3 Days in Paris: A Practical Itinerary for First-Time Visitors

Day 1: The Islands, the Left Bank and Musée d'Orsay

Morning — Notre-Dame and Sainte-Chapelle. Start on the Île de la Cité, the island where Paris began. Notre-Dame Cathedral reopened in December 2024 after the 2019 fire, and its restored interior is bright and striking; expect a queue and check the cathedral's official site for how entry works. A few minutes' walk away, Sainte-Chapelle is a royal chapel whose upper level is almost entirely stained glass — go on a sunny morning if you can, and book a timed slot.

Midday — Latin Quarter and Luxembourg Gardens. Cross to the Left Bank and wander the Latin Quarter, past the Shakespeare and Company bookshop and the Sorbonne, then picnic or people-watch in the Jardin du Luxembourg.

Afternoon — Musée d'Orsay. Housed in a former railway station on the Seine, the Orsay holds one of the world's great collections of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art: Monet, Renoir, Degas, Van Gogh and more. Don't miss the view through the giant station clock.

Evening: Dinner in Saint-Germain, then walk along the river as the lights come on.

💡 Plan it in RoamerPlanner: add Sainte-Chapelle and the Orsay as Attraction cards with your time slot, and attach the e-tickets so they're one tap away at the entrance.

Day 2: The Louvre to the Eiffel Tower

Morning — The Louvre. The world's most visited museum is enormous, so pick a few highlights rather than trying to see it all: the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, the Winged Victory of Samothrace and the French painting galleries. A timed ticket booked in advance is strongly recommended.

Afternoon — Tuileries to the Arc de Triomphe. Walk west through the Tuileries Garden to the Place de la Concorde, then up the Champs-Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe. You can climb to the rooftop for one of the best views of the city's radiating avenues. Use the underground passage to reach the arch — never try to cross the roundabout.

Evening — The Eiffel Tower. Go up the tower (book tickets for the lifts or stairs in advance), or simply enjoy it from below: the Trocadéro gardens across the river give the classic photo, and the Champ de Mars is the place to sit on the grass. After dark, the tower sparkles for a few minutes at the start of each hour. A Seine river cruise is another relaxed way to see it lit up.

Day 3: Montmartre and Le Marais (or Versailles)

Morning — Montmartre. Climb the hill (or take the funicular) to the white domes of the Sacré-Cœur Basilica for a sweeping view over Paris. Then explore the village-like streets behind it: Place du Tertre with its painters, the vineyard on Rue des Saules and quiet corners that once drew Picasso and Toulouse-Lautrec. Be wary of people offering “free” friendship bracelets at the foot of the hill.

Afternoon — Le Marais. Take the metro to Le Marais, one of the few areas to keep much of its pre-19th-century street plan. See the arcaded Place des Vosges, browse independent boutiques, eat falafel on Rue des Rosiers and visit the Musée Carnavalet, the museum of the history of Paris.

Alternative — Versailles. If palaces appeal more than neighbourhoods, spend the day at the Palace of Versailles: the Hall of Mirrors, the royal apartments and the vast gardens. It's reachable by RER C and other trains. Book a timed ticket and check which day of the week the palace is closed.

Where to Stay in Paris

Paris hotel rooms are often small; check the room size and whether there's a lift if you're travelling with big suitcases.

• Le Marais (3rd/4th): central, walkable and full of restaurants and shops.
• Saint-Germain (6th): classic Left Bank cafés and galleries, close to the Orsay and the Luxembourg Gardens.
• Latin Quarter (5th): lively, central and often a little better value.
• Opéra / Grands Boulevards (9th): great metro links, department stores and easy airport connections.

Getting Around Paris

• Métro and RER: fast and frequent; you can buy tickets with the official RATP or IDF Mobilités apps, on a Navigo Easy card or at machines.
• Walking: most of this itinerary is walkable within each day; the metro links the areas.
• From Charles de Gaulle (CDG): RER B or the Roissybus into the city, or a taxi.
• From Orly (ORY): metro line 14 now runs directly from Orly into central Paris.
• Eurostar: if you're combining Paris with London, trains leave from Gare du Nord and take a little over two hours.

Practical Tips

• Book timed tickets for the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, Sainte-Chapelle and Versailles before you travel; same-day slots can sell out.
• Many museums close one day a week, and not all on the same day — check each official site before you plan.
• Watch for pickpockets on busy metro lines and around major sights, and ignore petition and “found ring” scams.
• Always start with “Bonjour” when you enter a shop or café; it makes a real difference.
• Ask for “une carafe d'eau” in restaurants for free tap water.

FAQ

Is 3 days enough for Paris?

For a first visit, yes. Three days covers the major museums, the Eiffel Tower and two or three neighbourhoods. Add a fourth day for Versailles without giving up Montmartre or Le Marais.

Is the Paris Museum Pass worth it?

It can be if you plan to visit several museums and monuments on consecutive days. Add up the entries you actually plan to use and compare; you still need to reserve time slots at some sights.

Should I go up the Eiffel Tower?

Going up is memorable, but the tower is arguably more beautiful from outside. If time is short, enjoy the view from the Trocadéro and see the city from the Arc de Triomphe or Sacré-Cœur instead.

Can I combine Paris and London in one trip?

Easily — the Eurostar links the two city centres. Pair this plan with our 4 days in London itinerary.