Alice White Walker

Paris: the food, the fashion, the fromage, the fantasy. No matter how many times we visit the French capital, its charms never ever grow old. And we’re not alone in thinking that. Paris is a major tourist destination that attracts thousands upon thousands of enthusiastic travellers with heads filled with images of Breton jumpers, tiny dogs, and decadent pastries - the kind you can dip in your hot chocolate. But how do you enjoy this gorgeous city without just succumbing to the age-old clichés (as much as we do love all of them)? We’ve compiled a list of the 51 best attractions in Paris, from the big-name ‘must-see’ paris attractions to something a little bit more bespoke and treasured locally. So whether you’re looking for lesser-known museums, late-night live music, or the best places for shopping, we’ve got plenty of ideas - and they’re all as tasty as a Ladurée macaron. Time Out tip: If you want avoid taxing, RATP App and Citymapper will be essential for getting around Paris like a local.  RECOMMENDED: 🇫🇷See our full guide to the best things to do in Paris🥖Check out the best food tours in Paris📍Here's where to head for the best tours in Paris🛏 Stay in the best airbnbs in Paris🚍The best Paris bus tours This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.

Paris is indeed the city of love, but don't expect romance to be handed to you on a plate.  Whether you're whisking someone to the capital for a weekend break, or are a Parisian in need of inspiration, we've collected some date ideas to help you out. From languid park picnics, to cool activities and alternative movie viewings - here are some date ideas to help love blossom in Paris. 

Ho ho ho! It’s already Christmas at Galeries Lafayette. The famous department store has donned its festive coat and the annual Christmas tree is now in place, fully decked out and looking splendid. Moreover, for the first time in 20 years Boulevard Haussmann is lit up for the end of the year, and is inviting you to play festive decorative, thanks to the app #PlayHausmann - available to download on your smartphone.  What’s on the programme for this year? They’re inviting you to a giant festive fun fair, marked by red lines that run through the different stores spaces, in the windows and under the domes, finishing at the immense tree. This year’s edition - as enormous as ever - is decorated with multicolored ballons and giant festive treats. No doubt that kids, big and small, will be equally enthralled in its presence. Trust us, once you see it, it’s easier to understand why ‘Spectacular Spectacular’ is the name of this year’s theme.  

Que vous ayez vécu ici toute votre vie ou que vous veniez d'atterrir à Heathrow, Londres ne vous offre que l’embarras du choix pour ce qui est des choses à y faire. Des attractions de cartes postales aux moments forts dans des endroits étranges, de jour comme de nuit, des musées d’art à la faune sauvage, il y a d’innombrables activités à Londres. Cette liste (qui fait l’objet de débats houleux au bureau de Time Out) est un bon point de départ pour partir à la découverte de la ville. Découvrez les monuments de Londres sous un jour nouveau, faites un tour dans le West End si tous les spectacles affichent complet, parcourez le monde avec la cuisine fabuleuse d’une myriade de pays et explorez des quartiers de la ville que vous n’avez encore jamais vus. Et s’il vous reste encore un peu d’énergie, lisez nos conseils sur les secrets de Londres, nos attractions préférées, les meilleurs musées de la capitale ou découvrez les événements du moment dans le calendrier de Time Out. Bon séjour !

Paris is as unique as they come. Where else in the world can you have a wine at Picasso's local, walk through the world's biggest catacomb and largest museum - all in one day? Here's our guide to 10 experiences you can only have in Paris. Each as miraculous as the city itself...

Parisians are known for being...how can we say this...a bit mean about tourists. But as much as they complain about the masses milling about the Louvre, there are quite a few tourist destinations that they like themselves.  From the classic to the quirky, there are more than a few attractions that Parisians have a soft spot for.  If you're looking for some more inspiration, take a look at our classic ultimate city guide: 101 Things to Do in Paris. 

Queuing sucks. Full stop. And as one of the world's most touristic cities, Paris comes with a fair amount of queuing. While the crowds are often unavoidable, there are lots of Paris attractions where you don't have to line up.  Voilà - here are our best museums and sight-seeing musts where you can skip the queue! Waiting is a thing of the past. 

This summer, the spectacular Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte is hosting special candlelit evenings for visitors.From May 6 to October 7 2017, the Château's manucured grounds will be covered in candlelight - the perfect backdrop an evening walk.The ticket includes entry to the château, basements, formal lounges, and museum area. Tickets are undated, and valid for every Saturday night from May 6 to October 7 2017, from 7pm to midnight. First admission for the evening from 2pm, and last admission at 11pm. From 5.15pm to 7pm, the château itself is closed in preparation for the candlelit evening, but the grounds remain open for guests during this time.What? Candlelit evenings in the grounds of Château de Vaux-le-VicomteWhen? May 6 to October 7 2017 Where? Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, 77950 MaincyHow much? Adults, €19.50Reduced, €17.50Children under 6 go free. Buy tickets here. 

‘I love Paris in the winter, when it drizzles,’ crooned Ella Fitzgerald. ‘I love Paris in the summer, when it sizzles.’ The First Lady of Jazz may have had a taste for the French capital in all seasons, but anyone truly acquainted with the city knows that winter is when it comes into its own.Parisians, who abandon their city en masse during its long hot August, have always had a special relationship with September’s la rentrée. In theory, it’s the ‘back to school’ season of pressed uniforms and new pencils, but it also represents a wider reinvigoration of intellectual and artistic life – leaves might be falling, but the city blooms into a fantastic array of cultural events that continues for months.To get you started this autumn, here’s our pick of the 21 ultimate things to do in Paris.

Christmas is kicking off at Galeries Lafayette! As per usual, the department store doesn’t do things by halves and is bringing us a gift of a holiday programme. Beyond the festive decor which will have your eyes popping out of your head (a towering Christmas tree made from giant balloons and sweet treats, plus a window display which takes the shape of a 20th century fun fair), the Galeries are going even further by spoiling us with an incredible Black Friday offer. A US import, this promo-laden day is the ideal time to get Christmas shopping. Or just to treat yourself...don’t worry no one is judging you here. On Friday 24 November, there’s 20% off the entire store (excluding for red-labelled items), plus 25% off the Beauty department and 15% off items from the Gourmet section (excluding red-labelled items). The perfect time to pick up those coveted APC jeans, offer them that beloved L'Occitane gift set or the delicious Pierre Hermé macaron box. You’re sure to find what for amongst the 70,000 m2 space with over 3,600 brands to browse. Whoever doesn’t find happiness in this retail paradise will surely end up with coal in their stocking! Click here to shop now

The French are legendary for their all-natural approach to beauty and using simple products generally found in local pharmacies. Beauty mavens, here are 11 of the best French beauty products to stock up on from the pharmacies whilst you're in Paris.  But if your next trip isn't for a while, we've found the best places to buy these French beauty products online. 

French fashion has something of reputation, that edge that gives French girls an enviable je ne sais quoi… Although the likes of Maje, Sandro and Sonia Rykiel can be found in cities across the globe, Paris has a little secret when it comes to shopping these French designer brands. Stock shops. These outlet shops called stocks or stock shops are found around Paris, with reductions of up to 40% on collections. If you missed out on that coveted sheepskin coat during winter or need a chic wedding outfit, chances are you'll find it here along with several staples, from dresses to accessories. Although you might be browsing last season’s wares, you'll be wearing eternally stylish pieces (for a lot less). Here's our guide to shopping in Paris stock shops, the continual designer bargain hunt.

When someone mentions the word bistro, a typical, if clichéd, image comes to mind. A blue tiled floor, wooden bar. There’s a leather bench and tables snaking the wall, pendant light fixtures creating a warm halo over each spot. Smells of melted butter, and meat slow cooked in shallots and red wine waft through the kitchen, in between clatters from the chefs. A rocket of a coffee machine is centre stage on the bar, hissing steam and fog over cross-legged ladies on bar stools laughing around a bottle of Chablis. You take a pew, the winter chill fading away fast. Multiple plates of terrine de campagne with pickles (€9), and a side of fondant leeks with a hazelnut vinaigrette (€9) sit atop the hands of skillful traditionally smocked waiters. Sounds like another era, right? This golden-age bistro is alive and well in the Marais. Since 1905, no less. Thanks to ex-comedian and restaurant industry pro Florian Cadiou, a man with infectious enthusiasm, Vin des Pyrénées has been restored to its glory.  Taking inspiration from Paris est une fête - the French translation of A Moveable Feast -, Vin des Pyrénées has a history as colourful as one of Hemingway’s stories, serving Baudelaire and Jim Morrison with plonk when it used to be a wine shop. Once one of the city’s most reputable French brasseries, it fell into decline as Paris became a hub for newer and more exotic food. But that’s the good thing about trends, they come and go... A total renovation has revived the space (the new deco

Not one to rest up, Ducasse is back with a new Paris restaurant. After packing up and moving from the Champs to a central location at Bourse, Spoon 2 is an ode to world travel. With cuisine from Asia, Latin and North America, and Sri Lanka, Spoon 2 is a globe-trot across several continents in one lunchbreak. To boot, this culinary roadtrip is more accessibly priced for Ducasse fans, with lunchtime Bento boxes (two starters, a main, dessert, and a tea) priced at 32€.  Spicy duck broth with pancake (7€), a hot but fresh shaved papaya salad (8€), a generously stuffed shrimp toast (12€) done the way you always dreamed, plus small but artful bites of raw fish and steamed dumlings. Starters start strong.   Next a jumbo shrimp Thai red curry (22€) (only for the brave) with sticky egg rice, or a moreish Sri Lankan Zahtar shoulder of lamb with yoghurt and corriander, and a traditional Tandoori chicken, slowcooked for extra melty meat. Dishes have refined hands behind them but hit really hard with flavour. Good news for spice fans that can't find the real deal in Paris, the meals labelled 'spicy' really are. Even habitual chilli lovers will be taken aback.  Desserts are equally as inventive: mango brûlée with avocado and corriander, a twist on the chocolate bar Bounty; and the UK classic, bread & butter pudding.  For the thirsty, the journey continues. Starting from 6€ per glass, you can travel from Caso do Valle in Portugal to Klein Constantia in South Africa for white wine, and Innoc

If there’s one new Paris restaurant that’s been making a splash on Instagram lately, it’s The Cod House. Why? The deco, in particular the eponymous neon sign that welcomes you into the building. It’s another name from Groupe Black Code, who have fostered equally shiny and successful names including Orient Extrême, Kinugawa and Yoko. On first impressions, the design is as wonderful as social media has made it out to be, and the crowd as chic as you’d expect from the 6th arrondissement. A concept based on Japanese izakayas, small bars where people meet around a drink and a snack, The Cod House is Japanese tapas meets Parisian cocktail bar. The building has had many lives including stints as a club and a cinema. To the left, a bar area which seemed reserved for cocktail making more than drinking, with a sofa area and small tables around it. To the right, a long dining area with a first floor mezzanine (not opened that night). Tables are tightly packed together but no one seems to mind. The menu is broken down into cold and hot dishes, rolls, boa buns, tempura, toban, sashimi, side dishes and desserts. The spectrum of Japanese food is certainly impressive, with raw fish and fried morsels both well represented. Classics get luxury upgrades, like the California roll with namesake Black Cod and miso (15€), and taramasalata with truffles (€7). A delicious Yellow Tail comes either seared with a ginger confit (14€) or as a carpaccio speckled with chili and yuzu sauce (10€). Tempura is

If Café de Flore is synonymous for the croque monsieur, then BREIZH Café is renowned for the galette. The history of the Breton institution begins in Japan, not France. After opening the country’s first crêperie - Le Bretagne - in the Kagurazaka neighborhood of Tokyo, then two more in Yokohama and Kawasaki, the word BREIZH was the international marker point for an excellent crêpe. In 2006 the name finally came to Paris with the Marais opening steadfastly popular with locals and die-hard Japanese fans. Starting the now popular wave of no-reservations, BREIZH Marais is famed for its snaking queue*, well before opening.  More chains arrived, including Saint-Malo and Cancale in France, and a cider bar in Japan, proving that BREIZH Café hasn’t lost it’s touch. Now, BREIZH Cafe Odéon arrives, can it replicate the success of the Marais outpost? Do we need another crêperie in Paris? Well, yes, when they’re done this well. Top quality trimmings like succulent ham inside the classic fried egg and Shiitake mushrooms; decadent langoustines paired with spinach, leeks and Comte cheese; or a rich blend of ham, truffle and cauliflower purée. Some come in a typical galette, others in a new Breizh roll - which is, as you might fathom, a rolled galette, chopped up into morsels. There’s a nod to Japan in the form of the Breizh Tsukemono made with fermented vegetables, and a crêpe Suzette flambéed in Yuzu and matcha ice cream for dessert. And if you’re not into crêpes (not 100% sure why you’d be

Pour qui ? Un palais exigeant, à qui on ne la fait pas en matière de crêpes et galettes ! Crêpe culte ? La Breizh Tsukemono, galette japonisante, aux légumes fermentés, ou la crêpe à la poudre de soja kinako, sucre noir d’Okinawa et glace matcha.L'histoire de cette institution bretonne lancée par Bertrand Larcher commence à Cancale, et s'étend jusqu'au Japon. A Paris, après un premier établissement dans le Haut-Marais (2006), il a fallu attendre 2017 – plus d'une décennie ! – pour qu'un deuxième opus voit le jour, cette fois dans le très touristique carrefour de l'Odéon avec une solide option terrasse. La différence avec l'adresse mère ? Le décor : des tables plus espacées, un côté plus cosy et contemporain (banquettes orange Hermès, suspensions épurées, croquignolette terrasse…) Sans surprise, on retrouve les mêmes produits frais et bien sourcés, issus d’une agriculture durable et paysanne : farines de sarrasin bio, moulues à la pierre, et garnitures de première bourre. A vous galettes fourrées, roulées puis découpées en tronçons (« Breizh Rolls »), ou crêpes et galettes japonisantes  à l'instar de cette détonnante Breizh Tsukemono aux légumes fermentés ou de cette gourmande crêpe à la poudre de soja kinako, sucre noir d’Okinawa et glace matcha. Fâché(e) avec le billig ? Rabattez-vous sur la soupe au sarrasin, la poitrine de porc au miel de sarrasin sauce gingembre, les fruits de mer (langoustines, huîtres de Cancale)… Et si vous n'aimez pas le cidre (une vingtaine de réfé

Crêpes, cocktails. Paris is no stranger to either, but recently they’ve joined forces to start a little trend. Kasha (meaning ‘buckwheat flour’ in Russian) on the already foodie rue des Récollets, is now part of the tribe. Started by three industry rising stars, with a collective CV that includes chez Jeannette, Enfants Perdus (next door), L'Arpège and Garance, Kasha is another great address within sight of the Canal Saint Martin. The deco is pure Instagram fodder, pink-white walls, hexagonal mirror tiles, hanging plants, and mint-green leather benches. An oasis as edible as the scents from the kitchen… Drinks up and the cocktail list, created by the team behind our favourite Monsieur Antoine, is concise and unique. Bespoke creations include Larme, a buttercup coloured concoction of Pisco, vanilla syrup, egg yolk and lemon; Titre, with Calvados and bergamote; or Factory, a simple gin and tonic with rosemary. Good options for those that aren’t keen on cider, but if you do - the list is long as any wine list. If you arrive hungry and want a starter, there are some well-executed dips: a nutty houmous, curried aubergine; and fromage frais, all served with fried galette chips. A good accompaniment to the cocktails. Down to the main event. Savory galettes range from an excellent black pudding with apples soaked in Calvados, and goats’ yoghurt; to roasted carrots with curry, fromage frais and toasted grains; and smoked salmon with rainbow beetroot. There’s a classic egg and ham but

Crêpes, cocktails. Paris is no stranger to either, but recently they’ve joined forces to start a little trend. Kasha (meaning ‘buckwheat flour’ in Russian) on the already foodie rue des Récollets, is now part of the tribe. Started by three industry rising stars, with a collective CV that includes chez Jeannette, Enfants Perdus (next door), L'Arpège and Garance, Kasha is another great address within sight of the Canal Saint Martin. The deco is pure Instagram fodder, pink-white walls, hexagonal mirror tiles, hanging plants, and mint-green leather benches. An oasis as edible as the scents from the kitchen… Drinks up and the cocktail list, created by the team behind our favourite Monsieur Antoine, is concise and unique. Bespoke creations include Larme, a buttercup coloured concoction of Pisco, vanilla syrup, egg yolk and lemon; Titre, with Calvados and bergamote; or Factory, a simple gin and tonic with rosemary. Good options for those that aren’t keen on cider, but if you do - the list is long as any wine list. If you arrive hungry and want a starter, there are some well-executed dips: a nutty houmous, curried aubergine; and fromage frais, all served with fried galette chips. A good accompaniment to the cocktails. Down to the main event. Savory galettes range from an excellent black pudding with apples soaked in Calvados, and goats’ yoghurt; to roasted carrots with curry, fromage frais and toasted grains; and smoked salmon with rainbow beetroot. There’s a classic egg and ham but

Rates: from €250 per night (20m2) Added extras: A roof terrace with the best view in Paris Services: Bar, restaurant, terrace & patio After the Hoxton Paris comes another hybrid hotel to shake up the Parisian dining scene. Filling a huge space formerly occupied by two offices, Hôtel National des Arts & Métiers is sat opposite the museum of the same name. Owned by the group behind Hotel Bachaumont, a high-end favourite not far away in Montorgueil. Hôtel National Arts et Métiers offers 70 rooms - with or without terraces, street views or overlooking the patio that the hotel surrounds. Each with a made-to-measure finesse, with well-thought design and seamless style poured into each bedroom. And if you want to have a blow-out, then the colossal Penthouse (100 m2 with sitting room, dining room, equipped kitchen and sizeable terrace) can be rented from €999. Marshmallow-soft duvets, Nespresso machines, monogrammed stationary that’s actually good quality, flat screen TV, spa-style shower - they’ve left nothing to chance here.  But to be honest, while the bedrooms are great, the extras are where it’s at. The sprawling ground floor with the Ristorante National, which has Julien Cohen (Pizza Chic, Grazie) and the duo Jean-Pierre Lopes and Thomas Delafon (Le Très Honoré, Bambou, la Plage Parisienne) at the helm, plus Oscar Quagliarini creating a cocktail list for the bar Herbarium. You’ll hear more Italian spoken than French amongst the staff. Downstairs draws in an afterwork crowd as c

 

 

Less than a month after the death of Pierre Bergé, Saint Laurent’s partner and business manager, Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris is set to open on October 1 2017. Filling what was Fondation Pierre Bergé, the museum brings back the 'Yves' to the brand, in a glittery tribute to the house, the designer, and the couple that created it all. Small but well-thought out, the museum is spread out over 2 floors. The ground floor beginning with haute couture displaying the intense needlework and bejewelling we’ve come to associate with the brand. An entire wall dedicated to sketches, fabric samples, notes and photos of fittings; before a kind of Pinterest moodboard of Yves’ creative portraits, chalk drawings of elaborately dressed dancers and models - showing not only his inspiration but his artistic talent. Opposite, a collection of accessories, from hair decoration to broaches and buttons. Stars, comets, and hearts are amongst the famous motifs. The first floor holds the real treasure: the studio. The beating heart of 5 avenue Marceau for over 30 years, the atelier has been kept in perfect condition, with fabrics, accessories, drawings added by Yves’ collaborators that knew him best. The designer’s desk, recreated, is an emotive experience, dropping you deep in the spirit of the house’s history. If there’s a resounding sentiment from the museum, it is that there would be no Yves Saint Laurent without Pierre Bergé. Famously saying that he wanted the management to adapt to the design

After studying under heavyweight chefs Alain Ducasse and Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Wim Van Gorp set up shop in Batignolles to create Comme Chez Maman, the gastro bistro. The success of this place has given life to the area - which has been a bit neglected food-wise, in recent times. Newest venture Wim à Table, takes the same principles of his restaurant - home-cooking recipes, fresh produce, a Flemish twist - and has scaled everything down into a 40-cover tapas bar. These gastronomic bites are divided into two menus; a classic - mini beef tartare, fish of the day tartare, ham croquettes, lamb samosas, Bern saucisson-, and a menu of the day. When we visited, a punchy wild mushroom with garlic in a tepid vinaigrette; a heavenly combination of miniature leeks with poached langoustines, rosemary and ginger vinaigrette; duck confit with new potatoes and a sweet mustard reduction; roasted chestnuts with fat lardons and mashed cauliflower. Moreish and warming, they were perfectly seasonal for moving into autumn. We advise ordering moderately with one or two dishes per person, before choosing more. The plates are small but flavours are strong, and not ideally mixed. Each is best eaten alone. The wine list is very small (3 red, 3 white by the glass) but staggeringly well-paired - an organic white from south of Toulouse and a Côtes-du-Rhône from north of Avignon were both excellent. And the setting? A huge print by comic book illustrator Joann Sfar covers the left wall, tables span