With its iconic wonders, artistic cathedrals, world famous museums and beautiful stone bridges spanning the river Seine, Paris serves the perfect wanderlust cocktail. Whether you are a history buff, a wine lover, a music aficionado or a connoisseur of art, you are in for a treat. No wonder it is on the bucket list of most travelers heading to Europe.
The chic French capital carries an alluring charm despite being one of the most modern first world cities. This is something that you need to experience first hand to believe. Needless to say, my maiden Euro trip started with Paris.
Being on a rushed Euro trip, I had limited time to explore Paris. Thankfully, due to a well-planned itinerary, I could experience the best of what the city offers, in just 3 days.
So if you are on a tight schedule, then these top things to do in Paris that I explored as part of my 3 day itinerary will certainly help you make the most of it.
Day 1
Sacre Coeur Basilica – Montmartre
If there is one place which draws in almost as many tourists as the Eiffel Tower, then it is the Sacre Coeur Basilica.
The Cathedral is not just an exquisite work of art, but situated on top of a hill, it provides unparalleled views of the city. The interiors are just as impressive as the white domes that tower over the city. Inside lies a large mosaic of Jesus Christ, almost looking like a painting. It’s a masterpiece by itself.
But more than being an architectural marvel, it is a place that exudes tranquillity. In a bustling city like Paris, this cathedral is an oasis of peace. I would urge you to spend some time basking in the calmness of this place.
Note: There are almost 300 stairs that need to be climbed to reach the top. There is also an automatic funicular railway which ferries passengers to the top of the hill. I would recommend the stairs.
Opening Hours: It is open every day from 8.30 a.m.to 8 p.m. (May to September) and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (October to April). Entrance is free, though you may have to pay to access the dome.
Get a caricature done by an artist in Montmartre
Montmartre has been the base for almost every famous artist who has taken inspiration from France in the last century. Right from Picasso to Vincent van Gogh.
Even today, it continues to be a breeding ground for budding artists. You will get a first-hand experience of that as you walk the streets.
The main street Place du Tertre is teeming with talented caricaturists. You can get a caricature or a silhouette done by one of these. They usually charge around 20 Euros, but you can always bargain to get it done cheaper.
Shop in Montmartre
Montmartre has a maze of alleys and each of them is lined with tonnes of shops. This is in my opinion, the best place to buy souvenirs in Paris.
Moulin Rouge
Moulin Rouge is the most popular cabaret in the world. It is nothing short of a sensory overload. The ambience, the gourmet French food accompanied by champagne – the official drink of the cabaret, makes for an unforgettable evening in Paris.
Day 2
Eiffel Tower
A trip to Paris would be incomplete without a visit to one of the most romanticized structures known to man – The Eiffel tower. You can see it from pretty much anywhere in Paris. But you can only appreciate it from close quarters.
I visited the Eiffel tower twice during my 3 day trip. The first time, I was unimpressed, the second time I was bowled over. At night, it shines in its golden avatar, so a lot many travelers prefer that time. It looked pretty ordinary to me at night. In my opinion, the best time to go is the morning, just before sunrise.
Against a clear blue sky, with sun rays just making their way to earth, the Eiffel tower looks magical. It is the moment you realize it deserves all the accolades it has earned. Just sit down on the gardens next to it and enjoy some of the best views of the Eiffel tower up-close.
Note: If you want go to the top for the jaw dropping views of Paris, it’s better to book it in advance from their official website. The ticket queues are long, so getting it on the spot can be a big waste of your time.
Arc De Triomphe
The Eiffel tower is not the only place in Paris known for grand views. The Arc De Triomphe is another iconic landmark which affords excellent views of the city.
The monument is built in the memory of those died in the French revolution. It has a small museum which gives you brief glimpse of the history.
Entrance Fee: 12 Euros
Champs Elysses
Champs Elysées is considered to be one of the most beautiful avenues in the world. Visible from the top of Arc De Triomphe, Champs Elysees is Paris’s most popular shopping street. It is the house of luxury brands like Louis Vuitton. One of the best places to buy fancy souvenirs!
Day 3
Louvre
The Louvre is the world’s largest art museum and also one of the most visited ones in the world. In the pecking order of places to visit in Paris, I guess it comes only second to the Eiffel tower. If you are a connoisseur of art, then you would lose track of time here.
Most know it to be the home of the famous painting Mona Lisa by Da Vinci, but it has tonnes of other spectacular artworks that you wouldn’t have heard of.
Let me tell you, you can easily spend a day here, but in the interest of time, spend about 4-5 hours so that you don’t miss out on other things.
Notre Dame
Notre Dame Paris is considered one of the finest examples of Gothic Architecture. If you reach around evening time, with the river seine in the background, it looks like a portrait.
Next to the Notre Dame lies the Lock-Bridge, whose sides are filled with thousands of locks tied by couples in hopes of immortalizing their love. However tying locks is no longer permitted.
Note: Make sure you reach on time, as the Notre Dame has fixed opening and closing hours.
Walk along the River Seine
Walking along the River Seine is one of my favorite experiences in Paris. Next to the Notre Dame lies a promenade along which you can take a stroll on the banks of the river.
In the evenings, a cool wind blows here, the silent ambience only occasionally disturbed by a ferry passing by. Even though you are in a bustling city, walking here makes you feel like you have come far away from it.
Every place you visit in Paris has a distinct flavour of its own. Ideally, you would want to immerse yourself in each of these places and not just tick them off your bucket list. And that is precisely what this itinerary will help you do.
About the Author: Gopal Venkatraman is a travel and adventure enthusiast who juggles between his corporate job and his passion for travel. He loves treks and is a big fan of nature. He is well travelled across India, Europe and South East Asia. To know more about Gopal and his travels, look up his travel blog Roving Gene, where he shares all his tips, experiences and itineraries and his Instagram profile for some gorgeous nature shots and stunning locales. All the photographs in this article are his copyright.
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