Brimming over with romance and history, Paris is a traveller’s paradise. The City of Lights dazzles visitors with sights and experiences that have long established it as a doyen of art, culture, architecture, and cuisine. Three days in Paris gives you ample time and opportunity to score things off your bucket list – from visiting the Eiffel Tower to setting your eyes on the Monalisa at the Louvre, exploring the dark and bone-riddled interiors of the catacombs, and getting your heart racing at the Cabaret. This itinerary is the perfect way to spend 3 days in Paris!
3 days in Paris – An overview
Paris in 3 days – A detailed itinerary
A slice of quintessential Paris
Eiffel Tower
Seine Sightseeing Cruise
Centre Pompidou
Kickstart your Paris trip with a visit to its most recognised landmark – the Eiffel Tower. During the day, the soaring Tower which is 330 metres tall, offers you a chance to admire it from close quarters. Its intricate, lattice-like pattern, crafted from over 7000 tonnes of wrought iron, is, even today, a lesson in design and engineering. Some estimates indicate that an average of 25,000 visitors make their way up the 19th-century Tower every day - to look out to the city and check off Paris’ most quintessential experience from their bucket list.
- Views of the Eiffel Tower by day and by night are entirely different. Make sure to carve out some time at night (on any of the 3 days) to experience the lit-up Eiffel Tower by night.
- The elevator lines are pretty long, so we recommend you take the stairs to save time.
- Consider reserving a prepaid ticket to skip the tiring ticket line.
Taking off from the waters close to the Eiffel Tower, the Seine River Cruise is the perfect activity to follow your visit to the monument. The hour-long cruise is also the ideal way to get to know Paris and its leading landmarks. Typically, the boats go by iconic sites like Assemblee Nationale, Musee d'Orsay, Institut de France, Pantheon, Cite de la Mode, Hotel de Ville, Notre Dame, Conciergerie, and more.
Perhaps most often recognised for its oddly structured building, Centre Georges Pompidou is a must-visit in Paris for quirk lovers. It holds a vast collection of modern art that will leave you dumbfounded, and more importantly, inspired. It also houses a massive library (about 500,000 books) and can accommodate up to 2,000 reads at a time. You'll also find 50,000 artworks, including sculptures, drawings, photography, and paintings. Head over to its rooftop terrace for panoramic views of the city.
- We highly recommend you buy your tickets ahead of time and online as the attraction sees a high volume of visitors each day.
- The best time to visit would be any time after 4pm when the evening rush begins to die down.
- Don’t miss the Le George restaurant on the 6th floor that promises a meal with a view.
Where history meets culture
Versailles Day Trip
Paris Cabaret
Make your way to the Parisian suburb of Versailles and visit France’s most famous palace. Built by Louis XIV, the Palace of Versailles speaks of grandeur and has over the centuries maintained its royal panache. Set amidst lavish gardens and expansive fountains, you can spend a few hours touring the Palace’s salons and apartments which are covered in mythological-themed paintings and portraits. There are also the gilded private quarters of the royals and the Hall of Mirrors – a lavish corridor adorned with frescoes and chandeliers. The Palace is also fitted with an ornate chapel, a gleaming opera featuring many galleries, and a museum dedicated to France’s history.
- Start early from Paris so that you can make the most of your trip to Versailles and enjoy it at a leisurely pace.
- The attraction is closed on Mondays so plan your trip accordingly.
- This is one of the most-visited monuments in France so expect huge crowds – the smaller areas of the palace, like the private rooms, can feel especially claustrophobic.
- If you are taking the train up here, from Paris, then, the station is a walk away and you’ll have to make your way through the town to reach the grounds of the Palace.
- The Palace of Versailles and its surrounding grounds are expansive make sure you are wearing comfortable clothes and shoes on your trip here.
- Make sure you book your tickets in advance to avoid the hassle of waiting in long queues.
After all the heavy sightseeing, it's time to head back to Paris for a night of excitement and debauchery. Take your pick of the many cabaret venues in Paris and attend a fun show! Choose from Moulin Rouge situated in the heart of the lively Montmartre district, Crazy Horse - one of Paris’ racier cabarets, Le Lido - located at Champs-Elysees best-known for its burlesque and cabaret shows or Paradis Latin, the oldest cabaret in Paris and a temple of the performing arts. Sip on a glass of champagne and delight in a delicious dinner while witnessing the French can-can come to life in a colourful explosion of costumes, decorations and dazzling set designs.
A walk to remember
Louvre
Arc De Triomphe
Paris Catacombs
Start your last day in Paris at the biggest and arguably most famous museum in the world - The Louvre Museum. Reach its vast courtyard that’s marked by its modern glass pyramid with the stately facade of the museum in the background. Truth be told, you can spend years at the Louvre and still not visit all of its prized collections that range from brilliant artefacts from ancient civilisations, marble sculptures from Greece, Islamic art and stellar paintings by European masters, including, Da Vinci’s unforgettable Mona Lisa.
- For the not-so-early-risers, we recommend switching up this attraction with a visit to the Catacombs as the museum gets unbearably busy.
- It is best to chart your visit according to a map of the museum, as it is nearly impossible to cover every exhibit of the Louvre.
- If you are not fluent in French, it is best to pick up an audio guide to help navigate your way through the museum.
- Standing around in queues – from getting into the museum waiting for a vacant loo – is very common at the Louvre, so make sure you bring with you a fair share of patience.
Your next stop for the day is Arc de Triomphe. Another of Paris’ best-known monuments, the Arc de Triomphe stands tall at the western end of the famous Champs Élysées. The arch honours those who fought valiantly and died during the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars. With names of military soldiers engraved on its walls, the magnificent centrepiece is one of the biggest arches in the world. Visitors can benefit from a panoramic view of Paris from atop this monument during the day and night. There is also a museum within the arch that retraces the history of Arc de Triomphe which is a must-visit for those who are interested in getting to know Paris intimately.
- Fancy a Louis Vuitton handbag? An Hermes scarf? The Champs-Élysées sidewalks are littered with stores: from designer label goods to French souvenirs, you'll find them all.
- Most people prefer walking through Champs-Élysées, but you can also hop on a public bus or ride a taxi to get around.
- The Arc de Triomphe has one of the best views of the Eiffel Tower, so make sure to carry your camera for plenty of photo ops.
Descend into darkness and wander on the side of the eerie as you visit Paris’ spookiest attraction. The Catacombs of Paris are a series of underground tunnels and ossuaries lined with the skulls and skeletal remains of over 6 million people. In the late 18th century when Parisian cemeteries found themselves overwhelmed, the catacombs were fashioned from old stone quarries to accommodate the dead. Today, brave visitors can stop by to tour these bone-studded rooms and passageways to give a unique twist to your holiday in Paris.
- Keep a flashlight handy as the tunnels can be dark.
- It is advisable to wear covered shoes or boots as the quarry turns mucky during the rains.
- Show up at least 20 to 30 minutes beforehand so that you can navigate the long lines with ease.
- Bag checks are the norm here so that visitors don’t sneak off with the bones.
- If you feel claustrophobic, then, this experience is not for you as the narrow tunnels crowded with people can feel easily overwhelming.
- Wheelchair access is not available in most areas.
More Paris itinerary options?
Read more about how to spend 1 day in Paris if you're short on time or 5 days in Paris if you're planning a longer trip to the City of Lights!
More Paris Guides
Here are a few detailed guides that will help you plan your trip to Paris better.
Where to stay in Paris?
The City of Lights has long been a tourist favourite, attracting millions of visitors each year. So, accommodation options are innumerable and you can find places that suit your budget – whether it is humble or extravagant. However, if you are keen not to overspend, make sure you book your hotel and stay options well in advance since they sell out quickly in this tourist-heavy city.
Budget hotels:
Mid-range hotels:
- Hotel Best Western Anjou Lafayette
- Hôtel Du Bois Champs-Elysées
- Montfleuri
- Hotel Terminus Lyon
- PLEY Hotel
- Hôtel Alfred Sommier
- La Clef Tour Eiffel Paris
- Maison Albar Hotels Le Pont-Neuf
- Maison Bréguet
- Sofitel Paris Le Faubourg
More tips and hacks to make the most of your 3 days in Paris
- If you want to make the most of Paris’ outstanding sights, we recommend you be an early bird in Paris. Start early and get into museums and other places as the doors open so that you don’t end up waiting for endless hours (this happens more often than you think).
- When travelling on public transport, make sure you stay out of people’s way and give people their space. Parisians don’t like to be jostled and you will benefit from being a bit mindful.
- Mind your manners and ensure you say “Bonjour”, “Merci” or “S'il Vous Plait” when interacting with Parisians.
- Keep your belongings safe and don’t walk around with too much cash as tourist-heavy places are popular haunts for pickpocketers.
- Parisians usually linger over their meals so make sure you ask for the bill when you are done at a restaurant or café.
- Paris is home to culinary gems and award-winning restaurants. If you plan on a meal at one of these establishments, then, we recommend you make reservations weeks in advance.
FAQs
When you have three days in Paris, we recommend you visit its most famous attractions like the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, and the Catacombs of Paris and also sign up for special cultural-themed outings like the Paris Cabaret.
Paris is a leading force on the world’s culinary scene and is home to some of the world’s best restaurants. High-end restaurants like Loulou, L’Avenue, Girafe, and Le Clarence are all must-visits if you are a food connoisseur. The city is also home to countless neighbourhood bistros, bars and bakeries that serve up delicious everyday fare.
Champs-Élysées is perhaps France’s best-known shopping avenue. The glittery street is home to coveted designer labels. However, for more pocket-friendly shopping, we recommend local department stores like Le Bon Marché and a stop by the local pharmacy for great skincare finds. The city is also home to many artisan workshops, charming bookstores, and boutiques that offer unique finds.
The City of Lights surely does come alive after sunset! On a trip here, you can spend your evenings gazing at the twinkling Eiffel Tower, cruising down the Seine, attending Paris cabaret, or enjoying a night out at one of the many clubs that stud the Le Marais neighbourhood.
On a holiday in Paris, you choose to stay in the neighbourhoods of Belleville, Montmartre, Pigalle, Le Marais, or Saint-Germain-des-Prés to have the best experience.
