Your First Three Days in Paris

Paris – We were groggy and grumpy when we flew into Orly Airport after an 11-hour flight. A mist of rain drizzled onto our heads as we stepped into a taxi that drove us to our hotel in the 8th arrondissement. It was my husband’s first three days in Paris, and I was determined to make it exceptional. Having lived there for a few years in college, I knew what to expect, and I planned my three day itinerary in Paris carefully.

Three Days in Paris

Day 1 | The Eiffel Tower

We circled l’Arc de Triumph, and pulled up to Hotel Lancaster (7 Rue de Berri, 75008), a luxury spa hotel located a block away from Les Champs-Elysées. The spacious hotel immediately put us into a good mood. We were charmed by the one hundred year old hotel’s antique character and the exemplary customer service. The boutique townhouse offered all of the amenities as a hotel chain, such as 24/7 room service, breakfast buffet and a bar with excellent cocktails, a gym and spa, and (most importantly) excellent water pressure in our room.

For dinner, we took a car to Chez Cezanne (45 Av. Kléber, 75116), a charming restaurant that served French food inspired by the Province with Mediterranean influences. The atmosphere is uniquely inspired by Cezanne’s still life paintings. On the wall, you will find stacks of plates, oranges nestled in bristles of greens, vases with flowers, and watering cans. We sat at the window, watching Parisians strolled through the rain, and we enjoyed the fragranced breeze with our delicious food. Romantic vines hung from the ceiling. I ordered a grilled tuna sandwich with avocado and spicy mayo with a side of ratatouille and my husband ordered a cheese burger with a side of fresh truffles with burrata. We were both very satisfied.

Soon the rain stopped, and we ambled toward the Eiffel Tower. We crossed the Seine, and made our way to the Musée du quai Branly, a museum dedicated to indigenous art and cultures of Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas. The collections were closed by the time we arrived, but there are excellent food and views of the Eiffel tower on the roof top designed by architect Jean Nouvel. We skipped Les Ombres, a Michelin star restaurant by Chef Ducasse, and went to Bramble cocktail bar on a terrace by Margot Combat. The sun set, and the Eiffel Tower glimmered.

Another amazing alternative would be to go to Trocadéro in the 16th arrondissement directly across the Seine and the Eiffel Tower. You can spend a few hours wandering the Cité de l’architecture et du patrimoine (architecture), the Musée de l’Homme (ethnology), the Musée national de la Marine (naval museum), or the Théâtre national de Chaillot. After exploring the collections, I would recommend having dinner or drinks at Le Girafe, an acclaimed restaurant designed by Joseph Dirand. However, these incredible options require online reservations, which you can make several weeks in advance.

Day 2 | Museums

From our hotel the following day, it was incredibly easy to get to the Louvre by metro. We walked to Les Champs-Elysées, took Line 1, and exited at Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre station. Look for exit 6: Carrousel du Louvre, an underground shortcut. Most travel books recommend arriving early, but in my opinion, the Louvre is crowded at all hours – except at night. At the time of this posting, the Louvre closes at 9PM (21h) on Wednesdays and Fridays. The Tuileries Gardens are beautiful, but crowded with tourists. There is another gardens I would recommend on Day 3.

We had lunch at Pavyllon Ledoyen (8 Avenhe Dutuit-Pavillon Ledoyen 75008), one of the oldest restaurants in Paris, situated in the square gardens in the eastern part of the Champs-Élysées. A Michelin star restaurant by Yannick Alléno, the experience “pays homage to his bistro heritage” in a beautiful, modern setting. There are several experiences to choose from. From the à la carte lunch menu, and we enjoyed a complex rich lasagne with flavors we have never had before. Later, we had dinner at Beef Bar (5, Rue Marbeuf, Paris, 75008), which had steak, seafood and inventive cocktails.

Day 3 | Shopping

We were lazy in the morning, waking up quite late and missing breakfast due to jet lag. We left at around noon and took an Uber to Place des Vosges, the oldest planned square in the Marais. Built by Henri IV in the early seventeenth century, the Place des Vosges primarily hosts art galleries along the park’s perimeter and it is perfect for a picnic or reading a paperback book.

After we had lunch in a cafe, we went shopping in the Marais. I hunted for beauty products in Paris.

French beauty culture emphasizes skincare over heavy makeup. Parisians prioritize a natural complexion, which is why their skincare products are designed for effectiveness and quality. I found Officine Graine de Pastel and Officine Universelle Buly 1803 (6 rue Bonaparte 75006). Other places to see are Fragonard (196 Boulevard Saint-Germain) and Aroma-Zone (25 Rue de l’École de Médecine).

At midnight, we walked to L’Arc (12 rue de Presbourg) for an evening of dancing. The bouncers were highly discerning. We had to pay a cover, which included our drinks at the bar. We immediately had a wonderful time dancing. It would be worth booking a table with friends.

Pro Tip:

• While the ride-share service Uber is considerably less expensive than a taxi, it can be confusing to find the pickup destination or speak to the Francophone driver.