This is How to Plan the Best 2 Days in Paris Itinerary
This 2 days in Paris itinerary highlights the best museums, cathedrals, palaces and monuments to squeeze into a short visit.
Climbing the Eiffel Tower, wandering the Louvre, shopping the Champs-Elysees, cafe-hopping in Saint-Germain-des-Pres — yes, you can fit it all into a Paris in 2 days itinerary. While there are enough art museums, gourmet restaurants, historic landmarks and couture boutiques to fill weeks in the city, a short visit is enough to see the highlights if that’s all you can manage.
It is best to plan ahead to maximize your time and make sure you don’t miss anything on your Paris bucket list, which is where this weekend in Paris itinerary comes in. We’ve included must-see places to visit in Paris in 2 days, like the top art museums, shopping streets, and historic neighborhoods. If you move fast, you can fit most of it in. Or, cross off anything that doesn’t appeal to you to spend more time exploring.
Keep reading for what to do in Paris for 2 days and scroll to the bottom for our top tips for spending a weekend in Paris, including what to pack and where to stay in Paris.
Paris Sightseeing Pass
The Ultimate Paris in 2 Days Itinerary
This weekend in Paris itinerary includes all the attractions pinned on the map below. You can move quickly to squeeze most of them into two days in Paris or pick just a few to focus on if you want to spend more time wandering through museums or savoring long lunches.
Day 1 — History and Landmarks
Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris
Built in the 13th century, Notre Dame is one of the most famous landmarks in the city and a must-see during your 2 days in Paris. Though parts are still closed since a 2019 fire caused mass destruction, you still should pop by to admire it from afar. It’s located on a little island in the Seine River and with charming historic neighborhoods on either side.
When it was open, you could visit the interior for free or pay a fee to climb into the bell towers for up-close views of the gargoyles and stunning vistas of the city with the Eiffel Tower in the distance.
Sainte-Chapelle
With 15 soaring stained-glass windows, Sainte-Chapelle dazzles with light when the sun streams into the church. The 13th-century building has more than 1,000 colorful panes with scenes from the Bible lining the sanctuary. There’s an entry fee to visit this one, and it’s near Notre Dame on the same island in the Seine.
Le Marais
Just north of Notre Dame in the 3rd and 4th arrondissements, the Le Marais neighborhood packs in fashionable boutiques, small art galleries, and 17th-century mansions once home to aristocrats. Highlights here include the Picasso Museum, Victor Hugo’s apartment and museum, and Place de Vosges square. It’s the perfect spot to wander around soaking up the Parisian culture and discovering photogenic corners.
Latin Quarter
With bustling cafes, cozy bookshops and landmarks from the middle ages, the Latin Quarter on the left bank is an intriguing zone to explore. It’s mostly located in the 5th arrondissement and is home to the 18th century Pantheon, the 13th century Sorbonne university, the National Museum of Natural History, and Jardin des Plantes botanical gardens on the river.
You’ll also want to make time during your 2 days in Paris for the famous Shakespeare and Company, a small independent bookstore tucked into a 17th-century monastery and crammed full of literature.
Luxembourg Garden
Occupying some 55 acres in the 6th, Luxembourg Garden offers a green and serene escape from the buzzing streets that surround it. Between crisscrossing, tree-lined paths, you’ll find flower gardens, sports fields, a museum, fountains and historic statues. If you just have a few minutes here, pop by the Marie De Medicis Fountain from the 1600s and take a break at the pond in front of Luxembourg Palace (a rental kiosk has little boats for kids to float).
Saint-Germain-des-Pres
Neighboring the Latin Quarter, Saint-Germain-des-Pres is the famed former haunt of literary and artistic greats like Pablo Picasso, Ernest Hemingway, Delacroix and James Joyce. A pair of cafes from the 19th century frequented by many of them remain open and popular to this day — Les Deux Magot and Cafe de Flore. Wander here to shop for souvenirs (or chocolates) and stop at one of the sidewalk eateries for an afternoon latte.
Eiffel Tower
The Iron Lady tops many Paris bucket lists, and a visit to the landmark is an absolute must for your first time in the city. The Eiffel Tower has adorned the Paris skyline since the 1880s, standing some 1,063-feet tall.
With a ticket, you can visit three different observation levels via lifts; the first two also have stair access. Since thousands flock here each day, you’ll want to reserve a time slot ahead so you don’t have to wait in outrageously long lines.
I recommend arriving at least a couple of hours before sunset to admire the scene from the gardens below before going up the tower for city views during daylight and twilight. After sunset, head back down to watch the twinkling golden show that lights up the tower at the start of each hour for a few hours after dark. This one is a can’t miss during your 2 days in Paris!
Seine Boat Ride
Though you might want to take a sightseeing boat ride on the Seine while it’s still light out, a night excursion is a great way to squeeze the activity into a shorter itinerary. The cruises depart from near the Eiffel Tower and glide down the Seine toward Notre Dame. At night, the City of Lights sparkles romantically from the riverfront.
Day 2 — Museums and Culture
Day two in Paris packs in museums, shopping and more intriguing neighborhoods to explore. I recommend picking just one museum to visit in the morning, or two if you want to skip the touristy Champs-Elysees, as each will require a minimum of two hours. The Montmartre neighborhood is a bit out of the way, but definitely worth a visit.
Louvre Museum
The world’s largest and most-visited art museum, the Louvre is best known as the home of the “Mona Lisa” by Leonardo da Vinci. Most tourists come here with a goal to take a glimpse at (or a selfie with) the famous painting, so expect big crowds around the work.
For a two days in Paris itinerary, you’ll have to keep your museum sessions brief, so glance at a map of the Louvre ahead of time to plan out what you want to see. There are artworks here from huge names like Rembrandt and Michaelangelo as well as a collection in the thousands of antiquities from Egypt, Greece, Mesopotamia and beyond.
You won’t have time to stand in line on a short visit, so reserve a skip-the-line ticket ahead to get in faster. There’s also typically a shorter wait if you enter from one of the side entrances instead of through the photogenic glass pyramid in the central courtyard.
Musee d’Orsay
Another of the top art museums in Paris, Musee d’Orsay houses a collection of Impressionist works from Monet, Renoir, Pissarro and other French painters. You can also admire Vincent van Gogh’s famous “Portrait of the Artist” here.
The museum building itself is also a bit of a masterpiece. It’s located in a Beaux-Arts rail station that was constructed for the 1900 Paris Exposition. D’Orsay is just across the Seine from the Louvre, so you can squeeze both museums into your 2 days in Paris if you keep your visits short.
Musee de l’Orangerie
For an art museum that’s quite a bit less busy than the Louvre, you might consider Musee de l’Orangerie on a Paris two day itinerary. The collection here includes impressionist and post-impressionist pieces. Make sure you pause at Monet’s “Water Lilies.” The series portrays the French painter’s gardens in Giverny, a village about an hour outside Paris in Normandy.
Pont Alexandre III
About a block from the Champs-Elysees, you’ll want to pause along the Seine to take in the views from the Pont Alexandre III. The arched bridge has massive posts on either end with gilded statues as well as Art Nouveau lamps along the span. You can also see the Eiffel Tower from here.
Champs-Elysees
One of those things to do in Paris you just have to mark off the list, Champs-Elysees is a long, tree-lined avenue packed with retail and dining. It stretches for about a mile between Place de la Concorde (Marie Antoinette was executed here) and the early 1800s Arc de Triomphe.
If you’ve dreamed of shopping in Paris, this is one of the most famous places to do so, with everything from luxury flagships to fast-fashion retailers. The surrounding blocks have even more on offer — meander a couple of blocks south for haute couture in the Triangle d’Or along Avenue Montaigne.
There’s also lots of sightseeing just off the Champs-Elysees, like the Petit Palais and Grand Palais down Avenue Winston Churchill, both were built for the 1900 world’s fair here and now house museums.
Read Next: This London Bucket List Has the Best Views and Shopping Districts
Arc de Triomphe
Built during the Napoleon era, the Arc de Triomphe is a war memorial and home to the WWI Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and eternal flame. It’s about 165-feet tall and located in the middle of a busy traffic circle at one end of the Champs-Elysees. From a viewing terrace at the top, you can take in panoramic vistas that include the Eiffel Tower.
To reach the Arc, use the underground pedestrian walkway on the right side of the Champs-Elysees facing the monument.
Montmartre
Hilltop Montmartre in the 18th arrondissement is the perfect spot to end a Paris in two days itinerary. The neighborhood has the feel of a small village, and packs in cozy cafes, vintage shops and little squares where street artists paint caricatures and entertain passersby. If you have time, you can stop into the Dali Paris museum or Musee de Montmartre, but the best way to sightsee is just by wandering.
Make a point to visit the 1914 Sacre-Coeur basilica — you can’t miss it at the top of the neighborhood with its white domes. You can pop inside the church for free, or pay a small fee to climb 300 steps up to the dome. The courtyard and hill in front have spectacular views looking out over the city, perfect for a final sunset in Paris.
Evening Show
Seeing an evening show in Paris is a great way to sneak in a little more sightseeing after dark at one of the city’s gorgeous venues. The 1875 Palais Garnier opera house is a top choice, with its grand marble staircase and colorful auditorium ceiling and chandelier. During the day, you can tour the theater and see the box reserved for the “Phantom of the Opera,” while at night the venue hosts ballets and concerts.
For something a little more lively, many tourists enjoy the shows at the Moulin Rouge, a cabaret venue established in the late 1800s. It’s famed for its giant red windmill and rousing performances.
Tips for Seeing Paris in 2 Days
Use this Paris travel guide to plan out the details of your trip. I’ve included tips for where to stay, what to pack, and how to get around.
Best Place to Stay in Paris
Traveling to Paris
If you’re flying to Paris, you’ll likely arrive at either Charles de Gaulle Airport, 20 miles from central Paris, or Orly Airport, 10 miles away. Shuttles, taxis, rideshares, trains and buses from each will take you downtown. The RER-B train is a quick and cheap option, with a few stops in the central city. You can purchase your ticket from the machines at the airport.
Gare du Nord is the primary station for the Eurostar train from the United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium and France. Several metro, bus and RER lines connect near the station in the 10th arrondissement.
Getting Around Paris
On this Paris in 2 days itinerary, most of the landmarks and museums are within walking distance of each other and best accessible by foot. Plus, you’ll see much more of the city by walking around.
You will likely want to take the metro up to the 18th arrondissement if you choose to explore Montmartre, as it is a couple of miles from the riverfront. The Anvers metro station is at the bottom of the hill that leads up to Sacre-Coeur basilica.
Taxis, city buses and hop-on hop-off buses are other common ways to get around.
Best Time to Visit Paris
Summer and the holiday season tend to be the most crowded in the city, though Paris is popular throughout the year. If you need to visit during school break, August is less busy as many locals leave the city for their summer vacation and hotels often have better deals since business travel is down.
The shoulder seasons around late spring and early fall are my favorite time to travel, and the weather in Paris will often be in the pleasant 60s. Plus, these months bring blooming gardens or changing leaves, accordingly. January and February often have the best prices and lowest crowds, but you’ll have to deal with freezing temperatures.
How Long to Spend in Paris
For a Paris itinerary, 2 days is pretty short as there is so much to do in the city. But, it can be done by planning ahead. You’ll have to prioritize what to see in Paris in 2 days based on which activities are most important to you, whether that’s shopping, museum hopping, wandering pretty streets, trying out lots of restaurants, and so on.
If you start early and move fast, you can squeeze in all of these things to do in Paris in 2 days, but you might want to pick just one of the museums and a couple of the neighborhoods to allow more time to experience them fully.
If you have extra time, check out our 4 days in Paris itinerary for more activities.
What to Pack for Paris
You’ll want to be comfy and stylish for your trip to Paris, as it’s a very fashionable city. Neutral and dark colors tend to blend in here. Make sure to wear good walking shoes and bring along something to cover your shoulders on cool nights in the shoulder season. The photos linked below have a few ideas to start your packing list.