3 Days in Paris Itinerary (2026): A Day-by-Day Plan for First-Timers

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Three days is enough to see Paris’ big hitters without rushing, as long as you group the sights by area instead of zigzagging across the city. This 3 days in Paris itinerary does exactly that: the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe on Day 1, the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay on Day 2, and Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle and Montmartre on Day 3.

I first walked this route in March 2017, in light snow and without an umbrella (more on that below). I’ve since updated every section with current ticket rules, opening days and prices, so you can use it as a plan and not just a story.

Paris in 3 days at a glance

Day	Area	Main stops	Book ahead
1	West Paris	Trocadéro, Eiffel Tower, Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe	Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe rooftop
2	Museum day	Louvre (morning), Musée d’Orsay (afternoon)	Louvre timed entry, Orsay
3	Old Paris and Montmartre	Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle, Latin Quarter, Sacré-Cœur	Sainte-Chapelle, Notre-Dame (free, reserve a slot)

Is 3 days in Paris enough? Yes, for the highlights. You won’t see everything, but you’ll cover the icons, two great museums and a feel for the neighborhoods. If you have a spare half day, add La Défense or a trip to Versailles (see the extras below).

Looking for something non-touristy? Read about Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris.

If you have more days in France, I recommend visiting Nice for A coastal feel from the city. Read these top things to do in Nice for first-timers from Maria. 

Suggested Read – Things to know before visiting Paris and here are some things you shouldn’t do when in Paris!

Day 1: Eiffel Tower, Champs-Élysées and Arc de Triomphe

Today stays in west Paris, so you’ll walk a lot and ride the metro very little.

Morning: breakfast at Café du Trocadéro (8:30)

I started my first morning at Café du Trocadéro with an omelette and a cappuccino to beat the cold. It sits in a typical Parisian residential neighbourhood, but the direct view of the Eiffel Tower, the good food and the friendly service make it feel pleasantly touristy too. Sitting here with passing cars and tourists heading to the Palais de Chaillot is a lovely first taste of Parisian life. More on this area in my post on the best hotel and restaurant with a view of the Eiffel Tower. Here’s are some of the free things to do in Paris which can keep your expenses in control. 

Trocadéro to the Eiffel Tower (9:30)

Walk across the Pont d’Iéna to the tower, about 15 minutes. I underestimated this walk, but it’s worth it: you get the tower growing larger with every step.

The Eiffel Tower was built by Gustave Eiffel’s company as the entrance arch of the 1889 World’s Fair. Many Parisians doubted it at first, and it became the city’s icon anyway. It stands about 330 m tall with its antennas and has three visitor levels, reachable by lift or (to the second floor) by stairs.

• Book a timed slot online. In 2017 I skipped the ticket queue and I still regret not going up. Don’t repeat my mistake.
• On a budget? The view of the tower from Trocadéro is free, and arguably the best view of it.
• Come back after dark. The tower sparkles for five minutes every hour once it gets dark.
• Keep bags zipped near the tower. Pickpockets love the crowds.

I settled on a bench below the tower with a cappuccino and a packet of chips, and it’s still one of my favourite memories of Paris.

Afternoon: Champs-Élysées and Arc de Triomphe

From the Eiffel Tower, it’s roughly a 30-minute walk to the Arc de Triomphe. The Champs-Élysées is about 2 km long and runs from Place de la Concorde up to the Arc, lined with cafés and shops.

Napoleon commissioned the Arc de Triomphe in 1806 and it was finished in 1836. It honours those who fought in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars. The rooftop is 284 steps up and gives panoramic views along the twelve avenues that radiate from the monument.

• Book rooftop tickets online. The ticket queue beat me in 2017, so I only took photos from outside.
• Use the underpass. Never try to cross the roundabout, which is one of the busiest in Europe.
• Tomb of the Unknown Soldier: the flame is rekindled every evening around 6:30 pm.

The day my phone died

My phone battery drained at the Arc, so I couldn’t navigate back to the hotel. I followed my gut, got lost, ended up on Avenue Victor Hugo, and a lovely lady in Zara pointed me back in the right direction. It’s the walk I remember best from the whole trip, but learn from me and carry a power bank (my carry-on essentials list has the rest).

Evening: Seine cruise or dinner

A one-hour Seine cruise near the Eiffel Tower is an easy, relaxing end to a long day of walking.

Enjoy day trips? If you have some spare time, I highly recommend taking a day trip to picturesque Rouen in Normandy.

Day 2: Louvre and Musée d’Orsay

A visit to the French capital can never be complete without feeling its art culture persistent for centuries. World’s largest museum, an architectural marvel, a photographic gem, and illuminating star is the Louvre Museum Paris as a gift for tourists!! Even, so many books and movies have revolved around the art collections from this particular museum and some movies have also been shot here and thus the Louvre museum is one of the top sites in Paris. If visiting the Louvre museum in the peak tourist season, plan so as the famous Louvre museum is known to host millions of visitors annually so the entry or ticket counters queue can be overwhelming for some.

Heads-up: the Louvre is closed on Tuesdays and the Orsay on Mondays, so don’t schedule this day for a Monday or Tuesday.

Morning: the Louvre (9:00 to 12:30)

• Reserve a timed-entry slot online and arrive at opening. Book your Louvre ticket here.
• Try the underground Carrousel entrance. The line at the glass pyramid is usually the longest.
• Don’t try to see everything. Pick three or four highlights: the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, the Winged Victory of Samothrace, and one wing that interests you (Egyptian antiquities or Italian paintings are good choices).
• The Mona Lisa room is always crowded. Go straight there first thing, or accept the crowd.

The Louvre was a royal palace before it became a museum, and the glass pyramid in the courtyard, designed by I. M. Pei, opened in 1989. Want more? Read my interesting facts about the Louvre and know more about these top tips for visiting the Louvre.

Lunch: Tuileries Garden

Grab a sandwich from a boulangerie and eat in the Tuileries Garden right beside the museum. It’s cheaper and nicer than any café nearby.

Afternoon: Musée d’Orsay (2:00 to 5:00)

Cross the Seine on the Passerelle Léopold-Sédar-Senghor footbridge from the Tuileries to the Orsay.

The building is a former railway station, built for the 1900 World’s Fair and opened as a museum in 1986. It holds the world’s best Impressionist collection, with Monet, Renoir, Degas and Van Gogh. The giant glass clock on the fifth floor is the most photographed spot in the museum. Go early to get a clear shot, and note that tripods and selfie sticks aren’t allowed. Book your ticket here.

Evening: a stroll along the Seine

Walk back along the river past the green book stalls of the bouquinistes, then over the Pont des Arts for a classic Paris sunset view.Musee de Louvre

Day 3: Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle and Montmartre

Morning: Notre-Dame (9:00)

I saw Notre-Dame in 2017, two years before the April 2019 fire. The cathedral reopened to visitors in December 2024 after its restoration. Entry to the cathedral is free, but reserving a time slot online helps you skip the queue, and the tower climb is ticketed separately.

Construction began in 1163 and took close to 200 years, and it remains one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture. Read more in my post on the history and facts about Notre-Dame.

Sainte-Chapelle (10:30)

It’s a five-minute walk from Notre-Dame on the same island, the Île de la Cité. This 13th-century royal chapel is famous for its walls of stained glass, which are at their best on a sunny morning. Book a timed ticket, as the security line can be long.

Lunch: Latin Quarter

Cross to the Left Bank for crêpes and a wander past the bookshop Shakespeare and Company, just opposite Notre-Dame.

Afternoon: Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur (3:00)

Take the metro to Montmartre, about 30 minutes from the Latin Quarter. The hill is the highest point in Paris, topped by the white Sacré-Cœur Basilica, built between 1875 and 1914. Entry to the basilica is free; climbing the dome costs extra.

• Wander Place du Tertre (where artists paint portraits), Rue des Abbesses and the Wall of Love.
• Montmartre was once home to many famous artists, which is why it still feels like a village of its own.
• Photo tip: go early morning or late evening for crowd-free shots of the Basilica.
• Scam alert: on the steps, people may try to tie friendship bracelets on your wrist and then ask for money. Just keep your hands in your pockets and say no.

Here’s a detailed guide on what to do in Montmartre. 

Optional extras: La Défense, Versailles or a Marigny wander

La Défense and the Grande Arche (half day)

If you have spare time, take Metro Line 1 from Charles de Gaulle–Étoile (the Arc de Triomphe) to La Défense, Europe’s largest purpose-built business district. The Grande Arche, completed in 1989, sits on the same straight line as the Arc de Triomphe and the Louvre. Rooftop access has been closed at times, so check before you go. Read my full post on La Grande Arche de La Défense.

Versailles (full day)

Swap in a day trip to the Palace of Versailles by RER C, around 40 minutes from central Paris. Book tickets in advance, and remember it’s closed on Mondays.

Where to stay for 3 days in Paris

• 7th arrondissement (near the Eiffel Tower): quiet and elegant, but pricey.
• Le Marais (4th): central, lively, and walkable to Notre-Dame.
• Latin Quarter (5th): good for budget stays and great food.
• Trocadéro (16th): where I stayed. Calm, with a metro station five minutes away.

Hotel du Champ de Mars is one of the highly rated hotels near Eiffel Tower. if you like the idea of spa on your vacation, then Almarine Eiffel Hotel & Spa by Malone is for you.

Not sure whether to book a hotel or an apartment? Read Airbnb vs hotels.

• From the airport: RER B connects Charles de Gaulle to central Paris in about 35 to 50 minutes. Metro Line 14 now connects Orly.
• Safety: watch for pickpockets on Line 1 and around the major sights.

How much does 3 days in Paris cost?

Rough estimates per person per day, excluding flights. At roughly €1 = ₹100, check today’s rate before you go.

	Budget	Mid-range
Stay (per night)	€70 to 110	€150 to 250
Food (per day)	€25 to 40	€60 to 90
Transport (per day)	€8 to 12	about €10
Main sights (Eiffel, Louvre, Orsay, Arc, Sainte-Chapelle), total	€100 to 150	€100 to 150
Approx. per day	€135 to 210 (about ₹13,500 to 21,000)	€250 to 400 (about ₹25,000 to 40,000)

The plan above has lots of free moments too: Trocadéro, the Champs-Élysées, Notre-Dame, Sacré-Cœur and the Seine walks cost nothing.

Paris for Indian travellers: visa, food and practical tips

• Visa: Indian passport holders need a Schengen visa. Apply through the official France-Visas portal and book your appointment with VFS Global as early as possible, since slots fill up. You’ll need travel insurance with at least €30,000 cover, proof of accommodation, a flight booking and financial documents. Check the current fee on the official site.
• Flights: direct flights from Delhi take roughly 8 to 9 hours. I wrote about my own journey in adventures en route from Delhi to Paris.
• Time and plugs: Paris is 3.5 to 4.5 hours behind India depending on the season. Bring a universal adapter.
• Money: a forex card works almost everywhere, and contactless payment is common. Carry a little cash for small cafés.
• Vegetarian and vegan food: try falafel on Rue des Rosiers in the Marais, savoury galettes with cheese and mushrooms, and sweet crêpes. Check that ‘vegetarian’ dishes don’t contain bacon bits or meat stock, and say ‘sans viande’ if needed. Strict Jain travellers should carry snacks.
• Indian food: I ate at Restaurant Indien Suraj. You’ll also find many Indian restaurants near Gare du Nord and Passage Brady in the 10th arrondissement.

What to eat in Paris

Start your morning with a freshly baked croissant and coffee. Pick up a crêpe from a street stall (the smell is irresistible), try macarons in different flavours, and finish the evening with a glass of wine. Read about 8 must-try European delicacies next.

If you’re like me preferring vegan food during travels, then check out these amazing vegan restaurants in Paris.  If you love culinary tours during your travels, check out the best food tours in Paris.

Best time to visit Paris

Spring (April to June) and early autumn (September to October) are the sweet spots: mild weather and fewer crowds than July and August. Winter is cold but magical around Christmas. I visited in March and woke up to light snow, which was a thrill for someone from Delhi. But I hadn’t checked the forecast and had no proper clothes or umbrella, so pack layers and a compact umbrella. My things to know before visiting Paris has more first-timer tips.

Frequently asked questions

Is 3 days enough for Paris? Yes, for the main highlights. This plan covers the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre, Orsay, Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle and Montmartre without rushing.

Do I need to book tickets in advance? Yes, for the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Arc de Triomphe rooftop and Sainte-Chapelle. Notre-Dame is free, but reserving a slot saves time.

Is the Paris Museum Pass worth it? It can be if you visit three or more paid museums and monuments, but you may still need to reserve timed slots, and it doesn’t cover the Eiffel Tower. Compare current prices before buying.

Which area is best to stay in? Le Marais is the most central for first-timers. The 7th is the quietest, and the Latin Quarter is good for budget stays.

Is Paris expensive? It can be, but many of the best experiences (Trocadéro, Montmartre, Notre-Dame, Seine walks) are free. Bakery lunches keep food costs down.

Planning more of Europe?

Check out my guides to Vienna in 2 days, Prague in 2 days and the Munich travel guide.

Have you been to Paris, or are you planning your trip? Tell me in the comments and I’ll help with your itinerary.

These are my must-see places and the Pais 3 day itinerary, still confused about what to see in Paris? Read these 21 things to do in Paris on your first trip from Chandrima From “Travel Stories Untold“. 

Have you visited Paris? Do share your experience with me!

Also,  make sure to follow along on my Instagram account for the latest updates and adventures.

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