3 Days In Paris: All The Tricks You Need To Avoid Madness

So you want to spend 3 days in Paris.

You’ve heard such amazing things about the city of love. You’ve watched every movie ever shot in the French capital. You’re Mona Lisa’s biggest fan.

You have even planned your trip there. And you have about three days in Paris to see everything.

Let me stop you right there.

You see, you simply can’t visit every place in Paris in three days. It’s just not possible. Even if you fly from one attraction to the next and there are no lines, you still won’t make it. Guaranteed.

It is pure madness trying to visit every museum, every gallery, enter every cathedral, climb every tower, stroll along every famous boulevard, take a picture on every square, gaze in awe at each palace, cross every bridge…

So let’s get realistic. What can you visit in 3 days in Paris and still avoid madness?

Tip: join one of the best-rated Paris day tours here to get an overview of the city’s highlights. Then, continue exploring on your own.

Jump directly to: 

• Have A Plan And Know Your Interests Before Coming To Paris
• Day 1: The Louvre, Champs-Élysées, And The Eiffel Tower – The Crème de la Crème Of Paris
  • The Louvre: The Museum Everyone Wants To Visit But Few Know Why
  • Champs-Élysées From Tuileries Garden To Arc de Triomphe: The Most Famous Boulevard In The World
  • Eiffel Tower: The Best View Of Paris From Above During Day And Night
• Day 2: The Montmartre And A Seine Tour – A Long Stroll And A Relaxing Boat Ride
  • Montmartre Hill: Churches, Artists, And A Splendid View Of Paris
  • Seine Boat Tour: The Famous Buildings At The River Banks From A Different Angle
• Day 3: Notre-Dame de Paris, The Latin Quarter, And Montparnasse – A Celebration Of Life And Death
  • Notre-Dame de Paris: The Beauty Which Inspires Poets
  • The Latin Quarter: The Bohemian Heart Of Paris
  • Montparnasse: The Many Faces Of Death
  • The Army Museum or Rodin Museum: One Last Museum Visit
• Further Amazing Attractions In Paris For Your Next Visit
  • 10 Of The Coolest And Most Unusual Things To Do In Paris
• Congratulations, You’ve Survived 3 Days In Paris Without Going Mad!

Have A Plan And Know Your Interests Before Travelling To Paris

The second biggest mistake people make when coming to Paris for a couple of days – apart from trying to visit every place they’ve ever heard of – is wanting to see what everyone else does.

First of all, this creates huge waiting lines. And second, it can’t be true, no freaking way, that everyone is a museum lover, or a great appreciator of Renaissance art, or can understand military battle plans.

Everyone’s different.

So why follow the herd and go where everyone else goes then?

Tip: you can find the best travel advice in this comprehensive guide of all the Paris travel tips you need.

Read a couple of posts and books about Paris, figure out what exactly each of the famous museums and galleries display and only visit places which match your interests. There are 130 museums in Paris, and I’m sure there are no more than three, which you’ll really want to visit.

You don’t have to go to the Louvre only because it’s the most famous gallery in the world!

You can totally skip the huge lines and miss seeing the Mona Lisa. Big deal that someone back home will be surprised you skipped it. You didn’t go to Paris for three days to impress them, you went to have fun and do what you like, didn’t you?

So with that cleared and out of the way, I’m giving you a list of the most famous Paris attractions and a few tips about each one. Again, don’t even think of visiting them all during your 3 days in Paris! Make your own Paris itinerary without feeling guilty about what others might think.

I’ve grouped them together only based on their location so you can optimise your precious vacation time.

Tip: if you’re unsure how to best schedule your time in the French capital, you can always go on a private tour of Paris.

Day 1: The Louvre, Champs-Élysées, And The Eiffel Tower – The Crème de la Crème Of Paris

The Louvre: The Museum Everyone Wants To Visit But Few Know Why

Since we already mentioned it, let’s start with the world’s most famous gallery and largest museum.

Tip: if you want to skip the lines and have a guide who will make sure you see all the highlights without getting lost in the labyrinth of the Louvre Palace, join this tour. And if you want to see the Mona Lisa without the crowds, come at the end of the opening hours and join this tour.

The first thing you need to know about the Louvre: it’s freaking huge! So if you truly want to see every piece displayed inside, your 3 days in Paris won’t even be enough to browse just this one museum.

Still, if you find yourself in the area, and I’m sure you’ll pass by it eventually, spend a few minutes to admire the beautiful former royal palace. The magnificent building is a museum since 1682 and a great place to shoot a few photos.

Tip: so now that you have an idea how huge it is, and you’ve also noticed the long line in front of the most famous central entrance – the pyramid – if you still want to go inside, here’s a tip for you. The Louvre has other entrances as well and they’re not as obvious as the pyramid.

Instead of staying in line for a very long time, go to Galerie du Carrousel or Passage Richelieu entrance. Once inside, buy your ticket from the machines, grab a map and enter the museum.

As you probably know, Leonardo’s Mona Lisa is on display in the Louvre and it’s the most visited piece on display here. Do you want to know the sad truth, though?

Mona Lisa is tiny!

It’s 77 cm x 53 cm big, locked behind bulletproof glass, and you can’t get nearer than 3 m away from it. For me, this painting is the biggest tourist trap on Earth!

Huge crowds get in line to see it and photograph it, but the glass reflects the flashes and the artificial light in the room. All pictures turn out blurry and poorly exposed. You can’t get close enough to really see the painting, you get pushed from every side, and it’s an overall very disappointing experience.

If you still happen to visit the hall with Mona Lisa, don’t do what every other tourist does. Just turn your back to her and instead spend some time admiring the huge painting at the opposite wall.

Since you’ve now seen the one (or skipped it!), go get lost in the labyrinth of hallways of the Louvre! Just remember, you only have 3 days in Paris, don’t get too lost and spend them all in one place ;-)

Want to know what’s worth seeing in the Louvre? Check this list of 20 Must-see Artworks in the Louvre.

Time needed: to visit the Louvre, you’ll need at least two hours. Plan another hour for photos of the palace buildings and surroundings. You can buy your ticket in advance to save on precious time.

Champs-Élysées From Tuileries Garden To Arc de Triomphe: The Most Famous Boulevard In The World

From the Louvre, go under the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel and enter the Tuileries Garden. Stroll along the alleys, sit on a bench, and do some people watching or plan your next stop.

Exit the park at Place de la Concorde or visit The Orangery Museum.

Place de la Concorde is one of the most magnificent squares you’ll ever see.

The Egyptian obelisk and the perfect symmetry of the huge fountains make for an excellent photo opp. The only problem is that every other tourist in Paris will also want a photo here…

After you’re done modelling at Place de la Concorde, head to the most famous boulevard in the world, Avenue des Champs-Élysées. The construction of the 70 m wide, 6 lane boulevard was started by Louis XIV and has hosted tons of marathons and military parades since then.

Before diving into the shops, you’ll pass by Petit Palais and Grand Palais. The Petit Palais hosts the Museum of Fine Arts.

Just a minute off Champs-Élysées is the Élysée Palace, the 18^th-century mansion of the French president.

Make sure you don’t make too many stops and keep your eyes on the main goal at the end of the 2 km long boulevard – the Arc de Triomphe.

If you haven’t strayed too much away from Champs-Élysées, you’ll reach its culmination, the Arc de Triomphe, in about an hour. But if you’d followed every beautiful building and photographed everything that caught your eyes, your 3 days in Paris wouldn’t be enough to reach the Arc.

Once you’ve crossed the roundabout – please use the tunnel and don’t try to walk through six lanes of crazy Parisian drivers – you’ll emerge at the eternal fire. Depending on the season and time of day, the tunnel might be so crowded, that you’d barely move. Hence, plan double the time you thought you’d need for this site.

Every inch of the Arc is richly decorated.

You can see funerals and battle scenes, allegorical figures, roses, the names of several great battles and victories, and the names of army leaders engraved. Each side is worth photographing, so you’ll probably need an hour to do all the shots you want here.

And that’s if you choose not to climb to the top. At least another hour will be needed if you decide to see Champs-Élysées from the top of Arc de Triomphe.

Reaching the top of the Arc reveals an amazing view. If you want to climb to the rooftop and save time, buy your ticket online in advance here.

Time needed: to walk from the Louvre to the Arc de Triomphe without any extra stops, you’ll need at least two hours. Plan another two to three hours for photos along the way and at the Arc. An additional hour is needed if you want photos of Paris from atop the Arc de Triomphe.

Eiffel Tower: The Best View Of Paris From Above During Day And Night

Despite what you might think of the Eiffel Tower, whether you’re a fan or not of the iron construction, the view from its top is something you shouldn’t miss. No matter if you only have a few hours or 3 days in Paris, find the time to climb the Eiffel Tower!

Tip: buy your ticket online and skip the line in front of the counters. This way, it’ll only take you about 15 min to reach the top of the Eiffel Tower! If you want to see night Paris from the Eiffel Tower, join this tour.

What a day in Paris, eh?

Head back to your hotel for a well-deserved rest but not before you spend some time in Champ de Mars at the foot of the 324 m high Eiffel Tower. If weather permits it, take a seat on the grass and watch the light show.

Time needed: if you’ve booked your ticket online, calculate around two hours for the Eiffel Tower and the views of Paris from above. Another hour for photos of the tower itself and Champ de Mars, probably two if you picnic on the green areas.

Relaxed yet? Then it’s time for your second day in Paris!

Day 2: The Montmartre And A Seine Tour – A Long Stroll And A Relaxing Boat Ride

Montmartre Hill: Churches, Artists, And A Splendid View Of Paris

I’ll only suggest two stops for you on this day. But rest assured, you’ll have a tonne of things to explore and enough ground to cover.

First, find your way to Montmartre Hill. Lots of climbing will be involved here, but hey – the best views are from above!

Once you reach the landmark white basilica Sacré-Coeur on the hilltop, you’ll know what I mean. The view of Paris at the foot of the hill is jaw-dropping!

Of course, the artists’ neighbourhood is livelier in the afternoon and evening, but the crowds will be pushing you from every side and will not leave a picture without unfamiliar faces in it.

Take your time, walk up and down the narrow lanes and staircases, enjoy the atmosphere, sit at the cute little cafés and take it all in.

• Visit Le Musée de Montmartre, if you’re a history lover. It’s hosted in a 17^th-century house with a beautiful garden. This is where Renoir used to do his magic.
• Check out the paintings at Place du Tertre or even buy one as a souvenir. Or have a cup of coffee at one of the tables, lining the cobblestone paved square.
• Enter the Église Saint-Pierre de Montmartre, the oldest church in Paris. It dates back to the 12^th century.
• Read I love you! in multiple languages at the wall of Le mur des je t’aime mural in a tiny cute neighbourhood park.
• Make one the most cliché photos of the mill above the entrance of Moulin Rouge.
• Meet eternity at the Montmartre Cemetery, where famous artists and writers are buried.

Once you’ve had your share of art and eternity, move on to the next stop. Take the Metropolitan and get off near the riverside.

In fact, each time you get tired of walking during your 3 days in Paris, it’s a good idea to take the subway, even if it’s for one stop only. Distances in Paris shouldn’t be underestimated. Do your feet a favour and give them a rest from time to time.

Time needed: depending on the number of stops and coffee breaks you make, somewhere between two and four hours.

Seine Boat Tour: The Famous Buildings At The River Banks From A Different Angle

Since climbing the cobblestone streets of Montmartre has tired you enough, rest your feet while taking a boat tour of the Seine River.

There’s a large variety of boats and tour themes you can choose from, so pick the one closest to your interests. The views will be all the same, but the atmosphere and the service on the boat will differ.

Some of the buildings you might have already seen on your previous day in Paris, but now you’ll watch them pass you by from a different angle.

You’ll see

• The Louvre,
• The Eiffel Tower,
• The Notre-Dame cathedral,
• The Statue of Liberty,
• The Paris Museum of Modern Art,
• The smallest building in Paris,

… and you’ll pass under the beautiful Parisian bridges

• Pont Alexandre III,
• Pont des Arts (the bridge, where lovers hang their padlocks), and
• Pont Neuf.

Tip: Again, you can book your river cruise and save yourself valued time wondering which one to choose. If you want your cruise to include dinner, check out this option.

In case you’re up for a night out, you can head to one of the cabaret shows in Paris and enjoy a drink while beautiful ladies dance half-naked only a few steps away from you. Alternatively, book this luxury combo and enjoy the best aspects of the Parisian nightlife.

Tip: even if you travel with an allergy, there are a tonne of options for gluten-free dining in Paris.

Time needed: depending on the kind of tour you choose, from one to several hours. The cabaret shows without dinner are around two hours long.

Day 3: Notre-Dame de Paris, The Latin Quarter, And Montparnasse – A Celebration Of Life And Death

Notre-Dame de Paris: The Beauty Which Inspires Poets

Your third day in Paris can start with a visit to the most famous cathedral in France.

Situated on Île de la Cité island in the middle of the Seine River, the Cathedral of Notre-Dame rises 90 m above Paris since the 13^th century. You can easily reach it via subway. Alternatively, you can walk across the river via one of the beautiful bridges, connecting the island with the river banks.

The iconic Gothic building hosts naturalistic sculptures and incredible stained glass windows. The ten bells and the organs produce beautiful music inside and outside of the cathedral.

Take the tour to the top of the tower for another set of magnificent views of Paris from above. Don’t miss to make a few close-up shots of the famous gargoyles and the rest of the marvellous statues, decorating the façade.

The island also hosts the cathedral’s crypt as well as the gothic chapel Sainte Chapelle and the Palace of Justice.

Time needed: plan at least two hours out of your 3 days in Paris for the small island and its gems. You can book a guided tour of the famous cathedral and the island here.

The Latin Quarter: The Bohemian Heart Of Paris

Leaving Île de la Cité island behind via Pont Saint-Michel bridge, you’ll find yourself in the Latin Quarter. A few steps away from the bridge is the stone Fontaine Saint-Michel, portraying the saint while slaying a dragon.

Next, walk by the impressive building of the Paris-Sorbonne University and swirl towards the Pantheon to visit the graves of the most famous minds of France.

For some fresh air and beautiful greenery, don’t miss the Luxembourg Gardens with Luxembourg Palace at one end and Montparnasse at the opposite side. Watch the children play with their toy boats in the pond and walk the alleys while reaching your next stop.

Time needed: depending on your pace, the number of swirls you take and the number of photos you make, plan to spend at least two hours on the streets of the Latin Quarter. You can buy your ticket online and save some time queueing.

Montparnasse: The Many Faces Of Death

Montparnasse is the home of the Paris Catacombs, Montparnasse Cemetery, and Montparnasse Tower, among other sights.

The Catacombs of Paris consist of a labyrinth of tunnels, where millions of skeletons have found their last resort in a former limestone mine. They’re illuminated and arranged for the scariest effect possible.

Montparnasse Cemetery is the next place where you can meet death. The cemetery park is beautifully maintained and a visit will provide a nice walk between the tombs and gravestones. Don’t miss the feeling of eternity, especially if you’ve skipped the Montmartre Cemetery on your previous day in Paris.

If you haven’t seen enough of Paris from above, go to the roof terrace of the Montparnasse Tower next. The observation deck at the 56^th floor of this 210 m high skyscraper will provide another angle of the beautiful Parisian sites you’ve visited during your 3 days in Paris.

Time needed: the Catacombs are well visited and queueing sometimes takes longer than the tour itself. For the tour, plan about 2 hours. Do it only if you’re not claustrophobic or afraid of the dark. For the rest of the Montparnasse sites, you’ll need between two and three hours altogether. Buy your tickets in advance here to save time.

The Army Museum or Rodin Museum: One Last Museum Visit

Last but not least of the most famous museums in Paris is The Army Museum. It hosts Napoleon’s magnificent marble tomb, as well as multiple collections of weapons, uniforms and battlefield miniatures.

Alternatively, if you’re not into war history and military equipment, visit the Rodin Museum next door. You can admire the artist’s masterpiece The Thinker in a mansion from the 18^th century. In its beautiful park, you can find more fantastic sculptures on display.

Time needed: don’t visit the museums, unless you have at least two hours to spend. Otherwise, it’s simply not worth paying the ticket price.

Further Amazing Attractions In Paris For Your Next Visit

Unfortunately, your 3 days in Paris are full now.

But don’t worry, once you’ve visited, you’ll want to come back and you’ll find a way to do it, I’m sure of it.

So instead of wondering what to see next time, here’s a list, waiting for you to start planning:

• Musée Grévin hosts wax figures of people from French history and contemporary celebrities.
• Metiers Art Museum, despite the name, is a technology museum. The building is a converted church, which hosts scientific, industrial, and technological artworks and artefacts, including the original Foucault’s pendulum.
• Place de la Bastille is the former site of the Bastille prison. The July Column rises above the iconic square, which is lined with bars and cafés.
• Les Pavillons de Bercy host Musée des Arts Forains, which showcases a collection of objects from theatres and music halls.
• Bois de Boulogne, the former royal hunting grounds, is currently a huge public park. You can spend hours walking the nature trails and picnicking at the lakes. And if that becomes too boring for you, visit the botanical gardens.
• Le Palais Royal is a 17^th -century palace with lovely gardens and arcades of shops.
• Père Lachaise Cemetery is the home of Jim Morrison’s tomb on one end and the tomb of Oscar Wilde in the opposite direction. Metal railings stop visitors from actually going near the graves.
• Palace of Versailles lies about an hour away from Paris and is reachable by public transportation. You’ll need at least half a day to see every room and hall of the 18^th-century palace and walk every alley in its huge gardens. Best time to visit is early in the morning before the tour groups arrive. No matter how early you’re there, though, you’ll still share the halls with a crowd.
• Also, check these cool and unusual things to do in Paris.
• And for a taste of the Parisian nightlife, here are some great suggestions on how to spend an evening in Paris.

Perhaps you’re crazy enough to include one or even more of these stops in your current 3 days itinerary in Paris? Who knows!

Congratulations, You’ve Survived 3 Days In Paris Without Going Mad!

So why only 3 days in Paris when there’s so much more to see?

Apart from the high cost of a trip to Paris, if you spend more time in the French capital, you’ll start seeing its imperfections…

For example, the streets are washed every morning, but in the evening they’re again filthy and covered in vomit and trash. A lot of homeless people sleep in doorways and metro stations. Many weirdos ride the metro trains.

The city of love is overcrowded even in off-season months like November or March. If despite all warnings you decide to visit Paris in summer, at least do yourself the favour of reading these tips.

But more important, your feet will hurt like hell from all the walking, and your head will spin like a Ferris wheel from all the glorious sights and emotions if you try to stay for more than three days in Paris.

So why do this to yourself? You can always return and there’s enough to see on a second and a third visit as well! And when you get tired of the madness of the French capital, you can always explore the countryside on a day trip from Paris.

Have you been in the French capital? Did you spend 3 days in Paris or more? Share your best tip in the comments!