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Paris itinerary 3 days: Notre-Dame, the Louvre and Montmartre at a calm pace

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This Paris itinerary for 3 days takes you from Notre-Dame and the Seine on Day 1 to the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower on Day 2, then Montmartre and the Marais on Day 3. It uses one central hotel, the metro and a lot of walking, and it tells you which tickets to book before you fly.

Three days suit a first visit, a couple's city break, or the start of a longer trip through France or Europe. Below you'll find each day, why it sits where it does, how to get around, and when each ticket goes on sale.

The Eiffel Tower seen from the Trocadéro gardens, framed by autumn trees
Photo by Rosivan Morais on Pexels

The 3-day Paris itinerary at a glance

Why this order? Day 1 keeps you outside and on your feet, which helps after a long overnight flight, and the islands in the Seine are close to most central hotels. The Louvre goes on Day 2 because it's best on a fresh morning with a booked time slot. Montmartre comes last because its hill is quietest early, and you'll know the metro well by then.

Check the days of the week before you fix the order. The Louvre is closed on Tuesdays, and the Musée d'Orsay and the Catacombs are closed on Mondays, so swap Day 2 and Day 3 if your dates fall that way.

Day 1: Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle and the Left Bank

Flights from Singapore usually land at Charles de Gaulle early in the morning. The RER B train runs from the airport to central stations such as Châtelet and Saint-Michel Notre-Dame, and if you can't check in yet, leave your bags at the hotel.

The west towers of Notre-Dame de Paris beside the Seine
Photo by Gheorghe Lupan on Pexels

Start at Notre-Dame, which reopened after the 2019 fire. Entry is free, and you can reserve a free time slot online a short time ahead to skip the longer queue, or simply join the line. A few minutes' walk away, Sainte-Chapelle has some of the finest stained glass in Paris. It needs a timed ticket, so book one for the late morning or early afternoon, and note that it closes at 17:00 from October to March.

In the afternoon, cross to the Left Bank. Wander the Latin Quarter, sit for a while in the Luxembourg Garden, and have dinner around Saint-Germain. If you're still awake, walk back along the Seine after dark.

Day 2: The Louvre, the Tuileries and the Eiffel Tower

Be at the Louvre for your morning time slot. It's huge, so pick two or three things you want to see, such as the Mona Lisa, the Winged Victory or the Egyptian rooms, and leave when you've had enough. Afterwards, walk west through the Tuileries Garden for lunch.

If you'd rather see the Impressionists, swap the Louvre for the Musée d'Orsay across the river. It's smaller, easier in a morning, and open late on Thursdays.

Spend the late afternoon and evening at the Eiffel Tower. Go up if you've booked, or cross to the Trocadéro for the classic view, then watch the tower light up after dark. Our Eiffel Tower summit tickets guide explains when each ticket type goes on sale.

Day 3: Montmartre, the Marais and a last evening by the river

Go to Montmartre early, before the crowds. Climb up to Sacré-Cœur for the view over the city, then wander the small streets and squares behind it, past the vineyard and the old windmills.

Sacré-Cœur on the hill of Montmartre above the Paris rooftops at dusk
Photo by Sergey Guk on Pexels

In the afternoon, take the metro to the Marais. Walk to the Place des Vosges, browse the small shops, and eat falafel or pastries on the way. If you'd like something underground, the Paris Catacombs are a short metro ride south, but book ahead, as tickets sell out.

For the last evening, walk along the Seine at sunset, or take a river cruise from near the Eiffel Tower or the Pont Neuf.

Getting around Paris (approximate)

Do you need a pass for 3 days in Paris?

Probably not. This route is mostly on foot, so single metro tickets on a Navigo Easy card or your phone usually work well. With only two or three paid sights, single timed tickets are simpler than a museum pass, and the Louvre, Sainte-Chapelle and the Eiffel Tower all ask you to book a time slot anyway.

Rough budget per person (approximate, excluding flights)

These are planning estimates, not quotes. Prices move with the season, the exchange rate and how many of you share a room.

What to book early

From Singapore

Singapore Airlines and Air France fly non-stop between Singapore and Paris Charles de Gaulle, a flight of about 13 to 14 and a half hours. Many flights leave Changi late at night and land in Paris early the next morning, which suits Day 1 of this plan.

Paris is on Central European Time. From the last Sunday of October to the last Sunday of March, Singapore is 7 hours ahead of Paris. In the summer months, when Paris moves its clocks forward, Singapore is 6 hours ahead.

A Singapore passport doesn't need a visa for France. You can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period in the Schengen Area, and your passport should be valid for at least 3 months after you leave it. The first time you enter, the EU's Entry/Exit System takes your fingerprints and a photo at the border, so allow a little extra time at immigration.

Singapore is also on the list of countries that will need an ETIAS travel authorisation once it starts. As of 31 October 2026 it isn't in operation yet, and the EU says it will announce the start date months in advance. Check the official EU travel website before you book, and apply only there.

For 2027, these windows on our Singapore public holidays 2027 page fit Paris well:

Planning this trip as a group

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Sources

Questions

Is 3 days enough for Paris?

Yes, for a first visit at a calm pace. Three days cover Notre-Dame and Sainte-Chapelle, the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, Montmartre and the Marais, one area a day. Versailles or a second big museum would need a fourth day.

What is the best 3-day Paris itinerary for a first visit?

Day 1 on the Île de la Cité and the Left Bank, Day 2 at the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower, Day 3 in Montmartre and the Marais. That is the route on this page, with one hotel in the centre.

Which day is the Louvre closed?

Tuesday. It also closes on 1 January, 1 May and 25 December, and stays open until 21:00 on Wednesdays and Fridays. Book a time slot online before you go.

Do Singaporeans need a visa for Paris?

No. Singapore passport holders can visit France and the rest of the Schengen Area without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180 days. You register your fingerprints and photo at the border the first time, and the ETIAS travel authorisation will be needed once it starts.

How long is the flight from Singapore to Paris?

About 13 to 14 and a half hours non-stop. Singapore Airlines and Air France both fly the route, and many flights leave Singapore late at night and land in Paris early the next morning.

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