48 Hours in Paris

There is an art to visiting a city within a 48-hour time constraint.

When traveling through Europe, trying to fit in as many stops as possible, you may have to sacrifice time in one place for more in another. While studying abroad in college I had a new destination every weekend. I mastered the process of traveling for 48 hours while seeing all the necessary sights in each new location.

This past June I spent two days in Paris. Even though it is a huge city, I was able to see all the essential highlights and monuments given my time constraint.

Here are a few tips when you have 48 hours in a destination:

1. Research the top 3-4 things that you want to see and accomplish while you are there.

Prior to my stop in Paris I identified that I wanted to visit the Musee du Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral and the top of the Eiffel Tower (by far the best view of the city imaginable). If you try to see any more than 4 or 5 things in a two day span, then you will most likely stress yourself out. No one needs that while on vacation!

My favorite tool for researching top sights and attractions is TripAdvisor. They usually have a good list of things to do in every location thinkable.

2. Identify how long each attraction will take and how to get there.

After researching how extensive the collection was at the Musee du Louvre, I planned ahead to be there for half a day. Because of this I visited the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame on the first day, and the Louvre by itself on the second. After the Louvre I spent time in the afternoon wandering around the streets of Paris; which honestly may have been my favorite part of the trip.

3. Choose a hotel in a good location that is near public transportation or within walking distance to the big sights.

For Paris, I chose a hotel that was easily accessible to the metro system because I knew that I would need to take a train to see the Eiffel Tower. I also made sure it was within walking distance to the other two destinations that were on my list.

4. Pick a few good restaurants that you will want to go to.

Not surprising at all given my previous blog posts…. But you have to eat!

And of course Paris had some great food. My favorite restaurant that I visited was Chez Janou. I was attracted to the restaurant by the online reviews claiming how amazing their chocolate mousse was. I was not disappointed! After the meal was over the waiter gave me a heaping portion of the delicious mousse and left the serving bowl on the table. After scarfing mine down I debated on taking seconds, but luckily for my sake, decided against it.

All in all these are just a few tips for anyone that is traveling to a city on a time constraint. If anyone has any questions or needs some tips on a specific city they will be visiting, then let me know!

Shaine was born and raised in Fort Myers, Florida. After completing his MBA, he spent over a year in Washington D.C. working in corporate finance. He now calls NYC his home, where you’ll find him eating his way through the city, or running through Central Park (to burn off all those calories!).