Paris casts an undeniable spell - the city of love and light enthralls with its belle époque boulevards, charming cafés, and masterpieces housed in illustrious museums. Yet with countless iconic sights, knowing where to begin can prove overwhelming. This 3-day Paris itinerary provides first-timers with an enjoyable blueprint to maximize exploring the French capital’s star attractions.

We'll start by getting acquainted with must-see landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe, then dive into the sprawling Louvre and Orsay museums on days two and three, with built-in breaks to avoid fatigue. You'll discover tips on skipping lines, scoring deals on attractions, and my personal favorite local gems for eating and drinking like a Parisian.

With Eurostar whisking you from London to the City of Light in just over 2 hours up to 15 times daily, Paris makes for an easy and enchanting long weekend getaway. So peruse this guide to uncover how to most Experience Paris in 72 magical hours! À votre santé!

DAY 1 - THE CLASSIC PARIS

No Paris visit feels complete without exploring the refined Left Bank, home to impressionist gems, Napoleonic splendors, and the iconic Eiffel Tower. Begin by fueling up on buttery croissants and café au lait at Le Loir dans La Théière on Rue des Rosiers, my favorite whimsical Alice in Wonderland-themed tea salon.

Start your culture fix across the Seine at the spectacular Musée d’Orsay. Arrive right at 9:30am opening to avoid lines for the stunning former railway station housing Monets, Van Goghs, and Gauguins. Don't miss sculptures by Rodin - you’ll see more of his works later on. After a morning surrounded by the masters, cross the romantic Pont Alexandre III bridge to lunch along the Seine at Rosa Bonheur. Grab a table on the flower-lined barge in nice weather to gaze up at Grand Palais with charcuterie boards and French wines.

Walk off lunch by heading west just 10 minutes to Les Invalides and the extraordinary golden domed church holding Napoleon’s ornate tomb. For less martial matters, find serenity in Rodin’s home atelier and gardens, now the Musée Rodin next door on Rue de Varenne.

Finally, no Left Bank excursion is complete without beholding the Eiffel Tower, in my opinion best viewed from the grassy Champ de Mars at sunset! Before finding a spot on the lawn, pick up cheese, pâté, macarons and baguettes from Rue Cler's open-air market to picnic as the tower begins sparkling. If energy remains, walk up to the second level rather than queuing endlessly for crowded lifts. After night falls, stroll like a Parisian past the glittering carousel back to your hotel after an unforgettable Left Bank day!

DAY 2 - THE HISTORIC PARIS

Get your day started on a sweet note with hot chocolate and melt-in-your-mouth macarons at Angelina inside the Louvre to power up for museum explorations. As overwhelming as the endless corridors housing 35,000 treasures can feel, don’t try seeing everything – you’ll just get frustrated! Use the free map to laser focus on your must-sees, like DaVinci’s ethereal Mona Lisa or Mesopotamian relics. To skip ticket queues, enter via Carrousel du Louvre from the mall or Porte Des Lions from the riverside.

When you’ve gotten your fill, enjoy a relaxing lunch on the Palais Royal’s serene garden terraces, tucked away beyond the bustling arcades. Café Kitsuné and Le Perchoir are favorites for classic French fare while soaking up people watching locals playing chess. Then walk 10 minutes north to the eye-popping Pompidou Center, with its inside-out bright colors and exposed structural beams housing cutting-edge modern art.

Burn off that heavy French lunch by wandering another 15 minutes northeast to uncover the Marais district’s hidden charms. Getting lost among these ancient walkable small streets lined with patisseries, tiny boutiques, and Jewish delicatessens is pure magic. Don't miss magnificent Place de Vosges, ringed by mansions converted into exclusive hotels. Then finish your day over a crisp glass of champagne at the iconic art nouveau Brasserie Bofinger, gazing up at its stunning glass ceiling as you toast your Parisian discoveries!

DAY 3 - THE ICONIC PARIS

No Paris trip feels complete without visiting the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral and quirky Montmartre neighborhood. Start day three by arriving at Île de la Cité when Notre Dame opens at 8AM to beat crowds. While the recent fire sadly closed the landmark, you can still admire the stellar stained glass and flying buttresses from the outside. Cross Pont Saint-Louis to Île Saint Louis for lemon ice cream at Berthillon and window shopping on the charming island.

Around noon, take the metro towards Barbes Rochechouart and walk to Montmartre's lovely hidden squares for lunch. Afterward, climb the stairs to reach Sacré-Cœur Basilica, stopping to take in sublime city views. Wander through the buzzing artists’ square then return downhill via Abbesses metro.

On your last afternoon, shop the opulent Galeries Lafayette with its stunning dome and Printemps department stores. Peek inside the adjacent Palais Garnier opera house too – the facade and interior are sumptuous! Later, toast your trip with cocktails at legendary Harry’s Bar before dinner at your pick of Parisian bistros. For a wholly French finale, take the number 29 bus to Chez Poulette, an irresistibly pretty restaurant, and savor your last meal in the City of Light!

The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.