JJ Pérez Velázquez

6 sept 20187 Min. de lectura

2 days in Paris, 11 things to do: from HOHOs to musées (with bonus tools)

Two days is enough time in Paris to see the main attractions if you plan. More than two days is a luxury worth enjoying if your budget and time allow it.

Musée du Louvre. ©2018. JJ Perez Velazquez. All Rights Reserved.

In June 2018, I explored Paris during four days and built unforgettable memories. Understanding that most people spare limited time to do so, I decided to share with you the itinerary for the two days I remember most as I look back in time. I intend to inspire you to organize your experience and make the most of your visit. Feel free to personalize these observations to fit your interests and time in the city. At the end of the article, you will find the itinerary and downloadable workbooks for you to personalize.

#0: Before arriving

Paris offers a city pass that enables you to save money on attractions and transportation within the city. Before purchasing individual tickets, check if the Paris Pass includes them and is a money-saving option for you.

Also, moving around a new city is complicated, confusing, and time-consuming. Google Maps is an excellent alternative to help you find routes before arriving. Nonetheless, during this trip I used Citymapper to search for the less time-consuming transportation method from Point A to Point B. Citymapper is a very user-friendly app that provides real-time updates on traffic and commute times; whether it's via bus, bicycle, Uber, metro, or walking. Straight-out I would recommend the Paris Metro for all your ground travels; the service is mostly on-time and highly reliable until 12:30 AM on weekdays and 1:30 AM on weekends.

2 days in Paris, 11 things to do: from HOHOs to musées.

Dear traveler, If you have two days in Paris, here are 11 things to do.

#1: Hop-on, Hop-off (HOHO)

Every major city has these tours or a variation of the concept. Usually rich in general info, HOHO tours are offered by a plethora of local and global firms to showcase the most significant tourist attractions and are a formidable first-encounter with a big city. HOHOs provide a scenic route of all the attractions and allow you to hop-off and hop-on again as many times as you would like in a day; some offer two and three-day passes and have more than one route. With the Paris Pass, you get 24 hours of HOHO fun (they have seasonal operating times). In the itinerary for Day 1, you will see that Metro is recommended as a travel option; HOHO is also an option during the days you have their service.

PRACTICAL TIP: Irrelevant of my itinerary, use the HOHO pass the day that fits your route the best. If you plan to see in one day more than three attractions on the HOHO route, consider using the pass that particular day.

#2: Palais de Versailles

Before the guillotine, Marie Antoinette lived a lavish life within the walls of a landmark you can enjoy today: L e Pa lais de Versailles. It takes at least two hours to enjoy this fine example of 18th-century French art and one of the most visited UNESCO’s World Heritage sites; add one hour to enjoy the food at Grande Café d'Orléans or, a bit more sophisticated, at Restaurant Angelina.

PRACTICAL TIP: Have a light lunch at Versailles and have dinner where the locals eat; whether is Montmartre or another sector.

#3: Petit Train de Montmartre

A white-yet-colorful train will offer you a mini-trip around this bohemian and classic Parisian arrondissement. Sitting on the train itself is an unforgettable experience that will reminisce about the late XIX and early XX centuries while showcasing how modernity invaded Montmartre. This is a ride you will chérish and remember for years to come.

PRACTICAL TIP: The Petit Train de Montmartre service is seasonal; it usually operates until 6:00 PM, but in June, July & August runs until 9:00 PM.

#4: Walk Montmartre

Stairs to Sacre Coeur ©2018. JJ Perez Velazquez. All Rights Reserved.

This romantic and re-known hill is the birthplace of the world-celebrated french can-can, was home to game-changing artists, and its name translates back to Mount of the Martyrs. Nowadays, Montmartre mixes commercial and residential buildings that scream-out-loud for bohemians and offer a wide range of delicacies, experiences, and merchandise. I found fun sitting down at an outside table of a café, enjoying an aperitif, and watching Parisians and tourists walk by. You may find more fun walking around and enjoying the architecture. Bon Appetour shares 10 Best Things to Do in Montmartre, Paris.

PRACTICAL TIP: Be mindful if traveling with children; Montmartre is home to explicit sex shops and massage services.

#5: Sunset at Sacre Coeur

Cloudy sunset at Sacre Coeur ©2018. JJ Perez Velazquez. All Rights Reserved.

After walking Montmartre, you are steps away from one a beautiful sight of heaven and Paris; weather permits. The Basilique du Sacré Coeur gathers people from all over the world because it offers both religious eye candy, through its Romano-Byzantine architecture and lavish interiors, and secular breathtaking views, through its hilltop location in Montmartre.

PRACTICAL TIP: Some people sit in the steps and gardens with beer or wine bottles. I kept cool around them; you do you, but please respect others.

ALSO: Street merchants operate freely in the steps up to the hill. Keep your cool and do not let them pressure you to buy something you do not want; whether they come to braid a bracelet on your wrist while engaging you in conversation or selling a miniature Tour Eiffel.

#6: Arc De Triomphe

Dusk on top of the Arc ©2018. JJ Perez Velazquez. All Rights Reserved.

This emblematic structure is both a landmark and museum. A couple of steps up and you will have a fantastic view of Paris at night; enjoy from the Eiffel Tower light show to the street lights lining up at the Champs Elysées. After doing your selfies and panoramic pictures from the top of the Arc De Triomphe, check if a seasonal exhibition is open downstairs.

PRACTICAL TIP: Take a peek at the weather before leaving your accommodations; you may want to have an umbrella or poncho in your backpack.

#7: Tour Eiffel

A kiss to Tower history ©2018. JJ Perez Velazquez. All Rights Reserved.

Seven million people visit this iconic marvel every year to enjoy a top-view of Paris from a century-old landmark that celebrates the French Revolution. Couples come from everywhere in the world to french kiss while holding a glass of champagne; while other travelers come to take selfies and videos. Regardless of your motivation, the Tour Eiffel is a must for any first time visitor to Paris.

PRACTICAL TIP: Take the elevator. I did the stairs from the esplanade to the second floor and climbing 669 steps (377 feet) was energy consuming. Unless you want to work out your legs and glutes, five lifts are waiting for you at the esplanade.

#8: Jardins du Trocadéro

A 30-minute walk from the Tour Eiffel will land you in a green space of nearly 10,000 m². The Trocadero Garden was created for the Universal Exposition in 1937 and is home to the famous Warsaw fountains, sculptures, and authentic Parisian cafés.

PRACTICAL TIP: Wear a sunscreen 50 SPF or higher; it is likely you will be walking under the sun for a while.

#9: Musée du Louvre

Une chambre au Louvre ©2018. JJ Perez Velazquez. All Rights Reserved.

Open since 1793, this museum is nowadays home to masterpieces like La Gioconda (Mona Lisa) and the Venus de Milo. There are 380,000 works of art to marvel upon divided into eight departments, but roughly 35,000 works are exhibited. Bottom line, plan your visit because seeing it all will take about 100 days if you spend 30 seconds on each piece. The Musée du Louvre's webpage offers practical tools to plan ahead.

PRACTICAL TIP: The average time spent on a visit is 3 hours, and some locals recommend purchasing a dedicated tour like the one offered by the Paris Guy. The Paris Pass only includes entrance to the museum.

#10: Notre Dame

La Maison Centrale du Notre Dame ©2018. JJ Perez Velazquez. All Rights Reserved.

If you can hear the bells, look up and wave to Quasimodo; plus keep your eyes open for a moving gargoyle. Home to the legend of the world-known hunchback, Notre Dame is a mesmerizing gothic catholic cathedral that dates to the 12th century A.D. and whose current shape is a product of the 19th-century restoration resulting from Victor Hugo's novel Notre Dame de Paris popular success.

PRACTICAL TIP: RSVP in advance because walk-ins don't get in. The Paris Pass includes The Tower and its 387 steps plus gives instructions on how to reserve. Notre Dame opens daily with the last admission near 5:30 PM April-September and 4:30 PM October-March.

#11: Tour du Montparnasse

689 feet high, you will feel the magnitude of the only skyscraper in Paris. This modern building offers up to 40km of visibility (on a clear day) on 360 degrees vista from an open-air terrace on the 56th floor. Yes, some people have jumped-off; but please do not join them, there is always a better alternative to suicide. The Montparnasse Tower offers Le Ciel de Paris, metaphoric and gastronomically.

Enjoying the view from the terrace during sunset and having dinner as the night lights go on, is the perfect closure for your two days in Paris.

Hope you've enjoyed your trip!!!

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Hope these tips help. Thanks for sharing your time with me!

Bonus:

Itineraries

Below a two-day itinerary for Paris with expenses for two travelers. I intend to inspire you to organize your experience to make the most of your time. Feel free to modify these to fit your interests and time in the city. Just download the spreadsheet here.