Top

Sharing is caring!

If you’re looking to build an itinerary for 3 days in Paris, these are the must-see places I recommend! You can definitely conquer Paris in three days and visit all of these places. Each one was spectacularly beautiful and took my breath away. Like literally. And it is a perfect trip for any time of the year. If you’re even looking to dress a little Parisian, check this guide out. I spent a total of eight days in Paris and that was a bit much for me. If I were to do it all over again, here’s what I’d recommend for what to see in Paris in 3 days. And as Audrey Hepburn says…

 “Paris is always a good idea.”

Visiting Notre Dame Cathedral

I went on the Notre Dame tower tour and climbed all the way up! I have to say climbing Notre Dame’s tower was a lot less scary than the Eiffel Tower. Partly because it is enclosed, so it wasn’t as daunting. However, Notre Dame tower has a spiral staircase, so those were a bit tricky (I have no idea how the girl in a dress before me did it). There is an excellent view of Paris from up here, really worth it! So it should be at the top of your what to do in Paris France in 3 days itinerary!
Interestingly, all the gargoyles are different, and there are thousands of them. They are so well crafted and have unbelievably stood the test of time. They impressed the heck out of me. I don’t remember being too thrilled with the interior of the church, but that’s worth a look while you’re there. You don’t have to pay for the Notre Dame Cathedral if you’ve got the Paris Museum Pass. You can also go underneath and see some of the city ruins with the Paris Museum Pass.

ITINERARY INFO FOR Notre Dame

Since the fire of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on April 15, 2019, the building has been closed to the public.

(as of March 2024)

Sainte Chapelle’s Incredible Stained Glass

After seeing so many churches while in Europe, I didn’t think anything could surprise me, however, Sainte Chapelle did! It is honestly the most beautiful church I have ever seen. I would recommend it to anyone and everyone. The stained glass surrounds the Sainte Chapelle church, telling one of the Bible stories. It’s hard to see in the picture, but each section has an image representing part of the story.

They have been restoring it by cleaning the stained glass with Q-tips! I wouldn’t want to have that job. Try to go on a sunny day to get the full effect. If you have the Paris Museum Pass, you don’t have to pay the Sainte Chapelle entrance fee. The church is super close to Notre Dame, making it easy to get to when adventuring in Paris in 3 days!

ITINERARY INFO FOR Sainte Chapelle

You can also get an audioguide for €3 or book a combined ticket which includes the Conciergerie for €20.

€13 - Adults
Free - 18-25 years old (EU)
Free - Under 18 years old
Duration: 30 minutes-1 hour

(as of March 2024)

itinerary 3 days in paris

Conciergerie

In the 14th century, the Palace lost its initial residential function and instead became a concierge, as ordered by the king, transforming part of the premises into a prison.

From the 15th century until the Revolution, the Conciergerie was one of the most important prisons in Paris. Famous prisoners of this period are the Count of Montgomery (1574), Ravaillac (1610), the Marquise of Brinvilliers (1676), the legendary brigand Cartouche (1721), the regicide Damiens (1757), and the Countess of La Motte (1786). Her most famous prisoner was Marie Antoinette.

ITINERARY INFO FOR the Conciergerie

Every day at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., subject to availability, they have a guided tour. You can also book a combined ticket, which includes Sainte Chapelle, for €20.

€13 - Adults
Free - 18-25 years old (EU)
Free - Under 18 years old
Duration: 1-2 hours

(as of March 2024)

Napoleon Apartments

Napoleon Apartments at the Louvre

The Louvre, everyone told me to get there early, and they were right. I got there just after opening and hardly anyone was there. Headed straight to Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, then to Venus. I recommend doing that first since that’s what everyone is there to see, and it can get rather crowded. Don’t forget to get a map at the front; else you’ll get lost as I did (whomp whomp).

I have to say I wasn’t impressed by Mona or Venus, probably because I’ve seen them in so many textbooks and across the interwebs. Jaded, I know. I should note that I didn’t get the Louvre audio guide, which may have improved the experience. If you’re invested in art, get the audio guide to complete your visit.

However, I was seriously impressed with the Napoleon Apartments. You could throw one heck of a party in there! The Napoleon Apartments were absolutely gorgeous! All in all, I do have the Louvre as a must on my list of what to do in Paris France in 3 days.

The Louvre was also on the Paris Museum Pass. You could spend a fair amount of time here if you’re really interested in art. I only went for the famous pieces. If you’ve got more than a long weekend to spend in Paris, you could spend at least a full day here.

ITINERARY INFO FOR The Louvre

€22 - Adults
Free - Under 18 years, Under 26 year old (EU)
€9-€12 - Guided tours, storytime and workshops
Duration: 2-3 hours

(as of March 2024)

paris trip itinerary

Arc de Triomphe

The Arc de Triomphe is beautiful but a bit tricky to get to. You have to find the underground tunnel to get close to it. Please do not try to run across the traffic; it’s way too dangerous. You can access the monument via the Passage du Souvenir.

When I was there, they had a ceremony for the veterans. I didn’t get too much info since it was hard to hear and all in French.

You can go to the top of the Arc for a fantastic view, but it’s another set of spiral stairs. Tired of stairs, my Aunt and I opted to enjoy it from the ground. The Arc looks bigger in person, which kind of shocked me. The architectural design on it alone is worth the stop and a must to add to your itinerary for 3 days in Paris. There is so much detail!

Also, the Arc de Triomphe is also on the Paris Museum Pass!

ITINERARY INFO FOR the Arc de Triomphe

€16 - Adults
Free - Under 18 years, Under 26 year old (EU)
Free - The first Sunday of Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov and Dec
Duration: 1 hour (if climbing to the top)

(as of March 2024)

eiffel tower international trip planner

Visiting the Eiffel Tower

I had a wonderful, though partly traumatizing, afternoon at the Eiffel Tower. Let me start by saying that I’m afraid of falling. I’m not scared of heights like most people will tell you because I do just fine in an airplane. I fear falling from a great height, so the impending trip to the Eiffel Tower wasn’t my favorite thing on the list. Sure, when you’re in Paris, you have to go to the Eiffel Tower, and I knew I would; I just wasn’t going to be thrilled about it.

Before I made the long walk up, my Aunt and I stopped for some Parisian food and a drink. I’ll be frank about it. I needed the liquid courage. I had never tried Lillet before, nor had I ever heard of it. But we saw a poster at the restaurant of a cold glass of Lillet with some fruit in it and I decided to try it. It was wonderful, especially since it had been so hot that day! In the States, you can buy this at BevMo if you’re not spending 3 days in Paris imminently but want to try Lillet. In Paris, many of the restaurants serve it.

For those of you who hate heights, like myself, I say suck it up and climb the Eiffel Tower anyway. It’s a must on my itinerary for 3 days in Paris. And this way, you won’t ever have to do it again! Also, take the stairs. The line is so much shorter! The Eiffel Tower is stunning, though I didn’t think it was brown since every image I’ve seen makes it look black.

The Paris Museum Pass does not cover the Eiffel Tower, so I had to pay to visit. The cheapest Eiffel Tower admission was for a ticket with stair access to the second floor. You have to pay more to use the elevator and more to get to the very top. I only went to the second-floor landing, which was enough for me. I asked a lady who had just gone if it was worth it. She said no that it was the same view.

However, when I asked my aunt about it, she said it was worth it. Make this decision for yourself. I don’t regret going to the top. I would have had to be airlifted out of there from the massive panic attack it would have caused, and that wouldn’t have done well for the rest of my 3 day itinerary for Paris France.

Visiting the Eiffel Tower at Night

See the Eiffel Tower at Night

I recommend visiting the Eiffel Tower in the evening so you can see it in daylight. Then, shortly after the sun sets, it lights up. Seeing the Eiffel Tower at night is a magical experience. It lights up every half hour, and you can sit on the grass with a nice snack while waiting. There are loads of guys walking around selling alcohol and snacks, so don’t worry if you didn’t bring any.

ITINERARY INFO FOR the Eiffel Tower

Note: These amounts listed are for the stairs. It is more expensive to take the lift and even more so to take a tour.

€11.80 - Adults
€5.90 - Youth (12-24)
€3 - Children (4-11)
Free - Small Children (Under 4)
Duration: 1.5-2.5 hours

(as of March 2024)

What To Do in Paris in 4 Days

Take a Seine River Cruise

Going on a Seine River cruise was something my Aunt had requested. I say this as I’m not a big cruise person. However, I did wind up having a lovely time just sitting and relaxing as we passed some of Paris’ most notable sites. Taking a Seine River Cruise is a low-stress way of seeing a lot while conquering your itinerary for 3 days in Paris! Most cruises also have commentary to accompany the tour and last about an hour. I hope you get a more beautiful day than we got, though; it was gloomy!

Seine River Cruise Suggestions

Powered by GetYourGuide

weekend in paris

Strolling Down the Champs Elysees

Of course, we stopped by arguably the most famous street in Paris, the Champs Elysees! It’s akin to Los Angeles’ Rodeo Drive, so if you’re not into luxury shopping, you may want to stick to just strolling by rather than actual shopping. Saving our travel budget, we stopped for a quick dessert nearby instead. I’d say you can skip this on your what to see in Paris in 3 days if you want to as it wasn’t a favorite of mine.

ITINERARY INFO FOR the Champs Elysees

Distance: 2 miles
Duration: 1.5 hours (to walk it)

Pont des Arts, Paris’ Love Lock Bridge

Update 2024: Back in 2015, the weight of these thousands of metal locks took a toll on the Pont des Arts, and unfortunately, a section of the bridge came down. Glass panels have now replaced the fence, so if you do go, you can see the locks through the glass panel. Even with the paneling, the Pont des Arts remains one of the most popular sites in Paris. Note that it is illegal to put up padlocks on the bridge; however, that hasn’t stopped anyone.

ITINERARY INFO FOR Pont des Arts

Duration: 15 minutes

3 day itinerary paris france

Shakespeare and Company

Bookworms! Make sure to check out Shakespeare and Company, an English-language bookstore that opened in 1951. American George Whitman opened it in 1951. It was originally called “Le Mistral” but was renamed “Shakespeare and Company” on the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare‘s birth. Today, it continues to serve as a purveyor of new and second-hand books, an antiquarian bookseller, and a free reading library open to the public.

The shop also houses aspiring writers and artists in exchange for helping out around the bookstore. Since the shop opened, more than 30,000 people have slept in the beds found tucked between bookshelves. The shop’s motto, “Be Not Inhospitable to Strangers Lest They Be Angels in Disguise”, is written above the entrance to the reading library.

ITINERARY INFO FOR Shakespeare and Company

Duration: 30 minutes (dependant on how much you shop bookworms! 😉)

what to see in paris in 3 days

Where to Eat and Drink in Paris

It’s been over a year since I was in Paris, but I can still remember just how amazing the food was. Once you’ve tasted Parisian food, nothing will taste as good again—trust me! Between French restaurants and places for Paris desserts, there is something for everyone!

Who doesn’t want to start with desserts from Paris? No one? That’s what I thought! I’m sure you’ve already heard about how amazing the patisseries are in France. It. Is. ALL true! The thought of such delectables conjures up images of Marie Antoinette eating little cakes. Let me tell you, I could have eaten my way through these places and been perfectly happy about the 8,000 pounds I would have gained, though that would have made completing the rest of my Paris in 3 days interary difficult.

Angelina

Angelina may look like any old Parisian patisserie from the outside, but inside, it’s akin to walking into Willy Wonka’s classy pastry department. I consider it the best bakery in Paris, though it is much more than that! The place is filled with fantastic, mouth-watering smells of chocolate, sugar, and creams. There’s usually a line out the door, but there is a separate entrance for pickup orders. If you’re just dropping by for some desserts, you can go to that entrance. Your other choice is to go to the tearoom.

Now, aside from all the amazing pastries, you can gawk at for hours, there is what I came for—the hot chocolate. When my friend recommended it, I thought, how good can it actually be? It’s hot chocolate, for goodness sake! Boy, was I wrong! It is amazing! I don’t know what they put in it, but it’s like tasting heaven. No chocolate bar or hot cocoa will ever taste as good! They have a few locations, so check the website for your closest location. It is one of the best places to eat desserts in Paris!

Parisian food

Macarons at Laduree

Anyone who has watched Gossip Girl already knows what Laduree is, and if you haven’t, you should. Laduree is the best place for macarons, my favorite Paris dessert! Trust me, I’ve tried the American macarons around Los Angeles, and they don’t match up! The Laduree store is gorgeous and a must-visit to add to your itinerary 3 days in Paris! Think Sophia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette scene with the desserts. Yep, it’s that good!

A friend told me the Tea Salon serves fantastic food. I’ll take his word for that since their macarons were terrific! I got the pistachio and salted caramel and thoroughly enjoyed snacking on them while walking around the right bank. They have locations in New York City, Los Angeles, and Miami for those not skipping across the pond anytime soon for some Parisian desserts.

what to do in paris france in 3 days

L’Imperial

I stumbled across L’Imperial while looking for a place to eat that wouldn’t drain my bank account. Some places in Paris are costly, some have tiny portions, and some don’t taste that great. L’Imperial is none of the above and is an excellent place for budget travelers looking for food in Paris. They were well-priced with hefty portions, and had pasta to die for! Literally, I was stuffed, but because it was my second to last day in Paris and I knew I wouldn’t be back anytime soon, I scarfed down the whole plate of pasta. And it was a BIG plate!

A nap followed it in a park, the only way to digest pasta properly in Paris, in my opinion. The interior design is too mod for my taste, but the waiters were very nice and prompt with the food. If I could ship their pasta to my door right now, I would. That’s how good it was! It was my favorite of all the food in Paris I tried! If it’s unclear, I highly recommend eating here during your 3 day itinerary for Paris France.

What To Do in Paris in 4 Days

How Many Days in Paris?

When I went on my trip for eight days, it was far too much. I think there are enough things to do in Paris in 3 days. I did do some day trips out to outside of Paris, so if you plan on doing that as well, I’d recommend alloting some more days for those. The locations I have listed here, however, are somewhat close together, so doing Paris in 3 days is entirely possible. Make sure to build a map for yourself to help you get around.

Looking for a day trip from Paris?:

Visit the Palace of Versailles and Gardens

Visit Château de Pierrefonds, the filming location of Merlin

Tips on where to stay on a budget in Paris?: Find out about European hostels

Looking for even MORE things to do in Paris?: Check out this perfect Paris trip itinerary

Want to remember this? Post this How to Build an Itinerary for 3 Days in Paris article to your favorite Pinterest board!

four days in paris four days in paris

Sharing is caring!

1

Michelle is a nerdy wanderluster with a love of history. A thirty-something traveler and occasional female solo traveler who you’ll find road-tripping across the United States or hostel-hopping in Europe. Currently residing in Southern California with a day job in marketing.

Comments:

  • 02/04/2014

    Elle so nice to hear that you felt the same way about Paris as me. We too visited at the end of our vacation, after 6 full days in the UK. I was exhausted by then as well. I tried to enjoy it as much as possible, but the food was bleh and I guess it was just too much hype. Of course it was gorgeous, but I was still in wonderlust with England! xo

    reply...
    • 02/04/2014

      I actually spoke to an Englishman the other day and he was on the same page as us! I was surprised, thinking they’d be more compatible since they’re closer. I had some great pasta and macaroons! The bread products there are amazing! I think I put too much hype into it as well. I’d like to go to Italy next, but I’d like to go with someone this time. England is the best! I hope I get to work there one day!

      reply...

post a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.