Paris 3-day itinerary

Start at the Sacré-Cœur basilica before 9am — the panoramic view over the rooftops from the steps is magical in the morning light. Wander the cobblestone lanes of Montmartre past Place du Tertre, Maison Rose, and the vineyard on Rue Saint-Vincent. Café crème and croissant at Le Consulat (€6–8) before the crowd arrives. Take the funicular back down.

Metro to the Louvre (€22, free first Saturday evening of each month). Enter via the quieter Passage Richelieu entrance. Prioritise the Denon wing for the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, and Italian Renaissance galleries. Two hours is enough for the highlights. Walk through the Tuileries Garden afterwards — the basins and statues are free and gorgeous.

Le Marais is the beating heart of Parisian nightlife for young travelers. Dinner at L'As du Fallafel on Rue des Rosiers (€8–12 for an enormous pita) or sit down at Breizh Café for proper Breton galettes (€11–16). Drinks at Le Mary Celeste for natural wine and oysters, then hop between the bars on Rue Vieille du Temple and Rue des Archives.

Book the Eiffel Tower summit online weeks ahead (€29.40 summit, €18.80 second floor). Morning slots have the shortest queues. The view from the second floor is actually better for photos than the summit because the city is closer. Picnic on the Champ de Mars lawn afterwards — grab pastries from nearby Boulangerie Pichard on Avenue de La Bourdonnais.

Cross the river to Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Browse the bookstalls along the Seine quays (free and atmospheric), then duck into Shakespeare and Company — the legendary English-language bookshop. Walk to the Jardin du Luxembourg for people-watching by the fountain. Students sail model boats here, pensioners play chess, and joggers circle the palace.

Dinner in the Latin Quarter — avoid the tourist traps on Rue de la Huchette and head instead to Rue Mouffetard for authentic bistros. Le Bouillon Chartier (Grands Boulevards) serves classic French dishes at canteen prices — steak frites for €12, wine from €4.50. Walk back along the Seine after dinner — Notre-Dame (still under reconstruction) is beautifully lit at night.

Skip the tourist trail and spend the morning on Canal Saint-Martin in the 10th arrondissement — iron footbridges, tree-lined banks, and independent cafes. Coffee at Ten Belles (€3.50), then browse the vintage shops and record stores along Rue de Marseille and Rue Beaurepaire. This is where young Parisians actually hang out.

The Musée d'Orsay (€16) is essential for Impressionist fans — Monet, Renoir, Degas, Van Gogh, all in a converted train station. The top-floor terrace with its giant clock face offers a unique view of the Seine. Alternatively, the smaller Musée de l'Orangerie (€12.50) houses Monet's Water Lilies in two oval rooms purpose-built for the paintings.

Metro to Belleville for a completely different Paris. This multicultural neighbourhood has the best Chinese food in the city (Rue de Belleville), incredible street art, and the Parc de Belleville viewpoint — a secret panorama rivalling Sacré-Cœur. Dinner at a Belleville bistro, then drinks at Le Barbouquin or Aux Folies for €3–5 beers on the terrace.