The Ultimate Paris 3-Day Itinerary: Landmarks, Food Tours, Evening Seine Cruise & Affordable Boutique Hotels
Estimated reading time: 12 minutes
Key Takeaways – Paris 3-Day Itinerary
- A balanced Paris 3-day itinerary lets you see icons like the Eiffel Tower, Louvre and Montmartre without burnout.
- Smart Paris museum passes tips save money and time in lines.
- Evening Seine cruises add romance; many boats are wheelchair accessible.
- You can book best boutique hotels near Eiffel Tower under $200 if you travel in shoulder seasons.
- Use the Metro, timed tickets and early starts to maximise sightseeing hours.
Table of Contents – Paris 3-Day Itinerary
- Why a Paris 3-Day Itinerary Works
- Day 1 – Eiffel Tower to Evening Seine Cruise
- Day 2 – Louvre Masterpieces & Food Adventures
- Day 3 – Montmartre Magic & Jazz Nights
- Smart Money & Time Savers
- Complete Hotel Cheat-Sheet
- Optional Half-Day Excursions
- Conclusion & Call-to-Action
- Paris 3-Day Itinerary FAQ
Why a Paris 3-Day Itinerary Works
A Paris 3-day itinerary is the sweet spot between whirlwind day-trip and slow two-week holiday. Most famous sights sit within four kilometres of the Seine, so you can walk, hop the Metro, or glide by boat without wasting hours in transit. Travel pros such as Rick Steves estimate that 72 hours covers “the big four” — Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Notre-Dame/Sainte-Chapelle area and Montmartre — with breathing room for café breaks and sunset strolls.
Think of it as a three-act play: sunrise awe, daytime culture, evening sparkle. With timed tickets and a pocket Metro map, you trade queues for experiences. The reward is a journey rich in art, pastry and postcard views, yet gentle on feet and wallet.
Day 1 – Paris 3-Day Itinerary Kick-Off: Eiffel Tower to Evening Seine Cruise
Sunrise at the Eiffel Tower
Set your alarm early. Arriving before dawn gifts you a golden-hour glow and keeps crowds low. Pre-book your Eiffel Tower ticket; the online timed entry shaves off hefty lines. Cross to the marble steps of Trocadéro for the wide-angle photo every traveller dreams about. Bring a small tripod but check current locker rules because extended legs are sometimes restricted.
Quick tips: arrive 30 minutes before your slot, carry a warm croissant from Carette, and layer up — Paris mornings can be brisk even in May.
Mid-Morning Champs-Élysées & Arc de Triomphe
From the tower, either stroll or take Metro Line 6 to Charles-de-Gaulle – Étoile. A calm hour-long walk along the tree-lined “most beautiful avenue in the world” ends at the Arc de Triomphe. Climb the 284 steps (or use the lift for mobility needs) for rooftop panoramas. Lunchtime is quieter than sunset, so you often share the terrace with only a handful of visitors.
Afternoon in Le Marais
Hop on Metro Line 1 to Saint-Paul and dive into Le Marais. Rue des Rosiers bursts with falafel joints; locals swear by L’As du Fallafel for a €7 handheld feast. Wander cobblestoned lanes, peek into quirky galleries, and maybe snag vintage finds on Rue Vieille-du-Temple. This neighbourhood glues together medieval facades and modern boutiques, making it a dreamy spot for slow shopping.
Evening Seine River Cruise
Cap the first day with a Seine river cruise Paris evening. Glass-roof boats operated by Bateaux Parisiens or Vedettes du Pont Neuf leave hourly once dusk sets in. The mile-long light show — Eiffel Tower sparkles, Musée d’Orsay glows, Notre-Dame stands luminous — is pure Parisian magic.
Cruise pointers:
- Board after sunset for the best reflections.
- Request a window seat when you book.
- Many boats are wheelchair accessible — confirm boat number when booking.
Sleep: Boutique Hotels Near the Eiffel Tower Under $200
End your adventure with an easy walk back to a cosy room. Two favourite options often priced under $200 in shoulder season are Hotel Eiffel Seine and Hotel La Comtesse. Both sit minutes from a Metro stop and offer warm service. Check Hotel Book Wise for live rates and seasonal discounts.
Day 2 – Paris 3-Day Itinerary Continues: Louvre Masterpieces & Food Adventures
Morning Masterpiece Hunt in the Louvre
Reserve a 9 a.m. timed ticket and skirt the main pyramid by entering through Porte des Lions. Follow a two-hour highlight loop: Winged Victory → Mona Lisa → Coronation of Napoleon. Limiting yourself to ten star works leaves energy for the rest of the day.
Remember: even with a Paris Museum Pass, you still need a time slot. Pack a tiny water bottle; outside drinks are allowed if sealed.
Palais Royal Pause
Slip across Rue de Rivoli to the peaceful Palais Royal Gardens. Sit on a black-and-white Daniel Buren column for photos, then read a page or two in the shade. It’s a breather before culinary exploration.
Afternoon Flavours: Saint-Germain & Food Tours
Walk over Pont des Arts — attach no locks (they’re removed quickly) but enjoy the painters selling watercolours. In Saint-Germain-des-Prés, sip hot chocolate at Café de Flore, then join the Devour Tours Saint-Germain Pastry Walk. For around $110 you taste opera cake, chocolates and buttery viennoiseries while a local guide shares sweet history. Prefer hands-on? A macaron-making class at Galeries Lafayette teaches you to pipe vibrant shells.
Dinner by the Louvre
Le Fumoir faces the museum and offers a €29 two-course menu after 6 p.m. Candlelight meets hushed jazz, perfect for couples. Those craving a view-suite afterward can book romantic hotels in Paris near Louvre such as The Westin Paris – Vendôme, often discounted on Hotel Book Wise.
Day 3 – Paris 3-Day Itinerary Finale: Montmartre Magic & Jazz Nights
Morning on Montmartre Hill
Ride the funicular (one Metro ticket) to Sacré-Cœur before tour buses arrive. Inside, soft organ music drifts at 7 a.m. Stand on the basilica steps; Paris rolls out like a patchwork quilt below.
Artists, Alleys & A Hidden Vineyard
Around Place du Tertre, licensed artists sketch portraits; agree on a price first. Nearby, Musée de Montmartre recounts stories of Toulouse-Lautrec and Renoir. Buy the combo ticket with Dalí Paris and save a few euros.
Pick up picnic supplies — baguette from Pain Pain, cheese at Fromagerie Lepic, berries from a street stall — and sit by the tiny Clos Montmartre vineyard. Few travellers know vines still grow on the hill!
Evening Bistro Fare & Underground Jazz
Le Relais Gascon serves mountain-size salads topped with crispy potatoes (€18). Afterward descend to Autour de Midi… Et Minuit, a vaulted jazz cave where local trumpets wail until 1 a.m. The €10 cover includes a soft drink, and the vibe transports you to 1950s Parisian beat nights.
Smart Money & Time Savers – Paris 3-Day Itinerary Essentials
Choosing the right Paris Museum Pass matters. The two-day version costs about €52. If you plan Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Sainte-Chapelle and Arc de Triomphe, you already break even. Activate on Day 1 afternoon, then squeeze two high-museum days.
- Security lines remain even with passes; pack light to breeze through bag checks.
- Book timed-entry for Louvre and Orsay regardless of pass to guarantee entry slots.
- A Navigo Easy card loaded with 10 tickets (€16.90) beats buying singles each ride.
- Shoulder seasons (April–May, Sept–Oct) slice hotel rates by 20-30%.
Complete Hotel Cheat-Sheet – Paris 3-Day Itinerary Stays
Near Eiffel Tower under $200
- Hotel Eiffel Seine – Art-nouveau charm, gym, 2-min walk to Bir-Hakeim Metro.
- Hôtel La Bourdonnais – Balcony rooms with tower glimpses; stylish library lounge.
Romantic hotels in Paris near Louvre
- The Westin Paris – Vendôme – Classic suites, rose-petal turndown on request.
- Maison Albar Le Pont-Neuf – Spa, marble baths, intimate ambience.
Bonus central picks
- 25hours Hotel Terminus Nord – Eclectic décor opposite Gare du Nord.
- Pullman Paris Montparnasse – Rooftop Skybar with skyline views.
Optional Half-Day Excursions – Paris 3-Day Itinerary Add-Ons
Palace of Versailles: 40 minutes via RER C. Pre-book a “Passport” ticket for palace + gardens. A fast-track morning visit still lets you return for sunset at the Seine.
Giverny: Monet’s water-lily ponds, 1 hr 15 min from Gare Saint-Lazare. Best April-October when flowers burst. Requires swapping out half of Day 3.
Conclusion & Call-to-Action – Paris 3-Day Itinerary Wrap-Up
In three memorable days you’ve watched sunrise shimmer on steel, traced brushstrokes of masters, tasted pastries still warm from the oven, and floated under twinkling bridges. This Paris 3-day itinerary proves that a short trip can feel rich, varied and unhurried. Next steps? Secure timed tickets, compare live hotel deals on Hotel Book Wise, and bookmark our companion Kyoto 3-day itinerary for your wider Euro-Asia adventure.
Ready to plan? Click below for the latest hotel discounts, offers and competitive prices across Paris.
Paris 3-Day Itinerary FAQ
Is a Paris Museum Pass worth it for 3 days?
It can be. If you plan Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Sainte-Chapelle and Arc de Triomphe within 48 hours, the pass saves euros and queues. Light museum users may spend less with single timed tickets.
Can I really book boutique hotels near the Eiffel Tower for under $200?
Yes — particularly in April, May, September and early November. Hotel Eiffel Seine and Hôtel La Bourdonnais often list rooms around $170 on Hotel Book Wise. Weeknights are cheaper than weekends.
Are evening Seine cruises wheelchair accessible?
Most vessels run by Bateaux Parisiens and Vedettes du Pont Neuf include ramps and adapted restrooms, but not every boat. Email the operator with your cruise time to confirm accessibility and arrive 20 minutes early for priority boarding.
What’s the best time to visit Paris?
Spring (April–June) and fall (September–October) deliver mild weather, thinner crowds, and hotel bargains.
How do I navigate the city quickly?
Download a Metro map and read our Complete Guide to the Paris Metro. A carnet of 10 tickets or a Navigo Easy card keeps travel simple.