Paris, Paris! Two days in the French capital.

If you’re lucky enough to visit Paris for a weekend, then you’re spoilt for choice in what to see and do. Two days will never be enough, but beggars can’t be choosers! You might be wondering where to start with planning your precious time in the French capital, so read on for a sample itinerary on a few top things to do on a two day break in this city of glamour and sophistication.

Day one

On your first morning in Paris, it’s a good idea to get your bearings, and a great way to do this is by being a total tourist and jumping on the hop on/off sightseeing bus. You can choose from several different routes, with the green line being the most popular. This gives you an overview on the parts of the city you want to explore properly, maybe not even on this visit, but at some point in the future. Buy your ticket and travel to your heart’s content. Two spots in particular are incredibly popular, and these will probably fill up the rest of your day – the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower.

These two might be a little touristy for some, but the fact remains that they are two of the most visited in the whole city for a good reason. The Arc de Triomphe boasts views that will blow your mind, dating back to 1806 by order of Napoleon. The Eiffel Tower, we all know is Paris’ number one attraction. It’s advisable to book online in good time, as although the first two floors are easily accessible by stairs or lift, the third and arguably best level is lift-only, so queues are likely. Be prepared to snap away on that camera!

With all that sightseeing, you’ll be ready for a sit down meal, so head to the Marché Saint-Germain/Saint-Sulpice Area for a spot of high-end nosh and fantastic people watching opportunities.

Day two

Nobody should visit Paris and miss out on a trip to The Louvre, whether you’re an art lover or not. The building itself is stunning, and with 400,000 items on display, you’re sure to find something to pique your interest. If you are an art buff and you’ve been to the Louvre before ( or don’t have time to spend a good half day there), I highly recommend the Musee D’Orsay and or the Rodin Museum (dedicated to the scuptures of famed Auguste Rodin). I loved the Musee D’Orsay and visited it twice during one trip! 

If shopping is more your thing, and you certainly should never visit such a city and not at least window shop, then the stores around The Louvre will more than cater for your retail therapy needs. The designer stores around this area will blow you away, as well as the price tags probably!

Your final sightseeing stop of the day should be the Notre Dame Cathedral. Famous the world over for its Gothic architecture, this is one of the sights in Paris that should not be missed, and again, a fantastic choice for your camera snapping, especially the view from the top.

You’ve only skimmed the edge of the sightseeing opportunities in Paris, but you’ve seen a few in the time you had, so make peace with that fact and head out for some more entertainment, which is a historic venue in itself – Moulin Rouge. This 19^th century windmill is iconic and hugely popular, so make sure you book well in advance for your dinner and show.

With your two days in Paris complete, one thing is for sure, you’ll no doubt be leaving thinking about when you can schedule in another visit!

Image by Shane Adams under Creative Commons License. View from top of Notre Dame.