Planning a trip to Europe’s most popular destination? This Paris itinerary will show you the top things to see and do on your first visit.
Discover the top things to do in France’s most popular city in this perfect Paris itinerary!
Its quintessential cobbled stone streets, patisseries on every corner, and outdoor cafes will have you falling in love with Paris, they call it the city of love for a reason.
From shopping to dining, to over 100 museums, Paris is a city full of many activities.
This 4 day Paris itinerary will show you the top things you need to see on your first visit to Paris.
What To Know Before You Go
Language – French is the official language in France. Many people in Paris speak English though it may be helpful to know basic French.
*From experience, the French appreciate it when you try to speak French.*
- Hello – Bonjour
- Goodbye- Au revoir
- Thank you – merci
- Please- S’il vous plaît
- Excuse me- Pardon
- How much is it?- Combien ça coûte?
- Do you speak English? -Parlez Anglais?
Currency – France’s currency is Euros (EUR).
1 USD=1 EUR
Climate- Paris has a pretty moderate climate. Winters are relatively cold. From November through March Paris has an average high of 51°F. The coldest month of the year is January with an average high of 44°F and an average low of 35°F. The summer months are warm. From June through September Paris has an average high of 76°F and a low of 58°F.
Safety- For the most part Paris is pretty safe; however, I wouldn’t recommend walking alone at night in the not-so-touristy area of Paris (this goes for females mainly). Of course, like many European cities, Paris is known for pickpocketing so I would be mindful of your belongings, especially in the more touristy areas.
In case of any emergency, the number to dial is 112.
Daily Budget- Paris can be as budget-friendly or as extravagant as you like. I would suggest budgeting 85 to 95 euros a day including food, attractions, and accommodations (a hostel). If you want to upgrade to more comfortable accommodations I would add another 100/200 euros per day.
Tip- Since there is a lot to see in Paris and everything is spread out, I always recommend doing the hop-on-hop-off bus. It’s essentially a double-decker tour bus. It’s a great way to see all the main attractions, especially if you’re short on time, and a great way to avoid public transportation since you can get off and hop back on (the double-decker bus comes every 20 minutes). Both times I’ve come to Paris I’ve done this and I learn more about the history of each monument/landmark and it’s nice to see the city from the top of a bus! You can also get a one-hour Seine tour with your bus tour ticket which I highly recommend! Here are some tours to check out.
The Perfect 3 Day Itinerary to Paris
Day 1
Palais de Chaillot/ Tour Eiffel
Start by going to the iconic Tour Eiffel because who doesn’t want to see the magical tower the second they land in Paris? Built in 1887 La Tour Eiffel is one of France’s most recognizable monuments and most visited!
Try to see the tower at sundown for its sparkling lights that will leave you in awe.
- There are a couple of options when visiting the tower. You can go to the second floor with elevator access for 17.10 euros or without elevator access for 10.70 euros. If you want to go all the way to the top of the tower, tickets start at 20.40 euros. It does get very packed so I recommend buying tickets in advance or going early in the morning to avoid long lines. If you opt out of the elevator wear comfortable shoes as you will be going up quite a few stairs!
PRO TIP: Just like in any European country be mindful of pickpocketers, especially in tourist areas like the Eiffel Tower!
View from the second floor of the Eiffel Tower
Seine River
Stroll along the Seine River, grab some cheese, wine, and a baguette, sit along the river, and enjoy people-watching.
Pont Alexandre lll- Bridge
Out of the 37 bridges that go across the Seine River, Pont Alexandre III- Bridge is by far the most extravagant bridge of them all. Therefore recommend walking across it and heading to Avenue de Champs- Elysées only a 10-minute walk from the bridge.
Avenue de Champs- Elysées
The notable avenue known for its high-end fashion designer brands and famous restaurants is a can’t-miss location to enjoy shopping (or window shopping) as you make your way to the Arc de Triomphe.
Arc de Triomphe
Hear me out, if you want to get a spectacular view of Paris, going up to the Arc de Triomphe gives you a 360 view of the city while also having the Eiffel Tower in the background. Yes, the view from the Eiffel tower is amazing but trust me on this one, the view from the Arc de Triomphe is 10 times better and tickets are 13 euros.
Galeries Lafayette
Located in the 9th arrisdonment, Galeries Lafayette is Paris’s most popular department store offering high-end fashion and gourmet restaurants. It has become a popular shopping hub for tourists, once you see the inside you will see why!
Notre Dame
Due to the fire that occurred in 2019, the iconic cathedral is not open to visitors at the moment; however, you can still admire the cathedral from the outside!
Jardin Du Luxembourg
Located between Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Latin Quarter, Jardin Du Luxembourg is a beautiful park to take a stroll and admire a combination of French and English gardens.
Keep an eye out for the apple orchid and rose garden in greenhouse glass along with 106 statues scattered around the park.
Shakespeare and Company
One of my favorite places in all of Paris! An all-English-language bookstore offering a cozy vibe inside that will make you want to curl up and grab a book to read. It is a must-visit place even if you aren’t into books! Located in the Latin Quarter across from Notre Dame.
Latin Quarter for Dinner
Situated on the Left Bank, the Latin Quarter is a quintessential neighborhood to walk around and get lost in its winding narrow alleyways where you can find some hidden gems such as churches, boutiques, and French bistros! I recommend stumbling upon a restaurant here and enjoying some authentic French cuisine!
Day 2
Louver
Once a palace and now the world’s largest and most visited museum is a must-see during your trip to Paris! Some may say that the Mona Lisa is quite disappointing to see in person and overhyped. Well, that may be sort of true but you have to check it out for yourself!
Though it may be impossible to see almost every piece of artwork in one day, you’ll be able to see some of the most famous artworks of all time.
Musée D’Orsay
Another popular museum to check out is the Musée D’Orsay, home to many French paintings. It isn’t as big as the Louver so if you want to take your time rather than rush from artwork to sculpture, Musée D’Orsay may be your go-to! Of course, you can do both, if you are into museums I say why not do both or check out the other 100+ museums Paris has to offer!
Jardin Des Tuileries
After walking around the Louver, you may want to rest up at Jardin Des Tuileries! One of Paris’s most popular parks and conveniently located next to the Louver, this park is ideal to recharge after visiting museums or simply strolling around and taking in the sculptures and curated gardens!
Place de la Concorde
Imagine the year 1792 and heads rolling around everywhere. Okay, maybe not the best thing to imagine, but Place de la Concorde was once the location where over 1,200 people were executed by guillotine including Queen Marie Antoinette and King Louis XVI. Today a 3,000 years old Luxor Obelisk sits in the middle of the square. Worth a visit!
Moulin Rouge
The world’s famous cabaret shows filled with can-can dancers are at the one and only Moulin Rouge! If you want to experience spectacular performances, tickets start at 100 euros.
Montmartre
My favorite neighborhood in all of Paris to walk around in! Offering many cafes, restaurants, and boutiques. Although it is situated on a hill, the views and ambiance of Montmartre are worth climbing up for. I highly recommend Place du Tertre, a square where many artists post up offering portraits of yourself for sale! I got my portrait drawn by an artist because when else will I be able to say that I have a portrait of myself made in Paris? It’s worth it to wander around and see the magnificent works of artists.
PRO TIP: Go to Cafe Carette Paris, located in Place du Tertre, for amazing pastries and hot chocolate. Thank me later.
La Basilique du Sacré-Coeur
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart is located on the top hill of Montmartre. To enter the basilica is free; however, if you want to go up the dome there is a fee. The inside of the basilica is breathtaking, but I can’t recommend this location enough to see the best sunset in the city! The views are incredible.
Day 3
A day trip to Versailles
Perhaps one of Paris’s most famous and visited palaces of all time! With its impeccable curated gardens and impressive architecture, Versailles is a must-see attraction in Paris! Tickets to enter star at 19.50 euros! Make sure to spend some time wandering around the gardens, they are magnificent!
Although it is around 13 miles away from the city center, there are two easy ways to get to Versailles.
1. Going to Versailles with a private tour guide.
This may be the easiest yet most expensive way to get to Versailles. If you book a private tour to Versailles, transportation to and from Paris is included, along with skip-the-line entry tickets, and a guided tour around the palace. This is great if you don’t want the hassle of figuring out how to get to Versailles while paying a bit extra to get some perks. Here are some transportation including private tours to check out.
2. Going to Versailles by train
Taking the train to Versailles is the most popular form of transportation as it is cheap and convenient. There are 3 different trains (RER C and SNCF Lines L and N) that go to Versailles; however, the RER C train stops the closest to Versailles. The train ride from the RER C train takes around 25-35 minutes and runs every 10-15 minutes.
The RER C train has 9 stops in Paris which allows you to choose a stop that is more convenient for you. Make sure you are taking the train towards the Versailles Château Rive-Gauche station which is also the stop you are getting off.
A round ticket costs 7,30 euros and can easily be bought at one of the machines in the train station. Make sure you purchase the Versailles Château Rive Gauche train as you need to scan the ticket to get in.
Final Thoughts
Having been to Paris twice, its charm and beauty never fail to enchant me. Paris was the first ever European country I visited and it exceeded my expectations, I think it is definitely worth the hype and visit. With many activities to do in Paris, I think 3 to 4 days is the perfect amount of time to see the top main attractions and experience the Parisian culture.
From my 2 visits to Paris, I compiled this Paris itinerary to help you plan your visit to Paris and not miss out on the top attractions you should see!
I hope this Paris itinerary was helpful and showed you how to make the most of your trip if you are short on time.
Yes! Great job illustrating the magic of Paris! It was beautiful, 10/10 recommend.