Paris rewards an unhurried pace. Founded on the Île de la Cité and shaped by centuries of kings, revolutionaries, and creators, the city invites you to wander tree-lined boulevards, linger in museums, and idle in gardens where writers once drafted their masterpieces. Even with just 48 hours, you can ease into its rhythm—espresso in hand, art at your fingertips, and the Seine gliding alongside your strolls.

From Notre-Dame and the Louvre to Montmartre’s hilltop lanes, Paris blends grand monuments with intimate pleasures: a flaky croissant, a quiet courtyard, the glow of streetlamps reflected on the river. For a “relaxant” vibe, we’ll favor garden time, guided highlights (to save energy and time), and comforting bistros over checklists.

Practical notes: tap water is potable, carry a contactless card for easy metro payments, and pack layers for breezy river evenings. Book timed museum entries in advance, and consider a dinner cruise or guided tour to simplify logistics. Paris is walkable—when you need wheels, the metro and buses are frequent and straightforward.

Paris

Paris is a mosaic of distinctive neighborhoods—Left Bank cafés steeped in literary lore, Right Bank museums and royal gardens, and village-like corners in Montmartre. Between them runs the Seine, your north star for scenic walks and effortless wayfinding.

• Top sights at a relaxed pace: Louvre highlights, Tuileries & Luxembourg Gardens, Montmartre viewpoints, and riverfront promenades.
• Dining essentials: cozy bouillons (traditional, budget-friendly bistros), flaky viennoiseries, and neighborhood wine bars serving seasonal plates.
• Fun fact: The Eiffel Tower was supposed to be temporary for the 1889 Exposition Universelle; Parisians lobbied to keep it after it proved useful for radio transmissions.

Getting to Paris

• Within Europe: Compare flights and trains on Omio (flights) and Omio (trains). Examples: London–Paris Eurostar ~2h15 (often ~$75–$160), Amsterdam–Paris high-speed ~3h20 (from ~$60–$140). For coaches, see Omio (buses).
• From outside Europe: Compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.
• Airport transfers: CDG–Paris center: RER B ~35–45 min (~€11–12) or fixed-rate taxis (€55 right bank/€62 left bank). ORY–Paris: OrlyBus to Denfert-Rochereau (~30–40 min), or OrlyVal + RER B.

Where to stay (mid-budget friendly, quiet bases, and easy metro access)

• Browse rentals: VRBO Paris
• Browse hotels: Hotels.com Paris
• Value boutique: Hôtel des Arts Montmartre — artistic rooms on a quiet Montmartre street; steps from Sacré-Cœur paths.
• Classic, central: Hotel du College de France — Latin Quarter charmer near the Panthéon and lovely evening walks.
• Modern & convenient: Novotel Paris Centre Gare Montparnasse — easy metro/RER links, spacious rooms for Paris standards.
• Budget-friendly social: Generator Paris — private rooms and dorms; short stroll to Canal Saint-Martin.

Day 1: Arrival, Left Bank Strolls, and the Seine at Night

Morning: Travel to Paris. If arriving from within Europe, compare train times on Omio (trains); intercontinental fliers can check Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Drop bags at your hotel and take the RER/metro into town; aim for a light schedule.

Afternoon: Unwind in the Luxembourg Gardens—watch pétanque, peek at the Medici Fountain, and find a green garden chair to decompress. For a refined coffee/snack, try Café de Flore or Les Deux Magots (historic, pricier), or keep it low-key at La Palette (artsy terrace) and grab a raspberry “Ispahan” at Pierre Hermé Saint-Sulpice. Late lunch options: Bouillon Chartier Montparnasse (classic onion soup, roast chicken, profiteroles) or Crêperie Josselin (buttery buckwheat galettes).

Evening: Glide past Paris’s landmarks on a romantic dinner cruise. Book the Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Dinner & Sightseeing Cruise.

Expect glass-canopy views of Notre-Dame’s flying buttresses, the Louvre’s riverfront, and the Eiffel Tower sparkling on the hour. After docking, take a gentle walk to Pont Alexandre III for luminous cityscapes. If you’d like a calm nightcap: Le Mary Celeste (seasonal small plates and oysters), Hôtel Amour bar (cozy courtyard), or a simple Parisian night: a scoop at Berthillon on Île Saint-Louis.

Day 2: Louvre Highlights, Montmartre Flavors, and an Iconic View

Morning: Start near the Tuileries with a pastry and espresso at Angelina (famous hot chocolate) or Café Kitsuné (garden setting). Then join a focused, time-saving tour: Louvre Museum Masterpieces Guided Tour with Access.

You’ll see the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and the Winged Victory with art-historian context—ideal for appreciating highlights without fatigue.

Afternoon: Head to Montmartre for village vibes. If you love tasting your way through a neighborhood, book the Montmartre or Notre Dame Gourmet Food Tour with 10 Dishes & Wines.

Prefer going solo? Pause at Hardware Société for an elevated brunch, or Coquelicot for tartines and pastries. Wander cobbles to Place du Tertre, peek into Sacré-Cœur, and sit on the steps overlooking Paris. Note: if you’re departing this afternoon, allow ample time to retrieve bags and reach the airport or station via Omio (trains) or taxi.

Evening: If your flight is later or you’ve added a night, cap the trip with reserved-access views: Eiffel Tower Dedicated Reserved Access Top or 2nd floor by lift.

Dine nearby on Rue Cler at Le Petit Cler (market-fresh plates), try La Fontaine de Mars (classic duck confit; book ahead), or keep it casual with a cheese-and-charcuterie board at Comptoir des 7 Laux.

Extra calm ideas (swap-ins if you want even slower days): a serene hour at the Rodin Museum gardens; tea at Mariage Frères in the Marais; a Canal Saint-Martin amble with coffee at Ten Belles. If you prefer a simple cruise without dinner on Day 2 morning or late afternoon, opt for the Paris Seine River Sightseeing Cruise with Commentary.

Budget tips (target ~50/100): use bouillons (Chartier, Pigalle, République) for hearty, low-cost French classics; grab picnic supplies on Rue Cler or at Marché des Enfants Rouges; buy metro/bus rides in 10-ride packs on a Navigo Easy card; and choose one or two guided, skip-the-line experiences to make the most of limited time without overspending.

Departure logistics: For CDG, leave central Paris ~3 hours before an international flight (RER B + transfer time). For ORY, ~2–2.5 hours is usually sufficient. Within Europe, trains from Gare du Nord/Est/Lyon are frequent—compare times and fares on Omio (trains).

In two days, you’ll have tasted café life, seen essential masterpieces, and watched Paris shimmer from the water and above the rooftops. The city welcomes a return visit—next time, dive deeper into a single neighborhood, linger longer in a favorite garden, and keep the “relaxant” mood going.