Weekend in Paris itinerary: what to do and see

One of my favorite cities ever, so I want to start this article. Do you want a weekend itinerary in Paris? Or in general how to spend 3 days there? So many , many things my dear guys and as usual with my exclusive images.

I don't know if you're ready for everything I'm going to show you. I know one thing for sure, at the end of the article a ticket to Paris will already be booked, especially if you've never been there. 

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Are you in a rush? Book the essentials

😴 B&B Paris 🏠

🌟 Paris Hotels 🌟

🖼 Louvre Museum 🎨

🎨 D'Orsay Museum 👨‍🎨

🎢 Disneyland 🏰

How many days do you need in Paris?

First fundamental question to understand how long can you visit Paris. In my personal opinion the minimum is 3 days (3 nights) because there is too much to see. In 3 days you will not be able to see everything but you will have a nice overlook of one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Are you ready? Let's start.

Weekend in Paris itinerary: Eiffel Tower

Iconic symbol of Paris and France. The Eiffel tower is one of the must-see attractions miss and that you can admire from different points. The famous metro station where you can admire it in all its charm is Trocadero .

Once you exit the station you will find yourself a few steps away in a square with a view of the tower. A few usual photos and then you can take a nice walk towards it. The beauty of the Eiffel Tower is that you can admire it from different points.

Once in Trocadero, continue to the tower via the side stairs for a stroll. When you get under the tower you can go to the other side where there is a park. Even from here there is a beautiful view with the trees that surround it. You can stop for a few photos and then make a decision.

To climb or not to climb the Eiffel tower?

This is a question I've asked myself many times and every time the answer is no . The reason (for me) is that spending 25 euros to go up the tower doesn't make much sense. In addition to the fact that the queue is long and you have to wait a long time.

For that amount (and even less) you can do very more constructive things in my opinion in Paris. Personally I leave it to you to decide on the premise that getting on it is a “must”. If you want to do it for the whim of saying you've been there, go ahead.

Also (this is my photographic obsession) the beauty of Paris is the view “with” the Eiffel tower and not “from” the tower. Below, in fact, I suggest a place that is worth visiting.

Eiffel Tower curiosities

• It was a temporary project to be demolished after the Universal Exposition. It was spared because it represented an excellent platform for positioning the first antennas.
• The Eiffel Tower boasts more than 30 replicas in around the world.
• For 41 years was the tallest monument in the world with a height of 312 meters.
• The French call her “Dame de fer” (Iron Lady). The reason is because it took 10,000 tons of iron and 2.5 million bolts to make it.
• The Eiffel tower gets its name from its creator, Gustave Alexandre Eiffel .

Weekend in Paris itinerary: Alexandre III bridge

Day or night this bridge is worth a visit for its extraordinary beauty. There are many bridges in Paris and this is the most beautiful (architecturally speaking).

It is located near the tower, take the opportunity to walk along the Seine .

Weekend in Paris itinerary: Triumphal arch

If you are passionate about history and art this place it's for you. Not only that, from the Arc de Triomphe you have one of the best views of the tower among its "arrondissements".

To purchase the Arc de Triomphe online ticket, I leave you the link to book it. The triumphal arch tells (through its bas-reliefs) moments of history of France. Which is why I found it very interesting on a cultural-historical level.

I advise you to visit it at the turn of the day and in the evening because the show will be guaranteed. Once it starts to get dark the city starts to light up and with it the tower. Indeed, I advise you to take a look at the weather, once in Paris, and visit it on the best day .

Weekend in Paris itinerary: Orsay museum

Art, history and culture, where to find them? Museums my boys, museums. The Orsay museum is (along with the Louvre museum) one of the main museums in Paris.

If you are passionate about art and history snatch a ticket for this magnificent place. The Orsay museum hosts numerous artists who have made history and whom I studied in high school.

It's amazing how different it is to look at a painting from a book and see it live. A feeling that you hardly forget, once there, that painting takes life.

Munch, Monet, Manet, Renoir, Van Gogh, are some of the artists you will find in the museum. Artists with their unmistakable “impressionism” style become famous all over the World. Here all the Orsay museum "skip the line" tickets with or without a guide to buy online.

Weekend in Paris itinerary: Montmartre

Another must-see stop, highest point on the hill in Paris, is Montmartre . Montmartre is considered the hub of bohemian life during the Belle Époque . Here you will also find an attraction to visit: the Basilica of Sacré Coeur.

The Basilica of Sacré Coeur in Paris

Visiting the Basilica is free. Inside you can take a tour and admire the magnificent glass paintings. Paintings that you find inside the chapels on the sides of the Basilica.

At the center of the basilica there is a dome depicting Christ. The technique used by the artist Luc-Olivier Merson is that of mosaic. Outside the Basilica there is a small square where you can admire the skyline of Paris (without the Eiffel Tower). There are numerous benches, sit and rest and enjoy the view.

18th Arrondisement

Not far from the Basilica there is a very nice spot where you can take some pictures. It is the 18th arrondissement where there is this spot with Parisian buildings and stairs.

Ideal spot to take some souvenir photos in one of the most fascinating neighborhoods.

Wall of "love" Paris

Also near the Basilica there is a place that has become very famous, the "wall of love” . In Jeahn Rictus square a wall with "I love you" written in all languages attracts people from all over the world.

Paris is considered the city of love , and if you're with your other half you can't not go there. A spot where you can take a memory and where it will be fun to try and find "I love you" in your language.

Weekend in Paris itinerary: Louvre museum

WOW. If there is a place in the world where the best artists of the world are enclosed, that place is the the Louvre in Paris . One of the most famous museums in the world with about 10 million visits the year.

• Leonardo Da Vinci
• Veronese
• Andrea Mantegna
• Michelangelo
• Raphael
• Eugène Delacroix
• Georges de La Tour
• Jacques Louis David

Some of the main artists (painters) inside the museum. With them, their World-famous works. Get your audio guide guys, because here you get a massive art history lesson.
Louvre Museum official "skip the line" e-ticket.

What to see in louvre: some of the best masterpieces

An in-depth visit to the Louvre can last approximately 3-4 hours. The main reason is that the museum is huge (the biggest to the World) with a collation of about 40 thousand works.

Among these there are some absolutely not to be missed that have made history. As previously mentioned, I advise you to bring an audio guide. Listening to the history of the most important works and their artists will take you back in time.

What to see in louvre: Mona Lisa

The Mona Lisa, also known as Gioconda, is the most famous painting not in the Louvre, but of the whole World. Painted by the great Leonardo da Vinci is one of the most viewed paintings in the museum.

There are numerous works by Leonardo da Vinci but this is the one that made him World famous . The painting shows Lisa di Antonmaria Gherardini, an Italian noblewoman.

Fascination and enigma have made this painting the object of criticism over the years. It has also been part of famous films and among the most important there is the Da Vinci Code. In front of this wonder I felt proud to be Italian .

Mona Lisa curiosity

In 1911 the Italian decorator Vincenzo Peruggia stole the Mona Lisa. A theft that made World Day in all the newspapers. Vincenzo took the Mona Lisa with him to Italy thinking it was a theft of the French from Italy.

He kept the painting with him for about 2 years and then tried to sell in Florence where he was later captured. A theft, which to date, has perhaps made the painting even more famous, creating an aura of mystery.

What to see in louvre: The Liberty leading the people

Symbolic painting of France by the French painter Eugène Delacroix . A painting that sees the Liberty (center ) surrounded by a crowd of people of all ages and social classes.

All social classes ready to fight against the oppressor. Marianne, in her leader pose, exhorts her people to follow her and rebel against Charles X.

I will mention just a couple of works because otherwise the article would never end. Obviously there are many famous and not to be missed.

Weekend in Paris itinerary: Champs Élysées

Once in Paris, if you visit the Arc de Triomphe, you cannot fail to take a stroll through the Champs Élysées . Longest avenue in Paris and center of Parisian fashion with its chic shops.

The avenue connects Concordia square to Charles de Gaulle square for about 2 km. Here you will find high fashion shops and there is no shortage of catering activities. In December everything lights up creating a nice atmosphere. Drop by, especially if you go to Paris during Christmas .

Weekend in Paris itinerary: Notre Dame

The Notre Dame Cathedral is another much visited attraction in Paris. Since 1991 Unesco Heritage attracts visitors from Worldwide.

Unfortunately in 2019, due to a fire, the Cathedral was damaged. It remains, to this day, one of the most beautiful architectural masterpieces in gothic style.

From the Cathedral you can also have a view of Paris by going up to the terrace overlooking the Eiffel Tower. To date it is not accessible but can only be admired from the outside.

What to eat in Paris

During my trip to Paris I stopped at several places to eat. I don't feel to suggest places in particular because I found myself eating "random" here and there.
There is, of course, a list of things (at least 3) which I think you should try before leaving town.

• Make sure there is a bakery nearby where you are staying. The baguette will be your daily lunch. In the bakeries you will find all tastes with at least one typical French cheese.
• Escargot: typical french dish based on snails and of great refinement. Maybe not everyone will like it but if you are a shellfish lover it is a must try.
• Macarons: typical French sweet consisting of 2 meringues enclosing a cream. They are also particular for their bright colors, each color corresponds to a taste.

Where to stay in Paris

Wide choice of where to stay in Paris: hostels, b&b or hotels. Where to stay is always something that depends on your pockets . If your budget is limited, a hostel is an option (especially if you are among friends).

Hostels are fun because you can make friends and they are cheap . Obviously you have to share the room with other people, this is the only flaw.

If you decide to stay in a hostel in Paris I recommend “The People” (I leave you the link to book ). Well located, with many services and a beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower from the rooftop bar. The hostel also has private rooms in case you want a more intimate solution.

If you are looking for something better for a special event to celebrate I also leave you:

• The best b&bs selected by booking.com (take a look)
• The best luxury hotels in Paris (for a special occasion with your partner)

How to get to Paris: by plane, train or car

If you live far from Paris, the best solution is obviously the plane. In this paragraph, however, I will suggest 2 alternatives to reach Paris.

London - Paris by train

If you live in London (or England in general) the train it is a great alternative for Paris. From St Pancras station it is possible to take the Eurostar which will take you there in a couple of hours.

The checks are identical to those for the airport (luggage, passport and tickets). For more info on prices on the London – Paris route, visit the eurostar website .

London (England in general) - Paris by car

Another alternative to train and plane is by car. The car is to be considered as an option if you do a tour (in my opinion). A car will bring you several pros and cons.

Pros

• Low expenses (especially if there are at least 2 of you) for petrol, eurotunnel and parking. The Eurotunnel is the train that takes you (by car) from England to France.
• Freedom to roam other places outside Paris and do a car tour
• Not having time problems

Cons

• If you are alone the expenses become too much excessive
• An unexpected car could happen with any consequences (repair/loss of time)

Attractions to visit in Paris with more days

3 days like this, in Paris, are really intense, believe me. Also, I wanted to tell you that there are things you won't be able to see . I'll mention a few to give you an idea:

• Pompidou, museum of modern art (ticket can be purchased online)
• Disneyland: a day full of fun? Book your ticket in advance
• Palace of Versailles (1 hour from Paris)

Only for Disneyland/Palace of Versailles it would take a full day (each). In my 3 days trip I didn't decide to visit them for several reasons.

Disneyland is obviously a super popular attraction (especially if you are a family with children). Maybe take it into consideration by replacing one of the things I suggested in the article.

Weekend in Paris itinerary: conclusions

What can I add? There is a reason why France is the first most visited in the World and Paris always maintains the top 3 positions. It is a destination that can offer you everything: history, culture, entertainment .

I would recommend it, to go there and go again. Paris (in my opinion) is that city you will never get tired of. The city of lovers and more, for me is also to be done with a group of friends or family.

A city that continues to impress me every time I go and I can say that it is one of my favourites. See you in the next article and remember: who travels lives twice

P.s. don't forget to click here to follow on my Instagram page the places where I have been.

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