The City of Lights is a bucket-list destination for romantics, artists, gourmands, and just about anyone with an interest in travel, and all for very good reason: There are more world-class sights and activities here than you’ll manage in a lifetime visits. This embarrassment of riches is an inspiration for many, but can also be daunting for those planning a first visit, especially if it’s on the shorter side. Should you find yourself with a couple of days in the French capital, here’s what to do with 48 hours in Paris.
TRY THESE TRADITIONAL PARIS FOODS
French cuisine is renowned the world over for its precision methods and sinful sauces, so you probably have several key bites in mind already, but be sure to add these musts to your checklist if they’re not already there. Baguettes truly are a part of daily life for the French, and bakeries abound, so snag one of these classics and eat it with some creamy or soft cheese. As beautiful as they are delicious, macarons may not be recommended for daily consumption, but you’re only in town for 48 hours, so two or three helpings of these bakery bites won’t hurt, either.
If you’d rather enjoy a pain au chocolat for breakfast, save your baguette for lunch and grab a jambon-beurre as you’re strolling in the afternoon sun (hopefully). This isn’t much more than a ham and butter sandwich on a crusty baguette, but it’s a Paris staple. If this sounds like a highlight for you, head to La Fontaine for one of the city’s best, but you can find them all over, so you don’t need to make a special trip if you’re just casually curious. Rest assured that it’s not gauche to order French onion soup in France; it’s common. You won’t find it labeled “French” here, though, so just look for soup à l’oignon at a bistro, and enjoy this specialty. Indulge in cream-covered or wine-soaked meals to your heart’s content, but don’t overlook a steak dinner in Paris, where a plate of steak frites is adored. The Belgians say they invented this, but the true origin remains unknown, and the French also like to claim it.
VISIT SOME SPECTACULAR MUSEUMS IN PARIS
Paris is home to what may be the world’s most famous museum, The Louvre, and it’s well worth visiting, but you need a game plan. Identify a few must-see works and galleries ahead of time, and budget the number of hours you’re willing to spend, lest you lose the entire day (it’s easy to do). The Musée d’Orsay is the second most-visited museum in the city, and worth your time if you’re a big fan of Impressionist art. Otherwise, you may want to skip this one (especially if you’ve already spent significant time at The Louvre) and head instead to something decidedly more modern like the Fondation Louis Vuitton, whose architecture alone is something to behold. Paris is also home to a plethora of quirky museums. Less traditional museum goers may find more to enjoy at places like the Paris Catacombs, the Edith Piaf Museum, and Museum of The History of Medicine.
SNAP PHOTOS OF PARIS’S LEGENDARY LANDMARKS
You will certainly want to visit the Eiffel Tower while here, but keep in mind that it’s exciting by both day and night, so plan your touring to include both. Other top photo grabbers include the Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame Cathedral, and Sacré Coeur in Montmartre (the artist den perhaps best known today as the home of the Moulin Rouge), but the charming Canal Saint-Martin and colorful Rue Cremieux are rising in popularity with shutterbugs, too.
Montmartre hill with Basilique du Sacre-Coeur. Photo by pawel.gaul/iStock.com
STROLL THROUGH PARIS’S COOLEST NEIGHBORHOODS
If you haven’t already made it to Montmartre for Sacré Coeur or the Moulin Rouge, make your way here to experience the bohemian 18th arrondissement (district). Elsewhere, intellectuals will delight in the storied cafés of the Latin Quarter, where Hemmingway and friends convened. Finally, Le Marais likely holds the scenes you conjure when imaging the city streets of Paris, from epic architecture to bustling restaurants.
AWAKE TO PERFECT PARIS VIEWS
If you’re looking for iconic Eiffel Tower views and have the budget for serious luxury, reserve a room at Four Seasons Hotel Paris. The restaurants here have a collective five Michelin stars, and the property’s spa is a highlight. If you’d rather spend more of your vacation dollars elsewhere, you can still score Eiffel Tower views for significantly less at Le Metropolitan Paris while remaining in comfort in a desirable location near several top attractions.
