3 Days in Paris: The Perfect Itinerary for a Short Trip
Whether it’s your first time in France or a return visit, 3 days in Paris gives you just enough time to hit the must-sees, enjoy some incredible food, and soak in some Parisian culture. Here is my travel guide to share with you to make your Paris trip easier to navigate in a short amount of time.
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Day 1: Classic Paris
Morning: Eiffel Tower
Start your trip with the Eiffel Tower, Paris’s most iconic building. Get there early to find the best photo spots before it gets too busy. If you want to go to the top, book your tickets in advance to skip the lines. I recommend seeing the tower from the top and the bottom. They both have great, but different views. Don’t forget to see the tower at night on one of your days while in Paris. It’s one of the only things I regret from this trip. I didn’t see it sparkle at night, so I have to go back at some point just for that.
Afternoon: Seine River Walk or Cruise
In the afternoon, you can make your way toward the river and enjoy a walk along the Seine. Or take a relaxing Seine river cruise from Pont Alexandre III (one of the prettiest bridges in Paris). It’s a good way to see Paris’s landmarks from a different perspective. This is how I realized exactly how big the Louvre was. Seeing it from the outside, cruising down the river, was very different than being on the inside.
Evening: Arc de Triomphe & Champs-Élysées
From the Eiffel Tower, walk or take a short metro ride to the Arc de Triomphe. Climb to the top for amazing views of Paris, including the Eiffel Tower. The climb to the top was tough, not going to lie to you, but the sunset is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. Pictures don’t do it justice. After, you can stroll down the Champs-Élysées and grab dinner at one of the local restaurants.
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Where to stay in Paris
Whether you’re traveling on a budget or splurging on something special, here are some great places to stay in Paris.
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Day 2: History, Art and Architecture
Morning: The Louvre Museum
Start the day at the Louvre, home to the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and many other masterpieces. It’s huge and easy to get lost in. A guided tour would be helpful, or what I did was, research what I wanted to see before going and then check those off the list first. Then, if you have time you can see some other pieces in the museum. You could easily spend hours there. Even the museum building itself, which was once a royal palace, is worth admiring from the inside and out.
From there, walk to Palais Royal Gardens, a peaceful break from the crowds to see the black and white striped Colonnes de Buren art installation.
Afternoon: Notre Dame
Next, head to Notre Dame Cathedral. Though interior access is still limited during renovations, the exterior is beautiful too. Walk around the back to see the flying buttresses and rose windows.
Then, cross over and see the Luxemburg Gardens. It’s 25 hectares and split into two sides, the English and the French. It’s a great place to stop for lunch and admire the gardens.
Evening: Latin Quarter
In the evening explore the Latin Quarters. This historic student neighborhood is full of cafés, bookshops (like Shakespeare & Company), and charming side streets. Enjoy a traditional French dinner at a nearby restaurant.
Day 3: Artistic Paris
Morning: Montmartre and Square Louise Michel
Begin your final day at the hilltop neighborhood of Montmartre. It’s a little far to reach on foot, so I would recommend taking the metro. Then walk up the hill to Square Louise Michel, a beautiful terraced park leading up to Sacré-Cœur Basilica. The view of Paris from the top is unforgettable.
Then explore the winding streets of Montmartre. Visit Place du Tertre, where local artists paint outdoors, and grab a coffee to enjoy the time you have left in this amazing city.
Evening: Farewell to the city
End your trip at Parc des Buttes Chaumont, a park with hidden caves, suspension bridges, and the top of the temple is a great place for sunset views over Paris.
Final Thoughts
Three days in Paris go by in a flash, but it’s enough to fall in love with the city. There is so much to do and see in the city you could easily stay longer, but 3 days for me was perfect and hopefully with my travel guide of the city you can save some time planning and enjoy all Paris has to offer.
Have you been to Paris? What was your favorite neighborhood or moment? Let me know in the comments!
If there are other short trips you want to take I recommend Berlin, Madrid and Malta.
Paris Travel Tips
- Avoid lines: Book museum or tower tickets in advance.
- Metro travel is easy – get a Navigo Easy Pass or buy a 10 trip ticket.
- Pack comfortable shoes – Paris is best explored on foot.
- Language tip: Even just a “Bonjour, Madame/Monsieur” goes a long way.
- Sunrise and sunset are perfect for photos at major landmarks.
Top 10 List of Must See
1. Eiffel Tower
2. Notre-Dame & Île de la Cité
3. Square Louise Michel & Montmartre
5. Sainte-Chapelle
8. Le Marais Neighborhood
9. Shakespeare and Company & the Latin Quarter
10. Luxembourg Gardens
