48 Hours in Paris: Things To Do

Vedika Anand

Last updated: Jun 11, 2019

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“Wow, 48 hours in Paris!” :) “WHAT? Only 48 hours in Paris!!” :(

These are the two feelings that must be alternating in your mind while you plan. So let’s get cracking and make those 48 hours in Paris perfect!

First and foremost, make sure you book a hotel or apartment in the centre of Paris close to most of the attractions so you don’t waste time travelling within the city.

There are two ways of seeing most of the attractions in Paris. One option is taking the Hop on-Hop off bus where you’re also given headphones with an audio commentary so you don’t need a guide tagging along. You can get off and spend time at any attraction and then get back on to the next bus and move on. The tour tickets are usually valid for 48 hours in Paris so you have time to explore the city at your pace.

Other ways to see Paris is to take the metro train, which is quite easy to figure out or use the Vélib, the public bicycle sharing system in Paris. It may not be as effective as the hop-on hop-off bus but you can choose the parts of the city that catch your fancy and using your smart phone or a map of the city, set out to discover different parts of Paris. Getting ‘lost’ may just give you some memorable experiences.

Day 1 of 48 hours in Paris

Morning: Hop-on the tour to see the iconic Eiffel Tower, Napoleon’s Tomb, the Louvre, which houses the Mona Lisa, Paris’ famous garden - Jardine des Tuileries, the Conciergerie Prison where Marie Antoinette was imprisoned, the majestic Notre Dame Cathedral, Palais et Jardin du Luxembourg, Paris’ second largest public garden. If you do decide to go into the Louvre, you may not be able to see many of the other sites as it does take a long time to go through this amazing museum of art.

paris holiday

Lunch: take a break and relax in the garden with a takeaway lunch or eat in one of the umpteen surrounding cafes.

Afternoon: visit the Panthéon, modelled after its Roman counterpart. Enjoy the lively atmosphere of the Latin Quarter of Paris, the beauty of Jardin du Palais Royal, walk around the Champs-Elysées and visit the Arc De Triomphe and Place de la Concorde.

paris river cruise

Evening - relax on a cruise on the River Seine Night - watch the famous Moulin Rouge, Folies Bergères or Lido shows.

Day 2 of 48 hours in Paris

You can opt to spend day two of your 48 hours in Paris is at the famous and fun Disneyland Paris where you can enjoy many thrilling rides and fascinating shows. Meet your favourite cartoon characters and enjoy the cheerful atmosphere with your whole family. While in Disneyland Paris, you can also visit Bois de Boulogne, the green lung of Paris with the famous Roland Garros Stadium adjacent to it.

Morning: Go to a side-walk cafe and enjoy fresh croissants and coffee

Lunch: starting around 11.30 am, join John-Paul on a 3 and a half hour culinary walk, exploring the Montmarte ending at the Sacre-Coeur. The tour guides are very informative and passionate about French food and culture.

shopping paris

Evening: If you’re wondering where shopping fits in to your 48 hours in Paris, not to worry! Walk down the ever-glamorous Avenue Montaigne, the streets of Saint Germain and the Champs Elysées for the great Parisian shopping experience. Department stores like Grand Magasins as they are known in French, including the magnificent Galeries Lafayette, Le Bon Marché, Printemps Haussmann, Franck & Fils and others. For some great deals, you could also spend the day at the outlet mall at La Vallee Village, which is close to Disneyland Paris.

Night: This is your last night in Paris and you must see it in all its glory as you climb up to the Eiffel tower to take get a bird’s eye view of the City of Lights! End your amazing 48 hours in Paris like a true Parisian…sipping a glass of champagne!

For unbelievable flight and hotel deals for Paris check out the new Refer and Earn Program. The best part? You’l be able to take your friends along too!

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