Where To Stay, Eat, And Play This Summer In Paris

We update this article monthly so that you can always follow the latest happenings in Paris.

• This spring, the Fondation Louis Vuitton is hosting a landmark exhibition by David Hockney, a towering figure in both 20th and 21st-century art. Taking over the entire building, this exceptional event, running from April 9th to August 31st, will showcase over 400 works spanning Hockney's career (1955-2025). The exhibition will feature paintings from international museums, private collections, and the artist's own studio and Foundation, encompassing a diverse range of media from oil and acrylic painting to digital art and immersive video installations.

From April 9th to August 31st at the Fondation Louis Vuitton

• 'Tous Léger!' at the Musée du Luxembourg showcases an unprecedented partnership between two major collections from the Côte d'Azur, resulting in a captivating exhibition. Works by Niki de Saint Phalle, Arman, Yves Klein, Raymond Hains, Martial Raysse, and César meet the plastic innovations of avant-garde pioneer Fernand Léger. The exhibition also illustrates early European-American artistic exchanges with pieces by Roy Lichtenstein and Keith Haring. Featuring nearly 100 works, the exhibition playfully explores themes of object misappropriation, the body and leisure, and art in public space.

From March 19 to July 20, 2025 at the Musée du Luxembourg

• The exhibition Robert Doisneau's 'Instants Donnés' at the Musée Maillol in Saint Germain marks the return of Robert Doisneau’s photographs to Paris after years of absence. From a vast archive of 450,000 photographs, around 400 have been meticulously chosen for this exhibition. Iconic images are presented alongside entirely new series, revealing the photographer's remarkable ability to capture the nuances of human experience across diverse settings, including childhood, artists, writers, cafés, the Vogue years, and the stark realities of suburban life.

Ends October 12, 2025 at the Musée Maillol

• Visit the Musée National Picasso in the Marais and discover a collection of 5,000 works of the Spanish artist and the artists that he worked alongside. It is the largest public collection of works by Picasso anywhere in the world. From March 12, the Musée national Picasso will once again be showcasing its collection over three floors, following a year of celebration and a masterly exhibition devoted to the artist Sophie Calle.

• The Bourse de Commerce is presenting the exhibition "Corps et âmes," an exploration of the representation of the body in contemporary art, using some one hundred works from the Pinault Collection.

Until August 25, 2025

• As one of the most significant events in the tennis calendar, the French Open, also called Roland-Garros, takes place over two weeks every year towards the end of May. This year's tournament commences on May 25th.

• Located within the iconic Grand Palais, Le Grand Café opened its doors on May 9th, 2025, offering a sophisticated reimagining of the traditional Parisian brasserie, envisioned by renowned French interior architect Dirand. The ambience is set by a brick-toned colour scheme, luxurious velvet banquettes, rich wood panelling, and subtly aged mirrors. Expect servers in white jackets, and live jazz from a charming stage beneath the impressive 60-foot ceilings. The menu presents a delightful blend of nostalgic favourites, including buttery sole meunière and steak au poivre, and unexpected culinary adventures like citrus-crusted veal sweetbreads and a refreshing green bean, raspberry, and lobster salad.

Photos: Matthieu Salvaing

• Les Enfants du Marché is not new — it's been around for a while. What is new is the menu. Everyday. What's great is the vibe: casual, yet elegant with counter and high-top dining. On a sunny day, it can't be beaten, with excellent people watching and a cool team whipping up creative seasonal food not seen on every menu. Expect dishes such as asparagus with stracciatella and an apple-like citrus compote, alongside natural and conventional wines. Allow yourself at least an hour and a half here, then pick up fresh produce, bread, and groceries from the market shops. An afternoon very well-spent.

Bistrot Des Tournelles: Every meal at Bistrot des Tournelles feels like the best meal ever. Classic French dishes are executed to perfection. Every meat dish is followed by Michelin-grade “au jus”, and you get as much jus as you want. There are two side dish choices of frites or puréed potatoes - choose BOTH. A selection of beautiful natural wines with a focus on the Beaujolais region. The Bistrot des Tournelles opened in 2022 and was named “Best Bistro of 2023” by Le Fooding.

• Bistrot Paul Bert in the 11th arrondissement delivers dishes like a delicate feuilleté of calf sweetbreads with mushrooms, and a flavorful roast venison accompanied by cranberries and celeriac purée. Expect generous and tasty plates prepared without unnecessary fuss, but be sure to save room for the irresistible rum baba!

• Chez George on Rue du Mail in the 2nd arrondissement is an institution and probably our favourite restaurant in Paris. A menu penned in purple ink, a service that's both friendly and attentive, cheerful wines, and an owner who treats every guest like a cherished friend – this is the essence. Add to that clear, comforting cuisine crafted from quality, well-sourced ingredients, and a shimmering decor featuring moleskin benches, wall moldings, a vast pewter counter, elegantly set tables, and large mirrors that create an inclusive, club-like feel. Above all, there's always a palpable buzz, a sense that "something" special is happening.

• Septime is possibly the hardest table to book in Paris, but worth the effort. The restaurant sources over 90% of its ingredients from within France with a focus on vegetables, whole animals, and natural wine. Despite its decade-lasting success, both the cuisine and the wines are still reasonably priced. The decor, service, and overall mood of the restaurant are very chill and relaxed, rather than your typical fine-dining cuisine. Keep your expectations more reasonable than “better be worth it” so that you see their genuine pleasure in welcoming you.

• Delicatessen Place in the 11th arrondissement, with its memorable "Cordonnerie Derby" sign and green exterior (a former shoe repair shop), feels like a true neighborhood find. The interior blends exposed concrete, wooden walls, and dangling Edison bulbs. Their by-the-glass selection is often natural and French, while the adjoining wine shop allows you to handpick a bottle, have it opened, and enjoy it at the bar or on the sidewalk. The casual, buffet-style snacks are served up whenever the friendly bartender can get to you.

• Aux Deux Amis is the quintessential Parisian wine bar you imagine: softly lit, with red-backed mirrored walls and a classic awning shading bistro tables, all bearing the charming marks of time. Despite its name ("between two friends"), the atmosphere buzzes with the energy of a lively gathering. Expect friendly encounters and shared drinks in this perpetually packed spot, where vinyl stools at the bar and standing room in between are the norm. The bartenders, with their direct yet knowledgeable French manner, will guide regulars through their extensive wine list. Enjoy simple, delicious plates of sardines, saucisson, and chicken liver alongside your drinks.

• Hôtel Madame Rêve has found its home within the magnificent former Louvre Post Office, an opulent address in the heart of the first arrondissement. Under the artistic direction of Laurent Taïeb, this exceptional hotel has revived its Second Empire interiors to their former glory, while adding modern touches like a rooftop 'forest garden' with a bar and 360° views. Discover retro wood-lined rooms offering glimpses of iconic monuments, and a penthouse Japanese restaurant. With collaborations involving 70 artists, a secret garden, and even a functioning post office, Hôtel Madame Rêve is truly a dream destination, a story worth sharing.

Book here

• Discover an intimate and exclusive Parisian stay at Cinabre Suites, discreetly located on a private street in the 9th arrondissement. Fashioned by a luxury brand, this new concept features only two carefully curated rooms, where you can enjoy amenities like hot water, a hi-fi system, signature cocktails, and impeccable French hospitality.

Book here

84 Rooms recommends: The Best Neo-Bistros In Paris, and Five Natural Wine Bars In Paris.