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Paris City Guide: 8 Must-Visit Attractions For The Culturally Curious

Designer museums, quaint bookstores, historical sites and more.
Published: July 15, 2024
For the culturally curious, Paris is a treasure trove of iconic museums, quaint bookstores and historical sites.
Photo: Courtesy of Unsplash/Diana Titenko

The 2024 Olympics brings the world to Paris, but the City of Lights offers more than just athletic competition. For the culturally curious, Paris is a treasure trove of designer museums, art galleries, quaint bookstores and historical buildings. Here are eight great places to visit for your city escapade.

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La Bourse De Commerce

For the culturally curious, Paris is a treasure trove of iconic museums, quaint bookstores and historical sites.
Photo: Courtesy of Marc Domage

Originally the site of the grain exchange in the 16th century, and then the Stock Exchange in the 19th century, the current look for La Bourse de Commerce is owed to Japanese architect Tadao Ando, who completed restorations in 2020. From March 2024, this majestic setting will display the exhibition “Le Monde comme il va” (The World as It Goes), presenting a large selection of unseen works from the Pinault Collection. The artist Kimsooja has been given carte blanche to create a monumental installation: An immense mirror in the museum’s rotunda.

La Galerie Dior

For the culturally curious, Paris is a treasure trove of iconic museums, quaint bookstores and historical sites.
Photo: Courtesy of Kristen Pelou

With its unique narrative and scenography, La Galerie Dior symbolises the spirit of Parisian haute couture and bears witness to the bold vision of Christian Dior and his six successors. End the inspiring tour with the couturier’s favourite post-show meal at the Monsieur Dior restaurant (by Jean Imbert), just next door.

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Maison Gainsbourg

For the culturally curious, Paris is a treasure trove of iconic museums, quaint bookstores and historical sites.
Photo: Courtesy of Alexis Raimbault

Maison Gainsbourg is the home of legendary French singer-songwriter Serge Gainsbourg (who passed away in 1991). It reopened in September 2023 as a mini museum of sorts. Guided by the voice of his daughter Charlotte, we enter an interior frozen in time. Across the street, the tour continues through the museum, bookshop, boutique, café, and piano bar.

Louis Vuitton Foundation

For the culturally curious, Paris is a treasure trove of iconic museums, quaint bookstores and historical sites.
Photo: Courtesy of Iwan Baan

Against the backdrop of the Bois de Boulogne, architect Frank Gehry is the mastermind behind the Louis Vuitton Foundation. A permanent collection, split into different spaces, boasts artwork that is rarely on display elsewhere. There are also temporary exhibitions of modern and contemporary art. Upon exiting the museum, you can either venture for a walk in the park, or for families, visit the Jardin d’Acclimatation, with rides and attractions, only a few steps away.

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Musée Marmottan Monet

For the culturally curious, Paris is a treasure trove of iconic museums, quaint bookstores and historical sites.
Photo: Courtesy of Christian Baraja

Paul Marmottan’s magnificent mansion houses Haute Époque (paintings, sculptures, illuminations) and Empire collections. It is home to the world’s largest collection of works by Claude Monet and Berthe Morisot, and is a major centre for Impressionism.

La Librairie 7L

For the culturally curious, Paris is a treasure trove of iconic museums, quaint bookstores and historical sites.
Photo: Courtesy of Librairie 7L

Librairie 7L is a haven for book lovers established in 1999 by fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld. An extension of the designer’s home library (his photo studio is hidden here), true gems in French, German and English are waiting to be discovered. Photography, interior design, architecture, contemporary art ... the walls are lined with well-curated finds. These are coffee table books you’ll actually read!

Musée Yves Saint Laurent

For the culturally curious, Paris is a treasure trove of iconic museums, quaint bookstores and historical sites.
Photo: Courtesy of Sophie Carr

The Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris exhibits the couturier’s work in the historic setting of his former atelier. The newest fashion exhibition “Transparences, le Pouvoir des Matières” (Transparency, the Power of Materials) is now open till 25 August. On display are archival pieces, including the iconic 1968 See-Through Blouse, accessories, sketches, photographs, as well as works by other artists that echo the designs.

Shakespeare and Company

For the culturally curious, Paris is a treasure trove of iconic museums, quaint bookstores and historical sites.
Photo: Courtesy of Shakespeare and Company

Located on the banks of the Seine opposite Notre-Dame, Shakespeare and Company is mentioned in Ernest Hemingway’s novel “Paris est une fête”. This bookshop was founded by American George Whitman, a veritable paradise for lovers of literature and the curious. A generation of young writers, who later became great authors, came here to read and even to sleep, prompting its description as a “socialist utopia masquerading as a bookstore.” You can also enjoy a gourmet break from exploring in the cafe.

For a visual guide on where to go and what to do, see below.

Interactive map credit: ©ELLE international and Damien Marquet

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