Unforgettable Three-Day Itinerary for First-Time Visitors to Paris
- Amy Harris
- Aug 28, 2024
- 9 min read
Updated: Apr 2
Exploring Paris for the first time was such an exciting experience! Here is our jam packed three day itinerary perfect for first time visitors to Paris!
Day One
After arriving in the city around 1 pm on a train from London, we couldn't wait to start our adventure. The first thing we did was check in at the lovely Nolinski Paris hotel to drop off our bags. Then, we quickly grabbed a bite to eat before hitting the streets to explore this beautiful city.
The Nolinski is situated in the 1st arrondissement (read more about the different arrondissements in Paris), making it a perfect choice for first-time visitors to the city as it is conveniently close to many popular tourist attractions that you are likely to want to explore. We had a wonderful stay at the hotel and particularly appreciated its central location.
After enjoying lunch at Nolinksi Le Restaurant, we headed out to explore for the remainder of the afternoon.
We walked along the Seine past the Louvre and stopped to enjoy some street music where we saw the gigantic sculpture of Yayoi Kusama which stands between the headquarters of Maison Louis Vuitton and La Samritaine. The Japanese artist's sculpture is repainting the building with colorful polka dots. It had just recently be erected to celebrate the collaboration between the artist and the LVMH group.
Just beyond this is the Pont Neuf, which is the oldest standing bridge across the river Seine, the stone bridge which opened in 1607, has 2 spans and a bronze equine statue of King Henry IV of France. It was here that we got our first glimpse of the Eiffel tower in the distance and also the beautiful Sainte Chapelle. After crossing over the Pont Neuf we continued to stroll along the Seine for a closer view of the beautiful Chapelle and also the Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Paris, it was still under construction so we did not make plans to visit it, however, it is scheduled to reopen on December 7, 2024.
This is one of the best tours you can take of Île de la Cité (often referred to as Notre Dam island) where you will visit the Notre Dame Cathedral, skip the long lines of the Sainte-Chapelle, walk the Pont Neuf and learn all about it's history and end your tour with a visit to Conciergerie, which was Queen Marie Antoinette's prison during the French Revolution.
Explore the Latin Quarter:
Next, I was excited to explore the Latin Quarter, which is located in the 5th arrondissement and begins just beyond the Seine across from the Île de la Cité. You truly could spend an entire day enjoying this part of the city, which is the oldest district in Paris. The Latin Quarter is home to Sorbonne University which is the oldest university in France. This part of the city is associated as an area of intellectual and artistic life. The cobblestone streets are surrounded by bookshops, cafes and many historical landmarks, including the Pantheon, which is a shrine to, "the heroes of France," and the resting place of many famous French people. It is a good idea to purchase tickets in advance if you wish to visit the Pantheon.
The Latin Quarter is known for it's rich history and museums, but it is also very well known for having some of the best food in the city. In fact, Julia Child studied and cultivated her love and mastery of cooking in this area. She loved to explore the daily market located on Rue Mouffetard, the oldest and one of the most picturesque streets in Paris. You will definitely want to walk this pedestrian street when visiting the Latin Quarter. If you are a culinary enthusiast or even just want to experience French Cuisine while also learning a little history about the area, a popular tour is the Latin Quarter Food Tour.
This is a great area to find some of the best and oldest restaurants in Paris, here are a few noteworthy places to try:
La Tour D'Argent is a 400 year old restaurant overlooking the Seine and Notre Dame.
Les Deux Magots is one of the most famous cafes in Paris and is celebrating 140 years of history, the cafe has welcomed some of the greatest literary and artistic figures in history and still today. This is a true Parisian dining experience. Don't miss their famous hot chocolate!
Le Petit Chatelet is a traditional French Cuisine restaurant located across from the Seine with incredible views of the river and Notre-Dame. It's located right next to the famous Shakespear & Co.
Pop into Shakespeare and Company Book Store, it has a fascinating history and is worth a visit. The lines to get in can be quite long at times.
Les Crepes de Louis-Marie is the perfect place to try sweet and savory crepes and is located close to Rue Mouffetard.
Le Coupe-Chou is located is another traditional Parisienne cuisine restaurant in a cozy atmosphere located buildings dating back to the 14th and 16th century. It is a perfect date night spot.
After exploring the Latin Quarter and trying some of the delectable cuisine, a great way to end the evening is at Paradis Latin Cabaret! It is the oldest European cabaret. It features a range of entertainment from singing and dance to comedy and more. There are many ways to enjoy the show, a popular options is to purchase a three course meal and a show, (there are a few options of menu choices and price points).
Day Two
Our second day in Paris we planned to see some of the biggest attractions and had a very full day of walking and lots of sightseeing.
We started out early with plans to have breakfast at Café Blanc, located directly across from the Louvre, this quaint street café is a great location anytime of day especially if you are visiting the museum, which we were..
I pre-purchased skip the line tickets to the Louvre, and I HIGHLY recommend that you look into doing that too, because otherwise you will wait in line for a long, long time!
We spent about two hours exploring the museum, which is probably not enough time to really see and appreciate everything, but as I mentioned we had a full day ahead and that was all of the time we allotted for the Louvre.
*Note, even though you will find the line long to see the Mona Lisa up close, it moves quickly and I recommend if you want a picture and a better view of it, wait in the line.*
After visiting the Louvre, walk through the Tuileries Garden, it is so beautiful, you can stroll through and admire the intricate landscaping, the many statues, relax by the two large ponds, visit one of the restaurants, have a picnic or explore The Musée de l’Orangerie where you can see a number of art collections but most notably Claude Monet's Water Lilies .
Beyond the Jardin Tuileries, you will see the Place de la Concorde where several executions took place during the French Revolution, including Marie Antoinette, Louis XVI and Maximilien.
You will now find yourself at the Avenue Des Champs-Elysees, which is described as, "the world's most beautiful avenue." It is known for it's luxury shopping, theatres, and cafes and is where the final stage of the Tour de France is held. At one end of the street is the Place de la Concorde and the other is the Arc de Triomphe. You can easily stroll along this avenue for an hour or two enjoying the shops and a snack or spend more time and take in show or stop for a leisurely meal at one of the street side cafes.
After exploring the avenue, make sure to leave time to tour the Arc de Triomphe where you can enjoy priority access, an audio guide sharing the history and culture of the Arc, and have the opportunity to take in panoramic views of Paris from the rooftop.
The last thing on our schedule for the day was to do a River Seine cruise and finally tour the Eiffel Tower. We decided to continue our walk to our tour by walking along the river where we crossed the beautiful Pont Alexandre III arch bridge. This ornate bridge connects the Invalides on the Left Bank to the Grand Palais and Petit Palais on the Right Bank. It is a great place to view the Eiffel Tower especially when it's lit up at night!
We booked an Eiffel Tower Skip the line summit access and seine river cruise. This gave us the opportunity to take the elevator to the second level for unbelievable aerial views of the city and also entrance to the less visited third level, aka the Summit for an even higher view. When we reached the second level, we enjoyed champagne from the bar while taking in the most spectacular views of the city. After spending quite a bit of time looking around at the different vantage points all with amazing views, we had dinner at Madame Brasserie restaurant while the tower came to life with twinkling lights, it was magical! If you are looking for an even more amazing, once in a lifetime dining experience, book a table at the Michelin Star Jules Verne restaurant, located on the second floor of the tower, but note, reservations are difficult to get and you will need to plan way in advance.
Day Three
On our third day went to Versailles. You can take the train or rent a car service to get you there. Taking the train is very easy and affordable. A short train ride from the heart of Paris—specifically, Gare Saint-Lazare or Gare Montparnasse—will have you at Versailles in under an hour
Get there early to beat the crowds! I purchased passport tickets that gave us access to the entire estate which we could enjoy at our own pace. They now offer passport tickets with timed entrance so you can arrive within thirty minutes of your booked time. The grandeur of the Hall of Mirrors awaits, and trust me; you don’t want to share that stunning experience with too many other visitors. As you stroll through, take a moment to soak in the opulence—the exquisite chandeliers, the lavish décor, and the intricate artwork that tells stories of a past monarchy.
There's something undeniably magical about stepping into the world of Versailles, this palace isn’t just any historical site; it’s a stunning testament to French art and architecture.
Consider investing in a guided tour to truly appreciate the rich history of the palace. Knowledgeable guides can peel back the layers of time, revealing secrets about Louis XIV, the Sun King, and the court’s extravagant lifestyle. You’ll hear tales of grand balls and tragic romances, all set against the backdrop of one of the most beautiful palaces in the world. You can also use audio guides and walk the halls at your own pace while listening to the history of the palace.
After your palace tour, it’s time to explore the breathtaking gardens. This is where Versailles truly shines. The meticulously manicured lawns seem to stretch on forever, dotted with stunning fountains and sculptures. Stroll through the gardens, and you might just find a quiet nook to sit back and admire the beauty surrounding you. If you’re visiting between April and October, don’t miss the Musical Fountain Shows, where the fountains dance to classical music—a truly enchanting experience.
We decided to rent golf carts to better explore the vast gardens, the vehicles are equipped with a geolocation system and audio guide.
If you are hungry, stop for a bite at one of the cafés within the gardens. We stopped at La Flotille for takeaway food to enjoy at one of the picnic tables, we paired our meal with a bottle of wine for a relaxing lunch.
Post-lunch, make your way to the Grand Trianon and Petit Trianon, located on the grounds. These less grandiose but equally beautiful sites offer a glimpse into the more intimate lives of the royals. Marie Antoinette’s estate, with its quaint garden and rustic charm, is a must-see. It’s a lovely contrast to the opulence of the palace and allows you to see a different side of royal life.
I loved this Beautiful tree at the Petit Trianon, it is a Cedar of Lebanon, it soars to a height of more than 30 meters.
You will definitely want to make a visit to Versailles part of your itinerary when you are in Paris! Whether you’re a history buff, a lover of art, or just someone who appreciates breathtaking beauty, a day spent at Versailles is sure to leave you enchanted. We enjoyed our day very much.
For our final night in Paris we had dinner at Brach Restaurant, located in the 16th arrondissement inside Brach hotel. Everything about this place was amazing, the food was outstanding, the drinks were crafted beautifully, even the bathroom was fun! But the highlight of our night was discovering the rooftop garden with spectacular views of Paris with an emphasis on the Eiffel tower.
The roof is transformed into an urban garden, it even has a hen house, fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs. There is a bar where the mixologist is creating refreshing beautiful cocktails to pair with their bucolic menu. It was truly the perfect way to end our incredible Paris vacation.
What are you waiting for, mon chéri? emmène-moi à Paris
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