3-DAY Paris, France | Europe ITINERARY

Paris, France's capital, is a major European city and a global center for art, fashion, gastronomy and culture. Its 19th-century cityscape is crisscrossed by wide boulevards and the River Seine. Beyond such landmarks as the Eiffel Tower and the 12th-century, Gothic Notre-Dame cathedral, the city is known for its cafe culture and designer boutiques along the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, per Google.

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To read about My Travels, click here. 

ACCOMMODATIONS

AirBnB close to 4th Arrondissement for the classic Paris vibe

Hotel: Le Pavillon de la Reine ($$$), Hôtel Marais Paris Caron de Beaumarchais ($$)

CLIMATE

The winter months, December through February, are cheapest while milder times are April to June or October to early November. I visited in June and had perfect weather conditions just before summer heat. 

ENVIRONMENT

Language is French but generally everyone knows another language and some English

Currency: Euro (EUR, €); if your exchange rate here

LIFESTYLE

Paris attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Besides the historical significance, Paris offers delicious food, fashion forward attire and beautiful as well as must see art work. A busy city with very active tourism that won't break your budget if you're cautious; this was a trip I saved for. The atmosphere is ideal for a friends reunion, romantic getaway or a family vacation.

Day one

9 AM - Check-in and drop off bags at the hostel

Venture to Place de la Concorde at the end of Champs-Elysées, then through the iron gates to The Tuileries & Carrousel Gardens

• Cafes are along the side of the park - should you need a caffeine break​

Photo moment at the Louvre Pyramid​

10:30 AM - Visit the Louvre; time spent is 2 hours, $18

• Sights to see: ​Mona Lisa, Winged Victory of Samothrace, Dying Slave, Venus de Milo, Lamassus, Liberty Leading the People, Great Sphinx of Tanis, Venus with Three Graces, Law Code of Hammurabi, The Duchess of Villars, where the Pyramid comes through and the Dungeon

1 PM - Lunch at Le Fumoir around the corner ($$$, Modern European)

2 PM - A favorite museum of mine, Musée d’Orsay; time spent is 2-3 hours, $14​

• Can you find: Small Dancer Aged 14, Luncheon on the Grass, The Circus, Bal du Moulin de la Galette, Banquette de fumoir, Origins of the World, La rue Montorgueil, Fugit Amor, Starry Night and Polar Bear

4:30 PM - Walk down Champs-Elysées for shopping and arrive at the Arc de Triomphe

5:30 PM - Take the tour to the top; time spent is 1 hour, $14

6:30 PM Grab a quick dinner as you make your way to the Eiffel Tower

• I had a crepe from a street vendor and it was the most delicious thing I've eaten - and had the luxury of eating it while waiting in line

Jump in line to venture to the top of the Eiffel Tower; time spent 1.5 hours, $20

• ​​ Back up a ways from the tower and enjoy at night with a twilight show

• Can you see the Statue of Liberty? There are 3 around the world​.

• If you don't want to chance or wait in line → Skip-the-Line Admission Tickets, $41

Day Two

Breakfast at La Crêperie ($$, Creperies)

9 AM - Visit the Panthéon; time spent is 1 hour, $11

• Make sure to note who's buried beneath you ​

10:30 AM - Catacombs Tour; time spent is 2 hours, $92, there are 130 steps and it's cold so wear walking shoes and bring a jacket​

Lunch at Contre Allée ($$$, French)

2 PM - Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Paris; time spent is 1.5 hours, free

• Walk behind to the beautiful little garden​

Visit the art market, musicians and other street performers around the area as you make your way to Shakespeare and Company bookshop

4 PM - Centre Georges Pompidou for awesome street performers

Back to the hostel to get ready for the evening festivities 

7 PM - Moulin Rouge Dinner Show; time spent is 3+ hours, $110

Day Three

8:30 AM - Big breakfast at Claus - La Table du Petit-Déjeuner ($$$, Brunch & Breakfast)

11 AM - Hidden Gems & Secret Paris Tour; walking tour - time spent is 1.5 hours, free but tips are appreciated 

• Since we rushed around a took in as much as possible, this walking tour is a perfect way to get a history lesson and see sights you may have missed​

Check out of the hostel

Goodbye Paris. Head Home.

• ​Or take a train to Rome or Paris if you can extend your trip

MY TRAVELS

I was lucky enough to have Paris as a stop while taking the train from Spain to Rome. My friends and I added an extra weekend to tried to see all the highlights possible. While it may have been a quick stop, Paris is set up to be foot-friendly so getting around to see everything, drank everything was very possible. During the day you might be jumping from stop to stop, but at night the whole city transforms into a magical lite up paradise that you will stop to stare at.

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Favorite Moment was eating my crepe sitting on the lawn watching the Eiffel Tower light up at night for the twinkle show. Met a couple who live in Paris and come out once a month to see the lights. They mentioned that each night the show has been different which surprised me. How could something so lovely have been considered for demolition. 

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Least Favorite Moment was the subway/train stations, they were dirty to say the least. It smelled and was un-kept and over disappointing from most of Paris. Not sure why the stations were neglected in such a manner but it was nasty.

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Paris was a great stop and I look forward to returning and seeing more than we could in a weekend. If you're planning a trip, add an outside city to your itinerary like Rome or Paris. It's a simple night train and you wake up in a new city to explore. That's ideal travel. 

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Au revoir, 

Itinerary Traveler