Whether you’re dying to see the Mona Lisa, attracted to the Parisian cafe culture, hankering for a fresh croissant, or just need a photo in front of the Eiffel Tower, a trip to Paris is on almost every traveller’s bucket list.
Some travellers fall in love with Paris and never stop singing its praises. Others go in with high expectations but are severely disappointed, a phenomenon so common that it has its own name, Paris Syndrome.
Me, I fall somewhere in the middle. Paris isn’t my favourite city in the world nor do I detest it. Over my five visits to Paris, I’ve come to appreciate what the city offers tourists and do believe everyone should visit at least once.
So I’m not going to tell you that you have to spend weeks in Paris to really get to know the city. Sure, that might be true, but it’s not realistic for most travellers.
I’m also not going to tell you to skip Paris. Is it crowded, expensive and very much on the beaten track? At times, sure. But there’s a reason it’s one of the most visited cities in the world.
If you’re not sure Paris is going to be your thing, or you just don’t have extra time to spend in Paris, this is the itinerary for you. Below I’m going to share how you can spend two days in Paris and get a great introduction to the city.
My two day Paris itinerary covers the highlights of the city, but leaves room for a bit of that Parisian magic you can only find strolling along the Seine or through a park, baguette in hand from the closest boulangerie.
If you love your two days in Paris, awesome! You can start planning your next trip and discover even more of the City of Lights beyond the Louvre and the Arc de Triomphe.
And if you didn’t love it, hey, at least you only spent two days there!
So let’s dive in and see the best of Paris in just two days!
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Day 1: The icons of Paris
Today we’re going to see some of the most legendary places in Paris – the ones that feature on every magnet and postcard.
We’ll also be doing a lot of exploring on foot, which is the best way to get to know a city. If that’s not accessible for you, Paris has extensive transit and taxi/Uber options.
You could also take a hop-on-hop-off bus if you don’t want to deal with transit or get everywhere on foot. I’m not usually a big HOHO bus fan but in a city like Paris where the main sights are spread out, it does make sense.
Plus, my mom and mother-in-law took a HOHO bus when they were in Paris and thought it was a great way to explore the city! Book your spot on a hop-on-hop-off bus here.
Morning: See the Arc de Triomphe then walk along the Champs-Élysées & across Pont Alexandre III
Get up bright and early on your first day in Paris, grab a croissant, and head to the Arc de Triomphe.
The Arc de Triomphe is one of the icons of Paris. This giant structure was built in the early 1800s and honours the fallen French soldiers of the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.
If you’re taking the metro, you’ll first emerge a few car lanes away from the Arc. Instead of risking your life across a multi-lane round-about, take the underground walkway and you’ll pop up right underneath the Arc de Triomphe.
As impressive as the Arc de Triomphe looks from far away, I was really wowed by all of design features on the underside. Even if you’re not planning to climb up to the rooftop, definitely get closer to fully admire the archway.
Should you climb up the Arc de Triomphe?
If you want to climb up something in Paris to take in the view, I’d suggest the Arc de Triomphe over the Eiffel Tower.
It’s cheaper, the line will be shorter and you get the Eiffel Tower as part of your view (which you won’t have if you climb up the Eiffel Tower).
Despite the line being shorter, I still highly recommend booking tickets in advance. Grab your skip the line Arc de Triomphe tickets here!
From the Arc de Triomphe, walk down the Champs-Élysées, one of the most famous shopping streets in all of Paris.
This is a window-shopping-only activity unless you’re a frequent customer at the likes of Cartier, Dior and Louis Vuitton. Though other more affordable brands, like Zara and MINISO, also have shops on this street.
Even though I don’t have any Fendi or Hermes in my closet, I still love strolling down the Champs-Élysées and admiring all of the shops and cafes.
TRAVEL TIP: Avoid eating on the Champs-Élysées as most of these restaurants will be over-priced and catering to tourists only.
Continue walking down Champs-Élysées, past another round-about, until you reach Avenue Winston Churchill. Turn right, and take in the Grand Palais and Petit Palais as you prepare to cross the Alexandre III Bridge.
Pont Alexandre III is (in my opinion at least) the most beautiful bridge in Paris and one of the most famous bridges in France!
Take your time snapping pictures of the bridge from all angles, with the Eiffel Tower in the background. Above are a few shots my dad and I took when we visited Paris on a dad-daughter trip in 2018.
Lunch: Enjoy a Rue Cler picnic in front of the Eiffel Tower
Rue Cler
Continue across the bridge and over the Seine River. Next stop: Rue Cler.
Rue Cler is a cute little street just behind the Eiffel Tower where you can grab a bite. You can get there by walking along the Seine or through the park – it’s 10-15 minutes from the bridge.
I remember on my first time to Paris in 2012, turning down this street and thinking I had walked into a fairytale. It’s so charming! And the fresh crepe I bought was the cherry on top of the experience.
Once on Rue Cler, load up on cheese, crepes, quiches, pastries and whatever else you need for a picnic lunch. You can also pop into a grocery store to buy some wine and other picnic items.
Turn right off of Rue Cler and we’ve reached the Champ de Mars park – aka home of the Eiffel Tower!
If it’s a nice day, find yourself a spot on the grass or an empty bench and enjoy a little Rue Cler fix-ins picnic in front of the Eiffel Tower. I’ve done this on every trip to Paris and it’s always a highlight.
Champ de Mars is also one of the few green spaces in Paris where dogs are allowed. So if you’re visiting Paris with a dog – like we did with our dog Ellie in 2019 – they can join you for your Eiffel Tower picnic!
Afternoon: Take in Paris’ most famous site, the Eiffel Tower
After lunch, walk up close and take in the Eiffel Tower from different angles. There’s something really impressive about standing underneath it and taking in the architecture.
Of course, you may also want to climb (or take the elevator) up the Eiffel Tower, which is a Paris bucket list item for many people. But you absolutely must book this in advance!
My mother-in-law made the mistake of not booking her Eiffel Tower tickets until a couple of days before her trip (and she was visiting during the Paris 2024 Olympics, so things were extra busy). She ended up having to buy very expensive guided entry tickets that cost hundreds of dollars per person.
And the worse part? Because of her bad jet lag, she completely missed her entry time and couldn’t get a refund!
So don’t miss out and book your Eiffel Tower access tickets early!
Afternoon: Explore Montmartre & the views from Sacre Coeur
Sacre Coeur
From the Eiffel Tower, we’re heading north to Montmartre, the historic artists’ district in Paris.
Montmartre, set on a hill, was once home to famous artists like Monet, Picasso and Van Gogh. Nowadays, it’s a bit more touristy but there are still street artists, museums and craft markets to remind you of the area’s history.
But the shining jewel of Montmartre would have to be the Basilica of the Sacré-Cœur. This white domed church lies right at the top of the hill. The building itself is beautiful and offers a nice view over the rest of Paris.
Of course, that view means you have to climb up to Sacre Coeur. You can go up the stairs through Square Louise Michel or there’s also a funicular (paid tickets) you can take if you have mobility concerns.
On my very first trip to Paris, I actually approached Sacre Coeur from the back, walking the streets of Montmartre before getting to the famous church and view.
If you take that route, it feels like there are fewer stairs, and you get to wander through charming Montmartre before being surprised by beautiful Sacre Coeur. You can then walk down the steps of Square Louise Michel when you’re done viewing the church.
For free activities, you can spend your time in Montmartre checking out the Sacre Coeur Basilica (entry is free), snapping photos in front of the famous La Maison Rose and Wall of I Love You, and admiring the streets and artists in the neighbourhood.
Or if you’d like to elevate your experience (literally!) you can pay to climb the 300 steps up to the dome of Sacre-Coeur for an even better view. As of May 2025, this costs €5/person (check this website for current costs & opening times).
You can also buy an original painting from an artists at Place du Tertre, learn about art and history at Musée de Montmartre, or join this highly-rated (and very delicious sounding) Montmartre Cheese, Wine & Pastry Guided Walking Tour.
Evening: Take in a show at the Moulin Rouge
From Sacre-Coeur it’s just a short walk over to another Parisian icon, Moulin Rouge.
You likely know Moulin Rouge from the movie or stage musical by the same name. But it is actually a real place which opened as a dance hall in Paris in 1889.
From the French Cancan to opera singers to the cabaret show on offer today, the Moulin Rouge is an important part of French history and culture.
If you have the budget, treat yourself to a night out watching talented dancers and singers in a historic Parisian venue. Grab your ticket to Moulin Rouge (+ champagne) here!
If a ticket to the Moulin Rouge isn’t in your budget, I still think it’s worth popping by to take a photo of the exterior. You can then enjoy a delicious French meal on your way back to your accommodation after a very full first day in Paris.
Day 2: Paris’s museums, churches, parks and river
On day two in Paris, we’re up early again, croissant in hand, and heading straight to the Louvre. After that we’ll wander through Paris visiting a few famous churches and parks before ending your Paris trip on the Seine.
Morning: See Mona Lisa and friends at the Louvre
The Louvre Museum is most well-known as the home of the Mona Lisa. But it’s a huge art gallery with so much more to see – there are over 35,000 works of art on display!
So don’t write this place off just because you don’t care to stand in line for the Mona Lisa. And don’t leave as soon as you’ve seen her, since there’s so much more to see.
Once inside the Louvre, head straight to Mona Lisa (unless you’re visiting with a guided tour). This room is only going to get busier as the day goes on so you want to get it done quickly.
You’ll also want to lower your expectations because, in my humble non-artist opinion, Mona Lisa might be the least exceptional piece of art in the entire building.
Having seen the Mona Lisa twice now, I can’t say I get the hype. I much prefer the colourful and giant painting directly opposite her.
But, since she’s so iconic, you do have to see her – at least to laugh at the huge crowd pressing their cameras and phones as close as they can get to the painting, which is roped off and behind glass.
Once you’ve taken your requisite photos of Mona Lisa, it’s time to explore more of the Louvre. Keep in mind, the Louvre Museum is giant. Even if you didn’t stop walking to look at anything, you likely wouldn’t finish the entire museum.
So grab a map and prioritize what you really want to see. The wings closest to the Mona Lisa will be the busiest while the ones farther away will be much less crowded.
On our visit in 2018, my dad and I found an African sculpture exhibit that was a total ghost town. We had it all to ourselves!
Keep in mind: The Louvre Museum is closed on Tuesdays! Try to plan your two days in Paris so that your Louvre visit doesn’t fall on a Tuesday (you can always swap Day 1 and Day 2 of my itinerary).
If you messed up and find yourself standing in front of a closed Louvre on a Tuesday, try another one of Paris’s famous art museums, like Musée d’Orsay (closed on Mondays).
Click here to purchase a Musee d’Orsay entry ticket or click here for an entry ticket with guided tour.
Lunch: Enjoy another picnic lunch at Jardin des Tuileries
Why yes, I’m suggesting another picnic lunch on day two of your Paris itinerary. There’s something so romantic and quintessentially Parisian about eating a baguette in the park, so why not do it both days?
So stop at a boulangerie – BO&MIE Louvre-Rivoli is close by and well-rated – grab some items for your picnic lunch and head to Jardin des Tuileries.
Jardin des Tuileries or Tuileries Garden is a “perfect harmony between nature and architecture.” Enjoy the manicured green spaces, statues and historical buildings that have been open to Parisians since the 17th Century.
After you’ve filled your stomach and rested your feet after a morning of walking around the Louvre, it’s time for some more walking as we start to make our way across the Seine.
Afternoon: Visit Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle and Shakespeare & Company
Walk east along the Seine until you reach Pont Neuf. Cross it and stop at the island in the middle of the Seine, Ile de la Cite.
This is where you’ll find two of Paris’s most well-known and beautiful churches, Sainte-Chapelle and Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris.
I actually haven’t been inside Sainte-Chapelle, as we had our dog with us the last time so I only got to see the exterior. But it’s on my list for my next Paris trip!
Notre Dame Cathedral
I visited Notre Dame on my first visit to Paris in 2012 and again with my dad in 2018. On my visits to Paris since then, Notre Dame was sadly closed due to the April 2019 fire.
But the Notre Dame Cathedral was reopened to the public in December 2024. So it’s back on the itinerary! As for me, we’ll be in Paris later this year, so I’m looking forward to revisiting.
Entry to Notre Dame is free but to avoid a potentially long line, you can book a reserved ticket online.
Once you’ve admired the churches, continue crossing the Seine to arrive at the Shakespeare and Company bookstore.
This famous English-language bookstore was frequented by the likes of Ernest Hemingway and James Joyce in the 1920s, and there’s a tradition of people living at the bookstore. It’s a literary institution in Paris!
Shakespeare and Company is everything you want in an independent bookstore. There’s creaky stairs, low ceilings, couches for reading, a shelf on feminism in the children’s section (YES!) and a resident cat.
Photos are not allowed inside and reading is encouraged. So it’s pretty much the opposite of every other attraction – here they actually want you to linger and not just take a selfie and leave.
There’s also the Shakespeare and Company Café next door if you need a little afternoon pick me up.
Afternoon: Explore the Latin Quarter, Pantheon and Jardin du Luxembourg
From the bookstore, head south into the Latin Quarter. This is a super cool area of Paris for shopping, eating and taking in the sights. It’s the oldest district in Paris, bringing you back to the medieval times.
To do in the Latin Quarter:
- Visit the Pantheon, France’s take on the famous domed building in Rome and where Victor Hugo and Marie Curie are buried
- Admire the Beaux Art buildings of La Sorbonne, one of the oldest universities in Europe
- Visit a museum, such as the Natural History Museum, Middles Ages Museum or Curie Museum
- Grab a snack at Julia Child’s favourite food market on Rue Mouffetard
End your visit at Jardin du Luxembourg, voted one of the most beautiful gardens in Europe. You can wander around the different fountains, statues and trees or simply sit by the Médicis Aqueduct and take it all in.
Evening: Take a boat ride along the Seine
Admiring the Seine with our dog, Ellie
Sadly, your time in Paris is coming to an end as we wrap up your second day. What better way to say au revoir to the city than with a cruise down the River Seine?
Treat yourself to this Seine River Dinner Cruise which includes live music, a four course meal and incredible views of Paris all lit up at night.
(Or, if you want to save a few dollars, opt for this evening cruise and eat on land.)
Where to stay in Paris
OKKO Hotels
Luckily, there is no shortage of options for accommodation in Paris. With a city this big and this popular, there is everything from luxury hotels and cute B&Bs to budget apartments and hostel dorm rooms.
If you’re on a budget but still want to stay somewhere nice and central, I recommend OKKO Hotels Paris Gare de L’Est.
I love OKKO Hotels for a few reasons: it’s chic but still affordable, it is easily connected to the metro, bus and train so you can get around Paris, and it’s also very close to some of my favourite eats in Paris.
Looking for more options? I asked 11 travel experts to weigh in and share their favourite budget accommodation in Paris – great stays for under $100/night!
Some people don’t like staying by train stations Europe, as these areas can be a bit more grungy. But having grown up in downtown Toronto, I don’t mind it at all. I’ve stayed by the train stations in Paris many times and have never felt unsafe.
Plus, if you’re only planning to be in Paris for two days, the convenience of being on the train line is a key factor. You can easily take the train from Paris to Amsterdam or London and it’s the same train that connects you from the CDG airport into the city.
Top tips for your visit to Paris
Here are a few things to keep in mind during your trip to Paris:
It is essential to pre-book your tickets to Paris’s top attractions. Not only will buying your tickets ahead of time guarantee your entry, but many will also allow you to skip the line.
The main tickets you’ll want to secure in advance:
Try a little francais! Yes, most people in Paris will be able to speak with you in English but it’s always nice to learn a couple of words in the local language when you travel.
So do your best with the “bonjours” and “mercis.” If the conversation starts to go over your head, just ask, “Parlez-vous anglais?” (Do you speak English?).
Walk or take the metro. Paris is a city best explored on foot so you can soak up the local culture. But for farther distances, choose public transit.
The Paris metro is super easy to use (as are the buses) and the entire city is well connected. Public transport is cheaper than taxis/Ubers and a far more local option.
Do not eat right next to a tourist attraction. This is a tip for every city, but especially for Paris.
These restaurants will be crowded, inauthentic and overpriced. Walk a few blocks away from the Eiffel Tower before you grab a bite.
Many restaurants and cafes in Paris have different prices depending on whether you eat in or take out. Don’t be alarmed if the price you saw posted on the display case is a few euros cheaper than the price on the menu – you pay more for table service and eating in.
If you’re on a budget, get your coffee and pastries to go. That’s why I always recommend a picnic lunch!
Watch out for scams and pickpockets. While I’ve always felt safe in Paris, I have unfortunately witnessed and experienced people trying to take advantage of tourists.
Like with any big city, make sure you’re always aware of your surroundings, including your person and your wallet. Don’t be afraid to say no or walk away if something feels off.
For more safety tips, including tips for solo female travellers, check out my travel tips post.
Wrapping up: Is 2 days in Paris enough?
As you can tell by my Paris itinerary above, you really can pack a lot into two days!
In just two days you are able to see most of Paris’s iconic sights, tour a museum or two, take in viewpoints, wander through churches, cruise down the Seine and even enjoy a leisurely picnic lunch.
Of course, there is so much to see and do in Paris. Two days is just scratching the surface.
So is two days in Paris enough? Well, that depends on your definition of enough.
Is it enough time to get a sense of the city, to see the main sights and tick some items off your bucket list? Definitely. You can see the Mona Lisa, head up the Eiffel Tower and grab a fresh croissant in two days.
More importantly, two days in Paris is enough time to decide if you want to come back. And don’t we say the best destinations are the ones we can’t wait to return to?
So if you only have two days to discover Paris, I vote yes. Do it. Book the trip.
Even with two weeks or two months you wouldn’t be able to see it all, so why not enjoy a bit of Paris rather than none at all?
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