The conventional wisdom says European cities require week-long stays to appreciate properly. A couple from the United States just challenged that assumption - hitting Paris's major attractions in three days over a long weekend, flying budget carrier FrenchBee, and returning home satisfied rather than stressed.
Their enthusiastic trip report offers a roadmap for Americans with limited vacation days who've written off European getaways as too time-consuming or expensive.
The Itinerary: Eiffel Tower to Louvre in 72 Hours
Arriving mid-day Friday and departing mid-day Monday, the couple managed to see: - The Eiffel Tower - The Louvre (including the Mona Lisa before crowds arrived) - Notre Dame - Arc de Triomphe - The Latin Quarter - Montmartre - The Seine riverfront - Multiple smaller museums and cathedrals
The key to their success: speed, strategic accommodation location, and the Paris Metro.
Staying in the 1st arrondissement close to the Louvre meant they could arrive at 9am on their first full day and "see the Mona Lisa before it got too crowded." The Metro's extensive network got them "close to pretty much all the major attractions," though they noted the ticketing system "can be a little confusing if you don't do your research."
"We're pretty fast and wasted no time trying to get around," they wrote - a crucial caveat. This itinerary works for travelers comfortable walking quickly, navigating public transit efficiently, and making snap decisions rather than lingering.
Budget Airline Made It Affordable
The couple flew FrenchBee, a low-cost carrier connecting the US East Coast to Paris. "Saw some mixed reviews online but we personally didn't experience anything truly awful," they reported. "Flight was cheap and you get what you pay for."
FrenchBee and similar budget carriers (like LEVEL, Norse Atlantic) have made European weekend trips financially viable for Americans in ways that weren't possible a decade ago. Round-trip fares from New York to Paris can dip below $400 on budget airlines - comparable to domestic US flights.
For travelers willing to sacrifice legroom, free meals, and seat selection, these carriers unlock short European getaways that traditional airlines priced out of reach.
Age Discounts Helped the Budget
Both travelers were 26 or under, qualifying for discounted museum entry across Paris. "Some attractions and museums offer a discounted price for those 26 and under," they noted, comparing it to free Fine Arts museum entry they'd enjoyed in Montreal.
Paris is particularly generous with youth discounts - many museums offer free or reduced entry for EU residents under 26, and non-EU visitors often get partial discounts. For travelers in their early-to-mid twenties, Paris becomes significantly more affordable than for older visitors.
The Mental Health Escape
The trip wasn't just about sightseeing - it was about escape. "We needed a quick getaway for our mental health from work, the brutal cold we've been dealing with on the East Coast, and the large piles of dirty snow everywhere," they explained.
This is the real value proposition of long-weekend European trips: complete disconnection from routine. A three-day weekend in a different US city still feels like the same country. Three days in Paris - different language, different architecture, different food culture - provides psychological distance that domestic trips can't match.
For the couple, spending Valentine's Day in Paris created a memorable experience that a weekend in Boston or Miami wouldn't have replicated.
What They Loved Most
Beyond the major monuments, the couple praised Paris's dessert culture: "Some of their desserts were so cute in presentation!" As someone who "loves baking and has a crazy sweet tooth," the desserts even surpassed the cuisine.
They also appreciated how walkable the city is along the Seine, and how easy it was to combine major attractions with smaller museums and cathedrals in the same neighborhoods.
Would Longer Be Better?
"Definitely need longer than three to four days," they acknowledged. The trip was "enough time to see some of the most important things" but didn't allow for leisurely cafe-sitting, day trips to Versailles or Giverny, or exploring deeper into specific neighborhoods.
But for Americans with limited vacation time, that's the wrong comparison. The choice isn't between three days in Paris versus ten days in Paris. It's between three days in Paris versus no Paris at all because you can't take a full week off work.
Is This the Future of European Travel?
Budget transatlantic airlines, remote work flexibility (allowing Thursday-Friday work-from-anywhere), and younger travelers prioritizing experiences over savings are converging to make long-weekend European trips increasingly common.
For Americans who've always assumed Europe requires two weeks minimum, this trip report offers permission to think smaller. Three days in Paris isn't comprehensive - but it's possible, memorable, and affordable. Sometimes that's enough.
As the couple concluded: "I already want to go back." That might be the best endorsement of all - not that they saw everything, but that three days made them want to return. In an age of checklist tourism, that's a healthier relationship with travel than ticking off Paris and moving on forever.
