3 days in Paris itinerary for friends
A lively 3-day Paris plan for a group of friends: social food halls, a playful escape room and bike tour, rooftop drinks, live music and a pub trivia night. Venues are group-friendly and oriented toward shared costs, energetic evenings and easygoing daytime exploring.
Highlights
- Le Marais & Marché des Enfants Rouges
- Escape room for a team challenge
- Fat Tire guided bike tour of Paris
- Huge group-friendly food hall La Felicità
- Rooftop drinks at Le Perchoir Marais
- Live shows at La Bellevilloise
- Montmartre & Sacré-Cœur
- Canal Saint-Martin hangout and picnic
- Pub trivia night at Belushi's Gare du Nord
Itinerary
Day 1
Marais social day — casual neighborhood stroll, a lively market lunch, a team escape-game challenge, then rooftop drinks to kick off the weekend.
Explore Le Marais & Place des Vosges
Start with a relaxed walk through Le Marais. Browse independent boutiques, vintage shops and the historic arcades around Place des Vosges.
Local tips:
- For groups: start at Place des Vosges and split into two small shopping teams to cover more shops — meet back at the fountain.
- If anyone wants vintage bargains, head to Rue de la Verrerie and Rue des Rosiers — call out a meeting time to regroup.
- Carry a small tote for spontaneous purchases; many small shops won't hold items but are fine with group try-ons outside the store.
Lunch at Marché des Enfants Rouges (food stalls)
An easy, social lunch at Paris's oldest covered market — choose Moroccan, Japanese, crepes or falafel stalls and share plates.
Local tips:
- Pick 2–3 stalls and gather at one long table so the whole group can share; many stalls accept card but smaller ones prefer cash.
- Try the Moroccan tagines and the classic Japanese bento — order a couple of dishes to share family-style (saves money and encourages tasting).
- Lines can form at popular stalls; send one person to queue while the rest secure seating. Outdoor picnic style seating works well for lively groups.
Coffee break at Boot Café (tiny, trendy café)
A quick mid-afternoon pause at a beloved micro-café — perfect for espresso and people-watching before the escape game.
Local tips:
- Boot Café is small — take turns going in to order while others snag nearby bench seating to keep the group together.
- Order espresso or takeaway cold brew if you want to keep moving; the cafe is famed for its sweet, photogenic interior so snap a quick group photo outside.
- Tuck jackets and bags under seats; for groups of 4–6, plan a meeting point nearby (e.g., the corner of Rue de Bretagne) since inside seating is limited.
Team escape game: LeavinRoom (group-friendly rooms)
A 60–90 minute escape-game — great for groups to collaborate, split into teams or pair up for puzzles.
Local tips:
- Book a 4–6 person room in advance; splitting into two teams can be a fun competitive option and keeps costs shared.
- Arrive 10–15 minutes early for the briefing; lockers are usually available for bags and jackets so you can move freely during the game.
- If someone in the group prefers to watch, the operator often offers viewing options or a waiting area — rotate players between rounds if you book back-to-back.
Early evening Seine stroll toward Hôtel de Ville
Stretch legs on a riverside walk or around Hôtel de Ville; casual photos, window-shopping and pre-dinner aperitifs nearby.
Local tips:
- Walk the short route along Rue de Rivoli toward the Seine to keep things moving and scenic — easy for groups to chat and regroup.
- If anyone wants snacks or wine for later, there are small épiceries near Hôtel de Ville that sell shareable bottles and picnic supplies.
- This is an easy spot to switch to public transit if you're carrying shopping bags—Hôtel de Ville metro has direct lines across the city.
Rooftop drinks & sunset at Le Perchoir Marais
Friendly rooftop bar with skyline views — lively atmosphere, cocktails and sharing plates — ideal for a group night out.
Local tips:
- Reserve a table in advance for a group of 4–6; rooftop bars fill up at sunset and reservations are the best way to guarantee a social table.
- Order several sharable starters and pitchers of cocktails (or a bottle of wine) to split costs and keep the vibe relaxed.
- Dress smart-casual and expect loud, lively music — it's a social atmosphere where standing by the rail and rotating spots keeps the energy high.
Day 2
Active sightseeing day — guided bike tour to cover major sights, group lunch at a massive food-hall, relaxed afternoon then a big live-music night.
Guided bike tour with Fat Tire Tours Paris
A guided 3-hour bike tour that covers major riverside sights and neighborhoods — fast, social and photo-friendly.
Local tips:
- Book the morning slot to avoid evening crowds; Fat Tire provides helmets and a bilingual guide who handles navigation so the group can socialize.
- Bring a small backpack and a refillable water bottle; the guide will plan short stops for photos and snacks — split rental or tour cost evenly among the group.
- If some in the group are less confident cycling, ask for an easier pace or request to be placed near the guide so they can fall back and stick together.
La Felicità — big food-hall lunch at Station F
Huge multi-kitchen food hall with lots of shared tables — perfect for groups who want variety and casual sharing.
Local tips:
- Order from a few different counters (pizza, pasta, antipasti) and share dishes family-style to keep costs down and maximize variety.
- There are large communal tables for 6–12 people — arrive as a group to snag one, or send one person to claim a spot while others queue.
- Payment is typically per stall; consider splitting the bill by dish to keep things simple and fair among friends.
Relaxed afternoon: stroll along the Seine & Louvre courtyard photos
A light stroll for photos at the Louvre courtyard and nearby riverbanks — flexible hangout time before the evening show.
Local tips:
- If you want a quick group photo with the pyramid, time it for late afternoon when crowds thin a bit — appoint a photographer from the group.
- Small souvenir shops around the Louvre carry shared souvenirs (e.g., postcards or magnets) you can split as group mementos.
- If anyone wants to duck into the Louvre, pick one wing (e.g., Denon) and set a 60–90 minute timebox so the group stays on schedule.
Pre-show dinner & shareable plates near Belleville
An early dinner in the 20th/19th vicinity with group-friendly plates to fuel the evening concert.
Local tips:
- Choose a place with big tables or communal seating so the whole crew can eat together; order shared starters to keep bills split evenly.
- Arrive an hour before the show to avoid rushing — many live venues have strict door times.
- If dietary preferences vary, pick a restaurant with a wide menu (pizza/pasta + vegetarian options) to make splitting simple.
Live music & dancing at La Bellevilloise
Large, multi-room venue with concerts and DJs — energetic and accommodating for groups who want live music and dancing.
Local tips:
- Check the event schedule in advance and reserve/allot money for tickets — many shows allow group bookings or general admission.
- Arrive early to secure a group table; larger rooms are easier for moving between standing/dancing areas and seating.
- Bring cash for coat check and merchandise; if you plan to split a tab for drinks, agree on a payment method beforehand to avoid confusion later.
Day 3
Montmartre charm and Canal Saint-Martin relaxation, then a playful group lunch and an evening pub trivia night to finish the trip on a social note.
Montmartre morning & Sacré-Cœur visit
Explore the bohemian streets of Montmartre, climb to Sacré-Cœur for panoramic city views and enjoy street artists at Place du Tertre.
Local tips:
- Start early to avoid the mid-day crowds at Sacré-Cœur; meet at the foot of the funicular if someone prefers not to climb.
- Group photos work best at the viewing terrace to the left of the basilica; locals recommend heading down to Rue de l'Abreuvoir for postcard streets.
- Many cafes nearby can reserve a larger table if you call ahead — useful for groups who want a sit-down brunch after exploring.
Group lunch at Bouillon Pigalle (hearty, budget-friendly)
Classic French brasserie serving large portions at reasonable prices — group-friendly with big tables for social dining.
Local tips:
- Bouillon style is great for groups — order several main courses to share and split the bill by person; ask for a single large table when booking.
- Expect a lively, slightly noisy room — perfect if your group likes a buzzy atmosphere rather than quiet dining.
- If you're trying to keep costs down, share starters and mains; the fixed-price menus are often a good value for groups.
Canal Saint-Martin hangout & picnic-style chill
Pickup snacks/rosé and relax canal-side — a classic Parisian group hangout with locals and good photo ops.
Local tips:
- Buy picnic items from local épiceries (cheese, bread, charcuterie) and bring a blanket — many groups gather on the canal steps.
- If someone prefers seats, reserve a terrace at a nearby café; otherwise the canal steps are ideal for a relaxed, cost-effective hangout.
- Keep an eye on personal items if sitting on the steps; split tasks — one person watches bags while others queue for food and drinks.
Late-afternoon free time / souvenirs
Time to shop, rest or return to a favorite neighborhood — flexible slot to recharge before the evening trivia.
Local tips:
- Use this window to freshen up and change for the evening; if someone needs to nap, pick a café with comfy chairs or head back to your accommodation.
- Divide souvenir shopping by neighborhood — one person can pick postcards, another can hunt for local food gifts, then meet to combine purchases.
- If the group wants one last museum or lookout, pick a short 45–60 minute stop (e.g., a single small exhibition) to keep plans flexible.
Pub trivia & shared pitchers at Belushi's Gare du Nord
End the trip with a lively trivia night — teams, drinks and casual competition in an English-speaking friendly pub environment.
Local tips:
- Confirm the quiz schedule for the night and reserve a table if possible — Belushi's regularly hosts quiz and group events and can accommodate 4–8 people.
- Order pitchers or shareable platters to keep tabs simple — agree on who pays in advance or use a payments app to split evenly.
- Make a team name in advance and pick roles (music rounds, picture rounds) to maximize fun — it's social and designed for mixed-language groups.