Skip to Content

Places to Visit in Paris in 2 Days

places to visit in paris in 2 days

Wondering what places to visit in Paris in 2 days? You’re in the right place! Keep on reading for a complete guide on how to spend the perfect 2 days in Paris, 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 just about sums up my feelings about the city – Paris is a city I’ve had 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 (so much that countless books have been written about it!), 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.

From world-class museums  and attractions, shopping, food (especially the dessert!), amazing photo spots, and beautiful architecture, the city offers something for everyone. Paris has so much to offer (and there is plenty on my Paris bucket list), and there is so much to do and see (and eat, duh), that it is impossible to do it all in 2 days. But with the right amount of planning, you can definitely see a lot of the highlights in 2 days!

Keep reading for a guide to all the places to visit in Paris in 2 days, where to stay, what to eat + drink, and more.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase or booking, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.

places to visit in paris in 2 days Seine river

When to Spend 2 Days in Paris

We went to Paris during low season, in early February. While snow is rare in Paris, it was pretty chilly (highs in the mid 40s Farenheit) for this California girl, and it rained at times. However, the city didn’t feel crowded to me most of the time I was there (except for when I was at Notre Dame and Trocadero), and that made me enjoy my first-time experience more. We also found that hotel rates were pretty low while we were there, which is another plus.

High season, like in many other European destinations, is June through August. July is, however, known as Paris’s rainiest month, so it would be best to pack an umbrella as well. Paris enjoys temperatures in the 70s during these summer months, and there are many outdoor events and festivals taking place. 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 I were to plan a return trip to Paris (which I am definitely planning to do – hopefully soon!), I would probably try to visit during the spring months. Paris has many outdoor gardens parks, and everything was bare and brown while I was there. I can only imagine how beautiful the city would be with all the flowers blossoming. Fall would also be an excellent time to visit, as it is Paris’s other shoulder season, and the city is transformed with all the fall foliage.

places to visit in paris in 2 days French architecture

How to get to Paris:

Paris is home to 3 international airports – out of these, Charles de Gaulle (CDG) is the largest and the main international airport. It is located about 25km (15 miles) outside of Paris. A taxi ride into city center is not recommended, as it it takes 45-75 minutes and costs €50 (with a 15% surcharge between 7pm and 7am, and on Sundays and holidays). 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 from about 5am to midnight, and can get you to several stations in city (t-Michel–Notre-Dame, Châtelet-les-Halles and Gare du Nord) in as little as 30 minutes. The fare is 10.30 euro.

Orly airport (ORY) is the closest to 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 city center as well.

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, takes about 35 minutes, and costs €7.40-9.60. Another line is the RER C, or Orlyrail, which connects to Orly via a shuttle bus and stops at Javel, Champs de Mars–Tour Eiffel, Invalides, Musée d’Orsay, St-Michel–Notre-Dame and Gare d’Austerlitz stations. Service runs every 15 to 30 minutes from about 5am to 11:30pm, costs €6.10, and takes about 40 minutes into city center.

Another option is to fly into Beauvais (BVA), which is a hub for several European budget carriers, such as Ryanair. This is what we did – I HIGHLY recommend that you NOT fly into Beauvais (but the lure of the $15 Ryanair ended up winning out). Beauvais sits about 80km (50 miles), about an hour and a half outside of Paris city center, and it was a giant pain in the ass (especially as our flight out of Paris left at the god awful hour of 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 €17 if you purchase in person, or €15.90 if you pre-book online. For more information, or to book tickets online, see here.

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 city center. For more information about routes, schedules, and fares, see TER or Eurostar websites.

places to visit in paris in 2 days Seine river cruise

How to get around during your 2 days in Paris:

Paris is arranged into 20 arrondissements, or administrative districts (or neighborhoods). The first one starts at the Right Bank on the north bank of the Seine. Many of the main tourist attractions in Paris are located in a cluster of arrondissements in the center of the city (1, 4-8). Once I found myself in one of these central arrondissements, I found it fairly easy to mostly walk to get to wherever I needed to go, just leisurely strolling through the charming, beautiful streets of the city was my favorite way to get around.

Biking is also starting to be 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.

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 Montmarte 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 €1.90. Transfers between metro and bus are not valid.

You can you can also purchase tickets in a pack of 10, which also represented discounted fares.

Depending on how much travel on public transportation you plan to do, you can also purchase a day pass for €7.30-17.30 (depending on the number of zones) at the larger metro stations, airports, or tourist offices.

Taxis or Uber are another option for getting around the city. We took a fair number of Ubers to get around, as it was more efficient to get from our hotel to the main tourist drag. I found Uber fares to be comparable most major cities, such as San Francisco (which is home for me). Once in the tourist areas, we mostly walked to get from point A to B. I did take the RER to get to Versailles, and found it relatively easy and straightforward to navigate.

places to visit in paris in 2 days Parisian streets

Currency:

France uses the euro, like many other European countries. There are ATMs all over the city and in the airports and train stations. I recommend getting cash out of ATMs and not at a currency exchange booth, as these tend to have more unfavorable rates. Credit cards are widely accepted, and I used them the majority of the time during my 2 days in Paris.

places to visit in paris in 2 days

Language:

French is the official language in Paris. Most locals have a basic grasp of English, but I know zero French, and I sometimes had trouble communicating. Most employees at hotels, restaurants, and attractions popular with tourists will speak some English. I found that since French is a Romance language, knowing English and some Spanish helped with reading and understanding signs and menus, etc. Otherwise, I wish I had picked up some basic French phrases to help me get around – it definitely would have been *so* helpful.

places to visit in paris in 2 days French apartments
 

Electricity:

France uses 230 V Type E power plugs. If you are coming from the United States, you will need an adapter. This is the handy-dandy adapter I take on my international travels.

Where to Stay in Paris

places to visit in paris in 2 days view from river

There is no shortage of accommodation options in Paris, from fancy luxury hotels, classic Parisian  apartments found on Airbnb (book here to get $40 off your stay), hip boutique hostels, and more. There are an abundance of hotels and hostels in the central tourist districts (1st, and 4th-8th arrondissements), close by all the major attractions. This will save you a lot of time in getting around, as you will be nearby all the action. However, the hotels in these arrondissements will also be the most expensive.

If you want a more unique local experience, you may want to consider staying in one of the less touristy neighborhoods of the city. We stayed at the Hotel Exquis, which is in the 11th arrondissement, or the Bastille district. This is a little bit far off the main tourist attractions, but it is located just a few blocks away from 2 Metro stations, and near several bus stops. Otherwise, you can take Ubers to where you need to go, which we did a lot (especially when coming back at night).

Hotel Exquis is a bit far off the main tourist drag, but the Bastille is a trendy, up-and-coming neighborhood worth checking out. It is an artsy neighborhood, full of galleries, antique shops, and boutiques. There are also a number of amazing restaurants in the area. While it took us a bit longer to get to the main points of interests, I really enjoyed staying in the Bastille and would recommend it to someone looking for a more unique local experience.

The hotel has a eclectic, artsy atmosphere. 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 furnishings are eclectic and flea-market style – for example, the desks are Singer sewing tables. The rooms are tiny, but they are clean, and the beds are super comfortable.

The rates are very affordable (we paid ~$80 USD/night), and the staff all speak perfect English and are all super welcoming and helpful. I left my backpack on the bus from Beauvais (yup, good job, self!), and the girl at the front desk was VERY helpful in calling over to the bus company, speaking to them, and helping me get my stuff back.

They are also super helpful with directions and recommendations on things to do. They will give you a map along with a sheet with super detailed directions to help you get to all the places in the city that you could possibly want to go to.

Places to Visit in Paris in 2 Days

places to visit in paris in 2 days rue cremieux

While there are no shortages of world-class sites and attractions to hit up in Paris, one of the things I enjoyed most was to stroll through the charming streets of the city. Be sure to leave at least a few hours in your packed itinerary to do this – this was one of my favorite things to do in Paris, and I wish I had more time to just walk around and explore. I will definitely be doing much more of it on a return trip to Paris.

Some of my favorite places to wander were along the Seine (checking out all the beautiful bridges along the way), and in Le Marais. I also thought Rue Cremieux was worth a quick stop, as this super colorful street was just SO cute (and if you end up staying in the Bastille, it is in the neighborhood)!

That said, let’s get along to all the things to do in Paris in 2 days:

places to visit in paris in 2 days the louvre

The Louvre

Arguably the best art museum in the world, the Louvre is a must-see on your trip to Paris, even if you don’t consider yourself to be a museum person. 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.

places to visit in paris in 2 days the louvre mona lisa

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 – I sure did. Seeing the Mona Lisa is kind of an interesting experience, as you will see a horde of people crowded in front of it, taking selfies in front of it. 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.

places to visit in paris in 2 days the louvre

You could probably spend the entire week at the Louvre and still not see it all. You definitely aren’t going to see all that it offers in a few hours, but that’s okay. 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 – the Greek and Roman statues were huge and impressive, the Egyptian wing was pretty interesting, and the Italian wing was a good primer for when we took off to Italy the next day.

places to visit in paris in 2 days the louvre at night

Some tips for visiting the Louvre: keep in mind that the Louvre is closed on Tuesdays, and is open late until 10pm on Wednesdays and Fridays. We definitely took advantage of those extended hours – this helped us maximize our time in the city, as we could see the Louvre in the evening, after everything else had closed.

places to visit in paris in 2 days arc de triomphe

Arc de Triomphe

I think one of my first impressions of Paris was the impressive roundabout that traffic had to take to get around the Arc de Triomphe. Seriously, watch it from the street, it’s pretty crazy. Anyway, I probably would not have thought to go up the Arc de Triomphe if it weren’t for the fact that it wasn’t included in the museum pass, but I am so glad that we did because the view from the top was pretty awesome.

0
places to visit in paris in 2 days view of eiffel tower from arc de triomphe

From the top, you can take in some amazing views of the Parisian skyline, Champs d’Elysees, and the Eiffel Tower. There is apparently an elevator that you can take up to the top, but I think huffing and puffing up the spiral staircase is part of the full experience. If you look down at the staircase from the top, apparently it makes a great photo op, but I completely missed this and only found out about it later.

Be sure to admire the arch from street level as well – the amount of the detail in the monument, which was built to honor those who fought in the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars (and is supposedly inspired by a similar, but smaller scale arch in Rome), is pretty impressive.

 

places to visit in paris in 2 days musee l'orangerie facade

Musee D’Orsay + Musee l’Orangerie

I was super interested in seeing both of these museums because I’ve always loved Monet, and both the d’Orsay and l’Orangerie feature some of his most prominent works.

Let’s start with the Musee l’Orangerie because that will be a shorter visit. You can easily do it in 30 minutes, so it is very much possible to see both of these museums, in addition to the Louvre, in a 2 day Paris trip, while leaving time to see other stuff. The highlight of the l’Orangerie is Monet’s Water Lillies – the massive wall paintings depict the scene from his garden in Giverny as the light changes from morning to night. It is an impressive work of art – you should definitely take some time to sit in the room and take in each piece of it. The museum also features paintings from other notable artists such as Cezenne, Picasso, Renoir, and Matisse, and it is worth a quick peek through the galleries to see some of these works.

places to visit in paris in 2 days musee d'orangerie clock tower

The Musee d’Orsay is housed in an old train station that was built for the Paris World Fair, so the architectural elements are fantastic, as well as the art inside. This famous clock is one of the coolest things in the museum, and also offers a unique view of the city – it is located up on the top floor.

places to visit in paris in 2 days musee l'orangerie monet paintings

The Musee d’Orsay feature works 1848 to 1914, but the real highlight here is its impressive Impressionist collection. 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. The Musee d’Orsay celebrates all forms of expressive arts, so along with the paintings, the museum displays sculptures, photography, and decorative arts as well.

places to visit in paris in 2 days notre dame

Notre Dame

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. You should definitely take some time to walk around the outside of the cathedral to appreciate the full scope of it. I was in awe at the amount of detail that was in both the facade and the interior, and the fact that it was built without modern machinery.

places to visit in paris in 2 days notre dame stained glass
places to visit in paris in 2 days notre dame

Entry into the cathedral is free. The inside is magnificent, with its gorgeous rose stained glass windows (which were added over time). You can also go up to the top of the towers (the cost of this is included if you get a museum pass), but the line was going to take an hour, so we skipped it. To get to the top, you climb up 400 spiral steps, but you are supposed to be rewarded with a spectacular view of the city, and a look at the famous gargoyles etched onto the side of the tower.

NOTE: Unfortunately, Notre Dame is closed because of the tragic fires that burned and damaged a large part of the cathedral and took down the iconic spires. The area is roped off, but you can still see the facade from the nearby bridges or streets (still looks beautiful).

places to visit in paris in 2 days sainte chapelle

Sainte Chapelle

Sainte Chapelle is such a hidden gem – I had never even heard of it or would never have even gone in if it weren’t for the fact that it seemed like a good spot to pick up our museum passes. It’s a smaller church, but it is absolutely stunning example of a Gothic cathedral. Saint Chapelle is covered in 600 square meters of stained glass, and it is absolutely incredible. It is just a short walk over from Notre Dame, and you should absolutely make a stop in here to admire all that beautiful glass!

places to visit in paris in 2 days chateau de versailles

Palace of Versailles

Versailles wasn’t originally on my list of places to visit in Paris in 2 days, but once I arrived, I knew I would have to make a quick trip there. I was in love with the beauty and the grand architecture of the city, and I knew that I definitely needed to see the grandeur and opulence of Versailles.

It was a super quick trip because I had limited time – I hopped on a train out of the city around 8am, and was back around 1pm. There are several stations in the Paris city center that are served by RER line C, which will take you to Versailles. Look for the trains that are headed to Versailles Château / Rive Gauch. It will be the last stop on the line, and takes about one hour. Paris is in zone 1 and you will have to purchase a ticket to zone 4 – this will cost about  €7.

places to visit in paris in 2 days versailles hall of mirrors

I timed my trip so that I would arrive when the palace opened, and it was perfect timing. It was not too crowded when I arrived, however there seemed to be more and more people as the morning went on. By the time I had left around noon, it was starting to feel crowded AF, and there was a giant queue of people lined up outside. So, I would definitely suggest going early, right when the chateau opens, especially if you are going during high season – I don’t even want to know how crowded it can get otherwise.

Versailles was definitely worth the trip – there’s nothing quite like the grandeur and opulence of it. Just approaching the palace gates and seeing all that gold shine, even against the gloomy sky, was a sight to behold. I loved seeing all the floor to ceiling art, all the amazing chandeliers, and all the amazing details inside the palace. My favorite room was definitely the hall of mirrors, even though it was crowded AF in there – I still spent quite a bit of time in there to take it all in.

places to visit in paris in 2 days versailles garden

I wandered through the gardens for a little bit, but didn’t stay long. It was pretty chilly and windy that day, and everything was brown anyways. I would love to come back during the warmer months to see everything in bloom, because I imagine that everything would be super pretty! Just another reason to return.

places to visit in paris in 2 days eiffel tower

Eiffel Tower

The most iconic of Paris’s landmarks, the Eiffel Tower is a breathtaking sight. Even if you don’t go up the tower, you must get up close and personal to it. The best spot to view the Eiffel Tower and get that postcard-like shot is from Trocadero, which is just across the river from it. Just know that there will be a million other people who are also there to get that shot, and you will be fighting people for it. We tried to time it to watch the sunset here, but unfortunately, the sunset was pretty sad that night. For some photo ops without the crowds, I would recommend getting here around sunrise.

places to visit in paris in 2 days eiffel tower from trocadero
places to visit in paris in 2 days eiffel tower

I highly recommend that you book your tickets online, as they tend to sell out in advance, even in the low season. Even when you purchase your tickets ahead of time, be prepared to queue up in a looooong line – we still waited an hour in the (almost literally) freezing cold. We had intended to enjoy the view from the top at twilight, during blue hour – we missed this because of the wait. When we finally made it up to the top, we lasted all of 5 minutes – it was something like 35 degrees and windy AF up there. There is also an enclosed observation deck there, so we enjoyed the view from up there for a little bit longer before coming back down.

places to visit in paris in 2 days view from eiffel tower

While I enjoyed the view from the top and think it’s one of those iconic Parisian experiences that one should do at least once in their lives, it would have been an even better view if you could actually see the Eiffel Tower in the skyline – sort of like how in NYC you can’t see the Empire State Building from the top of the Empire State Building. I would probably go to a different observation deck, like the Montparnasse Tower, on a second visit to Paris.

places to visit in paris in 2 days seine river cruise

Other Suggestions for Places to Visit in Paris in 2 Days

Here are some other things to do in Paris that were recommended to me, but that we just didn’t have time for/it was too cold for:

– Seine River Cruise: I always love seeing a city from the water, and walking along the river was one of my favorite things to do in Paris, so I would’ve loved to do a river cruise. However, it was pretty chilly during my 2 days in Paris, and I felt like I would’ve been miserable if I had been on a boat. There are several options for cruises: a standard 1 hour cruise, champagne tasting cruise, early evening cruise, and a romantic dinner cruise, for example.

– Gardens: Paris is home to many lovely gardens and green spaces, but since we were there in the middle of winter, the trees were bare and everything was so brown. Two of the most popular, that are also near many of the main attractions, are the Jardin des Tuileries and Jardins des Luxenbourg, which is also home to a former royal residence. We walked through though Tuileries on the way to the Musee l’Orangerie, and it was beautiful, even with nothing in bloom – I would love to see it in all its glory someday!

Monet’s House in Giverny: I have long had a fascination with everything Monet, so seeing Monet’s house and the famous lily pond is definitely on my bucket list. It was just impossible to do with such a limited amount of time. You can take a half day trip there, or even combine it with a stop at Versailles for a full day.

– Sacre Coeur/Montmarte: This usually ends up on most people’s Paris itineraries – however, we were trying to maximize the use of our museum passes so we skipped this on this particular trip. I’ve seen photos of this gorgeous basilica all over Instagram, and would love to see it, along with the charming Montmarte neighborhood, on my next trip to Paris.

Montparnasse Tower: The Montparnasse Tower is located on the 56th floor of the second highest skyscraper in Paris. It offers 360 degree panoramic views of the Paris skyline and beyond. Most importantly, you can see the Eiffel Tower in the view of the skyline. On my list for next time!

Also check out: Day Trips from Paris

SHOULD YOU GET A PARIS MUSEUM PASS?

places to visit in paris in 2 days view of eiffel tower from arc de triomphe

When I told people I was planning to go to Paris, several people recommended that I purchase a museum pass. What is a museum pass? It is a 2, 4, or 6 day pass that gets you free entry into over 50 museums and monuments in and around Paris.

Is the Paris Museum Pass worth it? Yes! Paris is home to some of the best art museums in the world, and we knew that we wanted to see as many of them as we can. The museum pass is also valid at many other popular non-museum sites and attractions. We found that most of the places that we wanted to visit in Paris were part of the program, so it made it an excellent choice for us.

A 2-day museum pass is €48. For reference, here is a breakdown of what the attractions listed above would have cost individually:
– The Louvre – €15
– Musee d’Orsay – €12
– Musee l’Orangerie – €9
– Arc de Triomphe – €12
– Sainte Chapelle – €10
– Versailles – €18
Total: – €76 (a savings of €28)

We would’ve saved another €10 if we had gone up the towers at Notre Dame.

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, especially at the Louvre. I would absolutely get the pass just for this, especially if I was in Paris during a busier time of the year.

You can get your hands on the museum pass in one of several ways – by mail (you will have to pay for shipping though), at the airport (if you fly into CDG or Orly), at a visitor’s center in town, at some hotels, or at one of the monuments listed in the pass.

Our original plan was to pick it up at the Louvre because we wanted that to be our first stop – but it turned out the Louvre was closed on our first day. We then tried to do it at Notre Dame, but the line for the towers was insane (and you couldn’t buy it inside the cathedral). We then looked a map to see what else was nearby, had a failed attempt to find the entrance of the Conciergerie, and then finally ended up at Sainte Chapelle, which had no line and was the perfect place to purchase it.

You may also look into getting a Paris pass, which also includes the museum pass and also includes a transit pass and a Paris attractions pass, which also gives you entry into an additional seven attractions, including a Seine river cruise, and the Montparnasse tower observatory.

You can read more about how to save money and make the most of the Paris Museum Pass as you explore the city, in my complete review here.

Looking for more ways to save money in Paris? Also check out what you can get in Paris for $10

WHAT TO EAT AND DRINK IN PARIS:

where to eat in paris steak frites

Relais de l’Entrecote

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. 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).

Willi’s Wine Bar

Located near the Louvre, Willi’s Wine Bar was the perfect spot to stop by, and chill with a glass of wine after a loooooong day of walking. They have an extensive list of French wine here, and many of the staff speak great English, so they are happy to help you navigate the list and make recommendations. They also have a food menu here, including a good selection of small plates that are supposed to be delicious, but we didn’t get to try any, as we had other dinner plans.

where to eat in paris crepes from breizh cafe

Breizh Cafe

Breizh Cafe doesn’t serve your traditional crepes that you grab off the street – this popular crepe spot combines the best of organic French ingredients (butter, buckwheat, and caramel from Brittany), with a bit of Japanese flair (yuzu, ginger).We got a savory ham and cheese crepe and another sweet one with pear and salted caramel (I think), and both were SO good. Perfect spot for lunch!

where to eat in paris coq au vin from a la biche au bois

A la Biche au Bois

This was such a classic Parisian bistro experience, from the decor, the servers, the people, and the food. 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, and 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. It is popular for a reason – they serve up a number of traditional French classics, but their coq au vin is stellar, and so are the potatoes that come along with it. A la Biche au Bois does it prix fixe style, so you get to choose a starter, main course, and dessert for €35 – it’s a ton of food, but so, so good.

Astier

Astier is essentially a classic French bistro, serving classic French dishes with a unique twist. For example, a pigeon pot pie. It was absolutely fantastic. What you are really here for, however, is the excellent cheese plate. They will come around with a giant platter piled with an extensive selection of French cheeses – you just tell them what you want. I definitely tried more than a few, and they were all delicious. The wine list is also amazing, and is organized by theme instead of varietal Astier also does a prix fixe menu, and there is a  €45 version that includes the cheese plate.

where to eat in paris pastries from eric kayser

Eric Kayser

Eric Kayser has outposts all over the city, and is a great spot to stop in for a good croissant and coffee. But what I really loved from here are the little tarts – so tasty. I wish I had more time to try more pastries here! (and really, to try more patisseries – so much to eat, so little time). Definitely has some of the best Paris desserts!

Laudree

Pretty much everyone says that if you’re in Paris, you should do a taste test and compare the macarons from Laudree and Pierre Hermes. Well, I did not try the latter, but I can say that Laudree definitely has the best macarons that I’ve had in my life so far. They are fresh, and perfectly flavored. They were still pretty fresh when I had some 2 days later. The location on Champs d’Elysees is the main location – they also have a breakfast/lunch menu, and afternoon tea  – but you can find outposts all over the city. (Sadly, I forgot to take a photo before I dove in to my macarons, but priorities, y’all!)

where to eat in paris drinking chocolate from angelina's


Angelina’s

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. It is pure heaven. Angelina’s is all over the city (and there’s even a location inside Versailles), so there’s no excuse not to go. Sooooooo good.

Have you been to Paris? What are some of your top places to visit in Paris?

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase or booking, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Like this post? Pin it!

Places to visit in Paris in 2 days: what to do and see, where to stay, what to eat + drink, and more!

 

Rammy Jones

Wednesday 1st of August 2018

This is the place for a beautiful wedding. The ceremony was held in the dining hall, which commands a breath-taking view of the city. I only wish I appreciated Seattle Wedding venues more when I was there. Oh well. You live and learn.

Nick Aric

Tuesday 31st of July 2018

Awesome post! Your photos are very inspiring. It is nice to read about a different destination in Paris.

An Aussie in San Francisco

Friday 15th of June 2018

Yuum! As if I needed another reason to get back to New York!

Anonymous

Saturday 21st of April 2018

Thanks you! This is so helpful! :)

F Moy

Friday 9th of March 2018

Thank you for the wonderful tips. I am traveling to Paris next month. So glad I found your blog.