Three days is enough for a first Paris visit if you keep each day to one or two arrondissements and travel the short distances by metro or on foot. This plan groups the Marais and the Louvre, the Left Bank and the Eiffel Tower, and Montmartre plus the grand boulevards so you spend your time in places rather than in transit.
April to June and September to early November bring mild days and lighter crowds than July and August. December is festive and bright, but the busy peak season — with the highest prices — runs from mid-June through August.
Getting around
A carnet of ten metro tickets, or one single ticket if you are only taking a few rides, covers nearly everything; walking between sights inside an arrondissement is often faster than the metro for short hops.
The 3-day Paris, France itinerary
Day 1
The Louvre, the Marais and the islands
Morning
~€22
The Louvre highlights
Arrive at opening and head straight for the Mona Lisa, the Winged Victory and the Venus de Milo, then take a short spin through the French paintings and sculptures rather than trying to see everything.
Cross the river into the Marais and wander the arcaded Place des Vosges and the side streets around Rue des Rosiers, stopping for falafel or pastry along the way.
Walk through Notre-Dame's forecourt (exterior views while restoration finishes), cross to Île Saint-Louis for ice cream, then follow the riverbank toward the lit-up Pont Neuf and Pont Alexandre III.
Go when it opens to see the Impressionist galleries — Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh — in the former railway station, and save the top-floor clock view for a quiet minute.
Stroll through the Luxembourg Gardens, then walk or ride the metro past the École Militaire and Champ de Mars to the foot of the Eiffel Tower, booking your lift slot in advance.
Cross the river to the Trocadéro esplanade for the classic framed view, then stay for the tower's five-minute light show at the top of each hour after dark.
Take the metro down to the Palais Garnier opera house for a self-guided tour, then window-shop along the Grands Boulevards and the covered Galerie Vivienne.
Mid-range estimate: one shared hotel room, a table-service dinner and one or two paid sights a day. Your hotel and how many timed-entry museums you add shift the total most.
Estimated daily total
€170–€300 per person, per day
Accommodation (per person, shared room)
€90–€160
Food & drink
€45–€80
Sights & museums
€20–€45
Local transport
€6–€15
Paris, France weather by season
Season
Typical range
What to expect
Spring (Mar–May)
6–20°C / 43–68°F
Mild with showers; pack a light rain coat.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
15–26°C / 59–79°F
Warm and crowded; book big sights ahead.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
8–21°C / 46–70°F
The most comfortable walking weather.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
2–8°C / 36–46°F
Cold and damp; warm layers and a rain shell.
SmartVoyage shows the live forecast, or seasonal averages for far-off dates, next to every day of a generated itinerary.
Practical tips for Paris, France
Book the Eiffel Tower, Louvre and Musée d'Orsay online in advance — walk-up tickets cost more and timed slots sell out days ahead in peak season.
The first Sunday of the month is free entry to the Louvre and Musée d'Orsay, but queues are longest; arrive very early or skip it.
Check opening days before you go — the Louvre and Musée d'Orsay close on Tuesdays and Mondays respectively, and many smaller museums close one day a week.
Carry a few small coins and notes; some cafés and bakery counters have a €10 minimum for card payments.
Tap the same contactless card or phone for metro rides, and keep a paper map or your phone's data handy — Wi-Fi is not everywhere.
Paris, France itinerary questions
Is 3 days enough for Paris?
Three days covers the Louvre, the Left Bank and the Eiffel Tower, and Montmartre at a comfortable pace. It is not enough to add Versailles, Disneyland Paris or more than a short day trip.
Where should I stay in Paris for a short trip?
The Marais, Saint-Germain or near the Louvre keep you within walking distance or a short metro ride of most of this plan, and avoid backtracking to the Eiffel Tower.
How much does a 3-day trip to Paris cost?
Budget roughly €170–€300 per person per day for a mid-range trip, with accommodation the largest line and two or three timed-entry museums keeping sight costs modest.
Do I need a metro pass for 3 days in Paris?
A carnet of ten tickets is usually enough for a three-day plan. If you are taking more than four or five rides a day, compare it with the short-duration Navigo pass for better value.
When should I book Eiffel Tower tickets?
Book lift-to-the-top tickets online about a month ahead in peak season. For a last-minute visit, an early-morning or late-evening slot is the most likely to have availability.
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