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Planning a trip to Paris? Well, you’ve come to the right place!
The French capital is the perfect destination for a short getaway, offering a blend of history, culture, and world-famous cuisine. With a little insider know-how, it’s possible to experience the city’s most iconic sights and a few authentic hidden gems in just three days. So, that’s what we’re here to deliver.
We fell in love with Paris the first time we visited, and after several trips to the city, we’ve fine-tuned our perfect 3-day itinerary. This guide covers everything from must-see landmarks to the best places to eat. Keep reading to make the most of every moment in Paris!
Don’t Miss Out On Our Top Choice!
The tour we loved the most and suggest booking ASAP is this one!
Our personal FAVORITE thing we did was exploring the Eiffel Tower on this guided tour! This is a can’t-miss sight in Paris – we learned so much and our guide was so much fun!
Check out the 1,000+ 5-star reviews and reserve this tour here.
Day 1
Breakfast – Kozy
Kick your trip to Paris off in the right way with breakfast at Kozy, a super cute spot right near the Eiffel Tower! We’ve been here several times and trust me, you really can’t go wrong with anything on the menu here. If I had to pick a favorite, it would probably be the banana caramel pancakes but honestly, everything here is fresh and beautifully plated. Plus, at around €10 – €14 per dish, it’s not badly priced, either.
Morning – Go up the Eiffel Tower
Now, let’s be honest: no trip to Paris would be complete without going to the top of the Eiffel Tower! And if you want the full experience, we highly recommend this guided tour.
The earliest time slot for the day is 10:15 am, but the morning tickets usually sell out first, so be sure to book at least a few weeks in advance. Failing that, choose 10:45 am or 11:15 am. Booking early can also get you a better price, so it’s a win-win!
We booked this tour because it not only included entry to the Eiffel Tower, but we also had a guide who took us to all of the different levels and taught us about the history of this iconic landmark. After all, it’s one of the most famous buildings in the entire world, so we thought we might as well go for an in-depth experience! Plus, with over 1,000 5-star reviews, who could say no to this tour?
Our guide, Ruth, was fantastic. She knew so much of the Eiffel Tower’s history, which turned out to be super interesting! She also ensured that we had plenty of time at each level to snap beautiful photos of Paris and just enjoy the spectacular views.
There are a few options available for this tour: you can go to the second level of the tower or include a visit to the summit for the best views possible!
Of course, we just had to go all the way to the top, and it was definitely worth it. The top floor is over 161 meters (528 ft) higher than the second floor, so the views are just incredible. Don’t get me wrong, the second floor is still pretty amazing, but I highly recommend choosing the summit access option to get the full Eiffel Tower experience!
Book your Eiffel Tower visit here before it sells out!
Lunch – Picnic at Champs de Mars
Champs de Mars is the huge park right next to the Eiffel Tower, so a picnic lunch here is the perfect way to make the most of this green space! But first, we suggest that you head to Rue Cler, a foodie street that’s about a 15-minute walk from the Eiffel Tower. Here, you’ll find tons of great restaurants and shops where you can pick up some food for your picnic. Then, head back to the park to enjoy your goodies in one of Paris’ most beautiful outdoor spaces.
Afternoon – Go on a walking tour of Paris
This walking tour of Paris is the perfect way to tick off tons of the city’s top sights in just a few hours! We had so much fun exploring the city with our guide, Rami, who was so sweet and super knowledgeable. Here’s everything we saw:
- Montmartre and the famous Basilica – Montmartre is Paris’ picture-perfect Bohemian district, and we challenge you not to fall in love with this beautiful part of the city! It’s also home to the famous Sacre-Coeur Basilica, which is one of Paris’ must-see sights.
- Arc de Triomphe – This Parisian icon honors soldiers who fought for France in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. We just admired it from the outside on this tour, but don’t worry, you’ll get to climb all 284 steps on day 2 of our itinerary!
- Eiffel Tower – Now, you will already have been up the Eiffel Tower this morning, but no walking tour of Paris would be complete without admiring the tower from afar!
- Moulin Rouge – As you can imagine, this historic red theatre is steeped in history and scandalous stories. It’s the birthplace of the can-can dance and has inspired one of the most popular musicals of all time!
- Latin Quarter – With its Gothic architecture and beautiful university buildings, the Latin Quarter is easily one of Paris’ most romantic neighborhoods. We even stopped to grab some snacks there.
- Louvre Museum – The Louvre is arguably the most famous art museum in the world, and it’s home to DaVinci’s Mona Lisa. Even if you’re not into art, seeing the Louvre’s palace and iconic glass pyramid is a must while you’re in the city.
- Jardin des Tuileries – We were fascinated to learn about the history of this immaculate public garden, which involves royalty, war, revolution, and the Olympics!
- Champs-Elysees – This is Paris’ grandest avenue, which is known for its designer stores, fancy restaurants, and lively cafes. It sums up everything that we love about the city.
- Notre Dame Cathedral – This Medieval Cathedral is one of the most celebrated religious buildings in the world. We were thrilled to see that it has now been restored to its glory after it was damaged by a devastating fire in 2019.
This walking tour was a fantastic way to see Paris’s top sights in just a few hours. There are multiple departure times so it was really easy to fit into our schedule, and we learned so much from our expert guide. There’s a reason this is one of the highest rated tours in Paris!
Check out the 2,000+ 5-star reviews and book this tour here!
Dinner – Le Relais du Louvre
This quintessentially Parisian brasserie is a relaxed yet elegant spot close to the Louvre. We loved everything about it, from the ambience to the friendly staff and the delicious French onion soup! The prices are very reasonable, especially given the location and the quality of the food, but we would recommend booking a table in advance.
Day 2
Breakfast – Oh La La C BON
We think that Oh La La C Bon is the perfect place to grab breakfast before visiting the Louvre. For one thing, it’s just a stone’s throw away and for another, they make the best crepes that we’ve ever had in Paris. Although saying that, if you’re after something more filling, you can also grab a baguette, a doughnut, and a drink for just €12 as part of their meal deal. This spot looks small at first, but don’t worry, there’s plenty of seating downstairs!
Morning – Visit the Louvre
The Louvre is probably the most famous art gallery in the world, and it’s home to the Mona Lisa, which is perhaps the most iconic painting of all time! It’s a must-visit, but since this place is so famous, you can expect to wait for 2 hours just to get in. No, I’m not kidding! Not only is that no fun, but it’s also a waste of your valuable time in Paris, which is why we booked this group tour with skip-the-line tickets.
To make the most of the day, we suggest booking this tour at 9 am or 9:45 am. It includes reserved access to the museum, so there’s no waiting in line for hours. Then, allow around 3 hours for the guided visit. The morning slots tend to sell out first, though, so take advantage of the free cancellation policy and book this tour ASAP.
We loved learning all about the Louvre with our knowledgeable guide – especially all the times the Mona Lisa has been defaced and stolen! We got to see some of the most famous works of art in the world, including Liberty Leading the People and Venus de Milo.
We got so much more out of our visit to the Louvre thanks to our guide! We also thought that the tour was great value for money, since it includes fast track entry so that we didn’t have to wait in line for hours. We thought it was 100% worth it, and the 7,500 5-star reviews seem to agree with us.
Book your tour of the Louvre here and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
Lunch – Angelina’s
Before you leave the Louvre, be sure to head to Angelina’s for a light lunch. I say this because we have a food tour this evening, but you’ll still want something to keep you going until then. Angelina’s is famous for their hot chocolate, and we can confirm that it lives up to the hype! We also grabbed a croque monsieur each, although the desserts did all look very tempting.
Afternoon – Go to the top of the Arc de Triomphe
Now, we passed the Arc de Triomphe on yesterday’s walking tour, but now it’s time to climb all the way to the top of this magnificent 19th century monument! It takes about an hour to walk to the Arc from the Louvre, so we suggest taking public transport. We took Metro Line 1 (aka the Yellow Line) to Charles de Gaulle – Étoille, which only took 10 minutes. This brought us out right in front of the Arc de Triomphe!
You’ll need to purchase tickets to explore the famous arch, and you can do so when you arrive or online in advance. Tickets are €16 for adults, and we thought it was well worth the cost! When in Paris, right?
Dinner – Food tour in Montamare or Notre Dame
We had the best time eating cheese, pastries, and oysters on this top-rated food tour, so what better way to enjoy dinner in Paris? You can choose to eat your way through Montmartre or Notre Dame, but either way, book the 5 pm slot and arrive hungry!
If you choose the former, the Montmartre tour, it includes macarons, cured meats, freshly made crêpes, and amazing cheese. However, we went for the Notre Dame tour, so we got pastries, tarts, pâté, and wine! This also means you can just jump back on the metro and ride straight to Saint Paul, where you’ll meet your guide.
We had so much fun on the Notre Dame tour and got to see an authentic, local side of Paris despite being right in the heart of the city. We discovered hidden foodie hotspots and niche food stores that we definitely wouldn’t have found on our own and learned all about what makes Parisian cuisine so special. And we’re not the only ones who loved it – check out thousands of 5-star reviews here!
This is a small group tour, so it was a great way to meet some fellow travelers, and it just felt really personal and friendly. We certainly came away with a much better understanding of why Parisians are so proud of their food, and we really want to go back and try the Montmartre option in the future!
Check out all the details and book this food tour here!
Day 3
Morning – Visit Versailles
The lavish Palace of Versailles is truly a sight to behold, and it’s only an hour outside of Paris, so it would be rude not to visit while you’re in town! We suggest booking this small group tour so that you can enjoy skip-the-line entry to the palace, which is a huge bonus because wait times can reach up to 2 hours. Plus, transport and a guide are included, so it really is the whole package.
Hotel pickup is at 8:45 am and this is a half-day tour, so you can expect to be back in Paris by the mid-afternoon. You can choose between a larger group tour with 28 people or a smaller group of just 18. We would recommend the latter if your budget allows it!
Not only is the Palace of Versailles insanely beautiful, but our guide, Isabella, was absolutely brilliant. She taught us so much about the palace and its history, as well as the impressive amount of work that goes into maintaining this estate. After the guided portion of the tour, we had some free time to explore the enormous gardens and the Trianon Estate by ourselves.
We also loved how well-organized this tour was. The transport was air-conditioned and super comfortable, which definitely beats a crowded bus or train on a summer’s day!
Check availability and book your tour of Versailles here!
Afternoon – Relax
As much as we love a thorough itinerary, it’s always good to have a little free time! We recommend using this afternoon to rest, relax, and get ready for tonight’s dinner cruise. Or, of course, if there’s any area or attraction you’ve been wanting to see, you can use this time to go tick that off of your Paris bucket list!
Dinner – Go on a Seine River Dinner Cruise
Of course, you want to end your trip to Paris on a high note, and what better way to do that than with this luxurious dinner cruise? We had an incredible evening taking in the sights of Paris lit up at night.
The cruise departs at 8:30 pm, although you’ll need to be at the pontoon for 7:45 pm to check in – don’t worry, you’ll get exact details after booking. And, of course, you get dinner on board, so be sure to bring your appetite.
The riverbanks of the Seine are actually UNESCO-listed because they’re home to so many notable landmarks! So, taking a cruise is already a must, but the 3-4 course gourmet dinner with wine and champagne really takes the experience to the next level.
The views were beautiful, the food was delicious, and the service was 5-star. As we enjoyed our meal, we saw so much, including the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Grand Palais, the Louvre, and more!
There was also a photographer on board snapping photos, and a very talented local singer performed after dinner, which was a nice surprise. It definitely injected a lot of glamor into our trip to Paris, and we think it’s the ideal way to end a fantastic 3 days in the city.
Plus, with over 4,000 5-star reviews, we aren’t the only ones who loved this experience! See all the positive things people are saying about the cruise here.
Reserve your spot here to get flexible payment and cancellation options!
Where to Stay in Paris
Paris is a city of elegance and luxury, so it’s no surprise that the hotels match that ambiance! That being said, you can find a variety of accommodation options in Paris, whether you’re looking for a luxury, mid-range, or budget stay. Here are my top recommendations:
Luxury – $$$
You can’t go wrong with Eiffel Tower views, and L’Hôtel du Collectionneur Paris delivers that, and more! The design is Art-deco elegant, and rooms range from deluxe king rooms to suites, and even a terrace apartment for those with a large budget. There is no such thing as a bad view whether you have a window overlooking the garden or city, or a full balcony!
It’s a short walk to Champs Elysées Avenue and Paris’s best sights. Rooms start at €400 and go up, so book this stay early on Booking.com to get the best rate.
Mid-range – $$
Le Grey Hotel is a boutique hotel, located very close to the opera and Montmartre. These rooms have a modern design and you can get a standard room or a suite, some have balconies as well. The location is great, as you’re steps from the iconic Paris cafes and restaurants, and very close to the top city sights.
A room here starts around €200 and can reach €500+ depending on your room choice. Check availability and book this stay on Booking.com.
Budget – $
Caulaincourt Montmartre is a modern hostel with private or dorm rooms available. Located near the Sacré-Coeur Basilica it is convenient to see the top attractions and get around the city. Private rooms start around €130 and some have an ensuite bathroom, or for the most budget option, dorms are available for about €60. The staff are friendly and the hostel is very clean, modern, and a great way to meet people!
Check availability and book this stay on Booking.com or Hostelworld.
For more options, check out all the hotels available in Paris here!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!
Three days was the perfect amount of time to fall in love with Paris and explore it’s oh-so-famous sights. While we would have loved to stay here forever, this itinerary hits the most iconic spots, hidden gems, and gives you time to explore and experience the city for yourself!
Before you pack your bags, be sure to check out our other travel blogs! We’ve been all over the world and love sharing our favorite places and experiences with fellow travelers. Here are a few other articles that might be helpful as you plan your next adventure – cheers!
10 EPIC Tours & Day Trips in Paris, France