The Paris Travel Guide: 2026 edition, Where to Stay, Eat, Shop & Discover Art in Paris (Copy)

June 2026

When to visit:

May: Paris Gallery Weekend, Contemporary art gallery festival

June: We Love Green, Music, arts and sustainability festival

July: Paris Jazz Festival, Open-air jazz festival in the Parc Floral

September: Paris Design Week, City-wide design festival

September: Maison & Objet, International design, interiors and lifestyle fair

October: Art Basel Paris, Leading international contemporary art fair

November: Paris Photo, The world's largest international photography fair

Paris is best experienced with comfortable shoes, an empty afternoon, and no particular desire to see everything. The magic rarely happens in front of the Eiffel Tower. It happens when you stumble into a bookstore that's been there for a century, order a coffee at a tiny counter in Le Marais, or spend two hours in a museum you hadn't planned to visit.

The French capital rewards curiosity. It reveals itself slowly through hidden courtyards, neighborhood cafés, independent galleries, and streets that seem designed for wandering rather than arriving. This is not a guide to ticking off landmarks. It's a guide to experiencing Paris through design-led hotels, world-class museums, memorable meals, and places that still feel genuinely Parisian.

Where to Stay in Paris

Bourg Tibourg

Address: 19 Rue du Bourg Tibourg, 75004 Paris
Arrondissement: 4th (Le Marais)
Price: €€€€ (€350–€600+)

Hidden behind an unassuming façade in the heart of Le Marais, Bourg Tibourg feels like stepping into a romantic Parisian dream. Designed by Jacques Garcia, the hotel combines dramatic fabrics, rich colors, and old-world decadence without ever feeling theatrical. Few boutique hotels capture the seductive atmosphere of Paris quite like this one.

Why stay here? One of the most atmospheric boutique hotels in Paris, perfectly positioned for exploring Le Marais.

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Le Grand Mazarin

Address: 17 Rue de la Verrerie, 75004 Paris
Arrondissement: 4th (Le Marais)
Price: €€€€ (€450–€800+)

One of the most exciting hotel openings in Paris in recent years. Designed by Martin Brudnizki, Le Grand Mazarin mixes classic Parisian elegance with bold colors, playful details, and a refreshing sense of personality. It feels luxurious without taking itself too seriously.

Why stay here? A beautiful design hotel with one of the rare indoor swimming pools in central Paris.

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Experimental Marais

Address: 116 Rue du Temple, 75003 Paris
Arrondissement: 3rd (Le Marais)
Price: €€€ (€300–€550)

Experimental Group has built a reputation for creating hotels people genuinely want to spend time in. Stylish rooms, excellent food, and the group's famous cocktail expertise make this one of the most appealing contemporary stays in Paris.

Why stay here? Perfect for travelers who prefer modern Paris over nostalgic Paris.

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Museums Worth Your Time

Jeu de Paume

Address: 1 Place de la Concorde, 75001 Paris
Arrondissement: 1st
Opening Hours: Tue 11:00–21:00, Wed–Sun 11:00–19:00
Ticket: Approximately €14

One of the best photography and image-based art institutions in Europe. The exhibitions are consistently thoughtful, contemporary, and intellectually engaging.

Why visit? A refreshing alternative to Paris's more traditional museums.

Fondation Louis Vuitton

Address: 8 Avenue du Mahatma Gandhi, 75116 Paris
Arrondissement: 16th
Opening Hours: Typically 11:00–20:00
Ticket: Approximately €18–22

Frank Gehry's extraordinary glass building has become one of the defining landmarks of contemporary Paris. The architecture alone is worth the trip.

Why visit? World-class contemporary exhibitions inside one of the city's most spectacular buildings.

Musée Picasso

Address: 5 Rue de Thorigny, 75003 Paris
Arrondissement: 3rd (Le Marais)
Opening Hours: Tue–Sun 09:30–18:00
Ticket: Approximately €16

Set inside a magnificent seventeenth-century mansion, the museum houses one of the world's most important collections of Picasso's work.

Why visit? An essential stop for anyone interested in modern art.

Maison Européenne de la Photographie (MEP)

Address: 5/7 Rue de Fourcy, 75004 Paris
Arrondissement: 4th
Opening Hours: Wed–Sun
Ticket: Approximately €13–15

Smaller than many Paris museums but often more rewarding. The MEP consistently delivers exceptional photography exhibitions from both emerging and established artists.

Why visit? One of Europe's finest photography museums.

Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris

Address: 11 Avenue du Président Wilson, 75116 Paris
Arrondissement: 16th
Permanent Collection: Free
Temporary Exhibitions: Ticketed separately

Frequently overlooked by visitors rushing elsewhere, the Museum of Modern Art offers an excellent collection with significantly fewer crowds.

Why visit? Outstanding modern art without the queues.

Where to Eat & Drink

Le Relais de l'Entrecôte

Address: 20 Rue Saint-Benoît, 75006 Paris
Arrondissement: 6th

There are few restaurants in Paris as iconic as Le Relais de l'Entrecôte. The formula is famously simple: a green salad followed by perfectly cooked steak-frites served with the restaurant's legendary secret sauce. Touristy? Absolutely. Worth it? Every single time.

Order: Steak-frites.

Vieux Belleville

Address: 12 Rue des Envierges, 75020 Paris
Arrondissement: 20th

Perched on the hills of Belleville, this old-school brasserie captures a side of Paris that is becoming increasingly rare. The atmosphere feels distinctly local, the views stretch across the city, and the experience is less about trends and more about tradition.

Order: A classic French dish and a glass of red wine.

Junk Smash Burgers

Address: Multiple locations
Arrondissement: Various

Not every meal in Paris needs to involve white tablecloths. Junk Smash Burgers has built a loyal following thanks to perfectly crisp-edged smash burgers, soft potato buns, and a refreshingly uncomplicated menu. Ideal after a long day of walking the city.

Order: Double smash burger with fries.

Le Chocolat Cédric Grolet

Address: 35 Avenue de l'Opéra, 75002 Paris
Arrondissement: 2nd

While most visitors know Cédric Grolet for his sculptural pastries, his chocolate creations deserve equal attention. Beautifully packaged and meticulously crafted, they make some of the most luxurious edible souvenirs in Paris and showcase the chef's extraordinary attention to detail.

Order: Assorted chocolate bonbons.

Nuances Matcha

Address: 25 Rue Danielle Casanova, 75001 Paris
Arrondissement: 1st

Minimalist, calm and quietly obsessive about quality, Nuances Matcha has become one of Paris's most respected specialty tea destinations. The clean interiors and carefully sourced Japanese matcha offer a welcome pause from the city's constant movement.

Order: Ceremonial matcha.

Marché des Enfants Rouges

Address: 39 Rue de Bretagne, 75003 Paris
Arrondissement: 3rd

The oldest covered market in Paris remains one of its most enjoyable lunch destinations. Moroccan dishes sit next to Japanese bento, Italian specialties, and French classics. Come without a plan and follow whatever smells best.

Order: Whatever catches your eye.

Bistrot des Tournelles

Address: 6 Rue des Tournelles, 75004 Paris
Arrondissement: 4th

A neighborhood institution in Le Marais, Bistrot des Tournelles delivers exactly what many visitors hope to find in Paris: honest cooking, relaxed service, and a room filled with locals. Unpretentious and consistently good.

Order: Steak au poivre.

Au Pied de Cochon

Address: 6 Rue Coquillière, 75001 Paris
Arrondissement: 1st

Serving diners day and night since 1947, Au Pied de Cochon is one of Paris's legendary brasseries. The menu celebrates classic French comfort food, making it an excellent late-night stop after an evening spent exploring the city.

Order: French onion soup.

Boot Café

Address: 19 Rue du Pont aux Choux, 75003 Paris
Arrondissement: 3rd

Housed inside a former cobbler's workshop, Boot Café is one of the smallest and most charming coffee shops in Paris. The coffee is excellent, the space is beautiful, and the location makes it a perfect stop while exploring Le Marais.

Order: Flat white.

Shopping & Bookstores

Taschen

Address: 2 Rue de Buci, 75006 Paris
Arrondissement: 6th

A paradise for lovers of photography, architecture, fashion, design, and contemporary art books.

Shakespeare and Company

Address: 37 Rue de la Bûcherie, 75005 Paris
Arrondissement: 5th

The world's most famous English-language bookstore remains a pilgrimage site for literary travelers.

Librairie Delamain

Address: 155 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris
Arrondissement: 1st

One of Paris's oldest bookstores, serving readers since the eighteenth century.

Stohrer

Address: 51 Rue Montorgueil, 75002 Paris
Arrondissement: 2nd

Founded in 1730, Stohrer remains the oldest pâtisserie in Paris.

A.P.C. Surplus

Address: 20 Rue André del Sarte, 75018 Paris
Arrondissement: 18th

A favorite among fashion insiders seeking understated Parisian style.

Librairie du Globe

Address: 67 Boulevard de Sébastopol, 75001 Paris
Arrondissement: 1st

A fascinating independent bookstore specializing in Eastern European literature and culture.

Passage Jouffroy

Address: Boulevard Montmartre, 75009 Paris
Arrondissement: 9th

One of Paris's most beautiful covered passages, filled with independent shops and old-world charm.

59 Rivoli

Address: 59 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris
Arrondissement: 1st

Part gallery, part artist residency, part creative laboratory. One of the last places in central Paris that still feels genuinely spontaneous.

FAQ

What is the best neighborhood to stay in Paris?

Le Marais is the best all-round choice for first-time visitors thanks to its combination of boutique hotels, museums, cafés, shopping, and nightlife. Saint-Germain-des-Prés offers a more classic Parisian experience, while the 8th arrondissement is ideal for luxury travelers.

How many days do you need in Paris?

Three to four days is enough for a first visit. Five days allows you to experience the city more slowly and discover neighborhoods beyond the major landmarks.

When is the best time to visit Paris?

April to June and September to October offer the best combination of weather, atmosphere, and cultural programming. Winter is quieter, moodier, and often more affordable.

Final Thoughts

Paris is a city that rewards curiosity. Stay for another coffee. Spend longer than planned in a museum. Buy the book you don't need. Wander down the side street. The best version of Paris isn't the one in the guidebooks—it's the one you discover when you're not looking for it.