsten und meistbesuchten Kathedralen der Welt . Seit ihrer Fertigstellung im Jahr 1345, nach fast 200 Jahren Bauzeit, prägt sie die Silhouette der Stadt. Mit dem dramatischen Brand vom 15. April 2019 hätte sich dies beinahe für immer geändert: Ein verheerendes Feuer, vermutlich ausgelöst durch Renovierungsarbeiten, zerstörte das Dach und den Kirchturm des Baus. Dabei war Notre-Dame bereits mehrmals dem Untergang geweiht. Während der Französischen Revolution wurden viele charakteristische Merkmale der Kirche zerstört. Erst die durch Victor Hugos Roman „Der Glöckner von Notre-Dame“ hervorgebrachte Aufmerksamkeit für die Kirche bewahrte sich schlussendlich vor ihrer Zerstörung. Aufgrund des Zustandes ist es derzeit nicht möglich, Notre Dame zu besichtigen. Natürlich könnt ihr aber die Île de la Cité besuchen und einen Blick von außen erhaschen oder an einer Walking Tour teilnehmen.

03 Quartier Latin

Es geht weiter durch das bekannte Quartier Latin – das Studentenviertel von Paris. Das älteste Viertel von Paris beherbergt Frankreichs renommierteste Universität, die Sorbonne , und zeitlose Straßen voller Studenten und Touristen . Das Viertel war lange Zeit eine Brutstätte radikaler Ideen und wird von den Geistern zahlreicher Intellektueller und Schriftsteller heimgesucht. Dies spiegelt sich in einer lebendigen Café-Szene und einigen der bekanntesten Buchläden von Paris wider. Hier könnt ihr entspannt einen Kaffee trinken, bevor ihr in eine andere alte Gasse abbiegt. Das Quartier Latin gehört zu den stimmungsvollsten und interessantesten Vierteln von Paris.

04 Panthéon in Paris

Nichts verdeutlicht die Wurzeln des Quartier Latin mehr als das Panthéon , Frankreichs erhabenes Mausoleum für seine Nationalhelden. Viele von ihnen haben an der Sorbonne studiert. Unverkennbar: Das römische Pantheon diente als Vorbild für die Pariser Variante. Jedoch ist die „Kopie“ gut eineinhalb Jahrtausende jünger als das Original in der italienischen Hauptstadt. Sehenswert ist sie jedoch allemal! In der Krypta finden die größten Persönlichkeiten der Nation ihre letzte Ruhestätte: von Victor Hugo über Voltaire bis hin zu Marie Curie.

05 Jardin du Luxembourg

Zeit für eine Pause! Der Jardin du Luxembourg gruppiert sich rund um das herrschaftliche Palais du Luxembourg – einst königlicher Palast, heute Sitz des französischen Senats. Entworfen wurde die Anlage zu Beginn des 17. Jahrhunderts von keiner geringeren als Maria dei Medici persönlich. Das Herz des Parks ist deswegen auch die Fontaine Médici – ein verzierter Brunnen ganz im italienischen Stil. Mit ihren zahlreichen Wasserspielen und Baumanlagen sowie der großen Orchideensammlung ist die Anlage ein echtes Kleinod. Wer möchte, kann sich bei Boule und Tennis auch sportlich betätigen – oder bei einer Runde Schach oder Bridge verweilen.

06 Katakomben von Paris

Die Katakomben in Paris sind ein echtes Highlight, das ihr euch nicht entgehen lassen solltet. Ihr könnt den zwei Kilometer langen begehbaren Teil der Katakomben mit dem Museum auf eigene Faust erkunden oder bei einer Tour in einer kleinen Gruppe mehr über diese unterirdische Sehenswürdigkeit in Paris erfahren. Der öffentliche Zugang der Katakomben liegt am Place Denfert-Rochereau, wo ihr einige Stufen in den Untergrund geht.

Die Katakomben von Paris beherbergen Millionen Gebeine von Einwohnern in Paris, die vor dem 19. Jahrhundert an Seuchen oder Hungersnöten gestorben sind. Aufgrund der vielen Toten konnten diese nicht mehr auf den Friedhöfen untergebracht werden, woraus die Katakomben entstanden. Durch Teile der Katakomben laufen heute Versorgungsleitungen , weshalb nicht die gesamten Katakomben begehbar sind. In einem Teil der Katakomben ist sogar der Goldschatz der Französischen Nationalbank untergebracht.

07 Tour Montparnasse

Als krönender Abschluss eines unvergesslichen Wochenendes in Paris solltet ihr auf den Tour Montparnasse steigen (bzw. mit dem Fahrstuhl fahren). Von der Aussichtsplattform des Turms im 56. Stock bietet sich euch ein wirklich spektakulärer Blick auf die größten Sehenswürdigkeiten der Stadt : Eiffelturm, Sacré-Coeur, Notre-Dame und mehr sind in einem einzigen Panorama vereint. Hier könnt ihr das letzte Erinnerunsgfoto an eure Reise schießen und euch mit dem Kopf voller schöner Momente an die 3 Tage in Paris auf die Heimreise machen.

Unsere Tipps für ein Wochenende in Paris

Damit euer Wochenende in Paris euch gerne in Erinnerung bleibt, haben wir noch ein paar Tipps für euch:

• Plant ihr ein verlängertes Wochenende in Paris, empfehlen wir euch, den Montag in Paris zu verbringen (und nicht den Freitag). Freitags kommen bereits sehr viele Touristen in die Stadt und montags ist es tendenziell leerer. Achtet dann aber darauf, dass die Museen, die ihr montags besuchen wollt, an dem Tag auch geöffnet sind. Am besten reist ihr Freitagabend an, damit ihr Samstagmorgen direkt starten könnt.
• In Paris gibt es unfassbar viele Hotels. Für euer Wochenende in Paris empfehlen wir euch, ein Hotel im Zentrum zu buchen, damit ihr (relativ) kurze Wege habt.

Hotel finden

• Kauft die Tickets der Sehenswürdigkeiten vorher online. So erspart ihr euch zum einen den Frust, wenn eine Sehenswürdigkeit bei eurem Wochenendtrip ausverkauft ist und zum anderen könnt ihr an den langen Warteschlangen an den Kassen vorbeigehen und habt vor Ort mehr Zeit.
• Bevor ihr allerdings Tickets für Museen und Sehenswürdigkeiten kauft, schaut euch unseren Paris Pass Vergleich an. Der Eintritt zu den meisten Sehenswürdigkeiten ist in den Pässen enthalten. Wenn ihr also den richtigen Pass für euch wählt, könnt ihr bei eurer Reise viel Geld sparen.

Häufig gestellte Fragen zu einem Wochenende in Paris

Was muss ich in 3 tagen in paris sehen.

Bei dieser Reiseroute auf haben wir uns auf die Highlights einer Sightseeing-Reise nach Paris konzentriert:

• Centre Pompidou
• Place de la Concorde
• Champs-Élysées
• Arc de Triomphe
• Trocadero Palast und die Gärten
• Opéra Garnier
• Galeries Lafayette
• Basilika Sacré-Cœur
• Quartier Latin
• Montparnasse
• Jardins du Luxembourg

Was kostet ein Wochenende in Paris?

Zusätzlich zu den Hotel-Kosten solltet ihr pro Person und Tag grob 60 Euro bis 150 Euro rechnen, je nachdem wie sparsam ihr seid und wie viel ihr für Essen ausgebt.

Gibt es eine Möglichkeit, die Highlights von Paris zu sehen, ohne weit laufen zu müssen?

Ja. Für Reisende mit wenig Zeit, die nicht so viel laufen wollen, sind die Hop-on-Hop-off-Sightseeing-Busse eine gute Wahl. In Paris gibt es sogar den Batobus, quasi ein Hop-on-Hop-off-Bus nur auf dem Wasser.

Welche Tage sollte man für ein verlängertes Wochenende in Paris wählen?

Gerade die Mai-Feiertage bieten sich für ein verlängertes Paris-Wochenende an, doch das nutzen natürlich viele. Wir empfehlen euch daher, ein Wochenende im Frühling oder Spätsommer zu wählen und dann mit dem Montag zu verlängern. Am besten reist ihr schon Freitagabend an.

Der ultimative Paris Guide 2024

2 Tage Paris: Erlebt Paris in 48 Stunden

4 Tage Paris: Routenplan mit Sightseeing, Museen & Restaurants

Ich liebe es, Europa zu erkunden und berichte mit Leidenschaft von meinen Reisen. Die kulturellen Besonderheiten einzelner Regionen ist für mich immer wieder aufs neue faszinierend. Ich liebe die Abwechslung beim Reisen: Roadtrips liebe ich genauso wie Städtereisen – mich fasziniert der Besuch einer Kunstgalerie aber auch die Stimmung bei Musicals. Auf Loving Travel schreibe ich über alle meine Reiseerlebnisse und gebe euch meine besten Tipps und Tricks!

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Strasbourg & Paris in 3 Days: Iconic Landmarks and Serene Gardens

April 17, 2024 · 2 min read

Embark on a captivating 3-day journey through the heart of France with our meticulously crafted itinerary. Begin your adventure at the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris, where the observation deck offers breathtaking views of the City of Light. Dedicate your first day to art and history at the Louvre Museum, home to an unparalleled collection of masterpieces. On the second day, stroll through the grand Place de la Concorde before immersing yourself in the artistic treasures of the Musee d'Orsay. Cap off the day with a scenic Seine River Cruise, a quintessential Parisian experience. Transition to the quaint city of Strasbourg on day three, where the European Parliament stands as a symbol of unity. Find tranquility in the lush Parc de l’Orangerie and explore the harmonious blend of nature and culture at Le Jardin des Deux Rives. This itinerary promises a blend of urban exploration and serene garden retreats, ensuring a memorable trip filled with the essence of French splendor.

• Day 1: Iconic Landmarks and Artistic Marvels

Eiffel Tower

Kickstart your Parisian adventure with a visit to the world-renowned Eiffel Tower. As the first stop of the day, the Eiffel Tower's observation deck promises breathtaking views of the city's skyline, setting a spectacular tone for the day ahead. Spend an hour marveling at the panoramic vistas and the tower's impressive ironwork, an experience that's sure to be etched in your memory.

Attraction Info

• Champ de Mars, 5 Avenue Anatole France, Paris 75007
• Suggested tour duration: 1-3 hour
• Open from 01/08-03/29,9:15am-11:45pm;Open from 03/30-04/01,9:15am-0:45am;Open from 04/02-04/05,9:15am-11:45pm;Open from 04/06-05/11,9:15am-0:45am;Open from 05/12-05/16,9:15am-11:45pm;Open from 05/17-05/19,9:15am-0:45am;Open from 05/20-05/31,9:15am-11:45pm

Recommended Nearby Restaurants

Louvre Museum

After the sky-high experience, immerse yourself in the artistic heart of Paris with a visit to the Louvre Museum. This former royal palace, now a temple of art and history, is home to an unparalleled collection of masterpieces, including the enigmatic Mona Lisa and the majestic Venus de Milo. With a full day to explore, you'll have ample time to appreciate the museum's master architecture and the countless treasures that span centuries and continents.

• 75001 Paris, France
• Suggested tour duration: 0.5-1 day
• Closed all day on 01/01;Open from 01/02-04/30,Mon, Wed-Thu, Sat-Sun,9:00am-6:00pm;Closed from 01/02-04/30,Tue;Open from 01/02-04/30,Fri,9:00am-9:45pm;Closed all day on 05/01;Open from 05/02-12/24,Mon, Wed-Thu, Sat-Sun,9:00am-6:00pm;Closed from 05/02-12/24,Tue;Open from 05/02-12/24,Fri,9:00am-9:45pm;Closed all day on 12/25;Open from 12/26-12/31,Mon, Wed-Thu, Sat-Sun,9:00am-6:00pm;Closed from 12/26-12/31,Tue;Open from 12/26-12/31,Fri,9:00am-9:45pm，Admission will be stopped 1 hour before closing time, and clearance will begin 30 minutes before closing time. The museum is closed on January 1, May 1 (Labor Day), and December 25 (Christmas Day).

Where to Stay Tonight

Timhotel le louvre, hotel louvre bons enfants paris.

• Day 2: Parisian Elegance - From Historic Squares to Romantic Cruises

Place de la Concorde

Begin your second day in Paris with the grandeur of Place de la Concorde, the largest square in the French capital. Located at the eastern end of the Champs-Élysées, this monumental expanse is steeped in history and surrounded by impressive architecture. Spend an hour marveling at the Luxor Obelisk, fountains, and statues that adorn this iconic public space, which has witnessed some of the most pivotal moments in France's history.

• 75008 Paris, France
• Suggested tour duration: 1-2 hour
• Open 24 hours

Musee d'Orsay

After soaking up the morning at Place de la Concorde, make your way to the Musee d'Orsay, a temple of art housed in a former railway station. Allow yourself to be captivated for about three hours by the museum's vast collection of impressionist and post-impressionist masterpieces. The stunning Beaux-Arts architecture of the building is a work of art in itself, providing a fitting backdrop for the treasures it contains, including works by Monet, Van Gogh, and many others.

• Esplanade Valéry Giscard d'Estaing 75007 Paris
• Suggested tour duration: 3-5 hour
• Closed all day on 05/01;Closed all day on 12/25;Closed from 01/01-04/30,Mon;Open from 01/01-04/30,Thu,9:30am-9:45pm;Open from 01/01-04/30,Tue-Wed, Fri-Sun,9:30am-6:00pm;Closed from 05/02-12/24,Mon;Open from 05/02-12/24,Thu,9:30am-9:45pm;Open from 05/02-12/24,Tue-Wed, Fri-Sun,9:30am-6:00pm;Closed from 12/26-12/31,Mon;Open from 12/26-12/31,Thu,9:30am-9:45pm;Open from 12/26-12/31,Tue-Wed, Fri-Sun,9:30am-6:00pm，Closed on May 1 and December 25

Seine River Cruise

Cap off an unforgettable day with a Seine River Cruise, a quintessential Parisian experience. As the evening unfolds, embark on a magical one-hour journey along the Seine, with the city's illuminated landmarks creating a breathtaking panorama. Each pier offers a unique vantage point to admire the City of Lights, from the Gothic façade of Notre-Dame to the twinkling Eiffel Tower, ensuring your day ends on a high note of romance and enchantment.

• The piers on the Seine vary depending on the cruise service provider.
• Suggested tour duration: 1-1.5 hour
• Open from 12:00pm-9:00pm，It is recommended that the operating hours disclosed on the official website of the scenic spot shall prevail; the specific business status shall be subject to the opening conditions on that day. Please note that due to the impact of the Olympic Games, the departure time of the BP Cruise will be adjusted as follows: The departure time of all BP Seine River Cruise products will be on April 8th, June 17th, July 18th to July 27th, August 28th to September 8th will be adjusted to 13:30, and sailing will be suspended from July 18th to July 26th. All restaurants on BP Cruise will also be closed during this period

Hotel Off Paris Seine

Short stay group museum view serviced apartments.

• Day 3: Strasbourg's Political Pulse and Serene Gardens

European Parliament Strasbourg

Begin your final day in Strasbourg with an insightful visit to the European Parliament, the emblematic heart of European democracy. Nestled in the cosmopolitan quarter of the city, this architectural marvel isn't just for policy wonks; it's a symbol of unity and peace. Spend an hour exploring the town hall-like grandeur, where pivotal decisions shaping the continent are made. The modern facade and the opportunity to witness politics in action make it a must-see for those interested in the workings of the European Union.

• Rue des Forges, 21000 Dijon
• Open on Mon-Sat,9:30am-11:59pm

Parc de l’Orangerie

Next, take a leisurely stroll to the Parc de l’Orangerie, the oldest park in Strasbourg, for a tranquil retreat. Just an hour here will recharge your spirits amidst lush greenery, a small zoo, and a boating lake. This city park, a favorite among locals and visitors alike, offers a picturesque setting for relaxation or a picnic. The park's charm lies in its beautifully manicured gardens and the serene ambiance that provides a perfect counterpoint to the morning's political exploration.

• Rue de la Chouette, 21000 Dijon
• Open from 7:00am-8:00pm

Le Jardin des Deux Rives

Conclude your Strasbourg journey with a two-hour visit to the enchanting Le Jardin des Deux Rives, stretching across the banks of the Rhine. This landscape and botanical garden is a horticultural masterpiece, offering a tapestry of colorful plants and innovative garden designs. It's a place where nature and culture intertwine, with ample space for leisurely walks, cycling, and family activities. The garden serves as a verdant bridge between France and Germany, symbolizing cooperation and natural beauty.

• 3 rue des Cavaliers, 67000, Strasbourg, France
• Suggested tour duration: 2-3 hour

Rosengarten

Hotelf1 strasbourg pont de l'europe.

* All user reviews in this article have been translated by machine.

* The information above is subject to change at any time. For the latest information, please check the websites of hotels and attractions.

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3 Tage in Paris: Beste Reiseroute & Tipps für Erstbesucher

Paris ist voll von wunderbaren Sehenswürdigkeiten. So viele, dass wir eine Liste mit 100 Sehenswürdigkeiten in Paris zusammenstellen könnten!

Wir können jedoch sagen, dass es unmöglich ist, in 3 Tagen alles zu sehen, vor allem, wenn Sie ein Anfänger in der Stadt sind. Es gibt so viele Dinge zu sehen, und eine kurze Reise wird sie nie alle abdecken.

Wir helfen Ihnen gerne, Ihre 3-tägige Reise nach Paris als Anfänger mit unserem perfekten Reiseführer zu organisieren, damit Sie das Beste von Paris mitnehmen können.

Bereit für ein abenteuerliches Wochenende in Paris?

Ein 3-tägiger Rundgang durch Paris für Anfänger

Vor allem wer zum ersten Mal nach Paris kommt, sollte die Seine, den Eiffelturm und die Kathedrale Notre-Dame besichtigen. Die wichtigsten Museen sind das Louvre Museum und  Orsay Museum , die die gesamte Kunst und Geschichte der Welt in sich vereinen. Die ikonische Straße Saint-Germain, das Quartier Latin und das Montmartre-Viertel können Ihnen helfen, das wahre Gefühl dieser großen Stadt zu erleben.

Zeitersparnis  ist das A und O, und ein Paris-Besucher kann viel Zeit sparen, wenn er seine Eintrittskarten vor der Ankunft kauft. Wenn Sie Ihre Besuche früh planen, können Sie einfach zum Schiff gehen oder zum Museumseingang laufen, ohne zu warten. Außerdem sind die Bestseller wie der Eiffelturm oder das Louvre-Museum selbst dann ausverkauft, wenn man schon ein paar Wochen gewartet hat. Daher schlagen wir Ihnen hier eine zufriedenstellende Reiseroute vor, mit Links zu Tickets, die Sie für eine sicher organisierte Reise kaufen können.

Tag 1 - Kultur pur: Eiffelturm, Seine-Flussfahrt, Kathedrale Notre-Dame & Zentrum von Paris (Ile de Cité), Marais-Viertel.

Tag 2 - Wie ein Bohème : Louvre-Museum, Champs-Elysées und Triumphbogen, Montmartre-Viertel und Sacré-Coeur.

Tag 3 - Entspannte Atmosphäre: Orsay-Museum, Quartier Latin mit Pantheon und Saint-Germain.

Kommen wir nun zu den Details dieses 3-tägigen Reiseplans für Paris.

TAG 1: Ein kultureller Tag

Nach dem Eiffelturm ist die praktischste Verbindung die Seine-Flussfahrt . Für Gäste, die mehr Tage in Paris verbringen, ist ein Spaziergang entlang des Flusses immer eine gute Option. Aber für 2-, 3- oder 4-tägige Ausflüge ist eine Bootsfahrt vom Turm zur prächtigen Notre-Dame eine unübersehbare Gelegenheit. Auf diese Weise können Sie das Herz von Paris aus einem atemberaubenden Blickwinkel betrachten. Diese Fahrt führt Sie unter den historischen Brücken hindurch und zeigt Ihnen die jahrhundertealte Silhouette der Stadt.

Der erste Tag beginnt mit dem Eiffelturm , und zwar aus zwei Gründen. Erstens steht er auf der Checkliste eines jeden, zweitens ist es die beste Option, die gesamte Landschaft von Paris von oben zu sehen. Die Ikone des modernen Paris wird Sie beeindrucken und gleichzeitig einen der dominantesten Ausblicke auf diese Stadt bieten. Ein Ticket im Voraus spart entscheidende Zeit, insbesondere bei der Benutzung der Aufzüge.

• Holen Sie sich Ihre Tickets für den Eiffelturm und steigen Sie so schnell wie möglich hinauf!

3 Tage in Paris: Beste Reiseroute & Tipps für Erstbesucher

• Holen Sie sich Ihre Seine-Kreuzfahrt-Tickets und genießen Sie die Fahrt ohne Anstehen!

Und das Programm hat Sie bereits zur legendären mittelalterlichen Kathedrale von Paris geführt. Notre-Dame ist wie ein Wahrzeichen auf der zentralen Insel von Paris, um die die Stadt gewachsen ist. Kurzum, Sie sind an einem perfekten Punkt, um die Routen von Paris zu entdecken, während Sie auf den Brücken spazieren gehen, die diese beiden kleinen Inseln im Fluss umgeben.

• Holen Sie sich unseren herunterladbaren Audioguide des Quartier Latin und erfahren Sie mehr über seine Geschichte!

Die frühen Abendstunden sind in der Nähe des Zentrums sehr angenehm. Die zweite Insel, die sich hinter Notre-Dame anschließt, heißt Saint-Louis. Ein Spaziergang durch diese Insel in Richtung Marais-Viertel zeigt ebenfalls eine faszinierende Seite von Paris. Marais erfreut seine Gäste mit einer alten und charakteristischen Architektur. Verschiedene stilvolle Boutiquen und Kunstgalerien bilden einen schönen Rahmen in den alten Straßen.

Ihr Tag ist vorbei. Vielleicht essen Sie in einem unserer empfohlenen Bars und Restaurants mit Dachterrasse in Paris , schlafen Sie gut und bereiten Sie sich auf morgen vor. Es wird ein großer Tag werden!

TAG 2 : Ein böhmischer Tag

Wenn Sie das Museum in Richtung Tuileriengarten verlassen, können Sie einen angenehmen Spaziergang unternehmen. Entlang der ehemaligen königlichen Gärten kommt man zum Concorde-Platz mit seinen Statuen, die den Weg zur  Champs-Elysées Avenue Avenue des Champs-Elysées weisen.

Parks, Geschäfte, Restaurants entlang dieses langen Boulevards bis zur Triumphbogen of Napoleon Bonaparte . Wenn Sie wollen, können Sie sich etwas Zeit nehmen, um dieses Denkmal zu besteigen. Entscheiden Sie nach Lust und Laune, je nach Jahreszeit und Wetter des Tages.

Die nächste Station für einen perfekten Nachmittag oder Abend ist der Hügel von Montmartre . Dieses ehemalige Dorf, heute ein Viertel, ist berühmt für sein künstlerisches Erbe und die weiße Basilika auf dem Gipfel, Le Sacré-Coeur. Diese Gegend fühlt sich an wie ein anderes Paris und ist bekannt für ihr lebhaftes Nachtleben.

Tag 2 beginnt mit dem Louvre-Museum , der reichsten Sammlung von Zivilisationen in einem riesigen königlichen Gebäudekomplex. Es ist so groß, dass Sie einen guten Plan brauchen und so beliebt, dass Sie Ihr Ticket brauchen, bevor Sie gehen. Natürlich bleibt es Ihnen überlassen, ob Sie 90 Minuten oder 4 Stunden bleiben, je nachdem, was Sie erwarten. Hier finden Sie eine App für den kürzesten Weg in den Louvre und die beste selbstgeführte Tour, um das beste in der kürzesten Zeit zu erleben.

• Holen Sie sich Ihre Louvre Museum Private Guide Tour in unserem offiziellen Shop und besuchen Sie das meistbesuchte Museum der Welt.
• Holen Sie sich Ihren Audioguide für das Montmartre-Viertel und entdecken Sie die Geheimnisse, die sich hinter dem romantischsten Viertel der ganzen Welt verbergen.

Ihr Tag 2 der Entdeckung von Paris ist nun vorbei. Gönnen Sie sich ein schönes Restaurant mit Michelin-Stern in Paris und tanken Sie neue Energie für den 3. und letzten Tag in Paris.

TAG 3 : Ein entspannter Tag

Tag 3 beginnt mit dem Orsay-Museum , wo Sie die beste Sammlung der Meister der modernen Malerei von Monet bis Van Gogh sehen können. Der ehemalige Bahnhof wurde in eine perfekte Bühne verwandelt, um impressionistische Kunst zu genießen. Das Orsay wurde in den letzten Jahren mehrmals von Reisenden zum besten Museum in Paris gewählt. Diese Beliebtheit bedeutet auch, dass Sie Ihre Eintrittskarten kaufen müssen, bevor sie ausverkauft sind.

• Holen Sie sich Informationen und Tickets für das Orsay-Museum , um die Warteschlange zu umgehen!

Paris ist eine der geistigen Hauptstädte der Welt. Das berühmte Quartier Latin von Paris trägt dieses Erbe in seinen gewundenen Kopfsteinpflasterstraßen auf unverfälschte Weise zur Schau. Diese Ecke der Stadt hat seit der Römerzeit viel erlebt, und die Überreste sind immer noch sichtbar. Auf der Spitze dieses kleinen Hügels befindet sich das große Nationaldenkmal Pantheon. Seine Details erzählen von der französischen Geschichte seit der Revolution.

• Holen Sie sich Ihr Ticket für den bevorzugten Zugang zum Panthéon und besuchen Sie das schönste Monument des Quartier Latin.

Saint-Germain , eines der charmantesten Viertel von Paris, liegt ganz in der Nähe. Ein kurzer Spaziergang über die berühmte Saint-Michel-Brücke führt Sie zu vielen reizvollen Möglichkeiten zum Essen und Trinken. Ansonsten sind die Luxemburger Gärten ein perfekter Ort, um zu den Tag ausklingen zu lassen. Er ist also genau das Richtige für Sie, bevor Sie Ihr Programm in Paris beenden. Mit seiner schönen Architektur und den schicken Geschäften ist Saint-Germain eine wahre Freude.

Natürlich können Sie mit dem Programm je nach Ihren Interessen und den Besonderheiten Ihrer Zeitplanung wie den Tagen oder der Länge des Tages spielen. Wenn Sie zum Beispiel einen langen und ruhigen Besuch im Louvre-Museum machen möchten, sollten Sie am Freitagnachmittag dorthin gehen, da es bis 21:30 Uhr geöffnet ist. Oder wenn Sie etwas mehr Zeit zum Shoppen haben möchten, gehen Sie etwas früher nach Saint-Germain oder ins Marais, um dort schöne Boutiquen zu besuchen. Sie werden sicher über einen zweiten Besuch nachdenken.

Herzlichen Glückwunsch! Sie haben Ihren 3-tägigen Rundgang durch Paris mit Erfolg abgeschlossen. Jetzt haben Sie alle wichtigen Dinge gesehen und genug Geschichte entdeckt, um Ihren Freunden und Ihrer Familie davon zu erzählen, als wären Sie selbst ein Pariser! Wenn Sie mehr Zeit haben, sollten Sie sich auf jeden Fall unsere 15 anderen Attraktionen in Paris ansehen und die finden, die Ihnen gefallen würden. Zögern Sie nicht, uns in den Kommentaren unten mitzuteilen, was Ihnen an dieser 3-tägigen Reise nach Paris am besten gefallen hat!

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