Five experiences to thrill your senses in Paris

With your senses on alert, explore the City of Light in search of one-of-a-kind experiences. From the taste of wines to a concert, discover Paris in a new sensory light.

There is a waft of bergamot, amber and lavender in the air near to the Opera in Paris. On the corner of Square Louis Jouvet, you will find the source of these sweet scents: the Fragonard Perfume Museum. The history of perfume and its manufacture are traced from antiquity to the present day through unique works of art. Diamond-studded bottles, ancient vials and posters from the start of the 20th century take you back to the origins of the French perfume industry, on a journey from its home in Grasse to Paris. Whether you have an amateur or experienced nose, you will then savour the different fragrances Fragonard creates, with the help of a perfume expert.

As you walk down Avenue de l’Opéra, a rather inconspicuous location catches your eye. Push open the doors of the Caves du Louvre, tucked away in a former private townhouse. The first rooms are set out with wine newbies in mind: regional wines, grape varieties and vineyards are all explained in detail before you step into the ‘Laboratory’ where different wine notes are extracted into small bottles so you can fully understand the wines during your tasting session. Further on, a sommelier is awaiting your arrival; it is time to put your palate to the test.

The tasting workshop has made you hungry. So, you now head to the Musée du quai Branly - Jacques Chirac. Located on the roof of the building, Les Ombres restaurant boasts the most breathtaking views. Its large floor-to-ceiling windows open up a panorama over the whole of Paris. To the left, the shimmering dome of Les Invalides stands out above Haussmann’s buildings. To the right, the River Seine rolls out its bluish carpet, while the silhouette of Sacré Cœur can be seen on the horizon. Straight ahead, you will not be able to take your eyes off the imposing Eiffel Tower which, from this perspective, seems to float above the capital. You look on, transfixed in complete amazement, while the chef is hard at work in the kitchen, cooking up a sophisticated dining experience.

So, are you ready to awaken yet another sense? A seat awaits you in the Paris Philharmonic for a concert in the Pierre Boulez Great Hall. This auditorium is like no other in the world: the audience surrounds the musicians on all sides, producing an unrivalled acoustic experience. The notes float through the air, coming to rest in the very hearts of spectators.

After all this activity, you really deserve a good night’s rest. In the up-and-coming neighbourhood of La Chapelle, book a room at the iconoclastic Kube Hotel. Somewhere between a bunker and a cosy cocoon, the hotel’s decor takes its inspiration from both the Second World War and Scandinavian design, resulting in a profusion of textures to touch and feel. A glass cube in the courtyard, a jungle of vegetation in the lobby, clean woodwork lines in the bedrooms and an unexpected bar made entirely of ice (at minus 22°C!)… the hotel revels in a panoply of materials, making for a thoroughly exhilarating stay in Paris.

Fragonard Perfume Museum
3–5 square Louis Jouvet
75009 Paris
[phone]

Les Caves du Louvre
52 rue de l'Arbre Sec
75001 Paris
[phone]

Les Ombres
27 quai Branly
75007 Paris
[phone]

Paris Philharmonic
221 avenue Jean Jaurès
75019 Paris
[phone]

Kube Hotel Paris
1–5 passage Ruelle
75018 Paris
[phone]