Bonjour, travelers! 🌍 Planning a trip to Paris but only have three days? Don’t worry, with the right balance of icons, hidden gems, and a little Bubbly magic, you can capture the soul of the City of Light in just a long weekend. I’ve wandered Paris many times, and what I’ve learned is this: it’s not about rushing to tick off every sight, but about savoring the rhythm of the city. Three days gives you the perfect mix of world-famous landmarks, cultural gems, and those little Parisian moments: sipping coffee at a café terrace, strolling a hidden garden, or watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night.
Here’s my 3-day Paris itinerary, blending must-sees, foodie stops, and hidden corners you’ll treasure forever.
Day 1: Classic Paris Icons
Morning: The Louvre & Palais Royal
Start your Paris adventure at the Louvre, the world’s largest art museum and an icon in itself. Even if you don’t plan to go inside (it takes half a day or more), the glass pyramid in the Cour Napoléon is worth a stop. If you do go in, prioritize the highlights: the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, and the Winged Victory of Samothrace in the Denon Wing.
Afterward, cross to the Palais Royal Gardens, just a few minutes’ walk away. This elegant courtyard is framed by arcades filled with boutiques and cafés. At its center, the playful Colonnes de Buren, black-and-white striped columns, offer a contemporary contrast to the stately architecture.
✨ I love grabbing an espresso at Café Kitsuné here, watching locals on their way to work, and feeling like I’ve stepped into a quieter, more authentic Paris.
Afternoon: Île de la Cité & Notre-Dame
From the Louvre, stroll along the Seine to Île de la Cité, the very heart of Paris. Here stands Notre-Dame Cathedral, currently under restoration but still magnificent from the outside. Its Gothic towers and rose windows remain a sight to behold.
Nearby, don’t miss Sainte-Chapelle, a Gothic jewel tucked inside the Palais de la Cité. Step inside and you’ll be surrounded by 1,113 stained-glass panels, walls of light and color that seem to transport you into another world.
If time allows, pop into the Conciergerie, once a royal palace turned prison. It’s where Marie Antoinette was held before her execution. Walking its halls is a sobering reminder of the French Revolution.
Evening: Eiffel Tower Sparkle
No first day in Paris is complete without the Eiffel Tower. Whether you climb to the summit, dine at Le Jules Verne, or admire it from the Trocadéro Gardens, the experience is unforgettable. Every evening after sunset, the tower twinkles for five minutes on the hour – pure Parisian magic!
One of my favorite Paris moments was spreading out a picnic on the Champ de Mars – baguette, cheese, strawberries, and a little bottle of wine – while the Eiffel Tower glittered above me. It felt like Paris was toasting right along with us.
💡 Bubbly Tip: Arrive 30 minutes before sunset. You’ll see the tower in daylight, golden hour glow, and then sparkling at night.
Day 2: Art, Montmartre & the Seine
Morning: Musée d’Orsay & Tuileries Garden
Start day two at the Musée d’Orsay, housed in a converted Beaux-Arts train station. Its soaring glass ceiling is almost as beautiful as the art inside. Here you’ll find Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces: Monet’s Rouen Cathedral series, Van Gogh’s The Starry Night, Renoir’s Bal du Moulin de la Galette, and Degas’ ballerinas.
After soaking up the art, stroll across the Seine via the Passerelle Léopold-Sédar-Senghor, a pedestrian bridge, and wander into the Tuileries Gardens. Commissioned by Catherine de’ Medici in the 16th century, today it’s a beloved public park with manicured lawns, statues, and fountains.
✨ I adore grabbing a café crème and sitting by one of the fountains here, watching ducks glide across the water as Parisians strolled by. The mix of nature and city life made it feel like the garden itself was alive with quiet charm.
Afternoon: Montmartre
Next, head north to Montmartre, the bohemian heart of Paris. Climb the steps (or ride the funicular) to the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, where sweeping views of Paris stretch below. Inside, the shimmering golden mosaic of Christ is breathtaking.
Wander the cobbled lanes around Place du Tertre, where artists set up easels to sell their work. Peek into the Dalí Paris Museum for a surrealist twist or simply let yourself get lost in Montmartre’s alleys, lined with ivy-clad houses, cozy bistros, and hidden stairways.
✨ One of my fondest Paris afternoons was spent here, sipping a café crème at a little terrace while an accordionist played nearby. Montmartre has a way of making you feel like you’ve stepped into an old French film.
Evening: Seine River Cruise
Finish your day with a Seine River cruise. As the boat glides under bridges and past illuminated landmarks – the Eiffel Tower, Pont Alexandre III, Notre-Dame – Paris transforms into a glittering stage!
💡 Bubbly Tip: Book a sunset cruise so you see Paris in two moods: golden hour and glowing night. If you want to splurge, try a dinner cruise for an extra dash of romance.
Day 3: Hidden Gems & Local Paris
Morning: Le Marais & Covered Passages
Spend your last day exploring Le Marais, one of Paris’s most charming districts. Its cobbled streets are filled with boutiques, galleries, and cafés. Don’t miss Place des Vosges, the oldest planned square in Paris, lined with elegant arcades.
If you’re hungry, stop for a falafel on Rue des Rosiers, a local favorite in the Jewish Quarter. Next, wander the covered passages of Paris: 19th-century shopping arcades with glass roofs, mosaic floors, and little shops. Galerie Vivienne and Passage des Panoramas are two of my favorites, they feel like stepping back into Belle Époque Paris.
Afternoon: Latin Quarter & Luxembourg Gardens
Cross the river into the Latin Quarter, the historic student district of Paris. Wander past the Sorbonne University, the Panthéon, and the legendary Shakespeare & Company bookstore, where writers like Hemingway once gathered.
Then relax at the Luxembourg Gardens, one of Paris’s loveliest green spaces. With its palace, Medici Fountain, and statues tucked among the trees, it’s a favorite for locals and visitors alike.
✨ I’ll never forget sitting here one spring afternoon, watching children push their little sailboats across the Grand Bassin. The laughter, the sunshine, the flowers, it felt like Paris at its most alive.
Evening: Rooftops & Bridges
For your last evening, make it special. Sip cocktails at a rooftop bar like Le Perchoir or the Terrass’’ Hotel in Montmartre, where Paris sparkles below. Or take a walk across the Pont Alexandre III, with its Art Nouveau lamps, gilded statues, and views of the Seine.
💡 Bubbly Tip: End with something sweet, a box of macarons from Ladurée or Pierre Hermé makes the perfect edible souvenir.
Final Thoughts
Three days in Paris may fly by, but with this itinerary you’ll experience the best of the city: its iconic landmarks, its artistic treasures, and its hidden corners that reveal everyday magic.
For me, Paris is about balance: a morning with Monet, an afternoon in Montmartre, an evening cruise on the Seine. It’s about moments, big and small, that stay with you long after your trip ends.
Which of these experiences would you choose first – strolling through Montmartre, cruising the Seine, or watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle? Share your dream Paris moment in the comments below!
xoxo,
Bubbly 🎈
