With so much to see and do, it is of little wonder that Paris is the top of any traveller’s bucket list. There’s just something about the City of Lights that teases out the hopeless romantic within each and every one one of us, from its fascinating historical monuments, to its treasure trove of artistic masterpieces, to delightful little street walk cafés and oh, the boulangeries, how could we ever forget the boulangeries! Paris exudes perennial charm, so much so that it may be a slight challenge determining where exactly to start. We’ve got you covered—this 3 day itinerary takes you through the most classic Parisian attractions and is a great introduction for your foray into this beautiful city.
Day 1
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and for a really good one at that, look no further than Holybelly. Located in the 10th arrondissement near the Gare du Nord train station, this café actually has two outlets along the same street of Rue Lucien Sampaix. For some brilliant eggs and pancakes, pop by number 5, or if you’re looking for something a touch more classy, head to number 19 with an array of breakfast platters and plats du jour. Whichever you choose, you can be guaranteed good food and good service. Be there when they open at 9am or be prepared to wait—it is definitely one of the places to be at and to be seen at in Paris!
Save some space for a tasty treat at the nearby Du Pain et des Idées. This boulangerie has won the heart of many for its serving of rustic French loaves and breads done right—firm, crackly, crusty and all that jazz. The croissants are a delight, and don’t leave without grabbing a pistachio and chocolate escargot, one of the boulangerie’s signature viennoiseries featuring a round pastry with a decadent spiral swirl of pistachio and chocolate cream.
Hop on a bus or the metro to Montmartre, located in the 18th arrondissement. With its cobbled streets and rustic cottages, it's almost as if this French village has been trapped in time and remained ever since, having lost none of the charm that has won the hearts of many through the 19th-20th century. Perched on its summit white-domed Basilica of the Sacré-Cœur, an architectural and artistic masterpiece. If you have time, we also recommend checking out the lesser-known but older and more historically-rich Paroisse Saint-Pierre de Montmartre. Built in the 12th century, it is one of the oldest churches in Paris.
Stop by for lunch at one of the many restaurants located in Montmartre, or if it's summer, why not have a picnic at Parc du Champ de Mars? Pick out a spread at the local supermarket, or for the laziest of you, just pre-order a picnic basket at a local deli, where all the essentials would have been packed for you—all that’s left is the fun part—the eating! Enjoy the views of the iconic Eiffel Tower in the background as you bask in the sunlight.
No visit to Paris would be complete without ascending the Eiffel Tower for a breath-taking 360° view of Paris. Lines are long, so buying a ticket in advance would be the best course of action if you don’t want to waste any precious time you have in the queues!
Spend the later part of the day wandering Champs-Élysées, Paris’ main shopping district—you’ll be spoiled for choice in terms when shopping here—with both well-loved French brands and international favourites on offer here. Catch a peek at the Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoil, or known more commonly as the Arc de Triomphe. This monument is perhaps one of Paris’ most iconic, and pays tribute to those who died during the Napoleonic wars.
The Spanish have flamenco and the Viennese, opera. The French? They have cabaret. Like all other forms of performing arts, cabaret is a truly unique experience that can’t be missed while in Paris. Head to none other than the famous Moulin Rouge for an immersive evening of dinner and dance that is sure to be like nothing you’ve quite experienced before.
Day 2
Today will be spent enjoying French artwork. Grab a croissant and coffee at Baguett's Café, a cosy spot located a stone’s throw away from our first stop for the day—the Louvre. If you prefer a more elaborate spread, there are a number of other cafés in the area with attractive breakfast offerings.
The Louvre is one of the most famous art museums in Paris, if not the world. Encompassing the various European schools of art throughout the 13th century to the 17th century, you don’t even need to be an art aficionado to recognise many of the paintings housed here. Of course, who could ever forget Leonardo da Vinci’s pièce de résistance, the Mona Lisa? For a good glimpse of her, we recommend heading to the Louvre at its opening time, as well as pre-booking your ticket so you don’t have to wait in line. Other notable artworks well-worth checking out are Venus de Milo and Liberty Leading the People.
Next on the list is the Musee d’Orsay, housed in the former Gare d'Orsay. Housing works by masters of early modern and impressionist art such as Monet, Degas, Van Gogh. Notable works include Van Gogh’s Self-Portrait and Renoir’s Bal du Moulin de la Galette. Once again, buying your tickets through Native is highly-recommended—no time wasted through queueing, how great is that?
Head down along the River Seine towards the 4th arrondissement. For fans of the literary arts, don’t miss the Shakespeare and Company bookstore, one of the world’s most famous bookstores. Often described as a mecca for book lovers, you’ll often find a queue on weekends just to enter it. Make a quick stop by Odette, specialising in the French pastry of choux à la crème, for a lovely midday snack.
In the 4th arrondissement lies one of the world’s most beloved cultural icons, the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris, or known much more simply as the Notre-Dame. This majestic medieval church is the setting for many great films and books, one of such being the prolific French author Victor Hugo’s The Hunchback of Notre-Dame. With its grand spire and imposing gargoyles, the church remains one of Paris’ greatest works of architecture. Unfortunately, it was destroyed by a fire in 2019 and restoration works will not be completed until 2024, but is still worth a visit.
While not one of the must-see sights in Paris, if you have the time, make a trip to the Sainte-Chapelle, located right by the Notre-Dame. A 13th-century royal chapel, it has over 1,000 stained glass windows, and is an absolute sight to behold.
End your day with a meal at Le Bistro de Augustins, not far from Sainte-Chapelle. French food is known to be pricey, but here, you’ll find it at a steal. The star here is gratin, of which you will find different varieties, but all of them are very good.
Day 3
You’ve visited pretty much all the main sights in Paris, but you can’t miss the Palace of Versailles—located on the outskirts of Paris. This sprawling complex was the former royal residence and is enormous—you’re going to spend more than a few hours here wandering the many opulent rooms and the beautifully manicured gardens. The entire trip takes quite a bit depending on where you are staying, so planning is key here. As with the other attractions, booking your tickets online is highly recommended as it is a popular attraction.
Once you head back to the centre of Paris, it’s really up to you what you want to do. If you’re up for it, have a relaxing evening in the beautiful Tuileries Gardens, or stop by a café to people-watch your day away. We recommend Pierre Hermé for its beautiful macarons, or local favourite Stohrer, for well-loved French patisseries and their house-special baba au rhum.
If you’re up for something lighter for dinner, go for a savoury crepe at Au P’tit Grec, which are not only insanely affordable but also delicious (take some pictures at the Panthéon along the way)! If you’d rather go all out for your final meal in Paris, there are a host of delightful restaurants (ranging from affordable to fine dining) waiting to welcome you in—if there’s one thing Paris is not short of, it certainly has to be the food!
With that, you’ve spent 3 days in Paris and we know, you can’t bear to leave—we’ve already begun planning our next trip back. Which were your favourite sites or activities in Paris?
