Paris is one of Europe’s most popular cities, and one of the best times to visit is in the spring.
You can walk along the Seine in the sunshine, see the Eiffel tower framed by stunning blossom trees and enjoy sitting outside one of the many cafes.
Basically, it’s ideal for living out all your Emily in Paris fantasies.
But there are also some manifique cultural events currently taking place in the French capital that you won’t want to miss.
Plus we’ve got some hotel recommendations to round off your stay in style.
So whether you’re a lover of French fashion, a hip-hop fan or a cinephile, these are the places to put on your Paris to-do list.
Where to visit
…for music lovers
Music has always run through Paris’s veins, the city spawning crooners from Edith Piaf to Johnny Hallyday.
Since the 1980s, though, it has also produced rappers and hip-hop artists (check out Dee Nasty and MC Solaar).
Their evolution is traced in Hip-Hop 360, an exhibition at the Paris Philharmonic.
You’ll find NYC street photography, boom boxes, graffiti art, and interviews with rappers and music industry insiders – and you’ll be given headphones to listen to
a variety of tracks.
‘We wanted to attract a younger audience who might not necessarily visit the Philharmonic,’ says Hamid Si Amer, who has also coordinated exhibitions on David Bowie.
Until July 24, tickets from £5.70.
… for film fans
A museum dedicated to one of France’s best-loved singer-songwriters and actors, craggy-faced Serge Gainsbourg, is due to open later this year.
Maison Gainsbourg, set in his former home, will showcase artefacts and mementos, a bookstore and a bar.
Film fans will also love Festival Paradiso (from July 1), a multi-day event celebrating cinema, food and music hosted by independent cinema chain MK2.
…for fashionistas
Paris has always been known for chic clobber and one of its biggest exhibitions this year celebrates Yves Saint Laurent.
To celebrate 60 years since his first catwalk show, the Pierre Bergé-Yves-Saint-Laurent Foundation is showcasing his life and work across six of Paris’s museums, each with a different theme.
Perhaps best known for ‘le smoking’, a tuxedo for women, you’ll also see his 1960s mini dresses and bejewelled pieces (Yves Saint Laurent Aux Musées runs until May 15. Check individual museums for tickets).
The fashion business is also celebrating 50 years of the Smiley face symbol at department store Galeries Lafayette.
You’ll also find a pop-up collaboration with Karl Lagerfeld, and ‘50 for 50’ – 50 brands curated by Sarah Andelman.
Where to stay
For un séjour with a soupçon of ooh la la, check into Paris’s Chouchou Hotel (rooms from £185pn) in the 9th arrondissement.
Aside from its 60 hip bedrooms and its cool co-working space and bar, La Guinguette, it has three private jacuzzi rooms in the basement.
It’s decorated with neon artwork, 1970s- style rattan furniture and seductive lighting.
Or for a touch of maximalist whimsy, try Les Deux Gares (rooms from £105pn), perfectly positioned between Gare du Nord and Gare de l’Est.
A travel card is available for 1, 2, 3 or 5 consecutive days for unlimited use of the metro, buses and metropolitan trains. From £10, ratp.fr/en.
The Paris Museum Pass offers free and discounted admission to 60 museums and monuments for 2, 4 or 6 days. From £43, parismuseumpass.fr/t-en. For more information visit en.parisinfo.com.
Eurostar has recently increased its services between London and Paris. Tickets from £57 one way, eurostar.com.
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