Traveling to Paris for the first time? Most first-time visitors to Paris are only able to stay for 3, 4, or 5 days. And having been to Paris multiple times and for over a week at once, I’ve put together the only guide you’ll ever need to have a picture-perfect trip that makes all your Parisian chic dreams come true! This Paris itinerary accommodates anywhere from 3 to 5+ days in Paris, so no matter how much time you have in the City of Love, you need not waste any time thinking about where to go.
One of the biggest mistakes I see first-timers in Paris make is trying to do and see it all. Paris is a huge city and it’s impossible to see everything in one trip—even if you’re just trying to see the tourist destinations!
While it’s virtually impossible to craft a Paris travel itinerary that hits all the highlights (simply because there are so many of them), I’ve tried to narrow down these itineraries to accommodate however much time you have in the city.
I’m starting this guide off with the perfect Paris itinerary for 3 days. However, if you have more time, I’ve included my personal choice of additions to extend this for 4 days in Paris and even a full Paris itinerary for 5 days!
3 Days in Paris Itinerary
With three days in Paris, you have just enough time to see all the most stunning sights and activities that Paris has to offer newcomers. You’ll be just scratching the surface, but even the surface has more than enough to keep you busy from sunrise till sundown in the City of Love!
This Paris itinerary for 3 days has it all: iconic sights and attractions, museums rich in culture and arts, a little bit of history and nature, and delicious French food. Here is the perfect way to spend 3 days in Paris.
Montmartre: Basilique du Sacre-Coeur
Montmartre is a popular district on the north side of Paris known for its history with writers and artists like Pablo Picasso and Claude Monet. It has an eccentric charm that remains to this day, even though the area has become much more touristic in the past few decades.
There is much to see in Montmartre, but if you only have 3 days in Paris, you must prioritize visiting the iconic Sacre-Coeur (Sacré-Cœur), the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. Located on a hill 200 meters above the River Seine, you can see the entirety of Paris from the basilica. The ancient white stone domes seem to glow in the sunlight and are breathtakingly blinding on bright days. Entry to the church is free, but the crypt and the dome require separate tickets.
Because of its immense popularity, I recommend visiting Sacre-Coeur as early in the morning as possible, and on a weekday if you can. The crowds here get ferocious after 9 AM and lines can stretch all the way around the church! Make sure to keep a close hand on your belongings: this area of Montmartre is especially popular with pickpockets and thieves. (We’ve had a bag stolen here before!)
The Eiffel Tower: Trocadero Square vs Pont d’Iena
It should be no surprise that you can’t visit Paris without visiting the iconic Eiffel Tower. But something that first-time visitors to Paris might not realize is that it’s actually harder to not see the Eiffel Tower. The 330-meter-tall Iron Lady is located on the west side of central Paris and can be seen from virtually anywhere in the arrondissement.
Of course, since this is a Paris itinerary for 3 days, you’ll have to pick and choose if you want the best views of the Eiffel Tower. Not all locations are made equal! I recommend visiting either the Trocadero or Pont d’Iena for the best and most iconic views.
The Trocadero
Trocadero Square is a large, elevated platform that looks directly towards the Eiffel Tower. This is the most famous place to see the tower and you’ve probably seen it in photographs before. The downside is that because it’s so famous, it’s always packed with tourists and unfortunately rife with pickpockets. If you want to view the Eiffel Tower from the Trocadero in peace, come as close to sunrise as possible (and definitely not after 8:30 AM).
Pont d’Iena
Pont d’Iena is the central bridge that leads straight to the Eiffel Tower and features two promenades (one on each side of the Seine) that offer a much quieter but no less excellent view of the tower. The walkway is so long that you won’t have to fight for space, but the downside is that you won’t quite have a dead-on view of the Iron Lady.
There are tons of other beautiful spots from which to see the Eiffel Tower, but with only 3 days I recommend just choosing one of the two options above. If you are interested in seeing other options, read my 13 Instagrammable Photo Locations of the Eiffel Tower article here!
Pont Alexander III
Pont Alexander III is often called the most beautiful bridge in Paris for its gilded gold pieces and intricate details. While it’s not specifically something you need to plan to see—it’s one of the main bridges across the Seine—I recommend coming by at sunset. You’ll be guaranteed to catch the prettiest pink skies in all of your three days in Paris!
If you hang around for long enough as well, you can watch the sunset and then see the first Eiffel Tower light show of the night by walking down the Seine towards the tower for a few blocks. Hanging around by Pont Alexander III is very soothing and I highly recommend putting it on any Paris travel itinerary.
Cathedrale Notre-Dame
The Cathedral Notre-Dame de Paris, often referred to simply as Notre-Dame, is a medieval Catholic cathedral located on the Île de la Cité in Paris, France. The cathedral is renowned for its stunning architectural features, including flying buttresses, intricate sculptures, and beautiful stained glass windows. The iconic Rose Window is particularly famous.
Unfortunately, Notre-Dame suffered a devastating fire on April 15, 2019, which caused significant damage to the roof and spire. Since then, extensive restoration efforts have been underway to restore and rebuild the cathedral. As of my knowledge, it is still not open to the public. However, you can still stop and admire the front facade (which has mostly been repaired), and Seine River cruises often pass by here as well.
Arc de Triomphe
Located at the western end of the ultra-luxurious Champs-Élysées is the Arc de Triomphe, another one of the most iconic monuments in Paris. The Arc de Triomphe is a triumphal arch and a prime example of Neoclassical architecture and deserves a spot on every Paris travel itinerary. I firmly believe that the Arc de Triomphe has the best view of Paris—not the Eiffel Tower, not Sacre-Coeur—because of its central location. It looks especially visually arresting because it stands at the center of the Place Charles de Gaulle.
To get to the top of the Arc de Triomphe, expect to climb a 284-step spiral staircase! The steps are very small and surprisingly steep. They do have an elevator for accessibility purposes but you cannot take it otherwise.
If you have the Paris Museum Pass, access to the top of the Arc de Triomphe is included. Otherwise, you can pay a fee of 16 euros. You can reserve advance tickets online if you wish, but please note that there are no refunds even if it’s raining (the top of the Arc has no cover and is quite windy!)
The Louvre Museum
The Louvre, or Musée du Louvre, is the world’s largest and arguably most renowned art museum. The Louvre’s collection comprises around 380,000 objects, with approximately 35,000 artworks on display at any given time. Home to the iconic Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, and thousands of other masterpieces, the Louvre showcases a rich combination of human creativity, history, and culture. With its iconic glass pyramid entrance and vast exhibition spaces, the Louvre is not just a museum but a symbol of Parisian and global artistic heritage.
Because of its popularity, visiting the Louvre can be tricky. Since you only have 3 days in Paris, I recommend setting aside 2-3 hours to explore the Louvre—otherwise, you could spend days simply trying to see it all! The line to get in is also famously long even if you have a reservation (included in the Paris Museum Pass), so if you’re particularly pressed for time or don’t want to get the museum pass you can try booking a guided tour or skip-the-line ticket.
After leaving the Louvre, take a quick stop at the Colonnes de Buren, a playground of black and white columns in the courtyard of the Palais Royale. These columns were extremely unpopular when they were first built, but now they’ve become a beloved and unique part of the plaza, especially for kids.
Surprisingly, even though the Louvre is a major tourist destination, there are excellent food options around the museum. If you are coming to the Louvre in the morning, try to see if you can grab a spot at Le Cafe Marly before going to the museum. It has the most perfect view of the Louvre’s iconic glass pyramids!
If you are going in the afternoon or simply don’t have time before visiting the Louvre, visit Le Musset for lunch or dinner. This is one of my favorite French restaurants in Paris for its beautiful facade and authentic food—make sure to get the French duck breast, it’s so delicious!
Jardin des Tuileries
The Jardin des Tuileries, or the Tuileries Garden, is a historic public garden located between the Louvre Museum and the Place de la Concorde in Paris. It’s completely free to enter and is still one of my favorite public gardens in all of Western Europe because of its geometric patterns, alleys, flowerbeds, and classical sculptures! It’s the perfect place to relax when you’re starting to feel overwhelmed by all the grand sights during your 3 days in Paris.
Visitors can enjoy the changing landscapes of the Tuileries Garden throughout the seasons, with blooming flowers in spring and summer, rust-orange foliage in autumn, and a serene atmosphere in winter. In the summer, the garden hosts the popular Tuileries Fair, providing entertainment for both locals and tourists with rides, games, and food stalls.
Musée d’Orsay
You might be thinking, with three days in Paris, why would I visit more than one museum? But it is not an exaggeration to say the Musée d’Orsay is a must-add to every Paris travel itinerary. The Musée d’Orsay is renowned for its extensive collection of Western art from the period 1848 to 1914. It primarily features works from the Impressionist and Post-Impressionist movements, including masterpieces by artists such as Monet, Van Gogh, Degas, and Renoir. The museum’s collection includes paintings like Claude Monet’s “Water Lilies,” Édouard Manet’s “Olympia,” and Vincent van Gogh’s “Starry Night Over the Rhône.”
Entry to the Musée d’Orsay is included with the purchase of a Paris Museum Pass. If you haven’t noticed, I highly recommend investing in getting one! For this 3-day Paris itinerary alone, you can check off four spots just with the museum pass.
Seine River Cruise
A Seine River cruise is the perfect way to get familiar with Paris! If you only have 3 days in Paris, it won’t be possible to see all the amazing spots Paris has to offer. However, a river cruise is the next best option: from the open-air deck of a boat sailing down the beautiful and iconic river that cuts through the heart of Paris, you can listen to a guide point out all the major landmarks of Paris and teach you a bit about the history and geography of the city.
I recommend doing the Seine River cruise on your first day here if possible! It will help you get your bearings and also serves as an excellent introduction to Paris. You can book a river cruise separately, or you can get a Paris Museum Pass that has the river cruise option included.
4 Days in Paris Itinerary
Seeing Paris in 4 days means you have just a little bit of extra time to see some of the other renowned sights in the city. While these are all still popular tourist attractions, they just couldn’t fit into the 3-day version. But I’m so glad that you’ll be able to see these: several of the following additions are my personal favorite spots in Paris!
Opera Garnier
With four days in Paris, you have time to explore the Opera district, which is one of my favorite areas of Paris. This neighborhood feels somewhat grandiose and features lots of classic French architecture.
If you love Gilded Age decor, make sure to visit the Opera Garnier. Also known as the Palais Garnier, this is a world-renowned opera house and cultural landmark located in the 9th arrondissement. It is celebrated for its opulent and lavish interiors, ornate decorations, and grand staircase. This opulent marble staircase leads to the various levels of the opera house and is adorned with bronze candelabras and sculptures.
Visitors can explore the Opéra Garnier through guided tours, offering insights into its history, architecture, and the world of opera and ballet. Of course, the best and most authentic way to visit is to spend your evening at the opera itself!
Galeries Lafayette
Just across from the Opera Garnier is the Galeries Lafayette, a department store complex that is renowned for its stunning design and beautiful views. The most well-known feature is the stunning glass and steel dome that crowns the central hall.
If you love luxury shopping, Galeries Lafayette is renowned for its selection of high-end and luxury brands across various departments, including fashion, beauty, accessories, and home goods. It regularly hosts fashion shows and events, showcasing the latest trends and designs.
Make sure to also visit the rooftop, which is completely free to visit and offers beautiful views over Paris, including the Eiffel Tower! It’s not super close by, but still visible even on a cloudy day.
Sainte-Chapelle
Sainte-Chapelle is the prettiest church in Paris, prized for its stunning stained glass windows. The entire upper chapel is surrounded by 15 towering windows, each showcasing intricate biblical scenes. The windows are renowned for their vibrant colors and the way they create a transcendent play of light within the chapel.
Entry to Sainte-Chapelle is included with the Paris Museum Pass. However, I will warn you that the chapel is extremely small and extremely popular! If you can, go as soon as it opens and try to be one of the first people inside. The chapel is split into lower and upper floors, so make a beeline for the upper chapel as soon as you arrive. This way, you can admire the spectacular glasswork without too many people around.
Luxembourg Gardens
For the 3-day itinerary, I included only the Tuileries Garden because of its proximity to central Paris. However, with 4 days in Paris, I would suggest not missing the stunning Luxembourg Gardens, which is slightly further away but very spectacular. The Luxembourg Gardens are known for their meticulously manicured lawns, flowerbeds, and vibrant seasonal floral displays. The gardens are adorned with numerous statues and sculptures, including the iconic series of queens and famous figures from French history located along the terraces.
One of the notable features of the gardens (and my personal favorite part) is the Medici Fountain, a classical fountain surrounded by statues, located at the end of the central axis. This area is super peaceful with its running water, foliage, and outdoor seating. It’s especially spectacular in the fall!
Petit Palais
The Petit Palais, or “small palace,” is not a palace at all, but a museum and fine arts showcase built for the World Fair in 1900. Unlike many museums in Paris, the permanent collection is completely free to enjoy. Visitors can explore works by renowned artists such as Rembrandt, Delacroix, and Monet.
One of the most beautiful features of the Petit Palais is the enormous gilded golden entry doors. Please note that you can only see the doors when the museum is closed (before/after hours or on Mondays). However, I also recommend exploring the tranquil inner courtyard and garden. You can enjoy breakfast here or an afternoon at the museum cafe among the beautiful greenery and architecture. It’s a bit of a more locally-known spot and so charming!
The Petit Palais might very well be my favorite spot in Paris and thus, I couldn’t resist adding it to this Paris itinerary!
Musee de l’Orangerie
The Musée de l’Orangerie is actually situated in the Tuileries Garden, which is part of the Paris itinerary for 3 days. With an extra day in Paris, you can take advantage of your time near the Tuileries Garden to also visit this stunning museum, renowned for its display of Claude Monet’s iconic Water Lilies series. These massive, immersive paintings surround visitors in two oval-shaped rooms, creating a unique and transcendent viewing experience.
The museum also houses the Jean Walter and Paul Guillaume Collection, featuring works by notable artists such as Cézanne, Renoir, Modigliani, and Picasso.
Entry to the Musée de l’Orangerie is included in the Paris Museum Pass.
5 Days in Paris Itinerary
In my opinion, 5 days in Paris is the perfect amount of time to really engage with the city. 3 days is just passing through, 4 days feels a bit lacking—but 5 days is just enough to feel like you discovered the heart of the city. So let’s dive into my favorite additions that’ll fill you with the true spirit of Paris!
Montmartre (Again)
Finally, you have enough time to explore the beautiful district of Montmartre properly. I’m so glad that this Paris itinerary for 5 days allows enough time to see more of Montmartre, because there’s so much more to this area than just the Sacre-Coeur.
Walk down Rue de l’Abreuvoir, one of the beautiful main streets in Montmartre that features lots of ivy-covered buildings. It’s just stunning in the fall! You can also see the Instagrammable La Maison Rose, a pretty pink restaurant on a street corner that used to be frequented by famous writers and artists like Picasso.
Place du Tertre is also a Montmartre square where artists congregate and sell their beautiful works. Come admire the hand-painted canvases and consider taking a piece home!
Other notable places in Montmartre include the famous Moulin Rouge and the surprisingly photogenic metro station, Lamarck-Caulaincourt.
Pink Mamma
Pink Mamma is a popular restaurant also located in Montmartre. While the cuisine here is Italian, not French, it’s delicious and the restaurant is gorgeous! If you want to dine here, you’ll definitely need a reservation in advance. I recommend booking about a week ahead.
The most popular part is the top floor which is decked out in glass and greenery, plus the iconic staircase that you’ve probably seen on Instagram!
Le Marais
Le Marais is a historic district in Paris known for its artistic flair and vintage shopping. With 5 days in Paris, you have enough time to browse the flea markets and thrift stores—there are great deals to be found in these streets! Plus, Le Marais is known for its inclusivity and is considered the main gay district in Paris. It hosts a vibrant LGBTQ+ community and a lively nightlife scene.
The district is teeming with trendy cafés, restaurants, and bistros offering diverse culinary experiences. Visitors can enjoy a mix of traditional French cuisine and international flavors. There are also plenty of Instagrammable bistros here, like Le Bon Pecheur and Le Paradis.
Place des Vosges
The Place des Vosges is one of the oldest squares in Paris and features a beautiful design with fountains on every corner. The center of the Place des Vosges is adorned with a beautifully manicured garden. Visitors can stroll along the pathways, relax on benches, and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. The square has witnessed centuries of historical events and was the site of important ceremonies, including royal celebrations and public gatherings.
Hotel de Soubise (Musee des Archives Nationales)
The Hôtel de Soubise, now home to the National Archives Museum (Musée des Archives Nationales), is a historic mansion located in Le Marais. It is totally free to enter and features some of the most beautiful French Rococo architecture that I’ve ever seen!
Beyond exploring and admiring the stunning designs, the museum now holds historical significance as a witness to the grandeur of French aristocracy in the 18th century. The National Archives Museum features permanent exhibitions that provide insights into French history, including documents related to the monarchy, the French Revolution, and significant events in the country’s development. We actually only came here with the intent to take photographs, but were so interested by the exhibit that we ended up reading the whole thing.
Palace of Versailles
The Palace of Versailles, or Château de Versailles, is one of the most iconic and opulent royal residences in the world. Even though Versailles is technically not in Paris, it deserves a spot on every Paris travel itinerary. Since you have 5 days in Paris, you have enough time to make the short trek out to Versailles and back—you won’t regret it!
Versailles is known for its gilded opulence, featuring a harmonious blend of classical and Baroque styles. The palace was initially a hunting lodge, but Louis XIV transformed it into a grand symbol of royal power and wealth. One of the most famous features of the palace is the Hall of Mirrors (Galerie des Glaces), a magnificent gallery adorned with 17 mirrored arches and 17 windows overlooking the gardens.
You can either pick a skip-the-line ticket or a guided tour of Versailles—I personally prefer to DIY with the Paris Museum Pass. Note that the museum pass version does not include entry to the gardens on fountain show days.
5 Days in Paris: Conclusion
That wraps it up for the dreamiest 5-day Paris itinerary! Did I manage to show you stunning spots in Paris? As I said previously, it is difficult to grasp the true spirit of Paris in just one trip, but I hope you thoroughly enjoyed delving into the City of Love.
I am always discovering and exploring new places in Paris, so I hope this Paris travel itinerary will continue to grow in the future!
More Places to Add to Your Paris Itinerary
There are always more spots to add to your Paris itinerary. In fact, I don’t think you could ever explore everything Paris has to offer!
If you’re interested in seeing and doing even more, here are some of my personal recommendations:
Montparnasse
Montparnasse is a bit out of the way of central Paris, which is why you wouldn’t have time to explore it in the 3-, 4-, or 5-day Paris itinerary. However, it’s an interesting area famous for its traditional Parisian cafes, where artists and thinkers once gathered to discuss ideas, share inspiration, and engage in intellectual conversations. Odessa is one of the most Instagrammable ones in the area, but I personally prefer the breakfast at Cafe Jeannette—their orange juice is divine!
Hidden Eiffel Tower Spots
The quest for the most Instagrammable locations to get a photo with the Eiffel Tower has become a paramount pursuit. As I mentioned, since it’s located in the middle of Paris, you’d be hard-pressed to not see it, but some spots are superior to others.
I’ve written an entire guide on the 13 best spots to get a photo with the Eiffel Tower. Because if you’re going all the way to Paris, you’d better leave with nothing but the best Instagram pics, right?
Paris Catacombs
The Paris Catacombs, or “Les Catacombes de Paris,” are an underground ossuary located in the 14th arrondissement of Paris. The catacombs have their origins in the late 18th century when Paris faced issues related to overflowing cemeteries and unsanitary conditions. Over the next century, the remains of approximately six million people were moved to the catacombs.
Exploring the Paris Catacombs is too spooky for someone like me, but many people find them fascinatingly macabre! If you’re into this, I recommend taking a guided tour, which provides historical context and insights into the catacombs’ significance.
Le Train Bleu
Le Train Bleu is a luxurious and beautiful restaurant conveniently situated inside the Gare de Lyon, one of Paris’s major railway stations. The interior design pays homage to its origin as a train station restaurant, including model locomotives, murals depicting scenic train routes, and vintage travel posters.
However, Le Train Bleu is not a kitschy stop for a quick meal before catching the train. The interior is opulent and lavishly decorated with gilded moldings, frescoes, and intricate woodwork. The artistic elements reflect the luxury and sophistication associated with the Belle Epoque era. Additionally, the expensive menu has earned a reputation for its gourmet dishes and exceptional service.
Local Bookstores, Patisseries, & Cafes
Al fresco dining is the name of the game in Paris, where sidewalk cafes and dining abound! If you have the time, I recommend walking around to explore local bookstores and cafes, where you can find more local charm and laid-back energy. A few of my favorites include Abbey Bookshop, which is a tiny vintage bookstore with free coffee, La Favorite, a cafe with a fantastically pink facade, and Cafe Fleur, which is located near the Eiffel Tower.
Also don’t forget to indulge in dessert Parisian-style by stopping at a patisserie! There’s nothing more rewarding after a day walking around the streets of Paris than biting into a decadent eclair, delicate macaron, or any other pastry of your choice.
