An intimate criterion

Can you tour the backstage of the Opéra Garnier? The secrets that the audience never sees.

Behind the gilded grandeur of the Opéra Garnier lies a genuine city devoted to show. Fascinating backstages (most of which remain closed to visitors) have fed, for more than a century, every imaginable fantasy.

Is the secret bunker at Gare de l’Est open to visitors? A historic underground shelter preserved exactly as it was.

Built in 1939 to protect railway workers and keep rail traffic moving in the event of an attack, the bunker at Gare de l’Est is one of the best-preserved World War II remnants in Paris, and it is open to visitors... only on rare occasions!

The Denfert-Rochereau bunker, Paris's secret Resistance site that you can visit for free.

Hidden beneath Denfert-Rochereau Square lies an old passive-defense shelter that became the headquarters of the Parisian Resistance in August 1944. An exceptional historic site, it had long been off-limits, but is now open to visitors.

Engine rooms, bunker, Eiffel’s apartment: Can you visit the Eiffel Tower’s behind-the-scenes areas?

Behind the elevators of the Eiffel Tower lies a fascinating technical universe. Machine rooms, maintenance workshops, technical spaces, a bunker, Gustave Eiffel's apartment... These areas closed to the public tell another story of Paris's most famous monument. But can they sometimes be visited?

Mégie, the new botanical canteen, shop and floral workshop along Paris’s riverfront.

A botanical cantine, a floral boutique and a floral-art workshop share space at Mégie, the new address opened in 2026 on the Quai de la Mégisserie, in Paris’s 1st arrondissement. We were there, here’s what it’s like.

Chapelle de la Médaille Miraculeuse, a discreet chapel that hides a site of worldwide pilgrimage

Nestled on rue du Bac in Paris’s 7th arrondissement, the Chapel of the Miraculous Medal draws millions of pilgrims from around the globe each year. Behind its unassuming façade lies a fascinating story that blends Marian apparitions, religious heritage, and popular devotion. Discover the secrets of this emblematic Paris landmark and the visiting guidelines.

Terrace in Maison Roland’s garden at Shangri-La Paris: the 16th arrondissement’s secret refuge.

The Garden Terrace at Shangri-La Paris reopens for the sunny season, just steps from the Trocadéro. This garden, usually closed to the public, now hosts the Maison Roland bistro, to be enjoyed all summer 2026 for a lovely interlude with the Eiffel Tower in view.

Carrot, a British-inspired tea room, opens in Saint-Germain-des-Prés.

Carrot is set to open its doors in November 2026. Conceived by Franco-British founder Amelia Duverger, this contemporary tea room, based in the 6th arrondissement, will reimagine the great classics of English gastronomy in a décor inspired by London cafés.

Osko, a chef who cut his teeth with Anne-Sophie Pic and Pierre Hermé, opens his first restaurant in Paris.

At the helm of Osko, chef Oscar Cornubert, trained under Anne-Sophie Pic and Pierre Hermé, will offer a shareable menu that places the produce front and center, complemented by a cellar designed as a true extension of the plate. Opening planned for December 2026 in the 11th arrondissement!

Midnight Express: the discreet bar car that sails across three continents, between cocktails and bites.

All aboard in the 7th arrondissement! Midnight Express invites you to embark on a culinary journey inspired by legendary trains, with a menu of inventive cocktails and shareable plates influenced by European, American, and Asian flavors.

Maison Ora: semi-private yoga, massages, biokinergie — Paris’s center dedicated to women’s health

Nestled in a warm apartment in the 9th arrondissement, Maison Ora offers a holistic and deeply human approach to women’s health. Between biokinergy, perinatal support, and ultra-private therapeutic yoga classes, this tailor-made cocoon invites you to take the time to heal deeply, far from fast-track medicine.

The Five Must-Visit Addresses from Fitz Group to Celebrate Bastille Day

On Monday, July 13, Fitz Group will celebrate Bastille Day with complementary experiences across its five Parisian venues, centered around the famous fireworks display. With Fitz Group’s locations, you can experience this special evening in several ways, from dinner to a DJ set, cocktails and terraces.

Le Fouquet's Paris, the now-Palace, what is this discreet hotel hiding?

Discreetly located at 46 Avenue George V, just a stone’s throw from its legendary Champs-Élysées brasserie, Hôtel Fouquet’s Paris has just earned in 2026 the Palace label awarded by Atout France, joining the very exclusive circle of 33 exceptional properties in France. If you haven’t heard of it, we tell you everything you need to know about a venue that has more than its fair share of assets.

La Maison du Pain de Commeny (95), an unusual museum offering tours and workshops for families

At the heart of the French Vexin, in Commeny in the Val-d'Oise (95), the Maison du Pain traces the history of this essential staple of the French diet through an educational trail set in the former grain loft of a bakery that remains in operation.

The Hermitage Oven in Pontoise (Val-d'Oise), the story of a 19th-century bread oven.

Nestled in the Hermitage neighborhood of Pontoise, the Hermitage Oven stands as one of the last witnesses to the rural life that once animated the town. Between troglodyte houses and vineyards, this modest heritage site tells of centuries of history.

Sumo initiation in Paris at the Goldshteyn-Saatort Gallery for the closing of the Writers of Legend exhibition.

Street art comes to Paris with Writers of Legends, a graffiti exhibition bringing together COPE2, PRO176, and Ito Chieko at the Goldshteyn-Saatort Gallery, running June 4 to July 4, 2026. Closing on June 4 by reservation.

Ventrus L'Atelier, the Gennevilliers Theatre's new restaurant

At the Théâtre de Gennevilliers (92), Ventrus L'Atelier opens its doors with chef Sasha Guenin at the stove. A new spot betting on seasonal, locally sourced cuisine through a short supply chain, with affordable lunch options and more elaborate dinners.

Dinner and Eiffel Tower fireworks from the rooftop of the Hôtel Marignan Champs-Elysées

On July 13, 2026, the Marignan Champs-Élysées Hotel will temporarily open its Marignan Eiffel Suite for an exclusive evening with a view of the Eiffel Tower fireworks, musical entertainment, magic, and a dinner conceived by Chef Makoto Nakada.

Les Arènes Lyriques 2026: a classical music festival perched on Montmartre Hill

The Les Arènes Lyriques classical music festival is returning to Paris from July 22 to August 15, 2026. What’s on the program? No fewer than 16 concerts staged at the Arènes de Montmartre, an idyllic setting for enjoying the great classics.

World Music Day 2026: Carmina Burana at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross of the Armenians

Music Day 2026 makes its way to the Sainte-Croix des Arméniens Cathedral with a choral concert centered on Carmina Burana, on Sunday, June 21, 2026. In Paris, the Navigavoce Choirs and On Avait Dit present a version for two pianos and percussion, paced by vocal power and the spirit of shared music.