Day 1: The Artistic Side of Paris
Visit the iconic Louvre Museum to admire its vast collection of art including the famous Mona Lisa painting. Then, head to Montmartre, the artsy neighborhood to explore its quaint streets and visit the world-famous Basilique du Sacré-Cœur. End the day by watching a captivating cabaret show at the Moulin Rouge.
Day 2: Historical Paris
Begin the day at the Notre-Dame Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece where you can discover its hidden gems including the treasury and the crypt. Walk to the Panthéon, a neoclassical temple and final resting place for some of the country's most notable figures including Victor Hugo and Marie Curie. Spend the afternoon at the Musée d'Orsay, a museum with a spectacular collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art.
Day 3: Living Like a Local
Start the day with a visit to a quaint Parisian food market to experience a truly local way of life. Enjoy the rest of the morning at the Champ de Mars, a park with mesmerizing views of the iconic Eiffel Tower. Next, explore the charming Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood filled with vintage shops and traditional patisseries. End the day by experiencing a stunning view while dining at one of the carefully curated rooftop restaurants in Paris.
Time and Cost Estimates
Louvre Museum (2-3 hours, €17)
Montmatre including Sacré-Cœur (3-4 hours, €0)
Moulin Rouge show (2 hours, €120)
Notre-Dame Cathedral (2-3 hours, €0)
Pantheon (1-2 hours, €9)
Musée d'Orsay (2-3 hours, €14)
Food market visit with lunch (2-3 hours, €15)
Champ de Mars including the Eiffel Tower (2-3 hours, €0)
Paris has an extensive public transportation system including metro, buses, and trams. It's best to get a Paris Visite card which allows visitors to travel on all public transit services. A one-day pass costs €13.20, while a five-day pass costs €65.70. If you need to take a taxi, the starting fare is around €2.50, and the average cost is around €1.50 per kilometer.
Useful Tips
If you have more time, consider visiting Versailles Palace to experience the opulence of French royalty. Alternatively, you can visit the Père Lachaise Cemetery to discover the final resting place of other notable figures including Jim Morrison and Oscar Wilde. If you have less time, consider visiting the Rodin Museum to admire the sculptures of the master artist.
Airports
Paris has two major airports, Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) and Orly Airport (ORY). CDG is the main international airport, located around 25 km northeast of the city center. Orly is also a major airport, located around 16 km south of the city center. Both airports are well-connected by public transportation, including the RER train and buses.