Paris began as the Roman settlement of Lutetia and grew into Europe’s beacon of art, fashion, gastronomy, and revolutionary ideas. Its story is written in limestone—Gothic spires, Haussmannian boulevards, and modern masterpieces—stitched together by the silvery ribbon of the Seine.

Fun fact: the city’s 20 arrondissements spiral outward like a snail shell. Another: street-corner bakeries win annual prizes for baguettes, and you can taste the pride in every bite. Expect late dining (8 pm is normal), café terraces year-round, and busy attractions—timed tickets are your friend.

Practical notes: the Metro is fast and safe; pickpockets can lurk in tourist zones, so keep valuables secure. Most museums close one day a week (the Louvre on Tuesday). Reserve major sights and restaurants in advance, and pack a small umbrella—Parisian weather loves a surprise.

Paris

Paris rewards both first-timers and veteran flâneurs. One minute you’re under the stained-glass blaze of Sainte-Chapelle; the next, you’re sipping a café crème as children sail toy boats in the Tuileries. Neighborhoods feel like distinct villages—Latin Quarter bookshelves, Marais ateliers, Montmartre’s cobbles.

Top highlights include the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame (now re-opened), and the grand sweep of the Seine. Balance the icons with local joys: an early baguette run, a picnic by Canal Saint-Martin, a glass of Beaujolais in a zinc-topped bar.

Where to stay: pick central addresses for easy transit (1st–7th, 9th, 10th, 11th). Families love apartment stays for kitchens and space; romantics gravitate to Left Bank boutique hotels.

• Getting there & around: Fly into CDG or ORY. From CDG, the RER B to central Paris takes ~35 minutes (about €12); official taxis are flat-rate (about €58–€65). For flights within Europe, search on Omio; for long-haul flights, use Trip.com. Trains from London (2h16, Eurostar), Brussels (~1h22), or Amsterdam (~3h20) can be compared on Omio Trains and buses on Omio Buses.
• Hotels & apartments: Browse citywide options on Hotels.com or VRBO. Handpicked stays: The Ritz Paris (opulent icon, Place Vendôme), Hotel du College de France (great-value Left Bank), Novotel Paris Centre Gare Montparnasse (modern and practical), Hôtel des Arts Montmartre (artist’s quarter), Hôtel des Grands Boulevards (stylish hideaway), or budget-friendly Generator Paris.

Day 1 — Arrival, Île de la Cité, and a Seine Gourmet Dinner Cruise

Morning: Travel to Paris. From CDG, take the RER B into town (~35 minutes) or an official taxi (fixed fare). Drop bags at your hotel; if you arrive early, ask reception to store luggage and freshen up with a quick espresso at a nearby café.

Afternoon: Start where Paris began—Île de la Cité. Admire Notre-Dame’s restored interior and the sculpted portals outside; then step into Sainte-Chapelle to bask in 13th-century stained glass. Wander across Pont Neuf to the Left Bank for a literary stroll around the Latin Quarter. Snack stops: Berthillon on Île Saint-Louis for sorbet, or a warm baguette from a local boulangerie.

Evening: Celebrate your first night with a glass-canopy dinner cruise—fine views, live music, and the city’s glowing monuments sliding by.

• Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Dinner & Sightseeing Cruise

  

  Board near the Eiffel Tower (Port de la Bourdonnais); choose a window table to watch bridges and landmarks ignite at dusk.

Prefer to dine on land? Try Bouillon Racine (Belle Époque room; hearty classics at friendly prices), Le Comptoir du Relais (bistro hits; go early or expect a wait), or Breizh Café in the Marais (buttery buckwheat galettes and cider). Finish with a stroll on the Pont Alexandre III for postcard views.

Day 2 — The Louvre, Tuileries, Montmartre, and the Eiffel Tower

Morning: Fuel up near the Louvre: Angelina (for that famous hot chocolate), Claus (refined breakfast plates), or Café Verlet (roaster since 1880). Then dive into the world’s greatest art trove—book a guided tour so you see masterpieces without wandering in circles. Note: the Louvre is closed on Tuesday.

• Louvre Museum Masterpieces Guided Tour with Access

  

  See the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, and Venus de Milo with expert context and efficient routing.

Afternoon: Stroll the Tuileries, peek into the Palais-Royal arcades, and duck through the 19th-century covered passages (Gallerie Vivienne area) for indie boutiques. Head to Montmartre: climb to Sacré-Cœur for a sweeping skyline, then wander Rue des Abbesses and Place du Tertre. Lunch options: Hardware Société (Aussie-Paris brunch plates), Bouillon Pigalle (fast-moving line, classic French staples), or Le Coq & Fils (rotisserie-focused).

Evening: Time your Eiffel Tower visit for golden hour into nightfall—Paris twinkles on the hour. Reserved access makes a major difference.

• Eiffel Tower Dedicated Reserved Access Top or 2nd floor by lift

  

  Choose summit for a Champagne toast; 2nd floor already has stellar views. Expect from ~€45–€95 depending on inclusions.

Post-view dinner nearby: Le Casse-Noix (seasonal bistro, short walk from the tower), Café Constant (classic fare, no-fuss), or Bistrot Belhara (neighborhood gem). Nightcap ideas: Le Barav (Marais wine bar) or Experimental Cocktail Club (speakeasy vibes).

Day 3 — Marais Markets, Bake Like a Parisian, and Last Strolls

Morning: Wake up in the Marais. Espresso at Fragments (precision coffee) or Boot Café (tiny, blue-doored charmer), then browse the Marché des Enfants Rouges (Paris’ oldest covered market) for produce and flowers. Cap the morning by stepping behind the scenes at a real bakery to roll and shape your own viennoiseries.

• Paris Croissant Small-Group Baking Class with a Chef

  

  Learn lamination, shaping, and proofing—then taste the buttery results warm from the oven.

Afternoon: Squeeze in last favorites before your departure. Pop by Notre-Dame for a final look, then wander the riverside bouquinistes (green bookstalls). For a quick, delicious lunch: L’As du Fallafel (iconic pita, quick queue), Miznon (Mediterranean street food), or Breizh Café (crêpes and cider). Pick up edible souvenirs: macarons from Pierre Hermé or chocolates from À la Mère de Famille.

Evening: If you have a late flight, end with a relaxed sightseeing float.

• Paris Seine River Sightseeing Cruise with Commentary by Bateaux Parisiens

  

  Flexible departure times make it easy to fit in before heading to the airport.

Practical Add-Ons and Tips

• Airport transfers: RER B to Châtelet–Les Halles, Saint-Michel, or Gare du Nord; OrlyVal + RER B from ORY. Official taxis use fixed fares; avoid unlicensed offers.
• Metro basics: Consider a Navigo Easy card and load 10-ride carnets for savings. Trains run roughly 5:30 am–12:30 am (later on weekends).
• Day trips (optional): If you extend your stay, Versailles is ~35–45 minutes by RER C; guided options streamline entry—see Versailles Palace and Gardens Tour from Paris

  

• Departures: For European flights or trains, compare on Omio Flights and Omio Trains; for long-haul flights use Trip.com.

In three days you’ll taste the essentials—icons on the Seine, a whirl through the Louvre, sky-high Eiffel views, and life at street level in Montmartre and the Marais. Paris is best when savored, not rushed; this plan gives you structure, breathing room, and the flavors you’ll talk about long after your flight home.