Paris 3 Day Itinerary: Perfect For First Time Visitors, Maps & Tips

If you’ve been daydreaming of long weekends in the City of Love while strolling along riverbanks and wondering what to see in Paris, then my 3-day itinerary is perfect for you!

Paris is renowned for being the most romantic place in the world, and from my experience, it is a well-placed attribute!

We loved our time in Paris and had such an amazing time exploring the city while devouring our way through their cheese and wine that we just can’t wait to go back!

---

Uncover The Perfect 3-Day Paris Itinerary, Best For First-Time Visitors!

So you can enjoy Paris as much as we did, I’m sharing the best way to see Paris for 3 days with this itinerary jam-packed with exciting things to do, including visiting popular sites and the best ways to get there.

---

Paris In 3 Days For First-Timers

Just so you know what to expect from this post, here’s a quick overview of your 3 days in Paris itinerary. I’ve broken it into morning, afternoon and evening activities to make it easy.

I know a lot of travel itineraries try to pack in as much as possible but sometimes it’s not possible; this 3-day Paris itinerary is realistic given the time frame. Make sure you leave enough time for travel between sites!

Day One In Paris

• Morning 9 am – 12 pm: River Seine, Grand Palais, Place de la Concorde & Jardins des Tuileries
• Afternoon 12 pm – 5 pm: Lunch & The Louvre Museum
• Evening 5 pm – 9 pm: Sacre-Coeur Basilica & Dinner (+ Option for Show)

Second Day Paris Itineary

• Morning 9 am – 1 pm: Galeries Lafayette, Notre Dame Cathedral & Place de la Bastille
• Afternoon 1pm – 5pm: The Eiffel Tower, Champ de Mars & Jardins du Trocadero.
• Evening 8 pm: Le Bizetro for dinner

Day Three Paris Itinerary

• Morning 9 am – 2 pm: The Palace of Versailles
• Afternoon 2 pm – 4 pm: Arc de Triomphe
• Evening 7 pm: River Boat Cruise and Dinner

---

Paris Itinerary: Day One

Good Morning Paris! Today you explore central Paris, the best way to see Paris in 3 days is on foot. Walk along the river, admire the palace and find somewhere provencal to eat.

Morning: Walk Along The River

Activity: River Seine, Grand Palais, Place de la Concorde & Jardins des Tuileries
Est. time: 3 hours 
Cost: Free

Hopefully, you’ll be waking to the sound of songbirds and the buzz of the city at your feet ready for a day of adventure! I always say that the first day should be spent exploring on foot, so grab a map from reception and head out.

Walk along the River Seine and visit the Grand Palais before passing by Place de la Concorde. Stroll through the Jardins des Tuileries just before you reach the Louvre Museum.

How to Get There?

• For the Grand Palais, the closest metro is the Champs-Elysees – Clemenceau.
• Exit and walk East along the River Seine or through the Champs Elysees Garden to the Place de la Concorde.
• Continue East through the Gardens of Tuileries to reach the Louvre Museum.

Afternoon: Explore The Art Museum

Activity: The Louvre & Lunch
Est. time: 5 hours
Cost: Adults €15.00 – €17.00 (Under 18’s are free).

*Important Note: the museum is closed on Tuesdays!

Don’t forget to stop for lunch! Choose a cafe and enjoy some French pastries. Once all those French desserts have been digested it’s time to explore the magnificent Louvre Museum. It is huge, you are going to need the whole afternoon!

⭐ Pro tip >> Angelina Paris is a legendary 1903 tea room offering refined pastries & hot chocolate in a belle epoque–style setting! Find it at 226 Rue de Rivoli, next to the Jardins des Tuileries.

There is so much to discover from all eras and from all around the world! We really enjoyed The Grand Galerie with hundreds of hanging portraits each telling a story – the Mona Lisa is here too! I found The Red Rooms alluring, The Greek section full of magnificent statues and the Egyptian antiquities stunning.

The Renaissance Palace and Art of the French Court were also inspiring, I love the decor from this period!

✅ Skip the line and go treasure hunting at the world’s most spectacular art museum: Tickets for Louvre Museum: Skip The Line + Guided Tour in English

Evening: Enjoy The Views

Activity: Sacre-Coeur Basilica & Dinner (+ Option for Show)
Est. time: 4 hours
Cost: Sacre-Coeur Basilica is free to enter

One of the best places to see Paris’s skyline during your 3 days in the city is at the Sacre-Coeur Basilica or ‘The Sacred Heart of Paris’ as it is known in English. It’s a Roman Catholic Church and sits on the summit of Montmarte which is the highest point in the city!

It makes for an incredible view overlooking the whole of Paris. We enjoyed the evening view which saw Paris glowing.

The neighbourhood of Montmarte is also one of the prettiest in Paris! It is a winding maze of quaint houses and cafes perched on the hilly cobbled streets and a fantastic place to explore. Wander around Place du Tertre, where all of the artists can be found!

⭐ Pro tip >>visit La Maison Rose for some yummy treats or the popular La Consulat Cafe for dinner. That being said, there are loads of cafes and restaurants dotted around this area to choose from.

This is also a great opportunity to head to a show. Moulin Rouge always comes up first but we didn’t think it was that great. There are others which have great reviews so you can try and find smaller lesser-known cabaret shows, which is what I wish we had done and what we’ll be doing next time!

How to Get There?

There are two options to reach the Basilica from the Louvre. We chose to walk stopping at a few cafes along the way for a quick tipple but it is a little far so jumping on the metro is also a sound idea!

Option 1: Walking

• It’s a 3.3km walk which will take around 45mins direct from the Louvre. We recommend stopping at a couple of cafes along the way!
•  You will be heading North mostly along Rue de Richelieu and Rue des Martyrs.
• Google map: Louvre Museum, Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France – Sacré-Cœur, 35 Rue du Chevalier de la Barre, 75018 Paris, France, for precise directions.

Option 2: The metro (25 mins)

•  Louvre Rivoli – (3 stops) – Concorde
•  Concorde – (8 stops) – Lamarck
•  From Lamarck walk through the Montmarte neighbourhood to Sacre-Coeur. A direct route will take 10 mins.

---

Perfect Paris Itinerary: Day Two

Important Note – On the 15th of April 2019, Notre Dame Cathedral suffered a disastrous fire and remains closed until further notice. The hope is to re-open in 2024 in time for the Summer Olympics. Notre Dame can still be enjoyed from the outside.

Morning: Big Bus Tour

Activity: Galeries Lafayette, Notre Damn Cathedral & Place de la Bastille
Est. time: 4 hours 
Cost: Adults €35.10, Children €17.10

If you’re confused about what to see in Paris during your 3 days, one great idea is to head out on the Big Bus Tour! It’s a great way to discover the city (or any city at that) and get orientated. I’m a huge fan!

Check out the red route, it hits all the main tourist spots and then some. It’s a hop-on-hop-off so make sure you take full advantage of this!

It’s a good idea to plan the stops you want to take before heading out (most hotels will have the map available). We stopped at The Galeries Lafayette which is an impressive upmarket French department store. We also visited the Notre Dame Cathedral and walked to Place de la Bastille before returning to the bus.

How to Get Tickets?

•  From the website: Big Bus Tours
•  Ticket sales: Adults €35.10, Children €17.10
•  You can also buy these from the street or your hotel but it might be a little more expensive.

Afternoon: 7th Arrondissement

Activity: The Eiffel Tower, Champ de Mars & Jardins du Trocadero.
Est. time: 4 hours 
Cost: Starting from €44.00

Quite conveniently where the bus tour ends and starts you’ll find the 7th Arrondissement! The district is home to the Eiffel Tower and is surrounded by the Champ de Mars and Jardins du Trocadero.

✅ Option to go to the top of the tower, however, expect long queues but the views are wonderful. Plus the novelty of it is worthwhile, who wouldn’t love to say they’ve been to the top of the Eiffel Tower…

We also found the view from the ground fantastic and enjoyed a picnic lunch on the Champ de Mars. Explore the surrounding streets for shops selling pastries, cheeses, fruit, wine and chocolates to be enjoyed with your picnic

⭐ Pro tip >> At the Jardins du Trocadero, watch out for con artists playing games in the plaza and their pickpockets! Although intriguing to watch from a distance, I wouldn’t get involved.

Where to fill the picnic basket?

One of our favourite streets is Rue Cler. It is full of classic French food shops, here’s how to find Rue Cler.

•  From the South end of Champs de Mars, go North on Place Joffre.
•  Continue on the same street which will change into Avenue de la Motte-Picquet
• Take a left onto Rue Cler.

Evening: Be Inspired

Activity: Le Bizetro
Est. time: 2 hours
Cost: est. €70.00 for 2 people

French food – it’s one of the things the French are most celebrated for. We found the cafe culture of Paris enjoyable and stopping at quaint French cafes quickly became our favourite thing to do.

To really see Paris like a local during your 3 days make sure you enjoy the French culture as much as you can!

For dinner on the second evening, we suggest “Le Bizetro at 6 Rue Georges Bizet, 75116, Paris. Unfortunately, they have no website. When looking for traditional French cuisine this is the place to go!

---

Paris Itinerary: Day Three

Day 3 is the day to venture outside the city to see one of the most beautiful buildings in Paris, the Palace of Versailles. It’s going to take you most of the day before circling back to the city to admire Paris’s iconic Arc de Triomphe.

Morning: A Palace To Impress

Activity: The Palace of Versailles
Est. time: 5 hours
Cost: Starting from €21.50

The Palace of Versailles is a magnificent combination of art and nature. King Louis XIV moved the royal court here from the Louvre in 1682 and remained until the start of the French Revolution.

You will enjoy touring the palace and rooms such as the Galerie des Glaces, which perfectly illustrates the King’s intentions for the palace. The room is overwhelmed with mirrors, exquisite marble, gilded bronze and gold leaf.

The ceiling is a decorative story of the monarchy’s reign. The gorgeous gardens deserve an hour of strolling, at the very least! Look to spend 4-5 hours here.

✅ You can purchase your tickets online securing your entry: Palace of Versailles, Gardens & Estate

How to Get There?

•  The most common and easiest way to get to Versailles is to take the train from RER C Javel which will take you to Chateau rive Gauche train station at Versailles.
•  It is a 10-minute walk to the palace from Chateau rive Gauche.
•  This will take around 45 mins ( Versailles is closed on a Monday)
• Note: A separate ticket from your Paris travel card will need to be purchased at €7.10 as Versailles is outside of Paris!

⭐ Pro tip >> Another way to reach the palace is by taking the most beautiful avenue in Paris to get to Versailles – the Seine River: Tickets for Paris Duck Tour: Floating Bus from Paris to Versailles

Afternoon: The Star In The Centre

Activity: Arc de Triomphe
Est. time: 2 hours
Cost: Adults €13 and free for those under 17’s!

After all that dazzle it’s time to visit the Arc de Triomphe! Head back to the city to the representative symbol of France’s capital!

The Arc honours those who fought and died for France during the Napoleonic wars. It stands at the centre of twelve avenues which gave it the name ‘Place de l’Étoile—the étoile or “star” of the juncture’ before becoming the Arc de Triomphe.

It’s one of my favourite views in Paris and I would recommend climbing to the top!

The best thing to do during your 3 days – you will see panoramic views of Paris and of course the Eiffel Tower! Costs €13 for Adults and is free for those under 17’s!

✅ You can purchase your tickets online securing your entry: Arc de Triomphe: General Admission + Rooftop Access

How to get There?

Again, you have the option of walking or jumping on the metro once you’re back in the city at REC C. If you want to explore more of the residential side of the city then the walk is nice, although it takes 50 minutes!

Option 1: The Metro(27 mins)

1.  From the RER C walk to Javel -Andre Citroen metro stop
2.  Javel -Andre Citroen – (3 stops) -La Motte-Picquet -Grenelle
3.  La Motte-Picquet -Grenelle – (7 stops) – Charles de Gaulle -Etoile

Option 1: Walking

1.  It is 4.9km from RER C to the Arc de Triomphe and will take around 50 mins.
2.  The easiest route is to walk North along the River Seine and cross at Ponte D’Lena.
3.  Follow the Avenue des Nations Unies through the Jardins du Trocadero
4. Reach Avenue d’Alene and continue North. This will take you all the way!

Evening: River Seine

Activity: Riverboat Cruise
Est. time: 3 hours
Cost: €60 – €80 pp

If you have one more night in Paris check out a riverboat cruise! There are a lot of companies to choose from although they offer similar experiences. We enjoyed a 3-course meal in a glass-domed boat with live music: piano and singing. 

We chose the evening cruise, the city is well lit so we could see the grand buildings which lined the banks well. The Eiffel Tower beaming over us added a touch of romance to the experience. It was well enjoyed.

Where to get tickets?

•  Online is the best option although you can get these from the streets and via your hotel!
•  Costs vary but somewhere between €80 – €110 pp will get you a 3-course meal on a good boat.
• A 3-course panoramic dinner cruise in Paris on an all-glass river boat: Tickets for Dinner Cruise on the Seine

✅ If you don’t fancy a riverboat cruise you could enjoy a unique Parisian dinner while crisscrossing the capital, by bus! Tickets for Parisian Dinner on the Bus Toqué

---

---

Where To Stay In Paris

Hopefully, by now you’re super excited about your trip to Paris! Here are a few options for your accommodation, we haven’t stayed at them all but we’ve done lots of research, read the reviews (of which are rated exceptional) and are happy to recommend them.

Budget Suggestion: Le Regent Montmartre by Hiphophostels

“The hotel was excellently located, next to a metro station, also only 10 minute’s walk from the Gare du Nord if you’re coming by Eurostar. The Sacre Coeur was a few minutes walk away and there are lots of nice little restaurants, cafes and gift shops round there…” – Gemma from Agoda Reviews

Mid-Range Suggestion: Hotel Gavarni Paris

“We had a 2-night stay as a layover and booked this hotel due to the location and it did not disappoint. We stayed in the Eiffel Room – fantastic view and very comfortable beds, a spacious sitting area, and nice decor…”  – Catherine from Agoda Reviews

Luxury Suggestion: Roi de Sicile – Rivoli

“The apartment was very clean and well maintained. Much larger than the typical hotel room in Paris but with a great kitchen and large bathroom set up. The staff was very friendly and professional. They were always looking for ways to go beyond expectations. The location can not be beat…” – Timothy from Agoda Reviews

---

Resources For France

• Read this post to find out if visiting Paris in winter is a good idea!
• We went on a 2-week road trip around Alsace, one of our favourite regions in France.
• Alsace is famous for its picturesque villages and beautiful cities like Strasbourg.
• One of our favourite hiking days was to the three castles of Ribeauville.

---

Best Time To Visit Paris

Paris is beautiful in all seasons but in early Spring, which is when we visited, it’s a lot less crowded and a good time to visit. Actually, Autumn too would be a good time to visit if you want to see those wonderful autumn colours.

These months are known as shoulder months. They are just outside the peak seasons such as summer holidays and festive holidays.

That being said, summer is always a colourful time to visit European countries and the festive season around December is always merry! It will be busy though.

I would suggest staying away during the shoulder months of January and February as these are the coldest months, although you are likely to find better deals on attractions and accommodation. So, if you’re travelling to France on a budget, then these could be good months to visit…

---

---

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions which you guys have been asking.

Is it worth going to Paris for 3 days?

Like any old city, Paris is great to visit for 3 days. It’s full of historical sites and modern-day attractions with amazing architecture and wonderful stories. It’s somewhere which can be enjoyed by families, couples and friends.

How many days are enough to visit Paris?

There is no way you will be able to see everything in Paris during a 3-day visit however, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go. Paris is a superb city to visit for 3 days where you can get a lot done and have a lot of fun. It just means that you will have to visit again.

Best Things To Do With 3 Days In Paris

Paris is full of incredible things to do. Here are the best things to do in 3 days in Paris:

1. River Seine
2. Grand Palais
3. Place de la Concorde
4. Jardins des Tuileries
5. The Louvre Museum
6. Sacre-Coeur Basilica
7. Cabaret Show
8. Galeries Lafayette
9. Notre Dame Cathedral
10. Place de la Bastille
11. The Eiffel Tower
12. Champ de Mars
13. Jardins du Trocadero
14. Le Bizetro
15. The Palace of Versailles
16. Arc de Triomphe
17. River Boat Cruise and Dinner

---

Conclusion: Paris 3-Day Itinerary For First-Time Visitors

Visiting cities as big as Paris takes a lot of planning and hopefully, our post – what to see in Paris in 3 days – has covered everything you wanted to see and provided you with some amazing travel ideas.

If you’re going, be sure to make a visit to Le Bizetro – I can’t rave enough about how good it was!