Top 16 Things To Do Within 48 Hours In Paris, France - Updated 2024

Anne
Anne 
Updated
| 6 min read

Paris is the capital of France and is renowned as a global center for fashion, gastronomy, art, and culture. Here, you can wake up in a vacation rental with a view of the Eiffel Tower and start your short but packed visit! Or, you can also save some money on your accommodation by staying in a backpacker hostel. The city was laid out in the 19th century and is crisscrossed by the River Seine and wide boulevards. Within the city are many iconic monuments, including the Gothic Notre-Dame Cathedral, built in the 12th century, and the emblematic Eiffel Tower. Head to the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré with its designer boutiques and quaint cafe culture or explore the city’s parks, the Louvre, and other museums, art galleries, churches, basilicas, and more. If you only have a short time to spend in the city, the following is an itinerary for the top things to do within 48 hours in Paris, France.

Day 1: Afternoon

1. Grab a croissant at Chez Meunier

What’s a Paris vacation without having a croissant? One of the best places to visit in Paris is Chez Meunier, where you can sample a perfect buttery and flakey croissant. The bakery was started in 2104 and has since become popular for its organic breads and gourmet pastries. All their raw ingredients are locally sourced, supporting the community, and often take advantage of seasonal ingredients.

Upon entering the shop, you’ll be met with the tempting smell of baked goods and unparalleled visuals. Luck for you, they have several locations in Paris, so make sure to choose the one nearest to you. The opening hours vary across each of the outlets, but the usual timings are 7am to 8pm on most days.

Chez Meunier

Website: Chez Meunier

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2. Admire panoramic views of the city from Arc de Triomphe (from USD 37.82)

48 hours in paris | admire panoramic views of the city from arc de triomphe

If you only have 48 hours for your Paris itinerary, this three-hour tour needs to be a part of it! The tour is essentially made up of two parts, both of which can be done at any time of the day that is most suitable for you. The first is the entrance to the top of the monument, Arc de Triomphe, so you can enjoy a view of the Champs-Elysées. If you happen to visit at night, you might even catch the lighting of the eternal flame.

The next part of the tour includes a cruise on the River Seine to enjoy views of famous landmarks such as the Louvre and Notre Dame de Paris.

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Paris: Arc de Triomphe Entry with Seine Cruise

Duration: 3.0 hour

536 reviews

3. Visit Champ de Mars and Eiffel Tower (from USD 36.0)

The Champ de Mars is a large park located in the 7th arrondissement, between the Eiffel Tower and the École Militaire. The park opened in 1780 and was named after the Roman God of War. The park is a wonderful place to stroll, relax or enjoy a picnic and there is a children’s playground for the little ones. The perfect place for some fresh air in the middle of the busy city.

When choosing a guided tour of the iconic Eiffel Tower, you will learn about the tower’s construction and history from your guide, as well as other famous Paris monuments. The plan to build a 300-meter (984-foot) iron tower was conceived during preparations for the World’s Fair of 1889. It was completed within 22 months. Binoculars will allow you to view details of the city that are hidden from the naked eye as you enjoy panoramic views of The City of Light from the top of the Eiffel Tower.

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Eiffel Tower Guided Tour

Duration: 2 hours

2 reviews

Paris Tour Guide

Angénic  Agnero

Angénic Agnero

Paris Tour Guide

Patricia Aveline

Patricia Aveline

My name is Patricia Bollinger and my family is French. I have always had a passion for art and history and I chose to study them when I went to university. I have been a licensed tour guide for the last 30 years and I work in French, English and Italian. My passion and also as part of my work I travel a lot. For this reason, I have a good idea of visitors expectations. Naturally I want to share this passion for my country and its heritage with foreign visitors.I also love cooking and I am a foody.

Tours by Patricia

Day 1: Night

4. Have dinner at 58 Tour Eiffel Restaurant

58 Tour Eiffel
Source: Photo by Flickr user Chad and Steph used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

After exploring the Eiffel Tower and enjoying the views, one of the best things to do in Paris as a couple is head to the 58 Tour Eiffel Restaurant. Located on the first floor, it offers a delicious dinner with views over the city. The restaurant offers minimalist furnishings and soft lighting, so as not to distract from the beauty of Paris at night. The restaurant serves a menu of what they term “revisited French cuisine,” with enhanced flavors to enjoy. Menus change twice each year in order to feature seasonal food products. A selection of wines is served by the cellar master, carefully paired with the Chef’s menu to enhance the cuisine.

58 Tour Eiffel Restaurant

Address: Tour Eiffel, Champ de Mars, Paris, France

Price for two: From 172 EUR (195 USD)

Hours: 11:30 AM to 4.30 PM and 6:30 PM to 11:30 PM

Website: 58 Tour Eiffel Restaurant

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5. Go clubbing at Rex or attend a cabaret show at Moulin Rouge

After a delicious meal, head to Rex Club for some great music and enjoy the nightlife in Paris. The club opened in 1992 and is the oldest, long-running club for techno and house parties with famous DJs entertaining the crowd. The walls are lined with seating and booths and there is a large dance floor and a bar.

Rex Club

Address: 5 Boulevard Poissonnière, Paris, France

Website: Rex Club

Alternatively, enjoy a cabaret show at the famous Moulin Rouge. The cabaret house was founded in 1889 and it burned down in 1915. However, it was rebuilt and is now famous as the birthplace of the can-can dance. The cabaret offers musical dance entertainment and its decor still retains much of its former romantic feeling.

Moulin Rouge

Address: 82 Boulevard de Clichy, Paris, France

Website: Moulin Rouge

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Day 2: Morning

6. Savor tasty delights at Café Oberkampf

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account


Café Oberkampf serves a selection of toasted or soaked oats with berries, dried fruits, nuts and yogurt. Non-gluten bread comes with salted butter and a variety of accompaniments, including home-made peanut or almond butter, jam and bananas. Grilled sandwiches with three kinds of cheese and chili jam are available as well as a courgette sandwich with coriander and various tartines.

Café Oberkampf

Address: 3 Rue Neuve Popincourt, Paris, France

Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Price for two: 22-40 EUR (25-45 USD)

Website: Café Oberkampf

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7. Indulge in the satisfying cuisine of Holybelly

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account


Holybelly serves a mixture of Australian, American and French cuisine. They offer specials related to what is available in season and locally accessible. The special might be classic French, like “Aligot et saucisse de Morteau” or it might be a southern Comfort Food classic like “Cornbread and beans.” However, their coffee is always made from high-grade beans. Brunch includes savory stack pancakes with bacon and eggs, or a sweet stack with seasonal fruits, cream and syrup. Home-made granola is available, made from oats, seeds and almonds with a touch of honey. The cafe’s artisanal bread is sourced from the nearby Du Pain et des Idées bakery and is served with butter, home-made jams and Vegemite. A black rice porridge is also served cooked in coconut milk infused with vanilla bean and served with seasonal fruits.

Holybelly

Address: 5 rue Lucien Sampaix, Paris, France

Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Price for two: 22-40 EUR (25-45 USD)

Website: Holybelly

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Day 2: Afternoon

8. Explore the majestic Palace of Versailles (from USD 89.0)

From 1682, the Palace of Versailles was the official royal residence of Louis XIV up until the beginning of the French Revolution in 1789, when it was under Louis XV. Until today, it is still considered a site of interest in Paris. The palace is located in Yvelines in the Île-de-France region of Paris. Explore the beautiful gardens surrounding the palace.

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Versailles Palace & Gardens Skip-the-Line Tour from Paris

Duration: 5 hours

1133 reviews

9. Stroll around Luxembourg Gardens

Luxembourg Gardens, Paris 2014
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Kosala Bandara used under CC BY 2.0

The Luxembourg Gardens or Jardin du Luxembourg are located in the 6th arrondissement of Paris. The gardens were created in 1612 by the widow of King Henry IV, Marie de Medici, for her new residence, the Luxembourg Palace. The gardens are among the most beautiful and prized formal parks in Paris and various sculptures can be seen. Visitors can lay chess, bridge or tennis or remote control boats in the park.

Luxembourg Gardens

Address: Rue de Médicis, Paris, France

Hours: Opens 7.30 AM or 8:15 AM, closes 4:30 PM or 9:30 PM, depending on the season

Website: Luxembourg Gardens

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Day 2: Night

10. Take dinner cruise on the Seine (from USD 51.0)

Enjoy a three-course dinner while cruising on the River Seine, while looking out at the Paris waterfront and gazing at Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Louvre, Pont Alexandre III and Musée d'Orsay. Visit the top deck of the boat to enjoy open-air views of the city.

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Seine River Cruise with 3-Course Dinner in Paris

Duration: 2 hours

466 reviews

11. Try the craft cocktails at UFO Bar

La nouvelle carte de cocktail est arrivée !

Posted by L'UFO on Monday, May 16, 2016

UFO Bar, or L’UFO as it is known in French, is adorned with amazing pictures on the wall and a selection of shots at 2 EUR (2.7 USD) each and a range of craft cocktails. The music is ska, funk and northern soul and on the weekend, DJs play in the downstairs part of the bar, with crowds dancing to the beat. The bar is run by a French and American team who are friendly and speak English.

UFO Bar

Address: 49 Rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud, Paris, France

Hours: 6:00 PM to 2:00 AM

Prices: Moderate

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12. Visit Pop In and enjoy the local bar scene

Posted by Pop In on Thursday, April 7, 2022

Pop In is a rock bar with live music concerts by independent groups seeking recognition and a variety of beers. Most of the music action happens in the cellar of the bar where there is a concert area and a dance floor. The bar is also popular for its low-priced drinks.

Pop In

Address: 105 Rue Amelot, 75011 Paris, France

Hours: 6:30 PM to 1:30 AM

Prices: Moderate

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Day 3: Morning

13. Visit the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris (Sacré-Cœur)

The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris (or Sacré-Cœur as it is known in France) in Montmartre is a Roman Catholic church and a minor basilica which is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The church is a popular landmark in Paris and is located on the summit of Montmartre, the highest point in Paris.

Sacré-Cœur

Address: 35 Rue du Chevalier de la Barre, Paris, France

Hours: 6:00 AM to 6:30 PM

Website: Sacré-Cœur

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14. Marvel at the beautiful structures at Le Marais

Jewish quarter, Rue des Rosiers Le Marais @ Paris
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Guilhem Vellut used under CC BY 2.0

Le Marais is a historic district of the city with many historic buildings of architectural importance and dates back to the 12th century. The district spreads over a section of the 3rd and 4th arrondissements of Paris. Narrow cobblestoned alleyways offer coffee shops and boutiques. Le Marais is also known as the Jewish quarter of Paris and still maintains strong traditions. The district is also known as a gay area of Paris.

Le Marais

Website: Le Marais

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Day 2: Morning - Late breakfast at Café Oberkampf or Holybelly. Visit The Louvre Museum (from USD 53.0)

day 2: morning - late breakfast at café oberkampf or holybelly. visit the louvre museum
Source: www.viator.com

The Louvre Palace (Palais du Louvre) exhibits one of the best collections of artworks in the world but it is also known as a museum. The building was constructed in 1190 by King Philippe Auguste as a defensive fortress. In the 14th century, it became a residence and royal home. It later became the museum that can be visited today. The museum is located on the right bank of the River Seine between the Tuileries Gardens and the church of Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois.

Architectural Tour of the Louvre Palace through its Façades

15. Notre-Dame de Paris (from USD 27.0)

notre-dame de paris
Source: www.viator.com

Visit the UNESCO-listed Notre-Dame de Paris, one of the most famous cathedrals in the world. Be guided through the crypt and the towers. Built in 1163, the cathedral is located on the Île de la Cité in the fourth arrondissement of Paris and it hosts more than 250 treasures from churches, cathedrals and abbeys in France, a world-famous organ, stained-glass windows, statues and paintings.

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Guided Notre Dame de Paris Tour

16. Musee d'Orsay (from USD 13.0)

musee d'orsay
Source: www.viator.com

The Musée d'Orsay is set on the Left Bank of the Seine in Paris. The building was formerly the Gare d’Orsay, which was a Beaux-Arts railway station constructed between 1898 and 1900. The museum exhibits French art, including sculptures, paintings, photography and furniture from 1848 to 1914.

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Musée d'Orsay Skip-The-Line Ticket

133 reviews

A brief visit to Paris

Have fun exploring all the major attractions of Paris, dining in unique restaurants and visiting nightclubs and bars while on a short trip to Paris.

Frequently asked questions about the top things to do within 48 hours in Paris, France


Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
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Anne Sewell was born in England, but has spent most of her life in Africa - Malawi, Zimbabwe and South Africa - and now resides on the beautiful Costa del Sol in southern Spain. She loves writing...Read more

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