3 Days in Paris: A Day-by-Day Itinerary for First-Time Visitors
Day one runs from the Louvre through the Tuileries and Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe at sunset. Day two stays on and around the Île de la Cité for Notre-Dame and Sainte-Chapelle, then crosses to the Musée d'Orsay. Day three climbs Montmartre to Sacré-Cœur, visits the Palais Garnier and ends at the Eiffel Tower as the sun goes down.
Good to Know
Estimated total per person: ₹25,000 to ₹32,000, excluding flights and hotel
Weather: Summers are warm and can be hot, winters are cold and grey, and rain is possible in any month.
Pack:
Comfortable walking shoes
A light rain jacket or umbrella
Smart-casual clothes for dinners
European plug adapter (type E)
Local tips:
A Metro ride costs €2.55, and a day pass €12.30; tap in with a Navigo Easy card or the app.
Many museums are free on the first Sunday of the month, but very crowded.
The Louvre is closed on Tuesdays and the Musée d'Orsay on Mondays.
Booking tips:
Book timed tickets for the Louvre, Sainte-Chapelle and the Eiffel Tower well ahead; sunset Eiffel slots sell out first.
From 2026, the Louvre, Sainte-Chapelle and other national sites charge visitors from outside Europe more than EU residents.
Getting there (from India):
flight: Nonstop from Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru with Air France and Air India, or one-stop via the Gulf - About 9.5 to 10.5 hours nonstop
From Charles de Gaulle Airport, the RER B train reaches central Paris in about 35 to 45 minutes.
Fares change daily with demand, so compare dates before booking.
Day 1: The Louvre to the Arc de Triomphe
The Louvre in the morning, a walk through the Tuileries to Place de la Concorde, and the Champs-Élysées up to the Arc de Triomphe for sunset.
Louvre Museum (morning): Be at the Louvre for your timed entry, through the glass pyramid. The former royal palace is the world's most visited museum: head for the Mona Lisa early, then the Venus de Milo, the Winged Victory of Samothrace and the grand French paintings. Choose two or three wings rather than trying to see it all. €32 (about ₹3,400), adult from outside Europe, from 2026 Why visit: The Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo and Winged Victory; The world's most visited museum Know before you go: Closed on Tuesdays; Book a timed ticket; entry without one is not guaranteed
Tuileries Garden (afternoon): Walk out into the Tuileries Garden, the formal gardens laid out in the 1660s between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde. Pull up one of the green metal chairs by the fountains for a rest. Free Why visit: Paris's grand formal garden; A shaded walk between two sights Know before you go: The Orangerie museum at the far end holds Monet's Water Lilies (separate ticket)
Place de la Concorde (afternoon): At the end of the garden, cross Place de la Concorde, Paris's largest square, where the guillotine stood during the Revolution. The 3,000-year-old Egyptian obelisk from Luxor stands at its centre, with the Champs-Élysées stretching away to the Arc. Free Why visit: The Luxor Obelisk and the view up the Champs-Élysées; A key site of the French Revolution Know before you go: Heavy traffic; use the crossings
Arc de Triomphe (sunset): Walk up the Champs-Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe, about 30 minutes, or take Metro line 1. Napoleon commissioned the arch, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier lies beneath it. Climb the 284 steps to the roof for one of the best views in Paris at sunset. €22 (about ₹2,300), adult, April to September; €16 from October to March Why visit: A rooftop view down the Champs-Élysées to the Eiffel Tower; The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Know before you go: Reach the arch by the underground passage, never across the roundabout; There is no lift for most visitors
Eat: Angelina - A Belle Époque tea room on rue de Rivoli, opposite the Tuileries, famous for its thick hot chocolate and Mont-Blanc pastry.
Evening: From the top of the Arc, watch the twelve avenues light up, with the Eiffel Tower sparkling on the hour after dark.
Budget for the day: ₹8,400 to ₹11,000 per person, excluding hotel
Day 2: Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle and the Musée d'Orsay
The Île de la Cité's two great Gothic churches, Notre-Dame and Sainte-Chapelle, then the Impressionists at the Musée d'Orsay.
Notre-Dame Cathedral (morning): Start at Notre-Dame on the Île de la Cité, the Gothic cathedral reopened in December 2024 after the 2019 fire. Inside, the restored stone glows pale gold under the vaults, with the great rose windows above. Free, a free timed reservation shortens the queue Why visit: Paris's great Gothic cathedral, beautifully restored; The rose windows and the new spire Know before you go: Reserve a free time slot online to skip the line; Mass is held daily; visitors keep to the sides
Sainte-Chapelle (late morning): Walk to Sainte-Chapelle, about five minutes, the royal chapel built in the 1240s to hold relics of the Passion. The upper chapel is almost walls of stained glass, 15 tall windows that tell over a thousand Bible stories; it is best on a sunny morning. €22 (about ₹2,300), adult from outside Europe, from 2026 Why visit: The finest medieval stained glass in Paris; An unforgettable room on a sunny day Know before you go: Security queues are shared with the courts; book a time slot; Come before noon for the best light
Musée d'Orsay (afternoon): Cross the Seine and walk along the river to the Musée d'Orsay, about 20 minutes, in a grand railway station built in 1900. It holds the world's finest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art: Monet, Renoir, Degas, Van Gogh and Cézanne. Look through the giant clock face on the top floor. €16 (about ₹1,700), adult, booked online Why visit: Monet, Renoir, Degas, Van Gogh and Cézanne; A former railway station turned museum Know before you go: Closed on Mondays; Open late on Thursday evenings
Eat: Le Procope - Paris's oldest café, opened in 1686 in Saint-Germain, serving classic French dishes in historic rooms.
Evening: Walk along the Seine at dusk to Pont des Arts, then into Saint-Germain for dinner.
Budget for the day: ₹7,600 to ₹10,000 per person, excluding hotel
Day 3: Montmartre, the Opéra and the Eiffel Tower
Sacré-Cœur on the hill of Montmartre, the gilded Palais Garnier opera house, and the Eiffel Tower at sunset.
Sacré-Cœur, Montmartre (morning): Climb the steps, or ride the funicular, to Sacré-Cœur, the white-domed basilica at the top of Montmartre. From its steps the whole of Paris spreads out below. Afterwards, wander the village streets behind it to Place du Tertre, where artists set up their easels. Free, to enter; the dome climb is extra Why visit: One of the best free views of Paris; Montmartre's village streets and artists' square Know before you go: Ignore people offering 'friendship bracelets' at the bottom of the steps; Mornings are calmer
Palais Garnier (afternoon): Take the Metro to the Opéra, about 15 minutes, for the Palais Garnier, the opera house opened in 1875 that inspired The Phantom of the Opera. The grand staircase and gilded foyer are lavish, and the auditorium ceiling was painted by Chagall. €25 (about ₹2,700), adult, self-guided visit Why visit: One of the most lavish interiors in Paris; Chagall's painted ceiling Know before you go: The auditorium may be closed for rehearsals; Galeries Lafayette's free rooftop is next door
Eiffel Tower (sunset): Take the Metro to the Eiffel Tower, about 20 minutes. Built for the 1889 World's Fair, the 330-metre iron tower has lifts to the summit, where Paris spreads in every direction. Go up before sunset to see it by day and by night. €36.7 (about ₹3,900), adult, lift to the summit; cheaper to the second floor or by stairs Why visit: The symbol of Paris and its highest viewpoint; Sunset over the Seine from the summit Know before you go: Book summit tickets online well ahead; they sell out; Security checks at the entrance can be slow
Eat: Bouillon Pigalle - A big, busy brasserie at the foot of Montmartre serving classic French dishes at low prices. Expect a queue.
Evening: After the tower, walk across the river to the Trocadéro to watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle on the hour.
Budget for the day: ₹9,200 to ₹11,000 per person, excluding hotel
Want a Different Pace?
Day trip to Versailles: The Palace of Versailles by RER C train: The royal palace and gardens, about 45 minutes away. (Trade-off: Takes a full day; book a timed ticket. - Costs more)
A Seine river cruise: An evening boat cruise from near the Eiffel Tower: See the lit-up monuments from the river. (Trade-off: About an hour; easy to add after day three. - Costs a little more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 3 days enough for Paris?
A 3-day Paris itinerary like this one works well for First-time visitors, Art and architecture lovers, Couples. It's not the best fit if You want a budget trip; Paris tickets add up or You dislike queues; book everything ahead.
How much does a 3-day Paris trip cost per person?
Budget about ₹25,000 to ₹32,000 per person for entry tickets, food and local transport on this 3-day Paris itinerary. Flights and hotel are extra.
What's the best time to visit Paris?
The best time to visit Paris is April to June and September to October.
How do I get to Paris from India?
Common options are flight (About 9.5 to 10.5 hours nonstop). From Charles de Gaulle Airport, the RER B train reaches central Paris in about 35 to 45 minutes.
What are the must-see places in Paris in 3 days?
Day 1: Louvre Museum, Tuileries Garden, Place de la Concorde and Arc de Triomphe. Day 2: Notre-Dame Cathedral, Sainte-Chapelle and Musée d'Orsay. Day 3: Sacré-Cœur, Montmartre, Palais Garnier and Eiffel Tower.
Which Paris attractions are free?
On this itinerary, Tuileries Garden, Place de la Concorde, Notre-Dame Cathedral and Sacré-Cœur, Montmartre are free to visit (some charge for special exhibitions or inside visits).
How much are entry tickets in Paris in rupees?
Louvre Museum: €32 (about ₹3,400); Arc de Triomphe: €22 (about ₹2,300); Sainte-Chapelle: €22 (about ₹2,300); Musée d'Orsay: €16 (about ₹1,700); Palais Garnier: €25 (about ₹2,700); Eiffel Tower: €36.7 (about ₹3,900). Prices are adult tickets, converted to rupees and rounded; check the official site before booking.
How do you get around Paris?
The Metro is the quickest way: a ride costs €2.55 (about ₹270) and a day pass €12.30 (about ₹1,300). Much of the centre is walkable, and the RER B runs to Charles de Gaulle Airport.
Which Paris museums are closed on which days?
The Louvre is closed on Tuesdays and the Musée d'Orsay on Mondays. Notre-Dame and Sacré-Cœur are open every day.
Where to Eat in Paris
Pink Mamma - ★4.7-20bis Rue de Douai, 75009 Paris, France
La Felicità - ★4.5-5 Parv. Alan Turing, 75013 Paris, France
Au Pied de Cochon - ★4.4-6 Rue Coquillière, 75001 Paris, France
Kodawari Ramen (Yokochō) - ★4.5-29 Rue Mazarine, 75006 Paris, France
L'As du Fallafel - ★4.3-34 Rue des Rosiers, 75004 Paris, France
Ground Control - ★4.4-81 Rue du Charolais, 75012 Paris, France
Kozy Bosquet | All-week Brunch & Coffee - ★4.7-79 Av. Bosquet, 75007 Paris, France
Les Deux Magots - ★4.2-6 Pl. Saint-Germain des Prés, 75006 Paris, France
Shopping in Paris
Galeries Lafayette Haussmann - ★4.5-40 Bd Haussmann, 75009 Paris, France
BHV Marais - ★4.2-52 Rue de Rivoli, 75004 Paris, France
Le Bon Marché - ★4.5-24 Rue de Sèvres, 75007 Paris, France
Passage du Havre - ★4.2-109 Rue Saint-Lazare, 75009 Paris, France
Nightlife in Paris
Le Train Bleu - ★4.4 - Gare de Lyon, Pl. Louis Armand hall 1, 75012 Paris, France
La Coupole - ★4.4-102 Bd du Montparnasse, 75014 Paris, France
Bistrot Victoires - ★4.4-6 Rue de la Vrillière, 75001 Paris, France
La Bellevilloise - ★4.3-19-21 Rue Boyer, 75020 Paris, France
Le Comptoir Général - ★4.2-84 Quai de Jemmapes, 75010 Paris, France
Perruche - ★4.2 - Printemps De L'Homme, 2 Rue du Havre 9ème étage, 75009 Paris, France
Caveau de la Huchette - ★4.4-5 Rue de la Huchette, 75005 Paris, France
Fluctuart - Centre d'art urbain - ★4.4-2 port du Gros Caillou, 75007 Paris, France