How to Spend 2 Days in Paris

Travel Itinerary

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Itinerary by: Zoran Trifunovic

3 years ago

Travel Writer

Duration: 2 days

Itinerary Contents

Day 1
Day 2

Itinerary Introduction

Paris is a popular city-break destination, boasting some of the most visited museums and monuments in the world. Couple those with impeccable parks, gardens, and cuisine, and you get an unmatched travel destination. This itinerary shows you the highlights of the French capital and helps you make the most of your 2-day trip to Paris. (Photo by Alexander Kagan from unsplash.com – https://unsplash.com/photos/t9Td0zfDTwI)

Useful information about Paris

The history of Paris

Paris has been an important location for centuries, and was settled as far back as 8000 BC. Known as Lutetia in Roman times, when it was on a key trade route (you can still see Roman ruins today), it was renamed Paris in the fourth century. After the fall of Rome, Paris was taken over by the King of the Franks. Thanks to its strategic position, Paris soon became a prosperous location, and the largest city in Europe – its creation of the Gothic style was replicated in architecture across the continent in the Middle Ages. During the eighteenth century, the city was a centre for intellectual thought during the Englightenment. It was also here that the French Revolution took place in 1789, ending the French monarchy. By the nineteenth century, Paris had become the European capital of fashion, and is still seen as a leader in this industry today. At the same time, it was being transformed into the wide-avenued, grandly designed Paris we see today, by Baron Haussmann. Between the world wars, Paris was a hub of creativity, art and culture, drawing writers and artists, as well as the intellectuals that had long made it their home. Today, its illustrious past can still be seen in its rich culture and world-leading museums.

The economy of Paris

Paris’s economy is based around services and commerce. The city is the economic centre of France, and around 30% of France’s GDP is focused here.

A fun fact from Paris

The Eiffel Tower was never supposed to be a permanent fixture in Paris – it was planned as a temporary installation that was only intended to stand for twenty years. Over 130 years later, it’s one of Europe’s best-known sights.

The language in Paris

While most people in Paris will have very good English, it’s worth brushing up on some basic phrases. Say “Bonjour” for Hello, “Au revoir” for Good bye, “Merci” for Thank you, and “Excusez-moi” for Excuse me. “Pardon” or “Desolé” can be used to apologise.

Best times to visit Paris

The best time to visit Paris is from June to August, when the weather is hot and sunny and the banks of the Seine fill up with people socialising and sharing picnics. At the same time, this is the busiest time of the year to visit, and many residents leave the city for the countryside. September and October are also a good time to visit Paris, with the leaves starting to turn autumnal hues of red and yellow, and the weather remaining fairly warm, plus there's the benefit of less crowds (apart from the last week of September, which coincides with Paris Fashion Week). March to May is a similarly pleasant time of year to visit weather-wise, and pretty flowers begin to bloom across the city. Into the winter months, between November and February, Paris becomes colder – you’ll need a coat – and can be rainy, particularly in December, and seeing the City of Love with a grey sky can dampen its usual effect.

Getting to Paris

Paris has four airports, but you’re most likely to fly into Charles de Gaulle or Orly. It’s €60 to take a taxi from Charles de Gaulle to the city centre, so consider hopping onto the RER train instead, a fifty-minute journey, or the bus, which takes around an hour and ten minutes. Orly is closer to the centre, so taking a taxi is slightly cheaper, at around €35, but you can also save money by hopping onto a bus or tram. The Eurostar travels from destinations in the Netherlands, Belgium, the UK and from other French locations to Paris Gare du Nord.

Getting around in Paris

In this itinerary, you will cover ground mostly on foot, opting for public transport only on occasion. Single public transport fares are €1.90 but are more affordable if you purchase a "carnet" of 10 tickets (€16 in total).

Local cuisine in Paris

You’ll find all your French favourites in Paris, from steak-frites to onion soup and duck confit. Start the day with croissants from a local bakery, munch macarons for a stylish snack, and admire the wide range of cheeses on offer. If you’re feeling brave, try escargots (snails) or steak tartare. And for a simple, typical lunch on-the-go, jambon-beurre (ham in baguette) is a classic option, or order a savoury crepe from stands dotted across the city.

Tipping in Paris

Tipping is not expected in Paris, but it’s not uncommon. Leave a tip of around 5–10%, or more if the service is particularly good.

Where to stay in Paris

When you’re wondering where to stay in Paris, consider the seventh arrondissement: near the Eiffel Tower, you’ll be right in the heart of the action (Paris is a fairly large city, so staying in a central location is a good choice). Even more central is the first arrondissement, but you’ll also see accommodation prices rise in this area. On the Right Bank of the Seine, you’ll find the cool Le Marais neighbourhood, where there’s lots of places to go out partying – plus art galleries, trendy shops, and restaurants to keep you busy during the day. On the other side of the Seine, Saint-Germain is a chic place to stay for jazz clubs, more art galleries, and great food.

Discount card for Paris

The Paris Museum Pass offers free entry to more than fifty museums on its 2-, 4- and 6-day passes.

Paris - Travel Itinerary

Day 1

08:30 - 09:15

Champ de Mars

2 All. Adrienne Lecouvreur, 75007 Paris, France

Champ de Mars is an expansive park next to the Eiffel Tower. It offers great photo opportunities of the famous monument and is a nice place for strolling. There are many benches around, but you may relax on the lawn if you prefer. The Military School (Ecole Militaire), on the opposite side of the park from the Eiffel Tower, features a grand façade. If you take a closer look, you'll notice holes punctuating the façade. Those originated during the liberation of Paris from the Germans in 1944. TIP: The Military School is a national monument, which you can visit during the European Heritage Days (every third weekend in September). (Photo by Lucas Gallone on Unsplash – https://unsplash.com/photos/tjFf7C7bQjY)

Article By: Zoran Trifunovic

Getting there

ou can get to the park by metro. The nearest stations are Bir-Hakeim (line 6) and La Motte Picquet Grenelle (6, 8, and 10). You can access the park within several minutes from any of them.

Champ de Mars

09:30 - 11:15

Eiffel Tower

Champ de Mars, 5 Av. Anatole France, 75007 Paris, France

Eiffel Tower, built to serve as an entrance to the Universal Exhibition of 1889, is among the world's most famous monuments. It consists of three levels offering panoramic views of Paris, Ile-de-France, and beyond. 324 meters (1.063 feet) tall, it used to be the tallest human-made structure when completed. The landmark has three levels, with the third being 276 meters (905 feet) above the ground. You can get to the lower levels either by stairs or a lift, while the third is accessible only by the lift. For the very best views of Paris landmarks, head to the second level. Note that the first level has a transparent floor. If you wish to dine or refresh yourself with a drink while admiring the cityscape, visit restaurants on the first or second floor or a bar on the third. QUICK FACTS: Eiffel Tower was meant to be dismantled 20 years following the construction, but the appearance of the radio and the tower's practical use in this regard saved the monument. Also, the tower was instrumental in intercepting the German communications in World War 1, which proved invaluable in countering their offensive. (Photo by Il Vagabiondo on Unsplash – https://unsplash.com/photos/FlkxnZdebMk)

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Price covers: Entry

Prices for Eiffel Tower
Category	Price	Restrictions
Standard	10.40 - 19.70 EUR
Kids	6.50 EUR	Under 11

Notes

If you haven't booked a ticket or a guided tour of the Eiffel Tower online, arrive before opening times to avoid long queuing. Opening hours are from 9:30 to 23:45 in summer and to 18:30 the rest of the year. The last entry is around an hour before the closure.

Getting there

You will need a few minutes to get from Champ de Mars to the monument on foot.

Travel time

0 hours 5 minutes

Eiffel Tower

11:15 - 12:30

The Seine River

Pl. de la Résistance, 75007 Paris, France

You can take exceptional photos of Paris landmarks from the River Seine. Also, the river is a popular stop for the locals, brimming with various leisure opportunities, boat restaurants, and bridges. Various attractions line the Seine, including Eiffel Tower, Alexander III Bridge, Louvre Museum, and Orsay Museum. Also, cruise companies offer sightseeing tours, some of which include dining. (Photo by J Shim on Unsplash – https://unsplash.com/photos/8N6HO3YIqwA)

Article By: Zoran Trifunovic

Getting there

Cross the street to get from the Eiffel Tower to the River Seine and go to your right.

The Seine River

11:45 - 12:00

Pont Alexandre III

Pont Alexandre III, Pont Alexandre III, 75008 Paris, France

Many locals and travelers consider Pont Alexandre III the most beautiful Paris bridge. It features Art Nouveau decoration consisting of lamps, cherubs, winged horses (Pegasus), and other ornamentation. From the bridge, you can take photos of the Eiffel Tower, Les Invalides (a structure with a gilded cupola), Grand Palais, and Petit Palais. Alexandre III Bridge was built between 1896 and 1900. Named after the father of the last Russian emperor (Nicolas II Romanov), it honored the Franco-Russian alliance forged by the end of the 19th century to counter the increasing German threat. Among other decorations, you can examine allegorical representations of the Seine and the Neva (major French and Russian rivers), sciences, arts, etc. (Image by Kateřina Rubášová from Pixabay – https://pixabay.com/photos/pont-alexandre-iii-paris-apple-juice-819240/)

Article By: Zoran Trifunovic

Pont Alexandre III

12:30 - 13:45

Les Antiquaries Restaurant

13 Rue du Bac, 75007 Paris, France

Les Antiquaries is a bistro serving traditional French specialties. You can find cheeses, burgers, salads, wines, cocktails, and more on its menu. Les Antiquaries caters to gourmands, vegetarians, and vegans. In general, you should plan a few dozen euros for a main dish, drink, and dessert. Given the bistro's popularity, make a reservation in advance (https://www.lesantiquaires.net/reservation). (Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay – https://pixabay.com/photos/cheese-food-fresh-dinner-french-1149471/)

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Getting there

When you get to Pont Royal, turn right into Rue (Street) du Bac. You'll find the bistro to your left after the crossroad with Rue de Lille.

Travel time

0 hours 2 minutes

Les Antiquaries Restaurant

14:00 - 16:15

Musée d'Orsay

1 Rue de la Légion d'Honneur, 75007 Paris, France

Musée d'Orsay is the second most visited museum in Paris. Housed in a former railway station, the museum exhibits works of art that originated in the second half of the 19th century, for the most part. Most of these were created by illustrious French painters and sculptors of that time, with Auguste Rodin, Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux, Claude Monet, Edouard Manet, Eugene Delacroix, and Jean-Francois Millet being some of them. Albeit renowned for its Impressionist collection (the largest in the world), Orsay Museum introduces Realism, Orientalism, Barbizon School, and Symbolism, among other art movements. Besides first-class paintings and sculptures, you can admire decorative arts objects. For a brief visit, though, you should prioritize the ground floor (sculptures in the central aisle, in particular) and Impressionist paintings on the top floor, unless you are after something specific. While touring these sections, don't miss: SCULPTURES: Sappho by James Pradier, The Four Parts of the World Holding the Celestial Sphere and Dance by Carpeaux, Woman Bitten by a Snake by Clesinger, Gates of Hell by Rodin, and Maturity (first floor to the right) by Camille Claudel IMPRESSIONIST PAINTINGS: The Rouen Cathedral series, Poppies, and Blue Water-lilies by Monet, Dance at Moulin de la Galette by Renoir, and House of the Hanged Man by Cezanne (Image by Graham Hobster from Pixabay – https://pixabay.com/photos/paris-museum-france-architecture-2375101/)

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Price covers: Entry

Prices for Musée d'Orsay
Category	Price	Restrictions
Standard	16.00 EUR

Notes

Orsay Museum is open from 9:30 to 18:00 (21:45 on Thursday) from Tuesday to Sunday. You can rent an audio guide for an additional several euros, which would make your art collection tour more rewarding.

Getting there

Turn left into Rue de Lille when you leave Les Antiquaries. The Musée d'Orsay entrance will be to your right at the second crossroad.

Travel time

0 hours 5 minutes

Musée d'Orsay

16:40 - 18:00

Le Jardin du Luxembourg

75006 Paris, France

Le Jardin du Luxembourg (Luxembourg Garden) is an expansive oasis of greenery popular among Parisians and holidaymakers. It features impeccably manicured lawns, flower beds, and bushes. It also teems with statues depicting French monarchs and saints, such as Marie de Medici and Saint Genevieve – the patron saint of Paris. Palais du Luxembourg, housing the French Senate and featuring an elaborate façade, is the garden's architectural highlight. Nearby is a pond where children have fun sailing remote control boats. As you get around, you are bound to discover a few monumental fountains, a small-scale model of the Statue of Liberty, and many other sculptures. Chairs and benches are available throughout the park. (Image by David Mark from Pixabay – https://pixabay.com/photos/jardin-du-luxembourg-paris-france-96401/)

Article By: Zoran Trifunovic

Notes

Opening times of Le Jardin du Luxembourg vary depending on the season. In summer, the garden is open from around 7:30 to 21:30. In winter, visiting hours are from 8:15 to 16:30, so plan your visit accordingly.

Getting there

When you complete your visit to Orsay Museum, take Rue de Bellechase and walk until you reach Boulevard Saint-Germain des Pres. The Solferino subway station will be nearby. Take the metro 12 (direction Mairie d'Issy) and alight at the Notre Dame des Champs stop. From there, take the namesake street and turn left into Rue Vavin to get to Le Jardin du Luxembourg.

Travel time

0 hours 25 minutes

Le Jardin du Luxembourg

18:15 - 20:00

Latin Quarter

Latin Quarter, Paris, France

Latin Quarter is an atmospheric neighborhood teeming with souvenir shops and restaurants. Here, you can enjoy specialties of French, Greek, Lebanese, and many other cuisines. (Photo by Kayla Koss on Unsplash – https://unsplash.com/photos/WSbd7BELXak)

Article By: Zoran Trifunovic

Getting there

Take a walk along the Boulevard Saint-Michel towards the Seine. Once you cross the crossroad with Boulevard Saint-Germain, Latin Quarter will be to your right.

Travel time

0 hours 10 minutes

Latin Quarter

Day 2

08:30 - 09:50

Ile de la Cite

Île de la Cité, Paris, France

Located downtown, Ile de la Cite is a tiny island featuring a few top Paris landmarks. These are: - Notre Dame Cathedral, whose twin towers still define the downtown skyline despite the damage the structure suffered from a 2019 fire - Sainte Chapelle, boasting exceptional stained-glass windows - Conciergerie, a former royal palace and a prison where Marie-Antoinette spent her final days - Pont Neuf (New Bridge), which is, ironically, the oldest existing Paris bridge Also, Crypte Archaeologic, facing Notre Dame, exhibits remains of Gallo-Roman and medieval periods. (Image by Waldo Miguez from Pixabay – https://pixabay.com/photos/sainte-chapelle-sainte-chapelle-1128997/)

Article By: Zoran Trifunovic

Getting there

You can get to Ile de la Cite by metro line 4 – Cite station. Nearby stations are Chatelet (metro lines 1, 4, 7, 11, and 14) and Hotel de Ville (lines 1 and 11).

Ile de la Cite

10:00 - 12:00

Rue de Rivoli

Rue de Rivoli, Paris, France

Rue de Rivoli is a popular commercial street in downtown Paris. There, you can find stores selling cosmetics, garments, souvenirs, and much else for reasonable prices. The street's name honors the decisive victory of revolutionary France against Austria at Rivoli (near Turin, Italy) in 1797. Hotel de Ville (in the photo), Gothic Tour Saint Jacques, Musée du Louvre, and Jardin de Tuileries line Rue de Rivoli. You can walk among colonnades between Louvre and Place de la Concorde, where the street ends. (Image by Graham Hobster from Pixabay – https://pixabay.com/photos/paris-hotel-de-ville-france-2375098/)

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Notes

Most stores lining Rue de Rivoli open around 10:00.

Getting there

Cross any of the four bridges (Pont Neuf, au Change, Notre-Dame, or d'Arcole) leading to the right bank and head straight until you get to Rue de Rivoli.

Travel time

0 hours 5 minutes

Rue de Rivoli

12:00 - 13:15

Le Fumoir Restaurant

6 Rue de l'Amiral de Coligny, 75001 Paris, France

Le Fumoir is a renowned restaurant where you can have a three-course lunch for €30 and dinner for €40. Time slots for lunch are available every 15 minutes from 12:00 to 14:15, so make sure to reserve a table in advance. While dining here, you may enjoy a view of the monumental façade of the Louvre Museum's Sully Wing, which is the masterpiece of classicism in the French capital. Le Fumoir caters to gourmands and vegetarians. (Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay – https://pixabay.com/photos/red-wine-french-france-baguettes-1433498/)

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Getting there

Turn into Rue de l'Amiral de Coligny from Rue de Rivoli and you'll see Le Fumoir on the opposite side of the street from the Louvre's monumental façade.

Travel time

0 hours 2 minutes

Le Fumoir Restaurant

13:25 - 16:30

Musée du Louvre

Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France

Musée du Louvre is the most visited museum in the world. It exhibits works of art spanning the period from antiquity almost to our time. Before becoming a museum, Louvre used to be a royal palace erected on the foundations of a medieval fortification. Louvre Museum consists of three wings – Denon (next to the Seine River), Richelieu (lining Rue de Rivoli), and Sully (connecting them). There used to be the fourth wing (Tuileries), which was heavily damaged during the Paris Commune (1871) uprising and demolished in the following years. A thorough visit to the museum requires days, if not weeks. Thus, prioritize some of the following sections to cover the majority of museum highlights during a brief visit: - Denon Wing: Greek Antiquities, Roman Antiquities, Sculptures/Europe, Paintings Gallery, and Apollon's Gallery - Sully Wing: Egyptian Antiquities and Near Eastern Antiquities - Richelieu Wing: Marly Court, Puget Court, and Napoleon III Apartments While browsing these sections, don't miss Mona Lisa by da Vinci and The Wedding at Cana by Veronese (Paintings Gallery), The Dying Slave by Michelangelo (Sculptures/Europe), Nike of Samothrace and Venus de Milo (Greek Antiquities), Code of Hammurabi (Near Eastern Antiquities), and Great Sphinx of Tanis (Egyptian Antiquities). (Image by NakNakNak from Pixabay – https://pixabay.com/photos/louvre-paris-statue-museum-france-2775454/)

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Price covers: Entry

Prices for Musée du Louvre
Category	Price	Restrictions
Standard	15.00 EUR

Notes

Consider purchasing the ticket online (€17) to gain fast-track access. Louvre Museum is closed on Tuesdays. On other days, the museum is open from 9:00 to 18:00.

Getting there

When you leave Le Fumoir, cross the street and take the cobblestone passage, which takes you to the Sully Wing's courtyard. Another passage on the opposite side leads to the main Louvre courtyard and the museum entrance.

Travel time

0 hours 2 minutes

Musée du Louvre

16:30 - 17:00

Jardin des Tuileries

Tuileries Garden, Pl. de la Concorde, 75001 Paris, France

Jardin des Tuileries is a downtown garden with tree alleys, flower beds, and a few ponds, teeming with sculptures. There is also a fun park with various rides and a Ferris Wheel that offers panoramic views of the Paris cityscape. You can find two museums next to Place de la Concorde. Those are the only remains of the Tuileries Palace, destroyed during the Paris Commune uprising in 1871. One is Orangerie, exhibiting the celebrated Water-lilies series by Claude Monet. Auguste Renoir, Maurice Utrillo, Pablo Picasso, and Amadeo Modigliani are some other represented painters. The other one is Jeu de Paume, displaying contemporary art. Next to Louvre is the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, topped with a copy of the Horses of Saint Mark's located in Venice, Italy. The monument also introduces the troops of the Napoleonic Great Army (Grande Armee). (Image by Christelle PRIEUR from Pixabay – https://pixabay.com/photos/paris-large-wheel-merry-go-round-4593925/)

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Notes

Chairs are benches are available throughout the garden.

Getting there

Jardin des Tuileries will be just ahead once you leave Louvre Museum.

Travel time

0 hours 2 minutes

Jardin des Tuileries

17:00 - 17:15

Place de la Concorde

Pl. de la Concorde, 75008 Paris, France

Place de la Concorde is among the largest squares in Europe. Its highlight is the so-called Cleopatra's Needle – an Egyptian obelisk donated to France as a reward for its role in deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphs. A few fountains and monuments honoring big French cities are other centerpieces. During the French Revolution (1789-99), the then Revolution Square was a site of mass executions. King Luis XVI, his spouse Marie-Antoinette, and many royalists were guillotined here. Even a revolutionary leader Maximillien Robespierre was among the victims of Black Widow, as the guillotine was called. (Photo by Paris Photographer | Février Photography on Unsplash – https://unsplash.com/photos/_Lt4V91GT7I)

Article By: Zoran Trifunovic

Getting there

Place de la Concorde is next to Jardin des Tuileries, on the opposite side of the Louvre.

Travel time

0 hours 1 minute

Place de la Concorde

17:15 - 18:45

Avenue des Champs-Elysees

Av. des Champs-Élysées, 75008 Paris, France

Champs-Elysees is among the most prestigious avenues in the world. It offered inspiration for the layout of the National Mall in Washington, D.C. and May Avenue in Buenos Aires. The thoroughfare runs between Place de la Concorde and Arc de Triomphe. Upscale shops, such as Louis Vuitton, Dior and Lacoste, cinemas, and various eateries line the avenue. Lido de Paris, a famous cabaret, is on Avenue des Champs-Elysees, too. Also, the area around the thoroughfare is a Paris nightlife hotspot. (Photo by reisetopia on Unsplash – https://unsplash.com/photos/OoAr4_ZsIcw)

Article By: Zoran Trifunovic

Getting there

Enter the grand avenue from Place de la Concorde.

Travel time

0 hours 1 minute

Avenue des Champs-Elysees

18:45 - 19:50

Arc de Triomphe

Pl. Charles de Gaulle, 75008 Paris, France

Napoleon Bonaparte commissioned Arc de Triomphe (Triumphal Arch) to commemorate the French victory over Austrians and Russians at Austerlitz (1805) during the Napoleonic Wars. However, the monument wasn't completed before his final downfall (1815), thus featuring a different design than initially conceived. Bas-reliefs and other works of art commemorate military and other successes of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic periods, such as battles at Aboukir in 1799 (Egypt) and Austerlitz. Marseillaise, however, depicting the departure of the volunteers in 1792, is the monument's masterpiece. The observational platform at the top of Arc de Triomphe offers exceptional views of Paris. Those encompass the Eiffel Tower, Champs-Elysees and other boulevards converging at the monument, Louvre, Montmartre, etc. (Photo by Kreshen on Unsplash – https://unsplash.com/photos/lNs2Bg103_g)

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Price covers: Entry

Prices for Arc de Triomphe
Category	Price	Restrictions
Standard	13.00 EUR

Notes

Opening times are usually until 22:30 or 23:00 (during summer). Queuing for tickets tends to be quite long, so consider purchasing a ticket online. You have to take the stairs to get to the top.

Getting there

You access Arc de Triomphe directly from Avenue des Champs-Elysees.

Travel time

0 hours 1 minute

Arc de Triomphe

20:30 - 23:00

The Seine River Dinner Cruise

Port de la Bourdonnais, 75007 Paris, France

Cruising the Seine at dusk is among the most romantic activities in the City of Love. Recapitulate your 2-day tour of Paris on this cruise and admire glowing landmarks as the night descends. (Photo by Chris Calviello on Unsplash – https://unsplash.com/photos/kIi976LiYjw)

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Price covers: Entry+Meal

Prices for The Seine River Dinner Cruise
Category	Price	Restrictions
Standard	99.00 - 205.00 EUR

Getting there

Take bus 30 from Avenue de Wagram (next to Arc de Triomphe) and get off at the Tour Eiffel station. Walk a few minutes in the downtown direction to Bateaux Parisiens.

Travel time

0 hours 25 minutes

The Seine River Dinner Cruise

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Submitted by: Zoran Trifunovic, 3 years ago

About the author

Zoran Trifunovic

Traveling is my passion, and I became a travel writer and planner for two reasons: 1. To fill the gap between travels 2. To help other people realize how beautiful our world is I've graduated from the College of Tourism in Belgrade, Serbia, and founded the Top Travel and Tours website.

Website: https://toptravelandtours.com/