PARIS, FRANCE

Written By Morgan Tolley

THE PERFECT ITINERARY FOR A LONG WEEKEND IN PARIS

Have you ever found yourself with three and a half days to spend in Paris and no idea where to begin? For me, it was Presidents Day weekend with a roundtrip flight to Paris (CDG) from Atlanta, GA. If you’re like me, you’ll want to make the most out of your time there, especially if it’s your first visit. So this itinerary is jam packed with the must see’s for every first timer and a few lesser known secrets of Paris.

I’ll admit this itinerary was a little ambitious, so we didn’t have time for everything (shoutout jet lag). That makes for the perfect excuse to visit again. You should know Paris is always a good idea, even in Winter. I felt lucky to have experienced the city with smaller crowds and just as much magic and charm.

I’ve always said I would love to be a travel planner in another life. I spend hours scouring Pinterest and Tiktok for the best spots whenever I’m headed somewhere new. Now I’d like to share this hard work with you! The goal with this itinerary is to wander around all of the arrondissements of Paris (efficiently!) with time to enjoy every moment.

Check out the google map I put together here with all of my recommendations.


Day One: take a redeye and wake up in Paris

  • Drop off luggage at your hotel

  • Walk through Le Marais to Carette Café

  • Place De Vosges 

  • Walk/Scooter down Rue De Rivoli

  • Palais-Royal Garden & La Palais Royal 

  • Explore The Louver (using this visitor trail)

  • Café Marley or LouLou (or if you are short on time like us grab a crepe from a street vendor like Capt'n Crepe)

  • Tuileries Garden 

  • Place de la Concorde

  • Musée d'Orsay

  • Dinner at Bouillon République (this was located across the street from our hotel and always had a long line that we decided to wait in)

  • Dessert at Le Flâneur

  • Stay in Le Marais (Hotel Marais Home)

Day Two: get an early start & explore notable neighborhoods

Le Marais

  • Le Saint Regis for breakfast (we slept in and stopped at a local cafe for coffee, if you go here for breakfast you should start from the Pantheon or Luxemborg Gardens and work your way back to Le Marais)

  • Walk down Rue De Rosiers 

  • Hotel De Ville

  • L'as Du Falafel for lunch (expect long lines, we stopped in a boulangerie instead for a baguette sandwich)

Île de la Cité

  • View of Notre Dame

  • Rue De Chantres 

  • 26 Rue Chanoinesse (Vieux Paris d'Arcole)

  • Park Rive De Seine 

  • View of Sainte Chapelle

  • Place Dauphine

  • Pont Neuph

Latin Quarter

  • Bouquinistes along the Seine

  • Shakespeare & Co

  • Square René Viviani & the oldest tree in Paris

  • Odette (stop in for their famous choux pastry)

  • The Abbey Bookshop 

  • Scooter to the Pantheon

  • Luxemborg Gardens (if time permits)

Montamarte

  • Sacré-Cœur Basillica

  • Place du Terte

  • Place Dalida

  • Rue de l’Abreuvoir

  • La Maison Rose

  • Le Consulat

  • Le Moulin de la Galette

  • Picasso First Studio

  • Wall of Love

  • Dinner at Pink Mamma

  • Moulin Rouge

  • Late night snack

Day 3: Rooftop Views & The Eiffel Tower

  • Breakfast at Echo (which was delicious! we planned to have breakfast at Café De Flore or Les Deux Magots, however, sleep won)

  • Palais Garnier Opera House

  • Macaroons at Ladurée or Pierre Herme 

  • Galeries Lafayette Rooftop & Angelina's for hot chocolate

  • Have a cocktail at Perruche

  • Musée de l'Orangerie (if time permits)

  • Sunset Le Trocadero 

  • Dinner at Shang Palace in Shangri La Paris  (after dinner, ask to go to the “Song Bar” to grab a drink and watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle)

  • Stop in for a cocktail at the speakeasy Candelaria (while you pick up your bags from your hotel in Le Marais)

  • Stay at Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel (with views of the Eiffel Tower)

Day 4: last minute exploring

  • Cafe de L’Homme (eiffel tower view)

  • Rue Cler Market Street

  • Go to L’eclar for lunch or a cocktail

  • Arc de Triomphe 

  • Catch your flight back home

A few key pointers for your trip. We scootered everywhere! Paris is extremely bike friendly, and we found ourselves getting where we wanted much faster on Lime scooters vs. Uber and walking. It was safe and a great way to take in the surroundings while saving time. Upon arrival, we went to a nearby pharmacy to get the digital Health Pass (~$30 UDS) which was required for entrance everywhere. Be sure to check the guidelines before you go. If your French is sparse like mine, you’re in luck. The locals were extremely patient & kind and almost all spoke English. I recommend learning the basics before you go and always greet people with bonjour (hello) or bonsoir (good evening). Being that is was February, we were able to get more “last minute” tickets for the attractions. You’ll want to plan ahead though, as I hear things sell out quickly. This applies to dinner reservations as well, make them well in advance for the popular spots. Lastly, check opening hours for everything on your schedule. Most museums are closed on Monday. It goes without saying you can spend hours in the many museums in Paris. We chose to spend a few hours and focus on the highlights. Feel free to tailor the itinerary to prioritize what you love the most.

Morgan Tolley
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