Paris, also known as the City of Love, is a must-visit destination on your next trip to France!
If you’re wondering how to plan a trip to Paris, I have highlighted the best attractions in this travel guide to ultimately help you plan the perfect Paris In 2 Days Itinerary!
Also in this guide, I have included useful information on how to get to Paris, where to stay, how to get around the city, and the best time to visit.
OVERVIEW – PARIS IN 2 DAYS
Here’s a quick overview of an ideal Two Days in Paris with my recommendations of places to visit:
DAY 1:
- Eiffel Tower
- Notre Dame Cathedral
- Seine River Cruise
DAY 2:
- Arc de Triomphe
- The Louvre
- Montmartre Sinking House
BEST PARIS TOURS
DAY 1
THE EIFFEL TOWER
The Eiffel Tower should be at the top of everyone’s Paris in 2 days itinerary!
This historic landmark is one of the most famous destinations known throughout the entire world.
Built in the 19th century, the Eiffel Tower is a staggering 324 meters tall and dominates Paris’s skyline, making it visible from almost everywhere in the city.
The best views of the Eiffel Tower, in my opinion, are from behind Tour Eiffel in Park Champ de Mars or from across the Seine River in Park Jardins du Trocadero.
Both are equally magnificent locations to find a spot to perch up with a picnic, complemented with a bottle of wine, and marvel at the incredible Eiffel Tower.
Another one of the best places to visit in Paris is inside the Eiffel Tower itself!
Also, it’s worth noting that the Eiffel Tower is located in Paris’ 7th arrondissement, which is one of the best places to stay in Paris.
Take an elevator ride or climb the stairs to one of three floors inside the Eiffel Tower, each offering expansive panoramic views of the city!
I highly recommend booking your ticket online to skip the queue!
Buy Now → Eiffel Tower Skip-the-line Ticket
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NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL
The next big attraction to tick off your list is the famous Notre Dame Cathedral, especially if you’re a huge fan of the Disney movie, The Hunchback of Notre Dame!
Notre Dame de Paris is a medieval cathedral that is considered to be a perfect example of French Gothic architecture that dates back to the 13th century.
Unfortunately, the Notre Dame Cathedral has partially burnt down in a recent fire (April 2019) and is undergoing renovations. Nonetheless, it is one of the best places to visit in Paris in 2 days!
Entrance Fee: Admission to Notre Dame is free, however, if you wish to enter the tower the cost is €8.50.
Buy Now → All-In-One Paris Museum Pass
PARIS CRUISE ON THE SEINE RIVER AT SUNSET
What better way to finish off your first day in Paris than onboard a Paris Cruise along the Seine River at sunset!
This was one of my favorite things to do during my visit as these short cruises are perfect for getting a different perspective of Paris’s main attractions including the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Musee d’Orsay, Notre Dame Cathedral, and more!
There are many different Paris Cruise companies that operate on the Seine River, offering cruises day and night, some include food, and some don’t, so it can be quite difficult and stressful when trying to organize a cruise once you have already arrived in Paris.
To get the best rates and find a Paris Cruise that best suits your needs, I recommend booking online in advance.
And after dinner, go back to your hotel and get ready for an exciting second day! There are countless Spa hotels in Paris, and I suggest you consider booking one to make the most of your time!
Search All → Seine River Cruises
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DAY 2
ARC DE TRIOMPHE
The Arc de Triomphe is the second most popular Paris attractions and it’s easy to see why I have added it to this 2 days in Paris itinerary!
This beautiful monument was built to honor those who fought for France in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, with the names of soldiers inscribed on its inner and outer walls.
The best time to visit the Arc de Triomphe is at sunrise or early morning before 9:00 am when there is no traffic on the roads. You’ll be guaranteed to get a great picture then!
However, if you wish to go inside, the Arc de Triomphe entrance fee is around €12 for those over the age of 18. The entrance fee for under 18-year-olds is free.
Arc de Triomphe’s opening hours are Monday to Friday from 10:00 am to 10:30 pm.
Buy Now → Arc de Triomphe Skip-the-line Ticket
THE LOUVRE
The Louvre, or the Louvre Museum, is the world’s largest art museum and one of the best museums in Paris.
Be sure to add this to your list of places to see during your 2 days in Paris!
Its magnificent triangular architecture is a sight for sore eyes that one could marvel at for hours!
Louvre is commonly known for housing the most famous painting in the world! Any guesses? Yes, that’s right, the Mona Lisa was painted by the one and only Leonardo Da Vinci back in the year 1503.
If you don’t get in early to visit the Louvre you can end up waiting for quite some time in a queue.
To avoid having to wait in line, I recommend purchasing your Louvre Museum ticket online in advance which allows you to skip the queue on the day you plan to visit.
Buy Now → All-In-One Paris Museum Pass
The Louvre Opening Hours:
- Monday: 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
- Tuesday: Closed.
- Wednesday: 9 a.m.–9:45 p.m.
- Thursday: 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
- Friday: 9 a.m.–9:45 p.m.
- Saturday: 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
- Sunday: 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
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VISIT MONTMARTRE
Paris is one of the places to visit once in a lifetime, and exploring the colorful streets of Montmartre is a must, which is why I have added it to this Paris travel blog!
The best way to reach Montmartre is by taking the Metro line 2 to Anvers Station and it’s a short 10-minute walk from there.
Montmartre is popular among visitors for getting lost in the twisting alleyways and wandering the hilly streets, admiring the quirkiness of this awesome little neighborhood!
Montmartre is filled with dozens of great cafes and souvenir shops for those last-minute bargains!
Related Article: 86 Interesting Facts About Paris
MONTMARTRE SINKING HOUSE
Last but not least on this two days in Paris itinerary is the Montmartre Sinking House!
I am guessing you may or may not have heard of the Sinking House of Montmartre, either way, take my word for it and make sure to add it to your 2 day trip to Paris.
Since a photo went viral on Instagram, the Montmartre Sinking House quickly became a hotspot to visit on most people’s Paris itinerary!
Now don’t panic, the house isn’t actually sinking, it is merely photography trickery and an optical illusion that makes it seem as though this quirky building is actually sinking into the earth.
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And last but not least, if you have more time available in France, why not take a day trip to Normandy and see the stunning countryside?
Evreux is only 1.5 hours by car, and that will allow you to see the French countryside.
HOW TO GET TO PARIS
Paris is the capital city of France located in the very north of the country. The population of Paris is 2.1 million.
The two most common ways of reaching Paris are by plane or by train.
By Plane:
Paris International Airport is very well connected with daily flights available from anywhere in Europe and also international arrivals from the UAE and Asia.
I always use Skyscanner to search and book all of my flights as they always have the cheapest rates.
Search All → Flights to Paris
By Train:
Arriving in Paris by train is the next best option for reaching the City of Love.
Hot tip – Wanderu is a great resource for finding cheap train tickets, so be sure to check them out for your trip to Paris.
Daily trains operate in and out of Paris Train Station, connecting Paris to other major countries in Europe such as Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, and the United Kingdom, to name a few.
Traveling around Europe by train is one of the best ways to get around at an affordable cost. I highly recommend purchasing a Eurail Pass to make the most out of your 2 days in Paris.
There are many different passes available that give you access to the majority of trains, buses, and boats throughout 31 countries in Europe!
Search All → Eurail Passes
GETTING AROUND PARIS
The best way to get around during your 2 days in Paris is by using the underground Metro.
You can grab a day pass for €7.50 from any Metro station in Paris.
Paris city is also reasonably walkable if your legs aren’t painted on and if you have the time.
I always recommend walking where possible as it’s a great way to see other cool and random places along the way.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
The best time to visit Paris is from April to June and from October to November when temperatures are moderate and there are fewer tourists.
The peak season in Paris is between June and September which is smack bang in the middle of summer, so expect large crowds and many tourists during these months.
The currency in Paris is Euros and the exchange rate is approximately 1 Euro = $1.10 USD
PARIS MAP
WHERE TO STAY IN PARIS
Paris has thousands of accommodation options to choose from, so I have narrowed it down to a few of my personal favorite places to stay to fit the needs of budget backpackers, luxury travelers, and everyone in between.
See the list of accommodations below that I personally recommend:
Luxury: Renaissance Paris Arc de Triomphe Hotel
Located just 400 meters from Arc de Triomphe, this 5-star accommodation features a fine-dining restaurant, a bar, a garden terrace, and beautiful city views.
The rooms are of contemporary design and fitted with a minibar, flat-screen tv, floor-to-ceiling windows, spacious living with seating area, large comfortable beds, a private bathroom, and a balcony with a view of Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower.
Recommended place to stay for couples, families, or friends looking for a luxury stay in Paris!
Mid Range: Hotel des Grands Boulevards
I personally stayed at Hotel des Grands Boulevards and can’t recommend this place enough to couples, friends, or families looking for an affordable place to stay.
Located right in central Paris and within walking distance to the metro, shops, cafes, popular attractions, and more!
The hotel features a rooftop bar and terrace, an in-house restaurant, free wifi, and a 24-hour front desk.
The rooms have beautiful french decor and are fitted with air-conditioning, flat-screen tv, large comfortable beds, and a private bathroom.
Budget: Peace & Love Hostel
Peace and Love Hostel is rated as one of the best budget accommodations, perfect for solo travelers and couples. The hostel is within walking distance of supermarkets, cafes, metro, and train stations.
Features include a TV room, cooking facilities such as an oven, microwave, and fridge, a pub with a terrace to sample beers and cocktails with happy hour prices, and free wifi throughout.
There are shared rooms and private rooms available with air conditioning and comfortable beds.
FOR ALL OTHER PLACES TO STAY IN PARIS, SEARCH ON BOOKING.COM
WHAT TO PACK FOR 2 DAYS IN PARIS
When visiting Paris, here is a list of items I highly recommend bringing with you:
Must-Have Travel Essentials
Hidden Money Wallet
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Reusable Water Bottle
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Travel Backpack
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Quick-Dry Travel Towel
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Portable PowerBank
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MORE EUROPE TRAVEL GUIDES
- Croatia Travel Guide: Yacht Week In Croatia
- Budapest Travel Guide: 5 Things To Do In Budapest
- Switzerland Travel Guide: 8 Day Switzerland Itinerary
- Paris Travel Guide: 2 Days In Paris
- Istanbul Travel Guide: 5 Things To Do In Istanbul
- Sofia Travel Guide: 3 Things To Do In Sofia
- Milos Island Greece: 15 Best Beaches In Milos
- Sifnos Island Greece: 7 Best Beaches In Sifnos
FINAL THOUGHTS – PARIS TWO DAY ITINERARY
If you have any questions about this 2 day Paris itinerary, please leave me a comment below this post and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
For a quicker response, be sure to join Jonny Melon’s Travel Tribe on Facebook and post your questions or recommendations to our awesome community.
TRAVEL RESOURCES FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP
Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or it’s your first trip overseas, here are some useful travel resources to help you kick-start your next adventure!
Search and book accommodation worldwide.
Compare and book cheap flights to anywhere.
Find tickets, tours, and experiences around the world.
Book buses, trains, and transfers online in advance.
Search all rental cars in your next destination.
Need travel insurance for your next trip?
THANKS FOR READING
Hey friend, thanks for reading this guide!
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Many thanks!
Hi Jonny,
I must tell you that when I planned my trip to Paris, I was a new visitors, therefore I was quite nervous about my trip because being new visitors I was solo too. Then one of my friends came across your article and suggested me to go through it. And I must tell you that this article helped me in many ways.
Hi Amelia, that’s awesome to hear and hope you had a great time in Paris!