What to see in Paris in two days: route on the map

We’ve already written about the best plan if you only have one day in Paris. Below you’ll find an example route and map of what you can see in two days. By the way, if you’ll be in Paris for just two days and want to see as much as possible quickly, download our audio guides and you’ll have routes, legends, and good company!

First day in Paris

We suggest starting with the Eiffel Tower. Look at it from Trocadero Square, then go up to the tower itself. Be warned that a ticket must be purchased in advance (book it here). All visits require a date and time reservation. It would be too frustrating not to get to the top if you only have two days in Paris.

Don’t deny yourself the pleasure of taking a ride on the Seine on a riverboat. The boats are parked at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, and you can buy tickets in advance at this link. Make a full circle and admire the city from the river. The tour takes about an hour.

Then you’ll return to the Eiffel Tower and Trocadero. Now, go under the Eiffel Tower, to the green grass of the Champ de Mars. Here you can have a small picnic and take pretty pictures.

After a nice picnic lunch at the Champ de Mars, head to Ecole-Militaire. Turn to your left and then go straight, and you’ll end up at Les Invalides. Continue on towards the Seine. You’ll see the most beautiful bridge in Paris, the Bridge of Alexander III.

Continue going straight and you’ll see Grand Palais and Petit Palais, and end up on Champs-Elysees. To your right will be Place de la Concorde, and to your left the Arc de Triomphe, which you can get to easily.

On the way you will see a lot of interesting things, admire the boutique windows on the Champs-Élysées, you can even buy something to remember you by.

Go up to the Arc de Triomphe. From its roof you have a wonderful view of the Eiffel Tower, the Champs Elysees, and all of Paris. Book your ticket at this link so you don’t have to wait in line.

Book a hotel on the Champs Elysées avenue

If you don’t have enough time, or don’t like walking, then you can take an easy metro route. After riding on the Seine, go to the Eiffel Tower, and then onto Trocadero. There you’ll find the closest metro station to the Eiffel Tower. The 6th metro line will take you to the Arc de Triomphe. After enjoying it, continue walking along the Champs-Elysees. You’ll see the same things that you would on the walking route.

The second day

Start your second day by walking around Notre-Dame. On the right bank of the Seine, just two steps from the grand cathedral, is the Paris town hall and center of modern art, Pompidou Center. These places are a must-see.

After Pompidou, you can continue on to the Louvre. Just walk on the Rue de Rivoli, and the Louvre will be between the Seine and Rue de Rivoli. You can stop at many stores on the way. Even if you don’t have time for the museum, go inside the courtyard and enjoy the pyramid.

Continue on and you’ll find the Tuileries Gardens. On the left bank of the Seine, across from the Tuileries, is the impressionist Musée d’Orsay. The building is a former train station and there’s a great view of it from the gardens. Walk through the gardens and you’ll come to the Place de la Concorde, where is a real Egyptian obelisk, the Orangerie Museum and the Hotel de la Marine. We call the latter a mini version of Versailles. If you manage to check it out for at least a short audio tour, you’ll even exceed your plan of exploring Paris. Book your tour here to avoid lines.

From the metro station Concorde, you can go to Montmartre. Just get on line 12. You need the station Abbesses. You’ll end up in the middle of the district. We have described the main sights of Montmartre in a separate article.

If you plan on going to museums, count on at least 3-4 hours in the Louvre (find tickets without lines here) and 2-3 hours in Musée d’Orsay (you can buy tickets in advance).

Paris isn’t that large of a city. You can see all the main sights in two days. No need to hurry. Enjoy your walk!