The Perfect 2 Days in Paris Itinerary: How to See Paris in Two Days

Trying to see Paris in two days? Keep on reading for a complete two days in Paris itinerary, and all the things you should do, see, eat, and drink.

“Paris exists to remind you that all your dreams are real.”

This is one of my favorite Paris quotes because it just about sums up my feelings about the city. Paris was a city that was on my bucket list all my life, and when I finally made it there, it all felt like a dream. 

There’s nothing like the romance, charm, and beauty of Paris, and it lived up to every single one of my expectations – and then some.

From the moment I stepped off the airport shuttle and saw all the iconic monuments come alive right  before my eyes, I was absolutely smitten. I spent my 2 days in Paris looking like the heart-eyed emoji, taking in all the beauty with a sense of wonder.

There’s so much that Paris has to offer, from world-class museums, beautiful landmarks, shopping, food (especially the dessert!), and more. The city offers something for everyone, and there’s plenty of cool things to add to your Paris bucket list. 

You won’t see it all on a Paris two day itinerary, but it’s a good start! Spending a weekend in Paris is just enough time to be able to see its main highlights. 

It just takes a bit of planning – and that’s where I come in, because I’ve planned the perfect itinerary to help you see the best of what the city has to offer! I promise that it will help you fall in love and leave you wanting to return (it certainly made me return!).

Keep reading for a guide to all the places to visit in Paris in two days, where to stay, what to eat + drink, and more.

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How long to spend in Paris – is 2 days enough?

Yes and no. The truth is that there is so much to see and do in Paris, that you can easily spend a week here and still not experience it all.

But…

Two days is just enough time to see the best of what the city has to offer, and see its top attractions. You’ll get to visit the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe, see some of the world’s most famous art in the city’s top museums (the Louvre, Musee d’Orsay, and Musee de l’Orangerie), explore some of the neighborhoods, and more.

It just requires a bit of careful planning! I’ve carefully crafted this itinerary so that you can experience all of Paris’s highlights in an efficient way. 

Do know that it’s going to be a VERY busy itinerary – after all you’re trying to fit in as many places to visit in Paris in 2 days as possible! There’s not a whole lot of downtime in this itinerary. If you’re someone that needs a bit of time to relax in between sights, I suggest adding at least another day.

A few quick tips for your Paris two day itinerary:

• Book tickets in advance: Do note that the city’s top attractions book up FAST, so you’ll need to book tickets and/or make reservations well in advance of your visit. Reservations are required to visit the Louvre Museum. Even if an attraction doesn’t require reservations, many of them have VERY long lines for those without pre-purchased tickets. This is especially true if you’re visiting during the busy summer months. I highly recommend you book your tickets in advance so that you can avoid these long lines!
  
• Pay attention to attraction closing dates: Several museums and attractions are closed on Mondays or Tuesdays. Be aware of these closures when planning your Paris itinerary. For example, Musee d’Orsay is closed on Mondays, and the Louvre and Musee de l’Orangerie are closed on Tuesdays. If you are visiting on a Monday or Tuesday, you may have to modify this itinerary.
  
• Book attraction tickets ahead of time: I *highly* recommend booking your attraction and museum tickets in advance of your visit. This is especially true if you are visiting during the busy tourist season (aka summer). It is not uncommon for attractions to have a ginormous line, or even to sell out together! To avoid any disappointment, book your tickets well in advance of your visit!
  
• Buy a Paris Museum Pass or Paris Pass: And on that note, I highly recommend purchasing the Paris Museum Pass, as it offers admission into over 60 of Paris’s most iconic museums and monuments for one low price. It includes access to many of the attractions on this Paris 2 day itinerary, including The Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, Sainte Chapelle, Musee d’Orsay, Musee de l’Orangerie, and La Conciergerie, among others. You can also opt to get a Paris Pass, which includes a museum pass along with several other iconic experiences (such as a Seine cruise and a guided Eiffel Tower climb). You’ll also get to skip the line at some of these spots, another plus. Do note that some attractions (most notably the Louvre) still require you to make a reservation even if you have the pass.   
  
• Beware of pickpockets and scammers: Paris is unfortunately notorious for pickpockets and tourist scams. Always keep your guard up and keep a very close watch on your belongings, especially in crowded places and on the metro!
  
• A little bit of “bonjour” and “merci” goes a long way: Parisians have the unfortunate reputation of being rude, but I didn’t find that to be the case at all! I found that being polite goes a *long* way in Paris, starting with greeting people with “bonjour,” and thanking them by saying “merci.” Many people in Paris speak English, and they don’t necessarily expect you to speak French, but it is appreciated if you know a few basic phrases.
  
• Bring a power adapter: Like the rest of Europe, France uses 230 V Type E plugs. If you’re coming from the United States, you’re going to need an adapter to plug in your devices. 

Where to Stay in Paris

There is no shortage of accommodation options in Paris, from fancy luxury hotels, classic Parisian apartments, hip boutique hostels, and more.

To help you decide where to stay, consider the geography of the city. Paris is arranged into 20 arrondissements (or districts), spiraling in a clockwise fashion starting from the tip of Ile de la Cite. 

For convenience: Stay in a lower numbered arrondissement (1-8), which will put you close to many of the top sights in Paris. For reference, the Louvre is in the 1st arrondissement, Le Marais spans the 3rd and 4th arrondissements, the Eiffel Tower is in the 7th arrondissement, the Arc de Triomphe is in the 8th arrondissement.

While staying in these districts is the most convenient option, do note that the hotels here will be more expensive. 

Some recommended places to stay:

• Hôtel de l’Exposition – Tour Eiffel: I almost stayed here, but I ended up having to cancel that trip – boo! This hotel is located a 15 minute walk to Champs de Mars at the base of the Eiffel Tower, and is very affordable as well. Each of the rooms are decorated with antique furnishings and paintings celebrating the unique history of Paris.
  
• Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel: If you want a hotel with a view of the Eiffel Tower, you can’t do much better than the Pullman. The hotel is right at the foot of the tower and Trocadero, and it looks larger than life here.
  
• Le Relais Saint Honore: You can’t beat the location of this hotel, located next to Jardin des Tuileries and a short walk away from the Louvre. Each of the rooms here have a unique style.
  
• CitizenM Paris Champs-Elysees: I’ve always loved staying in CitizenM properties because the rooms strip down to just the essentials but manage to still be super comfortable and high-tech. They make up for it by having some really amazing common spaces, and this property is no different! There’s a cool lobby space as well as a bar, and even a rooftop terrace where you can catch a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower. The location is super convenient as well, right on the iconic Champs-Elysees.

If you’re on a budget: Consider staying in one of the higher numbered arrondissements. These neighborhoods tend to be less touristy, and less expensive. With the metro being so convenient, you’ll still be able to easily get to all the top attractions in the city.

I stayed in the 11th arrondissement, and yes, while it did take a bit longer to get around, I didn’t mind it at all. Our hotel was very affordable, and I loved that the 11th was such a trendy, up and coming area, with plenty of amazing restaurants and cafes.

Another area you might consider is Montmartre, the charming artists’ quarter located in the northern part of the city. It’s home to a number of attractions, such as the famed Sacre Coeur cathedral.

Here are some recommended places to stay:

• Hotel Exquis: I loved the eclectic, artsy vibe of this boutique hotel. The entire property is decorated in a colorful, funky style, and each of the rooms feature unique pieces of original art from local artists. The staff was super friendly and helpful (and even helped call and locate a bag that I left on the airport bus), and was always willing to give directions and recommendations. The rooms were a bit small, but I still really enjoyed staying here!
  
• Hotel des Arts Montmartre: This charming family-owned boutique hotel pays tribute to the artistic heritage of the Montmartre district. You’ll find stylish decor that features vibrant fabric prints from the greatest French fashion houses, beautiful views, and a convenient location just a short walk away from the Metro and Sacre Coeur.
  
• Terrass Hotel: Housed in a 19th century building in the heart of Montmartre, this property has elegantly decorated rooms that are inspired by artists’ dressing rooms. You’ll also find some amazing views, and can even see the Eiffel Tower from here. You’ll also be a short walk away from the Metro as well as some of the iconic sights of Montmartre.

The Perfect Paris in Two Days Itinerary

How to Save Money in Paris

Paris can be quite an expensive city, and the costs for attraction tickets can add up quickly! So my #1 hack for saving money in Paris is to purchase either a Paris Museum Pass or Paris Pass.

The Paris Museum Pass gets you entry into 50 of the top museums and monuments in Paris. A two-day pass costs €62 and includes many of the top attractions in the city that are included on this Paris two day itinerary, including the Louvre, Musée d’ Orsay, Musée de l’Orangerie, Arc de Triomphe, Sainte Chapelle, La Conciergerie and more.

Here’s how much each of these attractions cost individually:

• The Louvre – €22
• Musee d’Orsay – €16
• Musée de l’Orangerie – €12.50
• Arc de Triomphe – €16
• Sainte Chapelle – €13
• La Conciergerie – €11.50
  
  Total: – €91  (a savings of €29)

Aside from the cost savings, the biggest perk of the museum pass is that it allows you to skip the line at many places. This was a huge time saver! I would absolutely get the pass just for this, especially if I was in Paris during a busier time of the year.

In addition, the Paris Pass also includes a Museum Pass, along with several other top attractions and experiences. These include a guided climb of the Eiffel Tower, a Seine River Cruise, a hop-on, hop-off bus tour, and a walking tour of Montmartre.

However, it does cost a bit more at €184 for an all-inclusive 2-day pass. You will have to do the math to see if getting the Paris Pass is worth it for you. Personally, for a 2 day trip, I think getting just a museum pass is better.

You can read more about these passes in my Paris Museum Pass review and Paris Pass review.

Paris Itinerary Day 1 (Eiffel Tower, Impressionist Art, Champs-Elysees)

Trocadero + Eiffel Tower Views

You’re going to want to get a very early start on your first day in Paris – I’d even try to get up for sunrise if you can manage it! The early wakeup call is going to be worth it, because we’re starting off with one of the most epic views of the Eiffel Tower at the Trocadero. 

Trocadero sits right across the river from the Eiffel Tower, and is the place to go to catch that postcard worthy view of the iconic landmark. It’s one of the best photo spots in Paris, and has arguably the best view of the Eiffel Tower.

It’s not exactly a secret, so it’s not exactly going to be empty even at the crack of dawn. It’s a popular spot for photo shoots, so you’ll likely see a handful of people dressed up in their wedding gowns with a whole camera crew directing them.

But even still, visiting very early in the morning is going to be WAY better than coming later in the day when it’s swarming with a million people and you’re going to be harassed by street vendors trying to stuff a selfie stick in front of your face. My first time here, I came for sunset and this is exactly what happened. While the view was beautiful, I was so turned off.

My second time in Paris, I came early in the morning and while the tip of the Eiffel Tower was hiding in a layer of fog (it was December), I had much more of a pleasant experience since I didn’t have to fight the crowds.

The best places to photograph the Eiffel Tower from the Trocadero are from the tiled viewing platform, on the staircase, and from the carousel. You can also walk into the gardens downstairs, especially if it’s springtime as it’s one of the best places to see cherry blossoms in the city.

You won’t be actually visiting the Eiffel Tower quite yet, but don’t worry – we will come back to that later on in the day!

Breakfast + Hot Chocolate at Angelina

Angelina is a Paris institution. When I started asking around for recommendations before my first trip to Paris, literally everyone told me I had to go to Angelina. Now that I’ve been, I also recommend it to everyone. 

They have a number of locations all around the city, including one near Musee de l’Orangerie, the next stop on this two days in Paris itinerary. They also open at 7:30, so it’s an ideal stop after your early morning explorations.

Angelina is famous for its hot chocolate (or drinking chocolate). One sip of this rich, decadent chocolate goodness, and you will swear you’ve died and gone to heaven. This drinking chocolate is simply AMAZING, and even better with a dollop of the whipped cream that it comes with. 

They also serve pastries, including croissants and pains au chocolat, and breakfast platters. They have some incredible French desserts too (try the Montblanc cake), if you’re wanting to eat dessert for breakfast!

Musée de l’Orangerie

Your next two stops on this two days in Paris itinerary are going to be two of the top art museums in the city. Let’s start with Musée  l’Orangerie, which is the smaller of the two.

Some people skip Musée de l’Orangerie when they only have limited time in Paris, but I highly recommend adding it to your itinerary. It is a relatively small museum so you can easily visit it in about an hour. 

The highlight here is Monet’s Water Lilies. These massive wall paintings depict the scene from his garden in Giverny. Each painting captures the different light as it changes from morning to night.

As someone who was *obsessed* with Monet’s work when she first learned about it in third grade, I was absolutely captivated by seeing the Water Lilies in person. Be sure to set aside plenty of time to sit and admire the paintings. There’s so much little detail in them and it is truly impressive!

In addition to the Water Lilies, take a quick browse through the rest of the galleries. The museum also features paintings from other notable artists such as Cezenne, Picasso, Renoir, and Matisse.

Be sure to book your reserved entry ticket in advance of your visit. You can also book a combination tour of Musee de l’Orangerie and Musee d’Orsay to learn more about the art in these two iconic museums.

Jardin des Tuileries

On your way out of Musee de l’Orangerie, be sure to take a stroll through Jardin des Tuileries. This French formal garden dates back to 1664 and was designed by André Le Nôtre, the same architect behind the gardens of Versailles.

What I love about Jardin des Tuileries is the way the trees are lined up and perfectly frame the Palais building. This is especially stunning in the fall, when the leaves turn into vibrant shades of orange. I happened to catch the tail end of this when visiting in early December, and I can only imagine how beautiful it must have been a few weeks earlier!

Jardin des Tuileries is also gorgeous in the spring months, as colorful flowers bloom across the gardens.

Musée d’Orsay

Cross over to the other side of the Seine to visit Musee d’Orsay, another one of Paris’s famed art museums. The highlight here is the impressive collection of Impressionist paintings, and I really enjoyed seeing so many masterpieces by visiting both Musee d’Orsay and l’Orangerie on the same day.

The Musee d’Orsay is housed in an old train station that was built for the Paris World’s Fair, so the architectural elements are fantastic and are a reason alone to visit. The station platforms were converted into exhibition areas, and make a particularly gorgeous backdrop to the artwork on display.

Musee d’Orsay boasts the largest collection of impressionist and post-impressionist paintings in the world, featuring works 1848 to 1914. You will see more iconic paintings from Monet, as well as Van Gogh’s self-portraits. There are also notable works from Degas (and his famous ballerinas), Manet, Renoir, and Cezanne, among others. 

Since the museum celebrates all forms of expressive arts, you’ll see sculptures, photography, and decorative arts in addition to paintings. It will take around 1.5-2 hours to explore the museum and see all the notable works.

Also do not miss the giant clock tower located on the top floor. It not only makes a really cool photo op, it also offers a beautiful view of the city. 

Be sure to book a reserved access ticket in advance of your visit. You can also enjoy skip-the-line privileges with a Paris Museum Pass or Paris Pass. To learn more about what you’re looking at, I recommend purchasing a ticket with an audio guide app, or booking a guided tour. You can also combine your ticket with a Seine river cruise, which comes later on in this two day Paris itinerary.

Pont Alexandre III

After visiting Musee d’Orsay, you’ll cross the Seine again back over to the Right Bank. I recommend walking a kilometer down the Left Bank towards Pont Alexandre III, which you will cross to get to the other side of the river.

Pont Alexandre III is one of the most iconic bridges in Paris, and is known as one of the most beautiful bridges in the world. Built for the World’s Fair in 1900, the bridge has four 17 meter tall columns, each topped with bronze sculptures of winged horses. Each of these represent the arts, sciences, commerce, and industry.

There are tons of magnificent details on the bridge, from ornate lamp posts, Art Nouveau sculptures, and other decorative features. In addition, there are some scenic views of the Eiffel Tower and the historic monuments that line the Seine.

Champs-Élysées

Champs-Elysees is perhaps *the* most famous street in Paris. It’s the finish of the Tour de France and the Bastille Day parade, but is also famous as being one of the most recognizable shopping streets in the world. 

You’ll find the street lined with luxury boutiques. Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Cartier, and Tiffany are some of the names you will find here. Unless you have a huge budget (lucky you!), you probably be window shopping only, but it’s still fun to take a stroll down Champs-Elysees since it’s so iconic.

If you want to stop for a break, stop by the flagship Laduree location on Champs-Elysees. You can enjoy a few macarons (which I must say definitely tasted better than the ones in the US), or they have a full lunch menu as well as afternoon tea service.

At the far end of the street, you’ll catch a view of the Arc de Triomphe, which will be our next stop.

Arc de Triomphe

The towering Arc de Triomphe is one of Paris’s most recognizable landmarks. The 50 meter tall monument was built by Napoleon to honor those who fought in the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars. It is also said to have been inspired by a similar but smaller scale arch in Rome, and there are several replicas of it around the world, including the Arc de Triomf in Barcelona.

One of the things that I found most impressive in Paris was the dizzying traffic that goes around the roundabout that surrounds the Arc de Triomphe. There are 12 streets that start from the roundabout here, part of the master plan of how Paris was built – a series of major boulevards that intersect with monuments as centerpieces. Seriously though, it’s quite fascinating and I’ve never seen anything like it.

And on that note – use the pedestrian underpass when crossing the arch. Do NOT try to cross the roundabout, the traffic is far too crazy.

While you should spend some time admiring all the details on the arch, the real highlight is climbing up to the rooftop. You’ll have to go up 284 steps to get to the top, but climbing up the spiral staircase is quite an experience and the view at the top is well worth it!

I personally preferred the view from Arc de Triomphe over the Eiffel Tower. A big reason for this is the fact that you can, well, actually SEE the Eiffel Tower from here. There’s also an amazing view of Champs-Elysees from above, along with the Parisian buildings of the skyline. You can also see all the way out to La Defense and Sacre Coeur.

Be sure to book your tickets in advance, so you can skip the ticket queue. You can also combine your ticket with a Seine River cruise, which I recommend doing later on this two day Paris itinerary. 

Eiffel Tower

The most famous of Paris’s landmarks, the Eiffel Tower is a breathtaking sight. Climbing atop the Eiffel Tower is one of the most iconic things to do in Paris. Some people say that the Eiffel Tower is overrated, but I beg to differ. It’s just one of those iconic experiences that you have to do once in your life!

Built in 1889 for the World’s Fair, the Eiffel Tower was the tallest structure in the world when it was first completed. It was originally only supposed to stand for 20 years, but it became such a beloved landmark (and radiotelegraph station) that it was never was never demolished.

Today, it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world, attracting nearly 6 million visitors in 2022. 

As such, it is imperative that you buy your tickets well in advance of your visit! I cannot stress this enough. Advance tickets often sell out, even as soon as they go on sale during the peak tourist months. And if you try to buy tickets on site, the line can often reach 2-3 hours long. 

Tickets for the summit go on sale 60 days in advance, and 14 days in advance for the second floor. Do buy your tickets ASAP to avoid any sellouts!

Buying your tickets on the official site will have the best prices. However, the tickets are non-refundable. If you want a bit more flexibility, I suggest buying tickets on GetYourGuide, as you can cancel without penalty. The Paris Pass also includes access to the second floor of the Eiffel Tower, but do note that you must reserve in advance.

There are several ticket options for visiting the Eiffel Tower. The most popular one is to take an elevator to the top floor. From here, you’ll get a birds eye view of the entire city. However, it is the most expensive option and the one that sells out the quickest.

Another option is to check out the view from the second floor. You can either take the stairs (the cheapest option) or take an elevator. There’s also an option where you can climb up the stairs to the second floor and then take an elevator to the summit. If tickets are sold out, you also have the option of taking a guided tour.

I went up to the summit, but it was freezing and windy AF up at the top and we lasted all of 5 minutes before coming back into the enclosed observation area. If I were to do it again, I would only visit the second floor. Not only is it cheaper and the line shorter, but after looking at other people’s photos, I thought the view was better! You’re high enough to see the city from above, but not so high that everything just looks like tiny dots on the landscape.

Sunset is the best time to visit the Eiffel Tower. Aim to get there at least an hour before sunset, so you have plenty of time to get to the second floor or the top! We intended to do this, but ran behind and did not realize that there would be a line to go up the elevator to the top (another reason to only go to the second floor), so we completely missed it. Don’t be us and be sure to leave plenty of time!

Seine River Cruise

Depending on what time of year you visit Paris, you might want to flip the order of the Seine river cruise and Eiffel Tower. 

Taking a cruise down the Seine River is the perfect relaxing activity after a busy first day in Paris. I always love seeing a city from the water, and I always enjoy taking sightseeing cruises (some of my favorites have been in Stockholm, Prague, and Chicago). I enjoyed doing it in Paris as well!

It allows you to get a different perspective of all its most famous monuments, and you can relax (and rest your feet, which will probably be tired by this point) as you take in the views. On this one-hour cruise, you’ll get to see some of the most iconic landmarks of Paris from the water, including the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and the Louvre, along with the city’s beautiful bridges. 

There’s also an option for a dinner cruise that includes a 3 or 4 course dinner, along with an evening cruise that includes live music and an aperitif. 

Watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle

I hope you’re not sick of seeing the Eiffel Tower yet (but really, however could you ever get sick of such a thing!), because we’re going to end the day catching its light show.

Every night, the Eiffel Tower is illuminated in a dazzling display of sparkling lights that shine across Paris. This takes place at the top of every hour after sundown, and continues until 1 am (2 am in the summer).

While you can catch a glimpse of the light show from all around the city, the best vantage point is from directly across the tower, either at Trocadero or Champs de Mars. If you happen to be on the second floor of the tower, you can get a unique vantage point of it, too!

Paris Itinerary Day 2 (The Louvre, Ile de Cite, Montmartre)

Grab a pastry at Du Pain et des Idées

There’s nothing like starting your day in Paris with a delicious pastry + coffee, and today we are headed to one of the best spots!

While there’s a boulangerie on every corner in Paris, not all of them are created equal. Du Pain et des Idées is located just a bit off the main tourist drag, but it is known as one of *the* best bakeries in town. It is well worth the trek!

You’ll find a wide selection of French pastries and bread here, but they are known for their escargot chocolat pistache pastry. These pinwheel shaped pastries are meant to resemble a snail, with layers of flaky, buttery dough swirled with pistachio filling and bits of chocolate. Sooooo yummy!

You will likely find a line here, but I found that it moves pretty quickly.

The Louvre

Arguably the best art museum in the world, visiting the Louvre is one of the must-do things to do in Paris. Even if you don’t consider yourself to be a museum person, you have to visit. Just seeing the pyramid, the beautiful architecture of the plaza, and wandering down the gorgeous, ornate halls of the museum are an experience of itself.

Be sure to book your timed entry ticket in advance! Tickets often sell out quickly. Only a limited amount of tickets are sold on-site, and even if you’re able to get one, the lines may be over an hour. 

You will also need to make a reservation if you have a Paris Museum Pass or Paris Pass!

The Louvre is the largest art museum in the world, with over 35,000 works currently on display. You could probably spend the entire week at the Louvre and still not see it all. When you’re trying to see Paris in 2 days, you’re definitely not going to come close to seeing it all!

In all honesty, I feel like you only really need a few hours at the Louvre because it’s so big and it gets overwhelming after a while. The Louvre website has a self-guided tour which will allow you to see all its masterpieces in around an hour and a half. If you want to learn more about what you’re looking at, you can book a guided tour.

The Louvre’s most famous works are the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo, and most people will make a beeline for those two works. Seeing the Mona Lisa was kind of an interesting experience. You’ll find many people say that it’s much smaller than you’d expect therefore not that impressive, and I found that to be kinda true.

You’ll also likely see a horde of people taking selfies in front of it, which I never really understood the point of. It’s kind of the opposite experience that you usually have in an art museum, but it’s kind of funny and amusing at the same time.

There is so much that the Louvre offers, from Egyptian and Greek antiquities, Islamic art, to paintings from the Italian Renaissance, and French Romanticism. We wandered through a few of the halls super quickly.

Personally, my favorite parts of the Louvre were the Greek and Roman statues (which were huge), and the Egyptian wing, which I found to be really interesting. I also enjoyed wandering through the Italian wing, as it was a good primer for when we took off to Italy the next day.

Some other tips for visiting the Louvre: keep in mind that the Louvre is closed on Tuesdays, and is open late until 9:45 pm on Fridays. If you happen to be in town on Friday, you may want to switch the Louvre to be at the end of the day to take advantage of the extended hours. Do avoid the first Friday of the month, however, since it is free admission after 6pm (except July and August).

Palais-Royal

You can skip this next spot if you’re short on time, but I recommend stopping if you can as it is one of the most unique places to visit in Paris in two days. 

Palais-Royal is located a short walk away from the Louvre and was once the home of French royals until the palace of Versailles (which is one of the best day trips from Paris) was built. It is most well-known for the 260 black and white striped octagonal columns that stand in the courtyard.

Known as Buren’s Columns, they were once a controversial art installation and were nearly destroyed multiple times. These days, it’s known as an iconic symbol of Paris.

The columns extend from the basement stand at varying heights. It’s such a cool photo op and well worth a quick stop!

Saint Germain des Prés 

On the way to lunch, spend a bit of time wandering through the Saint Germain des Prés neighborhood (or just Saint Germain for short). One of my favorite things to do in Paris is just to stroll through its picturesque streets. While you won’t have much time to do that with only two days in Paris, I recommend doing at least a little bit of wandering in Saint Germain.

It’s one of my favorite neighborhoods in the city, with charming streets lined with historic cafes, and quaint antique shops and bookstores. 

Saint Germain was once the hangout of the artists and intellectuals of Paris in the 1920s. This is where you’d find Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Picasso, and other greats hanging out in one of its cafes (specifically at Les Deux Magots, one of the most famous cafes in the city). The neighborhood appears frequently in many books about Paris.

The neighborhood is home of the Shakespeare & Co. bookstore, a frequent haunt of all the literary greats of the 1920s. It’s one of the most famous independent bookstores in the world, and book lovers will definitely want to visit. If you picture what you could want in a perfect bookstore, well, Shakespeare & Co fits that bill, with low-hanged ceilings, couches, and even a resident cat.

Another place I recommend stopping at is Odette, which has some of the best cream puffs (our choux a la creme) in the city!

Lunch at Relais de l’Entrecôte

Relais de l’Entrecote serves one dish and one dish only, and they do it damn well – this will be the best steak frites that you’ve had in your life.

You will find a mix of locals and tourists inside this super popular spot, and you will probably find a line but it’s well worth it!

I didn’t know much about Relais de l’Entrecote except that their steak frites were supposed to be good. What I didn’t realize was that it was the only thing they served. You basically walk in, a waitress asks you if you want your steak rare or medium rare, and then poof, your dish appears in front of you.

The steak comes with a magical green sauce (garlic and some other magical goodness) that you will want to lick off the plate. One order of steak frites actually comes with a second helping – we split one order and it was more than plenty (although they will be all judg-y and upset with you when you try to split one portion).

Notre Dame and Ile de la Cite

After lunch, head over to Ile de la Cite, where you can catch a glimpse of the famed Notre Dame cathedral.

One of the most recognizable landmarks in Paris, and one of the most famous churches in the world, Notre Dame is an impressive sight. The Gothic style cathedral started construction in the 1100s and took almost 200 years to complete. 

Sadly, a large part of Notre Dame was damaged by fires in 2019 and you currently cannot visit the inside. It is currently set to reopen in December 2024, yay!

Even if you can’t visit the inside, you should definitely take some time to admire the facade and appreciate the full scope of it. I was in awe at the amount of detail, and the fact that it was built without modern machinery.

I am excited to visit the cathedral again when it reopens, because it truly is breathtaking. Even after visiting so many churches across Europe, Notre Dame is among the most beautiful. The gorgeous rose stained glass windows, which were added over time, were absolutely magnificent.

Sainte Chapelle

I will admit that I didn’t know much about Sainte Chapelle on my first visit to Paris and wasn’t even originally intending to visit. I just went because it seemed like a good place to pick up my museum pass. 

Well, I’m so glad I visit because it is absolutely STUNNING – it truly is such a gem!

Sainte Chapelle is a shining example of a Gothic cathedral and is covered in 600 square meters of breathtaking stained glass. It’s a small church, but it is absolutely spectacular!

It gets pretty busy here, so definitely purchase your tickets in advance. I recommend buying this combination ticket with La Conciergerie, which is the next stop on this two day Paris itinerary. You can also skip the line by booking a guided tour, which also includes a walking tour of Ile de la Cite.

La Conciergerie

La Conciergerie stands right next to Sainte Chapelle, and is one of the most interesting places to visit in Paris in 2 days, especially for history lovers. 

This was where prisoners resided before being taken to Place de la Concorde to be executed. It is best known for being where Marie Antoinette was imprisoned. 

If you had no idea what La Conciergerie was (I certainly didn’t) you’d think that it was a castle. It definitely doesn’t look like a prison.

It’s an architectural gem, and was even declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s got vaulted ceilings, beautiful arches, and medieval windows. Aside from it being pretty to look at, it’s a great place to learn about French history and the prisoners who once lived here (you can even see a guillotine blade on display).

While La Conciergerie is well worth a visit, especially if you are into French history, feel free to skip it if you are limited on time.

Montmartre

Located on the northern edge of the city, Montmartre is one of Paris’s prettiest neighborhoods. To get here from Ile de la Cite, you can hop on the metro and walk about 15 minutes, or you can take a bus that will get you there directly in about 40 minutes.

Montmartre was historically the artist’s quarter of Paris, once home to famous artists such as Van Gogh, Monet, Picasso, Renoir, and Degas. It’s quite touristy these days but you can still see remnants of its artistic past, with plenty of street artists and craft markets.

The neighborhood is also quite hilly, as it is located at one of the highest elevations in the city. There’s a funicular that runs here to help you get from the bottom of the hill up to Sacré-Cœur. Still, I’d recommend walking up the hill if you can. Montmartre is filled with a maze of windy streets, some of the most picturesque in the city. There are some nice views as well!

I highly recommend walking through Rue de l’Abreuvoir, which is the prettiest street in Montmartre. At the end of the street, you’ll find the pretty-in-pink La Maison Restaurant. Around the corner you’ll also find the Le Consulat Restaurant, which is quintessentially parisian with its red and green awning. Also be sure to walk through Place du Tertre, where you’ll find a number of street artists selling art and offering portraits.

Also don’t miss the “sinking” house of Montmartre. It’s located behind the grassy bank on the right side of the final set of stairs going up to Sacré-Cœur. The house isn’t actually sinking, but is rather an optical illusion because the house sticks out from the side of the hill. Tilt your camera to be level with the hillside and the house will look like it’s sinking! 

Sacré-Cœur

The Sacre Coeur Basilica sits at the top of the tallest hill in Paris. As you can imagine, you can take in some fantastic views of the city from here. It’s known as one of the best sunset spots in the city.

If you wish, you can go inside the church and climb the 300 steps for an even better view. It is free to visit the church, but it costs €8 to go up to the top. Honestly though, the view from the steps outside is already pretty awesome, so I didn’t feel the need to go up to the top (I was also tired of climbing up stairs lol).

Sacre Coeur is a relatively new building in the city, built in 1914. Built in the Roman-Byzantine style, the church is characterized by its white color and spectacular domes.

The building itself is also pretty gorgeous, so I suggest spending a bit of time admiring the outside as well. One of my favorite angles of Sacre Coeur was from behind, which gave it a cool perspective.

Dinner at A la Biche au Bois

For dinner, I suggest heading over to the Bastille district for a delicious French dinner at A la Biche au Bois. 

This was a recommendation from our hotel, and it ended up being one of my favorite meals in Paris! It’s such a classic Parisian bistro experience, from the decor, the servers, the people, and the food. 

You’ll find a menu of traditional French classics, served prix fixe style. You get a starter, main, and dessert for around €35. I ordered their coq au vin for my main and it was stellar, so tender and flavorful. The potatoes that came along with it were amazing and soaked it up beautifully. 

This place is apparently always packed, so plan accordingly – reservations are apparently STRONGLY recommended, but we didn’t know and just showed up and we almost got turned away. 

There was a good mix of locals and visitors here. We made friends with some Americans who said they had been hearing about this place from their French friends for years, and finally were able to get in. 

Things to Know Before Your Two Days in Paris 

When to Visit Paris

There really isn’t a bad time to visit Paris. 

Spring is a beautiful time to visit, as colorful flowers bloom at the parks and gardens all over the city. Summer is wonderful (albeit crowded) as everyone spends time outside and takes advantage of the outdoor events and festivals all across the city. Fall is beautiful as the foliage transforms into vibrant shades of red and orange. There’s plenty of indoor activities and attractions to keep you busy and out of the cold in the winter, and the city gets illuminated in festive Christmas decorations.

Both of my visits to Paris were in winter (December and February). While I really enjoyed my time there (enough to help me fall in love with the city), the next time I go back I’d visit in either the spring or fall. 

Here’s what to expect when traveling to Paris at different times of the year:

High Season (June-August): The most popular time to visit Paris, like with many other European destinations, is June through August. 

Paris enjoys temperatures in the mid to high 70s during these summer months, and there are many outdoor events and festivals taking place. Do note that it does sometimes get hot. Some hotels do not have air conditioning so be sure to double check if that’s a must for you!

It is also the most crowded and most expensive, so you should definitely prepare for hordes of people and high flight and hotel prices. If you are planning to visit during this time, it is absolutely imperative that you book your attraction tickets ahead of time, especially at the most popular sights, such as the Eiffel Tower and Louvre.

Shoulder Season (March-May, September to mid-November): The shoulder seasons are a fantastic time to visit Paris. This is when I would visit the next time I go back to Paris.

Not only is it beautiful, with spring blooms and fall foliage, the prices and crowd levels are much lower than visiting in the summer. Temperatures are mild during these months, usually hovering in the 60s Fahrenheit.

Low Season (late November-February): While winter is the least popular time to visit Paris, it isn’t necessarily a bad time to visit. 

The average highs are usually in the 40s Fahrenheit, with the lows in the mid to upper 30s. Snow is rare, but it does sometimes rain. So yees, it does get chilly here (bundle up), but there’s plenty of indoor activities to help you stay out of the cold!

The best thing about visiting Paris in the winter is that the crowd levels thin out considerably. Prices are also at their lowest, making it the most affordable time to visit!

If you visit in December, there are Christmas Markets, holiday events, and festive decorations that pop up all around Paris, making it a magical time in the city.

One disadvantage about visiting Paris in the winter is how bare and brown everything looked. Paris has many outdoor gardens and parks, and I could only imagine how beautiful the city would be with all the flowers blossoming. 

Getting to Paris

Arriving Via Air

Since Paris is one of the most visited cities in the world, it is very well-connected to the rest of Europe and the world. There are three airports that you can fly into:

Charles de Gaulle (CDG): This is the largest of the three, and the city’s main international airport. If you are coming from a destination outside Europe, you’ll likely land here.

CDG is located about 25km (15 miles) outside of Paris. A taxi ride into the city center is not recommended, as it takes 45-75 minutes and is expensive. Another option is to take a coach bus into the city.

There is also rail service offered by RER, which is the most efficient way to get into the city. Trains run every 10-15 minutes and the trip takes about 30 minutes. The fare is €11.80

Orly airport (ORY): This  is the closest to the city center, and sits 16.6 km (just over 10 miles) south of Paris. A taxi ride from here can take anywhere from 20-45 minutes, and costs about €35 (with the same surcharges for nighttime hours, Sundays, and holidays). There are also several coach bus options from Orly to get you into central Paris.

From Orly, you have two rail options, depending on where you need to go. You can take an automated train to Antony Station, where you can catch the RER B line mentioned earlier. This runs  every 4 to 7 minutes, and takes about 35 minutes. The fare is €14.50.

Starting June 24, 2024, there will also be an extension of line 14 on the metro. It will provide a direct link to the city center in around 25 minutes. The fare will be €11.50.

Beauvais (BVA): This hub for European budget airlines, most notably Ryanair. Lured by $15 Ryanair flights, this is where I flew into my first time in Paris. However, I *highly* recommend that you NOT fly into Beauvais if you can avoid it! 

To call it a “Paris airport” is quite a stretch as Beauvais sits about 80km (50 miles), about an hour and a half outside of Paris city center. It was a bit of a pain to get to and from the city center (especially as our flight out of Paris left at 6am). 

If you fly into Beauvais, you can take the Aerobus, which drops you off at the Porte Maillot bus terminal in the city. The shuttles are timed to specific flights. Fares are €18 (€35 return)  if you purchase in person, or €16.90 (€29.90 return) if you pre-book online.

Arriving via Rail

Paris is also connected to many destinations within France (such as Nice, Bordeaux, and Lyon) via TER, and many European cities (London, Dublin, Amsterdam, Brussels, and more) via Eurostar. These include several European night train routes. These trains arrive at either Gare du Nord or Gare de Lyon stations in the city center. 

One thing to note is that trains in France, like much of the rest of Europe, operate on a dynamic pricing model. This means that fares fluctuate based on demand and how early you purchase your ticket. If you plan to travel via train, be sure to book your ticket as soon as you can to get the best fares!

Another thing to note is that it can be challenging to book tickets on the French rail website, thanks to language barriers and/or foreign credit card issues. Instead, I highly recommend booking your train tickets on Omio. You will pay a nominal surcharge (just a few Euros), but it’s easy to navigate and book within the app and saves so much time and hassle! 

You’ll also have all your tickets loaded right on the app so you don’t have to waste time trying to scramble to find them on your devices.

Getting Around in Paris

Walking: Paris is a relatively walkable city, and I really enjoyed seeing the city on foot. Many of the top sights in Paris are clustered around the central arrondissements, and it is fairly easy to walk to get between them. 

Public Transit: If you find that you need to get further than you can get around on foot, Paris also has a comprehensive Metro, local train, and bus system. 

The underground  consists of two separate systems: the Metro and the RER, which also takes you out of the city and into the suburbs (i.e. Versailles and the airport). The Metro consists of 14 lines, identified by number and color. The RER consists of 5 main lines (but you will probably only use 3), and travels in 5 zones. The RER has fewer stops, but can be faster if you are traveling within points in the city that are further apart.

Tickets are valid on the Metro, RER, buses, and trams (and the Montmartre funicular). They can be purchased at all metro stations. Ticket windows accept all credit cards, but the automated ticket machines only accept chip-enabled credit cards (and sometimes do not work with foreign cards), Each ticket is valid between any 2 metro stations (no return trips) for 1 1/2 hours, and costs €2.10. Transfers between metro and bus are not valid.

Depending on how much travel on public transportation you plan to do, you can also purchase a day pass for €8.65-20.60 (depending on the number of zones) at the larger metro stations, airports, or tourist offices.

Biking: Biking is an increasingly popular way to see the city. Paris has a Vélib’ bike share system, with more than 23,000 bikes available at more than 1800 stations. You can purchase a 1 or 7 day subscription. To do this at one of the terminals, you will need an embedded smart chip card, and sometimes they are finicky with foreign cards. However, you can also purchase a subscription online.

Taxis or Uber: Both Uber and traditional taxi cabs are another option for getting around the city. I’ve taken a few Ubers around the city, and found the fares to be comparable to most major cities. 

Have you ever been to Paris? What are your favorite places to visit in Paris in two days?

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