Are you planning a trip to Paris? Do you have three days to visit the City of Lights? I will tell you what we did in three days when we visited Paris on our last trip to France and perhaps give you some ideas of what to include in your itinerary.
To learn more about this trip and a previous one, read my previous post, “Paris – The City of Lights – Day 1,” and “Day 2”. Also, read the other posts from this trip on the France page.
We were travelling independently in France with a car as we are confident travellers and speak a bit of the language. However, if you prefer to be part of a tour and to have everything organised for you, I advise you to book a complete tour with Tourradar.
Tourradar has different kinds of tours that will fit your time and budget. If you book it via my links you can get a discount by using this code: RoseG50.
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Day 3 was our last day in Paris and in France. Our French trip was coming to an end, but we still had a day to enjoy the pleasures the French capital had to offer.
Below is a map showing the places we visited on Day 3 in Paris:
Before telling you about our last day, let me tell you a little bit about Paris again.
A LITTLE BIT ABOUT PARIS
Paris, the capital of France, is a city that captivates the hearts of millions with its timeless beauty, rich history, and undeniable charm. From the iconic Eiffel Tower to the cobblestone streets of Montmartre, every corner of Paris tells a story.
History & Culture
Paris is home to some of the world’s most famous landmarks. The Louvre Museum, housing masterpieces like the Mona Lisa, is a paradise for art lovers. The Notre Dame Cathedral, despite its tragic fire in 2019, remains a symbol of French Gothic architecture, not forgetting the Champs-Élysées, leading to the majestic Arc de Triomphe.
Culinary Wonderland
Parisian cuisine is an experience in itself. Savour a freshly baked croissant at a local café, indulge in French wine and cheese or treat yourself to the delicate flavours of a macaron from “Ladurée”. Whether it’s a cosy bistro or a Michelin-starred restaurant, Paris is a dream for food lovers.
Romance & Inspiration
Known as the City of Love, Paris has been the backdrop for countless romantic stories. A sunset cruise along the Seine River, a stroll through the artistic streets of Montmartre, or simply sitting at a café watching the world go by—there’s an undeniable magic in the air.
VISITING PARIS -DAY 3
Our first visit of the day was to “Palais Garnier”, the Opera of Paris, which is a very beautiful building on the inside and outside.
The “Palais Garnier”, completed in 1875, is Paris’s grand opera house, designed by Charles Garnier in a lavish Beaux-Arts style. Its opulent interior features marble staircases, gilded mouldings, and Marc Chagall’s ceiling fresco.
Originally built for the Paris Opera, it now mainly hosts ballet performances. The building inspired “The Phantom of the Opera” and houses a mysterious underground lake. Its blend of architectural grandeur and artistic history makes it a cultural icon.
However, when we arrived there, it was closed on that day. This time, it was not because it closes on Mondays but because it can occasionally close due to reasons related to the theatre’s activity.
It is advisable to check the Occasional Closure Calendar to find out if it will be closed on the day you are planning to visit. We didn’t check it and were surprised by the closure on our arrival. Anyway, we took photos of the exterior of the building and pressed on to our next visits.
We walked from there to the “Galeries Lafayette”, the most famous department store in France. The shop is huge, you can find everything there, and it is home to the most famous fashion designers in France.
“Galeries Lafayette” is known for its luxury shopping, Art Nouveau architecture, and iconic glass dome. Founded in 1894, it spans multiple floors, offering high-end fashion, gourmet food, and a rooftop terrace with stunning city views.
A centrepiece of Parisian retail culture, it’s especially famous for its elaborate Christmas displays. More than just a store, it’s a blend of commerce and artistry.
We didn’t go there to shop; we just went there to admire the building and the beautiful dome in the middle of the store. After looking at shop and the dome we also went to the top floor to look at the views of Paris from the terrace.
From there we went next door to another shop called “Printemps”. This is another department store in a beautiful building showcasing a glass dome not any less pretty than the one next door at “Galeries Lafayette”. The shop also has a roof terrace with a restaurant at the top.
“Printemps” is a historic Parisian department store founded in 1865, known for luxury fashion, beauty, and home decor. Its Art Deco dome and Haussmannian façade make it an architectural landmark. A pioneer in modern retail, it was among the first to use electric lighting and seasonal sales.
The store’s rooftop terrace offers stunning views of Paris. With its blend of heritage and high-end shopping,” Printemps” remains a key player in Parisian fashion culture.
We spent a good two hours looking at both shops. It was lunchtime, and we decided to go to “Gare de Lyon” to check out the restaurant “Le Train Bleu”. We didn’t have a reservation but went anyway. If they didn’t have a table, we would eat somewhere else.
When we arrived, they said if we wanted to wait at the bar, as soon as a table became available, they would call us. So, we did and stayed at the bar, which resembles a train carriage, long and narrow. We ordered some drinks and waited for about half an hour. A table became available, and we were guided to it.
“Le Train Bleu” is a historic Parisian restaurant known for its opulent Belle Époque decor and classic French cuisine. Opened in 1901, it was designed to showcase France’s grandeur to travellers.
The interior features gilded mouldings, chandeliers, and murals depicting different regions of France. Signature dishes include “gigot d’agneau” (roast leg of lamb) and “sole meunière”. A blend of luxury and nostalgia, it remains a destination for both tourists and Parisians.
My husband and daughter ordered the roast leg of lamb, and I ordered a pasta dish. According to them, their dish was brilliant; they loved it. My dish, though, was not that good. How can you get a pasta dish wrong? I don’t know, but this one was too hard and tasteless.
The desserts were lovely, though. I would give this one a 7 out of 10, just because my dish was not good and taking into consideration the incredible interior and decorations. I also thought it was very expensive for the food it offers.
If I were to go back again, I think I wouldn’t bother about having lunch or dinner at the restaurant. I would have a light lunch at the bar. I saw many people eating there, and the food looked good enough, if not better than what we had at the restaurant. By sitting at the bar, you can still walk through the restaurant and take photos, no need to be seated at the restaurant.
After lunch, we walked to “Rue Crémieux “near the station to check if it matched the hype on social media that I had seen.
“Rue Crémieux” is a picturesque, pedestrian-only street in the 12th arrondissement, known for its pastel-coloured houses and charming village-like atmosphere. Built in the 19th century, it was originally workers’ housing but has since become a popular spot for photographers and Instagram users.
The street’s rising fame has led residents to push back against excessive tourism. Unlike many parts of Paris, it feels more like a hidden gem than a grand boulevard.
The street is charming indeed and worth having a look at if you are in the area.
From there we took the metro and went to “Le Centre Pompidou”.
“Le Centre Pompidou”, opened in 1977, is Paris’s leading modern and contemporary art museum, known for its radical inside-out architecture by Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers. Exposed pipes, ducts, and escalators define its futuristic design.
It houses masterpieces by Picasso, Kandinsky, and Duchamp alongside a vast public library and a panoramic rooftop view. Initially controversial, it’s now a cultural landmark.
Like many other things in Paris at that time of the year, it was under refurbishment, so it was not possible to visit the museum. However, we strolled around the area and were intrigued by a large water fountain called “Fontaine Stravinsky”, full of strange statues splashing water on it.
Later, I read about it and found out that the “Fontaine Stravinsky” is a whimsical public fountain featuring 16 kinetic sculptures inspired by Igor Stravinsky’s music.
Designed by Jean Tinguely and Niki de Saint Phalle in 1983, it combines mechanical metal elements with colourful, playful forms that move and spray water. The contrast between industrial and organic reflects both artists’ avant-garde styles. It’s a striking blend of modern art and urban space.
Below is a reel from The Travelling Surveyor Instagram account showing photos of our last day in Paris. Check it out and follow me on Instagram as well.
It was the end of the afternoon, so we took the metro back to Châtillon as we were going out for dinner with our friends.
We went to the same restaurant in Châtillon where we had dinner the previous time we were in Paris. It was called “Le Castello”, and we had a lovely dinner there in the company of our friends.
That was the end of our trip to France. The next day we were going to travel back to Calais to get the Eurotunnel back to the UK.
We love France and always enjoyed our trips to this adorable country. This was the end of this trip but certainly not the end of many visits to France that are still to come.
For more ideas on what to visit in Paris, read my other posts, Paris Day 1, Paris Day 2 and Paris Day 3, from a previous trip.
I hope this post will give you some idea of what can be done in a day in Paris and will help you plan your own visit there.
HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR VISIT TO PARIS
Below you will find a list of what to visit, where to stay and where to eat in Paris. I classified each place as follows:
BOLD – Visited, tried and recommended
NOT BOLD – Not visited or tried, but planning to visit or try and heard very good reviews
RED – Visited and tried but do not recommend, avoid or be cautious
*** – Excellent
** – Good
* – OK
£££ – Expensive
££ – Fair and affordable
£ – Cheap
PLEASE NOTE: Every hotel, restaurants and attractions I mention on my blogs are not sponsored reviews and we always paid the full price when visiting. We give our own opinion of the place and detail our experience, good or bad.
THINGS TO DO IN PARIS
ATTRACTIONS IN PARIS – DAY 3
1 – Palais Garnier
2 – Galeries Lafayette – ***
3 – Printemps – ***
4 – Rue Crémieux – ***
5 – Centre Pompidou
6 – Fontaine Stravinsky – ***
WHERE TO STAY
ACCOMMODATION IN PARIS
1 – Maison Albar – Le Diamond – 5* – £££
2 – Maison Albar – Le Vendome – 5* – £££
3 – Hotel Flanelles Paris – 4* – £££
4 – Hotel Sleeping Belle – Gare de Lyon – 4* – £££
5 – Hotel Vacances Bleues Province Opera – 3* – ££
6 – Lenox Montparnasse – 3* – ££
If you prefer to look for your own accommodation, search and book via the below widget:
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BEST PLACES TO EAT IN PARIS
RESTAURANTS IN PARIS – DAY 3
1 – Le Train Bleu – ** – £££
2 – Francette – ££ (Views of the tower)
3 – Ephemera – Wonderwoods Angers – ££
4 – Verde – £££
5 – Il Bambini – £££
6 – Brasserie Dubillot – ££
If you tried any of my recommendations above, please send me a message and tell me about your experience good or bad, so I can update the list accordingly. Thanks!
If you enjoyed reading this post you might also like to read:
On this trip to France:
1 – Lyon – Day 1
2 – Lyon – Day 2
6 – Saint-Tropez/Port Grimaud/Grimaud
7 – Monaco
8 – Cannes
10 – Camargue and Arles
11 – Avignon
12 – Dijon
13 – Fontainebleau
14 – Paris – Day 1
15 – Paris – Day 2
16 – Paris – Day 3
USEFUL SITES
2 – Paris Je t’aime
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