Paris 3-day itinerary
France
Where to go and what to see in Paris – a 3-day itinerary from destination expert and travel writer Anna Brooke.
Bucket list experience:
Napoleon III’s former citrus greenhouse is (along with the Orsay Museum) one of the loveliest places in Paris to admire Impressionist and Modernist art.
Works by many of the big 19th- and 20th-century names are there— Renoir, Cezanne, Matisse—but the stars of the show are Monet’s monumental ‘Water Lilies‘, which wrap around the gallery’s curved walls in pastel-hued beauty and draw crowds by the dozens.
Regular temporary exhibitions complete the offerings.
If you like coffee table books, you’ll be well-served in the bookshop, which sells an excellent array of art-themed tomes.
The museum sits within the Jardin des Tuileries – after your visit, you should take a stroll through the park (former royal gardens), up towards the Louvre.
Aside from Monet’s eight Water Lillies panels, don’t miss the Jean Walter-Paul Guillaume Collection, which contains some extraordinary works by Chiam Soutine.
Want more recommendations in this destination?
Destination Guide >The museum is a 2-minute walk from Concorde metro station.
It’s a popular place so you’ll need to pre-book a ticket with a time slot on the museum website.
Audio guides are available in nine languages (small fee), or you can also book a 90-minute guided tour of the permanent collection, also via the museum website.
The museum is open all year round, Wednesday to Monday. Closed Tuesday.
You should avoid any queues if you book a time-stamped ticket, otherwise the quietist time to visit is during lunchtime.
Recommended itineraries by our writers that include this experience
France
Where to go and what to see in Paris – a 3-day itinerary from destination expert and travel writer Anna Brooke.
France
Where to go and what to see in Paris – a 6-day itinerary from destination expert and travel writer Anna Brooke.
Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first
Paris, Ile-de-France, France[0.4 miles]
Seriously grand but pleasingly unstuffy, the queen of Paris’ palace hotels has a regal setting overlooking the Jardin des Tuileries.
Official star rating:
Paris, Ile-de-France, France[0.7 miles]
In a perfect Louvre-adjacent location, this witty, original boutique hotel pays homage to Parisian style.
Official star rating:
Paris, Ile-de-France, France[1.1 miles]
A legendary Paris grande dame hotel and altar to old-school opulence, at the historical heart of the city.
Official star rating:
Paris, Ile-de-France, France[1.5 miles]
Bargain prices and boutique style at this family-run hotel near the Eiffel Tower. One of city’s most popular affordable hotels.
Official star rating:
Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
Ile-de-France, France
Crammed with iconic buildings, world-class art and a culinary scene steeped in history, Paris is one of the world’s great capitals, overflowing with style, romance, and art de vivre.
Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
Paris, Ile-de-France, France[0.5 miles]
A gloriously-converted Belle Epoque train station that is now a temple to Impressionist art dating from 1848 to 1914. The exceptional collection includes works by Monet, Manet, Degas, Cezanne, Gauguin and Van Gogh.
Best for ages: 13+ | £14
Paris, Ile-de-France, France[0.8 miles]
The largest museum of decorative arts in continental Europe, home to an inspirational and diverse collection of 1M+ items of furniture, ceramics, jewellery and more, dating from the Middle Ages through to the latest designers.
Best for ages: 18+ | £12
Paris, Ile-de-France, France[1.1 miles]
This grandiose Baroque ensemble of military history museums contains more than 1.5 million artefacts and the imposing tomb of Napoleon I.
Best for ages: 18+ | £12
Paris, Ile-de-France, France[1.2 miles]
The world’s most visited museum, a treasure trove of art from around the world. Admire the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo and many, many more…
Best for ages: 16+ | £15
Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..
Paris, Ile-de-France, France[1.8 miles]
The birthplace of the rum baba in the 18th century, the city’s oldest patisserie still wows with its gateaux (cake) today.
Best for ages: 4+ | Free
Paris, Ile-de-France, France[1.9 miles]
Paris’ most exquisite Gothic monument was built by Louis IX in 1248 to house his collection of Passion relics, including Christ’s Crown of Thorns (now at Notre-Dame Cathedral). It has one of the most extensive 13th-century stained-glass collections anywhere in the world.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
Paris, Ile-de-France, France[2.2 miles]
World-class food and unrivalled Paris views at Michelin-starred Frederic Anton’s daring restaurant on the Eiffel Tower’s second level.
Best for ages: 12+ | £120
Paris, Ile-de-France, France[2.4 miles]
A long-running, extravagant, colourful cabaret featuring dancers and courtesans has been thrilling Parisian audiences since 1889. See the incomparable Can Can – the enigmatic dance that’s its greatest claim to fame.
Best for ages: 10+ | £74 | 2-4 hours