Paris can be intimidating on paper.

The Eiffel Tower. The Louvre. Notre-Dame. Montmartre. The Champs-Élysées. Versailles. Museums, galleries, cafés and enough famous landmarks to fill a dozen itineraries.

Trying to see all of it in three days would be exhausting.

Instead, think of Paris as a collection of neighbourhoods. Spend each day exploring a different part of the city and the trip becomes much more manageable.

This is how we'd spend three days in Paris on a first visit.

Paris in three days at a glance

Day 1: Eiffel Tower, Seine and Saint-Germain
Day 2: Louvre, Île de la Cité and Le Marais
Day 3: Montmartre, Sacré-Cœur and Canal Saint-Martin

There will still be things you don't see.

That's fine.

You need a reason to come back.

Day 1: The Eiffel Tower and Left Bank

Your first day takes in some of Paris's most recognisable sights before slowing down around Saint-Germain.

8:30am: Eiffel Tower

Start early at the Eiffel Tower.

Seeing it from below is impressive enough, but going up gives you a completely different perspective of Paris.

If you want to visit the upper levels, book ahead.

Once you've taken the obligatory photographs, don't immediately rush away.

Walk towards the Seine.

10:30am: Walk along the Seine

Follow the river towards central Paris.

The Seine is one of the best ways to experience the city because you get constantly changing views of bridges, monuments and historic buildings.

Stop whenever you want.

12:00pm: Lunch in Saint-Germain-des-Prés

Cross towards Saint-Germain-des-Prés for lunch.

This is the sort of neighbourhood where sitting outside a café and watching the world go by feels like an attraction in itself.

Take your time.

2:00pm: Luxembourg Gardens

Walk towards the Jardin du Luxembourg.

The gardens are beautiful and provide a welcome break from sightseeing.

Find a chair, sit down and enjoy doing very little.

4:00pm: Saint-Germain

Spend the afternoon exploring Saint-Germain.

Browse bookshops, galleries and independent shops.

This is where you should let the itinerary loosen up.

6:00pm: Aperitif

Find a small wine bar or café.

Have a drink and watch Paris begin its evening.

8:00pm: Dinner

Stay around Saint-Germain for dinner or walk towards the Latin Quarter.

Paris is a city where dinner should not be rushed.

Day 2: The Louvre and historic Paris

Day two is your big museum and old-city day.

9:00am: The Louvre

Start at the Louvre.

Do not attempt to see everything.

You couldn't.

Pick a few collections or individual works that you actually want to see and build your visit around them.

The Mona Lisa will probably be busy, but don't let that dominate the entire visit.

The Louvre itself is the experience.

12:30pm: Lunch around the Louvre

Head towards the Palais Royal or Rue Saint-Honoré for lunch.

There are plenty of options, from casual cafés to more traditional restaurants.

2:00pm: Île de la Cité

Make your way towards Île de la Cité.

This is the historic heart of Paris.

Visit Notre-Dame and walk around the island before crossing towards the Left Bank.

3:30pm: Sainte-Chapelle

If you have time, visit Sainte-Chapelle.

The stained glass is spectacular and the chapel is considerably smaller than many of Paris's major attractions, making it easier to fit into a busy itinerary.

5:00pm: Le Marais

Cross back towards Le Marais.

Spend the late afternoon exploring its narrow streets, shops and cafés.

7:30pm: Dinner in Le Marais

Stay in the area for dinner.

Le Marais has plenty of options, from traditional French restaurants to modern cafés.

Day 3: Montmartre and a slower Paris

Your final day moves north.

Montmartre is one of the most recognisable areas of Paris, but it is also somewhere worth exploring slowly.

9:00am: Montmartre

Start at the bottom of Montmartre and walk uphill.

Don't take the quickest route.

The small streets and staircases are part of the experience.

10:00am: Sacré-Cœur

Reach Sacré-Cœur.

The basilica itself is impressive, but the real reward is the view across Paris.

Take some time here.

11:00am: Montmartre streets

Spend the rest of the morning exploring the neighbourhood.

See Place du Tertre, browse the small shops and look for quieter streets away from the busiest tourist areas.

1:00pm: Lunch in Montmartre

Have lunch in the neighbourhood.

Avoid choosing somewhere purely because it has a terrace overlooking the busiest square.

Walk a few streets away and see what you find.

2:30pm: Canal Saint-Martin

Make your way towards Canal Saint-Martin.

The atmosphere here is completely different from Montmartre and central Paris.

It's a good place to spend a relaxed afternoon.

4:30pm: Coffee and people watching

Find a café beside the canal.

Order a coffee and do very little.

This is your final afternoon in Paris.

You don't need another attraction.

6:30pm: Seine at sunset

Head back towards the Seine for sunset.

If the weather is good, find a spot beside the river and watch the city light up.

8:00pm: Final Paris dinner

Finish your trip with a proper French dinner.

Order something you haven't tried yet, open a bottle of wine and make the most of your final evening.

What should you book before visiting Paris?

Eiffel Tower

If you want to go up the Eiffel Tower, book in advance.

Louvre

Tickets ahead of time will make the day much easier.

Sainte-Chapelle

Worth booking if it is an important part of your itinerary.

Accommodation

Paris is huge, so location matters.

Browse Paris hotels on Timms Travel and choose an area that suits the kind of trip you want.

Flights

Compare flights to Paris before booking.

Where should you stay in Paris?

Saint-Germain-des-Prés

Excellent for cafés, restaurants and a classic Paris atmosphere.

Le Marais

Great for shopping, food and nightlife.

Latin Quarter

A lively option with plenty of restaurants and easy access to the Seine.

Montmartre

Best if you want a more neighbourhood feel and don't mind being further north.

1st arrondissement

Ideal if you want to be close to the Louvre and central sights.

Is three days enough for Paris?

Three days isn't enough to see everything Paris has to offer.

But it is enough to fall in love with the city.

You'll see the Eiffel Tower, walk beside the Seine, visit the Louvre, explore Île de la Cité, climb through Montmartre and spend time in some of Paris's best neighbourhoods.

More importantly, you'll have time for the things that don't appear on an itinerary.

A long lunch.

A coffee outside a café.

An unexpected shop.

A walk beside the river.

Those are the moments you'll probably remember most.