Is 3 Days Enough to Visit Paris?

Travel at your own pace

First things first: it’s important to consider your travel style and how you prefer to explore new cities:

• If you’re a fast-paced traveler who wants to see every famous monument and take plenty of pictures, you’ll want to create an efficient itinerary. With a little bit of organization, you can see most famous landmarks in 3 days.
• If you prefer to take your time and soak in the atmosphere, you'll want to think carefully about what’s most important to you. Focus your itinerary on what matters most, and don’t worry if you have to skip a few popular sites. Best to appreciate every bit of your stay, and not add too much to your list.

Overall, use your time wisely and don’t overthink it! You will for sure enjoy your stay in Paris!

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How to Build Your Itinerary

My pro tip to organize your stay: plan each day around one to two areas of the city. This will make planning less overwhelming and will help you avoid spending too much time in transport.

Here’s an example of a 3-day itinerary in Paris, designed to be both efficient and approachable. It’s all walkable, with options to take taxis, buses or métros along the way if you get tired. Of course, this is only a suggestion — adapt it to your interests and to your own pace.

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Day 1 – Paris Icons by the Seine

Morning

• Before going anywhere, I would recommend getting a metro card (or ”Pass Navigo”) at the nearest métro station, so that you can travel everywhere around the city without worry.
• Then, start with the Eiffel Tower. Whether you climb up or admire from below, you can soak in the views and stroll through the Champs de Mars gardens.
• Late morning: Embark on a 1-hour Seine cruise. Cruises depart from the foot of the Eiffel Tower and allow you to relax while enjoying the view of many Parisian monuments from the water.
  • Pro tip: morning is the best time to hop on a Seine cruise — less crowds and cheaper prices!
• Lunch : Food around the Eiffel Tower tends to be overpriced, so I would suggest having a big breakfast and enjoying a late lunch in a less touristy neighborhood.

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Afternoon

Stop by the 7th arrondissement for some local flavor and culture. Two great options:

• Musée d’Orsay : Impressionist treasures in a stunning former train station.
• Musée Rodin : an indoor-outdoor museum with a gorgeous sculpture garden (and not too many crowds!)
• Evening: Dinner in the Saint Germain des Prés area. Excellent area for people-watching!

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Day 2 – Montmartre & Hidden Paris

Morning

Start in Montmartre: Sacré-Cœur for the view, wander Place du Tertre and quiet backstreets.

• Late morning coffee: Break at a Montmartre café or bakery
• Lunch: As you’re heading to the covered passages next, I would recommend to eat lunch there. There are many excellent restaurants in the passages, and you will definitely enjoy your meal while admiring the architecture and atmosphere of those galleries.

Afternoon :

• Early afternoon: Explore the covered passages: Passage Jouffroy, Passage Verdeau, Passage des Panoramas. With their charming arcades, beautiful galleries, you will also enjoy the shops and tearooms in and old-world Paris charm.
• Late afternoon: Stroll into the Tuileries Gardens for some rest. Perfect spot to recharge before the evening.
• Evening: Night visit of the Louvre. The Louvre does late opening on Wednesday & Friday. The museum is quieter at night, and seeing the pyramid lit up adds magic.
  • My pro tip: make sure to secure tickets beforehand, as they can sell out weeks in advance (or book one of our tours, as tickets are included ;)
• Dinner : In France, restaurants typically don’t open before 7pm, so embrace the culture and have a late dinner! Many good brasseries and bistrots are within 10-15 minutes walking distance from the Louvre.

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Day 3 – Historic & Intellectual Paris (5th & 4th arrondissements)

Morning:

Start your day slowly by taking a stroll through the beautiful Luxembourg Gardens. Then walk through the historic Latin Quarter and work your way up to the Île de la Cité, the historic center of the city. The Île de la Cité is quite small, so you can walk through it quickly and see two notable monuments: Notre Dame and the Sainte Chapelle.

• Lunch: Eat at a crêperie or grab a sandwich on the quiet Ile Saint Louis, right next to Ile de la Cité.

Afternoon: Cross over the Seine to the Marais district for some history and shopping:

• Walk around Place des Vosges.
• Discover the many boutiques and vintage stores in the Marais’ narrow streets.
• Dinner : The Marais is full of trendy restaurants — make sure to make a reservation once you find a spot you like!

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Planning is key!

Paris offers so many possibilities — planning your itinerary can feel stressful! But don’t worry, with a little planning and perseverance, you can prepare for the perfect trip.

If you’d like to visit Paris in a way that’s designed around your pace, your passions, and your personality, we create private and fully customizable tours. Whether you’re into art, food, history, or shopping, we’ll tailor Paris to you. With a local guide, you’ll not only save time, but also discover stories and hidden gems you might have otherwise missed.

Take a look at our custom tours here →