Paris

4.30.2025 – 5.2.2025 || Paris || France

We have been anticipating this trip for almost six years. Visiting Paris after a 2020 pandemic cancellation was an absolute dream! I have been to Paris two other times. Both visits were in my early 20s when I was a college student traveling on a shoe-string budget. This two-day itinerary is part of a 4-day girls’ trip. We did a lot of research and had so many recommendations. I enjoyed every minute of planning this well-crafted two-day Paris itinerary. Read on to learn about our adventures in Paris. Then see how we experienced two incredible days in the Champagne region.

There were four of us who all arrived in Paris from different locations. Three of us met at the Sofitel Paris Le Faubourg where we stayed for two nights. We planned to meet our fourth at lunch. We lucked out and were allowed to check in when we arrived at the hotel at 10am. This was one of the many benefits of booking through Souvenir & Far. After a quick outfit change, we walked to the Eiffel Tower.

The fourth member of our party came straight from the airport to the Eiffel Tower for lunch at Madame Brasserie. Our meal started with a champagne toast and comprised the first of many dishes featuring asparagus and rhubarb. Not only was the three-course meal a great introduction to French food, but the views were also spectacular! After lunch we walked around the viewing platform before walking down!

Souvenir & Far’s expert advice helped shape our itinerary and maximize our time in Paris. We loved the recommendation to book a sidecar tour the first afternoon. We met our two drivers who are called Gentleman Siders outside the Four Seasons hotel. We discussed the sights we wanted to see and then took off for a 90-minute adventure around the city. We zipped by the Arc de Triomphe. We stopped in front of the well-known Moulin Rouge for a photo op. Then we made our way to the summit of Montmartre to take in the view.

The main reason for heading to Montmartre was to recreate a photo from 2001 at the Basilica of Sacré Cœur. Hopefully it won’t be another 24 years before our next photo in Paris!

We were thirsty after an exhilarating sidecar ride around the streets of Paris. We were dropped off around the corner from the Sofitel in front of the Hotel de Crillon, a Rosewood property. The Jardin d’Hiver has a great garden spot. It was perfect for recapping our first day in Paris over a glass of champagne there.

We received enough restaurant recommendations to cover about two months of dinners out. The two we booked reservations at did not disappoint! The first night we went to Tempete. It is a natural wine bar with an eclectic menu. The menu ranges from French to Asian dishes.

After a feast that ended with multiple cheese plates we decided to walk back towards the hotel.

We walked and walked. It went from dusk to pitch black by the time the Eiffel Tower was in view.

Our first full day in Paris ended with a nightcap at the Ritz Bar since there was immediate availability. It is right outside of Bar Hemingway, a highly recommended spot if you manage to snag a table.

Day two in Paris started at a former train station transformed into the Musee de Orsay. The building inside and out was just as stunning as the many famous pieces of artwork in their collection. We didn’t plan to eat at the museum, but the decor drew us into Restaurant. (Yup, that’s the name of the restaurant.)

We spent the afternoon walking along the Seine River towards Notre Dame. We stopped in the flower markets then made our way towards the Louvre.

Then onto shopping and champagne with my bestie at Louis Vuitton Paris.

The second night we had a dinner reservation at Le Clown Bar. Circus artists from all over the world used to gather there in the early 1900s. It was a lively vibe. The food was creative and delicious.

After dinner, we got another view of the Eiffel Tower. We arrived just in time for the light show at the top of the hour. Seeing the Eiffel Tower sparkle for a few minutes was a great end to our time in Paris.

Our time in Paris went by in a blink. I couldn’t have imagined a better way to spend two days in Paris. Luckily, we have two more days of fun ahead. Check out our Champagne adventure here!

Question: What is your best memory of Paris? Do you have a favorite restaurant, shop, museum, tour, etc.?