WAYFINDER
Paris, France

3 days in Paris

France

Facts checked on 16 October 2026: places, local transport and prices.

History & Heritage

History and heritage of Paris

Paris developed from the Roman settlement of Lutetia and became the political and cultural center of France during the Middle Ages. Medieval churches, royal monuments, Haussmann boulevards and Belle Époque architecture reveal the city's successive eras of influence.

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

    • Budget / Street Food

      Le Petit Vendôme

      Jambon-beurre sandwiches

    • Mid-Range / Traditional Trattoria

      Bouillon Chartier

      Belle époque French bistro

    • High-End / Fine Dining

      Clamato

      Seafood small plates · natural wine

    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

    • Budget / Street Food

      Le Petit Vendôme

      Jambon-beurre sandwiches

    • Mid-Range / Traditional Trattoria

      Bouillon Chartier

      Belle époque French bistro

    • High-End / Fine Dining

      Dinner at Septime La Cave

      Natural wine bar · small plates

    Getting there: Metro Line 9 – Charonne from République · 7 min · €2.50

  • 🍸 Nightlife · 22:00+

    • Budget / Street Food

      Ten Belles

      Filter coffee · cinnamon buns

    • Mid-Range / Traditional Trattoria

      Le Baron Rouge

      Wine from the barrel · charcuterie

    • High-End / Fine Dining

      Little Red Door

      World-ranked cocktail bar

    Getting there: Metro Line 8 – Ledru-Rollin from Bastille · 4 min · €2.50

Historic insight & vintage spot

Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen

The vast flea-market district gathers antique furniture, fashion, posters and curios across more than a dozen markets.

View on map

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

    • Budget / Street Food

      Chez Aline

      Parisian sandwiches

    • Mid-Range / Traditional Trattoria

      Bouillon Chartier

      Belle époque French bistro

    • High-End / Fine Dining

      Clamato

      Seafood small plates · natural wine

    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

    • Budget / Street Food

      Le Petit Vendôme

      Jambon-beurre sandwiches

    • Mid-Range / Traditional Trattoria

      Bouillon Chartier

      Belle époque French bistro

    • High-End / Fine Dining

      Clamato

      Seafood small plates · natural wine

    Getting there: Metro Line 9 – Charonne from République · 7 min · €2.50

  • 🍸 Nightlife · 22:00+

    • Budget / Street Food

      Ten Belles

      Filter coffee · cinnamon buns

    • Mid-Range / Traditional Trattoria

      Le Baron Rouge

      Wine from the barrel · charcuterie

    • High-End / Fine Dining

      Little Red Door

      World-ranked cocktail bar

    Getting there: Metro Line 8 – Filles du Calvaire from Bastille · 6 min · €2.50

Historic insight & vintage spot

Passage des Panoramas

Opened in 1799, this glass-roofed arcade retains stamp dealers, old shopfronts and intimate historic restaurants.

View on map

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

    • Budget / Street Food

      Le Petit Vendôme

      Jambon-beurre sandwiches

    • Mid-Range / Traditional Trattoria

      Bouillon Chartier

      Belle époque French bistro

    • High-End / Fine Dining

      Clamato

      Seafood small plates · natural wine

    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

    • Budget / Street Food

      Le Petit Vendôme

      Jambon-beurre sandwiches

    • Mid-Range / Traditional Trattoria

      Bouillon Chartier

      Belle époque French bistro

    • High-End / Fine Dining

      Clamato

      Seafood small plates · natural wine

    Getting there: Metro Line 9 – Charonne from République · 7 min · €2.50

  • 🍸 Nightlife · 22:00+

    • Budget / Street Food

      Ten Belles

      Filter coffee · cinnamon buns

    • Mid-Range / Traditional Trattoria

      Belleville & Street Art

      Panoramic view over the city from Parc de Belleville.

    • High-End / Fine Dining

      Little Red Door

      World-ranked cocktail bar

    Getting there: Metro Line 8 – Ledru-Rollin from Bastille · 4 min · €2.50

Historic insight & vintage spot

Café de Flore

This 1880s café became a meeting place for writers and philosophers and preserves its red banquettes and mirrored walls.

View on map

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

Day trips from Paris

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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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