What to see in Paris in 3 days: Tourism Guide
The city of light, the capital of love, or even a world-famous gastronomic destination. Paris can be described in many ways, all of them correct and perhaps none of these adjectives can do justice to the French capital, one of the most important cities in Europe: A charming destination that falls in love at first sight. In this guide we will talk about the essential things to see in Paris in 3 days, with the best plans in Paris: Shall we travel to the capital of France?
See Paris in 3 days: is it possible?
Let’s try!. What to visit in Paris in 3 days: Day 1
Actually, there are many things to see in Paris in 3 days. Best of all, you can explore most of the main attractions and important monuments on foot, using the city’s public transport, or the Paris tourist bus that will allow you to get on and off at the main tourist attractions in the city ( more information in the link). By the way, it works great.
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For the first day of the tour in Paris, I recommend the following itinerary with the best route to see the main monuments of Paris: Itinerary day 1 in Paris + map here.
Eiffel Tower: A must on a 3-day trip to Paris
The Eiffel Tower is an essential thing to see in the French capital and the symbol of Paris par excellence. It was built in 1889 on the occasion of the World Exposition. It is also known as La dame de fer (the iron lady).
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Hours and prices to visit the Eiffel Tower
It opens to the public every day from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., although between the months of June to September it varies from 10:00 a.m. to 12:44 a.m. The price of general admission is 26.10 euros on the official website if you use the elevator to the top.
You can buy your tickets on the official website or at the ticket office. As a recommendation, we will always tell you to purchase them in advance, so you will save yourself from the long access queues and you will ensure your ticket since the capacity per day is limited. More information in our guide on where to buy skip-the-line tickets to the Eiffel Tower.
WHERE TO BUY TICKETS WITHOUT THE LINE FOR THE EIFFEL TOWER WHEN THEY HAVE ALREADY SOLD OUT ON THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE:
Ticket to the 2nd Floor of the Eiffel Tower without queues: With this ticket you can visit the Eiffel Tower and go up to the first and second floors and it costs a little more than if you bought them at the ticket office. You will be able to have beautiful views of Paris and visit a glass platform 57 meters above the ground, which allows you to see the structure of the tower up close. It is the perfect option to buy tickets and go up to the Eiffel Tower if they have already sold out on the official website.
Cheap ticket with walk up to the Eiffel Tower: It is the cheapest ticket option to buy because you will have to climb 700 steps, but the views and skip the lines will make up for everything. In the link you have all the information.
If you want to go up to the third and last floor (only accessible by elevator) you will have to select the option: “Entrance to the 3rd Floor without queues + elevator to the Eiffel Tower” This entrance will take you to the viewpoint on the top floor of the Tower Eiffel with elevator, with magnificent panoramic views of Paris. (It also includes a visit to the 1st and 2nd floor). You will contemplate from 276 meters high the Champ de Mars, the Trocadero Gardens or the Sacré-Coeur basilica, among other iconic monuments of Paris.
Fields of Mars (Champ de Mars)
It is a beautiful and peaceful garden that is located at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. Its name is due to the Roman god of war, Mars.
Here the important world exhibitions have been held that have been held in Paris, 1867, 1878 and 1889. Precisely, when the Eiffel Tower was presented.
Today it is a place highly frequented by Parisians and tourists to relax a bit and enjoy the outdoors. You can visit it at any time and day and it is surrounded by interesting cafes and restaurants and for all these reasons you should not miss it on your route to see Paris in three days.
Arch of Triumph
Another of the essential icons on a 3-day trip to Paris, especially due to the military greatness of whoever wanted to build it, since it was Napoleon himself who ordered it.
It has a height of 50 meters and a base of 45 by 22 meters. It took 30 years to complete this work until it was finally inaugurated in 1836. In 1921 the tomb of the unknown soldier was added.
This is a monument with an ever-burning flame that represents the French who lost their lives during World War I.
Hours and prices to visit the Arc de Triomphe in Paris
You can see it inside and also go up to its viewpoint. Here the views are incredibly beautiful, although they require 286 steps to reach.
The opening hours vary: between October and March it is from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., while from April to September it closes at 11 p.m.
The price of the general ticket with admission to the terrace is €13 per person and you can buy it in advance and without queues from here: General ticket + Arc de Triomf rooftop admission.
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Montmartre: One of the most beautiful neighborhoods to visit in Paris in three days
The bohemian neighborhood and also one of the most beautiful in the French capital, for this reason you cannot miss it on a 3-day trip to Paris. Here you can savor some of the traditional gastronomy in any of its traditional cafes or bars and enjoy its shops and charming streets.
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Great exponents of art lived here, such as Van Gogh, Renoir or Picasso. Right in this neighborhood is the famous Moulin Rouge, the most famous cabaret in France and also the Amelié café, among others. For all these reasons it is one of the most charming places to visit on our route through Paris in 3 days.
Sacre Coeur: Another essential place to visit in Paris
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart is located in the picturesque neighborhood of Montmartre. It is one of the most important religious monuments in the French capital.
Despite the fact that its construction began in 1875, the work was not completed until 1914, being consecrated five years later. Its impressive dimensions give an idea of its magnitude: 83 meters long, 35 meters wide and a marvelous tower 83 meters high.
When you visit it, you have the chance to go up to the dome and enjoy the impressive views, as well as getting to know the crypt: Write it down on your must-see route in Paris! It will surprise you.
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Schedules and Prices to visit the Sacred Heart of Paris
To get there you have the option of going up by funicular or on foot: there are 197 steps.
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart is open every day from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and admission is free.
A walk along the Seine: A very romantic plan to do in Paris
Paris is the city of the Seine and both day and night you can take a walk along this river. The boats are panoramic and most of them include guides in Spanish.
It is the perfect way to end the route of the first day in Paris, with a beautiful sunset from a cruise on the Seine River: A great plan in a 3-day trip to Paris.
Schedules and prices of the Boat trip on the Seine
From 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. in high season, from April to September.
In low season, from October to March, the hours are until 9:00 p.m.
In any case, there is no doubt that a sunset during a boat trip on the Seine is the finishing touch for the first 3-day day of sightseeing in Paris.
What to visit in Paris in three days: Day 2
Second day in the wonderful capital of France. Get ready: there is still a lot to see and do in Paris. You can see the route + map of day 2 through Paris here. Let’s start!:
notre dame
It is one of the oldest Gothic cathedrals in the world. Here the coronation of Napoleon Bonaparte and the beatification of Joan of Arc took place, just to name a few important events.
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In 2019 the cathedral suffered a serious fire that, among other damages, caused the spire of the main tower to fall. Despite the fact that large sums of money have been raised, a date has not yet been set for Notre Dame Cathedral to return to what it was.
Among its most striking elements are its towers, each 69 meters high. In addition to the wonderful views, you will also see the bell tower where the hunchback lived next to the gargoyles. At present, both the cathedral and the square remain closed to the public due to the work being done on the structure.
Pantheon: One of the most spectacular buildings to see in Paris
This was the first major monument in Paris and was inaugurated in 1790. It is located in the Latin Quarter, near the wonderful Luxembourg Gardens. It was designed under a combination of Gothic style, but with a lot of inspiration from Greek architecture.
Its function has changed over time, but since Victor Hugo’s funeral it has been the building that houses the bodies of the most illustrious men in the country. This incredible building impresses anyone both for its size and magnificent decoration, as well as for the crypt, where the tombs are.
Hours and prices to visit the Pantheon in Paris
The ticket price is 11.50 euros and you can get priority and skip-the-line entry to the Pantheon from here.
Hours: It is open to the public from
10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Louvre Museum
This is one of the mandatory stops if you don’t know what to see in Paris in 3 days. The Louvre Museum is the most important in the country and one of the most popular in the world. It currently receives more than eight million visits each year.
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It is located in the Louvre Palace, which dates back to the 12th century. Among his most important works are La Gioconda by Da Vinci, The Venus de Milo of Ancient Greece or The Seated Scribe of Ancient Egypt.
Its collection includes around 300,000 works, of which around 35,000 are exhibited. To see the most outstanding works for free, it is necessary to dedicate at least half a day, so if you want to optimize your 3-day time in Paris, I recommend you book this guided tour in Spanish of the Louvre, with which you will be able to explore the most interesting of the Louvre Museum in a couple of hours.
Visiting hours and prices
The Louvre is open every day except Tuesday, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., except on Fridays, when its closing time is extended until 9:45 p.m.
The ticket price is €17 per person and you can buy it online and without access queues from this website for booking digital tickets to the Louvre Museum.
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Opera Garnier: A place not to be missed on a 3-day trip to Paris
Advance our second-day Paris itinerary to the Opera Garnier, a beautiful neo-Baroque building that served as the inspiration for the famous Phantom of the Opera.
During your tour you will be able to enjoy this wonderful building that includes some details in gold, a visit that I recommend you do in three days in Paris and that you can book with this guided tour in Spanish of the Opera Garnier.
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Visiting hours and prices
This Parisian monument is open to the public every day from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Ticket price: €14.
Galeries Lafayette
We finished our day 2 itinerary in Paris by going shopping at Galeries Lafayette. The first thing you should know is that it is a chain of department stores that have more than a century of history. You will find more than 3,500 brands including clothing, footwear, jewelry, sweets, toys and it is the perfect place to bring back a souvenir of your trip to Paris.
It is famous for its wonderful dome and roof terrace, which enjoy an Art Nouveau architectural style with balconies and beautiful lighting. If you are in Paris at Christmas, you will hallucinate.
What to do in 3 days in Paris: Day 3
Last day in Paris, but not least. On this day we have a couple of options to choose from: On the one hand, spend the whole day visiting Versailles or on the other hand, continue with this itinerary through Paris for day 3 (route+map here).
Palace of Versailles: An unavoidable place in 3 days in Paris
The Palace of Versailles is a great option that I propose to you on the route to visit Paris in 3 days. It is one of the most visited, photographed and beautiful places around the capital and that is saying a lot!
It is 45 minutes from the center and was built in the 17th century under the period of the Sun King. You can visit it comfortably with this excursion from Paris to Versailles with a guide in Spanish, or use the metro to get around.
The Palace of Versailles is a complex of more than 800 hectares of palace and impressive gardens. It has more than 2,300 rooms, is surrounded by beautiful parks and fountains, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
During your tour you will be able to get an idea of the wealth and opulence that characterized the French monarchy. As a curiosity, tell you that the Treaty of Versailles was signed here in 1919.
The public visiting hours vary according to the season of the year:
Between the months of April to October, the Palace is open from Tuesday to Sunday between 9 am and 6:30 pm. The gardens are open every day from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
From November to March, the Palace closes at 5:30 p.m., while the gardens close at 6:00 p.m.
The ticket price is €20 and includes access to the palace, temporary exhibitions, gardens and gallery.
D’Orsay Museum: Another good alternative for day 3 in Paris
If you prefer to stay in Paris instead of going to Versailles, I suggest some alternatives, such as the Dorsay Museum, especially if you like art.
Developed in an old train station dating from the beginning of the 20th century, it was inaugurated in 1986. It is dedicated to the plastic arts and has paintings, sculptures, decoration and some architectural elements, with pieces dating from 1848.
Unlike other museums, this one is much smaller and has a unique air thanks to its past. In addition, you have the possibility of visiting it in the company of a guide with this guided tour in Spanish of the Musée d’Orsay.
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Visiting hours and prices
Open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. On Thursdays it extends the closing time until 21:45.
The entrance price is €16 per adult.
Place de la Concorde
We can continue our itinerary of day 3 in Paris through the Place de la Concorde. It is between the Tuileries Gardens and the Champs Elysées and is the most important square to see during 3 days in Paris. It is the second largest in France and was built between 1757 and 1779.
In 1792 the square was renamed Plaza de la Revolución. During this period, a guillotine was installed here where more than 1,200 people were executed, such as Louis XVI or Marie Antoinette.
Its appearance is the result of different improvements that were made in 1840, such as the installation of the obelisk: a piece from the Luxor Temple that is more than 3,000 years old.
The terrace of a Parisian Café: one of the best things to do during a 3-day visit to Paris
Of course, enjoying a terrace in Paris where you can take a break between visits should not be missing during our route through Paris to enjoy a good French aperitif and it is another of the things to do in Paris that I propose to you in this third day.
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Invalids
We can close our last day in Paris with a visit to Les Invalides. It was built in the mid-17th century as a residence for retired French soldiers. As a curiosity, tell you that here you can visit the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte.
After being banished to the island of Santa Elena and dying there, his body was transferred to Los Invalides. In addition, within this complex is the Army Museum and the Saint Louis Church and it is another of the options that I suggest if you still have time on your last day in Paris.
Hours and tickets
The complex is open to the public every day from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., except on Tuesdays when its closing time is extended until 9:00 p.m.
To enter you must pay €14 for the entrance.
And with all these proposals we finished the 3-day getaway to Paris. We hope you liked our travel guide and that soon you will be able to enjoy one of the 7 most romantic cities in Europe.
Happy travels.
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