There are plenty of great ideas for exploring Paris as 2026 kicks off. Here are our top 10 activities to fill your free time and tour the capital.
Make your own ceramic or glass service, learn all about making beer, coffee, wine or burrata, make your own wallet, jewellery, leather bag or practice the art of kokedama ... the options are endless with WeCanDoo. In workshops. The famous house of Fragonard invites you to create your own perfume, while the Caves du Louvre invites you to make your own wine! Cheese lovers will discover the secrets of cheese making and food/wine pairing! Finally, Les Galeries Lafayette - the iconic department stores' on boulevard Haussmann - is also organising its own workshops in an exceptional setting: macaroon making, cookery classes...
Blue Fox Travel unveils its itinerary for bicycle fans, in a 4-hour bike ride. Discover landmark sights including the Champs-Élysées, the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame de Paris, the Louvre Museum, Orsay Museum, Place de la Concorde and Invalides, and enjoy a meal at the famous market in Rue Cler (in English only). Holland Bikes offers a 3-hour itinerary (English, German and Dutch) that takes you not only to some landmark monuments, but also to an authentic area of Paris, off the beaten track.
Art is everywhere in Paris, especially in the streets! As you stroll through the city, be sure to look up and search for unexpected sections of wall to discover many treasures. The must-do activity for fans of street art? The hunt for Space Invaders - little mosaic creatures that are hidden all over the place. You can also take a guided tour to learn more about the history of street art, local artists, and the conventions of this art form. My Urban Experience plunges you into the heart of Belleville where you will find some very fine works. And if all these walks have inspired you, try your hand at a graffiti workshop in the district of Bercy!
The year begins with music and in the spotlight in Paris! The greatest classics and most eagerly awaited shows are on the bill in Parisian theatres, offering a wide choice to start the new year with excitement.
Among the must-sees, don't miss the grand return of two legendary shows. Celebrate the 25th anniversary of Notre Dame de Paris at the Palais des Congrès de Paris from 19 December 2025 to 4 January 2026, and rediscover the most famous of classics at the Théâtre Mogador, ‘The Lion King’, until 28 June 2026. The atmosphere is also glamorous and jazzy with Chicago the Musical at the Casino de Paris, until 31 January 2026, while the Théâtre du Lido is hosting one of the events of the 2025 season: Les Demoiselles de Rochefort.
Mathieu Kassovitz's cult film is also being adapted for the stage! The event La Haine, Jusqu'ici rien n'a changé can be discovered at La Seine Musicale until 4 January 2026, in a production combining rap, dance and theatre. For fans of cult musical theatre, La Cage aux Folles, starring Laurent Lafitte, is making a comeback at the Théâtre du Châtelet. Families can enjoy the adventures of Alex the lion in Madagascar at the Théâtre du Gymnase until 4 January 2026 or the interactive and magical atmosphere of Mon Premier Cabaret at the Paradis Latin.
And for even more magic, head to the Grande Écurie du Château de Versailles to marvel at the magnificent equestrian show La voie de l'Écuyère, choreographed by Bartabas (returning from 21 February 2026).
Keep the holiday spirit going by enjoying some good times as a family. Looking for a great way to discover the wonders of Paris? Set off on a bus tour of Paris, a city full of surprises, with the Tootbus Kids Tour.
Who says museums are boring? Not young Parisians and visitors, that’s for sure! To soak up knowledge in an entertaining way, visit the Museum of Magic and Automata, the Cité de l’Histoire, the Museum of Illusions and the Paradox Museum. Plenty of laughter and fascinating facts in store!
Treasure hunts are plentiful in Paris, bringing the whole family together in a fun way with a common goal: having fun as a family! The family shows don't end at the end of the school holidays, as there are plenty of options for having a good time with the whole family on the Parisian stage at the beginning of 2026.
And finally, the beginning of the year is the perfect time to treat yourself to a day out at Disneyland® Paris or take advantage of the last few days (until 4 January 2026) of Gallic Christmas at Parc Astérix.
The Bourse de Commerce - Pinault Collection pays tribute to minimalist art with the exhibition Minimal (until 19 January 2026), which champions purity and simplicity. In the Bois de Boulogne, the Fondation Louis Vuitton is dedicating a major retrospective to Gerhard Richter - until 2 March 2026 - a major figure in contemporary art covering 60 years of creation. The Fondation Cartier pour l'art contemporain made its grand return in October 2025 to its new location on the Place du Palais Royal with a huge exhibition of its entire collection, which you can check out until 23 August 2026!
The Musée national Picasso-Paris explores the critical and ironic work of contemporary artist Raymond Pettibon. Underground (until 1 March 2026). For lovers of classical and modern painting, the Musée d'Orsay highlights the master of American portraiture John Singer Sargent. Dazzling Paris (until 11 January 2026), while the Musée de l'Orangerie introduces us to Berthe Weill. Avant-garde gallery owner (until 26 January 2026), who supported Picasso and Matisse in the early 20th century. The Musée du quai Branly - Jacques Chirac offers a journey into Amazônia. Indigenous Creations and Futures (until 18 January 2026), and the National Museum of the History of Immigration examines current events with Migrations & Climate (until 5 April 2026), an exhibition on human and non-human displacement in the face of climate change. Finally, a spectacular immersive experience awaits families at the Atelier des Lumières with Dinosaurs - The Immersive Experience (until 28 February 2026).
Other major events enrich the agenda at the start of the year and deserve special attention:
Take to the skies for this New Year! Either aboard the Ballon PanoraMagique de Disney®Village (flyover of the Disneyland® parks for 6 minutes) or aboard the Ballon Generali (10 minutes with a spectacular view of Paris)!
In the category of unusual and unexpected visits to do in Paris, I recommend a visit to the Courthouse of Paris, an architectural masterpiece designed by Renzo Piano in the quartier des Batignolles or the Égouts de Paris, a place captivated by its history.
Walking is another way to discover the capital’s hidden gems. Many ideas for geolocalized walks are available on our website: arty Montparnasse, the heights of Belleville, the most beautiful Parisian courtyards, or by following in the footsteps of famous female figures who have left their mark on Paris.
And if you want to know all the secrets, see hidden corners and hear the most fascinating anecdotes, the best option is to hire a guide. These enthusiastic and interesting professionals create unique, classic or unexpected themed tours, and lead you off the beaten track to help you see the capital in an entirely new light. For example, Paris A Dream organizes foodie tours in districts with a vibrant food scene. Or Vrai Paris, which immerses you in a local experience to reveal the unsuspected secrets of the capital in neighbourhoods such as Goutte d'Or, Montmartre, Nouvelle-Athènes, the Latin Quarter, Butte aux Cailles and many others...
Specialising in backstage tours of major monuments and institutions, Cultival takes you behind the scenes of the Stade de France, the workshops of the Manufacture des Gobelins or the covered passages.
Looking for an outing that is authentic and a bit retro? Tour Paris in a 2 CV ! Enjoy being driven around in one of these iconic vintage cars that have made France famous for years. Saint-Germain-des-Prés, the Latin Quarter, the Seine riverbanks, Montmartre, the Eiffel Tower or Opéra Garnier, the cars of Paris Authentic take you everywhere. By day or by night, you can open the convertible top and visit Paris with your hair blowing in the wind. And for an even more original way to discover the city, take sidecar with Retro-Tour. The eco-friendly tours on bicycle taxis organized by Turtle last from 30 minutes to 1 hour and are available all year round, as the vehicles are equipped for bad weather.
Take advantage of the year 2026 to discover the richesses of Greater Paris. Explore emblematic places that combine history, culture and grandiose spectacles. Start your escapade at the Basilica-cathedral of Saint-Denis, cradle of Gothic art and necropolis of the kings of France.
Then immerse yourself in history and architecture with a visit to three not-to-be-missed châteaux: the Château de Vincennes, an imposing medieval fortress at the gateway to Paris, the majestic Château de Versailles, with its formal gardens, and finally the sumptuous Vaux-le-Vicomte, the masterpiece that inspired Versailles and transports you into a dream setting.
Finally, for a touch of modernity, dive behind the scenes at the legendary Stade de France, in Saint-Denis, and discover the secrets of this arena that hosts the greatest sporting and musical events.
Start 2026 in style with the official Paris city pass, the perfect gift to give - or to treat yourself! - to prolong the magic of the festive season and explore Paris in a different way.
Create your own programme with tailor-made activities: visit the Eiffel Tower, immerse yourself in an iconic museum, cruise on the Seine, or even guided walks or bike rides. This pass combines flexibility and savings! Enjoy a Paris that suits you from as little as €59.
