Three days in Paris is enough to fall in love – if you plan it right. This itinerary groups sights by neighbourhood so you walk more and queue less, and it balances big monuments with time to sit on a café terrace and watch the city go by. I have drawn it with a pencil, a paper map and far too much enthusiasm; follow it as it is or borrow the bits you like.
Before you start
- Book timed tickets for the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower and the Sainte-Chapelle a few days ahead.
- Choose a central base – see where to stay in Paris – so you can walk back to rest in the afternoon.
- Check the closing days: the Louvre closes on Tuesdays, the Musée d’Orsay on Mondays.
Day 1: the historic heart
Morning: Notre-Dame and the Sainte-Chapelle
Start on the Île de la Cité, where Paris was born. Visit Notre-Dame, reborn after its restoration, then the Sainte-Chapelle while the morning light fills its stained glass. Book the Sainte-Chapelle in advance.
Lunch: Île Saint-Louis
Cross the little bridge to the Île Saint-Louis for lunch and an ice cream, then walk along the quays and browse the green boxes of the bouquinistes, the riverside booksellers.
Afternoon: the Louvre
Walk along the Seine to the Louvre and focus on one or two wings rather than everything. A guided tour of the Louvre takes you straight to the Mona Lisa and the Winged Victory. Rest afterwards in the Tuileries Garden.
Evening: a Seine cruise
End the day with a Seine river cruise as the monuments light up – the perfect introduction to the city.
Tours and activities in Paris
Day 2: Eiffel Tower and Left Bank
Morning: the Eiffel Tower
Go early to the Eiffel Tower to beat the crowds. The second floor offers the best view of the monuments; the summit is worth it on a clear day. Then cross to the Trocadéro for the classic photo.
Lunch: Rue Cler
Pick up bread, cheese and fruit on the market street Rue Cler and picnic on the Champ-de-Mars.
Afternoon: Musée d’Orsay and Saint-Germain
Head to the Musée d’Orsay for the Impressionists, then wander Saint-Germain-des-Prés, its cafés and galleries, and the Luxembourg Gardens.
Evening: dinner in Saint-Germain
Book a bistro and finish with a glass of wine on a café terrace. Not sure what to order? Read what to eat in Paris.
Day 3: Montmartre, the Marais and the Champs-Élysées
Morning: Montmartre
Climb to the Sacré-Cœur for the view, then explore Place du Tertre, the vineyard and the quiet lanes around Rue de l’Abreuvoir. Mornings are the calmest time on the hill.
Afternoon: the Marais
Take the metro to the Marais: the Place des Vosges, boutiques, a falafel lunch on Rue des Rosiers and the Picasso Museum if you still have energy.
Evening: the Arc de Triomphe at sunset
Climb the Arc de Triomphe for golden light over the city, then stroll down the Champs-Élysées towards the Place de la Concorde. Night owls can end the trip at the Moulin Rouge.
With a fourth day
Spend it at the Palace of Versailles, about 40 minutes away by RER C, or choose another escape from our day trips from Paris.
Prefer two wheels?
A Paris bike tour covers the Eiffel Tower, the Invalides, the Concorde and the Louvre in a few hours – a great way to rest your feet on day 2 or 3.
Tips for this itinerary
- Book timed tickets for the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower and the Sainte-Chapelle.
- Avoid Tuesdays for the Louvre and Mondays for Orsay and Versailles.
- Wear comfortable shoes – you will walk 10–15 km a day.
- Use the metro between neighbourhoods and walk within them.
- Leave space for the unexpected: a market, a concert in a church, a café that is too good to leave.
When to go
Spring and September are ideal for this itinerary, with long days and mild weather. See the best time to visit Paris for each season, and our Paris travel tips for airports, tickets and safety.
