Welcome to the beautiful city of Paris! If you’re planning a trip to this iconic destination and have three days to spare, you’re in for an unforgettable experience. Paris offers a wealth of attractions, from the iconic Eiffel Tower to the world-renowned Louvre Museum and charming neighborhoods waiting to be explored. To help you make the most of your visit and avoid wasting time in long lines, we’ve carefully crafted this comprehensive 3-day Paris itinerary. Each day is packed with exciting activities that capture the essence of the City of Lights.
About This Paris Itinerary:
Paris is undoubtedly one of Europe’s most beloved cities, attracting millions of visitors each year. With its popularity, however, comes the possibility of long lines at major attractions. Waiting for hours on end during your vacation is hardly fun, so we’ve put a lot of effort into researching ways to help you skip the lines and maximize your time in the city. We’ll guide you on how to book tickets in advance and provide links to make your planning seamless.
We’ve also kept in mind the potential for “museum fatigue.” While Paris boasts incredible art museums, we don’t want you to feel overwhelmed. We’ve spaced out museum visits so you can savor each experience to the fullest.
As for the daily schedules, please note that the times mentioned are rough estimates to give you an idea of the day’s flow. Your actual timings may vary due to queues and the amount of time you decide to spend at each location. Nonetheless, we’ve done our best to anticipate waiting times and visiting times for your convenience.
Best Time to Visit Paris:
Spring and fall are generally considered the best seasons to visit Paris. The weather during these periods is pleasant for sightseeing, and the crowds are not as overwhelming as in the peak summer months. April and October are particularly lovely months to explore the city, as the trees begin to bloom, and fall colors add a touch of beauty to the streets.
Now, let’s dive into your exciting 3-day Paris itinerary:
Day 1: Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe
9 AM: Eiffel Tower
Begin your day with a visit to the Eiffel Tower. While it’s a popular tourist spot, it’s an absolute must-see for any first-time visitor to Paris. To avoid long lines, consider arriving at or before the opening time or booking skip-the-line tickets in advance. You have two options to ascend the tower: take the elevator or climb the stairs for a more adventurous experience.
11 AM: Picnic in Champ de Mars
After your Eiffel Tower visit, head to Rue Cler, a charming street known for its patisseries, boulangeries, and cheese shops. Stock up on delectable French treats and enjoy a delightful picnic in Champ de Mars, a beautiful park just in front of the Eiffel Tower.
1 PM: The Louvre
Next, make your way to the Louvre, the world’s largest art museum. While it’s impossible to see everything in one visit, immerse yourself in the grandeur of the building and explore its impressive art collections. To avoid long lines, consider purchasing tickets in advance or getting a Museum Pass.
3:30 PM: Indulge at Angelina’s
Take a break and indulge in a delightful treat at Angelina, a renowned tearoom offering decadent hot chocolate and French pastries. It’s the perfect place to recharge before continuing your adventure.
4:30 PM: Place de la Concorde and Champs-Élysées
Stroll through Tuileries Garden or along Rue de Rivoli to reach Place de la Concorde, a historic square with a rich French history. From there, make your way to the famous Champs-Élysées, a vibrant street lined with shops, restaurants, and theaters.
6:30 PM: Arc de Triomphe
Conclude your first day with a visit to the Arc de Triomphe. Ascend to its top for a breathtaking panoramic view of Paris, taking in the iconic landmarks you’ve already visited and those you’ll explore in the days to come.
Dinner and Drinks
For dinner, head to the Buddha Bar, a stylish and atmospheric restaurant offering a fusion of Asian and French cuisine. It’s a unique experience that will add a touch of adventure to your evening. Alternatively, consider taking a sunset cruise along the Seine River for a magical view of Paris as the day comes to a close.
Paris Itinerary Day 2: Exploring the Historic Center, Musee d’Orsay & Montmartre
8:00 AM: Île de la Cité
Today’s adventure begins with a visit to the enchanting Île de la Cité, the historic heart of Paris and home to Sainte-Chapelle and Notre Dame Cathedral. Opt for a scenic route by taking the metro to Louvre-Rivoli or Pont Neuf, then walking along the Seine to Pont Neuf, the oldest bridge in Paris. As you cross Pont Neuf onto Île de la Cité, relish the picturesque views along the river, with the iconic Eiffel Tower in the distance.
9 AM: Sainte-Chapelle
Experience the breathtaking beauty of Sainte-Chapelle, renowned for its exceptional stained glass displays. Arrive early to avoid long lines, and consider the Museum Pass for ticket convenience. This gem of Gothic architecture surpasses the interior of Notre Dame Cathedral, making it a must-visit location.
Optional: The Conciergerie
For history enthusiasts, a visit to the adjacent Conciergerie is highly recommended. This former prison was where Marie Antoinette and other historical figures were held before their execution at Place de la Concorde.
10:30 AM: Notre Dame Cathedral
Although Notre Dame Cathedral is currently closed, it remains a striking sight from the outside. Stroll through Île de la Cité and continue your walk to Au Vieux d’Arcole, a charming café where you can enjoy an early lunch.
11:30 AM: Île Saint-Louis
Cross Pont Saint-Louis to Île Saint-Louis, a quieter island with fewer visitors. Take your time to shop and savor a delightful lunch at Pom’ Canelle, known for its French and European cuisine. For a sweet treat, Bertillon Glacier is a must-visit ice cream shop famous worldwide for its delectable creations.
1 PM: Walk Along the Seine
Cross Pont de la Tournelle to the Left Bank and enjoy a leisurely stroll along the Seine. Capture picturesque views of Notre Dame Cathedral from Pont de l’Archeveche, a perfect photo spot. Along the way, you’ll encounter bouquinistes selling used books, magazines, and posters. Don’t miss the iconic Shakespeare & Company, a legendary bookstore frequented by literary greats like Ernest Hemingway and James Joyce.
2 PM: Musée d’Orsay
Discover the fabulous Musée d’Orsay, an art museum housed in a beautifully transformed former train station. With the largest collection of Impressionist art in the world, including works by Monet, Manet, Degas, and Van Gogh, this museum is a true art lover’s paradise. Don’t forget to admire the giant clock windows on the top floor, offering a unique view of Paris and an ideal photo opportunity.
Optional: Musée de l’Orangerie
If you have ample time and a passion for Impressionist art, consider adding Musée de l’Orangerie to your itinerary. This smaller museum showcases the famous Water Lilies murals by Claude Monet, as well as works by Picasso, Sisley, Matisse, and more.
6 PM: Sacre-Coeur and Montmartre
Spend the afternoon and evening exploring the charming neighborhood of Montmartre. Start at the Lamarck metro station and make your way to the Sacre-Coeur Basilica, passing by photogenic spots like La Maison Rose and Le Consulat Restaurant. Pause at Place du Tertre, a lively square teeming with artists and cafés.
7:00 PM: Dinner
For a delightful dinner in Montmartre, consider the following options:
Le Relais Gascon: A wonderful French restaurant offering delectable cuisine.
La Maison Rose: A photogenic café with a unique ambiance.
Le Moulin Rouge: End the day with a spectacular show at the iconic Moulin Rouge. Consider the dinner show at 7 PM, or if sold out, check GetYourGuide for alternative options.
After Dinner: Le Chat Noir
If you’re not ready to call it a day, head to Le Chat Noir for drinks. This charming spot is just a short walk from the Moulin Rouge.
As the day comes to a close, you’ll find that Montmartre has left an indelible mark on your heart with its captivating streets and artistic flair. Tomorrow, get ready for more incredible experiences in the captivating city of Paris.
PARIS ITINERARY DAY 3
Versailles & More Time in Paris
THE PALACE OF VERSAILLES
Versailles is a royal chateau located on the outskirts of Paris. In 1682, King Louis XIV moved the Royal Court from the Louvre to the Palace of Versailles. For a little more than 100 years, this was the seat of government for France. That ended in 1789 with the French Revolution. The monarchy moved back to Paris and since then, the city of Paris has remained the seat of government for France.
During your visit to Versailles you will tour the palace and get to stroll through the gorgeous gardens. We visited on a rainy day, not the best weather for photography, but on a sunny day this place looks stunning.
How long does a visit last? If you’re fast, it takes 3 to 4 hours to zip through the palace and walk a part of the gardens. Some people spend all day here, touring the entire gardens as well as the estate of Trianon.
Stay as long as you like today. We have some more cool spots to visit in Paris, just in case you get back to Paris in the afternoon.
Hours: The palace is closed Mondays; the palace is open at 9 am to 5:30 pm; the gardens and the park are open every day and are free to visit.
Cost: €19.50 to tour the palace; €28.50 for the palace, gardens, and the Musical Gardens and Musical Fountain Shows
Museum Pass: The Museum Pass covers your entry into the palace, the Trianon, and the estate of Marie-Antoinette. It does not cover the Musical Gardens. You will have to purchase this ticket separately (and you should do so in advance) for €10. Before you visit Versailles, you will need to book a free time slot to enter.
Getting here: Take RER C from Paris to Versailles. This journey takes approximately 45 minutes. Since Versailles is outside of the city your travel card (if you have one) will not be valid for this trip. In the metro station you will have to purchase a separate round trip ticket to get to and from Versailles. It costs 7.10€. This detailed post explains how to get from Paris to Versailles.
OPTIONS FOR YOUR AFTERNOON IN PARIS
If you do not spend all day in Versailles and get back to Paris during the afternoon, here are several spots to visit.
TAKE IN THE VIEW FROM MONTPARNASSE
For one of the best views of Paris, visit the observation deck of Montparnasse Tower. There are two levels to visit, the 56th floor, which is completely enclosed by windows, and the observation terrace on the roof. This is also completely enclosed by glass panels but there are a few strategic openings in the glass for your camera.
Hours: 9:30 am to 10:30 pm, later on Fridays and Saturdays; open 365 days a year
Cost: Adults €18 weekday and €19 on weekends
Metro Station: Montparnasse – Bienvenue lines 4, 6, 12, 13
Website: www.tourmontparnasse56.com
You can also reserve a roof top ticket with GetYourGuide.
Note: If you want to eat some of the best crepes in Paris, walk 5 minutes to La Creperie de Josselin (11 am -11:30 pm, closed Monday and Tuesday).
- TAKE YOUR PICK FROM 2 MUSEUMS
- RODIN MUSEUM
This small museum features sculptures by Rodin. It’s quick and fun to visit. If you are traveling with kids, this is a museum they may actually like. Just ask them to pose like the statues.
Website: Get hours and pricing on the official website.
RER: Invalides (line C) – perfect for taking the RER back to Paris from Versailles
Metro: Varenne (line 13) and Invalides (line 8 and 13)
CENTRE POMPIDOU
This is the largest modern art museum in Europe. It has an interesting design, with all of its plumbing and pipes located on the exterior of the museum, color-coded in vibrant colors. It’s definitely a unique sight to see. This is large museum and you could wander here for hours. From the top level of the museum you are treated to another wonderful view of Paris.
VISIT THE CATACOMBS
Descend under the streets of Paris and tour the labyrinth of tunnels lined with human bones. In the 18th century, cemeteries around Paris were cleared and the bones were moved to these underground tunnels. Now, this is the final resting place of six million Parisians.
The Catacombs can have one of the longest lines in all of Paris. Waiting times can be as long as 3 hours. Only 200 people are permitted in the Catacombs at one time, so the line moves very slowly.
Booking a ticket in advance is now mandatory and you can do so on the official Catacombs website (€29) or join a skip-the-line tour.
The Catacombs are open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:45 am to 8:30 pm, last admission at 7:30 pm. The least crowded time of day to visit the Catacombs is the last two hours of the day.
VISIT PÈRE LACHAISE CEMETERY
Père Lachaise Cemetery is one of the best known and most visited cemeteries in the world. A visit here may sound like a macabre way to spend an afternoon, but a stroll among the tombstones and mausoleums can be fascinating.
Père Lachaise is free to visit but if you want to get more out of the experience, you can take a guided tour. This tour lasts 2 to 3 hours and you can see the final resting places of famous people such as Edith Piaf, Jim Morrison and Chopin.
Hours: Daily 8:00 am to 5:30 pm; on Saturday it opens at 8:30 am
Cost: Free
Metro: Pere Lachaise Line 2 and 3
DINNER AND DRINKS IN LE MARAIS
End the day with a visit to Le Marais, one of Paris’ most interesting neighborhoods.
If you are looking for a budget meal, consider trying one of the falafel restaurants along Rue de Rosiers. The most famous spot is L’As du Falafel. We ate at Mi-Va-Mi, another popular spot, simply because it was the only one open during our visit.
TIPS TO HELP YOU HAVE THE BEST EXPERIENCE
LEARN A LITTLE FRENCH
Sure, you can get by with just speaking English, but being able to say a few things in French is polite and friendly. At a bare minimum, say bonjour when walking into a restaurant or shop. If it’s evening, say bonsoir.
In my experience, trying to speak the local language opens you up to much more meaningful interactions with people. Even if you are not perfect or you make a mistake, your effort is appreciated.
I am a big fan of Fluenz, a software program that teaches several different languages and is perfect if you want to learn a little bit of conversational French.
BEWARE OF PICKPOCKETS
Paris is very safe. Your chances of being a victim of violent crime are very low. However, pickpocketing is a problem in Paris. Our hotel staff warned us of pickpockets and the US Embassy even has an article about how to avoid pickpocketing in Paris
MUSEUM CLOSINGS ON MONDAYS AND TUESDAYS
Several museums close on either Monday or Tuesday. Take note of this when planning your trip. You may have to adjust the order of these three days if you will be in Paris on a Monday or Tuesday.
- CLOSED ON MONDAY:
- Musee d’Orsay
- Versailles
- Musee Rodin
- CLOSED ON TUESDAY:
- Louvre
- Musee de l’Orangerie
- Pompidou Centre
Places that are closed on Monday will have larger than normal crowds on Sunday and Tuesday. Places that are closed on Tuesday will have larger crowds on Monday and Wednesday. This is just something to be aware of when planning your time.
SHOULD YOU GET THE MUSEUM PASS
Absolutely! The Museum Pass covers your entrance fee into almost every site in this itinerary and it allows you to skip the ticket lines. Just be aware that it does not guarantee getting into every attraction without a line. During busy times, you still may have to queue for security.
The Museum Pass is only offered for 2 days (€55), 4 days (€70), and 6 days (€85). They do not have a 3-day option.
I recommend getting the 4-day pass. If you visit everything I have listed (not including the optional museums on day 3), you will pay €88.50. Even though you don’t use the pass all four days, you still save €18.50. If you visit another museum on the afternoon of day 3, that’s an additional €13 to €14 savings.
WHERE TO STAY IN PARIS
We have visited Paris three times and here is where we stayed.
Hotel Brighton. This is the most expensive hotel on this list but it’s worth it if you want an awesome view over Paris. Located on Rue de Rivoli right across from Tuileries Garden, you will be able to see the Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, and the Arc de Triomphe from your room. Request a high floor, preferably one with a balcony, for the best experience.
Hotel de La Bourdonnais. This hotel is located near the Eiffel Tower. From our room, if we hung our head out of the window, we could see the top of the Eiffel Tower. This hotel is under new management since our visit and it looks like things have changed for the better. We liked it here, but not as much as the other two hotels in this list.
Le Relais Saint Honore. On our most recent visit to Paris we stayed at Hotel Le Relais Saint Honore. Our favorite thing about this small, boutique hotel is its excellent location. The Louvre, Tuileries Garden, Place de la Concorde, and Palais-Garnier are all within a 10-minute walk. The Tuileries and Pyramides metro stations are less than 5 minutes away. The rooms are small but tastefully decorated and the staff is friendly and speaks English. You don’t get the awesome view in this hotel but we loved the friendly staff and the location.
