3 Days in Paris: A Perfect Itinerary

By Lee Dales
Published: July 18, 2024
Bateaux Parisiens

Paris is a timelessly charming city that definitely has the power to seduce if you know where to go and what to see. Its famous sights are elegant and iconic, from the slick Eiffel Tower to its chic city streets filled with quaint cafés and dazzling boutiques.

Home to world-class fashion houses, endless Michelin-starred restaurants and beautiful architecture at every turn, it has a grand old reputation that is sometimes hard to live up to. But if you give yourself ample time to explore the city and get under its skin, you’ll find all of the romance and grandeur you could ask for. Just give yourself three days at a minimum to experience it!

Three days in Paris must-see sights:

  • Arc du Triomphe
  • The Louvre
  • Notre Dame
  • Montmartre tour
  • Paris Cheese and Wine Tasting
  • Seine River cruise
  • Dalí Museum

Day 1 – Iconic City Symbols

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Arc du Triomphe

The Arc de Triomphe is pretty darn masterful. It’s a monumental Parisian emblem that stands guard over perhaps the most visually impressive avenue in the world, the Champs-Élysées. Appreciate the monument’s grand 19th century beauty before strolling down the famous boulevard towards the must-see Musée de Louvre.

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The Louvre

The Louvre is a world-renowned museum and a true grand dame of Parisian art and architecture, featuring over 35,000 pieces of amazing artworks in an opulent palace. Its most famous resident is probably the Mona Lisa painting by Leonardo da Vinci, but its futuristic pyramid-shaped entrance is also a key highlight.

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Notre Dame

No one should visit Paris without seeing the exquisite Medieval Cathedral Notre Dame, complete with stunning stained-glass windows. Its decadent Gothic structure has truly stood the test of time, surviving numerous wars and even a fire in 2019. Despite these obstacles, it still stands tall and beautiful, though there are a few scary-looking gargoyles hidden in some of its decorative crevices...

Other major architectural sites of note include the Paris Opera House, the Gardens of Trocadéro and the extravagant Grand Palais exhibition center. A good way to make your way to all of these is with a handy Hop-on-Hop-Off bus tour, included with your pass.

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Disneyland® Paris

If you came to Paris on the search for thrill rides and magical lands, then you could forgo the above options and spend a whole day instead at Disneyland® Paris!

Comprising two awesome theme parks peppered with rides, rollercoasters, experiences and shows featuring all your favorite characters, there really is something for everyone here.

Don't miss the magnificent nightly fireworks spectaculars at Sleeping Beauty's Castle that run all through 2022 in celebration of the park's 30th anniversary!

Day 2 – The Belle Époque

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Magical Montmartre

After an action-packed first day visiting the city’s key buildings, relax with a splash of indulgence as you live the beautiful life in the city’s spectacular streets. The district of Montmartre is the perfect place to do this thanks to its historic cobblestoned streets sprinkled with colorful buildings, cute cafés and fine boutiques.

Sitting in the shadow of the white-domed Sacré-Cœur basilica, and home to the famous Moulin Rouge cabaret show, this arty district is synonymous with the cultural icons who lived here during the city’s Belle Époque, from Picasso and Van Gogh to Monet.

Take a walking tour of the neighborhood to learn all about its fascinating history, enjoy a charming ride aboard the Petit Train de Montmartre, or indulge in Champagne Gourmand at the renowned restaurant Au Cadet de Gascogne, all included with your pass.

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Cheese and Wine Tasting

Continue to satisfy your senses by sampling some of the city’s finest produce with a French cheese and wine tasting session at Les Caves du Louvre wine bar.

This renowned establishment offers over 50 different wines by the glass to try, and a knowledgeable sommelier will help you pick ones that suit you best. You’ll also have the chance to refuel with a delectable selection of French cheeses.

Originally established by King Louis XV's sommelier, you know that this is the place to try the very best produce of France.

Café Couture

Next up, it’s time to shop ‘til you drop in the city’s renowned boutiques. As the home of Paris Fashion Week, luxe lovers will rejoice with the range of famed fashion houses on offer like Chanel, Dior and Givenchy around Rue Royale and Rue Cambon. The historic Galerie Lafayette department store is also a great option for everything from clothes and homewares to furniture and books.

You can also seek out great antiques at the city’s many flea markets such as Puces de Clignancourt, so there’s something for everyone. Once you’re weighed down with bags, find a fancy café to relax in and while away the rest of your day over coffee and sweet French pastries. Café de Flore is an atmospheric choice.

Day 3 – River relaxation

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Bateaux Parisiens

A visit to Paris simply isn’t complete without a trip down its picturesque River Seine. A cruise down this beautiful river will allow you to see the city from a whole new perspective as you float past everything from the Notre Dame to Musée d'Orsay while enjoying jaw-dropping views at a leisurely pace.

You’ll be able to see these views from open-air observation decks on the boat, giving you a fantastic opportunity to take great pictures of the sights as you glide past them. The scenic riverbanks were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991, so expect some truly lovely vistas.

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Dalí Museum

Round off your bewitching three-day trip with a dash of surrealist splendor from Salvador Dalí. This famous Spanish painter lived in Paris for a time in the creative Montmartre neighborhood, where he met Pablo Picasso and joined the Surrealist art group to further develop his avant-garde style.

Over 300 pieces of his are housed in the unique Dalí Museum, which showcases a vast range of colorful paintings, drawings and sculptures from the artist, making it one of the most important museums in the whole of Paris, if not the world.

With Go City, this unmissable attraction is free to enter and offers a fantastic chance to see one of the world’s most important artists.

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Explore a wealth of amazing things to do in Paris with Go City. Select from top attractions with our All-Inclusive and Explorer Passes, where you’ll enjoy access to must-see museums, exciting river cruises, fun tours and much more.

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Lee Dales
Go City Travel Expert

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Why we love Paris in February

What could be better than a trip to the City of Love for Valentine’s Day? If you’re wondering if February is a good time to visit Paris, the answer is hell yes! Whilst Paris in February may not have the new growth of spring or the heat of summer, it does have a surprising number of events to look forward to. What’s more, although you might think Paris in February would be packed out because of the presence of Valentine’s Day, the month sits firmly within the city’s low season meaning there’s fewer other visitors and the possibility of cheaper hotel rates too. Here are just some of the reasons we love Paris in February. Paris without the crowds Although you can never say that Paris is free of visitors, it certainly can seem like that when comparing the flow of people into the city’s museums in February to that during the months of July and August. So why not take advantage of the reduced crowds to get up close with the Mona Lisa in the Louvre or climb the 674 steps to the viewing platforms of the Eiffel Tower with a guide in tow. The one exception is the big day of February 14 itself, when entry to the tower is regularly booked up months in advance. If you’re planning to pop the big question, don’t get caught out by this! Celebrate Crepe Day One of Paris’s lesser-known celebrations, Crepe Day nonetheless holds a special place in the hearts of many Parisians. Taking place on February 2, it stems from the Catholic festival of Candlemas or La Chandeleur. It seems to have developed out of the Popes of centuries past giving food to the poor as part of the mid-winter holy day. It has become a way of marking the last days of winter and the first days of spring. Look out for special dinner menus incorporating all things crepe, or grab one from a stall during the day. Discover the bizarre love stories of Versailles Perhaps the grandest estate ever built, the Palace of Versailles and its expansive gardens became one of the first UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1979 such is its importance. The main residence of the kings of France for 200 years, its rooms and corridors have seen their fair share of strange love stories. For instance, Louis XIII never allowed his queen to spend a single night here. To wander these historic spaces, where gold glints off crystal, marble and old master paintings, is an ideal thing to do on an overcast February day whether you’re traveling as a couple, as a group or if you’re a solo visitor. See Paris at its most glamorous The end of February welcomes many of the world’s top models to the boulevards of the French capital for the half-yearly Paris Fashion Week. The country’s top designers and fashion houses – the likes of Chanel and Dior – host lavish events to coincide with the release of their latest collections. Many take place in unique settings such as the Grand Palais exhibition hall and the Carrousel du Louvre underground shopping mall. Should you arrive in Paris at the beginning of the month instead, you don’t have to miss out on the opportunity for some retail therapy. Great savings can be had with the end of the winter sales period – stores of all budgets slash their prices even further. Revel in the Chinese New Year festivities Firecrackers popping around Paris. Performers leaping to the sound of cymbals. Colorful parades taking over the streets. It can only be Chinese New Year, which falls at the start of February (or very end of January). Paris’s size means it’s able to boast several ‘Spring Festival’ celebrations. The largest happens in the 13th arrondissement’s Asian Quarter (Quartier Asiatique). The area’s street parade usually has around 2000 participants with ancestry in China and its neighboring countries. But that’s nothing compared to the 200,000 who turn up to get involved and admire the meticulously choreographed lion dances and sample traditional New Year cuisine. Join the carnival parade Chinese New Year isn’t the only street festival to take place in Paris in February. There is also the small matter of the Paris Carnival, or La Promenade du Boeuf Gras, coinciding with Mardi Gras. Held in one form or another since the 16th Century, the carnival starts with a parade of masked figures at Place Gambetta in the 20th arrondissement. It makes its way to the Place de la République where the celebrations continue as a street party. Make a day of Paris’s monuments to love Offering views of Notre Dame Cathedral,, the Pont des Arts is better known to many as love lock bridge. Literally millions of padlocks marked or engraved with lovers’ initials have been attached to its railings – creating a sea of metalwork estimated to weigh around 45 tons. Amidst the winding streets of Montmartre lies the 40 square meter Wall of Love. Made up of over 600 individual ceramic tiles, they include the words ‘I love you’ roughly 300 times in 250 different languages, including Inuit and Esperanto. No words are needed to visit the heart of Voltaire, situated beneath a marble statue of the writer-philosopher in the Salon d’honneur (Hall of Honor) at the National Library. But if that’s a little bit ghoulish, you can instead hover above the buildings of Paris with a romantic balloon ride on the Ballon de Paris Generali – the world’s largest. Explore the hidden side of Paris Taking place over a long weekend, the Face Cachée (Hidden Side) event is another wonderful thing to do in Paris in February. Around 120 venues and organizations are involved in creating unique experiences. They allow the public to enter parts of the city usually closed off, or experience events they would never otherwise be able to. There are no such limitations with the Palais Garnier Opera House – the reputed home of the Phantom of the Opera. It opens its doors throughout February for self-guided and guided tours of its extraordinary interiors. Ways to save in Paris in February Checking out the discount rails of the department stores isn’t the only way to save in Paris in February. Go City All-Inclusive and Explorer passes get you a great deal on admission to many of the city’s top attractions. All you need to do is pick the right pass for you and start exploring to save!
Ian Packham
The Eiffel Tower from across the River Seine
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Should you visit Paris in August?

A few short years ago August would have been seen as a terrible time to visit Paris. And whilst some still stick to this old cliché, many others, us included, now see August as one of the best times of year to visit the French capital. Why the about face? It’s simple really. Although hotels might ratchet up their prices, Paris in August enjoys great weather and a plethora of events sure to have you returning year after year. Relive Seurat’s A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte The River Seine rightly takes the limelight when it comes to the best loved things to do in Paris in August. And let’s face it, why wouldn’t it? What could be better than enjoying a drink or late-night DJ set from aboard one of the peniche boat bars moored along its banks? Or opting for a river cruise passing by the city’s most famous sights on a warm mid-summer evening? Or even the chance to flop into a deckchair, as if you’re in the south of France rather than the center of the capital? The latter is possible thanks to the Paris Plages program of beaches and pools which crop up along the right bank of the Seine in July and August each year. If you prefer your seas a little warmer, head instead to the Aquarium de Paris. Suitable for adults as much as younger visitors, its tanks contain everything from jellyfish to sea turtles and no less than four species of shark. Delve into the capital’s history One of the most important occasions in Parisian history is marked on August 25 – at the Liberation of Paris Festival. It commemorates the surrender of Nazi forces in August 1944 to a mix of Free French, British and American troops. The festival kicks off at midday with firemen replicating the climb up the Eiffel Tower to unfurl the French tricolore. This is followed by a parade and then music at the Hôtel de Ville. The Order of the Liberation Museum is open daily for anyone interested in the full story. To pay your respects to the great and the good of French history, consider instead the Latin Quarter’s Panthéon. Built by King Louis XV to house the relics of the city’s patron saint, after the French Revolution it was converted into a national mausoleum. Among the 80 burials and memorials are those to philosopher Voltaire, writer Victor Hugo and Nobel prize winning scientist Marie Curie, one of just a handful of women honored. On the western edge of the nearby Jardin du Luxembourg stands one of several replicas of the Statue of Liberty in Paris. It’s one of around one hundred statues dotted about the garden, at 1/16th the scale of the New York original. Paris in August with the kids Younger visitors to Paris may not appreciate the significance of events such as the Liberation of Paris Festival. But they certainly won’t get bored with the number of child-friendly things to do in Paris in August. With the added bonus of soothing tired legs, an open-top Hop-on Hop-off bus is a great way to connect up sights from the storefronts of the Champs-Élysées to the gothic masterpiece of Notre-Dame Cathedral, which has survived revolution and fire during its 800 year history. Thrill seekers should instead turn their attention to Parc Astérix. The second-largest theme park anywhere in France, it boasts over 40 attractions, including seven rollercoasters and a further seven water rides. All are based on the comic book series following the lives of ancient Gaul’s tribes. Meanwhile, the Place de la Concorde is occupied from July until the end of August with the Fête des Tuileries. An authentic traditional funfair, attractions here include a tin can alley, hook-a-duck, carousels and stalls selling candy-floss and freshly-made donuts. Make the most of the summer weather Yet another reason to stay in Paris in August is the giant screen belonging to the open-air movie theater which stands amongst the trees of Parc de la Villette in northern Paris. Bring a picnic, rent a deckchair and a blanket, and enjoy evening screenings of everything from French indie cinema to cult classics. Movies are shown in their original language with French subtitles as necessary. Few subtitles are needed for the Rock en Seine festival, which literally rocks the Domaine National de Saint-Cloud park at the historic gates of Paris over three days in August. Creating a memorable contrast with their 17th-Century surroundings, the five stages host internationally-renowned bands such as Royal Blood and Eels alongside homegrown up-and-coming talent. Summer in Paris doesn’t come to an end until the arrival of the Tréteaux nomades traveling festival at Montmartre arena. Almost impossible to pigeon-hole, the festival uses French characters you’ll know and love from classic works – for example Quasimodo and Cinderella – in totally new and sometimes subversive ways. Enjoy first class art It’s difficult to visit Paris in any month of the year without a stop at the Louvre, dominating the right bank of the Seine. With enough artworks to keep you busy for an entire lifetime, highlights include the da Vinci’s Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. Almost immediately opposite on the rive gauche (left bank) stands the beaux arts edifice of the Musée d’Orsay. Built as a railway station in 1898, it has been a gallery dedicated to French art since a major renovation in 1986. Monet, Degas and Gauguin are all well represented. Fans of modern art need look no further than the Musée National d’Art Moderne at the Pompidou Center – Europe’s biggest modern art museum. A who’s who of the 20th-Century art world, its walls hang with greats including Pablo Picasso, Frida Kahlo and Willem de Kooning. Save on attraction admission in Paris in August One of the sunniest months of the year in the French capital, Paris in August is not to be avoided as some would have you believe. Alive with summertime activities and outdoor events, it is in fact a great time to visit Paris. Make the most of your trip by saving on admission to many of the top attractions with Go City. The All-Inclusive Pass allows you to see as many attractions as you like within a given period at reduced cost. The Explorer Pass gives you 60 days in which to marvel at up to seven different attractions.
Ian Packham

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