2 Days in Paris: What to Do, Eat, and Brag About Later
Brandon Shaw
Two days in Paris? It’s reckless. It’s ridiculous. It’s exactly the kind of plan we support. Skip the bad choices and the endless museum queues—you’ve got 48 hours to live fast, dine well, and leave with a story. Here’s how to do two days in Paris right.
Pro tips:
Bookmark this in your browser, you’ll want to circle back later. Trust me.
You can’t understand Paris without standing in front of the Mona Lisa, cruising under Pont Neuf, or losing yourself in Le Marais. This day starts heavy—with masterpieces and royal palaces—and ends light, with slow river views and local bites. It’s not about seeing it all. It’s about feeling what Paris actually is: grand, relaxed, and a little unpredictable if you let it be.
Hit the big stuff fast: Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, Winged Victory—all with a guide so you don’t waste time pretending to care about 17th-century pottery.
Interessante Fact: During World War II, the Mona Lisa was packed up and smuggled to various countryside locations to avoid Nazi capture. She spent years on the move—more than most tourists.
🕐 12:00 PM – Seine River Cruise
Board at Port de la Bourdonnais (near the Eiffel Tower). Cruise the river and spot Notre-Dame, the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, and more from the comfort of a boat.
💡 Yes, a river cruise sounds corny, but in Paris it’s almost mandatory. The cityscape is beautiful from the Seine and very relaxing.
Interessante Fact: The Seine runs under 37 bridges in Paris. The oldest, Pont Neuf, ironically means “New Bridge.”
European cities, including Paris, almost always have city-specific culinary cultures. We recommend doing a food tour on your first day at a location as an “orientation” to that city’s local culture.
🥂No menu. You tell them the wine you like. They bring you a glass. Paris magic.
Day 2 – Notre Dame, Sainte-Chapelle, Eiffel Tower, Montmartre
This day is designed to shift gears—from Gothic stone to glittering glass to hillside villages. You’ll feel the weight of history in Notre Dame, the burst of light in Sainte-Chapelle, and then watch the city spread out under your feet from Montmartre. Paris was built to be admired slowly, from a café chair or a cathedral step. This itinerary lets you do both—without racing the clock.
🕐 9:00 AM – Notre Dame + Sainte-Chapelle
Notre Dame is open again. Sainte-Chapelle is 5 minutes away, so bundle it. Don’t skip the stained glass—it’s borderline psychedelic.
Pro Tip:Sainte-Chapelle tickets sell out. Book ahead.
Interessante Fact: During the French Revolution, Sainte-Chapelle’s windows were shattered and buried in sand for protection. That’s 1,134 pieces of stained-glass jigsaw puzzle later.
Six million skeletons under your feet. We get you into the off-limits sections.
Interessante Fact: The Catacombs weren’t just a dumping ground—they were a revolution-era solution to overcrowded cemeteries. Monks, plague victims, and revolutionaries now mingle underground.
🕐 1:00 PM – Lunch at La Cantine du Troquet Daguerre
Wander up through Place du Tertre, past painters and performers, until you hit Sacré-Cœur. Sit on the steps and pretend you’re in a French film.
Interessante Fact: There’s a functioning vineyard tucked behind Sacré-Cœur. The wine is auctioned off for charity and is almost impossible to find in shops.
Funky, Moroccan-inspired cocktail bar tucked behind a courtyard. Think velvet couches and wild drinks
✔️ Final Thoughts
Two days in Paris isn’t a marathon—it’s a sprint with wine stops. You won’t do everything, but you’ll do it right. Follow this plan, and you’ll eat like royalty, cruise the river, and still have time to drink under the stars.
With a city as magnificent as Paris, it can be hard to find the perfect hotel at the perfect price. Explore the best hotels and places to stay in these incredible neighborhoods in Paris.
Brandon is a co-founder and owner of The Tour Guy and its subsidiary The Roman Guy. He left the States to travel the world at 18 and never looked back! As an official Tour Guide of Rome and Certified Sommelier, he loves to travel the world and share these experiences with his readers.
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