3 Days in Paris – Making the Most of Your First Trip

Paris is a city full of charm, art, unparalleled people-watching at cafés and delicious food. It is also home to some of the most famous monuments and tourist sightseeing in the world. This makes it a busy and often frenetic city to visit. But with this guide to 3 days in Paris, I’ll help you make the most of your first trip to this incredible city.

Only visiting the big-hitter attractions can make your first trip feel exhausting and not the magic-filled place that people fall in love with.

I aim to offer a balanced view of what to target on your first visit to Paris, including sightseeing and the slower, more atmospheric delights of the city.

My credentials: I have visited Paris hundreds of times across the last 25 years, and live 2 hours south of the city. I love France so much that moved here and am now a french citizen. Paris isn’t just a one-time destination for me, it’s my soul city. I would go as far as to say that Paris would be my specialist subject in a game show.

3 days in Paris – Itinerary

This 3 day itinerary is purely for the first time visitor – a beginner’s guide of sorts. It’s a mix of the most popular activities, combined with a bit of flâneuring (to wander or saunter around town), some café stops, pretty areas and historic places of note.

I have written extensively about Paris, so here are some other blog posts to peruse if this one doesn’t quite meet your needs:

• Visiting Paris with your dog
• Self-guided walking tours of the Left Bank (south of the river)
• Day trips from Paris
• 24 hours in Paris – a stopover guide
• Paris in the Springtime

Day 1: Iconic Paris (Eiffel Tower, Seine, grand boulevards)

Morning: Eiffel Tower, Champ de Mars and Trocadéro

After your trip up the tower, you’ll want to find different views of the ‘Iron Lady‘, here are some classics:

• For a little perspective and greenery, the views from Rue Buenos-Ayres and Rue de l‘universite offer a chance to add traditional Parisian buildings to the shot too
• If you walk over the Pont d’Iéna, and down onto the river road (Port Debilly), you can get scenic views of the bridge and tower together
• Trocadero is the most grand view – with the symmetrical gardens and the elevated Trocadero viewpoint, it can’t be beat. But that also comes with crowds and influencers – so be prepared!
• Personally, I like the Eiffel Tower view from the Pont de la Concorde (especially at dusk) – you get the fancy bridge, Pont Alexandre III, in the foreground, and the river leading to the tower – lovely!

Lunch around the 7th Arrondissement

There are lots of options for lunch around the Eiffel Tower, but some are better value than others.

• For a budget option, grab yourself some fresh food from Rue Cler and have a picnic on the Champ de Mars. Rue Cler is full of market shops, fruit sellers and delicious goodies. The street is in between Invalides and the Champ de Mars, so very convenient.
• For a reasonably priced ‘guingette’ (casual riverside eatery) meal, with a fantastic view, is the Bonnotte Club on the river path west side of Pont d’Iéna
• For something pricier, but with unparalleled views, Le Girafe is the place to be seen.

For evening views of the Eiffel Tower light show, I recommend Les Ombres restaurant, on the roof of the Musée de Quay Branly.

Afternoon: river walk, Seine cruise or Musée d’Orsay, Place de la Concorde & the Tuileries

Your afternoon activities really depend on your interests and energy levels. Paris is deceptively large – you will definitely get your steps in just going up and down the stairs to the metro. Here are some options:

• Seine River Cruise – For a first visit, a river cruise is a really good choice. Paris by bateau mouche allows you to see things you don’t get to see as a pedestrian. There is a convenient dock out the front of the Eiffel Tower, so use that for an easy post-tower activity. Don’t bother with a dinner cruise, the food is generally sub-par.
• Musée d’Orsay – Set in an old train station, the Musée d’Orsay is a far smaller and more approachable museum than the Louvre. But it offers some exceptional artworks, lots of sculpture, alongside decorative art too – all set in the glorious arch of the old station.
• River Walk – Walking along the Seine is a wonder. The Palais de Tokyo and Modern Art Museum, the Grand Palais and Petit Palais to the north of the river; the Paris Sewer Museum, Invalides, and the Musée d’Orsay on the south side. Enjoy a stroll along the river tow paths, or at street level for the architecture.
• Tuileries – End your stroll at the Tuileries – the 17th century gardens with fountains and statues. At Christmas, they have fantastic Christmas Markets here.

You can actually do all three of these activities in one afternoon, but it’s a big day. If you want to squeeze everything in, then go for it. If you want a more authentic French experience, take a long lunch, stop for coffee and watch the world go on the outward facing cafe seats, and make sure you slow down at 6pm for the customary apéro (pre-dinner drinks).

Dinner in the Marais

If you want to explore the gastronomy of the Marais, there is lots happening there. Modern takes on French classics at Le Colimaçon, or try a creative and limited seasonal menu from C’est Comme À La Maison – CCALM.

Or for a really unique dining experience, try a famous French bouillon (workers meals in gorgeous surrounds), such as Bouillon République at the top end of the Marais.

Place des Vosges is worth a look, but expect tourist prices.

Day 2: Historic Paris (medieval streets, churches, café culture)

Morning: Notre-Dame, Île de la Cité and Sainte-Chapelle

Bouquinistes + Shakespeare & Co.

Along the Left Bank between Quai de la Tournelle and Quai Voltaire are the Bouquinistes (book sellers). This unique way to sell books, art and souvenirs is actually a UNESCO World Heritage site. These wooden boxes sit on the walls of the Seine and fold out to display the books inside. Books in English and French are on offer, alongside posters and other paper souvenirs.

On your self-guided Left Bank walking tour, stop in at Shakespeare & Co., Paris’s famed English book store. Before walking south down Rue Monge, to enjoy some time in the 5th arrondissement. You’ll pass cute boutiques and parks, the remnants of a roman arena behind some apartments (Arènes de Lutèce), and end up at Place Saint Médard at the bottom of Rue Mouffetard.

TIP: You can take the no.47 bus from the Petit Pont stop to the Monge – Claude Bernard stop if you are tired of walking.

Lunch in the 5th arrondissment

Tuck into lunch at my favourite Parisian bistro – Cave la Bourgogne. This place is a local favourite, and has been my go-to Mouffetard lunch spot for nearly 25 years.

Eat the Salade Complèt and thank me later. This huge bowl of salad has sheep’s cheese, sautéed potatoes, goat’s cheese on toast, prosciutto, and a fried egg on top!

Afternoon: Rue Mouffetard, Pantheon, Luxembourg Gardens

Rue Mouffetard is one of the oldest streets in Paris. It can be traced back to Roman times, and managed to avoid the Haussman renovations. It is therefore joyfully narrow, wonky, and terribly quaint. There are markets at the bottom, and fresh food shops in the lower quarter – bakeries, butchers, cheese shops, wine shops, fresh pasta etc.  

When you meander up the hill you’ll find gift shops, trinkets, clothes, restaurants, cafes, and a bowling alley. And at the top you’ll find Place de la Contrescarpe – a lovely square with cafes all around. Take a moment and enjoy the people-watching.

The Pantheon is nearby, which is worth a visit. It is the final resting place of many French luminaries, such as Emile Zola, Josephine Baker, and Voltaire; and it has an example of the Foucault pendulum – which demonstrates the earth’s rotation.

For Emily in Paris fans, walk down the street next to the Les Dames du Pantheon hotel and you’ll arrive at Emily’s square – with Gabriel’s restaurant and her apartment at the opposite end.

A few blocks from this area is the gorgeous Luxembourg Gardens. A perfect place for a stroll – there are fountains, sculptures, a museum, and chairs, so you can sit and enjoy the park.

Dinner in Saint-Germain-des-Prés

In between the Luxembourg Gardens and the river is Saint-Germain… an area full of shops and famous cafes. From Les Deux Magots and Café de Flore, where Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir used to hang out; to the absolutely delightful La Cour du Commerce-Saint-André, full of old and stylish cafes and eateries.

Day 3: Artistic Paris (world-class art, bohemian Montmartre, city views)

Morning: Louvre Museum or Champs-Élysées / Arc de Triomphe

Are you an art-lover? If so, seeing the Louvre is a great idea. If you don’t care for art or queues or the museum environment, it’s ok to skip it. Life is too short to pay lots of money to visit an attraction that doesn’t vibe with you.

But, if you do go, get timed tickets in advance, and pick out a few areas to focus on – because the sheer scale of it is gigantic. There are small group tours that are perfect for those who want to see the highlights. For something exclusive, get a private after hours tour!

If museums aren’t your jam, why not take a stroll on the most famous avenue of all – the Champs-Élysées! This huge boulevard runs from the Arc de Triomphe to the Grand and Petit Palaces down by the river.

ALTERNATIVES: If you want something free, visit the Musée Carnavalet – a free museum on the history of Paris. If you want to enjoy the outdoors, walk the Promenade Plantée (the original High Line, built on an old railway line). If you want shopping and views, visit Galeries Lafayette (don’t miss the view from the roof)!

Afternoon: Sacré-Cœur and MontmartrE

Make your way by metro to Montmartre (Pigalle stop). You will walk up the hill via a few blocks of shops to Square Louise Michel – the leafy park leading up to the Sacré-Cœur church. You can either walk up this hill and enjoy the views along the way, or you can take the funicular (which is the same cost as 1 metro ride). There are also some steep steps alongside.

At the top, admire the views and enjoy the church itself, designed by Paul Abadie.

Then take the road to the left of Sacré-Cœur that weaves around to the Place de Tertre. Tucked behind Montmartre, this square is full of artists who work and sell their wares. Over the years this has become a bit of a tourist hot spot, but there are some wonderful artists on the square. I have been buying little abstract Paris scenes from an artist called ‘Telemacchus’ for the last 20 years, and now have a little collection.

Top spots in Montmartre:

• The sinking house – near the top of the steps in front of Sacré-Cœur, look right and you’ll see a grassy knoll – tip your phone and take a photo of the grass as the horizon and it will make the building behind look like it is sinking!
• See the Wall of Love (Le Mur des Je t’aime) – This unique public artwork featuring ‘I love you’ written in over 250 languages – near the Abbesses metro.
• Visit La Maison Rose – One of Paris’ most photographed cafés, famous for its pastel pink façade and artistic history.
• Rue de l’Abreuvoir – One of the prettiest streets in Paris, lined with historic houses (near La Maison Rose).
• Photograph Le Consulat – Another iconic Montmartre café that has welcomed artists including Picasso and Van Gogh.
• See the Moulin de la Galette – One of the last surviving windmills in Paris, immortalised in paintings by Renoir.
• Visit the Montmartre Vineyard (Clos Montmartre) – A small working vineyard that produces a limited annual vintage and celebrates the area’s rural past.
• Stop by the Dalida Bust – A tribute to the beloved French-Italian singer, tucked away in a quiet square.
• Visit the Musée de Montmartre – Learn about the neighbourhood’s artistic heritage through paintings, photographs, and restored gardens.

Dinner and a show in Montmartre + Sunset over Paris

Depending on what time of year you visit, watching the sunset from the steps of Sacré-Cœur is a joy. Often accompanied by buskers or tourists proposing to their significant others, it’s a vista that stays with you for sure!

Stay up in Montmartre for dinner – choose from the buzzing Place de Tertre or the instagrammable Le Consulat, there are all kinds of options, from full meals to crêpes or fondue. Montmartre is a tourist area, but if you wanted to come down the hill a little, Le Relais Gascon near Abbesses metro station is a well-priced bistro with very tasty options.

You may want to end up at the Moulin Rouge for that Parisian can-can experience, but I want to propose something a bit different – one of the original French cabarets – Au Lapin Agile. This is culture and tradition through poetry and song – there are no dancers here. You are squeezed into a tiny old stone building on the back side of Montmartre, where you will witness traditional french songs and a show to remember. It isn’t glittery, but it certainly is authentic.

Where to stay in Paris

My favourite area in Paris is the 5th arrondissement (the Latin Quarter), but accommodation in the 3rd & 4th (Marais), 6th (Saint Germain), and 9th (Pigalle), and 12th (Montmartre) is also convenient.  

Latin Quarter

The Latin Quarter stretches from the Boulevard Saint Michel and the Jardin des Luxumbourg to the Jardin des Plantes and down to Place d’Italie – it includes the famous Left Bank, the Sorbonne, the Pantheon, the Arab Institute and many lovely streets full of cafes.  It is a great base to walk around Paris and has easy transport links.  

Search engines use ‘Saint Germain-Luxembourg‘ and ‘Pantheon-Notre-Dame‘ or ‘Latin Quarter‘ as identifiers.  Here are my favourite hotels in the Latin Quarter

• There are many 2 and 3 star hotels along Rue Monge and Rue des Ècoles – such as Villa Pantheon which is a lovely 4-star, or Hotel de France Latin Quarter – a clean and good value 2-star
• My favourite spots are near Luxembourg Gardens (Hotel Relais Saint Jacques) or in the Rue Monge / Rue des Écoles area, such as Hôtel Oratio in Saint-Germain, as it is equidistant between my favourite attractions in town and Montparnasse train station
• For something a bit special, try the Hotel Les Dames du Pantheon & Hotel Des Grand Hommes du Pantheon

The Marais

The 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th arrondissements straddle the Seine either side of Ile de la Cité and Ile Saint-Louis (the little islands in the middle of the Seine), and offer the most central options for a short stay. The Marais is north of the river and is very funky, albeit a little pricey!

• For a chic spot near the river, try the Hôtel Duo by Collection Vesper
• A mid-priced hotel further away from the river, but still in the Marais, try Paris France Hotel

Further out

Staying out at Montparnasse (14th) or La Villette (19th) provides more options for cheaper accommodations while still within the ring road of Paris proper.

• Deco gem Hotel Le M in Montparnasse
• Timhotel Odessa Montparnasse – there are 3 Timhotel’s near Montparnasse, but this one is near some lovely cafes
• Ibis Budget La Villette is a great budget option, and has parking underneath, so extra useful if arriving by car

Paris Public Transport

Paris has one of the best public transport systems in Europe, and for most visitors there’s no need to hire a car or rely on taxis.

• Metro – The metro is the quickest way to get around the city, with 16 colour-coded lines connecting almost every major attraction.
• RER – These underground trains connect to the outer parts of the city, including Palace of Versailles and both CDG and Orly airports.
• Buses – A slower but more scenic option, and also great for those sections where it’s too far to walk, but not so far you want to bother with a metro ride.
• Trams – The tram network mainly serves the city’s outer districts rather than the central sights, but is useful if you are staying in the outskirts of the city, as the trams often connect to the outer metro stops.

Since July 2026, Paris has completed its transition away from traditional paper tickets in favour of contactless travel. The old cardboard metro tickets have now disappeared from the rail network. Instead, you will use a reusable Navigo Easy Card; or load tickets directly onto a compatible smartphone using the Île-de-France Mobilités or Bonjour RATP apps. 

The simplest option is to purchase a Navigo Easy card for a small one-off fee (€2) and top it up with individual journeys or day passes as needed. It’s reusable, anonymous, and can be kept for future trips to Paris. If your phone supports it, you can skip the physical card altogether by storing your tickets digitally and tapping your phone at the ticket gates – but be aware that if your phone runs out of battery!

As of 2026 direct bank card tap-to-pay is being introduced, but is designed for an occasional use, and prices via this will be higher than if you have a navigo pass (physical card or on phone).

For a typical three-day city break, you’ll probably use the Métro more than anything else. Stations are rarely more than a few minutes’ walk apart in central Paris, trains run every few minutes from early morning until around 1:00 am (later on Friday and Saturday nights), and journey planning is straightforward using Google or Apple Maps.

Common Mistakes to avoid

Let me start off by saying this – Paris is not any more unsafe than any other large city. It is popular, and thus the popular areas (where there is a lot of tourist fodder) attracts the chancers, scammers and thieves. Here are a few tips to make your first visit to Paris a good one – these are not to scare you, just to make you aware. It’s all just common sense!

• Stay in a neighbourhood, not beside a landmark – It might seem tempting to book a hotel with the Eiffel Tower on your doorstep, but you’ll often pay a premium for the location while being surrounded by tourist-focused restaurants, souvenir shops and inflated prices. Staying just one or two Metro stops away usually gives you better value, more authentic cafés and a chance to experience a more local side of Paris.
• Walk a few streets before choosing a restaurant – The restaurants directly outside major attractions rely on passing trade, so prices are often higher and quality can be hit and miss. Wander just a couple of blocks away and you’ll usually find more interesting menus, better value and a far more relaxed atmosphere.
• Beat the crowds by starting early – Paris is one of the world’s most visited cities, so queues are simply part of the experience. If you’re visiting popular attractions like the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre, aim to arrive as close to opening time as possible and book timed-entry tickets in advance whenever you can. You’ll spend less time waiting and more time enjoying the city.
• Moody in Montmartre – The views from Sacré-Cœur are absolutely worth the climb, but the area around the lower steps is known for bracelet scammers (often called the ‘string men’). If someone approaches offering a ‘free’ bracelet or tries to take your hand, simply keep walking, don’t engage, and politely but firmly say ‘non merci.’
• Be aware of common tourist scams – Like any major tourist destination, Paris has its share of scams. You may come across people asking you to sign petitions, someone ‘accidentally’ dropping a cup or ring in front of you, or street sellers displaying goods on blankets. The easiest approach is simply to keep walking, avoid engaging with anyone trying to stop you unexpectedly, and remember that genuine charities don’t usually solicit donations this way.
• Protect yourself against pickpockets – Pickpocketing is one of the most common crimes, particularly on busy Metro lines and around major attractions. Keep valuables zipped away, avoid storing phones or wallets in back pockets, and wear backpacks on your front in crowded places (better yet, don’t wear a back pack! If you don’t wear one while walking round your own city, you don’t need one on vacation). There’s no need to be paranoid – just stay aware of your surroundings, as you would in any large European city.
• Act normal – I don’t know why tourists feel the need to wear a ‘tourist uniform’ when on vacation – if you don’t carry a day-pack in your home city, why do you need one on a trip? Dress normally, carry your normal accoutrements, and make common sense choices – don’t wave your cash around (you don’t need much cash here), keep a hand on your pockets in crowds, don’t put your phone in your back pocket (seriously, why is this a thing anyway?) etc.

You don’t need to see it all

Paris is weighed down by the burden of her own popularity. The instagrammable spots are popular for a reason, but become unwieldy and cause resentment from locals. Visitors often have such an elevated view of the place that they can be disappointed by it (look up Paris Syndrome, it’s a thing), but it doesn’t have to be that way.

The real magic of Paris isn’t seeing every big ticket item or finding every insta-view. It is in the little moments of joy that happen in between the crowds…

• That first bite of real buttery croissant
• Getting up early and going for a walk to see the city wake
• Sitting in a cafe and listening to the animated conversations of locals, lovers and visitors
• Turning down a lane because you spotted a view of the Eiffel Tower you hadn’t seen before
• The smell of apricots from a morning market
• Sitting on the edge of the Canal Saint-Martin at dusk to watch as people fill the cafes for aperitifs

You don’t have to see it all or do it all. Just relax into the sway of the city, and let the magic find you.

Paris FAQ

All photos & content © Hannah Henderson and may not be used without permission (sharing this blog post is fine, though!). Images shot with a Canon DSLR T3i Rebel + Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM; and an iPhone.