53 unmissable things to do in Paris right now

What is it? Two of the best museums near the Eiffel Tower.

Why go? In the heart of the 16th arrondissement, two museums with equally impressive programmes – but entirely different vibes – face each other. The first, the Palais de Tokyo, combines installations, videos and new-age icons, cementing its status as a temple of contemporary art, while the second, the Musée d’Art Moderne, pays tribute to the Avant-gardistes.

Don’t miss: The exceptional bookshop in the basement of the Palais de Tokyo, which is famed for its selection of titles covering fashion, contemporary art and more.

What is it? Michelin-starred chef Bertrand Grébaut’s unique restaurant venture in Faubourg Saint-Antoine, and one of the best restaurants in Paris.

Why go? Septime's classy setting – which, with its weathered wooden tables, blackened steel, and soft lighting, is reminiscent of a London gastropub – has not aged a bit since it opened in 2011. Nor has Bertrand Grébaut’s Michelin-starred cooking, which remains sharp and pioneering: highlights of the seven-course tasting menu (€135) include braised sucrine lettuce with a wafer-thin slice of bacon, tender scallops paired with bone marrow and brilliant grilled veal sweetbreads with harissa accompanied by couscous broth, arguably the high point of the meal. To enjoy these dishes to their fullest potential, the intelligent, well-travelled and perfectly calibrated wine pairing (€75) is pretty much essential.

Don’t miss: Book early, as it can fill up a year in advance. If you can’t get a table, try Septime La Cave next door.

What is it? A different take on the world’s most famous museum.

Why go? With over 35,000 pieces on display, it would be impossible to feel like you’ve ‘completed’ the Louvre in just one visit. Instead, we’d suggest trying one of the niche tours of the museum, like a feminist tour, or even the Beyoncé and Jay-Z tour, which showcases the iconic creations featured in the ‘Apeshit’ music video filmed at the Louvre in 2018. Géricault's Raft of the Medusa, the Venus de Milo and, of course, the Mona Lisa.

Don’t miss: Have your very own Night at the Museum experience, with evening tours starting at 6.30pm on a Friday evening.

What is it? A former coal station turned music hotspot.

Why go? Since 2016, La Station (originally meant to be open for just six months) has been impressing us with its adventurous programming, which covers both rock and electronic music. Concerts, parties, and installations shake up the impressive (and enormous) space, which was once the Parisian hub for coal coming in from the north, and the atmosphere aims to be as relaxed and inclusive as the programme is cutting-edge. An essential stop on a night out in Paris.

Don't miss: The chance to see great acts at a fair price – the venue has a reasonable pricing policy, with most tickets sitting between €10-15. 

What is it? A small food market that feels like – and is? – the 'real' Paris.  

Why go? 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. We recommend Enfants du Marché, but don't expect starched white tablecloths, veggie-friendly options, and discrete service: more of a market counter than a restaurant, food is enjoyed standing at the bar (there's no ceiling, so expect to be chilly in winter) and accompanied by the charismatic and cheeky presence of Michael Grosman, maître d', sommelier, and winner of Best Host in Paris at the Time Out Food and Drink Awards. Chef Shunta Suzuki’s hearty, meaty dishes are as delightful as they are pricey: think iconic Groix mussels in a gorgonzola sauce, tempura brain, and more. 

Don’t miss: The market is located in the Marais, one of our top picks for places to stay in Paris, so once you've paid l’addition, take a stroll around the area. 

What is it? Storied picture houses that put on obscure screenings at low prices. 

Why go? A historic flytrap for Parisian cinephiles, the 5th and 6th arrondissements are still full of independent cinemas, most notably Le Champo on Rue des Écoles, where many of the Nouvelle Vague directors hung out in the ’50s and ’60s. 

Don’t miss: Legend has it that Quentin Tarantino can often be found making a pilgrimage to the Latin Quarter’s Filmothèque when in Paris.

What is it? This gallery houses one of the largest collections of modern art in the world

Why go? It's hard to imagine Paris, and particularly the Marais, without the Centre Pompidou. Known by locals as Beaubourg (the name of the immediate area), only New York's MoMA can rival it in terms of scale; as a result, the galleries can only display a tiny fraction (about 1,300 pieces) of the 50,000 masterpieces in its collection at any one time. With its annual rotations, gargantuan temporary exhibitions (Bacon, O'Keeffe, and Kandinsky, to name just a few), a library, a performance space, and an art house cinema, it’s an unmissable stop for art lovers.

Don’t miss: Head to the top floor for eye-popping views across the city.

What is it? A funky, inventive and genuinely cool bar in Paris (and one of the best cocktail bars in Paris).

Why go? Fréquence is run by Matthieu Biron and Guillaume Quenza, who are as passionate about fine drinks as they are about Motown on vinyl. This delightful bar is the fruit of their labour, where turntables and records share the spotlight with bottles and shakers. 

Don't miss: The cocktails are as clever as they are strong. Try the Doud, made with salted pine nuts, white Cap Corse, shochu and calvados.

What is it? Undoubtedly the world’s best-known graveyard.

Why go? For those who enjoy immersive, unusual places, Père-Lachaise is a must. It’s also beautifully picturesque: a vast, shaded labyrinth with snaking hillside paths and pretty stone stairs. In this maze, you’ll find graves belonging to a long list of cultural icons including Edith Piaf, Jim Morrison and Oscar Wilde. 

Don’t miss: Treat yourself to a spooky late-night grave walk with the park’s ‘vampire expert’.

What is it? One of Paris’s most impressive museums.

Why go? Located in an upscale district to the west of Paris, this venue was designed by famed architect Frank Gehry to showcase the works collected by LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault. It’s grandiose, impressive, and excels in its chosen role: hosting the stars of the art world. Since opening, it’s hosted an impressive number of blockbuster exhibitions, including Basquiat, Warhol, Sherman, the Chtchoukine, Courtauld, and Morozov collections, Charlotte Perriand, and Giacometti.

Don’t miss: Make the most of your trip out west with a stroll in the enormous Bois de Boulogne park, which is around two and a half times bigger than New York’s Central Park.