Paris didn’t become the City of Light by accident. From medieval Notre-Dame to the glass pyramid of the Louvre and the wrought-iron poetry of the Eiffel Tower, the city has layered centuries of history into a walkable tapestry of boulevards, bridges, and bustling marchés. Baron Haussmann’s 19th‑century redesign gave Paris its grand avenues and creamy façades; today, its 20 arrondissements still spiral outward like a snail shell from Île de la Cité.

Beyond the headliners, Paris is a city of rituals: a buttery croissant with your morning café crème, an hour lingered on a park bench in the Tuileries, a glass of Loire Sauvignon at a corner bar as the sun slips behind slate rooftops. Chefs raid local markets—think Marché des Enfants Rouges—for cheeses, oysters, and perfect berries; pâtissiers turn butter and flour into alchemy.

Practical notes: the Louvre is closed on Tuesdays; many small shops close Sunday or Monday. Book timed entries for major sights (Eiffel Tower, Louvre) and watch for occasional transit or museum strikes. Keep valuables secure around big attractions, and pack layers—Paris weather can be fickle.

Paris

Paris rewards curiosity. Cross the Seine for Left Bank literary haunts in Saint‑Germain, then duck into the Right Bank’s arcades near Palais Royal. Climb to a river overlook at sunset, and cap the night on a dinner cruise as monuments glow to life—few cityscapes are as cinematic.

Top sights for a 2‑day Paris itinerary: Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Notre‑Dame and Île de la Cité, Tuileries Garden, Palais Royal, and the Seine. If time allows, add a quick wander through Le Marais for boutiques and classic falafel.

Where to stay (Hotels.com/VRBO picks):

• Iconic stays: The Ritz Paris, Le Meurice, Hôtel Plaza Athénée, The Peninsula Paris.
• Boutique/midrange: Hôtel des Grands Boulevards, Hotel du College de France, Hôtel des Arts Montmartre, Hôtel du Temps.
• Good-value options: Hôtel des Arts Bastille, Generator Paris.
• Browse more: VRBO apartments in Paris or Hotels.com: Paris.

Getting to/around Paris:

• Flights: Compare fares to CDG/Orly on Omio (flights). Typical nonstop times: London 1h15, Rome 2h10, NYC 7h30.
• High-speed trains: Book TGV/Eurostar via Omio (trains). Approx times—London–Paris 2h16, Brussels–Paris 1h22, Amsterdam–Paris 3h20. Advance fares often $40–$120.
• Buses: Budget routes across Europe on Omio (buses).
• Airport to center: RER B from CDG to Châtelet–Les Halles ~35–40 min (~€12); taxi flat rate to Rive Droite ~€55, Rive Gauche ~€62. From Orly: OrlyBus to Denfert‑Rochereau ~30 min (~€12), or tram T7 + metro. Single metro fare ~€2.15; Navigo Easy cards are handy for multiple rides.

Eat & drink—a few favorites to plug into this itinerary:

• Breakfast/coffee: Du Pain et des Idées (legendary escargot pastries); Holybelly 5 (Aussie‑style brunch); KB Coffee Roasters (specialty beans near Montmartre); Coutume (roastery with serious pour‑overs).
• Lunch: Breizh Café (Brittany buckwheat galettes and salted‑caramel crêpes); L’As du Fallafel (Marais institution); Bouillon Pigalle or Bouillon Chartier (classic French, fast-moving lines, shockingly affordable).
• Dinner: Le Servan (market‑led French with Asian accents); Chez Janou (southern French, pastis list, book ahead); Frenchie Bar à Vins (small plates, deep wine list); Le Comptoir du Relais (old‑school bistro energy).
• Sweet stops: Berthillon (Île Saint‑Louis ice cream); Pierre Hermé (macarons and Ispahan); Jacques Genin (silky caramels and pâtes de fruits).

Day 1: Arrival, Left Bank flânerie, Eiffel Tower, and a Seine Dinner Cruise

Morning: Travel to Paris. If you’re arriving from within Europe, consider Omio (trains)—you’ll roll into central stations with no baggage fees. Flying in? Compare options on Omio (flights). From CDG, the RER B whisks you downtown in ~35–40 minutes; taxis are fixed‑fare and convenient if you have luggage.

Afternoon: Check in and stretch your legs in Saint‑Germain. Stroll the Luxembourg Gardens past the Medici Fountain, then duck into Saint‑Sulpice to see Delacroix’s murals. For a light late lunch, try Breizh Café (galette complète with farm egg and ham) or L’Avant Comptoir de la Terre (standing, tapas‑style French bites). Wander across Pont Neuf to Île de la Cité for your first glimpse of Notre‑Dame’s restored interior and flying buttresses.

Evening: Time your ascent for golden hour with Eiffel Tower Dedicated Reserved Access Top or 2nd floor by lift (about 1.5–2 hours). Views sweep from Les Invalides to Montmartre—look for the Grand Palais’ glass roof and the ribboning Seine.

Float into night with a glass‑canopy cruise: Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Dinner & Sightseeing Cruise (about 2–2.5 hours). Expect live music, silky sauces, and postcard views of the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, and Notre‑Dame glowing by night.

Nightcap ideas near the river: Bar Hemingway (cocktail temple), Les Ombres (rooftop with Eiffel views), or an easygoing glass around Rue Cler. If jet lag bites, a slow loop along the Trocadéro esplanade keeps the sparkle going.

Day 2: Masterpieces at the Louvre, Tuileries Promenade, Île de la Cité, and Departure

Morning: Start early with coffee and a pastry—Du Pain et des Idées’ pistachio‑chocolate “escargot” is justly famous—then head to the museum with a guide to maximize time. Join the Louvre Museum Masterpieces Guided Tour with Reserved Access (about 2.5 hours) to navigate straight to icons like the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, and the Coronation of Napoleon while hearing the stories behind them.

Afterward, wander the Tuileries Garden to Place de la Concorde, then back through Palais Royal’s arcades for a quick espresso. If you prefer hands‑on pastry time, swap the Louvre for a morning croissant class on another visit.

Afternoon: Grab a quick, delicious lunch in Le Marais: choose between Breizh Café (buckwheat galettes with Bordier butter), L’As du Fallafel (overflowing pitas on Rue des Rosiers), or Miznon (creative pita fillings). Then walk or metro to Île de la Cité for a deep dive with the Paris Notre Dame Cathedral & Île de la Cité Walking Tour (about 1.5–2 hours). You’ll explore the island’s medieval lanes, stories of the 2019 fire and restoration, and riverside viewpoints.

Time to depart: RER B from Saint‑Michel–Notre‑Dame to CDG is ~40 minutes; if you’re train‑bound, check Omio (trains) for platform info and connections.

Evening: If your flight/train leaves late, squeeze in one last neighborhood. Two great quick hits: Montmartre (Abbesses station to Sacré‑Cœur for panoramic views; grab a café at KB Coffee Roasters and browse Place du Tertre artists) or the covered passages near Grands Boulevards (Passage des Panoramas for stamps, prints, and bistros). For a final plate, Bouillon Pigalle turns out steak‑frites and île flottante at friendly prices, while Le Servan offers seasonal French cooking with verve.

Good to know: Book major sights 2–4 weeks ahead for prime times. The Eiffel Tower and Louvre have airport‑style security—avoid large bags. Tipping is modest (service is included); round up or add 5–10% for excellent service. Keep an eye on museum closure days and public strikes; your hotel concierge or the Île‑de‑France Mobilités app will have updates.

Optional add‑on for a return trip: Half‑day Versailles with Versailles Palace and Gardens Tour from Paris—Hall of Mirrors, royal apartments, and André Le Nôtre’s gardens in a compact window.

Two days in Paris fly, but this plan threads together the essentials—Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Notre‑Dame, and the Seine—without feeling rushed. With smart transport, well‑timed tickets, and delicious stops, you’ll leave already plotting your next visit for neighborhoods you didn’t get to—Montmartre, Canal Saint‑Martin, and beyond.