2 Days in Paris: How to spend a weekend in Paris
The prospect of a weekend in Paris is quite exciting, the French capital is famed for its charm and cosmopolitan culture.
This is a city where café terraces pepper the streets, art, and fashion abound, gastronomy is world class and 19th-century architecture is mesmerizing.
To spend a weekend in Paris, you have to carefully plan your itinerary, to make the most of it.
Paris is a big city, with lots of things to do so it can be a bit overwhelming.
This guide will help you navigate the best of Paris, ensuring you will enjoy the most your 2 days in Paris.
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Quick links to plan your 2 Days in Paris
Get around Paris
・Car: Secure the best rates with DiscoverCars.
・Trains: Check Omio for schedules and book your ticket online.
・CDG Airport Transfer: Book your private CDG airport transfer.
・Orly Airport Transfer: Book your private Orly airport transfer.
・Paris Sightseeing Bus: An easy way to navigate the city.
Recommended Accommodation
・Villa Des Princes – 5 minutes away from the Jardin du Luxembourg.
・Hotel Beaugrenelle Tour Eiffel – Located close to the Eiffel Tower.
・Le Jardins D’Eiffel – Budget hotel with Eiffel Tower view.
・Hotel San Regis – Luxury Hotel with a beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower.
Recommended Tickets & Tours for 2 days in Paris
・The Paris Pass.
・Climb the Eiffel Tower + Seine River cruise.
・Louvre in 2 Hours Guided Tour
Things to Know Before Planning A Weekend in Paris
Is 2 days enough to see Paris?
Yes and No. As I said before, Paris has lots of things to do, you can easily spend a week there and still, you’ll go back home with the feeling that you could have stayed longer. However, if 2 days is all that you have, you can definitely make it work!
What’s the best time of the year to spend a weekend in Paris?
Paris is great any time of the year, but the best time I’d say is the Spring (April to June), and Fall (September to October), when the weather is not super, nor super cold, and the city is not as crowded as in the Summer.
Getting Around Paris
Once in Paris, you’ll be wondering about the best ways to get from place to place.
Note that the Metro might seem a little complex at first, so prepare yourself for that by downloading a map.
Metro will get you from place to place quickly and it’s cheap enough at €1.90 per journey, so it could be smart to familiarise yourself with it.
A lot of visitors use the Uber app, which works out less costly than city cabs.
If you don’t mind splashing out on this trip, consider hiring a shuttle driver for a day and take the stress out of navigation.
A budget option would be to take the bus, or hire a bicycle and get some exercise if you don’t mind braving the roads.
In my opinion, though, the best option to get around in Paris is to buy the hop on hop off bus ticket.
The tickets are super cheap, and depending on the ticket you buy, you can use it for more than one day.
It will bring you to all the main attractions in Paris in a comfortable and easy way.
As it is a two-floor bus, you will be able to admire the city while the bus wanders through Paris.
Where to Stay When in Paris for 2 Days
If you are looking for a unique experience on your weekend in Paris, and this includes your hotel room, make sure to check this list of hotel rooms in Paris with views of the Eiffel Tower.
Otherwise, I picked some of my favorites for you to take a look at, in this list below you will find hotels for all budgets.
Here are my favorite accommodations for a weekend in Paris
Villa Des Princes – Well located, the Villa Des Princes is just 5 5-minute walk away from the Jardin du Luxembourg, a famous attraction of Paris. and also close to the Odéon metro station. The hotel also offers breakfast. Villa des Princes is a good option for those looking for a budget hotel.
Hotel Beaugrenelle Tour Eiffel – Another budget option, this time, just 10 10-minute walk from the Eiffel Tower, the Dupleix metro station is also just some meters away. The hotel offers a breakfast buffet.
Le Jardins D’Eiffel – Jardins d’Eiffel is located very close to the Hôtel des Invalides, and just 15 minutes away from the Eiffel Tower, which if you are up to investing a little more on your stay, you can even get a room with a view to her.
Hotel San Regis – This 5-star hotel is everything you need to have an unforgettable experience in Paris. It is housed in an old private mansion, the rooms are well-decorated, and the hotel is 3 minutes away from the Champs-Élysées and 5 minutes from the Franklin D. Roosevelt metro station. But the crème de la crème is the beautiful view from the Eiffel Tower that you can get from some of the suites!
How to Spend a Weekend in Paris Overview
I have seen that many guides on how to spend a weekend in Paris on other blogs consider their weekend as 3 days, counting it with Friday as their first day.
In this guide though, we gonna take things a little differently and stick to just 2 days in Paris, as for me, a weekend consists of Saturday and Sunday, done.
I understand that some of you might arrive in Paris on Friday.
But taking into consideration that most people work until 5 or 6 PM, this gives you little time to take a flight and arrive in Paris with enough time to explore the city.
So for this guide, let’s consider that you have just 2 full days in Paris.
A Weekend in Paris: Day 1
Climb the Eiffel Tower
Time required: At least 1,5 hour
No Parisien trip would be complete without visiting the Eiffel Tower, and with this in mind, the Eiffel Tower will be our first stop.
The tower is quite a sight, and as one of the world’s most iconic landmarks, it’s quite a treat to see up close.
The advantage of getting there early in the morning is to avoid the crowds, especially if you plan to climb the Tower, which I really recommend doing as this is an unforgettable experience.
But bear in mind that to get up, you better reserve a spot in advance, just to make sure, as it is incredibly popular.
The Eiffel Tower was made by Gustave Eiffel in 1889 for the Universal Exposition.
Made from the wrought iron lattice, it looms large at 300 ft high on the Champ de Mars (on the Seine River’s southern bank).
- Location: Champ de Mars
- Metro Station: Trocadero (Line 6 and 9) or Ecole militaire (Line 8)
- Opening Time: June to August from 9 AM to 12:45 AM. Rest of the year from 9:30 AM to 11:45 PM.
Trocadéro
Crossing the Seine River, you will be at the Trocadéro, one of the best spots to take pictures in Paris, from there you will have a beautiful and very traditional view from the Eiffel Tower.
The Trocadéro was once occupied by the Ancien Palais, one of the many Parisian palaces that no longer exist.
In its place, now stands the Palácio de Chaillot, housing a variety of museums, and a theater.
Arc de Triomphe & Champs-Élysées
The best way to get to know a city is by walking with this in mind, we gonna stroll around a bit, toward our next stop: the Arc de Triomphe.
The Arc de Triomphe is one of the most famous landmarks in France, it was commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 to honor the French army’s victories.
It stands 50 meters high, and it is possible to climb its observation deck, from there you can have a beautiful view from the Champs-Élysées.
As we only have 2 days in Paris, we have to be very smart with our time, so instead of climbing the Arc de Triomphe, we gonna proceed to the Champs-Élysées and explore it up close.
Champs-Élysées is packed with the best brands in the world, it is heaven for those looking for shopping.
If you like sweets, I suggest stopping at Ladurée to get some Macarrons, a traditional dessert, appreciated by Marie Antoinette, the Queen who lost her life in the French Revolution.
Louvre Museum
Time required: At least 2 hour
One thing Paris does well is museums, some of which are works of art in themselves, but the most famous of all of them is, of course, the Louvre Museum.
It’s the biggest museum in Paris and attracts international crowds all year round. Internally it’s a giant maze, and every level has different galleries.
If you haven’t yet seen the Mona Lisa, this is where you’ll find her… nestled somewhere amidst 35,000 other artworks, artifacts, and sculptures!
Despite being huge, it is possible to visit the highlights of the Louvre in 2 hours, this will be enough time to roam around and admire the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and others, and will still leave you with time to continue your exploration of the city.
Guarantee your visit with this 2-hour guided tour, or buy the Paris Pass, which already includes a Louvre entrance.
Pass by the Notre Dame
The Notre Dame Cathedral is indeed a masterpiece of Gothic architecture.
While its majestic façade and intricate gargoyles can still be admired from the outside, the interior remains closed due to ongoing restoration work after the 2019 fire.
However, strolling around the cathedral provides a glimpse into its 850-year history.
Get in a Seine River Cruise
The day is coming to an end and I suggest spending this moment on board the Seine River cruise, for me there is no better period of the day to admire Paris from the boat, than in the sunset.
It is a chance to see the city when it is lighting up, and Paris is just magical at this moment!
Seeing the city from the cruise offers a unique perspective of the city’s most famous landmarks, you will pass by the Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, and Notre Dame Cathedral, all beautifully illuminated at night, the view is just breathtaking.
And if you are looking for a fancy experience with your loved ones, you can even book a 3-course dinner on the boat, to make this, an unforgettable experience!
A Weekend in Paris: Day 2
Explore Montmartre
Let’s start our second day in Paris in one of the most beautiful districts of Paris: Montmartre.
The Montmartre area is a great choice if you like the idea of gorgeous buildings covered in ivy, artists painting pretty much anywhere, and bars & cafes offering a cozy atmosphere in every corner.
The Place du Tertre is filled with local artists and has been depicted in so many paintings, that you might recognize it once you get there.
The Sacré-Cœur Basilica is another famous highlight, sitting on top of a hill overlooking the neighborhood.
And of course, a trip to Paris should consist of at least a couple of hours of relaxing like a local in one of the many cool cafes; fortunately, Montmartre is also home to plenty of hips, retro cafés.
We particularly like Marlette and Café Lomi for the great coffee and chilled vibes.
If you’re there in the evening, you can get yourself a ticket for the world-famous cabaret Moulin Rouge.
Sacré-Cœur
Time required: 45 minutes
One of the highlights of Montmartre, the Sacré-Cœur Basilica is one of Paris’ most recognizable landmarks.
Sitting on top of Montmartre hill, this beautiful white basilica, with its Roman-Byzantine architecture, offers breathtaking panoramic views of Paris from its steps.
Inside, you’ll find a peaceful atmosphere with stunning mosaics, including the famous Christ in Majesty in the apse.
Walk the medieval streets of Le Marais
Le Marais is a historic and aristocratic district of Paris, and here there is a great deal in the way of impressive architecture.
At one time it had fallen into disrepair after the French Revolution but has regained prominence today.
Taking a walk through the medieval streets and alleys of this area should help you feel like you’ve had a genuine, traditional Parisian experience!
There are also plenty of unique little shops, uber-cool galleries and cafés, and some quality bistros for when you fancy a bite to eat. Lastly, there is quality nightlife if you want to let your hair down.
As we mentioned, Paris is absolutely full of possibilities.
There are so many activities you could do that a weekend may not cover them all, but we hope this guide serves as a good start!
Paris is wondrous, exciting, charming, and sophisticated. It may be your first visit, but it’s unlikely to be your last!
Sainte-Chapelle
Time required: 40 minutes
Heading to the Sainte-Chapelle. This beautiful chapel is famous for its breathtaking stained glass windows.
The 13th-century Gothic chapel was originally built to house King Louis IX’s collection of religious relics.
The stunning upper chapel features 15 towering stained glass panels that depict over 1,100 biblical scenes, flooding the space with vibrant colors when sunlight streams through.
Latin Quarter
To finish our second day, let’s explore one of the oldest districts in Paris, the Latin Quarter, this area has been a hub of intellectual life for centuries.
It’s home to the Sorbonne University and numerous renowned bookstores, such as the famous Shakespeare and Company.
The best way to experience the Latin Quarter is by wandering its narrow, winding streets, where you’ll discover quaint cafés, bustling markets, and charming squares like the Place de la Contrescarpe.
Don’t miss landmarks like the Pantheon, where French luminaries are buried, or the stunning Jardin du Luxembourg nearby.
The Latin Quarter also offers many restaurants and cafes.
One of them is Le Procope, the oldest café in Paris, established in 1686, that offers classic French dishes like coq au vin and escargots.
About The Author:
Cal Bailey runs mountainleon.com – a travel blog he started after two years of backpacking around the world. If you want to learn more about life on the road or his blogging, you can read his latest blog posts
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