Paris in two days

The perfect itinerary for seeing Paris in two days

Day 1

Head directly to the Louvre, which is French for "ludicrously huge museum." Pay your respects to Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo, and have lunch in the cafeteria. By mid-afternoon, give up on trying to see it all and take the Metro out to the original Bohemian quarter of Montmartre to wander the streets, peek at windmills and vineyards, and people-watch and write postcards at a classic Parisian café to rustle up some dinner.

Day 2

Be at the cathedral of Notre-Dame early (8am) to beat the hordes, then clamber up the cathedral towers when they open to examine the famed gargoyles up close and enjoy a much more intimate view across Paris than the Eiffel gets you. Nearby is the jewelbox chapel of Saint-Chapelle, hidden amidst the government buildings.

Grab some lunch on your way to one of Paris most delightful museums: the Impressionist treasure trove of the Musée d'Orsay. Stay in there as long as they'll let you before heading off to dinner.

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