The Creative's Guide to Paris: Museums, Galleries & Hidden Gems

Museums & galleries

• Musée d'Orsay: As my favorite museum in Paris, I actually prefer this over the Louvre – fewer crowds and housed in this gorgeous old train station. Their Impressionist collection is unbeatable. Pro tip: go Thursday evenings when they're open late and you can actually breathe while admiring Monet's water lilies.

• Palais de Tokyo: This is where I head for contemporary art that makes you think. It's open until midnight (perfect for night owls) in this massive Art Deco building along the Seine.

• Fondation Louis Vuitton: Frank Gehry's building alone is worth the trip — it's like a glass ship sailing through the Bois de Boulogne. The contemporary art inside changes regularly, but honestly, walking around and appreciating the architecture alone is worth the trip.

• 59 Rivoli: This used to be an illegal artist squat, and although it's been legitimized, it still keeps that raw, creative energy. You can wander through six floors of working artist studios, chat with the creators and maybe pick up a piece that'll be worth a fortune in 10 years. It's messy and vibrant and everything commercial galleries aren't.

• Centre Pompidou: You can't miss it — it looks like the building is turned inside out with all its colorful pipes and tubes. The modern art collection is massive, but my favorite move is to head straight to Georges restaurant on the top floor for sunset drinks and one of the best views in Paris.

Arts & cultural experiences

• Atelier des Lumières: Remember those Van Gogh immersive experiences that popped up everywhere? This is the original and still the best. They project artists' work all over this former foundry's walls, floors and you — set to music that makes the whole thing incredibly moving. I've gone three times and still get goosebumps.

• Opéra Garnier: Even if you don't think you would be into opera, this place will blow your mind. It's ridiculously opulent with this stunning Chagall ceiling and a hidden underground lake (yes, the one from Phantom!). Take a tour, or better yet, catch a ballet performance. It's one of my goals to see The Sleeping Beauty here this year, where it'll be showing from March 8th through July 14th, 2025.

• Shakespeare and Company: This isn't just a bookstore — it's a piece of literary history where Hemingway and Joyce used to hang out. The cramped aisles, creaky floors and reading nooks make it magical. They often host readings, too — check their calendar before your trip. Before you leave, don't forget to pick up a book and one of their viral tote bags!

Hidden gems

• Musée de la Vie Romantique: This little museum feels like you've discovered someone's private home from the 1800s. It's tucked away in the 9th arrondissement with this charming garden tea room where you can sit after browsing the collection of Romantic-era art. Perfect for a quiet afternoon when you need a break from the city's buzz.

• Rue des Martyrs: This street in South Pigalle is where I go when I want to feel like an actual Parisian. It's lined with these amazing food shops, vintage stores and design boutiques. Grab a coffee and just wander — you'll end up with great photos, unique souvenirs and zero tourists in sight.

Day trips

• Giverny: Monet's gardens feel like walking into his paintings, especially the water lily pond with its weeping willows and Japanese bridge. I like going in late spring when the flowers are popping but before summer crowds descend. Getting there early morning means you might have moments of the gardens almost to yourself.

• Château de Fontainebleau: Everyone flocks to Versailles, but Fontainebleau gives you just as much royal splendor with maybe a third of the tourists. Napoleon called it "the true home of kings," and the mix of Renaissance and French Empire styles is stunning. The surrounding forest offers great walking trails when palace fatigue sets in.

• Auvers-sur-Oise: This village is where Van Gogh spent his final months, and it's incredibly moving to stand in the wheat fields he painted and see how faithfully he captured them. You can visit his tiny attic room at Auberge Ravoux and then pay respects at his simple grave beside his brother Theo. The whole village feels like stepping back in time.

Coffee & light fare

Holybelly: Started by a French-Australian couple, this is where I go when I'm craving a hearty breakfast. Their pancakes are legendary, the coffee is exceptional and the place just has this sunny, happy vibe that's contagious.

Boot Café: Tiny doesn't begin to describe this former cobbler's shop turned coffee bar — there are literally about five seats. But their espresso is perfect, and the baristas remember you if you return. It's on this picturesque street in the Marais that will have you taking Instagram photos whether you want to or not.

Dining gems

Relais de l'Entrecôte: Sometimes simplicity is perfection. They serve just one thing: steak frites with their secret green sauce, and they do it perfectly. No reservations, so get there right when they open or be prepared to wait in line — trust me, it's worth it. The Saint-Germain location is my favorite for the quintessential Parisian bistro atmosphere.

Chez Janou: This cozy Provençal bistro in the Marais serves incredible southern French comfort food in a setting that feels like you've been invited to a French family's home. The chocolate mousse, served in a giant bowl where you scoop your own portion is legendary, and their pastis collection (over 80 varieties) is impressive.

Le Chateaubriand: Don't let the simple bistro décor fool you – Chef Iñaki Aizpitarte's tasting menu is why food people make pilgrimages to this place. It's inventive without being showy, and the laid-back atmosphere makes the high-end food experience feel refreshingly modern.

Le Comptoir du Relais: Chef Yves Camdeborde pioneered the "bistronomy" movement, making high-end cuisine accessible. The Saint-Germain location means the people-watching from their terrace is epic, and their lunch menu changes based on what looked good at the market that morning.

Cocktails & wine bars

Le Syndicat: You'd walk right past this place if you didn't know it was there — the exterior looks like an abandoned storefront covered in posters. Inside is this golden-lit cocktail paradise where they only use French spirits, many of which have been forgotten for decades. I love a French 75, but try one of their creative cocktails for something unique.

Gravity Bar: These guys approach cocktails like chefs approach food — seasonally, with unexpected combinations that somehow work perfectly. The clean, minimalist space in the buzzy Upper Marais lets the drinks be the stars. Their menu changes regularly, but they'll also create something special based on your preferences.

La Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels: Looks like you're drinking in someone's stylish apartment, complete with comfy sofas and eclectic décor. They specialize in natural wines and lesser-known French regions, and the staff is super knowledgeable without any wine snobbery. Great for a pre-dinner drink or a whole evening of sampling different glasses.

Le Mary Celeste: This Marais hotspot nails the trifecta of great cocktails, natural wines and delicious small plates (their oysters are famous for good reason). The circular bar makes it easy to strike up conversations, and it's always filled with a mix of locals and in-the-know visitors.