A long weekend in Paris
Three themed days: the Right Bank and the Marais, the Left Bank with a river boat, and Montmartre and the canal.
- Length: 3 days
- Pace: balanced
- Rough cost: €170–€290 pp
- Best for: A first visit with breathing room
The plan
Day 1 · Louvre and the Marais Louvre, Le Marais
- 09:00–11:45 LouvreBook aheadIndoors
Timed entry; closed Tuesdays.
- 11:50–12:30 Tuileries Garden
- 12:45–13:45 Lunch in the Marais
- 13:50–14:40 Place des Vosges
- 14:50–16:00 Musée CarnavaletIndoors
Free.
- 16:15–17:00 Hôtel de Ville and the Seine banks
- 18:30–20:00 Dinner in the Marais
Day 2 · Left Bank and the river Île de la Cité, Saint-Germain, Champ de Mars
- 09:00–09:50 Notre-Dame de ParisIndoors
Free; reserve a slot.
- 09:55–10:55 Sainte-ChapelleBook aheadIndoors
- 11:20–13:00 Musée d’OrsayBook aheadIndoors
Closed Mondays.
- 13:00–14:00 Lunch in Saint-Germain
- 14:30–16:15 Eiffel TowerBook ahead
- 16:30–17:30 Seine river cruise
One-hour boats leave from the foot of the tower.
- 19:00–20:30 Dinner around Rue Cler
Day 3 · Montmartre and the canal Montmartre, Canal Saint-Martin
- 09:30–11:00 Sacré-Cœur and Montmartre
Early is quieter on the steps.
- 11:00–11:45 Place du Tertre and the vineyard
Clos Montmartre vines on Rue des Saules.
- 12:00–13:00 Lunch on Rue des Abbesses
- 13:30–15:00 Canal Saint-Martin
Iron footbridges and locks; walk south towards République.
- 15:15–16:30 Père Lachaise Cemetery
Free. Chopin, Oscar Wilde and Édith Piaf. Get a map at the gate.
- 18:30–20:00 Farewell dinner
Rough cost
Per person. Louvre, Sainte-Chapelle, Orsay and Eiffel Tower tickets, a Seine cruise, metro fares, mid-range meals.
Prices checked November 2026 against official and widely published 2026 rates; they change, so confirm before you pay.
Book ahead
- Louvre — Timed tickets required.
- Musée d’Orsay — Timed tickets.
- Eiffel Tower — Book early for the summit.
- Sainte-Chapelle — Timed slots.
If it rains
- Instead of Canal Saint-Martin: Musée de l’Orangerie or the Petit Palais (free)
- Instead of Seine river cruise: Covered boats still run; or the Musée du quai Branly next to the tower
Good to know
- If the Paris Museum Pass covers three or more of your sights, it can save queuing at the ticket desk, but timed reservations are still needed.
Book it
- Tickets and tours in Paris (GetYourGuide)
- Hotels in Paris (Booking.com)
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