3-Day Paris Itinerary Options – Classic, Foodie + Active

Paris lives up to its nickname of the “City of Light” when its beautiful buildings light up at night; its beauty and charm makes it the perfect city break destination in Europe. Spending three days in Paris offers you the perfect mix of history, art and food. Despite its reputation as a luxury destination, Paris can be easily enjoyed on a budget. There are many excellent things to do for free including some excellent art galleries. It is of course a great city to visit for a more luxurious and opulent trip, with 132 Michelin-starred restaurants, flagship designer boutiques and plenty of exclusive tours. Building an itinerary for a short break can be tricky, so use our adaptable guide to the city to meet your needs. Whether you are visiting Paris for the classic experience, are seeking delectable dining opportunities or are looking for adventure, the French capital has something for everyone. Here are some Paris itinerary options you will love.

Paris Itinerary – 3 Days in Paris

Best places to stay

Saint-Germain-des-Pres

Saint-Germain-des-Pres is an excellent place to set up base for your Paris stay as the neighbourhood is on the Left Bank and is filled with historical cafes, trendy art galleries and plenty of quaint streets to explore.

It is also one of the best destinations to experience true Parisienne culture from the locals.

Champs-Elysees

If you are seeking a stay filed with glitz and glamour, what better location than the Champs-Elysees?

This famous shopping street is the home of some of Paris’ most influential designer brands flagship stores and is a popular luxury shopping destination.

Expect to find high-end stores, luxurious restaurants and, of course, the famous landmark in Paris – Arc de Triomphe.

Latin Quarter

The Latin Quarter is one of the trendiest destinations in Paris, a student-filled area that’s home to the Sorbonne University, so expect bustling streets filled with students.

The area is also one of the oldest in the city and there are plenty of old and cosy cafes, bookstores and narrow winding streets to explore.

Best way to get around

The Paris Metro is the best way to travel around the city cheaply and easily.

The main system in the city is the Metro and the linked RER. These lines cover most of the city with metro stops close to many of the main tourist attractions.

The bus is also a great way to travel around the city.

This will not only open up new areas of Paris to you, but will allow you to see some of the most beautiful buildings and historical sites across the city without paying a high price tag for a tourist bus.

To make the most of public transport in Paris consider using a Navigo Easy Card.

The cards are available to purchase at metro ticket offices and RER ticket offices and can also be purchased at some corner shops.

The card can then be topped up and used throughout your day, with a price deducted each time you use it.

When topping up your card at the metro station, be sure to check out their passes and offers, some of which are suitable for longer stays like their 7-day pass, or credits that can be exchanged for 10 journeys across the network.

Classic Paris Itinerary

Day 1

Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower is the most recognisable landmark in Paris and is one most visited attractions in the city.

Choose to walk or take an elevator to the second floor or the top of the tower.

Views from the top are spectacular and take in other famous and iconic landmarks of the city.

Admire a small display of Gustave Eiffel’s office on the second floor before taking in the view with a glass of champagne at the champagne bar.

Eiffel Tower is at Champ de Mars, 5 Avenue, Anatole France, 75007 Paris. You can save time by getting an entry ticket with optional summit access online here.

Arc de Triomphe

Another must-visit landmark in Paris is the Arc de Triomphe.

The Arc de Triomphe can be admired from its location at the top of the Champs Elysees, however to truly experience the tower, brave the 284 step historical spiral staircase to reach the museum, and finally the panoramic terrace.

The views down the famous street at night are particularly impressive, as the city of lights does what it does best.

Arc de Triomphe is at Place Charles de Gaulle, 75008 Paris. Reserve your rooftop tickets online now.

Notre Dame

Despite still undergoing extensive repair following a devastating fire, Notre Dame remains a beautiful Parisian landmark and one that is well worth admiring.

The architecture of the cathedral, which dates back to the 1100s, is one of the best examples of French Gothic architecture, and features gargoyles, intricate carvings and a grand entrance.

The cathedral is set to re-open inside in December 2024 and in the meantime, you might enjoy this VR Experience.

Notre Dame is at 6 Parvis Notre-Dame, Place Jean Paul II, 75004 Paris.

River Seine Cruise

Relax and take in the views of the city on a scenic River Seine cruise.

There are many cruises running along the river, including tourist boats taking in the landmarks with a recorded guide, to more luxurious trips including dinner and champagne.

While river cruises during the day are excellent, book onto one at night to see the city lit up, and to admire the famous Eiffel Tower light show.

Day 2

Louvre Museum

Instantly recognisable thanks to its now iconic glass pyramid entrance, the Louvre is one of the most famous art galleries in the world.

Inside treasures such as the Venus de Milo, the Mona Lisa and the Winged Victory of Samothrace.

Visit early in the day to avoid large queues, and for the best experience, book on a guided tour with a museum expert.

Louvre Museum is at 75001 Paris.

Musee d’Orsay

Housed in the former Gare d’Orsay railway station, this beautiful Beaux-Artes gallery is home to an extensive collection of works by French artists and others, with items dating from 1848 to 1914.

Inside the museum expect to find works of art from Monet, Van Gogh and Renoir.

Musee d’Orsay is at Esplanade Valery Giscard d’Estaing, 75007 Paris. Book your entry tickets and download an audio guide.

Centre Pompidou

Explore a vast collection of contemporary and modern art in a unique setting at Centre Pompidou.

The building is instantly recognisable thanks to its bold primary colours and external structural features and staircase.

Centre Pompidou houses a range of masterpieces including works by Kandinsky, Duchamp and Frida Kahlo.

Centre Pompidou is at Place Georges-Pompidou, 75004 Paris. Combine a visit to Centre Pompidou with a Seine River Cruise and save money with this combo ticket.

Montmartre

Montmartre is a beautiful and chic district in the 18th arrondissement.

The streets here are cobbled and lined with old buildings, boulangeries serving fresh pastries and baguettes, tiny galleries and cosy restaurants.

It is also home to the beautiful Sacre Coeur, a catholic church overlooking the city from its location at the top of the hill. You can either wander around on your own or join a walking tour with a local guide.

Day 3

Day trip to the Palace of Versailles

Head out of the city and spend the day exploring the home of French Royalty prior to the French Revolution.

The magnificent and sprawling palace and grounds offers visitors a glimpse at life as a French royal.

Explore the Hall of Mirrors, the Kings Grand Apartments and the recently restored Royal Chapel.

Palace of Versailles is at Place d’Armes, 7800 Versailles. Skip the lines by booking your tickets to Versailles Palace online before you go.

Foodie

Day 1

Breakfast at Le Meurice Alain Ducasse

Indulge at breakfast time at Le Meurice Alain Ducasse in a stylish yet traditional setting.

The mirror lined breakfast room is the perfect place to start your day in the city.

A buttery, fruity and delightful range of pastries will start your meal off, with eggs, fresh fruit and plenty of coffee available.

Le Meurice Alain Ducasse is at 228 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris.

Lunch at Restaurant Guy Savoy

Spend lunch at Michellin-starred Restaurant Guy Savoy.

Open for lunch and dinner, the restaurant offers a carefully tailored menu including a range of hot and cold starters, fresh seafood and a range of meat dishes.

To truly indulge, order the set menu.

The menu is €680 for the table, and includes 12 courses that are themed, and rounded off with a vast selection from a dessert trolley.

Restaurant Guy Savoy is at Monnaie de Paris, 11 Quai de Conti, 5006 Paris.

Afternoon Tea at The Ritz Paris

Despite afternoon tea being a British tradition, one of the best is served in Paris at the Ritz.

Afternoon tea is best taken at Salon Proust, a beautiful dining room lined with old books, traditional wooden panelling and cosy armchairs to relax in.

Your afternoon tea in this lavish yet cosy setting includes handmade chocolates, rare teas and pastries designed by Francois Perret, the Ritz’ in-house pastry chef famed for his madeleines.

The Ritz Paris is at 15 Place Vendome, 75001 Paris.

Dinner at Pavillon Ledoyen

Continue the Michelin-starred theme of the day and dine at 3-starred Pavillon Ledoyen.

Set inside an elegant building in the beautiful Jardins des Champs-Elysees, the restaurant is the epitome of French chic.

Each dish is skilfully prepared and avant-garde in its presentation, with a focus on the freshest and in-season ingredients.

Pavillon Ledoyen is at 8 Avenue Dutuit, Paris 75008.

Day 2

Crepes

What better way to start your day than with a traditional French crepe.

Some of the best crêpes in Paris are sold from small windows or street food vendors.

Both sweet and savoury crêpes are typically available, the most popular of which are classic sugar and, apple puree and of course Nutella, or for something savoury fromage is always a firm favourite.

Traditional galettes at La Drouerie

La Drouerie is an excellent and traditional street food spot in Paris that serves a range of traditional snacks, including galettes.

A galette is a baked tart filled with a variety of savoury ingredients including cheeses, meats and vegetables.

La Drouerie is at 47 Due du Faubourg Saint Denis, 75004 Paris.

Marche Bastille Food Market

Open from 7am to 3pm on Thursdays and Sundays is the popular Marche Bastille, an exciting and lively food market.

The market is held near the July Column.

At the market expect to find stalls pilled high with fresh fruits and vegetables, rows and rows of fresh cut flowers and of course ready-to-eat snacks and drinks.

Marche Bastille is at Boulevard Richard Lenoir, 75011 Paris.

Cosy dinner at Chez Aline

For a simple and light meal, head to Chez Aline.

This traditional French sandwich shops serves some of the best baguettes in Paris.

Go traditional and have a simple Jamon Buerre, a ham and butter sandwich, or choose from their wide menu for something fresh and tasty.

Chez Aline is at 85 Rue de la Roquette, 75011 Paris.

Day 3

Buy Fresh Baguettes from a Traditional Boulangerie

There is nothing better than buying freshly baked baguettes from a traditional French bakery.

Explore the area near your hotel to find a good local spot, or head up to the likes of Monmartre to browse for baked goods in a myriad of tiny bakeries.

Baguettes are best purchased on a morning as they are the freshest, and can be enjoyed as they are, or with preserves.

Why not grab one as part of a picnic in the park?

Pick up picnic items at Enfants Rouge

Enfants Rouge is an excellent food market in Paris that dates back to 1615, making it the oldest food market in the city.

The market has a wide variety of stalls selling a variety of speciality dishes and cuisines.

Browse the stalls and find a great selection of dishes that are perfect for indulging in a park or riverside picnic.

Enfants Rouge is at 39 Rue de Bretagne, 75003 Paris.

Champagne tasting on the River Seine

End your day with a luxurious champagne river cruise along the River Seine.

With your English-speaking sommelier, learn a little more about champagne and its production in France, before sampling three champagnes in stunning surroundings.

Foodie tours you may enjoy:

• Paris: Food Tour in Le Marais with Tastings
• Paris: Seine Cruise & Crepe Tasting near the Eiffel Tower
• Paris: Relish Iconic Chocolates & Pastries on a Foodie Tour
• Paris: Food Market Tour in Bastille

Active

Day 1

Cycle along the River Seine

Explore the banks of the River Seine on a bicycle, either with your travel companions or with a tour.

There are many places in Paris to rent bicycles from, with some ranging from hire by the minute to all day use.

This is a great active way to see more of the city and to admire is most famous landmarks.

Waterski on the River Seine

For an unusual citybreak activity, take to the River Seine on a water ski.

A 3.5 kilometre (2.17 miles) stretch of the River Seine is suitable for water skiing, mono-skiing and wakeboarding.

There are plenty of opportunities to take part in water sports on the River Seine, with expert instructors and guides available.

Rollerblade at Place de la Bastille

Enjoy rollerblading in historic surroundings at Place de la Bastille.

Roller blading lessons are available for beginners and those with more confidence in this area with the Roller Club de France.

Full equipment is provided for you, and your trained and friendly guide will help you get to grips with this fun sport.

The meeting point is at 37 bd Bourdon, Paris 75004.

Day 2

See the City from the air on a Helicopter Tour

Book onto a helicopter tour for a truly unique vantage point over the city.

There are many tours available that take in different part of the city, with some even including a fly by of the Palace of Versaille.

Fly over the City in a Hot Air Balloon

If a slower and gentler birds-eye view of the city is more your pace, why not book a trip in a hot air balloon.

Balloon flights are far shorter than a helicopter trip, however they do offer a unique and fun experience that is perfect for couples or small groups.

Day 3

VR experience at Illucity

Enjoy an action-packed and thrilling day out at Illucity, a VR experience in the Les 4 Temps shopping centre located on the outskirts of Paris.

VR experiences at Illucity allow you to explore long-lost civilisations, seek treasure from pirates or battle against aliens.

VR Experiences in Illucity is at Westfield Les 4 Temps, Mandarine Zone, Level 0, 15 Parvis de La Defense, 92800 Puteaux.

Indoor Skydive

Experience the thrill of a skydive without the fear of jumping out of a plane at iFly Paris, an indoor sky diving experience that combines indoor freefall and VR to create the ultimate experience.

Once you have changed into your skydiving suit and have discussed safety with your instructor, take to the indoor dive area, strap on your VR headset and get ready to experience freefall like never before.

iFly is available to guests from the age of 5, making it the ideal day out for families.

iFly is at 30 Av. Corentin Cariou, 75019 Paris.

To extend your stay

If you plan to spend longer than 3 days in Paris, here are some activities and destinations that are a must visit when you have longer to explore.

Visit Disneyland Paris

Disneyland Paris is a must-visit when in Paris for a city-break for families or anyone who loves Disney!

From Paris there is a direct train to Disneyland Paris to make your day trip even easier.

Be sure to book your tickets in advance, and arrive early to avoid long queues.

Meet your favourite characters around the park, enjoy thrilling rides and eat delicious themed food.

Disneyland Paris is at Bd de Parc, 77700 Coupvray.

Take the train to the South of France

Take a scenic train ride from the heart of Paris to the warm Mediterranean coastline of the South of France.

There are trains running regularly from Paris’ main stations to popular destinations such as Nice, Monaco and Marseille.

Taking the train will also allow you to relax and unwind, and admire the spectacular scenery.

Visit a Vineyard

France is famous for its wines and champagnes, so if you have more time outside of your city break, be sure to head to a vineyard.

There are many excellent vineyards within a couple of hours of the French capital creating a great opportunity for a day trip.

Visit Troyes, Epernay or Chateau-Thierry, all of which are in Champagne, to try champagne where it originates.

For wines, head to Bordeaux wine region or Beaune for rich and full bodied burgundy wines.

Looking for more itineraries? Try these: