What's New in Paris: Summer 2026 Report

Last month, I made a quick trip to Paris to celebrate my birthday with my daughter—which I'll be sharing more on in an upcoming newsletter—but, I noticed that as spring transitions into summer, Paris was already eagerly moving outside. The city’s gardens are packed with strollers, the quais are lined with floating cafés and bars and biking quickly became my preferred way to get around. When it is not too warm, as it has been recently, everyone wants to be under Paris’ blue skies. Discover my not-to-miss highlights in the city this season below.

Street artist and photographer JR’s takeover of the Pont Neuf ("La Caverne du Pont Neuf") is the must-stroll moment this June. The immersive, inflatable "cavern" that now links the Right and Left Banks, across the tip of the Ile de la Cité, is a celebration of the late Christo’s wrapping of the famous bridge in 1985. JR—in collaboration with Christo’s family—has managed to instigate a street party sensation in the heart of Paris. Open 24 hours a day until the end of June, the 120-meter-long installation invites Parisians and visitors to see the City of Light a little differently. It blends history (the bridge dates from 1607 and was the first in Paris to be built of stone) with modern imagination and gives us a pop-up monument to capture from different angles. (Leaning into the modern, tech-enabled perspective, an augmented reality view can be seen through Snapchat or special glasses offered onsite.) Selfies here will, no doubt, have their own iconic and ephemeral quality. Ways to consider approaching the artwork include: from a boat on the Seine or a jog along the quai, or grab a bird's-eye vantage point from a suite overlooking the bridge at Cheval Blanc Paris, or else a table at one of its rooftop restaurants.

Other exciting art exhibitions to see are blockbuster museum shows devoted to Calder, Renoir, Michelangelo, Rodin and Matisse at the Fondation Louis Vuitton, the Musée du Louvre, Musée d’Orsay and Grand Palais—but be prepared for crowds.

Note: The opening date for "La Caverne du Pont Neuf" has been postponed due to recent structural damage from strong winds. However, visitors can still view the work from the Right or Left Bank (or along the Seine). The Indagare team is actively following developments related to the new reopening timeline.

Last year, we featured a round-up of our favorite Paris rooftops for dining, but I also love eating at outdoor tables that are more earthbound.

Friends recently turned me on to a wonderful neighborhood spot in the 7th arrondissement with tables on a quiet square called Mon Square. Among al fresco favorites that offer a sense of serious greenery are Loulou in the Tuileries, Le Pré Catelan and La Ferme du Pré, for something more gourmet, in the Bois de Bologne.

Go-to's that are tucked into a quiet courtyard or nestled on their own terrace are Café Costes, Café Lapérouse Concorde, Corail, Le Camondo, Mimosa, Monsieur Bleu and GrandCœur, which is the restaurant helmed by celebri-chef Mauro Colagreco that occupies a courtyard in the Marais.

Finally, even if they are not quite as removed from urban life, I also like sidewalk tables at La Société, Sant Ambroeus Paris, La Palette, La Fontaine de Mars, La Fontaine Gaillon, Le comptoir du Relais, Marcello or Thoumieux.

A rediscovered old favorite is Le Castiglione, which was displaced from its longtime spot on the Faubourg St. Honoré by a new Gucci store and has reopened on a corner of the Place de la Madeleine. Of course, lunch on the water is another fun option in gorgeous weather, whether you charter one of our favorite private boats, reserve the Alain Ducasse bateau or you book at one of the vessels docked by the Seine like Riviera Fuga or Francette.

While many of my favorite French brands are no longer secret and can be found easily in the U.S., there are still some special shops that always have a better selection in Paris. Those are the ones that I prioritize visiting—along with the brands that are still only found here. RIANNA + NINA, for instance, is the vibrant, vintage-inspired label that was founded by two fashion-loving friends. Their original shop was in the Palais Royal, but with the decline in traffic from the sad shuttering of couture collector Didier Ludot’s legendary shops, they have moved to a new two-story space on Rue Duphot in the 1st. Only here can you see the full range of their one-of-a-kind pieces and their ready-to-wear collection.

Right around the corner on Rue Cambon, facing the flagship of Chanel, is BARRIE, the historic Scottish cashmere brand that was rescued and revived by the Wertheimers of Chanel, who have preserved so many great artisan houses or petits mains. Many of these specialized workshops are now housed in the 19 Métiers campus, where ateliers like Lesage for embroidery, Goossens for jewelry and Desrues for buttons provide essential elements of haute couture. (We visit the campus on our Fashion Lover’s Insider Journey to Paris that I am hosting this November.) Another nearby only-in-Paris shop is Stouls boutique on Rue Mont-Thabor that sells gorgeous machine-washable suede and leather fashion. Charvet on Place Vendome is another ritual stop for the most beautiful men’s silk ties and shirts, but I also love their suede slippers that come in a pouch that is perfect for travel.

Over on the Left Bank, Rubirosa’s, the shirting and pajama shop from fine jewelry designer Lauren Rubinski, has become a go-to stop for fashion editors who love the crisp tailoring. Personally, I prefer her pajamas, but the charming store on Rue de Grenelle feels like a candy shop for cotton lovers. Not far away, there is an outpost of Flabelus, a Spanish-owned brand that sells Venetian-style velvet slippers—which have quickly become a fashion girl staple. Years ago, I loved bringing Diptyque candles back from Paris as presents, but now that you can find the brand everywhere, I have sourced a few other special spots. Compagnie Française des Poivres et des Epices on the Place Furstemberg sells wonderful tins of spices and peppers from all over the world. The cult wallpaper and fabric shop Antoinette Poisson has recently opened a new boutique at 2 Rue Bonaparte, where you can find pretty stationery, napkins and, yes, candles. Officine Universelle Buly 1803 at 6 Rue Bonaparte sells exquisite soaps, lotions, potions and toothpastes as well as bathroom accessories, including monogrammed combs and brushes—all of which make great gifts for those who need nothing but to feel spoiled.

Another shopping ritual I love is wandering through Paris’s historic passages—covered shopping arcades like Galerie Vivienne and Galerie Véro-Dodat. The latter is home to my favorite cosmetics brands, By Terry. When I stocked up on her products this past trip, it was a reminder not only of how much better the selection is here but also how "girl math" really works in Paris. By which I mean, you can save money by spending money, especially if you get a VAT refund. The same purchases that I made at By Terry in Paris that cost $269 (with VAT back) would have been $315 with tax at Bloomingdale's. Similarly, two pairs of pants that I bought at Le Bon Marché cost $722 with VAT back, and if I had bought them online in the U.S., they would have cost $1,156 with tax. (I saved the price of a pair of pants by buying two in Paris!) Now that to me is just one more reason that Paris is always a good idea—and why, if you love fashion, you might want to join me on our Fashion Lover’s Insider Journey this fall.

Indagare members who would like to access my shopping itineraries highlighting independent boutiques on the Left and Right Banks can find my favorites here.