The perfect weekend in Paris

UPDATED JULY 2024
By Ian Packham
A panorama of Paris and the Eiffel Tower with an orange sky

A popular way to visit Paris is over a weekend short break. This is not because Paris is limited in its sights. On the contrary, its long list of landmarks and attractions makes the French capital one of the most recognizable cities in the world.

So why opt for a weekend in Paris? For all its heritage and architectural prowess, Paris is a city that is constantly evolving. Never the same twice, a short city break gives you the option to return again and again, revisiting favorite haunts and discovering what has changed in the intervening months or years.

At the same time, a two or three day trip to Paris will give you the perfect dose of the city’s magic and romance, from its museum collections to its nightlife.

How to plan for your weekend in Paris

To get the most out of your weekend of wonder, don’t forget the following helpful tips:

  • Most museums in Paris are closed on Mondays, making it a good day for heading home. It’s best to plan long weekends in Paris to last from Friday to Sunday.
  • The weather can be fickle – the five-day forecast is going to be your best friend.
  • Use Go City and save big on attraction admission costs.

Day 1

Morning

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Having checked into your hotel – and it’s well worth booking somewhere central with just a couple of days to play with – shake off the jet lag with a cruise along the River Seine with Bateaux Parisiens.

A fantastic way to acquaint yourself with the French capital, the landmark attractions come thick and fast. You’ll glide beneath a myriad of ancient bridges, taking in the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral along the way.

Swap the river’s gentle flow for the city streets to continue your tour with a Hop-on Hop-off sightseeing bus, using your flexible ticket to stop for crepe or French pastries along the way.

Disembark again at the Arc de Triomphe, mounting its 330 steps to reveal 360° views across the city’s central districts, including the grand tree-lined avenue of the Champs-Élysées. Running in a perfectly-straight line for almost two kilometers, it’s one of Europe’s best spots for a touch of window shopping.

Afternoon

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Having ticked off many of the main attractions on your first morning, you can spend the afternoon experiencing the city like a local. We’d suggest heading to the much-loved tow paths of Canal Saint-Martin.

Zigzagging its way north from the Seine, its Quai de Valmy stretch has a wonderful authenticité. It’s brought to life by its rough-around-the-edges elegance and tranquil ambience. They are married with oh-so Parisian wrought-iron pedestrian bridges, which lead towards a plethora of places to rest your feet with a cup of the finest coffee.

Evening

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A few metro stops to the west, South Pigalle is the latest name in cool, although its pedigree goes back quite some way. Seen as an under-the-radar alternative to Montmartre by some, ‘SoPi’ is the home of the Moulin Rouge cabaret club, whose shows have been wowing visitors on and off since it first opened in 1889.

Stylish restaurants and bars ripple out from rue des Martyrs, with Buvette and Victor just two places where you’ll count yourself lucky if you manage to bag a table. Follow up your meal by checking out a concert at Bus Palladium or propping up the cocktail bar in the atmospheric interior of Dirty Dick, hidden behind an unprepossessing exterior.

Day 2

Morning

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If you’re up for an early morning start on day 2 of your weekend in Paris and have a keen eye for a bargain, look no further than the outdoors stalls of the Beauvau Market. They’re ready to do their first deals of the day from 7:30AM.

Also known as the Marché d’Aligre, inside three magisterial halls you’ll find an expansive array of foodstuffs, whilst out on the street the grocers and coffee grinders give way to tables piled high with vintage objects and antiques.

For those of us keen to linger a little in our hotel rooms, there’s the Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen north of Montmartre and the Basilica of the Sacré-Coeur. A flea market (swap meet) with an impressive 1700 individual stallholders, there’s everything from rare vinyl records to original Louis XV furniture. It also has a respectable start time of 10AM, although it can be visited right through to the early evening.

Afternoon

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It’s mid-afternoon which is the best time to explore the unrivalled collection of treasures at the Louvre, since the crowds around the Mona Lisa and Liberty Leading the People start to diminish from around 3PM. However, there’s still plenty of time before the museum closes its doors to absorb its wealth of historic objects and artworks.

Then cross the Seine at the Pont Neuf, or ‘New Bridge’, ironically now the oldest bridge connecting Paris’s left and right banks. It first opened to traffic in 1607. Continue on the road south for just a few hundred meters to the gates of the Jardin du Luxembourg, which were planned only five years after the construction of the Pont Neuf, and play a significant part in the plot of Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables.

Edged by mature trees, the center point for the gardens is a series of formally-planted flower beds and a pond called the Grand Bassin, populated by a small fleet of remote-controlled sailing boats. Amongst the beds there’s over 100 statues copied from antiquity, though the star of the show is the magnificent Medici fountain.

Evening

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A circuit of the Jardin du Luxembourg leaves you perfectly positioned to spend the evening in the jumble of side streets which make up the Latin Quarter. Rue de la Huchette contains one of the largest number of restaurants in the city, making it the go-to street for reasonably-priced eats.

Mere steps away are bars with an eclectic clientele of students, travelers, and intellectuals sure to leave you with positive memories of all things Parisian whatever time you stumble back to your hotel.

Save on your weekend in Paris

Travel, hotel and attraction costs can soon add up, even on a weekend in Paris. You can help limit – and even reduce – the strain on your wallet by exploring with Go City. Providing visitors with savings on admission to many of the top attractions in the city, our passes are the perfect addition to any short break to Paris!

Ian Packham
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
Palace of Versailles at dusk
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Best Day Trips from Paris

Ah, Paris - the city of lights, lovers and croissant-quaffing people watchers. With broad, elegant avenues lined with cafes and haute-couture, quiet cobbled lanes with tucked-away patisseries and broad, sweeping views from tower to triumphal arch and back again. It’s so packed full of museums, palaces and churches there’s enough to keep even the most determined tourist busy for a lifetime - but with its crowds and bustle it can also be nice to escape. Fortunately, there is almost as much to explore in the regions around Paris as there is within it, whether you prefer a cool, countryside excursion, a glimpse into the lifestyles of the rich and famous or need to entertain the family for a day. Here is our list of the best Paris day trip ideas, all within a couple of hours of the city: The Palace of Versailles Disneyland Paris Chateau Fontainebleau Parc Asterix Monet’s Garden at Giverny The Champagne Region Abbaye Royale de Chaalis The Palace of Versailles For opulence and splendor, there is no better day trip from Paris than the chateau at Versailles. Originally a hunting lodge favored by Louis XIII in the 17th century, the building was renovated and expanded by his son Louis XIV into the impressively vast baroque spectacle it is today. Visitors can explore several hectares of the estate grounds, discovering immaculately symmetrical formal gardens, hidden statuary, waterfalls, ponds and fountains, or visit the expansive state rooms of the Sun King, incorporating the famous Hall of Mirrors and the Gallery of Great Battles. For art lovers, the palace contains a collection of over 60,000 pieces, but if that’s all too much then the nearby village of the same name has some pleasant local markets and cafes. Disneyland Paris Just under an hour from the city, Disneyland is Paris’ most famous attraction for the young - or young at heart! All the magic of childhood comes alive as you explore fantastical lands from pirate ships to the wild west and have your photo taken with your favorite characters. Adventurous park goers can try the Pirates of the Caribbean ride that inspired the movie, get lost in Alice’s Labyrinth or spy on a Star Destroyer in the Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain. If you’re a Marvel fan you can get up close and personal with your heroes at the Avenger’s Campus, or take in views of the whole park on a Panoramagic balloon ride. There are also plenty of restaurants and child-friendly zones so it’s easy to keep the whole family busy for the day. To get the most from your time, purchase a Fast Pass to skip the lines, or use the park’s app to watch the queue lengths in real time! Château Fontainebleau If you fancy a peek into the past lives of Parisian aristocracy but the prospect of navigating the vast halls and gardens of Versailles feels a bit overwhelming, try the smaller but just as pretty chateau at Fontainebleau, located 90 minutes southeast of the city (or 40 minutes on a fast train). A residence of French Kings and Queens for several hundred years, it was added to and expanded by each one - most recently by the emperor Napoleon - so that today’s palace is an eclectic assortment of architectural styles and tastes. Sitting in a 130-hectare estate, guests can marvel at the famous Horseshoe Staircase, Marie-Antionette’s Silver Boudoir and Napoleon’s Throne Room, where items including his sword and famous bicorn hat are on display. Parc Astérix Just an hour’s drive north of the city is Parc Astérix, an adrenaline-fueling action theme park inspired by the comic book character Asterix and his sidekick Obelix. Guests can follow in the footsteps of the famous heroes as they travel back in time to the ancient civilizations of Rome, Greece, Egypt and even the vikings, enjoying themed rides, rollercoasters and restaurants as they go. Though less famous than its Disney counterpart, Parc Astérix has plenty to offer for a full day out and will satisfy children, history buffs and thrill seekers alike. Monet’s Gardens at Giverny If you need a quieter escape, one of the best day trips from Paris is a visit to Monet’s house and gardens at Giverny, which were home to the artist for more than forty years of his life. An hour and a quarter from the city and open every day from April to November, visitors can bask in the colors of the walled flower garden or reflect by the Japanese pools, wonderful at any time of year but especially in July and August when the water is thronged with the water lilies that famously inspired so many of his paintings. Monet’s gardens are a perfect day trip for art and garden lovers, and fans of modern architecture can easily add a visit to the sleek and modernist Villa Savoye on the way. The Champagne Region Bring out your bubbly side in the home of the world’s most famous sparkling wine. If you have a car, spend an afternoon meandering around the hills and vineyards surrounding Epernay, admiring the views and stopping at cellar doors as you go. If you don’t, take an easy train ride to the capital Reims, where many of the famous Champagne houses (Moet, Pommery and Bollinger to name a few) offer guided tours and tastings in their underground champagne caves. Finish the day with a visit to its historic cathedral, site of the coronation of many French kings and queens, including that of Edward VII in the presence of Joan of Arc. Abbaye Royale De Chaalis If you’re looking for some French culture beyond the capital, but can’t decide between a castle, an abbey or a garden, the Abbaye Royale de Chaalis may just tick all your boxes. At just over an hour’s drive it’s an easy day trip from Paris, but the romantic and peaceful setting will make you feel as though you’ve left the city far behind and wandered deep into provincial France. As well as the atmospheric abbey ruin and enchanting rose garden, there’s a castle which has been converted into a museum and holds over 600 pieces including works by Giotto, Houdon and Boucher. If you’ve got time leftover, you can also include a stop at the Condé Museum in the Château de Chantilly nearby. Save on things to do around Paris There are so many things to do in Paris, but if you need an escape there are plenty of nearby places to visit as well. Get the best value with Go City, which gives you substantial savings on over 80 attractions within and around this beautiful and wondrous city.
Karleen Stevens

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