Plan me the perfect 48 hours in Paris

[myfearofeverythinginside]

im off in March!

Staying just outside of Paris technically, in a well connected hotel.

The only real bucket list items for me are the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre.

I like walking and photography. Help!

Also recommend the Sainte Chapelle if you could get there first thing on your 2nd day (before it gets too busy). Stunning building, the stained glass is truly breathtaking on a sunny morning. From there you could amble across to the Ile St Louis and over to the Marais.

Genuinely, I have no idea why people are saying the Mona Lisa is overrated. I had always thought it was a bit mid until I saw it in real life. DD and I were absolutely entranced. In a reproduction she looks a bit miserable and the whole painting looks dull and a bit dim. In the flesh she looks like she is sharing some amazing secret joke and you would just love to know what it was and her skin absolutely glows. One of the most interesting paintings I have seen in my life.

And the waterlilies are similar. In a reproduction they are just kind of pretty flowers. The real paintings are mesmerising. They almost seem to sway in the water as you look at them.

Two of the best art experiences I have had in my life.

Also, no need to be miles away from the Mona Lisa, unless you can't be bothered to wait a little. As people come in and out it is absolutely possible to work your way forward and see it from fairly close up. Obviously if it's not ticking your boxes you would not bother, but we did and it was worth it for us.

It’s less the Mona Lisa itself, though I don’t personally think it’s even the most interesting painting in the Salle des Etats, it’s more that, on a two-day Paris itinerary, it’s going to take a big chunk of time to even get inside the Louvre, get through security and walk directly to the Salle des Etats, and there’s often a queue to get inside the room into the bargain, plus a wait to work yourself closer to the painting. To me it’s not a good use of time in a packed schedule.

My favourite views of ET are a) crossing rhe Seine on line 6 from Passy to Bir Hakeim b) from the gardens of the Musée Quai-Branly, just down the road from ET. The gardens are free, there's a great café, and the Musée has interesting expos.

Best museum imho is the Jaquemart André. Gorgeous building; art mix of Italians (great Boticellis) and Flemish.

Cheap eats in the beautiful art-nouveau Julien restaurant (book this).

ah yes seen it’s in March. It should be cool/warmer.