Read on for a whistle-stop walking tour of the city’s most iconic sights, a dive into its nightlife scene, flea-market treasure hunting, celebrity-spotting in the world’s most famous cemetery and (of course) incredible eats to keep you fuelled throughout your 48 hours in Paris.
Friday evening
Have a welcome feast at Caluche
After a long day, Friday night calls for a local, typically French meal to let your mind and belly know you’ve arrived somewhere new. Seven minutes’ walk from Le Jardin de Verre by Locke, this excellent neighbourhood café and wine bar serves rock-solid bistro eats.
Sample the city’s cocktail scene
Think ‘France’ and wine springs to mind, but Paris is also doing exciting things on the cocktail front. Head across the river to trendy Le Marais in the third arrondissement, where Cambridge Public House, Little Red Door, Candelaria are within a few streets of each other.
Saturday morning
Grab breakfast at Tram Café
A 10-minute walk from Le Jardin de Verre by Locke, this trendy café-bookstore serves breakfast pastries and excellent coffee, but they’re Instagram-famous for their croque monsieur. Nab an outdoor table overlooking the Church of Saint-Étienne-du-Mont, Paris’ patron saint.
Do a sightseeing stroll along the Seine
The beauty of Paris is how walkable it is. From Le Jardin de Verre by Locke, stroll through Jardin des Plantes towards Quai Saint-Bernard, then walk alongside the Seine through Tino Rossi garden, an open-air sculpture museum.
Cross the river at Pont de la Tournelle towards île Saint-Louis, known as ‘Island of the Palaces’. Explore the historic streets of Quai d’Orléans, Quai de Bourbon, Place Louis Aragon – maybe even grab an ice cream at the iconic Berthillon parlour.
Then cross the Pont Marie to Quai des Célestins in the Rives de Seine Park (previously Voie Georges Pompidou), which covers 10 hectares and 2.3km all the way up to Pont Neuf on the Right Bank. Watch locals playing pétanque or grab a coffee in one of the many cafés.
Cross Pont au Change to explore île de la Cité. Check out the seriously old (we’re talking 1371) clocktower; Conciergerie, a former courthouse and prison; Sainte Chapelle Gothic-style chapel; the Palais de Justice judicial centre and courthouse; and, of course, Notre-Dame cathedral.
Next, cross the river north across Pont Neuf, the oldest bridge in Paris. Loop to the right to check out Quai de la Mégisserie, where a flurry of florists and second-hand book stalls on the parapets of the wall overlooking the Seine make for a trés Parisian vignette.
Head west, taking a short detour to see the Louvre – you could even drop in if you’ve been organised enough to book a ticket. For this walk’s pièce de résistance, stroll back to the Seine and linger on the iconic Pont des Arts: without doubt one of the loveliest views in Paris.
Uh oh, rain? Check out our alternative (undercover) recommendations for things to do in Paris.
Saturday afternoon
Enjoy a slap-up déjeuner at 19 Saint Roch
Bet you’re starving after all that walking. Luckily, “the most fashionable table in Paris” is only a 15-minute walk away. Be whisked off your feet by simple yet effective riffs on French cuisine by chef Pierre Touitou – son of Jean Touitou, who founded APC. Just be sure to book ahead.
Kick back at Locke
Tired legs call for a chilled afternoon… Plus, it’d be a crying shame not to enjoy the social spaces at Le Jardin de Verre by Locke. Read a book in the festoon-lit courtyard. Savour dinner in the restaurant. Freshen up in your apartment. Then sip a warm-up cocktail or two in the cosy bar.
Saturday evening
Party on former railway brownfields
If you’re seeking Parisian nightlife, La Station is the place. Expect cutting-edge programming – from rock gigs to electronic parties – and a relaxed, inclusive atmosphere in an enormous former coal station. If jazz and blues is your jam, nearby La Gare is another edgy nighttime hotspot.
Sunday morning
Consume coffee and carbs at Ten Belles Bread
Get up and at ‘em in the direction of the eleventh arrondissement, known for its foodie vibes. You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to brunch, but if you can’t make a decision head straight to this bustling bakery for fortifying house blend coffee and hearty sandwiches.
Go treasure hunting at Marché d’Aligre
One of the oldest markets in Paris, the top of the street sells mainly fruit and veg, while the covered Beauvau market is packed with fishmongers and butchers. But the flea market in the main yard is where it’s at: keep an eye out for antique trinkets hidden among the bric-a-brac.
Sunday afternoon
Celeb-spot at Cimetière du Père-Lachaise
Probably the world's most famous cemetery, housing 70,000 ornate tombs of the rich and famous – include Jim Morrison and Oscar Wilde. Download a map and wander the winding paths of this surprisingly picturesque shaded labyrinth.
Go out with a bang at La Tour d’Argent
On the sixth floor overlooking the Seine, Notre-Dame and the Ile Saint-Louis, the view from this 400-year-old restaurant takes some beating. We recommend the tasting menu. Afterwards, waddle back to Le Jardin de Verre by Locke to pack and say “au revoir” to the City of Lights.
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Where to stay for a weekend in Paris
Set in Paris’s Latin Quarter, Le Jardin de Verre by Locke is a Baroque mansion housing 145 serviced apartments, a co-working space, restaurant, cocktail bar, two courtyards and a gym. What more could you need for 48 hours in Paris?
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