Updated 14 October 2026 · 6 min read
Paris in 3 days: what to book and what to leave loose
Paris rewards good timing more than good planning. The big sights run on timed tickets, and the rest of the city is best left open.
Book before you go
- Eiffel Tower – a sunset or early-morning slot.
- Louvre Museum – a timed entry, or a small-group guided visit.
- Versailles – if you are going, choose a weekday morning (it is closed Mondays).
Day 1: The Louvre and the river
Go to the Louvre at opening time, ideally with a guide, and plan on three hours. After lunch, walk through the Tuileries Garden to Place de la Concorde and then along the Seine. Take a river cruise at dusk to see the Eiffel Tower lit up.
Day 2: Versailles
Leave early for the palace. The tour with transport saves effort; if you go independently, the RER C is straightforward. Allow the whole morning for the palace and the afternoon for the gardens.
Day 3: Montmartre and the Marais
Start on the hill of Montmartre while it is quiet, with the view from the Sacré-Cœur steps. After lunch, take the metro to the Marais for the Place des Vosges, the Picasso Museum and a long afternoon in cafés. Finish with the Eiffel Tower summit at sunset.
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