Must-do activities in Paris this weekend (Saturday December 6 and Sunday December 7, 2025)

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Every Friday evening, it’s the same old story: what’s on this weekend? Look no further than Paris Secret for the must-sees of the moment! Exhibitions, festivals, free events, bars & restaurants in the capital, visits, family outings… All you have to do is pick from this list of must-do activities. Thanks who? Thank you Paris Secret

Admire the brand-new illuminations on the Champs Elysées

Every year, when the windows of department stores are decked out in their brightest jewels and Christmas trees are lit up in the streets of Paris, the illuminations on the Champs-Élysées add the finishing touch to the capital’s enchantment. But what colors will the 400 trees on the world’s most beautiful avenue be draped in this year? You’ll be amazed by this year’s multicolored ballet of light and sound… All free of charge!

📍Location: Champs-Elysées

Stroll between the stands of the Swiss village at La Villette

La Villette is transformed into an Alpine village with designer chalets, a skating rink, a Ferris wheel, a carousel and gourmet specialities. Freeadmission , with optional attractions and drinks packages. Don’t miss the Zurich Fondue Chalet for a tasty, convivial break!

📍Location: Place de la Fontaine aux Lions, La Villette – 219 avenue Jean-Jaurès, 75019
📅Dates : Until December 28, 2025

Take a feast for the eyes with the Lumières en Seine night tour!

Attention aesthetes and lovers of light festivals. A brilliant experience promises to brighten up your long autumn (and winter) evenings. The Domaine National de Saint-Cloud is the setting for a night-time stroll of light and music. Following the resounding success of previous editions (over 250,000 visitors), Lumières en Seine intends to fill visitors with wonder and plunge them into the magic of the festive season with an all-new illuminated trail. Sophisticated scenography, light shows, sound effects, lasers, projections and pyrotechnics, as well as gourmet chalets… If you’re looking for something a little off the beaten track, this is it!

📍Location: 1 Av. de la Grille d’Honneur, 92210 Saint-Cloud
📅 Date: multiple dates

Spend the holidays in the sublime Domaine Reine Margot Paris Issy MGallery

📍Location: 3 Cr de la Reine Margot, 92130 Issy-les-Moulineaux
💰 Price: 99 euros – reservation essential (option for vegetarians)
📅 Date: Magic Tales: December 1-30, 2025

Let yourself be mesmerized by Light Cycles at Parc de La Villette

In the family of not-to-be-missed light trails, we ask for Light Cycles! This tour transforms Parc de la Villette into a nocturnal theater of light, sound and nature. Created by multimedia studio Moment Factory, this open-air trail invites visitors to plunge into a dreamlike atmosphere with five unique artistic installations, featuring luminous forests, bamboo sanctuaries, crystalline sparkles, tree lights and spellbinding sound effects, lending a fairytale atmosphere to every corner of the park. In around 45 to 60 minutes, you’ll be enveloped by fascinating soundscapes and projections, in a magical setting ideal for winter evenings.

📍 Location: Parc de La Villette
📅 Dates : Until December 30, 2025

Travel to Japan without leaving Paris

Who said you had to break your PEL to travel to the Land of the Rising Sun? Le Japon en Lumières at the Jardin d’Acclimatation lets you immerse yourself in Japanese culture without leaving the capital. As night falls, the park is transformed into an illuminated kingdom, where red temples, giant koi carp, floating lanterns and cherry blossom create an anime-like journey through the heart of Paris. We move forward in small steps of wonder, as if the Parisian winter had opened on a secret passage to Tokyo, with 2,000 twinkling lanterns as our only compass. After the stroll, the magic continues with Japanese specialties – gooey mochi, crispy gyozas, steaming ramen – before you hop on the Ferris wheel to admire Paris in the colors of the Land of the Rising Sun. A poetic, gourmet show, perfect for a truly exotic Christmas 2025.

📍 Location: Jardin d’Acclimatation
📅 Dates : Until March 8, 2026
🎟️ Price: From 12 euros

Experience a magical Christmas shopping day at Printemps Haussmann

How about celebrating Christmas in New York? There’s no need to take a plane: just head to Printemps Haussmann. To celebrate its very first American store, opened in March in the heart of Manhattan, Printemps is bringing the magic of the holidays to life in the colors of the Big Apple. Shop windows come alive to the rhythm of an irresistible comic strip parade, the rooftop becomes a skating rink with a Rockefeller Center feel, and New York delicacies take over the menu at the Bleu Coupole restaurant (our favorite: the XXL candy cane log ). In short, it’s the ideal place to dream of Times Square without leaving Paris, while stocking up on toys and original gifts. You can even immortalize Santa Claus at the wheel of a yellow cab: amazing!

📍 Printemps Haussmann – 64 Bd Haussmann, 75009 Paris
📅 Skating rink by FERRERO ROCHER® every day between 1pm & 7pm – free with registration / Photo cab studio Monday to Sunday during store opening hours. Presence of Santa Claus every weekend from December 6 and December 22, 23 & 24 – from 2pm to 7pm.

Dream at the Ghibli pop-up store in Paris

Calling all dreamers, nostalgic fans and lovers of Totoro, Chihiro and Hauru! From October 18, a pop-up store dedicated entirely to the world of Studio Ghibli opens its doors in the Marais district of Paris. A magical ephemeral boutique where you can rediscover the poetic universe of Hayao Miyazaki, until January 4, 2026. A not-to-be-missed event for fans of the famous Japanese studio.

📍 Location: 37 rue de Rivoli, 75004 Paris
🗓️ Dates: daily, from October 18, 2025 to January 4, 2026

Admire the coolest free exhibition of the year with FoRTE winners

For the 7thᵉ year running, the Île-de-France Region is supporting young local artists with its Fonds régional pour les talents émergents (FoRTE). Visual and performing arts, music and cinema: each year, FoRTE supports a promotion of artists through financial aid and professional guidance. Following a “24H de la Création” evening event at the Opéra Bastille, an exclusive exhibition dedicated to the winners in the visual arts is now on show at the Réserves du Frac Île-de-France. Immersive installation, sculpture, sound creation… Discover this incredible free exhibition between past and present, starting this weekend!

📍 Location: FoRTE #7 exhibition at Frac Île-de-France, les Réserves – 43 rue de la Commune de Paris, 93230 Romainville
📅 Dates: until January 11, 2026 (open Wednesday to Saturday, 2pm to 7pm)
🎫 Price: free admission

Book a weekend at this magnificent estate just outside Paris

If you really want to disconnect, we highly recommend Maison du Val.This is a former hunting lodge of Louis XIV, located in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, about 40 minutes from Paris. In this charming residence, come and recharge your batteries in the midst of nature: cycle along the estate, take part in creative workshops, practice a sporting activity, and enjoy a soothing setting as a family or couple for a weekend. For lunch or dinner, a generous and exceptional buffet awaits you: extra-tender beef cheeks in sauce, melting hake with vegetables, salmon gravlax, not forgetting a farandole of desserts, each more delicious than the last. And if you want to recharge your batteries in peace and quiet, don’t miss the magnificent hidden library… A place full of character not to be missed.

Location: Rte Forestière des Brancas, 78100 Saint-Germain-en-Laye

Kidology – the new Comedy Club that’s electrifying the Left Bank

Looking for a shot of humor and good humor? Head for Kidology, the brand-new Comedy Club at 39 boulevard Saint-Michel. This hybrid venue combines stand-up, cocktails and refined Mediterranean cuisine in a chic, futuristic atmosphere.
From Thursday to Saturday, five comedians perform one-hour shows each evening (at 7pm and 8:30pm), all in a friendly atmosphere where the audience rewards the artists “by the hatful”.

Before or after the show, you can extend the evening with a drink or dinner at the venue’sbistronomic restaurant.

📍Location :Kidology – 39 Boulevard Saint-Michel, 75005 Paris
🗓️ Dates : Comedy Club: Thursday to Saturday, 7pm and 8.30pm
Restaurant & bar: Tuesday to Saturday, 12 noon to 2pm and 7pm to midnight

Admire the oldest cabinet of curiosities in Paris

This almost 200-year-old institution is a unique and eclectic store that is the oldest cabinet de curiosités in Paris. With its antique teaching boards, stuffed animals and works of art, this wonderful place is sure to enchant you!

Location: 46 rue du bac 75007 Paris

Experience science with the whole family at Bercy Village!

https://www.youtube.com/embed/xFRSqquMbqU

This weekend, head to Bercy Village to immerse yourself in a veritable cultural melting pot. We recommend you try out the interactive Science Expériences tour (Bercy Village, 12ᵉ): an 850 m² immersive museum where virtual reality, video mapping and sensory workshops take you on a journey from the abyss to the Universe, via the center of the Earth. It’s sure to arouse the curiosity of everyone, especially budding Einsteins!

📍Location: Science Expériences, Bercy Village (Paris 12)
📅 Date: Any date

Get to the heart of this 11,400 m2 museum-show, which plunges you into the funfair atmosphere of the Belle Époque.

It’s simply one of a kind in the world! With its century-old attractions, its authentic 1897 velocipede merry-go-round still in working order, and its curiosities of all kinds, the Musée des Arts Forains is exceptional. And here we tell you why it’s so unique…

📍Location: Musée des Arts Forains – Les Pavillons de Bercy, 53 avenue des Terroirs de France, 75 012 Paris
📆 Dates: more information here

Rediscover La Fontaine’s fables in a theatrical version

This weekend, plunge into the enchanting world of La Cité Immersive des Fables, a poetic experience that reinvents Jean de La Fontaine ‘s famous stories! Thanks to 3D projections, lighting effects, smells (yes!) and a soundtrack by Bon Entendeur, the animals of the fables come to life before your very eyes. Featuring an exceptional cast(Laurent Stocker from the Comédie-Française, Marie s’infilttre, Charles Berling, Alexandre Astier, Arielle Dombasle…), this 360° adventure takes you on a journey of humor and wonder. Just the thing to refresh your memory!

📍Location: 5 rue de Berri, Paris 8e
📆 Dates: multiple dates

Discover a haunted Palais des Glaces in a unique theatrical experience.

https://youtu.be/2V6_Q2cWsuI

In the bustling 10th arrondissement, nestles a musical experience of a new kind. La Maison Hantée promises to frighten young and old in a mythical setting: the Palais des Glaces. On the eve of her 12th birthday, Ely moves into a house that hides many secrets. It’s here that she meets Alfred, a ghost who’s as mischievous as he is endearing, and who turns her daily life upside down, leading her on an unforgettable adventure. This is the thrilling scenario of a show halfway between a play and a musical, specially designed for families in search of thrills and excitement.

📍 Venue: Palais des Glaces, 37 Rue du Faubourg du Temple, 75010 France
🗓️ Dates : Until January 11

Visit Saint-Antoine-l’Abbaye, France’s most beautiful village, 3 hours from Paris

When it comes to a village that combines authentic charm, rich history and a peaceful ambience, Saint-Antoine-l’Abbaye ticks all the boxes. Located in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France, this small Isère village was named “France’s Favourite Village 2025” following the show hosted by Stéphane Bern on July 2. Just a 3-hour train journey from Paris, this medieval gem is a must-see, not only for its heritage, but also for its atmosphere and year-round activities.

Try out the new TOIexperience , an immersive personality test never seen before in Paris!

This weekend, discover “TOI”, an immersive journey of self-discovery. In all, no less than 8 rooms where you can wander, play, interact, make decisions… and each of your reactions will change the course of things in real time. The essence of the experience? Defining your Aura, and learning more about yourself. Ready to give it a try? It’s happening at MOIR in the 14th arrondissement.

📍Location: 17 boulevard Saint-Jacques, Paris 14
📆 Multiple dates

Visit the Monument préféré des Français 2025

The jewel of the Oise region, the Château de Chantilly captivates as much for its art collections as for its remarkable gardens and timeless setting. Located just 25 minutes by train from Paris, it is one of the country’s finest heritage sites. It was recently voted Monument préféré des Français 2025, confirming its must-see status!

📍Location: Château de Chantilly – Rue du Connétable, 60500
📆 Opening hours : Open every day except Tuesday from 10am to 6pm
🚇 Access : By TER from Paris Gare du Nord (25 min journey)

Discover the splendor of the Titanic in VR

With Titanic VR Experience, you’ll travel back in time to 1912 to literally walk the deck, explore the various rooms and the luxurious Grand Staircase in breathtaking virtual immersion. This journey combines life-size reconstructions, high-flying virtual reality and authentic historical artifacts to plunge you into the heart of the crossing, from Southampton to the bottom of the Atlantic. In short: for 45 minutes, you’re on board history’s most legendary ocean liner, without leaving Paris.

📍Location: 10 Place de la République, 75011 Paris
📆 Date: multiple dates

Book your table at this splendid Art Deco restaurant

Nestled in the heart of the Montparnasse district, La Coupole is much more than just a restaurant: it’s a veritable monument to the capital’s cultural and artistic life. For almost 100 years, this Art Deco institution has kept the heart of the district beating with its extraordinary ambience and gastronomic reputation.

📍Location: La Coupole – 102, boulevard du Montparnasse, 75014
📆 Opening hours : Open daily from 8am to midnight – closes at 11pm on Sundays and Mondays

Book a table at Montmartre’s oldest restaurant

Le Bon Bock is a Parisian institution, founded almost 150 years ago. In this authentic setting, an artists’ haunt, you’ll enjoy generous, well-mastered traditional cuisine: duck with Suzette sauce and melting potatoes, side of beef from Normandy… A real treat!

Visit this sublime medieval village at the gateway to Paris

Need some fresh air and water without going too far from Paris? Head to Seine-et-Marne to discover Crécy-la-Chapelle, a little gem nicknamed the “Venice of the Brie”. With its canals, old stones, monuments and bucolic atmosphere, this medieval village has everything to seduce lovers of timeless strolls.

Have a coffee in this absolutely fabulous restaurant

Founded in 1784 as “Café de Chartres”, Le Grand Véfour is one of the oldest gastronomic restaurants in Paris. Hidden away in the beautiful Galerie de Beaujolais, just a stone’s throw from the Palais Royal, it has always been a haunt of the politicians and intellectuals who have made history! From Napoleon Bonaparte to Victor Hugo, George Sand and Colette, they all flocked here to enjoy fine, refined cuisine in a dream setting.

📍 Location: 17 Rue de Beaujolais, 75001 Paris
💶 Price: Weekly menu, available as starter-main course or main course-dessert at €59 or €68 full price

Try the new Belle Époque café at the Grand Palais

Opened with the arrival of fine weather, an elegant brasserie with a cosy, leafy atmosphere has recently taken up residence in the Grand Palais. A veritable nod to French art de vivre, Le Grand Café combines all the assets of a must-visit address: a refined menu and, above all, a remarkable setting at the foot of this emblematic monument.

📍 Location: 21, avenue Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 75008 Paris

Take a gourmet break in this sublime hidden tearoom

At Paris Secret, we like to unearth confidential places that few people know about. This weekend, we recommend an atypical place nestled in the 11th arrondissement of Paris: a tea room hidden in a bakery, with an absolutely remarkable Art Nouveau style… A charming place to discover.

📍Location: 10 place des petits pères 75002 Paris

Have a coffee in the oldest café in Paris

In the heart of the lively Saint-Germain-des-Prés district lies one of the capital’s oldest treasures. The name? Le Procope. Founded in 1686 by Francesco Procopio dei Coltelli, an Italian chef based in the City of Light. And it wasn’t long before this café – now known as the oldest in the world – became the most popular spot in Paris for artists, thinkers and intellectuals of the day…

📍Location: 13 rue de l’Ancienne Comédie, 75006 Paris

Stroll through this fairytale park worthy of a Miyazaki film

The Île-de-France region also abounds in hidden treasures, and Parc Fauvel is a fine example. Located in Villennes-sur-Seine, this astonishing park plunges you into an almost fairytale atmosphere, with its moss-covered grotto and bucolicwaterfalls . Yes, all this just half an hour from the capital!

📍Location: Parc du Dr Fauvel 78670 Villennes-sur-Seine
🚘Access: 30 minutes from Paris (train from Saint-Lazare or by car)
💶Price: Free

Try the largest all-you-can-eat buffet in the IDF

Do you like to travel and eat? What if we offered you both? This huge 2,500 m² restaurant nestled in the 77 district of Paris, offers over 200 different all-you-can-eat dishes with a 19 euro lunchtime menu. Italian, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Cameroonian… flavors that will make your taste buds travel.

📍 Location: Terre Ciel shopping center, 77500 Chelles
🕦 Daily: 12pm-3pm and 7pm-11pm
💰 Weekday lunch (19€) | Weekday evening (27,80€) | Sunday evening (29€) | Friday & Saturday evening (32€)

Admire Delacroix’s works for free in this church

You know it without really knowing it. The Église Saint-Sulpice, nestled in the heart of Paris’s 6ᵉ arrondissement, is a Baroque masterpiece located in the Odéon district. But what is perhaps less well known is that it hides genuine works of art signed by a very famous painter: Delacroix. And you can see them for free all year round.

📍 Location: 2 rue Palatine, 75006 Paris

Try this all-vegetable Italian restaurant

With its immense glass roof, this 720 m2 green restaurant is without doubt the most beautiful Italian restaurant in Paris! Rumor has it that it serves the best truffle pasta, as well as a typical tiramisu that rivals those served in Italy.

Bookshop in this sublime hidden hall in the 18th arrondissement

If you like unique places with a real identity and soul, then you’ll love Halle Saint-Pierre. Hidden away in the 18th arrondissement of Paris, right in the heart of the Montmartre district, you’ll find everything from a bookshop to a café and even a museum! A magical place to discover!

📍Location: 2 rue Ronsard, 75018 Paris

Visit this château, just as beautiful as Versailles but less crowded than the latter

St-Germain-en-Laye is also a castle! Just 1 hour from Paris, in the 78 département, this charming town is home to a sumptuous royal residence that has nothing to envy Versailles! With its Renaissance-style architecture, its gardens in the pure French classical tradition and others in the English style, its view over the Seine valley and the forest, this building is well worth a visit!

📍Location: 1 Place Charles de Gaulle, 78100 Saint-Germain-en-Laye

Try Paris’s festive restaurants

Paris, the City of Light, offers a thousand opportunities to celebrate life and friendship over a drink or a meal. Night owls and epicureans can discover splendidly decorated restaurants where they can feast with friends.

📍 Location: Paris

Feast your eyes (and ears) on a Candlelight concert

Visit iconic (such as the Maison de l’Océan or the Théâtre Odéon) or atypical Parisian venues (such as the Musée Grévin or the INJA – Institut National des Jeunes Aveugles) for candlelight concerts. Candlelight‘s brilliant concept is to dust off classical composers or spotlight current talent. So, Chopin, Vivaldi, Charles Aznavour or Bad Bunny?

📍 Location: multiple venues
📆 Date: multiple dates

Sing a song in Paris’ karaoke bars

We don’t have a ready-made recipe for a good time with friends, but we do know that karaoke is an essential ingredient! Whether you’ve got the voice of an angel or that of a saucepan, take to the mic on stage (and in front of an audience) or in the intimacy of a booth in Paname’s best karaoke bars! Our favorite? BAM karaoke, where you can privatize a boxer booth and sing the night away…

📍Location: 4 Rue de Caumartin, 75009 Paris

Book this XXL Italian brunch in the Marais

Every Sunday, epicureans gather for brunch at Eataly Marais, a unique 2,500 m2 space. Here, you’ll enjoy a generous and tasty all-you-can-eat Italian brunch buffet, priced at 49 euros per person: Parma ham sliced to order, capers, olives of all kinds, truffle pasta, antipasti, cheeses, charcuterie… Enough to delight the taste buds and awaken all the senses.

📍Location: 37, rue Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie, 75004 Paris

Book a table at the world’s best meat restaurant in Paris

In an Art Nouveau setting classified as a historical monument since 1983, the BeefBar will dazzle you. Under a majestic glass roof adorned with detailed ceramics , you’ll enjoy exceptional meats: Kobe beef, Angus… You’re in for a treat!

📍Location: 5 Rue Marbeuf, 75008 Paris

Party in the lighthouse boat

After a six-year absence, the Bateau Phare is back on the Paris scene. Moored on the Quai de la Gare, opposite the Bibliothèque nationale de France, this mythical ship, recognizable by its red mast, is back in the heart of the 13th arrondissement as a temple of celebration and culture. And the program is sure to be wild!

📍Location: 3, port de la Gare, 75013 Paris

Treat yourself to a timeless weekend at the 4* Château de Villiers le Mahieu

Located in the Yvelines region, just 45 minutes from Paris, the 4* Château de Villiers-le-Mahieu is a haven of peace that’s a must-see this weekend. Here, everything is designed to help you unwind! On its magnificent 12-hectare estate, you can enjoy a self-service bike ride, play ping-pong in the garden, take part in a yoga class or relax in the spa. The château’s comfortable guest rooms overlook the moat and offer a relaxing setting. For dinner or brunch, savor a generously-stocked all-you-can-eat buffet of delicious dishes. Perfect for a weekend in the country with the family!

📍Location: Rue du Ctre, 78770 Villiers-le-Mahieu

Visit the sublime Château de Maintenon

This singular building in the Eure-et-Loir region of France boasts a unique architectural style, blending Gothic and Renaissance elements. It boasts magnificent formal gardens and an impressive aqueduct! A great weekend getaway!

📍 Location: Pl. Aristide Briand, 28130 Maintenon

Hallucinate at the Paradox Museum

Here, literally nothing makes sense any more, because at any moment you could find yourself in an upside-down room and not know where you’ve been or where your head is! Between the paradox tunnel that makes you whirl, the kaleidoscope and its psychedelic patterns, the paradox sofa that dislocates you or the “camouflage” effect room that has the power to make you disappear… You won’t be bored at Paradox Museum, the museum of all possibilities! One Saturday a month, don’t miss the Midnight Paradox, a nocturne with even more illusions, where hipnotists, paradox storytellers and magicians take turns to blow your mind!

📍 Location: 38 Boulevard des Italiens, 75019 Paris
📆 Date: multiple dates
🎟️ Price: from €29

Let’s try our hand at the new Quiz Room game, somewhere between Maillon Faible and Loup-Garou.

Do you love the delirious atmosphere of “Burger Quiz”, the tension of “Maillon Faible” or “Qui veut gagner des millions?”, the buzzers of “Questions pour un champion” and the roles of “Loup-garou”? The Mole, Quiz Room’s new game, combines all these games in one for a mega dose of fun. Pop culture, bluffing, strategy… all the ingredients of the most iconic games of recent generations are brought together here to create an explosive cocktail. In teams, each player takes on a role and takes great pleasure in keeping it secret. Beware, the Mole is hiding among you and has all the right answers– it’s up to you to unmask this impostor! For more info and reservations, click here!

📍 Locations : Odéon (75006) – La Villette (75019) – Opéra (75009) – Bonne Nouvelle (75008)
📆 Date : multiple dates

Take a thrift store tour

For you, thrift shops mean bargains! Paris is bursting at the seams with second-hand and vintage clothing! To guide you through this jungle, we’ve put together a list of our favorite addresses, where you’re sure to find some great bargains!

📍 Location: Paris

Revisit Notre-Dame

After 5 years of interminable waiting, Notre-Dame Cathedral has finally reopened, more sparkling than ever! The cathedral has been restored to its former glory. You can now visit it freely.

📍Location: 6 Parvis Notre-Dame – Pl. Jean-Paul II, 75004 Paris

Have a coffee in one of Paris’ most beautiful hidden addresses

The magnificent Collège des Bernardins café, nestled in a 13th-century training establishment for monks, is breathtakingly splendid. A singular, soothing site to visit for a morning coffee, lunch break or snack!

📍 Location: 20, rue de Poissy, 75005 Paris

Stroll through Paris’ street art districts

Paris is one of the capitals of street art, so if you’re looking for a shot of creativity, color and talented artists, you’ve come to the right place! From north to south and east to west, here’s a compilation of must-see Paris street art spots! Belleville, the 13ᵉ arrondissement, the Canal de l’Ourcq or the Patinoire de Saint-Ouen, you’re in for an eyeful!

📍 Location: Paris 13

Go backstage at the Grand Rex

The Grand Rex is one of the most beautiful cinemas in Paris, and it’s opening its doors to you for a very special visit! With your audioguide, discover its nooks and crannies, learn all about the Art Deco building’s rich history, and even learn about the projectionist’s job!