Paris in 3 days: A Weekend-Maxxing Itinerary That Actually Works
Whether you need a short break from the daily grind or genuinely want an adventure while making the most of your weekends, weekend-maxxing should be right up your alley.
A term popularized on TikTok but its concept familiar among the travel industry, weekend-maxxing describes stacking paid time off against federal holidays to turn a standard weekend into four or five days of travel without burning through your PTO. Some travelers are more ambitious and plan 24-hour trips without ever needing to book accommodations, while others are like me and don’t mind taking the extra two days to fully explore a destination.
The key to weekend-maxxing is having a robust understanding of your company’s time-off policies and the holidays that your country practices. In the United States, some employers will observe Federal holidays, making it easy to stack long weekends around these dates and catch a flight. For a Paris long weekend, the math worked out well. One strategic Friday off paired with a Thursday evening departure, you land in the city with three full days ahead of you.
I will admit: Paris did not impress me during my first time around. My mother and I crammed every major landmark into under three days, achieved over 20k steps daily, and returned home more exhausted than when we left. The itinerary came from TikTok and Reddit which meant long queues and even more disgruntled locals.
This trip was different. I stayed with a friend who had relocated to Paris a year prior, and she functioned as my unofficial guide. This single change made all the difference.
When to Book a Paris Long Weekend
Timing matters more than most people will admit when planning a weekend-max trip. Personally, I used Google Flights to my advantage and found the Spring to be the best window for a Paris long weekend. Springtime in Paris sits in a shoulder season. The weather was warm while not being uncomfortably hot, and the tourist volume had not peaked yet. I found that waiting for a miraculous flight deal rarely worked, but watching fare trends over time helped me to determine what a reasonable price range was.
The Logistics of a Paris Long Weekend
I booked my flight through Iberia Airlines roughly 4 months out and paid just under $700 round trip from JFK to CDG airport. The flight was operated by American Airlines out of terminal 8 at JFK. It’s worth noting for Capital One Venture X cardholders, Terminal 8 does not have a Capital One lounge, and Priority Pass options there are limited. If lounge access is a strong preference, factor that in when deciding on an airline.
My schedule: Thursday evening departure at 5 p.m., landing in Paris Friday at 7:40 a.m. local time. That gave me Friday (PTO day), Saturday, Sunday to explore the city before a Monday federal holiday return flight, leaving me with just enough time to sleep before the work week. Although the itinerary was tight it worked because of the overnight Thursday flight.
My goal for this trip was to connect with my friend in their new home while giving Paris an honest second chance. I wanted to eat like a local, indulge in the cafe culture, party like a Parisian, and buy some goodies that are unique to France.
Where to Stay: The Case for the 11th Arrondissement
I stayed in the 11th arrondissement, about 24 minutes away from the city center by Metro line 9. The neighborhood felt less like a tourist attraction and more like where a blend of young families and young to middle aged working adults actually lived. There were no shortages of cafes on every block and most shop staff spoke French first. A handful of people spoke English fluently while with others I used my very elementary French paired with finger pointing to get around.
If it’s your first time in Paris the 3rd arrondissement is worth considering instead. This neighborhood sits closer to the Louvre, the Seine, and a high concentration of independent boutiques without as much of the crowd in the 1st and 2 Arr. Before you finalize any neighborhood, it’s worth reading through the most common Paris travel mistakes, some of which come down to choosing the wrong home base.
Where to Eat in Paris: An Honest Take
Surprisingly, I thoroughly enjoyed the food I ate during this trip. I want to be clear about how these recommendations were sourced: every restaurant below came from my friend or Beli and not TikTok or Instagram. I believe that distinction matters.
- Waly Fay
- The standout meal of the trip. Waly Fay is a swanky, Afro-fusion Restaurant with a West-African derived menu. The chicken Hassan arrived dressed in caramelized onions with a faint citrus edge. The codfish fritters were salty yet savory and the sweet-plantains were fried to perfection. Make a reservation in advance, especially if your group is larger than 2 persons
- Chez Pitou
- Located on the steep Rue Tholoze in the 18th arrondissement, this is the kind of place you may walk past without a second look because of its easy-going facade. Thankfully, I decided to dine in and selected the show-stopping Gnocchi. Golden-seared, set on an artichoke cream base, finished with a gremolata chili blend. The flavors were layered but not loud. A true definition of not judging a book by its cover.
- Chardenoux
- A proper French bistro back in the 11th Arr. My eyes, or maybe my stomach, were drawn to the salmon in a bearnaise sauce over ratatouille, alongside buttered mashed potatoes. The decor is worth noting too, vine patterned wallpaper running to the ceiling, walls lined with aged mirrors. It felt like dining in a quality period drama with equally impressive food.
- Brasserie des pres
- This one earned its spot on the list for the elderflower spritz alone. We ducked in to escape the unrelenting heat and packed tourist walkways. The drinks were worthwhile but the food, not so much. I’d recommend stationing here for people watching and a cocktail, but not so much for a meal.
Where to Drink
- Little Red Door
- The 3rd Arr. has lots of bars competing for the same crowd. The Little Red Door stands out because it doesn’t try to. The entrance to this speakeasy-bar is decorated with a red door. Inside, the room breaks into sections with enough space for groups to sit and talk. The cocktail menu was surely adventurous with loads of unique ingredient combos all for 18 euros. This bar is a strong pick for a low-key night with friends or a date.
- Maison Souquet
- A former brothel refurbished into a boutique hotel and bar, just steps away from Moulin Rouge. Upon entering you’ll be greeted with red velvet, stained mirrors, and marble art throughout the common areas. This bar serves best as a pre-dinner drink or an early stop before a night out.
