Paris itinerary for first-timers
The classic neighborhoods in an order that works, with a 4K street walk for every stop. Watch your trip before you take it.
Day 1: Islands & the Louvre
Where Paris began, the Left Bank, and the Louvre at the end of the day.
- 1
Morning
Notre-Dame & Île de la Cité
Paris began on this island in the Seine. Notre-Dame stands at one end, the stained glass of Sainte-Chapelle and the old royal prison of the Conciergerie at the other, with Pont Neuf at the tip.
- Notre-Dame
- Sainte-Chapelle
- Conciergerie
- Pont Neuf
Sainte-Chapelle's windows glow brightest on a sunny morning, and it needs a timed ticket, so book ahead.
Walk over the Petit Pont to Saint-Michel, about 5 min.
- 2
Midday
Latin Quarter & Saint-Germain
Across the bridge, the Left Bank: narrow medieval lanes around Place Saint-Michel, the famous riverside bookshop, then the cafés and galleries of Boulevard Saint-Germain.
- Place Saint-Michel
- Rue de la Huchette
- Saint-Germain-des-Prés
- Luxembourg Gardens
The lanes right by Saint-Michel are tourist traps for food; walk ten minutes towards Saint-Germain for lunch.
Walk along the river and over the Pont des Arts, about 20 min.
- 3
Afternoon
The Louvre & Tuileries
The glass pyramid and the world's most visited museum, then the long formal garden of the Tuileries running down to Place de la Concorde.
- Louvre Pyramid
- Tuileries Garden
- Place de la Concorde
Even if you skip the museum, walk through the courtyard: the pyramid is free to look at, and the view down to the Arc de Triomphe is one straight line.
Day 2: Montmartre & the Eiffel Tower
A hilltop village in the morning, Haussmann's boulevards, and the tower after dark.
- 1
Morning
Montmartre
The village on the hill: stairways, the little vineyard, the painters of Place du Tertre and the white domes of Sacré-Cœur looking over the whole city.
- Rue des Abbesses
- Avenue Junot
- Place du Tertre
- Sacré-Cœur
Come early, before the tour groups. Walk up from Abbesses through the side streets rather than the main stairs.
Walk downhill through Pigalle, about 30 min.
- 2
Afternoon
Opéra & the covered passages
Haussmann's Paris: the gilded Palais Garnier, the grand department stores of Boulevard Haussmann and the glass-roofed shopping arcades of the 1800s hidden between the streets.
- Palais Garnier
- Boulevard Haussmann
- Covered passages
The department stores on Boulevard Haussmann have free rooftop terraces with views across the city.
Paris Walking Tour 4K HDR - Opera, Boulevard Haussmann & Covered Passages (Sunny September Walk)
Video by UHD Walking Adventures on YouTube
Metro line 8 from Opéra to École Militaire, direct, about 20 min, or line 9 to Trocadéro.
- 3
Evening
Eiffel Tower & Trocadéro
The classic view is from the terraces of Trocadéro across the river. After dark the tower sparkles for a few minutes at the start of every hour.
- Trocadéro
- Eiffel Tower
- Champ de Mars
Watch the first sparkle from Trocadéro, then cross the bridge and stand right under the tower for the next one.
Day 3: Marais & Canal Saint-Martin
Old mansions and boutiques, a canal-side afternoon, and sunset on top of the Arc de Triomphe.
- 1
Morning
Le Marais
Old mansions, boutiques and the falafel lane of Rue des Rosiers, ending at Place des Vosges, the oldest planned square in Paris.
- Hôtel de Ville
- Rue des Francs-Bourgeois
- Rue des Rosiers
- Place des Vosges
Many shops here open on Sunday, when much of Paris is closed, which makes it a good Sunday plan.
Walk north through République, about 25 min.
- 2
Afternoon
Canal Saint-Martin
Iron footbridges, locks and plane trees. On warm evenings locals sit along the water with picnics, and the side streets are full of small shops and bakeries.
- Iron footbridges
- Canal locks
- Place de la République
Paris 10th arrondissement - walking tour at the Canal Saint-Martin from Place de la République - 4K
Video by walking around on YouTube
Metro line 2 from Jaurès to Charles de Gaulle–Étoile, direct, about 25 min.
- 3
Sunset
Arc de Triomphe & Champs-Élysées
Twelve avenues meet at the Arc de Triomphe. Its rooftop is one of the best sunset views in Paris, with the Eiffel Tower on one side and the Champs-Élysées running straight to the Louvre on the other.
- Arc de Triomphe rooftop
- Champs-Élysées
Use the underground passage to reach the arch; never try to cross the roundabout.
Travelling with someone?
Send them this 3-day Paris plan, videos included.
Planning your first trip to Paris
How many days?
Three days covers the classics: the islands and the Louvre, Montmartre and the Eiffel Tower, the Marais and Canal Saint-Martin. Add two more for Versailles, and Père Lachaise and Belleville.
Where to stay
Le Marais, Saint-Germain or the Latin Quarter keep you central, so most of this plan is a walk from your door. Compare areas →
Getting around
The Metro reaches every stop on this plan. Load tickets onto a rechargeable Navigo Easy card or your phone instead of buying paper tickets.
Paris is compact for a capital, and most of what a first-timer wants to see sits close to the Seine. The trick is to group it: the islands, the Left Bank and the Louvre on one day, Montmartre and the Eiffel Tower on another, the Marais and the canals on a third. You spend the day on foot and use the Metro only to jump between areas.
Every stop comes with a walking video filmed on those streets, so you can see the squares, the bridges and the evening crowds before you arrive. Use the buttons under each video to jump to the landmark, or press Preview to watch a whole day in a row.
Paris itinerary: common questions
Is 3 days enough for Paris?
For a first visit, yes. Three days covers the islands, the Louvre, Montmartre, the Eiffel Tower and the Marais at a walking pace. With five days you can add Versailles, and a day in east Paris at Père Lachaise and Belleville.
What order should I see Paris in?
Group it by area: the islands, the Left Bank and the Louvre together; Montmartre and the Opéra together, with the Eiffel Tower at night; and the Marais with Canal Saint-Martin. That keeps Metro rides short.
When is the best time to see the Eiffel Tower?
Go at dusk and stay after dark. The view from Trocadéro is best as the lights come on, and the tower sparkles for a few minutes at the start of each hour in the evening.
Do I need to book the Louvre and Versailles in advance?
Yes, both use timed entry and popular slots sell out, especially in summer and at weekends. Book a few days ahead on the official websites.
Travel times are approximate. Check opening days and any booking requirements before you go.
Where to stay in Paris
7 areas compared, each with a street walk so you can see the neighborhood before you book.
Read the guide →Paris self-guided walking tour
The Latin Quarter to Pont Neuf: about 2.2 km, 8 stops, with the whole route on video.
Walk the route →Keep exploring Paris
More 4K walking videos, top sights, food markets and dishes to try.
Paris city guide →