48 hours in Paris
Day one runs along the Left Bank to the Eiffel Tower. Day two is the Louvre, lunch in the Marais and sunset at Sacré-Cœur.
- Length: 48 hours
- Pace: balanced
- Rough cost: €140–€240 pp
- Best for: First-timers with a weekend
The plan
Day 1 · Islands and the Left Bank Île de la Cité, Latin Quarter, Saint-Germain, Champ de Mars
- 09:00–09:50 Notre-Dame de ParisIndoors
Free; reserve a slot online to skip the queue.
- 09:55–10:55 Sainte-ChapelleBook aheadIndoors
Morning light through the glass.
- 11:10–12:00 Luxembourg Garden
Palace, fountain and green chairs.
- 12:00–13:00 Lunch in Saint-Germain
Cafés on Rue de Buci.
- 13:15–15:45 Musée d’OrsayBook aheadIndoors
Impressionists on the top floor; the clock window. Closed Mondays.
- 16:15–18:00 Eiffel TowerBook ahead
Lift to the second floor or summit.
- 18:15–18:45 Trocadéro
Best view of the tower from across the river.
- 19:15–20:45 Dinner in the 7th or 15th
Day 2 · Louvre, Marais and Montmartre Louvre, Le Marais, Montmartre
- 09:00–11:45 LouvreBook aheadIndoors
Book the first slot. Closed Tuesdays.
- 11:55–12:20 Palais-Royal
Columns and quiet arcades.
- 12:40–13:40 Lunch in the Marais
Falafel on Rue des Rosiers or a bistro.
- 13:45–14:30 Place des Vosges
Oldest planned square in Paris; Victor Hugo’s house is free.
- 14:40–15:30 Musée CarnavaletIndoors
Free. History of Paris in two mansions.
- 16:00–17:30 Sacré-Cœur and Montmartre
Free basilica; funicular from Square Louise-Michel uses a metro ticket.
- 17:30–18:15 Place du Tertre and Rue de l’Abreuvoir
Artists’ square and the pink house.
- 18:30–20:00 Dinner in Montmartre
Rue des Abbesses is less touristy than the top.
Rough cost
Per person. Sainte-Chapelle, Orsay, Eiffel Tower (lift) and Louvre tickets, metro fares, mid-range meals.
Prices checked November 2026 against official and widely published 2026 rates; they change, so confirm before you pay.
Book ahead
- Louvre — Timed tickets required.
- Musée d’Orsay — Timed tickets avoid the long queue.
- Eiffel Tower — Book when your date opens.
- Sainte-Chapelle — Timed slots.
If it rains
- Instead of Luxembourg Garden: Panthéon (ticketed) up the hill
- Instead of Place des Vosges: Picasso Museum, five minutes away
Good to know
- Avoid Monday for day one (Orsay closed) and Tuesday for day two (Louvre closed).
- Pickpockets work the Sacré-Cœur steps and line 1 — keep phones in a zipped pocket.
Book it
- Tickets and tours in Paris (GetYourGuide)
- Hotels in Paris (Booking.com)
These may become affiliate links that pay us a small commission at no cost to you. How we handle that. Official links in “Book ahead” are never affiliate links.
Want some fresh air after the city? When to see nature’s big moments in Europe (Roamglade).
