Map-Organized 3-Day Paris Itinerary from the Latin Quarter

Morning

Start at Place du Trocadéro around 8:30–9:00am, when the esplanade is quieter and the light is usually best for wide views of the Eiffel Tower. From the Latin Quarter, take Metro line 10 from Maubert–Mutualité toward La Motte-Picquet–Grenelle, then change for line 6 to Trocadéro; allow roughly 25–30 minutes. Spend about 45 minutes around the Palais de Chaillot and the fountains, then walk across the Seine toward the tower. Allow extra time for security at the Eiffel Tower and keep your reserved entry time in mind. A second-floor or summit visit takes around 2½ hours; tickets vary, but expect roughly €18–€36 depending on access and lift or stairs. Book well ahead through the official website, especially for September.

Lunch

Have lunch at Le Jules Verne, inside the Eiffel Tower, ideally with a reservation timed immediately after your tower visit. This is a long, special-occasion meal—allow about 1½ hours—and the tasting menus are typically around €100–€250 or more per person, before drinks. The restaurant’s lift has a separate access arrangement, so follow the reservation instructions rather than assuming your regular tower ticket applies. If you prefer a lighter pace, keep the meal leisurely but avoid adding another stop here; the afternoon is best spent walking.

Afternoon and Evening

From the tower, walk or take Metro line 6 from Bir-Hakeim toward Charles de Gaulle–Étoile, then stroll east or west along the Champs-Élysées for about 1½ hours. The avenue is touristy but enjoyable when treated as a grand promenade: browse the upper-end shops, pause at a café, and look back toward the Arc de Triomphe as it comes into view. Finish at Arc de Triomphe, allowing 1–1½ hours for the monument and rooftop panorama. Enter via the underground passage at Place Charles de Gaulle—do not try to cross the traffic circle—and expect roughly €16 for standard adult admission. The rooftop involves a substantial staircase, so arrive by about 4:00–4:30pm to leave time before closing; hours vary seasonally, and the last admission is earlier than closing. From Charles de Gaulle–Étoile, return to the Latin Quarter by Metro line 6 to Montparnasse–Bienvenüe, then line 4 toward Saint-Michel or Châtelet, allowing about 30 minutes.

Morning

Begin around 8:15am with Notre-Dame de Paris on Île de la Cité. From the Latin Quarter, it’s easiest to walk across Pont de la Tournelle or take the short walk to Saint-Michel–Notre-Dame; allow roughly 15–20 minutes. The cathedral is free to enter, though timed reservations may be offered through the official website, and security queues are generally shortest early. Allow about an hour to admire the restored interior, then take a few minutes along the riverside Square Jean-XXIII for the classic east-end view.

Walk five minutes to Sainte-Chapelle for a late-morning visit of around an hour. Its jewel-like stained glass is best seen when sunlight reaches the upper chapel, but this is also one of the day’s busiest stops, so reserve a timed entry in advance; tickets are commonly around €13. The entrance is inside the Palais de Justice complex, with airport-style security, so avoid bringing large bags.

Lunch and Afternoon

Continue over to Île Saint-Louis for lunch at Le Saint Régis, a relaxed traditional brasserie on Rue Jean du Bellay. Allow 1½ hours and budget approximately €25–€45 per person; the terrace is pleasant, but the indoor tables are a better refuge if the weather turns. After lunch, walk back toward the Right Bank via Pont Louis-Philippe and make your way to the Jardin des Tuileries—roughly 20–25 minutes on foot, or take Metro line 1 from Hôtel de Ville to Tuileries. Spend 1–1½ hours strolling the formal avenues, fountains, and tree-lined terraces toward the Louvre; the garden is free and generally open from early morning until evening, with closing times changing seasonally.

Late Afternoon

Finish at Palais Garnier, allowing about 1½ hours to explore the grand staircase, painted ceilings, and ornate public rooms. From Tuileries, take Metro line 1 to Concorde and change to line 8 for Opéra, or simply walk for about 25 minutes through the grand central avenues. Entry is usually around €15–€20, and visiting hours commonly run into the early evening, though performances, rehearsals, or special closures can affect access—check the official schedule and reserve ahead if possible. Allow a little extra time afterward to linger around Place de l’Opéra rather than trying to add another major sight.

Late Morning & Lunch

Start around 10:30–11:00am at Marché des Enfants Rouges, Paris’s oldest covered market. From the Latin Quarter, take Metro line 4 toward Châtelet or Hôtel de Ville, then walk north through the Haut Marais; allow about 20–25 minutes in total. Browse the stalls before choosing lunch—Moroccan couscous, crêpes, or the well-known Japanese counter are all good casual options. Allow about 1½ hours and €15–€30 per person; opening days and individual stall hours vary, so check before setting out.

Afternoon Exploring

Spend the next two hours wandering Le Marais, keeping the pace unhurried through Rue de Bretagne, Rue des Rosiers, and the quieter lanes around the historic Jewish quarter. This is the best part of the day for boutiques, small galleries, courtyards, and people-watching rather than trying to tick off every landmark. Continue southeast to Place des Vosges, roughly a 15-minute walk, and take 45 minutes beneath the arcades or on the central lawn. If you want coffee, Café de la Place des Vosges is convenient, though the surrounding side streets generally offer better value.

Late Afternoon & Evening

Around 4:00pm, take Metro line 4 toward Barbès–Rochechouart, changing for line 2 to Anvers; allow 20–30 minutes, or take a G7 taxi if you prefer to avoid stairs and crowds. Begin your two-hour wander through Montmartre from Anvers, climbing gradually via Rue des Abbesses, Rue des Saules, and the artists’ lanes around Place du Tertre. Keep belongings secure in the busiest stretches, and wear comfortable shoes—the hill is steeper than it looks. Finish at Sacré-Cœur Basilica, which is free to enter and generally open into the evening; allow about an hour for the interior and the broad city view from the steps. Arrive 30–45 minutes before sunset for the nicest light, but check the September sunset time and basilica hours closer to the date.