Save this for your next trip to Paris, especially if you’re heading there for Art Basel :) I love Paris, and one guide simply wasn’t enough. Beyond the major museums and the galleries everyone already has on their list, there are so many places where art, architecture, music, food and everyday Parisian life intersect in the most interesting ways. From a Brutalist architectural icon to a gallery hidden behind a courtyard, a tennis club and a very good meal, here are a few more of my favourite artsy spots around the city.
1. La Galerie de l’Instant
A photography gallery for people who love images as much as they love art. La Galerie de l’Instant specialises in photographs that capture cultural icons, cinema, music and moments that have become part of our collective visual memory. Expect a mix of vintage photography, portraits and images that feel almost like pieces of cultural history. A lovely reminder that collecting art doesn’t have to begin with a painting.
2. Espace Niemeyer
Paris has no shortage of beautiful architecture, but Espace Niemeyer feels like stepping into another dimension. Designed by Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, the headquarters of the French Communist Party is a masterpiece of curves, concrete and sculptural forms. It’s a reminder that architecture can be ideological, political and radically imaginative all at once. Check the programme before visiting, as access to the interiors depends on events and guided tours.
3. Carboni’s
For when you need a break from gallery-hopping and want something that feels a little more like home. Carboni’s brings an Italian touch to the Marais, with a lively atmosphere that works equally well for a long lunch or dinner with friends. Try their carbonara with egg yolk soooo good. Consider this your permission to temporarily abandon French cuisine.
4. Tennis de la Cavalerie
One for the tennis lovers, but also for anyone fascinated by architecture. Hidden in a 1920s Art Deco garage, Tennis de la Cavalerie feels more like a secret cathedral than a sports club. There’s something inherently Parisian about finding a place to play tennis in the middle of the city.
5. Sant Ambroeus
Milanese café culture meets the Left Bank. Designed by Milanese interior designer Fabrizio Casiraghi, Sant Ambroeus Paris translates the brand’s heritage into a cinematic, intimate salon. A little piece of Milan in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, and a stop for anyone who appreciates how interiors can shape an entire atmosphere.
6. Centre Pompidou
One of the buildings that changed the way we think about museums. Designed by Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers, Centre Pompidou turns architecture inside out, placing its colourful pipes, escalators and structural elements on the exterior. It became a defining landmark for modern and contemporary art in Paris, with an equally important collection of modern art.
The main building closed to the public in September 2025 for a major renovation, with reopening planned for 2030. Yet you can still follow its off-site programme.
7. Galerie Dina Vierny
A gallery with a history as interesting as the art it represents. Dina Vierny, the last model and muse of sculptor Aristide Maillol, opened the gallery in 1947 with the encouragement of Henri Matisse and Jeanne Bucher. Architect Auguste Perret designed its distinctive wooden interior, which still gives the space a particular character. Over the decades, the gallery has exhibited artists including Maillol, Rodin, Matisse and Kandinsky, while also championing Russian avant-garde artists during the Soviet period. I love places like this because they offer a story more than just a succession of artworks.
8. Vivant 2
For a dinner that feels a little less predictable than the usual Parisian restaurant circuit, head towards Vivant 2. It has the intimate, neighbourhood feel that makes the city’s independent dining scene so appealing. It has a distinctive atmosphere, where the candlelight is part of the experience. Go with friends, order a few things to share and let dinner take its time.
9. Chapelle XIV
One for the people who believe art and music have always belonged together. Chapelle XIV is an independent creative space in the 18th arrondissement that brings contemporary art into conversation with music, design and vinyl culture. The concept goes beyond a conventional gallery visit: it’s a place to discover artists, browse records and explore the visual worlds surrounding music. That combination makes it feel especially relevant to a generation that moves between exhibitions, listening sessions, fashion and underground culture without treating them as separate interests.
10. Institut du Monde Arabe
Even if you don’t go inside, stop to look at the façade. Designed by Jean Nouvel and Architecture-Studio, the Institut du Monde Arabe opened in 1987 as a symbol of dialogue between Arab and Western cultures. Its southern façade contains 240 moucharabiehs, geometric metal screens inspired by traditional Arab architectural patterns. Their mechanical apertures regulate the amount of sunlight entering the building, transforming a decorative reference into a functional piece of technology.
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Je valide!