Paris has worn many crowns—Roman outpost, royal capital, artistic atelier, and revolutionary stage. Today it is a living museum with a pulse, where café chatter accompanies Gothic arches and Impressionist color. In three days you can taste its greatest hits—the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, and the River Seine—while still slipping into quiet squares and flaky-butter mornings at a boulangerie.

Fun facts to spark your wander: Paris birthed the first public Metro line in 1900, Notre-Dame re-opened to visitors in late 2024, and the oldest patisserie, Stohrer, has been whisking since 1730. From covered passages lined with vintage bookstores to street art along Canal Saint-Martin, the city rewards the curious flâneur.

Practical notes: Book timed-entry for major museums and tower access. The Metro is fast, safe, and your best friend; keep belongings zipped as you would in any big city. Come hungry—bistros, crêperies, and markets (think Montmartre and Le Marais) make this a delicious urban playground.

Paris

Paris is a city of neighborhoods. Sip café crème on Île Saint-Louis, browse design shops in Le Marais, and climb to Sacré-Cœur for the best alpenglow over zinc rooftops. Between, you’ll thread past grand boulevards, the Tuileries, and bridges that turn the Seine into your compass.

• Top sights: Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle, Musée d’Orsay, Sacré-Cœur, Palais-Royal, and the Seine embankments.
• Best bites: Buttery croissants, buckwheat galettes, steak-frites, oysters, Berthillon ice cream, and éclairs worth writing home about.
• Local tips: Dine at a “bouillon” for classic, good-value French fare; aim for sunset at Trocadéro for postcard photos of the Iron Lady.

Getting to Paris (flights, trains, buses): From major European hubs, average flight times run 1–3 hours (from €50–€180+ depending on season). High-speed trains are often faster to the center: London–Paris (Eurostar) ~2h17, Brussels–Paris ~1h22, Amsterdam–Paris ~3h20; typical fares €70–€220. Long-distance coaches can be great value (e.g., Amsterdam–Paris 7–9h, often €25–€60). Compare and book on Omio flights, Omio trains, and Omio buses.

Airport to city: CDG–central Paris on RER B ~35–45 minutes (about €12). Orly–central Paris via Orlyval + RER B or Orlybus (~30–45 minutes, roughly €12–€15). Fixed-rate taxis: approx €55 (Right Bank) / €62 (Left Bank). A Navigo Easy card is handy for loading t+ Metro tickets.

Where to stay (handpicked):

• Classic splurge: The Ritz Paris, Le Meurice, Hôtel Plaza Athénée, The Peninsula Paris — couture addresses with landmark bars and Michelin-starred dining.
• Boutique gems: Hôtel des Grands Boulevards (18th-century bones, modern rooms), Hôtel des Arts Montmartre (artist vibe above the city), Hôtel du Temps (cozy, stylish 9th).
• Great value and families: Novotel Paris Centre Gare Montparnasse (spacious rooms, easy transport), Hôtel des Arts Bastille (creative, local).
• Left Bank favorite: Hotel du College de France (walk to Panthéon and Seine), or the beloved Hôtel du Champ de Mars near Rue Cler.
• Hostel-chic: Generator Paris (private rooms and social spaces).
• Apartments: Browse stylish flats with kitchens via VRBO Paris stays or see more hotel options on Hotels.com Paris.

Day 1: Arrival, Île de la Cité & Le Marais, and a Seine Dinner Cruise

Morning: Travel to Paris and check in. If you arrive early, revive with a croissant and café noisette at Carette (Place des Vosges) or grab a galette-saucisse and cider at Breizh Café in Le Marais. For third-wave coffee, try Boot Café (tiny, excellent) or KB Café Roasters near Pigalle.

Afternoon: Start on Île de la Cité. Circle the newly reopened Notre-Dame to admire its restored spire and flying buttresses; step into Sainte-Chapelle for 13th-century stained glass that feels like a jewel box. Cross to Île Saint-Louis for Berthillon ice cream, then wander the aristocratic arcades of Place des Vosges. Window-shop along Rue des Rosiers and taste falafel at L’As du Fallafel (a local legend for a reason).

Evening: Toast your first night with an illuminated glide on the Seine. Settle into white-linen tables, watch monuments float by, and let live music score your meal on this gourmet cruise:

Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Dinner & Sightseeing Cruise

Post-cruise, stroll the Right Bank quays or detour to Trocadéro for sparkling Eiffel Tower views on the hour. Nightcap options: classic cocktails at Harry’s New York Bar near Opéra or a glass of Burgundy at Le Barav in the Upper Marais.

Day 2: Louvre Masterpieces, Tuileries & Palais-Royal, Sunset at the Eiffel Tower

Morning: Fuel up with hot chocolate and a Mont-Blanc at Angelina on Rue de Rivoli, then meet your guide for a highlights-focused Louvre visit. You’ll navigate straight to icons like the Mona Lisa and Winged Victory while hearing the stories that animate them:

Louvre Museum Masterpieces Guided Tour with Access

Afterward, decompress in the Tuileries gardens among statues and plane trees.

Afternoon: Walk to Palais-Royal for colonnades and Daniel Buren’s striped sculptures, then slip into Galeries Vivienne—one of Paris’s prettiest covered passages. Lunch nearby at Le Fumoir (book ahead) or go classic at Au Pied de Cochon, which has served onion soup and shellfish since 1947. For dessert, detour to Stohrer on Rue Montorgueil, Paris’s oldest patisserie, for rum baba.

Evening: Time your ascent for sunset with reserved access to the Eiffel Tower. Watch the city switch on beneath your feet, then dine just off the tourist grid.

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

Dinner picks in the 7th: Le Petit Cler (bustling neighborhood bistro on pedestrian Rue Cler) or Café du Marché (good-value steak-frites and chèvre salads). If you’re in the mood for seafood and natural wines, hop to Clamato (11th) for shared plates.

Day 3: Notre-Dame, Latin Quarter Markets, Montmartre & Farewell Paris

Morning: Begin with an expertly guided walk focused on Notre-Dame’s restoration and the island’s medieval heart. It’s a compact, story-rich way to connect the past to the present:

Early Access Paris Notre Dame Cathedral Walking Tour

After, cross to the Left Bank for a café crème at Café Saint-Régis or people-watching on Rue de Buci’s market street. If you have time, pop into the 12th-century church of Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre or browse English-language shelves at Shakespeare & Company’s bookshop.

Afternoon: Metro to Montmartre (Abbesses or Anvers). Climb to Sacré-Cœur for sweeping views, then meander cobbles to Place du Tertre’s painters, the pink façade of La Maison Rose, and the “I Love You Wall.” Lunch options: Bouillon Pigalle (fast-moving line, hearty classics), Le Relais Gascon (giant warm-salad bowls), or crêpes at Brocéliande. Coffee at KB Café Roasters; pastries at Pain Pain (award-winning baguette and éclairs).

Evening: Back near the Marais or Canal Saint-Martin for your last night. Start with a glass at natural-wine bars (La Buvette or a compact caviste by the canal), then dine Provençal at Chez Janou (mussels, pastis, and an outrageous chocolate mousse) or bistro-style at Le Bon Georges (well-sourced beef and seasonal sides). Celebrate with a nightcap at Le Bar Hemingway in The Ritz Paris or rooftop views if the season’s right.

Optional add-ons if you extend: Half-day to Versailles by RER C (about 35–45 minutes; €7–€9 each way) for Hall of Mirrors and André Le Nôtre’s gardens; a foodie walking tour in Montmartre; or Musée d’Orsay for Monet, Degas, and friends.

Good to know: Reserve popular restaurants and all timed museum entries. For Metro, buy a Navigo Easy card and load t+ tickets; tap to transfer between Metro and buses within the allowed window. Keep valuables close in crowds (Louvre, Eiffel, trains). Paris rewards early starts—mornings are golden.

Handy Tours Recap (book 1–4 key experiences)

• Seine River Gourmet Dinner Cruise (Bateaux Parisiens)
• Louvre Masterpieces Guided Tour
• Eiffel Tower Reserved Access (Top or 2nd Floor)
• Notre-Dame Early Access Walking Tour

Three days in Paris can be a feast: masterpieces at breakfast, garden walks by lunch, and glittering river views at dinner. With this smart route and a few well-timed reservations, you’ll leave with a camera roll of icons and a pocketful of neighborhood favorites—exactly how Paris is meant to be savored.