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. In this post I share a Paris in Two Days Itinerary.

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 journey to Paris with some recommendations of places to visit and eat. These are just recommendations. Do not hesitate to wander and make your selection.

Day 1

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.

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 Louvre Couture. 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!

In the evening I went for dinner, in the Rue Surcouf in the 7th arrondissement to eat at Bistro chez France. 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 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 arein 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 specialities of the day. 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 2

The day started off with rain and wind. Not very encouraging, but you can’t come to Paris to stay locked in your hotel room. I wandered outside in the drizzle, being optimistic that the rain had to stop at some point. Paris is still a beautiful sight in the rain. I headed towards the Marais and Quartier Latin an area I’m not familiar with in Paris. Along place Monge, Jussieu, Pantheon, Jardin des Plantes.

Le Marais (3rd & 4th Arrondissements): This is a district I was not too familiar with. I love Place des Vosges. Paris’s oldest square, surrounded by stunning 17th-century buildings, attracts visitors. I invite you to wander through narrow medieval streets. You’ll find chic boutiques, vintage shops, and many art galleries. Le Marais hosts the Musée Picasso in the stunning Hôtel Salé and the Maison Européenne de la Photographie (MEP).

Before going to lunch I went to the Artemisia Gentileschi Art Exhibition at the Musée André Jacquemart. I highly recommend it. You. can read about the exhibition here.

For lunch, I opted for the typical crêperie in St Germain des Prés near the Sorbonne. What is a crêperie, then? Crêperies are restaurants where you can enjoy savoury buckwheat galettes instead of pizza. You can enjoy different toppings like ham, eggs, and cheese. For dessert, you can choose sweet dough pancakes. They come with toppings like cinnamon and apples, banana chocolate, or chestnut purée. If you want to have a cheap and cheerful lunch, the crêperie is the perfect option. We had lunch at the crêperie Little Breizh, rue Grégoire de Tours in the 6th. It’s a small restaurant, and the galettes and crêpes were delicious.

Saint-Germain-des-Prés (6th Arrondissement) is the heart of Paris’s literary and intellectual scene. It exudes chic and sophistication. It’s known for its legendary cafés, such as Les Deux Magots and Café de Flore. You’ll also find many art galleries, antique shops, and chic boutiques. It’s easy to get to the Musée d’Orsay and the lovely Jardin du Luxembourg. It showcases beautiful street scenes, classic café culture, and calm, side streets. It’s also known for charming boutique hotels.

After lunch I set off to the Jardin des Plantes, the botanical gardens. I wanted to see the magnolia blossom before it faded. I continued my walk along the Seine River via Isle Saint Louis. A walk along the river is one of the best ways to discover Paris. So stroll along to take great photos.

You can’t stay in Paris and not treat yourself to a patisserie. While I usually try to head to Angelina for a Mont Blanc at least once during my stay, this time, I decided to try something new. I headed off to “Fou de Patisserie” rue de la Seine in the 6th arrondissement. You will find a few of these boutiques across Paris. They offer what I would call a “Haute couture” Patisserie designed by the best pâtissiers in France. Each piece is a delight for the eyes and taste buds, and your task will be to choose the ones that appeals to you the most or the ones that are gluten-free if you have special diet like me. I tried the Baba au Rhum designed by Mathieu Mandard pour Les Artizans served with blue Jasmin tea. Do not even try to be on a diet in Paris!

In the evening, we picked a different restaurant on rue Surcouf. We had dinner at the Petit Tonneau. We walked from the hotel down Boulevard St Germain. Then, we turned onto Rue de l’Université. Finally, we took Rue de Grenelle to reach Rue Surcouf. The petit Tonneau has been around for more than 80 years. It feels more like a restaurant than a bistro. The food presentation is also more elaborate than what you would expect in a typical bistro. You can choose from the classic soupe à l’oignon, blanquette de veau, fish, and of course, Tarte Tatin. We had a wonderful time at the Petit Tonneau.

Before booking at the Petit Tonneau, we tried to book at Chez Marcel. Book well in advance. It’s a tiny bistro with red and white checked tablecloths. Experience the true French vibes with dishes from traditional French cuisine. Try the mouthwatering duck, pies, and quenelle with your friends.

After dinner, we wandered close to the Eiffel Tower. Headed towards rue de l‘Université for a close-up view of the tower. Walk back via the Trocadéro for an unmissable view of the lit Eiffel Tower.

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

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 on of a kind, unique dinning experience with tasty vegetarian meal.

Gluten-Free

Copains

With at least 13 outlets in Paris, your craving for gluten-free croissants will be satisfied. The quality of the viennoiseries is amazing!

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