The Best of Paris: A 3-Day Itinerary

I never thought I wanted to go to Paris until I finally went. My husband and I are not really art museum people, and I guess that's all I thought Paris was. Boy, was I wrong. Now, I can’t wait to go back to explore more of this beautiful city. We were only able to stay for 3 days on our first visit, but I would actually recommend staying longer if you have the time. I hope this itinerary inspires you to visit for yourself.

How to get there

Since we were traveling from London, we took the Eurostar train right into the city. I still find it amazing the you can take a train that goes under the English Channel. Amazing!!! If this is not an option for you, there are several airports however the three international ones are Charles de Gaulle (CDG), Orly (ORY) and Beauvais-Tillé (BVA). Charles de Gaulle is the larges and handles most international flights, while Orly serves many domestic and European routes, and Beauvais is a hub for low-cost airlines flying into Europe.

Where to Stay

We stayed at Hôtel Moris. It is a charming hotel centrally located that blends classic Parisian style with modern comfort in the vibrant heart of the city. There were plenty of cafe's and restaurants just a few steps away. One of my favorite things to do on vacation is to sit outside and sip a glass of wine while people watching. This was the perfect location for that.

Day 1: Explore Paris on Motorcycle

One of the most unique ways to see this city is on a motorcycle with a sidecar. Wow, it was amazing! I booked with Retro Tour. The trip is about an hour long and takes you by all the main attractions, including the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, and Place de la Concorde. We spent the rest of the day just wandering the city and then finished the evening with a steak grilled over a wood fire at Robert et Louise. The steak was so tender and juicy. Don't forget to order a escargot and a nice bottle of wine to go along with it.

Day 2: Visit the Catacombs of Paris & see the Pyramide du Louvre at night

After having a chocolate croissant and coffee, head to the catacombs for an experience you will never forget. Although a little eerie, it is also fascinating. Be prepared to climb the spiral staircase to get back up to street level. Let me assure you, it’s worth the climb. Make sure to book this one in advance and pay the extra fee for the audio guide that will provide the history of the catacombs. Now I said that we are not museum people, but I still wanted to see the Pyramide du Louvre at night. It didn’t disappoint!

Day 3: Tour Montmartre

On our last full day, we wandered through the narrow, winding streets of historic Montmartre. If you are looking for a place to have a glass of wine and a cheese board with a view, I highly recommend Le Relais de la Butte. And, of course you can’t go to Paris without visiting the Eiffel Tower. We chose to go at night so that we could see it all lit up. If you don’t want to walk up the 674 steps to the second floor, book early to get the elevator tickets.

You will notice that we did not pack to much into each day. I feel that sometimes, we try to see everything but end up missing out on just relaxing and enjoying our time with our loved ones. There is nothing worse then coming home from a vacation more exhausted then when you left. Take your time, and slow down. Get lost walking the streets. Take 2-3 hours to eat a meal. You will never regret those times.