Paris in 3 Days Itinerary: Smart Routes, Maps & Insider Tips

Morning (09:00–12:00): Louvre Museum

• Official ticket: louvre.fr (€22 adult, under-18 free).

• Enter via Carrousel du Louvre mall to avoid pyramid queues.

• 90-minute highlights loop: Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, Winged Victory, Liberty Leading the People.

• Accessibility: Step-free entrance at Carrousel; wheelchairs available.

Insider detour: Passage Vivienne for bookshops and coffee (10 min).

Lunch: Picnic in Jardin des Tuileries (toilets & ramps near the basin).

Afternoon (14:00–17:00): Île de la Cité loop

• Sainte-Chapelle (book timed slot).

• Notre-Dame exterior + Archaeological Crypt (€9).

• Hidden spot: Square du Vert-Galant for Seine views.

Evening (17:30–21:00): Seine Cruise + Dinner

• Boat tours: €14–€20, sunset recommended.

• Dinner in Saint-Germain (Rue de Buci) or picnic by Pont Alexandre III.

💶 Budget today: €60–€140 depending on meals and tickets.

🗺️ Map:

Embed Google Maps walking route: Louvre → Tuileries → Île de la Cité → Seine Cruise.

Morning (09:30–12:00): Musée d’Orsay

• Official site: musee-orsay.fr.

• Head straight to Impressionists on Level 5.

• Accessibility: step-free entry available.

Midday (12:15–13:30): Les Invalides

• Compact museum + Napoleon’s Tomb.

• Picnic on Esplanade des Invalides if sunny.

Afternoon (14:30–18:30): Eiffel Tower + Champ de Mars

• Official site: toureiffel.paris.

• Options:

  • Summit ticket (book weeks ahead).

  • Free viewpoints: Trocadéro, Bir-Hakeim bridge.

• Hidden photo spots: Rue de l’Université 228, Allée des Cygnes.

• Accessibility: lifts to 2nd floor; summit access varies.

Evening: Dinner on Rue Cler or Passy.

💶 Budget today: €40–€150 depending on Tower entry.

🗺️ Map:
Orsay → Invalides → Eiffel Tower loop.

Option A – Montmartre & Marais

Morning (09:00–12:30): Montmartre

• Route: Abbesses → Wall of Love → Place du Tertre → Sacré-Cœur.

• Accessibility: use Montmartre funicular (ticketed).

• Hidden spot: Musée de la Vie Romantique (free, garden café).

Afternoon (14:00–18:00): Le Marais

• Place des Vosges, Musée Carnavalet (free).

• Rue des Rosiers for falafel.

• Optional: Centre Pompidou (€15).

Evening: Wine bars (Mary Céleste or Les Enfants du Marché).

Option B – Day Trip to Versailles

• RER C train (~35 min, €7.10).

• Tickets: chateauversailles.fr (€21–€28).

• Route: Palace → Hall of Mirrors → Gardens → Estate.

• Accessibility: free wheelchairs, garden train for long distances.

💶 Budget today: €35–€130 depending on option.

🗺️ Map Embed:
Montmartre loop OR Paris → Versailles RER route.

• Best Months to Visit:
  April–June and mid-September–November are ideal. Expect pleasant weather, blooming gardens in spring, and crisp autumn walks along the Seine.

• Crowd-Heavy Periods:
  June–August (peak summer tourism), Christmas, and Easter weeks bring the longest queues and highest hotel prices. Pre-booking tickets is essential.

• Late Openings Advantage:

  • Louvre: Friday nights until 9:45 PM – far fewer crowds.

  • Musée d’Orsay: Thursday nights until 9:45 PM – ideal for Impressionist fans.

• Rainy Day Plan:
  Paris shines indoors. Opt for Centre Pompidou, Musée d’Orsay, or Les Invalides. Explore covered passages (e.g., Passage des Panoramas) for cafés and shopping while staying dry.

• Museums:
  Major sites such as the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay offer priority entries for visitors with reduced mobility. ID or proof of eligibility may be required. Free admission is often extended to a companion — check the official sites in advance.

• Montmartre Access:
  Instead of tackling steep staircases, take the Montmartre Funicular (same ticket as the Metro). It connects the lower station at Place Saint-Pierre to the Sacré-Cœur in under two minutes.

• Metro & Public Transport:
  Paris Metro is only partly accessible, but the RATP app (official Paris transport app) provides live elevator and escalator status updates.
  For easier navigation, consider the RER suburban trains or accessible bus routes, which have more step-free options than the Metro.

• Extra Tip:
  Many central attractions (e.g., Tuileries Garden, Seine riverbanks) have flat, paved paths suitable for wheelchairs and strollers.

Related posts

• Related: Top 10 European Landmarks to Visit in Your Lifetime

• Related: Eiffel Tower — Paris, France 

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is 3 days enough for Paris?
Yes — 3 days in Paris is enough to cover the highlights if you cluster attractions by neighborhood (Right Bank, Left Bank, Montmartre/Versailles) and pre-book tickets. With smart planning, you can see the Louvre, Orsay, Eiffel Tower, Montmartre, and even Versailles as a day trip.

Do I need skip-the-line tickets?
For major attractions like the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, and Eiffel Tower, skip-the-line or timed-entry tickets are essential. They typically save 30–90 minutes of waiting during peak seasons and guarantee entry.

Which day is best for visiting Versailles?
Avoid Mondays since the palace is closed. The best time is spring or summer, especially on fountain show days (weekends) when the gardens come alive. Arrive early to make the most of the day.

Can I visit Paris with limited mobility?
Yes. Many major museums (Louvre, Orsay) have priority entries and elevators, Montmartre offers a funicular, and the RATP app shows live accessibility updates for Metro and buses.

How much does a 3-day Paris trip cost?
A reasonable range is €120–€250 per adult per day, depending on museum passes, dining choices, and transport (Metro pass vs taxis).