Paris in Two Days - France
Introduction and Overview of the Itinerary

See the Best Paris Has to Offer with this Flexible Two-Day Itinerary

Sure, a week or more in Paris is ideal to really get a sense of the city's fabulous sights and attractions, quirky neighborhoods, or gourmet spots.
But if you're only able to spend two days in Paris, or need an introduction to the city's best spots, this two-day guide to Paris will provide 48 full and exciting hours in the city of light. Who said a weekend in Paris was impossible?
The itinerary covers both the classic left bank of Paris and the more contemporary right bank, where students, artists, and immigrants forge a dynamic cosmopolitan center that has little to do with the Paris of postcards. You'll go away feeling like you've seen the city's highlights, and will be ready to explore in more depth.

Itinerary Overview

Keep in mind that this itinerary is designed to be flexible-- feel free to pick and choose, and let your inspiration carry you if you stumble on something that's not on the itinerary. In some cases, we've given you a choice between two options-- a bit like the "choose your own adventure" novels you might have read as a child.

Day One: Classic Paris

• Breakfast: Le Mouffetard OR Le Pain Quotidien
• Latin Quarter Stroll:
• Rue Mouffetard
• Pantheon
• Sorbonne
• Luxemburg Gardens OR Medieval Museum
• Lunch: Le Balzar

Afternoon:

• Notre Dame Cathedral
• Classic Museums: The Louvre OR Musee d'Orsay
• Champs-Elysées and the Arc du Triomphe
• The Eiffel Tower

Evening

• Dinner: Eiffel Tower Restaurants OR Cafe de l'Alma
• Bateaux Mouches Paris boat tour

Day Two: The Dynamic Right Bank

Morning:

• Breakfast: Aux Delices de Saint-Paul
• Walking Tour of the Marais
• "Beaubourg" and the Centre Pompidou
• Lunch: Chez Georges OR La Quincambosse

Afternoon:

• Canal Saint-Martin
• Belleville
• Montmartre

Evening:

• Dinner and show at the Moulin Rouge, OR dinner and cabaret at A la Bonne Franquette

Tour Tips

• Make sure to have a good pair of walking shoes, as this tour will require a moderate-to-heavy amount of walking.
• During the winter, be sure to wear a warm coat, and have a scarf, gloves, and warm socks on hand. You don't want to let cold weather take away from the experience.
• Since you'll be using public transport quite a bit over two days, consider purchasing a "Paris Visite" transport pass. The two-day pass costs under 20 Euros and allows for unlimited travel on Paris metro and RER trains, buses, and tramways, as well as access to certain attractions outside of Paris, like the Chateau de Versailles. Available at any RATP metro station ticket vendor.
• You'll be visiting at least two museums on this itinerary, so you may want to pick up a two-day Paris Museum Pass. The museum pass gives you unlimited access to the city's national museums, including the Louvre, the Musee d'Orsay, and the Centre Pompidou's Museum of Modern Art. Also, the card has no use-by date, so you can purchase it well in advance.
• If you end up taking more time than expected to visit one of the places on the itinerary, don't worry. The itinerary is designed for two jam-packed days of Paris sights and activities, but not everyone will want to see and do everything. Go at a pace that feels comfortable and enjoyable to you, and just as you'd tweak a recipe to suit your tastes, substitute wherever you'd like.
• Be sure to have a trustworthy map of Paris on hand, because you'll need it to get from one place to the next. I recommend the classic Paris par Arrondissement street map. (See How to Use a Paris City Street Map for more info.