We\u2019ve been to Paris over 10 times since we started traveling professionally, spending anywhere from 2 days to over a week exploring the city. After all those visits \u2013 including an intensive 8-day trip in November 2023 where we covered every major attraction, and our most recent visit in July 2024 where we learned some seriously helpful tips about visiting in peak season \u2013 we finally know exactly how to spend a perfect 2 days in Paris.<\/p>\n
Our itinerary isn\u2019t theoretical. We\u2019ve tested different routes across different seasons, learned which museums justify the wait times, figured out the optimal visiting hours for each landmark and identified which experiences are actually worth squeezing in as a first-time visitor. Through years of return trips to Paris, we\u2019ve refined what works, eliminated what doesn\u2019t, and figured out more efficient ways to visit certain attractions that we want you to take advantage of.<\/p>\n
![\"Mark](\"https:\/\/s39023.pcdn.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/couple-eiffel-tower.jpg.optimal.jpg\" "\\"couple")
Hi, we\u2019re Mark and Kristen Morgan. We left our scientific careers in 2018 to become travel writers and photographers, and since then our expert guides have helped millions of travel planners take better trips. Read more about us<\/a>. <\/p>\n Why trust us with your Paris itinerary?<\/strong> After 10+ trips to Paris, we\u2019ve done all there is to do as tourists. Our itinerary is exactly how we\u2019d do 48 hours in the city if it was our first time again. As always, every photo in this guide is ours. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n We designed our first day to be strategically intense, ticking off major attractions like the Eiffel Tower, Musee d\u2019Orsay and the Louvre. This action-packed push creates the platform to slow down on day two, when you can focus on the unique experience of Parisian cafe culture among the charming streets of St. Germain, Ile de la Cite and Le Marais \u2013 all while avoiding the common planning mistakes that cost us time on earlier trips.<\/p>\n This guide is the 2-day Paris itinerary we wish we\u2019d had for our first visit. After 10+ trips, we\u2019ve condensed everything we know into a step-by-step plan that hits all the major attractions and the city\u2019s best neighborhoods. It\u2019s exactly how we\u2019d spend 48 hours in Paris if it were our first time again, and we\u2019re confident it\u2019s the most balanced short-stay route. Stick around until the end for our map, expense report and mistakes you should avoid. Let\u2019s dive in.<\/p>\n Note<\/strong>: Our content is reader supported and contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you and it helps us keep this site running.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Paris Planning<\/strong><\/p>\n \ud83d\udcd6 Ultimate Paris Guidebook<\/strong>: Get our complete 50+ page offline PDF<\/a> with everything you need for Paris.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n We must start by being totally up front with you here \u2013 we\u2019d be tired after this long first day. Anyone would be. But we\u2019d prepare for it by making sure we had pre-booked tickets for every attraction to cut down waiting in entry lines, and we\u2019d eat hearty on-the-go meals to keep up our energy. Make sure to do both when you visit.<\/p>\n The goal would be to strategically tick off the top attractions in Paris<\/a> on day 1 to free up day 2, knowing we\u2019d able to relax with nothing major (like the Louvre) hanging over us. Here\u2019s an hour-by-hour walkthrough of how we\u2019d spend our first day (at the end we\u2019ll also share the best workarounds if it sound too overwhelming for your travel style).<\/p>\n Breakfast<\/strong><\/p>\n Breakfast at hotels in Paris is called le petit dejeuner, and honestly it\u2019s almost never worth paying extra for. We must have paid to include breakfast at 5 or 6 hotels now, and the only time it was worth it was when we stayed at Hotel des Arts in Montmartre<\/a> because they went out and bought fresh croissants each morning from the local boulangerie.<\/p>\n So now when we stay in Paris, we skip sitting in our hotel\u2019s basement eating overpriced and average food at the buffet \u2013 instead we head out to the closest boulangerie to mix with the locals, drink cheap coffee and eat the freshest, tastiest croissants in the city. No fuss, quick service, delicious pastries. Perfect!<\/p>\n With a jam-packed itinerary ahead of us, we\u2019d leave our hotel in the southern part of Le Marais, the 4th arrondissement (we loved our stay at H\u00f4tel Le Presbyt\u00e8re<\/a> \u2013 it has a fantastic location for this itinerary) and walk 5 minutes to Mark\u2019s favorite boulangerie in the area called Laurent Dheilly<\/a> (we found this hidden gem during a trip in 2021 when staying at a hotel near Tour Saint-Jacques).<\/p>\n Two strong coffees, two buttery croissants and a velvety pan au chocolate each would do the trick for filling us up ready for the big morning ahead. We\u2019d certainly need all those calories!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n After breakfast we\u2019d take the line 1 metro from Chatelet to Concorde, followed by a transfer to line 8 for Ecole Militaire. Use this Paris metro map pdf<\/a> to figure out the easiest way to get to Ecole Militaire. (The RER C line<\/a> to Champ de Mars Tour Eiffel is another option to consider if you have a direct link from the closest station to your hotel or breakfast spot.)<\/p>\n Back in daylight, we\u2019d take a slow walk through the lush green grassy areas of Champ de Mars to the Eiffel Tower. The whole place was closed off for the Paris Olympics during our July 2024 trip, which we were disappointed about \u2013 but it\u2019ll be back open and green as ever now. Walking northwest to the Eiffel Tower is superb for photos because the sun is directly behind at this time of morning, perfect for lighting.<\/p>\n We\u2019d have pre-booked tickets for the very first Eiffel Tower time slot to \u201cthe top with lifts\u201d at 9:00 AM. They cost \u20ac36.10 each which is pricey, but they\u2019d give us access to the 2nd floor and summit by lift which speeds things up. Other options include the 2nd floor only by steps or by lift, or the 2nd floor by steps followed by lift access to the summit. There are no steps to the top, otherwise we\u2019d have climbed them by now. All ticket options include 1st floor access \u2013 choosing 2nd floor or summit is deciding the highest point you\u2019ll visit, and they have different prices.<\/p>\n Tickets become available 60 days in advance \u2013 so Kristen would book ours on the exact day tickets for our date opened up. This would eliminate waiting in lines or losing time climbing 674 steps to the 2nd floor, before taking the summit lift. We\u2019ve been up the Eiffel Tower at least 5 times, and we\u2019ve walked up the steps every single time, so taking the lift from the ground would be a novelty! But this itinerary is fast and furious, so taking the time (and energy) saving lift would be essential.<\/p>\n From experience, we think the 2nd floor has better views than the summit. It\u2019s high enough to see everything but low enough to pick out landmarks, whereas everything appears tiny from the top. So don\u2019t worry too much if you can\u2019t get tickets to the top. Our favorite part about the summit wasn\u2019t being at 276 meters (906 feet), it was seeing a mock-up of Gustave Eiffel\u2019s private office. There\u2019s also a champagne bar at the top if you fancy a cheeky glass of champers at 9:30 AM.<\/p>\n We think the best route to take is lift (or walk) straight to 2nd floor, then immediately lift to the summit and beat the crowds. It\u2019s a tiny space up top so it\u2019s more relaxing with fewer people. Plus, visibility is usually better early in the morning. After the summit we\u2019d lift back to the 2nd floor, walk around and learn about the construction, enjoy better views, then walk to the 1st floor via the steps, stand on the terrifying glass floor, then walk the steps to the bottom. All in all, an hour and a half would be ample time.<\/p>\n Get organized<\/strong>: Online tickets sell out pretty much same day. We highly recommend booking tickets 60 days before your trip. If there aren\u2019t any advanced tickets left, you can still turn up and join a line to buy on the day tickets but you will lose time. Part of the reason we start with the Eiffel Tower first in our optimized itinerary is to beat the crowds by joining this line before the mid-morning rush when the queues get longer.<\/p>\n Tickets:<\/strong> The Eiffel Tower has lots of visiting options and price points based on the experience you want, the ages of your group and the time you want to go up. We won\u2019t list them all here, but for adults a basic 2nd floor ticket with steps costs \u20ac14.50, 2nd floor with lift costs \u20ac23.10, summit with steps to 2nd floor costs \u20ac27.50 and summit with lifts costs \u20ac36.10. Head over to the official site<\/a> to check all time slots, dates and ticket types.<\/p>\n Mark\u2019s insider tower tip<\/strong>: Some places in Paris are worth paying for a guided tour (like the Louvre) but the Eiffel Tower is not one of them. Unless you\u2019re uniquely interested in history or architecture, this is very much a do-it-yourself attraction.<\/p>\n Want to learn more?<\/strong> Read our guide on visiting the Eiffel Tower for the first time<\/a> so you know exactly what to expect.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n After quickly exiting the grounds, we\u2019d cross the Pont d\u2019lena, walk through the Trocadero Gardens and climb an attractive marble staircase leading up to Esplanade du Trocadero.<\/p>\n At the top, we\u2019d snap the quintessential shot of \u201cpinching the Eiffel Tower\u201d as you can see Kristen attempting in our photo below. It wasn\u2019t especially busy that cool morning in November 2023, but we remember weaving our way through immense crowds of people here on a previous visit in May 2018.<\/p>\n Plan for no longer than 15 minutes at Trocadero, snap photos of the tower and don\u2019t forget to try some fun perspective shots. Big on Instagram or TikTok? This is where to get your Eiffel Tower content. At this time of day the light isn\u2019t great because it\u2019s looking straight into the sun, so go back later at sunset or night if you want to get great photos or videos here.<\/p>\n Kristen\u2019s top safety tip<\/strong>: Be extra vigilant with your personal belongings and valuables around Trocadero. It\u2019s a hot spot for pickpockets (along with the base of the Eiffel Tower and the bottom of the steps near Sacre-Coeur in Montmartre). Get your photos and move on.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Next, we\u2019d walk 30 minutes along the bustling tree-lined Av. Kleber to the Arc de Triomphe. Don\u2019t fancy the walk? Hop on the metro line 6 from Trocadero to Charles de Gaulle Etoile instead.<\/p>\n We\u2019d stop at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, take photos of the mighty structure from below and then pay \u20ac16 each to climb to the observation deck at the top of the Arc. It\u2019s free for under 18\u2019s if you\u2019re visiting with the kids. You can also book tickets in advance at the official website<\/a>, but we paid in person on the day without issue in November 2023.<\/p>\n Honestly, we didn\u2019t expect the 284 steps to the top of Arc de Triomphe to be so tiring \u2013 prepare for another lung busting climb if you\u2019ve already climbed steps up the Eiffel Tower. Remember when we said we\u2019d need those extra calories at breakfast? This is why.<\/p>\n There\u2019s not an enormous amount to do at the Arc de Triomphe, but it\u2019s cool to see in person (not just the structure, but the chaos of the cars and bicycles going around it!) and the observation deck views are totally unique \u2013 looking directly down 12 long and straight avenues in the shape of a wheel with spindles.<\/p>\n Mark\u2019s insider photography tip<\/strong>: After going up the Eiffel Tower, Montparnasse Tower, Sacre-Coeur and the top of the Pompidou Center, Mark would say the Arc de Triomphe has some of the most visually striking views for pro photographers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n For us, the Avenue des Champs-Elysees is a bit overhyped. Sure, it\u2019s a fun street to walk down, especially if you\u2019re into shopping or fashion. But otherwise it\u2019s just like Fifth Avenue in NYC or Oxford Street in London \u2013 interesting to see an iconic street but there\u2019s not much else you get out of it.<\/p>\n That said, we know it\u2019s a spot most first-timers want to see in Paris so we kept it in our itinerary. After reaching the base of the Arc de Triomphe, we\u2019d walk straight down the famous street towards Place de la Concorde. The only places we\u2019ve stopped on previous trips were Galeries Lafayette to see the inside of the department store, and Moka Brunch & Coffee<\/a> for a quick on-the-go but delicious and affordable refuel (which we highly recommend).<\/p>\n Now, we\u2019ve allocated one hour to walk along the Champs-Elysees from the Arc de Triomphe to the Musee d\u2019Orsay, which is totally doable with a quick stop for coffee and takeaway food. But it is not enough time to also have a sit down lunch. If sitting down for lunch is non-negotiable for your visit, you\u2019ll have to find time by cutting an attraction or two.<\/p>\n Kristen\u2019s foodie tip<\/strong>: Back when we were travel newbies in 2018, we got ripped off at a brasserie along the Champs-Elysees. The food was terrible and the price brought tears to our eyes. If you want to eat lunch in this area, do your due dilligence on the quality of places available \u2013 don\u2019t just stumble into any old place and make the same mistake we did.<\/p>\n Other foodie options we\u2019d happily try for lunch nearby include Chez Gabrielle<\/a> for French food, Azur Cafe<\/a> for Mediterranean inspired brunch, or Bacha Coffee<\/a> for an elevated brunch and coffee experience.<\/p>\n Mark\u2019s planning tip<\/strong>: Don\u2019t forget to check the opening times of restaurants and cafes. Many eateries in Paris only open for a few hours at lunch time before closing for the afternoon and re-opening for dinner. This has always been one of our least favorite aspects of trip planning in Paris.<\/p>\n At the end of the Champs-Elysees, we\u2019d walk through Jardin des Tuileries beyond the Musee de l\u2019Orangerie<\/a> (which we enjoyed on a different visit to Paris but don\u2019t think is essential for a first timer with only 2 days), and cross the Seine to visit the Musee d\u2019Orsay \u2013 one of our favorite museums in Paris.<\/p>\n We\u2019d arrive with pre-booked tickets for the 1:30 PM time slot for \u20ac16 each, so we wouldn\u2019t have to stand in line to get inside (here\u2019s the official website<\/a> to book your tickets ahead of time). We actually like having time slot bookings when we travel because it forces us to stay tightly aligned with our itinerary, instead of drifting and wasting precious time.<\/p>\n Now, we know the Musee d\u2019Orsay\u2019s 5 floors featuring the world\u2019s largest collection of impressionist and post-impressionist art inside a vast former railway station doesn\u2019t sound like a quick stop. But it really doesn\u2019t need to take all day. In November 2023, we rented one audio guide to share for \u20ac6, then we spent an hour and a half finding the most important works and listening to the information. Honestly, it was way less overwhelming that we expected because pretty much everything we wanted to see was on the 5th floor.<\/p>\n We enjoyed seeing the most famous Impressionist masterpieces by Monet, Renoir, Degas and Manet \u2013 along with walking through the post-impressionist gallery to see works by Van Gogh and Cezanne. They were all on the top floor. We understand there are tons more historically important works in the museum, but we\u2019re not art experts, so we quickly walked through the remaining floors and left with time to spare.<\/p>\n Mark\u2019s photo tip<\/strong>: Don\u2019t miss the giant clock on the 5th floor for a completely unique photo opportunity. We loved the views over Paris with Sacre-Coeur on a hill in the distance through the massive clock, but it was also perfect for silhouetting Kristen within the deep shadows.<\/p>\n Kristen\u2019s must-remember tip<\/strong>: The Musee d\u2019Orsay is closed on Mondays. Do not make the mistake so many people do by turning up expecting to get in on a Monday. You won\u2019t, it\u2019s not open!<\/p>\n Guided tour option<\/strong>: If you\u2019re really interested in art and want to make the most of your visit to the Musee d\u2019Orsay, this top rated guided tour<\/a> is unmissable for you. It has sky high ratings and there\u2019s even a 1:30 PM starting time which fits perfectly with our itinerary.<\/p>\n From the Musee d\u2019Orsay it\u2019s just a short 15 minute walk to the world-famous Louvre Museum. We\u2019d have pre-booked tickets for the 3:30 PM time slot which cost \u20ac22 each, and we\u2019d both rent audio guides for \u20ac6 each. For the world\u2019s most visited museum, we don\u2019t think \u20ac28 is too bad (but there are big future changes planned<\/a> for the Louvre \u2013 including higher prices for non-EU residents).<\/p>\n We\u2019ve visited the Louvre twice and both times we made the same mistakes. We booked morning tickets (once at 9:00 AM and once at 11:00 AM), we entered through the main entrance that everyone knows about near the glass pyramid, we followed the crowds after entering, and we tried to see every single part of the museum.<\/p>\n But we won\u2019t make these same mistakes next time. Instead, we would book afternoon time slots to arrive after the morning rush people had hit their museum-wall, we\u2019d enter through a hidden entrance barely anyone knows about called Carrousel de Louvre located underground in the shopping mall (near an inverted pyramid) to cut down on the number of people in our time slot line, and we\u2019d only focus on the most iconic works of art located on the ground floor and 1st floor.<\/p>\n Doing it this way would mean two and a half hours is plenty of time to see the most important pieces, rather than the grueling 4-hour overcrowded experiences we had previously. We know it might sound like it\u2019s not long enough, but we\u2019re confident we\u2019d comfortably see highlights like Ramses II Statue (room 12) and Venus de Milo (room 345) on the ground floor \u2013 along with Winged Victory of Samothrace (room 703), Napoleon\u2019s Coronation (room 75) and of course the Mona Lisa (room 711) on the first floor within that time frame.<\/p>\n Tickets<\/strong>: \u20ac22 for adults, free for under 18\u2019s and EEA residents under 26. Audio guides are \u20ac6\/person. Here\u2019s the official site<\/a> to book your date, time slot and tickets.<\/p>\n Mark\u2019s top Paris planning tip<\/strong>: The Louvre stays open until 9:00 PM every Wednesday and Friday. If you can make it work, we strongly recommend planning your 2 days in Paris to include either a Wednesday or Friday so you can follow our itinerary and stay in the Louvre a bit later. It would reduce the time pressure from the rest of the day significantly, and it would be so much quieter inside. Wednesday (day 1) and Thursday (day 2) would be the perfect days for this itinerary.<\/p>\n Kristen\u2019s top Paris tour recommendation<\/strong>: Remember earlier when we said guided tours aren\u2019t necessary at the Eiffel Tower? Well, if there\u2019s one place in Paris we would splurge on a guided tour, it\u2019s the Louvre. And next time we absolutely will book this special closing time guided tour<\/a> with Take Walks that begins later in the day once the crowds leave. On Wednesday and Friday the tour is 5:45 PM \u2013 8:45 PM, or on Thursday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday it\u2019s 2:45 PM \u2013 5:45 PM (on these days you\u2019d have to cut time out somewhere else to arrive earlier).<\/p>\n The best alternative we can find is this guided tour<\/a> with a near perfect 5\/5 rating after more than 6,000 reviews \u2013 it\u2019s the highest rated tour we\u2019ve ever seen on Viator. Start times are 10:00 AM and 1:30 PM (except Wednesday and Friday which also includes a 5:00 PM tour). It doesn\u2019t matter if you book a guided tour that stars earlier because you can always reshape the day. This itinerary is just an example, but we do think the Louvre would be a better experience in the afternoon when it\u2019s quieter.<\/p>\n The biggest Louvre mistake to avoid<\/strong>: Do not plan to visit the Louvre Museum on a Tuesday, it is closed and you will not get in. We bet so many people have made this rookie mistake over the years. If your trip is a Tuesday and Wednesday, switch around the days in our itinerary to make it work with the later opening hours.<\/p>\n Want to learn more?<\/strong> Read our guide on visiting the Louvre for the first time<\/a> so you know exactly what to expect.<\/p>\n After the Louvre we\u2019d finish our first day with a cruise on the Seine (it could also be before sunset, during sunset or a night cruise depending on the time of year you visit). On previous visits to Paris, we\u2019ve always taken our no-frills Seine cruises with Bateaux-Mouches<\/a> which departed near the Eiffel Tower.<\/p>\n But now we\u2019d be at the Louvre (a long way from the Eiffel Tower), so what would we do instead? We\u2019d use a new no-frills Seine cruise operator called Vedettes du Pont Neuf<\/a> which departs on the western side of Ile de la Cite below the bridge, and costs \u20ac15 each. They all follow the same route, just with different start and end points. It\u2019s just a 10-minute walk from the Louvre, and these boat tours run frequently so the lines are never too long.<\/p>\n The cruise would take us past many of the famous monuments and museums in Paris, and for the fifth or sixth time, we would listen to the same live commentary explaining what we were looking at. And it would be a cheap, easy and relaxing way to end our long first day. After the cruise it would be a short walk to our hotel in the 4th arrondissement, and of course we\u2019d stop in for a quick glass of wine or two on the way back.<\/p>\n If you want to do something a bit more special, have a look for Seine cruises with dinner, music or even drinks included. A lot of the dinner boat tours we can find online get mixed reviews, but this one<\/a> has good ratings. It doesn\u2019t start until 8:30 PM so you\u2019d have plenty of time after the Louvre to get to the starting point which is very close to the Eiffel Tower and the Pont d\u2019lena.<\/p>\n Following our first day exactly is going to be long and tiring. If it sounds like too much to organize or too much walking around the city, there are a few ways you can slow the itinerary down.<\/p>\n The first thing we would do is cut the Arc de Triomphe and Champs-Elysees. They\u2019re cool to see, but they\u2019re not absolute must-visit places for a first Paris itinerary in our opinion. That would save almost 3 hours and leave just the Eiffel Tower, Musee d\u2019Orsay, Louvre and a Seine Cruise, which is doable even for slower travelers. You could also skip the same things and do the route in reverse \u2013 visit the Louvre early and see the Eiffel Tower at sunset or night.<\/p>\n Our next alternative would be to cut the Musee d\u2019Orsay if we weren\u2019t feeling massively in the mood for museums or art. That way we could free up a full 2 hours to focus our attention on the more famous Louvre or a longer lunch with drinks.<\/p>\n There is flexibility within this day, so use it as a baseline and adapt to better suit your preferences. We promise the second day is much calmer and less overwhelming!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n With all the big hitters out of the way in one epic first day in Paris, we\u2019d be excited to get started with our second day, which would be all about immersing ourselves into what makes the city so unique \u2013 cafe culture, food and charm.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t worry, we wouldn\u2019t just sit on street corners people watching with endless coffees and croissants. We would still pack in some seriously worthwhile attractions, and it would be totally stress-free. There are two places to consider adapting for, which we\u2019ll explain at the end.<\/p>\n We love getting a solid start to the day, so by 7:30 AM we\u2019d already be eating a croissant with our morning coffee at the same nearby boulangerie. But this time just the one pastry because we\u2019d have plans to eat a bigger brunch after visiting Saint-Chapelle right as it opened.<\/p>\n This one would be a big deal for us. The only time we made it inside Sainte-Chapelle was in November 2023 but it didn\u2019t go so well. We arrived somewhere around 3:00 PM thinking \u201cit\u2019s not the Louvre or Eiffel Tower, so we\u2019ll be fine\u201d. And of course we weren\u2019t. The line for pre-booked was slow, but the line for walk-ins was even slower.<\/p>\n In the end we waited well over an hour to gain entry as the time slot lines shuffled through ahead of us. It was well worth the wait, but we said next time we\u2019ll book in advance and we\u2019ll book the earliest time available. So we\u2019d arrive at 8:45 AM with 9:00 AM time slot tickets which cost \u20ac19 each for entry + \u20ac3 each for audio guides, and we\u2019d waltz straight though as two of the first people inside.<\/p>\n And once we got inside? The spectacular stained glass windows would blow us away all over again. The 15 large glass panels depicting 13th century stories are one of the most visually stunning photo spots we\u2019ve found anywhere in Paris. When sunlight filters through the windows, an intense and rich purple color envelops the chapel in a kind of mysterious and medieval way that feels incredibly immersive.<\/p>\n Almost next door to Sainte-Chapelle is the Conciergerie<\/a>, which was once a residence to the kings of France in the Middle Ages and a prison that held Marie Antoinette. We did think it was interesting and cool to see, but we absolutely would not say it\u2019s essential \u2013 so skip it unless you have a specific interest in its history. If you do want to see the Conciergerie, buy a combined ticket with Sainte-Chapelle for \u20ac20-25 (depending on season) to save a few euros.<\/p>\n After leaving Sainte-Chapelle, we\u2019d walk across the Pont Saint-Michel into the 5th arrondissement, also known as the Latin Quarter. We\u2019d take the narrow pedestrian-only Rue de la Huchette (this street gets lively at night so consider coming back if you want a party vibe) to Rue du Petit Pont and the place Kristen loves most for brunch in Paris, Kozy<\/a>.<\/p>\n We must have eaten at Kozy 6 or 7 times now (it\u2019s a Paris chain with 5 locations), and it never gets old. Kristen always gets the \u201challoumi benny\u201d with avocado, halloumi cheese, poached egg and paprika hollandaise sauce \u2013 and Mark loves the fresh fruit french toast.<\/p>\n Kristen\u2019s foodie tip<\/strong>: If Kozy isn\u2019t for you, our next choice is BO&MIE<\/a> on nearby Bd Saint-Michel \u2013 it\u2019s an upscale bakery with expensive but delicious pastries. We overindulge there every time!<\/p>\n After a hearty brunch and more coffee, we\u2019d walk a few steps to Shakespeare and Company bookstore<\/a> which is a real old-world treat. We love a unique bookstore and this one has a labyrinthine interior like something out of a movie. After a quick look around and maybe even buying a new book, we\u2019d hot-foot it to the majestic looking Pantheon \u2013 a mausoleum housing the remains of prominent French figures like Marie Curie, Victor Hugo and Voltaire.<\/p>\n We\u2019d pay \u20ac16 each to go in, plus \u20ac4 for one audio guide to share. If we\u2019re being honest we didn\u2019t listen to this audio guide as much as we could have when we visited in November 2023, but that was because we were just soaking up the impressive architecture instead. We loved the vast dome and Corinthian columns, as well as the Foucault\u2019s Pendulum which was a nice scientific surprise.<\/p>\n Honestly, we\u2019d say the Pantheon is a bit of a hidden gem on this itinerary because most people skip it. There is a viewing terrace on top of the building that has yet more striking views over Paris for a few extra euros, but at the time of our latest update to this guide, it is closed.<\/p>\n Tickets<\/strong>: \u20ac13-16 for adults, free for under 18\u2019s and under 26 for EU residents. Here\u2019s the official site<\/a> to book tickets. Even if you don\u2019t go inside, it\u2019s worth seeing from the outside and that doesn\u2019t cost a penny.<\/p>\n Mark\u2019s attraction tip<\/strong>: During trip in November 2023, we also visited the nearby Musee de Cluny<\/a> and although we enjoyed its medieval collection, we don\u2019t think it\u2019s a must-do for this 48 hour itinerary. Save it for the next time you visit Paris.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Unlike New York with Central Park, London with Hyde Park or Rome with Villa Borghese, Paris doesn\u2019t really have an outstanding green space. But Saint-Germain\u2019s beautiful Luxembourg Gardens is by far our favorite mini-green space in the city, so after leaving the Pantheon we\u2019d walk less than 10 minutes west on Rue Soufflot to the park\u2019s east entrance.<\/p>\n![\"Infographic](\"https:\/\/s39023.pcdn.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2030\/12\/paris-2-day-itinerary.jpg.optimal.jpg\" "\\"paris")
Day 1 Strategy: Major Attractions<\/span><\/h2>\n
Boulangerie: Breakfast With The Locals (7:30 AM \u2013 8:30 AM)<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/s39023.pcdn.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2030\/12\/hotel-des-arts-montmartre-breakfast.jpg.optimal.jpg\" "\\"hotel")
![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/s39023.pcdn.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2030\/12\/croissants-paris.webp\" "\\"croissants")
Stop 1: Eiffel Tower Summit At Opening (9:00 AM \u2013 10:30 AM)<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/s39023.pcdn.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/champ-du-mars-in-july.webp\" "\\"champ")
![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/s39023.pcdn.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/eiffel-tower-in-july.webp\" "\\"eiffel")
![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/s39023.pcdn.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/climbing-eiffel-tower-steps.webp\" "\\"climbing")
![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/s39023.pcdn.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/eiffel-tower-from-below.webp\" "\\"eiffel")
![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/s39023.pcdn.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/kristen-morgan-eiffel-tower.webp\" "\\"kristen")
Stop 2: Trocadero For The Iconic Photo (10:45 AM \u2013 11:00 AM)<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/s39023.pcdn.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/eiffel-tower-from-trocadero.webp\" "\\"eiffel")
Stop 3: Underrated Views At The Arc de Triomphe (11:30 AM \u2013 12:30 PM)<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/s39023.pcdn.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/arc-de-triomphe-paris.webp\" "\\"arc")
![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/s39023.pcdn.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/arc-de-triomphe-paris-view.webp\" "\\"arc")
![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/s39023.pcdn.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2030\/12\/mark-and-kristen-morgan-arc-de-triomphe.jpg.optimal.jpg\" "\\"mark")
Stop 4: Lunch Time Champs-Elysees Stroll (12:30 PM \u2013 1:45 PM)<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/s39023.pcdn.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/kristen-morgan-champs-elysees.webp\" "\\"kristen")
![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/s39023.pcdn.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/champs-elysees-paris.webp\" "\\"champs")
Stop 5: Highlights At Musee d\u2019Orsay (1:45 PM \u2013 3:15 PM)<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/s39023.pcdn.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/musee-d-orsay-art.webp\" "\\"musee")
![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/s39023.pcdn.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/starry-night-over-the-rhine.webp\" "\\"starry")
![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/s39023.pcdn.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/kristen-morgan-musee-d-orsay-clock.webp\" "\\"kristen")
Stop 6: Travel Expert\u2019s Way To Visit The Louvre (3:30 PM \u2013 6:00 PM)<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/s39023.pcdn.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/line-at-the-louvre.webp\" "\\"line")
![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/s39023.pcdn.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/mark-and-kristen-morgan-louvre.webp\" "\\"mark")
![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/s39023.pcdn.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/winged-victory-of-samothrace.webp\" "\\"winged")
![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/s39023.pcdn.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/kristen-morgan-inside-the-louvre.webp\" "\\"kristen")
![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/s39023.pcdn.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2030\/12\/venus-de-milo.webp\" "\\"venus")
![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/s39023.pcdn.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2030\/12\/louvre-crowds-inside.webp\" "\\"louvre")
![\"Artsy](\"https:\/\/s39023.pcdn.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/mona-lisa-photo.webp\" "\\"mona")
Stop 7: Evening Seine Cruise (6:30 PM \u2013 7:30 PM)<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/s39023.pcdn.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/seine-cruise.webp\" "\\"seine")
![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/s39023.pcdn.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/paris-seine-cruise.webp\" "\\"paris")
Adapting The First Day: How To Slow Down<\/span><\/h3>\n
Day 2 Strategy: Slowing Down For Culture & Food<\/span><\/h2>\n
Stop 1: Skip The Line As Sainte-Chapelle Opens (9:00 AM \u2013 10:00 AM)<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/s39023.pcdn.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/sainte-chapelle-line.webp\" "\\"sainte")
![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/s39023.pcdn.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/sainte-chapelle-paris.webp\" "\\"sainte")
![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/s39023.pcdn.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/mark-morgan-saint-chapelle.webp\" "\\"mark")
![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/s39023.pcdn.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2030\/12\/conciergerie-paris.webp\" "\\"conciergerie")
Stop 2: Brunch With The Tourists At Kristen\u2019s Favorite \u2013 Kozy (10:15 AM \u2013 11:15 AM)<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/s39023.pcdn.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/kozy-brunch-paris.webp\" "\\"kozy")
![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/s39023.pcdn.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/bo-mie-pastries-paris.webp\" "\\"bo")
Stop 3: Famous Tombs Of The Pantheon Crypt (11:30 AM \u2013 12:30 PM)<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/s39023.pcdn.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2030\/12\/shakespeare-and-co-paris.jpg.optimal.jpg\" "\\"shakespeare")
![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/s39023.pcdn.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/pantheon-paris.webp\" "\\"pantheon")
![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/s39023.pcdn.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2030\/12\/marie-curie-tomb-paris.jpg.optimal.jpg\" "\\"marie")
Stop 4: Lovely Luxembourg Gardens (12:45 PM \u2013 1:15 PM)<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/s39023.pcdn.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/kristen-morgan-luxembourg-gardens-paris.webp\" "\\"kristen")