Faded Spring’s 48 Hour Paris Itinerary

Nothing says summer more than a romantic getaway to the ‘City of Love’ Paris, blessed by the love gods themselves. From a river cruise along the Seine river to a stroll round the ‘Gourmet Chocolate Museum’, Paris is infamous for its grand gestures of lurve, but as a proud singleton I say f**k it, why not either A. enjoy 48 hours in Paris on your own exploring the infamous ‘love attractions’, B. go with your mates and become kids again or C. get your inner geek on and drink your fill of culture, museums and sightseeing in a fun filled 48 hours? I guarantee that your 48 hour Paris Itineraries will be ‘exhausting’ but nevertheless enriching, fun and nuanced.

Read on below for how I would spend 48 hours in Paris…

Day One

Visit The Grevin Wax Museum 

Start your Parisian day by visiting the Grevin Wax Museum, it’s a great way to start the holiday vibe. At this museum, you’ll be able to meet over 300 wax figures which have been set in a unique world of their own. From Scrat A La Ice Age to Mozart, each ‘interactive’ wax model is part of a 3D history book and a reflection of how culture vs popular culture has evolved throughout time. For example Scrat is an example of popular culture in the present whereas Mozart was an example of popular culture in the 18th century.

If you decide that solo travel is not for you and you would rather venture on a ‘family vacation’ then Grevin has a popular ‘Children’s Corner’ where they can meet their favourite cartoon and fictional characters that are integral to Parisian or French Popular Culture. Plus make sure you bring your camera with you to capture a memorable experience as the whole family can dress up next to some wax figures and I guarantee that these photos will keep you laughing for days.

Be Spellbound By The Hall Of Mirrors Show 

Perhaps wax models freak you out but that’s ok, The Hall of Mirrors will definitely leave you breathless. After being moved to Grevin, Paris by President at the time ‘Gabriel Thomas’ ‘The Hall of Mirrors’ was constructed for the 1900 Universal Exhibition in Paris and renovated for its centenary in 2006. Modelled on baroque architecture and based on the principle of a ‘catoptric cistula’ it never ceases to amaze its visitors. From a dazzling light and sound show, to a walk through Parisian history, prepare to be spellbound as you walk back in time.

Eat At Mersea & Get Takeaway Cakes From Le Valentin

There are plenty of restaurants and cafes next to the Wax Museum, so you don’t have to worry about where to have lunch. But make sure you don’t order dessert, because you can take it at your next stop. That being said if you are the ‘kinda person’ to eat cake all day long, then Le Valentin, is known as one as making one of the best ‘pastries in Pastries’ so take some to go if your feeling in the cake mood.

For savouries, go to Mersea, which specializes in fresh sea food, street food and European/ French Cuisine. With average prices ranging between £8-£13, it’s little wonder that Trip Advisor has rated it 4.5/5 for its small but intimate and well chosen menu.

Get ‘Chocolatey’ At The Gourmet Chocolate Museum 

After a French lunch, treat yourself to some well earned chocolate rewards at the Gourmet Chocolate Museum. With live demonstrations teaching you how to make chocolate, to interactive sessions that teach you about the history of chocolate, it’s composed of three parts that will make your mouth water.

Rewarding you for learning the history of chocolate and how its manufacture process has changed over the years, the Gourmet Museum offers live demonstrations where you can see how chocolate is made. Plus—and this is the best part—you can eat as much chocolate as you want. Is it just me or might this be the best place on Earth? After all nothing screams more fun than pigging out on ‘all you can eat chocolate’. Give me that over a buffet anyday!

Recharge Your Batteries By Taking The Petit Train De Montmartre 

I bet you’ll feel full after eating all that chocolate, but don’t worry. You can recharge your batteries by taking the Petit Train de Montmartre which departs every 3o minutes in the summer.  The Petit Train De Montmartre  will take you around the historical village of Montmartre, where you can enjoy views of the Moulin Rouge and the Sacre Coeur and feel rested at last. After all eating chocolate is hard work didn’t ya know?

Day Two

So day two is finally here and after a sleep in the City Of Lights, time to get a move on and begin the next 24 hours of your excursion. From aquariums to river cruises, who said that culture was dead?

Get Wavy On The Bateaux Parisiens River Cruise

What would summer be without water? For your second day, you can start by taking a river cruise along the Seine River with the Bateaux Parisiens River Cruise. It’s a nice way to discover Paris, especially if you’re only there for a weekend break. The cruise will take you to see the Eiffel Tower and the Notre Dame Cathedral, among other touristic landmarks. It’s a one hour tour, so make sure you pack your sun block, sunglasses and hats (yes I know, I am a sunglasses and hat fiend but in warm weather I actually have an excuse!).

Get Into Street Art With Faded Spring

Come on, this is me… self confessed street art enthusiast. You didn’t think I’d send you all this way to Paris without a whistle stop tour of Paris’s street art hotspots did you? From Rue Oberkampf to Rue Germaine Tailleferre, street art has become an integral part of Paris’s underground scene. See breathtaking murals juxtaposed against traditional graffiti scrawls and prepare to be stunned by Paris’s artistic genius.

Get Quizzical at Paris’s Science Museum 

Continue your second day by visiting the Paris Science Museum, the biggest science museum in Europe. Whether you are on a family vacation or are travelling solo, the Science Museum is the place to be. Here you can learn everything from the history of the universe, to scientific disciplines and the permanent Cité des Enfants exhibition (two different exhibitions for children ages 2 to 7 and 5 to 12). The Cités des enfants runs in 1.30 hour long sessions, if you have kids along for the ride.  

Test Out Your Music Knowledge At The Museum Of Music 

If  you still have time (and energy!) , make sure you visit the Museum of Music. With over 7000 pieces, the Museum of Music combines instrument conservation, scientific research, interaction with musicians, and engagement with the public. Here you can see instruments and art objects that belong to music celebrities, like Frédéric Chopin and Frank Zappa and even witness live performances with a free audio guide in French.

Sleeping in Paris

Don’t worry, I know that you need to sleep at some point, after all you need to get back home in one piece! Sleeping on a budget in Paris might seem difficult but it’s not impossible. Airbnb offers a wide range of options for any budget, whether you be travelling on your own or with friends. If you have more of a budget then a stay at the luxurious Hôtel d’Orsay (prices from €180), located between de Seine and Saint-Germain-des-Prés will offer you the perfect room to lay down your sleepy head.   

If You Had 48 Hours In Paris, What Would You Do?

*Disclaimer

Please note I was compensated for this post in collaboration with ‘Paris Pass’ but all thoughts and research are my own.