Paris in 48 Hours: A Visitor's Guide to France's Capital City for the Hurried Traveler

From palaces in the country (Versailles) to the iconic Eiffel Tower or la Tour Eiffel, Paris's hustle and bustle offers a little something for everyone. Over the last 3 years, I've been 8 times and am still finding new and different things to experience in this magnificent city. I also thought it might be helpful to compile a guide to the City of Lights for people who may have a short stay in Paris, be on a business trip, or just be traveling through, so that they can experience as much as possible in a short period of time.

Day 1: Basic Paris (Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Sainte Chapelle, Champs-Elysees, Arc de Triomphe)
Quintessentially Paris, the Eiffel Tower is not only iconic but provides an exceptional overview of Paris that won't take too long if you plan your day correctly. Opening and closing times vary by season, but the best times to visit the Eiffel Tower are first thing in the morning or alternatively around dusk and in to the night. In addition to going to the very top, two restaurants are available on the first and second levels, but be sure to make reservations to avoid long lines. Easiest way to get here: Champ de Mars/Tour Eiffel (via RER C).

Continue on the RER C for another exciting Paris sight: Notre Dame. A legend, Notre Dame Cathedral's mysterious outside is almost as interesting as it's inside, which yields spectacular stained glass and flying buttresses. Be sure to bring a camera with an adjustable shutter speed to capture Notre Dame's famous rose window.

For those who love stained glass and old churches, continue to the somewhat hidden Sainte Chapelle. This 13th century Gothic-style chapel was built by Louis IX and is unique because of it's two levels: the bottom being for servants or "ordinary" people; the top level being for the wealthy or noblemen. Visit Sainte Chapelle for yourself to discover how truly different - and beautiful - the two levels are. For best photographic opportunities, visit Stainte Chapelle between about 10am to 4pm, and on a sunny day.

Women of the world know of several large shopping districts or streets in the world but none may be as famous as the Champs-Elysees. This broad boulevard is full of major fashion houses, cafes, and much more. For the full experience, begin your adventure down the Champs-Elysees by taking the Metro to the Place de la Concorde (multiple lines) and plan on spending a few hours just to walk from the beginning of the boulevard to the Arc De Triomphe, which is at the end. Alternatively, bisect the Champs-Elysees by using the George V Metro stop and emerging right in front of the multi-story Louis Vuitton store. Stop at the nearby Le Mistral for a cafe-style dinner before photographing the Arc de Triomphe at dusk.

Day 2 in Paris: Museums (Louvre and Musée de l'Orangerie, the Paris Opera House, and Pont Neuf Bridge)
Use day 2 to recuperate from day 1's walking by spending some time in museums and walking through the beautiful Jardins des Tuileries. Begin the morning where you left off last night: Place de la Concorde (RER 1) and walk toward the Jardins des Tuileries. Enjoy a cup of coffee in the gardens before venturing to the Musée de l'Orangerie, which is practically full of Monet's famous "Nymphéas", which are now housed on the top level. A wealth of other artists' work reside in the Orangerie, including Picasso, Cézanne, Renoir and Matisse.

Continue walking through the Jardins des Tuileries and you'll stumble upon the magnificent Louvre, one of the world's most famous and premier museums. Though it is possible to spend more than 1 day at the Louvre during your trip to Paris, it is worth even a few hours to visit the Louvre, if only to see the beautiful Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo. Be aware that the spaces around both will be crowded, so plan timing accordingly. Be sure to visit the basement of the Louvre, where a small pyramid as well as an inverted pyramid suspended from the ceiling come together.

Finish the evening with an opera at the famous Paris Opera House. Check the schedule to see what is showing and be sure to buy tickets ahead of time (and dress appropriately). If you aren't able to buy tickets, a visit to the Opera House is an excellent opportunity to take some interesting photos and enjoy the culture of this part of Paris.

Get an excellent view of the evening light show (or a romantic and beautiful view of the city), by walking along the Pont Neuf Bridge, which is the oldest standing bridge in the city of Paris.

Day 3 and Beyond: Montmarte, Paris's Red Light District, Seine River Cruise
A 3rd day might include a trip to Montmarte (the beautiful white church on the hill overlooking the city), and a stop at the Moulin Rouge. Spend the afternoon and early evening by taking a Seine river cruise and have a picnic under the Eiffel Tower.

Other major area attractions:
La Defense
Gare du Nord (bustling train station)
Musee d'Orsay
Disneyland Paris
Versailles

Related Suggested Reading:
Berlin in 48 Hours

Resources:
Official Site of the Eiffel Tower: http://www.tour-eiffel.fr/index.html
Subway Map (Le Metropolitan): http://www.frenchculture.com/images/metro_map.gif
Sainte Chapelle: http://en.parisinfo.com/museum-monuments/163/sainte-chapelle-centre-des-monuments-nationaux?1
Musee de l'Orangerie: http://www.musee-orangerie.fr/