Paris itinerary for 48 hrs

[Munkeyface]

Travelling with my two daughters 10 & 14.

Although we are well travelled for some reason I'm nervous about Paris.
I've been many times before but always with someone (husband etc)

I was hoping just to wing it and see where the day took us when all four of us were travelling but now it's just the 3 of us I feel like the days need to be more structured.

Also it's going to be 37 degrees!

Just following as also going to Paris in a few weeks time with a teenage dd! We're mainly sightseeing and not going in anywhere but are considering the Louvre. Probably will take a boat trip.

I’d start at L’orangerie for the Monet water lilies while it’s early and before the crowds

www.musee-orangerie.fr/en

Then I’d walk across the Place Vendome and up the Champs Elysee to Laduree for macaroons

www.laduree.fr/en/laduree-paris-champs-elysees.html

Then I’d get an Uber to Montmatre for lunch and have portraits drawn as souvenirs, maybe a quick look at the Sacre Coeur

www.sacre-coeur-montmartre.com/english/

Then back to Musee D’Orsay for the aircon and a look at all the locks on the bridge outside

www.musee-orsay.fr/en

And lastly get to the outside of the Eiffel Tower as it lights up

It sparkles for 5 minutes on the hour

www.toureiffel.paris/en/the-monument/lights

I wouldn’t bother with the Louvre, especially if you’ve been before

I’d also consider Uber good value for 3 of you and ease of use and not boiling in the Metro

My favourite thing to do in Paris is the Sacre Coeur, which is the highest point in the city and the views are amazing. On a clear day you can see for miles even from ground level, and if you’re feeling energetic the views from the Dome are even more spectacular - but there’s no lift! The Basilica itself is a truly beautiful building both inside and out and well worth a visit. The surrounding area is full of authentic Parisian cafés and souvenir shops galore where the prices are reasonable. Just behind it is the Place du Tertre where you can have a portrait or caricature done or if you’d rather not it’s fascinating just to watch and soak up the atmosphere!

I'm following with interest too, DD13 and I will be there from Monday to Thursday next week. We'll be eating our way around from ice-cream to ice-cream to stay cool.

Do they like creepy stuff? How about a tour of the catacombs? Your 14 year old should be fine with it, but not sure about the 10 year old. It's fascinating, but the main reason I suggest it is it'll be nice and cool down there, and out of direct sunshine!

I did this with DS1 in the blazing heat back in August 2019! He was 13 at the time. Happy to go through what we did; what worked and what didn't later today when I'm not on the app.

In brief summary, travel light, decide your purpose, don't try to do too much, lots of great stuff is free, remember being in Paris is a huge deal in itself, don't stress about food, stay hydrated.

The very best bits for us were paddling in the fountains at Trocadero (near Eiffel Tower) and the relief of a cave bar on the banks of the Seine.

Would thoroughly recommend Lime electric bikes. It’s a surprising easy city to cycle in despite the crazy drivers and you can cycle all the way from the Louvre to the Eiffel Tower.

Also the catacombs are fascinating and will be lovely and cool!

Another vote for the catacombs. Definitely try and do the boat trip, and maybe a picnic by the Seine? Shakespeare and Co is a favourite for me when I go

Montmartre will be heaving - we were there on a hot day in May and it was rammed. If you want a view of Paris, I'd suggest the Montparnasse Tower - it's air conditioned and a fabulous view on a clear day with the Eiffel Tower right in front of you. There's an open air viewing platform at the top as well. Luxembourg Gardens would be nice for a picnic - plenty of places with shade. Musee d'Orsay is my favourite museum and you can buy a combined ticket with the Rodin museum which also has a lovely garden in which to escape a bit of the heat.

If you wouldn't mind sharing that would be great!

The queue is very very long and no shade.
If it’s 37 I think you need to prepare for crisis temperatures.
In each Mairie (town hall) during heatwaves they have cool down rooms which are air conditioned and iced water.
The parks are also open at night with sprinklers.
do you have air conditioning where you’re staying?
i would advise to plan just one or two things per day and take it very very slowly.
have a wonderful time

Recommend the hop off and on buses and bateaux mouche boats.
Highlights : Eiffel Tower, Sacré cœur, Louvre, notre dame, jardin des tuileries.
And, if you have time, Versailles is worth a couple of hours.

Yea we have air con and even am indoor pool the first night!

Have booked a tuk tuk tour to see main sights

I'd recommend checking out Just Jess Food on Instagram - she's got a Paris guide on her highlights. I've followed her recommendations for 4 different trips and never ever been disappointed!

Is the Eiffel Tower worth going up or is it better to have a view of the tower from elsewhere?

I would view it from a distance. In order to go up you will need to line up to go through security which is behind the massive security wall surrounding the tower's base and then purchase tickets. No large bags are permitted and there is nowhere to store items.

The near vicinity of the Eiffel Tower (as with the steps leading to the Sacre Couer) is also a magnet for pickpockets, petition girls and other thieves.

Montparnasse Tower will give you a good view of the city.

Sorry for tardiness, OP. I'm in Corfu and having a few tech issues!

You're already ahead of the game in having a hotel with aircon and a pool. We started off in an Airbnb which was so hot that we moved within an hour. We then stayed at the Maison Albar in Pont Neuf which was a fab base. Quiet enough, but within easy striking distance of everything.

Purpose of our trip was language confidence (well, it was for me:DS favoured shopping). We did everything by public transport so he could buy tickets/read signs etc. train from the airport, then metro to Norte Dame (a crying shame to see all the scaffolding).

Travel light! We couldn't check in early so having a couple of backpacks was ideal.

We did the Louvre (a bit disappointing, couldn't get near the Mona Lisa) and also Orsay (better; cooler). Was desperate to do the catacombs, but the thought of them freaked DS out. Was also keen to do lovely cuisine, but ended up having McDonald's (he needed to see the difference, apparently), crepes and jambon fromage from street vendors. Tried a fancy burger restaurant, but the meat was "bleeding"
There was a lovely bistro next to the hotel for people watching and steak frites though.

The heat was intense. Trocadero fountains next to the Eiffel Tower was amazing. We didn't bother going up it for all the reasons pp mentioned, but you could see it from Trocadero. You could also picnic on the banks and get shot at by water canons.

Other place with great view was Galeries Lafayette. It's a beautiful building, obviously, with very high-end stuff. DS loved hanging his nose over unaffordable wares. The terrace at the top has panoramic views over the city.

From the Louvre, we got a bateau mouche. It was ridiculously hot, so get one with shade if you can. Our didn't. Ended up bailing early and continuing along the bank on foot. The pavement has fountains built in that were very welcome! Lots of little bars built into the bank and vendors selling water. Make sure you have change!

We also hired e-scooters (Lime) outside the hotel through an app, with a view to scooting to the Louvre. That was a disaster. DS was great, but I was hopeless. Managed a couple of streets

Didn't got to Sacre C as had bag picked before years ago and was mindful of being there alone with DS.

So, for me:
-go to Eiffel, but not up it;

• wouldn't bother with Louvre unless art is the purpose of your trip;

-Orsay/Rodin better: -Don't expect to turn your DD into adventurous diners unless they already are. Food on the go plus bistros work well; -If you do the bateaux mouche, get shade and stay hydrated; -find somewhere (lots of suggestions on this thread plus Galeries Lafayette) with a great view); -take refuge in hotel pool as an when needed.

Enjoy!

Honestly, I wouldn't bother with going up the Eiffel Tower - I think it's better to look at it then from it, iykwim. Someone else mentioned going up Montparnesse Tower - great views and cheaper and less crowded.

If you are going soon, head to La Villette to the Pop Air expo - it looks amazing. Loads of videos of it on Instagram. Finishes mid August, I think.

en.lavillette.com/programmation/pop-air_e920