2 days in Paris: tours and visits

Spending two days visiting Paris? Enjoy an unforgettable weekend with our themed tours to discover must-see tourist sites and enjoy unforgettable experiences.

Paris in 2 days: must-see sights

Two days in Paris will give you just a glimpse of all the treasures this city has to offer. Optimize your visits and enjoy an unforgettable tourist experience in the City of Light! We offer you a themed tour of the capital's most famous historic monuments and museums.

Day 1: Paris museums and monuments

The city of Paris is home to extraordinary monuments and museums, both prestigious and unusual, world-famous and lesser-known. We suggest you devote your first day in Paris to discovering some of the monuments and museums that contribute to the success of this destination. Arm yourself with your special tickets, and let the visits begin!

The Musée du Louvre is open every morning from 9:00 am, except on Tuesdays, when it is closed for the week. By arriving as soon as the museum opens, you'll benefit from less crowds and avoid long queues. A 2h30 visit allows you to admire the main works of art and the museum's most precious collection pieces: the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, the Marriage at Cana, Liberty Guiding the People... Want to optimize your visiting time? Book priority access to the Louvre and admire the world-famous Mona Lisa. You are then free to continue your visit at your own pace.

In the late morning, we'll take you to the Eiffel Tower. France's most famous landmark offers a panoramic view of the rooftops of Paris, glistening in the midday sun. We advise you to book your tickets online with reserved access to save precious time on arrival. A gourmet restaurant, a brasserie and a bistro welcome you for a lunch between earth and sky on the 1st or 2nd floor. Book your ticket for reserved access to the Eiffel Tower and lunch at the Madame Brasserie restaurant.

A 30-minute walk along the Champ de Mars takes you to the Hôtel des Invalides, crowned by its golden dome. Built by Louis XIV, the Hôtel des Invalides was intended as a refuge for military veterans who had shed their blood for the kingdom. Today, the Hôtel National des Invalides houses the Musée de l'Armée, which traces military history through the ages. A complete visit to the museum and Napoleon's tomb takes 4 hours, but 2 hours will allow you to admire the most beautiful pieces, weapons and armor.

The afternoon is drawing to a close. It's time to admire the view of the Champs-Elysées from the Arc de Triomphe. The monument closes at 10:30 pm in winter and 11:00 pm in summer, allowing you to watch the sunset from its summit platform.

To round off the first day of your weekend in Paris, there are several options to choose from. How about Pigalle? The Moulin Rouge, one of Paris's most famous and prestigious cabarets, promises an unforgettable evening. Or opt for a night cruise on the Seine with a dinner featuring French gastronomy. Looking for a lively nightlife district? The Bastille district, Oberkampf or rue Mouffetard are renowned for their bars and restaurants.

Day 2: gardens and districts of the capital

For your second day in Paris, we suggest a more leisurely pace. 

The Parc des Buttes Chaumont, the largest landscaped garden in Paris, is home to a lake, an island and an antique-inspired rotunda temple. Open at dawn, it invites you to stroll along its shady paths, lawns and pond. An hour's stroll will help you recharge your batteries and start the day in good spirits.

Then head for the Butte Montmartre, crowned by the elegant Basilique du Sacré-Coeur. This imposing white-stone edifice, built in the Romano-Bizantine style, is one of the capital's most emblematic monuments. Once inside, look up at the choir vault, home to one of the world's largest mosaics.

Walk back down through the Montmartre district, one of the most picturesque in Paris. Take the time to have your portrait sketched on Place du Tertre, and take home a caricature of yourself as a souvenir of your two days in Paris! If you're feeling peckish, take a seat on the terrace of a restaurant, bistro or brasserie.

The Latin Quarter owes its name to its student past. In the Middle Ages, one of the oldest districts in Paris was home to universities and schools that taught in Latin. A stroll through the district will take you from point of interest to tourist attraction, among museums, monuments and ancient remains. You can admire the Saint-Michel fountain and Saint-Séverin church, or lose yourself in the narrow streets around rue Saint-André des Arts and rue de la Huchette. The square René Viviani, next to the Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre church, offers a breathtaking and unusual view of Notre-Dame-de-Paris cathedral. 

The district is also home to the Musée de Cluny, dedicated to the Middle Ages. Housed within the walls of a former medieval town house, itself built on the site of Roman baths, the museum boasts exceptional collections. Allow 1h30 for a themed tour. You can round off your visit to the Latin Quarter with a tour of the Pantheon, the last and most prestigious home of men and women who left their mark on the nation: artists, scientists, politicians...

Our tips for visiting Paris in two days

A two-day tour of Paris takes preparation! Discover our tips for saving money, optimizing your travels and saving precious time.

Save money on museum visits

Your weekend in Paris includes visits to several museums and monuments. The Paris Museum Pass 2 days gives you unlimited access to around 50 museums and monuments, including the Arc de Triomphe, Musée de Cluny, Musée de l'Armée, Musée du Louvre, Panthéon and Sainte-Chapelle. You'll generally save from the 4th visit!

Optimize your travel in Paris

Public transport gives you optimum freedom of movement in Paris and the surrounding area. We recommend a Paris Visite 2-day pass, which gives you unlimited use of all metro, RER, streetcar and bus lines to reach your various destinations. Do you plan to use public transport infrequently? You can also opt for a rechargeable pass, which will prove more economical. 

How about turning your travels into a full-fledged tourist experience? Take a seat aboard a panoramic coach that takes you past the main monuments and museums of Paris. With the TootBus Paris Pass and the Big Bus Paris Pass, you have unlimited freedom of movement. Eiffel Tower, Trocadero, Quartier Latin, Opéra Garnier, Hôtel des Invalides or Musée du Louvre, the essentials of Paris are all within easy reach! Audio guides and commentaries are available in several languages, revealing the secrets of the sights and neighborhoods you pass through.

Tailor your visits to the length of your stay

Want to shorten or lengthen your stay? We suggest other tours to prepare your visit to Paris: 

• 1 day in Paris: a selection of activities and visits to discover the essentials of Paris.

• 3 days in Paris: an extended weekend of three days and two evenings to discover the secrets of Paris.

• What to visit in Paris:: must-see museums and monuments, plus activities for couples and families.