The city of Paris captivated our hearts since the first day we visited. We have been to a lot of impressive sights and there are still more to go. This is the second part of our 2 days in Paris itinerary. If you missed the first part you can read it here.
READ MORE: Weekend of Art and Romance: 2 Days in Paris – Part 1
Musée National du Moyen Âge (National Museum of Modern Age)
A Roman bathhouse turned into a museum is enough to tickle one’s curiosity. Although we didn’t see any trace of the old bath when we went, we did see some impressive medieval stuff including stained glass windows, statues and intricate tapestries.
Panthéon
The Panthéon in Paris was under renovation when we went. The dome that resembled the original Panthéon in Rome was nowhere in sight and the ceiling was not in its proper state. The Panthéon in Paris, known as a mausoleum for exceptional Frenchmen, has a stairway that leads to an interesting basement where you can see tombs of some noteworthy French people. The Panthéon was not a bad place to visit but can easily be skipped if Rome is also in your Europe itinerary.
Notre Dame Cathedral Tower
On our second trip to Notre Dame Cathedral, we made sure we went early. Although we were some of the first tourists around, we still had to queue and wait awhile to reach the towers, which by the way is 387 steps (there is no elevator) but the views were worth it. Together with historic gargoyles, and chimera statues we savoured the stunning view of the city of Paris from Notre Dame Tower.
Sainte Chapelle
One of the more impressive sights we’ve seen in Paris: Sainte Chapelle. The colourful stained-glass windows of this medieval Gothic chapel is worth queueing for! It was winter, cold and we had to wait nearly an hour to get in the chapel (they limit the number of people in the chapel) but it paid off. The lower chapel has been dedicated to souvenir shops (which was a little overboard), but the upper level of the chapel will leave you in awe. Sainte Chapelle has one of the most extensive collections of 13th-century stained glass anywhere in the world and it’s one of the most beautiful churches we’ve seen in Europe.
Versailles
Outside of the center of Paris is Versailles, a gorgeous palace amidst a huge landscape garden. Extravagant is one word which perfectly summarizes this place. With its intricate exterior and lavish architecture, it’s truly fitting for royalty. Make sure to check out the Hall of Mirrors in the main palace and just beyond the garden, the Estate of Marie Antoinette.
Arc De Triomphe
The Arc de Triomphe stands 50m tall at the center of Place Charles de Gaulle. This iconic structure is dedicated to those who fought and died for France in the French Revolutionary and the Napoleonic Wars. As moving as this historical structure’s backstory is the view from its top. We went to see the Arc De Triomphe at night and it was so beautiful. Up the tower, the views were amazing – the city lights shine across the different avenues surrounding the Arc De Triomphe. At one corner, we spotted the most impressive sight of all – our final destination for our 2 days in Paris, the Eiffel Tower.
The Eiffel Tower at Night
Every beginning must come to end, and in this trip to Paris we chose to do it in the same spot – the Eiffel Tower. We were only able to access the second level of the tower (115m). It is unfortunate that the topmost level of the tower (276m) was closed during our visit (maybe this means we have to come back). Nevertheless, it was still majestic. The views from the Eiffel tower, and the tower itself is enough reason to visit Paris. It was an ecstatic moment while we were up the Eiffel tower. Nothing compares to being with the person you love in one of the most spectacular places in the world. It was definitely a beautiful ending to a wonderful trip.
Tips for Your 2 Days in Paris
If you are planning to visit a number of attractions with only two days in Paris, a 2-day Paris Museum Pass may come in handy. It saves you money and time to buy tickets and you also get direct access (meaning you don’t have to queue) to some attractions. The Paris Museum Pass was accepted in most attractions we visited except for the Eiffel Tower and the Notre Dame Tower. You can check their website for more information. Make sure to check the opening times of attractions you plan to visit and plan a schedule.
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In terms of accommodation, staying close to the center or to the Eiffel tower is ideal. We stayed in Rue Du Commerce, which is filled with a number of shops and only a few minutes’ walk to the Eiffel Tower. There was also Metro station close to our hotel which made transport convenient during our stay.
Another aspect to consider is the season to visit Paris, we visited Paris during winter so there were less people at the attractions, even the Eiffel Tower. The downside during winter though (just before it snows) is that most gardens in Paris were quite dry. I reckon these parts are better during summer or spring.
Where to Stay in Paris
Luxury – Le Narcisse Blanc & Spa
Mid-Range – Magnifique Appartement dans Hôtel Particulier Monument Historique
Boutique – Hotel La Lanterne
Budget – Familia Hotel
Do you have plans to visit Paris? Have you been to Paris? Let us know!
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[…] Check out the second part of our Weekend of Art and Romance in Paris here. […]
I’ll be in Paris in a month and plan to use your guide! What time do you recommend beginning each day and how long did each day take you to complete per de? Also, what is an easy place to get the 2-day pass?
Thank you for the recommendations!
Start as early even before the opening times. Lines start before museums/ the tower opens! It really depends in you but it took us about 6 to 8 hours per day. You can get the Paris museym pass easily from the Louvre or through their website http://en.parismuseumpass.com/
Enjoy!