Paris 3 days 2 nights itinerary — How to spend 3 days in Paris & what to do in Paris in 3 days perfectly? (PART 3)

Hello my friends ! Today, I will continue sharing my travel itinerary in Paris for Day 3, including: Wandering around Montmartre hill, shopping in Paris, visit Pharmacie store where selling the cheapest skincare cosmetics in Paris.

See more my travel itinerary in Paris:

• [DAY 1] How to spend 3 days in Paris?
• [DAY 2] What to do in Paris in 3 days?

So, what to do in Paris in 3 days for Day 3? The main purpose of the 3rd day in Paris (in my Paris itinerary for 3 days) of me is shopping. At home, I have made a list of skincare cosmetic products to buy in Paris and also fortunately found the Pharmacie store that selling the cheapest cosmetics in Paris.

Paris 3 days 2 nights itinerary: Day 3

Garnier Opera Theatre

That morning, we took a bus to the Garnier Opera Theatre. A few days ago, we only passing it but not get inside despite having bought tickets to the Palais Garnier theater from the first day.

Opera Garnier Expert Guided Tour Paris

Address: Place de l’Opéra, 75009 Paris, France
Direction: The Opera bus stop (if taking the bus) or Opera metro station line 3, 7, 8 (if traveling by metro).

As I shared in the blog post on the first day in Paris, while searching for reviews about places to visit in Paris, I have read a lot of reviews about the Garnier Opera Theater that it owns a great architecture, a must-go place, etc … As true as review, when we entered the theater we have to say “wow” because the architecture of the theater is really so magnificent and extremely beautiful.

Outside the theater you’ll find groups of teenagers performing instruments and singing together. However, note that there are quite a lot of scammers approaching you asking if you know English and ask for your signature. If you meet these guys, you just ignore them, do not foolishly say yes and give the signature and you will be rip-off.

Paris itinerary for 3 days: What to do in paris in 3 days? Some experiences when shopping in Paris

Galeries Lafayette Paris

Next to the Garnier Opera House is the famous shopping mall in Paris: Galeries Lafayette Paris. Perhaps all shopping lovers coming to Paris have to come to this Lafayette shopping mall to satisfy their shopping addiction. From luxurious brands such as Louis Vuitton, Prada, Gucci, Chanel … to mid-range brands like Michael Kors.

On the first floor of Lafayette, the central area is full of all kinds of perfume brands such as Tom Ford, Chanel, Lancôme… Besides, there are stores of high-end brands such as LV, Prada, FENDI…

I strongly recommend Galeries Lafayette for those who want to shop for luxury brands in Paris or to buy makeup products or perfume. When shopping at Galeries Lafayette you will be given a bill to refund the tax when returning home.

In addition to Galeries Lafayette, you can shopping in duty free area at CDG airport. I recommend that you head to the airport early so you can spend at least 2 hours shopping at the airport because there are countless types of makeup products, cheap perfume… And if you buy high-end brand goods such as bags, clothes, shoes… you should buy in Galeries Lafayette.

Where to buy French skincare products in Paris?

All places to buy French skincare products, cosmetics in Paris below are recommended as the cheapest. All 3 shops selling French cosmetic products below are extremely famous in the world of French cosmetics trade and hunting. You can refer which place is the most convenient for you to buy.

Pharmacie du RER – La Defense: The cheapest place to buy French skincare products in Paris.

After shopping at Galeries Lafayette, I go back to the metro to La Defense metro station. At this metro station there is a cosmetic store called Pharmacie du RER. This is the cheapest French cosmetic store in Paris. As I compared the cosmetic price, the price here is cheaper than other stores at least €1-2/item.

I also accidentally found a review of a beauty blogger in Paris when she share on her blog about this cosmetic store. And it seems that not many visitors people know this place because I searched on the websites/blogs/facebook of Vietnamese friends who have traveled to France but no one mentioned this store.

Address: Rond-Point de la Défense A côté de la sortie N°5, CC Station RER la Défense, 92800 Puteaux, France
Hours: 7AM–9PM / Sunday: Closed
Direction: La Defense metro station (Line 1 & RER A). Get out of the train and go to the right, then go upstairs, then go straight to the left to the end of the walkway, you will see this Pharmacie du RER cosmetic store.

When I entered the shop, it was very crowded, most of the guests were locals or lived in Paris for a long time. There are also quite a few Chinese customers who pick up products like they do business. The vendors here can even speak Chinese. They mistakenly think that me is Chinese, so she speaks Chinese enthusiastically to me and I have to explain that “I don’t speak Chinese”, LOL.

I also don’t remember how long I’ve been groping in this store. Just know when I go out, I carrying a super large size bag and the total cost is also nearly €300. Most of the items I bought of Caudalie, La Roche-Posay, Bioderma, SkinCeuticals.

Tip: You should buy skincare products in Paris or in France. Because in other countries like the Netherlands, Italy … skincare products are similar but much more expensive. For example, La Roche-Posay sunscreen that I buy is €10.99 at Pharmacie du RER, while in duty free area in Italy airport sells more than €20.

Pharmacie Monge

Address: 74 Rue Monge, Paris
Hours: 8AM–8PM
Getting there: Take the metro line 7 to Place Monge station, walk for 2 minutes to get there.

I also is suggested by my friend in France who told this place is the gathering location of French skincare shops specializing in buying and selling to Vietnam, so the price is definitely very cheap. I have not been to this place yet but next time I will definitely visit.

City Pharma

Address: 26 Rue du Four, 75006 Paris, France
Hours: 8:30AM–9PM / Sunday: Closed
How to go: Take the metro Line 4 to Saint-Germain-des-Pres station, walk for 3 minutes.

This is another place selling cosmetic, pharmaceutical products in Paris that many people claim is the cheapest. I still not go to this place yet, but as I said above, you just refer to the most convenient location to go because the difference is not worth much.

So, almost two-third of the day I spent on shopping for French skincare items, perfume and some cosmetics. Nearly 3:00 pm after shopping at La Defense, I returned to the hotel to packing my suitcase because this is the last day in Paris.

Montmartre Hill

After packing and resting until 5pm, I went to Montmartre to visit. Montmartre Hill is quite close to my hotel. It only takes 15 minutes to walk or a metro station to get there, so it’s extremely convenient and quick to reach.

Referring to Paris, everyone thinks of Montmartre hill – one of the most famous attractions in France and used to be an inspiration for many famous artists such as Picasso, Van Gogh … Montmartre is also known as the most beautiful and romantic hill in Paris, where there are many lovely cafes, romantic restaurants, neighborhoods with street painting artists …

Tip: You should buy souvenirs like keychains … in Montmartre. Souvenirs here are cheaper than other places.

Montmartre is also the home of Sacré-Cœur Basilica, a symbol of France, built in the late 19th and early 20th century with pure white against the magnificent Paris sky.

Address: 1 Parvis du Sacré-Cœur, 75018 Paris, France
Hours: 6AM–10:30PM
Direction: To get to Sacre Coeur Basilica, you take the Metro Line 2 to Anvers station. A 500m walk from the station to reach the Sacre Coeur.

Looks like in Paris people would love to sip coffee or wine while watching the street. So almost all cafes or restaurants lined up chairs overlooking the street like this.

One thing you need to pay attention when you come to Sacre Coeur, you will see a group of black guys like in the picture below. They will approach you very enthusiastically “Hello my friend” and then shake hands in order to put on your hand a red thread. You should be careful not to start a conversation and let them wear that thread, they will demand your money. Luckily, I read about this online, so even though they stopped me and asked me to shake hands, I made a cold face to prevent them from saying anything and went straight. They are not to the point of pulling at all.

At Tertre Square (Place du Tertre), also known as the artist’s neighborhood. There are a lot of portrait and caricature painters who always ready to serve tourists who want to visit and discover this place and want to have an impressive painting.

Tip: As I mentioned in the first article in Paris – Day 1, you should download a Google maps offline version (iOS, Android) and then download offline maps of Paris to easily navigate and find your way. Especially to get to Montmartre with the large and small alleys are quite difficult to recognize, so it is necessary to use google maps more than ever.

A few minutes walk from Tertre Square to come La Maison Rose – an extremely famous restaurant on Montmartre Hill right next to Tertre Square. This restaurant is famous not only for its food but because of its ideal location along with the pink painted walls that stand out here.

In addition, on Montmartre hill, there is the famous Le Moulin de la galette restaurant is famous for its windmill on the roof of the restaurant.

The statue of Dalida – a famous French singer in the 20th century. Dalida is famous for her ability to sing in over 10 different languages.

After nearly 3 hours walking around Montmartre hill, I walked back to my hotel for dinner. Around 10pm I checked out the hotel and take metro to the Porte Maillot bus stop. I booked Flixbus bus tickets from Paris to Amsterdam. This is a night bus departing from 12pm to 7am the next morning will arrives Amsterdam Sloterdijk station.

Getting to Porte Maillot Station: Take the metro to Gare de Neuilly – Porte Maillot station (Line 1, RER C). Exit station, go to the left about 250m to see Porte Maillot, close to Hyatt Regency hotel.

I personally find Flixbus quite on time. During my trip to Europe, I take the Flixbus twice, both times were night trips. Bus arrived very punctual, comfortable seats, although not a bed chair, but the seat can reclines, so it’s ok. You can book a night bus trip like me to save time and money again: P. In addition, on the bus there is a socket to charge your phone with free WIFI for you to upload images to social networks and check in live virtual, hahaha.

See more my travel itinerary in Paris:

• [DAY 1] How to spend 3 days in Paris?
• [DAY 2] What to do in Paris in 3 days?

So my Paris 3 days 2 nights itinerary has ended. Looking back, although Paris has not been discovered all yet, but Paris is probably my favorite city in this journey to explore Europe. Hope to be back to the beautiful, romantic of Paris someday. Hmmm, of course! I will definitely come back to Europe! Happy traveling!!

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Paris you can refer to

• Paris Museum Pass
• Paris Pass with 1-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
• Bruges Day Tour from Paris
• Paris Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tours (Open-Top)
• Paris Open Tour Bus Pass
• Eiffel Tower Skip-the-Line Ticket
• The Louvre Museum Skip-the-Line Guided Tour
• 4G SIM Card (Paris/Airport Pick Up) for Europe from Orange
• Disneyland® Paris Ticket
• Eiffel Tower Skip-the-Line Ticket
• [Sale] Seine River Sightseeing Cruise in Paris by Bateaux-Mouches
• Mont Saint Michel Full Day Tour from Paris
• Paris: 1-Hour River Seine Cruise
• Paris: Eiffel Tower Direct Access Tour to Summit by Elevator
• Disneyland Paris 1-Day Ticket
• Paris: 1-Hour Illuminations River Cruise
• Louvre Museum: Tour
• Paris: Moulin Rouge Cabaret Show Ticket with Champagne

Are you looking for more top things to do in Paris: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Read more: Paris travel blog — The fullest Paris travel guide blog for a great budget trip to Paris for the first-timers. And let’s check it out more here.