paris for 2 days in winter

First of all Rick Steves doesn't post on this board, it's travellers helping each other.

A two-day Paris Museum Pass may well not be worthwhile unless you can fit a lot of museums into the two days. They do save some time buying tickets at busy museums. For two days it isn't worth getting a public transport pass. Instead get carnets, which are sets of ten single-journey tickets at a discount price.

There are no areas of central Paris which are really dangerous, the bad parts are mostly areas of the northern and eastern suburbs which tourists are unlikely to accidentally stumble into. Use the usual caution in bars, clubs etc.

Paris in January will be cold and potentially wet. Bring warm and waterproof clothing.

We can't really suggest places to visit unless we know what you are interested in. Art, picturesque buildings, history, parks? Any hobbies or particular periods that you are interested in?

bright - Have you gotten the Paris guidebook yet? If not, you can check it out from the library. Since you'll be there so briefly, may not be worth buying it but it will give you a great overview of the city and how things like public transport and museum passes work. Since this is your first trip to Europe, also strongly recommend you read Europe through the Back Door, also available from your library or on Amazon. These resources are much more comprehensive and will give you a great overview of what to expect.
I'd also suggest that you use the search function on this site (grey bar at top of every page) to review previous questions on this topic that have already been answered, then refine your questions to things of specific interest to you.
We are happy to help but right now your questions are pretty broad! Enjoy the research - that's half the fun!

Thanks for the tips, guys. Much appreciated.

Celeste, i will try to find those books. Thanks.

We were in Paris two Christmases ago and it was cold, wet, damp, etc. Take layers. If you go inside, it gets really warm fast, so you will have to take some layers off. It gets dark around 5:00 PM or earlier. I would not go around the 18 or 19 arrondissements. If you stay in 1-9 or so, you should be fine. That is where most of the museums are, the tourist shopping,

Thanks, john. I'm hoping that the first week of january will not have much tourists so i will have more time to go around and not waste much time lining up for museum/entrance tickets.

You will have shorter lines at most places.

Google the streets named in the article to see where not to go. When you arrive, I would buy a Paris street map from an magazine/newspaper stall. You might even be able to get on on ebay. They list almost every street in Paris.

The moderators took down my video of places to not go, so there are no street names to look up. So, I would suggest you stay away from the 17, 18, and 19 Arr. and around Saint -Ouen. The flea market area should be fine, but otherwise, the area can be a bit doggy.

Enjoy your trip.

can you recommend a spot in central paris where i can take good photos of sunset?

I'd say your best bet for sunset photos would be somewhere along the Seine, where you have a pretty open east-west axis and can include lovely buildings, bridges, etc. Good photo ops on the river cruise you want to take, but dress warmly! At that time of year, you might get some good sunrise photos too, without even having to get up that early!

I agree with others, Europe Through the Back Door would be worth reading and helpful for Paris, Vienna, and any other destination in Europe. RS also publishes a Pocket Paris guidebook that you might find worth purchasing even for such a short stay. (There's also a Pocket Vienna.)

With just two full days, and given the time of year, I'm not sure the Museum Pass would be a good value for you. Your list is ambitious, but most of the items on it are walk-bys or walk-throughs that don't necessarily take a lot of time. And most are close together enough that you can get between them on foot if the weather cooperates. The real time-consumers will be the Louvre and Orsay Museums if you go in and try to see a lot -- the Louvre especially is huge. Also the Eiffel Tower if you want to go to the top (brrr!). For me, the Pantheon would be the one to skip in this timeframe, or just admire the outside rather than going in. It's very close to the Luxembourg Gardens. And I'd also skip the Rodin Museum unless you're a particular fan of his -- but it's been remodeled recently so I may be wrong about that.

Try to stay in a central location like the Latin Quarter (5th arrondissement) or the Marais (4th) or St-Germain (6th). Can't be more help without knowing more about your budget, but there are hundreds of hotels in all price ranges. Generally, the closer to the river the more expensive, and remember that the Metro can get you anywhere fast. You're unlikely to encounter safety issues as long as you use common sense as another poster suggested. Pickpockets can be a problem at crowded tourist sites, but maybe less so in the dead of winter when it's less crowded and their targets are buried under more layers of clothing.

A HOHO bus could give you a good overview of the city but at a hefty price. If you use it just getting from place to place, you'll spend lots of time waiting at bus stops. Walk or use Metro. City buses are a good choice if you have time, but maybe not such a great idea on your schedule.

thanks, everyone, for the help. i might have to buy that Europe through the Backdoor guidebook, as recommended by most of you, as i will also be visiting Austria and its surrounding states, and finally, Italy. i am particularly inquisitive about paris because it will be my port of entry from manila and i will be there alone. after paris, some friends and relatives will keep me company.

All of Paris is accessible by public transport, but what varies is how far you have to travel. I think Dick has you on the right track with those two, central neighborhoods.

See Rick's Paris itinerary for some ideas on what can fit into a day.