Three days in Paris is the perfect introduction to the City of Light. It’s enough time to hit all the must-see Paris attractions and still enjoy those iconic Parisian moments—a coffee on a terrace, a stroll along the Seine, and the magic of the Eiffel Tower sparkling.
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This 3-Day Paris Itinerary for first-timers is designed for efficiency, grouping sights by location to minimize travel time and maximize your experience!
Pre-Trip Essentials: Getting the Most out of 72 Hours
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Book Tickets NOW: The biggest mistake first-timers make is waiting in line. Pre-book timed-entry tickets for the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, and the Eiffel Tower (if going up).
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Master the Metro: The Metro is your friend. For three days, consider buying a carnet (a pack of 10 tickets) or look into the Navigo Easy or Paris Visite Pass for easy travel across Zones 1-3.
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Wear Comfy Shoes: Paris is a walking city! The best discoveries happen when you wander.
Day 1: Icons of the Right Bank & Eiffel Magic
Day 1 is all about Parisian grandeur, from classic art to the city’s most recognizable landmark.
| Time | Activity | Location & Vibe | Tip for Efficiency |
| Morning | The Louvre Museum | 1st Arrondissement. Home to the Mona Lisa and thousands of masterpieces. | Pre-book a timed ticket for 9:00 AM. Target the ‘Big Three’ (Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, Winged Victory) first. |
| Lunch | Picnic in Jardin des Tuileries | The beautiful gardens connecting the Louvre and Place de la Concorde. | Grab a fresh baguette and cheese from a local boulangerie on nearby Rue Saint-Honoré. |
| Afternoon | Champs-Élysées & Arc de Triomphe | Walk the grand avenue. Climb the Arc de Triomphe for a spectacular view. | Use the underpass to reach the Arc—do not try to cross the massive roundabout! |
| Evening | Eiffel Tower & Trocadéro | 7th Arrondissement. The ultimate photo spot across the river. | Arrive at Trocadéro just before sunset for the best light, and stay until the hour (after dark) to watch the tower sparkle! |
| Dinner | Classic French Bistro | Le Bistrot D’yves (7th Arr.) or a local spot near your accommodation. |
Day 2: Bohemian Charm, History & Impressionism
Today, we cross the Seine to the historic Left Bank and explore the city’s artistic heart.
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| Time | Activity | Location & Vibe | Tip for Efficiency |
| Morning | Musée d’Orsay | 7th Arrondissement. A stunning museum housed in a former train station, dedicated to Impressionist art. | A much more manageable museum than the Louvre. Focus on the fifth floor for works by Monet, Renoir, and Van Gogh. |
| Lunch | Latin Quarter Street Food | 5th Arrondissement. Near the Sorbonne University. | Grab a savory crêpe or a famous falafel on Rue des Rosiers in the nearby Marais district. |
| Afternoon | Île de la Cité & Saint-Chapelle | The historical heart of Paris. Visit the magnificent Sainte-Chapelle for its stained glass. | Walk past Notre-Dame Cathedral (exterior view) and stop by the famous Shakespeare and Company bookshop. |
| Late Afternoon | Montmartre & Sacré-Cœur | 18th Arrondissement. Take the Metro north to this charming hilltop neighborhood. | Take the funicular up the hill (it accepts a regular Metro ticket) to save your energy for wandering the winding, artistic streets. |
| Dinner | Authentic French Fare | Find a cozy, red-sauce bistro in Montmartre, or try Chez Janou in Le Marais for Southern French cuisine and their signature chocolate mousse. |
Day 3 (Option A): Royalty and Local Life
Dedicate your last day to an easy day trip to a magnificent palace or stay in Paris to soak up local life.
| Time | Activity | Location & Vibe | Tip for Efficiency |
| Morning-Afternoon | Day Trip to Palace of Versailles | Outside of Paris, accessible via the RER C train (approx. 1 hour). The former seat of French monarchy. | MUST book a ticket in advance. Go early and spend time in the massive gardens—they are just as spectacular as the Hall of Mirrors. |
| Late Afternoon | Le Marais Neighborhood | 3rd/4th Arrondissements. Trendy, historic, and great for browsing boutiques and art galleries. | Stroll through Place des Vosges, the oldest planned square in Paris, for a moment of quiet elegance. |
| Evening | Seine River Cruise | Along the Seine River. | End your trip with a relaxing river cruise at sunset or with a casual pre-dinner glass of wine along the quais (banks). |
| Dinner | Farewell Feast | Try a classic French Steak Frites at a bistro like Chez Fernand (6th Arr.) or look for a cozy spot near your hotel. |
Day 3 (Option B): The Paris Vibe (Stay in City)
If you prefer to skip Versailles and dive deeper into the local Parisian atmosphere, use this alternative:
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Morning: Panthéon & Luxembourg Gardens (5th/6th Arr.)
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Visit the Panthéon, the resting place of famous French citizens (Marie Curie, Victor Hugo).
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Relax in the elegant Jardin du Luxembourg, watching people sail toy boats on the pond.
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Lunch: Rue Cler Market (7th Arr.)
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Experience a truly local market street. Assemble your final picnic from the excellent cheese shops (fromageries) and bakeries.
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Afternoon: Musée Rodin (7th Arr.)
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A beautifully tranquil museum dedicated to the sculptor Auguste Rodin (The Thinker). The garden alone is worth the visit.
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Evening: Opera & Grands Boulevards
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Explore the opulent Palais Garnier (Paris Opera).
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Dine in the surrounding 9th Arrondissement, and cap off the night with a panoramic view from the rooftop terrace of the Galeries Lafayette department store.
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You’ve successfully conquered Paris’s essential sights! Don’t forget to grab one last perfect pastry before heading home.