So you’ve finally managed to fit a visit to the City of Love in your traveling itinerary. However, you only have two days to see it all. Where on earth do you even start? Don’t worry, having done this exact trip twice as a first-timer, I have got the exact itinerary you need to hit all the must-see’s while also getting a hint of authentic Parisian life. This weekend Paris itinerary includes all the classics, as well as some of the trendier stops that are popular today.
Warning: This itinerary is not for the faint of heart. It is jam-packed with activities, and you will be exhausted after your weekend, but hey, at least you’ll have hit all the good spots in Paris! Also, this post contains affiliate links.
Morning:
9:00AM – Early rise and “breakfast”
Parisians don’t really do breakfast as a concept. When we headed out for breakfast each morning, every cafe we came across wouldn’t even start serving food until 11 AM. However, they do serve coffee and croissants, so just grab a cup of coffee and a croissant and head over to the main attraction!
10:00AM – Snap photos of the Eiffel Tower
You cannot come to Paris without seeing the Eiffel Tower! This attraction is so popular and there are always long lines if you want to go up; you can find yourself waiting for up to two hours during peak season. For this reason, I don’t recommend going up the Eiffel Tower in this packed itinerary. Instead, take this time to snap a ton of photos!
Here are my favorite photo spots for the Eiffel Tower:
- The Trocadero
- Rue de l’Université
- Champs de Mars
- Theater of the Eiffel Tower
11:00AM – Climb to the top of Arc de Triomphe
After you’ve snapped photos to your heart’s content, walk over the Arc de Triomphe. Yet another iconic feature of Paris, this arch was commissioned by Napoleon after being inspired by the Arch of Titus in Rome! Unlike the Eiffel Tower, I find that buying tickets to the top of the Arch is much more worth it because of the view over all twelve avenues that branch out from Place de L’Étoile and the Eiffel Tower itself! There is usually a line, but I find that it isn’t as long.
Afternoon:
12:00PM – Stroll down the Champs-Élysées
This is the most famous avenue in all of Paris, known for its many designer shops. As one of the avenues that branch out from Place de L’Étoile, after you’ve seen the Arc de Triomphe, just head straight to the Champs-Élysées! Enjoy shopping for some boutique goods, or if you’re like me, window-shopping.
At this point, you’re probably getting quite hungry, so this is the perfect time for lunch! Restaurants along the Champs-Élysées are usually quite expensive, so if you can’t swing that price, I’d recommend buying a baguette sandwich from one of the smaller shops. There’s nothing more Parisian than a baguette.
I also recommend stopping at Ladurée to get a box of their world-famous macarons! It’s definitely pricey, but it’s also something you cannot skip.
2:00PM – Marvel at the Louvre
Where the famous Mona Lisa resides, it’s the Louvre! This is another must-see when you’re in Paris. However, there are also always massive lines to get in the Louvre, and the museum itself is absolutely massive. Whether or not you choose to visit depends on you. If you’re not committed to spending 3+ hours here, then save the visit for a longer stay, but if you’re determined to see the inside, be sure to purchase skip-the-line tickets ahead of time!
If you held off on lunch on the Champs-Élysées, I recommend getting a bite to eat at Le Café Marly! It offers an unchallenged view of the Louvre’s glass pyramid
4:00PM – Get your exercise in at Palais Royal
The title of this is mostly a joke, but Palais Royal has striped columns in courtyard that everyone takes pictures on. However, what they don’t tell you is how hard it is to jump on top of them for the picture! Nevertheless, this is also a must-see, and it was oddly the place at which I had the most fun all day.
5:00PM – Cross the Seine at Pont Alexandre III
Right next to the Palais-Royal is this absolutely stunning bridge. Considered the most ornate, extravagant bridge in the city, the Pont Alexandre III’s art noveau style makes for stunning photographs.
Evening:
7:00PM – Eat dinner at Le Train Bleu Restaurant
If I had to choose one restaurant to win the “most beautiful restaurant award”, it would be Le Train Bleu. Located inside the Gare de Lyon railway station in Paris, France, it was originally created for the Exposition Universelle. It’s the perfect place to sample some authentic French cuisine, as the kitchen proposes dishes from the regions of France served by the station.
10:00PM – Head up for drinks at Lavomatic
This is my favorite hidden gem in Paris. Lavomatic is a speakeasy hidden behind a laundromat! Once you figure out how to get inside, you go up a flight of stairs to the bar. The bar is super cute, with hanging swing chairs and little tree stump stools, but it is quite cozy, which means you’ll want to get there earlier rather than later.
11:00PM – Party it up at Cafe Oz
After the pregame at Lavomatic it’s time to head where the real party starts – Cafe Oz. Cafe Oz an Australian themed bar that attracts a really rowdy group of mostly expats. It’s hardly a local experience, but it is absolutely a ton of fun! Bartenders dressed as maids will light the entire bar on fire before getting up on it and dancing while pouring vodka straight into people’s mouths! If nightlife isn’t really your scene, feel free to skip this stop, but if you’re looking for the most fun night out in Paris, this is absolutely the place.
If you’re looking for somewhere a little less rowdy, I highly recommend O’Sullivans, an Irish pub across the street, or Yellow Mad Monkey, where you’ll find a more local crowd.
Morning:
9:00 AM – Rise and shine!
Hope you didn’t drink too much last night, because it’s another early morning for you! If you’re only going to be in Paris for two days, you better make sure you make full use of the two days! Grab a pastry and a cup of coffee and let’s get to it!
10:00AM – See the Hôtel de Ville and Notre Dame
Unfortunately, since the fire that occurred in April 2019, the Notre Dame is closed to the public. However, you can still see the façade from the outside, as it was mostly undamaged. If that’s as close as you can get to this historic monument, then you may as well. Hôtel de Ville is the city hall of Paris, which means it’s more of a see it from the outside attraction as well, which is why I’m combining the two. These façades are unmissable, but won’t take up too much of your time.
10:30AM – Take a walk along the Seine
The Seine is almost as iconic as Paris itself. A sunny walk along the Seine river is one of the most romantic activities you could ever partake in. Drink in the scenery and the atmosphere, and get some steps in!
11:00AM – Explore Musee d’Orsay
This is another famous museum in Paris! Grab the infamous photo in front of the clock, and marvel at works by Monet, Renoir, and Van Gogh! Adding to its appeal is how the museum is housed in an old Beaux-Arts railway station.
Afternoon:
1:00PM – Grab a bite and a picture at Cafe de Flore
This famous art-deco cafe has offered its hospitality to the likes of Picasso, and now you, too! Not only is this cafe well-known, it’s also famous on Instagram for it’s gorgeous exterior. Snag a seat on the outdoor patio and people-watch while eating, there’s no better place.
2:00PM – Snap photos at Rue Crémieux
This instagram famous street used to be a “hidden gem” but too many people caught on and now it’s always full of people doing photoshoots! While I was there, someone was having a bridal shoot and there were tons of other “instagram girls” taking photos just for their social medias. However, you can get a good photo if you’re patient!
3:00PM – Climb up the dome of Sacre Coeur
Translated as The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris, Sacre-Coeur is the symbol of the neighborhood of Montmartre. It’s also the highest point of the city, so the views are fantastic! The Sacre Coeur is actually a political and cultural monument, as it was a national penance for the defeat of France in the Franco-Prussian War. To climb up the dome, you need to purchase tickets on the far left of the Basilica.
4:00PM – Go on a self-guided photo tour of Montmartre
Montmartre has recently gained a lot of fame as the artist’s neighborhood of Paris. Being as it’s the artist neighborhood, of course it’s very photographable! Here are a few of the most instagrammable spots in the neighborhood:
- La Maison Rose – This pink little cafe is located on a corner of Montmartre! Take a photo walking across the street away from the cafe for the best shot.
- Sinking House – This house isn’t really sinking, but with a quick photography trick of tilting the camera to match the slope of the hill, the house appears as though it’s sinking!
- Le Consulat – With its red façade, this cafe is perfectly photogenic!
- Le Mur des Je t’aime – This mural is covered in words of affection! Perfect for the city of love.
7:00PM – Have dinner at the stunning Pink Mamma
For your last meal in this stunning city, head to Pink Mamma! This restaurant has been making waves on Instagram lately for its stunning decor and delicious Italian food. It has four stories; each with a different theme, but each is also equally gorgeous. It only opens at 7, but you should get there a bit earlier because there will be a line! If not, the line moves rather quickly, so no need to worry.
From here, say goodbye to the city for now. Someday you might be back, but if you won’t be back for a while you can rest assured knowing you’ve seen most of the best to see.
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Have you ever been to Paris? How long was your visit? Let me know in the comments below!
