Parisian Charms: A Memorable Two-Day Journey

Two days in Paris promise an enchanting rendezvous with the city’s timeless elegance and cultural allure. Begin your journey at the iconic Eiffel Tower, where panoramic views of the city set the stage for a memorable experience. Meander along the Seine River, discovering architectural marvels like Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Louvre Museum. Stroll through the charming streets of Montmartre, absorbing the bohemian atmosphere and ascending to the Sacré-Cœur for breathtaking city vistas. Embrace the artistic spirit at the Musée d’Orsay, housing an impressive collection of Impressionist masterpieces. Indulge in French gastronomy at a quaint boulangerie or a traditional brasserie, savoring delectable pastries and iconic dishes. Day two invites exploration of the Louvre’s cultural treasures, from the Mona Lisa to the Venus de Milo. Wander through the Tuileries Garden, reaching the grandeur of Place de la Concorde and Champs-Élysées. Conclude your Parisian sojourn with an evening cruise along the illuminated Seine, admiring the City of Lights at its most enchanting. In just two days, Paris captivates with its artistry, history, and the quintessential romance that lingers in its every corner.

1. The Eiffel Tower

It goes without saying that the Eiffel tower is a must-see when visiting Paris. It’s the icon of Paris. Here are some new and unique ways to see it, however:

1. Book a dinner instead of the Eiffel tower. The reservations at 58 Tour Eiffel include a gourmet dinner and immediate elevator access to the mid-section of the tower. Have a lovely meal looking out over the surrounding area and then after dinner enjoy a stroll around the tower. Click here to check out reservations!
   • Also look at reservations at the champagne bar which is at the top of the tower.
2. View it from the top of the Arc de Triomphe. Check out further down the list for visiting the Arc De Triomphe.
3. Enjoy it in the evening. Just after sunrise, the Eiffel Tower turns on its lights. Bring a picnic blanket, some wine, and a baguette and enjoy the show. There will be some vendors walking around selling alcoholic drinks and souvenir trinkets so just bring your own! The best view is from the grassy field which is easily reached by subway station: École Militaire.

Is Eiffel Tower a Wonder of the World? While it’s iconic of Paris, the Eiffel Tower is not one of the seven world wonders. Those are reserved to architecture created in the B.C. period.

Is Eiffel Tower a monument? Yes it is, the Eiffel Tower was made a monument in 1964.

Was Eiffel Tower a gift? No, the Eiffel Tower was not a gift. There is a misconception that the Eiffel Tower was a gift from the United States, it was not. While the Statue of Liberty was a gift from France to the United States, the United States did not gift the Eiffel Tower. The Eiffel Tower was built for the World’s Fair in 1889 to demonstrate industrial achievements of the time in iron and steel.

Train Stations: Bir-Hakeim, École Militaire, Champ de Mars Tour Eiffel

2. Visit the Louvre

Another given for two days in Paris, a visit to the Louvre. Take a stroll through the famous artwork and save time to squeeze up to the front to view the Mona Lisa. The Louvre will take approximately 3 hours if you are moving at a quick speed and visiting only some of the exhibits. Otherwise, a person can spend days in the Louvre. Can you buy Louvre tickets in advance? Yes! Make sure to book your ticket reservations to the Louvre in advance to avoid lines.

Is seeing the Mona Lisa worth it? Yes, if you are one of those individuals who likes to do all the tourist attractions in a city – then it’s a must see. However, be prepared to be underwhelmed. It’s much smaller than you would expect, meanwhile the crowd to see it is large.

Are Louvre paintings fake? Maybe. There is information circulating that a good majority of the paintings in the Louvre are actually fake. Is it true? Who knows. Does it change the enjoyment of viewing the works of art? Not really.

Has the Louvre ever been robbed? Yes, in 1911 the Mona Lisa was stolen by an employee, and was found two years later. Additionally, there have been two other robberies at the museum. In 1976, three burglars climbed scaffolding on the outside of the museum, smashed a window and stole the diamond-studded sword used for the 1824 coronation of King Charles X. It is still missing. In May 31, 1983 two pieces of 16th-century Italian armor were stolen and not found until 38 years later. Most recently was the disappearance of a small painting in 1998 by French artist Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot.

Train Station: Palais-Royal Musée du Louvre

Skip the Lines Tip: Most believe that the only entrance to the museum is through the pyramid. However, there are also other side entrances. I used the Porte Des Lions Entrance, I was the only one entering during my pre-purchased time at 10 am. I was through security and into the museum in less than 5 minutes. It does not involve the tourist cliche of going through the pyramid to enter, however it saves time.

3. Climb to the Top of the Arc de Triomphe

View the crazy round-about of the Arc De Triomphe from the top which you climb 284 steep steps to reach.

Many view the Arc De Triomphe from the busy neighboring avenues. Or stop in the cross-walks to take photos. However, the views from the top are beautiful. T

ake the underground tunnel, and then climb the spiral staircase to the top to view all the major sites of Paris (such as the Eiffel Tower!) Purchase your tickets in advance here.

What is the Arc de Triomphe famous for?  The Arc De Triomphe honors those who fought and died for France during the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars, with the names of all French victories and generals inscribed on its inner and outer surfaces.

What is the Arc de Triomphe made of? The Arc De Triomphe is made from limestone.

4. View the Notre-Dame de Paris

With two days in Paris, this is another token icon to visit. The famous church is along the Seine and offers the opportunity to walk along the canals and view the church from different angles. The views of the Cathedral are free, which makes it an easy quick spot to stop by.

Check out the Notre-Dame in the evening to avoid the majority of the crowds. On a budget? Check out 20 free things to do in Paris!

You may recall that on April 15, 2019 Notre Dame caught fire and suffered severe damage. The cause of the fire is alleged to be wires that short circuited and in result caught fire.

Is Notre Dame Cathedral being rebuilt? Yes. While you can’t see in my photo, at the bottom of the photo is actually a wall blocking entry to Notre Dame. It shows all the progress that has been made, and the reconstruction plan. COVID slowed the rebuild progress significantly, but the French Government intends to have the rebuild complete by 2024.

Train Station: Saint-Michel Notre Dame

5. Climb to the Sacré-Cœur for panoramic views

While it is a bit of a trek, the views from the Sacré-Cœur are worth the climb. The Bastille offers a great vantage point for the city-scape of Paris. So while visiting the large, all white Bastille, there is another great opportunity to catch photos of Paris.

Is Sacre Coeur in Montmartre? Yes, it’s located at the top of the butte of Montmartre.

Note: beware of the scams leading up to Sacre Coeur. There are people pretending to be requesting signature for a cause, and if they corner you in an alleyway it may be in an attempt to pickpocket you. Don’t stop for any signatures along the way – especially for ones that are in tight enclosed alleys!

Train Stations: Abbesses, Anvers, Lamarck Caulaincourt

6. Take a Cooking Class in Paris

If you are not tired from viewing all the previous sites in the two days in Paris, then a cooking class is a great opportunity to take something with you when you leave the beautiful city! There are numerous cooking classes across the city and some last as little as three hours. Check out the cooking classes here where you can even learn to make the famous French macaroons.

Best cooking class in Paris? There are so many offered in Paris that it’s hard to make a choice. There is a variety offered in English, and ones that go over bread making, cooking techniques, and French desserts like the Macaron. Find one that fits your schedule and what you want to learn to cook – you’ll love it!

Do you need cooking experience? No! That’s the great thing about cooking classes, they are made for any cooking level. Take this as an opportunity to learn some cooking moves.

7. Relax by the Seine River

If you’re on a budget during your visit to Paris, then a quick stroll around the popular attractions above and then a budget lunch sitting by the Seine River is the a great way to experience Paris.

During the summer months you will find the Paris Plages along the Seine River. The city creates little plages, aka Beaches, along the river. You will find the typical beach equipment: chairs and umbrellas.

Is Seine River cruise worth it? I would say no, you can enjoy the Seine river much more by walking along the water front yourself. A Seine River cruise is worth it only if you are limited in time. If that is the case then partake in one.

Photograph your trip to Paris

What better way to remember your trip to Paris than to hire a local photographer! Check out these photographers for a memorable takeaway from your stay in Paris.