Whether Paris represents “The City of Light”, the “City of Love”, neither, or something else entirely, it’s a great place to spend three days (or more!). As summer nears and crowds spike, we want you to be able to experience the best of what Paris has to offer, and it has quite a bit! So dive into our three-day guide to Paris.
If you’d like to know more just about our experiences in Paris, please check out one of our posts about our last trip there, our experience at the Louvre, or our visit to the Pantheon!
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Getting Around
Before delving too much into what to do in Paris, we’ll speak briefly about how to get around there. Despite being a large city, Paris is exceptionally walkable. Many of the major sites are within walking distance of each other (think 4-5 km maximum) with the exception of sites like the Palace of Versailles or The Basilica of Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre, which isn’t not walkable, but has some definite hills!
If walking isn’t your thing, however, Paris has an extensive metro system that will pretty much get you where you need to go. Uber is also an option and there are electric scooters available through an app, but the city of Paris is banning these public scooters, though at the time of writing, I could not find a date on which this goes into effect.
Overall, walking and Metro are your best options for getting around Paris, including to and from the airport and Versailles.
Day 1 – A Three-Day Guide to Paris
Paris has quite a few famous sites and places to see and explore. When we say a lot, we mean A LOT! You’ve certainly heard of several of these, from the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, the Palace of Versailles, Notre Dame (opening again soon!), and more! Like so many of the great cities of the world, you’ll certainly not see all of Paris in three days, but this is a great place to start. And for your first day (or any trip to Paris), you’d be remiss not to see the Louvre. Our three-day guide to Paris will make sure you hit the highlights!
The Louvre
Along with the Met, the Hermitage, the Guggenheim, British Museum, the Louvre is one of the best-known museums in the world, if not the most well-known. It is also incredibly large and has a ton to see. You can spend all day or several days here, so we’ll boil it down for you and hit the highlights.
Tickets
| Hours | 9:00 – 18:00 (Mon, Weds. Thurs, Sat, Sun; 9:00 – 21:45 Friday; closed Tuesdays |
| Cost | €22 |
| Tickets | Louvre Tickets |
We recommend booking tickets ahead of time and booking for an early time slot. You can purchase Louvre tickets, either individually or if you have a Paris city pass. Given the museum’s size, prices are unbelievably affordable! When buying tickets, be aware there is generally no outside food or drink allowed in, and there are limited places to eat in the museum itself, though you can maybe sneak in some snacks. The cafes are a little expensive, but not terrible in quality. It is France, after all, and even the bad stuff is still pretty good!
The Highlights
The Louvre has a lot to see. If you love history, there’s a plethora of historical artifacts. If art is your thing, they’ve got you covered. Want to see bits of palace and furniture? That’s there too! The Louvre does offer several guides for you to follow, depending on your interests. Let’s take a look at what we believe are the best to see in the Louvre.
- Mona Lisa – The Mona Lisa is by far the most famous piece in the museum by its most famous artist – Leonardo da Vinci. If you’ve never seen it, it’s not large, and there is a line to see it. Sometimes making the line can be quick, sometimes less so. For us, it was a “we’ve seen the Mona Lisa,” so let’s move on. We’ll leave this up to you!
- Where is it?: Denon Wing
- Virgin of the Rocks & John the Baptiste – Two other favorites of ours by da Vinci. These, like the Mona Lisa, are located in the same area of the museum, but in the main gallery and without the wait. If you’ve been on the internet, then you’ve definitely seen John the Baptiste as a meme. Personally, we recommend these over the Mona Lisa.
- Where is it?: Denon Wing
- Venus de Milo – Created by Alexandros of Antioch, this statue dates back to approximately 125 BCE. Most experts believe it represents Aphrodite, the goddess of Beauty though some would claim it is Amphitrite, the goddess of the sea. This statue is one of the most famous in the world, and it’s beautiful and worth seeing!
- Where is it?: Sully Wing
- The Winged Victory of Samothrace (the goddess of Victory – Nike) – While this statue is certainly not as well known as the Venus de Milo, it is of no less importance as part of Hellenistic Greek art. As the Goddess of Victory, Nike is one of the most unintentionally well-known Greek gods. We’ve all heard of the company Nike, which cleverly takes its name from this Greek Goddess.
- Where is it?: The Daru Staircase – Denon Wing
- French Crown Jewels – These are some of the most stunning pieces I’ve seen in a museum. Pure opulence, they radiate with the remnants of the Revolution and Napoleon’s rule thereafter. They’re also located in one of the most beautiful rooms, in our opinion, in the entire museum, with its gorgeous fresco ceilings and parkade floors.
- Where is it?: Galerie d’Apollon, Denon Wing
- Hammurabi’s Code – As we are history teachers, one of the most impressive pieces in the Louvre is Hammurabi’s Code. One of the first written codices to be discovered (though undoubtedly the most famous), this code still stands the test of time. If you’ve ever heard the phrase “an eye for an eye,” you’ve referenced Hammurabi’s Code.
- Where is it?: Ground floor of the Richelieu Wing
These are just a sampling of what you can see in the Louvre and some of our favorite pieces. Again, the Louvre is a MASSIVE museum; it takes more than a day to see it all. However, if you are in Paris for only a short time, we recommend seeing the highlights and not spending the entire day there. Paris is so much more than this museum, but it’s also worth ensuring you don’t miss it! When you’re done, step out to see the lovely gardens – the Tuileries surrounding the Louvre!
The Arc de Triomphe and the Tuileries
After exiting the Louvre, your best bet is to head northwest through the Tuileries, towards the Place de la Concorde, and down the Ave de Champs-Élysées.
The Tuileries
This massive garden and park are found directly in front of the Louvre. They are perfect for a summertime stroll. You can see the beautifully manicured gardens, stroll through shade-covered paths, sit down, and have a crepe, a glass of French wine, or both!
After strolling down through the Tuileries, you’ll make your way down the Champs-Élysées, one of Paris’ most famous streets and perfect for those wanting some high-end shopping. As you head down the avenue, you’ll come to the Arc de Triomphe.
Arc de Triomphe
Officially called The Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile (meaning the star), it was commissioned by Napoleon after winning the battle at Austerlitz. It stands at the west end of the Champs-Élysées, where twelve different streets form to meet it (the star).
The Arc de Triomphe is, like the Eiffel Tower, one of Paris’ most well-known monuments and is well worth a visit or a stroll by when you’re in Paris. You can head up to the viewing deck there if you’re so inclined as well. Arc de Triomphe tickets are €13 and you’ll need a reservation!
That’s probably enough for your first day as again, the Louvre alone could take someone days and days and days to truly get through. We, however, recommend seeing the highlights or researching ahead of time to see what you might not want to miss. For only a three-day guide to Paris, we recommend seeing the Louvre but leaving an in-depth visit for later.
Day Two – A Three-Day Guide to Paris
For day two of your three-day guide to Paris, we recommend you hit the biggest of Paris’ landmarks – the Eiffel Tower, as well as a few smaller ones. Day two activities, however, DO require purchasing tickets in advance for at least two of them. Let’s start, however, with the Eiffel Tower.
The Eiffel Tower
I’m unsure if there’s a more famous monument in the world. While you may choose to not go up, you’d certainly be remiss if you didn’t at least see the Eiffel Tower. As such, it has to be included in our three-day guide to Paris!
The Eiffel Tower was built in 1889 as part of the World’s Fair (other world attractions were also built for World’s Fairs such as the Space Needle in Seattle!). Built by Gustav Eiffel, it was the world’s tallest structure for a time and immediately became a world icon.
Visiting the Eiffel Tower can take planning as you’ll need tickets in advance if you’d like to go up. Should you choose to go up, you can opt for the elevator (a much longer wait) or take the stairs.
You can also decide whether you’d prefer to go up during the day or at night. Personally, we recommend arriving during the day to get shots of the tower while it’s light out, but going up at night to get a great view of Paris after the sun goes down. There are other great places to see Paris during the day. Your day-two itinerary will be dependent on when you choose to go up, so feel free to modify it as necessary.
If you choose to walk up, the stairs can be a lot, but you’ll have plenty of space to maneuver so you’ll have space to stop and rest if you want, but the rewards are well worth it!
| Hours | 9:30 – 23:00 |
| Cost | €18.80 (2nd floor w/elevator access), €29.40 (Top floor w/elevator access), €11.80 (2nd Floor w/stair access), €22.40 (Top floor w/stair access) |
| Tickets | Eiffel Tower Tickets |
Sainte-Chapelle
After (or before) the Eiffel Tower depending on when you choose to go visit, the next item on your list for day two should be Sainte-Chapelle. This gothic-style church was built in the 13th century and sits right next to Paris’ Palace of Justice so security is tight. It is reputed to hold important reliquaries of the Christian era, such as fragments of the Cross and the Crown of Jesus Christ. Some of these have moved to Notre Dame, but not all.
This small church (only two small floors) is absolutely stunning thanks to its stained glass windows. As the light comes through the windows, the church lights up and you immediately feel as though you’ve been transported back in time. Personally, I recommend wearing headphones and listening to choral music, but that’s just a personal preference!
You can visit Sainte Chapelle by purchasing an €11 ticket and it does require getting them in advance as they are timed tickets. Touring the church does not take long so after visiting Sainte-Chapelle, we recommend you head over to the Pantheon.
| Hours | 9:00 – 19:00 (April 1 – Sept. 30); 9:00 – 17:00 (Oct. 1 – March 31) |
| Cost | €13 |
| Tickets | Timed Tickets for Sainte-Chapelle |
The Pantheon
The Pantheon, once a church, then a temple to the country of France, then a church, then a Temple, this monument stands and holds much of France’s history. Inside you can find monuments to the French Revolution including an amazing pendulum designed and built by Leon Foucault to show the rotation of the earth. The highlight of the Pantheon, however, is in the crypt. Equivalent to Westminster Abbey in London, the Pantheon holds France’s most distinguished people. The Pantheon is a must-see in Paris and as such, is in our three-day guide to Paris!
Below in the crypt, you’ll find people such as Victor Hugo, Rene Descartes, Madame Curie, Voltaire, Rousseau, and many others. It is worthwhile to see the tombs of giants in the fields of science, politics, literature, and so much more.
We’d suggest about an hour for the Pantheon as the Crypt, while extremely interesting, isn’t overly time-consuming. You don’t need a scheduled time to go either!
| Hours | 10:00 – 18:30 (April 1 – Sept. 30); 10:00 – 18:00 (Oct. 1 – March 31) |
| Cost | €13 |
| Tickets | Pantheon Tickets (You can also purchase combo tickets for the Pantheon/Catacombs for a reduced rate – Combo Tickets) |
After you’ve finished at the Pantheon, we recommend heading for a short stroll down to the Luxembourg Gardens. There are plenty of places to stop and have a glass of wine and some antipasti or to make your way to the gardens themselves.
Luxembourg Gardens
Located only about 600 meters from the Pantheon, the Luxembourg Gardens sit right next to the Luxembourg Palace (home of the French Senate). It is a popular spot with locals, even in the middle of winter, to sit and soak up the green and sun. This garden dates back to the early 17th Century having been commissioned by Marie de’ Medici, the widow of Henry IV.
It is worthwhile to sit and soak up the sun and immerse yourself in another form of French relaxation!
After a bit of relaxation and either to end your day (or before heading to the Eiffel Tower), if you have time make your way to the Paris Catacombs.
Paris Catacombs
The Paris Catacombs is a sprawling complex of underground tombs. These catacombs hold the remains of over 6 million French inhabitants and the tunnels extend all over Paris. This particular area is around 20 meters deep and covers approximately 1.5 kilometers. Visiting the catacombs might seem morbid, but it’s a fascinating piece of history, dating back over 1500 years. If you’re in Paris during the summer, it’s also a chance to escape the heat.
These catacombs are a place for solemn reflection, not somewhere to be loud and obnoxious but to think back on the history of the city and the people you’re wandering. You’ll see plenty of bones all stacked nice and neat, some into interesting designs.
This is an obscure sight to see in Paris, but one that doesn’t, in my opinion, get enough attention. It’s a fascinating part of the “City of Light” in so much as you could call it the “City of Death”.
The Paris Catacombs encourage you to have reservations and book online. It’s a short 20-minute walk from the Luxembourg Gardens and I promise that while you might be creeped out, you won’t be disappointed!
| Hours | 9:45 – 20:30 Tuesdays through Sundays |
| Cost | €29 with an audio guide |
| Tickets | Paris Catacomb Tickets (You can also purchase combo tickets for the Pantheon/Catacombs for a reduced rate – Combo Tickets) |
This is either a creepy ending to your day two or a great set-up for you to go and see the Eiffel Tower. After day two, get some rest and prepare for your final day in Paris!
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Day Three – A Three-Day Guide to Paris
For your final day in Paris, we recommend a few final sights including the Sacre Coeur in Montemarte, Moulin Rouge, and the Musee d’Orsay. For your last day, we’ve still planned a few big sights, but less time overall so you can stroll, enjoy the city or catch up on other sights you might want to see or maybe missed.
Sacre Coeur
You’re probably noticing that Notre Dame has been left off our guide, well that’s because it’s still closed, though it’s set to open in 2024 (if it does, we’ll revise this guide for sure!). As Notre Dame is currently closed though, Sacre Coeur is a lovely substitute for more than one reason. We recommend you start your third day either before daybreak and head to this church for the sunrise (a la John Wick 4 if you’ve seen it) or simply wait until later in the day.
While not particularly old, it was finished in 1914 and consecrated in 1919, it stands atop a hill in Paris’ Montemarte (18th arrondissement). This Catholic church is splendid for its beautiful architectural style and white facade as well as its interior. However, its main draw, in our opinion, is the views that they provide. If, for some reason, you don’t get the opportunity to go up the Eiffel Tower, then visiting Sacre Coeur is a very good substitute.
Tickets are…not needed! The church is open from 6:30 am to 10:30 pm every day so, as we mentioned, a great place to start or end your day as the views are wonderful!
After leaving Sacre Coeur, if you’re feeling like walking, head down to Rue Muller and look for an Argentine restaurant called La Porteña that serves amazing empanadas! We don’t often recommend places to eat on our blog as I feel taste is a very personal preference and restaurants have such a tendency to open and close so quickly. However, we are recommending this place as its very nearby and very easy to grab and take a stroll!
After your empanadas keep walking until you make your way to the famous…Moulin Rouge!
Moulin Rouge!
You’ve surely heard of Moulin Rouge and possibly seen the movie. Though as I type this, I am realizing just how long ago that film was released so perhaps not everyone has seen it, but if you’ve not, it’s quite good though sad. The Moulin Rouge is famous, perhaps the most famous cabaret in the world noted for creating the can-can dance (seriously, watch the movie, brilliant even if you don’t enjoy Baz Luhrmann as a director).
Today, you can still watch shows at the Moulin Rouge, just be sure to book ahead of time and know that the price is not cheap! Prices can run anywhere from €88 up to €243 depending on whether you want to see a show or have a dinner and which package you choose. Prices can also range far higher if you’re interested in seeing a holiday show such as those at Christmas or Valentine’s.
Either way, a quick chance to see the famous Moulin Rouge is, in our opinion, quite cool! After peeking at the windmill, you’ll hit the last activity for the day that we have planned, the Musee d’Orsay.
Musee d’Orsay
Unlike its big and more well-known brother the Louvre, the Musee d’Orsay does not dabble in history, but almost strictly in modern art dating back, on average, from the mid-19th century to the mid-20th. You can find plenty of van Gogh, Gaugin, Rodin, Monèt, and so many more. This is perhaps the museum for works of modern art from the greatest of their ear. It has far more than MoMA in New York (though that features far more contemporary art) and is easily accessible by all.
Also unlike its more famous brother, the Musee d’Orsay is far smaller. We think an hour is plenty of time to stroll and see, but you are certainly welcome to take more time. If you happen to be there on the first Sunday of the month, the museum is free to all (with a reservation). Beyond that reservations are recommended, though you can buy at the window but risk not getting any tickets.
| Hours | 9:30 – 18:30 (Tuesdays – Sundays); Late openings on Thursday until 21:45; Closed every Monday; 1st Sunday of each month is free for all |
| Cost | €16 pre-booked reservations; €13 if you buy at the window (might have to queue to enter or possibly no tickets available) |
| Tickets | Musee d’Orsay Tickets |
With the Musee d’Orsay done and in hand, you’re free to roam the streets. As always, this is just a quick three-day guide to Paris and there is much to see and do that we did not include. We are believers in slow travel, but seeing a city like Paris in three days can be overwhelming and stressful, as you have to see it all. As such, we’ll include below a list of other sites to switch out, add in, or go for if you don’t enjoy our suggestions!
Other Sights – Three-Day Guide to Paris
There are SO many things to see and do in Paris, so if you’re only there a short time remind yourself and know that you won’t get to see it all or get a true feel for the city. Here is a list of a few big-ticket sights and things to do that we did not include in our guide.
- Notre Dame – Perhaps the most famous church in the world, this beautiful cathedral nearly burned to the ground back in 2019. Luckily, the flames were stopped and restoration has been underway since. They’ve made a few discoveries in the process and we highly recommend adding this cathedral as part of your Paris to-do list once it reopens in 2024 (if that goes according to plan).
- The Palace of Versailles – We did not include this in our three-day guide as it takes up nearly an entire day in and of itself. Should you want to visit this magnificent, sprawling palace, you can take the train out there. Know that it is a large palace and there is a fair bit to see both inside the palace itself and the enormous grounds. There are not nearly as many places to eat in the vicinity, so be prepared to have to look a bit harder to eat or head back into the city.
- The Bastille – Admittedly the actual Bastille is gone and all that remains is a monument, but it was an important part of France’s history, in particular the Revolution. It’s easy to get to and there are some great little restaurants around there.
- Seine River Tours – If river tours are your thing, you can take a short river cruise on the River Seine with dinner, drinks, or both. There are plenty of options, but admittedly this is something we’ve only seen people do, not done ourselves so rider beware!
- Victor Hugo House – The Victor Hugo House/Museum is a fascinating short trip into the life of the prolific writer of Les Miserables and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Inside, you’ll see an insight into his life as well as some artwork including sculptures by Rodin. Entrance is free and the museum is small enough to be completed in 20-30 minutes.
- Rodin Museum – This small museum and grounds are quite gorgeous and house many of Rodin’s sculptures including his famous ‘Thinker’ (though my favorite is the Gate to Hell). Plan for about 30-60 minutes here depending on your stroll time. The entrance fee is €13.
- Marché des Enfants Rouges – This is a HUGE covered market where you can buy all kinds of amazing food. If you’re hungry, you will almost definitely find something amazing to eat here!
- Wandering – We find there are few cities in the world, better suited to just wandering the streets and finding cafes, restaurants, and more than Paris. You’ll always find something you enjoy!
- Lastly, Lonely Planet has a great article on some of the best things to see and do in Paris. Check out the link here: 16 of the Best Things to Do In Paris.
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