3 Days in Paris: A Day-by-Day Itinerary

Get ready for the city that wrote the rulebook on city breaks. In three days you can stand under the rose windows of Sainte-Chapelle, meet the Mona Lisa, climb the Arc de Triomphe for a view straight down the Champs-Élysées, watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle and finish on the hill of Montmartre with all of Paris at your feet.

This plan suits first-time visitors who want the icons without a frantic pace. Each day pairs one big ticketed sight with a walkable cluster of free ones, grouped by neighbourhood so you spend your time on cafés and boulevards rather than on the metro. Day 1 covers the islands and the Left Bank, Day 2 runs from the Louvre to the Arc de Triomphe along one grand axis, and Day 3 goes from the Eiffel Tower up to Montmartre. Swap Days 1 and 2 if your Louvre day would fall on a Tuesday, when the museum is closed.

At a glance

Day	Area	Highlights
1	Île de la Cité and the Latin Quarter	Notre-Dame and its towers, Sainte-Chapelle, Latin Quarter lanes, Luxembourg Gardens, Seine at dusk
2	Louvre to the Champs-Élysées	Louvre Museum, Tuileries Garden, Place de la Concorde, Champs-Élysées, sunset from the Arc de Triomphe
3	Eiffel Tower and Montmartre	Eiffel Tower, Trocadéro, Sacré-Cœur, Place du Tertre, evening on the hill

Day 1: Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle and the Left Bank

Morning

This is the day Paris was born: start on the Île de la Cité, the island in the Seine where the city began. The nearest stations are Cité (metro 4), Saint-Michel (RER B or C) and Châtelet (metro 1, 7, 11, 14).

Begin at Notre-Dame de Paris, gloriously restored and open again to visitors. Check the cathedral’s official site (notredamedeparis.fr) for current opening hours and how to reserve a time slot, as queues on the square can be long in high season.

If you have the legs for it, climb the Towers of Notre-Dame for gargoyles and rooftop views. The towers are run separately by the Centre des monuments nationaux, and the details are worth knowing before you go:

• Adult ticket: €16, free for under-18s and for EU nationals and regular non-EU residents in France aged 18 to 25.
• Tickets are sold online only, there is no ticket office on site, and a time-slot booking is compulsory even for free visitors.
• Hours: 9:00 to 23:00 from 1 April to 30 September, and 9:00 to 17:30 from 1 October to 31 March, with last admission one hour before closing.
• The climb is 424 steps to 69 metres, with narrow, low passages and no lift, and time at the very top is limited to 5 minutes.

Afternoon

From the cathedral it is a short walk across the island to Sainte-Chapelle on boulevard du Palais, a jewel box of stained glass that glows like the inside of a gemstone on a sunny day. Prices since 12 January 2026:

Ticket	Non-EEA visitors	EEA nationals and residents
Sainte-Chapelle	€22	€16
Combined Sainte-Chapelle and Conciergerie	€30	€23

It opens 9:00 to 19:00 from 1 April to 30 September and 9:00 to 17:00 from 1 October to 31 March, with last access 30 minutes before closing. It sits inside the Palais de Justice, so expect airport-style security; bulky bags, glass bottles and sharp objects are not allowed. Book a timed ticket on the official site and arrive at your slot time, not earlier.

Next, cross to the Left Bank by the Pont Saint-Michel and lose yourself in the Latin Quarter: the lanes around Saint-Séverin, the riverside bookstalls and the Sorbonne area are made for slow wandering. Keep heading south to the Luxembourg Gardens, around 15 to 20 minutes on foot from the river, for a coffee break by the Medici Fountain and a seat by the big pond.

Evening

Walk back down to the Seine as the light softens. The quays around the islands and the Pont des Arts are free, open at all times and beautiful at dusk. If you would rather glide past the monuments, take a sightseeing boat from one of the riverside piers; prices and timetables differ between operators, so check the operator’s own site.

Day 2: From the Louvre to the Arc de Triomphe

Morning

Save your energy for one of the greatest museums on Earth. Take metro line 1 to Palais-Royal-Musée du Louvre and be at the Louvre for opening.

• Hours: Monday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday 9:00 to 18:00; Wednesday and Friday 9:00 to 21:00. Closed on Tuesdays, and on 1 January, 1 May and 25 December. Last entry is one hour before closing.
• Prices from 14 January 2026: €32 for visitors from outside the European Economic Area, €22 for EEA residents and citizens. Under-18s, and EEA residents under 26, go free.
• Free for everyone on the first Friday of the month after 18:00 (not in July or August) and on 14 July.
• Book a time slot at ticket.louvre.fr. Slots are recommended for everyone, and from 17 October to 1 November 2026 a reservation is required for all visitors.

The museum is enormous, so pick a short list: the Mona Lisa, the Winged Victory of Samothrace, the Venus de Milo and the French paintings will easily fill three hours. An audio guide costs €6.

Afternoon

Step out into the Tuileries Garden, which runs straight from the Louvre towards the Concorde. Grab a chair by one of the ponds, then stroll to the Place de la Concorde with its Egyptian obelisk, about 15 minutes on foot through the garden.

From here the Champs-Élysées climbs gently for about two kilometres to the Arc de Triomphe. Walk the whole avenue if you enjoy people-watching and window shopping, or hop on metro line 1 from Concorde to Charles de Gaulle-Étoile to save your legs for the stairs ahead.

Evening

Time your visit to the Arc de Triomphe for sunset, when the city turns gold and the avenues glow below you. Enter through the underground Passage du Souvenir at the top of the Champs-Élysées; never try to cross the roundabout on foot.

• Hours from 1 October to 31 March: 10:00 to 22:30 (Tuesdays from 11:00). From 1 April to 30 September: 10:00 to 23:00 (Tuesdays from 11:00). Last admission 45 minutes before closing.
• Prices: €16 from 1 October to 31 March. From 1 April to 30 September, €22, except on Wednesdays when it is €16. Under-18s go free, as do EU nationals and non-EU legal residents in France aged 18 to 25.
• Important for 2026: the lift is out of service, so the only way up is 284 steps. The monument says the lift will return in 2027, with a date to be announced.
• The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier under the arch is free to visit.

Book on the official Centre des monuments nationaux ticket site linked from the monument’s page.

Day 3: The Eiffel Tower and Montmartre

Morning

This is the day for the postcard views. Head to the Eiffel Tower early, when queues are at their lightest. The closest stations are Champ de Mars-Tour Eiffel (RER C) and Bir-Hakeim (metro 6).

There are several ways up: lift or stairs to the second floor, and a further lift to the summit. Prices and opening hours vary by option and season, so check them and book a timed ticket on the tower’s official site (toureiffel.paris).

Afterwards, cross the Pont d’Iéna to the Trocadéro terraces for the classic full-length photo of the tower.

Afternoon

Ride the metro to Montmartre: line 6 from Trocadéro to Charles de Gaulle-Étoile, then line 2 to Anvers. From Anvers, climb the stairs (or ride the funicular) up to the Basilica of Sacré-Cœur.

Good news for your wallet: visiting the basilica is free. It is open every day from 6:30 to 22:30, and until midnight on the first Thursday of each month. Restoration of the main organ runs until the end of May 2027, so music during services comes from the choir organ. You can also climb up to the dome for a sweeping view; check the basilica’s site for current details.

Then wander to Place du Tertre, the little square full of painters’ easels, and the quieter streets behind it, with their vineyards, windmills and ivy-covered houses.

Evening

Stay on the hill for sunset. The steps in front of Sacré-Cœur look out over the whole city, and the cafés of Montmartre are a happy place for a long dinner. If you have energy left, head back down to the river for one last look at the Eiffel Tower lit up against the night sky.

Getting there and getting around

From Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG):

• RER B: serves all three terminals and runs into central Paris (Gare du Nord, Châtelet, Saint-Michel). Trains run every 6 to 15 minutes from about 4:50 to midnight. You need the Paris Region <> Airports Ticket, €14 per trip in 2026 (€7 reduced).
• RoissyBus is gone: it stopped running on 1 March 2026. Cheaper alternatives are bus 350 (from Porte de la Chapelle, 60 to 80 minutes) and bus 351 (from Nation, 70 to 90 minutes), both with a Bus-Tram ticket (€2.05), and express line 9517 to Saint-Denis-Pleyel (about 30 minutes, also a Bus-Tram ticket).
• Taxi: official taxis charge fixed fares of €56 to the Right Bank and €65 to the Left Bank, and take about 35 to 60 minutes depending on traffic. Use only the official ranks at the terminal exits.

From Orly Airport: metro line 14 and Orlyval both link Orly with Paris, and both use the same €14 Paris Region <> Airports Ticket. RER B and day and night buses also serve the airport.

Getting around the city:

Ticket	Price (2026)
Metro-Train-RER ticket (single)	€2.55
Bus-Tram ticket (single)	€2.05
Navigo Jour (unlimited for one day, all zones, excludes airports)	€12.30
Paris Visite pass, 1 / 2 / 3 days, all zones (includes airports)	€30.60 / €45.40 / €63.80
Navigo Easy card (reusable card to load tickets)	€2

Load tickets onto a Navigo Easy card from a ticket office, or onto your phone with the Île-de-France Mobilités app. If you will ride the metro four or five times a day, the Navigo Jour is the simple choice; if you are taking RER B from CDG on the same days, compare it with the Paris Visite pass, which covers the airports. Walking between neighbouring sights is often faster and much more enjoyable.

Where to stay

• Le Marais (3rd and 4th arrondissements): medieval lanes, galleries, falafel and boutiques, and a short walk to Notre-Dame and the Louvre. Ideal for first-timers who want to walk everywhere.
• Latin Quarter and Saint-Germain (5th and 6th): classic Left Bank cafés, bookshops and the Luxembourg Gardens, with RER B direct from CDG at Saint-Michel. Great for couples and culture lovers.
• Montmartre (18th): village feel, hilltop views and often better value, but with stairs and a longer metro ride to the centre. Good for a second visit or a romantic trip.
• Around the Louvre and Opéra (1st, 2nd, 9th): central and very well connected by metro, with plenty of mid-range hotels. Best if you value convenience above charm.

Budget

Item	Typical cost
Navigo Jour (one day of metro, RER, bus and tram, all zones)	€12.30
Single metro ticket	€2.55
Airport ticket (RER B, metro 14 or Orlyval)	€14 per trip
Louvre (non-EEA / EEA)	€32 / €22
Sainte-Chapelle (non-EEA / EEA)	€22 / €16
Towers of Notre-Dame	€16
Arc de Triomphe (October to March)	€16
Sacré-Cœur basilica	Free
Eiffel Tower	Check the official site

The daily figure in the summary (about €35 to €70) covers transport and the ticketed sights in this plan. It excludes your hotel, meals, drinks, a river cruise and the Eiffel Tower ticket. Under-18s, and in many places EU residents under 26, get free entry to the national monuments and the Louvre, which makes Paris surprisingly good value for young travellers.

Practical tips

• Visas and entry: France is in the Schengen area, and entry rules depend on your nationality. Check whether you need a visa, and how to apply, on the official France-Visas website. Beware of unofficial sites charging fees for visa help.
• Closing days: the Louvre is closed on Tuesdays. The Arc de Triomphe is closed on 1 May, 8 May, 14 July and the morning of 11 November, and can close at short notice for official ceremonies. Sainte-Chapelle closes on 1 January, 1 May and 25 December.
• Book ahead: time slots for the Louvre, Sainte-Chapelle and the Eiffel Tower save a lot of queueing. The Notre-Dame towers sell online only.
• Security checks: expect bag searches at most monuments. Glass bottles, sharp objects and bulky luggage are refused at Sainte-Chapelle and the Arc de Triomphe, and there is no left-luggage at the Arc.
• Free first Sundays: Sainte-Chapelle, the Arc de Triomphe and the Notre-Dame towers are free on the first Sunday of January, February, March, November and December, but expect crowds and still book a slot where required.
• Money: France uses the euro, and contactless cards are accepted almost everywhere. Carry a little cash for small cafés and market stalls.
• SIM and eSIM: EU travellers can usually use their home plan. Visitors from further away can buy a prepaid SIM from the main French operators or an eSIM before the trip; check the operator’s own site for current plans.
• Dress: comfortable shoes are a must, as this plan includes hundreds of steps. Dress respectfully in Notre-Dame and Sacré-Cœur, which are active places of worship.

Heads-up: what to watch out for

Paris is a joy to explore, and a few simple habits keep it that way.

• Pickpockets on the metro and at the sights: thieves, sometimes working in teams where one distracts you, operate on the metro, RER lines and at mainline stations, says UK government travel advice. Easy to avoid: carry your bag across your body, keep your phone out of back pockets and stay alert around attractions and ATMs.
• Fake taxis at the airport: official taxis are only found at the ranks at the terminal exits and have an illuminated TAXI sign. Good to know: never accept rides from drivers who approach you inside the terminal.
• Unofficial tickets: the Louvre warns that tickets bought from street vendors or sites claiming to skip the queue may be refused at the door. Simple fix: book on the official sites linked in this plan.
• Late nights on RER B: UK travel advice reports several serious assaults on RER line B, which links both airports and Gare du Nord with the centre. Easy to manage: travel at busy times where you can, sit in a carriage with other people, and consider an official taxi for very late arrivals.
• Strikes and demonstrations: industrial action can disrupt trains and the metro, and demonstrations can start with little warning. Good to know: check your operator’s updates on travel days and walk away from any protest.
• Keep an eye on your drink: drink spiking has been reported, so buy your own drinks and keep them in sight on a night out.
• Carry ID: you must be able to prove your identity when asked, or within 4 hours at a police station, so keep your passport or other official ID with you.
• Lots of stairs this year: the Arc de Triomphe lift is out of service, so it is 284 steps up, and the Notre-Dame towers are 424 steps with narrow passages. Flip-flops and stiletto heels are refused on the towers, and the climbs are not advised for people with heart problems or prone to dizziness.

FAQ

Is three days enough for Paris?

Three days is enough for the big icons: Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle, the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower and Montmartre. You will not see every museum, but you will leave with a real feel for the city and a list of reasons to come back.

Which day is the Louvre closed?

The Louvre is closed on Tuesdays, and on 1 January, 1 May and 25 December. On Wednesdays and Fridays it stays open until 21:00, which is a calmer time to visit.

What is the cheapest way from CDG to central Paris?

Buses 350 and 351 cost only a €2.05 Bus-Tram ticket but take 60 to 90 minutes. RER B is faster and costs €14 with the Paris Region <> Airports Ticket. The RoissyBus no longer runs since 1 March 2026.

Can I go up the Arc de Triomphe by lift?

Not at the moment. The lift has been out of service since late July 2026, so access is by the 284 steps only, and the return date in 2027 has not been announced yet.

Is Sacré-Cœur free?

Yes, visiting the basilica is free, and it is open every day from 6:30 to 22:30. Check its official site for the dome climb.

When is the best time to visit Paris?

April to June and September to October bring mild weather and long, golden evenings. The Arc de Triomphe and the Notre-Dame towers also stay open later from April to September.