3-Day Paris: The “City of Lights” Itinerary
Day 1: Icons & The Seine
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Morning: The Iron Lady. Start early at Trocadéro for the best views of the Eiffel Tower. If you want to go up, book your tickets weeks in advance. Afterward, take a stroll through the Champ de Mars.
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Afternoon: History on the Water. Walk toward the Arc de Triomphe and down the Champs-Élysées. Head to the Place de la Concorde and walk through the Tuileries Garden.
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Evening: Sunset Cruise. End your first day with a Bateau-Mouche (river boat) cruise on the Seine. Seeing the monuments light up at night is the quintessential Paris experience.
Day 2: Art, Culture & Islands
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Morning: The Louvre. Focus on a few wings (like the Denon wing for the Mona Lisa and Winged Victory) to avoid museum fatigue. Alternatively, choose the Musée d’Orsay for Impressionist masterpieces in a stunning former train station.
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Afternoon: Notre Dame & Île de la Cité. Visit the Sainte-Chapelle for its breathtaking stained glass, then walk past Notre Dame Cathedral (to see the restoration progress). Cross the bridge to Shakespeare and Company, the famous English-language bookstore.
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Evening: Le Marais. Explore one of Paris’s oldest and most fashionable districts. It’s perfect for boutique shopping, visiting the Place des Vosges, and enjoying a classic French bistro dinner or world-famous falafel on Rue des Rosiers.
Day 3: Bohemian Charm & Panoramic Views
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Morning: Montmartre. Head up the hill to the Sacré-Cœur Basilica for a panoramic view of the city. Wander the backstreets behind Place du Tertre to find the “sinking house” and the vineyards of Montmartre.
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Afternoon: Local Life & Canals. Head down to the Canal Saint-Martin area. It’s a favorite spot for locals to grab a coffee and sit by the water. It’s trendy, relaxed, and great for people-watching.
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Evening: A Grand Finale. Consider a show at the Moulin Rouge or a farewell dinner in a cozy “Bouillon”—large, historic brasseries like Bouillon Pigalle or Bouillon Julien that serve traditional French fare at great prices.
Quick Tips for Paris
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Transportation: Paris is very walkable, but the Metro is the fastest way to get around. Download the Citymapper or Bonjour RATP app for real-time routes.
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Dining Etiquette: A simple “Bonjour, Madame/Monsieur” when entering a shop or restaurant is essential French politeness.
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Museum Pass: If you plan on visiting more than three museums, the Paris Museum Pass can save you both money and time in the security lines.
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Water: Paris has beautiful green “Wallace Fountains” throughout the city—the tap water is excellent and free, so bring a reusable bottle.
