Your Paris Weekend Program

If the cold has been lingering all week in Paris, this weekend the temperatures are rising! The Do It Team has uncovered the best activities for its favorite readers to make the most of it. Mark your calendars : a chic movie screening at the Royal Monceau Raffles-Paris, tons of activities for Earth Day at Mob Hotel, a journey to India with the Halevi Atelier pop-up, a fantastic launch program for the China exhibition at the Guimet Museum, and a food collaboration between India and Africa with Delhi Bazaar and BMK.

Spice will be in the air ! The wildest foodie collaboration of the weekend is happening between the Indian restaurant Delhi Bazaar and the African canteen BMK Folie-Bamako, operating hand in hand for an unprecedented intercontinental journey led by chefs Eqbal Hossain and Ousmane Coulibaly. We're hungry ! The true star of this ephemeral menu, available for two weeks at both locations, is the Butter Chicken Mafé, a crazy fusion between the two iconic dishes (€14 to €16). For the rest, we mix pleasures by inviting each country to our table. At Delhi Bazaar, taste the banana plantain allocos topped with chutney (€7), frilly fritters shaped like Indian jalebi to dip in condensed milk (€6), and baobab fruit lassi (€6). On BMK's side, discover Indian cassava pakoras to dip in yassa sauce (yum, €6), mango lassi for dessert (€6), and hibiscus syrup with chai (€6).

The extra touch : Absolute fans can also walk away with a bunch of cool collector's items, from the frankly too beautiful illustrated t-shirt (made in France with organic cotton, €45) to the tote bag and a divine (very) spicy sauce blending the tastes of both establishments. Just a heads up : it's fiery !

Delhi Bazaar, 71 rue Servan, Paris 11th. 

BMK Folie-Bamako, 40 rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud, 75011 Paris. 

© Delhi Bazaar, Victoire Terrade

It's now or never to treat yourself to a little luxury at the Royal Monceau Raffles-Paris, to reconcile with life. The experience worthy of billionaire socialites, to try out once a month? Arrive at 7:45 pm at the palace and turn left after the entrance, towards... their luxurious private screening room where all Hollywood stars have access when they're in Paris ! This Sunday evening, it's the iconic film "La Belle et la Bête" (1946) by Jean Cocteau starring Jean Marais, a must-see at least once in a lifetime, screening from 8 pm.

Instructions : arrive half an hour before the screening for a complimentary glass of champagne (or other cold drink) in the charming lounge adjacent to this very VIP cinema. Then, snuggle up in front of this feel-good movie with a cone of popcorn (sweet or salty) and other treats like a chocolate tablet filled with praline and a cookie : there's no better feel-good therapy !

The extra touch : those with a sweet tooth might prefer the 5 pm screening featuring the movie "À la belle étoile" (2023), inspired by the incredible journey of Yazid Ichemrahen, who happens to be the brand-new pastry chef at the Royal Monceau Raffles Paris, and will even be present from 4:30 pm to introduce himself ! Naturally, the gourmet basket to snack on during the film is already tempting us.

Royal Film Club at the Royal Monceau Raffles Paris, 37 Avenue Hoche, Paris 8th. Tickets are €25 for children, €45 for adults, including a gourmet basket. Information and reservations online.

For the 3rd year, MOB HOTEL celebrates our beautiful planet with a weekend filled with engaging and cultural activities. On the agenda for Earth Day : repairing damaged clothes with Patagonia (Saturday from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm), transforming plant pots (Sunday from 2 pm to 4 pm, €60 per person, reservation required), or a sewing workshop to learn how to repair clothes (Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm, €60 per person, reservation required).

A lovely market of creators will showcase brands such as Chauffe Marcel, La Fabrique Yvonne, or Dégaine les puces. Our favorite workshop ? Learning to make your terrarium and kokédama (Saturday and Sunday, at 11 am, €35 per person, reservation required). Feeling hungry ? Dive into the vegetarian and vegan menu specially crafted for the occasion : pizzas, fresh pasta dishes with basil pesto, seasonal fruit tart, and kiwi soup.

The extra touch : kids are also kept busy with a creation workshop using recycled objects (Saturday, April 27th, from 2 pm to 3:15 pm, €25 per person, reservation required).

Earth Day at MOB HOTEL Paris les Puces. April 27th and 28th. 6 rue Gambetta, Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine.

We don't know about you, but Indian fabrics and patchwork jackets we see all over Instagram have sparked a true obsession in us. So, the extension until April 28th of the Haveli Atelier pop-up is at the top of this week's good news ! The meeting point is rue Charlot, in the heart of the Marais, to try on jackets, tote bags, and beautiful jewelry by Myriam, a French creator who fell in love with colors after living in Bombay for over 3 years.

A true blend of traditional fabrics and hyper-contemporary cuts, all her creations are unique and sewn from old saris and kanthas in beautiful colors. The jewelry is handmade and gold-plated, enhanced by magnificent stones from Jaipur.

We love : reversible cotton jackets (€200) or silk (€215), short sari kimonos (€95), Kantha tote bags (€95), Maharani earrings (€65), and the Anahata necklace (€135).

Haveli Atelier pop-up, 43 rue Charlot, Paris 3rd, until April 28th from 11 am to 7 pm.

It's the grand opening weekend of a year dedicated to China at the Guimet Museum ! On Saturday afternoon, enjoy a classical Chinese dance performance, inspired by the ancient heritage of China, taking you on an imaginary journey we're eager to discover. Also, listen to traditional music composed over 700 years ago, played by violins, zithers, mouth organs, and dizi flutes, by the Soie et Bambou ensemble from the Haute école de musique de Genève.

Learn to paint with Chinese ink with Wong Wa, drawing inspiration from great masters of Chinese painting like the artist T'ang Haywen, not forgetting an initiation to the art of tea in a space transformed into a contemporary cave alongside a green tea Master specially flown in from Asia. To end these two days beautifully, marvel on Sunday at 5 pm at the acrobats of the Rêve de Chine circus, with balancing acts, spinning plates, juggling, martial arts, and dance. A true journey to the end of the world just a Navigo swipe away !

The extra touch : Saturday's late-night opening until 8 pm, to enjoy the museum for longer.

Guimet Museum, 6 Place d'Iéna, Paris 16th. Information, prices, and reservations on guimet.fr.

What if the epitome of style was crafting your own accessories? This weekend, book your leatherworking workshop with Paul, a passionate leather expert who teaches how to make your own recycled leather shoulder bag. The workshop starts with a welcome drink before getting down to business: leatherwork using the origami technique, attaching "rivets" and silver buckles for finishing touches. Once these steps are completed, personalize your bag with hot stamping. The result? A true beauty reminiscent of English Satchel bags, giving you a 100% Brit' swag worthy of Kate Moss.

Bonus: Before or after the workshop, head to the TOO TacTac Skybar on the 27th floor, located just a stone's throw away, for a top-notch buffet brunch. Enjoy Benoît Castel's bread, cheesecake, lemon meringue pie, flan, carrot cake, granola, and brunch basics like airy scrambled eggs (€55 per person).

Make Your Shoulder Bag. Ages 15 and up. 2.5 hours, €110 per person. Online booking required.

The dead awaken at the Basilique Cathédrale de Saint-Denis! A new immersive show brings six French queens back from their tombs to meet visitors in the heart of the Basilica. During "The Night of Queens", you can chat with Isabeau de Baviera and Eleanor of Aquitaine, brush past Marie and Catherine de Médicis, or experience the final moments of Marie-Antoinette. This journey through time takes visitors from the year 250 to the French Revolution through actors and dancers, dressed in period costumes, against a backdrop of classical music and illuminated by hundreds of candles lighting up the Basilica. A unique spectacle!

Bonus: Take the opportunity to visit the incredible Basilique Cathédrale de Saint-Denis, also known as the final resting place of the kings and queens of France. 70 sculpted tombs of sovereigns lie in this gem of Gothic art, including those of Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette. A must-see at least once in a lifetime!

The Night of Queens from April 19th to May 5th at Basilique Cathédrale de Saint-Denis, 1 rue de la Légion d'Honneur, Saint-Denis. Open on Friday evenings from 6:45 PM to 10:30 PM, and Saturdays and Sundays from 3:45 PM to 10:30 PM. Starting from €10.99. Information and reservations online.

© Clément Blaisot

You'll need to hurry to sink your teeth into this pure marvel! When Paris' best smash burgers, aka Junk, team up with Trois Fois Plus de Piment, you know the Parisian foodosphere is buzzing. Until May 10th, both establishments will feature a limited edition spicy burger on their menus, a true little bomb with high desirability potential, a necessary and happy encounter between US comfort food and the spicy flavors of Asian cuisine.

Picture a bun offered in two versions. In common, a spicy sauce, a tasty peanut condiment, and crispy leek tempura. Only the protein changes: at Junk, the double smashed beef patty accompanied by its mandatory American cheese; at Trois Fois Plus de Piment, Sichuan-style fried chicken replaces the beef for an authentically crunchy version. Of course, Junk's signature fries are also in on the action, just as perfectly crispy while remaining soft on the inside. The bikini body can wait.

Burger available until May 10th at Junk (114 rue Montmartre, Paris 2nd) and at Trois fois Plus de Piment (184 rue Saint-Martin, Paris 3rd). €12.50 on-site, €14.90 on Deliveroo.

© Sadik Sans Voltaire

Spring goes hand in hand with a sudden desire for greenery, serenity, and a fresher interior. Happiness of perfect timing: this weekend, the Plants for All sale is taking place, where you can find thousands of plants and soils at very sweet prices ranging from €0.90 to €29.90. And that's not all: you can also shop for superb pots and cachepots, all at seriously discounted prices.

Take advantage of the opportunity to chat with on-site experts who provide excellent advice and are happy to guide you in choosing THE plant that suits you best, depending on your interior and your watering diligence. Because yes, it's even possible to find little gems that won't need as much attention as you might think. Impossible not to succumb, we're sure you'll find what you're looking for.

Bonus: to stay in the green power mood, head to Cordelia de Castellane's flower cafe for a snack!

Plante pour tous, Italie 2 shopping center, 30 avenue d'Italie, Paris 13th, level 3 access next to Okaïdi. Friday 12th from 10:30 am to 7:30 pm, Saturday 13th from 10 am to 7:30 pm, and Sunday 14th from 11 am to 6 pm. Free online reservation.

Cordelia de Castellane coffee shop, 14 rue du Bac, Paris 7th. Open Tuesday to Saturday from 9:30 am to 7 pm, coffee shop open from 10 am to 5 pm.

The week has been exhausting, full of twists and turns, and it's time to spill it all to your bestie? Then we order you to debrief at Cali Sisters' speakeasy-style cocktail bar, a cozy cocoon where wicker chairs and terracotta fabrics serve as a backdrop to the ballet of cocktails that land on candlelit tables.

Among the refined potions to sip: the Savages (gin, yellow lemon juice, Darjeeling tea, aloe vera syrup - €14) or the Red Magic (vodka infused with purple carrot peels, yellow lemon juice, dry vermouth, Jerusalem artichoke syrup, €14). To accompany your drink, we urge you to order the truffle dices, fried tapioca dices with melting parmesan and truffle, a DI-VI-NI-TY (€9). We also recommend the white bean hummus and focaccia (€12) and the spicy tuna tartare (toasted brioche, tuna tartare, spicy salsa and spring onions, €14).

Bonus: sweet tooths won't leave until they've devoured the Pizzookie, a freshly baked cookie with smoked vanilla ice cream: completely insane (€11). While it's not officially listed on the "finger food" menu, we're giving you the cheat code. Do It at your service!

Cali Sisters, 17 rue Notre Dame des Victoires, Paris 2nd. Online reservation.

Kids also have their own film festival! From April 13th to 30th, Télérama and the French Association of Art and Experimental Cinemas offer the opportunity to discover classics during the 7th edition of the Children's Film Festival. Premieres, masterpieces, and new releases will be on the program in three Parisian theaters (and 200 others throughout France). This year, the theme of the program is living together. Among the must-sees: the iconic musical comedy Singin' in the Rain, the cult Arrietty: The Borrower Arrietty, the comedy Chicken Run, and the French animated film that made a sensation, My Life as a Zucchini. Get ready with popcorn and booster seats!

Bonus: continue to enrich our little blond heads' film culture by introducing them to James Cameron's fantastic world. Head to the French Cinematheque to discover the exhibition "The Art of James Cameron": over 300 archives straight from the Canadian director's "vault" are being exhibited for the first time in Paris. A true dive into his subconscious and his filmography!

7th Children's Film Festival Télérama/AFCAE from April 13th to 30th at l’Archipel, 17 boulevard de Strasbourg, Paris 10th, Espace Saint Michel, 7 place Saint-Michel, Paris 5th, Lucernaire, 53 rue Notre Dame des Champs, Paris 6th. €3.50 per ticket for Télérama pass holders available on the website.

© Ma Vie de Courgette - Courtesy of Sundance Institute, Chantons sous la pluie - Warner Bros et Arrietty - The Walt Disney Company France

It's a bit like if the MAD launched an ultra-short 3-day exhibition combining the wonders of the greatest designers of all time. It is the first time that the venerable Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr auction house has organized one specifically dedicated to haute couture, presenting in preview no less than 530 lots covering a century of creation. You can imagine our hysteria... If Schiaparelli, Balenciaga, Dior, Chanel, and Saint Laurent made the heyday of haute couture, their treasures will be shown for free in the exhibition on Friday, Saturday, and next Monday before a grand auction on April 9th, on-site and online.

Among the pieces up for grabs (the complete catalog can be found here) : a jacket worn on stage by Johnny Hallyday in 1971 created by Yves Saint Laurent (€35,000 - €45,000), a Christian Dior strapless evening dress from 1957 (€30,000 - €50,000), a Cristóbal Balenciaga cocktail dress (€2,000 - €3,000), a Schiaparelli gilded metal necklace dating from 1938 (€3,000 - €5,000), or Roger Vivier shoes that belonged to the Duchess of Windsor Wallis Simpson (€300 - €600). Enough to drive the most motivated collectors crazy!

The extra touch : take advantage of this sunny weekend to have a picnic in Parc Monceau before or after the exhibition, grabbing your snack beforehand at MAM, the fabulous caterer by Stéphanie Le Quellec.

Auction "1910-2010 A Century of Haute Couture", live auction on April 9th, online auction from April 5th to 15th. Exhibition of pieces without appointment by going directly on-site on Friday from 10 am to 6 pm, Saturday from 11 am to 6 pm, and Monday from 10 am to 6 pm at Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr, 6 Avenue Hoche, Paris 8th.

© Madeleine Vionnet, Roger Vivier, and Yves Saint Laurent

A free exhibition in a palace, does it tempt you ? Alongside the "Contemporary Fragments" exhibition at Villa Gabrielle gallery, a part of the collection moves to the sumptuous Hôtel de Crillon. Head to the lobby of this five-star Concorde hotel for free access to discover two programs : one dedicated to ancient memory, the other to future archaeology with about thirty works by eight international artists. These sculptors, photographers, poets, and visual artists offer their own reinterpretation of ruins using marble, concrete, asphalt, glass, plexiglass, or video, such as the sublime landscapes of the Peloponnese screen-printed on plexiglass plates by Katerina Charou, which takes us on a journey to Greece. As for Marina Mankarios, a Franco-Egyptian artist, she fragments and recomposes antique busts as with her Antique Tetris. A must-see!

Extra tip : Before visiting, treat yourself to a proper breakfast at Café Lapérouse. The breakfast formula does the job perfectly: soft-boiled egg + mini-granola + pastry or toast + fresh fruit juice + coffee, hot chocolate, or tea (€28). A delight !

"Contemporary Fragments" until May 2nd at Hôtel de Crillon, 10 Place de la Concorde, Paris 8th. Open every day. Free entry. Information online.

© Hôtel Crillon (@rosewoodhoteldecrillon) and Villa Gabrielle Gallery / Clémence Rolland-Casado

Before Banksy, there was Invader. A fan of the Space Invaders video game, the anonymous French artist has been hiding mosaics made of tiles in cities worldwide since 1996. But his heart remains in Paris, where he installed his first alien in the Bastille district. It's in the capital that the "Unidentified Living Artist," as he describes himself, sets up a massive exhibition in the former offices of Libération. Over 3,500 square meters, he invites us into his "Invader Space Station" ! What's on the agenda ? Photos, videos, sculptures, installations, and, of course, his mosaics, some of which have never been shown to the public. The artist himself designed the retrospective's scenography as a space odyssey, promising to be THE art event that will shake Paris. Ready for liftoff ?

Bonus : After this journey into this interstellar universe, nothing beats indulging in affordable hearty dishes at Bouillon République. Expect oysters (€9.90 per half dozen), a wave of deviled eggs (€2.50), leeks vinaigrette (€3.40), mashed potato sausage (€9.60), steak fries with shallot sauce (€12.40), profiteroles (€4.80), or the legendary rice pudding (€2.80).

Invader Space Station from February 17 to May 5 at 11 Rue Béranger, Paris 3rd. Open Monday to Thursday from 11 am to 7 pm, Friday from 11 am to 9 pm, and weekends from 10 am to 8 pm. Information and mandatory online reservation.

© @ Invaderwashere sur Instagram

What if you started your weekend with your group of friends by getting tarot card readings? Every Friday, the Wellness Gallery at Galeries Lafayette Haussmann plays Madame Irma with a new workshop we already love. In groups of 5 (or less), immerse yourself in the magic of cartomancy, the divinatory art that uses cards to read the future. Leading the workshop is Nina Beck, an ultra-knowledgeable coach who enriches her clients' lives with her expertise in personal development and cartomancy. Note : This workshop shouldn't be seen as fortune-telling; Nina explains that it's more of an intuitive and kind exchange to unlock what we don't see.

Bonus : After her free workshop (from 6 pm to 7 pm or from 7:15 pm to 8:15 pm), continue the discussion about your reading over dinner at Madonna, an osteria like in Milan, not far from the workshop. Enjoy paccheri and polpette (€18), spaghetti with sea urchins (€25), or ossobucco alla milanese (€29) while sipping on a surprising truffle Negroni (€12). End on a sweet note with the iconic tiramisu (€14) or the pistachio chou, a crackling choux pastry filled with fresh pistachio cream (€14).

The Wellness Gallery, Galeries Lafayette Haussmann. 40 Bd Haussmann, Paris 9th. Make an appointment at the Wellness Lobby or by phone at 01 42 82 34 24. Free workshop.

Helena Noguerra has a passion: reading. She reads every day from her childhood, starting with Oui-Oui up to Kundera today. Until June 23, Belgian actress will be reading Frida Kahlo's correspondences at La Scala, taking spectators on an emotional and captivating journey through the extraordinary life of the Mexican artist. Accompanied by the guitar of Laurent Guillet, we (re)discover various facets of the icon's life: the trauma of her accident at 18 which haunted her all her life, her passionate and toxic marriage to artist Diego Rivera, and her activism against Franco's dictatorship in Spain. A must-see!

Extra Tip: We don't go to the theater on an empty stomach! Before the play, which starts at 9 p.m., head to the counter of Brasserie Dubillot, just a stone's throw from La Scala. We highly recommend ordering the now-cult sausage and mashed potatoes (€14) and a delicious Paris-Brest (€8) for dessert. Yum!

Frida Kahlo, until June 23 at La Scala, 13 boulevard de Strasbourg, Paris 10th.

© Thomas O'Brien

You've probably seen it on our Instagram page: our stunning city guide has just hit the shelves! The Do It Team has curated a best-of featuring its 450 favorite addresses in and around Paris, categorized by neighborhood, from delicious restaurants and coffee shops to trendy concept stores, not to mention our favorite museums and secret gardens of the capital. All wrapped in a beautiful red cover, complete with 100% Parisian stickers and coloring pages at the end. In other words, the perfect Christmas gift for less than €20.

The ultimate excuse to browse the sexiest bookstores in the capital. You can ask for the Do It In Paris City Guide at L'Ecume des Pages (174 Boulevard Saint-Germain, Paris 6th), Galignani (224 Rue de Rivoli, Paris 1st), in Le Marais on the 1st floor of Comme un Roman (39 Rue de Bretagne, Paris 3rd), or at the chic Delamain bookstore (155 Rue Saint-Honoré, Paris 1st) and Librairie des Abbesses (30 Rue Yvonne le Tac, Paris 18th), as well as at all FNAC stores closest to you. We hope you'll love it as much as we do!

© Julia Brami

Also, discover Hollywood Savoy : a chic restaurant with a hidden private club and the best ehxibitions (free!) in parisian galleries.