Paris is one of the most visited cities in the world, as well as one of Europe’s most romantic cities. It’s a lovely city to walk around in, with an interesting history and plenty to see and do. With Paris, you can never go wrong!
There are so many iconic sights to see in Paris that it’s difficult to know where to begin. This 3-day itinerary will give you some ideas for what to see if you only have a few days in Paris and want to make the most of your time.
DAY 1 – ART & HIP NEIGHBOURHOODS
Begin this 3-day Paris itinerary by visiting world-class museums, then continue on a compact loop that includes many of the city’s top attractions. Finish the day in the hip Le Marais neighbourhood.
JARDIN DU PALAIS ROYAL
Begin with a stroll through the Jardin du Palais Royal’s box hedge symmetry and manicured gardens. It is surrounded by some of Paris’ most beautiful arcades, including the Galerie de Montpensier and the Galerie Beaujolais. Although the palace is not open to the public, the polka dot art installation is a popular photo location in Paris.
MUSÉE LOUVRE
Walk the small way to the Louvre to immerse yourself in what is arguably the world’s best museum and a Paris landmark. It’s impossible to see everything in one visit, so this Louvre guide is a good place to start.
The French and Italian masterpieces are the most well-known, owing to a truly world-class collection that includes the Mona Lisa. Napoleon’s opulent, well-preserved apartments are another highlight.
SAINTE-CHAPPELLE
After lunch, take a 15-minute journey south down the Seine to the magnificent Sainte Chappelle, unquestionably one of the city’s top attractions. The upstairs chapel, which is hidden behind the Palais du Justice, is stunningly decorated with stained glass windows.
LATIN QUARTER
Return to the left bank of the Seine and turn left again to the Latin Quarter, stopping first at Shakespeare & Company. As you stroll by, stop at the small but rambling store with the antique volumes stuffed into every corner and cranny.
NOTRE DAME
As you leave the bookshop, Notre Dame appears in front of you. It has been shut down since the horrific incident in April 2019, although a reopening is anticipated for 2024. The archaeological crypt and the square, however, are now accessible to the general public.
You can pay your respects at the neighbouring tourist information centre or leave a donation for the reconstruction.
One of the best ice cream stores in Paris, Berthillon, is worth a stop. After that, cross the river to the majestic Hotel du Ville.
LE MARAIS
Now that you’re in hip Le Marais, discover the dining, drinking, and shopping options in this thriving area of Paris. Visit the Pompidou Center’s modern art collection while you still have some remaining tourist vigour; it’s open until 9pm
DAY 2 – GRAND PARIS & ICONIC VIEWS
On Day 2 of our trip to Paris, we visited Musée Rodin, one of our favourite museums, before moving on to some of the city’s best coffee shops and the city’s most famous attractions.
MUSÉE RODIN
Begin at the Musée Rodin today. It is one among Paris’s most distinctive galleries, and both the formal gardens and the museum inside also have a superb collection of Rodin’s sculptures. An added advantage is the presence of paintings by two of the most well-known painters in history, Monet and Van Gogh.
EIFFEL TOWER
Refreshed, take a stroll to Champ de Mars for a breathtaking view of the famed Eiffel Tower that matches some of the greatest hotels in Paris.
Personally, we believe that the views are simpler and superior from other monuments. To avoid the line, we firmly advise purchasing tickets in advance if you plan to climb the Eiffel Tower. Either the 1600-step staircase to the second level or the lift that goes all the way to the top are options.
CHAMPS-ÉLYSÉES
To get one of the best views of the Eiffel Tower, cross the river to the Jardins du Trocadero and take some pictures. After that, stroll along the river to the magnificent Pont Alexander III and the close-by magnificent Petit & Grand Palais.
LADURÉE
Take a stroll down the Champs-Élysées and stop at Ladurée for a delectable macaron. By queuing for the restaurant, you can avoid the takeaway line. Efficient servers whisk macaroon-only customers past the gorgeous restaurant and up to the eccentric bar, where macaroons and a cup of tea are perfectly acceptable for lunch.
ARC DE TRIOMPHE
Go to the Arc de Triomphe, one of the most well-known landmarks in the world, as the afternoon draws to a close. Today, the unidentified soldier’s tomb is located at its foot, and every day at 18:30, the eternal flame honouring battle dead is re-lit.
As the sun sets over the second day of your Paris schedule, admire the ornamental pylons from below before ascending to the viewing platform to take in one of the best views in town.
DAY 3 – BEAUTIFUL ARCADES & MONTMARTRE
On the third day, take a stroll around the lovely covered arcades before leaving for Montmartre to begin a traditional Parisian evening.
MUSÉE D’ORSAY
Start at the Musée d’Orsay right away. It has the largest collection of impressionist and post-impressionist masterworks in the entire world, housed in a gorgeous train station. Even without the magnificent art collection, the structure is breathtaking. One of our favourite Parisian art galleries is this one.
TUILERIES
Explore the charming park between the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde, the Jardin des Tuileries, by crossing the Seine. Visit the Musée de l’Orangerie for a one-of-a-kind art experience, where Monet’s Water Lilies are shown in a purpose-built contemporary room. This masterpiece is only seen in one area on the entire planet.
COVERED ARCADES
Before stopping for lunch in the covered retail arcades, stroll past the Place de la Concorde, l’Eglise de Madeleine, and the fairly spectacular Palais Garnier.
The perfect area to pick up some Paris trinkets is the Passage des Panoramas, which is teeming with tempting culinary establishments and unique goods.
There are numerous charming boutiques and adorable book shops along Passage Jouffroy.
MONTMARTRE ESPACE DALÌ
Take Metro 12 to Abbesses in the afternoon from Notre-Dame-de-Lorette. Before stopping at Espace Dal, stroll up the hill and through Montmartre’s charming squares.
It’s a wonderful collection of Dal’s artwork and one of the city’s many unique attractions. His most challenging pieces can be better understood with the help of the gallery’s illuminating information.
SACRÉ-CŒUR
As the light fades, make your way to Sacré Coeur. This dome basilica provides a postcard-perfect Parisian moment, with excellent views of the city from the garden in front. Climb the 300 steps to the top of the basilica for unrivalled sunset views of the city. Book this guided tour of the basilica, which includes a walk around Montmartre.
PIGALLE
