Paris 3-Day Itinerary

A day-by-day plan for Paris: the best attractions in order, where to eat, how to get around — with free hotel briefings for your stay.

Day 1

Arrive & Explore the Highlights

Morning
Notre-Dame Cathedral Exterior and Square

Iconic Gothic cathedral on the Île de la Cité. Interior closed after 2019 fire, but gardens and river-level ruins are open and fascinating.

🕐 Exterior accessible 24h; square open 8:00-22:00

Free entry

💡 Walk the Parvis square at dawn for photos with no crowds. The archaeological crypt underneath costs €9 but skip it – free street-level views tell the story.

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Afternoon
Notre-Dame Cathedral (exterior and square)

The exterior of the Gothic cathedral remains free to view from Place Jean-Paul II. The interior is closed due to fire restoration until 2024, but the towers and crypt are still accessible.

🕐 Exterior accessible 24/7

Free entry

💡 Visit early morning for quiet photos. The archaeological crypt under the square costs €9, but the square itself is free and has a bronze 'point zero' marker from which all French road distances are measured.

Hotels near Notre-Dame Cathedral (exterior and square) →
Evening
Where to eat

Restaurant River's smokelab · ££

Pizzerie U Tučňáka · ££

Day 2

Deeper Into Paris

Morning
Notre-Dame Cathedral Forecourt

The square in front of Notre-Dame has the 'point zéro' marker from which all French road distances are measured. The cathedral itself is closed for restoration, but the exterior and square are free.

🕐 Open 24 hours (square); crypt closed Mon

💡 Look down for the bronze compass star marking point zéro. Go early in the morning to avoid crowds. The Crypte archéologique below costs €9, but the square is free.

Midday
Notre Dame Cathedral

Iconic 12th-century gothic cathedral on the Île de la Cité. Free entry to the main nave, with restored spire visible. Expect queues but moving fast.

🕐 Mon-Fri 07:45-18:45, Sat-Sun 07:45-19:15

💡 Beat the queue by arriving at 7:45am, 15 mins before doors open. Head directly to the rear chapels behind the choir for serene stained glass without the crowd.

Afternoon
Place de la Concorde

Vast, historic square with the 3,000-year-old Luxor Obelisk and fountains. Panoramic views down the Champs-Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe in one direction, and the Tuileries Garden to the Louvre in th

🕐 Open 24/7

💡 Arrive around sunset – the golden light hits the obelisk and the fountains catch the light. Best photo spot: stand on the steps of the Hôtel de la Marine at the north side of the square.

Late afternoon
Louvre Museum (free evening)

The world's largest museum opens its doors for free on the first Friday of each month from 6pm to 9.45pm (except July and August). Book a timed slot online in advance.

🕐 First Friday each month, 6pm–9.45pm (free entry only during these hours)

💡 Arrive by 5.30pm to queue before the main doors open. Head straight to the Denon Wing for the Mona Lisa with shorter queues.

Evening
Dining tonight

Legenda

Fede Bistro Italiano

Day 3

Final Favourites & Departure

Morning
Notre-Dame Cathedral (exterior)

The exterior of the Gothic cathedral is fully visible and free. Walk around the forecourt to see the restored spire and the famous flying buttresses.

💡 Cross the river to Rue du Cloître Notre-Dame for the best photo angle. The crypt underneath the square costs €12 but is worth it for the Roman ruins.

Midday
Musée Carnavalet (permanent collections)

The city's history museum, housed in two Renaissance mansions. Permanent collections cover Paris from prehistoric times through the Revolution to today, with pe

💡 Don't miss the 20th-century rooms on the top floor, with original signs from old Parisian shops. Allow 2 hours minimum.

Afternoon
Place des Vosges

The oldest planned square in Paris, dating from 1605, with symmetrical red-brick houses and arcaded walkways. Victor Hugo lived at number 6 (his apartment is a

💡 The square's grass is perfect for a sit-down but it's often full. Instead, sit on the bench under the archways at the east end for shade and people-watching. The free Victor Hugo museum is small but worth 30 minutes.

Before departure
Shakespeare and Company Bookshop

A legendary English-language bookshop across from Notre-Dame. It's packed with books and history; you can browse for hours without buying. The upstairs reading

💡 Go on a weekday morning to avoid queues. They host free readings weekly. Buy a book if you can—the shop relies on sales. No photos inside.

Final meal

Na hradbách

U Houdků

Getting Around Paris

RER B + Metro Combination From €11.45 60 min

Most budget-friendly option. Purchase Paris Visite pass (€12-25/day) for unlimited airport-to-hotel transport and city exploration.

RATP Bus Lines (Le Bus Direct/RATP) From €17-18 75 min

Le Bus Direct (line 2) goes to Opera/Invalides. Combine with local RATP buses for final hotel leg. Good for non-rush hours.

Paris Metro Local Network From €2.15/ticket 40 min

Once in Paris, Metro is fastest local option. Get carnet of 10 tickets (€16.90) or weekly pass for best value on local transit.

Airport Taxi (CDG/Orly to Hotel) From €50-65 45 min

Book official taxis at airport stands to avoid overcharging. Uber/Bolt often cheaper than traditional taxis (€35-50).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 3 days enough for Paris?

Three days covers the main highlights well. You can see the key attractions like Notre-Dame Cathedral Exterior and Square and get a genuine feel for the city. For a more leisurely pace or to explore neighbourhoods in depth, a 5-day trip is better.

What is the best time to visit Paris?

See our full best time to visit Paris guide — it covers weather month by month, peak vs. shoulder seasons and how to avoid the crowds.

Where should I stay for this itinerary?

A central location saves transit time between sites. Top options include Hotel Paris Vaugirard, Hotel Paris Legendre, Shangri-La Hotel. See the full ranked list with free briefings for each.