Ile de la Cite is the small island in the center of Paris that is home to Sainte-Chapelle and Notre Dame. It is the historic heart of Paris. In front of Notre Dame is a plaque on the ground marking Point Zero (Point Zero des Routes de France), the historic center of Paris. Also on Ile de la Cite is the Au Vieux Paris, one of the prettiest cafes in Paris.

Without a doubt, the Eiffel Tower is one of Paris’ most recognizable landmarks. For many people, it’s thrilling the first time you see the Eiffel Tower. And for first-timers, a visit to Paris would not be complete without a trip up the Eiffel Tower. Pro Travel Tip: The line to visit the Eiffel Tower can be epic (we’re talking a 2 to 3 hour wait). To avoid this nightmare, book your tickets in advance. How far in advance? As soon as you know your dates of travel. I have heard recent .....reports that tickets are now selling out as far as 1 to 2 months in advance. If tickets are sold out for your dates of travel, you can book a tour for skip the line access to the Eiffel Tower. Here are three highly rated tours that allow you to skip the line at the Eiffel Tower. Show less

This is one of the best spots to watch the sunset. The Sacre-Coeur sits on the highest hill in Paris so you can enjoy a stunning panorama of the city. If you want, you can climb the dome of the Sacre-Coeur for an even higher view. Just expect to share this spot with a lot of other people.

This is my favorite view of Paris. There’s just something about looking down the Champs-Elysees to the Louvre, out to La Defense, and of course, having one of the best views of the Eiffel Tower. It’s beautiful during the daytime, but at night you can watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle. The view on a cloudy April day Champs-Elysees at night

Versailles is a royal chateau located on the outskirts of Paris. In 1682, King Louis XIV moved the Royal Court from the Louvre to the Palace of Versailles. For a little more than 100 years, this was the seat of government for France. That ended in 1789 with the French Revolution. The monarchy moved back to Paris and since then, the city of Paris has remained the seat of government for France. During your visit to Versailles you will tour the palace and stroll through the gardens. Getting here: Take RER C .....from Paris to Versailles. This journey takes approximately 45 minutes. Since Versailles is outside of the city your travel card (if you have one) will not be valid for this trip. In the metro station you will have to purchase a separate round trip ticket to get to and from Versailles. It costs 7.10€. This detailed post explains how to get from Paris to Versailles. Hours: The palace is closed Mondays; open at 9 am; The gardens and the park are open every day and are free to visit.Cost: 18€ to tour the palace; 20€ for the palace and gardensMuseum Pass: The Museum Pass covers your entry into the palace, the Trianon, and the estate of Marie-Antoinette. It does not cover the musical gardens. You will have to purchase this ticket separately (and you should do so in advance) for 8.50€. Show less

The British Museum is one of the world’s greatest museums. This museum contains a massive collection of historical artifacts that were amassed while Great Britain was a major world super power. See the Rosetta Stone, a portion of the Parthenon, Egyptian mummies, and hieroglyphics. As you wander through these rooms you will be amazed at how much stuff the British Empire gobbled up during their world rule. The British Museum website has lots of great information on how to organize your time and how to keep kids interested. To have the .....best experience, check out their recommendations. Show less

The Louvre is the world’s largest art museum. This building was once the home to French Kings, including Louis XIV. During the French Revolution in the 18th century, the Louvre was converted to a museum. The Louvre is massive and you could literally spend days here. However, you can see the highlights (Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and the Winged Victory) in just an hour or two.

Musee d’Orsay houses the largest collection of Impressionist art in the world. It is here that you can see Monet, Manet, Degas, Cezanne, Renoir, Van Gogh, Gaugin and more. It’s literally a collection of the who’s who in the Impressionist art world. This museum is more than just Impressionist art. The building is also a work of art. Musee d’Orsay was once Gare d’Orsay, an old train station, which was renovated and became this art museum. Musee d’Orsay is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm, with hours until .....9:45 pm on Thursday. The museum is closed on Monday. Tickets cost €14, free with the Museum Pass. You can purchase a combination ticket with Musee de l’Orangerie for €18. Tickets can be purchased online in advance.  Show less

Some of the tour boats in Paris also offer lunch cruises on the Seine. If you would prefer to see all the highlights of Paris on the Seine during daylight hours these lunch tours would be a great option for you.  Also, families with young children who prefer not to stay up too late will really appreciate having this experience during the day.

Disneyland Paris is not in the heart of Paris. It is in the suburbs west of Paris. The cheapest way to get to there is the RER (which is the commuter train line) in Paris. Make sure you take the RER train to the Marne-la-Vallée/ Chessy Station, which is the stop for Disneyland Paris. The train takes about 45 minutes and is quite comfortable. You can buy your train fare at the station. Be sure to see if you can buy roundtrip tickets to avoid the lines on the way back. .....The train stop is literally right in front of the park, which was very convenient. Show less

15-minute walk from Sainte-Chapelle Obviously, the Luxembourg Gardens are most impressive in the spring and summer, but they’re worth visiting regardless of time of year: the gardens feel distinctly Parisian and are a joy to visit. The Luxembourg Palace sits to one side, and be sure to stop by to admire it. If you want to take a peek at some of the garden’s hidden treasures, the Medici Fountain and Luxembourg Gardens’ very own beehives are both nearby.

If you do not spend all day in Versailles and get back to Paris during the afternoon, there are several spots to try. Take your pick from one of three museums, the Rodin Museum, the Pompidou Center, or Musee de l’Orangerie, or visit Pere Lachaise Cemetery. See our Paris itinerary post for full details. Pere Lachaise Cemetery

This is another art museum that offers great views over Paris. Ride the series of elevators up to the upper level for views across the rooftops to the Sacre-Coeur, Notre Dame Cathedral, and, of course, the Eiffel Tower. Travel Tip: Don’t feel like wandering around the art museum? For just 5€ you can purchase a ticket to the top of the Pompidou simply to enjoy the view of Paris. Travel Tip #2: On top of the Pompidou Centre is Georges, a French restaurant with views over the city.

 The Petit Trianon, a smaller palace on the grounds, was a refuge for those longing to escape the formality of the larger palace. Its most famous occupant was Marie Antoinette, who struggled with the lack of privacy and intense scrutiny she endured as queen. When residing at The Petit Trianon, the young monarch was able to better control her company.

If you follow this 3 days in Paris itinerary, a full Paris Pass likely won’t be worth the money unless you are going to be using a lot of transportation. If you want access to benefits like a Hop-On-Hop-Off bus tour, you may want to consider it. However, the Paris Museum Pass is a different story: by following this 3 day Paris itinerary, you willat least break even financially by purchasing the Paris Museum Pass, and the skip-the-line capabilities at popular attractions (including the Louvre and Versailles) combined with the ease of .....having your tickets already in hand are worth the effort of acquiring a pass. Plus, if you’re the type who likes to pack your sightseeing days even fuller than what we have laid out here, you’ll have an easy incentive to add on trips to the Pantheon, Conciergerie, and Centre Pompidou, which are also included with the pass. Our advice? With this itinerary, buy the Paris Museum Pass. However, if you are planning to skip some of the museums or viewpoints on this 3 day Paris itinerary, it may be better to purchase individual skip-the-line tickets for each attraction. Purchase your Paris Museum Pass today! Show less

Montmartre is one of Paris’ most popular neighborhoods to visit. Wander the maze of hilly streets, have your portrait drawn at Place du Tertre, and have a drink at one of many cafes that spill out onto the streets here. Related:10 Day London Paris Itinerary

A ride on the London Eye is another ultra-touristy thing to do in London, but if this is your first time in the city, it’s thrilling to look down on the River Thames, Parliament, and out at the London skyline. Have dinner and go to bed early to get that much needed sleep. For full details on visiting London, I highly recommend you read our 5 Day London Itinerary post, which provides a similar but more in-depth itinerary, with trip costs, opening hours of attractions, money saving tips, maps, and links to .....buy all of your tickets online. Show less

Descend under the streets of Paris and tour the labyrinth of tunnels lined with human bones. In the 18th century, cemeteries around Paris were cleared and the bones were moved to these underground tunnels. Now, this is the final resting place of six million Parisians.

The Seine is the heart of Paris, and a walk along its banks takes you past some of the city’s most famous sights. But you’ll probably have to dodge people selling knock-off handbags and flashing Eiffel Towers along the way too. For a more low-key waterside experience, why not head to one of Paris’ canals. Closest to the city is the Canal St Martin, a 4.5km waterway which has nine locks and links the Seine to the Basin de la Villette. There are trendy cafés, boutiques and bistros set along the .....water’s edge and the shady banks are packed with picnickers on summer evenings. You can walk or cycle along the towpath or take a boat trip along the canal – part of which goes underground. Or if that’s still sounds too busy, you can head further out to the Canal de l’Ourcq, which runs for 100km to the north-east of the city and has a pathway for walkers, rollerbladers and cyclists. Show less

Montparnasse Tower is the ugly, dark skyscraper that stands out like a sore thumb when you look out across Paris. But from the top of this eyesore you have one of the most spectacular views in Paris. There are two levels to visit, the 56th floor, which is completely enclosed by windows, and the observation terrace on the roof. This is also completely enclosed by glass panels but there are a few strategic openings in the glass for your camera.

Your French river cruise will pass right by Notre-Dame de Paris, the stunning medieval Catholic cathedral.  It is considered one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture with its pioneering use of the rib vault and flying buttresses.  It boggles my mind that this spectacular building was completed by 1260! The world was shocked and saddened when the cathedral caught fire on April 15, 2019, sustaining serious damage.  Reconstruction of the cathedral began almost immediately. The French government has mandated that the cathedral be restored to its original glory.  Reconstruction is .....expected to continue for at least five years and it is not open to the public during this time. We were able to see Notre-Dame from our cruise, covered in scaffolding.   Sadly, I haven’t seen Notre-Dame in all it’s original glory but I hope to be able to do so as soon as work is complete. Ile de la Cité, the medieval heart of Paris, is also home to the Conciergerie.  From the 10th to the 14th century, this was the home of the Kings of France before they moved across the river to the Louvre. It also has a grisly past.   The Conciergerie was used as a prison beginning in the late 14th century.  During the Reign of Terror from 1793 to 1794, thousands of people were executed via guillotine at the Conciergerie.  Marie Antoinette was held there. The Conciergerie was de-commissioned in 1914 and has since been designated as a national historic monument, although parts are still used as law courts. Show less

Palais Garnier is the world famous opera house in Paris. Operas and ballets are performed here and this opera house is the setting for the book and musical “The Phantom of the Opera.” Inside, the Opera House is opulent, ornate, and stunningly beautiful. During your visit you can tour the opera house or watch a performance.

The Paris Pont des Arts bridge, near the Louvre, has love locks too. Thousands of them. Many more than I ever saw along the Via Dell’Amore trail. Apparently, everyone wants to lock their love in one of the most romantic cities in the world. Me too. We bought a small gold lock, which had three keys attached, for five euros from a brilliant vendor who stood at one end of the bridge. The merchant even supplied a selection of colored markers to write our tender message with. I penned a simple Pete ❤️ Annette. Pretty standard stuff. That’s about as romantic as we .....get. There were clusters of locks clipped to almost ever nook on the Pont des Arts bridge, which made it hard to find the perfect location to secure our devotion. After pacing up and down the bridge a few times, I ended up selecting a spot that was not on the chain portion of the fence, instead it was attached to another padlock, so it perfectly dangled. We then threw our 3 keys that came with the lock into the Seine river, so the lock could never be reopened, securing the love forever. Show less

The district was named for Jean-Baptiste Pigalle, a celebrated sculptor during the mid-18th century. If Pigalle were alive today, he most certainly wouldn’t be pleased that his name is linked to Paris’s red-light district. However, to be fair to the Pigalle neighbourhood, the area is not just about all things x-rated. The area was once a hub for many artistic types. Toulouse Lautrec had his studio here. Edgar Degas lived at No. 6 Boulevard de Clichy. Other painters like Picasso, Van Gogh and Maurice Neumont also once lived here. And .....up the hill of Montmartre is the Espace Dalí Montmartre where an impressive collection of Salvador Dalí’s works can be enjoyed. To the south of Place Pigalle and especially along rue de Douai, there are many stores selling musical instruments and accessories. The Musée de l’érotisme (Museum of Eroticism) is at 72 Boulevard de Clichy.  There are also plenty of cafes, brasseries, restaurants, souvenir shops and money change agencies in the area. Show less

Cross Pont de la Tournelle to the Left Bank. Walk along the Seine. As you approach Pont de l’Archeveche you get a beautiful view of Notre Dame. Pont de l’Archeveche makes a great photo spot of the cathedral. Continue the stroll along the Seine until you reach Musee d’Orsay.

Even if you are not into shopping, I would highly recommend visiting the Galeries Lafayette. Its grandiose and opulence is unexpected for a department store. They also have a rooftop terrace that is open to all and offers panoramic views of the buildings and monuments of Paris, including the Eiffel Tower. Address: Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, Boulevard Haussmann, Paris, France

This is definitely one of the colder Disney Parks since it is located in Paris, so make sure to pack some warm clothes. We were there in June and needed jackets, especially for the evening. *Pro Tip – Pack a Small but Strong Umbrella – We ended up needing to pay for one at the park that was destroyed in just a few days. 

If you are looking for something to do in the evening, why not experience the most famous cabaret in the world? Colorful can-can dancers take the stage nightly at the Moulin Rouge. Shows are offered at 7 pm, 9 pm, and 11 pm. Visit the Moulin Rouge website for full details.

This is the most extravagant bridge in city. Decorated with nymphs, cherubs, and golden statues, Pont Alexandre III spans the Seine, joining the Grand Palais with Les Invalides. You may recognize this bridge from movies including James Bond: A View to Kill and Midnight in Paris.

The sheer diversity of Paris' 20 arrondissements helps explain the city's enduring popularity with tourists. Paris hotels are spread far and wide, though certain quarters house more attractions than others. Le Marais is at the heart of the city and close to several major attractions, including The Louvre. On the left bank of the River Seine is the lively Latin Quarter, where the city's bohemian student population hold sway. The northwestern fringes are where you'll find the Champs-Elysees, while on the other side of the city is the artistic enclave of Montmartre – .....each offering their own unique versions of Paris accommodation. Show less

Let usbegin with the menu item Angelina is most famous for: the incredibly thick, rich, and somehow not overbearing chocolat chaud à l’ancienne dit “l’Africain” (or simply, the old-fashioned hot chocolate). At 8.20€ a piece it doesn’t come cheap, but the hot chocolate is a dessert in itself and comes with a serving of fresh whipped cream on the side to allow you to sweeten the drink to your liking.

6-minute walk from Shakespeare & Company Two cathedrals in one morning? For ones as epic as these–yes, absolutely. Sainte-Chapelle boasts one of my favorite cathedral interiors in the world, but you likely won’t notice when you first enter: the first floor is rather typically decorated and quite dark. Climb up to the second floor, though, and you’re in for quite a show: nearly every inch of the 50-foot walls (about 15 meters) are covered in elaborate stained glass. It is colorful, magical, and absolutely beautiful–I haven’t seen anything quite like it anywhere else in .....the world. Skip the line at Sainte Chapelle & purchase your ticket in advance! Show less

Getting to the city center from Charles de Gaulle Airport is super easy. You just need to get the RER line B (Blue) direction Paris, and you will get to metro stations like Gare du Nord, Châtelet Les Halles, Saint-Michel Notre Dame, Luxembourg. The ticket will cost €10,30.

Favorite gardens:  Palais Royal, obviously, and the Tuileries Gardens Favorite window shopping street:  I really don’t know – I’m not a shopper – but when I need clothes, I go to Rue de Rennes Favorite market:  Our local market at Sainte Eustache on Sunday morning and Thursday afternoon. Favorite spot for a tea or coffee: A priori thé in Galérie Vivienne for the décor and Verlet in Rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré for the coffee Favorite value for money restaurants: Le Mesturet, L’Imprimerie, L’Arbre Sec, La Grille Montorgueil, Louise and the Royal Valois, all .....within walking distance, are our favourite haunts. Thanks so much to Rosemary for sharing her experience.  Even though I’ve visited Paris numerous times, I’ve learned plenty of new places to visit next time! Show less

Undoubtedly a walking city, many of Paris' best-loved attractions are within easy walking distance of each other. However, one of the most fun ways to truly experience the city is by taking a ride on the Paris Metro. Beloved by locals and tourists alike for its scale, its offbeat Art Nouveau architecture and the sheer convenience of traversing the city's oft-clogged streets underground, the Metro is a Parisian institution. Line 6 is a favourite with tourists and offers picturesque views of several prominent attractions. For a less aesthetically pleasing but equally .....useful train-travel experience, you can take a Paris RER train out to Disneyland Paris on the eastern outskirts of the city. Show less

The Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay are Paris’ biggest and busiest museums. But once you’ve seen the Mona Lisa and Monet’s waterlilies, there are a whole host of smaller – and in some cases much weirder – museums across the city to explore. If you’re interested in science and industry, you could try the Musée des Arts et Métiers museum of industrial design, and make sure you don’t miss the amazing steampunk-style Metro station beneath the museum. If you’re interested in natural history, check out the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle next to .....the Botanic Gardens. Or for anthropology and artefacts from around the world try the Musée du Quai Branly, along the river from the Eiffel Tower. Or if that’s a bit too mainstream, Paris also has museums dedicated to fairground rides, stuffed animals and the police. And look out for special exhibitions, like the Atelier des Lumières which uses projections of artworks by Van Gogh and Klimt set to music to create an immersive art experience. Show less

Soak up some live music on a spring afternoon at the annual Festival Jazz à Saint-Germain-des-Prés (9–20 May in 2020). The event’s been held in the area since 2002 and has a mix of free and paid-for shows, with big international names as well as young emerging talent. There are outdoor events in the Place Saint-Germain-des-Prés as well as concerts in lots of interesting venues like the Odéon Theatre, Sorbonne University and Saint-Germain-des-Prés church. Read more: Paris walks: A self-guided St Germain walking tour

The Père Lachaise Cemetery is the final resting place of many legendary personalities like Jim Morrison, Molière, Edith Piaf, Oscar Wilde, Richard Wright, among others. Meander through the grounds or climb to the top of the cemetery to see all the extravagantly designed tombs and crypts.

426 rooms (80 of which can be visited), 83 staircases, 282 fireplaces all situated in the largest enclosed forest park in Europe (over 5,000 hectares) which is said to be as big as the city center of Paris. Chambord’s grandeur and enormous size makes it one of the most awe-inspiring and one of the most visited castles in the Loire Valley. Some of Chambord’s highlights include the revolutionary design double helix staircase by Leonardo da Vinci, the stone ceiling with 800 carvings of crown salamander sigils, as well as the rooftop .....which is adorned with impressive spires and chimneys. It is here on the rooftop, where visitors can get breath-taking panoramic views of the entire property including the gardens and park. Show less

A must do while you’re here at the Paris Disneyland! This ride launches you into your outer space adventure!! They even have the special Star Wars edition now up and running that takes riders through the Rebel Alliance’s mission into a hyperspace battle! Perfect for those adrenaline seekers and Star Wars lovers alike!

50-minute walk or 30-minute metro ride from the Louvre. Are your feet killing you yet? If so (and depending on the time), you may want to consider a metro ride at this point. If not, we highly recommend the long walk along the Seine to the Trocadero Gardens, which will take you along some beautiful Paris views and past the famous Pont Alexandre III bridge. Regardless of how you get there, we can’t imagine a better way to end your first day in Paris than with one of the very best views of the Eiffel Tower.

Journey out to La Defense (and leave the crowds behind) for a view from the top of La Grande Arche. This view may not have the same “wow factor” as those from the Arc de Triomphe or Notre Dame Cathedral, but from here you can most of Paris sprawling out in front of you.

After lunch, head across the road to the Panthéon or “temple of the Republic” as it is sometimes called. Before my recent trip to Paris, I didn’t know much about the Panthéon, but since it was included in the Paris Pass I made sure to pay a visit. This place is im-press-ive! A real gem. I learned that it was originally built as a church dedicated to St. Genevieve, the patron Saint of Paris. Today, it functions as a secular mausoleum containing the remains of distinguished French citizens. In the crypt are the .....remains of Voltaire, Victor Hugo, and Marie Curie amongst many others. Show less

This elegant garden is full of fountains, ponds and sculptures, providing the perfect setting for a relaxing stroll. The French-style landscaped garden is between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde and during the summer, it comes to life with a carnival featuring rides for children, food stalls and games. A quiet place that is in the middle of the city yet seems like it is far away, I would definitely recommend a quick walk to enjoy the beautifully bloomed colourful flowers and sprawling green grass fields.

Paris is a large city, but it is surprisingly easy to get around. The city is made up of 20 arrondissements, or districts, starting with the 1st in the center (this is where you’ll find the Louvre), and spiraling outward from there. Outside of the 20 arrondissements, you get into the suburbs of the city, which can sometimes be the less safe areas of Paris–though as a tourist, you’ll likely have no reason to venture out there. When deciding where to stay in Paris, try not to put too much stock .....in being near any particular attraction. Paris’ main sights are spread far and wide in its arrondissements (a few examples: the Eiffel Tower is in the 7th, the Louvre in the 1st, Montmartre in the 18th, and Notre Dame in the 4th), and wherever you end up staying, you’ll be traveling through the city during your stay. Show less

The golden doors of the Petit Palais are one of the most instagrammable places in Paris–but to snap photos of them closed (and therefore at their most photogenic), be sure to arrive before the museum opens at 10am or on a Monday, when it’s closed all day. On the other hand, the interior of the building contains the Museum of Fine Arts and it is completely free to visit–so if you stop by during business hours, you’ll have a chance to enjoy the museum.

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Also on Île de la Cité, just a few minutes walk from Notre Dame, is the beautiful Sainte-Chapelle. This royal chapel is located within the walls of Palais de Justice (formerly known as Palais de la Cité), the former residence of the Kings of France until the 14th century. To visit the chapel you have to get through the security line at Palais de Justice. The royal chapel was commissioned by King Louis IX of France to house his collection of relics, including Christ’s Crown of Thorns—one of the most important relics in medieval Christendom. 

What better way to end your Paris trip than by watching the sun set over the Eiffel Tower with a bottle of wine or a picnic. Grab some food, grab some friends and take in the true ambience of the surrounding area from Champ De Mars! One of the most chilled out Eiffel Tower photo spots in Paris. Book your Eiffel Tower Tickets: Eiffel Tower Second Floor Priority Access

Stroll across the bridge and take in the view down the River Thames. You can also climb the tower to an elevated glass floor (click here to learn more). From here, it’s a thrilling look down at the pedestrians, cars, and buses traveling over London Bridge.