3 days in Paris - The best itinerary to visit Paris in 3 days

No matter how many times you visit Paris, you always get the impression that you don't have enough time to get to know the cultural capital of the world. We thought this route will be useful whether you visit Paris for the first time or if you're a seasoned traveller.

Paris sightseeing route in 3 days

Paris has a special magic that makes you want to visit the same places more than once. Plan ahead, make the most of your time and continue reading for the best things to see and do in Paris in 3 days.

The Eiffel Tower, the first site you must visit in Paris

 

 

Start your Paris sightseeing tour near the most famous French symbol in the world: the Eiffel Tower (after crêpes, of course). The best way to visit it is early in the morning, and we recommend that you set aside at least 2 hours to do so. 

As one of the most visited monuments in Paris, it attracts a good number of travellers, so plan your visit in advance. A cheaper and less complicated way to go up is on foot. Yes, you can go up to the first floor using the stairs for as little as €10.50. 

If you want to continue to the top you do need to take the lift, although we guarantee that on the first floor the views of Paris are more than spectacular. 

Did you know that this monument was almost never built? During a world's fair, Gustave Eiffel promised the city a structure ‘so glorious that it would reach the sky’, but the state only gave him part of the budget and the engineer himself took money out of his own pocket to carry out the project. 

Fortunately nothing stopped Eiffel in his dream, and today we could not imagine Paris without the Eiffel Tower.

The Arc de Triomphe and the Champs Elysées

 

 

Less than 20 minutes away by metro, or 30 if you like walking (which we admit is our favourite option) you can find one of the best views of the city at the top of the Arc de Triomphe.  La Défense, the Champs-Élysées and the Sacré-Coeur are some of the beauties you can see from there. 

A 10-minute walk down the Av. des Champs-Élysées you will find the world-famous Ladurée; a luxury pastry house that sells the most Parisian dessert: the macaroon. And while you can find ‘patisseries’ or even street vendors selling them on every street corner, this place has been making them since 1862 and with each new season a new flavour is added.

 

Avenue des Champs-Elysées

 

The popular Av. des Champs-Élysées has always been linked with fashion and style; make time to check out the luxurious Guerlain shop, one of the oldest perfume houses in the world, or the Louis Vuitton store, which has been located on this avenue since 1913.

Other things to see in Paris on this street include the Cabaret Lido de Paris, the Grand Palais, and the Obelisk of Luxor, a 3000 year old Egyptian monument. 

The Place de la Concorde and the Louvre Museum

Place de la Concorde at sunset

 

This Obelisk is located in the largest square in Paris: Place de la Concorde. Looking at the map of Paris you will see that this square connects the Champs-Élysées with the Jardin des Tuileries and the Madeleine Church with the Palais Bourbon, on the other side of the Seine River. 

Did you know that this is one of the most important squares in France? Its obelisk is thousands of years old and has a very curious origin. 

Not too far from the Place de la Concorde is the Louvre Museum, where we recommend you spend the rest of your first day in the French capital. You can't visit the city without seeing Paris' premier museum. It is open until 18hs, and on Fridays it is open until 21.45. Make the most of it!

 

Louvre Museum and its famous pyramid

 

Once upon a time it was the residence of the kings of France, but now the Louvre houses a collection of 35,000 works of art. Our favourites are the Mona Lisa, the Radeau de la Méduse, the Liberté guidant le peuple and the Venus de Milo.

The Louvre is a great kickoff point to begin discovering Paris beyond the beaten path. Join our Hidden Gems and Secret Paris free tour to explore lesser-known parisian places that visitors rarely get to see, in small groups.

Two traditional places to eat near the Louvre are: Le Louvre Ripaille (1 Rue Perrault) and Franprix (2 Rue de Marengo) where you can grab a bite to eat on your way back to your accommodation. 

Places to visit in Paris - Day 2

We start the day early on the Île de la Cité: the heart of the French capital. This is one of the natural islands in the Seine River and one of the oldest parts of the city, as it was the site of the first Parisian settlement. 

Can you imagine the characters who have written the history of this ancient part of Paris? 

Notre Dame, a timeless classic you must visit in Paris

 

 

One of the main monuments on the Île de la Cité is Notre Dame Cathedral, which is one of the most important Gothic buildings in the world.  Although it is not open to the public due to fire damage in 2019, you can look at its majestic structure from the outside. It is scheduled to open fully on 8 December 2024.

Its façade is full of details and secrets that often go unnoticed, but you can discover this and many other curiosities on our Paris Free Walking Tour: Left Bank and Latin Quarter: from Notre Dame to Pantheon

Do you want a glimpse of medieval Paris? Near the Cathedral is the access to a neighbourhood that preserves the authentic atmosphere of its origins: the Quartier de l'Ancien Cloître. Dare to discover another side of the French capital in these narrow streets that usually go unnoticed among the places to visit in Paris.

The Conciergerie and the Palais de Justice in Paris

Palais de Justice in Paris

 

In addition to the cathedral and the Sainte-Chapelle, another masterpiece of Gothic architecture, the Île de la Cité is home to the Conciergerie and the Palais de Justice, the seat of justice for the French state. 

Opposite is Paris' most discreet and beautiful square, the Place Dauphine; grab a light bite to eat at one of its charming outdoor cafés and recharge your batteries because we're on our way. 

Among our favourite Parisian sights are the bridges of the Île de la Cité. You have to walk at least one of the 5: pont de l'Archevêché, pont Saint-Louis, pont Saint-Michel, pont Notre Dame, petit-Pont-Cardinal-Lustiger; and the most popular and oldest in Paris: Pont-Neuf.

The Musée d'Orsay, another museum to see in Paris

 

Hop on the metro and head to the Musée d'Orsay station to visit one of the most famous museums in the world. 

The Musée d'Orsay exhibits the works of great impressionists such as Monet, Degas, Renoir Van Gogh, Berthe Morisot and many more.

The Latin Quarter, the perfect place to end an ideal day in Paris

The Latin Quarter at night

 

Your journey through the top things to see in Paris in 3 days continues in the Latin Quarter. This is one of Paris' main neighbourhoods (and probably the most famous) as it is home to the Pantheon of Paris and the Sorbonne University - the most important university in the capital.

In this charming neighbourhood you can buy a book at Shakespeare and Company or visit the oldest tree in the city at the Place René-Viviani, just some of the many things to do in Paris in the Latin Quarter. 

Did you know that the spark of May ‘68 was ignited in this neighbourhood? Discover these and many other Parisian curiosities by taking the Free Tour of the Latin Quarter - you name the price!

While you're nearby, don't miss the Jardins du Luxembourg, which are open until 9.30pm in summer. We recommend ending your day in one of the many restaurants and bars in the 5th arrondissement, where you can eat at good prices. One we like is the Bistro Des Augustins, an old-school Parisian joint at 39 Quai des Grands Augustins.

Explore the vibrant Notre Dame area, featuring highlights such as Sorbonne University, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Pantheon in a 1.5-hour free walking tour of the Latin Quarter, guided by a local expert.

Third day of activities in Paris

We suggest spending most of the day in the bohemian Montmartre district. Being such a popular destination, it's best to walk around early in the morning to avoid the crowds and feel like a local.

Montmartre, a must-see in Paris

 Montmartre and Sacré Coeur district

 

The secrets of Montmartre can be discovered at the Musée de Montmartre, which has a valuable collection with works by Utrillo, Toulouse-Lautrec and Willette. Another must-see is the beautiful Place du Tertre, one of the most common postcards of Paris, which you can now see up close.

A series of talented street artists occupy the cobblestone floor of the square inviting you to take a souvenir as you stroll through this open-air gallery. The square is surrounded by striking 18th century buildings - take a look at the architecture!

For a better understanding of the neighbourhood and its history, join the free tour of Montmartre with an English speaking guide.

The Moulin Rouge and its surroundings

 

Walk past the famous Moulin Rouge cabaret, visit the Saint Pierre de Montmartre church, stroll through the vineyards of Montmartre and see the only wild garden in Paris, a protected area that has been growing without restriction since 1985. (Only open on the first Sunday of every month at 10:30am and on the third Wednesday at 2:30pm).

The best views of Paris from Sacré-Coeur

The Sacré-Coeur Basilica

 

Your weekend in Paris should continue at the impressive Sacré-Cœur Basilica at the top of Montmartre hill. It is the second most visited religious building in France, after Notre Dame Cathedral. Entry to the basilica is free but you must pay 7 euros to enter the dome. 

To avoid the hordes of tourists, pickpockets and aggressive vendors in the surrounding area, we recommend arriving at the back of the Sacré Coeur via the Lamarck-Caulaincourt metro.

Montmartre and Montparnasse Cemeteries

Montparnasse Cemetery

 

The Montmartre Cemetery is a must among the things to do in Paris. Many of the illustrious people who lived in the neighbourhood between the 19th and 20th centuries are buried among its 20,000 plots, some of them are: Edgar Degas, Gustave Moreau and Alexandre Dumas. 

In the city's main necropolises lie the remains of world-famous personalities. If you have time and energy left after climbing the endless ascents of Montmartre, you can visit the Montparnasse Cemetery, a 40-minute underground ride away, and the Père-Lachaise Cemetery, which can be reached in half an hour.

The Père-Lachaise Cemetery

 

Père-Lachaise Cemetery

 

You can spend the last few hours of your trip to Paris in any of the places you have not yet been able to visit.

We recommend that you book a free tour with an English-speaking guide so that you don't miss the most essential sights of this city, such as the Le Marais quartier, Hôtel Sully, Place des Vosges, Le Village Saint-Paul and other secret places away from the tourist crowds.

Do you have more time to visit Paris?

Disneyland Paris

Lucky you! If visiting Paris in 3 days isn't enough for you, you can spend time exploring the city in more depth, or better yet, get to know its surroundings if you have more days available. 

We recommend a visit to Disneyland Paris, a great plan to do in Paris with children but also for those who love Mickey Mouse and his friends. 

Versailles, another essential excursion near Paris

Versailles Palace

 

Another popular tour is a visit to the Palace of Versailles, a symbol of French architecture and the French crown.  This was the residence of the kings from 1682 to 1789 and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can take a guided tour of the palace in the morning, and tour the beautiful gardens of Versailles in the afternoon. 

You won't regret devoting a whole day to seeing the royal apartments, the Hall of Mirrors, the Chapel, the Royal Opera House and the Museum of the History of France.