Weekend In Paris

From romantic strolls along the Seine River, visiting the Lourve, to seeing the Eiffel Tower, Paris offers so many unforgettable experiences. If you only have time for a weekend in Paris, you can still accomplish a lot. I spent 3 nights exploring Paris and felt like I experienced a good amount in a short period of time. This weekend in Paris guide helps to make sure you hit all the important sights and spots!

Weekend In Paris

Arrival Day

Lunch @ Breizh Café

Kick off your weekend in Paris with a crepe from Breizh Café. Their crepes are SO good and their outdoor seating is exactly what you’d imagine when thinking of dining in Paris. You can make reservations ahead of time too.

Explore the 6th Arrondissement

The 6th Arrondissement is such a charming part of Paris. There are so many classic Paris-esq cafes and restaurants. After lunch, take a 6 minute walk to see the Fountain Of The Four Bishops. The 6th Arrondissement is also home to the Luxembourg Gardens (~6 minute walk from the Fountain Of The Four Bishops).

The 6th Arrondissement is made of 4 quarters - one of which is the Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood. Be sure to wander through Marché St. Germain market, try the world-famous bread @ Poilâne, and walk across The Pont des Arts bridge.

Seine River Tour 

The Seine River Tour is a nice/relaxing way to see more of the city since you’re seated the entire time! That said, it IS a touristy thing to do. You can play it by ear and buy tickets the day of - tours run every 30-60 minutes from the Pont Neuf bridge. This is the perfect thing to do for a weekend in Paris, because you get to see a lot of the city in a short period of time.

Dinner @ Girafe Restaurant

Girafe is an iconic restaurant in Paris, mostly due to its great food and amazing view of the Eiffel Tower. Reservations can fill up quickly, so be sure to book in advance.

*Note: One of the best parts of Girafe is its view of the Eiffel Tower from the outside patio. The outside patio is typically closed during Fall/Winter. So if you’re traveling to Paris in the Fall/Winter and hoping for a view, try Jules Verne instead. It’s located IN the Eiffel Tower and has gorgeous views of the city (along with great food).

Day 1

Explore Montmartre

Montmartre is a neighborhood that has long been an artistic hub for famous painters, writers, and performers. It's also a neighborhood with cobblestone streets, art studios, boutiques, and dozens of cafés. Be sure to also visit the majestic Sacré-Cœur Basilica at the top of the hill. You'll get to see panoramic views of the city. For the full Montmartre experience, sit at a café, sip a café au lait, and people watch.

Brunch @ La Maison Rose

La Maison Rose, or "The Pink House," is another iconic establishment in the historic Montmartre neighborhood. This quaint café has a timeless allure and is beloved symbol of the bohemian atmosphere that characterizes Montmartre. It dates back to the early 20th century, and has a rich history as a gathering place for writers and artists (like Pablo Picasso!). It’s a quintessential Paris café.

Visit The Louvre Museum

Of course no weekend in Paris would be complete without visiting the Louvre. I am really not much of a museum/art person, but the Louvre was incredible (and I don't use that word often). Even if museums aren't your thing either, add the Lourve to your weekend in Paris itinerary. I would also recommend buying tickets in advance. The Louvre is one of the world's largest and most famous museums, and home to the Mona Lisa. Its collections span centuries and continents. You could spend hours admiring all the galleries, sculptures, paintings, and artifacts and still not feel like you've seen everything.

Dinner @ Pink Mamma

Another iconic dinner spot in Paris is Pink Mamma. They literally have a 4.6 rating with 20k+ reviews on Google. The restaurant is part of the Big Mamma restaurant group, and there are a number of restaurants and bars throughout the city. Pink Mamma is one of their top. There is a rooftop and of course delicious food.

Moulin Rouge Show

After dinner, head to a show at Moulin Rouge (about a 5 minute walk from Pink Mamma). Since its opening in 1889, Moulin Rouge has been a symbol of glamour and is a must during a weekend in Paris. You can purchase tickets ahead of time (in fact, it’s highly recommended) for one of their 2-3 shows per night.

Day 2

Get Macarons @ Ladurée

Ladurée is one of the most famous macaron spots in the world. It’s been featured in many tv shows/movies and is a must during any weekend in Paris. They have dozens of macaron flavors. My personal favorites are the Rose and Passion Fruit. They all seem to just melt in your mouth.

Walk/shop on the Champs-Elysees 

After grabbing macarons, walk along the Champs-Elysees. It’s one of the most famous streets in Paris, and known for it’s great shopping.

See the Arc de Triomphe 

From the Champs-Elysees, walk ~5 minutes to the iconic Arc de Triomphe. It’s one of the most famous monuments in Paris and a perfect spot for photos.

Picnic Lunch @ The Eiffel Tower

What’s more “Paris” than a picnic by the Eiffel Tower? There are plenty of great shops within walking distance of the Eiffel Tower, where you can grab all sorts of things for a picnic. Here are some of my favorites (all in the same area):

• Cheese: Fromagerie Frangins (120 Rue Saint-Dominique, 75007)

• Bread: Maison Bergeron (112 Rue Saint-Dominique, 75007)

• Meats: Boucherie Maison Le Bourdonnec (208 bis Rue de Grenelle, 75007)

From there, head to Champ de Mars (a 6 minute walk from Boucherie Maison Le Bourdonnec) and enjoy the scenery with a delicious lunch. If you have time, walk off your lunch by strolling through the Eiffel Tower Gardens.

Drinks @ Bar Hemingway

Bar Hemingway is one of the most famous bars in Paris. It’s known for its historical significance, and named after Ernest Hemingway who visited the bar in the 1920s. The walls are filled with photos and memorabilia of the historical people who have spent time there. The bar is super intimate and is committed to preserving the traditions of classic cocktails.

Dinner @ Verjus

If you’re looking for an amazing dining experience with phenomenal food, head to Verjus for dinner. The restaurant is in the first arrondissement - about 10 minutes from Bar Hemingway. It’s known for its tasting menu - 6 courses to be exact. They have wine pairings or a great wine list for you to choose from. The restaurant itself is tucked away down an alley, and the vibe inside is super cozy. After dinner, head down to the Cellar Bar for a night cap.

Have more time?

*If you have an extra day, you’ll want to consider a day trip to Versailles The Palace of Versailles is located just outside of Paris, and was the primary residence of French kings and queens from Louis XIV to Louis XVI. The architecture is stunning, and there are gorgeous gardens, halls, and chambers all throughout the property. The Hall Of Mirrors, where the Treaty of Versailles was signed in 1919, is a must.

The Quick List

Arrival Day

• Lunch @ Breizh Café

• Explore the 6th Arrondissement

• Seine River Tour 

• Dinner @ Girafe Restaurant

Day 1

• Explore Montmartre

• Brunch @ La Maison Rose

• Visit The Louvre Museum

• Dinner At Pink Mamma

• Moulin Rouge Show

Day 2

• Get Macarons @ Ladurée

• Walk/shop on the Champs-Elysees 

• See the Arc de Triomphe 

• Picnic Lunch @ The Eiffel Tower

• Drinks @ Bar Hemingway

• Dinner @ Verjus

More Time

• Day trip to Versailles

Looking for more?

*If you're looking for more, be sure to check out the Paris travel guide post
*Check out the Paris travel guide which includes where to stay, how to get around, 45+ things to do, and 50+ places to eat/drink

*This post is not affiliated with any of the mentioned establishments.