France / City guide

Paris

The Eiffel Tower, Louvre and Montmartre in three days

This first-visit plan has three parts: the Eiffel Tower and Seine, the Louvre and Tuileries, and Montmartre. Check ticket availability for the tower and museum first, then arrange the days accordingly. The walks connect named places; they do not require entering every building along the way.

See the three-day itinerary Find flights to Paris

Paris, France

Length of stay3 days, plus travel days

SeasonApril–June or September–October

Getting aroundMetro between routes; walk within each area

01 / Suggested itinerary

Three days in Paris

Follow the stops in order or choose the parts that interest you. Rearrange the days around your booked entry times.

01
Day 1
The Eiffel Tower and Seine
1. Trocadéro — begin with the view towards the Eiffel Tower.
2. Eiffel Tower — cross Pont d'Iéna for a booked visit or a view from ground level.
3. Pont Alexandre III — follow the river east and finish at the bridge.
Start on the Trocadéro side of the river and cross towards the tower. Adjust the order around your ticket if going up. Then continue east along the Seine.
02
Day 2
The Louvre and Tuileries
1. Louvre — begin with your booked museum visit.
2. Jardin des Tuileries — walk west through the garden.
3. Place de la Concorde — finish at the square beyond the garden's western end.
Choose which parts of the Louvre you want to see beforehand. After the museum, continue outdoors to the west. Move this day if it falls on a Tuesday, when the museum is normally closed.
03
Day 3
Montmartre from Abbesses to Sacré-Cœur
1. Place des Abbesses — start in the square and head uphill into Montmartre.
2. Place du Tertre — continue to the square near the basilica.
3. Sacré-Cœur — finish at the viewpoint in front of the basilica.
This is the shorter of the three routes and can be combined with the Marais later, using the metro between areas. Expect steps and uphill sections.

02 / Areas

Areas to explore

Le Marais

Museums and shops

Choose the Marais for Musée Carnavalet, Place des Vosges and smaller shops. It offers an alternative to another major sight if you want to spend an afternoon exploring a neighbourhood.

Saint-Germain-des-Prés

Cafés and the Luxembourg Gardens

Combine the streets around Saint-Germain-des-Prés church with a walk towards the Luxembourg Gardens. The area suits cafés and walking without committing to a booked museum day.

Montmartre

Sacré-Cœur and views

Montmartre sits on a hill. The route from Abbesses to Sacré-Cœur involves changes in level; the funicular provides an alternative for the final ascent to the basilica.

03 / Season

When to go

Spring and autumn

March–May · September–October

Good seasons for walks along the Seine and through the Tuileries. Conditions can change during the day; bring rain protection and an extra layer.

Summer

June–August

Light evenings provide more opportunities to see the city after dinner. In hot weather, tackle Montmartre's steps early and check whether your accommodation has air conditioning.

Winter

November–February

Shorter days suit a museum visit paired with a shorter outdoor route. Visit viewpoints in daylight and check holiday opening arrangements.

04 / Arrival

Airports and transfers

Your airport affects both journey time and cost. Check which one is on your ticket.

CDG

Paris–Charles de Gaulle

RER B runs to Paris. Check the route from your terminal to the train and the connection to your hotel. Your ticket must cover airport travel.

ORY

Paris–Orly

Metro line 14 serves the airport. Compare the route to your accommodation with CDG; the nearer airport does not always mean easier connections.

BVA

Paris–Beauvais

Substantially farther from Paris. Aérobus provides transfers. Check the current stop, onward metro journey and total cost before booking the flight.

05 / Before you travel

Practical tips

The Louvre is normally closed on Tuesdays

Reorder your days if necessary. The museum recommends time-slot reservations even for visitors eligible for free admission.

Check what your tower ticket includes

Check which levels and parts of the tower are included before buying your ticket.

Choose accommodation around a metro line

Compare connections to Trocadéro, the Louvre and Montmartre. A hotel requiring fewer changes can be more convenient for these routes than a more central address.

Sources and updates11 November 2026

The itineraries are compiled by Nemello. Practical details have been checked against the sources below. Check current opening hours, tickets and transport with each operator before travelling.

Photo: Andrew Boersma / Unsplash