Paris has long dominated the wish lists of countless
travelers. Going into 2026, the city’s tourism officials are especially
optimistic about continued growth in the tourism sector.
“Paris has always been one of the most visited destinations
in the world, but in recent years the city has undergone a profound
transformation,” said Corinne Menegaux, managing director of Paris je t’aime, the city’s official
tourism organization. “The pandemic reshaped travel habits, and Paris responded
by accelerating its commitment to sustainability, inclusivity and innovation.
Visitors today are not only returning to the great monuments, but also seeking
authentic experiences in neighborhoods, gastronomy, nightlife and contemporary
culture. Cycling paths, pedestrian zones and eco-conscious initiatives have
made Paris more aligned with the expectations of modern travelers.”
Indeed, the city is enjoying a renewed focus on a variety of
initiatives aimed at making visiting Paris even more pleasant for travelers —
as I discovered during a recent one-week stay.
The 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games are among the events
that have helped the metropolis evolve, according to Menegaux, positioning
Paris as a “dynamic stage for sports and culture and major international
events,” she said. “The city is no longer just the capital of romance and
heritage — it is a forward-looking destination that embraces sustainability,
innovation, and diversity at the heart of its identity.”
Beyond the
Traditional
One of the most significant shifts is an essential focus on
areas beyond Paris’s traditional tourist core. While landmarks along the Seine
continue to appear on most first-time itineraries, Paris je t’aime is actively
encouraging exploration across the broader metropolitan area.
That strategy also ties in with the city’s response to
concerns about overtourism. “Overtourism is a challenge for many destinations,
but Paris is in a unique position,” she said. “We don’t experience overtourism
in the same way as other cities. Only a few areas, like Montmartre, see heavy
crowds. Most of our iconic sites are concentrated along the Seine, in districts
that are not highly residential, which reduces the impact on local communities.
What really sets Paris apart is the diversity of its neighborhoods and
experiences. Visitors can enjoy world‑famous landmarks, but also discover
artisans, galleries, local shops and hidden restaurants across the city.”
Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris, France. (Photo Credit: evannovostro/Adobe)
What’s New with Paris
Attractions
Paris is offering a variety of new reasons to visit. The
reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral
in December 2024, following the devastating 2019 fire, has lured large numbers
of visitors to the beautifully restored landmark, with timed-entry reservations
helping to manage demand. At the same time, several major institutions remain
closed for long-term renovations, including the Musée Yves Saint Laurent until 2027
and the Centre Pompidou until
2030.
Other venues are returning to prominence. After more than
three years of renovation, for example, the Grand Palais (Grand Palace) has
reopened and is once again hosting major exhibitions and international fairs.
The legendary Louvre, meanwhile, continues
to be a cultural icon for the city — and has gained even more press following
this year’s heist, which resulted in the theft of multiple items. The facility
continues to prepare for the future, with plans to open a new department
dedicated to the arts of Byzantium and Eastern Christendom in 2027.
Beyond the big-name museums, Paris wows travelers with a
variety of other cultural institutions. The Musée d’Orsay (d’Orsay Museum) housed
in a former Belle Époque railway station, will host an exhibition of works by
Renoir from March 17 to July 19, 2026, and the Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris Museum of
Modern Art of Paris), which offers free access to its permanent collection, is
staging an exhibition of works by Max Wechsler through June 28, 2026.
Holidays in Paris (Photo Credit: Yves/Adobe Stock)
Paris Hotel News
The city’s hotel scene is also evolving, with a wave of new
hotels reflecting a range of styles and price points. Near the Arc de Triomphe,
boutique properties such as L’Aventure
and the NH
Collection Ponthieu Champs-Élysées (a rebrand of the former NH Paris Champs-Élysées Hotel) offer
fresh options in a popular tourist area.
Several openings are noteworthy for their creative
reimagining of historic sites. In the Marais, Boudoir des Muses occupies a
former convent and theater, while Hotel
Masse has opened near the Sacre-Coeur church in Montmartre, adding new
capacity in one of the city’s most-visited neighborhoods.
Hilton, meanwhile, has expanded its presence in the City of
Light with this year’s opening of Sax Paris, LXR
Hotels & Resorts — the hotelier’s first LXR-branded property in France.
These latest developments bode well for the city’s appeal
with the U.S. market, which Menegaux says is the destination’s largest
international market. “In 2024 around 3.5 million US visitors came to Paris, an
11.2% increase vs. 2023,” she said. “What sets Paris apart in the 2020s is its
ability to reinvent itself while preserving its timeless charm, as well as its
unprecedented resilience.”
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