First Time 3 Day Paris Itinerary
Paris is arguably the most charming city in the world, from its dreamy architecture to its cafés filled with locals sipping their café au lait and people watching. The city has so many attractions, it is almost impossible to accomplish it all in just a few days. My 3 day itinerary was designed to help visitors optimize their time while appreciating all the numerous districts and iconic buildings, museums, and restaurants.
WHERE TO STAY
If it’s your first time visiting Paris, you’ll most likely want to be based centrally along the Seine. These are the most convenient districts within close proximity to top tourist attractions.
Les Halles (1st Arrondissement), one of the oldest districts, is a popular, centrally-built neighborhood home to the Louvre & Royal Palace.
La Marais (4th Arrondissement) is known as the heart of medieval Paris and one of the most sought-out locations given its charming atmosphere with hip art galleries, boutiques, restaurants, and bars.
Latin Quarter (5th Arrondissement) is a beloved neighborhood with a bustling nightlife filled with restaurants, bars, and jazz clubs.
Saint-Germain-des-Prés (6th Arrondissement) is the quintessential Parisian postcard neighborhood lined with cafes, side streets, and shopping. It is one of the most expensive and trendy neighborhoods.
7th & 8th Arrondissement are popular for its close vicinity to the Eiffel Tower with picture-perfect balcony-room views and luxury shopping on Champs-Élysées.
Day 1: Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe & Champs-Élysées
Morning:
Louvre Museum
Jardin de Tuleriues
Royal Palace
Start your day at the iconic Louvre, which is an amazing experience whether you chose to visit inside or not. If you plan to tour this national art museum, block off at least 2-3 hours and make sure to purchase tickets in advance!
Between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde is a public garden called Jardin de Tuleriues. Here you can take a quick break and stroll through its paths to appreciate intricate Parisian landscape.
Next, head over to Palais Royale (Royal Palace), located just minutes away on foot. If you’re searching for popular Paris photo locations, the Colonnes de Buren at Palais Royale is always a hit. The Palace is often overlooked by visitors, but is a delight filled with tons of history. Today it is the home of France’s Constitutional Council and of the Ministry of Culture. Its gardens, located across from the northwest wing of the Louvre, on Rue Saint-Honoré remain open to the public and are a great place to relax on a beautiful, sunny day.
Afternoon:
Arc de Triomphe
Champs-Élysées
Lunch at Mun or Girafe
From Place de la Concorde, walk down Avenue des Champs-Élysées for luxury shopping and at its western end you will find the Arc de Triomphe. The iconic monument was commissioned by Napoleon as a tribute for those who died for France during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. Its walls bear the names of battles and generals. Beneath its vault lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I. Many tourists climb the stairs to the top for a gorgeous view of Champs-Élysées and the Eiffel Tower.
Hungry? My two lunch recommendations are either Mun or Girafe.
Option 1: Mun is a fusion of Asian and French cuisine served on a terrace overlooking Champs-Elysées.
Option 2: Girafe is a seafood restaurant with an unobstructed, jaw-dropping view of the Eiffel Tower.
Evening:
Trocadéro
Eiffel Tower
Dinner at Bambini
After lunch, plan to spend the rest of the late afternoon and early evening at the Eiffel Tower. No trip to Paris would be complete without taking the time to appreciate this dreamy structure. My absolute favorite thing to do in Paris is to bring a bottle of wine (or two), a blanket, and snacks and sit in the grass and enjoy the atmosphere. The Trocadéro is one of the best places for that picture-perfect Eiffel Tower shot. Other epic locations are Rue de l’Universite, Avenue de Camoens and Avenue de New York.
For dinner, check out the new, trendy Italian restaurant Bambini located at the Palais de Tokyo.
Day 2: Île de la Cité, Saint-Germaine, & Latin Quarter
Morning:
Notre Dame
Saint Chapelle
Start your morning at Île de la Cité, an island located in the center of Paris where you’ll find both Notre Dame and Saint Chapelle. Unfortunately, the church remains closed to the public while under construction due to the catastrophic fire in April 2019. French officials claim the church will be ready to reopen in December 2024, but you can still appreciate its beauty from afar! Sainte-Chapelle (Holy Chapel) is a French Gothic style church built in the mid 13th century. The church was used to house some of the objects presumed to been used in the crucifixion of Christ such as the Crown of Thorns. It is the finest royal chapel built in France and displays an astonishing collection of stained-glass windows.
Afternoon:
Cross over the bridge on Boulevard Saint-Michel and head over to tour the Panthéon. It was initially built as a church and dedicated to Saint Geneviève, the patron saint of Paris, to glorify the French monarchy. During the French Revolution its purpose has alternated between religious and patriotic. Eventually it was renamed the Panthéon and has most recently become a mausoleum for famous French citizens.
For lunch, check out either Cafe de Flore or Les Deux Magots. Both are located on Boulevard Saint-Germain and are famously known as once being regular hangout spots for famous artists and philosophers.
After lunch make your way over to the Luxembourg Gardens which positioned on the border between Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Latin Quarter. This garden is a beautiful place to slow down and wander through. On most days, you’ll find local Parisians playing chess, reading a book, and taking their children for a ride on the carousels.
Evening:
Sunset at Montparnasse Tower
Dinner at Le Relais de l’Entrecote or Alcazar
Drinks in the Latin Quarter
South of the city center, the neighborhood of Montparnasse falls mainly in the 14th Arrondissement. Within this district is The Montparnasse Tower, the tallest and only skyscraper in central Paris. It contains an observation deck on the 56th floor and an open air roof deck on the 59th floor which gives 360 degree views of the city. It is a magical place to be during sunset and to watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night.
For dinner check out either Alcazar or Le Relais de l’Entrecote. Alcazar is a trendy restaurant in Saint-Germain with a friendly atmosphere and flowery garden-like interior. Le Relais de l’Entrecote is a French steakhouse famous for its tender sirloin steak and delicious home-made french fries.
For late night drinks, walk around The Latin Quarter which is well-known for its bustling nightlife filled with restaurants, bars, and jazz clubs.
Day 3: Palais Garniar, Montmartre, & Cabaret Show
Morning:
Montmartre
La Maison Rose & Le Consulat
Basilica Sacre Coeur
The district of Montmartre is located in the 18th arrondissement, far north from the city center. It is known for once inhabiting famous artists, including Pablo Picasso. In its maze of cobbled streets and ivy-clad houses, you will find the famous Moulin Rouge burlesque club and chic cafes like La Maison Rose and Le Consulat. Climb the district’s stairs to the top where you’ll find Sacré Coeur Basilica. It’s a heart-pounder, but once you’ve reached this top, you’ll be admiring one of the best views of the city.
Afternoon:
Brunch at Pink Mamma
Palais Garnier
Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann
Printemps Rooftop
For brunch, reserve a table at Pink Mamma. This Instagram-worthy Italian restaurant is not only delicious, but aesthetic goals. And, definitely order the truffle pasta; it is freakin’ delicious!
About a 20 minute walk south of Pink Mamma is Palais Garnier, Paris’s national Opera house. This opulent 19th-century building is known for its embellished interiors and astounding performances. Visitors can either visit the Opera with or without a tour guide. The guided tours last 90 minutes, so if you don’t have much time to spare you should consider doing it solo.
Just minutes away is Boulevard Haussmann is both Printemps and Galeries Lafayette. Printemps is a huge French department store with a rooftop cocktail bar and restaurant giving panoramic views of Paris. It’s an awesome spot to relax, drink a spritz, and break up the touring. When you’re re-energized, just down the street is Galeries Lafayette, the largest department store in France, where you’ll find renowned high-end shopping in a dome-shaped iconic architectural structure. Galeries Lafayette also has a terrace on the 8th floor free to guests which is another place to enjoy a breathtaking view of the capital.
Evening:
Cabaret at Moulin Rouge or Crazy Horse
Finish your time in Paris with an iconic burlesque show. If you are looking for a typical Parisian cabaret filled with can-can dancers and a lively atmosphere, then opt for the most famous show in Paris – Moulin Rouge. If you prefer a more sensual and erotic show made up of exclusively sexy, nude women, then Crazy Horse is the place to be!
Have more time? Check out the Palace of Versailles.
If you have more time, I would definitely use it to visit the Palace of Versailles. It is located about one hour from Paris by car or train. Expect to spend most of the morning and afternoon walking through this luxurious residence filled with exquisite artwork while learning about French history.
*If visiting Versailles is a top priority, I would replace it as the morning and afternoon of Day 3. Montmartre is an amazing neighborhood in Paris, but it is much further outside the city than many of the other districts.
