How we spent three days in Paris
Paris is a city that generates mixed opinions. In some parts of the world it’s heavily romanticised and in others it's considered overrated. Personally, I love it! I love the architecture, the style, the vibe, the bistros… Everything about Paris is 10/10, if you ask me. And living in London, it’s super easy to get to for a weekend or more. Whenever I visit Paris, it tends to be for two or three nights. So in this guide, I’ll walk you through my perfect three-day itinerary – although you could definitely entertain yourself in the French capital for much longer!
How to get to Paris
While flying is a quick (45-60 min) and cheap (~£50) choice from London, we bought tickets in the Eurostar summer sale. As long as we booked a trip before the end of October, tickets were £70 per person for a return – a massive bargain if you live in London and can easily get to St Pancras. The Eurostar takes about 2.5 hours, you can take as much food, drink, and luggage as you like, and for us was much easier and more efficient than travelling to an airport and waiting there for two hours.
Where to stay in Paris?
I’ve stayed in Montmartre, Pigalle, and Le Marais, which one of the oldest districts of Paris. These areas all have a great vibe, with a mixture of modern culture, bars, and restaurants alongside a lot of historical sites. In Le Marais, we stayed in Hotel Amoi, a boutique hotel with a spa that was only a 20 minute walk from Gare du Nord. It was a perfect base, as we were able to walk around easily and were close to a number of Metro stations when we needed to travel a bit further afield. In Pigalle, Airbnbs are a great choice.
How long should I spend in Paris?
You could easily spend a week in Paris, especially if you’ve never been. But 3-4 days/a long weekend is perfect, and since it’s so close and easy to get to from London I’m planning to do this more often!
Is Paris cheap?
Paris isn’t cheap, but compared to London it’s not that bad. We were surprised by how much hotels and Airbnbs cost in September 2024, and couldn’t figure out if it was just due to the Olympics. But in February 2026, we were able to find an Airbnb for around £300 for two nights which was much more affordable. It really comes down to where you stay, and at what time of year.
Is Paris safe?
Paris is a capital city, so it obviously has its problems with crime. But I never felt unsafe and it’s a city I’d happily wander alone without feeling in imminent danger. We did spot pickpockets on the Metro, especially in busy tourist areas like Sacre Coeur.
The best things to do in Paris
My favourite things to do in Paris are:
Les Catacombes de Paris
Cimetière du Père-Lachaise
Notre Dame cathedral
Walk along the Seine from Pont Neuf
Explore Marche des Enfants Rouge
Eat and drink along Canal Saint Martin
Wander along Coulee Verte Rene-Dumont
Paris by Mouth food tour
Sacre Coeur and the Montmartre neighbourhood
Explore Le Marais
The Eiffel Tower
The Louvre and Jardin des Tuileries
Musée de l'Orangerie
Walk from Place de la Concorde along Champs-Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe
See a show at Crazy Horse
For more information on what we did in Paris, check out our blog.
What to pack for a weekend in Paris
The weather in Paris can be changeable, so check the forecast before you pack. I tend to avoid the city in the summer months as it is very busy and can get very hot. But in cooler months like September or February, you can still get bright days that are warm enough for exploring outside for hours. It does get cooler and crisp in the early mornings and after sunset.
This is what I packed for a three days in Paris in colder months:
One vest top
Two t-shirts
A shirt
Two jumpers
One light jacket
One warmer jacket
One pair of jeans
One pair of wide-leg trousers
Black Converse All Stars
Dr Martens
Daily toiletries
Want to explore more of France? Check out our itinerary for a day trip to Lille.