Planning to visit Paris to experience some love and romance? This Paris itinerary can surely get you started on building your romantic relationship with the city! It highlights the iconic places so you can make full use of your time to immerse into the Parisian atmosphere! First and foremost, if you’d like an overview of the city and discussions about budget, safety and food, refer to my Paris Travel Guide. But if you’re ready, let’s get started!
Please note that this page contains affiliate links (marked with *) that will earn me commission if you click and make any bookings, at no additional cost to you.
This article is also featured on GPSmyCity. To download this article for offline reading or create a self-guided walking tour to visit the attractions highlighted in this article, go to Walking Tours and Articles in Paris.
Paris Itinerary
The activities in this Paris Itinerary have been grouped based on their locations. Thankfully, since Paris is well-connected by the Metro system, you can easily move the activities around. This is especially so if you are constrained by timed ticket entries and their availability.
In the maps that follow, all attractions pinned in blue are featured in our core itinerary, while attractions pinned in red are optional ones if you have time. Metro lines are highlighted in the maps where distances are slightly longer for walking.
Expected expenses for this 3-day Paris itinerary
- €62¹ – 2-day Paris Museum Pass (Buy here)
- €17.35² – 10 T+ Metro tickets (See my post Paris Travel Guide for more information)
- €23.60 – RER ticket to/from CDG airport (if arriving and departing by CDG airport. Refer here for alternatives)
¹ The third day plan for Palais Garnier and Montmartre does not require the pass. However, if you need to move any activities around you may need a pass that covers all 3 days, i.e, the 4-day Paris Museum Pass at €77. Should you choose to also go to Palace of Versailles and cover the Latin Quarters, you can get the 6-day Paris Museum Pass at €92.
² If arriving by train, you will need additional 2 T+ tickets to cover journeys to/from the train stations.
Suggested locations for accommodation: Arrondissements 1 to 9, 11 and 12
Paris Day 1
Day 1 – 1st, 3rd and 4th Arr.
The first day covers the heart of Paris (1st, 3rd and 4th arrondissements) and is the most historic part of the city. Particularly, in the 3rd and 4th arrondissements is the Marais neighbourhood. This area features a blend of medieval Paris with trendy boutique shops and cafes and is a tourist favourite!
Things to note:
- It is recommended to pre-book your timed entry to the Louvre and Sainte-Chapelle.
- Depending on how long you intend to spend at the Louvre, this day’s Paris itinerary may be packed. You may need to pick and choose based on your interests or plan this day across two separate days.
Expected T+ tickets required: 2 (including transport to/from your accommodation)
The Louvre Museum
Begin your day at the Louvre Museum. Whether you have the Paris Museum Pass or not, do make sure to pre-book your timed entry into the museum. Do take note though, that if you intend to take a guided tour of the museum, tickets should normally be included.
The main entrance to the museum is at the famous glass pyramid. Here, you are likely to see snaking queues of people waiting to enter with their timed tickets. There are also three other entrances to the museum that you can possibly use. To find out more, refer to the Louvre website.
The Museum
By far, the most famous piece of art featured in the Louvre has to be the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci. Unsurprisingly, there was a huge crowd and long queue to get up-close to this masterpiece.
The museum is huge and you can spend more than half a day in it. If you are pressed for time and want to cover only the highlights, you can refer to this article Louvre Museum: The 10 Most Important Works.
Take note that the Louvre is closed on Tuesdays. But they do open till 9pm on Wednesdays and Fridays. In case you wish to take advantage of the late openings on these days, you can move this to the late afternoon.
If you’d like to have a guided tour on the masterpieces in the Louvre, you may want to take up one of these tour options below*. (Take note that these tours usually include the Louvre entrance tickets so you do not have to purchase tickets online separately. You should also factor this into your decision on whether to purchase the Paris Museum Pass).
Many people take at least a morning to complete the Louvre, so it is probably convenient to have your lunch in a cafe in the Louvre.
Tuileries Garden (Optional)
Right in front of the Louvre is the Tuileries Garden, a public park that stretches to the Place de la Concorde. This is the oldest and largest public park in Paris and holds the title of UNESCO World Heritage Site. If in good weather especially in the summer, this is a lovely place to take a walk in!
It takes about an hour to walk the entire garden.
Sainte-Chapelle
Sainte-Chapelle is a Gothic style 13th-century royal chapel, built by King Louis IX and located on the island of Île de la Cité. It is famous for its impressive stained glass in its upper chapel which illustrates over a thousand biblical scenes. I have to say, I was totally impressed and mesmerised by the sight!
The chapel just recently undergone a 7-year restoration project and reopened in 2015.
Entry is included in the Paris Museum Pass. There is also free entry on the first Sunday of November to March. Nevertheless, due to its popularity, you should pre-book your tickets regardless.
Your visit should take you around an hour or less.
Right next to Sainte-Chapelle is the Conciergerie, the former courthouse and prison of Paris. Should you have the time, the Conciergerie is also included within the Paris Museum Pass and should take you around 1-2 hours to visit.
If you’d like to have a guide for your visit, you may refer to options below*. (Take note that these tours usually include the entrance tickets so you do not have to purchase tickets separately. You should also factor this into your decision on whether to purchase the Paris Museum Pass).
Archaeological Crypt (Optional)
Located right under the Notre Dame Cathedral is an archaeological site that takes you through Paris in the last 2000 years and the history of the island of Île de la Cité.
The visit will take you about 1-1.5 hours and is included in the Paris Museum Pass. Definitely a place to visit if you have some time in your hands.
Take note though, the crypt is closed on Mondays.
Notre Dame Cathedral
This is a Gothic cathedral highly recognised as a symbol of Paris. Unfortunately, in April 2019 a devastating fire engulfed it and has led to its closure since. I am thankful I got to visit it once before the fire and the interior was amazing! Good news, it is expected to reopen on 8 December 2024 after more than five years of restoration work.
In the meantime, it is still good for a photo stop. You also get to read about the restoration works on the information panels surrounding the cathedral.
A short walk away is the A. Lacroix Pâtissier where you can have some good pastries, if you are in need of a break or some refreshments. My personal favourites are the Notre Dame Green Apple and the Tarte Pistachio Framboise. Otherwise, head North and continue on with this Paris itinerary.
Le Marais
After leaving Île de la Cité, you arrive at Hôtel de Ville where you begin your exploration of the Marais district. Hôtel de Ville is the city hall of Paris but visits from the public have now been suspended.
The Marais district is an ancient and medieval part of Paris but is filled with trendy and chic boutique shops and cafes. Thus, it makes this area a quirky and unique place to have a leisurely stroll in, to have a lovely meal and to do some shopping. Spend the rest of the day enjoying the cobblestone pathways, historic buildings, traditional markets, hip boutique shops and open spaces such as the Place des Vosges.
Dotted around this district are a few museums included in the Paris Museum Pass and may be of interest to you. You may return to visit them on another day when you have time. Particularly, the more popular ones include the Pompidou Centre and the Picasso Museum.
Paris Day 2
Day 2 – 7th and 8th Arr.
The second day of this Paris itinerary covers the western side (the 7th and 8th arrondissements) in which the most iconic landmarks are located. Specifically, I’m referring to the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe. The 8th arrondissement is also where you find the luxury shopping district of Champs-Élysées.
Expected expenses (adult prices):
- €29.40 – Eiffel Tower to the top via the lift (Book here)
- From €16 – River Seine Cruise
Things to note: It is strongly advisable to book your Eiffel Tower tickets. They go on sale 60 days in advance at midnight and the popular timeslots (particularly during sunsets) get snapped up in minutes.
Expected T+ tickets required: 4 (including transport to/from your accommodation)
Eiffel Tower
What is a trip to Paris without a visit to the world-renowned Eiffel Tower? There is no better way to start the day than being at the icon of Paris. Many people choose to ascend the Eiffel Tower at sunset. On the contrary, I think the best sunset view is one with the Eiffel Tower and not from the tower itself.
In fact, ascending the tower in the morning most likely keeps you away from the crowds.
Tickets
It is essential that you pre-book your tickets to the Eiffel Tower to avoid having to queue on the day. Tickets are released 60 days in advance at midnight (Paris time) and some of the popular slots (e.g. during sunset) can get snapped up in a matter of minutes.
It is possible to purchase your tickets on the spot but there is a possibility of long queues. Also, to avoid getting scammed, purchase your tickets from the official website.
The Eiffel Tower has three different levels open to visitors – 1st floor, 2nd floor and top floor. Correspondingly, there are four different tickets to choose from:
- Lift to top floor
- Stairs to 2nd floor then lift to top floor
- Lift to 1st and 2nd floors
- Stairs to 1st and 2nd floors
There are a total of 674 steps up to the 2nd floor if that is what you’d like to do.
Trocadero
In my opinion, the best approach to the Eiffel Tower is from the Trocadero Metro station. Here, you can experience the full grandeur and towering presence of the Eiffel Tower! Although it was my second time seeing the Eiffel Tower (My first time was from Champ de Mars on the other side), I have to say I went all ‘Wow’ over the view from Trocadero.
In the midst of your photo-taking frenzy, don’t forget to take a moment to appreciate that sight too!
Every evening from sunset till 1am, the Eiffel Tower glitters and sparkles for 5 minutes every hour on the hour. Wherever you will be at night, be sure to keep a watch for it!
River Seine Cruise
Cruises depart from the port right next to the Eiffel Tower. Essentially, there is either the sightseeing cruise or a lunch or dinner cruise. The cruise generally sails eastwards, makes a U-turn after the islands and returns to the Eiffel Tower.
There are quite a few different operators for the cruises. Below are some options you can consider for the River Seine cruise.
Pont de Bir-Hakeim
Many movies have featured this bridge over the River Seine. In particular, the 2010 movie Inception featured Leonardo DiCaprio walking on this bridge teaching about creating a dream world. It is conveniently located right next to the Eiffel Tower and is a good vantage point for viewing it as well.
After lunch, you should be able to cover two out of the next three activities – Musée d’Orsay, Hôtel des Invalides and shopping at Champs-Élysées. So take your pick depending on your interests.
Musée d’Orsay
Depending on how much you are an art person, you may spend between an hour to a full day at this museum. The average person should take about 2 hours to cover this museum, which includes some notable art pieces such as Vincent van Gogh’s Starry Night over the Rhone (not to be confused with his other art piece Starry Night found in New York’s Museum of Modern Arts), and one of his self portraits.
You may refer to this article on the Top 10 Things to See in Musée d’Orsay.
Musée d’Orsay is closed on Mondays and are open till 9.45pm on Thursdays. Entry is free on the first Sunday of the month but you are still required to pre-book a slot for it. No booking is required if you have the Paris Museum Pass. Refer to the Musée d’Orsay website for more details.
From the Eiffel Tower, the RER Line C takes you directly to Musée d’Orsay.
If you’d like to have a guide for your visit to the museum, you may refer to options below*. (Take note that these tours usually include the entrance tickets so you do not have to purchase tickets separately. You should also factor this into your decision on whether to purchase the Paris Museum Pass).
Hôtel des Invalides
Hôtel des Invalides comprises two main parts. Firstly, the Army Museum features an impressive and extensive collection of items relating to the French military history. Secondly, it also houses Napolean’s Tomb just directly beneath the impressive golden dome of it’s facade.
With the Paris Museum Pass, you are free to enter without any pre-booking. On average, it should take you about 2 hours to complete both the museum and the tomb.
Musée Rodin (Optional)
If you have time on another day and are into the works of French sculptor Auguste Rodin, then you may wish to have a look. It is included in the Paris Museum Pass.
Champs-Élysées
This is the luxury shopping district, particularly on the street of Av. des Champs-Élysées. In this area, you find most luxury brands lining the streets. This includes, of course, the likes of Louis Vuitton, Dior, Hermès and Saint-Lauren. Fret not for those on tighter budgets, there are mid-range stores like Nike or Zara here too. Though, you probably won’t be at Champs-Élysées for these non-French brands.
Arc de Triomphe
This is one of the most famous monuments of Paris and stands at the westernmost end of Av. des Champs-Élysées. It honours those who died for France in the French Revolutionary and Napolean Wars. There were numerous obstacles to its completion though. The monument took over 30 years to complete as its construction was halted a couple of times during an especially turbulent period. During your visit, have a look at the information and videos on display about the construction.
Presently, it sits right at the juncture with 12 radiating avenues. For this reason, traffic can be chaotic so I would advise never to attempt crossing the roads to reach the monument. Be sure to make use of the underpasses.
I have to say, I love it’s majestic presence.
Viewing terrace
There are 284 steps to climb to the viewing terrace at the top of the Arc de Triomphe. People with disabilities can request for the lift that takes you up to the museum, but you still need to climb a couple of flights of stairs to the viewing terrace.
Once again, having the Paris Museum Pass gives you free access to the viewing terrace. Also to note, the Arc de Triomphe is free entry to all on the first Sundays of November to March. Additionally, the monument is open at night till 10.30pm during winter, and till 11pm during summer. For this reason you can opt to visit the monument at night, although I still prefer the views in the day.
A ceremony takes place every day at 6.30pm when the flame is lighted at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This ceremony is free for viewing to all.
Paris Day 3
Day 3 – 9th and 18th Arr.
The third day of this Paris itinerary covers the north side (9th and 18th arrondissements). This includes the Opera theatre (Palais Garnier) and the atmospheric cobblestone hilltop area of Montmartre.
Expected expenses (adult prices):
- €15 – Self-guided tour of Palais Garnier (€23 for guided tour) (book here)
- From €110 – Moulin Rouge show (From €225 including dinner) (book here)
Important note: You should pre-book your visits to the Palais Garnier and the Moulin Rouge show.
Expected T+ tickets required: 4 (including transport to/from your accommodation and the Montmartre furnicular)
Palais Garnier
In case you didn’t already know, the world-renowned novel and now musical “Phantom of the Opera” is set in an opera house in Paris. Specifically, yes, it’s the Palais Garnier!
This is an impressive 1,979-seater theatre, nowadays used mostly for ballet performances. It has an elaborate and impressive interior and is open to visitors as long as you have pre-booked a ticket. Specifically, you can choose between a self-guided ticket or a guided ticket. You can book your tickets here.
Galeries Lafayette / Printemps
Both of these are two of Paris’ leading departmental stores, located within walking distance from Palais Garnier. If you are not into luxury shopping, maybe just pop in to have a look at its beautiful interior?
Montmartre
This has to be one of my favourite places in Paris. It has a lovely atmosphere to it – cobblestone pathways, hilltop views and has a strong historical presence. Many artists have once made Montmartre their home, including Picasso and van Gogh, just to name a couple.
Sacré-Cœur
There are a number of metro stations serving the Montmartre vicinity. The Anvers station however, brings you to the foot of the Sacré-Cœur basilica, allowing you to capture a front view of it atop the hill. After taking that photo, you are faced with a decision to make – climb the 270 steps up or take the furnicular.
If you have bulk purchased 10 T+ tickets, you can use one of them for the furnicular.
Entry to the Sacré-Cœur is free, but if you wish to do the (additional) 280-step climb up to the dome, you will have to pay a fee (€8 for adults).
View from Sacré-Cœur
Take a moment to enjoy the view of Paris ahead of you once you reach the top of the hill. You will be looking towards the south so if you want to catch a peep of the Eiffel Tower, look towards your right (it may be blocked at certain points).
The neighbourhood
Immerse yourself into the neighbourhood where Picasso, van Gogh and Salvador Dali once lived – Place du Tertre (where artists congregate and sell their art pieces or paint a portrait for you), La Maison Rose (the restaurant once owned by one of Picasso’s close friends), Picasso’s first studio and Vincent van Gogh’s apartment. There is even Montmartre’s very own vineyard!
Read more about Montmartre in my post on Spending Half a Day at Montmartre!
Moulin Rouge Cabaret show
End the day at Montmartre with the Moulin Rouge cabaret show!
I was debating hard whether or not to go for the show. After all the reading about the show and the positive online reviews, I decided to go for it. It turned out that it was a good decision as my parents and sister totally enjoyed it. They would even list it as one of their highlights of Paris!
No doubt, tickets can be quite pricey but do consider it since you’re in Montmartre anyway. It is thought to be the birthplace of the cabaret (it’s not Moulin Rouge though). The show features a variety of short performances – dances, acrobatics, stunts, singing and some flamboyant (or lack of) costumes. Get into the Kitchy-kitchy-yaya and can-can dance mood!
Skipping the dinner option is something you can consider though. There is no short of options for dinner in Montmartre.
Generally, there are two shows per night. First at 9pm and the second at 11pm. I believe the seats are assigned on first come first serve basis so arrive early to hopefully get the better seats. Though, not too early or you end up waiting in a queue. Those who opt for the dinner option will have the meal at 7pm before continuing with the 9pm show.
Paris Day 4
Day 4 – Return
Depending on the time of your return flight or train, you may spend the day with some last minute shopping or catching up on some of the activities you didn’t manage to cover earlier.
If you have extra days for your Paris itinerary
There is so much to cover in Paris that there can never be too much time. Below are some additional ideas on what you can add on to your Paris itinerary.
5th, 6th, 14th and 15th Arr. (1 day)
This area on the Left Bank covers mainly the Latin Quarter, and particularly in the 5th arrondissement, is one of the oldest and ancient district in the city.
Pantheon
Known as the temple of the French Nation, it is the final resting place of a number of famous French writers, politicians and scientists. You can get free entry with the Paris Museum Pass.
Emily in Paris
Fans of the popular Netflix series ‘Emily in Paris’ have recently flocked the Latin Quarters due to the number of filming scenes here – Emily’s apartment, Gabriel’s restaurant and Emily’s first croissant in Paris. Understandably, the locals have become increasingly annoyed with the influx of tourists. But if you have to, why not join one of the ‘Emily in Paris’ walking tours* and at least contribute to their economy?
Jardin du Luxembourg
An amazing garden to walk in especially during good weather – it features 106 statues, a few greenhouses, two sculpted fountains, an orchard and a rose garden.
The Catacombs
For sure, this will be on my to-do list the next time I visit Paris again! The Catacombs is an underground ossuary holding the remains of six million people!
Montparnasse Tower
This is an office skyscraper that is the third tallest in France. The tower has an observation deck that is said to have an amazing view of the Eiffel Tower.
Palace of Versailles (1 day)
Spend the day at the Palace of Versailles and its gardens along with the Estate of Trianon. It once served as the former royal residence and was commissioned by King Louis XIV. Entry is covered by the Paris Museum Pass and is also free of charge on the first Sunday of November to March.
Disneyland Paris (1-2 days)
This comprises of two parks – Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park. While you can spend half a day in each, it is probably more recommended for two separate days.
Paris Itinerary closing note
Paris has so much to offer, be it iconic landmarks, historic significance, Parisian architecture, arts and culture, or its amazing atmosphere. All these are further enhanced by the fact that successful movies and novels have set themselves in this lovely city. The world is talking about Paris, why not join in and have a say too?
Begin planning your Paris Itinerary
Export the outline of this 3-day Paris Itinerary to Microsoft Excel and begin your planning and customisation! Leave me a comment if you have any questions and happy planning!
