Are you visiting Paris for the first time and only have 3 days to spend in the capital? We have devised a course that allows you to visit as many attractions as possible while leaving time to enjoy the Parisian atmosphere.
Of course, with all the treasures that the city contains, it is impossible to see all the sights of Paris in just 3 days. That's why I propose different itineraries to visit the French capital, according to tastes and desires!
Paris in 3 days: Itinerary Day 1
Proposal 1: Tour Eiffel - Arc de Triomphe - Tour Montparnasse
Discover the Eiffel Tower and the Champs-de-Mars
The Eiffel Tower is a must when visiting Paris for the first time. There is no need to present her, she is the true symbol of the capital. A tip: with the metro get off at the station Trocadero. From the esplanade, the view is magnificent. You can reach the monument by crossing the Seine from the Iéna bridge.
Climb the Tower to enjoy the view of Paris. To save time and not queue, you can book your skip-the-line ticket online.
After visiting the Eiffel Tower you can walk along Champs de Mars, a must for any itinerary to visit Paris.
Activities close to the Eiffel Tower: The City of Architecture and Heritage, Musée de l'Homme, Musée du Quai Branly oppures Palais de Tokyo.
Visited the Arc de Triomphe
Built at the request of Napoleon Bonaparte in 1806, theArch of Triumph it overlooks the most beautiful avenue in the world: the Champs Elysees. You can take a walk on all sides of the monument to fully enjoy its beauty, or even climb to the top (skip-the-line ticket) from which the view is breathtaking. Then you can head to the Champs-Elysees e the chic boutique!
Activities near the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs Elysees: Place de la Concorde, Petit Palais, Grand Palais.
Tour di Montparnasse
The Montparnasse Tower, built in the early 70s, is the second tallest skyscraper in Paris. The view that Montparnasse Tower offers over the city is incomparable. Tickets can be booked online to access its 56th floor. From its terrace you can take beautiful shots
Activities near the Montparnasse Tower: the Montparnasse cemetery (where Guy de Maupassant is buried).
Proposta 2: Arco di Trionfo - Eiffel Tower - Montmartre - Sacré-Coeur
If after visiting the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower you do not want to stay long to visit the Champs-Elysées, you can spend the afternoon strolling through the streets of the Montmartre district.
The most famous area of the city is known for its typical steep streets. Day and night, this neighborhood teems with life! Highlight of the walk is the visit to the Sacred Heart and the magnificent view over Paris that can be enjoyed from its terraces.
Activities near Montmartre: he mercato Saint-Pierre, he museo di Montmartre, he Moulin Rouge, he Folie's Pigalle.
Paris in 3 days: Itinerary Day 2
Proposta 1: Museo del Louvre - Notre-Dame - Sainte Chapelle
Louvre
The Louvre Museum is probably the most beautiful museum in the world and one of the largest. The galleries, which in the past have seen the kings and queens of France, now house the greatest works of Antiquity, Middle Ages, Renaissance and Modern Times.
Obviously it is impossible to visit the entire museum in one day. We recommend that you focus on one or two departments that best match your tastes to be able to admire all the works. Louvre is another must-see on your itinerary to visit Paris.
Activities near the Louvre to include in your 3-day Paris itinerary: Museum of Decorative Arts, Jardin des Tuileries, Musée d'Orsay.
Catterdale of Notre-Dame
The cathedral made famous by Victor Hugo is a must-see when visiting Paris. The construction of the monument began in 1163 and ended in 1345.
You will have the opportunity to initially admire this masterpiece of Gothic art from the square, and then later inside, where the architecture is as breathtaking as outside. For a few euros more, you can visit the cathedral's treasury and its collection of historical liturgical objects or the crypt (online guided tour ticket).
* The appalling fire on April 15, 2019 caused extensive damage to the interior and exterior of the cathedral by destroying the cathedral spire and centuries-old roof. Fortunately, the overall structure and most of the works of art and religious relics kept inside have not reported significant damage.
Activities close to the Notre-Dame Cathedral: the booksellers along the banks of the Seine, the Latin Quarter, the Saint-Michel fountain, the Musée national du Moyen Âge and the thermal baths of Cluny.
Sainte-Chapelle
As long as you are in the vicinity of Notre-Dame do not miss the visit of Sainte-Chapelle (priority ticket here). Founded in the XNUMXth century by King Saint-Louis to house the relics of Christ, this “little” chapel located in the heart of the Palais de Justice is the hidden gem of Paris.
If the ground floor doesn't impress you like the grandiose Notre-Dame, wait until you go up to the first floor, where the walls are entirely made of stained glass, with a thousand colors shining in the sun. A treasure not to be missed!
There is also a combo ticket of the Sainte Chapelle + the Conciergerie if you want to visit the two places.
Proposal 2: The Pompidou Center - Le Marais - The Catacombs
Modern art at the Center Pompidou
Not far from Les Halles is the Georges Pompidou Center. This modern and contemporary art museum is famous not only for its bold architecture but also for the works of the greatest artists of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries it contains.
Even if you only visit Paris for a weekend, this is one of the must-see museums, both for its permanent and temporary exhibitions (skip-the-line ticket).
A walk in the Marais district
This emblematic district of Paris is a great place to spend an afternoon - you can find absolutely everything there! Small cafes and restaurants, trendy shops, museums and historical sites galore. The Marais is one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city.
You can visit the Place des Vosges, founded by Henry IV, the Carnavalet museum (ex villa di Madame de Sévigné), it Picasso museum (priority ticket online), la Victor Hugo's house...
The famous Catacombs of Paris
From the square Denfer-Rochereau, you will have the opportunity to visit the Catacombs of Paris. Old quarries in the Middle Ages, then ossuaries in the XNUMXth century, the Catacombs are surrounded by an aura of mysteries and legends.
Located 20 meters underground, about 1,7 kilometers of tunnels are open to visitors (skip-the-line ticket with audio guide), but they are only a small part of the existing network of tunnels that develops in different neighborhoods.
Paris in 3 days: Itinerary Day 3
Proposal 1: Versailles - Luxembourg Garden
Visit the Palace of Versailles
It's time to visit the Palace of Versailles. Using the RER C, the Palace of Versailles is not far from Paris and is truly worth a visit. Allow at least half a day to admire the castle and the Galeries des Glaces, but that's not all. A good part of the visit will also be dedicated to the gardens, the royal stables, the Grand Trianon ...
There are several tickets available to choose from to visit the Palace of Versailles:
Access to all areas + Audio guide
Access to all areas + Fountain Show or Musical Gardens
Entrance to the Palace + Audio guide
Skip The Line + Guided Tour
Ticket with direct access from Paris by bus and also by train.
Relax in the Luxembourg gardens
When returning from Versailles, why not finish the day quietly in other beautiful gardens? Dominated by the Luxembourg Palace, which now houses the Senate, the Luxembourg Park is a privileged place for Parisians who want to relax in its alleys and around its small lake.
The park also has the advantage of being located near some beautiful monuments of Paris, such as the Pantheon, but also the Luxembourg Museum, the beautiful biblioteca Sainte-Geneviève, or the famous Sorbonne.
Proposal 2: Père-Lachaise Cemetery - Cruise on the Seine
Père-Lachaise Cemetery
If after two days of exploring the streets of Paris you are tired enough then the Père-Lachaise cemetery is a good option for a leisurely stroll. This cemetery is particularly famous for the graves of characters who rest here.
You can pay homage to Molière, Balzac, La Fontaine, Oscar Wilde, Edith Piaf, Chopin, Yves Montand… and, of course, Jim Morrison, whose grave remains the most flowery in the whole cemetery.
Cruise on the Seine
If you are tired then the Seine cruise is a great option to rest while you continue to visit some of the most emblematic attractions of Paris! Several companies offer day or night cruises (you will find a wide selection on this site). It is also possible to have a drink or have lunch / dinner at the same time. A very nice way to end your weekend in Paris in style!
You might also like:
- Where to sleep in Paris: the best neighborhoods
- What to see in Paris, the best attractions
- How to visit the Palace of Versailles
