Are you visiting Paris for a couple of days and wondering what are the must-see attractions? This is the ultimate guide on what to do in Paris for a weekend.
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Paris is the capital city of France and is a very popular tourist destination for people all over the world. Its iconic monuments, museums, gardens, and food make it such a great place to go on vacation.
This post will show you the best weekend in Paris package, how to spend a weekend in Paris, what to do in Paris for a long weekend, and so much more.
This is the ultimate guide on what to do in Paris for a weekend. Paris has so many wonderful attractions to see, some of the most popular ones are the Eiffel Tower, Arc De Triomphe, the Louvre Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, and so much more. Keep reading to find out more.
This post is all about what to do in Paris for a weekend.
Paris is a great city to visit during all seasons, and there are so many wonderful things to do year-round. This magical city is beautiful in the winter months like December and January with its snow-capped trees and fairly mild temperature. Paris temperatures barely drop below zero degrees which is the perfect winter temperature. Also in the winter season, Paris has fewer tourists so it will be easier to travel around and not get caught in crowds.
The summer season is the most popular season to visit Paris because it is filled with beautiful gardens all over the city and the weather is perfect. There are lots of places to walk around Paris and enjoy some shopping and cafes and it is perfect to do in the summer months.
Paris is the city of romance and luxury and there are so many wonderful places to stay. Here are some of the most popular places to stay.
Tinah Paris, Champs Elysées is a beautiful hotel to stay at for your weekend in Paris. This wonderful hotel has great size rooms with a terrace and is located within walking distance of the Eiffel Tower, Arc De Triomphe, and Musée de l’Orangerie. This hotel is very clean and the staff is very friendly and accommodating.
Les Jardins Du Luxembourg is another great hotel to stay at while in Paris. It has a bar on-site, it is located close to the airport, is in a great location close to lots of great attractions. Also, this hotel is clean with lovely staff.
Hotel Abbatial Saint Germain is the best luxury hotel to stay in for your weekend in Paris. It is in an excellent location only 500 meters from the Notre Dame Cathedral and is close to Ile Saint Louis. There is also an option for a breakfast buffet which is very convenient when traveling.
The cheapest way to travel within Paris is by using the metro. Also known as the subway or underground transportation. There are lots of stops all over Paris including most major attractions. A very fast and efficient way to get around the city. The only downfall is you won’t see a lot of the wonderful sights of Paris when you are getting around from place to place.
Paris has a few options for hop on hop off bus tours like the Big Bus Paris. This bus tour is self-guided meaning you can buy a pass for a couple of days and hop on and off as many times as you’d like and enjoy every location on your own time. While on the bus they provide headphones where you will hear the history of Paris as you pass each landmark. This is a very cool way to explore Paris.
Taxi or Uber is another option for traveling through Paris. Although not the cheapest option, there are possibilities to do ride shares and split your ride with others traveling to the same location or close location.
And the most popular way to get around Paris is by good old walking. This way you can stop and take pictures and take in all the beauty Paris has to offer. You can stop along the way and do some shopping, enjoy some pastries, have a coffee at the wonderful cafes, and take lots and lots of pictures.
The perfect way to start your weekend trip to Paris is by enjoying a delicious breakfast like a croissant and some fruit with a coffee at the cute cafes that are located all over Paris.
The most iconic monument and attraction in Paris is the one and only Eiffel Tower. The Eiffel Tower is much larger than you might think. It towers over Paris and has spectacular views from the top. There are many great places to see the Eiffel Tower and take beautiful pictures.
You could also have a picnic at the Champ de Mars and enjoy the sight of the Eiffel Tower. Inside there is a little gift shop and a restaurant along with an elevator that takes you all the way up to the top of the tower where you can enjoy the views of Paris from the viewing deck.
The Arc de Triomphe is another popular monument in Paris. It is located right at the end of the iconic Champs-Elysees Avenue and the middle of Place Charles de Gaulle. Arc de Triomphe honors the soldiers who fought for France during the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars. The beautiful arch is decorated with beautiful relief sculptures. Under the arch is the tomb of the unknown soldier.
To get to the Arc de Triomphe you have to go across this huge 12-lane roundabout. Instead of going through the lanes, which can be very dangerous, you have to go through the underneath passageway which connects the Arc de Triomphe to the other streets surrounding it. You can climb the monument and see the beautiful panoramic views of the city.
Champs-Elysees Avenue connects the Arc de Triomphe with the Place De La Concorde and is known for its cafes, theatres, and luxury shops like Louis Vuitton, Dior, Gucci, Cartier, and many more. This world-famous street has many restaurants where you can sit and enjoy some wonderful food and drinks. Enjoy some luxury shopping and beautiful views of the Arc de Triomphe.
Champs-Elysees Avenue is also known as being the most expensive shopping avenue in the world, the finish line for the Tour de France bike race, and also hosts the annual Bastille Day military parade. Definitely, a must-see when visiting Paris for a weekend.
The Moulin Rouge Theatre in Paris, France is where you can watch a one-of-a-kind cabaret show. The show consists of many artists and dancers that perform talented choreography. Definitely, something unique and fun to do while in Paris.
The perfect way to finish off day 1 of your weekend trip to Paris is to enjoy the beautiful sunset at Trocadero near the Eiffel Tower. This is an amazing picture-worthy sunset if I’ve ever seen one. This is a great time to buy a bottle of wine sit down and enjoy the sunset and finish off your first day in Paris.
Start your second day in Paris by visiting the one and only Louvre Museum. This is one of the most famous and most visited museums in the world. It is home to the famous art piece The Mona Lisa painted by Leonardo da Vinci. This is also one of the largest museums in France and has so much amazing artwork that you need to see while here. The best is to get tickets here ahead of time so you can skip the line when arriving.
After exploring the Louvre museum a good idea would be to grab lunch at the Cafe Grand Louvre with its fine French cuisine and luxurious setting. There are also other restaurants surrounding the Louvre where you can grab some lunch while enjoying the view of the Louvre from the outside.
Next to the love is the Tuileries Garden. This is a public garden located between the Louvre Museum and the Place de la Concorde. Come here after visiting the Louvre museum to enjoy some fresh air, greenery, and a nice walk.
The Notre Dame Cathedral is a medieval Catholic Cathedral located in Paris. This cathedral is still open today, although it has been renovated after a fire years ago. The architecture is amazing and is definitely worth a visit on your weekend trip to Paris.
Galerie Lafayette Paris Haussmann is a French department store chain with the largest one in Paris. This is known as “the best luxury merchandise in all of Paris“. This amazing department store is huge with multiple levels of fun luxurious shopping. Even if you aren’t here to shop for luxury goods the glass dome roof with art hanging from it is a beautiful sight that is worth a visit when in Paris.
Sacre Coeur Basilica is also known as the Basilica of the sacred hearts of Paris, which is a Roman Catholic church but is also open to all tourists. It has beautiful architectural details. There is some amazing artwork all over and the best panoramic views of Paris. It is definitely worth a hike up here.
If you have an extra day or two in Paris a great idea would be to take a day trip to Versailles. About a half-hour drive from Paris is the little town called Versailles, here you will be able to see The Place Of Versailles which is a big part of history in France. Also, there is a one-of-a-kind golden gate at the entrance of the Palace. And you could stroll the world-famous Gardens surrounding the Palace.
Another great adventure would be to visit Disneyland in Paris. See the unique castle at Paris Disneyland, and enjoy lots of fun rides, activities, food, and drinks.
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