By ANL | UPDATED: 03 Jun 2026

Wondering what to do in Paris in 3 days? This itinerary is designed for first-time visitors who want to see the city’s essential sights without spending unnecessary time travelling between attractions. Over three days, you will explore the historic Latin Quarter and Notre-Dame, visit the Louvre and Eiffel Tower, walk through some of Paris’s most famous districts and experience the artistic atmosphere of Montmartre. The route combines world-famous landmarks, cultural heritage and practical sightseeing logistics to help you make the most of your time in Paris.

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: Latin Quarter & Notre-Dame

Spend the morning exploring the Latin Quarter, one of Paris’s oldest neighbourhoods situated in the 5th arrondissement of Paris – and a convenient base for several attractions on today’s route.

Place de la Contrescarpe – Everywhere in the Latin Quarter you will find enticing small cafés | Photo: Travel In Culture

Travellers with more time in this area can explore its history, cafés and hidden corners in our guide to the Latin Quarter in Paris.

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.

Walk through the historic Sorbonne area in the heart of the Latin Quarter. Founded in the 13th century, the university helped shape Paris’s reputation as a centre of learning and student culture. Even if you do not enter the buildings, the surrounding streets provide a good introduction to the atmosphere of the Left Bank. See our guide to the Latin Quarter for details about Sorbonne.

Sorbonne Chapel | Photo: Travel In Culture

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!

Panthéon was built in a Greek-Roman neoclassical architectural style with beautiful Corinthian columns | Photo: Travel In Culture

When visiting the iconic building, do not miss the tombs of significant French personalities, which can be found in the crypt. They include famous people such as Rousseau, Voltaire, Emile Zola and Marie Curie, only the second woman interred in the Panthéon.

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! For more details about Panthéon, see our guide to the Latin Quarter.

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.

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!

Photo: Travel In Culture

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!

For historical details about Rue Mouffetard, see our guide to the Latin Quarter.

The old amphitheatre, Arénes de Lutèce, in the Latin Quarter is a favourite spot. It is a genuine Roman ‘arène’, just behind the ordinary house façades in Rue Monge.

Photo: Travel In Culture

See our article on the Latin Quarter for the history of Aènes de Lutèce.

Les Bouquinistes along the Seine | Photo: Travel In Culture

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.

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. For historic information, see our dedicated guide to the Latin Quarter.

A glimpse of Notre-Dame de Paris from a hidden gem under a bridge | Photo: Stefaan Van der Biest / Pixabay

From the Latin Quarter, cross the Seine to Île de la Cité, the historic heart of Paris. The island is home to several important landmarks, including the Conciergerie, where Marie Antoinette was imprisoned before her execution, the magnificent Sainte-Chapelle, and, of course, the iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral.

After the devastating fire of 2019, Notre-Dame underwent an extensive restoration and reopened in 2024. Today, visitors can once again admire one of Paris’s most famous landmarks and a symbol of both the city and France.

Notre-Dame de Paris is in the middle of the Seine on the Île de la Cité (photo before the fire in 2019) | Photo: Jiangli / Pixabay

Take some time to walk around the cathedral and the surrounding squares before continuing your itinerary. The views across the Seine, the nearby bookstalls of the bouquinistes and the atmosphere of Île de la Cité make this one of the most memorable stops during your 3 days in Paris.

Victor Hugo’s 1831 novel The Hunchback of Notre-Dame helped spark renewed interest in the cathedral and contributed significantly to its worldwide fame.

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!

Photo: Travel In Culture

Read more about Jardin du Luxermbourg in our complete guide to the Latin Quarter.

DAY 2: Louvre, Champs-Élysées & Eiffel Tower

An optional stop this morning is a brisk walk on the Promenade Plantée, a scenic walkway elevated above the streets of Paris on a former railway, unused since 1969. 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!

Photo: Travel In Culture

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.

You will discover that Le Maris is again a fashionable district with trendy art galleries, top-notch restaurants, and hip cafés.

The Centre Pompidou has become iconic, with its exterior escalators and huge coloured oversized tubes on the façade | Photo: Pixabay

Just west of Le Marais district, you will find the industrial-looking Centre Pompidou near Les Halles, Paris’s former central fresh food market – now the Forum des Halles shopping mall. If modern art interests you, stop briefly at Centre Pompidou before heading to the Louvre.

You will easily find a lunch restaurant around the Forum des Halles! Afterwards, it is time for one of the big draws in Paris: the Louvre!

After exploring Le Marais and the Centre Pompidou, it is time for one of Paris’s essential landmarks: the Louvre. Together with Notre-Dame and the Eiffel Tower, it is among the city’s most famous attractions and a highlight of any first visit to Paris.

Originally built as a medieval fortress in the 12th century, the Louvre later became a royal palace before opening as a public museum after the French Revolution. Today, it is the world’s largest art museum and home to some of the most celebrated artworks ever created.

Louvre in Paris boasts an unusual entrance through the impressive glass pyramid | Photo: Travel In Culture

Unless you are a dedicated art enthusiast, resist the temptation to see everything. With tens of thousands of works on display, focusing on a few highlights will make your visit far more enjoyable.

Before leaving, take a moment to admire the Louvre’s famous glass pyramid, designed by architect I.M. Pei and inaugurated in 1989. From here, your route continues naturally through the Tuileries Garden towards Place de la Concorde and the Champs-Élysées.

People stroll in the Tuileries Garden after visiting the Louvre in Paris | Photo: Tatutati / Pixabay

The Tuileries Garden provides a pleasant walk between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde. Created in the 16th century, it remains one of Paris’s most elegant public gardens and a perfect place for a short break.

The Tuileries Garden was created in 1564 by Catherine de Medici as the garden of the Tuileries Palace in Paris with sculptures and fountains in Florentine style.

The fountain and the giant Egyptian obelisk, once marking the entrance to the Luxor Temple, in the Place de la Concorde | Photo: Ra La / Pixabay

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 Arc de Triomphe was initiated in 1806 on the orders of Napoléon I to honour the victories of his Grande Armée | Photo: Igor Soldic 1 / Pixabay

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.

Now you are ready for another of today’s highlights in Paris: the Eiffel Tower!

No first visit to Paris feels complete without seeing the Eiffel Tower. Together with Notre-Dame and the Louvre, it is one of the city’s defining landmarks and the perfect finale to your second day.

Built for the 1889 Exposition Universelle to commemorate the centenary of the French Revolution, the tower was designed by engineer Gustave Eiffel. Although controversial when it was first unveiled, it has since become the most recognisable symbol of Paris and France.

The Paris Eiffel Tower was the result of a competition marking the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution | Photo: Pixabay

You can reach the observation levels by lift or climb part of the way by stairs. From the upper platforms, you will enjoy sweeping views across Paris, including the Seine, the Arc de Triomphe, Montmartre and many of the landmarks you have already visited during your trip.

Inside the tower, you can also learn more about its construction and see a reconstruction of Gustave Eiffel’s historic office.

Paris Eiffel Tower | Photo: Damián Aldeta Fuentes / Pixabay

DAY 3: Seine, Musée d’Orsay & Montmartre

A less traditional thing to do in Paris, but a worthwhile detour 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.

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.

For more local neighbourhoods and lesser-known cultural experiences, see our guide to Alternative Paris: Hidden Gems Locals Love – and for more details on the charming canal our guide to Canal Saint-Martin.

Take a river cruise in Paris during one of your 3 days in the city | Photo: Pixabay

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 in advance. You can even take 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! (If 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.

Musée d’Orsay is a fascinating art museum housed in the building of the former Gare d’Orsay | Photo: Pixabay

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).

At the foot of Sacré-Coeur, you will find the old merry-go-round | Photo: Travel In Culture

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.

Enter the church (entrance is free) to view the fine mosaic and the stained glass windows. From the forecourt, you have a panoramic view of all of Paris, and you can see the countryside 50 km (30 miles) away. Read more about Sacré-Coeur in Montmartre, Place du Tertre, Sacré-Coeur Paris – History & Cultural Heritage.

From ancient times, Montmartre has been a place of worship. Both the ancient Gauls and Romans had temples here where Sacré-Coeur today stands.

All that remains from the time preceding the present Sacré-Coeur Basilica is the vineyard belonging to the old Abbey!

Photo: Travel In Culture

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 see the old merry-go-round, an icon of the entertainment around Montmartre. For historical and cultural details of Montmartre, see our detailed guide to Montmarte, Place du Tertre & Sacré-Coeur.

This itinerary follows the principles of our cultural travel method, combining major landmarks with neighbourhood history, architecture and local culture.

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 historic 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 include getting up early to explore the vibrant Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen, visiting the labyrinthine Catacombs or engaging in an unusual tourist activity such as discovering the grand personalities buried at the vast Père Lachaise Cemetery.

Is 3 days enough to see Paris?

Yes, 3 days is enough to see the main highlights of Paris such as the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Notre-Dame, Montmartre, and the Latin Quarter. You will not see everything, but this itinerary is designed to cover the essential landmarks efficiently.

What is the best area to stay in Paris for 3 days?

The best areas to stay are the Latin Quarter, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, or Le Marais. These locations are central, well connected, and allow you to reach most major attractions within 15–30 minutes.

Do you need to book tickets in advance for the Louvre and Eiffel Tower?

Yes, it is highly recommended. Both the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower often have long queues, and timed entry tickets help save significant time, especially during peak travel seasons.

What is the best way to get around Paris in 3 days?

The best way to get around Paris is by using a combination of walking and the metro. Most major attractions are well connected, and the metro is fast, frequent, and affordable.

Can you walk between major attractions in Paris?

Yes, many attractions are walkable, especially in central areas like the Seine, Louvre, Notre-Dame, and the Latin Quarter. However, longer distances such as Montmartre or the Eiffel Tower are better reached by metro.

What should you not miss in Paris on a first visit?

First-time visitors should not miss the Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Montmartre, and a Seine River cruise. These landmarks represent the cultural and historical core of the city.

Is the Eiffel Tower worth visiting at night?

Yes, visiting the Eiffel Tower at night is highly recommended. The hourly sparkle light show and illuminated skyline make it one of the most memorable experiences in Paris.

Do you need to find the right neighbourhood to stay in Paris? – See Where to Stay in Paris

Are you going to London? Check out here which museums and sights you can cover in 3 days in the British capital: London Museums, Attractions and Sightseeing in 3 Days

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From Notre Dame Paris to Eiffel Tower to Louvre

Images courtesy of Travel In Culture. Selected images from Pixabay.