3 Days in Paris: The Perfect Paris Itinerary for First-Timers

Three days in Paris is just enough time to see the city’s biggest sights, explore a few of its most beautiful neighborhoods, and even squeeze in a trip to Versailles. In this 3-day Paris itinerary, you’ll visit the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle, Musée d’Orsay, Montmartre, and Arc de Triomphe, with a half-day visit to Versailles on the final day.

This is a busy itinerary, but we’ve organized the sights to minimize unnecessary travel time and leave some room for the things that make Paris so enjoyable: walking along the Seine, lingering over a meal, eating a crêpe, and simply taking in the city.

We’ve visited Paris four times, and with each trip we’ve learned a little more about what is worth your time, what needs to be booked in advance, and how much you can realistically fit into one day. This itinerary brings together what we’ve learned from those trips and is the route we recommend for a first visit to Paris.

Our Paris Experiences

We’ve visited Paris four times, and every trip has been different. Our first visit was also our first trip to Europe. We later returned with our kids, visited again when they were teenagers, and most recently traveled to Paris as a couple, with a bigger budget to spend on hotels, restaurants, and special experiences.

Those four trips have given us the chance to experience Paris with different travel styles, ages, and budgets, as well as revisit many of its most famous sights. On those trips, we’ve visited the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and Versailles multiple times. We used those experiences to put together this itinerary, with a focus on seeing the highlights without spending your entire trip racing from one attraction to the next.

Updated September 2026: We revised this itinerary after our fourth trip to Paris. Day 1 now starts at the Louvre, using the morning route we tested on our most recent visit, and finishes at the Eiffel Tower. We also updated Notre-Dame and its newly reopened towers, Versailles and museum pricing, Paris Museum Pass and transportation information, and the Day 3 afternoon options.

Is 3 Days in Paris Enough Time?

Yes, three days is enough time to see the highlights of Paris, as long as you are comfortable with a fairly busy itinerary. In three full sightseeing days, you can visit the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Notre-Dame, Musée d’Orsay, Montmartre, Arc de Triomphe, and several historic neighborhoods, plus spend part of one day at Versailles.

This itinerary assumes you have three full days in Paris. If you arrive on the morning of Day 1 or leave during Day 3, I recommend skipping Versailles or removing one of the major sights rather than trying to squeeze everything into less time.

Tuileries Garden and the Louvre. We took this photo from our hotel room at Hotel Brighton.

3 Days in Paris at a Glance

This itinerary gives you three full days in Paris and includes the city’s essential sights, several of our favorite neighborhoods, and a half-day trip to Versailles. It’s a busy itinerary, particularly the first two days, but the sights are grouped geographically to limit unnecessary travel time.

Day 3 is the most flexible day of this itinerary. You can spend the entire day at Versailles, or visit the palace and gardens in the morning and return to Paris for one more experience in the afternoon. Later in this guide, we give you several options depending on your interests.

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Paris Itinerary Day 1: Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe

Bonjour! Today you get to visit some of Paris’ biggest and most iconic sites. Start at the Louvre and then work your way west through the heart of the city, visiting the Tuileries Garden, Place de la Concorde, Champs-Élysées, and Arc de Triomphe. Finish the day at the Eiffel Tower.

We used to recommend starting this itinerary at the Eiffel Tower and visiting the Louvre around midday. After our most recent trip to Paris, we’ve reversed the order. Tim and I revisited the Louvre first thing in the morning and developed a self-guided walking route through the museum that works extremely well at this time of day. Starting at the Louvre also creates a more logical route through Paris, with less backtracking.

Ending at the Eiffel Tower has its advantages, too. If your timing works out, you can visit around sunset, which we did on our most recent trip and really enjoyed. But we don’t think sunset is a must-do, so don’t worry if an earlier or later time works better with your ticket availability.

Finishing here also gives you several memorable ways to end your first day in Paris. You can have dinner at Madame Brasserie or Jules Verne, enjoy a drink on the Eiffel Tower before heading elsewhere for dinner, or simply take in the views before spending the evening in another part of Paris.

9:00 am: The Louvre

The Louvre is the world’s largest art museum. This building was once the home to French Kings, including Louis XIV. During the French Revolution in the 18th century, the Louvre was converted to a museum.

Start your day when the Louvre opens. The museum is enormous, and trying to see everything would take days, so we recommend focusing on the highlights.

On our most recent visit, Tim and I spent a day testing and refining a walking route through the Louvre that connects many of its most famous works in an efficient order. This is the route we recommend following on this itinerary. It includes the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory of Samothrace, Venus de Milo, Napoleon III Apartments, and many more of the museum’s must-see works.

The Louvre

We took this photo of the Apollo Gallery on our most recent visit to the Louvre.

Plan on spending anywhere from one to five hours in the Louvre. I know that’s a big range, but it is possible to see just a few highlights in about an hour (perfect for those who aren’t museum lovers but want to see the Mona Lisa). Two to three hours is ideal, because there are a lot of great things to see beyond the main highlights.

We really enjoy visiting the rooms with ancient artifacts, from Egypt and Mesopotamia. With even more time, visit Napoleon III’s apartments and other rooms filled with works of art. Our walking tour explains exactly how to do all of this.

In our guide How to Visit the Louvre, we cover the essential paintings, sculptures, and historical artifacts to see, plus lots of important tips on how to have the best experience. We also have a walking tour that quickly and efficiently gets you to the highlights and then goes deeper into the Louvre, if you have more time. Check it out ↓

The Louvre

Best Way to Visit the Louvre: Walking Tour to the Top Sights Plus Printable eBook

Everything you need to know to see the best of the Louvre and have a great experience.

12:00 pm: Tuileries Garden & Angelina

From the Louvre, walk through the Tuileries Garden to Place de la Concorde. This is one of the prettiest walks in central Paris and naturally connects the Louvre with the Champs-Élysées.

Hopefully you worked up a bit of an appetite because now it’s time for a little indulgence. Sitting across Rue de Rivoli from the Tuileries Garden is Angelina. Angelina is famous for its hot chocolate and pastries, but they also serve sandwiches and salads. This is a good lunch option with many more restaurants lining the Champs-Élysées.

Hot Chocolate at Angelina’s

1:30 pm: Place de la Concorde

From Angelina, stroll through Tuileries Garden or along the Rue de Rivoli to Place de la Concorde. This famous square is full of French history. This was the spot during the French Revolution where King Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette and Robespierre were executed by guillotine.

2:00 pm: Champs-Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe

From Place de la Concorde, continue toward the Arc de Triomphe along the Champs-Élysées. The Champs-Élysées is one of the most recognizable streets in the world. It is famous as the finish line of the Tour de France and the location of the Bastille Day military parade. Restaurants, shops, and theaters line the Champs-Élysées. It has a touristy feel, but it’s still worth the stroll.

Champs-Élysées

Along the way, if you want another French treat, consider stopping into Laduree for macarons.

PRO TRAVEL TIP: From Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe, it is a 2.3 km (1.4 mile) walk. You can walk the entire length of the Champs-Élysées or shorten the walk by taking line 1 on the metro from Concorde to Franklin D. Roosevelt or George V.

3:00 pm: Arc de Triomphe

It’s time to take in the view from the mighty Arc de Triomphe. This is my favorite view of Paris. There’s just something about looking down the Champs-Élysées to the Louvre, out to La Defense, and of course, having the wonderful view of the Eiffel Tower.

While on top of the Arc, look straight down. You are standing at one of the world’s largest round-abouts, where twelve avenues come together. Watching the cars navigate this circle is very entertaining.

View from the Arc de Triomphe

Champs-Élysées from the Arc de Triomphe

Hours: April 1 to September 30: Wednesday to Monday, 10 am to 11 pm; Tuesdays, 11 am to 11 pm. October 1 to March 31: Wednesday to Monday, 10 am to 10:30 pm; Tuesdays, 11 am to 10:30 pm. Last admission is 45 minutes before closing. Get updated hours here.
Cost: Adults €22 (April to September); €16 on Wednesdays and from October to March. 17 and under are free, along with 18–25 year-olds who are EU nationals or legal residents of France. Included on the Museum Pass. Click here to purchase a skip the line ticket on GetYourGuide.
Closest metro station: Charles de Gaulle Étoile, lines 1, 2, and 6, plus RER A.

4:30 pm: Eiffel Tower

Finish your first day at the Eiffel Tower.

If your timing works out, sunset is a beautiful time to be here. On our most recent trip to Paris, we visited the Eiffel Tower at sunset and loved watching the city transition from daylight into evening.

However, we don’t consider sunset essential. Eiffel Tower tickets can be difficult to get for specific time slots (sunset is especially tough to get, and we ended up taking a tour), so we recommend choosing the time that works best with your itinerary rather than planning your entire day around sunset. A late-afternoon or evening visit works very well with this itinerary.

The cheapest way to visit the Eiffel Tower is to purchase your tickets online in advance on the official website, but these tend to sell out almost as soon as they become available (60 days in advance). If they are sold out, we recommend this skip the line tour, which costs just slightly more than the ticket cost. We took this same tour and had a great experience.

Is the 3rd Level Worth It? In our opinion, the second level is sufficient. The views of Paris are amazing and you don’t have to spend more money (about €10 extra) or more time (adding on the summit adds 45 minutes to 2 hours to your visit, depending on how long the line is for the elevator to the third floor).

We took this photo from the third floor (the summit)

View from the second floor of the Eiffel Tower

We took this photo of the Eiffel Tower from the Trocadéro at sunset.

Evening: Dinner & Drinks

While on the Eiffel Tower, you have the option to have dinner. We had lunch at Madame Brasserie, which is on the first level. It’s a little pricey, but the food is good and there is something special about dining on the Eiffel Tower. Jules Verne is a Michelin-starred restaurant on the second level that is superb. Both of these will need advance reservations.

Beyond the Eiffel Tower, your options are endless. Paris is filled with rooftop bars and restaurants with a view of the city, quaint sidewalk cafes, and fine dining restaurants.

For recommendations on where to eat and drink, check out our guides to the Rooftop Restaurants and Bars in Paris and 10 Foods to Eat in Paris (and where to get them).

Some of our favorite places to eat are Les Ombres (an upscale French restaurant with an incredible view of the Eiffel Tower), Langosteria (an upscale Italian restaurant with a view of Pont Neuf and the Seine River), and if you want the experience of dining on the Eiffel Tower, Madame Brasserie or Le Jules Verne.

L’Oiseau Blanc

For an amazing culinary experience with a view of Paris, take a look at L’Oiseau Blanc, a 2-star Michelin restaurant with a fantastic view of the Eiffel Tower.

You also have the option to take a Seine River cruise. There are sunset cruises, dinner cruises, and nighttime cruises along the Seine River. These typically last 1 to 2 hours and some cruises include drinks and/or a meal. This evening dinner cruise gets rave reviews and starts at 8:30 pm, so you have plenty of time to visit the Arc de Triomphe and get to the meeting point for the cruise.

Paris Itinerary Day 2: The Historic Center of Paris, Musee d’Orsay & Montmartre

Day 2 takes you through some of the most historic and atmospheric parts of Paris. Start on Île de la Cité with Sainte-Chapelle and Notre-Dame, spend the afternoon at the Musée d’Orsay, and finish the day in Montmartre.

This is another full day, but the pace feels different from Day 1. Much of the morning is spent exploring on foot, followed by a few hours in one of our favorite museums in Paris. In the evening, head up to Montmartre to wander its streets, visit Sacré-Cœur, and have dinner in the neighborhood.

9:00 am: Sainte-Chapelle

Sainte-Chapelle is home to one of the world’s best displays of stained glass. It is gorgeous inside, much prettier than the inside of Notre-Dame Cathedral.

Sainte Chapelle

This is another location that is notorious for having long lines so, for the best experience, purchase your ticket in advance (on the official website, you will book a time slot for your visit). 

Hours: April 1 to September 30: 9 am to 7 pm; October 1 to March 31: 9 am to 5 pm; closed January 1, May 1, December 25
Cost: €16 for EEA residents and citizens; €22 for non-EEA residents and citizens
Metro Station: Line 4, Cite
Website: Sainte-Chapelle can close on other days during the year. Check their website to confirm hours before your visit.
Skip-the-Line Tickets: On GetYourGuide, you can get a skip-the-line ticket combination ticket for both Sainte-Chapelle and the Conciergerie.

10:30 am: Notre-Dame Cathedral

From Sainte-Chapelle, it is a very short walk to Notre-Dame Cathedral.

In front of the cathedral, a small plaque marks Point Zero (Point Zéro des Routes de France), the historic reference point from which road distances from Paris are measured.

Notre-Dame reopened to visitors in December 2024 following more than five years of restoration after the devastating 2019 fire. Seeing the beautifully restored interior is once again one of the must-have experiences in Paris.

Admission to Notre-Dame Cathedral is free. You do not need a reservation to enter, but a free timed reservation can reduce your wait during busy periods. These reservations are released shortly before the date of your visit rather than months in advance, so check the official Notre-Dame website once you are in Paris or shortly before your visit.

Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:50 am to 7 pm, with extended hours until 10 pm on Thursday; Saturday and Sunday, 8:15 am to 7:30 pm. Last entry is 30 minutes before closing. Hours can change for Masses, religious celebrations, and special events.

Should You Climb the Towers of Notre-Dame?

Yes, I think it is worth adding the Towers onto your visit to the cathedral. The Towers of Notre-Dame reopened in September 2025. We’ve climbed the towers twice, both times before the fire, and it is one of our favorite experiences in Paris. The new route takes you through the towers and belfry and up to panoramic viewpoints over Paris, with an especially close view of Notre-Dame’s restored spire and roof.

The tower visit is completely separate from visiting the cathedral. A timed reservation is mandatory and tickets are only sold online. There are no walk-up ticket sales.

We took this photo from the Towers of Notre-Dame on our first visit to Paris.

Once finished at Notre-Dame, walk through Île de la Cité. It is a quick walk to one of the prettiest storefronts in Paris, Au Vieux d’Arcole. This is a small cafe so you can eat an early lunch here.

Au Vieux Paris

12:30 am: Île Saint-Louis

From Île de la Cité, cross Pont Saint-Louis to Île Saint-Louis. This island gets fewer visitors than Île de la Cité and it is a good place to go shopping and have lunch. A good lunch spot is Pom’ Canelle, a restaurant that serves French and European food at reasonable prices (location: 27 Rue des 2 Ponts).

For an amazing ice cream shop, it is just a one minute walk to Bertillon Glacier. This place is world famous for its ice cream and sorbet. In fact, you could skip lunch and just eat here instead (we did!).

Note: There are several ice cream shops with name Berthillon in the area. You want to visit the one in this photo with the address 29-31 Rue Saint-Louis en l’Ile.

2:00 pm: Walk along the Seine

Cross Pont de la Tournelle to the Left Bank. Walk along the Seine. As you approach Pont de l’Archeveche you get a beautiful view of Notre Dame. Pont de l’Archeveche makes a great photo spot of Notre Dame.

As you approach Pont de l’Archevêché, look back for one of the prettiest views of Notre-Dame from along the Seine. Exterior restoration work is still ongoing, so scaffolding may affect some views of the cathedral.

Pont de L’Archeveche

As you continue your walk along the river you will notice stands set up selling books. These booksellers, or “bouquinistes” sell used books, magazines, and posters.

Bouquinistes

You will also pass Shakespeare and Company, the famous English-language bookstore overlooking the Seine. The current bookstore opened here in 1951 and later took the name of Sylvia Beach’s original Shakespeare and Company, the legendary Paris bookstore frequented by writers such as Ernest Hemingway, James Joyce, and F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Continue the stroll along the Seine until you reach Musee d’Orsay.

3:00 pm: Musée d’Orsay

I will admit it, I am not an art museum lover. But I do love Musée d’Orsay. This museum is simply fabulous. If you arrive here at 3 pm, you have 3 hours to tour the museum, more than enough time to really enjoy the main exhibits. However, I recommend keeping your visit to two hours, which is enough time to see the highlights, so you have more time in Montmartre.

Musée d’Orsay houses the largest collection of Impressionist art in the world. It is here that you can see Monet, Manet, Degas, Cezanne, Renoir, Van Gogh, Gaugin and more. It’s literally a collection of the who’s who in the Impressionist art world.

But this museum is more than just Impressionist art. The building is also a work of art. Musée d’Orsay was once Gare d’Orsay, an old train station, that was renovated and became this art museum. It is beautiful inside.

Musée D’Orsay

On the top floor, look for the giant clock windows that give you a very unique view of Paris and make a creative photographic spot.

Hours: Daily 9:30 am to 6 pm; open until 9:45 on Thursday; closed Mondays, May 1, and December 25
Cost: €16 online; €14 when purchased at the museum. Under-18s are free, as are eligible EEA residents under 26. Included with the Paris Museum Pass.
Website: Get updated hours and pricing on the official website.

Optional: Musée de l’Orangerie

This is a small museum that features Impressionist artwork. The highlights of this museum are the eight Water Lilies murals painted by Claude Monet. You can also see art by Picasso, Sisley, Cezanne, Matisse, and more.

Musée de l’Orangerie

If you are doing good on time and like the idea of visiting another Impressionist art museum, it’s easy to add Musée de l’Orangerie onto today. This museum is much smaller than Musee d’Orsay, so it doesn’t take up much of your time. You could simply see the Water Lilies Murals or tour the entire museum. 

Getting Here: From Musée d’Orsay, cross the Seine River to the Tuileries Garden. Musée de l’Orangerie is located on the southwest corner of Tuileries Garden, just a 10 minute walk from Musée d’Orsay.

Hours: 9 am to 6 pm, Wednesday through Monday; closed on Tuesday.
Cost:  €12.50, included with the Museum Pass
Website: Get updated hours and pricing on the official website.

6:00 pm: Sacre-Coeur and Montmartre

Spend the rest of the afternoon and evening exploring Montmartre. This maze of hilly streets is one of Paris’ prettiest neighborhoods to visit.

I recommend getting off at the Lamarck metro station and walking towards the Sacre-Coeur Basilica. This is a very nice walk that takes you past photogenic spots such as La Maison Rose and Le Consulat Restaurant.

La Maison Rose in Montmartre

Before arriving at the basilica you will walk through Place du Tertre. This small square is filled with artists. Go shopping, grab a drink at a café, or have your portrait drawn.

Place du Tertre

The Sacre-Coeur Basilica sits atop the highest hill in Paris. The steps in front of the Basilica are a popular spot to watch the sunset. You also have the option to climb the 300 steps to the top of the Dome for an even better view.

Sacre-Coeur

Hours: 6:30 am to 10:30 pm
Dome: Currently open daily, generally 10:30 am–9:45 pm, although hours vary seasonally and can change because of weather or maintenance. Adults €8; children through age 15 €5. There are about 280 steps and no elevator. Tickets are purchased onsite; advance reservations aren’t available.
For more information, visit the official website.

7:00 pm: Dinner

Here are a few dinner ideas for tonight.

On our most recent trip to Paris, we dined at Maggie Restaurant, which is located inside of Hotel Rochechouart, within walking distance of the Sacre Coeur basilica. We had a wonderful dinner, dining on roasted turbot and seared scallops and the largest artichoke I’ve ever seen. On top of the hotel is a rooftop bar and terrace with a view of Sacre Coeur and the city skyline.

Le Relais Gascon. We had a wonderful dinner here. This restaurant serves French food and is located in Montmartre.

La Maison Rose. The photogenic café also makes a great spot for dinner. It is located in Montmartre.

Le Moulin Rouge. End the day with a show at the Moulin Rouge. Dinner shows start at 7 pm and includes a 3-course dinner along with the show. The later shows (at 9 pm and 11:30 pm) do not include dinner. Tickets for the Moulin Rouge book up months in advance and if tickets are sold out for your visit, you can also check GetYourGuide.

After dinner, Le Chat Noir is a great spot for drinks, if you aren’t quite ready to end the day. It’s just a short walk from the Moulin Rouge.

From the Sacre-Coeur, you can walk to the Moulin Rouge or ride the metro to Pigalle.

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Paris Itinerary Day 3: Versailles & More Time in Paris

Today starts with a visit to the Palace of Versailles, one of the most popular day trips from Paris. How you spend the rest of the day is up to you.

If you want to see more of Versailles, spend the afternoon exploring the gardens, Estate of Trianon, and Queen’s Hamlet. But if this is your first trip to Paris and you only have three days, we recommend visiting the palace and part of the gardens in the morning and returning to Paris for one more experience.

For the afternoon, choose what interests you most. Have a picnic near the Eiffel Tower, visit another museum, descend into the Catacombs, or take in one more panoramic view of Paris.

Morning: The Palace of Versailles

Versailles is a royal chateau located on the outskirts of Paris. In 1682, King Louis XIV moved the Royal Court from the Louvre to the Palace of Versailles. For a little more than 100 years, this was the seat of government for France. That ended in 1789 with the French Revolution. The Treaty of Versailles was signed in the Hall of Mirrors, ending World War I.

During your visit to Versailles you have the option to tour the palace and get to stroll through the gorgeous gardens. 

The Latona Basin

The Hall of Mirrors | Read our guide How to Visit Versailles to learn how to take this photo without the crowds

The Orangery

How long does a visit last? If you’re fast, it takes 3 to 4 hours to zip through the palace and walk through a portion of the gardens. Some people spend all day here, touring the entire gardens as well as the Estate of Trianon.

On this itinerary, you can spend all day at Versailles or just spend the morning at Versailles, using the afternoon to visit a few more places in Paris.

Plan Your Visit to Versailles

In our guide How to Plan a Versailles Day Trip, we cover the best things to do at Versailles, how to get here, how to avoid the crowds, and ticket and tour options.

Versailles

How to Plan an Amazing Day Trip to Versailles from Paris

Detailed guide to Versailles, including things to do, how to get there, cost, and helpful tips.

Hours: The palace is closed Mondays; the palace is open at 9 am to 5:30 pm; the gardens and the park are open every day and are free to visit.
Cost: Passeport Ticket (timed-entry into the palace + entire estate) €25 low season and €35 high season; €15 Estate of Trianon only; €20 for the Estate of Trianon, gardens, and the Musical Gardens and Musical Fountain Shows. EEA residents get a €3 discount on ticket prices.
Museum Pass: The Museum Pass covers your entry into the palace, the Trianon, and the Queen’s Hamlet. It does not cover the Musical Gardens. You will have to purchase this ticket separately (and you should do so in advance) for an additional fee. Before you visit Versailles, you will need to book a free time slot to enter. Learn more here.

Getting here: Take RER C from Paris to Versailles. This journey takes approximately 45 minutes. If you purchase the Paris Visite Pass (a transportation card) it covers the RER to and from Versailles.

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Options for your Afternoon in Paris

If you spend the morning at Versailles and return to Paris in the early afternoon, choose one of these experiences for the rest of the day.

Rue Cler + Picnic at Champ de Mars

For a more relaxed afternoon, go shopping along Rue Cler and put together a picnic to enjoy near the Eiffel Tower.

Rue Cler is a small pedestrian-friendly market street lined with bakeries, cheese shops, produce stands, cafés, and specialty food shops. Pick up some bread, cheese, fruit, pastries, chocolate, or whatever looks good and then walk toward Champ de Mars.

Tim and I did this on our first trip to Paris, and it remains one of our favorite memories from that visit. We loved it so much that we repeated the experience several years later with Tyler, Kara, and our mothers.

Once you have your picnic supplies, find a spot on Champ de Mars and enjoy your meal with a view of the Eiffel Tower.

Why choose this option? After a busy morning touring Versailles, this is one of the most relaxing ways to spend your final afternoon in Paris. It’s also a great choice if you don’t want to visit another museum or attraction.

Getting here from Versailles: Take the RER C back toward Paris and get off at Invalides. From here, it is about a 15-minute walk to Rue Cler.

Champ de Mars

Rodin Museum

This small museum features sculptures by Rodin. It’s quick and fun to visit. If you are traveling with kids, this is a museum they may actually like. Just ask them to pose like the statues.

Why choose this option? The Rodin Museum is a great choice if you enjoy art but want something smaller and less overwhelming than the Louvre or Musée d’Orsay. The museum and sculpture garden are beautiful, and you can see highlights such as The Thinker and The Gates of Hell without spending several hours here.

Rodin Museum

Website: Get hours and pricing on the official website.
RER: Invalides (line C) – perfect for taking the RER back to Paris from Versailles
Metro: Varenne (line 13) and Invalides (line 8 and 13)

Visit the Catacombs

Descend under the streets of Paris and tour the labyrinth of tunnels lined with human bones. In the 18th century, cemeteries around Paris were cleared and the bones were moved to these underground tunnels. Now, this is the final resting place of six million Parisians.

Why choose this option? Choose the Catacombs if you want something completely different from the palaces, museums, and monuments that make up most of this itinerary. It’s one of Paris’s most unusual experiences and a particularly good option if you’ve already visited the city’s major art museums.

Paris Catacombs

The Catacombs can have one of the longest lines in all of Paris. Waiting times can be as long as 3 hours. Only 200 people are permitted in the Catacombs at one time, so the line moves very slowly. 

Booking a ticket in advance is now mandatory and you can do so on the official Catacombs website (€31). 

The Catacombs are open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:45 am to 8:30 pm, last admission at 7:30 pm. The least crowded time of day to visit the Catacombs is the last two hours of the day.

Dinner and Drinks in Le Marais

End the day with a visit to Le Marais, one of Paris’ most interesting neighborhoods.

If you are looking for a budget meal, consider trying one of the falafel restaurants along Rue de Rosiers. The most famous spot is L’As du Falafel. We ate at Mi-Va-Mi, another popular spot, simply because it was the only one open during our visit.

If you don’t feel like eating falafel on your last night in Paris, there are many great cafes and restaurants in the area.

Tips to Help You Have the Best Experience

Learn a Little French

Sure, you can get by with just speaking English, but being able to say a few things in French is polite and friendly. At a bare minimum, say bonjour when walking into a restaurant or shop. If it’s evening, say bonsoir.

In my experience, trying to speak the local language opens you up to much more meaningful interactions with people. Even if you are not perfect or you make a mistake, your effort is appreciated.

I am a big fan of Fluenz, a software program that teaches several different languages and is perfect if you want to learn a little bit of conversational French.

Beware of Pickpockets

Paris is very safe. Your chances of being a victim of violent crime are very low. However, pickpocketing is a problem in Paris. Our hotel staff warned us of pickpockets and this article by Europe for Visitors has a lot of great tips that you should read, especially if this is your first time to Europe.

Museum Closings on Mondays and Tuesdays

Several museums close on either Monday or Tuesday. Take note of this when planning your trip. You may have to adjust the order of these three days if you will be in Paris on a Monday or Tuesday.

Closed on Monday:

• Musee d’Orsay
• Versailles
• Musee Rodin

Closed on Tuesday:

• Louvre
• Musee de l’Orangerie

Places that are closed on Monday will have larger than normal crowds on Sunday and Tuesday. Places that are closed on Tuesday will have larger crowds on Monday and Wednesday. This is just something to be aware of when planning your time.

How to Adjust this 3 Days in Paris Itinerary

If day one of your three days in Paris also happens to be the day that you are arriving in the city, you will need to adjust day 1 of this Paris itinerary. Even if you arrive in the morning, there’s a good chance that you will be exhausted, especially if you flew a red-eye flight from outside of Europe.

Out of the big sites on day 1 (Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and the Arc de Triomphe) you may just want to plan on visiting two of them and save the third site for the afternoon of day 3.

If you only have 2 days in Paris, check out our 2 Days in Paris Itinerary to learn how to plan your time.

Should You Get the Museum Pass?

For this 3-day Paris itinerary, we recommend the 4-day Paris Museum Pass, particularly if you plan to visit several of the optional museums and monuments.

The Paris Museum Pass includes admission to more than 50 museums and monuments, including many of the sights in this itinerary: the Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, Sainte-Chapelle, Conciergerie, Musée d’Orsay, Palace of Versailles and Trianon Estate, Musée de l’Orangerie, Rodin Museum, and the Towers of Notre-Dame.

The pass does not include the Eiffel Tower, Paris Catacombs, or Seine River cruises.

Paris Museum Pass Prices

• 2 days (48 hours): €85
• 4 days (96 hours): €105
• 6 days (144 hours): €125

There is no 3-day Museum Pass. The validity period begins when you use the pass for the first time, so the 4-day/96-hour pass works very well with this itinerary.

For a non-EEA adult, purchasing individual tickets for the Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, Sainte-Chapelle, Musée d’Orsay, and Versailles costs slightly more than the 4-day Museum Pass. If you also visit the Conciergerie, Musée de l’Orangerie, Rodin Museum, or Notre-Dame Towers, the savings increase.

The pass also saves you from purchasing a separate admission ticket at each attraction, although it does not allow you to bypass security lines.

Important: A Museum Pass does not automatically guarantee admission. Several attractions require pass holders to reserve a free timed-entry slot in advance.

Click here for full more information and instructions on how to obtain your pass.

What About the Paris Pass?

You may also come across The Paris Pass, sold by Go City. There are several versions of this sightseeing pass. The Paris Pass Plus includes a Paris Museum Pass along with a long list of additional tours, attractions, cruises, and experiences.

Some of these extras can be appealing, such as an Eiffel Tower guided climb, Seine River cruise, or walking tour. However, most are not included in this 3-day itinerary.

For this itinerary, we prefer purchasing the Paris Museum Pass on its own. It covers the museums and monuments you will visit without paying extra for a package of additional experiences you may not have time to use.

That said, if you plan to add several activities such as a Seine River cruise, guided Eiffel Tower visit, walking tour, or food experience, compare the current Paris Pass Plus price with the cost of purchasing those experiences individually. In that situation, the Paris Pass Plus could save you money.

Our Recommendation

For this 3-day Paris itinerary, we recommend purchasing the 4-day Paris Museum Pass and paying for public transportation separately.

For most travelers, there is no need to purchase an unlimited transportation pass. In 2026, a Metro-Train-RER ticket costs €2.55 per trip and can be used throughout the Île-de-France region, including the RER to Versailles. Bus and tram tickets cost €2.05 per trip.

You can load tickets onto a Navigo Easy card or purchase and use them directly with a compatible smartphone.

The Paris Visite Pass provides unlimited travel for 1, 2, 3, or 5 consecutive days and includes transportation to Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports. However, the 3-day pass costs €63.80, and most travelers following this itinerary will spend considerably less by paying for individual rides.

There is one exception worth considering: the Navigo Weekly Pass. It costs €32.40 for unlimited travel in zones 1 through 5 and can be an excellent value if your trip falls within the same Monday-to-Sunday period. It also covers transportation to and from the airports when using the appropriate public transportation routes.

For most visitors spending three days in Paris, our recommendation is simple: buy the Paris Museum Pass for sightseeing and pay as you go for transportation.

Make Your Reservations in Advance

Here are the attractions where we highly recommend making a reservation in advance, plus the link to the official website and GetYourGuide, just to make things a bit easier for you.

GetYourGuide offers some advantages over the official websites. For some attractions, GetYourGuide tickets and tours can be cancelled up to 24 hours in advance and you get a full refund (but it’s good to double check this, because there are exceptions). Any GYG tours and tickets you purchase are stored on their app, making it easier to organize your tickets in one spot. Finally, if you use GetYourGuide, you will load your credit card information into one website, rather than the long list below. We use GetYourGuide when we travel and have had nothing but positive experiences.

• Eiffel Tower: Official website – GetYourGuide
• The Louvre: Official website – GetYourGuide
• Arc de Triomphe: Official website – GetYourGuide
• Seine River Cruise: GetYourGuide
• Sainte-Chapelle & the Conciergerie: Official website – GetYourGuide
• Notre-Dame Cathedral: Official website
• Towers of Notre-Dame: Official website
• Musée d’Orsay: Official website – GetYourGuide
• The Palace and Gardens of Versailles: Official website – GetYourGuide

If you plan to visit the Catacombs, the Pompidou Centre, or the Rodin Museum on the afternoon of day 3, we also recommend purchasing these tickets in advance. And of course, don’t forget to make your dinner reservations. Check out our Paris Restaurants and Rooftop Bars for recommendations.

If you have the Paris Museum Pass: You do not need to purchase separate admission tickets for the Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, Sainte-Chapelle, Conciergerie, Musée d’Orsay, Palace of Versailles, or the other attractions covered by the pass. However, several of these sights still require a free timed-entry reservation. For this itinerary, make reservations in advance for the Louvre, Sainte-Chapelle, Conciergerie, Musée d’Orsay, Palace of Versailles, and Notre-Dame Towers if you plan to climb them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are 3 days in Paris enough?

Yes, three days is enough time to see many of Paris’s must-see sights, including the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle, Musée d’Orsay, Arc de Triomphe, and Montmartre. With an early start and some advance planning, you can even spend half a day at Versailles. This is a busy itinerary, but the sights are grouped geographically to minimize unnecessary travel time.

How many nights do you need for 3 days in Paris?

Ideally, plan to spend four nights in Paris to have three full sightseeing days. Arrive the afternoon or evening before Day 1 and depart the morning after Day 3. If one of your three days is also an arrival or departure day, you will have to shorten this itinerary.

Should you visit Versailles if you only have 3 days in Paris?

Yes, we think Versailles is worth visiting on a 3-day trip to Paris, particularly if this is your first visit and you have three full sightseeing days. By booking an early time slot, you can tour the palace and part of the gardens in the morning and return to Paris for another experience in the afternoon. If you prefer a slower-paced trip or want more time for neighborhoods, cafés, and museums in Paris, skip Versailles and spend Day 3 entirely in the city.

What should you book in advance for 3 days in Paris?

Book your Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Sainte-Chapelle, Musée d’Orsay, and Versailles visits in advance. If you plan to climb the Towers of Notre-Dame, you will also need a timed reservation. The Eiffel Tower is usually the most important ticket to purchase as soon as your dates become available, particularly if you want a specific time of day. We include booking recommendations and links throughout this itinerary.

Can you do this 3-day Paris itinerary with kids?

Yes. We’ve visited Paris with our kids when they were younger and again as teenagers, and many of the sights on this itinerary work very well for families. However, three days of museums, monuments, and walking can be a lot for younger children. Consider skipping one museum or optional attraction and adding more downtime in places such as the Tuileries Garden, Champ de Mars, or Montmartre. A Seine River cruise is another fun way to see Paris while giving everyone a break from walking.

What is the best way to get around Paris?

The best way to get around Paris is by walking and using the Metro or RER for longer distances. Many of the sights in this itinerary are close together, so expect to do quite a bit of walking. A Metro-Train-RER ticket costs €2.55 per trip and can be used throughout the Île-de-France region, including the RER to Versailles. For most travelers following this 3-day itinerary, paying for individual rides is cheaper than buying an unlimited Paris Visite transportation pass, although the Navigo Weekly Pass can be a good value if your trip falls within a single Monday-to-Sunday period.

Plan Your Trip to Paris

• Only have 2 days? → Our 2-Day Paris Itinerary gives you a tighter version of this plan.
• Traveling with kids? → Our Paris with Kids guide rounds up the best kid-friendly stops and practical tips for keeping everyone happy.
• Want to know what (and where) to eat? → Our Foods to Eat in Paris guide covers our favorite dishes and where to find them.
• Craving a view with dinner or drinks? → Our Paris Rooftop Bars guide covers the best rooftop spots in the city.
• Visiting in spring? → Our Easter in Paris guide covers what’s open, what to expect, and how to plan around the holiday.

Happy travels! If you have any questions about this Paris itinerary or how to spend 3 days in Paris, comment below!

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