Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile in Paris. Image: incamerastock / Alamy Stock Photo.
Paris is a city of multitudes. But in our world, it’s the inviting art museums, stunning architectural design, vintage watch culture, fine dining, and the city’s rich history of jewelry, decorative arts, fashion, and luxury that pushes us to make new discoveries with each visit. So, coinciding with a major global event that you may have heard is taking place this summer in Paris, we’ve put together a guide to some of our favorite spaces in the city. In addition to any sports, let the fine art, cultural history, and l’art de vivre accompany your own travel or dreams.
If your Paris plans fall outside of summer, be sure to visit Phillips. Our inviting and discreet gallery space — currently closed through 25 August — is located at 46 Rue du Bac and hosts exhibitions and auction previews throughout the art season.
Art Museums & Exhibitions
As one of the most important museums in the world, the Louvre is of course a must-visit for art lovers traveling to Paris. Holding enough cultural treasures to justify several sojourns to the most famous city on the Seine — including the Winged Victory of Samothrace, the Venus de Milo, and Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa — the museum’s Richelieu Gallery is holding a special exhibition this summer that reviews the creation of the first modern Olympic Games in the late 19th century. Open through 16 September, the exhibition considers the visual language and political stage of that time and explores how the organizers reshaped an Ancient Greek event for the modern era.
A contemporary global landmark of urban design, Fondation Louis Vuitton was manifested by hundreds of architects and thousands of builders and has now been in operation for 13 years. Located in the Bois de Boulogne in the Western Suburbs of Paris or La Coulée Verte, the grounds alone are enough of a reason for a visit, but the current special exhibition Matisse’s Red Studio promises to be a highlight of the summer. The exhibition brings together six paintings, three sculptures, and a porcelain piece that appear in Matisse’s painting Red Studio, retracing the artist’s steps in producing this masterwork. On view through 9 September.
A Fashion & Jewelry Tour
Jewelry lovers won’t want to miss the famed gallery on the second floor of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs (MAD Paris), where large glass display cases showcase extraordinary antique jewelry alongside a fashion and jewelry-themed exhibition. The Palais Galliera, is another important stop for jewelry and fashion lovers, featuring historic pieces from Chanel, Dior, and more. The basement of the Petit Palais also houses a stunning collection of Art Nouveau jewelry, including pieces by Georges Fouquet, Vever, and Henri Husson.
A Watch Lover’s Paradise
Geneva is of course required visiting for the watch crowd, but we shouldn’t sleep on Paris either. Historic retailers abound in the city and are housed in architectural marvels that line the streets that birthed contemporary luxury.
A particularly well-hidden gem serves as a monument to the father of the tourbillon — Abraham Louis Breguet. Located on the upper level of the Breguet Boutique at 6 Place Vendôme (by appointment only), the space presents important documents and artifacts that trace the history of Monsieur Breguet’s eponymous house, and indeed the history of horology itself. Vintage enthusiasts will take further pleasure in the remarkable shops the city has to offer, including Antoine De Macedo, L’Atelier du Temps, and Montres Mania.
Epicurean Delights
Hailed as one of the most beautiful restaurants in Paris by Vogue, Beefbar is just a few steps away from the Champs-Elysées. Taking over the space previously held by the famous La Fermette Marbeuf restaurant, it has been listed as a historical monument since 1983 and is considered a masterpiece of Art Nouveau design. The current Beefbar embodies the easy elegance of the city with a creative menu from the mind of executive chef Thierry Paludetto that breaks the mold of the traditional steakhouse.
Also not to be missed is the iconic Musée d’Orsay — one of the city’s greatest art treasures — which will open its fifth-floor terrace as a sky bar this summer. Guests can enjoy the beautiful scenery along the Seine from the sky bar’s symphony of secret gardens with arches, greenery, and decor that echo the Impressionist scenes on display within the museum.
Editor’s Note: Please be sure to check with institutions and establishments prior to visiting. Temporary closures this summer may be frequent and appointments may be required.