Paris in two days?
Possible for Eiffel, Louvre and one neighbourhood — three days feel much less rushed.
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Paris Travel Guide
Things to do in Paris — Left Bank cafés, Haussmann boulevards and golden hour on the Seine
Why visit Paris
Paris lives on café terraces, Louvre masterpieces, Eiffel Tower sparkle, Seine strolls and village-like arrondissements — the benchmark city-break destination.
Paris is a stop in France, not a country-in-a-weekend. Plan about 3 days. If time is short, prioritise Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Notre-Dame Cathedral (and Ile de la Cite) instead of racing the whole list. Mid-range ground costs are about 100–180 EUR per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: April–June and September–October for mild weather and fewer crowds. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.
Best time
April–June and September–October for mild weather and fewer crowds
Weather
Oceanic — mild winters; warm summers; occasional heat waves in August
Airport
Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Orly (ORY); Beauvais (BVA) for budget carriers
Getting around
Navigo Easy or contactless for Métro; Vélib bikes; RER for Versailles and CDG
Experiences
Things to do in Paris
1
Eiffel Tower
2
Louvre Museum
3
Notre-Dame Cathedral (and Ile de la Cite)
4
Sacre-Coeur and Montmartre
5
Arc de Triomphe and Champs-Elysees
6
Musee d'Orsay
7
Seine river cruise
8
Palace of Versailles day trip
Budget travel
Free things to do in Paris
Notre-Dame Cathedral (and Ile de la Cite)
Promenade Plantée elevated park
Square du Vert-Galant tip of Île de la Cité
Mostly free or pay-what-you-like — always double-check opening times and any seasonal fees before you go.
Plan your trip
Paris itinerary (3 days)
- 1
Day 1
Classic icons
- Eiffel Tower summit or second floor
- Trocadéro gardens
- Seine river cruise at dusk
- Champs-Élysées to Arc de Triomphe
- 2
Day 2
Art and islands
- Louvre Museum highlights
- Notre-Dame exterior and Île de la Cité
- Saint-Germain-des-Prés café stop
- Latin Quarter dinner
- 3
Day 3
Montmartre and Marais
- Sacré-Cœur and Place du Tertre
- Moulin Rouge exterior photo stop
- Marais falafel lunch and boutiques
- Musée d'Orsay Impressionists
Prefer a full 5-day trip with costs and FAQs? Read the Paris itinerary guide.
Budget
Paris trip cost
Budget
EUR 60–90
per person / day
Mid-range
EUR 100–180
per person / day
Luxury
EUR 250+
per person / day
Museum passes and metro are reasonable — fine dining and Left Bank hotels push luxury tier. Figures exclude international flights.
Trip budget estimator
Typical mid-range for Paris
Estimated total (USD)
$3,265
≈ $1,633 per person · $466 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $195/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Paris mid-range ground costs (budget 60–90 · mid 100–180 · luxury 250+ EUR/day). Edit freely — flights vary by origin.
Neighbourhoods
Where to stay in Paris
Le Marais
Best for: Boutique hotels
Central, walkable and full of cafés
Saint-Germain-des-Prés
Best for: Classic Paris
Literary cafés near Luxembourg Gardens
Opéra / 9th
Best for: Value
Good metro hub with department stores
Where to eat
Local favourites
- $
Bouillon Chartier
French · Belle Époque canteen Parisians still love
- $$
Breizh Café
Crêpes · Best crêpes in the Marais — locals' pick
- $
Du Pain et des Idées
Bakery · Celebrated escargot pastry bakery
- $
L'As du Fallafel
Falafel · Marais street-food legend
Where to stay
Tourist favourites & top-rated
- $$$$
Le Meurice
1st arr. · Palace hotel facing the Tuileries
- $$$$
Hôtel Plaza Athénée
8th arr. · Avenue Montaigne icon
- $$$
Hôtel des Grands Boulevards
2nd arr. · Design favourite by Experimental Group
- $$$
Hôtel Providence
10th arr. · Boutique favourite near Canal Saint-Martin
Shopping
- Le Marais boutiques
- Galeries Lafayette
- Saint-Ouen flea market
- Rue de Rivoli department stores
Nightlife
- Canal Saint-Martin wine bars
- Oberkampf
- Pigalle
- Seine riverfront at dusk
Museums & culture
- Louvre Museum
- Musée d'Orsay
- Centre Pompidou
Local foods to try
- Baguette and viennoiserie
- Steak frites
- Onion soup
- Macarons
Hidden gems
- Promenade Plantée elevated park
- Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature
- Square du Vert-Galant tip of Île de la Cité
Travel tips
- Book Louvre and Eiffel timed slots online
- Watch for pickpockets on Métro Line 1 and tourist hotspots
- Many restaurants close between lunch and dinner — check hours
In pictures
Paris gallery
Photos: Yann Caradec from Paris, France, P e z i, DXR, Guilhem Vellut from Paris, France, Kainet — via Wikimedia Commons
Good to know
Paris travel FAQs
Versailles day trip?
Worth a full day — go early Tuesday–Sunday; palace closed Mondays.
What are the best things to do in Paris?
Top picks in Paris include Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Notre-Dame Cathedral (and Ile de la Cite), Sacre-Coeur and Montmartre. See the full list and itinerary on this Paris travel guide.
When is the best time to visit Paris?
April–June and September–October for mild weather and fewer crowds.
How many days do I need in Paris?
Plan at least 3 days in Paris for the highlights on our suggested itinerary; add more time for day trips.
Where should I stay in Paris?
Base yourself in Le Marais (Boutique hotels), Saint-Germain-des-Prés (Classic Paris), Opéra / 9th (Value). Pick the area that matches your trip style, then book within walking distance of transit or main sights.
Keep exploring
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