3 days in Paris

France

This is the free preview of the Wayfinder guide to Paris: a realistic three-day plan with a morning sight, a specific lunch spot, an afternoon walk or museum, dinner before drinks, plus hotels for every budget, how local tickets work and the best day trips nearby.

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Day-by-day plan

Day 1 — City Essentials

☀️ Morning · 09:00 – 12:00
Musée d'Orsay
The Impressionists in a former train station, enter at 09:30.
⭐ 4.5 · €€ · The Impressionists in a former train station, enter at 09:30.
Getting there: Metro Line 12 – Solférino from Châtelet · 8 min · €2.50
🍕 Lunch · 12:30 – 14:00
Bouillon Chartier
Affordable Parisian classic, belle époque decor.
⭐ 4.3 · €€ · Belle époque French bistro
Other great options nearby
Le Petit Vendôme · € · Jambon-beurre sandwichesMap
Clamato · €€€ · Seafood small plates · natural wineMap
Getting there: Metro Line 8/9 – Grands Boulevards from Opéra · 4 min · €2.50
🏛️ Afternoon · 14:30 – 18:30
Ten Belles
Filter coffee and cinnamon buns near the canal.
⭐ 4.6 · € · Filter coffee · cinnamon buns
Getting there: Metro Line 5 – Jacques Bonsergent from République · 3 min · €2.50
🍷 Dinner · 19:30 – 21:30
Dinner at Septime La Cave
Natural wines and small plates, no reservation.
⭐ 4.6 · €€€ · Natural wine bar · small plates
Other great options nearby
Bouillon Chartier · €€ · Belle époque French bistroMap
Le Petit Vendôme · € · Jambon-beurre sandwichesMap
Getting there: Metro Line 9 – Charonne from République · 7 min · €2.50
🍸 Nightlife · 22:00+
Le Baron Rouge
Wine by the barrel, standing, alongside locals.
⭐ 4.5 · €€ · Wine from the barrel · charcuterie
Other great options nearby
Little Red Door · €€€ · World-ranked cocktail barMap
Ten Belles · € · Filter coffee · cinnamon bunsMap
Getting there: Metro Line 8 – Ledru-Rollin from Bastille · 4 min · €2.50

Day 2 — Neighborhoods & Local Flavor

☀️ Morning · 09:00 – 12:00
Marché d'Aligre
Neighborhood market with cheeses and coffee at the counter.
⭐ 4.5 · €€ · Neighborhood market with cheeses and coffee at the counter.
Getting there: Metro Line 8 – Ledru-Rollin from Bastille · 4 min · €2.50
🍕 Lunch · 12:30 – 14:00
Le Petit Vendôme
Legendary jambon-beurre sandwiches.
⭐ 4.5 · € · Jambon-beurre sandwiches
Other great options nearby
Clamato · €€€ · Seafood small plates · natural wineMap
Chez Aline · € · Parisian sandwichesMap
Getting there: Metro Line 3 – Opéra from Châtelet · 6 min · €2.50
🏛️ Afternoon · 14:30 – 18:30
Musée Rodin & Gardens
Open-air sculpture, the quietest museum in the center.
⭐ 4.5 · €€ · Open-air sculpture, the quietest museum in the center.
Getting there: Metro Line 13 – Varenne from Invalides · 3 min · €2.50
🍷 Dinner · 19:30 – 21:30
Dinner at Septime La Cave
Natural wines and small plates, no reservation.
⭐ 4.6 · €€€ · Natural wine bar · small plates
Other great options nearby
Le Petit Vendôme · € · Jambon-beurre sandwichesMap
Clamato · €€€ · Seafood small plates · natural wineMap
Getting there: Metro Line 9 – Charonne from République · 7 min · €2.50
🍸 Nightlife · 22:00+
Little Red Door
World-class cocktail bar, in the Marais.
⭐ 4.7 · €€€ · World-ranked cocktail bar
Other great options nearby
Ten Belles · € · Filter coffee · cinnamon bunsMap
Belleville & Street Art · €€ · Panoramic view over the city from Parc de Belleville.Map
Getting there: Metro Line 8 – Filles du Calvaire from Bastille · 6 min · €2.50

Day 3 — Art, Coffee & Hidden Gems

☀️ Morning · 09:00 – 12:00
Sainte-Chapelle
Stained glass first thing in the morning, the light is spectacular.
⭐ 4.5 · €€ · Stained glass first thing in the morning, the light is spectacular.
Getting there: Metro Line 4 – Cité from Gare du Nord · 9 min · €2.50
🍕 Lunch · 12:30 – 14:00
Clamato
Seafood with no reservation needed, in Bastille.
⭐ 4.5 · €€€ · Seafood small plates · natural wine
Other great options nearby
Chez Aline · € · Parisian sandwichesMap
Bouillon Chartier · €€ · Belle époque French bistroMap
Getting there: Metro Line 8 – Charonne from Bastille · 5 min · €2.50
🏛️ Afternoon · 14:30 – 18:30
Belleville & Street Art
Panoramic view over the city from Parc de Belleville.
⭐ 4.5 · €€ · Panoramic view over the city from Parc de Belleville.
Getting there: Metro Line 11 – Belleville from République · 6 min · €2.50
🍷 Dinner · 19:30 – 21:30
Dinner at Septime La Cave
Natural wines and small plates, no reservation.
⭐ 4.6 · €€€ · Natural wine bar · small plates
Other great options nearby
Clamato · €€€ · Seafood small plates · natural wineMap
Chez Aline · € · Parisian sandwichesMap
Getting there: Metro Line 9 – Charonne from République · 7 min · €2.50
🍸 Nightlife · 22:00+
Le Baron Rouge
Wine by the barrel, standing, alongside locals.
⭐ 4.5 · €€ · Wine from the barrel · charcuterie
Other great options nearby
Belleville & Street Art · €€ · Panoramic view over the city from Parc de Belleville.Map
Substance Café · € · Competition-grade espressoMap
Getting there: Metro Line 8 – Ledru-Rollin from Bastille · 4 min · €2.50

Day trip idea: Versailles · 45 min by RER C from Paris Austerlitz → Versailles Château · ≈ €4.40 / one-way

Where to stay in Paris

Budget / boutique

Hôtel Jeanne d'Arc Le Marais

Paris · Le Marais · ⭐ 8.6 · €€ · ≈ €120–160 / night

Check availability

Mid-range

Hôtel des Grands Boulevards

Paris · 2e arrondissement · ⭐ 8.9 · €€€ · ≈ €210–280 / night

Check availability

Luxury

Le Bristol Paris

Paris · Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré · ⭐ 9.3 · €€€€ · €900+ / night

Check availability

Flying in from overseas

What travelers from the US, Canada, Australia and Asia need to sort out before a long-haul trip to Paris.

Flight time & jet lag: Most long-haul flights land in Europe early morning. Plan a light first day — a walk and an outdoor lunch beat a museum. This 3-day plan keeps day 1 gentle so you can push through to a local bedtime.
Entry requirements: US, Canadian, Australian, Japanese, Korean and Singaporean passport holders enter the Schengen Area visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180, but must register for ETIAS online before departure. Passport should be valid 3+ months past your return date.
Phone & data (eSIM): Skip roaming charges: install a Europe-wide eSIM (Airalo, Holafly or your carrier's international day pass) before you leave home. One eSIM covers the whole trip, including day trips across borders.
Power adapters: Type C/F outlets at 230V. US and Canadian travelers need a plug adapter; check that hair tools are dual-voltage.
Money & cards: Tap-to-pay works nearly everywhere in Paris. Use a card with no foreign transaction fee, always choose to be charged in the local currency, and carry about 20 in small bills for markets and restrooms.
Airport to city: Book nothing in advance for the airport run — Paris has a train or express bus that beats a taxi on both price and time. The transport section below has the official operator and ticket app.

Full long-haul planning guide

Practical tips for France

Transport & tickets: SNCF Connect for trains · RATP Bonjour app or Navigo Easy in Paris · contactless Tap & Go accepted on metro gates
Tipping & payments: Service included · round up or leave 5% for great service · Tap & Go contactless / Apple Pay at Navigo Easy validators on the metro and RER.
Emergency numbers: 112 · Police 17 · Ambulance 15
Power sockets: Type C / F · 230V

When to go: events in Paris

Marché de Noël Tuileries
Nov 17 – Jan 5 · Christmas market
Stalls, an ice rink and a big wheel in the Jardin des Tuileries.
Fête de la Musique
Jun 21 · Festival
Free concerts on every street in the city.
Nuit Blanche
October · Festival
Museums and installations open all night.
Roland-Garros
May – Jun · Sporting event
The clay-court tournament at Porte d'Auteuil.

Day trips from Paris

Versailles
45 min by RER C · from Paris Austerlitz → Versailles Château · ≈ €4.40 / one-way
Hall of Mirrors · Le Nôtre Gardens · Hameau de la Reine
Giverny (Monet's House)
50 min train + shuttle · from Gare Saint-Lazare → Vernon-Giverny · ≈ €16 / one-way
Water lily garden · Monet's studio · Lunch in the village
Reims & Champagne
46 min by TGV · from Gare de l'Est → Reims · ≈ €28 / one-way
Gothic cathedral · Taittinger cellars · Champagne tasting

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3 days in Paris, France — an hour-by-hour plan with real restaurants, hotels at every budget and local transit tickets. Built for travelers flying in from the US, Canada, Australia and Asia.

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