How to Spend 3 Days in Paris: A Local’s Guide to the Perfect Long Weekend

Three days in Paris can change the way you see food, art, and even time itself. The city moves at a different rhythm - slow enough to savor a croissant, fast enough to make every corner feel alive.

This is how I would spend 72 hours in Paris if I were visiting for the first time - balancing the icons with the quiet corners, and the museums with the moments that happen between meals.

Day 1 – Classic Paris with a Twist

Morning – The Louvre and the SeineStart with the classics. Go early to the Louvre, not necessarily to see everything (that would take weeks), but to feel the space — the glass pyramid glowing in the morning light, the quiet hum of visitors from all over the world. Pick one or two sections, and give yourself permission to skip the rest.

Afterward, walk along the Seine. Cross the Pont des Arts, grab a coffee at Le Fumoir just behind the museum, and watch the city wake up.

Afternoon – Île de la Cité and Notre-DameHead toward the heart of Paris — Île de la Cité. Even under restoration, Notre-Dame remains breathtaking. Explore the surrounding streets, the flower market, and the hidden courtyards that most tourists miss.

If you want to experience this part of the city in a way that mixes food, history, and storytelling, this is where I come in.Join the “Pastries & Damnations” tour, a two-hour walk through the island’s old streets, where we taste some of the best pastries in Paris while uncovering the city’s darker, more tragic past. It’s a blend of sweetness and storytelling — and it’s one of my favorite ways to introduce people to Paris.

Evening – Dinner in Saint-GermainCross over to the Left Bank and settle in for dinner at Le Procope or Chez Fernand Christine. Order something classic : duck confit or beef bourguignon and a glass of Bordeaux.Walk it off with a nighttime stroll along the Seine. Paris after dark has a calm kind of magic.

Day 2 – Montmartre, Art, and Wine

Morning – The Artists’ HillTake the metro to Anvers and climb up to Montmartre. Start your morning at Gilles Marchal with a kouign-amann or an éclair — some of the best pastries in Paris.

Wander through Place du Tertre, see the house of Dalida, and stop by Le Bateau-Lavoir, where Picasso and Modigliani once worked. Montmartre still feels like a village, full of crooked streets and hidden gardens.

Afternoon – A Taste of MontmartreIf you’re a wine lover, this is your moment.Join our “Wine & Whimsy” tour, a three-hour walk through Montmartre’s vineyards, hidden bistros, and stories from the Belle Époque. You’ll taste wine, local bites, and discover why this neighborhood has inspired artists and dreamers for centuries.

Evening – Dinner with a ViewStay in the area for dinner at Le Consulat or Les Vins de Montmartre. Both offer great views and that unmistakable Parisian buzz.If you still have energy, walk up to the steps of the Sacré-Cœur and watch the city lights stretch to the horizon.

Day 3 – Markets, Museums, and the Marais

Morning – Marché d’Aligre or Rue ClerStart your last day like a local — in the market. Marché d’Aligre (12th arrondissement) is one of the liveliest in Paris: a mix of fresh produce, cheese, wine stalls, and chatter. If you prefer something smaller, Rue Cler near the Eiffel Tower is equally charming.

Grab a baguette, some cheese, and fruit for an impromptu picnic.

Afternoon – The MaraisHead to the Marais for a final dose of history and style. Walk through Place des Vosges, one of the most beautiful squares in Paris, then explore the narrow streets filled with independent shops and bakeries.Stop for a falafel at L’As du Fallafel or something sweet at Carette.

Evening – A Perfect FarewellEnd your trip where the city feels timeless — at the banks of the Seine or in a cozy wine bar like Les Piqueurs in Montmartre or Le Garde Robe near the Louvre.Order a final glass of wine, toast to the city, and promise yourself you’ll return. Because you will. Everyone does.

A Final Word

Three days in Paris go fast, but the memories linger : the smell of fresh pastries in the morning, the echo of church bells, the first sip of wine at sunset.

The best way to experience the city isn’t to rush from monument to monument, but to let it unfold slowly : one story, one flavor, one neighborhood at a time.

And if you want to discover that side of Paris, where food and history intertwine, I’ll be waiting on the corner of a cobblestone street : ready to share a pastry, a glass of wine, and a few good stories.