What are the best things to do in Paris in April?

Under this glorious sun, the month of April is already synonymous with renewal and good vibes! Are your calendars ready? The Do It Team has scouted some gems for you, including a waterfront restaurant for lunch straight out of a Renoir painting, a workshop to learn how to dance like the creatures of the Crazy Horse, a decidedly desirable fashion collab to grab before it sells out, a hot hot hot street food festival, the new XXL sauna everyone is talking about, and a sublime exhibition to admire at the Petit Palais. To your diaries!

 

Sway your body like the Crazy Horse dancers

Who hasn't dreamed of flaunting the arch and infinite glamour of the Crazy Horse dancers? Paris's most desirable cabaret has just launched Crazy Attitude, the ultimate experience to book via Airbnb: 1.5 hours of total immersion behind the scenes in a small group with a dance class led by a Crazy Girl—who can top that? The meeting point is the cabaret entrance to start with a tour of the theater. There, a dancer tells you the history of the venue, shares a few secrets, and answers all your questions about outfits, choreography, and her pro tips for keeping up the pace and dancing in dizzying heels (by Louboutin, of course). Then, head to the official rehearsal studio for a private class you'll remember for the rest of your life...

We start with a few warm-ups to become aware of our bodies in space. Then your teacher for the day gives you advice on controlling your breathing, owning your queenly posture... and learning to walk with as much sensuality as a member of the troupe, swaying "as if you had a crocodile tail." No need to be shy: here, we step out of our comfort zone and work on our confidence with a true pro. Finally, learn a short group choreography to immortalize by placing your phone near the mirror: for us, a few leg moves and swaying strides to Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps! Honestly: weeks later, we’re still floating on cloud nine...

Masterclass Crazy Attitude, from €90. Information and bookings on lecrazyhorseparis.com. Crazy Horse, 12 avenue George V, Paris 8th. © Pauline Darley

 

Bring yourself luck with sublime jewelry

The prettiest collab of the spring is by Arthus Bertrand and Roseanna, who together imagined the superb Fragment of Luck necklace. A true object of desire, it is made from workshop scraps from Maison Arthus Bertrand, mixing gold-plated metal and silver on unique and virtuous pieces where the charms necessarily vary—upcycling oblige! With its Virgin Mary lucky medals, it hangs around the neck... but not just there. We’ve also seen it worn on two belt loops, on a bag, and even a shirt thanks to its extra-large clasp that offers almost infinite combinations.

It must be said that the association of Arthus Bertrand’s heritage and Roseanna’s creative freedom feels like a natural fit: “I’ve always liked the art of upcycling because it’s about sublimating the limits of what exists. I call it the exquisite constraints of creation,” explains Camille Toupet, Artistic Director of Arthus Bertrand. Top tip: the slow fashion detail is pushed right down to the jewelry pouch, itself made from dormant stocks of honorary decoration ribbons. A gift that climbs to the top of our list for Mother's Day, unless you treat yourself and keep it jealously.

Fragment of Luck Necklace Maison Arthus Bertrand x Roseanna, €320. Available online, at Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, in all Arthus Bertrand boutiques and in the Roseanna boutique at 5 rue Froissart, Paris 3rd.

 

Live "Le Déjeuner des Canotiers" for real

Auguste Renoir invites himself to the Musée d’Orsay until July 19th with the exhibition Renoir and Love: Happy Modernity. Festive balls and summer guinguettes are the essence of the most colorful paintings by the Impressionist master, often described as the "painter of happiness." It’s impossible to miss the artist’s great masterpieces, from Bal du moulin de la Galette to Danse à la campagne, not forgetting the heart of the matter: Le Déjeuner des canotiers (Luncheon of the Boating Party). A fabulous exhibition, after which you definitely don't go home! The real chic? Prolong the ecstasy by hopping on the RER A for a timeless stopover on the Île des Impressionnistes

We head to Maison Fournaise, the historical HQ where Monet, Sisley, and Renoir used to put the world to rights and paint by the water. It’s the indispensable cultural after-party: leaving the museum walls to find the light, the wind in the willows, and that chic guinguette atmosphere that hasn't aged a day. We sit on the balcony, under the striped hangings so recognizable from Renoir's most famous painting. It is right here that the painter brought Le Déjeuner des Canotiers to life. To match the canvas, we treat ourselves to the dedicated menu signed by Christian Le Squer, a three-star chef: crispy fried smelts to eat with your fingers, a melting pot-au-feu style chicken, and faisselle with amaretto cherries for a touch of retro indulgence. Magical!

Restaurant Maison Fournaise, Ile des Impressionnistes, 78400 Chatou. Menu Déjeuner des Canotiers, until July 19th, €39. Access: RER A, Chatou-Croissy station. Tuesday to Saturday from 12pm to 3pm then from 7pm to 10pm, and Sunday from 12pm to 4pm. Reservation at 01 30 09 05 30.

Renoir and Love Exhibition at Musée d'Orsay, 1 rue de la Légion d'Honneur, Paris 7th. From March 17th to July 19th. 

 

Test the hottest sauna in Paris

When the founders of Monday Sports Club get involved, naturally, people show up. Head to rue Saint-Roch, facing the Tuileries, in a neighborhood where new spots don't pop up that easily. And let’s tell you straight away: here, the experience is fully lived in a dimmed atmosphere with a woody scent, changing rooms, showers, and a space to pamper yourself. Then, at the bottom of the stairs, the magic happens. In a first room with sofas, guided sessions take place with teachers where movement, breathing, and letting go follow one another, carried by a discourse that invites you to gain perspective… unless you prefer to book a freer version at your own pace.

But it all starts in the sauna, this large mixed space designed as a true sensory experience. The crowd sometimes breaks the bubble a bit. Large, yes. But often full… a more collective than introspective experience. After a minimum of 20 minutes, a trip to the shower, then immersion in ice baths between 3 and 8 degrees. The shock is immediate. But the effect follows just as fast: the body reacts, the skin smooths out, energy surges back. You come out with ultra-soft skin, a firmed body, and a fairly radical sense of reset. Little tip: don't be in a hurry for the showers. The success of the place is felt… right down to the wait.

Sant Roch, 4 rue Saint-Roch, Paris 1st. Open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 7pm, and Thursday from 11:30am to 8pm. The session is €45. Reservation directly online.

 

Spice up your evening at the Belleville Food Market

Want to put your taste buds to the test? The Food Market returns in ultra-spicy mode and transforms Belleville into a real playground for thrill-seekers. For one evening, there's no faking it: here, chili is everywhere, from a little shiver to a real hot flash that makes the pressure rise. We taste, we hesitate… and very quickly, it becomes a challenge. How far are you willing to go?

To snack on: Here, it’s all about indulgence and rising heat. Bang Bang's wings are tested "Hot Ones" style, from the mildest to the frankly spicy, while Pezzopane twists its paninis and Rôtisserie Segar revisits its sandwiches in a very zesty version. Pas Cher has created a spicy burger with a whole chili, clearly not for the shy, while Oté warms things up with its rougail saucisse. Munch and BMK complete the set with gourmet bagels and a mafé that leaves a real mark.

Even desserts get in on the act: spicy chocolate at Miliki and Russian roulette cookies at Craving Cookies, just to finish on a note as hot as it is unpredictable. To wash it all down, Gallia beers accompany you from start to finish, from blonde to IPA, with two creations that flirt seriously with fire: a habanero-raspberry version and another with pineapple, scorpion chili, and a touch of mezcal.

The Spicy Food Market, Boulevard de Belleville, between Couronne and Ménilmontant stations. Thursday, April 16th from 6pm to 10:30pm.

 

Admire the Visages d’artistes exhibition at the Petit Palais

Until July 19th, the Petit Palais opens its doors to host the new exhibition Visages d’artistes, from Gustave Courbet to Annette Messager. Visitors are invited to discover the art of the portrait and self-portrait through a hundred works—paintings, sculptures, photographs, decorative arts—spread over nearly two centuries. The tour extends into the permanent collections and is distinguished by highlighting 13 contemporary female artists who exhibit their portraits as a response to the resolutely masculine history of the portrait. Thus, past and present dialogue for a fascinating exhibition that resonates with this central theme of the portrait.

Between heritage and modernity, this exhibition shakes up the codes of the portrait. Here, materials vibrate and faces come alive: each work stares at you, challenges you, and establishes a dialogue, like a hall of mirrors, a conversation with art. But the quintessence of the show is the self-portrait; we discover those of Gustave Courbet, Léon Bonnat, and Jacques-Émile Blanche, but also more contemporary works: a hyperrealistic sculpture by Hélène Duprat—a disturbing self-portrait that questions representation. A crush on Tenax et Stamina. This double-sided triptych isn't meant to just be looked at: it demands that you walk around it, confront it, stand on tiptoe. Apolonia Sokol, the artist, reinterprets two great paintings: Courbet’s The Sleepers and Pelez’s Grimaces and Miseries. She draws inspiration, reinvents, and turns the self-portrait into a powerful political and personal manifesto. In short, rush to the Petit Palais to discover this fascinating exhibition, full of surprises and twists.

Visages d'artistes, at Petit Palais, from March 18th, 2026 to July 19th, 2026.

 

Picnic under the cherry blossoms

Taiko concerts (traditional drums with a haunting sound), kite flying, mimed stories or Rakugo, energetic Yosakoi dancing... and other discoveries! Until April 19th, the Domaine Départemental de Sceaux lives on Japanese time by celebrating Hanami, the cherry blossom festival. We take this perfect excuse to (re)discover the château and its breathtaking gardens, which will host exciting events not to be missed.

On Saturday, bring out the blanket and the picnic and head out with friends to enjoy the sun surrounded by barely opened flowers. For the dreamers, listen to Japanese stories, the ancestral art of Rakugo, or admire the giant kites handmade by masters from Sanjō. For the bravest, a footbridge installed 6 meters high allows you to contemplate the blooming from above.

Every Sunday, a new show takes place: let yourself be transported on April 5th by the world of Emiko Ota, through the show Haru No Mori - Spring Forest, a traveling journey between Studio Ghibli melodies and dances of fairy foxes, before vibrating on April 12th to the raw energy of Yosakoi, a dance mixing tradition and modernity in a collective choreography. In the afternoon, choose between a visit to the château and a Japanese drum concert, and don't forget to make a wish by putting ribbons in the trees, as tradition dictates.

The little extra: From Saturday April 11th to Sunday April 12th, 5 minutes from the park, the Town of Sceaux also hosts a Japanese market that particularly tempts us with ceramics, food products for making chef-style bentos, or clothing and illustrations to hang in your living room.

Domaine départemental de Sceaux, 8 avenue Claude Perrault, 92330 Sceaux. Information and booking at 01 41 87 29 71. Three-act show Haru No Mori, Sunday April 5th from 4pm to 5pm Rakugo - Saturday April 11th and 18th, 3pm-3:45pm and 4:30pm-5:15pm Yosakoi - Sunday April 12th: 3pm-3:30pm and 5pm-5:30pm Guided tour of the château Sunday April 12th at 4pm and Sunday April 19th at 10:30am and 4pm to be booked online Wishes all weekend from 10am to 6:30pm

And still...

 

Book Your Wednesday Night at the Ritz

This is the chic new formula for enjoying a sublime evening at the Ritz without necessarily spending a fortune. Every Wednesday, the legendary hotel on Place Vendôme presents Live at the Ritz, where the Bar Vendôme welcomes live musicians with the intention of reviving the dinner concerts once orchestrated by César Ritz. You simply choose the universe that appeals to you, as the theme changes every week between French Riviera, which we tested with a divine singer and her musicians and which returns on March 4, April 1 and 22, May 20 and June 17, Cosmopolitan Night on March 11, April 8, May 6 and June 3, Special Guest evenings with a surprise guest on March 18, April 15, May 13 and June 10, and of course Jazz on March 25, April 29, May 27 and June 24.

For €130, you take your seat at 8pm near the stage, either on the bar side or under the glass roof, and enjoy an atmosphere that feels completely out of time and space, like a beautiful vacation evening. You begin with a signature cocktail, then savor a starter, main course and dessert by Chef Jérôme Legras that vary according to the theme of the night. For French Riviera, the menu features Mediterranean dishes such as sea bream carpaccio with citrus, sea bass fillet or veal loin with gremolata, followed by a dessert of your choice among the Ritz’s signature pastries, with an eternal crush on the blueberry cheesecake. We are already tempted to go back.

Live at the Ritz takes place every Wednesday from 8pm to 11pm at the Ritz, 15 place Vendôme, Paris 1er. The three-course menu is €130 or you may order à la carte. Online reservations are recommended. 

© Rémi Pujol

 

Get Back in Shape Thanks to AI

Artificial intelligence is increasingly becoming part of our daily lives, even at the gym. At Elancia, it simplifies training and makes it entirely personalized. There are no generic programs or improvised sessions here, as a full fitness assessment upon registration allows a tailor-made program adapted to your body and your goals. A connected machine analyzes everything from muscle mass to body fat and water levels, identifies your weak points and can even estimate your body’s real age.

Once training begins, machines automatically adjust weight, repetitions and settings via a connected key or app, so everything is perfectly calibrated. There are no random weights, poorly adjusted machines or sessions where you do not know what to do. Everything is designed to help you progress without stress, with a program that evolves every six to eight weeks thanks to included follow-up and group classes ranging from strength training and HIIT cardio to mobility and even occasional sophrology sessions. Even in March, you can get back into shape without overthinking it and for less than €100 per month.

Elancia, 33 rue de Caumartin, Paris 9e. Ouvert du lundi au dimanche de 6h à 23h. , open Monday to Sunday from 6am to 11pm, with memberships starting at €89 per month.

 

Indulge in a Waffle Feast

In March, how about enjoying a waffle at sunset with a view over the Seine and the Eiffel Tower. At the bar of its restaurant Le Tout-Paris, Cheval Blanc now offers irresistible Goûters Gaufrés, a sweet and savory gourmet break designed to enjoy a slice of Parisian luxury. The best strategy is to book at 5:45pm so you can order the sweet waffles created by chefs Maxime Frédéric and Sacha Vadier, served until 6pm, and then continue with the savory versions imagined by William Béquin under the guidance of chef Arnaud Donckele.

Expect to pay €40 for a sweet waffle decorated with a rosette reminiscent of Notre-Dame de Paris, topped with chocolate sauce and cocoa, hazelnut praline spread or creamy caramel and vanilla milk jam, accompanied by hot chocolate infused with almond and hazelnut, vanilla and tonka or chai-style. The afterwork crowd may prefer the savory combination at €55, which includes a cocktail of your choice and a gluten-free savory waffle such as radish with horseradish and herbs, salmon with dill and lemon cream, or the ultimate temptation of truffle with goat cheese and rosemary. Be sure to toast on the balcony at sunset and capture the moment.

Les Goûters Gaufrés de Cheval Blanc at Le Tout-Paris, 8 quai du Louvre, Paris 1st arrondissement, served Monday to Saturday from 3:30pm to 6pm for sweet waffles and from noon to midnight for savory versions, to be enjoyed at the bar or on the balconies weather permitting, without reservation. 

© IlyaFoodStories - Alexandre Tabaste

 

Treat Yourself to a Wellness Break

A confidential spa just steps from the Champs-Élysées, nestled inside Hôtel Monsieur George in softly lit vaulted cellars, is always a good idea. Welcome to Spa Monsieur George by Lymphéa, a discreet address where you come to relax and recenter away from the Parisian pace. From the moment you step inside, the atmosphere shifts as soft light, silence and exposed stone invite you to slow down.

Because men also deserve self-care, the new Tonic Barbe & Visage treatment at €120 revives tired features and releases tension in the neck and jaw while toning facial muscles through ultra-precise massage techniques. During 45 minutes, Odacité products are applied, including a mint cleansing gel, a hydrating serum and a purifying beard spray, along with a relaxing upper back and shoulder massage for total unwinding. Skin feels renewed, the beard is deeply hydrated and the face completely relaxed. Extend the experience in the sauna or hammam to end the moment beautifully. It is the kind of address you love recommending to a brother, colleague or partner to encourage them to take care of themselves.

Spa Monsieur George, 17 rue Washington, Paris 8th arrondissement. Reservations at 01.88.60.94.96 or directly online.

 

Admire the Nan Goldin Exhibition at the Grand Palais

Renowned for her photography and her intimate, vulnerable imagery, Nan Goldin is in the spotlight at the Grand Palais with This Will Not End Well, an exhibition that, for the very first time, offers a comprehensive overview of her work as a filmmaker. There is no linear path here, but rather a show that mirrors the artist herself, unfolding across pavilions designed by architect Hala Wardé, her long-time collaborator. The result is a true intimate village nestled within one of Paris’s most beautiful museums, extending all the way to the Chapelle Saint-Louis de la Salpêtrière.

In total, six slideshows and videos invite visitors on a deeply personal journey through her life, friendships, love stories and even her battles. Among them are her seminal work The Ballad of Sexual Dependency, as well as The Other Side and Memory Lost, a powerful exploration of the darkest sides of drug addiction through withdrawal. Nothing is left to chance, and each structure has been conceived in dialogue with the work it houses to create a perfect conversation between architecture and art. The most striking example is Sisters, Saints, Sibyls, a testimony on family trauma and the taboo of suicide, presented as a monumental installation within the chapel, a mystical setting that confronts themes of resilience and grief.

This Will Not End Well at Grand Palais, 17 avenue du Général Eisenhower, Paris 8e. arrondissement. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 7:30pm, with late opening on Fridays until 10pm.

 

Treat Yourself to a Dinner with a View at La Fondation

We’ve already sung the praises of La Fondation countless times : a true multi-purpose hotel in the Batignolles district, offering rooms, restaurants, an incredible rooftop, a XXL spa with gym and pool open to the public, as well as coworking spaces. But the big news is the opening of its fine dining restaurant Les Ailes, still led by the venue’s friendly chef Thomas Rossi.

Perched on the 8th floor with an extraordinary panoramic view, the evening setting channels a Mad Men vibe : Japanese-inspired wood, leather and green velvet create a cozy atmosphere, perfect for both group dinners and romantic evenings. Passing by the bar, you’ll spot tempting cocktails such as the Green Matcha (Vodka Romanov, homemade vanilla and matcha syrup, lemon juice, kiwi purée, aquafaba, €20) or the Pantone 4017 (Brugal 1888 rum, mead, passion fruit, homemade vanilla syrup, verjuice, aquafaba, €20).

Even better : the cuisine lives up to the promise, with creative, travel-inspired plates reflecting the chef’s international background. Our favorites include crispy mushroom tart with pickled chanterelles and horseradish mushroom cream (€26), poached foie gras with acidic pear gel, tarragon and cinnamon cotton candy, duck jus with amaretto (€34), sea bass crudo with whisky corn cream and truffled vinaigrette (€28), scallops with Puy-de-Dôme lentil ragout, guanciale and coral-and-champagne jus (€42), or truffled poultry with crosnes and herb jus (€39). For dessert, a refreshing kiwi creation (€17) ends the meal on a tangy note, unless you prefer the richness of grand cru chocolate and buckwheat (€18). A total success !

Les Ailes Restaurant, 8th floor of La Fondation, 40 rue Legendre, Paris 17e.  Open Tuesday to Saturday, 7:30pm–12am. Bar open from 10pm to midnight. +33 1 78 77 70 00.
© Romain Ricard

 

Subscribe to Cercle by Do It

Okay, you’ve seen the newsletter a thousand times and you’re still hesitating about joining Cercle by Do It. The start of the year is the perfect moment to become part of our most loyal readers’ joyful community. Quick reminder for those at the back of the class: every month, subscribers enjoy exclusive perks at our favorite Parisian spots (discounts on amazing spa massages, complimentary cocktails or champagne with reservations at buzzy new restaurants…) as well as experiences (palaces, DIY workshops…) and ultra-luxe giveaways.

The highlight? Our monthly afterwork, where we all get together around themes like beauty, galettes, Yule logs or fashion—either at L’Appartement de la Parisienne or at must-know Paris addresses. We toast, network and meet new friends in a feel-good, laid-back atmosphere. Because joining the Cercle isn’t just about perks—it’s about community, connections and living the Do It In Paris experience from the inside. We’re waiting for you!

Le Cercle by Do It, €34.90 / month, no commitment.

 

Master Milk Foam Like a Pro

Calling all coffee lovers whose café budget explodes every month, but who are determined to stick to Dry January. What if you learned latte art techniques to recreate those foamy masterpieces at home ? Head to Oberkampf, the ultimate coffee shop neighborhood, to join Julien, Cristina and their team of roasters for a hands-on latte art workshop.

The session starts with an essential introduction to the basics, before practicing steam wand techniques to froth milk like a pro. Once you’ve mastered a silky-smooth foam, it’s time to unleash your creativity and design your own patterns. The cherry on top ? Tasting your own creations (fingers crossed they turn out well), paired with sweet treats to end the experience on a high note.

 

 

Discover the Augustinus Bader Spa at Hôtel Costes

The legendary  Hôtel Costes spa joins forces with Augustinus Bader, promising an ultra-luxurious, high-tech wellness experience. In a sumptuous space of eight treatment rooms, each ritual begins with a custom skin diagnosis conducted by an expert using cutting-edge analysis technology.

Then comes your choice of signature treatments : L’Essentiel (€280), a glow-revealing treatment that softens and brightens the complexion and L’Ultime (€420), an exceptional lifting facial that tones and firms using Raja Medical microcurrents.
Afterwards, visit the Augustinus Bader corner to find the same products used in the treatments. The spa also offers iconic body rituals like Jeunesse des Mains (€130) – a radiofrequency hand treatment that firms and illuminates – or the Massage 60 (€240), a fully personalized massage tailored to your needs and mood.

Other highlights : Bastien Gonzalez, the renowned master manicurist, and Reformer classes with personal trainers for fitness lovers. Extend your wellness escape in the hammam cabin (solo or duo), then unwind in the relaxation lounge with a cup of hot tea.

Hôtel Costes, 7 rue de Castiglione,  Paris 1er. Open daily 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Bookings: 01 42 44 49 12 or  spa@hotelcostes.com.

Also discover your paris weekend itinary and our affordable end of month plans to treat yourself

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