The Ultimate 3-Day Paris Itinerary: Must-See Highlights for First-Time Visitors

January 5, 2025

Whether you have never been to Paris before or it’s just been awhile, here is the perfect 3-Day Paris Itinerary. Not only will you find architecture, art and sight-seeing recommendations, but also restaurants, shopping, hotels and transportation tips.

Day 1: Iconic Paris

Morning:

Begin your Paris adventure at the Eiffel Tower. Be sure to arrive early to beat the crowds. Pro tip: if you are seeing the Eiffel Tower for the first time, walk down Avenue Kleber, toward Trocadero: you will come around a corner and there it will be, in all it’s iron splendor. It takes my breath away even after seeing it so many times. Afterward, take a leisurely walk along the Champ de Mars, the large park just at the bottom of the Eiffel Tower.

Lunch:

Rue Cler is a very cute market street in the 7^th arrondisement, not far from the Eiffel Tower. Depending on the day, there is a bustling outdoor typical Parisian market with all the veggies, flowers, cheese, etc. Even if no market, it is a cute street. I love Café du Marché for lunch and people watching.

Afternoon:

If you have headed toward Champs de Mars and Rue Cler, then you are very close to Invalides and the Musée de l’Armée. This spectacular building is where Napoleon’s tomb is located. In addition to Napoleon, this is one of the most incredible military museums in the world.

Evening:

Climb the Arc de Triomphe for a fantastic view of Paris, including the Eiffel Tower. Yes, this is touristy but I still love to go up there for the view and photos.

Dinner:

Le Petit Retro is in the 16^th – I love this little bistro, classic Parisian food, a historic zinc bar and very cute décor and off the beaten path in the 16th arrondisement. Be sure to make a reservation!

Or for an extra-ordinary affair, you could try Ducasse sur Seine, from star-chef Alain Ducasse, on a classy boat moored in the Seine River with scenic views.

Evening:

A Seine River boat cruise is a must! You will go past iconic landmarks such as Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Louvre. I prefer the evening cruises because they time it so that the boat goes past the Eiffel Tower right as it lights up on the hour. But an afternoon boat tour on the Bateaux Mouches is great, as well.

Day 2: Art and Architecture

Morning:

Visit the Louvre Museum. This is a big commitment because it can be very crowded, but it is worth it to marvel at masterpieces like the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. This is another spot, like the Eiffel Tower, where you will want to arrive early to maximize your time.

Midday:

Enjoy lunch in the charming Palais Royal Gardens or at a café nearby. Relish traditional French pastries for dessert. Some great options are Café Marly or the Brasserie du Louvre (both overlooking the place du Louvre), Café Carrousel (excellent people watching!) or Le Fumoir. Also close to here is the iconic Angelina Café, with the best hot chocolate in the world: it may actually change your life.

Afternoon:

If you head up rue des Pyramides, not far from the Louvre, just behind the Joan of Arc Statue, you will find rue St. Honoré, one of the most incredible luxury shopping streets in the world, with famous brands like Chanel, Saint Laurent, Longchamp, Valentino, Dior, Chloé and more. There are also art galeries and famous jewelry designers. Eventually, your stroll along this street will take you to the beautiful Place Vendôme, with even more famous watch and jewelry designers.

Evening:

Head up the hill Montmartre, the bohemian heart of Paris. Explore the cobblestone streets, visit the Sacré-Cœur Basilica (no ticket needed), and discover local artists at Place du Tertre. In Place du Tertre, there a many restaurants to choose from. It is a bit touristy but it is still very charming. If you want something more local, Le Tire-Bouchon Rodier is highly rated for its great quality but very reasonable price and is set in a charming wine-bar location in the 9th.

Day 3: Culture and Leisure

Morning:

Start your day at the iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral. The cathedral just re-opened on December 7^th, 2024 after 5 years of renovation after the horrible fire. Admire its Gothic architecture.

You can also tour the Saint-Chappelle, a gorgeous stained-glass architectural wonder that is in the same neighborhood. Also, be sure to go to Shakespeare & Company – the hundreds year old English bookstore where you can buy one of their iconic tote bags.

Notre_Dame_de_Paris_Cathedral_facade_gscinparis — Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, France

Midday:

From the Notre Dame, wander over to the Left Bank (la rive gauche) through the charming streets like rue de Bac. Have lunch at either Les Deux Magots or Café de Flore, right across the street from each other in the 6^th. Sometimes there is a bit of a wait but it is worth it. These two cafés are super famous/iconic, where all the artists and writers from the early 1900’s and later the Lost Generation would meet and smoke and write and discuss. Very Paris!

Goodwin-Les-Deux-Magots-Paris-10-x-8 — Artist Lindsay Goodwin “Les Deux Magots, Paris” oil on canvas 10 x 8 in, contact **Terwiliger & Jones Gallery for details**.

From here, you are very close to the best department store in the world (in my opinion), Le Bon Marché. Next door is their incredible food market. I could spend days here.

Afternoon:

Visit the Musée d’Orsay, an absolute jewel of all the museums in Paris, with Impressionist Art from Monet, Van Gogh, Degas and so much more. Be sure to make it to the top floor, with the iconic clock window, where you can look out at Paris.

From the Orsay, you can walk to the historic Le Marais (in the 3^rd/4^th) district (le marais means ‘the marsh’ or the swamp in French, which is what the area was when they first started building the half-timber buildings on the site). Start with the rue de Francs Bourgeois and go from there. Explore its charming streets, boutique shops, and trendy cafés. There are many options here for dining. Be sure to make your way to Place de Vosges, one of the prettiest squares in Paris. Here you can take photos, relax in the park or enjoy tea or hot chocolate at Carette.

At Place St. Catherine, there are several restaurants that are a great dinner choice. For shopping in the Marais (and there is a lot!), be sure to visit Merci, it is a multi-story concept store with everything from clothing to home decor to quirky bumper stickers. If you have time, the Picasso Museum is incredible. It is in a very classic Parisian building, and it is a smaller collection, so you can get through it faster than the bigger museums.

Evening

End your Paris trip with a sunset visit to the Seine’s bridges – Pont Neuf (which means “New Bridge” but is actually the oldest bridge in Paris) is one of the most romantic. One restaurant I love that is on the Ile St. Louis is “Les Fous de l’Île” (The Crazy People on the Island). For very classic French fare, La Poule au Pot is a great destination in the 1st.

Variations to this Itinerary

There are so many other fantastic parts of Paris to visit, it’s hard to know where to start, but you may want to consider these if you have more time:

Le Palais Garnier, aka the Paris Opera

French,Opera,In,Paris,,France.,Scenic,Skyline,Against,Sunset,Sky. — Opéra Garnier, Paris

The Paris Opera building is known as “Le Palais Garnier” and was designed by architect Monseiur Charles Garnier in the 1800’s. In 2025, the opera is proud to be celebrating it’s 150 years of being built. If Architecture is your true passion, then you must put this on your list as it is one of the most sumptuous buildings in not just Paris but probably Europe. Right at the foot of the Opera is the incredible “CoCo” restaurant. Reservations are a must! Not far from the Opera is also the highly rated restaurant “Racines”, which serves incredible Italian fare but is located in one of Paris’ historic passages.

Exterior of CoCo Paris in the 8th arrondisement

Père Lachaise Cemetery

This very famous cemetary is located all the way up in the 20^th arrondisement, so it takes a bit more planning and time to get there. Many famous artists, writers, actors and other well-known people are buried – even Jim Morrison from the Doors!

Les Catacombes

Meanwhile, down in the 14^th arrondisement, the catacombes are an undergound cavern with millions of bones buried and arranged in a creepy yet artistic way. These tickets sell out fast, so if you think you want to go, get them right away.

Visit the Paris Gardens:

The gardens in Paris are a part of the culture. Jardin du Luxembourg on the Left Bank and The Tuileries Garden on the Right Bank are both famous. At the Jardin du Luxembourg, be sure to channel your inner child and rent a charming toy sailboat to race on the pond.

Have a meal or a cocktail on a rooftop terrace:

If you are visiting between May and September, there is no shortage of wonderful rooftop terraces with fantastic city views. Visit this post here to see a list.

What about Versailles?

If you only have 3 days in Paris, Versailles might be a stretch, as it is located 17 kilometers from Paris. To really enjoy and appreciate Versailles, you need most of a full day. Again, like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, you will want to get to Versailles as early as you can to beat the crowds. I definitely recommend a ‘Versailles skip the line’ tour but try to get a guided tour if you can because there is SO much to absorb in terms of art, history, details, architecture and more. Then, allow yourself time to tour the stunning garden, where they held the equestrian events for the Olympics in the summer of 2024.

The town of Versailles is very cute and there are some good restaurant options there. I love “Au chien qui fume” (Because who doesn’t love a smoking dog?).

Hotel Options in Paris

This post has Paris Hotel Recommendations by arrondisement (neighborhood).

This post has my recommendations for the Best Hotels under $500 in Paris.

Or you can browse this map here:

Prefer an apartment in Paris?

It’s hard to decide which is better – the exquisite hospitality at Parisian hotels or the beauty of staying in an apartment in Paris, where you can go walk to the neighborhood marché or boulangerie to truly experience Paris. I have used both VRBO and Plum Guide several times and I highly recommend these services for a hassle free vacation rental.

VRBO

The last time I used VRBO in Paris, we found the best place – impeccably clean and stylishly furnished with an amazing terrace right in the 4ème arrondisement. The location was superb, as we were near the Hôtel de Ville and could walk everywhere.

Plum Guide

I have partnered with “Plum Guide”, which offers homes and apartments for vacation rentals with “thoughtful design, with something remarkable, impeccably clean and well-maintained spaces, attentive hosts who are responsive and respectful”. In order to use my preferred rate, you would have to contact me.

How to Ride the Metro in Paris

Buy metro tickets in the metro station, either from the person or the automated kiosks. You can purchase a pack of 10, known as a carnet. However, day and multi-day passes are also available for the metro to hop on and off multiple times. The cost is cheaper than buying multiple tickets; you will always have a ticket available when needed. The metro is an affordable way to get around the city of Paris. Some stations don’t offer a ticket machine, so having these on hand is good. You must hold onto your ticket until you reach your final destination.
If you do not have a valid ticket, you will be fined.
Uber and taxis are also readily available around Paris.

Etiquette?

Please! Please use good manners in Paris as this is very important to the citizens! Whenever you enter a boulangerie, a café or a store, make eye-contact with the person working there and say, “Bonjour!”. Same with visiting a farmers market – do not touch the produce until you have said, “Bonjour!”. English is a bit more prevalent in France now, but if you can make the time to learn a few key phrases, it will go a long way and they will appreciate the effort. And don’t forget to say, “Merci!”

Safety?

Paris is a big and very touritsty city (the most visited in the world in 2024!), so sadly, pickpocketing is a real problem (it was a problem when I lived there and I saved many a hapless tourist on the metro from getting their items stolen). If you ride the metro, hold your belongings close, stay very vigilant and do not take your cell phone out. Any time you are in a crowded tourist attraction just stay vigilant as the pickpockets are quite slick and they work in teams. For a purse, I recommend a cross-body bag or something very small. Keep your valuables in the hotel safe.

Otherwise, I find Paris to be very safe as long as you are in the main city. Obviously, every city has its issues but having lived in Los Angeles, I feel much safer in Paris!

Ready to Book Your Trip to Paris?

Let’s make it happen! I can help you organize the perfect trip to Paris! Please see my Book with Me Page for more information.

Airport Transportation:

Welcome Pickups can assist with your transportation to and from CDG or Orly Paris airports. You can also take the public transportation.

Need a Flight?

What to Wear in Paris!

Ah, my favorite subject! You will want to head to my shop page or my LTK page for curated selections of what to wear to Paris depending on the season. Plus, save room in your suitcase for all the fabulous shopping you will do while there. Be sure to fill out the duty-free information at each shop. Give yourself a little time before departure at the airport to drop off the duty-free information and you will receive a tax refund directly to your credit card.

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Ann Satchfield
January 21, 2025 at 4:09 am
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Amazing! Thank you!
LauruebL Spengler
May 19, 2025 at 9:10 pm
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I wish I had seen this 3 weeks ago!! I just returned from Paris !! We had a wonderful time and did see many of the “must visits” that you mentioned!!! Great advice and we walked A lot but used the Metro to get from near Sacre Couer to other areas!!