48 Hours In Paris: A Weekend Away In The City of Lights
So you only have 48 hours in Paris? Not to worry! Here’s a two-day itinerary to help you make the most of weekend break or mid-week retreat to the City of Lights.
Day one — morning in Paris:
Start off with a morning stroll along the most well-known, tree-lined avenue in Europe; the Champs-Élysées! Window-shop at some of the world’s most luxurious flag-ship stores, making your way to Maison Ladurée.
Travellers with a sweet tooth will already be familiar with the brand famous for its sumptuous macarons, which you can indulge on alongside an array of baked goods, scrambled eggs and other savoury breakfast and brunch options.
Fuelled for the morning, continue walking along the avenue and you’ll come to the Arc de Triomphe. Climb to the top for sweeping views across the city! You’ll even spot the Eiffel Tower.
From here, it’s a 15-minute trot to Trocadéro, possibly the best spot to snap the Eiffel Tower! Get one photo from the patterned plaza and another from the gardens as you slowly head straight for the iconic tower itself!
At the base, prepare for a wait as they’ll be a queue no matter what time of day you plan on visiting.
Day one — afternoon in Paris:
Once you’ve checked that off your bucket list, make your way to the street market at Rue Cler to pick up your essentials for a picnic on the Champs de Mars.
For the rest of the afternoon, check out the Rodin Museum, where you can see the sculptor’s most famous works, including ‘The Thinker’, followed by the tomb of Napoleon at Les Invalides.
Day one — evening in Paris:
Spend the evening walking along the stunning Pont Alexandre III. From the gold trimmed bridge, the glistening dome of Les Invalides, the crystal roof of Paris Palais and the Eiffel Tower are all within camera shot.
To end the day, follow the Seine along to Place du Concorde. Here, you’ll find the Obelisk belonging to Pharaoh Ramses II, which actually stands where Marie Antoinette and King Louis XVI were executed by guillotine!
Day two — morning in Paris:
Dedicate the second morning to exploring Île de la Cité! This island is home to the famous, Notre Dame Cathedral, La Conciergerie prison – where Marie Antoinette was held – and the beautiful stained glass windows at Saint-Chapelle.
And while it’s definitely worth exploring the inside of Notre Dame, the real must-do is climbing up to the bell tower. Entry is permitted by a timed ticket, so to avoid queues, book your timeslot via the JeFile app.
Once you’ve climbed back down those 300 steps, grab a coffee at La Caféothèque de Paris — you’ll need the energy to battle the crowds at the Louvre!
Day two — afternoon in Paris:
It’s easy to lose hours at the gigantic pyramid.! If you’re tight on time, the three things you can’t miss are ‘Liberty Leading the People’, Venus de Milo, and of course, the Mona Lisa!
For lunch, venture to the bohemian quarter of Montmartre. The area is filled with cafés, popular with Vincent Van Gogh and Pablo Picasso, and is also home to ‘Les Deux Moulins’, from the film, Amelié!
Once you’ve picked your lunch-spot, sit back, relax and savour every bite from the moreish traditional cuisine served throughout the district.
Day two — evening in Paris:
In the evening, head to Sacré-Coeur and watch the sunset from the towers, before spending to remember at the Moulin Rouge!
Whet your appetite? Check out the most charming cafés in Paris!
