To complete your touring experience in Paris in 2 days , we recommend you take the metro and walk as much as possible. This means you’ll have a great idea of what to see in Paris in 2 days ... and many reasons to return.Sara García
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By Sara García
Journalist and in love with trips full of new experiences. Writing and traveling merge to allow him the privilege of telling about what he discovers in every corner of the world and sharing them with anyone who wants to follow in his footsteps.
If you’re organizing a short break, this 2-day itinerary of what to see in Paris is designed to make the most of your time without any rush, taking a logical and balanced route between historical monuments, districts with personality and iconic attractions.
We have grouped all the places together by proximity to allow you to enjoy Paris in two days in comfort, efficiency and detail. Here is a summary of what we recommend you to see in these 2 days in Paris. At the end of the day, we provide some ideas to extend or modify the experience if you have more or less time, including links to other must-see places in Paris.
Paris itinerary summary
| Day | Morning | Afternoon | Evening |
| Day 1 | Ile de la Cité and banks of the Seine | Louvre Museum and Gardens | Latin Quarter |
| Day 2 | Montmartre | Champs Élysées and Eiffel Tower | Le Marais |
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Day 1. The historic heart of Paris
The first day focuses on the origin of the city, following the axis of the Seine River and some of its most iconic locations to help us understand what to see in Paris in 2 days from a historical and cultural perspective.
In the morning we return to the Isle of Cité
We start the day in the place where Paris was born, a perfect area to explore on foot and soak up its centuries of history.
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Notre Dame Cathedral
The Grand Dame of Paris is a French Gothic masterpiece, famous for its flying buttresses, rose windows and central role in the medieval history of the city. Although the indoor space may be partially restricted, the outdoor space is still a must. See our post guide to visiting Notre Dame Cathedral.
From here, walk 3 minutes to Sainte-Chapelle.
Sainte-Chapelle
Designed as a royal reliquary, the Sainte-Chapelle features stunning 13th-century stained-glass windows that transform the light into a unique visual spectacle.
Leave here and walk towards the banks of the Seine. We help you find one of the many restaurants in the area serving typical French cuisine or try some of the delicious Parisian crepes.
We continue in the afternoon: Louvre and gardens
After crossing the river, we enter one of the most monumental areas in the city. Here we can see the grandeur of Paris both indoors and outdoors.
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Louvre Museum
Not only is it one of the most important and most visited museums in the world, it’s also a former royal palace that reflects centuries of power, art and urban transformation. It is worth coming in and seeing at least part of the museum.
From here we can leave directly to the Tuileries Gardens.
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Tuileries Garden
This amazing garden connects the Louvre with the Place de la Concorde and reflects the elegance of the 17th-century French landscape. There are different trails to admire the city flora and a pond where you can sit, rest and admire the surroundings.
From here we will go to the Latin Quarter. Depending on the daylight hours and how hungry you are, we recommend you either take a long walk or take the metro.
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First night in Paris in the Latin Quarter
The Latin Quarter is one of the liveliest and oldest districts in the city, linked to the university and intellectual thought since the Middle Ages. You will find a great choice of dining venues with something for all tastes and all prices. I recommend the ice cream parlors. And if you want to investigate a little more, I recommend you read Explore the Latin Quarter.
And now is the best time to bed and gather your energy for the next day.
Day 2. Charming neighborhoods and iconic attractions
The second day is full of panoramic views, monumental avenues and local life, perfect for completing your tour of Paris in 2 days.
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A morning stroll around Montmartre
The Montmartre district retains the bohemian spirit of artists such as Picasso or Toulouse-Lautrec, with cobbled streets and privileged views. If you want to learn more about the Montmartre district, we recommend you take a look at this other post What to see in Montmartre.
The interesting thing about this part of the route is that you can do it on foot and get lost in its streets until you reach our next stop. Along the way, it is irresistible to stop at one of the bakeries for lunch on a typical and original butter croissant.
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The Basilica of the Sacred Heart
Located at the highest point in the city, the basilica offers one of the best panoramic views in Paris, especially on a clear morning.
From here, it’s best to take the metro to the Champs-Élysées. You can do this before or after lunch. The avenue is full of well-known franchise restaurants serving dishes from all over the world.
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Afternoon stroll around monumental Paris
The Champs-Élysées are a major avenue connecting the shopping area and historical memory, culminating at the Arc de Triomphe. IF you have time, we recommend you go up to get a very different view of the city. And you can also get a taste of the traffic. In the roundabout, priority has to be given to people just entering the building, not those who are already inside. Remember that and take a look.
From here you can walk towards the Eiffel Tower.
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The Eiffel Tower
The undisputed symbol of the city, designed for the Universal Exhibition in 1889. You can reach the first two floors on foot or by lift. The third floor is mandatory by lift. Paris is well worth the visit from up here. We recommend you get tickets here before going.
From here, take the metro to Le Marais.
Night in Le Marais
The Parisian district combines historic palaces, charming squares and an intense cultural nightlife. Enjoy this detailed guide to What to see in Le Marais. You will definitely find an ideal restaurant to end your 2-day experience in Paris.
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Daily maps with optimized routes
If you want to be near the hotel when you finish either of these two routes, I would recommend you take the chance to stay at The Maison Colbert member of Meliá Colecction. For both 2-days in Paris itineraries, the arrival of each of them will come in handy.
If you haven’t yet learned more, we encourage you to extend your stay and check out these other posts that might give you more ideas:
- What to see in Paris in 1 day
- What to see in Paris in 3 days
- What to see in Paris in 4 days
- What to see in Paris in 5 days
If you already know any of the places we suggest, take a look at the following links to specific guides such as What to see in Montparnasse or What to see in La Defense.
If you have an extra day, a classic excursion is What to see in Versailles.
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