3 Days in Paris: A First-Timer's Itinerary

Day 1 morning: Notre-Dame and the river

Start on the Île de la Cité, where the bus has a stop right at Notre-Dame Cathedral. Begin here because the island is at its calmest early, and the cathedral's exterior, the surrounding squares and the river views are the best introduction to the city's medieval heart. The Sainte-Chapelle is also on the island, a short stroll away, and is worth a look if stained glass appeals.

Keep the pace loose. A couple of hours around the island is plenty, and it leaves you fresh for the museum that follows. This half-day belongs to a group of sights that sit close together on foot: the Louvre, Notre-Dame, the Musée d'Orsay and Place de la Concorde, so you can walk much of it if the weather is kind.

Day 1 afternoon: the Louvre or the Musée d'Orsay

Pick one big museum, not both. The Louvre has a stop about 150 metres from the Pyramide, which makes it easy to reach from the island by bus or on a riverside walk. The Musée d'Orsay has a stop right outside, and housed in a former railway station it is the gentler choice if you prefer a manageable collection of Impressionist work to the Louvre's sprawl.

A realistic plan is three hours inside one museum, then a slow walk through the Tuileries towards Place de la Concorde, which is within a few minutes' walk of both. No bus stop sits within a few minutes' walk of the square itself, so treat it as a walk, not a ride.

First-timers often try to fit both museums into one afternoon and end up skimming. Choose the one that matches your taste and keep the other for a rainy morning.

Day 1 evening: along the Seine

Finish with an unhurried walk beside the River Seine as the light softens. Summer evenings in Paris are long, and the bridges and embankments are at their best then. Dine in the Latin Quarter or Saint-Germain, both café-lined and bookish, rather than hunting for a restaurant near the museums.

Day 2 morning: the Eiffel Tower and Champ de Mars

Give the Eiffel Tower the first part of the day. The bus stop at Tour Eiffel is about 50 metres from the tower, so there is no awkward walk with tired legs. Allow time for the Champ de Mars, the long lawn beneath it, which is a pleasant place to sit and take in the structure from a distance.

If you intend to go up, book ahead and plan the visit as the main event of the morning. The Trocadero side, across the river, gives the classic view of the tower and is a good stop to break the ride, especially with children.

Day 2 afternoon: the 8th and the Arc de Triomphe

The Arc de Triomphe has no stop within a few minutes' walk, so reach it on foot along the Champs-Élysées or by the metro.

Walking the Champs-Élysées gradually up to the Arc is a satisfying way to end the afternoon, and the avenue is easier to enjoy at an ambling pace than from a vehicle. Expect shops and crowds rather than hidden corners.

Day 2 evening: lights on the bus

A separate evening Night Tour is sold as a non-stop panoramic ride, in addition to the daytime loop. It suits couples or anyone who wants to see the monuments lit up without more walking. Otherwise, dine in the 9th Arrondissement, near the Opéra Garnier, which has its own stop.

Day 3 morning: Versailles

Many visits include a day out to the Palace of Versailles, with its palace and formal gardens. No bus stop serves it, so plan a separate train or organised trip. Go in the morning, give the palace a long visit, and keep the gardens for the afternoon when you are ready to stroll.

Day 3 afternoon: Marais, Latin Quarter or Montmartre

If you skip Versailles, use the day for neighbourhoods. The 4th Arrondissement holds the Marais, with medieval lanes, aristocratic mansions and the Place des Vosges, and the 5th Arrondissement covers the Latin Quarter. Neither has a bus stop within a few minutes' walk, so walk or take the metro. Montmartre, with Sacré-Cœur and its painters' squares, is a good alternative for a hilly afternoon of wandering.

This is the day to slow down: a market, a bakery, a long lunch, a picnic in the Luxembourg Gardens.

Rainy-day swaps

Swap outdoor plans for the Louvre or the Musée d'Orsay, whichever you saved. The glass-roofed covered passages are another good wet-weather idea, and a ride on an open-top bus is better kept for a drier hour. Move the Eiffel Tower and Champ de Mars to the clearest day you have.

Getting the most from the bus

Hop on at whichever stop is nearest to where you are, not necessarily the first one. Ride a section when your feet need a break, and get off wherever something catches your eye. Check the ticket page for current stop details before you go, since stops can move.

Loop time, frequency and commentary are covered in the questions below.