There’s nothing quite like your first trip to Paris. But with just three days to soak it all in, how do you decide what’s worth your time—and what’s been over-hyped on Instagram?
Between its world-famous landmarks, charming cafés, art museums, and desserts that could bring tears to your eyes, planning the perfect weekend in Paris can feel like a shot in the dark.
Paris was the second stop on my European tour, and while I had a magical time climbing the Eiffel Tower and strolling the Seine, I also had some unfortunate incidents (i.e., getting fined on the Metro and going all the way to the Catacombs on the one day of the week they’re closed)!
I’d love if you got the chance to experience the best parts of Paris with fewer hiccups and way more pastries.
That’s exactly why I created this 3-day Paris itinerary!
Whether you’re into museums, markets, or want to sample eclairs in peace, this guide gives you the perfect mix of structure and flexibility. We’ll cover iconic sights like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, as well as how to navigate the Metro, and my favorite food stops throughout the trip.
Let’s make your weekend in Paris one to remember—for all the right reasons.
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Is a Weekend in Paris Enough?
Yes, it’s definitely worth visiting Paris, even if you only have a few days.
You obviously won’t see everything, but that’s not the point. You’ll still get a rich taste of what makes Paris unforgettable—its energy, its food, its art, and its charm — even with only 3 days in Paris.
The key is to prioritize what matters most to you (museums? dessert? fashion?) and leave space for a little spontaneity.
Paris is just as much about the little moments—sipping espresso at a sidewalk café, wandering into a random pâtisserie—as it is about the prominent landmarks.
Day 1 – Arrive, Exploring Local Streets & A Lesson Learned
After a few days in London, I booked a trip on the Eurostar to take the scenic train ride to spend the next three nights in Paris.
The train ride took about 2 ½ hours and cost around €50. We arrived at Paris Gare du Nord, settled into our Airbnb, and began exploring right away!
Doing a multi-city trip through Europe? Book train tickets with Eurostar.
Afternoon: Use the Metro to Wander Paris
Depending on when you arrive in Paris, you probably won’t be able to check into your Airbnb until later in the afternoon, so I’d encourage you to explore the area surrounding Paris’ train station.
We used the Paris Metro to get between neighborhoods, and it was super convenient.
When I exited my stop, there were ticketing officers asking for the train ticket I had purchased. My sister and I didn’t know we were supposed to hold onto the tickets, so we were fined €40 (which had to be paid immediately!).
Learn from my mistake, and hold onto your tickets indefinitely!
Evening: Rain, Missteps & Indian Comfort Food
Paris weather can be a toss-up.
The day we arrived, it rained on and off ALL DAY. Needless to say, we got very wet.
To make matters worse, we finally arrived at the Catacombs of Paris, and they were closed (The Catacombs are closed every Monday).
There wasn’t enough time to revisit, so if you go, let me know how it is.
That’s still what I would do in the evening, since you don’t need it to be light outside to enjoy the tombs.
Once you’re done exploring the historic catacombs, I would head to Restaurant Indien Paris 19-Bombay Curry. I was too hungry to take photos, but the food was rich, flavorful, and exactly what we needed to reset after a rough travel day!
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Day 2 – Parisian Breakfast, Iconic Landmarks & River Views
After a rocky start, we felt like we’d gone from trying to squeeze all the things to do in Paris in three days… to just two days!
But thankfully, Day 2 was everything I imagined a weekend in Paris could be. Great food, iconic landmarks, and views that make your jaw drop
Morning: Holybelly Breakfast & Eiffel Tower Climb
After a full night’s rest, we were ready to hit the ground running. We started the day at Holybelly, one of the most popular brunch spots in Paris.
Expect a bit of a wait, but trust me, it’s worth it.
The vibe of this restaurant felt very “Parisian.” I had eggs, bacon, pancakes, and French bread, and honestly? It might’ve been the best breakfast of my entire trip through Europe.
The next stop was a visit to the Eiffel Tower!
Instead of taking the elevator, my sister and I decided to climb the 600+ steps to the second floor—and yes, our legs hated us, but the views made up for it.
Travel Tip: Walking to the second floor is cheaper (around €11) and gives you way more time to soak up the scenery along the way.
Afternoon: Musée d’Orsay & Parisian Pastries
You already know I love a good museum. So after the Eiffel Tower, we headed to the Musée d’Orsay, one of my favorite stops in Paris. The Impressionist artwork is stunning, and the building itself (a former train station) is just as beautiful.
After a few hours indoors, we needed something sweet, so we stopped at Gosselin, a local pâtisserie where I fell in love with eclairs and chocolate croissants.
If anything, Paris knows how to do dessert.
Evening: Seine Footbridge, Tuileries Garden & Bakery Dinner
To walk off the pastries, we wandered across the Passerelle Léopold-Sédar-Senghor, a pedestrian footbridge over the Seine that connects the Musée d’Orsay with the Tuileries Garden.
The Quay of the Tuileries is such a scenic walk with beautiful views of the water. I like to think of it as Paris’s version of Central Park, and it’s an excellent free activity to enjoy in Paris.
The Airbnb I stayed in recommended a delicious bakery nearby named Paul Boulangerie et Patisserie (our host recommended this place).
I followed the locals’ lead and purchased a Paris Baguette, as well as an assortment of baked goods, for dinner.
Day 3 – Museums, Monuments & Cultural Cuisine
While putting together my Paris three day itinerary, I decided to save the Louvre for the last day.
So that took up the majority of my final day in Paris, but we also explored some other iconic architecture around the city and had arguably our favorite dinner in the city!
Morning: Palais-Royal, Louvre & a Quick Photo Shoot
On our final day in Paris, I wanted to make the most of every moment. We started with a quick photo shoot (because, of course, I had to seize the opportunity to model my Paris outfit), then headed to the Palais-Royal and the iconic Louvre Museum.
The Louvre Museum, while extraordinary, was extremely crowded.
The Louvre is massive and was absolutely packed, especially around the Mona Lisa. If you go, plan to arrive early and give yourself plenty of time to wander. Even if you don’t get a great view of the Mona Lisa, it’s incredible to see in person, and there’s so much more incredible artwork to take in.
Tip: Don’t underestimate how big the Louvre is. It’s easy to spend half a day here if you’re not careful!
Afternoon: Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe & Shopping
After the museum, we walked from Place Clemenceau down the Champs-Élysées, stopping to admire the Arc de Triomphe along the way.
The Arc de Triomphe honors the soldiers who fought for France. You can climb to the top if you’re up for it, but we opted to enjoy the view from below.
The next stop was Forum des Halles, a central shopping mall with options for every budget. If you’re a shopper, this is your spot—but plan ahead because it’s easy to lose track of time here.
Additionally, the Grand Palais is dedicated to French art and is conveniently located within walking distance of the city center.
Evening: Falafel, Cultural Food & a Memorable Send-Off
Dinner was one of the best parts of the day. We started at L’as du Fallafel, a local favorite made famous (at least to me) by Lenny Kravitz. The falafel was hot, crispy, and seriously filling—totally worth the stop.
You won’t be disappointed if you eat here.
Speaking of restaurants, one of my favorites during this trip was L’Equateur.
To wrap things up, we had a sit-down dinner at L’Equateur, a cozy restaurant offering Senegalese, Cameroonian, and Caribbean dishes.
If you love Senegalese, Cameroonian, and Caribbean fare, I had grilled chicken, rice, and plantains—and it was honestly one of the best meals of the entire trip.
Unfortunately the location in Paris is now closed, but there are other locations in France you can visit.
Final Thoughts: Is a Weekend in Paris Enough?
Absolutely. While Paris is a city you could explore for years and still not see it all, three days is the perfect amount of time to soak in the highlights, especially if it’s your first visit.
If you’re trying to figure out what to do in Paris for a weekend, this itinerary strikes a perfect balance between sightseeing, food, and downtime.
This itinerary offers the perfect weekend in Paris, allowing you to experience both the iconic and the unexpected.
Planning a multi-city Euro trip?
Check out my 4-day Amsterdam itinerary to pair with your Paris adventure.
As always, thank you so much for reading. Would you travel to Paris? Learn anything new, or have any feedback? Was this itinerary helpful? Please comment below, and subscribe here.
Photo Credit
Thank you Jad Limcaco for the photo of Paris. I discovered his work on Unsplash.com. Check him out!
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