October 31, 2024, 7:05 am | Read time: 6 minutes
Can you visit the most important sights in Paris in just two days? Yes, you can! TRAVELBOOK shows you how.
Paris, with its amazing sights, is worth a visit at any time of year – even in the fall or winter. In the colder months, the French capital shows a special side: the cool air smells of freshly baked croissants and baguettes, and when the sun goes down in the afternoon, the whole city shines in a romantic glow under the old lanterns.
Overview
Major sights in Paris
Paris also offers so many sights that you could easily spend a whole week or longer here. But for anyone who doesn’t have the time, a short trip to the French capital is absolutely worthwhile. TRAVELBOOK has tried it out and reveals how you can visit the most important attractions in Paris in just two days.
TRAVELBOOK editor Larissa Königs gives more tips and inspiration about Paris in the following podcast episode of In 5 Minuten um die Welt:
Louvre
Even if you are only in Paris for a few days, you should definitely visit the Louvre. Leonardo da Vinci’s immortal painting, the Mona Lisa, is just one of the highlights that await visitors here. A tip against the hours-long waiting times around the famous pyramids: go from the metro station directly into the underground shopping mall Carrousel du Louvre, and then on to the inverted glass pyramid. The waiting time at this entrance is often only a few minutes.
Pantheon
Another highlight in Paris is the Pantheon. Originally used as a church, the magnificently decorated building now serves as France’s national hall of fame and is the eternal resting place of famous thinkers such as Voltaire and Rousseau, as well as the famous scientist Marie Skłodowska Curie, to name but a few. The impressive murals also depict the story of St. Genevieve, the patron saint of the city. You should plan to spend at least an hour here.
Jardin des Plantes and Jardin du Luxembourg
If you’re looking for a green oasis after exploring the Pantheon, two delightful options await: either visit the Jardin des Plantes, the botanical garden, or the Jardin du Luxembourg, a park located directly next to the Palais de Luxembourg, where the French Senate meets.
Stroll along the Seine
Next, a return to the Seine offers a variety of choices for how to spend the remainder of your day. A stroll along the promenade and the countless bridges that cross the river is particularly romantic. Here, you will come across old-established street traders and artists, as well as modern street art – and pass by other monumental buildings such as the Musée de la Monnaie (Money Museum), the Musée d’Orsay, and the Palais Bourbon. You can also discover all these highlights on a boat trip on the Seine.
Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur
Afterward, take the metro to Anvers station, which is located in the immediate vicinity of the artistic district of Montmartre. If you spend the night here in one of the many hostels, you will wake up the next morning in the shadow of the romantic Sacré-Cœur church, which is enthroned on a hill above the district. From here, you have a spectacular view over the whole city. The interior of the church is, of course, no less impressive.
Arc de Triomphe
For those eager to continue their adventure, hop on the metro at Anvers station and head to the station Charles de Gaulle – Étoile, where the majestic Arc de Triomphe beckons. Built between 1806 and 1836, this triumphal arch was commissioned by Emperor Napoleon himself, and at a height of almost 50 meters, it also offers a fantastic view over Paris.
Eiffel Tower
And what about the Eiffel Tower? A visit to the Parisian landmark is, of course, a must on a short trip to the French capital. The 7,000-ton metal giant rises 324 dizzying meters into the Parisian sky. Completed in 1889 for the World Exhibition in Paris, the colossus built by Gustave Eiffel still serves as a broadcasting tower today and is still one of the most photographed sights in the world.
The 360-degree panoramic view at a height of almost 280 meters on the top visitor platform is particularly spectacular – this is where Gustave Eiffel once had his office, a replica of which can still be visited today. Fun fact: At this lofty height, you can order champagne, and there is even a visitors’ toilet. Of course, the Eiffel Tower also has restaurants and a souvenir store. As several million people want to climb it every year, there can sometimes be long waiting times.
However, if you are good on your feet and willing to climb the first two platforms on your own instead of using the elevator, you can shorten the waiting time.
Also interesting: Belleville — the trendy district of Paris
Former working-class neighborhood Belleville — the trendy district of Paris
France Vacation in Lyon? What you should not miss
TRAVELBOOK on site Why a visit to Marrakech is definitely worthwhile
Jardin du Champ de Mars
Cap off your whirlwind tour with a leisurely stroll through the serene Jardin du Champ de Mars, ensuring you’ve experienced the essence of Paris’s must-see attractions in a mere two days. However, if you also want to see places like the Palace of Versailles or other highlights, you should plan more time.