Paris is the kind of city that immediately charms you. Audrey Hepburn once summed it up: “Paris is always a good idea”.
Once you’re in the City of Lights, chances are you won’t want to leave. Unfortunately though, reality beckons. And with only a limited amount of time and so much to see, it’s hard to know where to start.
But even if you only have a few short days in Paris, it’s possible to experience the best that the city has to offer.
Here’s the ultimate itinerary for three jam-packed days:
DAY 1
Start the day by picking up a freshly baked croissant from a boulangerie (bakery), then make your way over to Jardin du Champ de Mars (a park right near the Eiffel Tower) to sit and enjoy it. When you’re done, head over to the Eiffel Tower, but don’t go up it – there are better vantage points in Paris.
Cross the Seine to the nearby Trocadero, which will give you clear views of the Eiffel Tower – perfect for capturing the ultimate holiday pic. Then jump on the metro (the light green line) and take the train to Franklin D. Roosevelt.
From there, you can change to the yellow line for Champs-Elysees Clemenceau or walk down to the Arc de Triomphe. It’s worth going up to the arch’s observation deck for sweeping views of the city, which include the Eiffel Tower.
Once you’re done, wander down the Champs-Elysees, where you’ll find plenty of shops to peruse and places to eat. Walk a couple of blocks away from the main drag if you want to avoid the tourist traps, or check out the food court in Galeries Lafayette.
At the end of the Champs-Elysees, you’ll find Place de la Concorde – the site where Marie Antoinette was beheaded during the French Revolution in 1793.
From here, you can enter Jardin des Tuileries, one of Paris’ famous public gardens. Pick up a snack from one of the food vendors located in the gardens, and then pull up a chair around one of the stunning ponds.
Continue through the gardens until you reach the Louvre Museum and spend the rest of the day browsing the artworks inside. The Louvre closes at 6pm most days, but if you plan your visit for a Wednesday or Friday, it’s open until 9pm, so you can fit more in.
Finish off the day with a sunset river cruise along the Seine. While Paris is beautiful at all times of the day, there’s something magical when seeing it lit up at night.
DAY 2
Begin the day in Saint-Germain-des-Pres. This area is renowned for having great food, so there’s no shortage of places to eat at. Make sure to indulge in a typical French breakfast of a croissant and a hot chocolate!
Once you’re done, walk on over to Musee d’Orsay. This stunning art museum has been fitted out in an old train station and houses all of the masters – Monet, Degas, Renoir, Manet, van Gogh and Cezanne,
From here, it’s a 15-minute walk to Musee Rodin. This underrated art museum is home to a comprehensive collection of Rodin’s finest artworks, including the the Thinker sculpture. But it’s worth visiting just to stroll through the stunning on-site gardens.
Next, jump on the metro at Invalides (the light blue line), and take it all the way to Place de Clichy. Change to the purple line and get off at Pigalle, where you can explore Montmartre. Take the steps up to the Basilique du Sacre-Cœur de Montmartre, and stroll through the markets, which are filled with local artists.
Montmartre’s streets are always bustling, and there are plenty of places to eat if you’re hungry. Bouillon Pigalle is recommended and is famous for its traditional French fare – all served at a reasonable price.
After dinner, head to the world-famous Moulin Rouge to take in a show. Be warned though – the shows tend to be quite risque, so it may not be totally family-friendly!
DAY 3
Begin your final day in Le Marais. This charming area is filled with boutique shops and cute little cafes where you can grab breakfast. Make sure you nab a seat outside to people watch!
From here, wander down to Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Paris. Unfortunately, the Notre-Dame is currently under renovation after a fire tore through it in April 2019, but you can still see the top of the façade.
It’s a 17-minute walk from the Notre-Dame over to the Pantheon, but if you choose to go straight there from Le Marais, take the metro from Pont Marie to Maubert – Mutualité (the pink line).
The Panthéon is located in the quaint Latin Quarter, a historical area of Paris. While you’re here, be sure to visit the Shakespeare and Company bookstore, and grab a bite to eat at one of the cafes.
Take the metro from Chatelet to Opera (start on the pink line, then change to the red line at Pyramides), and make your way to Palais Garnier – also known as the Paris Opera. Make sure you go inside – the interior is breathtaking – with self-guided tours available to book online.
Finally, spend your last night back at the Eiffel Tower (take the light purple line on the metro from Opéra to École Militaire). Once it’s dark, the Eiffel Tower lights up with sparkly lights for five minutes on the hour. It’s absolutely magical, and the perfect way to finish up your Parisian holiday!
