Everything You Need to Do in Paris in January

© Le Dali and Potel & Chabot

With the new year comes a flurry of good resolutions that we may or may not keep. To kickstart 2025 on the right note, dive into delightful activities: enjoy an immersive exhibition at the Gaîté Lyrique, celebrate Dry January in ultra-chic venues, start your detox at the most luxurious gym in Paris, marvel at Martin Margiela's stunning creations, indulge in tea time overlooking Place Vendôme, savor budget-friendly dishes at Jean Covillault's restaurant, or treat yourself to K-3 home linens. Ready to follow along?

An exhibition doesn't always have to be intellectual, and the new project at Gaîté Lyrique proves it. PULSE is a collection of technological marvels, sometimes immersive but always captivating, designed to wow kids and adults alike. Through an itinerary showcasing incredible tech wonders (some the size of an entire room), Gaîté Lyrique pulls you into a quasi-futuristic universe.

From a metal cube that walks thanks to electrical impulses to an immersive room where 120 FPS LED lights make you feel like you're floating, and an arcade corner where you control lasers with a video game controller, young scientists and curious minds will be thrilled. Don’t miss this exhibit!

PULSE, Gaîté Lyrique, 3 bis rue Papin, Paris 3rd. Until July 13, 2025. Entry: €15.
© Pulse

Non-alcoholic can be sexy too, so why miss out on colorful cocktails with bold flavors? At these three extraordinary spots with stunning decor, you can enjoy mind-blowing 100% alcohol-free drinks for a chic and Instagrammable night without harming your health. Let your kidneys rest while indulging in our top picks:

• Doris Bar: Located in the basement of Sir Winston, it offers a cocktail menu featuring rhubarb, pomegranate, and elderflower notes in an Orient Express-inspired ambiance.
• The Ritz Bar: Here, head bartender Romain de Courcy crafts four cocktails inspired by the elements (don’t miss the Feuille-Eau cocktail with mint, patchouli, and aloe vera).
• Le Dali, the iconic Meurice restaurant, joins in with a non-alcoholic drink menu developed by sommelier Benoît d’Onofrio, a.k.a. "Sobrelier." We love it!

Doris Bar, 5 rue de Presbourg, Paris 16th. Tuesday to Saturday, 7 PM–2 AM.
© Doris Bar
The Ritz, 38 rue Cambon, Paris 1st. Tuesday to Saturday, 5:30 PM–11:30 PM.
© Emanuela Cino
Le Dali, 228 rue de Rivoli, Paris 1st. Daily, 12 PM–2 PM and 7:30 PM–9:30 PM.
© Le Dali

On the ultra-chic Avenue Foch, BlackRoc is the new temple of private sports, attracting boxing champions from around the world. Everything is top-notch: high-tech Technogym equipment, a professional ring, and a star-studded team of former champions and elite coaches. Whether you're a beginner or a pro, the tailor-made approach guarantees workouts aligned with your goals.

Disciplines: It’s a combat sports paradise, offering boxing, kickboxing, MMA, Muay Thai, self-defense, and even Krav Maga for your inner Lara Croft. Fitness enthusiasts can enjoy circuit training, CrossFit, or muscle strengthening using cutting-edge machines for a sculpted, goddess-like physique.

Post-workout indulgence? Head to the second basement where wellness takes over. Treat yourself to divine massages, osteopathy sessions (courtesy of AS Monaco’s former osteopath), or lymphatic drainage. Feeling daring? Try the Polaar Plunge, a Nordic ice bath for instant invigoration. Prefer warmth? Hammam, sauna, and spa await.

BLACKROC, 50 Avenue Foch, Paris 16th, 01 40 60 00 23. Annual membership: €2,500.
© BlackRoc

The prestigious Ginori 1735, under former creative director Alessandro Michele, masters porcelain craftsmanship. For its first Café Ginori pop-up at Hôtel d’Évreux, the Italian house partners with Potel & Chabot, icons of culinary excellence since 1820. Expect a chic setting—patterned seats, colorful iconic tableware, and stunning Place Vendôme views.

Tea-time menu: Parmesan breadsticks, soft pecorino madeleine, truffle panini, hazelnut semifreddo, cannoli, maritozzo, and shared panna cotta (praline pistachio or pear jelly). End with a tiramisu-inspired Christmas log. Sip on cappuccinos, teas, or Italian coffee.
Aperitivo menu: Start with truffle panini, then enjoy the best focaccia of your life with spices, mortadella, stracciatella, and pistachio. Try the Crab Positano, surprising cepe cappuccino, or pepperoni gnocchi.

Pop-up Café Ginori, 19 Place Vendôme, Paris 1st. January 4–11, 2025.
Tea-time: €85, 3 PM–4:30 PM or 5 PM–6:30 PM.
Aperitivo: €110, 7 PM–9 PM.
© Potel & Chabot © Naïm Stramandino

Martin Margiela, does it ring a bell? This Belgian designer, both an icon and iconoclast, revolutionized the 80s fashion industry by opposing the starification of designers and models—he even removed Kate Moss from his runway shows. His avant-garde approach, deeply inspired by Asia, left an indelible mark. Today, Maison Margiela is renowned for its iconic tabi shoes and the audacious creations of Galliano. Thanks to Graziella Picozzi's daughters (a monument of Italian fashion and an early supporter of Margiela), you can now explore over 270 archive pieces—some prototypes—from 1988 to 1994, in collaboration with the Maurice Auction house.

Highlights of the Collection: From the cult 1990 Margiela show in a Parisian square, discover designs like the basket bag ensemble tied at the waist (€4,000–€6,000), a Greco-Roman-inspired white cotton outfit (€2,500–€4,000), the FW91 skirt-curtain set (€2,500–€3,500), or a knitted wool sweater-dress with exposed seams (€2,000–€4,000)—a defining signature of the house over the years.

Martin Margiela 1988–1994, 81 Boulevard Voltaire, Paris 11th.Free public exhibition: January 25–26, 11 AM–6 PM.Public auction: January 27 at 11 AM (lots 1–100) and 2:30 PM (lots 101+).
© George Mavrikos

“What’s for dinner? - Leftovers!” Our Top Chef darling Jean Covillault makes a bold and honorable return to the Parisian food scene with a pop-up restaurant aptly named Les Restes. In collaboration with NOUS Anti-Gaspi (28 solidarity grocery stores), Covillault delivers budget-friendly, delicious meals made with 80% salvaged products. The deal? Starter, main course, and dessert—two options for each—priced at just €22! All served in a cheerful, laid-back setting.

What’s on the menu? Comfort food galore: velvety carrot soup with spices and pine nuts, trout rillettes with olive oil and herbs, savory chicken with mushrooms and sautéed potatoes, and addictive veggie croque-monsieurs stuffed with pumpkin, caramelized onions, and camembert. For dessert? A mouthwatering apple and pear crumble drizzled with chocolate sauce. (Note: The menu may vary based on ingredient availability.)

Les Restes by Jean Covillault, 16 Rue Pastourelle, Paris 3rd.Open Tuesday–Saturday, lunch and dinner, until March 30, 2025.
© Les Restes

The legendary Japanese designer Kenzō Takada, founder of Kenzo, takes over the Hôtel Lutetia with a breathtaking pop-up for his lifestyle and design brand K-3. Prepare for sensory overload: a floral installation featuring mirrors, vivid colors, and intricate textures creates an unforgettable fusion of art, craft, and nature.

What to shop: Indulge in K-3’s iconic pieces, from perfumes (€195 each), plush throws (starting at €720), and cushions (from €140), to refined accessories like a stationery box featuring Shogun blue ink, notebooks, a bookmark, and a Murano glass pen crafted in collaboration with Clairefontaine (from €182). For fashion lovers, don’t miss the sunglasses and optical frames designed with Japan’s legendary MASUNAGA (€755). Elevate your home ambiance with the Homescents collection, including sprays (€117), diffusers (€183), and candles (€128).

K-3 Pop-Up at Lutetia, 45 Boulevard Raspail, Paris 6th.Open Tuesday–Sunday, 11 AM–7 PM, until January 25, 2025.
© Instagram - @grandiexplorer

Because it’s the perfect month to indulge in a maximum dose of magic, this beloved address nestled in the quiet rue Junot, high up in Montmartre, is one of our top recommendations! Let’s set the scene again: a cozy room with a crackling fireplace, an enchanting garden, an exotic-chic bar, and five romantic-sexy suites spread across the floors of this elegant building, former home of the Hermès family. In short, a dreamy hideaway!

The good news? Hôtel Particulier Montmartre is offering a weekly lunch menu for the winter season. A refined meal served Monday through Friday for only… €25! The menu includes a vegetable starter, with mâche salad, walnut kernels, shallots, and a perfectly balanced vinaigrette, and a hearty, seasonal main dish that changes daily: Chicken and spinach pie / Venere rice with parmesan / Linguine with clams / Braised beef shoulder with parsley potatoes / Rosemary confit pork with spelt and Comté cheese. It’s your chance to taste this top-notch cuisine, recently awarded the Maître Restaurateur and Restaurant de Qualité titles. Paired with impeccable service, a good time is guaranteed here. Special mention: we’re charmed by Marie, the house’s adorable little chicken who wanders the garden and won’t hesitate to come say hello if you have a madeleine or some whipped cream for her!

Hôtel Particulier Montmartre, 23 avenue Junot, Pavillon D, Paris 18th. +33 1 53 41 81 40. Weekly lunch Monday to Friday from 12pm to 3pm, throughout the fall/winter season.
© Hôtel Particulier Montmartre

The new exhibition at Musée Guimet is a true time machine: featuring 207 works of art loaned by over 30 Chinese museums, it showcases 300 years of cultural and artistic splendor from the Tang Dynasty, over a millennium after its fall. Among the incredible treasures—many shown for the first time in France—are Tang-era goldsmith masterpieces, newly discovered artifacts, and exquisite scrolls of painting and calligraphy. Highlight: a room projecting stunning visuals of a Chinese river on the ceiling and floor, complete with ambient sounds.
Through immersive scenography, visitors can wander through Chang’an (meaning "long peace"), the Tang dynasty’s iconic capital, under ceilings decked with red lanterns and through traditional Chinese arches connecting the rooms. Pure escapism!

La Chine des Tang, Musée Guimet, 6 place d'Iéna, Paris 16e. Until March 3, 2025. Entry: €13.
© Didier Plowy © Vincent Leroux 

For Harry Potter fans, Nicolas Flamel conjures images of the philosopher's stone, but in Paris, it’s also a legendary restaurant. Nestled between Le Marais and Beaubourg in Paris's oldest house, built by the alchemist in 1407, L’Auberge Nicolas Flamel was revived in 2007 by beloved chef Alan Geaam, who poured all his savings into it—exactly 600 years later. Now, with new chef Émile de France, the spot is reinvigorated as a must-visit culinary landmark.

The balanced and affordable pick? The three-course Discovery Menu (€78). Start with a glass of mead (get the reference?) served with playful amuse-bouches like cheese gougères, radishes, and foie gras. Fun touch: the butter is gold and shaped like a philosopher’s stone! Courses include a revamped onion soup with black garlic, crab caviar, wild mushrooms nestled in Plougastel biscuit with Ossau Iraty, and barbecued lobster paired with artichokes. Dessert is an artful blanc-manger with fig, shiso leaves, and sorbet. Verdict? Modern cuisine served in a setting straight out of a medieval spellbook.

Auberge Nicolas Flamel, 51 rue de Montmorency, Paris 3e. Open Tuesday-Saturday, 12–1:30 PM and 7:30–9:30 PM. Online reservations available.
© Auberge Nicolas Flamel x The Travel Buds

The Jackson Pollock: The First Years (1934–1947) exhibition explores the early career of the American painter. This period highlights influences like American regionalism, Mexican muralists, and his first forays into dripping technique—paint poured and splattered on canvas. Rarely examined from this angle, the Musée Picasso exhibition reveals Pollock’s multifaceted inspirations, blending Native American arts with European avant-gardes, and features a strong Pablo Picasso influence.

The exhibition outlines his artistic journey through works by key figures like Charles Pollock, Lee Krasner, Pablo Picasso, and Janet Sobel, spotlighting his evolution across mediums including painting, printmaking, and sculpture. A hundred works from prestigious institutions like MoMA, The Met, Centre Pompidou, and Tate come together to capture this formative phase.

Jackson Pollock: The First Years (1934–1947), Musée Picasso, 5 rue de Thorigny, Paris 3e. October 15, 2024–January 19, 2025.
© Vinciane Lebrun © Chloé Vollmer-Lo

Head to the Galerie Dior, near the first-ever Christian Dior boutique, for an extraordinary Peter Lindbergh exhibition. The iconic fashion photographer revolutionized the industry with his signature black-and-white photography in publications like Vogue and Vanity Fair. A pioneer of natural beauty, Lindbergh famously said, “Photographers should free women from the obsession with age and perfection.”

The exhibition showcases stunning creations by Christian Dior, Maria Grazia Chiuri, and John Galliano alongside Lindbergh’s photos from 1988 to 2018. The stars? Supermodels like Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, and Linda Evangelista, plus exclusive portraits of Kiki Williams in vibrant hues and hauntingly beautiful street scenes of Amber Valletta. His minimalist sets amplify depth and power in every shot.

Peter Lindbergh, Galerie Dior, 11 rue François-1er, Paris 8e. Until May 4, 2025. Open Wednesday–Monday, 11 AM–7 PM.
© Peter Lindbergh Foundation

Need comfort this fall? Head to Lactem, the cozy café by Leslie and Hoëlle, and indulge in their seasonal star: Pumpkin Spice Latte (€7). This autumnal treat combines rich pumpkin puree, bold espresso, vanilla, and a crown of whipped cream. It’s THE ultimate cozy beverage.

Lactem is a haven for coffee lovers, serving specialty roasts prepared with care in Paris. Sweet tooth? Their homemade pastries are irresistible. With its friendly vibe, Lactem is perfect for a relaxing coffee break or a focused work session.

Lactem Palais Royal, 38 rue Croix des Petits Champs, Paris 1er. Mon–Fri: 9 AM–5:30 PM; Sat: 10:30 AM–6 PM; Sun: 11 AM–4:30 PM.
Lactem Montmartre, 58 Rue du Faubourg Montmartre, Paris 9e. Mon–Fri: 8 AM–5 PM; Sat: 9 AM–6 PM; Sun: 10 AM–6 PM.
© Instagram - @lactemcafe

As winter sets in, why not dive into a cocoon of warmth? No passport needed—head to Spa Mamabali for a two-hour Balinese spa experience that transports you to Indonesia. This serene space is designed to whisk you away, with therapists trained for over 11 years by Indonesian experts. They use sacred temple oils for truly authentic treatments.

Enjoy a full ritual: hammam, exfoliation, and Balinese massage—perfect for solo relaxation, romantic pampering, or a girls’ day out. With the holidays approaching, it’s also a great gift idea for ultimate bliss.

Spa Mamabali, 2 rue Brunel, Paris 17e. Open Tuesday–Sunday, 11 AM–8 PM. Online booking available.

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