3-Day Paris Itinerary
Day 1: Montmartre Romance — Paris
Daily cost: $130
10:00 AM — Sacré-Cœur & Montmartre Village
Explore cobblestone streets and artist squares with sweeping city views.
Category: Historic Quarter · Cost: $0
Tip: Visit Place du Tertre before 11 AM to avoid portrait artists' crowds.
2:30 PM — Musée de Montmartre
Discover Montmartre's artistic heritage in historic 17th-century buildings.
Category: Local Museum · Cost: $15
Tip: The garden offers the best view of the vineyard most tourists miss.
5:30 PM — Seine Sunset Walk
Stroll along the romantic Seine from Pont Neuf to Île Saint-Louis.
Category: Romantic Stroll · Cost: $0
Tip: Stop at the flower market on Île de la Cité for free bouquets on closing.
breakfast: Du Pain et des Idées
Marais · Artisan bakery, morning queues, worth it
Must order: Pain des amis, Pistachio escargot
Cost: $8/person
lunch: La Maison Rose
Montmartre · Pink facade, terrace dining, tourist-friendly locals
Must order: Coq au vin, Crème brûlée
Cost: $25/person
dinner: L'Ami Jean
7th Arrondissement · Basque bistro, loud atmosphere, exceptional food
Must order: Côte de bœuf, Rice pudding
Cost: $45/person
Stay: Hotel Malte Opera
9th Arrondissement · $65-$85/night
Day 2: Art & Left Bank Flavors — Paris
Daily cost: $135
9:30 AM — Louvre Museum Highlights
Focus on Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and Winged Victory with fewer crowds.
Category: World Museum · Cost: $17
Tip: Enter through Carrousel du Louvre entrance to skip main pyramid lines.
2:00 PM — Latin Quarter Food Walk
Sample cheeses at Laurent Dubois and chocolates at Jacques Genin.
Category: Culinary Experience · Cost: $8
Tip: Rue Mouffetard market vendors offer free tastings after 5 PM.
6:00 PM — Shakespeare and Company
Browse books in the famous English bookstore overlooking Notre-Dame.
Category: Cultural Icon · Cost: $0
Tip: Upstairs piano room hosts free readings Mondays at 7 PM.
breakfast: Café de Flore
Saint-Germain · Historic literary cafe, expensive but iconic
Must order: Hot chocolate, Croissant au beurre
Cost: $18/person
lunch: L'As du Fallafel
Marais · Middle Eastern, lines out door, worth
Must order: Special fallafel, Fresh lemonade
Cost: $12/person
dinner: Le Comptoir du Relais
Saint-Germain · Bistro perfection, no reservations dinner, intense
Must order: Foie gras terrine, Duck confit
Cost: $38/person
Day 3: Marais Charm & Iron Lady — Paris
Daily cost: $125
10:30 AM — Place des Vosges & Jewish Quarter
Stroll Paris's oldest planned square and explore Jewish heritage sites.
Category: Historic District · Cost: $0
Tip: Victor Hugo's house offers free courtyard visits without museum entry.
2:30 PM — Marché Saint-Germain
Browse gourmet food stalls and artisan producers in covered market.
Category: Local Market · Cost: $5
Tip: Thursdays feature extra cheese vendors with generous free samples.
6:30 PM — Eiffel Tower Sunset
Watch golden hour from the tower with champagne views over Paris.
Category: Romantic Icon · Cost: $25
Tip: Trocadéro steps offer better photos than tower itself at sunset.
breakfast: Breizh Café
Marais · Modern crêperie, Japanese influences, creative twists
Must order: Buckwheat galette, Salted caramel crêpe
Cost: $15/person
lunch: L'Ami Pierre
Saint-Germain · Wine bar, small plates, afternoon crowds
Must order: Charcuterie board, Natural wine selection
Cost: $22/person
dinner: Le Train Bleu
Gare de Lyon · Belle Époque grandeur, tourist trap done right
Must order: Sole meunière, Profiteroles
Cost: $55/person
