What to See and Do in Paris in 2022

Travelling to Paris this year? Art exhibitions, shopping, entertainment and dining are all at your fingertips. Here are a few recommendations. Note: This is part of a larger magazine feature ‘What’s New in Post-Lockdown Paris’

‘From Afar’ At The Louvre

An art-thirsty traveller could spend an entire week in the Louvre and still not see every display, but a future priority should be the temporary exhibition, ‘From Afar’, presenting “exchanges between distant worlds”, from sparkling lapis lazuli gemstones to ivory elephant tusks. This treasure trove of an exhibition runs until July 4, 2022 so there’s plenty of time to book your tickets.

The World Of Banksy

The love affair with Bristol-born Banksy first began in earnest for the French when he memorialised the Bataclan tragedy through his artwork. Another illustration distinctly French in style is his remake of ‘Napoleon Crossing The Alps’. Now an immersive experience is presented by the Espace Lafayette Drouot in his honour, running until December 31, 2022.

La Collection Morozov

Cementing Paris’s historic status as the capital of the art world, the Fondation Louis Vuitton presents another highly recommended exhibition, this time chronicling Russian businessman Ivan Morozov’s epic art collection – Picasso, Van Gogh, Renoir, Cézanne and more. The complete takeover of the foundation’s galleries has been extended until April 3rd, 2022.

Thierry Mugler – Couturissime

This is a lively, inspiring feast for your eyes that shouldn’t be missed – from glitzy mermaid costumes to feathered headdresses, Thierry Muglier’s creations are not merely fashion items but pieces of wearable art. This exhibition, which shares its name with the lavishly illustrated book dedicated to Mugler, will continue at Musée des Arts Décoratifs until April 2022.

Folies Gruss

Any aspiring acrobats in your crowd? Join the family-friendly Folies Gruss for a circus show inspired by the Belle Époque, with artistes dancing with horses and suspending themselves gracefully from ceilings. Meanwhile children can interactively learn clowning and acrobatic performances from the artists preshow. A must for families.

Ritz Paris Le Comptoir

Even if your current budget doesn’t stretch to a stay in the prestigious palace hotel, you can make up for it with a visit to this tantalising pastry place bearing its name. The project of award-winning pastry chef François Perret, it’s sure to satisfy the most sweet-toothed of travellers. Perret’s chocolate croissants are intense taste sensations, along with his fruit-topped cakes and other tasty snacks.

La Samaritaine

From luxury brands to affordable up and coming designers, this 20,000m2 shopping space, newly relaunched in 2021, has everything. The gleaming Art Nouveau beauty is aesthetically stunning inside, with a vast peacock mural and majestic staircase. Besides 600 on-trend brands for shopaholics, there’s a spa, beauty salon and an entire floor dedicated to food.

Coeur Sacré

Montmartre’s being modernised this year with a fashionable concept store at the foot of the area’s landmark basilica. Besides shopping destinations, it features a delicatessen, bakery, coffee shop, exhibition area and rooftop lounge and restaurant with panoramic views. The basilica lies on one side and the Eiffel Tower on the other, for epic Instagram snaps.

From France Today magazine