Who could not want to visit Paris? That actually was me, most of my life. I saw so many posts about it on social media and thought, why do I even need to go? Everyone hypes it up and I figured I’d already seen all there is to see.
Well, I’m glad to say I was wrong. I’ve now been to Paris twice—once in winter and once in summer—and I just love it. While I haven’t done every major tourist attraction, I’m excited to share the highlights of our most recent trip last summer, which became a perfect 3-day itinerary I’d totally do again.
Typically, I’d just share the Google Doc I used to plan this trip, but so many moments here deserve photos, stories, and tips to bring it all to life. One quick note: Paris isn’t just about getting the perfect Instagram shot. Try to slow down, take it all in, and appreciate the culture—you’ll enjoy the city so much more. Also, be ready to rack up some steps and hop on the train—it’s cheap and surprisingly easy to use.
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Paris in Summer for First-Time Visitors
Visiting Paris in the summer is truly magical—think golden hour walks along the Seine, picnics under the Eiffel Tower, and gardens in full bloom. If it’s your first time, summer offers a warm, vibrant intro to the city—but also comes with crowds and heat.
Expect temperatures in the 70s–80s (Fahrenheit), especially midday. Plan for early mornings or late evenings at popular landmarks, and always book major attractions (like the Louvre or Eiffel Tower) in advance. Pack light, breathable layers, comfy shoes, and a reusable water bottle. And don’t be afraid to rest your feet at a shady café—you’ll need it!
Day 1 in Paris: Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, River cruise
I suggest taking a flight in where you get in early in the morning. It can take a bit to get through customs, get your luggage, and get to the city from the airport (it’s a big one). We stayed at the Hilton Paris Opera. This was a good location for us because the train was right there (and super easy to get around the city) and we loved the hotel! For other hotel options, click here.
After you get settled (hopefully by late morning/early afternoon), head on over to the Arc de Triomphe. You can get tickets ahead of time, but you may not need to – always check! There is a lot of history throughout the walk inside. Be prepared to climb several stairs to the top. Once at the top, you’ll have a perfect view of the city and Eiffel Tower.
Looking for a spot for lunch/dinner? Check out the FRAME Brasserie or one of the other top spots for meals with a view of the Eiffel Tower. After the meal, depending on your timing, you may want to go tour the Eiffel Tower and do the climb. You can wait but it’s encouraged to get skip-the-line tickets via sites like Trip Advisor, Viator, etc. You can see the wait times here.
A Seine River cruise is the perfect way to unwind after a day of sightseeing—especially in the summer when the city glows in the evening light. Many companies offer open-deck boats with great views and even champagne service, making it a relaxing and scenic way to see Paris from the water. We chose Les Vedettes du Pont Neuf and did their 1-hour “Happy Hour” cruise, which was the ideal balance of sightseeing and downtime. It didn’t take up too much time, and we got to see major landmarks from a unique perspective—glass in hand! These cruises do tend to fill up, so it’s smart to book in advance. That said, some people have luck grabbing same-day tickets as well. Don’t forget to look out for Paris’ own Statue of Liberty replica during the ride!
The cruise docking area is also right near one of the best places to view the Eiffel Tower up close without going inside. If you are brave and there is no traffic, you can also jump in the street (many are doing it) to get photos right in front of it. We were feeling brave and did this at night… traffic was nuts, so we moved REALLY fast! Make sure the person taking your photo does a couple of versions in case your eyes are closed… then run to escape the traffic!
If you are still up for walking, head on over to Trocadéro to see another perfect view of the Eiffel Tower when it sparkles at night. It’s also a great view to do early in the morning at sunrise.
Eiffel Tower in Paris Summer Night
View of Eiffel Tower from below
Ryan and Vanessa in front of Eiffel Tower on Pont d_Iéna bridge
View of Eiffel Tower from Rue de l’Université
Day 2 in Paris: Lourve Museum, Emily in Paris Spots, Tomb of Napoleon
Grab a coffee and head on over to the Lourve Museum. I’m not positive if you can get tickets walking in, but we booked ours ahead of time to be safe. Pro tip: If you want to see the Mona Lisa, go there first before exploring the rest of the museum. The line can get long and the earlier you are there, the better.
This isn’t for everyone, but if you are an Emily in Paris fan like myself, I really enjoyed stopping at some of the places from the show. It was a good place to start from the Lourve, and work your way through the locations. We also stopped at several other notable places, like the Tomb of Napoleon, along the way following this route:
Grab a baguette and cheese from a local market and picnic at Luxembourg Gardens if you make it there, it is in full bloom this time of year!
Depending on when and where you stop this route for the day and your schedule, there are lots of other places you may want to consider exploring:
- Pont Alexandre III Bridge from Emily in Paris, other side of it is Pont de l’Alma where Princess Diana’s crash was
- Rue Crémieux, 75012 Paris, France (colorful houses)
- Catacombs (need to book tickets ahead of time)
- Ritz Hotel Bar Paris
- Le Marais (district near Notre Dame)
- Moulin Rouge
- Rue de l’univerdite – best street view of Eiffel Tower
- Musée d’Orsay
- Palais Garnier
- Sainte-Chapelle
- Outside of Paris, but still worth seeing: Palace of Versailles
This is obviously a lot, so it’s important to plan ahead and figure out all that you want to do! You may be able to squeeze in some of the things above on days one and three too, depending on your schedule.
Day 3 in Paris: Montmartre, Moulin Rouge, Dinner at Eiffel Tower
Montmartre, a renowned neighborhood in Paris, France, is celebrated for its artistic heritage, charming cobblestone streets, and the iconic Basilica of the Sacré-Cœur. You can easily get here by train. We did a walking tour here (perfect thing to do in the summer) and then walked around on our own, eventually making our way to Moulin Rouge.
Some photos from Montmarte. La Maison Rose is also featured in Emily in Paris.
Depending on what you didn’t get to the days previously, try to schedule that for the afternoon. In the summer time you have more flexibility in walking to multiple places and embracing the nice weather. Just be sure to save time for yourself to get ready for the ultimate dining experience at Jules Verne in the Eiffel Tower! We did this our last night there and it was an unforgettable experience. The service, the food, the luxurious look, and the VIEW… nothing can beat it, in my opinion.
We went for late dinner because I wanted to be in there for when the tower starts sparkling (keep in mind the sunset is a lot later in Paris). It’s important to note you want to book this experience when you have the first chance to, which is 90 days in advance. The timing does matter, because the couple next to us wanted a window view like we had, but the hostess told them it goes by order of booking. You can view my experience by watching my TikTok video on it.
Why Summer is a Great Time to Visit Paris
While Paris is beautiful year-round, summer brings the city to life in a unique way. From the abundance of outdoor cafés and vibrant gardens to the festive street musicians and golden sunsets, there’s something magical about exploring the City of Light in the warmer months. If it’s your first time here, summer offers the perfect introduction to all that makes Paris unforgettable.
Hope you enjoyed reading this and feel prepared to head to Paris! For more travel tips, I loved using this Facebook group. I’ve also compiled these experiences on Benable.
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