Where do you start in this marvellous metropolis? We'll help. This is our pick of the very best things to do in Paris
LessAt Michelin-starred chef Bertrand Grébaut’s unique restaurant venture in Faubourg Saint-Antoine, you have the choice of two tasting menus (one a little more extravagant than the other). This is a dining experience for a special occasion. Interiors feature antique ornaments, huge mirrors and bare wood, and the food is delicate, fresh, and expertly balanced. It can get booked up a year in advance. If you can’t get a table, try Septime La Cave next door.
Palais de Tokyo combines installations, videos and new-age icons, cementing its status as a temple of contemporary art. Grab a bite at Monsieur Bleu, the Palais de Tokyo restaurant.
A historic flytrap for Parisian cinephiles, the 5th and 6th arrondissements of Paris's Latin Quarter are still full of independent cinemas, most notably Le Champo on Rue des Écoles, where many of the Nouvelle Vague directors hung about in the ’50s and ’60s.
A former coal station turned live music hotspot, the MU collective has made the most of the spot's architectural quirks and turned it into an events space reminiscent of underground Berlin. Explore its three rooms, an outdoor stage, and two indoor stages, playing everything from hardcore punk to pure techno.
The thing Paris is known for, this spectacular glass pyramid has been around since 1983, when it was commissioned by Mitterrand. You could spend hours wandering around the outside of it with a coffee, but the inside is a never-ending treasure trove of cultural artefacts, from the likes of the ancient Greeks to the Egyptians. And yes, the Mona Lisa is in there too, but there’s also a ‘feminist tour’ you can take, for something a bit different.
This iconic theatre in Nanterre (the western suburbs of Paris) which has been around since 1976. Positioned as a major player in French theatre in the ‘80s by Patrice Chéreau, elevated by Philippe Quesne, and now under the direction of Christophe Rauck, the theatre hosts the crème de la crème of today's actors, choreographers, and directors. Our top tip? The bar and restaurant area offers seasonal dishes to recharge before heading back to the bits.
This historic Parisian market takes its name from the Enfants Rouges (Red Children) orphanage, which was built in the 16th century and closed down just before the revolution. Saturdays are when the market is at its liveliest, but expect a hard time choosing between the different stalls: Moroccan, Italian, Lebanese, or a refined blowout at the Enfants du Marché. Try it all if you can.
Behind Richard Rogers’ and Renzo Piano’s piping and air ducts lies one of the richest collections of modern art in the world. Step inside the Centre Pompidou to fall under the spell of Picasso, Magritte, Duchamp, Pollock, Warhol and Tinguely. Head to the top floor for a truly eye-popping view.
Fréquence is run by Matthieu Biron and Guillaume Quenza, who are equally as passionate about fine drinks as they are about Motown on vinyl. The fruits of their labour have culminated in this delightful bar, where turntables and records share the spotlight with bottles and shakers. The cocktails are as clever as they are slap-you-in-the-face strong, like the doud (salted pine nuts, white Cap Corse, shochu and calvados for €12).
A favourite among Parisians and tourists, the Cimetière du Père-Lachaise allows bookworms to enjoy an intimate moment with some of their literary heroes and learn about the Paris Commune. It is also beautifully picturesque: a vast, shaded labyrinth with snaking hillside paths and pretty stone stairs. Careful not to get lost...