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 visit 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
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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 line, 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 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 the Holy Chapel, the church is considered a rare jewel of medieval Gothic.
During the visit, you can admire the two levels of the chapel as well as the exceptional stained glass windows, which depict 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 collection of relics, 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
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 and that hosts one of the largest 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 some 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.
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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 lines 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.
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.
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
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!
Day 2: Musee d’Orsay, Le Marais, and afternoon in Montmartre
Tickets to purchase in advance:
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 not only 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.
Le Marais
After visiting the 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 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, as well as 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 will not only sample some amazing local delicacies, but it will also be a great activity to both sightsee and eat without wasting time stopping for lunch!
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.
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 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.
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 where 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 that 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 is 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, as well as 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.
Final Thoughts
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 created 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 exhausted they might get, and I’ve tried to keep this in mind while writing up this Paris guide.
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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About the Author
Gabi Ancarola is a translator and travel journalist living in Crete. She regularly writes about Europe for several magazines about travel, gastronomy, and hospitality. She has published several travel guides about Greece and plans customized trips to the Greek islands. She loves cooking local dishes, taking photos, and driving on the mountain roads of Crete.