What’s New in Paris: An International Travelers' Perspective

by Mark Chesnut
Last updated: 4:00 PM ET, Fri January 2, 2026

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.”

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.

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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