15 reasons to visit Paris in 2015
The New Year is almost upon us, and with it the attention of so many readers turns to travel in 2015.
As is our holiday tradition, we’re ready with our list of why you should be excited about visiting Paris in 2015. (Funny how the list gets longer every year. We wonder what 75 reasons to visit Paris in 2075 will look like…)
Fortunately 15 reasons to visit the City of Light is an easy challenge, with many new things happening, beginning in January. Here are just a few of the highlights that we’re looking forward to:
The renovations at the Musée Picasso have finally finished, and it’s looking better than ever. Photo: Yann C.
15. Picasso is back in the house
After accidentally lying to you years ago, this time we’re sure. The newly renovated Picasso Museum has finally reopened. We’re serious this time. We’ve seen it. It just reopened. So go visit!
14. BYO Bag
A city free of plastic bags? That’s what Paris should look like in 2015. Mayor Hidalgo wants to rid the city of the pervasive bags that contribute to pollution. We’re inching closer to a cleaner Paris. Think about bringing your own tote bag.
13. Swan Lake! Singin’ in the Rain!
“Swan Lake” at the Opéra Bastille this March-April? Yes please! (And cheapo seats are available from €5!) The theatrical offerings next year are as high quality as ever at the city’s two main opera houses. Or swing over to the Théâtre du Châtelet for a bit of “Singin’ in the Rain”, March 12-26.
Related: Cheapo guide to the Opera district
12. Papal visit
The pope’s coming, and he’s pretty cool, right? Francois I’s plans are still shaping up—no doubt waiting to see if we’ll be around to give him a visit of our favorite spots—but we’ll let you know once he decides to book. With only two or three other visits planned around France, you can bet this historic trip will mean a lot of excitement in Paris.
The Ritz at Place Vendome might be out of our price range, but we’re still looking forward to the new renovations. (Hint: fancy bathroom break!) Photo: Welshdan
11. Flushing at the Ritz
Okay, so we can’t afford to stay there, but the post-renovation re-openings of the Hotel Ritz and the Hotel de Crillon are still exciting. We like to stop into the bars to pretend that we’ll have a drink and splurge, but actually we’ll just use their impeccable bathrooms when nature calls. Why not?
10. New Paris Philharmonic opens
The opening of the new Paris Philharmonic, a building designed by Jean Nouvel, will “revolutionize music in Paris” according to some, but we’re just excited to see the final architectural product. Way up in the 19th arrondissement, it’s sure to have an impact on the neighborhood at least. Check their site for the 2015 program.
9. Navigo gets simpler
Those monthly Navigo passes for the Metro can get tricky, but in 2015 it all gets easier. For monthly subscribers—so students, long-stay visitors, expats—the new fee is €70 for all zones, so there’s no need to buy extra tickets to get out to CDG or Versailles. Thanks for making things easier, Paris!
8. Taxi changes
See them while they’re still here! Those green taxi stands with the buttons that you press in vain while calling a cab? They’re on their way out, to be replaced with a smartphone app. At the moment, Parisian taxi drivers aren’t happy, already facing competition from Uber. We’ll see how the story develops.
The Grand Palais is one of the most beautiful spaces in Paris, and 2015 welcomes a host of world-class art. Photo: Pierre-Louis F.
7. MOMA and Gaultier at the Grand Palais
The Louvre in Abu Dhabi will be stealing a lot of the attention on French art in 2015, but there will be no shortage of great shows going on, especially at the Grand Palais. Modern art from the San Francisco MOMA will headline one show in April-June alongside another featuring French fashion’s bad boy Jean-Paul Gaultier (April 1-August 3).
Another much-anticipated Picasso exhibit, featuring his works compared to those of other famous artists, should be up in the fall also at the Grand Palais. But then, there’s also a lot happening at the Orsay, the Petit Palais, the Palais de Tokyo, the Louvre, the Carnavalet…
6. New Generator Hostel powers up
European chain Generator is opening up its newest youth hostel boasting 916 beds in the 10th arrondissement. The hostel isn’t your dad’s backpacker hostel, featuring more a more upscale design that might attract business travelers looking for a deal. And with rooms starting at 25 euros, who could blame them?
Related: The best cheap hotels in Paris
5. “Best City for Students”
Paris was named best city for students in 2015 by the QS report, beating out London and Melbourne. With so many student discounts, free cultural offerings, affordable student living, and a concentration of good inexpensive schools, we totally agree. (So maybe take that semester abroad now, right?)
Pedestrians will have more room to stretch their legs next year in the central districts of Paris. Photo: David McSpadden
4. Cars out of the center
Adieu, we say to the cars, adieu. The mayor has proposed addressing air pollution by restricting the number of cars in the central first four arrondissements in Paris. By allowing only cars from residents, deliveries, and other necessary vehicles, she hopes to make the historic center more pedestrian and bike friendly, and a whole lot cleaner. Diesel fuel is also on the chopping block…
3. “Tastes of Paris” in late May
We’re not about to throw down a few hundred euros for a Michelin star dining experience in Paris. Not yet at least. But the country’s most famous chefs are bringing their dishes to the public at the first ever Tastes of Paris event at the Grand Palais, May 21-25. Names like Ducasse and Robuchon will be there, offering tastings of their famous fare—with much more enticing prices.
Related: Eating cheap in Paris with 8 dinners for €10 or less
2. Race up the Tour Eiffel in March
Sure the Paris Marathon is attracting tens of thousands of people to Paris in April, but the Eco Trail run, held just a few weeks before on March 21, is offering a historic opportunity to run up the city’ most iconic monument, the Eiffel Tower herself. If you’re an experienced runner, enter the lottery to win a spot among the 40 runners to be selected for the “Verticale Tour Eiffel” race in March.
You can never have enough baguettes in Paris. Photo: Paul Asman
1. Baguettes
And if nothing else, I hear that Paris still makes some good baguettes… You know, if nothing else. Here’s a list of the 2014 winners for the “Grand Prix de la Meilleure Baguette” (Grand Prize for the Best Baguettes). Why not check them all out?
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Don’t forget to remind people to hold onto their carnet tickets until they have let the Metro. When I was there in 2013 the Metro Cops were stopping people at some of the busier metro stops and giving out fines,
Are the fines still. 40 euros ?