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Your suggestions on 2 days in Paris in June

Hello. We have one evening and 2 full days to spend in Paris in June. I'm wanting suggestions on the best itinerary to spend that time. I am thinking that we might go to Versailles one of those two days.

Is one day in Paris enough time to see the following: The Paris Opera house, Eiffel Tower, just the highlights at the Louvre, Notre Dame, Sacré-Cœur Basilica, Arc de Triomphe, Sainte Chappelle, Champs Elyses? I am planning on buying the Museum Pass to help with lines as the Louvre. If someone could tell me the order to see these places that would really help as well.

If not, what would you skip? We would like to do a cruise of the Seine river in the evening that first night we get there before we start the 2 full days. Any suggestions on where to book a cruise would be great. Not a dinner cruise, just a cruise down the river to sightsee/take pictures. I have looked into tours, but I have 4 people and most of them are past my budget considering there are 4 people.

Or, are we better off not going to Versailles at all? What is the best use of our time?

Posted by
3990 posts

I think that you have too much planned for one day but I am a notoriously slow traveler. I'd skip Sainte Chapelle because often has very long security lines and there is no way to avoid that. I'd also probably skip the Champs Elysees because it is just a long shopping street and the Arc d' Triomphe is probably what you really want to see anyway. Passes let you skip the ticket line but not the security lines. The ticket line at the Louvre is rarely long. It's the security line that you have to worry about. If you are planning to climb the tower at Notre Dame, I suggest you get there at least 40 minutes before it opens so you can get in when the towers open and not spend hours in line waiting to get in.

From reading your post, it seems like you want to see several places in Paris the first day and head to Versailles on the second. If Versailles is a big thing for you, then go for it. I would never say that going there is not a good use of your time if you have a particular desire to see it. For me, I went because I thought that I should and it was horribly crowded and my son was almost crushed by a tour group and my final take on it is that if I knew then what I know how, I would not have gone. I am bringing my sister to Paris as a gift and her biggest wish is to see Versailles but she studied French in school and has a burning interest in French history.

Posted by
10344 posts

Answering your specific question in your 2nd paragraph, I would say "no", one day is not enough time. But you can try and see how many of those you can see.

Jet lag tiredness may be a factor, if you're arriving in Paris from the US.

What you should prioritize would depend on your specific interests.

Versailles takes most people most of the day, because of the time to get there and the crowds once there. It might be saved for another visit when you have more time.

Even 2 days in Paris is better than 2 days in most other places!

Posted by
375 posts

That's a pretty long list :)

The River Cruise is beautiful at night. If you really want to at least see all of these places, take one of those tour busses - you'll see a lot of Paris in an overview sort of way, plus it's a good way to tour when you're jet lagged.

Then you can pick a couple of sites to "really" see and visit.

And, as always, don't forget to leave time to just "be" in Paris....walking, sitting outside in a cafe, going to a park (like Luxumburg Gardens) and people watch.

Paris is so beautiful!

Posted by
2161 posts

Hi CM, why are you going to Paris? What draws you there?

If it's the Eiffel Tower, go online and purchase advance tickets. If you missed the "deadline" for tickets, try a Behind the Scenes tour, they're relatively inexpensive and let you skip the lines to the second floor.

There are Seine River Cruises that depart from right next to the Eiffel Tower, no advance tickets needed. It's a one hour boat ride for about $10-$15 euros. Very nice, especially at twilight when you can see the city (and Eiffel Tower!) lighting up.

Long lines at Sainte Chappelle due to security. If you do decide to go, get there early and plan to spend some time waiting in line.

The Louvre is wonderful and you should stop by at least for a bit. If you enter through the mall the lines will be shorter.

Notre Dame is amazing. The lines appear to be long but move quickly. Don't miss it!

You could walk over to view the Arc de Triomphe and down the Champs Elysees if that's on your list. If you want to go to the top of the Arc the lines aren't long and the view is nice.

Versailles is amazing but I wouldn't spend a day outside of Paris with only two days available.

I love Paris and I hope you have a wonderful trip! :)

Posted by
7175 posts

Versailles is a full day, a large chunk of your limited time. I would leave it for another time.

Arrival evening
Seine River Cruise
(Vedettes du Pont Neuf)

Day 1
Sainte Chapelle
Notre Dame
Louvre
Sacre Couer

Day 2
Arc de Triomphe
Palais Garnier Opera
Musee d'Orsay
Eiffel Tower

Note the view down Champs Élysées from Arc de Triomphe is sufficient rather than walking it.