Paris 3-day Itinerary
I have a few suggestions when visiting Paris:
1) Make restaurant reservations well in advance.
Paris has some of the most amazing food in the world. You will need to do some research and make reservations prior to your trip. They mean business with their restaurant reservations, for some of them had a $100 no show fee. If you decide to just try any restaurant, you may end up disappointed and at a tourist trap.
2) Look up good bakeries!
I thought that I could go to any bakery in Paris and be wowed. Not true. I tried so many different croissants. It wasn’t until I made the effort to go to a renowned bakery that I had the best croissant of my trip.
3) Stay in a hotel located in central Paris and near a metro station.
I would choose somewhere that’s near all the main sightseeing attractions in the 1st-9th arrondissement. Although there’s a robust metro station, it often felt like quite a long trip to get from destination A to B. I stayed in an Airbnb in the La Defense area, and it wasn’t the greatest experience. It took so long to get in the city and the Airbnb was dirty and unpleasant. Next time I go to Paris, I’m splurging on a hotel.
4) Learn French.
I was told by so many people that everybody in Paris spoke English. Yet, that wasn’t my experience. I wish I learned more basic French before traveling.
5) Arrive at the airport 3 hours before your departure time.
The airport is HUGE and confusing. It took us a while to find the right departure hall. We ended up running to our flight and security took forever. Also, if you want to submit forms for your VAT tax refund, then you definitely want to arrive early to make time for that.
Day 1
Dinner: Le Colimaçon (online res)
This is an intimate restaurant with classic French food. The food and service were superb. Definitely a restaurant I’d love to return to on my next trip to Paris.
What we ordered and loved: foie gras, lamb, duck breast, and creme brulee
Activity:
Walk around and explore
Eiffel Tower (light show every hour after dusk until 11pm)
Notable Snack Find:
Bonne Maman Tartlets
Day 2
Activities:
Arc de Triomphe
Champs-Élysées
Nike
Kith
Lunch: Freestyle
We ended up coming across Eric Kayser Artisan Boulanger and decided to eat there. It felt similar to a deli. We got some of their hot food, a salad, and a sandwich. It was good!
Activities:
Louvre Museum 3-hr Tour at 2:30pm (booked through Get Your Guide)
Afternoon Dessert: Angelina Paris (known for thiccc hot chocolate and patisserie)
They sell out of a lot of their patisserie by the afternoon, so I’d recommend going in the morning if you want to try their baked goods.
Dinner: Chez Fernand Christine (known for their beef bourguignon, online res)
What we ordered and loved: bone marrow, escargot, beef bourguignon, and lamb
Day 3
Activity:
Palace of Versailles 1.5-hr Tour at 10:30am (booked through Get Your Guide)
Lunch: Freestyle
We ended up eating at the McDonald’s near Versailles >_<
Activity:
Shopping along Rue Saint-Honoré
Jacques Genin and/or Patrick Roger (chocolates and caramels)
Dinner: Chez Monsieur (known for their veal stew, online res)
Bakery/Boulangerie Highlight
Du Pain et des Idées (one of the best bakeries in Paris)
This boulangerie requires a bit of travel, for it’s in the 10th arrondissement. We made the trek the morning before our departure. It was my last ditch effort at finding the perfect croissant in Paris since all my other croissants were disappointing. This boulangerie lived up to all my pastry dreams. Everything was delicious and flaky.
