A Festive 36 Hours in Paris: Lights, Wine and Girl Time
When playdates turn into plane tickets...
We all know that, as parents, finding even a quiet minute to ourselves can feel like a luxury – never mind finding proper time to catch up with friends. My closest friends and I are mostly all at a very similar stage of life right now: firmly in our family era, juggling busy schedules, multiple children and the everyday chaos that comes with it all.
After years of playdates where we barely managed to finish a full sentence, we decided it was time to do something just for us. So we went all out and booked a trip to Paris – a short one, to be precise – just 36 hours long. First flight out, last flight home and squeezing every possible moment in between.
36 hours to soak up Parisian culture, wander beautiful streets, eat well, drink well and enjoy the ultimate girly catch up without interruptions. We chose to visit at Christmas time because there truly is no better season to experience one of the world’s most breathtaking cities – the festive lights, cosy cafés and that unmistakable Parisian magic in the air.
Read on to find out exactly how to explore Paris in just one or two nights; perfect inspiration for a girls’ getaway, a spontaneous city break or even a romantic couple’s trip.
Where We Stayed - A Parisian base perfect for a girls’ getaway...
We stayed at the Grand Hôtel Leveque – (click here to head over to their website).
The hotel is located in the 7th arrondissement, just over a 15 minute walk from the Eiffel Tower and set on a beautiful market street where you can pick up fresh produce right on your doorstep. The area felt incredibly safe, clean and charming and is probably my favourite neighbourhood I’ve stayed in during any Paris trip.
We enjoyed breakfast at the hotel each morning and were pleasantly surprised by the little extras – the complimentary croissants and chocolates available at reception were a lovely touch. As we were all spread out across several rooms, the staff on reception told us they would provide ice buckets if we wanted to have a few drinks together in a seated area just outside of the hotel lobby!
The surrounding area is filled with cute cafés and bars making it ideal for a short stay and everything was lit up beautifully with festive lights and Christmas decorations during our visit.
The staff were warm and welcoming and the rooms were spacious enough for us to get ready comfortably and enjoy some much needed catch up time together – exactly what we wanted from a girls’ getaway base in Paris.
How we spent 36 magical hours in the city...
The main aim of our visit was to explore a little of Paris – especially as many of us had visited before – while making sure we had plenty of uninterrupted time to actually catch up with one another. With just 36 hours in the city, we wanted experiences that felt special but didn’t leave us rushing from place to place…
Once we landed, we headed straight to our dinner cruise with Bateaux Parisiens – the perfect way to kick off our trip. We enjoyed a delicious three course lunch with wine (and let me tell you, they were very generous with the top ups!) as we cruised along the Seine.
Sailing through the heart of Paris, we passed iconic landmarks including the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame and the Louvre, as well as rows of beautifully classic Parisian buildings with Juliet balconies – dreamy. The boat itself had a glass roof and sides which meant uninterrupted views – ideal for soaking it all in while sipping sparkling wine. We loved that this experience took the pressure off trying to cram lots of sightseeing into a short space of time.
As it was winter, the weather was always going to be a bit unpredictable (we were lucky with dry, mild temperatures the whole time though), but the cruise also gave us a cosy, sheltered option if the elements hadn’t been on our side. I can’t recommend this experience enough – the service was excellent and the staff were incredibly friendly and attentive throughout.
After the cruise, we walked up to the Eiffel Tower, where small festive markets were set up nearby, and of course stopped to take a few photos – you have to! We wandered through some of the surrounding streets, catching those classic views with the tower framed perfectly in the background, before heading back to the hotel to change for the evening.
Later, we returned to watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle (it lights up on the hour, every hour, for five magical minutes from nightfall until 11pm) before heading out for dinner. We chose Louisette for a relaxed, girly dinner, which was exactly what we wanted after a full first day.
The next morning, after a breakfast of croissants and pancakes, we ventured straight to Montmartre – one of the most charming and character filled areas of Paris. With its cobbled streets, artists’ market and village like feel, it feels worlds away from the bustle of the city. We made our way up to Sacré-Cœur, where we took in the sweeping views across Paris before buying a lock, writing our initials and attaching it to the fence as a little keepsake from our trip.
For lunch, we headed to Pink Mamma – a hugely popular spot with queues often stretching down the street. After refuelling, we wandered through the city towards the Louvre, where a large Christmas market was in full swing, packed with food stalls, festive drinks and plenty of souvenir options.
We then strolled along the Champs-Élysées which was beautifully decorated with Christmas lights and lined with iconic shops making it feel especially magical at this time of year. After a few photos at the iconic Arc De Triomphe, it was almost time to head to the airport, so we made one final stop for wine and crêpes before saying goodbye to the city.
Must see sights for a short weekend trip...
Choose just a few for a weekend trip if you want the perfect balance of exploration and relaxation…
When time is limited, Paris is best enjoyed by picking a handful of standout sights and leaving time to wander, eat and soak up the atmosphere. These attractions are ideal for a short stay and give you a real feel for the city without rushing.
Eiffel Tower
Paris’ most iconic landmark. If you don’t want to go up, simply catching it sparkling after dark is magical – it twinkles on the hour, every hour, for five minutes from nightfall until 11pm. For panoramic views, you can book tickets to go up the tower itself.
Arc de Triomphe
One of the best viewpoints in the city. You can stand beneath the arch for free, but you can also pay to climb (or take the lift part-way) to the top for incredible views straight down the Champs-Élysées.
Champs-Élysées
At Christmas, this famous avenue is beautifully lit with festive decorations. Even outside the festive season, it’s a great walk for shopping or simply soaking up Parisian energy.
Notre-Dame
While the cathedral has undergone restoration, the exterior alone is still breathtaking. Once fully reopened, visiting inside is a must.
The Louvre
Even if you don’t go inside, the glass pyramid and surrounding courtyards are worth seeing.
Sacré-Cœur and Montmartre
Set on the highest point in the city, Sacré-Cœur offers stunning views across Paris. The basilica itself is free to enter and the surrounding Montmartre neighbourhood feels like a village within the city.
Jardin des Tuileries
A beautiful spot to slow down between sightseeing stops.
Palais Garnier
Even if you don’t attend a performance, the interior alone is breathtaking. This is one of Paris’ most beautiful buildings and a true hidden gem.
The Seine
In warmer months, a picnic along the river is a very Parisian way to spend an afternoon or evening. Grab fresh bread, cheese and wine and enjoy the views.
Paris Tips for a Short Trip..
Getting There
- Airports: Fly into Charles de Gaulle (CDG) or Paris Orly (ORY).
- Flights: easyJet is one of the most popular airlines with flight times around 1 hr 15 from Manchester.
- Eurostar: London St Pancras to Paris in as little as 2 hrs 15 minutes.
- Driving: Eurotunnel or ferry options are available.
- Coach: A budget friendly option if you have more time.
Getting Around
Transport in Paris is affordable. We mostly used Uber, which was surprisingly cheap, but allow extra time as traffic can be heavy. The Metro and buses are excellent and walking is often the best way to see the city. You can also use the Batobus – a ‘hop on hop off’ boat service along the Seine.
Weather Tips
- Summer: Similar to the UK but more humid – the heat can feel intense when walking long distances.
- Winter: Cold but rarely freezing. Layers are key as you’ll warm up quickly while walking.
Handy Tips
- Book attraction tickets in advance to avoid queues.
- Expect lots of walking – comfortable shoes are essential.
- Shorter trips are vulnerable to delays; even small disruptions can affect tight itineraries.
- Passport control queues can be long – I think it took us about an hour to get through.
- Eat at markets or street food stalls to save time and money.
- For girls’ trips, always stick together and avoid travelling alone late at night.
- Clubs in Paris open late (often after midnight) and dress codes can be strict.
- Use an app like Splitwise to easily divide costs.
- Travelling light with just an under seat bag saves time and money.
Was It Worth It and Would We Do It Again?
Don’t get me wrong – it was busy. With the first flight out, we started the trip on very little sleep and we came home feeling tired. But somehow, we also felt completely recharged.
Making time for friendships (and for ourselves) is so important amid the chaos of everyday life. Leaving the mental load at home, even briefly, makes a huge difference (and doing that in one of the most beautiful cities in the world certainly helps).
So take this as your sign to set the agenda in the group chat and book that Paris trip. Immerse yourself in another culture for a weekend, reconnect with the people who matter most and create memories you’ll talk about for years. You won’t regret it.
Follow along over on @little_family_diaries_ to join us on more adventures in real time…