What to see in Paris in 1 - 3 days?
Paris is a city that offers many magical corners, a great cultural activity and a varied gastronomy. It is one of the essential places that should be on your list. It is no coincidence that it is one of the most visited cities in the world. A selection of monuments, churches, museums, streets and neighborhoods will allow you to discover the most emblematic of the French capital.
Every corner in Paris will make you fall in love. On this walk you will discover everything that this historic city has to offer.
How to plan my visit to Paris?
At Yoorney we have local tour guides who offer you the best selection of guided tours, free tours and excursions in Paris and in other cities around the world.
The best way to discover a city!
Perhaps you don't know where to start creating your travel itinerary to Paris. It is normal, since you still do not know the city. Because going with a professional guide is not the same as doing it on your own, that's why Yoorney's tours will make you feel like one more local.
Why visit Paris?
If you have in mind going to the city of love, do you want to know the essential places to visit in Paris? Its name alone makes us think of movie weekends and romantic getaways in the French capital.
The aroma of a freshly baked croissant, a crunchy macaron or the best cheese. There are endless things to do in Paris, the French capital is full of options to enjoy. These are the essential places to see and visit in Paris in 3 days (or a weekend getaway). Take note!
The complicated thing about traveling is knowing everything you want from the chosen destination. We take care of that and show you the place so you don't feel like a simple tourist. Yoorney tours teach you the local culture as if you were a local.
12 essential places to see and do in Paris
1. Sacred Heart
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart crowns the top of the Montmartre hill. It is located in a special enclave, from which a large part of the city can be seen. If you want to enjoy a unique sunset, it is one of those places to do it. It has an atypical architecture and the panoramic views it offers of the city of light give you more than enough reasons for it to be one of the most famous monuments in Paris.
There are several ways to climb to the top of the hill where the basilica is located. On the one hand, you have the most exhausting option, directly climbing the 197 steps that make up the great staircase. On the other hand, you can take a bus called Montmartrobus. And finally, the funicular, which you will see next to the steps.
2. Stroll through Montmartre
¡¡One of the essential things to do in Paris is to walk through Montmartre. You will love the Painters' Quarter, it is undoubtedly the most picturesque and peculiar in Paris, as well as the most cinematographic. In case you don't know, the famous movie Amelie was filmed here. Among the different settings in which Amélie Poulain's life takes place are the Café des 2 Moulins (15, rue Lepic) where she worked as a waitress, the fruit and vegetable shop Au Marché de la Butte (rue des Trois Frères) or the Abbesses or Lamark-Caulaincourt metro stops.
The Montmatre neighborhood differs in two areas:
- The area in the vicinity of Place Pigalle. There are the sex shops and cabarets of Paris, including the well-known Moulin Rouge.
- And the other area is near the Place du Tertre, the most bohemian area of the neighborhood. It is located at the top of the hill. This area is the most pleasant of the neighborhood with narrow and steep streets, in it is the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, which presides over the neighborhood.
3. The Champs Elysees and the Arc de Triomphe
The main avenue that runs through Paris is known as the Champs-Élysées. It extends almost 2 kilometers from the Place de la Concorde to the Charles de Gaulle Square, where the Arc de Triomphe stands. Taking a walk through it is almost essential.
This arch was built by Napoleon to commemorate the battle of Austerlitz and some other battles that were won under his command and whose names can be read on its four pillars.
It is also the place where Parisians gather to celebrate various important events in the country. As is the case of New Years and the military parades on July 14. It is also the goal of the last stage of the Tour de France.
4. The Eiffel Tower
It is the most emblematic building to see in Paris. This iron tower was built for the Universal Exhibition of 1889. At first it was going to be dismantled. Despite this, they did not and today it is the most popular symbol of the City of Light. In addition, it is the most visited monument in the world, with more than six million visitors a year. It is the tallest building in Paris at 324 meters the tallest building in the city. We advise you to climb the Eiffel Tower, it is a unique experience! You have the possibility of accessing its top either by elevator or by stairs, although if you decide on the second option, you should know that you have to climb 1665 steps.
5. Latin Quarter of Paris
The Latin Quarter in Paris is one of the most popular in the city. It is located in District V. It is an area with easy access and very well connected. The name of the neighborhood is due to the fact that it houses the famous La Sorbonne university. This became quite popular during the 13th century because it was one of the only ones in the world where Latin was taught.
In this neighborhood is the old Shakespeare bookstore, an independent bookstore that functions as a bookstore specializing in Anglo-Saxon literature and also as a library. Nearby is the Saint Michel Square, where there is a huge fountain with the figure of Saint Michael fighting a dragon.
6. The Louvre
The Louvre museum opened its doors at the end of the 18th century. Since then his success has been unstoppable. It has become one of the most visited in the world. Every year more than eight million people visit it annually. It is the national museum of France and contains more than 380,000 objects and 35,000 works of art.
Its collections include works of Western art from the earliest civilizations and the Middle Ages up to 1850.
It is divided into several sections: Oriental Antiquities, Islamic Art, Egyptian, Greek, Etruscan and Roman Antiquities, and paintings, sculptures, drawings and engravings from the modern era and up to 1848. From room to room, you will find his masterpieces such as the Mona Lisa, The Raft of the Medusa, the Venus de Milo, the Victory of Samothrace... In total, some 35,000 works!
7. Bridges of Paris
Paris is full of bridges. Along the 13 kilometers of the Seine River that run through the city, there are more than 30 bridges and walkways of all kinds. From the oldest built in stone, to the most sober and recent. Among those that stand out the most are the Alexander III Bridge, it is the most beautiful of the Parisian bridges; the Pont de l'Alma, since its construction the eyes of the Parisians fixed on it to check the flooding of the river; and the New Bridge, is decorated with precious black chandeliers and more than 300 carved masks.
8. The palace of Versailles
The Palace of Versailles is a building that was once the French royalty. It is located in the Versailles region and has been a World Heritage Site for more than 30 years. It not only stands out for its imposing architecture and endless well-kept gardens, but also because it is an important part of French history.
With more than 800 hectares of gardens, the Palace of Versailles combines history and culture, throughout which plants and all kinds of trees spread. In addition to a large number of marble statues, ponds and fountains. It is practically impossible to walk all the gardens, to do so you can rent a bicycle, an electric car or the little train that runs through the gardens. If you also want to visit the palace, keep in mind that you will be out most of the day.
Some of the most important points are the Grand Trianon, a small pink marble palace, or the Domain of Marie Antoinette, a place where the wife of Louis XVI enjoyed a simple and country life.
9. Catacombs of San Callisto
The catacombs are underground galleries used as a burial place from the 2nd to the 5th century due to lack of space, the high cost of land and the disagreement on the part of Christians to cremate the bodies.
These catacombs are located on the outskirts, since the law at that time prohibited burials inside the city. To bury the corpses, they were first wrapped in a sheet and placed in the niches, closing them with marble or terracotta tombstones, where the name of the deceased could be seen engraved.
In the city of Rome there are countless catacombs, most of them are located near the Via Appia, one of the most important roads of the time. One of the most visited is that of San Calixto, which has an enormous network of galleries of about 20 kilometers, where 16 pontiffs and a large number of Christian martyrs were buried. If you want to visit other catacombs, the Catacombs of San Sebastian, the Catacombs of Priscilla, the Catacombs of Domitilla and the Catacombs of Santa Agnes are also open to the public.
10. The pantheon
The Pantheon in Paris is one of the most emblematic monuments of the French capital. Its construction predates that of monuments such as the Eiffel Tower. It is located in the Latin Quarter, very close to the Luxembourg Gardens. Currently, the remains of some of the most illustrious characters in France rest, such as Victor Hugo, Voltaire, Rousseau and Marie Curie. Its construction was directed by King Louis XV and the works lasted until 1790.
The visit could be divided into two parts: on the one hand, the interior of the building, where it is impressive to see its size and its decoration; and on the other hand, the crypt.
11. Disneyland Paris
Disneyland Paris is a magical world. The Disney theme parks, hotels and restaurants are located in this complex. Specifically, they include the Disneyland and Walt Disney Studios parks. On the one hand, Disneyland is the most classic park and the one preferred by children within Disneyland Paris. In it you will find all the Disney characters. And on the other, Walt Disney Studios is the Disneyland Paris park designed for a more adult audience. The theme of the park is the world of cinema.
12. Pompidou Center
The Pompidou Center is a multidisciplinary cultural center that houses the National Museum of Contemporary Art. This building was inaugurated in 1977, being the work of the architects Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers.
It is easily recognized by its huge color tubes. Inside it contains more than 100,000 works: the largest collection of modern art on the continent and the second in the world, only surpassed by MoMA in New York.
Where to eat in Paris?
4 places to eat in Paris
- Creperie Bretonne: For crepe-lovers this should be the first stop! There are nutella sweets, cream, jam and salty ham and cheese.
- La Petite Rose des Sableses: Do you feel like a traditional place? It is an authentic Parisian restaurant.
- Restaurant Argana: It is a Moroccan restaurant that you will fall in love with! The specialty is its tajines. There are all kinds: legumes, meat and fish.
- Pierre Hermé: Mr. Pierre Hermé is a well-known pastry chef! If you have a sweet tooth, you will find all the cupcakes and macarons you can imagine!
4 typical dishes of Paris
- Onion soup. A very popular dish! It is a delight that you should not stop savoring. It is made with onion, butter and cheese. If you travel in winter, it's perfect!
- Omelets. It is a recommendation that you do not have to miss! You will love the French omelettes. You will find them filled with different ingredients such as mushrooms, ham, cheeses and various vegetables.
- Ratatouille: A dish made of eggplant, zucchini, peppers, tomato, and sometimes other vegetables. They are seasoned with Provencal herbs.
- Fromage. It consists of a plate made up of cheeses of different flavors, among which the most popular ones are never lacking. Like camembert, roquefort, brie and boursin.
Paris with children
Museums
There are many family plans to do in Paris. We recommend Cité des Enfants or Children's City. It is located in the surroundings of Parc de la Villette. It offers the chance to have fun and experience different games and activities created with the aim of stimulating cognitive development. Another suggestion is the Natural History Museum, they will be surprised by the dinosaurs.
Playmobil park
The Playmobil FunPark in Paris is one of the most fun options for children. This space is located a few minutes from the French capital. In addition, it has twelve different play areas where the collection of emblematic Playmobil toys can be found from its founding in 1974 until today. The areas include themes such as pirates, a zoo, knights, a haunted palace and a doll's house. With a shop, cafe and restaurant that make it easy to spend the whole day in its facilities.
Pet-friendly Paris
Monuments and green areas in Paris
Restaurants in Paris to go with dogs
- Hyatt Regency Paris Etoile
- Citadines Saint-Germain-des-Prés Paris
- Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel
- Citadines Austerlitz Paris
Accessible Paris
Adapted tourism is not a pending issue in Paris.
We were able to experience it first hand and here are some of our favorite adapted and accessible sites:
- Monuments and museums: Eiffel Tower (only up to the second floor); Museums like the Louvre and Orsay are fully accessible; Sacred Heart in Montmartre; Arch of Triumph; and Saint Chapel.
- The streets have lowered sidewalks in general and the buildings are usually accessible for the most part.
Nocturnal Paris
Enjoy the night life of Paris. The city hides a multitude of corners with a special charm to have a good time in good company and where you can walk, have a drink and toast.
These are some of our favorite places to party in Paris!
Beer lovers in Paris
If you like to go for beers in Paris, you cannot leave the city without trying La Robe & La Mousse. It's beer lovers heaven! Most interestingly, the rotation of bottles and beers on tap will keep fans coming back to try what's new.
Cocktails in Paris
For those who prefer cocktails, having a drink after work or enjoying the night in Paris going out more calmly, Little Red Door, Dirty Dick and Le Syndicat can be great destinations.
Live music in Paris
Paris has concert halls and a musical program that you will love. If you like live music, you have to stop by Le Baiser Salé and Le Duc des Lombards, a legendary place for jazz people!
Paris nightclubs
Paris nightlife stands out as one of the main leisure activities. To get out of the day-to-day routine, we recommend Rex Club, Garage and Badaboum.
The best nightlife in Paris. Perfect for having the first or last drink of the night.
How to get to Paris?
How to get to Paris by plane
The most common and fastest way to get to Paris is by plane. Due to the rise of low cost flights, in many cases it is also the cheapest way. If you book early, you can find cheap round-trip flights.
How to get to Paris by car
The alternative by car is recommended for those travelers who are afraid of flying or want to take a route through France. Paris is 1,270 kilometers from Madrid and 1,031 from Barcelona.
How to get to Paris by train
How to get to Paris by bus
If you decide to do it by bus, keep in mind that it is one of the slowest alternatives. Alsa and Eurolines run routes between Paris and various Spanish cities. The journey time by bus from Madrid is between 16 and 18 hours. And from Barcelona between 14 and 15 hours.
The destination bus station is in all cases Paris Gallieni, very well connected to the rest of the city by public transport.
How to get around Paris
- Train
- Bus
- Cab
- Uber
- Electric scooter
20 most beautiful towns to visit in Paris
- Versalles
- Auvers-sur-Oise
- Épernay
- Provins
- Giverny
- Gerberoy
- La Roche-Guyon
- Châteauneuf-en-Auxois
- Flavigny-sur-Ozerain
- Noyers
- Vézelay
- Gargilesse-Dampierre
- Saint-Benoît-du-Sault
- Boulogne-Billancourt
- Meaux
- Pontoise
Paris Overview
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