Paris has been reinventing itself for over two millennia—from a Roman river port to a medieval powerhouse to Haussmann’s 19th‑century “City of Light.” Its 20 arrondissements spiral like a snail’s shell from Notre‑Dame, and every turn offers a dialogue between grandeur and daily life: boulangeries beneath gilded facades, bookstalls along the Seine facing palaces and museums.

Beyond the icons, Paris thrives on ritual: a morning at the café counter, a lunch prix fixe, apéro hour with a view, and late dinners that stretch into midnight conversations. You’ll sample both the landmark experiences—Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and a Seine cruise—and the local textures of the Marais, Saint‑Germain, and Montmartre.

Practical notes: tap in and out on the metro with a contactless card or use a Navigo Easy; book major attractions ahead; and pace your days. French classics (onion soup, steak‑frites, buckwheat galettes) sit alongside North African couscous, Middle Eastern falafel, and modern bistronomy—Paris is a living pantry.

Paris

Few cities reward short stays like Paris. In 48 hours, you can scale the Eiffel Tower, glide down the Seine, linger with the Mona Lisa, and still steal time for a perfect croissant. Use the mornings for museums, late afternoons for golden‑hour walks, and evenings for riverlight and wine.

• Top sights: Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Notre‑Dame and Île de la Cité, Sainte‑Chapelle, Montmartre & Sacré‑Cœur, Tuileries & Place de la Concorde, Le Marais, Musée d’Orsay.
• Great neighborhoods to wander: Saint‑Germain‑des‑Prés for classic cafés, Le Marais for boutiques and historic mansions, Canal Saint‑Martin for bohemian vibes, Montmartre for village streets and artists’ ateliers.
• Coffee & pastry culture: order “un café” (espresso) at the counter or settle in for a café crème; don’t miss a morning croissant or afternoon mille‑feuille.

Getting to Paris (CDG/ORY) and around

• Flights within Europe: compare to CDG/ORY on Omio (flights in Europe). Typical fares $50–$200; flight time 1–3 hours from most hubs.
• Flights from outside Europe: search global options on Trip.com (global flights) and Kiwi.com.
• Trains to Paris Gare du Nord / Gare de Lyon: compare on Omio (trains in Europe). Examples: London–Paris ~2h16 ($70–$200); Brussels–Paris ~1h22 ($35–$100); Amsterdam–Paris ~3h20 ($50–$130); Lyon–Paris ~2h ($25–$80).
• Airport to center: CDG–Châtelet by RER B ~35–45 min (~€11.45). ORY–Denfert‑Rochereau by Orlyval+RER B or Orlybus ~30–45 min (~€11–€13). Metro single ride €2.15; consider a Navigo Easy or contactless pay‑as‑you‑go.

Where to stay

Base yourselves in the 1st–7th arrondissements for walking access to the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, and the Seine; choose the Marais or Saint‑Germain for dining and nightlife; Montmartre for village ambiance.

• Browse apartments on VRBO Paris and hotels on Hotels.com Paris.
• Classic luxury: The Ritz Paris, Le Meurice, Hôtel Plaza Athénée, The Peninsula Paris.
• Boutique favorites: Hôtel des Grands Boulevards, Hôtel des Arts Montmartre, Hôtel du Temps, Hotel du College de France, Hôtel des Arts Bastille.
• Good value: Novotel Paris Centre Gare Montparnasse, Generator Paris, and the beloved 7th‑arr hideaway Hôtel du Champ de Mars.

Day 1: Arrival, Île de la Cité, Eiffel Tower at Sunset, and a Seine Dinner Cruise

Morning: Travel day. If you land early, drop bags and ease in with coffee at Café Verlet (historic roaster, 1st arr) or La Fontaine de Belleville (counter‑service classics). For a proper brunch, Holybelly (10th) does eggs, pancakes, and seasonal specials with Parisian‑Australian flair.

Afternoon: Start where Paris began: stroll Île de la Cité. Admire the restored façade of Notre‑Dame (interior visits are once again possible; expect a security line), then step into the stained‑glass glow of nearby Sainte‑Chapelle. Cross Pont Neuf to the Louvre’s Cour Carrée and Tuileries Garden for statues, fountains, and people‑watching. Snack ideas: Berthillon ice cream on Île Saint‑Louis or a buckwheat galette at Breizh Café (Le Marais).

Book late‑afternoon reserved access to the Iron Lady so you arrive near golden hour. Skip the guesswork with this timed entry:

Eiffel Tower Dedicated Reserved Access Top or 2nd floor by lift — typically 1.5–2 hours on-site; from ~€50–€90 depending on level and season. Views sweep from Les Invalides to Montmartre.

Evening: Celebrate night one on the water. The glass‑canopy boats slide past the Eiffel Tower, Musee d’Orsay, Louvre, and Île de la Cité while you dine with live music. Choose a window seat if available.

Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Dinner & Sightseeing Cruise — ~2–2.5 hours; from ~€95–€160 depending on menu and seating.

If you prefer a land‑based dinner after, consider: Chez Janou (Marais; Provençal, famous chocolate mousse), Bistrot Paul Bert (classic steak‑frites and pepper sauce), or Frenchie Bar à Vins (small plates, no reservation—arrive early). Nightcap options: Le Bar Hemingway at the Ritz (martini perfection) or Le Perchoir rooftop (panoramas; arrive before peak).

Day 2: Versailles Morning, Louvre Masterpieces, and Montmartre Evening

Morning: Fuel up with coffee and a croissant at Stohrer (oldest pâtisserie, Rue Montorgueil) or Poilâne (apple tartlette is a secret weapon). Then head for a half‑day at the Sun King’s court. Many tours include transport and timed entry, saving precious minutes.

Versailles Palace and Gardens Tour from Paris — ~4–5 hours door‑to‑door; from ~€70–€120. See the Hall of Mirrors, the King’s Apartments, and (in season) musical fountains in Le Nôtre’s gardens.

Afternoon: Back in Paris, break for a swift, satisfying lunch: L’As du Fallafel (Marais; legendary pita with grilled eggplant), Breizh Café (butter‑caramel crêpe), or Bouillon Chartier (Belle Époque dining hall; fast, budget‑friendly French standards). Then head into the world’s largest museum with a guided highlights tour—ideal for first‑timers to cut through the maze and crowds.

Louvre Museum Masterpieces Guided Tour with Access — ~2.5–3 hours; from ~€60–€100. You’ll cover the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, Venus de Milo, and French crown jewels, plus lesser‑known gems.

Evening: Conclude in Montmartre. Start at Place du Tertre for artists’ stalls, circle Sacré‑Cœur for a sweeping city view, and duck into vine‑lined lanes like Rue de l’Abreuvoir. For a gourmet send‑off, try Le Servan (inventive cooking with Asian accents), Clamato (seafood small plates; no reservations), or Bouillon Pigalle (brisk, affordable French fare near Pigalle).

Prefer to deep‑dive into Parisian flavors? Swap in a guided neighborhood tasting that winds through cheese shops, bakeries, and wine caves:

Authentic Parisian Gourmet Food Tour with 10 Local Dishes & Wines — ~3–3.5 hours; from ~€95–€120; generous tastings in Montmartre.

End with a twilight wander down the illuminated steps to Abbesses and a dessert stop at Scaramouche (artisan gelato) or a slice of Paris‑Brest at a local pâtisserie.

Optional swaps and add‑ons (time permitting)

• Sainte‑Chapelle (stained‑glass masterpiece) and the Conciergerie (Revolutionary history) near Notre‑Dame.
• Musée d’Orsay for Impressionism inside a Beaux‑Arts train station.
• Covered passages (Passage des Panoramas, Galerie Vivienne) for 19th‑century arcade charm.
• One‑hour Seine sightseeing if you skip the dinner cruise: Paris Seine River Sightseeing Cruise with Commentary by Bateaux Parisiens.

Dining & café cheat‑sheet

• Croissants & coffee: Café Verlet (1st), KB Coffee Roasters (9th), Café de Flore (Saint‑Germain classic), Blé Sucré (almond croissant), Poilâne (sourdough heritage).
• Lunch favorites: Breizh Café (galettes), L’As du Fallafel (Marais), Le Petit Cler (7th; market‑street bistro), Bouillon Chartier (historic, budget‑friendly French staples).
• Dinner ideas: Bistrot Paul Bert (steak‑frites), Le Servan (modern bistro), Clamato (seafood), Chez Janou (Provençal), Frenchie Bar à Vins (no‑res small plates), Septime (if you can snag a booking).
• Wine bars: Le Baron Rouge (standing barrels), Frenchie Caviste (pairings), La Buvette (tiny, natural‑wine temple).

Booking tips

• Reserve Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and Seine cruise times in advance—sunset slots go first.
• For metro: tap a contactless card (phone or physical) at gates; fares cap daily.
• If you’re traveling on Sunday/Monday, check museum opening hours (many museums close Monday; the Louvre is closed Tuesday).

Suggested sequence wrap‑up for quick planners:

• Day 1: Île de la Cité stroll → Eiffel Tower reserved access → Seine dinner cruise.
• Day 2: Half‑day Versailles → Louvre highlights tour → Montmartre walk and dinner.

Bonus option if you want a full‑day city sampler instead of DIY: Paris in a Day: Louvre or Orsay, Eiffel Tower, City Walk & Cruise (efficient for whirlwind visits).

In two days you’ll trace Paris from royal palaces to riverside life and neighborhood tables. This itinerary balances “must‑see” icons with cafés, gardens, and twilight views—enough to fall in love, yet leave reasons to return.