Paris never runs out of ideas, but you have to know where to look. Every week, we comb through the capital to bring you 5 must-do experiences, including restaurants, exhibitions, cultural outings and activities that make the city's heart beat.
The ultra-chic spa at the Plaza Athénée invites you to take a break to reconnect with yourself through Crystal Sound Baths, sound baths timed to the astrological calendar, a subject Christian Dior was passionate about. A truly sensory experience, the sound bath offers a moment of absolute relaxation thanks to the vibrations and sounds of crystal singing bowls, which soothe both body and mind. Led by a sound therapy expert in the intimate setting of the Grand Salon at the Dior Spa, the session takes place in small groups. Comfortably reclined, participants are invited to close their eyes and let themselves be carried away by the enveloping sound waves, like a magical lullaby. The sessions are aligned with the lunar calendar: on 14 July, for the new moon, the session will focus on emotional security and wellbeing. On 26 July, for the full moon, the theme will be authenticity; on 12 August, for the solar eclipse, the theme will be inner rebirth; and on 28 August, the theme will be letting go. The programme continues throughout the year with two sessions a month, running until December.
Sound Bath Session, 1 hour, €250, maximum 5 people
The sun is at its zenith – it’s time to get your sunglasses out! For over 20 years, JLC Opticien has been dressing the eyes of all of Paris – from political figures to the most prominent creatives – with a carefully curated, avant-garde selection. In its light-filled luxury boutique, you’ll find the most coveted French brands, from Céline to Yves Saint Laurent, not to mention Thierry Lasry. This summer’s favourite: Max Pittion, a niche French brand with a distinctive style, featuring handcrafted and sustainably produced frames. Design enthusiasts will be in their element with creations from the Swiss-Japanese brand Akoni, the German brand Hoffmann, the Danish brand Lindberg and the British brand Oliver Goldsmith. Not to mention the highly sought-after Julius Tart, Oliver Peoples, Bottega Veneta, Thom Browne and Chrome Hearts… All available with or without prescription lenses (featuring bespoke Zeiss lenses). The promise? To see clearly whilst looking your best. But above all, to be unlike anyone else!
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JLC Opticien
*68, rue du Bac, Paris 7th arrondissement
Open Monday to Saturday from 10.00 to 19.30 *
This season’s ice-cream flavour is inspired by an iconic French dessert: riz au lait. We recommend trying Pierre Hermé’s version – indulgent yet nostalgic – a vanilla and caramel rice pudding ice cream, featuring real grains of rice with a melt-in-the-mouth texture and crunchy caramel chips, available in small pots to take away (single portion, 160ml, €9; to share, 500ml, €22).
Pierre Hermé
50, rue de Bretagne, Paris 3rd arrondissement, and around fifteen other locations in Paris
Another option: Ice Bao ice cream on a stick, to take away or enjoy on the spot at any of the eight Parisian Chinese-style canteens, Bao Family, founded by Céline Chung and Billy Pham. Rice, the brand’s signature ingredient, features on the menu in both savoury and sweet forms, and has recently been turned into an ice lolly: rice pudding ice cream, sprinkled with whole grains of rice, all encased in a thin layer of salted butter caramel and chocolate.
Bao Family
€6.50, to eat in or take away, available all summer
Petit Bao Saint-Germain, 73, rue de Seine, Paris 6th arrondissement, and 7 other locations in Paris
Legends of graffiti and urban culture are taking over the Grande Halle de La Villette for an extraordinary exhibition entitled ‘Beyond the streets’. Spanning over 3,600 m², divided into large-scale spaces reminiscent of film sets, the exhibition features monumental works, spectacular installations, rare archive material and brand-new creations. This immersion into the world of street art invites visitors to explore the artistic movement from its origins to the present day: here you’ll come across Tim Conlon’s graffiti-covered freight train, a space dedicated to the legendary New York group, the Beastie Boys, a futuristic room designed by Felipe Pantone, a ‘Vandals’ room’ and a shop conceived by Sarah Andelman, founder of the legendary Colette boutique, featuring limited editions and exclusive items. The line-up is staggering: over 100 internationally renowned artists, including André Saraiva, Glen E. Friedman, JonOne, JR, Keith Haring, Damien Hirst and Futura 2000, are brought together in a single venue.
Designed for visitors of all ages, the experience also features creative workshops, play areas for children, portrait sessions by the artist Fafi (on 7, 8 and 9 August) and a hunt for Invader’s artworks. For a bite to eat, head to Sonny’s Pizza, known for its pizza by the slice.
*Exhibition runs until 30 August 2026 at La Grande Halle de La Villette
211, avenue Jean Jaurès, Paris 19th
Hall 3, behind the Petite Halle
Tuesday to Friday from 11am to 7pm, Saturday from 10am to 7pm, Sunday from 11am to 6pm
Admission from €10 to €23 *
To watch the Grand Prix races in air-conditioned comfort, head to the Blu Café, a hidden gem of a coffee shop set in a light-filled space on the first floor of the Atelier Alpine, near the Opéra. For every Formula 1 Grand Prix, the café organises ‘watch parties’ (booking required), with live coverage of the races on three screens – including one giant screen – in a friendly atmosphere. Created by Italian chef Vittorio Beltramelli, who has been awarded a Michelin star in his previous ventures, the menu at this coffee shop is prepared entirely on the premises: colourful lattes, tamago sando with organic eggs (€12), pata negra to share (€32), melt-in-the-mouth burrata and utterly Instagrammable desserts, such as the blueberry Blu Cheesecake (€12), all made with complete transparency. You can extend the experience with a session on the E-motion driving simulators (from €29.90 for 15 minutes, by reservation, on the ground floor) to step into the shoes of an F1 driver.
Blu Café
Atelier Alpine, 35 Boulevard des Capucines, 1st floor, Paris 2nd
Upcoming F1 broadcasts: Belgian Grand Prix on 19 July at 3.00 pm; Hungarian Grand Prix on 26 July at 3.00 pm; Dutch Grand Prix on 23 August at 3 pm, followed by all Grand Prix races until the end of the F1 season on 6 December 2026.
Open continuously from 10 am to 8 pm Tuesday to Sunday; brunch (optional) at weekends from 10 am to 5 pm, €39
In February 2026, Paris offers a wide choice of outings for lovers: exhibitions, shows, fairs...
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