Paris is one of the top tourist destinations in the world. And why wouldn't it be? The city of love has everything you need, and then some more. From world-renowned attractions, stunning art museums and monuments, beautiful cafes, a vibrant nightlife, AND streets that you can walk on for days without getting bored...what else do you need?
Don't worry though, if there's ever a situation where you need to explore the best of Paris in just a weekend. we've got you! We've done our homework, and we've created the perfect itinerary for your weekend in Paris!
How to Spend a Weekend in Paris Under 100 Euros
Looking to explore Paris on a budget? Headout with us and we'll show you how!
Day 1: Tuileres Garden, Louvre Museum, Pastries at Louvre Rivoli, Orsay Museum, The left bank
€45
Day 2: The Trocadéro, The Eiffel Tower, Champs-Elysees, Montmartre, Sacré-Cœur, Fine-Dine
€47
Total
€92
Book your Paris Attractions tickets on Headout, and spend just €92 on your weekend vacation in Paris! Hit up all the prime attractions in the city and save more while you explore more. Read on to see our detailed 2-day weekend Paris Itinerary and learn more about visiting each of these attractions.
Weekend in Paris - Detailed Itinerary
Saturday in Paris
Located between the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde, the Tuileries Garden is a public park that was first opened in 1667. A morning visit is a perfect time to explore the lush gardens, the vibrant plant life, and the two water bodies of the park. The cool weather also imparts a certain beauty that makes visiting the garden in the morning a must, especially in spring.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes since you will be exploring the garden on your feet
- If you have kids with you, you can feed ducks at the water bodies, which can be a fun activity
- TNote that visitors are not allowed to sit on the grass
- Art lovers can admire the numerous sculptures present throughout the park
Visiting the Louvre Museum early in the morning is a great way to explore the spectacular museum while avoiding the crowds. As the world’s most visited museum, it is home to some of the most renowned works of art, such as Venus de Milo and the Mona Lisa. The museum is home to over 380,000 objects and around 35,000 works of art spread across an area of over 650,000 square feet.
- Plan your visit to the Louvre on the weekdays rather than the weekend, since it will be less crowded.
- See the big 3, the Mona Lisa, the Winged Victory, and Venus de Milo first, when you have the energy to wait in the queues.
- Purchase the tickets online in advance to avoid the long queues outside the museum.
- Use an audio guide or a group tour since exploring the various rooms of the museum randomly will not be the best option for a massive museum.
The Louvre Rivoli offers some great bakeries, patisseries, and restaurants for a delicious lunch. You can enjoy some hearty French snacks such as pastries, croissants, and more. You can recharge and power up for the rest of your day here.
- You can purchase some snacks such as croissants and pastries to consume later in the day.
- Visit a cafe to sit down and rest your legs to recharge before the rest of the attractions that you will visit.
- There are several other Louvre Museum Restaurants you can visit to re-energize for a day full of sightseeing.
The Musee d’Orsay is an art museum. It is home to mainly French art dating from 1848 to 1914 and includes sculptures, furniture, and photography, in addition to paintings. You can continue your artistic journey at this museum, exploring works by artists such as Van Gogh, Monet, Cezanne, Renoir, and more!
- The Orsay Museum has numerous exhibits and special events taking place throughout the year, which offer visitors a more comprehensive experience of art in the 19th century.
- The Orsay Museum is free to visit on the first Sunday of the month for all visitors. The museum is also free for visitors under the age of 18.
- Purchase tickets to the museum online to avoid long waiting times at the entrance.
The Left Bank, also known as Rive Gauche, refers to the southern bank of the Seine River. The Left Bank is home to the Latin Quarter, the Notre Dame, and a historic and long string of artists, philosophers, and writers. The Left Bank is also known for jazz cafes and bars, as well as literary cafes, libraries, schools, and universities, due to which it is called the cultural center of the city.
- Wear some comfortable walking shoes, since you will be doing a fair bit of walking while exploring the left bank.
- If you’d like to take a short break, be sure to visit some Jazz music clubs where you can enjoy some snacks and relax to some classic jazz.
Catch a classic Moulin Rouge performance in the evening. You can also opt in for dinner along with the performance for a nice end to the day. The world famous cabaret venue is tucked away in Montmartre, and you can see the renowned can-can dance that originated here.
- Please note that you must wear smart casual clothing to Moulin Rouge. Shorts, flip flops, sportswear, sports shoes, tank tops, and bermudas are not allowed.
- The 11 PM show will have more seats than the 9 PM performance.
- Sip on the signature drink of the Moulin Rouge - champagne, as you enjoy the performance.
Top 20 Instagrammable Places in Paris
Sunday in Paris
The Jardins du Trocadéro lies across the Eiffel Tower, on the other side of the Seine River. As the sun rises above the horizon in the morning, it shines through the Eiffel Tower creating a magical effect. It is undoubtedly one of the best activities in Paris, and is perfect for some memorable photographs. After catching the sunrise, you can go to one of the nearby cafes or restaurants for a filling breakfast. Some good choices are Le Malakoff, Les Gourmandises Du Trocadéro, and Cafe du Trocadero.
- The top of the Jardins can get quite breezy early in the mornings, so be sure to bring along a warm jacket.
- Depending on the season, sunrise can be anywhere from half past 5 in mid summer to half past eight in mid winter. Find out the expected time of sunrise and plan your trip to the Trocadero accordingly.
- Catching the sunrise at the Trocadero is completely free.
- Carry a camera along with you to capture this magical moment.
Visiting the Eiffel Tower is a must when in Paris. To make the visit a little more challenging, you can take the stairs to the second floor. You will be climbing a total of 674 steps, which will take about 30 to 45 minutes to ascend.
- Note that climbing up the Eiffel Tower will leave you quite sweaty. Be sure to carry some water along with you.
- There is no storage or locker room to keep your luggage, so you will have to carry it up with you.
- The stairway from the second floor to the top is not accessible to the public.
Champs-Elysees is an Avenue in Paris, and is 1.9 kilometers long and 70 meters in width. At one end is the iconic Arc de Triomphe, and at the other end is the Place de la Concorde. The Champ-Elysees avenue is home to numerous luxury stores, cafes, and restaurants, and is often regarded to be one of the most beautiful avenues in the world. You can also admire the spectacular Arc de Triomphe in all its glory at one end of the avenue.
- Be sure to carry along a hat and umbrella, since it will be quite sunny in the noon, especially in the summer.
- You can catch some delicious local food at one of the cafes and restaurants along the avenue. However, do note that certain restaurants and cafes may be expensive.
Montmartre is one of the most charming districts of Paris, with its cobbled streets and historic squares. Montmartre attracted numerous Bohemian artists over the centuries and continues to delight tourists today. Originally justa hilltop village close to Paris, Montmartre offers a special The Sacre-Coeur Basilica is a popular attraction, and also offers some splendid views of the surroundings.
- The quaint village atmosphere and vibrant nightlife make this a great place to stay.
- Montmartre also has some excellent French cuisine, with a wide range of restaurants, cafes, and shops.
- Note that the maps of Montmartre don’t correctly depict the steepness of the terrain, and as a result, distances can be deceiving.
Located in Montmartre, the Sacre-Coeur Basilica is one of the highlights of the area. The church was set up as a symbol of hope following the Franco-Prussian War. Built in the Romanesque and Byzantine style, the church has numerous layers, earning the nickname of ‘Wedding Cake’.
The Sinking House is located next to the Sacre Coeur and is one of the most popular spots on Montmartre. You can also catch one of the most beautiful sunsets from the hill overlooking Paris.
Are 2 days Enough in Paris?
As we mentioned earlier, a weekend trip or 2 days in Paris is a nice amount of time for first time visitors to get a little taster of everything the city has to offer. However, Paris is a big city. So, it’s not going to be enough time to see everything. You’ll probably fall head over heels for Paris and want to come back again and again, just like we did. But Paris has a way of doing that to most people!
If you’re only visiting Paris for the weekend we recommend being prepared. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. This weekend guide will show you exactly how to see Paris in 2 days while getting the most out of your time. If you do happen to have a few extra days up your sleeve, a long weekend in Paris is always a nice idea.
Here are other Paris itineraries you can explore.
Handy Tips for Your Trip to Paris
- Be cash-ready, but don't hoard –Most Parisian establishment accept cards for transactions for over €10, however you will need cash for smaller transactions and for other things like tipping and street shopping. Avoid carrying too much cash on you as it’s not safe, especially around tourist attractions like Eiffel Tower which is rife with pickpockets.
- A meal at the Eiffel Tower is true to its hype, and a must – When you have a meal at one of the restaurants in the Eiffel tower, you not only get access to the top of the tower but skip the line and enjoy exclusive elevator to the restaurants.
- Get a Paris pass, get free transport – The best way to use the metro is buy a 10-pack ticket or use the Paris Pass for free transport. If you are using a physical ticket make sure to keep it on you till you exit the station.
- The best sunset in Paris, is not from the Eiffel Tower – One of the best places to view Paris with the Eiffel Tower is from the Arc De Triomphe. Catch the sight of the city roads radiating from the monument and the Eiffel standing proud in the distance from the rooftop of the Arc de Triomphe!
- Airbnbs should be your first choice – ourist accommodation has become a lucrative business and large organizations have started taking over Airbnbs in Paris. If you are looking for cheap and authentic stays, then opt to stay in an apartment with the locals, where you can be assured of a Parisian experience.
- Uber is cheaper – Than hailing private taxis in Paris. However, traffic will annoy you.
- Take advantage of the bakeries – The best thing about Paris is its bakeries or boulangeries, which serve fresh and delicious breads, cheeses and deli items. You can get a quick and filling meal for less than €5 and even eat it on the go.
