How To See Paris In 3 Days: A Great Itinerary To Make The Most Of It

You don’t nearly get to see all the places to visit in Paris in 3 days, and you certainly can’t go in search of Paris hidden gems if it is your first time in the city.

But if that is all you have, I say you should definitely try to make the most of it! I have been to Paris multiple times, and each time marvel at this incredible city – easily one of my favorite cities in the world.

My typical tip for visiting Paris is to plan to spend around 5 days in the city. However, I am also realistic and I know that not all of you will have that much time to spend in the city. Don’t worry though. If you have 3 days in Paris, you can still see the most iconic attractions.

The best way to make the most of Paris in such a short time is to have an itinerary to follow and not to improvise. You will need to purchase tickets to most attractions in advance – that’s a requirement in many places that now work on a time-slot system.

If planning itineraries isn’t your cup of tea, you are in good hands. I actually think it’s fun! So, continue reading and discover how to make the most of Paris in 3 days. With my guidance, you are guaranteed to have a great time.

Paris In 3 Days – Itinerary Overview

Are you wondering about what to see in Paris in 3 days?, or asking yourself “are 3 days in Paris enough?” Don’t worry! While 3 days in Paris are not enough to see everything the city has to offer, you can still get a feel for the city.

My 3 days in Paris itinerary is based on the assumption that you are spending 4 nights in the city, and have 3 days in Paris. You may try to follow it if you are only spending 3 nights there – perhaps you are landing there very early on your first day, or flying out / leaving very late on your last day.

Let me start with a taster of what you will be seeing in Paris in 3 days:

Day One

Visit the most important museum in Paris and get incredible views of the city from various perspectives:

• Palais-Royal
• Louvre
• Arc de Triomphe
• Trocadero
• Eiffel Tower
• Seine River Cruise

Day Two

See some of the most iconic churches in Paris, then one of the city’s most important museums, then head to the quaintest neighborhood in the city.

• Notre-Dame Cathedral
• Saint Chapelle
• Shakespeare and Company
• Orsay Museum
• Montmartre

Day Three

Take a day trip to Versailles, then head back to the city for one last chance to admire the views at Tour Montparnasse.

I crafted this itinerary so that you get to visit attractions that are close to each other on the same day, and commuting is kept on a minimal level.

Visiting Paris Soon?

Even if you are planning a last-minute trip to Paris (in fact, even more so!), you should book your attraction tickets and tours in Paris ASAP to ensure availability. I recommend using GetYourGuide, my favorite tour provider which offers a variety of activities, flexible booking, and 24/7 support!

Let’s finally discover the best places to see in Paris in three days.

What To Do In Paris In 3 Days

Day 1

With just 3 days in Paris, you can’t linger on too long in any of the museums.

I still wanted to include the Louvre because it is a formidable building with an extensive collection that includes some of the most important pieces of art in history. You will only have enough time to see the highlights – perhaps a guided tour is a good idea so that you don’t have to find your way around.

Map of day one

To see the map of your day 1 itinerary, click here. I recommend taking the subway (it’s called metro in French) to get from the Louvre to Arc de Triomphe and, depending on the time, from there to the Trocadero.

You will be boarding your Seine river cruise directly from the Eiffel Tower.

Consider following the itinerary in reverse if you wish to dedicate more time to the Louvre and can take advantage of one of its late opening nights.

Palais-Royal

The Palais-Royal is one of my favorite lesser known places to visit in Paris. It’s close to the Louvre, but opens so early that it won’t take precious time from other attractions.

This palace was once the home of Cardinal Richelieu, who lived there until his death in 1642. It then became property of Philippe II Duke of Orléans, who held the throne for Louis XV when he became king at the age 5 in 1715.

Palais-Royal now houses the Constitutional Council and the Ministry of Culture. You can’t really visit the interior, but pop in to take photos of the fun art installation of striped columns of different sizes.

Palais-Royal opens at 7:00 or 7:30 am depending on the season. It is free to visit.

Louvre

There are many great museums in Paris, but you really have to narrow down the ones you visit if you have such a short time in the city. And you simply can’t skip the Louvre.

I have no doubt you will love this museum. First of all, it is a magnificent building. It once was the Royal Palace of Paris, and functioned as such until Louis XIV moved his court and the French Government to Versailles.

Soon after that, already in the early 18th century, the Louvre became an art gallery, and started gathering one of the most impressive collections of art in the world, with pieces from antiquity and beyond.

Marvel at the building: stop to look at the ceiling, admire the famous pyramid in the main courtyard. It was designed by the Chinese-American architect I. M. Pei (and back then it attracted a lot of criticism) and inaugurated on 4 March 1988 by the then President François Mitterrand – though it only opened to the public on 1 April 1989.

Of course, once you are inside the Louvre you will want to see Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. But don’t miss other impressive works such as the Wedding at Cana by Veronese; the Sleeping Hermaphroditus by Bernini; the Venus of Milo; the Winged Victory of Samothrace.

Now, let me help you plan your visit to the Louvre.

First of all, you need to know that the Louvre works on a time-slot system: you will have to buy tickets in advance, and these are time-sensitive (which means you need to specify a time for your visit, and be there around 15 minutes early to walk in via the fast-track lane and for the security procedures).

The Louvre is open every day but Tuesdays, from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm (it closes at 9:45 pm on Fridays). It is closed on 1 January, 1 May and 25 December. 

You should book the first time-slot so that after visiting you still have plenty of time to see the other attractions in the city.

You can get tickets on the Louvre official website. This is the most budget-friendly option.

You can also use GetYourGuide that also sells Louvre tickets. This third-party booking site helps you select a time slot for your visit and tickets cost as much as on the official website. You can also get fast track tickets to the Louvre on Tiqets.

Finally, fast-track tickets to the Louvre are also included in the Paris Museum Pass. You will have to visit the official website of the museum to book a time slot for your visit.

I actually recommend joining a guided tour – that’s what I did the first time I visited. The main advantage is having a guide that will take you around the museum so you don’t have to worry about keeping time and hitting the main pieces.

I recommend this masterpieces guided tour of the Louvre that lasts 3 hours and has free cancellation.

If your 3 days in Paris include a Friday, follow this itinerary in reverse and visit the Louvre as the last place of the day: it will be less crowded. You could also join this Closing Time At The Louvre: The Mona Lisa At Her Most Peaceful tour which starts at 6:45 pm.

If you need more details, my post How To Visit The Louvre is what you need to read.

Arc de Triomphe

You have two options to get to the Arc de Triomphe – take the subway or walk.

If you decide to take the subway, you need to hop on Line 1 from Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre and get off at Charles de Gaulle – Étoile. It takes around 15 minutes.

If you walk from the Arc de Triomphe Du Carrousel, behind the Louvre, it will take you around 50 minutes with no stops (it’s about 3.5 km or 2.1 miles) but along the way you can see the Tuileries Gardens, Place de la Concorde and the Champs-Élysées. The latter is lined with many restaurants so it may be a good place to stop for lunch.

It’s really up to you what you prefer doing – but if you decide to take the subway, you will have more time to go up the Arc de Triomphe.

The arch, which is 50 meters (164 feet) tall, is located on Place de l’Etoile, at the western end of the Champs-Elysées. It was built to celebrate war victories and to pay respect to the many people who died during the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars. 

The views from the terrace are lovely – you get to see La Défense, the modern side of Paris, as well as the Eiffel Tower, and it is also quite an impressive building to see.

If you wish to ride the elevator (or climb the stairs) to the terrace, make sure to use the underpass – you may be tempted to cross the roundabout, but it’s one of the busiest places in Paris so it’s quite dangerous!

The Arc de Triomphe is open every day. Opening times can be seen on official Arc de Triomphe website. It is closed on 1 January, 1 May, 8 May (morning), 14 July (morning), 11 November (morning) and 25 December.

You can get tickets for the Arc the Triomphe on the official website. Tickets are also included in the Paris Museum Pass and available on GetYourGuide at the official rate.

Trocadero

It’s another 26 minutes walk (or about 10 minutes by subway: you need to get Line 6 and get off at Trocadero) from the Arc de Triomphe to the Trocadero.

Located on the other side of the river from the Eiffel Tower, the Trocadero offers one of the most iconic views in Paris – unobstructed views of the Eiffel Tower. You know the many photos you see online of men proposing to their loved ones with the Eiffel Tower behind? They were taken here.

Don’t expect to have the place all to yourself – not unless you visit in the middle of the night, or at sunrise. Nevertheless, the view from here is magnificent and totally worth stopping for.

River Seine Cruise

Once you cross the river from the Trocadero, you will be ready to board a your Seine River Cruise. This is one of the unmissable things to do in Paris in 3 days!

Of course the main idea of a cruise along the Seine River is getting incredible views of the city – you will pass by Notre-Dame, the Louvre, the Musee d’Orsay, Pont Alexandre and the Eiffel Tower and get a wholly different perspective on the city.

Cruises depart from the dock by the Eiffel Tower, and that’s where they return after about one hour – so you will be able to get off in time to go up the Eiffel Tower. Just make sure how long the cruise you wish to pick will last to schedule your visit of the Eiffel Tower accordingly.

In terms of what cruise to pick, you have many options: dinner cruises, champagne cruises, cruises with a live commentary or audio-guide and even hop-on hop off cruises.

You can pick a regular Seine River Cruise that lasts about one hour, get off at the Eiffel Tower and procede with your final attraction for the day (and perhaps even have dinner there).

Otherwise, you could visit the Eiffel Tower first and then get on a Batobus hop-on hop-off cruise and get off at Notre-Dame Church.

The Paris Museum Pass includes tickets for a Seine River cruise.

My post How To Pick The Best Seine River Cruise In Paris compares the various cruises available to help you choose the best one for your needs.

Eiffel Tower

You wouldn’t dream of spending 3 days in Paris and not going up the Eiffel Tower, would you?

The symbol of Paris, the Tour Eiffel – as it is called in French – was built in 1889 for the World Expo, and attracted a lot of criticism – back then Parisians found it ugly and were relieve by the fact that this would only be a temporary structure in the landscape of the city.

However, things quickly changed – the tower had a purpose during WWI, locals learned to love it, and tourists turned into the icon it now is – it’s visited by millions of people every year.

Back in 1889 the Eiffel Tower was the tallest building in France – it measures 324 meters (1,063 feet). Now, it still holds the record for the highest man-made observation deck in Europe: 276 meters (905.5 feet).

Once you go up the Eiffel Tower, the views of Paris will open up in front of your eyes: you can see the Sacre-Coeur and Montmartre, the Arc de Triomphe, The Champs de Mars and much more.

So what level should you visit? Some will tell you it’s enough to get to the second level and that’s where the best views are. But when in Paris… go to the summit! That’s where the secret apartment of Eiffel is located, and there’s also a sweet champagne bar where you can get a glass to celebrate this magnificent city.

Tickets to the summit allow you to access all levels anyways.

Speaking of tickets…

Non-refundable tickets for the Eiffel Tower can be bought on the official website, where you can also check the opening hours.

The Eiffel Tower works on a time-slot system, so you need to book your tickets as much in advance as possible. Tickets are skip-the-line, but you will have to wait for the elevator (unless you want to climb the stairs) and go through security.

If you buy Eiffel Tower tickets via a third-party booking site you can get a 50% refund if you cancel within 24 hours of your visit.

Tickets are also included in the Paris Museum Pass – remember to book a time-slot for your visit through the official site. Or else, get the Paris City Card, which allows you to pick a time-slot directly at the time of purchase.

Finally, here’s how to end your day in style. You can actually have dinner on the Eiffel Tower, but if this is something you want to do you really have to reserve in advance.

There are two excellent restaurants on the Eiffel Tower.

One is Jules Verne, which is a Michelin-starred restaurant that is very expensive, but also perfect for a special occasion (a proposal?). It’s located on the second floor.

The other is Madame Brasserie, a bit more easy going (and cheaper) and located on the first floor.

You can book your lunch at Madame Brasserie on GetYourGuide for a very reasonable price – and that will also include elevator access to the first floor.

My post How To Visit The Eiffel Tower gives even more details into visiting this iconic landmark.

Day 2

Today, you will visit two gorgeous churches in Paris, explore one of the city’s best art collections and then make your way to Montmartre, the city’s most popular neighborhood.

Map of day two

You can download a map of your day 2 itinerary here.

You will need to use public transportation to get to Montmartre and to get back to the center of Paris after visiting.

Notre-Dame

Your first stop for the day will be Notre-Dame church, Paris most famous church which was completed in 1345 after 200 years of work.

Vsits resumed on 8 December 2024, when the restoration work that followed the fire of 15 April 2019 ended. Visiting is free but you should book a time slot via the official website – you can book 3 days in advance.

It’s a gorgeous church. When I first saw it, coming out of the RER station my first time in the city, views gave me goosebumps. You can stop by and take some photos before you move to your next stop.

Sainte Chapelle

Sainte Chapelle is a 13th century Gothic Church that is fairly close to Notre-Dame, so it fits nicely in this Paris in 3 days itinerary. It has magnificent painted glass windows from floor to ceiling.

It will take you about one hour to visit this church. Admission though is not free. But let me explain.

Sainte Chapelle is open daily except for 1 January, 1 May, and 25 December. It works on a time-slot system – you can book yours on the official website of Saint Chapelle. Pick the very first time-slot so you have time to explore the rest of the city.

Tickets to Sainte Chapelle are also included in the Paris Museum Pass.

Shakespeare and Company

The lovely, incredibly quaint corner of Shakespeare and Company will give you a nice break from all the traditional attractions in this itinerary.

This independent anglophone bookstore is located in the heart of the Latin Quarter, where it first opened in 1951 in a 17th century building that housed a monastery. Since it sells books in English, it became a meeting point for English speaking writers and readers.

You can look at books, walk around the shop for a bit, and try to find the resident cat.

Musee d’Orsay

If you are a fan of impressionist art as much as I am, the Musée d’Orsay must be included in your Paris in 3 days itinerary.

While it is much smaller and significantly less overwhelming than the Louvre, the collection here is enormous – people at the audio-guide desk will eagerly tell you that a day is not enough to take in everything there is to see.

So, what’s special about it?

First of all the building. This museum is located in what once was the Gare D’Orsay, built for the 1889 Universal Expo. It does have the typical shape of a station and if you go to the top floor (from where you can enjoy lovely views) you can also see the clock.

Then, there’s the collection, with pieces from 1848 onwards and the works of artists such as Monet, Manet, Renoir, Van Gogh and many more.

The Musée d’Orsay often hosts special exhibit. If that’s the case when you are visiting, you will need a bit more time to explore it.

Museé d’Orsay is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm. On Thursdays it closes at 9:45 pm. It is closed on Mondays.

Contrary to the Louvre, this museum does not work on a time slot system, but you should still getting tickets in advance (you can get them on the museum’s official website or on third-party booking sites for the same price). Tickets are also included in the Paris Museum Pass.

It will take you an average of 2 hours to visit.

For more information, read my post How To Visit Musée D’Orsay.

Sacré-Coeur

Take subway line 12 from Solferino and get off at Abbesses to make your way to Montmartre. Here, your first stop will be the Sacré-Coeur Basilica, the most important church in the area.

It’s located at the top of Montmartre Hill – get there by funicular or climb the stairs.

The Romano-Byzantine style church was built between 1875 and 1914 but was only consecrated at the end of World War I.

Spend some time exploring the inside – you can join this guided tour that lasts 1.5 hours if you want a more in depth experience – then climb the dome for the views, or find a quiet spot in the staircase outside.

Montmartre

You will be glad to know that this 3 days in Paris itinerary will take you to the very heart of Montmartre. This is a favorite of tourists, who love the quaint corners, the colorful buildings, the historic cafés – Le Consulat and La Refuge Café are two must-see – and a vibe that is much slower compared to the rest of the city.

Spend some time wandering around to discover the history of the area. This was once a major hub for artists – Monet, Renoir, Modigliani, Picasso, and even Van Gogh lived here in the late 19th century. There even is a small museum dedicated to Dalì.

Make your way to Place du Tertre to see local artists at work – you can get your portrait or caricature.

The Maison Rose isn’t just a lovely local restaurant, but also one of the most photographed spots in Montmartre.

If you are looking for some hidden gems, find the statue of Dalida, one of Paris’ most famous singers, and the Mur des Je T’Aime – a blue tile wall with “I love you” written in many languages.

There’s also a vineyard to spot: the Vigne du Clos Montmartre, the last working vineyard in Paris.

If all of this seems too much to discover on your own, consider joining a guided tour.

I recommend this friendly Montmartre 2-hour walking tour. I took the tour myself and found the guide to be great at conveying the history of the area and managing the terrible tourist (weekend) crowds.

If you want something a bit more in depth (and have the budget for it), I recommend this Exclusive Montmartre Experience with Private Vineyard Tasting, Skip-the-Line Museum Tour, & Sacré-Coeur operated by Take Walks. It even goes to the Vigne du Clos Montmartre.

My post The Best Places To Visit In Montmartre shares some more tips on what to see in the area.

Moulin Rouge

This will be your last stop of the day.

You will find the Moulin Rouge in the district of Pigalle on Boulevard de Clichy, in the 18th arrondissement. It’s southwest of Montmartre.

If you actually go around Montmartre for a bit, you will eventually spot it as it’s close to the Pigalle Subway Station, and it is such an iconic place that you will immediately recognize it.

The Moulin Rouge opened its doors in 1899, during the Belle Epoque. The owners Charles Zidler and Joseph Oller also managed the Paris Olympia theater, but this was meant to be a different kind of place. It’s here that the legendary can can dance was born.

I have left this as the last stop of your itinerary so that you can actually stop there for a show.

You will definitely need to get tickets for the Moulin Rouge in advance. There are several packages available – you could opt for one that includes a glass of champagne.

Day 3

Spend a day outside of Paris in one of the most beautiful castles in the world, then catch one last view of the city before you say goodbye.

Versailles

I love Versailles so much that I decided to included it in this Paris in 3 days itinerary and sacrifice other attractions. You will understand why once you get there – a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1979, this is quite a sight to behold!

This is really one of the best – and easiest day trips from Paris. Versailles is just 16 km (around 10 miles) southwest of the city and you can get there by train in less than 30 minutes.

Versailles was the residence of the French royal family after King Louis XIV decided to move his court and the government there in 1682. Originally Louis XIII’s hunting lodge, King Louis XIV undertook a lot of works to have the castle enlarged, the gardens redesigned and to give it that grandeur he so much wanted to convey.

The Castle of Versailles remained a royal residence until 1789, when the French Revolution started and the king and queen were arrested and convicted to the guillotine.

It is a massive site to explore: after visiting the castle, where you can see the famous Hall of Mirrors and the royal apartments, you can visit the gardens to discover the musical fountains, the Petit Trianon (where Queen Marie Antoinette spent a lot of time) and the Grand Trianon (which was the residence of Napoleon).

It will take you a full day to explore Versailles.

Versailles Palace is open from Tuesday to Sunday (it’s closed on Mondays) from 9:00 am and works on a time slot system.

Book your visit in advance on the official website, or get these Versailles Palace, Gardens and Estate tickets on Tiqets, one of the most reliable third-party booking sites.

It’s probably best if you joining a guided tour – that’s what I did when I visited the first time. Most tours only last a couple of hours, and after that you can explore on your own.

I recommend This A Day at the Palace: Small Group Paris to Versailles Day Trip with Garden Stroll which actually starts in Paris. It’s run by Take Walks, one of the best tour companies in Europe which only uses knowledgeable local guides.

Catch the RER C train to Versailles. You should buy your return ticket from the train station in Paris to avoid lines at the train station in Versailles on the way back.

For more detailed information on how to plan your visit, make sure to read my oist A Complete Guide To Visiting Versailles.

Montparnasse Tower

You will still have time for one last panoramic view of Paris after you get back from Versailles. The best place for that is Montparnasse Tower, in the lovely Montparnasse neighborhood.

Tour Montparnasse (that’s the name in French) was built in the early 1970s. It measures 210 meters (689 feet) and it is the second highest building in the city – and also its ugliest.

However, the view from there is actually incredible – unparalleled views of the Eiffel Tower, the Montparnasse District below, and La Defense.

Depending on when you are traveling to Paris, you may even make it there for sunset for an even better view.

Montparnasse Tower observation deck is open daily from 9:30 am. Check the official website for tickets and for the opening hours. Tickets are also included in the Paris Museum Pass, and can be obtained on third party booking sites such as the always reliable GetYourGuide.

How To Make The Most Of Paris In 3 Days

To maximize your 3 days in Paris and see as much as possible, you need to follow this itinerary religiously and improvise as little as possible.

This itinerary is based on the assumption that you are spending 3 days in Paris, also sleeping there 3 nights, and possibly 4. Leave your accommodation no later than 8:00 am in the morning, so that you can spend the day wandering around.

Here are some additional tips that will help you plan your trip to Paris.

Where to stay in Paris

With only 3 days in Paris, you really have to carefully pick where to stay. Location is everything. You want a place (hotel or apartment) that is close to the subway station and from where you can move around easily, and possibly on foot.

When I visited Paris for the first time I stayed in Le Marais in the 4th arrondissement, which is conveniently located walking distance to the Notre-Dame, close enough to the Louvre and packed with restaurants, cafés and has a lovely atmosphere.

These are some good places to stay in Le Marais:

ROI DE SICILE RIVOLI – A modern, fully equipped studio which also has a small kitchenette in case you want to cook your meals.

LES TOURNELLES – Rooms are small but extremely cozy at this lovely small hotel in the heart of the 3rd arrondissement.

SINNER PARIS – With large rooms with every comfort, this is one of the best places to stay in Paris if you can afford it.

Where to eat in Paris

If you only have 3 days in Paris, you should opt to have a quick lunch at one of the nice brasseries or local cafés or bakeries and sit down for a longer meal at dinner.

There are many romantic restaurants in Paris – with something for any budget. I have already mentioned Jules Verné and Madame Brasserie, located on the Eiffel Tower, where you can eat on your first night.

Here is a further selection of places you may want to try:

TEKES – So perhaps this isn’t exactly a romantic place, but the food is delicious. Israeli chef Assaf Granit puts a lot of focus on Mediterranean cuisine and is an excellent choice for vegan and vegetarians travelers.

LE ZIMMER – Close to the Hôtel de Ville and within easy walking distance from the Ile de la Cité, this is one of the nicest brasseries in Paris, with a selection of easygoing eats such as burgers, salads, steaks and more.

AU VIEUX PARIS D’ARCOLE – The incredibly photogenic building close to the Notre-Dame Cathedral houses one of the best (budget friendly) eats in the city. The focus is obviously traditional French Food.

A LA BICHE AU BOIS – Another great place to try traditional French cuisine at reasonable prices.

Book your table in Paris via the app The Fork – it’s what we use here in Europe to find a table at our favorite restaurants.

Using a Paris Pass for your 3 days in Paris

Let me start by saying that I am not the biggest fan of city passes – in Paris, and anywhere else in the world.

Anyhow, if you have 3 days in Paris, a city pass may help you save some money on attractions as it includes skip-the-line tickets to many places, discounts for others and also public transportation.

Make sure to pick a Paris Pass that includes the Eiffel Tower (not all passes do): the only one that does is this Paris City Pass. And remember to book a time-slot for each attraction you wish to visit.

When to to visit Paris

Let me start by saying that any time is a good time to visit Paris, and I love the city no matter the season. However, winter in Paris can be cold, and most of the crowds visit in the summer months.

Longer days are generally better if you have limited time in the city, as you can stay out more and see more this way. So try to visit Paris in May or October – days are nice and long, the weather is pleasant and the crowds aren’t overwhelming.

How to get to Paris

It’s so easy to get to Paris!

If you are traveling to Paris from elsewhere in France of Europe, you can get there by train (for example, you can take the train from London to Paris). There are many stations in the center of town from where you can reach your accommodation.

Otherwise, you can fly to Paris. The main airport is Charles de Gaulle, which is also the one that is best connected to the city: the fastest way to get to center of Paris is the train that goes to Gare du Nord.

If you are visiting Paris as part of a longer trip and have lots of luggage, you may prefer booking a private transfer that takes you directly from the airport to your accommodation. I normally use Welcome Pickups wherever I am in the world: they have good cars, excellent drivers and impeccable service.

My post How To Get From Charles De Gaulle Airport CDG To Paris will give you more detailed information on how to travel from the airport to the city center.

How to move around Paris

While I designed this Paris in 3 days itinerary to minimize the use of public transportation, you will still have to hop on the subway (called metro in French) every now and then.

It’s not expensive: a one-way ticket costs €2.15 and you can get a Navigo Card, which is what you use to get on the metro, directly at the station and top it up at the station (kiosks or vending machines) or via the app.

Luggage storage in Paris

Most hotels in Paris will allow you to store your bags after you check out – you may want to enquire when you make your bookings. In any case, you may find it easier to store your luggage at a more central location (ie the Gare du Nord luggage storage) so that you can grab your stuff quickly before you get on the train or go to the airport.

To book your storage, you need to visit the BagBnB site – the base rate is €5 per bag but it depends on the size.

What to wear in Paris

I have written a very detailed post on what to wear when visiting Paris. I know the girls reading this will want to keep up with the Paris fashionistas, but really the key for a great trip – especially if you have a short time in the city – is to wear comfortable clothes and especially comfortable shoes.

Paris is ultimately like any other capital or big city in Europe: there’s a lot of variety, many styles and nobody really cares about what others are wearing!

Get data!

It will be much easier to follow this Paris in 4 days itinerary if you have a data plan that allows you to use Google Maps or call an Uber if you need it. It’s also handy to book a table at a restaurant, or to check the opening or closing times of attractions.

Bring a guidebook

Guidebooks are old school but so handy! If all else fails, a good guidebook will have a map of the city (usually by area), some restaurant recommendations and a description of the attractions you will visit.

Here are some great guidebooks for Paris.

• Lonely Planet Paris guidebook
• DK Eyewitness travel guide Paris
• Rick Steves Paris Pocket Guide

Scams in Paris

Paris is like any other big (and touristy) city in the world: there are scams, there are touts, and there certainly are pickpockets.

My post How To Avoid The Most Common Paris Scams describes the most common scams and shares tips to help you avoid them.

One scam I particularly care to point out is that of the friendship bracelet: I have seen it unfold in front of me many times. Someone approaches you offering you a friendship token, puts the bracelet on your wrist and then engages you in conversation until you pay. It’s similar to the lost golden ring scam.

Don’t stop for the the cup and ball game – this is another typical scam I have especially seen in the area around the Eiffel Tower.

Finally, don’t trust anybody that asks you to make a donation for a charity – they will stop you in the street and ask you to sign a form and make a donation. They tried this one with me!

Pickpockets are especially active on crowded trains.

Travel insurance for Paris

I always recommend to get travel insurance, no matter how long a trip you are taking. I use Heymondo and find it to be one of the best insurance companies for travelers.

Further Readings

If you have more (or less) time in Paris, these other posts may be useful for you:

• A Week In Paris Itinerary: What To See And Do
• A Fantastic Itinerary To See Paris In 4 Days
• A Fabulous Itinerary For 2 Days In Paris
• A Guide To The 5 Best Cities To Visit In France
• The Perfect Itinerary To See Paris In A Day
• 15 Amazing Day Trips From Paris

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