3 Days in Paris - Complete Paris Itinerary + Map

Our 3-day Paris itinerary collects world-class museums, iconic monuments, hidden cocktail bars and the best of Parisian culture in an easy-to-follow walkable itinerary.

As Londoners, we’re lucky enough to be able to go to Paris relatively frequently.

On our last trip in 2024, we managed to explore some of the less-visited sights that we didn’t get time to visit on previous trips.

This opened up a whole new version of Paris that we loved. One that’s hard to appreciate on a single trip because there’s just so much to do.

We’re under no illusion that you can see all of Paris in 3 days.

But, we hope we’ve put together an itinerary that allows you to see what we think are the best attractions in the city while allowing some time to explore a less-touristy side as well.

For an overview of everything we love about the city, read our guide to the best things to do in Paris.

ABOUT THIS ITINERARY

We did this entire itinerary on our last visit, so we know it all works.

It has been designed so you can walk between most sights, without needing to catch public transport too often. We walked a lot, but it should be achievable for most people with a reasonable level of fitness.

However, the public transport system in Paris is very good, so you can easily catch the metro if needed.

Where public transport is required for this itinerary, we have explained the metro stops you need to use throughout the itinerary.

We’ve listed all the attractions and walking routes on the map below so you can download them on your phone and take them with you.

DAY 1

PLACE DU TROCADÉRO

Place du Trocadéro, the elevated open space opposite the Seine, is where we started our Paris itinerary.

It’s the perfect place to capture iconic images of the Eiffel Tower.

Leading from the square, the English-style Trocadéro Gardens contain the Fountain of Warsaw, a 22-cannon water feature.

There are also sculptures in the gardens that are well worth checking out.

EIFFEL TOWER

Next, we walked through the Trocadéro Gardens to climb the Eiffel Tower. There are three viewpoints on the climb: the 1st floor, the 2nd floor, and the summit.

The best view is from the 2nd floor.

You can either walk up the stairs (674 steps) or take the elevator.

Book Eiffel Tower tickets in advance as the queues can be very long, especially in peak summer periods.

Our Tip – If you only have time for one viewpoint in Paris, make it the Arc de Triomphe. The views are better than those of the Eiffel Tower. We visit later on this day.

BRUNCH

After climbing the Eiffel Tower, we waked through Champ de Mars and past the Grand Palais Éphémère to Kozy Busquet for brunch. They have a really interesting menu with several light options, which can be a blessing in Paris!

MUSÉE RODIN

After brunch we walked over to Musée Rodin, dedicated to the works of sculptor Auguste Rodin.

The collection has two of his most famous works: The Thinker and The Kiss.

His sculptures are laid out in the Hôtel Biron, the beautiful rococo mansion on site, and outside in the French-style Garden.

Even if you’re not into sculpture, it’s worth having a look around the museum which we think is one of the more interesting in Paris.

Book: skip-the-line tickets for the Rodin Museum.

LES INVALIDES (OPTIONAL)

From the Rodin Museum, we walked over to Les Invalides.

The building was commissioned in 1670 by Louis XIV to provide care facilities for wounded soldiers.

Consisting of 15 large courtyards, the complex is capped by a magnificent gold dome which is visible across much of Paris.

It houses Musée de l’Armée, a collection of war memorabilia and the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte.

This is something we’d only suggest doing if you are particularly interested in guns and armour. Either way, it’s a good photo opportunity from the outside as you stroll past.

Book: skip-the-line Les Invalides tickets.

PONTE ALEXANDRE III

After Les Invalides, we walked along Esplanade des Invalides to Pont Alexandre III, an ornate bridge spanning the Seine River with beautiful sculptures.

The bridge connects Les Invalides with Le Grand Palais and Le Petit Palais, and it’s considered one of the most beautiful bridges in Paris.

Stop for a photo on your way to the Petit Palais.

LE PETIT PALAIS

The Petit Palais was built for the 1900 Exposition Universelle.

Today, it houses the City of Paris Museum of Fine Arts, which contains a diverse collection of art and sculpture.

It’s free to look around the permanent collection, and if you have the time, it’s something we recommend doing. The cafe inside is also a nice place to hang out in Paris.

If not, you can just admire the elegant Beaux-Arts building on the way to the Champs-Élysées.

CHAMPS-ÉLYSÉES

From Petit Palais, we walked along the Champs-Élysées – one of the most famous streets in the world.

The boulevard is lined with luxury boutiques, theatres, and cafes. The highlight is the avenue’s most famous landmark, the Arc de Triomphe.

On the walk up the Champs-Élysées towards the Arc de Triomphe, we stopped at Ladurée for the macaroons.

It’s a popular thing to do, but they are very expensive. Not being huge fans of macaroons we’d only really suggest this if you were or just wanted the experience.

ARC DE TRIOMPHE

The Arc de Triomphe was built to commemorate French military victories.

You can visit the base of the arch for free to see the eternal flame and the grave of the unknown soldier, but we climbed to the top which is something we highly recommend doing.

The top of the Arc de Triomphe offers the best view of Paris, with boulevards stretching out in all directions.

Book: skip-the-line Arc de Triomphe tickets to climb the 284 steps to the summit, which includes the museum on the way up.

SUNSET CRUISE ON THE SEINE (OPTIONAL)

After the Arc de Triomphe, we went to the river for a sunset cruise on the Seine.

There are plenty of different cruises on offer, including basic 1-hour trips through to all-inclusive dinner cruises.

Check: getyourguide.com for the best available cruises.

SAINT-GERMAIN-DES-PRÉS

After the cruise, we walked over to Saint-Germain-Des-Prés for the evening. But, if you’re running low on energy, there are plenty of buses you can catch.

Just check the route in Google Maps, and it will suggest the best option.

Saint-Germain-Des-Prés is an arty district on the left bank with cobbled streets lined with luxury boutiques, antique stores, classy galleries, and stylish cafes.

The area around Rue de Buci is full of bars and restaurants, and it’s a great way to experience local Parisian nightlight.

DAY 2

PLACE DE LA CONCORDE

We started the second day at Place de la Concorde, the largest public square in Paris.

It’s notorious for being the site where Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were executed. The Luxor Obelisk, in the square, was offered by the Khedive of Egypt.

You don’t need long, but it’s worth a quick stop on your way through to Jardin des Tuileries.

JARDIN DES TUILERIES

Jardin des Tuileries is a French formal garden that has picturesque landscaping, sculptures, and two scenic ponds surrounded by handsome architecture.

The gardens were designed by the architect responsible for the gardens of Versailles, and it’s now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

We walked through on the way from Place de la Concorde to the Musée de l’Orangerie and it’s a lovely way to start the day.

MUSÉE DE L’ORANGERIE (OPTIONAL)

Next, we went to the Musée de l’Orangerie which is in the south-west corner of the Jardin Des Tuileries.

You may find you get a bit museum’ed-out on this Paris itinerary, so we have this one down as optional. However, it’s one of our favourite galleries in Paris, so we’d suggest you try and squeeze it in if possible.

The main reason to visit is to see Claude Monet’s Water Lilies. The museum houses 8 of the vast panels which were donated by Monet to the French state.

He specified exactly how they should be displayed in the two egg-shaped rooms.

Our Tip — As mentioned above, this is an excellent gallery, but if this is your first visit to Paris, we would suggest doing either l’Orangerie or the Louvre, not both.

Book: skip-the-line tickets to the Musée de l’Orangerie.

THE LOUVRE

If you decided to skip the Musée de l’Orangerie, next head to The Louvre.

The Louvre is enormous, and it would take several days to see everything.

So, we recommend joining a guided tour or using the suggested visitor trails from the official website.

If you’re looking for ideas, we recommend the Italian Masters, the Apollo Gallery, and the Greek Sculptures. 

You’ll see the Venus di Milo, Mona Lisa, Winged Victory of Samothrace, Caravaggio masterpieces, and much more along the way.

Book: timed entry Louvre tickets in advance.

JARDIN DU PALAIS ROYAL & GALERIES

After the Louvre, we had a quick look around the Palais Royal, which is around a 5- to 10-minute walk from the Louvre.

The building is closed to the public, but the box hedge symmetry of the manicured gardens make it worth a quick stroll.

The black and white striped columns at the southern end are a popular photo spot.

Some of the most beautiful shopping arcades surround the garden, including Galerie de Montpensier, Galerie Beaujolais, and Galerie de Valois.

OVAL ROOM AT RICHELIEU

Continuing past the Jardin du Palais Royal, Mark and I walked up to the Richelieu Site of the Bibliothèque Nationale de France Library. It’s around a 5-minute walk.

The highlight is the stunning Oval Room (Salle Ovale).

It only opened to the public in 2023 and it was one of the highlights of our recent trip.

It’s a beautiful space with ceiling-height bookshelves and ornamental arches under a 44-meter-long glass roof. The best bit is that the Oval Room is free to enter.

PASSAGE DE CHOISEUL

Next, we walked along the Passage de Choiseul, a covered passageway with a wide selection of Asian streets.

If you’re looking for a traditional Parish lunch, this isn’t it, but it’s busy with locals, and the atmosphere is wonderful.

We waited in the queue for Kodawari Ramen which was excellent and worth the wait…just.

PALAIS GARNIER (PARIS OPERA)

After lunch, we went to the Paris National Opera (Palais Garnier).

It’s a breathtaking building renowned for its opulent architecture. It holds operas and ballets showcasing the grandeur of 19th-century Parisian cultural life.

Even if you’re not attending a performance, visiting on a guided or self-guided tour is a great experience.

Advanced bookings are required as it can often be closed for events.

Book: Guided or self-guided tour of the Palais Garnier. We did the self-guided tour which was cheaper and still really good.

GALERIES LAFAYETTE HAUSSMANN

We popped our heads into Galeries Lafayette, the flagship location of the upmarket department store, just across the road from Palais Garnier.

We’re not big shoppers when we travel so it didn’t hold much interest for us. But, the views of Paris from the rooftop are fantastic.

Our trip coincided with Christmas, and the huge glass dome inside the shopping centre was decorated with a massive display.

PLACE DES ABBESSE, MONTMARTRE

Next, we walked up to Trinité Metro Station and caught the metro to Abbesses Station to stroll around Place des Abbesses.

This charming square has a village-like atmosphere with cool boutiques, cafes and bistros. It’s a lovely local part of Paris to soak up.

Don’t miss the Wall of Love just off Jehan Rictus Square, featuring 612 tiles with the phrase “I love you” in 250 languages.

PLACE DU TERTRE, MONTMARTRE

Just up the stairs from Place des Abbesses is Place du Tertre, also known as Artists Square.

This is a special spot in Paris and one we think you’ll like.

Artists are allocated 3 feet of space, which must be shared between two artists on alternating days.

They are there most of the day making themselves available to paint portraits. Have your portrait taken or peruse the landscapes, caricatures, and silhouettes for sale.

SACRÉ-CŒUR

Sacré-Cœur is just around the corner from Artists Corner, and by now, you should be here at the perfect time to watch the sunset over Paris.

The Romano-Byzantine Basilica of the church offers a picture-postcard Paris experience with excellent views across the city.

The queues to climb the dome can be very long; unfortunately, there is no way to book skip-the-line tickets.

But, by the time you’ve done everything else on day 2 of this itinerary, the timing should be about right for the queues to be shorter.

Even if you don’t go to the top, the views from the steps in front of Sacré-Cœur are also very good.

PIGALLE

As the evening started rolling in, we strolled down to Pigalle to explore the area around Moulin Rouge.

You could try a show at the famous cabaret venue. However, the reviews are not great. We think a better option is Au Lapin Agile, which is on the backstreets of Montmartre.

It’s a wonderful cabaret and much more locally focused than the Moulin Rouge.

If you stay in around the Pigalle neighbourhood for the evening, there are plenty of great restaurants, and the nightlife is excellent.

Don’t miss No Entry, a hidden speakeasy under Pink Mamma restaurant.

DAY 3

CATACOMBS

We started our 3rd day at the Catacombs, a 1.5-kilometre underground tunnel containing the remains of 18th-century Parisians.

In what has become a true temple of equality, bones are piled head-high on either side of the tunnel in careful constructions. None of the remains are named.

It’s a small space, so tickets are limited. Tickets must be booked in advance on the Catacombs website, but they are only available up to 7 days in advance.

A visit takes around 1 hour.

PANTHÉON

After the Catacombs, we took the metro to Luxembourg Station and walked to the Panthéon.

It was originally designed to be a church, but it’s currently a mausoleum to honour French revolutionaries.

Inside, Foucault’s Pendulum, which was used to measure the earth’s rotation, hangs from the dome.

The crypt contains the tombs of famous French philosophers.

This was a surprising find on our last trip to Paris and something we recommend visiting.

The Panorama – If you’re visiting in summer, you can climb the 203 steps to the roof of the Panthéon for unbeatable views of Paris. The roof is open from 1 April to 30 September.

Book: skip-the-line Panthéon tickets.

LATIN QUARTER

After the Panthéon, we spent some time strolling around the Latin Quarter.

This is one of the oldest quarters in Paris, named after the language school in the area from the Middle Ages.

We’d suggest just strolling around and picking off streets that take your interest. Rue du Chat Qui Pêche is the narrowest street in Paris; Rue Mouffetard has lots of places to eat.

Jozi Café is a great Paris coffee spot, and the Sorbonne University is a beautiful building to admire.

MUSEE D’ORSAY (OPTIONAL)

If you want to see more art, catch the metro from Saint-Michel Notre-Dame Station to Musée d’Orsay.

We love this gallery, and I think I’ve been 3, maybe 4 times. It has the world’s largest collection of impressionist and post-impressionist masterpieces.

You’ll find works by Monet, Van Gogh, Gauguin, Cézanne, and Renoir. Set in an old train station, the building itself is stunning.

The museum is free on the first Sunday of the month, and it is one of the many great free attractions in Paris to take advantage of.

SAINTE-CHAPELLE

If you went to Musée d’Orsay, get the metro back to Saint-Michel Notre-Dame Station.

From here, we headed over to Sainte-Chapelle, a breathtaking Gothic chapel renowned for its stunning stained-glass windows depicting biblical scenes.

The highlight is the upper chapel which contains 15 extraordinary panels, filling the entire space with stained-glass windows. It’s absolutely breathtaking.

Sainte-Chapelle is an absolute highlight in Paris; if this is your first time visiting, we highly recommend seeing it.

Book: skip-the-line Sainte-Chapelle tickets.

NOTRE-DAME

After Sainte-Chappelle we walked over to Notre Dame, stopping off at Le Marché aux Fleurs. This flower market dates back to the 1900s and it’s well worth a quick stroll through.

Ponte Neuf, the bridge you cross to get there, is the oldest, standing across the Seine.

Following the fire in 2019, Notre-Dame has now reopened to the public. We haven’t been to see it yet, but from what we have seen the restoration is magical.

We’d love to hear what you think in the comments below.

SHAKESPEARE & CO

Next, we crossed back over the river again to go to Shakespeare & Co. This is an English language bookstore just opposite Notre-Dame. It’s a nice place to explore, but it’s definitely on the tourist trail, so it can be pretty busy.

LES BOUQUINISTES

After a quick look around Shakespear and Co, we went for a stroll along the banks of the river to inspect Les Bouquinistes.

There are over 200 booksellers on the banks of the Sein, selling vintage books, prints, historical illustrations, engravings, and collectables.

They are so important to the culture of Paris that they were included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991.

LE MARAIS

Next, we continued over the river and into Le Marais.

Le Marais is a fashionable district known for its narrow streets, historic architecture, trendy boutiques, and art galleries.

The area was favored by France’s nobility in the 17^th and 18^th centuries which has given Le Marais the elegant architecture you see today.

Roughly follow the walking tour on the map above. Here are some places to see in Le Marais:

• Visit Place des Vosges, one of the most beautiful squares in Paris.
• Take the elevator to the 6^th floor of the Pompidou Centre for free views over Paris.
• See the whimsical Stravinsky Fountains.
• Have dinner along Rue du Temple or Rue des Archives.
• Hit the bars. Le Marais is the heart of gay Paris.

DAY TRIPS FROM PARIS

There’s so much to do in Paris, you could easily spend more than 3 days. But, if it’s your first time visiting, we’d suggest using a 4th day, if you have it, on a day trip.

There are plenty of great options to choose from, but here are a few of the top ones we recommend.

VERSAILLES

Soak up the lavish surroundings of Versailles and learn about the chequered history of the palace since the time of Marie Antoinette. Book your Paris to Versailles day trip.

CHAMPAGNE

Reims is the heart of the Champagne region. A champagne-tasting tour is a great way to explore this beautiful area. Book a full-day tour from Paris to Reims with tastings.

SOMME BATTLEFIELDS DAY TRIP

Visit the Somme Battlefields to see where the horrors of the First World War took place. There are memorials from each country involved in the battle and the trench system where the conflict took place is still intact. Book a day trip to the Somme Battlefields.

GIVERNY

At just 50 minutes from Paris, a day trip to Giverny is a stunning way to submerge yourself in the inspiration of one of France’s most celebrated artists. Book a day trip to Giverny to see the former home of Claude Monet.

WHERE TO STAY IN PARIS

We recommend staying in Le Marais for your 3 days in Paris. It’s centrally located, there’s plenty to do, and it’s a beautiful place to hang out.

However, there are many other options which we have covered extensively in our guide to the best neighbourhoods in Paris.

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BEST TIME TO VISIT PARIS

April to June is probably the best time to visit Paris if you have the choice. The weather is mild and although Paris is always busy, it’s generally less crowded over Spring.

Summer is the peak tourist season in Paris, when you can expect longer queues, larger crowds and higher prices. The upside is you get warm, sunny days, and there are a host of outdoor events, including Bastille Day, the Fireman’s Ball and the Fnac Live Music Festival.

Throughout September and November, the temperatures in Paris start to cool down, and the streets are much quieter.

Our last visit was in November, which was a great time to be there, but a few key attractions, such as the Pathéon roof, were closed.

In winter, it’s not unusual for Paris to have the occasional snow, but the temperature rarely goes below zero. It’s the quietest time to visit.

HOW MANY DAYS IN PARIS

Three or 4 days is about the right amount of time to spend in Paris.

You could easily spend longer, but Paris is expensive, and most visitors probably don’t have the luxury of a week-long vacation exploring everything Paris has to offer.

Instead, the best way to go is to pick off the attractions that interest you the most and save the rest for another visit.

We have also written a 2-day Paris itinerary if you have limited time and a guide to the best things to do in Paris if you have longer.

GETTING TO PARIS

International flights arrive at Charles de Gaulle Airport. It’s a 40-minute taxi ride to the centre of Paris, but hopping on the Metro is much cheaper. Take RER line B.

The Eurostar arrives at Paris Gare du Nord station, which is the easiest way to get to Paris. There is also a metro station at Gare de Nord, so it’s easy to get into central Paris.

Pro tip – It’s a good idea to check for cheap Eurostar tickets well in advance. Like airlines, they have a select number of seats at certain prices, so it pays to keep an eye on price fluctuations.

GETTING AROUND PARIS

We have designed this 3-day Paris itinerary so you can walk most places.

Seeing Paris on foot is, in our opinion, the best way to see it. We do a lot of working in cities, so you’ll need comfortable shoes.

But the centre of Paris is surprisingly compact. Throughout this whole itinerary, there are only a few places where we got the metro, which we have indicated above.

If the walking is too much, you can always look for where you need to go next in Google Maps, hit the directions, and it will give you the quickest public transport options.

USING THE PARIS METRO

It’s no longer possible for tourists to purchase multi-day passes on the Paris metro for a discounted rate.

The only option is a 5-day travel pass, which we don’t think is worth the cost, given how easy it is to walk around Paris.

The Carnet offer of 10 single tickets has now been phased out. You can purchase a pack of 10 tickets via the Navigo Easy pass at a slightly discounted rate, however you need to purchase the card (€2) which can be topped up at metro stations or online.

In our opinion, the easiest way to use the metro on a short trip to Paris is to buy single tickets from the station.

For longer stays, you can purchase the Navigo Easy pass card and buy a discounted carnet of ten singles.  

Please note also that the Paris Pass no longer includes free public transport.

VISITING THE MUSEUMS IN PARIS

Especially over peak periods in summer, queues for the Paris museums can be staggeringly long.

We recommend booking skip-the-line tickets as much as possible to avoid the queues.

The other thing you need to keep in mind is that the museums have very different opening times.

Most museums are closed on either Monday or Tuesday – we have a breakdown in the table below.

Depending on how many museums you plan on visiting, it may be worth getting the Paris Museum Pass which includes entry to over 60 museums.

We have never purchased the Museum Pass on any of our trips, mainly because there are only so many galleries you can visit on one trip.

MUSEUM	CLOSED	TICKETS
Musée d’Orsay	Monday	skip-the-line + river cruise
Musée Rodin	Monday	skip-the-line
Catacombs	Monday	guided tour + vip access
Salle Ovale	Monday	free entry
Versailles	Monday	day trip tour
Louvre	Tuesday	timed entrance
Musée de l’Orangerie	Tuesday	dedicated entrance