3 days in paris

Without knowing your interests or priorities, I can only suggest you look at the "At a Glance" page of the Paris section under the Explore Europe subforum on this site: https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/france/paris

CJean has given you excellent advice. I'd say that's a perfect place to start!

That said, if you are interested in history and art, and are avid walkers, you could just walk out of your hotel room (assuming it's pretty central) on any given day and walk in any direction and run into art and history GALORE. There is almost no way to go wrong in Paris.

In Paris, you might need to give us more clues, like... modern art? Art Deco? Are you medievalists? Do you like churches? Cathedrals? Things of local interest? WWII stuff? Roman ruins? Less-touristed places, where you might have more of the place to yourself?

And do you know where you are staying? Folks here could give you more tailored suggestions based on your home base (although it you love walking, that might not be as much of a consideration for you).

I've been going to Paris pretty regularly for over 40 years, and I love art and history, and I have never run out of things to do or see.

What is your dream of Paris? Do that.

I'd look at some guide book suggestions; make a list of your favorites and plan to do two a day -- and then build possibilities geographically near those. And since you have so little time, I'd put the emphasis on varied experiences i.e. rather than 4 great art museums - do a couple and some other entirely different sites. Perhaps a chateau or self guided walk with guidebook route or an interesting church. Mix is up.

Hi

We are also trying to sort what area to stay. Will definitely take a look at the Paris sub forum. Art Deco, Cathedrals and Roman ruins are of interest. We like to get off the beaten path although we should check out the obvious as well. Unfortunately we only have 3 nights as we are adding on before we end a much longer trip. We are so close to Paris so thought we need to stop. Will definitely return.

Thank you

A couple of years ago I formulated my own DIY walk of "Roman Paris", lol. Here is the information I made for myself in case it is of use to you.

Starting at St-Etienne du Mont (steps used for Midnight in Paris) and moving to the Pantheon.
Walk along Rue Sufflot away from the front entrance of the Pantheon toward the Luxembourg Gardens.

The Roman Forum was centered on Rue Sufflot but covered
Rue Malabranche - Southern Limit of forum
Rue Saint-Jacques - Eastern limit (172 Rue Saint-Jacques nr Rue Sufflot was probably the Zero Point from which everything was measured. Also Cardo Maximus)
Bd Saint-Michel - Western limit
Rue Cujas- North limit of forum

Go to Corner of Blvd Saint-Michel.

→ #61 Boulevard Saint-Michel Go down into the parking garage stairwell to the entrance. Roman Ruins in parking garage stairwell

→ Return to Bd Saint-Michel Walk north to Place de la Sorbonne. Roman Well, covered by grid next to pond

→ Continue down Bd Saint-Michel to the Cluny Museum Roman Baths can be seen thru the iron railings or visit the museum to see the inside of the bath area. Go in to the Cluny if open.

→ Just on the side of the Cluny Museum, take a right on Blvd Saint-Germain. Go to Rue Saint-Jacques and take a left.

—> Le Petit Pont. Connects the Left Bank to Ile de la Cite leading over to the Archeological Crypt and the square in front of Notre Dame.
(https://worldinparis.com/roman-paris-lutetia). This modern bridge, connecting Ile de la Cité to the left bank, stands at the ancient Roman bridge’s exact location.Roman Lutetia was laid out at the intersection of the Seine and two parallel Roman roads running north-south.

The easternmost of these streets (today’s rue St-Jacques) served as the Cardus Maximus or main NS street. Ultimately coming from Spain, this road passed through Orléans (Cenabum) to Paris, and crossed the Seine at the Île de la Cité via the Petit Pont (‘small bridge’) and went north through Senlis.

→ 10 Boulevard du Palais Site of original palace, now Palais du Justice

→ 5 Rue de Colombe Trace of Roman Rampart. At 5 rue de la Colombe, a special paving recalls the discovery of a section of the rampart built during the Low Empire (4th century AD).

→ Crypte Archeologique

What I did not work into this walk was the Arène de Lutece which is the Roman amphitheater. I'd been there before and it was further off the route than I wanted to be on that particular day.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arènes_de_Lutèce

Stop by your local library or bookstore and pick up a guide book on Paris. It could be Rick Steves', Fodors, Eyewitness or any of several others. That will help you get an understanding of what is where.

For first time visitors a hotel about 15 to 20 minutes walk from the Seine in the 3rd through 6th, maybe 7th arrondissements is good. That would put you within walking distance to many sights.

Perhaps the Hotel Monge in the Latin Quarter next to a Roman amphitheatre. Lots of cafes, restaurants and shops nearby and just a short walk to 2 different metro lines. It's a 15 minute walk to Notre Dame, the Cluny Museum with it's Roman baths and the Lady and the Unicorn Tapestry and Luxembourg Gardens.

If you're traveling June to September, be sure to book a hotel with air conditioning.

Notre Dame archeological crypt is very interesting.

Frances1,
Just a one day suggestion....I find that a day that begins near the Eiffel Tower, perhaps viewing it from the Champs de Mars, is good. Then walk to the Invalides (Army Museum) to see Napoleon's tomb and spend another hour or so in whatever parts of the museum interest you. From there, walk to the Rodin museum and gardens. (The cafe there is a nice place for a decent lunch that is reasonably priced.)
Be sure to see all the sculptures in the garden (especially The Burghers of Calais and the doors The Gates of Hell, plus The Thinker and The Kiss). The museum (his house) would be good also, but the gardens are the highlight. From here you might walk to the river. One of the most beautiful bridges in Europe is the Pont Alexandre III. You could cross the river here, or walk along the left bank toward the iles. Personally, this is when I would find a cafe to have a leisurely glass of wine or aperitif or coffee. Depending on your speed of walking and/or touring, you could just wander, go back to your hotel for a rest, do some shopping, visit another sight. If you cross the river on Pont Alexandre III, the Petit Palais and the Grand Palais are both nearby.

Another day to combine things that are close to each other would entail seeing Sainte Chapelle, Notre Dame, and the bouquinistes along the left bank. If you see these two places in the morning, you might visit one of the art museums in the afternoon. Or not! It's up to you. The things most suggested that you could choose among, and that I feel are worthwhile are: the Louvre, Musee d'Orsay, Musee Cluny, Orangerie, Opera Garnier, Galleries Lafayette (the one by the Opera), Cathedral Basilica of St. Denis (royal tombs), a boat ride on the Seine, WANDERING, and sitting at a cafe watching Paris be Paris, with a coffee or drink in my hand. Depending on how the days unfolds, you could go back to the left bank and find a nice place for dinner, or to the Marais for the same reason, using this time for a nice wandering as well. If you want a boat ride on the Sein, go with Vedettes de Pont Neuf (about 1 hour, leaves from the tip of the Ile de la Cite). Go after sunset to see the Eiffel Tower lit up at night. Sit up top for the best views, so get in line early enough to snag a top deck seat. Both days excursions would depend on your time and energy.

I have tried to group things near to each other, but this is your visit to Paris (IMO the capital of Europe). There are hundreds of things to see and do. Check things out in a guidebook and pick a couple of must-sees, then a list of maybes to choose from. You will have a wonderful time. Amusez-vous bien!