This Paris travel guide covers the Top 11 things to do, a 3-day itinerary, ticket and tour budgets, accommodation recommendations, transportation tips, and answers to common questions for first-time visitors planning a self-guided trip to Paris.
Other Paris Articles：Moulin Rouge Review
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Contents
Top 11 Things To Do In Rome: Highlights, Map, Tickets
This map includes the Top 11 must-visit attractions in Paris for a three-day trip, key metro stations, and recommended dining spots.
The map is set to English by default. Simply click "Enlarge Map" in the upper-right corner to switch to your preferred language! Click on the attraction names below to view detailed descriptions, opening hours, map links, and ticket information.
- Louvre Museum (Musée du Louvre)
- Notre-Dame Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame)
- Seine River (La Seine)
- Eiffel Tower (Tour Eiffel)
- Champs-Élysées Avenue
- Arc de Triomphe
- Galeries Lafayette
- Moulin Rouge
- Montmartre
- Sacré-Cœur Basilica (Basilique du Sacré-Cœur)
- Bastille Market (Marché Bastille)
Things To Do In Paris - Louvre Museum (Musée du Louvre)
- Rating：🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
- Time Spent：3 Hours, and it's a wrong decision
Attraction Highlights
One of the largest museums in the world, housing over 380,000 artworks, including the renowned "Louvre's Big Three": Mona Lisa (top left), Venus de Milo (bottom left), and Winged Victory of Samothrace (top right). The glass pyramid entrance, designed by I. M. Pei, is a must-see and a popular photo spot, both during the day and at night.
Ka's Tips：The Louvre is open until 9:00 PM on Fridays. I arrived straight from the airport that day, landing at 6:00 PM, leaving me with just three hours to explore, and I had to queue in heavy rain (as seen in the picture – I couldn’t resist the cold rain and bought an umbrella for 12 euros... we Brits don’t usually use umbrellas!!!). In the end, I only had time for a quick overview and managed to spot the Louvre’s Big Three. For first-time visitors, if you have enough time, I recommend at least half a day to properly explore. Additionally, it's a good idea to buy tickets in advance to significantly shorten the wait for tickets.
Opening Hours
- Daily: 09:00 – 18:00
- Friday Close at 21:00
Tickets / Tours
Google Maps Link
Things To Do In Paris - Notre-Dame Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame)
- Rating：🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
- Time Spent：1 Hour | During my visit, Notre-Dame was still closed for restoration, but the area around the cathedral had informative panels about the work being done and the history of the site. I took my time reading through these, and to add a special touch, there was a beautiful, almost haunting violin performance nearby.
Attraction Highlights
A classic example of Gothic architecture, featuring stunning stained glass windows and intricate carvings. It will reopen to the public at the end of 2024.
Opening Hours
- Currently closed, but set to reopen soon!
Tickets / Tours
- Please stay tuned for reopening details.
Google Maps Link
Things To Do In Paris - Seine River (La Seine)
- Rating：🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
- Time Spent：1.5 hours | Take a leisurely stroll along the river from Notre-Dame to the Eiffel Tower.
Attraction Highlights
The soul of Paris, with several iconic landmarks along its banks. A river cruise or a riverside walk is the perfect romantic way to explore the city.
Opening Hours
- Open All Day
Tickets / Tours
- Free
Google Maps Link
Things To Do In Paris - Eiffel Tower (Tour Eiffel)
- Rating：🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
- Time Spent：2 Hours
Attraction Highlights
The symbol of Paris, whether it's climbing to the top for a panoramic view of the city or enjoying the light show at night, it’s a must-see. I love taking photos from the base, feeling the sheer grandeur of the Eiffel Tower.
Ka's Tips：If you walk along the Seine from Notre-Dame to the Eiffel Tower, you'll pass by Port de la Bourdonnais. If you're visiting during a festival, you'll find a food market there (as shown in the picture below).
Opening Hours
- 09:00 – 00:00
Tickets / Tours
Google Maps Link
Things To Do In Paris - Champs-Élysées Avenue
- Rating：🌎🌎🌎🌎
- Time Spent：1 hour (I was very disciplined this time, I really didn’t buy anything!)
Attraction Highlights
The world-famous shopping street, home to luxury brand stores, restaurants, and theatres, is the heart of shopping in Paris.
Opening Hours
- Open All Day
Tickets / Tours
- Free
Google Maps Link
Things To Do In Paris - Arc de Triomphe
- Rating：🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
- Time Spent：1 Hour
Attraction Highlights
Built to commemorate Napoleon's military victories, the top offers a stunning view of Paris' radial street layout.
Opening Hours
- 10:00 – 22:30
- Tuesday: 11:00 – 22:30
Tickets / Tours
Google Maps Link
Things To Do In Paris - Galeries Lafayette
- Rating：🌎🌎🌎🌎
- Time Spent：2 Hours
Attraction Highlights
Paris' shopping paradise, renowned for its magnificent dome and diverse selection of brands, is particularly stunning during the Christmas decorations.
Opening Hours
- Monday - Saturday：10:00 – 20:30
- Sunday：11:00 – 20:00
Tickets / Tours
- Free
Google Maps Link
Things To Do In Paris - Moulin Rouge
- Rating：🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎｜Extra 🌎
- Time Spent：3 Hours
- Detailed Review Article：Moulin Rouge Review｜In this article, I share my experience of attending the Moulin Rouge, providing a brief introduction to its origins, historical background, and main performances. Additionally, I offer a detailed breakdown of ticket options, show schedules, seating choices, and dress code requirements, along with other useful information.
Attraction Highlights
A famous venue for the French Cancan, featuring stunning stage designs and exquisite dance performances, perfect for late-night entertainment.
Photo is not allowed during the performance. Image source: Moulin Rouge official website.
Opening Hours
- Moulin Rouge offers two performances every night at 21:00 and 23:00, each lasting about 2 hours. You can also choose to arrive at 19:00 for dinner before the 21:00 show.
Tickets / Tours
- 19:00 (Dinner + 21:00 Show), prices from €250：Get Your Guide ｜Via Official Website
- 21:00 (Show + Champagne or Drink), prices from €165：Get Your Guide ｜Via Official Website
- 23:00 (Show + Champagne or Drink), prices from €125：Get Your Guide ｜Via Official Website
Google Maps Link
Things To Do In Paris - Montmartre
- Rating：🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
- Time Spent：3 Hours
Attraction Highlights
A hub for artists, known for its romantic streets, cafés, and murals, which have inspired countless masterpieces.
If you’ve ever heard the line, 'When I walked through Montmartre, the streets were full of circus acts,' you’re probably familiar with the iconic Cantonese pop song "Free Travel" (自由行) by Wyman, one of Hong Kong’s most famous lyricists. Written over 20 years ago, this song became the soundtrack to many people’s travels, including mine. The lyrics mention various destinations, with Montmartre in Paris standing out as a place of inspiration. The imagery of strolling through this artistic district with its vibrant atmosphere instantly became a must-see on my own travel to-do list.
Opening Hours
- The opening hours of shops vary.
Tickets / Tours
Google Maps Link
Things To Do In Paris - Sacré-Cœur Basilica (Basilique du Sacré-Cœur)
- Rating：🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
- Time Spent：2 Hours
Attraction Highlights
Located at the top of Montmartre Hill, this Byzantine-style white basilica offers stunning panoramic views of Paris. It is also a popular spot for street performers.
Ka's Tips：This is one of the most popular tourist spots in Paris, so be extra cautious of pickpockets and keep an eye on your belongings.
Opening Hours
- 06:30–22:30
Discounted Tickets / Tours
- There is no entrance fee to visit the Basilica of the Sacré-Cœur.
- Montmartre Highlights Walking Tour with Local Guide
Google Maps Link
Things To Do In Paris - Bastille Market (Marché Bastille)
- Rating：🌎🌎🌎🌎
- Time Spent：2 Hours
Attraction Highlights
A popular market in Paris offering fresh produce, local specialties, and handmade crafts, capturing the charm of a traditional French market atmosphere.
Opening Hours
- Every Thursday and Sunday morning.
Discounted Tickets / Tours
- Free
Google Maps Link
How Many Days in Paris? 3-Day Itinerary
How many days should you spend in Paris? For a first-time visit, it's recommended to allocate at least 3 days to explore the classic city centre attractions.
My actual experience was arriving on Friday evening and leaving on Monday, but my itinerary was quite relaxed, with very little planned for Monday. So, if I combine the activities from my first and last day, it essentially equals a 3-day trip.
- Day 1：Louvre Museum > ibis Paris Sacré-Cœur Montmartre Hotel
- Day 2：Breakfast at a café in Montmartre > Notre-Dame Cathedral > Stroll along the Seine River > Lunch at Les Antiquaires > Eiffel Tower > Arc de Triomphe > Champs-Élysées > Dinner in Montmartre > Moulin Rouge show
- Day 3：Breakfast at Bastille Market > Galeries Lafayette > Lunch at Brasserie Le Bex > Sacré-Cœur Basilica > Montmartre district
- Day 4：Leisurely breakfast at Bel-ami > Leaving Paris
Places I missed but really want to visit (next time!)
- Notre-Dame: Reopening at the end of 2024, I’ll make sure to visit inside next time.
- Palace of Versailles (Château de Versailles): You’ll need at least half a day to explore, so I’ll save it for next time.
- Mont-Saint-Michel: A full day or even an overnight trip is needed, so I'll save it for next time.
Paris Transport: City, Airport
Getting Around In Paris
When getting around central Paris, walking is great, but the metro is the most convenient option. Use Google Maps to get real-time public transport routes, including transfer points and directions to your destination.
The metro stations most commonly used by tourists include:
- Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre – to Louvre Museum
- Cité – to Notre-Dame Cathedral
- George V – to Champs-Élysées + Arc de Triomphe
- Passy – to Eiffel Tower
- Blanche – to Moulin Rouge
You can't directly tap your credit card to enter the Paris Metro, but you can purchase a ticket using your credit card at the ticket machines inside the station. A single journey within zones 1-2 (where most tourist attractions are) costs €2.15 (2024 price). There's a discount if you buy a bundle of 10 tickets at once, but since I did a lot of walking during this trip, I didn’t get a multi-ride pass.
Paris Airport to City Centre Transportation
Paris has three main international airports:
- Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)：The largest and busiest airport, serving most long-haul international flights.
- Orly Airport (ORY)：Located closer to the city centre, mainly handling domestic and European flights, as well as some long-haul.
- Beauvais-Tillé Airport (BVA)：Located further out, primarily serving budget airlines with flights to and from European destinations.
You can travel directly from CDG and ORY airports to central Paris' main attractions using the metro or RER (regional express train). However, for BVA, the best option is to take the official airport shuttle bus to Porte Maillot metro station in Paris, as it is located further from the city centre.
Additionally, if you have too much luggage or are travelling with children or elderly companions, you may consider:
Private transfer service between Paris city centre and Charles de Gaulle Airport
Private transfer service between Paris city centre and Orly Airport
Transfer service between Paris city centre and Beauvais Airport
| I will start by searching on Google Flights and then compare it with * Expedia Flight Search *. If prices are similar for my preferred flights, I book through Expedia, as it offers package discounts when combined with hotel bookings and allows points accumulation. However, note that Expedia may not show all budget airlines. |
This time, I flew with Ryanair from Manchester to Beauvais (BVA) and back on a return trip.
Taking European low-cost airlines often results in cheaper flight prices than train tickets, but strict baggage size requirements must be followed (to avoid fines), and online check-in should be done in advance (to prevent the possibility of being bumped due to overbooking).
Where To Stay In Paris
Since I had to attend the 11:00 PM performance at the Moulin Rouge on one of the nights, and with the clocks going forward for daylight saving time that day, the show ended at 2:30 AM. I chose to stay at the Ibis Paris Montmartre Sacré-Coeur, just a 3-minute walk away from the venue. As part of the Ibis hotel chain, the service and quality were consistent with their other locations. However, I recommend keeping valuables with you and securing personal items in the room.
On that day, the cleaner mistakenly thought we had checked out and threw away my makeup remover, which I had left in the bathroom, as well as my Louvre ticket, which was on the desk. Although the hotel manager later arranged compensation, it was a frustrating experience to return to the hotel in the early hours and find such important personal items missing.
Apart from the aforementioned incident, the hotel's location is very convenient. I would recommend staying in this area if you're planning to attend a show at the Moulin Rouge.
| I only write about accommodations I have personally stayed in and found worthwhile. I won’t provide a generic 'recommended accommodations' list for places I haven’t experienced myself. However, based on years of trial and error, I’ve summarised a set of criteria that work for any destination and budget.
>>> Accommodation Selection Guide <<< Search for other hotels：Expedia Hotels Search ｜Hotels.com Taiwan |
FAQs for Self-Guided Travel in Paris
Q: Do I need to speak French in Paris? Can I communicate in English?
A: While French is the official language of Paris, most people at major tourist attractions, hotels, and restaurants can communicate in English. Learning a few simple French greetings like "Bonjour" (Hello) or "Merci" (Thank you) will help you connect better with the locals and make your experience more enjoyable.
Q: What payment methods are accepted in Paris? How much cash should I carry?
A: Paris uses the Euro (€). The main payment methods are credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express), debit cards (Visa Debit, MasterCard Debit), cash, and mobile payments such as Apple Pay and Google Pay. Cash is less commonly needed, and most payments can be made by card or mobile payment. However, it's a good idea to carry a small amount of cash for emergencies.
Q: How can I buy a SIM card in Paris? Can I purchase one in advance?
A: SIM cards can be purchased at the airport, telecom stores, or supermarkets in Paris. Some telecom providers also offer online ordering services, allowing travelers to purchase a SIM card in advance to save time.
Q: What is the best time to visit Paris?
A: The best seasons to visit Paris are spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October), when the weather is pleasant and there are fewer tourists. Summer (July to August) is warmer but tends to be crowded, as many locals take vacations during this time.
Q: What is the voltage and plug type in Paris?
A: The voltage in Paris is 230 volts, and the plug types are C and F (both with two round pins). It's recommended to bring an adapter if you're using electronic devices from regions with different plug types.
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