2 Days in Paris
After many trips to Paris and time living there as a student, I feel as if I have a great pulse on the City of Lights. Here’s a little summary of the best spots to visit, eat and explore in France’s chic capital!
Hope this is helpful for anyone thinking of a potential trip to Paris!
BEFORE YOU GO
Save yourself a headache and pick up the Paris Pass before your trip. It gets you into 60 of the most famous Paris museums and attractions for free, including the Louvre and Notre Dame and you get to skip the lines (which can get wrap around crazy!) at the Musee d’Orsay and Centre Pompidou.
Also I always like picking up an ebook copy of Lonely Planet Paris so that I can have an offline map and never get lost. We did London + Paris together, which is a pretty popular option. The train was super crowded and there’s not much room for luggage.
If you’re thinking of also adding London to a trip to Paris, do yourself a favor and buy your rail tickets in advance. They get more and more expensive closer to the date and sell out in peak season!
Check London to Paris train schedules
WHERE TO STAY?
You can’t go wrong with a stay at the elegant and timeless Prince de Galles hotel, steps away from the Champs-Elysées and Arc de Triomphe monument.
For photos of the hotel and my review, read more here.
Recommended Neighborhoods
- Le Marais: the chic neighborhood for shoppers with trendy, high-end boutiques
- The Latin Quarter: a lively district, known for its local universities and student life
- St. Germain: timeless with galleries, restaurants and an abundance of charm
- 7th Arrondisement: great for first timers due to its location near tourist hot spots (Eiffel tower, Musee d'Orsay, etc)
Best Hotels in Paris:
1 | Hotel Monge – A well decorated hotel in the Latin Quarter within walking distance to many local attractions (Pantheon, Jardin de Luxemberg, etc) and conveniently located near 2 subway stops.
Compare room rates: Booking.com | Hotels.com | Read TripAdvisor reviews
2 | Hotel Scarlett – Stay at this gorgeous boutique if you’re a repeat visitor to Paris and want to be removed from the tourist jungle. Great location, fabulous breakfast and cozy rooms.
Compare room rates: Booking.com | Hotels.com | Read TripAdvisor reviews
3 | Hotel Square Louvois – This hotel has a serene indoor pool (rare for Paris!) and is relatively new, ~9 months old. Rooms are comfortable with bathrobes, coffee makers and mini bars. Near the Louvre and great for museum lovers.
Compare room rates: Booking.com | Hotels.com | Read TripAdvisor reviews
4 | Hotel 123 Sebastopol – Colorful, punchy rooms within walking distance of Notre Dame and many must-see sights. Rooms are quite well sized for Paris and the metro stop is on the corner.
Compare room rates: Booking.com | Hotels.com | Read TripAdvisor reviews
WHAT TO EAT? Macarons from Pierre Hermé are some of the best in the world and available in the most unique flavor combinations including rose petal, passion fruit and earl grey! To try unique Parisien/Japanese fusion desserts, go to Sadaharu Aoki and for the thickest, richest hot chocolate of your life, settle down for a cup at Angelique.
WHERE TO EAT? One of the most amazing, authentic French meals I ever had was tucked away in the hilly cobblestone streets of Montmartre at Le Potager du Pere Thierry. Delicious french classics like foie gras and duck, potato and cheese gratin are served in a cozy and rustic restaurant, without the typical Parisian snobbery and best of all – it’s wallet friendly!
When I was a student, I stayed in the Latin Quarter (kind of like the student district) and there is a wonderful maze of back alley streets with everything from affordable sit down restaurants to street stands selling gelato, pasta and halal.
WHAT TO WEAR? Here’s my ultimate packing guide for visiting Paris in spring, summer and fall.
NOT TO MISS? A climb up to the towers at Notre Dame Cathedral for a close up with the gargoyles and chimera and an aerial view of Paris. Not to mention, the 387 steps make for a great workout.
MUST SEE? Hmm.. hard to pick one, so I’ll go with my three most favorite museums. The spooky crypt and upper level viewing deck from the Pantheon, the charming mansion of Musee Jacquemart-Andre, and the sculpture filled gardens at Musee Rodin.
Interested in seeing more of Paris?
Check out these sights:
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- stained glass windows at Eglise Sainte Chapelle
- art at the Louvre, Orangerie and Orsay galleries
- picnic at the Tuileries gardens
- take a nighttime stroll by the Arc de Triomphe
- charming mansion of Jacquemart Andre
- the Thinker sculpture at the Rodin Museum
- the Pantheon crypt, housing Voltaire, Marie Curie and Zola
- gargoyles at Notre Dame
- picnic at the Eiffel Tower
Visiting Paris – Travel Checklist
We took a red eye to Paris from JFK. You can find cheap Paris flights from low cost carriers almost all year round – check for flight deals here.
Paris has some of the best museums in the world. I spent an entire summer living in the city, visiting different churches, museums and historic homes and still couldn't get enough. If you plan to sightsee, look into a Paris Pass – it's a great value! The pass can be purchased for multiple days and allows you to skip the line at 60+ attractions. See the full list of included sights and attractions here.
Lastly, be sure to visit Paris with travel insurance. Whether you get injured and need to be hospitalized, or your phone gets stolen, or an injury forces you to cancel all or part of your vacation, travel insurance will help when you need it most. Get a quote for your trip here.
You Might Also Enjoy:
Paris Vacation Planning Articles
3 Days in Paris: A Travel Guide & Itinerary
Where to Stay in Paris
Luxurious Hotels with Eiffel Tower Views
Cozy Airbnbs with a View of the Eiffel Tower
Popular Paris Sights
Musee d’Orsay & The D’Orsay Clock
Notre Dame & its Rooftop Gargoyles
Paris Off the Beaten Path
Musee Jacquemart Andre and The Paris Pantheon
Where to Eat in Paris
Delicious Desserts in Paris
Lunch at Paul & a Romantic Dinner at Potager du Pere Thierry
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Saving this for our next trip! Paris has my heart. :)
xx Lexi, Glitter, Inc.
Thank you so much for this post! I’m planning a London/Paris excursion for late summer and am currently doing research. Will definitely put a hike to the top of Notre Dame on my to-do list!
Melanie @UnraveledThreads
Author
Thanks for stopping by Lexi :)
Author
Melanie, I’m so glad this could be of use! Have a great trip and let me know if there’s anything else I can share as you plan!
Great post! Very useful. xx
http://thefashionbrook.blogspot.com.es
This is a great guide! and I love the photo of the Eiffel Tower <3
Makes me want to go back! Duck confit and macarons…. mmmm
Two of my favorite places in Paris are Musee D’orsay and the Montemartre!
http://www.charactersandcarryons.com
Great distillation of things to see and do in Paris. It could take a lifetime to experience the best though don’t you think? I find it works to surrender, see what is most important and leave time for discoveries.
Some great ideas for exploring Paris! I am very excited to be heading there for a few days to kick off 2016, so I will look through this post and add a few ideas to the list tht I have been building. Thanks for the tips!
Author
Thanks Prianka! Hope the list was helpful. Have a great time!
I am planning a trip to Paris in the near future. Have you ever visited Moulin Rouge? I wonder what it’s like.
Author
Yes! Moulin Rouge is a lot of fun (although not quitee like the movie version haha). It’s great entertainment / dinner spot and near the Basilique de Sacre Coeur, in Montmartre. I love that area because it feels old and quaint, with hilly cobblestone streets. There’s also an amazing restaurant there that you absolutely need to try if you like traditional, unstuffy french classics. Have a great time!
My favorite Paris museum is the Musee de l’Orangerie. The Monet waterlilies and the impressionist works are incredible. It’s also a smaller museum and not as overwhelming as the Louvre.
Paris is a dream for me. I really enjoyed reading your post.
Been to Paris last summer, and it was great experience! Lived in an apartment in Place De Clichy, I was so thrilled to get that place for cheap. I also love Flunch, economical! ;-)
Hi Sher! (feels like talking to myself hahaha)
As I plan to go to Paris (France, actually) next month, this post is really helpful! Loving your blog, x
Paris is a fantasy for me. I truly delighted in perusing your post!
Hello… I have checked your blog and read your trips in Cinque Terre and part of Paris. SO now I am trying to write to you in seeking your advice on our upcoming family trip to Europe (basically Shengen countries) in 2 weeks- first stop in Paris (3 days); Greece(2 days); Barcelona(3 days) and Italy (6 days)…we have places to visit in mind, but would love to see what your input and advice on these plans.
ALso, is it recommended to get travel insurance and in regards to money, do we have to carry cash (euros) and or credit card will work?
Please respond as soon as you are able. I would love to hear from you.
Again thank you very much.
Sincerely,
Aimee