The Perfect 3-Day Paris Itinerary (+ A Bonus Day in Versailles)

Published by

kellylee55

on

June 21, 2025

Planning a short trip to Paris? Whether it’s your first time or a return visit, this 3-day Paris itinerary covers iconic sights, local favorites, and even a bonus day trip to Versailles. Expect beautiful views, buttery croissants, and just enough time to fall in love with the City of Light.

Arrival Day

Flight Path:

JFK ➝ CDG (Evening flight, 9:30 PM with arrival around 11:30 AM local Paris time)

Transfer:

Private Transfer to apartment rental (highly recommend – no stress involved)
Store Luggage if you arrive before check-in – there are luggage hold services (check where you are staying first and then search around that area – LuggageHero, Nannybag, Radical Storage, and Stasher are some popular ones)

Afternoon & Evening:

Grab a bite to eat at a Boulangerie (hello, first croissant of the trip!)
Visit Champ de Mars for Eiffel Tower views
Cross to Trocadéro (great photo ops & Olympic rings display)
Return to apartment to freshen up and for a quick rest
Dinner: Somewhere like Popu Bistro à Pizza on Rue Cler
Grab essentials from a local grocery store (coffee, water, etc.)
Early bedtime to reset

Day 1: Latin Quarter, Notre Dame & Luxembourg Gardens

Early Breakfast:

La Crème de Paris near Notre Dame – Quick and easy and right across the bridge from the Notre Dame. Tip: Get there early for no wait and order the Chicken Waffle for something savory and the Nutella crêpe for something sweet.

Morning Stops:

Notre Dame Cathedral opens at 8:00am
- Can purchase timed tickets 2 days in advance. My experience is that no timed ticket was needed, line moves quickly
- Reopened in 2025, while accessible there are still some areas under construction (check updates!)
Sainte-Chapelle
- Timed tickets available for advance purchase, without tickets expect a 15–30 minute wait depending on how busy it is.
- Closed on Mondays

Midday:

Walk across to the Latin Quarter
Panthéon (either a walk-by or purchase tickets to enter)
- Beautiful neoclassical church & crypt
- ~10 min walk from Sainte-Chapelle
Lunch near or in the Luxembourg Gardens
- Relax at a café with garden views, like Le Choupinet or Rosemonde or IN the Gardens at La Terrasse de Madame

Afternoon:

Luxembourg Gardens
- Sailboats, people-watching, sculpture strolls
- Optional: visit Luxembourg Palace (exterior)
Nearby Gems:
Parisian hand-painted boutique: Marin Montagut
Historic cafés: Les Deux Magots & Café de Flore
Sweets: Ladurée (macarons!)
Pharmacy finds: Citypharma (French skincare galore – don’t forget to get your SkipTax form if you spend over €100)

Alternate:

Art lover? Swap the gardens for Musée d’Orsay (closed Mondays, book tickets in advance)

Foodie? The Saint-Germain neighborhood in Paris is well-regarded for its culinary scene. Swap out spending time in the Gardens for a St. Germain Food Tour!

Saint-Germain Food Tours

Day 2: Arc de Triomphe, Louvre & Rooftop Views

Morning:

Visit Arc de Triomphe
- Timed tickets available online or wait ~30 min in line
- Great view from the top!
Walk the Champs-Élysées
- Great for window-shopping and people-watching
- Grab lunch at one of the lively cafés on the Champs-Élysées for great people watching. Or, grab a quick bite at a boulangerie.

Afternoon:

Louvre Guided Tour
- Highly recommend a guide — the Louvre is huge!
- Timed ticket required.
- Book in advance for priority access and expert insights

Louvre Guided Tour

Browse Carrousel du Louvre (underground shopping) and grab a snack on your way out to the Tuileries Garden
Walk to Tuileries Garden and find a nice shady bench to take a quick break and enjoy your snack.

Late Afternoon:

Visit Galeries Lafayette
- Don’t miss the free rooftop terrace
- Bonus: We caught a live Roland Garros match screening while visiting!

Dinner:

SUGO Pasta Fresca-Saint-Augustin at 7:30 PM
- Fresh pasta, made right in front of you. Cozy vibe.
- I can’t recommend this restaurant enough! Friendly staff, amazing food, and great wine.

Evening Walk:

Walk through Place de la Concorde
- Historic (and dramatic) site of French Revolution beheadings.
- And, for the Devil Wears Prada fans, you’ll recognize this fountain!

Day 3: Montmartre, Sweet Treats & Opera House

Morning:

Take the Metro to Montmartre (~30 min from central Paris).
Visit Sacré-Cœur Basilica
- Opens early; dome access opens later (around 10:30am — check times.
Stop at Carette for a legendary hot chocolate.

Explore the Neighborhood:

Stroll the charming cobblestone streets and shops.
Get some original or personalized art work from Les Artistes de la Place du Tertre
Snap a photo at the Wall of I Love You
Get a photo in front of the iconic Moulin Rouge windmill

Lunch Options:

Near Sacré-Cœur:
- La Maison Rose -iconic
- Le Poulbot — cute and classic.
- Place du Tertre – Several cafes with outdoor seating
Montmartre Area:
- Pink Mamma – Internet made-famous hotspot (book well in advance). Gorgeous interiors, adorable cocktails, and Italian-inspired dishes.
Sweet Treat Detour:
- Walk (~12 min) to Maison Louvard for the Instagram-viral Crookie (cookie croissant).

Afternoon:

Visit the opulent Palais Garnier – Stunning opera house — worth a visit even if you don’t go inside.
Get a sweet treat and coffee (also known as, Le Goûter) at the most glamorous Starbucks you’ve ever seen!

Dinner:

La Bourse et la Vie for classic French steak frites.

Alternate:

Book lover? The Bibliothèque François-Richelieu is worth stopping at for its historical significance, stunning architecture, and rich cultural offerings. Check out the Oval Room.

Foodie? Consider a Montmartre Food Tour. Montmartre is a neighborhood with a strong reputation for delicious food, including traditional French cuisine, charming patisseries, and diverse international flavors.

Montmartre Food Tour

Bonus Day: Versailles Day Trip from Paris

Want a royal escape? Add a Versailles day trip to your itinerary.

Getting There:

Take RER C from central Paris to Versailles Château Rive Gauche
~1 hour each way
Requires separate ticket from Paris Metro pass

Plan Your Visit:

Arrive at opening (9 AM)
Book the Versailles Passport ticket
- Includes Palace, Gardens, Grand Trianon, Petit Trianon, and Queen’s Hamlet

Pro Tip:

Versailles can be overwhelmingly large – definitely worth purchasing a Guided Tour to make sure you get the most out of your visit. Try this one where you’ll meet your guide in Paris and ride the train in together – Guided Versailles Tour From Paris
Rent a golf cart (or join a Guided Tour with Golf Carts that includes one) – the grounds are huge.
Must-sees in the palace:
- Hall of Mirrors, Royal Chapel, King’s Bedroom
- Grand Trianon & Petit Trianon – less crowded and full of charm
Free audio guides are fantastic

Versailles Guided Tours

Evening:

Head back to Paris
Dinner at a casual café near your accommodations
Catch the Eiffel Tower sparkle
- Starts at 10 PM, then every hour on the hour

Travel Tips for Paris

Public transport: Use the Metro or RER for easy navigation. Download Citymapper or Bonjour RATP for route help. We found it the easiest to use the digital Navigo Card in our Apple Wallet. We just added tickets as we needed them.
Closures: Most museums are closed at least one day a week – be sure to check. Ex: Versailles and Orsay are closed on Mondays. The Louvre is closed on Tuesdays.
Packing tip: Paris = a lot of walking. Comfy shoes are a must. Check out my previous post, Pack Light & Dress Right: A Capsule Wardrobe, 25+ Outfits for Europe, for more tips!
Reservations: Book major attractions, hot restaurants, and guided tours well in advance — especially in summer.
Consider a food tour if you’re a foodie — especially in the Latin Quarter or Montmartre.