This summer, the Eiffel Tower is being dressed in five-coloured (and familiar) rings, and Paris prepares to welcome no fewer than 15.3 million visitors for the Olympic and Paralympic games. Dipping between events to sightsee will prove more of a challenge than ever before. So, we suggest leaving the Louvre and Arc de Triomphe to another visit and digging a little deeper into the chic and offbeat spots of the French capital. Balance out triathlons with sculpture gardens, and take pressure off intense matches with un verre de Moët. This is our Insider Guide to Paris for 2024. Exploring easily-forgotten nooks of Parisian side streets, alongside pop-ups and exhibitions to catch before they're gone. This week we focus on the city's culture, cool areas and experiences. Sit tight for next week where we will take a culinary turn and delve into go-to eateries and satisfy any retail therapy needs with a guide to Paris shopping. Allons-y!
SPHERE's Insider Guide to Paris 2024
26th July 2024
Calling all Olympics attendees and Paris-lovers. We present SPHERE's Insider Guide to Paris 2024, providing you with a list of spots to squeeze in between sporting events or on your next visit to the hallowed city. From botanical gardens to light shows and a palate-enticing Moët & Chandon resto pop-up, Paris has so much to offer this summer and beyond. In Part One Paris, our attention turns to the city's culture and experiences. In Part Two Paris, we will be diving into cafes, restaurants and hidden boutiques galore. Our lead image depicts the last Paris Olympics, exactly 100 years ago, when the British athlete Harold Maurice Abrahams won the 100-metre sprint. Not bragging or hoping, nous?
Words and pictures by LOLO SCHAW MILLER, LISA BARNARD and PIPPA LOWE
SPHERE's Insider Guide to Experiences in Paris 2024
Near to Le Marais is 59 Rivoli (59 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris), a one-of-a-kind gallery, where curation is thrown out the window, and art and artistry are shown in their most authentic form. Enter directly into the contemporary art world when perusing the 30 artists’ ateliers. Formerly an artists’ squat, the building still holds a subcultural energy, immediately felt upon entrance in the street-art style staircase. Make sure to bring some change, as although admission is free, there is a tip jar at the welcome desk. Music events held on Saturdays and Sundays 6 pm are also free.
Learn more via 59rivoli.org
Combining savoir-vivre and savoir-fête (the arts of living and partying well) is this new summer pop-up from Moët & Chandon. Joining forces with Michelin-starred chef Yannick Alléno, this whimsy space is brimming with champagne and culinary creativity. Moët in Paris by Allénos was created with a heartfelt sentiment at its core. Thinking of the Olympic games as a time for people to come together, and for this pop-up to be that meeting place. The vibrant walls are emblazoned with the iconic whirls and swirls of fashion designer and illustrator, Charles de Vimorin, making it difficult to miss (and an amazing photo opp). The menu is extremely vast. Whether stopping in for a hibiscus champagne cocktail, a fully blown three-course meal, or a traditional Parisian sandwich. The choice is yours. View the full menu selection here.
The excitement doesn’t stop at dishes and design. The pop-up will host DJ sets, live music sessions, tastings and even surprise celebrity appearances throughout the season. Qui sait what you will get when stepping into Moët in Paris?
Learn more and book Moët in Paris by Allénos via moetinparis.com/en/
Take a stroll through Le Pere Lachaise cemetery in the 20th arrondissement to see where a series of icons have been laid to rest in the city. From Oscar Wilde and Jim Morrison of The Doors to writer Gertrude Stein and France’s iconic voice, Edith Piaf. Although a bit spooky for some, heading underground to see the Catacombs of Paris is a sure way to avoid any bustling crowds while engrossing yourself in history below the surface.
Learn more about Les Catacombes de Paris via catacombes.paris.fr/en
On the lighter side… plunge yourself into a 360-degree glowing showcase dancing around the walls and high ceilings of Saint-Eustache church. With its gothic romanticism architecture, this is a remarkable setting for a light show. In perfect time with the influx of people visiting for the Olympics, Luminiscence is running now until the 17th August. Book tickets via luminiscence.fr/paris/en/
What better way to spend an evening in Paris than catching a French film at a vintage cinema and having a dance at a jazz club? Cliché or classic? We think classic. Currently showing a variety of French classics Cinema du Pantheon is one of the oldest cinemas in Paris (and the world). Finished with crimson carpet and neon signs for that true vintage feel, transporting you back to its 1930s origins.
Once credits roll, head to Bal Blomet – the oldest Jazz club in Europe, facing its centenary this year. A long-lived piece of the Parisian music scene, Bal Blomet was once frequented by names from Picasso to Hemingway, Miller and Mondrian. Fusing the clandestine vibe of New York speakeasies with retained energy of the Roaring Twenties, the legendary Montparnasse address is a must to catch some spectacular live music against a bare-brick backdrop.
View the upcoming events at Bal Blomet via balblomet.fr/
Giving inspiration to the High Line in New York City, La Promenade Plantée stretches from the 12th arrondissement to Bois de Vincennes. This unique walking garden sits 10 metres above ground, dotted with lush greenery and shimmering pools. Staircases and lifts sit along the route to transport you back to the ground to explore the Viaduc des Arcs. These brick archways run underneath Promenade Plantée and are packed with boutique art galleries. The walk includes a cable footbridge between a point where buildings split. This floats you over Jardin de Reuilly to people-watch any picnickers and take in the green surroundings.
Embark on Promenade Plantée at the crossroads between Rue de Lyon and Avenue Daumesil. The Bois de Vincennes is a roamer's delight. Go in daylight.
SPHERE's Insider Guide to Culture in Paris 2024
A favourite respite for many including SPHERE, Musée Rodin (77 Rue de Varenne, 75007) in the Invalides district is a delectable way to while away an afternoon. The sculpture garden, which exhibits some of Rodin’s most celebrated works, is the perfect spot for a little meander on a sunny day. From sculpture to contemporary.
If it's cutting edge art you are after, the go-to spot for immersing yourself in modern pieces, the Pinault Collection (2 Rue de Viarmes, 75001). Gathered by François Pinault himself over 50 years, the collection boasts over 10,000 works and is one of the largest collections of contemporary art in the world. Allez-y!
One cannot go to Paris without consuming a history of the city, so well told at Musée Carnavalet. Free to enter, the museum takes you through 4,000 works displaying the full history of Paris up until the present day. The current exhibition, ‘The Fontaine des Innocents,’ invites you to explore the large-scale restoration and eventful history of this iconic Parisian fountain located in Les Halles district.
Musée Carnavalet via carnavalet.paris.fr/en
A natural history museum never gets jaded, especially for any dino-loving little ones. This Natural History Museum, however, doesn’t just include ancient skeletons. The botanical wonders of Jardin des Plantes and the wildlife of Parc Zoologique de Paris, are both under the museum’s umbrella. Opening times vary during the Olympic Games so be sure to plan your visit to any of the sites via this link
Soak up the tranquillity of Monet’s eight Water Lily paintings which hang on the walls of two oval rooms in Musée de l’Orangerie in galleries that have been transformed into silent spaces of meditation and reflection. Downstairs accommodates highlight works from the 20th Century Paris art collector, Walter-Guillaume. Afterwards, walk over to Librairie Galignani (224 Rue de Rivoli, 75001), the long-standing bookshop with a large selection of English works as well as friendly, helpful staff who will point you in the right direction.
During the Olympic Games, opening times of Musée de l'Orangerie are limited so ensure you book on the right day! Find out more via musee-orangerie.fr
Musée d'Orsay is an obvious art highlight, with a vast collection of Impressionist art and you can easily lose yourself there for a day or two. To avoid gaggles of tourists go on a Thursday evening when the gallery stays open late (until 9:45pm).
With the Olympic Games on the horizon, many of Paris’ cultural centres and galleries have embraced the event with open arms. Bibliothèque Nationale is dedicating a full exhibition to the history of women’s sport in France since the end of the 19th century. ‘The Stadiums are Ours!’ is running until the 13th of October 2024.
Over in the curvaceous walls of Fondation Louis Vuitton is ‘The Collection: A Sports Meeting’ bringing together hand-picked works from Basquiat to Gursky offering an offbeat look around the theme of sport. Their main current exhibition, ‘Matisse: The Red Studio’ is also well worth a wander around. Presenting the real life objects included in Matisse’s painting, The Red Studio, for the first time ever.
Ok, Claude Monet has had a fair few mentions in this article… this is the last time. Presenting Musée Marmottan Monet. Featuring his name as a nod to being the home of the world’s largest collection of Monet works. With a full room lined with his waterlilies and impressionist pieces. While offering a lot of Monet, this chandeliered gallery has a lot more in store. A current exhibition until September 1st, ‘Un Jeu!’ joins other Parisian galleries in celebrating the Olympic Games. Displaying the relationship between sport an art. Particularly exploring the ethical and aesthetic challenges faced by artists when portraying sport. From Rodin to Delaunay and, you guessed it, Monet.
Art galleries and history museums aren’t everyone’s cup of tea. Fragrance fanatics, get on the scent. The Fragonard Musée de Parfum takes you through the story of perfume and the meticulous processes that go into the making of a real French Eau de Parfum. Featuring a boutique to take away a piece of Maison Fragonard, the museum also has opportunities to get stuck in. Including a Perfumer’s Apprentice Workshop for you to not only learn about perfume, but how to make it yourself.
Fragonard Musée de Parfum, book via musee-parfum-paris.fragonard.com/en/
SPHERE's Insider Guide to Cool Areas in Paris 2024
Explore the street art decorated neighbourhood of La Butte aux Cailles in the 13th. Head towards Place de la Commune and take a pick from one of the surrounding local joints for a relaxed drink. Particularly lively streets are Rue des Cinq Diamants, Rue de la Butte aux Cailles and Rue de l’Espérance.
If Montmartre had too many people and caricaturists for your liking, pop along to Belleville. Once the home of Édith Piaf, this hip neighbourhood is slightly quieter than Montmartre. Hosting Paris’ Chinese Quarter in addition to a smattering of contemporary art galleries. Head down the funky Rue Dénoyez to surround yourself in street art and Rue Belleville for a line of Asian restaurants and markets. Whilst in the area, dip behind the Sacré-Coeur to try and find one of Paris’ last surviving (and most hidden) vineyards, Le Clos Montmartre.
From place to place, Paris is known for its range of vivacious squares. Place Colette is located in the 1st arrondissement between the Louvre and Palais-Royal. Home to the magnificent columned building of Comedie Francaise, the square is often accompanied with street performers and some spontaneous dancing! Place Victor Hugo is a circular plaza linking eight streets, including Avenue Victor-Hugo. Encircling a majestic fountain, Place Victor Hugo is an elegant area to wander through with historic structures including the church of Saint-Honoré-d’Eylau. Finally, Place des Vosges. Enclosed with majestic pavilions, this square is one of the oldest in Paris and worth a visit for a sit in the beautifully symmetrical gardens.
Walk through the elegant Jardin du Palais Royal towards the aforementioned Bibliothèque Nationale de France (5 Rue Vivienne, 75002), where you’ll see hardworking students working in the magnificent reading room.
On the theme of gardens, Jardin du Luxembourg brings a bit of Italy to France. Inspired by Boboli Gardens of Florence, the Luxembourg Gardens border Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Latin Quarter. An orchard, apiary and 106 individual statues are sat within the graceful park. In addition to greenhouses of thriving orchids and a rose garden.
Blend in with the young, trendy locals at Canal Saint Martin. In the evenings, the canal becomes lined with Parisians enjoying a picnic dinner and a drink. Perfect spot to romanticise a new life in Paris! Come via metro to Republique to see Place de la Republique and its central monument.
Another stylish district to peruse is of course Le Marais. However, the area's main highlights are its streets of one-of-a-kind shops and tempting eateries. So we are saving it for part two... SPHERE's Insider Guide to Paris Cafes, Restaurants and Shopping will be coming next week. Stay tuned!
