Montmartre to Saint-Germain: A Long Weekend in Paris
Paris for three days doesn’t mean rushing between museums with a selfie stick. This itinerary trades queues for quality — you’ll sip wine on Montmartre steps, browse the oldest bookshop in Paris, picnic in secret garden squares, and eat exceptional food without paying tourist prices. From the bohemian heights of the 18th arrondissement to the literary cafes of the Left Bank, this long weekend captures the Paris that locals actually love. Estimated budget: €350–550.
3-Day Itinerary Overview
Route: Montmartre (Day 1) → Marais & Latin Quarter (Day 2) → Saint-Germain & Departure (Day 3)
Best for: First-time visitors wanting an authentic, unhurried introduction to Paris; couples; solo travellers who prefer wandering over checking boxes
Budget: €350–550 per person (excluding flights and accommodation)
Direction: Left-bank loop — cross the Seine organically neighbourhood by neighbourhood
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Montmartre — Arrival & Bohemian Paris
Arrive and head straight for the 18th arrondissement. Check into a guesthouse in the quiet streets around Abbesses — far better value than hotels near the tourist-packed Sacré-Cœur steps. Spend the afternoon wandering the village-like lanes: Rue des Abbesses for people-watching, the hidden vineyard of Clos Montmartre, and Place Émile-Goudeau where Picasso painted his first masterpieces. Climb the dome of Sacré-Cœur for the city’s best sunset view. Dinner at a neighbourhood bistro on Rue Lepic.
Accommodation: Montmartre guesthouse or hotel near Abbesses metro (€60–100/night).
Entry: Sacré-Cœur dome climb (€8).
Day 2: Le Marais & the Latin Quarter — History & Hidden Courtyards
Start at the Marché des Enfants Rouges, Paris’s oldest covered market, for a breakfast crêpe and fresh juice. Walk the Marais through its gorgeous private courtyards — Hôtel de Sully, Place des Vosges, and the hidden gardens of the Musée Carnavalet (free entry and one of Paris’s best museums). Cross the Seine to Shakespeare and Company, the legendary Left Bank bookshop. Browse the bouquinistes along the river and end the day with a student-budget dinner in the Rue Mouffetard market street.
Transport: Metro €2.10 single, or walk across the Seine (~20 min).
Entry: Musée Carnavalet (free), Picasso Museum (€14 if interested).
Day 3: Saint-Germain — Literary Paris & Departure
Spend the final morning in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, the heart of literary Paris. Visit the oldest café in Paris (Le Procope, 1686), browse the art galleries of Rue de Seine, and walk through the Luxembourg Gardens — Paris’s most beautiful public space and completely free. Grab a final baguette from a neighbourhood boulangerie and picnic in the gardens before heading to your train or flight. If you have time, visit the Musée d’Orsay on your way to the station — it’s smaller than the Louvre and infinitely more manageable for a last-day dash.
Transport: RER B to airport/station (€11–13).
Entry: Luxembourg Gardens (free), Musée d’Orsay (€16).
Budget Summary: 3-Day Paris Itinerary
Estimated Total: €350–550 per person
- Accommodation (2 nights): €120–200
- Metro passes: €20–30
- Museum and attraction entries: €20–40
- Meals (7–8 meals + markets): €120–180
- Wine and café stops: €40–60
- Miscellaneous (baguettes, pastries, tips): €30–40
Best Season: April-June or September-October for mild weather and fewer crowds
Recommended For: First-time visitors wanting an authentic, unhurried introduction; travellers who prefer neighbourhood exploration over museum marathons
Disclaimer: Prices are estimates and may vary by season. Museum bookings for popular venues (Louvre, Orsay) should be made in advance. This itinerary is for general reference only.