Paris in 2 days: an hour-by-hour itinerary
Quick answer
In two days you can see the Louvre, Notre-Dame, the Sainte-Chapelle, the Musée d'Orsay and the Eiffel Tower without rushing. Day one covers the Île de la Cité and the Louvre; day two covers Orsay, Saint-Germain, Luxembourg and the Eiffel Tower. Plan it from Wednesday to Thursday or Thursday to Friday.
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Day 1: Île de la Cité, Louvre and the Seine
The first day gathers the big classics in an almost continuous walk along the Seine. Choose a Wednesday or Friday to use the Louvre's late opening.
- 1
9:00 · Île de la Cité
Notre-Dame
Free entry to the cathedral, reopened in December 2024. Allow 45 minutes and reserve a slot in high season.
- 2
10:00 · Île de la Cité
Sainte-Chapelle
Reserve a slot and go straight to the upper chapel for the 13th-century Gothic stained glass.
- 3
11:15 · Quai de la Mégisserie
Walk to the Louvre
Cross the Pont Neuf and follow the Seine.
- 4
12:30 · Tuileries
Lunch near the Louvre
There are bakeries and cafés on rue de Rivoli, steps from the museum.
- 5
14:00 · Louvre Museum
The Louvre in depth
Two hours covers the essentials with our Louvre 2-hour route; with four you can add the Egyptian antiquities and French paintings. Tickets are €22 (EEA) or €32 (non-EEA) since January 2026.
- 6
18:30 · Tuileries and Concorde
Sunset in the Tuileries
Leave through the garden and reach Place de la Concorde in the golden hour.
- 7
20:00 · Seine
Dinner or a river cruise
A Seine cruise at dusk links Notre-Dame, the Louvre and the lit-up tower in an hour.
Day 2: Orsay, Saint-Germain and the Eiffel Tower
Day two combines a museum, a charming neighbourhood and the city's most famous monument. Orsay is closed on Mondays, so don't schedule this day on a Monday.
- 1
9:30 · 7th arrondissement
Musée d'Orsay
Opens at 9:30 and closes at 18:00 (Thursday until 21:45). Head straight to the Impressionists on the upper floor: Monet, Renoir, Degas and Van Gogh.
- 2
12:30 · Saint-Germain-des-Prés
Lunch in Saint-Germain
Cross the Seine by the Pont Royal or the Pont des Arts and find a terrace in the neighbourhood.
- 3
14:00 · 6th arrondissement
Luxembourg Gardens
Stroll by the pond and the green chairs of the 17th-century garden.
- 4
15:30 · Latin Quarter
Panthéon
Resting place of Voltaire, Victor Hugo and Marie Curie, with Foucault's pendulum. Check hours and price on the official website.
- 5
17:30 · Metro to Trocadéro
Transfer to the Eiffel Tower
From the Latin Quarter, a metro ride with one change gets you to Trocadéro.
- 6
18:30 · Eiffel Tower
Up the Eiffel Tower
Book weeks ahead on toureiffel.paris. In 2026 it costs €14.80 by stairs to the second floor and €36.70 by lift to the summit.
- 7
21:00 · Champ de Mars
Dinner with a view
End the trip on the Champ de Mars with the tower lit up.
If you change the order
- If you can only go on a Monday: do the Louvre and leave Orsay for another visit.
- If you can only go on a Tuesday: do Orsay and replace the Louvre with a stroll through the Latin Quarter.
- Skip the Centre Pompidou: closed for renovation since 2025 until around 2030.
- With the AnyArt app, point your camera at a painting at Orsay or the Louvre and hear its story without hunting for the label.
Frequently asked questions
Is two days enough for Paris?
It's enough for the big classics: Notre-Dame, the Sainte-Chapelle, the Louvre, Orsay and the Eiffel Tower. For Versailles or Montmartre you need a third day.
What's the best order for the museums?
Louvre on day one (Wednesday or Friday, with late opening) and Orsay on day two (Thursday has late opening). Avoid Mondays and Tuesdays.
Is it worth doing both the Louvre and Orsay in two days?
Yes, they're different: the Louvre runs from antiquity to 1848, and Orsay covers Impressionism and art from 1848 to 1914.
How do I book the Eiffel Tower?
On the official website toureiffel.paris. It costs from €14.80 by stairs to the second floor and €36.70 by lift to the summit; sunset slots sell out first.
What if it rains?
Stretch out the Louvre or Orsay and leave the Luxembourg Gardens and the river cruise for another time.