An intimate criterion

Montmartre Cemetery, two centuries of history and famous residents

Montmartre Cemetery is the final resting place of François Truffaut, Jeanne Moreau, Michel Berger, France Gall, Dalida, and Émile Zola. It’s a must-see and refreshing detour in the Montmartre district.

Le cimetière du Montparnasse, un lieu de mémoire où reposent de grandes figures à Paris Montparnasse Cemetery, a place of memory where great figures rest in Paris

The Montparnasse cemetery is the final resting place of many famous personalities, and a stroll through it is a free and instructive pleasure.

France's oldest animal cemetery at Asnières-sur-Seine (92)

Did you know? France’s oldest animal cemetery is in the Île-de-France region, within easy reach of the metro. It is the dog cemetery in the town of Asnières-sur-Seine. Here lie some of history’s most famous animals, as well as others, anonymous yet beloved.

Les Cabanes de l'Orvanne: we tried a night perched in the trees near Moret-sur-Loing

Only an hour from Paris and just a short drive from Fontainebleau, Les Cabanes de l'Orvanne offers a unplugged escape in the heart of a preserved 95-hectare natural estate. A chance to spend a premium night in a perched cabin, with a private Nordic bath and 100% locally sourced gourmet baskets.

Arbane: the cocktail bar in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, with a vaulted cellar available for private hire.

Arbane is a cocktail bar in Paris’s 6th arrondissement, in Saint‑Germain‑des‑Prés, where signature creations, a softly lit ambience and a friendly‑priced Happy Hour set the pace for your evenings. Not to mention that you can privatise Arbane’s vaulted cellar, a unique space in the heart of the neighbourhood.

Which fruits, vegetables and herbs to harvest at Île-de-France's pick-your-own farms this winter?

Leeks, cabbages, beets and winter greens — the fields aren’t entirely resting in the cold! Here are the fruits, vegetables and herbs you can still hope to harvest from Île-de-France’s pick-your-own farms in winter.

Which fruits, vegetables and herbs to harvest at Île-de-France’s pick-your-own farms this autumn?

Apples, pears, pumpkins, carrots and late tomatoes... The fields of Île-de-France change their face in autumn. Here are the fruits, vegetables and herbs to harvest in Île-de-France’s pick-your-own season, as the year unfolds.

Which fruits, vegetables and herbs should you harvest at Île-de-France's pick-your-own farms this spring?

Bright red strawberries, asparagus, peas and the first herbs of the season — spring is bringing color back to the fields! Here’s what you can harvest yourself at the Île-de-France pick-your-own farms, week by week.

Eskal, Alexandre Chambat’s globe-trotting gastronomic restaurant that has foodies buzzing

Not far from Saint-Lazare station, Eskal pulls off the feat of offering authorial haute cuisine that is at once creative, readable, and deeply sincere. Led by chef Alexandre Chambat, this inaugural address is already establishing itself as one of the year's most notable openings in Paris.

Can you visit Notre-Dame without waiting in line? Yes—provided you follow a few rules.

Visitors who want to explore the interior of Notre-Dame can attend one of the daily services free of charge. An option open to everyone, as long as you come primarily to participate in the celebration or to fully respect its flow. Here’s what you need to know.

Can you visit the Sacré-Cœur without waiting in line? Yes—provided you respect the site.

The Sacré-Cœur Basilica in Montmartre is open free of charge every day and hosts several daily masses. The services are accessible to all, believers and non-believers alike, but they should not be seen as a way to bypass the visitors’ wait. Here’s what you need to know before you push open the basilica's doors.

How to visit the Grand Orient de France, Paris's oldest Masonic obedience?

Installed in the 9th arrondissement since the 19th century, the Grand Orient de France is the headquarters of the oldest and most influential Masonic obedience in France. Behind the façades of this townhouse lie Masonic temples, a library, archives, and a museum designated as a Musee de France. A look at the history of this little-known site and the possibilities for visiting it.

Can you visit the Grand Lodge of France, Paris’s iconic Freemasonry landmark?

In the 17th arrondissement of Paris, one of the principal headquarters of French Freemasonry lies in wait. The Grande Loge de France, just like the Grande Loge Féminine de France, boasts a rich history of heritage, philosophy, and defining episodes. Can you step through their doors? Here’s what you need to know.

How can you visit the Paris Judicial Court, that 160-meter-tall tower?

Seen from miles around, the Paris Judicial Court has dominated the Batignolles district since 2018. Conceived by architect Renzo Piano, this 160-meter-tall building has profoundly reshaped the way justice operates in Paris. A look back at its history, its architecture, and the options for visiting it.

Is it possible to visit the Court of Cassation, the jurisdiction born during the French Revolution?

Situated on the Île de la Cité, the Court of Cassation is part of the Palais de Justice in Paris. As the highest court of the French judiciary, it features monumental chambers, a Napoléon III-era library... and bears multiple traces of the building’s turbulent history!

How can you visit the Hôtel de Bourvallais, the seat of the Ministry of Justice in Paris?

For more than three centuries, the Ministry of Justice has occupied an elegant townhouse on Place Vendôme. A look back at the history of the Hôtel de Bourvallais and the rare occasions to visit it.

Is it possible to visit the Sorbonne, the iconic landmark of the Latin Quarter in Paris?

Founded in the 13th century, the Sorbonne stands as one of the enduring symbols of higher education in France. A flagship monument of the Latin Quarter, it houses a grand amphitheater, the chapel where Richelieu is laid to rest, and interiors normally reserved for students and official ceremonies. Explore the possibilities for visiting.

How to visit the École des Mines, the prestigious engineering school in Paris?

Just a stone’s throw from the Luxembourg Gardens, the École des Mines de Paris occupies an 18th‑century grand townhouse. It houses a historic library, a Mineralogy Museum among the richest in the world, and a heritage collection rarely open to the public.

Is it possible to visit the École normale supérieure, the renowned institution of academic excellence?

Located on Rue d'Ulm since the 19th century, the École normale supérieure stands among France's most prestigious institutions. A look back at the history of this emblematic site and at the rare opportunities to visit it.

Can you visit the National Academy of Medicine, the landmark institution in Paris's 6th arrondissement?

Based on Rue Bonaparte since the early 20th century, the National Academy of Medicine has been advising public authorities on major health issues for more than two centuries. It houses a spectacular meeting hall, a patrimonial library, and extensive collections that are rarely visible to the general public.