Before you go
Sorted for your tripThree days cover 12 of Paris's 130 museums and all major neighborhoods within walkable range. You'll hit the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Notre-Dame, and one day trip—enough for a solid first visit, though you'll skip smaller gems and deep dives into any single neighborhood. Don't expect to see everything; prioritize ruthlessly.
FinderTrip research · April 2026 · verified sourcesThis guide is built for you
Every section is structured differently by traveler type. Switch type to see a genuinely different guide — different section order, different neighborhoods highlighted, different restaurant sort.
Day One — Iconic Paris
Day one is for calibration and iconics. Walk before you ride. See the Eiffel Tower before the crowds hit. Orient yourself before you optimise.
Day One — Iconic Paris
Day one is for calibration and iconics. Walk before you ride. See the Eiffel Tower before the crowds hit. Orient yourself before you optimise.
morning
afternoon
evening
Day Two — Depth and Discovery
Day two is when Paris reveals itself beyond the tourist layer. Museums worth the investment, neighbourhoods worth the walk, and your first genuinely non-tourist meal.
Day Two — Depth and Discovery
Day two is when Paris reveals itself beyond the tourist layer. Museums worth the investment, neighbourhoods worth the walk, and your first genuinely non-tourist meal.
morning
afternoon
evening
The Marais is best on a Sunday morning when the rest of Paris is closed. Bakeries on Rue des Rosiers open early, streets are quiet, and you can actually see the architecture. Most Paris neighbourhoods are quieter on Sunday. The Marais is the specific exception where Sunday morning is actually better than weekdays for experiencing it properly.
Day Three — Neighbourhood Paris
Day three is neighbourhood Paris. The Marais, Montmartre, or Saint-Germain — slow down, eat at noon, and wander without an agenda. This is the day you'll remember longest.
Day Three — Neighbourhood Paris
Day three is neighbourhood Paris. The Marais, Montmartre, or Saint-Germain — slow down, eat at noon, and wander without an agenda. This is the day you'll remember longest.
morning
afternoon
evening
Where to Stay for This Itinerary
For a 3-day itinerary, location is everything. Changing hotels wastes a full day. These options put you within walking distance of most of the plan.
Where to Eat Each Day
The restaurants in this itinerary are chosen for proximity to each day's route, not just quality. You shouldn't need to travel far to eat well.
Bistrot Paul Bert
L'As du Fallafel
Café Kitsuné
Le Comptoir du Panthéon
Ladurée
Du Pain et des Idées
Moving Between Stops
The Paris metro covers this itinerary efficiently. A day pass (€14.90) is worth it for days with more than four trips.
Metro Overview: Paris Metro is 16 lines covering 220 km. Most attractions are on lines 1, 4, 6. Single ride costs €2.78; day pass (Paris Visite) costs €12 and covers unlimited Metro, RER, and buses.
Day 1 Transit: Eiffel Tower (RER C from airport arrives at Champ de Mars-Tour Eiffel) → Walk to Tuileries (25 min) → Metro line 1 to Pont de l'Alma for Seine cruise.
Day 2 Transit: Hotel to Louvre: Metro line 1/7 to Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre → Walk to Odéon for Latin Quarter (Metro line 4, 15 min) → Notre-Dame via Saint-Michel (RER B/C, 5 min walk).
Day 3 Transit: Hotel to Montmartre: Metro line 2 to Anvers → Funicular to Sacré-Cœur (€2, 2 min) → Walk Montmartre streets (free) → Marais: Metro line 11 from Saint-Paul.
Airport To Center: Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) to central Paris: RER B train (€12, 30 min to central stations) or Orly by Monoprix bus (€8, 1 hour). Uber/taxi €45–60 but slow in traffic.
Card To Buy: Buy Paris Visite 1-day pass (€12) at any Metro station on Day 2 if you take 4+ rides. Otherwise buy single tickets (€2.78) as needed.
Before You Start
A few things to do before you start that make the whole itinerary run better.
Buy a carnet (10-pack of Metro tickets) for €17, or use Paris Visite day pass (€12). A single ride is €2.78. Day pass saves money if you take 5+ rides.
Book → Pickpocketing is highest on Metro lines 1, 4, 13 during rush hours (7:30–9:30 AM, 5:00–7:30 PM). Use anti-theft bags, keep phones in backpack pockets. Avoid RER B/D at night.
Book all timed museum entries (Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Sainte-Chapelle) at least 2 weeks ahead online. Skip-the-line tours cost €20 more but save 2+ hours per attraction.
Tap water is free and drinkable everywhere. Bring a refillable bottle to save €5 per day vs. buying bottled water (€2 per bottle).
Tipping is not mandatory but appreciated. Leave 5% for good service or round up to the nearest euro. Service charge is already included in prices.
Most shops close at 7:00–8:00 PM. Markets operate 8:00 AM–1:00 PM on weekdays. Plan shopping for midday; evenings limit browsing.
Learn 5 French phrases: 'Bonjour' (hello), 'Merci' (thank you), 'S'il vous plaît' (please), 'Oui' (yes), 'Non' (no). Parisians respect effort in French more than fluent English.
Itinerary Questions Answered
The questions most 3-day Paris visitors ask before they arrive, answered directly.