Top things to do in Paris

Iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower draw millions of visitors each year, but the Grand Palais des Champs-Élysées is another unmissable architectural gem. Built for the 1900 Paris Expo, the striking Beaux-Arts structure, which closed in 2021 for renovations, is set to temporarily reopen for Olympic fencing and taekwondo events before a full reopening in 2025. Opéra Garnier, also known as the Palais Garnier, is another 19th-century architectural masterpiece worth checking out. Beyond its opulent façade and lavish interiors, it is the perfect venue to enjoy world-class opera and ballet performances.

One of the best places to see Paris’s ever-growing green spaces is its 19th arrondissement. Begin with a stroll through one of the city’s largest parks, Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, which was transformed from a former gypsum quarry and showcases exquisite landscape art. Rosa Bonheur, a charming restaurant with a spacious terrace at the heart of the park, hosts many cultural and community events over the summer.

Meanwhile, the more popular Jardin du Luxembourg in the Latin Quarter dates to the early 1600s when the construction of the Luxembourg Palace began as the residence of Marie de’ Medici. The building is now the meeting place of the French Senate, yet the 23-hectare park remains popular as a picnic spot.