Paris in 2 days: landmarks and the Seine
Two days visiting Paris landmarks between the Champs-Élysées, the 7th arrondissement and Île de la Cité. On day one, explore the Arc de Triomphe, then the Eiffel Tower and views from the Trocadéro or Champ-de-Mars. On day two, visit Notre-Dame and Sainte-Chapelle beside the Seine. Combine walking and public transport between neighbourhoods; book official visiting slots and allow time for security checks.
Suggested timings
Indicative timings for a 9:00am start by car, lunch break included. Adjust them to each site's opening hours.
- Drive2 min • 2 km
- Drive5 min • 5 kmLunch break • 60 min
- Drive1 min • 1 km
- 1
Stop 01 • Paris · Place Charles-de-Gaulle09:00 – 10:30Visit 1h30Arc de Triomphe
A memorial landmark with a terrace above the great avenues.
History & visiting tips → - 2
Stop 02 • Paris · 7e arrondissement10:32 – 12:02Visit 1h30Drive 2 minEiffel Tower
Paris’s iconic panorama above the Champ-de-Mars.
History & visiting tips → - 3
Stop 03 • Paris · Île de la Cité13:07 – 14:37Visit 1h30Drive 5 minNotre-Dame de Paris
The Gothic cathedral and the quays of Île de la Cité.
History & visiting tips → - 4
Stop 04 • Paris · Île de la Cité14:38 – 16:08Visit 1h30Drive 1 minSainte-Chapelle
A jewel of Rayonnant Gothic architecture, illuminated by stained glass.
History & visiting tips →
Practical tips
Set off around 9:00am: most sites open between 9:00 and 10:00 and crowds are still light early on.
Book museums and guided tours online, especially from June to September and during school holidays.
Walking shoes, a windproof layer and water: much of the route is outdoors and often exposed.
In Paris, walk or use the metro and RER. For the palaces, check engineering works, connections and local journeys with Île-de-France Mobilités.
Book only on official websites. Times, prices, free admission and access conditions vary by landmark and date.
Versailles deserves a day; visit Fontainebleau and Vaux-le-Vicomte on separate excursions to enjoy the gardens without rushing.