3 Days in Paris: The Perfect Paris Itinerary
A 3 days in Paris is an opportunity not only to see the main architectural monuments of the city, but also to walk through the halls of world-famous museums.
You can explore different areas of Paris with their special flavor and take your time to sit in famous cafes. Since the capital of France is one of the most popular destinations among travelers from all over the world, get ready for queues to visit places from the “must—see” lists and climb to the observation decks. A convenient way to see the sights of Paris in 3 days is to take a river walk along the Seine.
The first day of 3 days in Paris
The program for exploring the city should include a tour of the ancient intellectual district — the Latin Quarter, where the Sorbonne and other prestigious educational institutions are located.
You can go to the Shakespeare and Company bookstore, which has been in existence since the last century, and wander through the medieval streets of the quarter.
Morning of the first day
It is difficult to imagine a 3 days vacation in Paris without visiting French cafes so that’s why start your morning in cafes. In the legendary center of attraction for intellectuals and bohemians — the Café de Flore, where Sartre, Beauvoir, Hemingway often visited, we recommend ordering hot chocolate.
- Adress: 172 Boulevard Saint-Germain, 75006 Paris, France
- Operating Hours: Open daily for your convenience from 7:30 AM to 1:30 AM.
- For more information or to make a reservation, you can contact them at +33 1 45 48 55 26.
- Visit Cafe de Flore official website to explore the menu and updates.
Afternoon of the first day
After breakfast next, cross the Seine to the island of Cité, where the oldest part of the city is located. Some facts about Seine: It is no coincidence that the Paris developed around this trade and transport route. No wonder the early Parisian tribes were attacked here and overthrown by the Romans. If you want you can book 1hour Seine cruise.
Later, the place won became especially desirable. It still represents the main trade route today.Half of the water used in Paris still comes from the Seine. Try not to think about it when you look at the murky green water flowing under the bridge, or when the waiter brings you a glass of plain water.
Consider Notre Dame Cathedral (entry is prohibited after the fire in 2019), go to the Palais de Justice, the Chapel of Sainte-Chapelle with magnificent stained glass windows on the upper level and the Conciergerie Castle.The main reason to visit Sainte Chapelle is to enjoy the most beautiful stained glass windows of the Gothic period. More about Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Paris.
Evening of the first day
Sainte Chapelle (Holy Chapel) is one of the most beautiful churches in the city consider visiting it in your 3 days in Paris. A magnificent example of Gothic architecture is located in the oldest part of Paris on the island of the Seine River.
The priceless relics of the chapel, its delightful architecture and the refined luxury of the interior attract millions of tourists from all over the world. Sainte Chapelle is not just a temple, but a reliquary, that is, a place where valuable religious relics of France, Europe and the entire Catholic world are kept.
- Address: 10 Bd du Palais, 75001 Paris, France
- Open Everyday from 9 am till 5 pm
- The ticket to Sainte-Chapelle cost €12,00
- For more information and any updates you can visit official website.
Please keep in mind that all tickets for Paris attractions are important and even mandatory to book in advance. Book your tickets now to be ready for your trip.
Cross to the other side of the Seine, look at the oldest Pont Neuf bridge and enter the courtyard of the Louvre. If you need to relax, stop in the Tuileries Garden.
Continue past the Small and Large Palaces, cross the beautiful Alexander III Bridge to the Invalides House and follow to the Eiffel Tower. A great place with a view of the tower is Trocadero Square.
The Second day of the 3 days in Paris
For the morning of the second day in Paris you find a cozy café in a classic French petit déjeuner — perhaps a warm croissant or a pain au chocolat, with a strong café au lait. As you are already familiar with the neighborhood where you are staying you can consider having a breakfast near your accommodation.
Morning of the Second day
The next day, go to the Opera Garnier with a ceiling decorated by M. Chagall. Head on to the 8-square Vendome Square with a column surrounded by luxury hotels and jewelry stores.
- Address: Palais Garnier Place de l’Opéra 75009 Paris, France
- Opening Hours: Typically, the Opéra Garnier is open for visitors during the day, with hours often ranging from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
However, these hours can vary, especially on days with matinee performances or special events. It’s always a good idea to check the official website. It is important to remember that all tickets for Paris attractions are necessary and even mandatory to book in advance. You can find your tickets here and prepare yourself for upcoming visit.
Afternoon of the Second day
Reach the Place de la Concorde and start walking along the Champs-Elysees, the name of the Place de la Concorde as heart of Paris is for a reason. It is located in the 8th arrondissement of Paris in France in a picturesque location next to other attractions of the city. It offers a magnificent view of the Egyptian Obelisk, the Eiffel Tower, the Seine, the National Assembly, the Madeleine Church, the famous Champs Elysees, the Ferris wheel, the Tuileries Garden.
This is a clean, small and well-maintained square, from which many sightseeing tours of Paris begin. if you continue walking along the Champs-Elysees which will lead you to the Arc de Triomphe with an observation deck. The Arc de Triomphe in Paris can and should be climbed, and also should be included in your 3 days in Paris itinerary. It offers one of the most wonderful views of Paris. In addition, there is no mesh, plexiglass or other photo-spoiling materials. From its roof, you can clearly see the Eiffel Tower, Montmartre, the Defense and the Champs-Elysees.
Take the metro to the atmospheric Montmartre district, where you can feel the spirit of the last century, when many artists and writers lived here.
Take a look at the famous Moulin Rouge cabaret, go for lunch to one of the notable establishments: the cafe from the movie “Amelie” (“Two Mills”), the ancient institution “Nimble Rabbit”, the charming restaurant “Pink House” or the former cabaret “Moulin de la Galette”.
Evening of Second day
In the area, also look at the showcase of the Bateau Lavoir, a building that was a dormitory for great creators (Picasso, Modigliani, etc.), the “Wall of Love” and interesting monuments. Finish the day near the monumental Sacre Coeur Basilica on a hill overlooking the panorama of Paris. You can go down the steps to the traditional French carousel.
The Third day of the 3 days in Paris
Paris will appear to you in 3 days as a very multifaceted city. Modern and technological get along with medieval and sublime in an amazing way here. Plan your route based on your interests, since in the French capital you can walk endlessly for a long time, examining the streets and houses.
A trip to Paris for 3 days is rarely complete without visiting the rich museum collections. After two days of long walks around the city, a cultural program is a good option. Being in Paris for three days, you will see more than once a reminder of famous creative figures. Learn more about Paris which things to know before visiting Paris.
Paris is recognized as one of the world capitals of art for a reason, many famous artists, writers and musicians lived and worked here. Therefore, museums dedicated to art are of the greatest interest.
What is a must-see in 3 days in Paris?
The Louvre Museum
This is the former royal palace of the Louvre with works by artists and sculptors up to the XIX century, interesting collections of unique antiquities (Ancient Greece, Rome, Egypt, the East). Among the main masterpieces: Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, David’s huge painting The Coronation of Napoleon and Josephine, Gericault’s Raft of Medusa, Delacroix’s Freedom Leading the People.
Famous sculptures: the ideal of beauty “Venus of Milo”, the goddess of victory “Nika of Samothrace”, “The Rebellious Slave” and “The Dying Slave” by Michelangelo, “Cupid and Psyche”.
- Address: 75001 Paris, France (Louvre Museum)
- Opening hours: Closed on Mondays. Open 9 AM to 6 PM on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Open 9 AM to 9:45 PM on Wednesdays and Fridays.
The Musée d’Orsay
The next most popular is the d Museum’Orsay with the art of the XIX–XX centuries. Famous works by Van Gogh, Manet, Monet, Seurat, Degas, Renoir, Cezanne, Rousseau, Gauguin are presented here. The interior of the museum, located in the former railway station, looks interesting. The work of the Impressionists can also be seen in the branch of the Orangerie Museum.
Tourists who have already visited these museums choose to visit thematic institutions dedicated to the work of a particular author. It can be a museum of the sculptor Rodin, artists Picasso, Dali, Delacroix, writers Hugo, Balzac, singer Edith Piaf, etc.
- Address: 1 Rue de la Légion d’Honneur, 75007 Paris, France
- Opening Hours: 9:30 AM – 6 PM, except Mondays. Thursdays until 9:45 PM
The Army Museum
There are also museums in Paris with expositions unrelated to the fields of art: the Army Museum.
- Address: Invalides, 129 Rue de Grenelle, 75007 Paris, France
- Opening Hours: Daily, 10 AM – 6 PM
The Museum of the Middle Ages.
In the heart of the Latin Quarter of Paris, the keeper of secrets and priceless relics, the Museum of the Middle Ages, awaits visitors. This museum is unique in that 23 thousand of its exhibits cover the entire period of the Middle Ages, slightly capturing the Antiquity that preceded it and the Renaissance that followed.
- Address: 28 Rue du Sommerard, 75005 Paris, France
- Opening Hours: Typically 9:15 AM – 5:45 PM, closed on Tuesdays
The Grevin Wax Museum
The main characters of the museum are wax figures of famous personalities. Here you can meet a variety of heroes: from Napoleon and Pablo Picasso, to Elvis Presley and Lady Gaga. This is one of the most visited museums in the French capital. In total, more than 450 wax figures of world celebrities are collected here, and the exposition is regularly updated.
- Address: 10 Boulevard Montmartre, 75009 Paris, France
- Opening Hours: Often 10 AM – 6 PM, varies by day
The Fragonard Perfume Museum
The Fragonard Perfume Museum is located on Scribe Street near the Grand Opera. It is, by far, the most famous perfume museum in the world. This is truly a unique Parisian landmark, which confidently occupies a central place among masterpieces like Versailles and the Louvre. But this is not just a famous fragrance museum, but also the largest beauty center.
This is a real temple of smells, which was founded by the company Parfumerie Fragonard. It is here that you will have the opportunity to learn the history of the creation of perfumes, about the main purpose of distillers and all kinds of bottles, about “noses” — people who are able to distinguish hundreds of smells.
- Address: 73 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, 75008 Paris, France
- Opening Hours: Generally 9 AM – 6 PM, closed Sundays
Pere Lachaise cemetery
You can honor the memory of famous artists at the Pere Lachaise cemetery. This place has long been a tourist attraction for tourists seeking to visit the graves of their idols.
Buried here are: singer Edith Piaf; writers Oscar Wilde, Balzac, Proust; musician Jim Morrison; artists Modigliani, Gericault, Delacroix; composer Chopin; actress Sarah Bernhardt; dancer Isadora Duncan. Entrance to the cemetery is free. The Georges Pompidou Center and the Marais quarter.
Georges Pompidou Center
The 3 days Paris can include an introduction to contemporary art. To do this, you need to go to the Georges Pompidou Center. The halls feature works by Klein, Dali, Kandinsky, Warhol, Matisse, Mondrian, and temporary exhibitions of contemporary authors. The cultural center has an unusual appearance with engineering pipes built outside the building.
Marais quarter
From the Pompidou Center, you can go to the Marais quarter (translated from French — “swamp”). The swampy area began to be drained in the XIII century by the Knights Templar. There was a royal residence on the Place des Vosges. In the XVII century. aristocrats settled here, but after the revolution the palaces fell into disrepair.
During the global restructuring of the city by Baron Haussmann in the 19th century, the center of Paris was significantly improved, large parks and wide boulevards for walking appeared. However, sometimes old houses and confusing narrow streets were destroyed for these transformations. The Marais quarter became the place that managed to be preserved almost unchanged with old houses and palaces. The restoration of the buildings of the quarter began in the last century.
Place des Vosges
Among the attractions: the oldest Place des Vosges in the city with a square surrounded by ancient houses (palaces Chaulnes, Sully, Hugo Museum, House of Cardinal Richelieu). Museum of Art and History of Judaism in the 17th century palace. Museum of the History of France in the Soubise Palace Hotel.
Museum of the history of Paris Carnavale; Cognac-Jeu Museum with paintings of the XVIII century; Picasso Museum in the Salle mansion; the ancient Jewish quarter; the beautiful church of Saint-Paul-Saint-Louis. Today in the Marais quarter there are boutiques, bars, restaurants, antique shops on the Place Saint-Paul. The area has also become a place of residence for members of the gay community.
What to see in Paris in 3 days?
If the routes of the first days seem too busy to you, you can divide the program of the second day into 2 parts, and on the third day explore Montmartre and the Saint-Ouen flea market with antiques, vintage jewelry and clothes. You can walk through the pavilions with antique objects on weekends and on Mondays. But if you aim to get around the streets, squares and districts of Paris as much as possible, or prefer entertainment to museums, then consider the following options. Defiance and the Bois de Boulogne.
Defense Arch
The historical axis of the city leads to the Large 110 m High Defense Arch. It is a modern hollow cube structure, opened in 1989. It is an analogue of the Arc de Triomphe on Charles de Gaulle Square. Defense arch was erected to the glory of humanism, not military victories. Inside there are offices of government agencies and international organizations, an exhibition hall with photo exhibitions.
Upstairs there is an observation deck with an excellent view of the “Paris Manhattan” — the business district of Defense, which is located in the suburbs of the capital. In this area you will see glass skyscrapers and buildings of modern architecture, the pedestrian Esplanade General de Gaulle.
The unusual contrast with the ancient part of Paris causes mixed impressions among tourists, but the place remains on the recommended lists of attractions. About an hour’s walk from the Arch of Defense will take you to the Boulogne Nature Reserve.
The Boulogne Nature Reserve
The Boulogne Nature Reserve is a huge green area where noble gentlemen liked to relax in the XVIII century. Now Parisians and tourists come here to relax. You can sit down under oak trees, take a boat ride on the lake, go to an amusement park and a small zoo, visit the racetrack, take a walk in Bagatelle Park with an XVIII century castle, the Auteuil greenhouse or Shakespeare’s garden with roses.
Louis Vuitton Foundation building
The fantastic Louis Vuitton Foundation building with glass sails deserves special attention. It is worth visiting here to see valuable works of modern art (works by Matisse, Flavin, Giacometti, Abramovich, Weiwei, Murakami, etc.), temporary exhibitions feature exhibits from private collections that are rarely seen. Montparnasse and the Catacombs
Montparnasse Tower: A Unique View of Paris
Another option of the program in Paris for the 3rd day of an independent walk is an ascent to the observation deck of the Montparnasse tower. This is the only skyscraper in the city (210 m), the rest are located in the suburban area of Defense. At the very top there is an open—air playground with a panorama of the city, and a bar is open in the summer.
With the help of telescopes, you can get a closer look at the main sights of Paris. On the 56th floor there is a glazed area with screens and a restaurant.
Historical Significance of the Montparnasse Area
The Montparnasse area is also known as the area where intellectuals and bohemians from Montmartre moved at the beginning of the last century, they spent time in cafes that have survived to this day near Picasso Square (Vaven), one of them is “La Closerie des Lilas”. Famous residents of Montparnasse include Apollinaire, Brancusi, Dali, Duchamp, Sartre, Hemingway.
The Artistic Legacy and the Beehive Residence
Many creative personalities rented housing and workshops in the residence “Beehive” (Modigliani, Chagall, Soutine). Trotsky and Lenin, who were forced to leave the country, also lived in the quarter. Many famous personalities are buried in the Montparnasse cemetery.
Combining Heights with Depths: From Tower to Catacombs
Climbing the tower can be combined with a visit to the creepy attraction — the catacombs of Paris. This is a place where the remains of 6 million people are stored underground. The tunnels appeared during the mining of stones. When the cemeteries in the city were closed in the XVIII century, it was decided to reburial the remains of people in this kind of ossuary (ossuary). Tourists can walk a 1.5 km long route at a depth of 20 m underground.
Disneyland Paris
Disneyland for 3 days in Paris is a common option among travelers. Most of the attractions are located in Disneyland Park with 5 themed areas. In 2002, Walt Disney Studios Park was opened, stylized as a film studio. It is better to spend one day in the first park, besides queues in front of Disneyland attractions are common. Learn more about when is best time to visit Paris.
Here you can take pictures with your favorite cartoon characters, immerse yourself in the world of pirates, ride a roller coaster, get into the world of “Star Wars” or “Alice in Wonderland”, there will be entertainment for every taste.
Visitors are sure to go to branded stores to buy Mickey Mouse ears and other souvenirs. At the end of the day, fireworks are set off over the Sleeping Beauty Castle. There are tickets on sale with different validity periods.
A 3 days tour to Disneyland Paris is usually bought by families with children who want to immerse themselves in the magical world of Disney and try as many attractions as possible. In this case, it is convenient to stay at a hotel on the territory of the complex. This ticket includes a visit to both parks.
Where to stay in Paris?
Paris — Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Arc de Triomphe… Many tourists want to live closer to the symbols, and it is not surprising that these areas are among the most sought-after and high in price. When choosing a hotel, determine the purpose of visiting Paris: maybe it will be more convenient for you to live not in the center at all, but closer to one of the train stations in order to continue your journey through France tomorrow?
Understanding Paris’s Arrondissements: From Luxury to Budget Options
Be sure to pay attention to the county number in which it is located. The 1st-7th are the most in—demand and expensive. If there are more budget options, then with tiny rooms or, for example, a view of the wall of a neighboring building. Offers in the 9th, 12th, 15th and 17th districts are considered more affordable, but you will definitely have to travel from them. And districts 10-11 and 19-20, despite the attractiveness of the price, are best avoided due to the large number of migrants.
Hotel Selection Tips: Room Size, Location, and Amenities
Wherever you look at the option, check the location of the bathroom, the size of the room and special notes, read the reviews for sound insulation and compliance with personal preferences. It is also worth considering that in many places, breakfast means only a modest portion of a drink and pastries. Excursions from Paris
Exploring Royal Residences
A popular option for a day trip from Paris is the palace and park complexes of royal residences. This is a luxurious Versailles with beautiful fountains in the park and rich interiors in the palace built under Louis XIV, the Sun King.
Subsequently, many European rulers focused on this complex, creating country residences. Fontainebleau Castle also served as a residence for French monarchs, especially loved by Napoleon Bonaparte.
Here you will see magnificent interiors with frescoes, gilding and paintings. On site you can visit The Napoleon Museum and the Chinese Museum. As part of the guided tour, you will learn interesting facts from the history of the palaces and rulers of France.
Beyond Paris: Wine Regions, Normandy, and More
For one or more days, you can go on a tour of the castles of the Loire Valley. You can visit the castle in Amboise and the Clos Luce connected to it by an underground passage, where Leonardo da Vinci spent the last years of his life (the ashes of the artist are kept in a chapel nearby).
Chenonceau Castle, which throughout its history belonged mainly to women; Chambord, Blois, Chaumont castles, etc. Some tours include a visit to the city of Jeanne d’Arc — Orleans, boating on the Loire. An interesting option for the trip is a champagne tasting in the Champagne area with a visit to Reims.
If you plan to leave for a few days, then you can drive to another wine region. Burgundy with the city of Dijon, where the famous French mustard came. Another region of France where it is convenient to travel from Paris for 1 or several days is Normandy on the English Channel coast.
Here you will see landscapes with natural arches in the chalk cliffs of Etretat, the port city of Honfleur, the resorts of Deauville and Trouville, which inspired many artists.
Learn more about Paris: Best Free Things to Do in Paris