The Ultimate 2 Days in Paris Must See Itinerary: Art, Icons, and Lessons in Gratitude
There is a distinct magic to the European rail system. To be able to board a clean, fast, and incredibly affordable train in one country and step out into the heart of another just a couple of hours later is a traveler’s dream. Sitting on the train on our way to France, I couldn’t help but wish we had a transit infrastructure like this back home in America. It makes a quick weekend getaway completely seamless.
If you think you can’t experience the magic of France in a short window, think again. You can pack an immense amount of history, culture, and world-class beauty into a short trip if you keep moving.
But looking back on our whirlwind March 2019 weekend in Paris, my deepest takeaway isn’t just how much we managed to see—it’s a profound sense of gratitude. The historic spaces we visit are living, breathing, and sometimes incredibly fragile. Here is how to spend a packed 48 hours catching the absolute best of Paris, along with the honest travel lessons we learned along the way.
2 days in Paris must see weekend itinerary
Day 1: Stained Glass, Melted Cheese, and Impressionist Masterpieces
A Sanctuary Captured in Time: Notre-Dame Cathedral
Our first stop after arriving was the legendary Notre-Dame Cathedral. We opted for the self-guided audio tour, which was fantastic because it kept the crowd moving at a steady, respectful pace through the nave.
The soaring Gothic arches were spectacular, and we took a quiet moment for personal reflection, lighting candles for loved ones.
But what truly stole my breath away was the stained glass. Standing beneath the sprawling, intricate Rose Window, watching the overcast March light filter through centuries-old colors, was mesmerizing.
On a poignant side note, our visit was on March 9, 2019. Just 37 days later, on April 15, the devastating fire tore through this historic roof and spire. Standing there just weeks before it changed forever made me realize how fortunate we were to see it intact, and it served as a powerful reminder never to take these historic monuments for granted.
The Perfect Compromise Lunch
For lunch, we found a cozy spot to indulge in a classic Parisian culinary experience: fondue. It turned out to be the ultimate culinary compromise for us. Justin absolutely loves mussels, whereas I am a dedicated vegetarian with a massive love for cheese.
This was my very first time experiencing true French fondue, and dipping crusty bread into a bubbling pot of rich cheese while Justin dug into a steaming pot of moules was an absolute highlight of the day.
A Change in the Air: Stumbling Into a Parisian Protest
With our appetites thoroughly satisfied, we set off on foot toward our afternoon destination, the Musée d’Orsay. But as we walked, the usual romantic hum of the Parisian streets suddenly shifted into something much heavier. Before we fully realized what was happening, we stumbled right onto a massive, active protest.
We’ve accidentally witnessed protests while traveling before, but this one felt entirely different. Not knowing the language added a heavy layer of vulnerability. Even without understanding the specific words being shouted, the raw anger vibrating in the voices of the crowd was unmistakable. Looking around, we saw lines of imposing riot police clad in heavy black gear and helmets, starkly contrasting against the crowd.
As it turns out, we had walked straight into “Act 17” of the historic Gilets Jaunes (Yellow Vest) movement. What began months prior as a protest against rising fuel taxes had boiled over into a widespread, intense weekly revolt against the cost of living and government economic policies.
Standing there as foreigners near a swelling crowd of protesters, a wave of discomfort hit us. We knew we didn’t want to get caught in the middle of a shifting crowd if things escalated, so we quickly veered down a side alley, using the narrow passages to navigate around the chaos and keep our distance. It was a stark reminder that while we were there exploring as tourists, the city itself was a living, breathing place dealing with its own real-world struggles.
Shaken but determined, we successfully bypassed the crowds and finally made it to the quiet sanctuary of the museum.
Over Two Hours of Impressionism at Musée d’Orsay
As someone who absolutely loves impressionist art, the Musée d’Orsay was a completely non-negotiable stop. The building itself is a masterpiece—a grand, sweeping late-19th-century Beaux-Arts railway station that was brilliantly converted into an art sanctuary.
The layout is vast and magnificent, letting you wander from one sunlit gallery room to the next. We easily spent over two hours here, completely lost in a sea of vibrant, emotional works from the world’s greatest impressionist masters.
The Eiffel Tower Dilemma
As the afternoon began to fade, we took a long, scenic stroll along the river walk of the Seine toward Paris’s most iconic landmark: the Eiffel Tower.
We paused to admire it from below, but we didn’t actually go up. At the time, I thought about the ticket prices, the daunting lines, and the fact that we had already walked miles during a long day. We told ourselves, “Maybe tomorrow…”—but tomorrow came and went, and we never went to the top.
In hindsight, I do have a little bit of traveler’s regret about that! We absolutely love climbing towers, lighthouses, and finding places with a soaring view. Why didn’t we prioritize it? Ultimately, the massive crowds and long lines talked us out of it in the moment. If you go, book your tickets far in advance so the lines don’t deter you!
We wrapped up our high-energy first day by slipping into a dimly lit, eclectic local pub, sinking into a plush red velvet armchair, and unwinding with a cold beer to rest our feet.
Day 2: Subterranean Pyramids, Empty Frames, and Montmartre Views
Exploring the Subterranean Louvre
We kicked off day two early at the largest art museum on earth: the Louvre. Descending into the museum is an architectural experience in itself. You stand outside among the historic palace walls, walk into the modern, striking glass triangle pyramid, and ride the elevator down below ground level into a massive, bustling subterranean welcome center.
What is easy to forget when you are staring at a map of the museum is that this massive complex wasn’t originally built to house paintings—it was a sprawling, grand royal palace. For centuries, French kings, queens, and emperors continuously built new wings and altered the grounds. Walking these halls isn’t just about looking at framed art; you are walking through the actual residence of French royalty.
Naturally, we made a point to see the Mona Lisa. I know I am in the distinct minority here, but seeing it in person left me a bit underwhelmed. She has here own room and she was much smaller than I expected, and surrounded by a sea of tourists holding up cameras, I couldn’t help but wonder how this specific piece became the most famous painting in human history. There are so many other jaw-dropping masterpieces by Leonardo da Vinci hanging right in those same galleries!
As we spent hours wandering through the endless, labyrinthine rooms, two unique areas caught my attention and completely changed my perspective on the museum.
First, I was struck by a wall displaying completely empty, ornate gilded frames. It was a beautiful, quiet moment that made me pause and reflect on the survival of art. Throughout the chaos of world history—especially during WWII—so much cultural heritage was systematically stolen, hidden, or burned. Standing in the Louvre, looking at those empty frames, I felt incredibly fortunate that despite the dark chapters of history, so many magnificent collections were saved and preserved for us to admire today.
Second, we stumbled away from the heavy crowds and into a section on the first floor of the Richelieu Wing that made us feel like we had accidentally stepped right into the Palace of Versailles: the Napoleon III Apartments. Built in the 1850s, this hidden gem of a wing is a dizzying explosion of mid-19th-century luxury. We wandered through the Grand Salon, staring up at massive crystal chandeliers, gold leaf trim, and deep red velvet confident sofas designed for high-society gossip. Just past that was the spectacular Large Dining Room, featuring a massive mahogany table built to seat 50 dignitaries under a glittering ceiling. While the emperor himself actually lived across the way, he had this opulent suite built for his Minister of State to host the empire’s grandest galas. Because most tourists rush straight to the famous statues and the Mona Lisa, this wing was incredibly quiet and easy to explore. It was easily one of our favorite surprises of the entire trip.
Parisian Bistros and Iconic Streets
Leaving the museum behind, we headed out to see the Arc de Triomphe, an incredible monument to French military history. (Travel tip: You can actually take an underground pedestrian tunnel to reach the arch and climb 284 steps to the roof terrace for an unbelievable straight-line view of the city!)
From there, we made our way past the famous red windmill blades of the Moulin Rouge. Oh how I would have liked to see a show here, but we just walked by it.
For lunch, we stopped at a charming, classic Parisian bistro. We participated in the ultimate local dining tradition: sitting side-by-side on the exact same side of the table, facing outward toward the cobblestones. It is a seating style designed purely for the art of people-watching, and it is the best way to soak in the local atmosphere.
Climbing to Sacré-Cœur
Our final major stop was a journey up into the historic, bohemian neighborhood of Montmartre to visit the stunning church on the hill: the Sacré-Cœur Basilica.
The steep climb up the stone stairs rewards you with a panoramic view of the Paris skyline stretching out below the building’s striking white travertine stone arches.
Stepping inside, the true masterpiece awaits if you look up. The dome features a colossal, radiant painted ceiling mosaic of the Sacred Heart of Jesus that is absolutely breathtaking in its scale and color.
Travel Reality Check: The Journey Home
While getting into France was a breeze, heading back to London was a masterclass in travel stress. We arrived at Gare du Nord station to find out that the Paris transit and customs officers were on strike (“La Grève”).
Instead of smoothly hopping onto our scheduled Eurostar train, we walked into absolute chaos. Mobs of hundreds of frustrated people were trapped in massive, slow-moving lines stretching through the station just trying to get through passport control. We had completely failed to anticipate this disruption, and the severe delays cost us hours. By the time we finally cleared security, got back to London, and rushed to the airport, we made our flight back home by a margin of mere minutes.
It was a stressful, adrenaline-fueled end to the weekend, but even with the transit chaos and the sore feet, a fast-paced weekend in Paris is worth every single second.
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