Two-Day Paris Itinerary

By Katie Sagal

Traveling to Paris but only have two days to soak up all the sights and sounds? It’s not only possible to see a representative slice of Paris in just a weekend, but it’s also a delightful way to squeeze in a quick vacation! We’ve put together a two-day itinerary for those weekend getaways to Paris. These ideas will give you a starting point for your explorations, and help you to make the most of your brief time in the city. Our sample itinerary for two days in Paris includes the following:

  • The Louvre
  • Musée de l'Orangerie
  • Champs Élysées Shopping
  • Hop-on Hop-off Paris Bus Tour
  • Eiffel Tower
  • Paris River Cruise

Day 1: The Louvre

A museum so renowned that it practically needs no introduction, the Louvre is one of the finest collections of art in the entire world. It’s the perfect place to visit on your first day in Paris, with so many iconic works of art, sculpture, and more to be found within its unique walls. The Louvre is also a remarkable structure in and of itself—the I.M. Pei-designed pyramids are gorgeous, perfectly Instagrammable architectural marvels. Plan to devote an entire morning to the Louvre, and leave a little time to just hang out in the courtyards outside the museum to people-watch.

Musée de l'Orangerie

Take a stroll through the inimitable Jardin des Tuileries (a seventeenth-century pleasure garden filled with elaborate botanical structures and statues) to get to your next attraction, the Musée de l'Orangerie. This unique museum combines its twentieth-century European art collection with one singularly remarkable gallery—a collection of eight water lily murals by Monet. It’s a singular experience to stand within the Monet gallery and turn in every direction to see those signature water lilies in every direction. This modestly-sized museum should take about an hour or so to explore fully.

Image of Adult, Female, Person, Woman, Bag, Handbag, Male, Man, Pants, Pedestrian, Champs Élysées Shopping

End your day with a bit of retail therapy. You’re just steps from the Champs-Élysées neighborhood, which is notable for the Arc de Triomphe as well as its extensive luxury retail offerings. These days, you’ll also find some fast fashion, athletic apparel, and cosmetics alongside the iconic boutiques and signature European fashion houses. Other highlights of the neighborhood include the Grand Palais and the Champs-Élysées Garden, should you prefer to sightsee more instead of acquiring your next big fashion item. Plan to devote the remainder of your afternoon to exploring this exciting neighborhood.

Day 2: Hop-on Hop-off Paris Bus Tour

Start your second day in Paris with a comprehensive bus tour that will escort you around the city’s best landmarks. This hop-on hop-off option from Big Bus Paris is an excellent choice, with eleven premier stops including the Notre Dame, the Paris Opera House, the Grand Palais, and more. Use the bus to get around the city, or just ride the whole loop to enjoy the sightseeing. This fully-narrated tour is offered in more than eight languages, so no need to brush up on your French before visiting! If you choose to stay on the bus for the entire loop, set aside about two and a half hours.

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The Eiffel Tower is one of the most recognizable structures in the entire world, so it’s a must-visit on your weekend in Paris itinerary. Use the hop-on hop-off bus tour to get here, and then stroll around the grounds. One of our favorite Instagram photos is a shot looking up at the Eiffel Tower from below! We especially like the way the Eiffel Tower looks at night when it’s illuminated and brilliant against the modern Paris skyline. So, it’s also an option to save this attraction until later in the day. Please keep in mind that you will need separate tickets if you’d like to go inside.

Paris River Cruise

After you’ve enjoyed a walk around the Eiffel Tower, or perhaps a picnic beneath it (one of our favorite ways to truly experience the city like a local), take a quick walk to the waterfront and hop aboard the Paris River Cruise. The Seine is a magnificent body of water, providing stellar views of the crowded city along its banks. Some of the sights you’ll enjoy from your vessel include Musée D'Orsay, Tuileries Gardens, Grand Palais, and, of course, the Eiffel Tower. Your cruise will last approximately one hour, leaving you plenty of time to find that perfect restaurant for dinner and wine.

Save on Admission to Paris Attractions

Payless to visit the attractions on this weekend in Paris itinerary with a Go Paris pass. Pay just 95 Euro for admission to these and other great attractions. This is an excellent value for those who want to scope out the best museums!

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Katie Sagal
Go City Travel Expert

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Magnolia blossom beside the Eiffel Tower in Paris in April
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What to do in Paris in April

April is such an extraordinary time of year to visit Paris that there’s even a song about it which has been recorded by everyone from Ella Fitzgerald to Frank Sinatra. The month sees café and brasserie tables spill out onto elegant boulevards once more, flowers erupt in bloom and several major annual events take place. With the mercury steadily rising in thermometers across the French capital’s 20 arrondissement (neighborhoods), Paris in April is a great month to explore its many outdoor attractions. Its museums provide welcome respite from any incoming rain showers. What’s more, the crowds of summer are yet to descend on Paris, and hotel prices are still for the most part significantly below their peak. Wondering if spring in the City of Light is for you? Check out the array of things to do in Paris in April below. Get outdoors Although it’s the grand boulevards like the Champs-Élysées which are the focus of events such as the Bastille Day celebrations, Paris has several unmissable green spaces. The best-known name is perhaps the Bois de Boulogne, a former royal hunting ground gifted to the city by Napoleon III in 1852 and home to attractions including the Château de Bagatelle. Public access to the Jardin des Tuileries, between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde, dates to almost two centuries earlier. Its formal layout has become a place of celebration and relaxation. It’s also the location of the Musée de l'Orangerie, containing eight of Monet’s larger Water Lilies masterpieces. The highlight of the Jardins du Trocadéro has to be its views across the River Seine to the Eiffel Tower, although the creatures at the Paris Aquarium come a close second. Outside of the city, the gardens of the Palace of Versailles are usually free to enter, except for when their musical gardens and fountains shows are on. The shows start in April and continue several times per week until October. Experience easter in Paris Taking place in April or at the very end of March, easter has transcended its religious origin to become a festival which anyone can enjoy. Beyond the services of Holy Week, Paris’s churches host an array of classical music concerts. Often, all you need to do is turn up at the advertised time. But you can also do far worse than admiring the window displays of the patisseries and chocolateries of Paris, who go out of their way to outdo each other. Stepping across the threshold for a sneaky sample is a must. Chocolate is a key element of the easter egg hunts put on by organizations and major hotel chains too. But if you’re looking for a more rounded meal, be warned that most restaurants close on Easter Sunday and Monday. Parisians take to the parks for picnics instead. Take part in mass participation events As funfairs go, none are older than the Foire du Trône – or Throne Fair – in the Pelouse de Reuilly area of the Bois de Vincennes. Spread over 25 acres, the space provides temporary residence to 350 rides and stalls throughout April and May for a fair over a thousand years old. Now in its fifth decade, the Paris Marathon has to be one of the most unusual ways to take in the landmarks. One of the largest races in the world, with up to 65,000 participants, its route begins on the Champs-Élysées and follows the Seine eastward past the Eiffel Tower before doubling back towards its finish line at the Arc de Triomphe. One of Europe’s leading contemporary art shows, Art Paris also takes place in April. It brings together the collections of around 150 galleries from 20 countries within the impressive modern glass and steel structure of the Grand Palais Éphémère opposite the Eiffel Tower. Curated by a different figure in the art world each year, it’s one of the city’s most anticipated art events. Adopt the Paris style If you’ve a fondness for style, then Paris doesn’t disappoint. For one thing, the world’s style capital boasts its very own Museum of Decorative Arts. Located within the majestic surrounds of the Pavillon de Marsan – part of the Louvre complex – the museum contains over one million objects. They span centuries of decorative arts and include furniture, wallpapers and ceramics. But you certainly don’t need to head into the hallowed halls of the Louvre to become acquainted with Paris’ legendary elegance. Sit at a café table anywhere from Rue Bonaparte in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood to Rue Faubourg du Saint-Honoré, where luxury brands are based, and you can people watch with abandon. Then consider heading to Boulevard Haussmann and the flagship store of Galeries Lafayette. Its intricate interiors are worthy of museum space in their own right. What to wear in Paris in April Dominated by the arrival of spring, the weather in Paris in April is generally good. Average daily temperatures hit 15°C, but can occasionally fall as low as 10°C. Anticipate seven hours of sunshine per day. Rain is also frequent, although light, with just 25 mm falling during the entire month. As a result, most visitors to Paris in April will want a light jacket for the early mornings, late evenings and the breeze that whips through the upper stories of the Eiffel Tower. There’s otherwise little wind to worry about. Wearing layers will ensure you’re ready for anything, whether riding the roller coasters of the city’s theme parks, drifting along the Seine on a river cruise or hanging above the city in a hot air balloon. Save on April Paris attraction admission April is a great month to travel to Paris. Outside of the easter period, hotels tend to have reduced nightly rates and the city’s major landmarks are yet to see the crowds of summer. But this is not the only way to save on a vacation in gay Paris. Go City gives you reduced admission to many Paris attractions whilst still giving you the flexibility you would expect to have on vacation. It’s really as simple as that.
Ian Packham
Paris bars
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Best bars in Paris

Paris has long been known for its lengthy list of top restaurants serving bottles of rich French wine. But for a proper night in the city, where do you go? In recent years we’ve seen a boom of rooftop bars, cocktail parlors and champagne clubs serving our favorite tipples. So whether you’re looking for a late-night hangout or creative cocktail menu, take your pick of classic American bars, jazz venues and the best wine bars in Paris. Our list of the 10 best bars in Paris includes... Buddha Bar The Bar Hemingway Willi’s Wine Bar La Terrasse at Hôtel Raphael And more! Buddha Bar Paris The famous Buddha Bar is not exactly understated. Walk in and you’ll be greeted by an eight-meter Buddha followed by rich red interiors and dripping chandeliers. First opened in the 1990s, the Asian-themed institution has kept its style and ‘it crowd’ vibe. The drinks might be pricey but the experience is worth it. Clown Bar A bar named after clowns may not sound appealing but this Parisian favorite is less creepy jesters and more fantastic French food and wine. The historic venue was once the former canteen for the 19th-century winter circus, Cirque d’Hiver. Now a natural wine list attracts insiders and those who remember to book ahead. Harry’s New York Bar Fans of the Bloody Mary won’t want to miss Harry’s New York Bar, home of the hair of the dog. Since 1911, this legendary Parisian bar opened to comfort homesick Americans and has done so ever since. Now drinkers from every city flock to sip a martini or nibble a hot dog at one of the world’s best bars. Willi’s Wine Bar For more than 30 years, Mark Williamson has run the legendary Willi’s Wine Bar on the Rue des Petits Champs. The bright blue entrance leads to a contemporary lit room decorated with Willi’s own recognizable art prints. Run by an Englishman, the bar welcomes locals and tourists to taste excellent wine among good company. Fréquence For a French cocktail experience, head to Fréquence, a local hangout that as its names suggests, has many recurring fans. A long counter of soul and reggae vinyls are lined up for playing with a diverse range of cocktails on the menu. Frenchie Wine Bar - Bar à Vins Self-described as a place to share, sip, taste, talk, meet and mingle, the Frenchie Wine Bar is not surprisingly full of friends chattering over a few glasses. Head here early (when the bar opens at 6.30PM) to grab a stool and pick from the fantastic wine list. You’ll also want to order a selection of small plates prepared from the open kitchen. The Bar Hemingway Bar Hemingway is famous for many things - its lavish location at the Ritz Paris, its award-winning legendary barman Colin Field and of course, its former frequent visitor that gave the bar its name. Taking a seat in one of the bar’s 25 armchairs, you’re immediately transported back to a time of glamor and glitz, where F Scott Fitzgerald and Ernst Hemingway discovered a mutual love for drinking and writing. Choose from over 20 cocktails including Serendipity, Field’s famous creation. La Terrasse at Hôtel Raphael In the summer months, Parisians flock to alfresco cafés, picnics by the Seine River and suntrap terraces. To catch rays on a rooftop, La Terrasse is an elegant hangout on the 7th floor of the Hôtel Raphael. The garden terrace bar opens in spring, serving champagne, cocktails and fine wine against a panoramic 360° view over the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and the Sacré Cœur. Le Caveau des Oubliettes Head down into the Parisian catacombs and you’ll find more than skulls and crossbones. The eerie underground tunnels happen to provide a perfect stage for Le Caveau des Oubliettes. The intimate live music bar hosts pop-rock nights, and jazz jam boogaloo on Tuesdays - just watch out for the guillotine and torture instruments! Le Dokhan’s Bar With over 240 bottles on the menu, Le Dokhan’s Bar is the place to drink a few glasses of bubbles in Paris. The city’s original Champagne bar is rooted in luxurious tradition, serving the finest bottles available from household names and family estates in the Champagne region. The antique furnishings are a match for the decadent menu where you can pair a Dom Pérignon with a side of caviar. Save on admission to Paris attractions Explore the top things to do in Paris with the Go Paris pass. Select from top attractions with our flexible sightseeing passes where you’ll get access to museums, river cruises, bike rental, walking tours and other fun ways to explore the French capital. Share your adventure with us Tag @GoCity in your vacation photos and we'll feature you on our page. Follow the Go City Instagram and Facebook pages for competitions, special offers, and events and inspiration for your chosen destination too.
Eppie Shepherd
Couple holding a heart-shaped umbrella in front of the Eiffel Tower.
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Things to do in Paris when it Rains

Paris is that rarest of creatures: a city that’s beautiful both inside and out. Sure, you came here to stroll those swoonsome parks and boulevards arm-in-arm with your beau (or belle), to hand feed each other fresh fruits and fromages from the famous street markets and, of course, to pledge your undying love (and snap some selfies, natch) on the Pont des Arts. But there’ll be more than enough time for all that nonsense after it stops raining. In the meantime, don your most fashionable trenchcoat and ankle boots and dive into our guide to the best things to do in Paris when it rains, from world-class museums and galleries to chic shopping arcades, cozy cafés and subterranean mausoleums. The Best Rainy Day Museums and Galleries in Paris If you’re looking for something to do on a rainy day in Paris, the extraordinary museums and galleries that pepper the city should be your first port of call. There are well in excess of 100 across the city’s 20 arrondissements and here, for your delectation, are some of the finest. The Louvre This one needs no introduction, but we’re going to give it one anyway. With somewhere in the region of eight million annual visitors, the Louvre is the world’s most-visited museum. Unsurprising, perhaps, when you consider that it just happens to contain the Venus de Milo and da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, alongside many other priceless treasures; a collection that charts the whole history of humanity’s artistic endeavors. It’s the kind of place you can easily spend an entire day (indeed, it’s estimated that it would take 200 days to view all the art on display), so shake off your umbrella and settle in for the long haul. Musée d’Orsay Just across the Seine, Musée d’Orsay’s relatively compact size makes it a little more manageable for the casual art enthusiast. Step through the doors of this stunningly converted Beaux-Arts railway station for the planet’s largest collection of Impressionist and post-Impressionist art. We’re talking pieces by many of the movement’s masters: Monet, Manet, Renoir, Rodin, Van Gogh, Cézanne, Degas, Gaugin... the list goes on and on. Musée du Vin You might think you’ve died and gone to the grape beyond at the intoxicating Musée du Vin, where atmospheric vaulted cellars set the perfect scene for a glass of the good stuff. Discover the history of Champagne- and wine-making in these subterranean limestone caves, once used by the Order of Minim friars in the 15th Century, before sampling the delicious spoils of the museum’s own vineyard. Musée National Gustave Moreau This one’s a cracker, especially if you’ve just dragged yourself in from the rain-soaked streets with zero prior knowledge of what to expect. Spoiler alert: it’s not like the other museums. The former Moreau family home, this eye-popping extravaganza of 19th-century Symbolist art is dedicated to the life and works of Gustave Moreau, known for his somewhat trippy compositions featuring mythical creatures, otherworldly flora and hallucinatory hellscapes. Printed guides containing often rambling commentaries from the man himself, as well as a quite spectacular spiral staircase, add to the disorienting nature of the place. Musée Édith Piaf You’ll regret rien about a trip to the fascinating Musée Édith Piaf, a tiny apartment in the 20th arrondissement that was once home to the legendary Parisian chanteuse. The carefully curated collection of Piaf’s personal belongings here includes photographs, fan mail, platinum records and her famous black dress. Tours are by appointment only. Afterwards, brave the rain to visit the Little Sparrow’s final resting place in nearby Père Lachaise Cemetery. Check out our full guide to the best museums and galleries in Paris here. Rainy Day Shopping And, if museums don’t float your rainy-day boat, perhaps Paris’s legendary opportunities for retail therapy will. There’s everything from luxury mega-malls to grab-a-bargain flea markets and highbrow bookstores to keep the incurable shopaholic entertained, and these three are absolute wet-weather must-dos... Galeries Lafayette Haussmann A trip to the iconic Galeries Lafayette Haussmann can feel more like a religious experience than a mere shopping trip, thanks to its ornate galleries, five-story atrium and soaring glass-and-steel cupola. A cathedral to capitalism, it houses an A to Z of household-name and designer brands; 65,000 square meters of retail space that runs the gamut from Armani to Zadig & Voltaire, punctuated by bistros, cafés, salons and more. Once you’ve shopped til you’re (nearly) ready to drop, hit up the roof terrace (with your just-bought Prada parapluie, natch) for restorative widescreen views across Paris. Pro-tip: Galeries Lafayette also runs a variety of achingly Parisian add-on experiences including a catwalk fashion show and a macaron-making class. Booking is essential. Undercover Shopping Tailor-made for rainy days, Paris’s covered shopping arcades are an atmospheric throwback to more gentile times. Stroll beneath stained-glass ceilings, browse old-school wood-fronted stores and admire intricate mosaic tiling, ornate stucco clocks, and iron-and-glass domes and canopies in these masterclasses of 19th-century architecture. There are 20 or so of these elegant covered passages to explore around the 1st-9th arrondissements, each promising a tempting variety of bakeries and bistros, plus any number of chic boutiques, antique emporia, watchmakers, jewelers and bookstores, where great stacks of antiquarian books pile precipitously in corners and defy gravity on groaning, overstocked shelves. A Bonanza for Bookworms If ye delightful olde Librairie du Passage bookstore in Passage du Jouffroy has whet your appetite for yet more bookish pursuits, you’re in luck! Paris is an absolute mecca for book lovers, not least in the storied streets of its characterful Latin Quarter, a bohemian enclave on the Seine’s left bank once frequented by Ernest Hemingway, Gertrude Stein, F. Scott Fitzgerald, James Joyce and other such literary luminaries. Sit out the wet weather devouring a classic in one of the district’s hip café bars, popping out between showers to bag some more books in the semi-legendary treasure trove that is English-language bookstore Shakespeare and Company. Or wander down the Seine to find the Bouquinistes of Paris: a veritable army of booksellers that line the left bank, offering up a smorgasbord of antiquarian tomes, literary classics, childrens’ books, poetry, graphic novels, pulp fiction, art and more. And That’s Not All... No need to let a little rain dampen your sightseeing spirits. A Citroën 2CV tour is a great way to take in the city sights without necessarily setting a foot outdoors. Fun rain or shine, these whistlestop tours take in all the major landmarks and can cram in as many as three passengers at a time. Take the edge off any potential discomfort by booking one of the champagne packages. Or dodge the downpours by heading underground into the secret city that is the Paris Catacombs – a vast network of bone-chilling tunnels, passageways, sewers and secret chambers. This epic labyrinthine ossuary contains the mortal remains of some six million Parisians, relocated here from overflowing Paris cemeteries in the 18th and 19th centuries. So perhaps not one for a first date. If all else fails, simply do as the Parisians do when it rains: find a cute streetside café, order a croissant and a café crème and find yourself a prime seat for people-watching by the windows – at least until they fog up. Save on rainy day activities in Paris Save on admission to Paris attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak

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