Before I sat down to write this Parisian itinerary, I asked myself what would I have liked to have when I explored Paris for the first time. So I came up with a three-days in Paris itinerary for which I would recommend the easily accessible setup of a hop on hop off tour alongside my personalized suggestions. This would allow you to get a nice overview of the city’s outline and monuments, while at the same time give you the purpose of looking for authentic locations at a few, distinct stops.
Note: This article is based on our own honest, personal experiences. It does contain a few friendly affiliate and sponsored links which bring us a small commission at no extra cost for you.
Why should you follow my three days in Paris itinerary?
Paris has been my primordial dream city for as long as I can remember. The first time I got there was on a high school bus trip – I had exactly 12 hours in Paris/ one night to see what I have been reading and dreaming about for years. After a quick climb in the Eiffel Tower to say hello and do a reconnaissance of all the famous Paris landmarks, I walked through the entire city (from the Eiffel Tower to Notre Dame and back) until morning with no map and no food. See, I had read so much about it that I felt I knew my way completely. I was only partly right!
Five years later I visited Paris with my mother, and though we did get a grasp of the metro, we still ended up walking huge distances, the longest stretch being actually inside the Louvre. Thinking back to the entire trip that cost me 200-300 euros for both of us (crowded, smelly bus and 1-star hostel included), paying for a hop on hop off tour would have still been a very smart investment.
My longest stay in Paris was for two months in 2007, when I felt too Parisian to do the touristic thing, and I explored every corner of the city by metro while surviving on sandwiches and brioches to afford entrance fees and books. In time, Paris and I developed a relationship half harmonious, half discordant – a mix of drab, rainy days of exhilarated exhaustion in front of the city’s architectural wonders, and serene moments of sunny contemplation over coffee or wine in its most iconic squares. Now I visit like an old friend who does not need the introductory tour, knows the public transport well enough to not waste too much time with orientation, and luckily affords the treats at restaurants and cafes.
Recently, we had our first family trip to Paris with our 8-year old daughter and it revealed a different facet of the city to us – one of slow moments and shared experiences and a re-discovery of old landmarks from a new light. Check it out for specific recommendations for families planning their stay in Paris!
Although I was initially thinking to give you a rundown of my favorite spots in the city, thinking back to my own experiences I realized that for the first three days in Paris itinerary, one does need a little more support than in other cities. Paris can be capricious and demanding, on top of expensive and unpredictable in terms of weather. One would need some practical tips for visiting Paris, a well-oiled strategy to divide and conquer, as well as breathing space to enjoy and bond with the city. So for a three days in Paris itinerary, I would recommend the easily accessible setup of a hop on hop off tour alongside my personalized suggestions. This would allow you to get a nice overview of the city’s outline and monuments, while at the same time give you the purpose of looking for authentic locations at a few, distinct stops.
If you are looking for a book to read before or during your three days in Paris itinerary, look no further than our comprehensive suggestion of 25 Best Books Set in Paris. This is a literary guide to Paris by neighborhood (for both adults & kids) and provides additionally a lot of insight to complement and enhance your stay in each neighborhood. The perfect follow-up guide for your next visit to the city or if you spend more than 3 days in Paris on your first stay.
Organizational aspects of your three days in Paris itinerary
Three days in Paris itinerary – where to stay?
Booking your tour in advance will allow for planning ahead – for example finding a hotel in proximity to one of the tour stops (Gare du Nord(RER access for airport)/Gare de l’Est/Republique), in addition to allowing you to call a certain neighborhood “mon quartier” for the time of your stay. Be sure to reserve at least one evening to get to know the said neighborhood, maybe in search of a restaurant for dinner. Our favorite little atmospheric hotel near Gare du Nord is Résidence du Pré, followed by the amazingly modern and hospitable OKKO Hotels Paris Gare de l’Est and Le Grand Quartier near Place de la Republique. Our most romantic stay in Paris was at Hotel Paris Bastille, with small, modern rooms with a lot of charm.
Three days in Paris itinerary – which tour to take?
The original article I wrote more than eight years ago had a specific recommendation for a hop on hop off bus tour with each bus line assigned to a specific day of the itinerary. Meanwhile, there are so many tour providers in Paris and routes change constantly, so it is impossible to keep up. Therefore, I decided to assign each day to a specific area of the city, allowing you the flexibility to choose your favorite tour provider. In my honest opinion, they all offer similar routes. I would choose those with multi day passes, in order to ensure enough time to also explore on your own.
BOOK YOUR FAVORITE HOP ON/HOP OFF TOUR HERE
For travelers spending a few days in Paris, Airbnb Experiences can additionally be a great way to add a more personal touch to the itinerary. Alongside iconic sights, visitors can join locally hosted experiences such as food tours, creative workshops, or guided neighborhood walks that offer a deeper connection to the city. It’s an easy way to balance must-see landmarks with moments that feel more authentic and memorable.
Can’t afford to eat out? Stock up before your tour starts. Now that you are familiar with your quartier, look for the nearest boulangerie (bakery) that could replace the overpriced breakfast offered at the hotel, a Brioche Dorée (affordable restaurant/café that also offers menu formulas), or the nearest Monoprix or Monop (the most convenient supermarket, also selling pre-packed snacks and sandwiches).
This will get you to a maximum of 30 euros/day expenses with food, to which you should add the cost of the hop on hop off tour (around 30 euros), the RER to and from the airport (about 20 euros), and a stack of 10 tickets for public transport. As the tour operates usually between 9.30-18.00, you could start early/continue on late at specific tour stops that are also connected to the metro. Decide ahead which museums you would like to visit and purchase the tickets beforehand. Not only will this save you time during the visit, but it will also give you a clearer feeling of how much time you can spend at each stop.
Day 1 of the three days in Paris itinerary – Louvre to Champs Élysées and the Eiffel Tower
On the first of your three days in Paris itinerary, you will get an overview of the town’s most iconic monuments. It’s the tour you should be doing if you had only one day in the city. To customize your itinerary, choose two activities from the list below, depending on your interests.
I have included options for panoramic views of the city on all three days, saving the best for the last day. If you can help it, I promise it’s going to be worth the wait.
- Panoramic views of the city can be seen from the Eiffel tower and from the rooftop of the Arc de Triomphe. If you do the latter, be sure to notice the breathtaking geometry of the historical axis which has four monuments perfectly aligned (see photo)
- If you do decide to climb the Eiffel Tower, make sure to book your priority access in advance, the waiting lines are very long!
- Hiding in plain sight close to the Hôtel des Invalides is the Musée Rodin, established by the sculptor himself in his former residence and garden. It is a unique place disconnected from the pace of the city, where you can understand the universe of Rodin at leisure, through a walk in the garden. One of my definitive favorites.
- Getting away from the crowds will definitely be on your agenda once you spend a half-day in Paris. You can do this right in the heart of the city – at the Louvre. Get off the bus and once you are frustrated enough trying to take a picture alone in front of the pyramid, ask yourself what is the oldest part of the Louvre still standing (as a royal residence, the palace had been continuously expanded between the 12th and 17th centuries). To answer your question, go behind the pyramid and look for the passage to the Square Court (Cour Carrée). There are significantly fewer tourists here, and the Renaissance façade is the oldest part of the Louvre Museum. Exit the court towards the Seine and you are facing the Pont des Arts, arguably the most romantic bridge in Paris. It is worth exploring the Seine river banks on foot between here and Notre Dame, as they are lined with the famous green boxes of the bouquinistes selling not only books, but also cartoons, journals, stamps, and cards.
- A quiet garden to enjoy the city, offering a unique perspective as well as the option to browse through your purchased books or have a picnic, is the Coin du Vert Gallant, located behind the statue of Henry IV in the middle of Pont Neuf. It is perfectly accessible during your stroll along the river banks.
- Easily missed, but worth a stop is the Church of Saint-Germain-l’Auxerrois, located right behind the Louvre. It’s not only a particular blend of Roman, Gothic, and Renaissance elements but also the place from where the beginning of Saint Bartholomew’s Day massacre was signaled through ringing the church bells.
- Visit a world-class museum. Although you have limited time at your disposal, both the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay are on your first-day itinerary. One way to include a museum visit in your day is to take advantage of the extended evening opening hours. The Louvre Museum is open from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays (closed on Tuesdays). The Musée d’Orsay is open from 9:30 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. on Thursdays (closed on Mondays).
Day 2 of the three days in Paris itinerary – the Left and Right Banks
Now that you know Paris quite well, it is time to dwell into its artistic atmosphere and stroll in the Montmartre, Montparnasse, and Latin quarters.
Your first half-day should be spent on a line covering the Right Bank of the Seine, with a stop to visit the famous Sacre Coeur Basilica. It is worth stopping for coffee at the nearby Place du Tertre, to get a feeling of the atmosphere of the Montmartre where Renoir, Picasso, and Dali resided at one point.
Spend the rest of the day on the Left Bank of the Seine, and make sure to include stops to visit the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
- Hiding in plain sight on the Île de la Cité, one street away from Notre Dame, is the royal chapel La Sainte Chapelle, an absolute gothic masterpiece on the must-see list.
- A quiet garden to enjoy the city, take a break, and admire the majestic Notre Dame from a different angle (its front is by no means its best feature), is the small park behind the cathedral, featuring the very elegant Fountain of the Virgin (Fontaine de la Vierge).
- Easily missed but totally worth it, for both book aficionados and foodies, is the option to take a walk from Notre Dame over the Pont au Double (stop to admire the cathedral from its Left Bank side) to the famous Shakespeare and Company bookstore. You can still spend some time at the bouquinistes’ during this walk. From Shakespeare and Company walk through the authentic Saint Severin neighborhood, filled with affordable restaurants and home to the eponymous church, which is also worth a short visit.
- A panoramic view of the city can be seen from the observation deck of Tour Montparnasse.
- Getting away from the crowds for an exploration of the Montparnasse district would allow you to compare it to Montmartre, which you saw earlier in the day. Beginning in the 1910s the artists residing in Paris slowly migrated to Montparnasse from Montmartre, forming a vibrant community that grew during the interwar period, fueled by arrivals from all over the world. The cafés (Le Dôme, La Closerie des Lilas, La Rotonde, Le Select, La Coupole) where these not so well off intellectuals would meet and discuss are still in business, and could be a good alternative for a late dinner. The Boulevard du Montparnasse is well serviced by the metro, so you can easily return to your hotel.
Last day of the three days in Paris itinerary – Latin Quarter/ Le Marais/ Bastille
There are three main stopping points on any hop on hop off bus tour to consider for this last day – Jardin du Luxembourg/Panthéon, Hotel de Ville/Centre Pompidou, Le Marais. Additionally, one place that should definitely be allocated some time in any three days in Paris itinerary is the Latin Quarter. In this area, distances are also shorter, which will help tailor your visit to your own liking. How much time you can devote to each area depends on what you’ve been doing over the past couple of days, but do take heart – there is absolutely no wrong way of spending time in Paris.
- If you were able to resist the temptation to see a panoramic view of the city on the previous two days, congratulations! The panoramic terrace of the Institute du Monde Arabe will totally reward your patience.
- Getting away from the crowds is counterintuitively very easy in the Luxembourg gardens, where students and locals enjoy their lunches, books, newspapers, or chats. There is nowhere in the city I felt more at home in Paris than here, coming with a baguette and a book after work every day. From here, walking up Rue Soufflot, you will reach the Panthéon, hosting the earthly remains of representative French citizens and Foucault’s pendulum. A short walk behind the Panthéon is the rue Mouffetard, featuring a market, restaurants and cafés, a must-see for all the foodies.
- Easily missed, but worth a stop is the eclectic church of Saint-Étienne-du-Mont, on the left side of the Panthéon. It contains the reliquary of Saint Geneviève, the patron saint of Paris.
- Hiding in plain sight at your stop at the Centre Pompidou – museum of modern art, also worth a visit – is my favorite Paris museum, the Atelier Brancusi. The seminal work of this pioneer of modern sculpture (member of the Montparnasse artist community) is stored according to his instructions in a two-room workshop on the Place Georges Pompidou. The entrance is free, but the visiting times are restricted.
- A quiet garden to enjoy the city, which you should definitely not miss, is the city’s oldest planned square – the Place des Vosges in the heart of the Marais district. The now-trendy district of Le Marais hosts not only restaurants and fashion houses, but also the world-famous Musée Picasso.
Whether you decide to end your three days in Paris itinerary at a restaurant on rue Mouffetard or on Boulevard Montparnasse, or maybe even at your now favorite café close to your hotel, you should definitely feel your heart in harmony to that of the city. Exhaustion should vanish quickly faced with the unexpected truth that Paris is no longer daunting and intimidating, expensive and impersonal, but an old friend whom you will gladly visit again.
