So you only have 48 hours in France's capital? Don't worry! Here’s a two-day itinerary for Paris to help you make the most of your weekend break or mid-week retreat to the City of Lights.
Day one — morning in Paris:
At the start of your two days in Paris, start off with a morning stroll along the most well-known, tree-lined avenue in Europe: the Champs-Élysées! Window-shop at some of the world’s most luxurious flagship stores, making your way to Maison Ladurée.
Travellers with a sweet tooth will already be familiar with the brand famous for its sumptuous macarons, which you can indulge in alongside an array of baked goods, scrambled eggs and other savoury breakfast and brunch options.
Fuelled for the morning, continue walking along the avenue, and you’ll come to the Arc de Triomphe. Climb to the top for sweeping views across the city! You’ll even spot the Eiffel Tower.
From here, it’s a 15-minute trot to Trocadéro, possibly the best spot to snap the Eiffel Tower! Get one photo from the patterned plaza and another from the gardens as you slowly head straight for the iconic tower itself!
At the base, prepare for a wait as there’ll be a queue no matter what time of day you plan on visiting.
Day one — afternoon in Paris:
If you visit Paris in springtime or summer, once you’ve checked the Champs-Élysées off your bucket list, make your way to the street market at Rue Cler to pick up your essentials for a picnic on the Champs de Mars.
For the rest of the afternoon, check out the Rodin Museum, where you can see the sculptor’s most famous works, including ‘The Thinker’, followed by the tomb of Napoleon at Les Invalides.
Day one — evening in Paris:
Spend the evening walking along the stunning Pont Alexandre III. The gold-trimmed bridge, the glistening dome of Les Invalides, the crystal roof of Paris Palais and the Eiffel Tower are all within the camera shot.
To end the day, follow the Seine along to Place de la Concorde. Here, you’ll find the Obelisk belonging to Pharaoh Ramses II, which stands where Marie Antoinette and King Louis XVI were executed by guillotine!
Day two — morning in Paris:
Dedicate the second morning to exploring the Île de la Cité! This island is home to the famous Notre Dame Cathedral, the La Conciergerie prison – where Marie Antoinette was held – and the beautiful stained glass windows at Sainte-Chapelle.
While it’s worth exploring the inside of Notre Dame, the real must-do is climbing up to the bell tower. Entry is permitted by a timed ticket, so to avoid queues, book your timeslot via the JeFile app.
Day two — evening in Paris:
In the evening, round off your 2-day trip in Paris itinerary by heading to Sacré-Coeur and watch the sunset from the towers before spending a night to remember at the Moulin Rouge!
Curious about other must-see attractions in the French capital? Check out our travel guide and discover our favourite things to do in Paris.
If you are in town for only a short visit, check out our guide and discover what to do in Paris in 3 hours or less.