Paris still holds a high spot for me at 8.8 on the Rory Trotter Test. Two days is short, yet it is enough if you stop chasing every landmark and move with a bit of intention. This is the plan I would follow again without changing much.

Day one starts with the Eiffel Tower early. Arrive before the main queues form and the light is softer. Walk the nearby paths instead of waiting for the top if the line already looks long. From there head toward the quieter streets around the river. The big avenues can wait. A simple lunch of bread, cheese and whatever looks fresh from a small shop beats most sit-down spots near the tower.

Afternoon is for a slower neighbourhood. I like the ones with ordinary cafés and people sitting outside like it is just another weekday. No need to tick off famous squares. Walk, stop when something smells good, and keep moving when the sidewalks fill up. Evening works best near the water again. The light drops and the city softens.

Day two flips the pace. Morning in a less central area where the buildings feel lived in and the bakeries open early. Coffee and something warm sets the tone. Then cross toward the older parts but stay off the heaviest tourist lines. A short museum visit is fine if the queue is short, otherwise skip it. The streets themselves do more work than most indoor stops.

Lunch should be unhurried. Find a place with a short menu and locals still there after the first rush. Afternoon is open. I usually pick one longer walk along the river or through a park and let the day breathe. Evening can end with a simple meal and a slow stroll. No need to force a big finish.

City Experience 9/10
The mix of grand views and ordinary streets still works. Two days lets you feel both without overload.

Food 9/10
Bread, simple plates and markets carry most of the weight. Avoid the menus with photos near the big sights and the quality jumps.

Value 7/10
It is not cheap, especially near the centre. Stay a metro stop or two out and both sleep and food improve in price without losing the feel.

Walkability 9/10
The core is easy on foot once you accept the distances. Metro covers the rest without drama.

Family Friendly 8/10
Open spaces and plenty of places to sit help. Crowds around the main tower can wear smaller kids down, so time that visit carefully.

Tourist Traps 5/10
Certain streets exist only for the same souvenirs and average meals. You learn the pattern after the first afternoon.

Rory’s Verdict
GO. Forty-eight hours in Paris is worth it if you protect the quiet stretches and time the obvious sights properly. The city still delivers when you stop trying to see everything.

Rory’s Tips
See the tower early or skip the climb if the line is already thick. The grounds and the view from further back often feel better.
Eat where the menu is short and handwritten. The food is usually more honest.
Use the quieter bridges and side paths along the river. The main ones fill fast.
Wear shoes you can trust for full days on pavement. Your feet will notice by the second evening.
Leave one block of time with nothing planned. Paris works better when you let it.