How to visit Paris in 3 days? - Sightseeing plan

Have three days in Paris and want to see more than just postcard symbols? That's great! This guide will help you feel the city, not just tick it off. After all, Paris isn't just the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre - it's also the quiet of the Luxembourg Gardens, the smell of baguettes on the Rue Mouffetard, and unexpected views from rooftops that didn't make it into travel agency brochures.

Instead of rushing from attraction to attraction, this route will allow you to quietly explore the city district by district. Each day has its own rhythm:
- first is smooth entry into the Parisian atmosphere,
- second - encounter with the classics,
- third - a mix of local discoveries and modern energy.

This is the perfect plan for a first visit - balanced, inspiring and light. Ready to fall in love with Paris?

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Day 1 - An introduction to Paris from a different angle

1️⃣ Panorama from Tour Montparnasse - the perfect place to start

If you want to know more places with a beautiful panorama of the city - take a look at our list:
👉 Viewpoints and terraces in Paris

Although not as famous as the Eiffel Tower, Tour Montparnasse offers One of the best views of Paris - And that with the tower in the background. Taking the high-speed elevator to the 56th floor takes only a few tens of seconds, and at the top awaits the panoramic view terrace.

During the visit it is worth:
🔹 look at Paris from a height 210 meters,
🔹 visit cafe Overlooking the Eiffel Tower,
🔹 come back here in the evening - the skyline of the night city is unique.

📍 Access: metro station Montparnasse - Bienvenüe (lines 4, 6, 12, 13)
🕐 Tour time: ca. 45 minutes - 1 hour

This is a great way to start your adventure in Paris from above - literally and figuratively.

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2️⃣ Walk through Montparnasse and Luxembourg Gardens

After the skyline from the skyscraper, it's worth coming down to earth and exploring the quieter one, the literary side of Paris. District Montparnasse is the former center of artistic life - cafes, ateliers and memories of Hemingway or Modigliani.

Nearby is the Luxembourg Garden - One of the most beautiful parks in the city. Full of alleys, sculptures and charming corners, it's perfect for a breather.

During the walk it is worth:
🔹 take a look at the iconic Café de la Rotonde or Le Dôme,
🔹 sit by the fountain in the Gardens and watch the children launching their boats,
🔹 visit Luxembourg Palace - The seat of the French Senate.

📍 Access: metro stations Raspail or Notre-Dame-des-Champs (line 4)
🕐 Walking time: ca. 1.5 hours - ideally between morning and lunch

This is the place where Paris slows down, and you can feel its daily rhythm.

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3️⃣ Pantheon and the hidden backstreets of the Latin Quarter

In the heart of Latin Quarter rises Pantheon - A majestic building with a dome towering over the surrounding area. Great figures of French history rest here, including. Victor Hugo, Marie Curie i Voltaire.

Right next door, you'll find narrow streets, cobblestone alleys, and inconspicuous entrances to cafes, bookstores, and small galleries - that's what the the charm of this neighborhood.

During the visit it is worth:
🔹 enter the Pantheon and go down to the crypts of famous Frenchmen,
🔹 climb the observation dome - The panorama of the Latin Quarter is impressive,
🔹 get lost in the surrounding streets -. authentic atmosphere of old Paris.

📍 Access: metro station Cardinal Lemoine (line 10) or Luxembourg (RER B)
🕐 Tour time: ca. 1-1.5 hours

This place connects history, tranquility and Parisian soul - Unhurried, with a book in hand.

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4️⃣ Bookstores and cafes on Rue Mouffetard

Rue Mouffetard is one of the oldest streets in Paris - cobbled, winding, full of life and flavors. It's the perfect place to grab a coffee, buy a book in a small bookstore and just soak up the atmosphere.

The street is bustling all day: in the morning it attracts market lovers, at noon - the smell of cheese and baguettes, and in the evening - the atmosphere of local wine bars.

During the visit it is worth:
🔹 take a look at independent bookstores and antique shops,
🔹 sit in one of the many café with a garden,
🔹 buy something delicious at the local food market.

📍 Access: metro station Place Monge (line 7)
🕐 It's time for a walk and a break: ca. 1 hour or more - depending on your appetite

This is the place where Paris is everyday and real - Without great attractions, but with great charm.

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5️⃣ St. Louis Island - ice cream and the Seine waterfront

Île Saint-Louis is the island's quieter sister with Notre-Dame Cathedral. A walk around it is sheer pleasure - The cobblestone streets, historic townhouses and views of the Seine create a unique atmosphere.

It's the perfect place to relax for a while - especially with ice cream in hand and your feet dangling over the river.

During the visit it is worth:
🔹 taste the famous Berthillon ice cream,
🔹 take a walk along the waterfronts overlooking Paris,
🔹 look into small galleries and handicraft stores.

📍 Access: metro station Pont Marie (line 7) or walk from Notre-Dame
🕐 Tour time: ca. 45 minutes - 1 hour

It is a place that ushers in a state of blissful Parisian serenity - No rush, no crowds.

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6️⃣ Interior of Notre-Dame Cathedral - freshly opened after restoration

After years of restoration work Notre-Dame reopens its doors. This is a great opportunity to see one of the most important works of Gothic architecture - in a new, refreshed edition.

The interior is stunning with light, soaring and details that were hidden behind scaffolding for years.

During the visit it is worth:
🔹 enter nave And admire the restored stained glass windows,
🔹 stop by altar and organ,
🔹 go around the cathedral all around - from the outside it has also gained in beauty.

📍 Access: metro station Cité (line 4) or Saint-Michel (Line 4 / RER B)
🕐 Tour time: ca. 45 minutes - 1 hour (possible queues)

This meeting with The spiritual and historical heart of Paris - Now even more beautiful.

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7️⃣ Dinner and cruise on the Seine - a light finale to a day without the crowds

After a busy day, it's time to relax for a while. Evening cruise on the Seine is one of the most pleasant ways to see Paris from a different perspective - from the water, backlit and serene.

For this it is worth choosing dinner at a nearby restaurant, preferably overlooking the river or in one of the side streets near Notre-Dame.

During the evening it is worth:
🔹 book Cruise with audio guide or dinner on board,
🔹 see Bridges and monuments of Paris in the light of illumination,
🔹 End the day with a glass of wine or dessert at a cafe on the Seine.

📍 Access: cruises usually start from under the bridge Pont Neuf or at Eiffel Tower
🕐 Cruise time: ca. 1 hour

It's an atmospheric end to the day, which leaves peace and smiles in the heart.

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Day 2 - Classic beauty, great art and Parisian sights

1️⃣ Morning walk on the Champs de Mars and photos with the Eiffel Tower

The most recognizable symbol of Paris And a perfect start to the day. Even from a distance it catches the eye, and up close it impresses with its details. Eiffel Tower, built for the 1889 World Exposition, is a must-see on any visit.

Surrounded by green Fields of Mars, offers a beautiful place to walk, relax and take photos with a classic backdrop.

During the visit it is worth:
🔹 drive to the top and look at Paris from the heights of the 276 meters,
🔹 take a picture from the square Trocadéro,
🔹 take a walk along the Seine, soaking up the morning atmosphere.

📍 Access: metro Bir-Hakeim (line 6) or Trocadéro (lines 6 and 9)
🕐 Tour time: ca. 1.5-2 hours, preferably early in the morning

It's reliable starting point, which introduces the atmosphere of the city with flair.

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2️⃣ Arc de Triomphe - rooftop entrance and panorama from 12th avenue

Arc de Triomphe is a monumental tribute to the soldiers who fought for France. It rises in the center of Charles de Gaulle Square, from where the 12 avenues - including the famous Champs Elysees.

At the top is the overlook, from which you can admire the symmetrical layout of the streets and the perspective from La Défense to the Louvre.

During the visit it is worth:
🔹 climb to the roof and see Paris from the unusual perspective,
🔹 visit Tomb of the Unknown Soldier,
🔹 take a look at the details and reliefs commemorating battles and heroes.

📍 Access: metro Charles de Gaulle - Étoile (lines 1, 2, 6)
🕐 Tour time: ca. 1 hour, preferably in the morning or at sunset

It's Paris icon with a view to remember.

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3️⃣ Walk down the Champs Elysees to Place de la Concorde

Or are you interested in places that are available at no charge? Take a look here:
👉 Top 10 - Free museums in Paris

After a visit to the Arc de Triomphe, it's time to head to the Place de la Concorde, walking down one of the world's most famous avenues - the Champs-Élysées.

It is a combination of prestige, history and everyday life. Along the avenue you will find boutiques, cinemas, cafes and buildings from the Belle Époque era. The walk ends at Egyptian obelisk and Concorde fountains, a site symbolic of French history.

During the walk it is worth:
🔹 stop for coffee or croissant in a Parisian cafe,
🔹 take a look at one of the luxury boutiques or bookstore,
🔹 take a picture at Luxor obelisk - Paris' oldest monument.

📍 Getting there (if you're shortcutting the route): metro Champs-Élysées - Clemenceau (lines 1 and 13)
🕐 Walking time: ca. 30-40 minutes, depending on the pace and stops

It's A walk through the heart of elegant Paris - From history to the present.

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4️⃣ Visit to the Louvre - selected masterpieces

Louvre is one of the most important museums in the world - huge, rich and full of masterpieces. It is not necessary (and not worth it) to see everything at once. It's better to focus on a few key works and soak up their atmosphere without rushing.

The biggest excitement is, of course, the Mona Lisa, but also worth noting is Nike of Samothrace, Venus de Milo whether monumental paintings by Delacroix and David.

During the visit it is worth:
🔹 plan your route in advance - the museum is huge,
🔹 approach the glass pyramid and take a picture,
🔹 stay in one of the quieter halls - here you can feel the the magic of art without the crowd.

📍 Access: metro Palais Royal - Musée du Louvre (lines 1 and 7)
🕐 Tour time: min. 1.5-2 hours - preferably in the morning or late afternoon

The Louvre is a journey through the ages and civilizations, which leaves a mark for a long time.

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5️⃣ Relax in the Tuileries Gardens overlooking the Seine River

After a busy tour of the Louvre, it's time to take a breather. Right next to the museum stretch Tuileries Gardens - An elegant park in the heart of Paris, full of sculptures, fountains and wide avenues.

It is an ideal place to sit in the green chair, have a snack or just watch the city life - all overlooking the Seine, the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde.

While resting, it is worth it:
🔹 look for a favorite sculpture among classic and modern forms,
🔹 stop by the fountain with a book or coffee,
🔹 approach the edge of the park and look at the river and bridges.

📍 Access: metro Tuileries (line 1)
🕐 Time to relax: ca. 30-60 minutes, depending on the weather and mood

It's a quiet moment in the city center, which allows you to catch your second breath.

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6️⃣ Get on the roof of Galeries Lafayette and shop haute couture style

Galeries Lafayette is not only luxury fashion houses and elegant interiors - it is also one of the best viewing terraces in Paris, completely free.

Under the glass dome is the world of French fashion, perfume and design. And on the roof - a panorama of Paris overlooking the Opera Garnier, Eiffel Tower and rooftops of the city.

During the visit it is worth:
🔹 take a look inside the main hall and look up at the colorful dome,
🔹 take the elevator to the roof and snap a panorama,
🔹 take a walk through the fashion sections - even if just for inspiration.

📍 Access: metro Chaussée d'Antin - La Fayette (lines 7 and 9)
🕐 Visit time: ca. 45 minutes - 1 hour

It's fashion and viewpoint of the day, which combines elegance with a moment to breathe.

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7️⃣ Evening illumination of the Eiffel Tower and dinner near the Trocadéro

At the end of the day, it is worth returning to of the most recognizable Parisian scene - This time at night. Eiffel Tower lit up with thousands of lights It is even more impressive than in the daytime.

The best view is from Trocadéro Square, where every hour in the evening the tower flashes for a few minutes - a moment worth experiencing live.

During the evening it is worth:
🔹 come just before the full hour to see the flashing illumination,
🔹 take a picture with view of the tower and fountains,
🔹 dine at one of the nearby restaurants - with a view or in a quiet street.

📍 Access: metro Trocadéro (lines 6 and 9)
🕐 Visit time: ca. 1-1.5 hours, preferably after sunset

It's magical finale of the day, which stays in the memory for a long time.

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Day 3 - Artistic and local Paris with a touch of modernity

1️⃣ Sacré-Cœur Basilica and view from Montmartre

Montmartre is one of the most atmospheric places in Paris - a hill of artists, narrow streets and extraordinary views. At its top rises the Basilica of the Sacré-Cœur, whose white facade glistens in the sunlight, and whose interior delights with tranquility.

The terrace in front of the basilica overlooks the One of the most beautiful views of Paris - Especially in the morning, when the city is just waking up.

During the visit it is worth:
🔹 go inside and see the impressive mosaic in the dome,
🔹 climb (or take the train) to the hill of Montmartre,
🔹 Sit on the steps and soak up the atmosphere of the neighborhood.

📍 Access: metro Anvers (line 2) + walk or funikular
🕐 Visit time: ca. 1-1.5 hours

It's The spiritual and scenic heart of Montmartre, which are worth seeing in the morning.

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2️⃣ Place du Tertre and street artists

Traveling with children? Check out our list of places that will delight the little ones:
👉 Top 10 - Attractions for kids in Paris

Just a few steps away from the basilica is the Place du Tertre - a small square that has been teeming with artistic life for decades. It was here that its first steps were taken, among others. Picasso i Modigliani.

Today the square is filled with easels, portraitists and painters offering their work to tourists from all over the world. Although it's a popular place, it still has something of a the old bohemian spirit.

During the visit it is worth:
🔹 walk between the posts and see painters at work,
🔹 sit down for a coffee in one of the atmospheric cafes around the square,
🔹 buy a small picture or drawing as a souvenir from Montmartre.

📍 Access: A few minutes' walk from the Sacré-Cœur Basilica
🕐 Visit time: ca. 30-45 minutes, depending on the time of day

It's charming and colorful place, where Paris shows its artistic face.

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3️⃣ Quick photo by the Moulin Rouge

Although the performances in Moulin Rouge is a separate evening attraction, it is worth stopping here even if only for a moment during the day - to make a classic photo with red windmill, a symbol of Parisian cabaret.

The Moulin Rouge is a piece of entertainment history and one of the most recognizable buildings in the city, especially after dark when it comes alive with neon lights.

During the visit it is worth:
🔹 take a picture from the front - preferably across the street,
🔹 take a look at the nearby souvenir stores,
🔹 take a look at the facade, which has remained almost unchanged for years.

📍 Access: metro Blanche (Line 2) - The Moulin Rouge is located just outside the exit
🕐 Visit time: ca. 15 minutes - Ideally as a stopover between Montmartre and downtown

It's short but iconic highlight, which adds a touch of extravagance to the Paris trip.

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4️⃣ Modern art at Centre Pompidou

After artistic Montmartre, it's time for a very different face of Paris - the bold, modern and somewhat controversial. Centre Pompidou is an icon of modern architecture with colorful pipes on the facade and one of the most important modern art museums in Europe.

Inside you will find works by such artists as Kandinsky, Miró, Duchamp whether Pollock, as well as interesting temporary exhibitions.

During the visit it is worth:
🔹 take the glass moving ramp to the panoramic terrace,
🔹 watch permanent exhibition 20th and 21st century art,
🔹 stop at a bookstore or cafe overlooking the city's rooftops.

📍 Access: metro Rambuteau (line 11) or Hôtel de Ville (lines 1 and 11)
🕐 Tour time: ca. 1.5-2 hours

It's counterpoint, which shows that Paris is not just living in the past.

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5️⃣ Walk through the Le Marais district - history and boutiques

Le Marais is one of the most charming and authentic neighborhoods in Paris. It combines medieval streets, palaces of the aristocracy, trendy boutiques, art galleries and lively cafes.

This is the place where Jewish delicatessen neighbors French haute couture, and history is mixed with contemporary lifestyles.

During the walk it is worth:
🔹 take a walk down the street Rue des Rosiers, full of flavor and history,
🔹 take a look at Pace des Vosges - One of the most beautiful squares of Paris,
🔹 visit small boutiques, galleries and concept stories.

📍 Access: metro Saint-Paul (line 1) or Chemin Vert (line 8)
🕐 Walking time: ca. 1-1.5 hours, depending on your interests

It's living museum and trendy neighborhood in one, ideal for unhurried discovery.

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6️⃣ Parisian arcade break or café with history

After the walk, it is worth slow down and relax - preferably in one of Paris' arcades or iconic cafes that have attracted artists, writers and dreamers for centuries.

In the center of Paris you will find several covered shopping arcades, full of charm and atmosphere of the 19th century, such as. Passage des Panoramas whether Vivienne Galleries.

During the break, it's worth it:
🔹 stop for coffee or tea in the historic interior,
🔹 take a walk under the glass roofs and look into the old bookstores and antique shops,
🔹 feel like a character in a Parisian movie.

📍 Access: metro Bourse, Grands Boulevards or Palais Royal - depending on the passage
🕐 Break time: ca. 30-45 minutes

It's a small step aside from the main attractions, but with a huge atmosphere.

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7️⃣ Dinner on the roof - restaurant or bar with panoramic views of Paris

Looking for a dinner with an unforgettable view? Check out our recommendations:
👉 Restaurants and sightseeing bars in Paris

At the end of your trip, it's worth taking another look at Paris. high, over dinner or a glass of wine. The city of lights from above looks magical, especially at dusk.

Many hotels and restaurants offer roof terraces - Overlooking the Eiffel Tower, the Sacré-Cœur or the rooftops of the Marais. It's the perfect place to sum up your entire stay and stop the moment.

During the evening it is worth:
🔹 choose a place with a reservation - roofs fill up quickly,
🔹 Try a classic French dish or modern tapas,
🔹 enjoy the last view of the lit up Paris.

📍 Example locations: Le Perchoir, Terrass'' Hotel, Bonnie (Hôtel SO/ Paris).
🕐 Dinner time: ca. 1.5-2 hours, preferably about sunset

It's A stylish and peaceful end to a Parisian adventure, which will remain in the memory for a long time.

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✅ Summary and practical tips

Three days in Paris is enough to make you fall in love with the city - and enough to make you want to come back for more. The guide combines well-known attractions with less obvious corners to create a harmonious itinerary - full of sights, art, taste and atmosphere.

To squeeze the most out of this trip, there are a few things to keep in mind:

🔹 Plan your mornings early - The main attractions are best visited before the crowds.
🔹 Buy tickets online, especially to the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower or Centre Pompidou.
🔹 Use the subway - Fast, reliable, with simple navigation.
🔹 Don't plan too much - Better to see less, but at your own pace.
🔹 Leave room for spontaneity - The best moments often happen "along the way."

📱 Applications that come in handy:
- Bonjour RATP - public transport
- Google Maps / Citymapper - route planning
- TheFork - restaurant reservations
- Too Good To Go - saving french baked goods for a pittance

👜 What to carry with you:
- A small bottle of water, a powerbank, something against rain and cash at a market or cafe

Paris can surprise at every turn. This plan is just a starting point -. You'll figure out the rest yourself by walking its streets.