Three days are clearly too little to get to know the historically and gastronomically multifaceted Paris. Much can be said about the two-thousand-year-old capital of France. But if we do try to achieve the unachievable in these three days, we should do it in the French style: leisurely strolling along the alleys of parks, lingering in Parisian cafes over coffee and cake, and certainly - as you please. Please note that you can also see Paris on excursion transport (read the article Excursion transport in Paris).
Article content
1. Paris - day one
We'll start our tour of Paris from the square in front of the Town Hall (Hôtel de Ville), a stone's throw from Notre Dame and the Ile de la Cité. To get here, get off at the Hôtel de Ville station on metro lines 1 or 11. If you are familiar with the novels of Dumas, Balzac and other French classics, the old name of the square should tell you a lot - welcome, this is the Place de Grève!
In the Middle Ages, job seekers came here and unloaded cargo from river ships. Here the first municipal body was created, here pickpockets, witches and sorcerers were executed, nobles were beheaded, and those who organized an attack on the king were cruelly punished.
Luckily, today nothing remains of this dark past: the Parisian Renaissance town hall attracts thousands of eyes and lenses.
From the beach of the Hotel de Ville you will see the Arcole Bridge (Pont d'Arcole):
This is the first metal bridge in Paris, and Napoleon III gave it its name in honor of the victory of his uncle Napoleon I at Arcole. Behind the bridge, on the other side of the Town Hall, on the right bank of the Seine, is the Ile de la Cité - this is where all of Paris was located in the first millennium of the city's history. The Celtic tribe of the Parisii settled here in the third century BC. Over time, the island became the center of high society and church power. The first is represented by the Palace of Justice, the second - by Notre Dame.
On the island, walking along rue Arcoli, you will see Notre Dame Cathedral (Notre Dame), near the stone bridge Saint-Michel, turn onto Place du Palais and approach the Palace of Justice, where the trials of Sarah Bernhardt (famous actress), Emile Zola (famous writer) and Mata Hari (famous spy) took place. There is also Sainte-Chapelle - the chapel of Louis IX with amazingly beautiful stained glass windows:
Also worth mentioning is the Place Dauphine (one of the first squares in Paris). In the western part of the island, pay attention to the "New Bridge" (Pont Neuf) - this is the oldest bridge in Paris!
This is what the Conciergerie (La Conciergerie) looks like - a former royal palace, and later a prison. Marie Antoinette was kept here before her execution. This building is part of the Palace of Justice complex (Palais de Justice).
Notre Dame Cathedral is located on the eastern side of the island, its tall Gothic towers and metal spire can be seen from the bridge near City Hall. Notre Dame houses the crown of thorns that was placed on the head of Jesus Christ.
Not far from Notre Dame Cathedral is the Zero Mark:
Make a wish and go to the temple. Admission is free, the line moves quickly. The temple opens to visitors at 8 am.
Unfortunately, after the fire that occurred in April 2019, Notre Dame, also known as Notre Dame de Paris, is closed to tourists. According to the cathedral's official website, Notre Dame will open on December 25, 2024.
A few steps from the Pont Neuf is the Louvre. From the island, return to the right bank of the Seine and walk along the beach past the row of Parisian booksellers. Step boldly through the doorway from the square courtyard into the main courtyard of the Louvre and you will find yourself at the glass pyramids of the architect Ming Pei.
Then you will see Napoleon's first triumphal arch on the Place du Carrousel:
and the Carrousel du Louvre (the famous shopping mall):
behind which is the Royal Tuileries Garden.
More about the Tuileries Garden =>>
The Place de la Concorde (Place de la Concorde) is a kind of intermediate point between the Louvre, the Tuileries Garden and the Champs Elysees, stretching from this square to the Arc de Triomphe.
Originally, there was a statue of Louis XV on horseback here on horseback and other statues. During the French Revolution it was called the Place de la Revolution and a guillotine was erected there. Louis XVI, his wife Marie Antoinette, and later Danton and Roberspierre were executed in this square. After a few years the situation calmed down and the square was given a new name – Place de la Concorde. In 1836, an obelisk of the Egyptian pharaoh Ramses II was erected on the square, which was given to the French by the ruler of Egypt Mehmet Ali.
More about the Place de la Concorde =>>
Here we have reached the Champs Elysees. This is the most popular street and the main thoroughfare of Paris. Every hour up to 80 thousand people pass through it.
The name is based on the word "Elysium", which means "blessed hills". The souls of the heroes there achieved immortality, found eternal peace and happiness.
The Champs Elysees begin with the Arc de Triomphe and end with the Place de la Concorde. Its length is 1915 meters, and its width is 71 meters.
The biggest attraction of the Champs Elysees is the Arc de Triomphe on Place Charles de Gaulle.
More about the Arc de Triomphe =>>
Along the Champs Elysees there are many famous shops, cafes and restaurants, as well as embankments decorated with alleys and fountains.
If you turn from Avenue Gabriel onto the Champs Elysees, and from there onto the Faubourg Saint-Honoré, you will see the Elysee Palace, where the French President and ministers decide affairs of state.
Unfortunately, tourists can only enter this magnificent palace on the third weekend of September, and for free, when the "Days of Cultural Heritage" are held.
At this point, you will have to decide where to go - whether to continue towards the Arc de Triomphe or turn towards the Seine River at Avenue Churchill. On one side of the avenue is the glass-roofed exhibition center "Grand Palace", in French - "Grand Palais":
On the other side is the art museum "Little Palace", in French - "Petit Palais":
If you go straight along the road, you will reach the beautiful Alexander III bridge:
Next, on the Quai d'Orsay, you will see a large green field with lawns and rows of trees. There are several museums and Hôtel des Invalides, decorated with a golden dome.
Hôtel des Invalides is especially famous among tourists because it houses a statue of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte.
From here, the Champ de Mars and the Eiffel Tower are within arm's reach.
In good weather, you can relax or have a picnic on the Champ de Mars. In the southeastern part of the Champ de Mars is the Paris Military School, a large complex of military institutions.
This school has been operating since 1751, and the Eiffel Tower was built at the end of the 19th century.
If you want to go up the Eiffel Tower, keep in mind that there will be a long line, so it is better to buy a ticket online in advance. However, the ticket is not cheap either.
In the evening, the Eiffel Tower is illuminated and looks especially impressive.
More about the Eiffel Tower =>>
Opposite the Eiffel Tower, on the other bank of the Seine, on the site of the Trocadero Palace, is the Palais de Chaillot.
The Palais de Chaillot houses museums of man, the navy, and architecture.
2. Paris - day two
Continue on your way to new impressions. One of the most attractive places in the romantic city is the Louvre. It would be good if you dedicated at least a couple of hours to this and looked at the works of Leonardo da Vinci, Titian, Michelangelo, Rubens, Bosch and other famous artists.
After receiving spiritual food, you will not mind to rest and relax. You will not have to go far - inside the glass pyramid there is a cafe with excellent cuisine.
There are souvenir shops offering small copies of some works of art and items with their images (bags, T-shirts, napkins, tableware, etc.)
Next to the pyramid is the Cafe Richelieu, which is over a hundred years old.
Another option is the Cafe Marly, located between the arches of the Louvre. Here you can sit on the terrace.
After a snack, we head to the Palais Royal (Palais Royal), the former residence of Cardinal Richelieu. It is located next to the north wing of the Louvre, and you won't have to walk much. You won't be able to enter the building itself, as it is under the jurisdiction of the State and Constitutional Council, but if you go around it to the left, where you will see the theater founded by Moliere - "Comédie Française", you will find yourself in a wonderful park with many fountains and statues.
After leaving the Richelieu Garden, be sure to look into the Vivienne passage (Galerie Vivienne). This is a row of shops and cafes under a glass roof.
At the exit of the gallery you will see the famous Grevin wax museum. It was founded in 1882. Here you will meet Marilyn Monroe, Michael Jackson, Brigitte Bardot, Elvis Presley, Mozart, Napoleon, Leonardo da Vinci and many others.
From here, via Boulevard Haussmann, you will quickly reach the Opera Garnier. On your way you will come across the Choiseul passage - take a look there too.
It was in the building of the Paris Opera (Palais Garnie) that the ghost of Eric played pranks. This opera burned down many times. Kings and emperors were often attacked here.
You can enjoy the interior of the opera house during ballet performances or a special tour.
More about the Paris Opera =>>
There is another opera in Paris - on the Place de la Bastille, where the Bastille castle used to stand, which was stormed by the population during the French Revolution. The Bastille Opera House was built in the 1980s. There is also the "July Column" - in memory of the July Revolution of 1830.
If your stomach is not empty, you can easily climb the magical hill of Paris - Montmartre. The walk from the opera house will take you no more than 20 minutes.
The ideal option would be if you walk along the rue de Martyrs and come to the famous cabaret "Moulin Rouge" (Moulin Rouge), i.e. "red mill".
From the cabaret, walk slowly to street Lepic (rue de Lepic) and soon, on the left, you will see "Cafe 2 Moulins" (Cafe des 2 Moulins). It was here that scenes from the famous film "Amelie" were filmed.
If you turn right and walk a few dozen meters, at the end of the street Rue Tholozé you will find another mill - the famous Moulin de la Galette, which is depicted on the canvases of many artists.
Follow rue Girardon and the road will lead you to the bust of the famous singer - Dalida. Dalida loved Montmartre very much and lived there until the end of her life.
On the left, your attention should be drawn to the pink house of the artist Maurice Utrillo and the top of the Sacré-Coeur Basilica. You are close to your goal! Along the way, you will pass by the Place du Tertre, where locals will be happy to draw your portrait or sketch, or sell you their own painting.
Be sure to visit the Basilica of the Sacred Heart (Basilique du Sacré-Cœur), which in French means "Basilica of the Sacred Heart". The "sacred heart" refers to the heart of Jesus Christ. Entrance is free, but photography is prohibited.
If you go down the stairs and turn left towards the Abesses metro station, you will see another surprise of Montmartre - the "Wall of Love", on which the phrase "I love you" is written in different languages (and in Georgian). I think this will be a great end to the day.
3. Paris - day three
Let's first visit the Musée d'Orsay. To get there, you need to get off at the Solférino station of the metro line 12 (green). You can find the metro map in the article Paris Metro.
This museum of fine and applied arts is located on the left bank of the Seine River. It is visited by many people. Opened in the 80s of the 20th century in the building of the former railway station.
The museum has five levels, on which all types of art are presented: painting, sculpture, architecture, cinema, photography, music. In addition, performances, concerts and festivals are regularly held here.
The museum also has an excellent restaurant, two cafes, a bookstore, souvenir counters, etc.
More about the Musée d'Orsay =>>
The Luxembourg Gardens are located in the Latin Quarter, next to the Sorbonne University. Although it is not the largest park in the capital, it is a favorite place for Parisians and tourists to relax. The locals affectionately call it "Luco".
The Luxembourg Gardens are over 400 years old. They were founded by Queen Marie de Medici. It houses the upper house of the French parliament - the Senate, a museum, an orangery, and many fountains and statues.
The Luxembourg Gardens are a 20-minute walk from Notre Dame Cathedral. The easiest route is via Saint-Michel. Cross the Seine via the Pont Saint-Michel and follow Boulevard Saint-Michel to Rue de Vaugirard, which will take you directly to the gardens. The second option is to get off at the Odeon station on metro lines 4 or 10.
From the Luxembourg Gardens, you can see the Montparnasse Tower, the only skyscraper in the central part of the city. This sixty-story building is 210 meters high. If you don’t mind spending some money and climb to its roof, you can see almost all of Paris. It should also be noted that this tower cannot boast of beauty.
If you walk along Rue Bonaparte from the Luxembourg Gardens, you will find yourself in the heart of the Saint-Germain quarter, where the Parisian elite lives. Along the way you will see the Church of Saint-Sulpice, where Victor Hugo got married.
Nearby, on Rue Lobineau, you can visit the covered market (marché Saint-Germain). For chocolates and sweets, go to Pierre Marcolini or Patrick Roger. Nearby are two legendary literary cafés: Café de Flore and Les deux magots, where you can enjoy excellent hot chocolate, sandwiches and omelettes.
After a gastronomic break, visit the oldest Romanesque church in Paris - Saint-germain des prés.
Head towards the city centre along Rue Bonaparte, passing antique shops and art galleries along the way.
The Latin Quarter is located in the eastern part of the left bank of the Seine. This is a traditional student quarter around the Sorbonne University, founded in 1257! The name of the quarter was due to the fact that Latin was taught at this university.
Nowadays, the Latin Quarter includes not only the Sorbonne, but also a number of other higher education institutions.
The Latin Quarter is famous for its old narrow streets, bookstores and cozy cafes. With tourist attractions such as the Pantheon, the Luxembourg Gardens, the Medieval Museum and many others, it has become a popular tourist destination, resulting in rising rents and many students being unable to afford to live here. Head towards the city centre along Rue Bonaparte, passing antique shops and art galleries along the way.
If you save time during these three days, you can also visit Versailles, a complex of palaces and parks, the former residence of the French kings in the city of Versailles, now a suburb of Paris and a world-class tourist destination. In 1979, UNESCO included it in the list of world cultural heritage.
Versailles is located 20 kilometres from the centre of Paris. If you want to go there or learn more about it, read:
Don't forget Disneyland Paris - a grand complex of amusement parks in Marne-la-Val, 40 kilometers from the center of the capital.
Disneyland Paris opened in 1992 as an American original. Every year, 12.5 million people visit it! True, a Georgian tourist may think that entertainment there is expensive, but he will definitely return home with unforgettable impressions.
More about Paris Disneyland =>>
Finally, I offer you a map of the main attractions of Paris:
That's it - the three-day excursion is over. Naturally, this is only one of the options. Based on the information provided (I recommend that you fully familiarize yourself with the attractions of Paris on this site in order to make the best choice.) you can create your own route, subtract or add something. Have a good time!
© 2019-2024 All rights reserved.
Book your hotel cheaply!
Travel cheaply!
