Is three days enough for Paris?

For a first visit, yes, if the plan follows neighbourhoods rather than scattered landmarks, covering the Louvre, Orsay, Eiffel Tower, Montmartre and the Marais comfortably.

What should I book in advance for a Paris trip?

The Eiffel Tower summit and a timed Louvre entry are the bookings most likely to sell out, particularly in the busier travel months.

How do I get around Paris on this itinerary?

Mostly on foot, supplemented by the métro for longer hops between neighbourhoods; most of the stops above sit within comfortable walking distance of each other.

3 Days in Paris: A Realistic, Walkable Itinerary

Three days can comfortably cover central Paris if the itinerary follows neighbourhoods rather than jumping between distant landmarks. This keeps travel time down and leaves room for unhurried breaks between the sights that matter most to you.

Book ahead for a couple of key sights

The Eiffel Tower summit and a timed Louvre entry are the two bookings worth arranging well in advance, since slots can fill up, especially in warmer months. Everything else in this plan, including Sainte-Chapelle and Montmartre, can usually be reached with a short wait or a booking made closer to the day.

Day one: Île de la Cité and the Latin Quarter

Morning around Notre-Dame and Sainte-Chapelle, then across to the Latin Quarter for a coffee break before the Panthéon and a slow walk through the Jardin du Luxembourg. An afternoon at the Musée d'Orsay rounds out the day, with a flexible stop for lunch wherever the morning's pace allows.

Day two: the Louvre, river and Eiffel Tower

A timed Louvre visit in the morning, followed by the Tuileries garden toward Place de la Concorde, leaves the afternoon open for the Champs-Élysées or a quieter detour through covered passages. End near Trocadéro for the Eiffel Tower view, timing the booked visit itself around early evening.

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Day three: Montmartre and the Marais, at a slower pace

An early walk up to Sacré-Cœur avoids the busiest hours, followed by a stroll through Montmartre's side streets rather than its souvenir-heavy main drag. The Marais suits a relaxed afternoon, with lunch, the Place des Vosges and the free permanent collection at the Musée Carnavalet filling the remaining hours.