48 hours in Paris itinerary
This blog post title makes me think of Julie Delpy’s film, 2 Days in Paris. It’s from 2007, and I definitely recommend her movies. Let’s move on to Paris and why Paris is always a good idea.
As a French person, I know Paris well. My recent trip at the end of March was a whirlwind. I tried to see as many art exhibitions as possible. Add enjoying great food and wine. Paris is the city of light, love, and fresh baguette (pretty compromised if you’re avoiding gluten!). A foodie’s heaven, Paris has some of the best restaurants in the world. In this blog post, I share my latest trip to Paris with recommendations for places to visit and eat. These are just recommendations. Do not hesitate to wander and make your selection.
Travelling to Paris
To travel from London to Paris, the easiest and most comfortable option is to book a Eurostar ticket. The journey currently takes 2 hours and 17 minutes, which would be difficult to beat by plane, car or coach. I travelled on the Eurostar. I left London at 1 pm and reached Paris in the afternoon. I had just enough time to drop my bag to head to the Louvre for the Louvre Couture exhibition. You can read about the exhibition here.
First stop the Louvre
The Louvre is huge. It is the most visited museum in the world and has tens of thousands of objects. If you’re making a short visit, focus is key. Prioritise the ‘big three’: the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, and the Winged Victory of Samothrace. More time on your hand, don’t miss the De La Tour, Ingres and Delacroix and plan a visit to the Louvre. Make sure you have enough time to enjoy the art and the courtyard with the modern glass Pyramid. After wandering the Louvre, continue with a walk through the Jardin des Tuileries and the Place de la Concorde. Why not add a stop at Angelina’s Café on the way!
Where I had dinner
In the evening, I went for dinner at Bistro Chez France on Rue Surcouf in the 7th arrondissement. I walked by the Invalides. It’s a museum about French military history and offers a great view of the Eiffel Tower.
When you arrive in Rue Surcouf, the number of restaurants on the same street will amaze you.
The tagline for Bistro chez France is GOOD FOOD, GOOD WINE, GOOD VIBES! So you know you are in good hands and off to a great start. And this is how I felt after dining at the bistro. They have a small menu with daily specialities. They serve fruit and vegetables according to season. The fish is the catch of the day. Their charcuteries come from small producers. They select meat from farmers they often work with. I started with an “assiette de charcuterie.” For the main dish, I had “agneau” (lamb). I couldn’t miss the Crème Brûlée for dessert. We also chose an amazing red wine, Burgundy, from their great wine list. We had a fantastic dining experience. The restaurant is not very big, so I recommend booking your table in advance.
Day 3
On my last day in Paris before heading back to London I went to Copains. An amazing gluten-free bakery in the Marais. Their Danish selection is amazing. It includes cinnamon buns, donuts, and pain au chocolat. It’s hard to believe these treats are gluten-free! This is only a takeaway bakery, but you can buy a croissant with ease and walk the streets of Paris while eating it.
For lunch, we headed to the gare de l’Est a stroll away from the Gare du Nord. We chose a bistro called the Café des Deux Gares. They offer a daily menu and small plates à la carte. There is also a hotel of the same name nearby. (see the directory below for more details)
Paris is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and I am sure you will have plenty to enjoy. You can explore Paris at your own pace. If you want to enjoy some of the best restaurants, make sure to book ahead. Paris is a great city for foodies, so have a fabulous time wherever you eat. Remember to slow down, enjoy and don’t forget your camera. Every corner is Paris is worth it’s shot.
Stay tuned for another trip to Paris, where I’m planning to visit the musée Rodin. I can’t wait to share this with you!
Directory
Places to stay
On a budget
Mama Shelter hotels for the Wes Anderson experience. The hotel brand “Mama Shelter” represent this cool and young atmosphere. .They have a few hotels across Paris
Hôtel des Deux Gares close to Gare du Nord a very british and querky boutique hotel
Higher up
- Hotel Jardins de Cluny in the 6th a small feel hotel designed with taste
On a splash
Places to eat for lunch
- Creperie Little Breizh rue Gregoire de Tours, 75006 Paris
- Bistro des 2 Gares close to the gare du Nord 1 Rue des Deux Gares, 75010 Paris. They offer a wonderful lunch formula with 2 or 3 dishes. Everything is cook fresh in the kitchen and they serve real sourdough bread (for those who can eat it).
Where to eat a Patisserie
- Fou de Patisserie to try Haute Couture Patisserie by the best in France. They have a few boutique across town
- Angelina close to the Louvre, for the ultimate hot Chocolate and Mont-Blanc queues can be quite long and it’s advisable to book.
Vegetarian Restaurant
Ora 12 Rue Philippe de Girard, 75010 Paris, France
A vegetarian restaurant with an incredible atmosphere, they offer a one-of-a-kind, unique dining experience with tasty vegetarian meals.
Gluten-Free
With at least 13 outlets in Paris, your craving for gluten-free croissants will be satisfied. The quality of the viennoiseries is amazing!
Share your best Paris address in the comments
