A cultural guide to Paris

Paris’ reputation precedes it, from the literary legacy of the Left Bank to the bars of Pigalle. This summer, the city comes alive for the pinnacle of the world’s sporting calendar, which will see it host athletes and spectators from all over the globe. Take in the pageantry and ceremony along the River Seine, watch competitors traverse the Champs-Élysées, or join one of 25 free-to-attend fan zones throughout the city for an electric atmosphere. While visiting, tick off classic landmarks like the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower, before taking in world-famous art at the city’s blockbuster galleries.

Food & drink

Long gone are the days of stuffy dining and uncivil table service: The Paris food scene has completely transformed over the past decade thanks to an influx of younger talent, many from abroad. Sidestepping traditional menu stalwarts and the model of entrée, plat, and dessert, the neo-bistro—smaller venues offering seasonal shared plates and a dynamic wine list—now reigns supreme. This model encompasses more casual affairs like Recoin in the 11th arrondissement, and more elevated offerings, such as Basque chef Iñaki Aizpitarte’s Le Chateaubriand.

In the summer months, secure a spot at the bar (no tables, no reservations) of Les Enfants du Marché, a low-key looking lunch spot serving seafood-driven fare paired with natural wines in an open-air food market in the Marais. At aperitif hour, head to Folderol for artisanal ice cream and wine, but for a little old-school glamour, the Hotel Costes underwent a recent revamp, and the Bar Hemingway at the Ritz will never lose its gloss.  

Hot ticket

Don’t miss the Bourse de Commerce—Pinault Collection, a revolving curation of luxury magnate François Pinault’s contemporary art collection, including works by visionaries such as Cy Twombly, Judy Chicago, and Maurizio Cattelan. The museum is housed in a former 20th-century trade building, with interiors redesigned by the avant-garde Japanese architect Tadao Ando. It’s worth checking out for the architectural tour alone, which covers four centuries of work, and while exhibits are ever-changing, there are some more permanent and surprising in-situ works like Ryan Gander’s lifelike animatronic mouse, which is nestled in a hole in the wall next to one of the elevators.  

Watch before you go

Paris has been immortalized in cinema and on television since the advent of the silver screen, serving as a backdrop for romantic interludes, blockbuster mysteries, and cult indie films. More recently, John Wick 4 featured an epic finale on the steps to Sacré Coeur, and Netflix dramedy, Emily in Paris, has filmed in locations such as the manicured gardens of the Palais Royal and the iconic left-bank literary haunt, Café de Flore. Woody Allen’s 2011 homage to the city, Midnight in Paris, also features some of the city’s finest addresses, including the gorgeous Le Bristol hotel and the decadent belle époque restaurant Maxim’s.