What to See in Paris in 3 Days

As a lover of Paris, it’s a place I travel to quite often. In fact, each year the length of my stays gets longer, and the frequency higher. Paris is my soul city, and I can’t stay away. Walking around Paris is like walking in an outdoor museum, and I never get tired of the incredible sights. The endless bridges, the stunning churches and cathedrals, and the outdoor terraces are addictive. Café culture is one that I embrace the second I land at Charles de Gaulle airport.

Breaking out my limited (but ever evolving) French phrases is something I have gotten a kick out of. The effort of a simple “bonjour” will make your trip so much more enjoyable, as the French love you to try…just a little (un peu). Sure, the attractions like the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe are cool to see, but for me, the attractions are all over the place. Paris is a stunner, and I know you’ll enjoy it with this guide of what to see in Paris in 3 days. Let’s get moving. Let’s see what planning a trip to Paris looks like from my perspective.

Paris in 3 days is not even remotely enough, but sometimes life only permits shorter visits. I’m confident you’ll return, so I’ll squeeze in as much as I can for you without making it overwhelming. Remember, you can always tailor these recommendations to fit your personal style, and I would absolutely encourage you to do that. While this guide is going to be hugely helpful to you in many ways, it may also shed light on things you and I differ on. That’s part of the magic of building your own itinerary.

I’m a huge advocate of not following all the rules, so divert all you want. Just know that the things I do recommend are tried and true, and I love each of them. My experiences are my own, and I love to share them with others. So you’re in luck. I’m going to help you see a really cool version of Paris.

Paris at Night

My encouragement to you is to spend more than 3 days in Paris, but if you can’t, I’ve got you covered. We will get through as much of the “must sees” as possible in this amount of time as your feet and endurance allow. You’ll probably utilize the metro or train station quite a bit, as it’s so easy to use and the best way to get from one location to the next when you’re in a rush.

Walking is my absolute preference, but there is something fun about taking the metro. You’ll really feel like you’ve visited Paris if you take it. It’s a very local thing to do. And remember not to smile or be loud! You’ll really stick out then. That’s not what this article is about, though, so let’s waste no more time talking about smiling and get to the good stuff in Paris. There’s so much of it.

Notre Dame Cathedral

If we are starting out on the right bank, let’s start in the Marais, my favorite neighborhood in Paris. I’m going to recommend Oliver Gee’s guided tours once or twice, and his Marais tour being the first. He does a great job pointing out several large and small landmarks and facts around the area, so you may get what you need from there. Whatever you choose, you’ll choose well. Paris does not disappoint.

Place des Vosges

Walking through Place des Vosges is like walking back in time. This is one square that I never miss, no matter how often I go to Paris. I’ve been on every day of the week, in most seasons, and loved it every which way. It’s the oldest plan square in Paris, and worth a look. If Carette doesn’t have a long line, pop in for some delicious hot chocolate. If it’s too crowded, I suggest moving on.

Canal Saint-Martin

Discovering the Canal Saint-Martin in one of my earlier trips to Paris was a gift. It came out of nowhere, and I continue to walk along it almost every time I go to Paris. It’s quiet and relaxing, and I adore seeing the boats lined up. There is a little windmill that I take a picture with every time. It’s my own little weird tradition and I love it.

Île Saint-Louis

Of the two Îles, this one is my favorite. Walking across a bridge (take your pick, there are a few) to get to it never gets old. There are some less busy areas that I like to walk, even though the island is quite small. Grab a coffee and croissant or pain au chocolat at Le Saint-Regis. It’s a delightful cafe where you can relax and enjoy some Parisian life.

Île de la Cité

This is the main event for most people visiting Paris because it’s here Notre Dame cathedral is located, as well as Saint-Chapelle. It’s also very crowded because everyone is vying for the same attractions. My advice? Don’t wait to go in unless you really want to (to Notre Dame specifically). I wasn’t as wowed as I wanted to be. There are more amazing churches along the way. Let’s go back to the right bank across Pont Neuf now.

Palais-Royal

Before diving into the Louvre, which is at the base of Palais-Royal, take a stroll through this beautiful park. It’s one of my favorites in Paris, and on one of my trips was one I walked through almost everyday to get to the Quai. Sit by the fountain and enjoy the weather if it’s nice. You’ll feel very Parisian/Parisienne for just a few minutes.

Tuileries Garden

Adjacent to the Louvre, there is the Tuileries Garden. The walk through the very long park is magnificent. There are so many places to sit and soak up the sun. And when the sun is out, Parisians are out too. Take your time here, look at the carousel, the statues, and the exercise groups. Maybe get a sandwich from a boulangerie and enjoy it while you take a little rest.

Place de la Concorde

While Place de la Concorde is not *that* great to see, it’s got a good history so I do like to walk by it or through it most times I’m in Paris. It’s most noted by the obelisk that is located there, which comes from Egypt. Marie Antoinette was also executed in this square. Maybe you want to eat some cake and reflect on that while visiting this giant public square where so much has happened. I’ll link the Wikipedia page for more information here.

Pont Alexandre III Bridge

By far the most grandiose bridge, and also one that give a great view of the Eiffel Tower, Pont Alexandre is our last stop for today. We’ve done a lot so far. Now you can relax in the later part of the day, enjoying the Iron Lady light up in the darker hours. The light fixtures on the bridge with the little cherubs never get old to me, and they are photographed every time.

Photo Shoot in Montmartre Cemetery with Krystal (Photographer)

We’re starting out in Montmartre because it’s a beautiful area of Paris. We’ll make a couple of stops there and the move towards the west part of the city, where the “main events” like the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe are. The whole day is fun-filled and jam-packed, so I hope you have your good walking shoes on. You’ll need them for this day.

Sacre-Cœur Basilica

Let’s get here early! Whether you go in or not doesn't quite matter, but getting to the steps early and seeing the view in the morning is like no other. You have the place almost completely to yourself, and it’s magical. You might pop into the church because it’s gorgeous. If not, no sweat. Check out Place du Tertre while you’re near. So many artists, and a hot chocolate at Carette to go will do you well.

Montmartre Cemetery

I’m a cemetery person. Since I’m from New Orleans, cemeteries are a way of life. Coincidentally, it’s not so different than in Paris. We have similar looking cities of dead, and it makes me feel at home. Is that weird? Maybe. I highly recommend perusing this cemetery. I even did a gorgeous photo shoot with my favorite American-turned-Parisienne, Krystal. Don’t you want to book one too?

Parc Monceau

Since you’ll likely want to hop on the metro to get to your next destination, why not take it to Parc Monceau? I absolutely loved this park when I discovered it on one of my trips to Paris. It’s a much more local feel, and very different from the Tuileries and other parks I’ve mentioned. Probably not on your radar, so it will be a pleasant surprise.

Arc de Triomphe

We can’t miss this one. Another one that I’m so-so about paying to get into, I would just view it from the street, snap some photos, and be done with it. Walking up the Champs Élysées is also a great experience, albeit (to me) a bit overwhelming. I like to walk it for a few blocks, and find a metro station to somewhere else. That somewhere else is….

The Eiffel Tower!

You didn’t think I would let you miss the beautiful and perfect icon, did you? No matter how many times I see it, my stomach flutters every time. It’s part of the fabric of Paris, and we are lucky to be able to share it. If you have not, I highly recommend going up to the second floor and taking in the views. My personal preference is to climb it, because…that’s just me. Get your tickets in advance so you don’t have to wait too long. It makes a difference.

Champ de Mars

There’s not a way to avoid the Champ de Mars when coming from the Eiffel Tower, and you don’t want to! It’s a nice big greenway adjacent to the tower, and a nice space to walk and watch Parisian dogs run around. My recommendation is to reward yourself after that adventure by going to the bar Gatsby nearby or Le Fontaine de Mars for a good meal.

The Louvre After Hours

This is going to be such a nice day. It will mostly be relaxing, depending on what you choose from this list. There are so many more things to see, so we have to make this day count, and we will. I’m excited to show you more of the left bank, and if you’re up for it, a tour of the Louvre. We’re blowing it out on the last day of what to see in Paris in 3 days, so we need to get moving.

Louvre

If you want to do the Louvre, first make sure it’s not on a Tuesday when it’s closed. Second, get a tour guide to show you the highlights. It’s far too big for you to navigate alone, and frankly quite frustrating. I’ve been a couple of times, and my first was the worst because I didn’t know what I was doing. My recommendation is Claudine Hemingway, who runs such tours. She will show you what you need to know.

Luxembourg Gardens

Expansive and gorgeous, especially in spring and summer, the Luxembourg Gardens are a must-see activity while you’re in Paris. I’m a huge fan of hiring a professional photographer to snap some perfect pictures while you’re there like I did. You’ll have lasting memories of your time in Paris, and it only takes an hour of your time.

Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots

Two of the most famous eateries in Paris, go ahead and grab a lunch there, or even just a glass of wine on the terrace. They are essentially next to each other on Boulevard Saint-Germain, so you can choose whichever you want. Writers like Hemingway and artists like Picasso have been to these very places, making them iconic. It’s worth going once.

Shakespeare and Co

If you want to go to an English language literature bookshop in Paris, Shakespeare and Co is your friend. The line is typically forever long, so if you’re not married to getting in there, you might try The Abbey Bookshop which is about a minute walk from here. It’s also English language literature, and very interesting to see. Give it a whirl!

Église Saint-Sulpice

By far my favorite church in Paris yet, I would recommend checking out Église Saint-Sulpice. You can walk around with zero crowds, and take some beautiful pictures in the square around it. If you’re not really into churches, skip this one. There is plenty more to do.

Le Bon Marché

Why I love Le Bon Marché is because they always have the most magnificent decorations throughout the entire store. It’s a friendlier version of the “more popular” department store, Galeries Lafayette, and the crowds are typically much less. I’m always coming away with something from there. My love of fashion is evident by this recommendation!

Panthéon

I don’t have a ton to say about the Panthéon except that it’s a solid spot to visit if you have some time. The views from the observation area are awesome, but you must see if it’s open. With Paris, you never know. Fickle is a good word. My recommendation is to go on a nice day. I wouldn’t make this a major priority, though.

My Favorite Statue in the Tuileries

So much goes into planning a one, three, or ten day Paris itinerary. If you’re looking to tour Paris in 3 days, this is a great start. I would highly recommend using Google maps to pinpoint all of the areas of interest so you you can pull it up while you’re walking around. My maps is totally full for Paris, and I continue to add more as I go. Like I said, it’s like walking around a giant outdoor museum. If you are able to take more time than 3 days do it. Have some down time and enjoy Parisian culture by relaxing at a café or sunning yourself at the Tuileries. Pack your best French phrases, and let’s see Paris. À bientôt!

For a great guide on what to wear in Paris, check out my blog that outlines how I dress while I’m there, as well as my blog on what to do in Paris for 3 days.

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