The Essential 3 Day Paris Guide

Ah France - one of the few countries I've visited more than once and forever dear to my heart. It's often at the top of most bucket lists and Paris is one of the most extraordinary destinations in the world. From fabulous food, iconic sights, and a whirlwind of things to do, it can be difficult to plan out an itinerary for first-times.

Truthfully, Paris is a tough city to plan a guide for since it has so much to offer. There's no one itinerary that works best for everyone since the city can cater to many interests. Museum buffs can spend days exploring works of art. Deal-seekers can wander the endless parks and gardens for free. Architecture lovers can wander from landmark to cathedral and back again until their feet fall off.

Today, I'm giving you a three-day guide that hits up some of the more essential Parisian experiences. I've purposely left some room for you to add your own agenda items to fit your interests. This itinerary makes a great baseline for seeing the main sights and mapping out a course of action! Fair warning - the first day is action packed but it's totally doable with good walking shoes and plenty of eclairs. At the very bottom I've added some additional itinerary suggestions grouped by interest.

Bakery Breakfast

Start your day by carbo-loading - it's gonna be a busy one! Stop by the first neighborhood bakery you see (or smell) and pick out an assortment of yummy goodies. Pain au chocolat and kouign amann are some of my favorites. Find a little bench and people watch while you scarf down your treats!

Eiffel Tower I don't like to beat around the bush. When we think of Paris, the Eiffel Tower is what comes to mind. It's arguable the most iconic landmark in the world and truly impressive to see in person. Most itineraries shuffle this to another day, but I say go for it.

While it's still earlier in the day, head straight for the Eiffel Tower to take in its splendor. There are fewer crowds and you'll get to check a major must-see off your list straightaway. I have never gone up the tower (crippling fear of heights and elevators) and don't have any FOMO - if you really want to venture to the top, know that it opens at 9:30AM and you should book in advance to avoid ridiculously long lines.

Jardin de Luxembourg After you've experienced the Iron Lady, head for the Jardin de Luxuembourg, one of the most beautiful gardens in all of Paris. The flowers and greenery are impressive and opulent, the ponds are peaceful, and there are statutes everywhere you look. Stay as long as you'd like or take a quick stroll through - it makes for some great photos!

Shakespeare & Co

A short 15 minutes away is one of the most unique bookstores on the planet - Shakespeare & Co. Situated along the Seine, this busy shop houses seemingly endless books in a winding array of rooms. It caters to the starving artist - writers can actually set up shop and sleep here while they work on the next great novel. Put your cameras away as no photos are allowed, splurge on the reusable tote bag, and pop into the coffee shop next door!

Notre Dame & Sainte-Chappelle

A stone's throw from Shakespeare & Co is another notable landmark - the Notre Dame. The recent fire has led to a closure of the cathedral, but you should still take in the magnificent exterior while you're there.

Sainte-Chapelle is a gothic cathedral on the other side of Île de la Cité (the little island in the Seine these chapels are on) and boasts an impressive interior that anyone would go nuts for. If touring the interior of Notre-Dame was a must for you, exploring the second floor of Sainte-Chapelle won't disappoint.

Lunch & Berthillon

At this point, you've earned a much-needed break to rest your feet. Head down Rue Saint-Louis en l'Île to find a lunch spot. You'll pass tons of charming stores and little cafes in this area. Pick whatever looks good - French brasseries and crepe joints are everywhere you turn.

The one must-visit stop in the area is the world famous Berthillon ice cream stop. Known for churning up some of the best frozen dairy desserts ever, this iconic store is worth saving room for (and also landed a coveted spot in my top desserts I've ever had). Bring cash unless you can devour a larger cone since there's a credit card minimum. You'll find a wide variety of flavors but the tiramisu was my favorite!

Montmartre

Hop on the subway and make your way to the Montmartre area. Artistic, charming, and romantic, this neighborhood is home to the famous Moulin Rouge and Sacré-Cœur Basilica.

Walk around Place du Tertre to see the artists at work - a little painting from an artist will make a fantastic souvenir. Make the grueling climb up the steps to see the Sacré-Cœur and take in one of the best views of Paris. The top of the hill overlooks the city and is a remarkable photo op.

Be sure to swing by Moulin Rouge to see the windmill for yourself. If your time and budget permits, consider catching a show for dinner (book in advance). You'll find plenty of cafes in the area for dinner or drinks. Spend as long as you'd like in Montmartre! This is the end to your first (crazy busy) day in Paris!

Arc de Triomphe

Begin the day by seeing another landmark up close - the Arc de Triomphe. This monument is the heart of Champs-Élysées and best viewed early in the morning before the crowds swarm in. You can buy tickets to walk along the top - which offers a great view of Paris - but keep in mind that it doesn't open until 10AM.

Champs-Élysées

Your morning is all about shopping! Champs-Élysées is home to some of the most beautiful and high-end shops in Paris and a true sight to behold. Take your time wandering this famous street and stop at any shop that catches your eye.

Macaron and pastry lovers should stop at Ladurée and Pierre Hermé for some of the most extravagant desserts you'll ever see. Maison Guerlain is an intoxicating store where you can discover a luxury perfume tailored to you. Rue Saint-Honoré is nearby and home to the most upscale boutiques in town.

Plan to hit up one of the many restaurants in the area for lunch - the possibilities are endless! Keep in mind the prices will be a bit higher in this area since it does cater to tourists.

Jardin de Tuileries

Take public transport to Jardin de Tuileries to give your feet a break. Now managed by the Louvre, this park was set up as the royal gardens by Marie de' Medici in 1564. The blooms are lush, the pathways are utterly romantic, and it's the perfect place to sit and people watch.

Louvre There are museums.…and then there's the Louvre. This world renowned hub is iconic and, for lack of a better word, a beast. You can spend hours here and not even scratch the surface. Spend as long as you'd like but know that it's really ambitious to try and see everything.

Buy your tickets in advance and be prepared to be disappointed in the Mona Lisa. Not only is the painting smaller than you'd expect, the crowds are horribly off-putting. My favorite displays are The Winged Victory of Samothrace (above), The Raft of the Medusa, and Liberty Leading the People.

Drinks

Indulge in some great cocktails tonight, either before or after dinner. Close to the Louvre is Bar Hemingway, a spendy joint in the Ritz that its namesake author once haunted.

If you're willing to travel, Le Perchoir heralds itself as the first rooftop bar in all of Paris and offers a great view. Les Ombres (also great for dinner, if you can get a reservation), provides arguably the best Eiffel Tower view in town. Frenchie is one the most acclaimed restaurants in the world that's impossible to get in, but its wine bar (Frenchie Bar à Vins) is cozy and perfect to share a bottle among friends.

Versailles

There’s plenty to do and see in Paris, but a daytrip to Versailles is an unforgettable experience. It takes about 45 minutes to get there from the heart of Paris so plan to spend most the day here. Versailles is ridiculously opulent with crystals and gold everywhere you look. The crowds are fierce – as are most of the Parisian landmarks – but the gardens and the Queen’s Hamlet provide a welcome relief from all the people.

Picnic at the Eiffel Tower

After spending your day feeling like royalty, head back to Paris for an unforgettable evening. First, you’ll need to run some errands. Stop by a neighborhood cheese shop and patisserie and pick up some picnic essentials. You’ll also want to head to a local mart for a bottle of vino (or champagne!), crackers, or fruit. Head to the Eiffel Tower and enjoy an evening picnic on the grounds. At sunset, the famous landmark lights up in a glittering array, making you feel like you’re in a fairy tale.

If you’re spending more time in Paris, or looking to change up the itinerary above, here are some other ideas:

For the art lovers: The Musée d'Orsay is my personal favorite and houses the largest collection of impressionist art in the world. Those interested in more contemporary works will delight in The Centre Pompidou.

For the foodies: Learn to whip up French croissants or macarons during a cooking class at Cook’n with Class. If you can, splurge on a meal at a Michelin-star restaurant (L’Abeille is my top pick). You’ll find a variety of walking food tours around town, too.

For the daytrippers: Reims is quaint and as the home of champagne, offers plenty of tastings and tours (you can check out my guide to Reims HERE). Giverny is a bit of a trek but you’ll find the painter Monet’s adorable house here. Mont Saint-Michel has a towering abbey that can’t be missed and allows you to explore Normandy, too.

For the off-the-beaten-path experience: Book a tour of the creepy Catacombs, a underground network of tunnels filled with skeletal remains everywhere you turn. Explore the often-overlooked Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, which is considerably less crowded than Versailles. Marias is perfect to explore and Marché des Enfants Rouges is home to Paris’ oldest covered market.

Paris is, and will probably always, be my favorite place in the world. While you could visit countless times, there will always be new things to do and explore. This itinerary gives you the chance to visit all the major first-timer essentials while still giving you plenty of time to customize your trip to meet your needs. As they say – Paris is never a bad idea!

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