How To Spend a Weekend in Paris in 2024 (2-Day Itinerary)

Only have two days in Paris? It’s not really possible to see all of the City of Light in a weekend. However, you can still have an amazing time combining the must-see spots with authentic Parisian food and drink. Follow our weekend itinerary for the best way to spend a weekend in Paris.

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Pro Tip: It’s easier to organize your trip when you have all your resources in one place. Create a browser folder and bookmark this post along with our dedicated guide to Paris for more planning resources, our top Paris tours for a memorable trip, and how to see Paris in a day if that’s all the time you have.

How To Spend Two Days in Paris: An Itinerary

Between all the famous sites to see, food to eat, and culture to absorb, you might be wondering how you’ll be able to pack everything that Paris has to offer into a weekend.

It’ll be tough, especially in a city like Paris—but don’t worry, we’re here to make it easier for you! Find out how to get into the city quickly and how to spend two days in Paris you won’t forget.

Not ready to book a tour? Check out our best Paris tours to take and why.

Getting To Paris

There are three different airports in Paris: Charles de Gaulle (CDG), Orly (ORY), and Paris-Beauvais (BVA). How you get from each one to the city center will depend on many factors, but remember to think about timing and how much heavy luggage you have.

Charles de Gaulle Airport

Paris’s main international airport is CDG. To get from CDG to Paris, you can:

• Use the Paris metro system. If you want to go this route, you’ll have to take the RER B (blue line), which costs €10.30. Depending on the exact location you’re heading to, this will normally take you anywhere from 30-45 minutes to reach your destination
  
• Use Le Bus Direct, which is a direct bus service from the airport to select stops in the Paris city center. While the cost from CDG is a little more pricey than the metro at €17 one way (€30 round trip), the buses are equipped with free WiFi, USB plugs, and comfortable seats
  
• Take a taxi to the Paris city center. Taxis from the airport to Paris are subject to a flat rate. The cost depends on what side of the Seine River you’re headed to (€50 if you’re headed to the right bank, €55 for the left bank).
  

Orly Airport

The city’s second largest airport is ORY. To get from ORY to Paris, you can:

• Use the metro/train service, using the RER B (blue line). This service is not direct. You’ll have to take the “Orlyval” train shuttle from the airport to get to the RER B. Buying a combined RER and Orlyval ticket will cost you €14.
  
• Use Le Bus Direct, which costs €12 one way (€20 round trip).
  
• Take the Orly Bus from the airport, which provides transfers to the Denfert-Rochereau station on the left bank for €8.70.
  

Paris Beauvais Airport

BVA is the least convenient option, which travelers might use to score a cheap trip on airlines like RyanAir. To get from BVA to Paris, you can:

• Take the shuttle to Paris. This will take you about 1 hour and 15 minutes and will cost €15.90 one way (€29 round trip). The shuttle only stops at the Porte Maillot metro station.

• Take a taxi. However, you’ll be looking at a trip of around 1 hour and 20 minutes or longer, and prices over €100!

Our Best Versailles and Paris Louvre Tours

Not ready to book a tour? Find out if Paris tours are worth it.

Paris Itinerary: Day One

8:30 am: Breakfast at Télescope

A favorite among locals, this espresso shop is tucked away behind the Louvre in Little Tokyo. If you’re a coffee lover, their black joy is considered one of the best in the world, not just in Paris. They also offer delicious cookies, gateaux, and more.

Address: 5 Rue Villédo, 75001 Paris

9: 30 am: Take a Tour of The Louvre

When you’ve had your fill of breakfast pastries and coffee, you’ll be ready to head to the Louvre ( only a 10-minute walk from Télescope). For a skip-the-line experience with an expert guide, we recommend a guided Louvre tour. It’s a great way to make the most of your visit to one of the world’s greatest collections.

While the Louvre is known as the biggest museum in the world today, it was originally built as a defense fortress. It served as the principal residence of French kings and emperors until it was turned into a museum during the French Revolution in 1793.

1 pm: Lunch at Café Louise

Looking for somewhere to eat near the Louvre? Head to Café Louise, a 13-minute walk from the museum. The café is named after its owner, Louise, who is often inside greeting and serving customers.

Dishes usually cost about €15, but we recommend you save room for dessert. They are hand-made by Louise’s daughter.

Address: 155 Boulevard Saint-Germain

For more options, check out our full list of The 14 Best Restaurants Near the Louvre.

3 pm: Walk Around Notre-Dame

With a full stomach, it’s time to see Notre–Dame. Walk around the entire exterior so you don’t miss seeing the flying buttresses up close. While the Eiffel Tower represents the sparkle of Paris, Notre-Dame Cathedral has been its spiritual heart for nearly 1,000 years.

You can’t miss this majestic cathedral, as it dominates the cityscape. Its name, “Notre Dame,” meaning “Our Lady,” reflects its dedication to the Virgin Mary by the Parisians.

For a full-list of things to do while there, check out the Top 10 Things to See at Notre-Dame Cathedral. If you’re looking for some extra guidance and expert knowledge, check out our Notre Dame Island Guided Tour with Sainte-Chapelle Entry.

4:30 pm: Walk to Arènes de Lutèce

When you’re done visiting Notre–Dame, head toward the Pont de Archevêché bridge . Continue on to Rue des Bernardins and after a few minutes turn left onto Rue Monge.

You’ll be in the Latin Quarter at this point. Here, you’ll discover the Arènes de Lutèce—a Roman amphitheater and one of Paris’ hidden gems. The amphitheater was built between the 1st and 2nd century A.D. when Paris was known as “Lutèce.”

It‘s one of only two remaining Gallo-Roman period ruins that are still visible in Paris today. The amphitheater is free to visit and opens around 9 am. It closes between 6 pm and 8:30 pm, depending on the season.

6:00 pm: Stop for a Drink at Sherry Butt

Just a Metro ride and a 5-minute walk from Arènes de Lutèce, Sherry Butt is a must-stop. By this time, you might not quite be ready to eat again yet, but you’ll want to rest your feet. So if you’re looking to try a cocktail while you’re in Paris, head to Sherry Butt.

Named after the barrels used to age whiskey, this cocktail and whiskey bar will give you a sense of what modern Paris is like. It’s small and charming with ambient lighting, and you’ll definitely feel hip sipping a drink on one of their couches.

The bar is about a 20-minute walk from the Arènes de Lutèce. If you don’t feel like walking anymore, continue down Rue Monge (passed the amphitheater) until you see the metro Place Monge. From there, take metro line 7 (pink line) to the Sully-Morland metro stop. Then, you’ll be less than a 5-minute walk from Sherry Butt.

Address: 20 Rue Beautreillis

9 pm: Dinner at Le Marais

Enjoy dinner in Le Marais. And now, time for dinner! And there are few places better than the Le Marais neighborhood to enjoy dinner in Paris. To get the very best selection of Paris foods, we recommend doing our Le Marais Food Tour, which explores this local foodie district of Paris.

You’ll get to try delicious crêpes, oysters, falafel, and more! If you’d prefer to just go out to dinner, go to Vins de Pyrénées. It’s just down the street from Sherry Butt. This restaurant was renovated in 2017 but has been around since 1905. It’s a true neighborhood staple in Le Marais that puts out good, classic French food without the outrageous price tags.

Dinner will cost you between €15 and €20 per person, not including drinks. For more options, check out our article on the Best Restaurants in Le Marais in Paris.

Address: 25 Rue Beautreillis

Our Best Guided Tours of Paris

Not ready to book a tour? Check out our best Paris tours to take and why.

Paris Itinerary: Day Two

7 am: Breakfast at La Boulangerie des Invalides

Since you’re only in Paris for a weekend, it’s a safe bet you’ll want to try out some more French pastries. Start your second day in the city at La Boulangerie des Invalides (in the 7th arrondissement). This cute bakery has a few tables you can try to snag a seat at or simply grab a croissant to go.

Address: 14 Av. de Villars

9 am: Hôtel National des Invalides

Mid-Morning: After breakfast, you’re about a 10-minute walk to the Hôtel National des Invalides. Its gleaming golden dome will be hard to miss. Don’t be confused by the word “hôtel” in its name.

This monument was built in the 1670s by Louis XIV to house disabled war veterans or invalides in French. Today, it’s home to an extensive military museum and the tomb of one of France’s most infamous rulers, Napoleon.

Address: 129 Rue de Grenelle

12 pm: Eiffel Tower

Reading this itinerary, you may have been wondering when the Eiffel Tower was going to pop up. Well, it’s here! From Napoleon’s tomb, you’re a lovely 20-minute walk from the tower that passes by the Champ de Mars park.

If you’d prefer to take the metro, the RER C (yellow line) will get you there in about 15 minutes. You can hop on at the Invalides station and ride until the Champ de Mars-Tour Eiffel stop. The best way to explore the Eiffel Tower is to book our Eiffel Tower and Seine River Cruise tour.

You’ll enjoy the bonus of seeing the city from the Seine and you can leave all of the details to your expert guide.

Address: Champ de Mars, 5 Av. Anatole France

Not ready to book a tour? Find out if an Eiffel Tower tour is worth it.

1 pm: Lunch at Le Petit Marcel

After visiting the Eiffel Tower, cross the river and head toward the impressive Trocadéro buildings. The short walk is worth it for the stunning views of the Eiffel Tower! After snapping a few photos, take the Trocadéro metro (line 9) for three stops to Franklin D. Roosevelt, then switch to line 1 and ride six stops to Châtelet.

From there, it’s just a five-minute walk to Le Petit Marcel.This charming bistro offers classic French cuisine in a beautifully decorated space, all at reasonable prices. If the weather is nice, be sure to sit on the terrace!

Address: 65 Rue Rambuteau, 75004 Paris

3 pm: The Centre Pompidou

Once you’ve finished eating, don’t forget to take a quick walk around the corner to see the Centre Pompidou. This modern art museum was controversial when it was first designed and still is to some. Its heating pipes, escalators, and steel frame are all visible on the exterior, making it an impressive but somewhat bizarre sight.

Address: Place Georges-Pompidou

8 pm: Dinner at Crêperie Bretonne Fleurie

Evening: Now, it’s time for the best casual Parisian dinner: crêpes! Head over to Crêperie Bretonne Fleurie (just a 20-minute walk fromCentre Georges Pompidou) , one of the best crêpe spots in town.

The word “Bretonne” in the restaurant’s name signifies that the crêpes and galettes are made the same way as they are in the Brittany region of northwestern France, where crêpes were originally made. By the end of this weekend, you’ll have experienced some of the top things to do in Paris as well as some of the best cuisine.

Address: 67 Rue de Charonne

And now, it’s time to say au revoir until next time!

Not ready to book a tour? Find out if Paris tours are worth it.