2 days in Paris Itinerary: Perfect Weekend City Break

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The beautiful ‘City of Lights’, is one of the popular European destinations. Most of us start our bucket list with a classic Eiffel Tower visit, and in this 2 days in Paris itinerary, we will ensure your trip planning is as painless as possible, whilst making the most of your vacation!

2 days in Paris Itinerary: Visiting Paris for the weekend

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Paris is the capital city of France, a European Union member. Here are some important travel tips and information about Paris 

Planning a trip to Paris France: Travel Tips

• Airports: Charles de Gaulle International Airport (main), Orly Airport, and Beauvais-Tille Airport (within Europe, budget airlines)
• Currency: Euro
• Tourist Visa: Visa-free for US and Canadian passport holders. Non-exempt countries need to apply for a Schengen Visa prior to arrival
• Where to stay:  Hotel Balzac, or Hôtel San Régis
• Recommended tours: 2 day Paris Pass,  Hop-on and hop-off sightseeing bus tour, Tickets to the Eiffel Tower summit, 2 day Paris Museum Pass
• We recommend the Paris Pass as it includes Seine River Cruise, hop-on and hop-off sightseeing tower, and Paris Museum Pass (access to the iconic museums’ sites listed in this itinerary). Purchase your Paris Pass here 
• Day trips from Paris: Versailles, Loire Valley, Giverny, Disneyland, Reims

2 Day Paris Itinerary

• Day 1 of 2 Day Paris Itinerary: Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysse, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre Museum, Seine River Cruise
• Day 2 of 2 Day Paris Itinerary: Notre Dame Cathedral, Saint Chapelle, Seine River & bridges, Musée d’Orsay, Montmartre, Sacré Coeur, Moulin Rouge OR
• Optional Day 2 Paris Itinerary: Half day tour of Versailles, and spend the afternoon in Montmartre

Getting to Paris:

When you are planning your trip, do keep in mind that many Paris museums are closed on Mondays, and some on Tuesdays. Certain sites have reduced operating hours during the late fall and winter months, and are closed on January 1, May 1, and December 25. 

We have tried our best to include all operating hours, and link to ticket sites. We rely on GetYourGuide for all of our Europe travel bookings for tours, tickets, and city passes. Their customer service is the BEST! 

Paris Airports: There are three airports in Paris –  Charles de Gaulle International Airport, Orly Airport and Beauvais-Tille Airport. If traveling from the USA or Canada, you will arrive in Charles de Gaulle, which is located about 45 minutes from the city center. 

In order to get to the city center, you can take the RER train. Fare starts at 10 euros. If you prefer a transfer, you can always book an airport shuttle 

Where to stay in Paris France

The city of Paris is divided into 20 arrondissements, which are like districts or boroughs. For a first time visitor, we recommend the following areas

• Marais (4th arr.) and Montmartre (18th arr.) – Both are great options, with good metro access and sightseeing spots. 
  • Hotel de Neuve by Happyculture (Marais)
  • Hôtel des Arts Montmartre (Montmartre)
• 1st and 8th arrondissement – This is the city centre area, where all the tourist spots are just within a few minute’s walk, including quick access to the metro station. Hotels are luxurious, mostly with a higher price tag.
  • Looking for a hotel with Eiffel Tower views? Hotel Balzac, or Hôtel San Régis

Day 1 of 2 Day Paris Itinerary:  Trocadero Gardens, Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysse, Galeries Lafayette, Arc de Triomphe, Grand/Petit Museum, Louvre Museum, Seine River Cruise

The very first day in Paris is all about iconic bucket list items! Start early and head to the Trocadero Gardens. 

The Trocadero Gardens offers uninterrupted views of the Eiffel Tower. 

During our trip to Paris, we used the hop-on and hop-off sightseeing tours to save time, and get to places comfortably without renting a car.  Click here to book your hop-on and hop-off sightseeing bus tour.

Trocadero Gardens 

The Trocadéro was the site of the Palais de Chaillot, and a palace was located here prior to 1878. When you visit it today, you will find that the complex is home to a number of museums including Musée national de la Marine (naval museum) and the Musée de l’Homme (ethnology). 

The gardens are huge, comprising an area of 93,930 square metres. You can visit the gardens for free, and capture the beautiful Iron Lady from Trocadero. 

Trocadero is located in the 16th arrondissement and can be easily reached via a taxi or public transportation. The hop on and hop off tours commence at the Trocadero gardens, so you can start exploring from here in style!

• Hours: 24 hours
• Cost: Gardens are free
• Métro: Trocadéro or Passy

Visit the Eiffel Tower 

The Eiffel Tower was built over 130 years ago, and it has been forever associated with Paris. 

Did you know, ‘Parisians originally hated the Eiffel Tower’. 

It was originally inaugurated for the 1889 World’s Fair, and is named after the architect Gustave Eiffel. 

In order to access the tower, there are entry fees for each floor. The first floor of the tower has a transparent glass floor, and offers views of Eiffel Tower grounds and nearby areas.

The second floor is the most popular one and showcases mesmerizing views over the city of Paris. From here you can check out the sights of the Invalides, Notre Dame, Louvre, Grand Palais, and the Seine river. 

There is a restaurant on-site with romantic dining options, plus souvenir shops located here as well. You can book your tickets online to the second floor.

The summit of the Eiffel tower stands tall at 273 metres high and you can see the whole of Paris below you. Book your summit tour of the Eiffel Tower.

The ground level is called the Esplanade, and here you will find ticket counters, information desk, souvenir stores, and other stores.

• Hours: Everyday 09:00 am to 12:45 am 
• Cost: Starts at 7 euros (8.60 USD)
• Tickets: Tickets to the 2nd floor, Tickets to the summit, Romantic dining + tickets
• Métro: Closest one is Champ de Mars – Tour Eiffel (RER C)

Don’t forget to book your tickets in advance. You will find ‘skip the lines’ tickets online, and they are essentially advance bookings where you prepay and reserve your entry spot. This guarantees your visit for the day.

You have to arrive about 30 minutes early, and go through security checks at the gate. So keep this in mind while planning your Paris trip. 

Stroll Champs Elysees, sit down at a cafe, and shop (or window shop)

From the Eiffel tower, head to Champs Elysees. This leafy boulevard is one of the stunning commercial streets in the world. 

Avenue des Champs-Élysées is located on the 8th arrondissement, and it stretches from the Place de la Concorde to Arc de Triomphe/Place Charles de Gaulle. 

It is lined with beautiful cafes and high-end brands like Louis Vuitton and more. We stopped at the Laduree shop and bought some macaroons and a keychain back home. If shopping is not on your list, then just stroll the boulevard and thereafter grab a bite to eat before heading to the Arc de Triomphe.

• Hours: Everyday. Store hours vary
• Métro: Charles de Gaulle Étoile RER station

Visit Arc de Triomphe 

Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile is one of the most popular monuments in Paris, and it is a symbol of French Unity. The Arc de Triomphe was built between 1806 and 1836, on the orders of Napoleon, who wanted to honor the victories of the French troops after the Battle of Austerlitz. 

When we visited the site, there was a military ceremony going on at the centre of Place Charles de Gaulle. You can walk around the base and under the arches of the Arc de Triomphe for free. 

Note that to visit you will have to cross the road from Champs Elysee to the base of Arc de Triomphe, and traffic is crazy busy here; so do not attempt to run and cross. Just use the pedway.  

You must head to the top of the monument for stunning views over Paris. You have to climb 280 stairs to reach the top. For less than $15 USD, you can capture some amazing views. Book your rooftop access tickets here.

• Hours: Opens every day at 10:00 am. Closes at different hours for rooftop access depending on the season
• Cost: Starts at 12 euros (15 USD) for rooftop access. To explore from the outside is free
• Tickets: Rooftop access ticket
• Métro: Charles de Gaulle Étoile RER station

Explore Grand Palais or Petit Palais 

From the Arc de Triomphe and Champs-Elysées, head to Grand Palais and Petit Palais.  These museums are completely optional, as we have included the more popular Louvre and Musee d’Orsay in this guide. 

For a short 2 day itinerary in Paris, you have to prioritize. We highly recommend visiting the Louvre, if you love art. However, if you are a museum geek, choose from one of the 3 options – Musee d’Orsay (we set this for day 2), Grand Palais and Petit Palais.  

Grand Palais des Champs-Elysées or the Great Palace is a large historic site with an exhibition hall and museum. 

They are open everyday except Tuesday and an entry fee costs about 15 euros.

• Hours: Closed on Tuesday. Wednesday 10:00 to 10:00 pm. Thursday to Monday 10:00 am to 08:00 pm
• Cost: Free to visit the permanent exhibition. Temporary and special exhibitions can be accessed via their website
• Métro: Champs-Élysées – Clemenceau, Pont Alexandre III or Franklin-Roosevelt  

A smaller, less crowded museum is the Petit Palais. This is also an art museum, and you can easily check out this place in an hour or so. There is a statue of Sir Winston Churchill located at the Petit Palais grounds.

• Hours: Closed on Monday. Open 10:00 am to 06:00 pm rest of the week 
• Cost: Free 
• Métro: Champs-Élysées – Clemenceau, Pont Alexandre III or Franklin-Roosevelt  

Both Grand and Petit Palais were built as part of the 1900 Universal Exposition. Another stunning structure built during this exhibition was the beautiful Pont Alexandre III (bridge) built over the river Seine. The Pont Alexandre iii is located close to the Grand Palais, so definitely stop by to admire the bridge architecture.

Visit the Louvre Museum 

The stunning Louvre is home to more than 350,000 historical and arts items, making it the world’s MOST visited museum. 

Located inside the Louvre is also Leonardo da Vinci’s Monalisa, and many items that came from the royal family (Louvre Palace), the painters and the art history. You can book a comprehensive 3 hour Louvre Museum Skip the line ticket and Guided Tour

You can easily spend 2-3 hours here, and it is worth heading there in the late afternoon to beat the rush. 

Do stay here until the museum closes to see the lights on the pyramid, capture photos, and then head to the Arc de Triomphe Carrousel to take a stroll in the evening. From the Arc de Triomphe Carrousel, you will see the Eiffel Tower illuminated in all of the night’s glory.

• Hours: Closed on Monday. Open 10:00 am to 06:00 pm rest of the week. Also closed on January 1, May 1, and December 25
• Cost: Starts at 17 euros ($ 21) or free with Paris Pass
• Métro: Palais-Royal – Musée du Louvre

Alternate option: The Musée National d’Art Moderne is the national museum for modern art in France, and is the 12th most visited art museum in the world. It is located in Paris and is housed in the Centre Pompidou in the 4th arrondissement. 

Hop on the Seine River Sightseeing Cruise 

Finish the day with a Seine River Cruise. Enjoy the City of Lights, under the starry skies, and maybe add a lovely dinner to the mix as well. 

Choose the cruise from Vedettes du Pont Neuf , which is located only 10 minutes away from Louvre. An alternative option is to head to Bateaux Parisiens (located near the Eiffel Tower Grounds). 

If you have purchased the Paris Pass, this Seine River Cruise is included free of cost. You can take this cruise anytime (day or evening), it has a 1 day validity. Here is the one hour sightseeing cruise information.

We recommend opting for the evening sightseeing tour, as it is more relaxing, and usually has fewer people abroad. You might also like Seine River dinner cruise 2.5 hours.

• Hours: Everyday 10:30 am to 10:30 pm
• Cost: Starts at 10 euros ($12 USD) or free with Paris Pass
• Métro:  Pont Neuf (for Vedettes du Pont Neuf), Trocadéro or Passy (Bateaux Parisiens)

Day 2 of 2 Day Paris Itinerary: Notre Dame Cathedral, Saint Chapelle, Seine River & bridges, Musée d’Orsay, Montmartre, Sacré Coeur, Moulin Rouge

Start day 2 with a Parisian French breakfast of buttered baguette and cafe au lait. We have got to cover a lot of ground today, so start early!

Hop on the Paris Metro and get down to Notre Dame Cathedral. Today’s sightseeing agenda is centred around Île de la Cité, and Montmartre. 

Île de la Cité and Notre Dame Cathedral 

Île de la Cité is the historical centre of Paris. The iconic Notre Dame Cathedral and the Paris Point Zero are located here. Paris Point Zero marks all the distances in the city, making it the central area.

Spend 1-3 hours in the  Île de la Cité area, especially the first half of the day. 

Notre Dame is one of the most popular sites in Paris, and is well known for its Gothic architecture. The construction of the cathedral began in the 12th century, and its location on the Île de la Cité signifies the city’s medieval origins. 

Notre-Dame is located in the 4th arrondissement of Paris, and accessible by the Metro.

Nearest Metro: RER B or RER C and get down at the St Michel-Notre Dame (buy the Paris Pass for unlimited transportation rides)

As you know, Notre Dame was struck by fire in April 2019, and since then the cathedral is closed. The French are hopeful that it will be completely restored on/before 2024 when Paris is set to host the Olympics. 

Take a tour of Sainte Chapelle

As you enjoy the morning breeze by the Seine river, make your way to Sainte Chapelle, a royal chapel located on the Île de la Cité. 

You can visit the chapel interiors, and admire the glass stained windows which are said to be one of the finest in the world.

The construction of Sainte Chapelle began in the 13th century and was commissioned by King Louis IX of France to house his relics. Sainte Chapelle is not as big as Notre Dame and can be easily explored in a few hours. Here are the entry tickets.

• Hours: Open every day from 09:00 am. 
• Closed from 01:00 am to 2:30 pm. Closing hours from October to March 05:00 pm, and from April to September 07:00 pm. 
• Also closed on January 1, May 1, and December 25
• Cost: 11.50 euros ($14 USD)
• Tickets: Combo ticket with Sainte Chappelle and Conciergerie

Located near Sainte Chapelle is the Conciergerie. The Conciergerie was originally used as a prison, and today it is a law court. 

Note that the Notre Dame Cathedral, Sainte Chapelle, and Conciergerie are all within walking distance of each other. The island is connected to the rest of Paris by bridges to both banks of the river. The oldest surviving bridge is the Pont Neuf (‘New Bridge’) on the west end of the island.

Check out the Paris bouquinistes

Paris bouquinistes are the green book stalls, located on each site of the Seine River banks. These stalls are a UNESCO World Heritage Site today (designated in 1991), and truly speaks volume of Seine that it “runs between two bookshelves“. 

You will find the iconic, ‘Shakespeare and Company’ bookstore here, dating back to over 100 years old. 

From Sainte Chapelle, you can reach Shakespeare & Co if you follow directions/route via Boulevard Saint-Michel and Boulevard Saint-Germain. It is about a 4 minute walk.

Explore Latin Quarter 

From the 4th arrondissement visit the 5th arr. aka the Latin Quarter. 

It is also known as the University quarter, being home to the Sorbonne University. You will find a lot of international restaurants and Parisian cafes here to break for lunch. 

Also located in this quarter are the Pantheon building, Jardin des Plantes botanical gardens and the National Museum of Natural History. 

Relax at the Luxembourg Gardens

From Latin Quarter, make way to the Luxembourg Gardens or the Jardin du Luxembourg. 

It is about a 10 minute walk via Rue Saint-Jacques and Rue Soufflot, as you proceed to the 6th arrondissement. It is located on the border between Saint-Germain -des-Prés and the Latin Quarter neighbourhoods. 

The Jardin du Luxembourg are the stunning royal gardens in the Palace of Luxembourg Gardens. These gardens are completely free to explore.

Or, Explore Musee d’Orsay

You can swap Luxembourg Gardens for the Musée d’Orsay if interested. Musée d’Orsay is an art museum located on the Left Bank of the Seine. 

This popular museum is housed inside a railway station from the 19th century, and features a gorgeous ornate Beaux Arts façade, with passenger elevators, and electric rails. 

You must visit the museum for its beautiful interiors alone, especially the atrium. And of course, in here you will find paintings, sculptures, photos, and French art from 1848 to 1914.

• Hours: Closed on Mondays. Tuesday to Saturday: 09:30 am to 06:00 pm. Thursdays open till 09:30 pm. 
• Cost: 16 euros (19.60 USD)
• Tickets: Combo ticket with Seine cruise
• Métro: Musée d’Orsay

Explore the neighbourhood of Montmartre

Montmartre is located in the 18th arrondissement, and is home to gorgeous Parisian cafes, and the iconic Sacre Coeur. 

To make the most of your 2 day Paris itinerary, ensure you head to Montmartre by 3:00 pm. Montmartre is located on a large hill, and from the Sacre Coeur you can view the city as well. 

Getting to Montmartre: From Musee d’ Orsay, ride the green line RER Solferino to Pigalle or Abbesses (18th arrondissement). It takes about 8 to 10 minutes to walk to get to the heart of Montmartre and trust us, it’s all worth it!

Montmartre has all the cute Parisian lanes, waiting to be photographed. When pressed for time, book a Montmartre walking tour to learn about the arrondissement and snap its pretty corners. This recommended tour takes you around and also guides you to the Sacre Coeur. 

Admire artists at work at Place du tertre

Place du Tertre is an artist square in Montmartre. Here you will find artists hard at work offering to stretch or paint their subjects. There are a ton of cafes located in and around the square. 

Some of the Instagrammable cafes in Montmartre include

• Le Consulat: Le Consulat is one of the most photographed cafes in Montmartre. This historic cafe has welcomed great artists for decades from the likes of Van Gogh and Picasso. The cafe is always super crowded, but is worth a stop.
• La Maison Rose: This is another Instagrammable cafe in Paris. The cafe in pink and green decor is super gorgeous, especially with the cobblestone surrounds. Just like Le Consulat, this cafe has been visited for decades by artists and writers. 

Musée de Montmartre (optional)

The Musée de Montmartre is a well-known museum in the 18th arrondissement, which houses some of the finest work of art from many French artists. Not only art, you can explore the historical nuances of Montmartre here as well.

In order to properly visit the museum and the Renoir Gardens, you would need at least 2 hours. We recommend not rushing there, if pressed for time. Instead visit the Sacre Coeur. 

Visit the Sacre Coeur for sunset views 

Sacre Coeur is located at the summit of the Montmartre hill. Due to its location, you can expect stunning views from its towers. 

Although access to the basilica is completely free, and they are open from 06:30 am to 10:30 pm, you do have to pay a fee to get to the top of Sacre Coeur to soak in those sunset views. 

• Hours: Open everyday 06:30 am to 10:30 pm.
• Cost: Free
• Tickets: 5 euros ($6) to get to the top of the basilica 
• Métro: Abbesses or Anvers 

End the night dining at Moulin Rouge 

Moulin Rouge is the perfect way to end your Paris itinerary. Visit there for an evening of cabaret and amazing dinner after. 

You can grab your tickets here for the Feerie show, one of the famous performances at the Moulin Rouge. 

For dining, with so many options in Montmartre, you will definitely find a place to eat and drink here. We recommend stopping at Le Cabanon de la Butte/French cuisine for dinner and drinks.

Optional Day 2 of Paris Itinerary: More Day trips from Paris 

The Palace of Versailles is a popular day trip option from Paris. It takes about 30 minutes by car, and an hour by train to reach Versailles.

You can easily swap the morning itinerary from day 2, and instead join a half day tour to the Palace of Versailles. This is a guided tour, which includes pick up and drop off from Paris, and time inside the palace and the gardens.

Using public transportation for the day will be a pain, considering the line-ups in front of the palace are huge!

The Palace of Versailles was the home to the Kings of France between 1662 and 1789. It is one of the most important landmarks in French history – it had witnessed the French Revolution (1789 – 1799), and later concluded the First World War with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles in the Hall of Mirrors. 

The palace interiors spill royalty and luxury, but it is super crowded at any time of year – that getting a decent photograph is a challenge. 

There is a beautiful garden in the palace complex, which is perfect for a visit in the summer and autumn months. 

In a half day tour, you will be back in Paris by 12:30 pm, and then continue the itinerary in the neighbourhood of Montmartre. 

Other Day Trip Ideas

If you are extending your 2 day Paris itinerary, here are a few ideas to fill up your days.

• Versailles: You can explore Versailles on a full day trip, visiting the Palace grounds including the gardens, the Grand Trianon and Petit Trianon, and time in the town
• Giverny: Giverny is home to Monet’s Garden. Monet was a French painter and founder of French Impressionist painting. You can visit Giverny on a half-day trip as well, exploring Monet’s house, and the gardens. It will take you about 2 hours or so. Paris to Giverny is 1 hour by public transportation
• Mont Saint Michel: Mont Saint Michel is another day tour option from Paris, where you can visit the abbey, and also combine it with attractions in the Normandy region.
• Reims: Paris to Paris is 1.50 hours away by road. Reims was a coronation city in the past and is also home to the vineyards of Champagne. It has about 4 UNESCO World Heritage sites making it worthy for an add-on to your epic Paris trip.

What to pack for a weekend trip to Paris 

Here are some essential items to pack for your trip to Paris,

• Anti theft day pack or handbag: Carry a daypack or a hobo to store and safeguard your belongings from pickpockets. Anti-theft bags are equipped with anti-cut and RFID technology. Here is what we recommend – click for the backpack AND here for the handbag.
• Universal Adaptor: Buy your adapter here to charge electronics
• Power Bank: To charge electronics on the go Buy yours here
• Waterproof and pack-able jacket: Carry a waterproof jacket or a trench coat to protect yourself from rains (unpredictable). Here is my favorite trench coat. 
• Comfortable walking shoes: For walking in the cobblestone lanes of Paris, walking tours, etc. 
• Outfits: Flowy dresses, clean-cut trousers, shirts/tops (without any logos)
• If traveling in the winter, don’t forget to carry winter wear like a wool coat, boots, scarf, gloves, and a nice warm hat or beret
• For off-season visits (fall and spring), add a warm cardigan and a scarf

Navigating Paris: Transportation and Paris Pass

For 2 days in Paris, we highly recommend using public transportation and hop-on and hop off sightseeing tours.

Hop on and hop off tours will allow you to visit major attractions without having to remember addresses or train routes. Seine River Cruise is also included in the hop on, and hop off tour.

This 2 day itinerary includes two museums (and 4 if you visit the Grand and Petit Palais), and for this reason add a two-day Paris Museum Pass as well to save money.

If museums are not on your list at all, then you can skip this pass. 

Alternatively, you can also get the 2 day Paris Pass, using which you can get access to over 60 attractions in the city (including Paris museum pass for 2 days/access and fast track entry), free public transportation plus 1 day of hop-on and hop-off tour – mentioned above. 

Purchase your Paris Pass here 

Sightseeing Map with stops for 2 day Paris Itinerary

Additional Paris Travel Tips: Paris Itinerary 2 days

Pin: Discover Paris on a weekend: Weekend in Paris 2021

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