"If you're lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast." So opens A Moveable Feast, Ernest Hemingway's memoir of the years he spent in Paris in the 1920s. He was not the only…
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Paris Attractions
La ville de Paris possède une longue histoire : La civilisation y est depuis plus de 2 millénaires, depuis le jour où les troupes de Jules César ont envahi la ville en l'an 52 avant Jésus Christ, arrachant le pouvoir des mains de la tribu gauloise, les Parisii. Deux mille ans d'art, d'architecture, de guerre, d ...
La ville de Paris possède une longue histoire : La civilisation y est depuis plus de 2 millénaires, depuis le jour où les troupes de Jules César ont envahi la ville en l'an 52 avant Jésus Christ, arrachant le pouvoir des mains de la tribu gauloise, les Parisii. Deux mille ans d'art, d'architecture, de guerre, de religion et de politique -- sans oublier le pouvoir, la passion et l'intrigue - ont laissé des traces dans la ville. Il existe des centaines de musées et de monuments à Paris. Il y a des vedettes irrésistibles telles que le Louvre, bien sûr, mais d'autres endroits surprenants et secrets restent à découvrir. C'est une ville qui peut vous faire voyager dans le temps, vers les siècles passés où vous pouvez vous perdre dans le labyrinthe du pouvoir et de l'opulence royaux, ou être captivé par la violence de le Révolution française. La ville peut également vous tenir informé des avancées en matière d'art, de design et d'architecture d'avant-garde qu'offre le monde d'aujourd'hui. Toutefois, la particularité de Paris est que le simple fait de se promener dans les rues s'apparente à visiter le musée le plus magique au monde.
En 2012, le Musée d'Orsay et le Palais de Tokyo sortiront de gros travaux de rénovation. La réouverture du Musée Picasso, du Musée de l'Homme et du Musée Galliera qui manquent beaucoup aux visiteurs survient après des années de rénovation, tandis que de nouveaux établissements comme la Gaîté Lyrique se fondent dans le riche paysage culturel de la ville de Paris. Le centre de transport et de shopping parisien, Les Halles, est en pleine réorganisation censée finir en 2016.
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Religious Site
American Cathedral of the Holy Trinity
This cathedral is one of Europe's finest examples of Gothic Revival architecture and a center for the presentation of music and art. It was consecrated in 1886, and George Edmund Street, best known for the London Law Courts, created it. Aside from the architecture, you'll find… -
Monument
Arc de Triomphe
If there is one monument that symbolizes “La Gloire,” or the glory of France, it is this giant triumphal arch. Crowning the Champs-Élysées, this mighty archway both celebrates the military victories of the French army and memorializes the sacrifices of its soldiers. Over time, it has…Champs-Élysées, Trocadéro & Western Paris (8th, 16th & 17th Arrondissements)
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Park/Garden
Arènes de Lutéce
Discovered and partially destroyed in 1869, this amphitheater is Paris's most important Roman ruin after the baths in the Musée de Cluny. Today, the site is home to a small arena, not as grand as the original, and gardens. You may feel as if you've discovered a private spot in the… -
Museum
Atelier des Lumières
If you’ve ever watched a light show projected onto the facade of a building, you’ll know just how impressive they can be. But few shows can top this brand new museum’s offerings: Set in a converted foundry, the entire indoor space—floors, walls, and ceilings—is one monumental, moving…République, Bastille & Eastern Paris (11th & 12th Arrondissements)
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Religious Site
Basilique St-Denis
In the 12th century, Abbot Suger placed an inscription on the bronze doors here: "Marvel not at the gold and expense, but at the craftsmanship of the work." France's first Gothic building that can be precisely dated, St-Denis was constructed between 1137 and 1281 and was the… -
Church
Basilique du Sacré-Coeur
Poised at the apex of the hill like a grande dame in crinolines, this odd-looking 19th-century basilica has become one of the city’s most famous landmarks. After France’s defeat in the Franco-Prussian War, prominent Catholics vowed to build a church consecrated to the Sacred Heart of…Montmartre (18th Arrondissement)
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Library/University
Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Site Tolbiac/François Mitterrand
The French National Library opened in 1996 with a futuristic design by Dominique Perrault (a quartet of 24-story towers evoking the look of open books); this is the last of the grands projets of the late François Mitterrand. It boasts the same grandiose scale as the Cité de la… -
Park/Garden
Bois de Boulogne
In the 7th century, Dagobert, King of the Francs, used to go hunting in the woods that we now know as the Bois de Boulogne; it remained a hunting domain for the kings of France up until Louis XVI, who finally opened it up to the public. That was mighty grand of him, and we thank him…Champs-Élysées, Trocadéro & Western Paris (8th, 16th & 17th Arrondissements)
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Park
Bois de Vincennes
This park doesn’t have as many gardens and restaurants as its western counterpart, but there is more of a sense of wilderness in this vast patch of greenery on the eastern end of Paris. Endless paths and alleys wind through woods and open fields; this is a great place for a long bike…République, Bastille & Eastern Paris (11th & 12th Arrondissements)
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Museum
Bourse de Commerce—Pinault Collection
At the western tip of the Les Halles gardens, the city’s stunning former Chamber of Commerce building (on the site of an 18th-century corn exchange) is the city’s newest contemporary art space. This museum/art gallery houses the Pinault Collection, the personal 3,000-piece…Les Halles
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Cathedral
Cathédrale de Notre-Dame
One of France’s most brilliant expressions of medieval architecture, this remarkably harmonious ensemble of carved portals, huge towers, and flying buttresses has survived close to a millennium’s worth of French history and served as a setting for some of the country’s most solemn…Louvre & Île de la Cité (1st Arrondissement)
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Museum
Centre Pompidou
The bizarre architecture of this odd building provokes such strong emotions that it’s easy to forget that there is something inside. Believe it or not, President Pompidou searched far and wide to find an architect. In 1971, an international design competition was held with entrants…Le Marais (3rd & 4th Arrondissements)
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Cemetery
Cimetière St-Vincent
Because of the artists and writers who have their resting places in the modest burial ground of St-Vincent, with a view of Sacré-Coeur on the hill, it's sometimes called "the most intellectual cemetery in Paris" -- but that epithet seems more apt for other graveyards. Artists Maurice… -
Cemetery
Cimetière de Montmartre
This cemetery, established in 1795, lies west of Montmartre and north of boulevard de Clichy. Russian dancer Vaslav Nijinsky, novelist Alexandre Dumas fils, Impressionist Edgar Degas, and composers Hector Berlioz and Jacques Offenbach are interred here, along with Stendhal and lesser… -
Cemetery
Cimetière de Passy
This cemetery runs along Paris's old northern walls, south and southwest of Trocadéro. It's a small graveyard sheltered by chestnut trees, but it contains many gravesites of the famous -- a concierge at the gate can guide you. Painters Edouard Manet and Romaine Brooks and composer… -
Cemetery
Cimetière du Montparnasse
This quiet cemetery is the final resting place of many French celebrities. A map to the left of the main gateway will direct you to the gravesite of its most famous couple, Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre. Others resting here include Samuel Beckett, Guy de Maupassant, Pierre…Montparnasse (14th & 15th Arrondissements)
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Cemetery
Cimetière du Père-Lachaise
Cemeteries are not usually on the top of anyone’s must-see list, but this is no ordinary cemetery. Romantic and rambling as a 19th-century English garden, this hillside resting-place is wonderfully green, with huge leafy trees and narrow paths winding around the graves, which include…Belleville, Canal St-Martin & La Villette (10th, 19th & 20th Arrondissements)
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Museum
Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie
This gigantic and terrific science and industry museum was built upon the site of the city’s former 19th-century slaughterhouse auction room, which had closed in 1974 due to competition from the suburban Rungis food market, leaving the city with derelict land to fill. Today it…Belleville, Canal St-Martin & La Villette (10th, 19th & 20th Arrondissements)
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Historic Site
Conciergerie
Despite looking like a turreted, fairy-tale castle, the Conciergerie is in fact a relic of the darker side of the Revolution, where some of its most famous participants spent their final days before making their way to the guillotine. Danton, Desmoulins, Saint-Just, and Charlotte…Louvre & Île de la Cité (1st Arrondissement)
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Archeological Site
Crypte Archéologique du Parvis Notre-Dame
Back in the 1960s, construction of an underground parking lot revealed a vast array of archeological ruins under the esplanade in front of Notre-Dame. Specialists were called in and the site was preserved and made accessible to visitors. The ruins are a jumble of centuries of…Louvre & Île de la Cité (1st Arrondissement)
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Museum
Dalí Paris
This tiny museum dedicated to the works of surrealist Salvador Dalí won’t take more than 45 minutes to visit, but what a 45 minutes you’ll spend! The space is littered with erotic engravings, dreamlike objects, and whimsical furniture, not to mention Dalí’s theatrical sculptures (the…Montmartre (18th Arrondissement)
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Monument
Eiffel Tower
In his wildest dreams, Gustave Eiffel probably never imagined that the tower he built for the 1889 World’s Fair would become the ultimate symbol of Paris, and for many, of France. Originally slated for demolition after its first 20 years, the Eiffel Tower is one of the most visited…Eiffel Tower & Les Invalides (7th Arrondissement)
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Observation Ride
FlyView Virtual Reality Experience (Paris)
Just steps from the Garnier opera house, this virtual reality city tour presents itself as a futuristic mini-airport, with flight times displayed on screens and flight attendants in quaint turquoise uniforms. Once in the flight room, you strap yourself into a jetpack, put on the…Opéra and Grands Boulevards
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Museum
Fondation Louis Vuitton
Designed by mega-architect Frank Gehry, this stunning contemporary art museum is swathed in a mass of billowing “sails” of glass, giving the impression that it is about to sail off into the lush greenery of the Bois de Boulogne, a large park on the western edge of the city. Once…Champs-Élysées, Trocadéro & Western Paris (8th, 16th & 17th Arrondissements)
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Museum
Galerie–Musée Baccarat
The mansion of Marie-Laure de Noailles, an early-20th-century patron of the arts, is an ideal setting for this homage to crystal at its most luxurious. Before you enter the small museum section, take a peek at the Cristal Room, a sumptuous restaurant where Marie-Laure and her friends… -
Cultural center
Gaîté Lyrique
One of the newer additions to the city’s cultural scene, this gallery space/concert hall/educational center is devoted to exploring mixed-media and digital art forms. Set in an abandoned 19th-century theater (hence the name), the building has been restored and transformed to host…Le Marais (3rd & 4th Arrondissements)
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Historic site/museum
Grand Palais
Built for the 1900 Universal Exhibition, this huge exhibition hall spans a total area of 72,000 sq. m (775,000 sq. ft.), with the biggest glass roof in Europe—an elegant lighting solution, since the building was constructed prior to electricity. After years of renovations, the Grand…Champs-Élysées, Trocadéro & Western Paris (8th, 16th & 17th Arrondissements)
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Historic Site
Hôtel de Ville
No, it’s not a hotel. This enormous neo-Renaissance wedding cake is Paris’s city hall, and the only way to see the inside is to make friends with the mayor, though it does host regular art exhibits on subjects linked to Paris’s history, usually for free (access is through the back…Le Marais (3rd & 4th Arrondissements)
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Museum
Hôtel de la Marine
Standing in the center of Place de la Concorde, with your back to the Seine, you can’t miss three wonderful monuments: the Hôtel de Crillon (a palace hotel), the Madeleine church at the end of rue Royale, and the Hôtel de la Marine, the 18th-century neoclassical beauty (the Crillon’s… -
Museum
Hôtel des Invalides/Napoléon’s Tomb
Military history rules at this grandiose complex, which houses a military museum, church, tomb, hospital, and military ministries, among other things. Over the entryway, LUDOVICUS MAGNUS is inscribed in huge letters, in homage to the builder of this vast edifice, otherwise known as…Eiffel Tower & Les Invalides (7th Arrondissement)
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Landmark
Institut de France
Designed by Louis Le Vau, this dramatic baroque building with an enormous cupola is the seat of all five academies that dominate France's intellectual life -- Française, Sciences, Inscriptions et Belles Lettres, Beaux Arts, and Sciences Morales et Politiques. The members of the… -
Gardens
Jardin des Plantes
This delightful botanical garden, tucked between the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle and the Seine, is one of our favorite spots for a picnic and a stroll. Created in 1626 as a medicinal plant garden for King Louis XIII, in the 18th century it became an internationally famed…Latin Quarter (5th & 13th Arrondissements)
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Gardens
Jardin des Tuileries
This exquisite park spreads from the Louvre to the Place de la Concorde. One of the oldest gardens in the city—and the first to be opened to the public—it’s also one of the largest. In the Middle Ages, a factory here made clay tiles (tuiles), a word that was incorporated into the…Louvre & Île de la Cité (1st Arrondissement)
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Gardens
Jardin du Luxembourg
Out of the many parks and gardens in Paris, this is our personal favorite. Rolling out like an Oriental carpet before the Italianate Palais du Luxembourg (the seat of the French Senate since 1958, not open to the public), this vast expanse of fountains, flowers, lush lawns, and…Latin Quarter (5th & 13th Arrondissements)
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Amusement Park/Garden
Jardin d’Acclimatation
You’ll see plenty of grandmothers in designer coats at this elegant amusement park, which is adjacent to the swank suburb of Neuilly. There’s a farm with some animals, but the main attraction here are the rides, which include bumper cars, merry-go-rounds, and small rollercoasters. As…Around Town
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Institute/Museum
La Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine
Created to promote French architecture and showcase evolving trends, this vast institution (located in the Palais de Chaillot), includes a museum, a research facility, and a top-notch school of architecture. On the ground floor, the enormous Galerie des Moulages, with its vaulting…Champs-Élysées, Trocadéro & Western Paris (8th, 16th & 17th Arrondissements)
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Landmark
La Grande Arche de La Défense
The sprawling satellite suburb of La Défense was built as a dedicated business district over 3 decades from the late '50s, just outside Paris, across the river from the 16th arrondissement. La Grande Arche, a massive steel-and-masonry arch rising 35 stories, was designed as its… -
Religious Site
La Grande Mosquée de Paris
This beautiful pink marble mosque was built in 1922 to honor the North African countries that had given aid to France during World War I. Today, North Africans living in Paris gather on Friday, the Muslim holy day, and during Ramadan to pray to Allah. Short tours are given of the… -
Church
La Madeleine
As you peer up the rue Royale from the Place de la Concorde, you’ll see something that very closely resembles a Roman temple. It is in fact a church, one that owes its unusual form to its equally singular history. In 1763, architect Pierre Constant d’Ivry laid the first stone of a…Champs-Élysées, Trocadéro & Western Paris (8th, 16th & 17th Arrondissements)
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Walking trail
La Promenade Plantée
Transformed from an unused train viaduct, this beautiful aerial garden walkway runs from the place de la Bastille to the Bois de Vincennes. The 4.5km (2.8-mile) pedestrian path traces flower gardens, tree bowers, rose trellises, and fountains and takes you over the 12th…République, Bastille & Eastern Paris (11th & 12th Arrondissements)
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Tour
Le Foodist
French cuisine is a complex art. Vegetables and proteins must be cut just so, sauces simmered for hours, and food plated with an eye for symmetry. That same respect for complexity informs the classes at Le Foodist. In the course of several hours, students don't just master… -
Museum
Le Musée du Général Leclerc de Hautclocque et de la Libération de Paris–Musée Jean Moulin
The museum with the longest name in Paris opened in 2019 in time for the 75th anniversary of the Liberation of Paris, and is a must for anyone interested in World War II history. Housed in brand-new buildings at Denfert-Rochereau (including revamped 18th-century pavilions built by… -
Cemetery/historic site
Les Catacombes
Definitely not for the faint of heart, the city’s catacombs are filled with the remains of millions of Parisians whose bones line the narrow passages of this mazelike series of tunnels. In the 18th century, the Cimetière des Innocents, a centuries-old, overpacked cemetery near Les…Montparnasse (14th & 15th Arrondissements)
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Museum
MAD (Musée des Arts Décoratifs)
Possessing some 150,000 items in its rich collection, this fascinating museum offers a glimpse of history through the prism of decorative objects, with a spectrum that ranges from medieval traveling trunks to Philippe Starck stools. The collection is organized in more or less…Louvre & Île de la Cité (1st Arrondissement)
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Museum
Maison de Balzac
Fleeing his creditors, in 1840, writer Honoré de Balzac rented this small house in what was then the village of Passy, where he lived for 7 years under an assumed name. He also worked like a demon: He was capable of writing for up to 20 hours a day for weeks at a time. The five rooms…Champs-Élysées, Trocadéro & Western Paris (8th, 16th & 17th Arrondissements)
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Historic home
Maison de Gainsbourg
Paris’s newest museum is the former home of Chanson legend, Serge Gainsbourg (already a historical landmark, smothered in fan graffiti), now open to the public as a hybrid cultural spot called Maison Gainsbourg—part museum, part period home (looking pretty much as Gainsbourg left it… -
Museum
Maison de Victor Hugo
Note: Closed for renovations until April 2019. The life of Victor Hugo was as turbulent as some of his novels. Regularly visited by both tragedy and triumph, the author of The Hunchback of Notre-Dame lived in several apartments in Paris, including this one on the second floor of a…Le Marais (3rd & 4th Arrondissements)
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Attraction
Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Once endorsed and promoted by the mistresses of Louis XV, Sèvres today manufactures only 4,000 to 5,000 pieces of porcelain every year. Of these, many are reserved as replacements for government and historical entities. Located a short walk beyond the western edge of Paris's 16th… -
Factory Tour
Manufacture Nationale des Gobelins
Back in the 17th century, Louis XIV purchased this famed tapestry factory with the aim of furnishing his new chateau (Versailles) with the most splendid tapestries around. France’s most skilled workers created sumptuous carpets and wall-coverings using designs sketched by the top…Latin Quarter (5th & 13th Arrondissements)
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Museum
Monnaie de Paris
Unbeknownst to most (even many Parisians), not only does Paris have its very own working—and somewhat palatial—coin minting factory on the edge of the Seine in St-Germain-des-Près, but it comes with a Michelin-starred restaurant and an ever-changing roster of cutting edge…Latin Quarter (5th & 13th Arrondissements)
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Museum
Musée Bourdelle
Recently renovated and expanded, this museum is a testament to the sculptor Antoine Bourdelle, whose work went far beyond the 10 years he spent as Rodin’s assistant. A renowned teacher who influenced an entire generation of sculptors, including Alberto Giacometti and Aristide…Montparnasse (14th & 15th Arrondissements)
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Museum
Musée Carnavalet
Note: The museum is closed for extensive renovations and is expected to remain closed until end 2019/early 2020. Paris has served as a backdrop to centuries’ worth of dramatic events, from Roman takeovers to barbarian invasions, from coronations to decapitations to the birth of the…Le Marais (3rd & 4th Arrondissements)
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Museum
Musée Cognacq-Jay
This bite-size museum offers a bite-size taste of the finer side of 18th-century France. Its founder, Ernest Cognacq, led a rags-to-riches life: At 12 years old, he was selling odds and ends as an itinerant merchant, and by the end of his life he was the owner of a fabulously…Le Marais (3rd & 4th Arrondissements)
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Museum
Musée Grévin
This vast, kitsch cavern of wax figures—movie stars, historical figures, sports heroes, rock ‘n’ rollers, notables from the political scene—is a fun place to take the kids. If you’re not up on French history or pop culture, you might not recognize some of the faces, but don’t worry,…Opéra & Grands Boulevards (2nd & 9th Arrondissements)
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Museum
Musée Gustave Moreau
Symbolist painter Gustave Moreau was a contemporary of the Impressionists, but he worked against the grain, rejecting realism and naturalism to draw inspiration from the Bible, Greek mythology, Leonardo da Vinci, and Indian miniatures. This quaint museum, set in the elegant town…Opéra and Grands Boulevards
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Museum
Musée Jacquemart-André
The love child of a couple of passionate art collectors, Nélie Jacquemart and Edouard André, this terrific, bite-size museum takes the form of a 19th-century mansion filled with fine art and decorative treasures, including Botticelli’s Virgin and Child. And because of its size, you…Champs-Élysées, Trocadéro & Western Paris (8th, 16th & 17th Arrondissements)
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Museum
Musée Marmottan Monet
Boasting the world’s largest collection of Monets, this museum offers an in-depth look at this prolific genius and some of his talented contemporaries. Among the dozens of Monet's canvases is the one that provided the name of an entire artistic movement. Pressed to give a name to…Champs-Élysées, Trocadéro & Western Paris (8th, 16th & 17th Arrondissements)
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Museum
Musée National Eugène Delacroix
Housed in what was once the painter’s apartment and studio, this small museum is dedicated to Eugène Delacroix, one of the greatest artists of the Romantic period. Delacroix was old and sick when he moved here in 1857 to be closer to the church of St-Sulpice, where he was decorating…Latin Quarter (5th & 13th Arrondissements)
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Museum
Musée National des Arts Asiatiques Guimet
Founded in 1889 by collector and industrialist Emile Guimet, this vast collection of Asian art is one of the largest and most complete in Europe. Here you’ll find room after room of exquisite works from Afghanistan, India, Tibet, Nepal, China, Vietnam, Korea, Japan, and other Asian…Champs-Élysées, Trocadéro & Western Paris (8th, 16th & 17th Arrondissements)
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Museum
Musée Nissim de Camondo
Having made a fortune in his business ventures, in 1914 Count Moïse de Camondo built a mansion in the style of the Petit Trianon at Versailles and furnished it with rare examples of 18th-century furniture, paintings, and art objects (like a series of six Aubusson tapestries…Champs-Élysées, Trocadéro & Western Paris (8th, 16th & 17th Arrondissements)
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Museum
Musée Rodin
The grounds of this splendid museum are so lovely that many are willing to pay 4€ just to stroll around. Behind the Hôtel Biron, which houses the museum, is a formal garden with benches, fountains, and even a little cafe (no picnics allowed, unfortunately). Of course, it would be…Eiffel Tower & Les Invalides (7th Arrondissement)
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Museum
Musée Yves Saint Laurent
This new and wonderful museum for fashion lovers is set in the sumptuous 19th-century mansion Yves Saint-Laurent used as his HQ from 1974 to 2002. The king of couture planned for a museum from the 1980s onwards, marking important items with an “M” (for Musée)—some 5,000 in all, plus…Champs-Élysées, Trocadéro & Western Paris (8th, 16th & 17th Arrondissements)
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Museum
Musée Zadkine
You could easily miss the alleyway that leads to this tiny museum in the small but luminous house where Ossip Zadkine lived and worked from 1928 until his death in 1967. A contemporary and neighbor of artists such as Brancusi, Lipchitz, Modigliani, and Picasso, this Russian-born…Latin Quarter (5th & 13th Arrondissements)
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Museum
Musée de Cluny (Le Monde Médiéval)
Ancient Roman baths and a 15th-century mansion set the stage for a terrific collection of Medieval art and objects at this museum. Built somewhere between the 1st and 3rd centuries, the baths (visible from bd. St-Michel) are some of the best existing examples of Gallo-Roman…Latin Quarter (5th & 13th Arrondissements)
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Museum
Musée de Montmartre
The main reason to visit this small museum is to get an inkling of what Montmartre really was like back in the days when Picasso, Toulouse-Lautrec, Van Gogh, and others were painting and cavorting up here on the butte. While there are few examples of the artists’ works here, plenty…Montmartre (18th Arrondissement)
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Museum
Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature
If you can get over the fact that it’s a museum dedicated to hunting, this small museum makes for a pleasant outing. You’ll find the expected taxidermied animals, but they are discreetly presented among an elegant collection of paintings, tapestries, sculptures, and even contemporary…Le Marais (3rd & 4th Arrondissements)
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Museum
Musée de la Musique
Located on the north end of the Parc de la Villette, and part of the striking Philharmonie de Paris concert complex, this museum has a permanent collection of over a thousand instruments, sculptures, paintings, and other objects that recount the history of music in Europe from the…Belleville, Canal St-Martin & La Villette (10th, 19th & 20th Arrondissements)
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Museum
Musée de la Vie Romantique
This quaint villa, with painted shutters and a fragrant rose garden, is where Romantic painter Ary Scheffer (1795–1858) once entertained such illustrious guests as Baronne Aurore Dupin (George Sand), Eugène Delacroix, Chopin, and Charles Dickens. Today, the tiny museum gives an…Opéra & Grands Boulevards (2nd & 9th Arrondissements)
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Museum
Musée de l’Homme
The primitive art housed in this museum once inspired Picasso. Today, it is a state-of-the-art anthropology museum showcasing the richness of human culture and the evolution of mankind. In true existential Sartre fashion, this is where you come to reflect on the hard questions: What…Champs-Élysées, Trocadéro & Western Paris (8th, 16th & 17th Arrondissements)
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Museum
Musée de l’Institut du Monde Arabe
While it harbors a substantial collection, one of the biggest draws to this museum/library/research center is the building itself. Designed by architect Jean Nouvel in 1987, the south facade is covered by a metallic latticework echoing traditional Arab designs, with 30,000…Latin Quarter (5th & 13th Arrondissements)
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Museum
Musée de l’Orangerie
Since 1927, this former royal greenhouse has been the home of Monet’s stunning Nymphéas, or water lilies, which he conceived as a “haven of peaceful meditation.” Two large oval rooms are dedicated to these masterpieces, in which Monet tried to replicate the feeling and atmosphere of…Louvre & Île de la Cité (1st Arrondissement)
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Museum
Musée des Arts Forains
This offbeat museum in Bercy’s former wine warehouses is the largest of its kind in Europe, packed to the rafters with fairground memorabilia from the 19th and 20th centuries. It’s a magical place, where Belle Epoque carousels populated by mermaids, horses, and fantastical carriages… -
Museum
Musée des Arts et Métiers
If you’ve read Umberto Eco’s novel, you’ll probably want to come here just to see Foucault’s original pendulum swing in the church of St-Martin-des-Champs, but there are plenty of other reasons to spend a couple of hours at this temple of technology. The Musée harbors sterling…Le Marais (3rd & 4th Arrondissements)
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Museum
Musée des Egouts de Paris
Note: The museum is closed for extensive renovations until early 2020. If you want to get a better idea of Jean Valjean’s underground ordeal in Les Misérables, take a trip through Paris’s sewer museum. Though you won’t actually get on a boat, you will be able to walk through a short…Eiffel Tower & Les Invalides (7th Arrondissement)
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Museum
Musée du Louvre
The best way to thoroughly visit the Louvre would be to move in for a month. Not only is it one of the largest museums in the world, with more than 35,000 works of art displayed over 60,000 sq. m (645,835 sq. ft.), but it’s packed with enough artistic masterpieces to make the Mona…Louvre & Île de la Cité (1st Arrondissement)
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Museum
Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac
Just a few blocks from the Eiffel Tower, this museum’s wildly contemporary design has forever changed the architectural landscape of this rigidly elegant neighborhood. Its enormous central structure floats on a series of pillars, under which lays a lush garden, which is separated…Eiffel Tower & Les Invalides (7th Arrondissement)
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Museum
Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris
Housed in a wing of the massive Palais de Tokyo, this municipal modern-art museum covers ground similar to that of the Pompidou Center but on a smaller scale. Picasso, Rouault, Picabia—the big names are all there, but their works are often lesser-known, making the museum a fab spot… -
Museum
Musée d’Art et d'Histoire du Judaïsme
Housed in the magnificent Hôtel de Saint Aignan, one of the many palatial 17th-century mansions that dot the Marais, this museum chronicles the art and history of the Jewish people in France and in Europe from medieval times to the present day. It features a superb collection of…Le Marais (3rd & 4th Arrondissements)
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Museum
Musée d’Orsay
What better setting for a world-class museum of 19th-century art than a beautiful example of Belle Epoque architecture? The magnificent Gare d’Orsay train station, built to coincide with the 1900 World’s Fair, has been brilliantly transformed into an exposition space. The huge, airy…Eiffel Tower & Les Invalides (7th Arrondissement)
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Museum
Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle
This natural history museum was established in 1793, under the supervision of two celebrated naturalists, George Louis Lerclerc, Count of Buffon, and Louis Jean-Marie Daubenton. Originally (and still) an academic research institution, this temple to the natural sciences contains a…Latin Quarter (5th & 13th Arrondissements)
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The Performing Arts
Opéra Bastille
This controversial building -- it has been called a "beached whale" -- was designed by Canadian architect Carlos Ott, with curtains by Japanese designer Issey Miyake. Since the house's grand opening in July 1989, the Opéra National de Paris has presented works such as Mozart's… -
Landmark
Palais Bourbon/Assemblée Nationale
The French parliament's lower house, the Chamber of Deputies, meets at this 1722 mansion built by the duchesse de Bourbon, a daughter of Louis XIV. You can make reservations for one of two types of visits as early as 6 months in advance. Hour-long tours on art, architecture, and… -
Opera house
Palais Garnier
Flamboyant, extravagant, and baroque, this splendid example of Second Empire architectural excess, built by architect Charles Garnier between 1862 and 1875, sits on the underground lake that inspired Gaston Leroux’s 1911 novel, The Phantom of the Opera. Corinthian columns, loggias,…Opéra & Grands Boulevards (2nd & 9th Arrondissements)
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Historic site/garden
Palais Royal
The gardens and long arcades of the Palais Royal are not only a delight to stroll through but were also witnesses to one of the most important moments in French history. But first the backstory: Built by Cardinal Richelieu, the lavish palace was left to the king upon his prime…Louvre & Île de la Cité (1st Arrondissement)
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Museum/performance space
Palais de Tokyo
If you’re traveling with cranky teenagers who’ve had enough of La Vieille France, or if you’re also sick of endless rendezvous with history, this is the place to come for a blast of contemporary madness. This vast art space not only offers a rotating bundle of expositions, events,…Champs-Élysées, Trocadéro & Western Paris (8th, 16th & 17th Arrondissements)
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Mausoleum
Panthéon
High atop the “montagne” (actually a medium-size hill) of St-Geneviève, the dome of the Panthéon is one of the city’s most visible landmarks. This erstwhile royal church has been transformed into a national mausoleum—the final resting place of luminaries such as Voltaire, Rousseau,…Latin Quarter (5th & 13th Arrondissements)
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Church
Panthéon
High atop the “montagne” (actually a medium-size hill) of St-Geneviève, the dome of the Panthéon is one of the city’s most visible landmarks. This erstwhile royal church has been transformed into a national mausoleum—the final resting place of luminaries such as Voltaire and…Around Town
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Park/Garden
Parc Monceau
Located in a posh residential neighborhood and ringed by stately mansions, this small park is the brainchild of the duke of Chartres (the future Philippe Egalité), who commissioned a fanciful garden in 1769 filled with folies, faux romantic ruins, temples, and antiquities inspired by…Champs-Élysées, Trocadéro & Western Paris (8th, 16th & 17th Arrondissements)
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Zoo
Parc Zoologique de Paris
This lush, ecologically correct animal reserve invites visitors to five regions of the world, from the plains of Sudan to Europe, via Guyana, Patagonia, and Madagascar. Going for quality instead of quantity, the zoo may not have room for elephants and bears, but it does introduce…République, Bastille & Eastern Paris (11th & 12th Arrondissements)
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Park
Parc de Bercy
Sandwiched between the AccorHotels Arena and Bercy Village (shops and movie theaters in former wine warehouses), Parc de Bercy is well off most tourists’ radar. However, it bursts with photogenic, tree-shaded walkways, pretty lakes where herons strut their stuff, and themed gardens… -
Park
Parc de la Villette
This vast complex, which includes a park, museums, concert halls, and other cultural institutions, was built on the site of the city’s slaughterhouses, abandoned since the mid-1970s. Construction began in 1980, when Bernard Tschumi, a French-Swiss architect, was chosen to create an…Belleville, Canal St-Martin & La Villette (10th, 19th & 20th Arrondissements)
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Park
Parc des Buttes Chaumont
Up until 1860, this area was home to a deep limestone quarry, but thanks to Napoleon III, the gaping hole was turned into an unusual park, full of hills and dales, rocky bluffs, and cliffs. It took 3 years to make this romantic garden; over 1,000 workers and 100 horses dug, heaped,…Belleville, Canal St-Martin & La Villette (10th, 19th & 20th Arrondissements)
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Museum
Petit Palais
The collection may not be exhaustive, and you may not see any world-famous works, but you will enjoy a wonderful mix of periods and artists at this small-ish municipal fine arts museum, whose chronology stretches from the ancient Greeks to World War I. The paintings of masters like…Champs-Élysées, Trocadéro & Western Paris (8th, 16th & 17th Arrondissements)
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Museum
Picasso Paris
This shrine to all things Picasso is in the stunning Hôtel Salé, a 17th-century mansion built by salt-tax farmer Pierre Aubert, whose position gave the mansion its name—salé means “salty.” This unique institution valiantly strives to make sense of the incredibly diverse output of…Le Marais (3rd & 4th Arrondissements)
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Square
Place Vendôme
In 1686, Louis XIV decided the time had come to design a magnificent square, at the center of which would stand a statue of His Royal Highness. Though the statue is long gone, this is still one of the classiest squares in the city. The work of Jules Hardouin-Mansart, today this…Louvre & Île de la Cité (1st Arrondissement)
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Plaza
Place de la Bastille
The most notable thing about this giant plaza—aside from architect Carlos Ott’s modern Opéra House, opened in 1989—is the building that’s no longer there: the Bastille prison. Now an enormous traffic circle where cars careen around at warp speed, this was once the site of an ancient…République, Bastille & Eastern Paris (11th & 12th Arrondissements)
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Plaza
Place de la Concorde
Like an exclamation point at the end of the Champs-Élysées, the Place de la Concorde is a magnificent arrangement of fountains and statues, held together in the center by a 3,000-year-old Egyptian obelisk (a gift to France from Egypt in 1829). When it was inaugurated in 1763 during…Champs-Élysées, Trocadéro & Western Paris (8th, 16th & 17th Arrondissements)
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Plaza
Place des Vosges
Possibly the prettiest square in the city, the Place des Vosges combines elegance, greenery, and quiet. Nowhere in Paris will you find such a unity of Renaissance-style architecture; the entire square is bordered by 17th-century brick town houses, each conforming to rules set down by…Le Marais (3rd & 4th Arrondissements)
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Church
Sainte-Chapelle
A wall of color greets visitors who enter this magnificent chapel. Stained-glass windows make up a large part of the walls of the upper level of the church, giving worshippers the impression of standing inside a jewel-encrusted crystal goblet. What isn’t glass is elaborately carved…Louvre & Île de la Cité (1st Arrondissement)
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Church
St-Etienne-du-Mont
One of the city’s prettiest churches, this gem is a joyous mix of late Gothic and Renaissance styles. The 17th-century facade combines Gothic tradition with a dash of classical Rome; inside, the 16th-century chancel sports a magnificent rood screen (an intricately carved partition…Latin Quarter (5th & 13th Arrondissements)
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Church
St-Eustache
A Gothic church with a Renaissance decor, St-Eustache is one of the largest in the city, at more than 105m long (344 ft.) and 43m wide (141 ft.). It was built from 1532 to 1640 along the plan of Notre-Dame; the intertwined arches of the ceiling give a similar sense of exalted…Louvre & Île de la Cité (1st Arrondissement)
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Church
St-Germain l’Auxerrois
This is a church with a checkered past. St-Germain was designated the royal church when the Valois moved in across the street at the Louvre in the 14th century, and kings, queens, and their entourages often attended mass here. Many of the artists who worked on the Louvre are buried…Louvre & Île de la Cité (1st Arrondissement)
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Church
St-Germain-des-Prés
The origins of this church stretch back over a millennium. First established by King Childebert in 543 who constructed a basilica and monastery on the site, it was built, destroyed, and rebuilt several times over the centuries. Nothing remains of the original buildings, but the bell…Latin Quarter (5th & 13th Arrondissements)
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Church
St-Sulpice
The majestic facade of this enormous edifice looms over an entire neighborhood. Construction started in the 17th century over the remains of a medieval church; it took over 100 years to build, and one of the towers was never finished. Inside, the cavernous interior seems to command…Latin Quarter (5th & 13th Arrondissements)
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Sports Venue
Stade de France
In the nearby suburb of Saint-Denis, this vast stadium is first and foremost for sports, hosting national and international soccer and rugby games. But it’s also one of France’s most prestigious concert venues, drawing megastars like Bruno Mars, Ed Sheeran, Beyoncé, and Jay-Z, and…Saint-Denis
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The Performing Arts
Théâtre des Champs-Elysées
This Art Deco theater, constructed in 1913, attracts a very haute couture crowd and hosts both national and international orchestras (such as the Vienna Philharmonic) as well as opera and ballet. The box office is open Monday to Saturday from 1 to 7pm. There are no performances in…
Paris Shopping
Join the crowds in the Opéra district for high-street and designer fashion in Les Galeries Lafayette shopping centre. French brands fill the Marais district and designer labels the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district. The Champs Elysées is lined with gourmet treats inside wine merchant Lavinia. Saxe-Breteuil Market ...
Join the crowds in the Opéra district for high-street and designer fashion in Les Galeries Lafayette shopping centre. French brands fill the Marais district and designer labels the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district. The Champs Elysées is lined with gourmet treats inside wine merchant Lavinia. Saxe-Breteuil Market sells fresh foodstuffs on Saturdays and Thursdays and Michel Chaudun makes heavenly chocolates near Les Invalides. Most shops open Monday to Saturday 10am-7pm.
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Chocolate
A La Mère de Famille
Founded in 1761, this piece of Parisian history (rumor has it the original owner hid the mother superior of the nearby convent from raging revolutionaries during the Terror) has committed its soul to candies and chocolates à l’ancienne. You’ll find classic chocolates as well as…9th arrondissement
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Clothing
Abou d’Abi Bazar
Here’s a store with mostly casual clothes, multiple brands, and rotating collections—in other words, great one-stop boutique shopping. There are two other locations: 33 rue de Temple in the Marais and 15 rue Soufflot, near the Panthéon in the 5th.4th arrondissement
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Clothing
Antoine & Lili
Hot pink is the signature color at this wacky store, where the gaily painted walls are hung with colorful objects from around the world. Clothes are innovative and fresh, yet wearable, and come in a range of bright colors. Paris has five branches (see website).10th arrondissement
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Antiques
Atomes
This shop has a bit of everything: old, new, and somewhere in between. Vintage and reproduction vintage decorative objects, clothing, jewelry, and housewares mix with modern creations.14th arrondissement
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Clothing
Azzedine Alaïa
The late Alaïa, who became the darling of French fashion in the 1970s, designed beautiful, body-hugging clothing. If you can’t afford the current collection, try the outlet shop around the corner at 18 rue de la Verrerie (tel. 01-42-72-83-19; closed at lunchtime), where last season’s…4th arrondissement
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Department store
BHV
This hip Marais store has acres of clothes and perfumes, but it’s mostly known for what it has in its basement: hardware, electronics, gadgets, and other items for bricoleurs (do-it-yourselfers). Upstairs are terrific kitchen, hobby, and decoration sections. The practical side of…4th arrondissement
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Clothing
Balibaris
Founded by a young Parisian fashion entrepreneur, this is where Parisian men go for cool, smart outfits that work just as well on a night out as in the office. You’ll find classically cut pants and chinos, and denim and suede jackets, along with a spattering of cotton and leather…6th arrondisement
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Jewelry
Bijoux Blues
Handcrafted, unique jewelry at reasonable prices made in an atelier in the Marais—who could ask for more? Made of Austrian and bohemian crystals, natural and semiprecious stones, pearls, and coral, the designs are fun and funky, yet elegant. Pieces can be custom-designed.4th arrondissement
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Jewelry
Bijoux Burma
Pretend you are a princess with these excellent copies of the kind of spectacular pieces you could never afford. Famous for their quality synthetic jewels, which are set in gold, silver, or vermeil, these are some of the best fakes around. All six branches are strategically placed in…8th arrondissement
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Shoes
Botoù
If you’re looking for something funky for your children’s feet, this is where to head. These cool and colorful shoes will make your kids look like they live in this fun and hip neighborhood (SoPi), with everything from goldfish-print sneakers to chick-yellow ankle boots.9th arrondissement
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Concept store
Bü
A cross between Colette, Ikea, and an upscale hardware store, this enigmatically named store (it’s French, not Scandinavian) has reasonably priced housewares, stationary, leather handbags, luggage, and toys, as well as regional edibles.5th arrondissement
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Wine
Cave des Abbesses
This small wine shop/wine bar has been serving knowing residents of Montmartre for almost 20 years. Not only will the staff help you muddle through excellent vintages, you can also sample a few while you’re there and nibble on cheese and charcuterie (open until 10:30pm).18th arrondissement
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Housewares
Cire Trudon
Founded in 1643, this historic shop once made candles for kings. Today, the charming, old-fashioned store still manufactures magnificent candles out of traditional materials. There are four different Paris locations, including 11 rue Sainte Croix de la Bretonnerie in the Marais.6th arrondissement
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Specialty groceries
Comptoir des Abbayes
Ora et labora (pray and work) is the guiding rule for monks and nuns in France’s many monasteries, who produce handmade, unique goodies to eat and drink, as well as traditional handicrafts. Usually, you’d need to trek into the mountains to buy their wares, but thanks to this…1st arrondissement
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Clothing
Comptoir des Cotonniers
Yes, it’s a chain, but it’s an elegant one, with streamlined clothing that works well both in the office and on casual outings. Dozens of locations are scattered all over town.6th arrondissement
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Perfume
Detaille 1905
Founded by the Countess of Presle in 1905, this handsome old store offers its own elegant line of eau de toilette and other beauty products for both men and women, such as its signature Baume Automobile, developed by the Countess when she realized (even back then) what pollution can…9th arrondissement
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Clothing
Didier Ludot
An homage to the haute couture of yesteryear. Fancy frocks created between 1900 and 1980 line this swank boutique, which is more of an antiques shop than a clothing store.1st arrondissement
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Clothing
Du Pareil au Même
Covering everything from baby needs to early adolescence, the style at this inexpensive chain store (found all over the city) is fun and original, with lots of bright colors, cute logos, and appliqués.4th arrondissement
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Kitchenware
E. Dehillerin
Established in 1820, E. Dehillerin is Paris's most famous cookware shop, in the "kitchen corridor" around Les Halles, where all the city's chefs once came to stock up on provisions at the central fresh food market. The shop has a professional, though dusty, feel to it, but don't be…1st arrondissement
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Perfume
Editions de Parfums Fréderic Malle
This chic temple to the nose offers a superb range of original fragrances. Sample M. Malle’s wares in special “smelling columns,” round, phone-booth-like tubes where you can experience aromas like Noir Epice and Lipstick Rose. The three other stores are at 140 av. Victor Hugo in the…4th arrondissement
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Concept store
Empreintes
French art and crafts take center stage in this glorious, four-story space that showcases over a thousand pieces of handmade jewelry, tableware, furniture, lighting and elegant objets d’art. Prices start under 75€ but can climb high. A projection room shows arts and crafts-themed…3rd arrondissment
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Specialty groceries
Fauchon
Some find it overhyped and overpriced, but others think it’s heaven on earth. Founded in 1886, this tearoom-cum-luxury-food-emporium has been wowing the crowds for more than a century, and the crowds are certainly still coming. Today you can find Fauchon everywhere from Hamburg to Ho…8th arrondissement
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Lingerie
Fifi Chachnil
A boudoir-boutique tucked into a courtyard, this is where young French movie stars go to find retro-sexy-fun-posh underthings with a decidedly girly feel. Prices are steep, but the experience and the lingerie are unique. It has one other pink and fluffy boutique at 34 rue de Grenelle…1st arrondissement
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Electronics
Fnac
A huge chain that sells a compelling combination of books, music, and electronics, Fnac (pronounced “fnack”) has branches all over the city. Since electronics stores are few and far between in Paris, this is an ideal spot to drop in if you need something for your computer, iPod, or…6th arrondissement
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Chocolate
François Pralus
Pralus owns a cacao plantation in Madagascar, ensuring the extraordinary quality of every bean that goes into his chocolate, which comes in “crus” (vintages), rather like wine. Choose between 18 lip-smacking types, each wrapped in colorful paper like exquisite parcels. Be sure to try…4th arrondissement
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Clothing
Free’p’Star
Terrific finds are in the offing for vintage hunters at this trendy store in the heart of the Marais, which specializes in funky fashions from yesteryear. Some of it is tatty, but real bargains can certainly be had. Other addresses are 52 and 61 rue de la Verrerie, also in the 4th…4th arrondissement
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Clothing
French Trotters
Airy and spacious, this Marais emporium is the flagship store for this temple of urban chic. While the original store (which is still open at 30 rue de Charonne, 11th arrond.) featured both hot local French labels and the store’s own brand of relaxed branchitude (hipness), this one…3rd arrondissement
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Department store
Galeries Lafayette
This grandest of the grand magasins was a humble haberdasher shop when it was opened in 1895. Success inspired architectural excess, like the sumptuous Belle Epoque dome under which fashionable goodies are displayed. Here you’ll find everything from luxury labels to kids’ stuff to…9th arrondissement
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Books
Galignani
The oldest English-language bookstore in Paris, this old-fashioned shop has thrived since 1810. Owned by the literary Gagliani family, whose ancestor used one of the first printing presses back in 1520, the store is filled with a terrific range of both French and English books, with…1st arrondissement
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Stationery
Gibert Joseph
Wander the endless aisles of this book-lovers’ haven, which sells both French and English books, as well as French comics (“BDs”), maps, and just about anything else on the printed page. You have six stores to choose from (all right next to each other), selling used books, new books,…6th arrondissement
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Chocolate
Jean-Charles Rochoux
Here is an opportunity to sample the delights of one of France’s most artistic chocolatiers. Everything Rochoux makes—from the gem-like individual chocolates to the intricate chocolate sculptures and pots of chocolate spreads—is beautiful. Some sculptures are museum-worthy.6th arrondissement
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Toys
Jeux Descartes
The name of this store is a play on words: jeu de cartes means “card game,” and Descartes was, you know, that philosopher guy. It is full of every possible card, board, puzzle and role-playing game you could imagine. Most are in French, but some are in English.5th arrondissement
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Toys
Joué Club Village
This toy megastore, split into different sections in an old-world covered passage, is the place to find international brands of teddies, dolls, pirate ships, Disney superheroes and even Eiffel Tower lego. It’s the city’s biggest of its kind in Paris and a treasure trove for families.2nd arrondissement
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Fashion
Kiliwatch
This hip emporium is a true vintage store, featuring everything from torn jeans and Day-Glo dresses to leather jackets and high fashion. Books and knickknacks, too.2nd arrondissement
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Housewares
La Bovida
Founded in 1921, this renown professional kitchen supplier only recently opened its doors to the public, and you can now browse the aisles at their venerable store near Les Halles. Top-quality ergonomic zesters, icing bags, pepper mills, coffee sets, corkscrews, whipped cream…1st arrondissement
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Wine
La Cave des Papilles
This wine shop specializes in natural wines from small artisanal vineyards. “Natural” is not the same thing as organic (they sell those, too), but it’s close. Basically, it means wines that are carefully raised and processed, using traditional methods. You can pick up some of these…14th arrondissement
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Specialty groceries
La Grande Epicerie de Paris
This huge gourmet grocery mecca, an outgrowth of Le Bon Marché department store, stocks every gourmet substance you could possibly imagine, and many that you couldn’t. Sculpted sugar cubes, designer mineral waters, truffle-balsamic vinegar, pink salt from the Himalayas—need we go on?…7th arrondissement
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Housewares
La Maison Ivre
Linens and beautiful handmade pottery from all over France, especially Provençal ceramics, including ovenware, bowls, platters, plates, pitchers, mugs, and vases. The beautiful tea towels, placemats, and tablecloths here make great gifts and pack easily.6th arrondissement
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La Samaritaine
After almost 2 decades of renovations, the famous riverfront department store reopened in June 2021 to include a fashion concept store, the biggest beauty studio on the European continent (only Harrods in London has a bigger one), a spa, and even a luxury hotel. To differentiate La…1st arrondissment
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Concept store
La Tresorerie
Architectural Digest called this homewares store “the French William Sonoma” and that’s somewhat right. It has all kinds of kitchen gadgets plus handsome plates and flatware. But prices are a bit fairer at this French store, and the array of goods wider, ranging from glass vases that…10th arrondissment
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Souvenirs
La Tuile à Loup
Dedicated to promoting (and selling) authentic handicrafts from the provinces of France, this cozy shop has a stock that includes handwoven baskets, cutlery, woodcarvings, and pottery. It has a particularly good collection of ceramics, in both traditional styles and works by…5th arrondissement
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Housewares
La Vaissellerie
With four locations in the city center, this is the most convenient choice for discount china and ceramics. These small stores are so chock-full of cute gift items that their wares generally spill out onto the sidewalk. In addition to china, it offers piles of salt shakers, cheese…6th arrondissement
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Concept store
Landline
If you only have chance to go to one boutique in Paris, make it this gorgeous general supply store in the Boho 11th arrond. Created by Franco-American Caroline Morrison, it’s the place to find exquisite, built-to-last items from Europe to use at home (pans, knives, terracotta…11th arrondissment
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Department store
Le Bon Marché
Founded by an enterprising milliner in the mid-1800s, this was the one of the world’s first department stores. Despite its name (bon marché means “affordable”), this is the most expensive of Paris’s grand magasins. It is also the most stylish, with beautiful displays and fabulous…7th arrondissement
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Toys
Le Bonhomme de Bois
Wooden toys are the order of the day at this shop. There are also puzzles, mobiles, stuffed animals, and mini-knights in shining armor. There are three other branches in Paris: 19 rue de la Roquette in the 11th; 141 rue d’Alésia in the 14th; and 46 ave. Niel in the 17th.8th arrondissement
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Wine
Legrand Filles et Fils
More than just a wine store, this is a place where you can learn everything there is to know about the sacred grape. Not only does this store have a dedicated, knowledgeable staff and a huge stock of wines, but it also hosts wine tastings and wine classes, and sells wine books,…2nd arrondissement
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Wine
Les Domaines Qui Montent
French wine-drinkers know that you’ll get the best prices when you buy direct at a vineyard. In an attempt to make these prices available to urbanites, this association of some 150 wine producers offers a vast selection of vins du producteur, wines that come from small independent…17th arrondissement
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Bookstores
Les Mots à la Bouche
This is Paris’s largest, best-stocked gay bookstore. You can find French- and English-language books as well as gay-info magazines such as “Têtu.”4th arrondissement
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Stationery
L’Art du Papier
This delightful stationery store has a fab selection of colored papers and envelopes, as well as ink-stamps, sealing wax, and the essentials for hobbies like calligraphy and “le scrapbooking.” There are three other locations: 16 rue Daunou in the 2nd, 197 bd. Voltaire in the 11th,…6th arrondissement
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Concept store
L’Exception
This boutique under Les Halles’ canopy is the sort you go to for the cool ready-to-wear French designer clothes before coming away with a pineapple-shaped light and a scented candle named after Paris’s 7th arrondissement (by La Notre Parisienne). The stationery’s fun, with funky…1st arrondissement
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Antiques
L’Objet qui Parle
This delightful and quirky shop sells a jumble of vintage finds, including framed butterflies, teapots, furniture, chandeliers, hunting trophies, religious paraphernalia, and old lace. Great for souvenir shopping.18th arrondissement
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Clothing
L’Île aux Fées
This boutique’s exquisite dresses for little girls are all handmade in Madagascar and embroidered according to local techniques with pretty flowers and bows. You’ll find gorgeous outfits for baby boys too—mostly 1920s-inspired sailor’s outfits with puffy shorts and wide-collared…6th arrondissement
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Food
Maille
True, you can find Maille gourmet mustard all over the place, but you can only get it hand-pumped here in the official boutique. Pumped fresh into a genuine stoneware pot and sealed with a cork, it has an altogether different taste, and it is delicious. Choose from mustard made with…8th arrondissement
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Clothing
Make My Lemonade
Despite the English name, this independent, affordable women’s fashion house is resolutely French. It feels like an urban boudoir and offers beautiful clothes cut to fit women with real curves (think velvet jackets and long flowing floral dresses). Regular sewing or nail art…10th arrondissment
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Cosmetics
Make Up For Ever
Why not come back from Paris with a whole new look? This French cosmetics company, which trains professional makeup artists, also runs a boutique in the Marais where you can not only buy pro-quality products for the same price as regular name brands, but also have a makeup pro show…4th arrondissement
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Flea Markets
Marché aux Puces de Paris St-Ouen–Clignancourt
Engulfing the Porte de Clignancourt area at the northern edge of the city, this claims to be the largest antiques market in the world. Split into 15 specialty markets, this sprawling mini-city is visited by thousands of visitors each weekend (also open Mon). Although it was once a…18th arrondissement
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Flea Markets
Marché aux Puces de la Porte de Vanves
This weekend event sprawls along two streets and is the best flea market in Paris—dealers swear by it. There’s little in terms of formal antiques and furniture. It’s better for old linens, vintage Hermès scarves, toys, ephemera, costume jewelry, perfume bottles, and bad art. Sadly,…14th arrondissement
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Marché d’Aligre
Also called Marché Beauveau, this is one of the city’s largest food markets, a sprawling affair that invades a whole neighborhood, with both outdoor stalls and a covered market. -
Clothing
Marie Puce
You can dress everyone—from babies to teens—here. Marie offers easy elegance—especially for tots who need to dress up (at least a little) but can’t stand frills. Much of the clothing here is 100 percent made in France.6th arrondissement
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Concept store
Merci
Set in a former factory on the edge of the Marais, Merci offers hand-picked designer brands mixed with vintage one-offs on the 2nd floor, while you’ll find cool kitchenware in the basement. Jewelry, linen, and stationery are other favorites here. Sip coffee over a slice of cake in…3rd arrondismment
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Concept store
Merci
Set in a former factory on the edge of the Marais, Merci offers hand-picked designer brands mixed with vintage one-offs on the 2nd floor, while you’ll find cool kitchenware in the basement. Jewelry, linen, and stationery are other favorites here, along with achingly fashionable men’s…3rd arrondissement
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Jewelry
Monsieur
Unique jewelry at reasonable prices handmade in an atelier in the Marais—who could ask for more? Nadia Azoug is known for her beautiful, delicate Art Deco-inspired pieces, made with gold, silver, semiprecious stones, and the occasional set of diamonds. The designs are very light and…3rd arrondissment
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Discount store
Mouton à Cinq Pattes
Sift through the packed racks of designer markdowns and you just might find Moschino slacks or a Gaultier dress at a fabulous price. If you do, grab it fast—it might not be there tomorrow. The store at No. 8 is women’s apparel only; No. 18 serves both sexes, and a third store at 138…6th arrondissement
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Lingerie
Orcanta
This is a chain with a great selection of name brands (such as Lise Charmel, Chantal Thomas, and Huit); you can usually find at least a rack or two of discounted items. More locations on the website.6th arrondissement
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Souvenirs
Paris est une Photo
Tucked away down a delightful covered passage, this hybrid gallery-cum-boutique is the place to come for stunning Paris-themed photos. Some of them are old black and white; others are quirky and contemporary; everything would look good on a wall at home.9th arrondissement
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Chocolate
Patrick Roger
Is that a life-sized chocolate orangutan in the window? Oh yes, it is. Not only is Patrick Roger a master chocolatier, but he is also a sculptor who uses his medium (chocolate) to convey his message. This year elephants have tickled his creative fancy, but in the past he’s tackled…6th arrondissement
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Housewares
Plastiques
Who knew plastic could be so much fun? This colorful shop is loaded with plastic dishes, lampshades, toothbrush holders, and all sorts of other gift ideas in all the colors of the rainbow. A couple doors down on the corner of rue d’Assas is their second shop, which has a fabulous…6th arrondissement
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Department store
Printemps
The glistening domes of this 19th-century building bring to mind a grand hotel on the French Riviera. Printemps means “spring,” which is certainly eternal in this elegant store. Split into five sections (women’s fashions, menswear, housewares, beauty, and food), four of the seven…9th arrondissement
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Lingerie
Saint Germain des Slips
This is a Left Bank outpost of Le Slip Français, a quirky company (‘slip’ means underpants) that makes every undergarment it sells—from men’s boxer shorts to women’s bras—in France. You can accessorize with bags and t-shirts to match your undies too. More locations on the website.6th arrondissment
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Books
San Francisco Book Company
This centrally located shop has a good stock of used books, including hardback classics, paperback airplane reading, and rare and out-of-print editions.6th arrondissement
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Books
Shakespeare & Company
This venerable literary shrine is so popular with tourists that you may have to wait to get in because of the store’s limited capacity. Run by George Whitman for some 60 years before he passed away in 2011 at 98, it’s helmed today by his daughter, Sylvia, who was named after Sylvia…5th arrondissement
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Bookstores
Smith & Son
A wide selection in a fabulous setting! Formerly the Paris branch of this English chain, WH Smith, this is now the biggest indie bookstore in the city, and has been around since 1870. Along with its huge range of English-language books and magazines, it hosts signings by famous…1st arrondissment
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Lingerie
Tab Lingerie
Deep discounts on major brands (Léjaby, Simone Pérèle) can be found at this cramped treasure trove, which tempts passersby with a rack stuffed with lacy things at 30 to 70 percent off. The store entrance is at the end of the narrow corridor.9th arrondissement
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Bookstores
Taschen
This hip bookstore sells tomes about art, architecture, fashion, pop culture, and design, catering to those who love coffee table books and beautiful pictures. The section at the back features framed photos from the books.6th arrondissement
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Books
The Abbey Bookshop
Canadians will be happy to find a cozy store that specializes in Canadian authors, as well as other English-language literature. You’ll have to squeeze in between the piles of books, but this is a relaxed, welcoming place with good readings and events, including hikes in nearby…5th arrondissement
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Perfume
The Different Company
Indeed something is different about this perfume company. For one, this is an independent operation, founded in 2000, that makes its own unique fragrances with mostly natural materials. Signature scents include Osmanthus, Sel de Vétiver, and Rose Poivrée.4th arrondissement
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Toys
Tikibou
One of the oldest in Paris (founded in 1884), this human-sized establishment is a marvelous example of the quintessential French toy store. Wooden toys, scale models, figurines, music boxes, musical instruments, dolls, board games, stuffed animals, costumes—in short, everything that…15th arrondissement
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Chocolate
Via Chocolat
Here is an opportunity to sample the works of not just one, but dozens of different master chocolatiers. Specializing in “chocolat d’auteur,” this “cho’room” features chocolate delights by selected local artisans. You can buy a box with a mix of auteurs, or choose your own bars and…9th arrondissement
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Clothing
Vicxite.A
You’ll find fun, contemporary clothing by young designers here in bright patterns and unusual combinations at accessible prices.18th arrondissement
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Antiques
Village St-Paul
When you pass through an archway on rue St-Paul, you come upon a lovely villagelike enclosure, the remnant of a centuries-old hamlet that was swallowed up by the city. Today, it’s a village of antiques dealers and design shops, selling everything from old bistro chairs and vintage…4th arrondissement
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Books
WH Smith
If a wide selection is what you’re after, a visit to the Paris branch of this English chain might be in order, though the prices are a little high. Along with its huge range of English-language books and magazines, it hosts readings by famous authors, and harbors a lovely Twinings…1st arrondissement
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Jewelry
White Bird
If you are looking for a unique engagement ring or present for your sweetheart, this is a good bet. This low-key store offers a terrific selection of jewelry made by talented, independent craftspeople and designers. A second store is at 7 bd. des Filles du Calvaire.1st arrondissement
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Clothing
Zadig & Voltaire
I don’t know what the philosopher would make of this trendy young French brand, but Voltaire might have appreciated its rock [‘]n’ roll spirit. Perfectly distressed jeans, comfy cashmeres, biker boots, and more, for men, women, and children. Dozens of branches around Paris.6th arrondissement
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Clothing
agnès b
This designer’s relaxed but elegant urban fashion has been winning over Parisians, and the rest of the planet, since the ‘70s. Guys can wander over to see her menswear collection around the corner at agnès b. homme (1 rue Dieu, 10th arrond.). A dozen other locations are scattered…10th arrondissement
Paris Nightlife
Paris has something for everyone: from traditional ballet in the Opéra district to quaint literary bars like La Belle Hortense in the Marais district, and from the chilly Ice Kube Bar in La Chapelle to the glitzy Moulin Rouge Caberet in Montmartre. The Champs Elysées abounds with sophisticated nightclubs like t ...
Paris has something for everyone: from traditional ballet in the Opéra district to quaint literary bars like La Belle Hortense in the Marais district, and from the chilly Ice Kube Bar in La Chapelle to the glitzy Moulin Rouge Caberet in Montmartre. The Champs Elysées abounds with sophisticated nightclubs like the VIP Room and L'Arc. Underground music is played out in Paris' 10th, 11th and 20th arrondissements. Most bars close at 2am, clubs open until 5am.
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Wine bar
5e Cru
Offering a multitude of the best and brightest French wines, this trendy spot also tickles the taste buds with a terrific lunch menu. At night, it serves up cheese and charcuterie platters as well as frequent themed wine tastings.5th arrondissement
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Bar
Andy Wahloo
North African kitsch meets 1970s glam at this ultra-cool bar, a stalwart with the hip crowd since 2004—no mean feat in Paris. It’s secret? Friendly bartenders who outdo themselves working up clever cocktails.3rd arrondissement
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Cafe/Bar/Dance Clubs
Aux Folies
This ancient cafe features period details, swirls of aging neon, and spindly tables spilling out on the sidewalk—in short, it’s easy to understand why it’s a Belleville institution. Open all day, it comes to life at night when the neon switches on and the crowds come pouring in.20th arrondissement
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Jazz
Baiser Salé
On a street lined with famous jazz clubs, this one holds its own with a lineup that shows off jazz in all its diversity. Some of the biggest Franco-African jazz stars, like Richard Bona and Angelique Kidjo, got their start here, and the program still highlights the best in African,…1st arrondissement
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Gay/lesbian
Banana Café
A popular nightspot, Banana is known for its party-hearty atmosphere as well as its go-go boys, who do their go-go thing every night of the week. In addition to the usual nightly frolicking are themed parties, tea dances, and drag nights.1st arrondissement
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Nightclub
Batofar
For more than 15 years, this bright red boat has been the site of music and dancing and general good times. Docked on the quai François Mauriac, this multifunctional floating venue includes a dance club, a bar, a restaurant, and a terrace for cocktail hour and low-key soirees. On…13th arrondissement
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Gay & Lesbian Bars
Bonjour Madame
A new spot for dining, drinking “margayritas,” debating, and attending concerts and exhibitions, this isn’t a lesbian bar per se, but it has a definite feminist slant and a desire to welcome the LGBTQ community. To find out what’s on, check out the Facebook page.11th arrondissment
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Performing Arts Venues
Cabaret Sauvage
Is it a cool club or a circus tent? The answer is not clear at this unusual space where you are just as likely to encounter Brazilian samba, electro funk, or trapeze artists. Blues bands from the Balkans and Vietnamese jazz musicians share the calendar with avant-garde circus acts…19th arrondissement
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Cafe/Bar/Dance Clubs
Café Charbon
This turn-of-the-20th-century beauty (it was once a dance hall) welcomes hordes of happy night-birds under its arched ceilings; the door in the back leads to the nightclub, Le Nouveau Casino, where live bands and DJs shake it up until the wee hours. You can come here any time of day,…11th arrondissement
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Bar
Candelaria
Concealed away at the back of a Mexican taqueria, this place kick-started the speakeasy trend back in 2011, and it’s still one of the best. The bar is tiny, so reserve ahead, then sip delights like Las Ciguapas (gin, rum, violet and citrus jam) in intimate, candlelit surrounds. When…3rd arrondissement
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Jazz
Caveau de la Huchette
This temple of swing has seen business boom since it was recreated in a short scene in the hit film “La La Land.” Legends like Count Basie and Lionel Hampton once graced this basement club, and some excellent jazz musicians still play here. The first part of the evening (starting at…5th arrondissement
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Jazz
Caveau des Oubliettes
There are not too many jazz clubs in the world where you can listen to music in what was once a medieval prison. Located in the Latin Quarter, just across the river from Notre-Dame, this underground nightspot reopened in March 2018 after a year long hiatus. Today patrons laugh,…5th arrondissement
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Bar
Chez Jeannette
This old bar was revamped by a young hip bunch, who had the good sense to preserve its old, kitschy decor. Located on a somewhat scruffy stretch of rue du Faubourg St-Denis, it seems out of place on its block, but that’s part of what makes the place cool. Hot meals also served here…10th arrondissement
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Cabaret
Chez Michou
If you are looking for a wacky and joyously tacky alternative to the standard girls-with-feathers cabaret show, this is the place to go. There are girls here, of a sort—this is Paris’s most famous drag show. Michou, the venerable master of ceremonies, presents a bevy of cross-dressed…18th arrondissement
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The Club & Music Scene
Chez Moune
If you want to stomp around in your best dancing shoes while pumping your fist in the air, Chez Moune is the place to do it. A former lesbian cabaret that dates from the 1930s, this fun club is filled with young branché (hip) Parisians dancing their hearts out. What’s more, there is…9th arrondissement
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Comédie-Française
In 1680, Louis XIV announced the birth of a company of actors, chosen by himself, with the aim of “making theater productions more perfect.” Some 300 years later, it is still considered by many the crème de la crème of the French theater scene. In addition to the gorgeous…1st arrondissement
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Dance Clubs
Concrete
A whiff of Berlin floats above the dancing crowd at this barge-based, floating club known for its top techno talent. And like its Germanic club cousins, this one has managed to get a permit to stay open 24 hours on the weekends, making it possible to literally rock around the clock.…12th arrondissement
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Gay/lesbian
Cox
You’ll know it when you get here: a ginormous sausage protrudes out of the wall into the street, and it’s where the crowd is spilling out onto the sidewalk. This place still gets big crowds, even though it’s been here for years; people come for the bar as well as the great DJs. The…4th arrondissement
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Dance Clubs
Djoon
This club is so hip that you actually don’t dress up (or rather, you try to make it look like you are not dressing up); the vibe is funky and the mood is chill with music like hip-hop, soul, house, deep funk, and more blasting through the air as twenty- and thirty-somethings dance to…13th arrondissement
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Bar
Experimental Cocktail Club
A sophisticated spot to spot stars, this bar is known for its gourmet cocktails and has the feel of a neo-baroque speakeasy. Live DJs play at weekends, though the music is never cranked up to a wild party level. Things stay cool and refined as you sip delightful house creations like…2nd arrondissement
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Dance Clubs
Favela Chic
It’s always Rio at this Brazilian hotspot where patrons dance to bossa jazz, samba rap, and tropical electro into the wee hours of the night. The floor may be crowded, and the conditions may get sauna-like, but the music is great and bartenders make the best mojitos in town. Expect…11th arrondissement
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Cafe/Bar/Dance Clubs
Grand Marché Stalingrad
This huge, round 18th-century pavilion (formerly known as “La Rotonde”) sits at the southern end of the Bassin de La Villette on place Stalingrad. It originally served as a giant tollbooth (a barrière d’octroi), when “foreign” merchants were obliged to pay a tax to sell their goods…19th arrondissement
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Bar
Harry's New York Bar
It may be filled with expats, but there’s something truly Parisian about Harry’s. Probably because its history is so intrinsically linked to the city: Hemingway drank here, Gershwin composed much of “An American in Paris” here and the Bloody Mary was allegedly created here. If you’re…2nd arrondissement
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Wine bar
Jéroboam
Here’s a fab spot for those looking to develop their palate: On one side you’ll find a wine shop with over 350 types of vin; on the other is a low-key restaurant serving great food. The fun bit? An automatic wine-dispensing machine in the resto allowing self-sampling mini-glasses of…11th arrondissement
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The Club & Music Scene
La Bellevilloise
This 19th-century building was the home of the city’s first workers’ cooperative, offering cultural activities and meeting spaces to the downtrodden. Today, the structure has been transformed, but the mission is still a cultural one. Dedicated to “light, night, and creativity,” the…20th arrondissement
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Gay & Lesbian Bars
La Bôite à Frissons—Tango
Although still referred to by its former name, Tango, this old classic has music ranging from accordion (the thrill box) to disco and an emphasis on couples dancing. (No techno gets played here!) Everything is unbelievably adorable; club nights are Friday and Saturday, tea dances…4th arrondissement
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Gay & Lesbian Bars
La Champmeslé
This low-key and colorful dive bar is one of the Marais’s stalwart lesbian hangouts. The nights tend to start off quietly, but don’t be fooled: Several potent mojitos later, and there’s dancing on the bar and loud music until 4am.2nd arrondissement
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The Club & Music Scene
La Cigale
This 19th-century music hall draws some of the biggest artists working in music today—everything from indie rock to hip-hop and jazz. Balcony seating is available for those who arrive early, and there’s plenty of open floor space for those who want to dance.18th arrondissement
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Bar
La Palette
Cézanne, Picasso, and Braque once hung out in this Olde Worlde Left Bank bar, and you’ll still find a spattering of artists, students, and gallery owners today. The front room’s where the regulars prop themselves up; the beautiful back room is where the romantics go to sip wine amid…6th arrondissement
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Cafe/Bar/Dance Clubs
La Recyclerie
Describing itself as a “eco-responsible place of experimentation,” this converted train station by Porte de Clignancourt and the St-Ouen flea market in northern Paris is part restaurant, part bar, part urban farm, and part furniture repair shop. Bees produce honey in rooftop hives,…18th arrondissement
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Performing Arts Venue
La Seine Musicale
The latest addition to Parisian music scene resembles a futuristic cruise ship in the middle of the Seine. Open as of April 2017, this architectural marvel sits on an island in the river next to the western suburb of Boulogne Billancourt. The complex includes recording studios,…Boulogne-Billancourt
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Gay/lesbian
Le 3w Kafe
The most popular lesbian bar in the Marais, this is a good place to come to find company. Downstairs, a DJ spins on weekends, when there’s dancing. Men can only enter the premises if accompanied by a woman.4th arrondissement
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Bar
Le Bar du Plaza Athénée
Knock yourself out and order a shockingly expensive drink at this classy, historic joint, which simply drips with glamour and fabulousness. The bar itself literally glows (it’s lit from inside), fashioning an even more luminous aura around the sleek patrons.8th arrondissement
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Wine bar
Le Baron Rouge
This neighborhood institution spills out on a corner that it shares with the sprawling Marché d’Aligre. It has only a few tables, so most people stand at the counter or outside, glass in hand, especially during market hours. Huge vats of wine are stacked up inside, and you can fill…12th arrondissement
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The Club & Music Scene
Le Carreau du Temple
A recent addition to the growing list of multitasking cultural centers rising from the ashes of neglected historic buildings, this former covered market spent several sorry decades as a used clothing bazaar. Today, after a several-million-euro facelift, the city-owned and -operated…3rd arrondissement
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The Club & Music Scene
Le Centquatre
What was once the municipal morgue is now a vast space dedicated to all things artistic and fun. You’ll find food for both the soul and the stomach here: theater, dance, music, visual arts, as well as a gourmet grocery, cafes, and restaurants. Along with concerts and dance parties…19th arrondissement
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Bars & Pubs
Le China
This sleek bar and restaurant evokes 1930s Shanghai with its dim lighting, red walls, and deep leather Chesterfield couches. The restaurant serves pricey gourmet Chinese cuisine, while the long zinc bar (the longest in Paris) on the ground floor invites you to order a cocktail.…12th arrondissement
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Jazz
Le Duc des Lombards
This is one of the most renowned jazz clubs in Paris, where famous names come to play in a small, intimate space. That said, it’s a relatively low-key place and tickets aren’t too hard to get—but good seats are (they are not numbered), so get here early if you want to sit up front.…1st arrondissement
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Bar
Le Mary Celeste
Though not a cocktail bar per se—the wine, oysters and excellent small plates shout out “restaurant”—the drinks at this coveted Marais address are wonderfully mixed and slide down easy with or without the food. The Rain Dog (whiskey, fern syrup, mint, and lemon) goes wonderfully with…3rd arrondissement
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Production Shows
Le Paradis Latin
This cabaret may be a bit less glitzy than the others, but it makes more of an attempt to harken back to the cabarets of yesteryear, which featured live and sometimes talented performers. You’ll see a variety of acts, as well as the obligatory topless beauties in feathered costumes…5th arrondissement
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Cafe/Bar/Dance Clubs
Le Perchoir
Take in a fabulous view of eastern Paris from this rooftop bar, which has been so successful it has spawned a passel of other high-altitude nightspots on top of buildings in the Marais, Buttes Chaumont, and even, in summer, the roof of the Gare de l'Est (check website for locations).…11th arrondissement
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Gay & Lesbian Bars
Le Raidd
This wild, trendy place offers hunky bartenders, a spacious dance floor, go-go dancers, and male strippers who take it all off under an open shower. On weekends you’ll have to get past the selectionneur at the door who decides who’s cool enough to enter.4th arrondissement
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Jazz
Le Sunset/Le Sunside
Yes, this is another famous jazz club on the rue des Lombards, but what sets this one off is its split personality. Le Sunset Jazz, created in 1983, is dedicated to electric jazz and international music, whereas Le Sunside, launched in 2001, is devoted to acoustic jazz for the most…1st arrondissement
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Gay & Lesbian Bars
Le Tango (aka La Boîte à Frissons)
This wacky hetero-friendly gay and lesbian dance hall plays all sorts of cheesy pop and accordion music. Arrive early and practice dancing the foxtrot and tango, or come later for the DJ who’ll play everything except techno.2nd arrondissment
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Wine bar
Les Caves Populaires
A neighborhood wine bar where locals come to shoot the breeze. The waiters are friendly, the decor understated, and the wine and cheese and sausage platters cheap. Coming here is a good excuse to explore the offbeat Batignolles neighborhood, a mix of artsy types, old-timers, and…17th arrondissement
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Gay & Lesbian Bars
Les Souffleurs
The challenge is finding this cozy bar, tucked into a corner of the Marais. Known for its relaxing ambiance and elegant decor, there’s an open-minded ethos here that makes it a favorite nightspot. Though the clientele is mostly young and masculine, women and trans are welcome.…4th arrondissement
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Production Shows
Lido de Paris
For the full-on glamour gala, head for the Lido. Headdresses and high heels are of such dimensions that the dancers can’t do much dancing, but you’re probably not coming here for prima ballerina turns. The latest show, Paris Merveilles, conceived by Franco Dragone of Cirque du Soleil…8th arrondissement
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The Club & Music Scene
L’Alimentation Générale
This bar/restaurant/music space was created in the spirit of an alimentation génerale, a little corner grocery store that stays open late (until 5am Fri and Sat) and sells a little bit of everything. Its ambience is comfortable and slightly kitsch, its programming eclectic, including…11th arrondissement
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The Club & Music Scene
L’International
Here’s a no-brainer for a fun night out that won’t hurt your pocketbook: two to three bands and a DJ set in a relaxed (albeit tiny) setting for free. On the eclectic agenda is a string of folk, rock, electro, you-name-it bands playing to hip indie crowds. Beer is cheap and periodic…11th arrondissement
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Dance Clubs
Machine du Moulin Rouge
A heck of a lot hipper than its historic next-door neighbor, this three-story club has dance floors, concert space, and bars—basically, everything you need for a rollicking night out. The music-savvy crowds come for electronic everything: rock, funk, pop, dubstep, glitch,…18th arrondissement
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Cabaret
Moulin Rouge
When it opened in 1889, the Moulin Rouge was the talk of the town, and its huge dance floor, multiple mirrors, and floral garden inspired painters like Toulouse-Lautrec. In later decades legendary French singers like Charles Trenet and Charles Aznavour regularly wowed the crowds.…18th arrondissement
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Jazz
New Morning
Big names and hot acts? Look no further. This place has terrific lineups, including virtuosos like bassist Avishai Cohen, pop-soul masters like Roy Ayers and Joan Armatrading, as well as a long list of young upstarts and world music stars. This relatively large club (the room holds…10th arrondissement
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Nightclub
Nouveau Casino
This former movie theater is now a giant dance club with live music, a huge bar that vaguely resembles an iceberg, hanging chandeliers, and a terrific program that includes all sorts of avant-garde dance music and bands with names like Flatbush Zombies and Moon Safari Club. -
Odéon, Théâtre de l’Europe
Less venerable and more modern, this grand theater presents both new plays and old classics, but even the classics usually get a modern twist. You can see lots of cutting-edge, contemporary pieces here, including several from other European countries (hence the moniker “Théâtre de…6th arrondissement
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The Club & Music Scene
Olympia
For French musicians, playing the Olympia is a little like reaching the golden heaven of the Greek gods. Legends like Georges Brassens, Edith Piaf, Louis Armstrong, and Aretha Franklin have all appeared at this cavernous hall, which draws French and international pop, rock, and jazz…9th arrondissement
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Gay/lesbian
Open Café
Relaxed and diverse, this cafe-bar has a busy sidewalk terrace that is usually full both day and night. Everyone from humble tourists to sharp-looking businessmen to TV stars hangs out here.4th arrondissement
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Performing Arts Venue
Opéra Comique/Salle Favart
For a lighter take on opera, try this architectural puff pastry filled with operettas and (French) musicals. Created in 1714 for theatrical performances that included songs, the Opéra Comique endured several fires before finally settling down in a beautiful 19th-century theater…2nd arrondiseement
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Opera
Opéra de Paris
This mighty operation includes both the Palais Garnier, pl. de l’Opéra, 9th arrond. (an attraction in itself, see above) and the Opéra Bastille, pl. de la Bastille, 12th arrond., a slate-colored behemoth that has loomed over the Place de la Bastille since 1989, when the national… -
Cafe/Bar/Dance Clubs
Outland Bar
An outgrowth of the current Parisian fascination with craft beers, this spacious new “American style” brew pub offers 12 artisanal beers on tap, eight of which hail from the terrific Outland brewery in a nearby suburb. The low-key atmosphere includes hanging sausages and hams, sliced…11th arrondissement
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Performing Arts Venue
Philharmonie de Paris
Hovering over La Villette like a visiting spaceship, this mega venue seats 2,400 spectators and serves as the new home of the Orchestre de Paris. Yet another creation of über-architect Jean Nouvel (this time in partnership with Harold Marshall and with input from Yasuhisa Toyota),…19th arrondissement
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The Club & Music Scene
Point Ephémère
Describing itself as a "center for artistic dynamics," this converted warehouse on the banks of the Canal St-Martin prides itself on nurturing up-and-coming artists, musicians, dancers, and filmmakers, and offers residencies to a chosen few who work in studios on the premises. The…10th arrondissement
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Dance Clubs
Rex Club
Set in the bowels of the huge movie theater of the same name, this is one of the old stalwarts of the Parisian rock and roll scene. The space recalls the big techno-grunge clubs of London, complete with an international mood-altered crowd. The music here is usually deep and dark,…2nd arrondissement
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Classical
Salle Pleyel
The Paris equivalent of Carnegie Hall, this mythic concert hall has hosted stars from Otto Klemperer to Louis Armstrong. The Orchestre de Paris makes its home here, and the Radio France Philharmonic also makes numerous appearances. Jazz and highbrow also pop up on the agenda.8th arrondissement
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Dance Clubs
Showcase
This unusual club is actually under a bridge. Seriously. Set in an old boat hangar beneath the Pont Alexandre III, it has incredible views of the Seine and atmospheric spaces lined with original stone walls and archways. Music-wise, expect high-quality electro, techno, hip-hop and… -
The Club & Music Scene
Supersonic
A temple to the independent spirit, Supersonic is free and promotes unknown stars of tomorrow. The industrial ambience here means this is not the place to wear those new suede boots you just bought in the Marais. Live bands play daily, and dance parties roll on 'til dawn on Friday…12th arrondissement
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Cabaret
The Crazy Horse
Don’t come here expecting to see can-can. This temple to “The Art of the Nude” presents an erotic dance show with artistic aspirations. The current show, “Totally Crazy,” celebrates the cabaret’s 65th birthday. Be advised that unlike the other shows, this one is known for what the…8th arrondissement
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Théâtre National de Chaillot
Dance and theater are on equal footing at this beautiful Art Deco theater in the Palais de Chaillot, where contemporary choreographers and theater directors share a jam-packed program. There is a lot of blurring of lines here between the two disciplines; dance programs often include…16th arrondissement
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Théâtre de la Ville
It’s hard to say which lineup is the most impressive here: theater (new and recent authors), dance (modern dance companies, such as Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker and Lucinda Childs), or music (mostly young stars of the classical music scene). A lot of international productions stop by…4th arrondissement
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Théâtre du Châtelet
Note: The theater will be closed for renovations until 2019; this season’s productions will take place at other venues. Specializing in all that is big and splashy, this lovely 19th-century theater hosts visiting international orchestras, divas, and ballet companies, as well as…1st arrondissement
More To Do in Paris
Active Pursuits in Paris
“Working out” is now an important part of Parisian life, with gyms cropping up all over the place. The problem is that nearly all require an annual fee, so they’re hard to access as a visitor. However, any enterprising sports enthusiast can easily find places to bike, in-line skate,…
Alternative Accommodations in Paris
Hotels are all very well and good, but for some, nothing beats staying in a private home or apartment, particularly if you are a family on a budget. Fortunately, travelers with an independent streak have several options, including short-term rentals, B&Bs, and…
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Architectural Highlights in Paris
Thanks to Baron Haussmann's modernization of the city in the 19th century, in architectural terms, Paris is more homogeneous than most capitals. The uniformity of Haussmannian architecture is undoubtedly key to Paris's charm and beauty, but you don't have to look far to find traces…
Architecture in Paris
It's worth pointing out that very few buildings (especially churches) were built in one particular architectural style. These massive, expensive structures often took centuries to complete, during which time tastes would change and plans would be altered. Ancient Roman (125 B.C.-A.D.…
