When you're only passing through a city during your travels, you might feel like you can't possibly see the sights and enjoy where you are before you run out of time. But with a bit of pre-planning and a real sense of adventure, you can make the most of the city – even when you only have 48 hours. Here's a handy guide to tackling Paris in two days:
Rise and shine
When you arrive, instead of frantically feeling like you have to hit the streets and tick off your sightseeing list, ease into your Paris holiday. You're likely tired from your flight and in need of sustenance – so a stop in at a local cafe is a must.
In the city of love, having breakfast in a cafe is a magical experience. The Finnish inspired cafe, La mer a boire?, is worth the walk. At the end of a winding road, you'll be greeted with a welcoming and sleek spacious cafe that provides tasty treats galore.
Here, they are passionate about coffee. Try a latte from their own personal blend of beans all the way from Guatemala. The coffee is the real highlight here, but the food is simple and delicious, too. Try the soup of the day, or for a treat, get something from the range of cakes and pastries. While you enjoy your breakfast or brunch you can overlook Parc de Belleville, with its stunning gardens and views of the city all the way to the Eiffel Tower.
Walking wonders
Walking tours are a wonderful and relaxed way to see the city. Choose a themed tour that will suit what you want – do you want to see famous monuments, ancient sites or modern marvels? Plan out your route and you'll see all the highlights.
There are also walking tours that will take you through the undiscovered areas of this majestic city. Leave the beaten track to explore the untouched beauty of these back streets. With that distinctive and lyrical accent, a local tour guide will lead you around, telling you about where you are as you go.
Montmartre is one area you must include in your walking tour. This quaint section of the city was originally a village only becoming part of Paris in 1860. The picturesque area is a hubbub of art – once home to Salvador Dali, Amedeo Modigliani, Claude Monet, Piet Modrian, Pablo Picasso and Vincent van Gogh.
Secret shopping
Spend your afternoon in the heart of the city's history while also shopping up a storm. The Palais Royal has a rich history involving scandal, death and revolution. Now, you can find shopping arcades within the hundred year old architectural wonder.
The shops are high-end, offering ultimate luxury, so you can return home with a quality gift such as vintage amber jewellery from La Maison de l'Ambre, for yourself or your loved one.
Dining delights
When you only have a certain amount of time, make each dining experience one to remember. There is La Gare, where you can dine in an old train station, Chez Svetlana, with a distinctive Russian influence and quirky decor, and Le Procope, which has been around since 1686 and is the oldest eatery in the city.
A very unusual and sensory experience that you will never forget can be found at Dans le Noir, where you will eat in total darkness! Without your sense of sight, you'll experience taste like never before. Choose from one of four surprise menus and enjoy meals that have been created with top quality ingredients to create the tastiest treats. This is definitely something you have to experience for yourself.
Utterly iconic
Your next day in Paris can take you to the top sights in the city – all of those places you've seen on screen and heard about. It's entirely different and special to see these things yourself. Some must-see attractions are the Eiffel Tower, the Lourve, the Cathedral of Notre Dame, Arc de Triomphe, the Palace of Versailles and so much more.
Finish off your Parisian getaway with a show at Theatre du Chatelet. The San Francisco Ballet perform their show, Les Etes de la Danse?, throughout July.
