Paris Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame and Louvre in 3 days
Where to start when you wish to do ‘all Paris’ – including the grand sights like Sacré-Coeur, Montmartre, Louvre, Notre-Dame and the iconic Eiffel Tower? Below is an itinerary for 3 days in Paris covering most of the top sights.
Roughly, the first day in Paris will take you around in the Latin Quarter and to the Île de la Cité with Notre-Dame, the second day to the Rive Droite of the Seine River including the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe and an Eiffel Tower experience, and the last of the 3 days will show you the Seine, Sacré-Coeur and Montmartre…
Inspiration for France trip: 10 Top Sights in Paris and Colmar or Riquewihr?
DAY 1: Paris Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame and Louvre in 3 days
Today, you will explore the Latin Quarter, situated in the 5th arrondissement of Paris. Geographically, the area is small, so you can easily change the sightseeing order – whatever is more convenient for you.
Le Quartier Latin, located on the Left Bank (Rive Gauche) of the Seine River together with the neighbouring quarter Saint-Germain-des-Prés, has existed for over 2000 years. In the past, it was known as the Roman village of Lutetia.
The name ‘Latin Quarter’ has also been used for centuries. It goes all back to the Middle Ages when Latin was the predominant language in the area here.
For a long time, the quarter has been associated with artists and intellectuals. The unique ambience still found here reflects the thousands of students at the Sorbonne University and other academic institutions to which the quarter is home. At the same time, a bohemian way of life blends with the simpler student life and creates a unique character and vibe in this part of Paris.
Not surprisingly, there are loads of fascinating sites and hidden gems dispersed in the Latin Quarter, and you will probably discover your favourites. You can spend an entire day exploring magnificent old buildings and experiencing the characteristic Latin Quarter vibe.
Going for a stroll in the Latin Quarter, you cannot easily overlook the central campus of Sorbonne University and the students circulating in between their lectures in the area.
You will easily find the historic central Sorbonne building, located at 47 rue des Écoles.
The Sorbonne students have played a significant role in French history, and the university has, on several occasions, been a political scene. In May 1968, Sorbonne was the site of a student uprising, which initiated similar protests all over France – and Europe.
If you are interested in seeing the famous university behind the walls, it is possible to visit Sorbonne on a guided tour.
Already in the year 507, a basilica was erected on the site of the present Panthéon. Saint Geneviève, who became the patron saint of Paris, was buried inside it a few years later. In this way, the basilica was dedicated to her.
The Panthéon was built on this same site from 1758 to 1790 from designs by Jacques-Germain Soufflot. He was appointed by King Louis XV of France, who desired a church dedicated to Saint Geneviève, the city’s patron saint. The church was completed by Jean-Baptiste Rondelet after Jacques-Germain Soufflot’s death, at the start of the French Revolution.
The massive construction was built in a Greek-Roman neoclassical architectural style with beautiful Corinthian columns, aiming at being even more impressive than the Church of Saint Peter in Rome!
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During the French Revolution, the building changed temporarily purpose and served as a temple for those fighting for France. It was not until 1806 that it again became a real church. As a prominent character, Victor Hugo was interred here in 1885, and it became a monument dedicated to the Great Men of the French Republic under Napoléon Bonaparte.
The tombs of significant personalities and famous people such as Rousseau, Voltaire, Emile Zola and Marie Curie, only the second woman interred in the Panthéon, can be found in the crypt.
Panthéon’s cupola is awe-inspiring, and you will have to notice the renowned Foucault pendulum hanging beneath it since 1851 – used to demonstrate the rotation of the Earth!
Meandering through the Latin Quarter and its old, remarkable streets, you will sooner or later reach the Rue Mouffetard, the continuation of the Rue Descartes. That is a real gem and one of the oldest streets of Paris, with a history going back to the Romans. Fortunately, this and other streets in the Latin Quarter were left untouched under Baron Haussmann’s redevelopment project in Paris.
The bohemian street has a medieval character and is very picturesque with its great diversity of small grocery shops, restaurants and bars. It is most popular among students, and the prices are very reasonable. You must enter one of the charming restaurants to try some traditional Parisian food – and maybe wine! Later, you may also have coffee on the terrace in the Place de la Contrescarpe, a good place for people-watching!
Rue Mouffetard is an attractive market street with authentic surroundings. If you are lucky enough to be here on a Wednesday, Friday or Sunday morning, you can enjoy the crowded market street Marché Mouffetard, the lovely local market, which expands with its stalls to the Marché Monge (near the Place Monge metro). We recommend visiting this gem of a street in Paris – maybe even several times during the 3 days!
One of our favourite spots in the Latin Quarter is an old amphitheatre. You will be surprised to find the Arénes de Lutèce, a genuine Roman ‘arène’, just behind the ordinary house façades in Rue Monge.
When entering through the gate, you will immediately discover the striking remains of the Roman heritage, a magnificent amphitheatre, which dates back to the 1st century AD. The name Lutèce or Lutetia in Latin is the ancient name for Paris.
However, the Roman amphitheatre was destroyed during barbarian raids in 275 AD, and the stones were subsequently used as reinforcement for the city walls. Afterwards, it became a cemetery and disappeared from people’s consciousness for many years. Only centuries later, during the period 1860–1869, when Rue Monge was established, it appeared again during the construction of a tramway depot!
Today, it is difficult to imagine an amphitheatre full of Roman spectators and fighting gladiators! In stark contrast to the past, it is today a tranquil place where you can view elder Parisians playing the favoured French sport pétanque inside the ring! It is a hidden gem and a must-see in Paris!
One of the scenic views along the Seine in Paris is the picture-postcard bouquinistes, the traditional booksellers along the Seine. You will probably get a chance to see the iconic green boxes that hold all kinds of treasures in antiquarian books, art prints and black and white posters several times during your 3 days in Paris.
Although popular, the bouquiniste market ceased for quite some years from 1649 onwards, when the stalls along Pont Neuf were now prohibited – since they were considered a threat to the conventional bookstores.
Later, the bouquiniste tradition, along the banks, was taken up again and became the flourishing practice in Paris as it has been ever since. Since 1891, the bouquinistes have legally been able to attach their boxes to the quaysides.
Today, the vibrant bouquinistes unarguably contribute to the picturesque setting along the Seine River. Take the time to meander slowly past the stalls and look for the unique souvenirs from Paris! You may discover a real find, or two, among the piles of vintage books and other stuff.
You will now cross over to Île de la Cité, located right in the middle of the Seine. The island is home to several significant historical buildings and French institutions – the most famous is the Notre Dame de Paris. Marie Antoinette was imprisoned in the Conciergerie, the former prison, before being brought to the guillotine! The Palais de Justice de Paris, the old courthouse, together with the Gothic Royal Chapel, the Sainte Chapelle, the Paris court Greffe du Tribunal de Commerce de Paris, and the Préfecture de Police are other important constitutional structures and impressive constructions on Île de la Cité. As the icing on the cake, the city island boasts the grand Notre-Dame Cathedral which is a symbol of Paris and France and one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture!
During the French Revolution, it suffered considerable damage but was thoroughly restored afterwards. Recently, in April 2019, another fire in Paris severely damaged the roof of Notre Dame. Many proposals were made for the reconstructions – also some implying a very modern design. However, it was decided by law that Notre-Dame de Paris should be rebuilt with the same appearance as before, completed in 2024!
Throughout history, Notre Dame has been the centrepiece of historic events in Paris. In the 19th century, the coronation of Napoléon I took place inside the Cathedral, and in 1909, the Pope held a ceremony for Joan of Arc here.
Also, the story of The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, the classic novel by Victor Hugo from1831, has contributed to the fame of Notre-Dame de Paris in the whole world.
After Notre Dame, you are now ready to visit the historic garden in Paris, Jardin du Luxembourg.
Jardin du Luxembourg, dating back to 1612, is the lovely garden in Paris influenced by the Italian Baroque. It was created for Marie de Medici (1573-1642), who became Queen of France. She was inspired by her native city of Florence and had the Boboli Garden as an architectural example when designing this garden.
When you need a pause from all the other attractions in Paris, it is time to enter the delightful garden. You will find an enchanting cultural oasis in the middle of the city among the hundreds of sculptures and the outstanding Medici Fountain! It is popular with all Parisians and visitors, from young to elderly. Both children and adults play around and set small boats into the lake. It is the perfect place to get an hour or so to renew your energy for more sightseeing or a night out in Paris at the end of the day!
Why not spend the evening with a show at the famous and iconic Moulin Rouge? Make sure to buy your tickets for this in advance!
You will now leave the Latin Quarter and find your way up to the Moulin Rouge in the 18th arrondissement.
The Moulin Rouge, easily recognisable with a red windmill on its roof illuminated at night, was founded in 1889 by Charles Zidler and Joseph Oller at the bottom of the hill of Montmartre, which was the hip, artistic neighbourhood in Paris at the time. However, the Moulin Rouge building, as we know it today, is a replacement for the original construction, which unfortunately burnt down all back in 1915. It took six years before it was ready to open again to the public!
Over the years, famous entertainers have performed at the Moulin Rouge. Among these are Édith Piaf, Josephine Baker and Frank Sinatra, each in their decade.
What best describes the Moulin Rouge today is a combination of dance hall and nightclub atmosphere. It is an icon of Paris’s nightlife and a must-see if you want to experience a more than a century-old entertainment tradition in Paris.
Attend a show – perhaps combined with a dinner or at least a glass of champagne to get a feel for the French cabaret culture as introduced in the Belle Époque. It is a special feature of Paris’s history and a unique experience you will not regret having!
DAY 2
The first thing today is a morning walk on the Promenade Plantée, a scenic walkway elevated above the streets of Paris on a former railway, unused since 1969. Established some decades later, in 1993, it was the first of its kind in the world, also preceding (and probably giving inspiration to) the pedestrian Highline in New York from 2009.
Find the entrance at the junction of Rue de Lyon and Avenue Daumesnil. Now you can have the most lovely walk with unusual views of buildings, flowers and trees in the middle of Paris – without even noticing that you are inside the bustling metropolis!
Enjoy the green promenade as the Parisians do! Paris will certainly surprise you, and this is the perfect way to start your second day of your 3 sightseeing days here!
From the Place de la Bastille, the location of the Bastille prison until the storming of the Bastille on 14th July 1789 during the French Revolution, you will now enter Le Marais. The historic aristocratic Parisian district across the 3rd and 4th arrondissements hosts an abundance of buildings of architectural importance.
One of the outstanding squares is the beautiful Place des Vosges, designed under King Henri IV in 1605. The ‘hôtels’ flanking the square were the French nobles’ Parisian mansions. Many of these ‘hôtels’ in Marais have today been converted into museums such as the Picasso Museum and the Musée des Archives Nationales.
The nature of the district has, over the years, considerably changed. Around the 1950s, the district had now become a working-class area.
Nevertheless, you will discover that Le Maris is again a fashionable district with trendy art galleries, top-notch restaurants, and hip cafés.
Just west of Le Marais district, you will find the Centre Pompidou near Les Halles, Paris’s former central fresh food market – now the Forum des Halles shopping mall.
The Centre Pompidou, with the industrial-looking exterior from 1977, designed by Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers, has since its construction become an iconic building with exterior escalators and huge coloured oversized tubes on the façade. It is a piece of high-tech architecture and cultural centre housing a public library, the Musée National d’Art Moderne, a centre for industrial design, a film museum, and IRCAM, a centre for musical and acoustic research.
Even if you don’t want to visit the entire centre, at least you should allow yourself to try the escalators that take you slowly to the top while you are standing inside the voluminous glass tube enjoying the views.
By now, it is probably time to look for a lunch restaurant, which you should easily find here – maybe around the Forum des Halles! Afterwards, it is time for one of the big draws in Paris: the Louvre!
After the Centre Pompidou, you will continue to one of the sights in Paris on top of most visitors’ list together with Notre-Dame and the Eiffel Tower: Le Louvre!
The Louvre is one of the top art museums in Paris and the largest museum in the world! Although built by Philippe Auguste in 1190 as a fortress just on the city’s limits, the Louvre was in the 16th century transformed into a royal palace, at that time inside Paris, due to the urban growth.
Over time, the palace expanded. Nearly every monarch added a section. Today, it takes up an area of 60,600 square meters (652,300 square feet).
In 1682, King Louis XIV decided to move the royal residence out of Paris to Versailles, and the Louvre again changed its status and function. In 1793, the Louvre complex, in Renaissance and French Classical style, was shortly opened as a museum in Paris by the National Assembly. However, due to some problems, it closed down and was only reopened in 1801 by Napoléon as the Musée Napoléon!
In recent times, the Louvre has been remodelled – now with a glass pyramid in the courtyard, a landmark of Paris! The architect I.M. Pei has succeeded in creating a stunning modern Grand Louvre, inaugurated in 1988. Medieval structures from the old fortress exist beneath the pyramid.
We suggest you concentrate on just a minor part of the museum – otherwise, it will be completely overwhelming. Altogether, the museum contains more than 35,000 artworks on display at any time.
Other masterpieces you may want to see, include the Venus de Milo from ancient Greece, the Winged Victory, The Raft of the Medusa, Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss and The Coronation of Napoléon – to mention just a few! There are, of course, many more!
When exiting the Louvre, you naturally continue past the small Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel through the Tuileries Garden, created in 1564 by Catherine de Medici as the garden of the Tuileries Palace in Paris with sculptures and fountains in Florentine style. The name ‘Tuileries’ originates from the tile-making workshops called tuileries, located here before the construction of the Palace.
The Palace and gardens were abandoned for a while when the French Court moved to Versailles – and only restored in the 18th century.
An interesting fact is that during the French Revolution, Louis XVI and his wife, Marie Antoinette, were transferred from Versailles and imprisoned in the Tuileries Palace.
Today, the Tuileries Garden is a lovely public garden to stroll and have a break from the busy city!
On the other side of the Tuileries, you will reach Place de la Concorde, where Marie Antoinette and King Louis XVI were guillotined in 1793. You will find yourself gazing at the giant hieroglyph-ornamented Egyptian obelisk, once marking the entrance to the Luxor Temple, received from the Egyptian government in the 19th century.
Continuing a few kilometres down the famous 70 m (230 ft) wide Avenue des Champs-Élysées, known for its cafés, luxury shops, the annual Bastille Day military parade, and the Tour de France cycle race, you will finally be reaching the iconic Arc de Triomphe!
The impressive Arc de Triomphe, with a height of 50 m (164 ft) stands in the centre of Place Charles de Gaulle, previously named Place de l’Étoile, the meeting point of twelve avenues.
Construction was initiated in 1806 on the orders of Napoléon I to honour the victories of his Grande Armée. The Arc de Triomphe was a gathering point when the French troops were parading and was used for military campaigns and the annual Bastille Day military parade.
The monument was designed by Jean Chalgrin in a Neoclassical version of ancient Roman architecture. It has the names of battles and their generals from the Revolution and the Napoléon Wars inscribed on the surfaces.
In 1840, when Napoléon’s remains were brought back to France from Saint Helena, they passed under the Triumphal Arch on the way to their resting place, the Invalides.
If you continued from Place Charles de Gaulle along the same straight line as when you came from the Louvre, you would, after 5 km (3 miles), reach the Grande Arche de la Défense. It is a modern 110 m (361 ft) high triumphal arch in Paris, built by the Danish architect Johann Otto von Spreckelsen at the end of the twentieth century in La Défense to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the French Revolution in 1989.
By now, you are ready for today’s highlight in Paris, the Eiffel Tower!
Just like Notre Dame and the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower is also a historic construction in Paris.
The Eiffel Tower was the result of a competition marking the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution at the 1889 Exposition Universelle in Paris. It was constructed from 1987 to 1989 by the company of the engineer Gustave Eiffel, who won the competition out of 107 submissions and stood behind the remarkable, unique tower.
No less than a masterpiece of precision work was the new wrought-iron Eiffel Tower in Paris! 3,629 detailed drawings and 18,038 different parts were required to complete the massive, but at the same time, elegant-looking rising wonder.
The Eiffel Tower was inaugurated in March 1989 at the Exposition in Paris, before the lifts were functioning! Nevertheless, it was such a draw that 30,000 people climbed the 1,710 steps to the top before the lifts finally were brought into operation!
Being one of a kind, the Eiffel Tower has, over the years, become a cherished symbol and icon of Paris and France, although, in the beginning, criticised for its unconventional design. A vast number of artists and intellectuals initially protested against the monstrous skeleton.
The ingeniously designed structure is a heavy construction: in total, it weighs 10,100 tons, and alone the wrought-iron material reaches 7,300 tons!
If ascending the tower, you will take the lift up to the observation deck on the top level’s upper platform, 276 m (906 ft) above the ground. You may, alternatively, climb the stairs part of the way – in case you feel ready for some exercise!
During your visit, you will get the chance to explore the history of the Eiffel Tower and the reconstruction of Gustave Eiffel’s office in Paris. There are also dining options, so perhaps your dinner plans should be included in your visit here?
DAY 3: Paris
A less traditional thing to do in Paris, but definitely a lovely thing to do on the last of your 3 sightseeing days, is a morning walk along the 4.6 km (2.9 miles) long Canal Saint-Martin connecting the Canal de l’Ourcq and the Seine River.
You may start at Rue du Faubourg du Temple and continue right up to the metro station Jaurès.
Later, it was also used to transport grain and building materials on canal boats. Two ports were established on the Canal Saint-Martin to unload the boats: Port de l’Arsenal and the Bassin de la Villette. Moreover, several warehouses saw the light of day along the new canal. During the mid-1800s, it was, to some extent, covered to provide more public space (from Rue du Faubourg du Temple to Place de la Bastille).
Today, it is a charming stretch of road along the old canal flanked by restaurants, bars and shops. Together with Parisians and other visitors who have found their way to the idyllic old waterway, you can enjoy the tranquil ambience along the Canal Saint-Martin, exploring a fascinating route with its history through Paris.
If you would like to continue your Paris sightseeing by boat to see the city from this angle, we suggest that you now return to the Seine, where you take an approximately 1-hour sightseeing cruise past the Notre-Dame de Paris, the Louvre, and all the other iconic sights along the river banks.
There are several cruise options: the Bateaux Mouches, the Vedettes du Pont Neuf or others … which you can make reservations for beforehand.
You can even make it a ‘lunch cruise’.
In the afternoon you will visit the unconventional art museum in Paris, Musée d’Orsay, on the Left Bank – which is very different from the Louvre! (In case you haven’t had lunch yet, there are excellent lunch options here, too!)
The art museum is housed in the building of the former Gare d’Orsay, which is a beautiful Beaux-Arts railway station built 1898-1900 for the 1900 Exposition Universelle.
In 1978 three young architects, Pierre Colboc, Renaud Bardon and Jean-Paul Philippon won the competition to design a museum inside the old station, turning the 20,000 square metres (220,000 sq ft) into four intriguing museum floors. Gae Aulenti was the Italian architect of interior design, and Musée d’Orsay officially opened in December 1986.
You can easily spend a couple of hours here in the collections of art by famous artists, which span the period 1848 to 1914. Art within all genres is represented: painting, architecture, sculpture, decorative arts, and photography.
Now, if you want to squeeze in a bit of shopping before ending up around Sacré-Coeur and Montmartre at the end of the day, you may consider going to one of the iconic department stores from the end of the 19th century: Printemps Haussmann or Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, renovated in an Art Déco style, both located on the Seine Right Bank a 25-minute walk north of the museum.
Here, you will find a plethora of everything within the usual department store categories, and, at the same time, you will be able to enjoy lavish décor, as well as outstanding design and architecture.
However, if you are not up to shopping today, you can walk straight up to the Sacré-Coeur Basilica (or take the metro).
You will arrive at the Sacré-Coeur Basilica at the summit of the butte Montmartre.
To avoid climbing the hill, you may consider the RAT BUS 40 or the Montmartre Funicular.
In 1870, the Franco-Prussian War broke out between France and Germany, where France was defeated. As a result, a church was then agreed upon (the ‘National Vow’) as a spiritual gesture: the Sacré-Coeur Basilica.
It is a Roman Catholic church dedicated to the Sacred Heart (‘Sacré-Coeur’) of Jesus, designed by Paul Abadie and completed in 1914. However, the outbreak of World War I put it on hold for some years, and it was not consecrated until 1919.
Being Romano-Byzantine in style, Sacré Coeur is greatly inspired and influenced by churches like Hagia Sofia in the former Constantinople and San Marco in Venice.
Enter the church (entrance is free) to view the fine mosaic and the stained glass windows.
From the forecourt, you have panoramic views all over Paris, and you can see the countryside 50 km (30 miles) away.
From ancient times, Montmartre has been a place of worship. Both the ancient Gauls and Romans had temples here where Sacré-Coeur today stands.
During the 9th century, Montmartre (meaning ‘Mount Martyr’) was a Christian pilgrimage site under the influence of Saint Genevieve, and a chapel in honour of Saint Denis was erected at this location.
In the 12th century, a new church, the Église Saint-Pierre, was now constructed at Montmartre.
Today, all that remains from the time preceding the present Sacré-Coeur Basilica is the vineyard belonging to the old Abbey!
Anyway, Montmartre today is so much more! It is an authentic cobbled village with charming bistros, galleries, and performing artists. Visit the vineyard, Vignes du Clos, planted in 1930 on the sunny hillside of Montmartre, contributing to the area’s rural ambience!
Famous artists such as Manet, Toulouse-Lautrec, Renoir, Van Gogh, Picasso, Modigliani and Miró were all painters who found peace to work at Montmartre.
You will enjoy spending the last evening of your 3 eventful days at Montmartre enjoying the bohemian atmosphere and the scenic views of Paris. Of course, it is not the most budget-friendly restaurant you will stumble across here, but the unique Montmartre vibe makes up for it!
At the foot of Montmartre, you will also spot the old merry-go-round, an icon of the entertainment around Montmartre.
If you have more than the 3 days in Paris, we recommend a jaunt to the Palace of Versailles, a former royal residence and a national historical building, to see the sumptuous castle, a magnificent example of French Baroque architecture, and its outstanding gardens.
Other things you may consider doing in Paris are getting up early and exploring the vibrant Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen, visiting the labyrinthine Catacombs or engaging in an unusual tourist activity such as discovering the personalities buried at the large Père Lachaise Cemetery.
Do you need to find the right neighbourhood to stay in Paris? – See Where to Stay in Paris
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Paris Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame and Louvre in 3 days
Paris Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, Louvre
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Paris Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, Louvre:
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Paris 3 days: Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, Louvre