Weekend in Paris (Itinerary for 48 to 72 Hours)

Looking for a short break to enjoy incredible cultural experiences, magnificent sights, beautiful gardens, and delicious gastronomy? 

Then, nothing will beat a weekend in Paris.

If you are planning to spend 2 or 3 days in the capital of France, this interesting itinerary combines every ingredient for a fantastic escape!

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Transportation from Charles De Gaulle Airport

If you manage to get to Paris on a Friday evening, start by reaching the city center from the Charles De Gaulle airport, you can get to the city by train.

The RER B line offers a direct connection between Paris (including the stations Denfert-Rochereau, Saint-Michel-Notre-Dame, Châtelet-Les-Halles, and Gare du Nord) and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport.

The train ride costs around €10 and the journey takes from 25 to 40 minutes, depending on which station you choose as your destination.

The ride is quite easy by train, but you might want to consider a private transfer or an official taxi ride in case you are a bit tired and don’t feel like getting on a train with your luggage.

Taxis have a fixed fee from the airport to the city center (around €58), transfer services might cost just a bit more, but you can be certain that they will be waiting for you in order to save you time!

If you’ve gotten to the city in time for dinner, then enjoy a traditional menu at any brasserie or restaurant and then head for a short walk by the Seine River to soak in the stunning night views of Paris.

Don’t overdo it though, go back to your hotel for a good night’s rest, as your first day in Paris packs quite a lot!

Paris Day 1

Start your Saturday with a hearty French breakfast at a traditional café.

There are plenty all over the city, and all of them offer a breakfast formule (or fixed menu) that generally includes a hot drink of your choice (such as coffee, hot chocolate, or tea), croissants or baguettes with butter and jam, and sometimes also some fresh orange juice.

Sit at an outdoor table and make sure to enjoy the experience!

 

Louvre Museum

Walk (or ride the metro) to your first visit of the day, one of the most visited places in Paris, the Louvre Museum!

Provided you have pre-purchased a skip-the-line ticket in advance, it will be easy to devote just a couple of hours to the visit.

If you didn’t, you might have to spend hours waiting in line before you manage to access, and a good chunk of your Paris weekend will be gone.

There are several skip-the-line tickets available according to your preferences; some of them include an audio guide for you to walk the museum at your own pace, and some others are guided by art specialists offering excellent value for money.

After two or three hours wandering the impressive exhibition halls of this massive museum, it is a good idea to take a short break in a nearby garden, the perfect solution to relax your sore feet for a while and then continue exploring Paris.

 

Tuileries Garden

There’s nothing like the Tuileries; this incredibly beautiful garden is located just opposite the museum. You will just need to cross the street to surround yourself with beautifully manicured gardens where you can sit and enjoy a delicious snack, such as a typical Parisian crepe.

Don’t worry, you will find a few good vendors inside the garden too.

Notre Dame Cathedral

Next up, walk towards the Seine River and walk to Notre Dame Cathedral. On your way, you will have plenty of opportunity to admire the sights of Paris, enjoy the architecture of the beautiful bridges that cross the river, and take some fantastic snapshots.

This pleasant walk will take you about 20 minutes. Once near Notre Dame, cross the river over the Pont au Change for a great view of this unique Gothic church, one of Paris’ most beloved landmarks.

 

Latin Quarter

Keep walking towards the Saint Michel metro station to visit a picturesque district, the Latin Quarter.

The area is full of gorgeous cafés and restaurants, an ideal stop for a quick Parisian lunch but also great for some interesting Paris souvenir shopping.

Book lovers will find a nice refuge at Shakespeare and Company, a prestigious old bookstore in Paris that has been selling both new and used books for decades.

Montmartre District

Now, it’s time to head out of the center to discover an amazing bohemian corner, the Montmartre district (18th arrondissement).

The fastest way to get there is by metro. Take line 4 at Cité metro station and get off at Château Rouge metro station.

Then, walk for about 10 minutes to arrive at the heart of the district, Sacré Coeur Basilica.

 

Provided there is no line to access the church, it won’t take you more than half an hour to explore the impressive Basilica, take some time to admire its beautiful domed ceilings, and then head outside to admire the views of Paris from a privileged point.

Spend some of the afternoon wandering around the neighborhood.

Among the places to visit is the fantastic Place du Tertre, where dozens of skilled artists paint or draw portraits and other pieces of art surrounded by a variety of little cafés and restaurants.

Also in the square, you can purchase small canvases by the artists, or, if traveling on a budget, head to some of the many souvenir shops for less expensive souvenirs.

This open-air art gallery represents the quintessential bohemian atmosphere of Paris, with its characteristic eighteenth-century buildings and its narrow cobbled streets.

 

Seine River Cruise

End your first full day in Paris with a cherry on top of the cake. Nothing is more magical than Paris at night when the lights turn on and the city is surrounded by a warm glow that makes everything look even more special.

The best way to see it all is by boat, sailing on the Seine!

A short cruise of the river that divides Paris in half will give you the chance to admire some of the most iconic sights, including the spectacular Eiffel Tower sparkling in the dark.

There are also cruises that include music, snacks, or even dinner. These are the ones I suggest checking out:

• Vedettes du Pont Neuf is one of the most prestigious local companies, which has been offering affordable one-hour Seine cruises for ages
• Bateaux Parisiens offers a Seine gourmet dinner and sightseeing cruise, perfect to combine delicious French dishes and amazing night views of the city

 

Day 2 in Paris

For day two in Paris, you will visit several more of the most extraordinary landmarks in Paris.

Eiffel Tower

On this second day in Paris, it is a good idea to start by exploring the amazing Eiffel Tower.

In fact, the earlier you will get there, the less crowded the place will be, offering better chances to take incredible photos of the tower.

If admiring Paris from the top floor of the tower is your dream, then remember to book the visit in advance.

Together with the Louvre, this is the most popular attraction in the city, and tickets are often sold out months before you even think of traveling to Paris!

You can check out availability to climb the tower by elevator, or you can save a few euros by climbing the 704 steps to the second viewing platform.

 

Arc de Triomphe

Once you’ve climbed down from the tower, take bus 30 to reach the Arc de Triomphe. The short ride (about 20 minutes) is a perfect opportunity to see some more of Paris while reaching another interesting landmark.

The Arc de Triomphe was built to commemorate Napoleon’s victories and to honor those who fought for France in the French Revolution and the Napoleonic wars.

 

Champs-Élysées

You can simply admire the impressive arch and the surrounding maze of avenues that converge to the monument, or head to the Avenue des Champs-Élysées for a walk and some window shopping.

Along this avenue you will find some of the most prestigious Paris boutiques, and even when prices can sometimes be too high for the normal solo traveler, there’s nothing wrong with daydreaming, right?

Place de la Concorde

You can walk along the avenue until you get to another beautiful place, the Place de la Concorde.

This is the biggest square in town, boasting several statues, beautiful fountains, and a remarkable obelisk that came all the way from Egypt.

Having a traditional Parisian lunch in the area will be easy; around the square, you will find several cafés and brasseries for an affordable midday menu.

Saint Germain des Prés

Spend the rest of the afternoon in Saint Germain des Prés, the 6th Parisian arrondissement is perfect to unwind and feel a little bit like a local.

To get there from Place de la Concorde, take the metro (Line 12) to Sevres-Babylone station, the ride is about 10 minutes.

Over here, other than the most authentic Parisian cafés, you will find several bookstores and publishing houses since this area of Paris was, back in the 1940s, the heart and soul of the existentialist movement that saw authors such as Jean-Paul Sartre or Simone de Beauvoir in action.

There are also some prestigious schools in Saint Germain, such as the School of Fine Arts, and several departments of the University of Paris.

Saint Germain is also the best place in Paris for foodies; over here you will find both Le Bon Marché department store as well as a place that has been dubbed the best grocery store in the world, La Grande Epicerie de Paris.

This is the right place where to purchase curious spices, cold cuts, baguettes, and chocolate, but also ideal to get yourself all the right ingredients for a picnic at the Luxembourg Garden, even a bottle of good French wine. Pack everything in your tote and head to the next stop of the day!

Saint Germain

Saint Germain is home to the imposing Luxembourg Gardens, where it is easy to spend hours admiring the manicured flower beds, the ponds, and the Baroque decorations.

The area features both English and French gardens and has been inspired by the Boboli Gardens in Florence.

Over here, devote some time to visiting the spectacular seventeenth-century Church of Saint Sulpice, the second-biggest church in Paris.

Saint Sulpice is located on a fantastic square, Place Saint Sulpice, close to the Jardin du Luxembourg.

The church houses the only fresco painted by Delacroix as well as an impressive organ.

And if you are a movie fan, you might even recognize the church as it was the set of much of The da Vinci Code movie.

 

Extra time in Paris?

If you have an extra morning before the departure, it can be a good idea to plan a walk in the city center, for instance in the 4th arrondissement.

Le Marais

This fashionable district, Le Marais, offers a lot to do.

You can get lost in the small alleys hosting the city’s Jewish Quarter and try delicious kosher food in the several restaurants and eateries scattered all over the area.

But Le Marais offers more; there are dozens of quirky boutiques, gay bars, art galleries, and elegant arcades to explore.

And if museums fascinate you, take some time to visit the Victor Hugo Museum, hosted in the former house of the popular French writer and author of the masterpiece, the Count of Montecristo.

Also at Le Marais, the fantastic Maison Européen de la Photographie offers excellent photography exhibitions to inspire your future shots of Paris.

Final Thoughts

Paris is a city with hundreds of activities and plenty of entertainment to spend two days or two years.

This guide includes some of the traditional sights but also some off-the-beaten-track visits. Pick those that tickle your curiosity and make the best of your weekend in Paris.

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