Places Where You're Most Likely Able To Spot Celebrities In Paris
Celebrities. They're just like us, and like us, they love to go to Paris. The City of Light has always attracted stars, from longtime residents like Johnny Depp and Salma Hayek to honeymooners like Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck. During annual events like Paris Fashion Week, it's not uncommon to spot famous faces enjoying the city's bars and restaurants. With millions of tourists visiting each year, Paris remains the most visited city in the world for travelers, and as we said, celebrities are no different than us.
It's not unusual to see Nicole Kidman shopping along Rue St. Honore or George Clooney dining at a café on the Left Bank. With its vast array of luxury hotels, Michelin-starred restaurants, and cutting-edge fashion boutiques, Paris remains an enduring destination not only for mere mortals; but also the rich and famous. From the five-star hotels near Champs-Élysées to the cobbled streets of Montmartre, here's where you're most likely to spot a celebrity in Paris.
Star-studded hotels
Paris has no shortage of five-star hotels offering the ultimate in luxury. Hang around one long enough and you'll be sure to spot a celebrity or two. Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck spent their honeymoon in Paris, staying at the Hotel de Crillon, while Leonardo DiCaprio is known to stay at the low-key Hôtel Costes. For the best-luck celebrity spotting, head to the 8th Arrondissement, just off the Champs-Élysées. The neighborhood is home to some of the poshest hotels in the city, like the five-star Plaza Athénée. The hotel's iconic red awnings have made appearances in "Sex and the City," "Emily in Paris," and "The Devil Wears Prada."
With Michelin-starred dining, luxurious appointments, and a prime location near the Dior Museum, the Plaza Athénée ticks all the celebrity boxes, and the lesser-known boutique hotel in the same neighborhood, Hôtel de Sers, is a favorite of Justin Bieber. Just around the corner lies the Four Seasons George V, a hotspot for celebrities, designers, and models during fashion week. Also in the 8th Arrondissement is the classic palace hotel, Le Bristol. An Oetker Collection hotel, Le Bristol is a favorite of Mick Jagger and Woody Allen, who prominently featured it in his movie, "Midnight in Paris." For the utmost in luxury, one can never go wrong with The Ritz. Located in the chic 1st Arrondissement on Place Vendome, The Ritz is the hotel of choice for George Clooney and Anna Wintour.
High-end neighborhoods
While celebrities may sightsee at popular attractions, you're more likely to find the rich and famous strolling the streets of the Left Bank or browsing the shops of Les Halles. Saint-Germain-des-Prés has long been a celebrity haunt, beginning in the 1920s when writers like Hemingway and Fitzgerald lived and worked there. Ina Garten has an apartment in the neighborhood and frequents the local bakery Poilâne, while the actor Andy Garcia has been spotted at Le Bar Josephine inside the Hotel Lutetia.
Le Marais is currently considered the chicest neighborhood in Paris for its historic charm and buzzing nightlife, and many stars even own homes here. Both Scarlett Johansson and Johnny Depp have apartments in Le Marais, while Marion Cotillard owns two cafés in the neighborhood. Montmartre, in the northern part of the city, was once the home of artists like Toulouse-Lautrec, Van Gogh, and Cezanne. Nowadays, you're just as likely to spot Brad Pitt lounging at the quiet L'Hôtel Particulier or Matt Damon navigating the narrow cobblestone streets that lead to the city's iconic Sacré Coeur Basilica.
Restaurants of the stars
Ask any traveler about the best part of their Paris trip, and they'll assuredly cite the mouthwatering cuisine. Paris's culinary delights continue to entice celebrities visiting the City of Light. Classic Parisian cafés like Café de Flore on the Left Bank still attract major celebrities like Kim Kardashian, while Hemingway's favorite, Les Deux Magots, continues to welcome the rich and famous who want to indulge in classic French fare like roast chicken and steak frites.
Brasserie Lipp in Saint-Germain-des-Prés may be one of the oldest restaurants in Paris, but it's still a favorite of Natalie Portman. For a trendier option, head to Girafe, a seafood restaurant with Eiffel Tower views where Jennifer Lopez celebrated her birthday with Ben Affleck. Nearby restaurants L'Avenue and La Fontaine de Mars have also hosted a slew of famous faces. And when you've had your share of classic French dishes, then head to La Stresa, an Italian restaurant that's reportedly one of Gwyneth Paltrow's favorites in Paris.
Iconic boutique shops
As the fashion capital of the world, Paris has some of the best shopping on earth. Celebrities love to visit their favorite stores in Paris, whether it's a designer boutique or a locally owned business. One of the surest places to spot a celebrity is on Rue Saint-Honoré. Located in the 1st Arrondissement near the Tuileries, Rue Saint-Honoré is a street loaded with designer shops from Chanel to Dior. Celebrity sightings are a frequent occurrence at nearby Goyard, a luxury leather goods purveyor that has been in business since 1853. Everyone from Reese Witherspoon to Rihanna has been spotted carrying one of Goyard's iconic colored tote bags.
For a large-scale shopping experience, head to Galeries Lafayette Haussman, a French department store that is also the biggest department store chain in Europe. The flagship store, located in the 9th Arrondissement near the Opera Garnier, boasts an incredible Art Deco-style dome and a roof terrace with spectacular views of Paris. The store's haute couture and ready-to-wear boutiques, as well as its weekly fashion shows, make it a popular destination for tourists. Another shopping destination favored by celebrities is Le Bon Marché. Founded in 1838, Le Bon Marché was the world's first department store. Today it remains an elegant shopping destination located on Rue de Sevrés.
Famous Paris musuems
Like us, celebrities want to get their culture fix when in Paris. Jenna Ortega, Tom Holland, and Zendaya are some of the most recent celebrities to visit the Louvre. With famous works like "The Raft of the Medusa" and the "Mona Lisa," the Louvre is a must-visit museum when in Paris. If you love impressionist paintings, head to the Musée d'Orsay on the Left Bank. The massive museum contains five floors of famous works from artists like Monet and Van Gogh.
For a more intimate experience, visit Musée l'Orangerie, a gallery located on the west corner of the Tuileries Garden. Musée l'Orangerie houses works by Modigliani, Picasso, and Renoir, but its most famous exhibition is Monet's "Water Lilies," a series of eight panels arranged in an oval room that showcases Monet's study of light. Fans of Picasso will want to visit The Picasso Museum, located in Le Marais. Housed in a former mansion, the museum regularly welcomes celebrities like Beyoncé.
VIP nightlife
If you want to party like a rockstar, Paris is the place. Known for their dance clubs and late-night hours, many bars don't open in Paris until at least 11 p.m. and don't close until the sun comes up. While many of the hottest Paris clubs have a serious security and discerning entrance policy, others will allow table bookings in advance, so it's best to call ahead. L'Arc is one of the most famous nightclubs in Paris and is located in a historic mansion near the Arc d'Triomphe. A favorite of Kendall Jenner, Jamie Foxx, and Rihanna, L'Arc is known for its massive dance floor, neon lights show, and VIP areas.
DeFlower nightclub is another long-standing favorite of celebrities; Hailey Bieber and Selena Gomez recently made headlines for attending the same party here. Raspoutine, an exclusive hotspot that started out as a Russian cabaret in the 1960s, consistently hosts a variety of famous faces. The club's luxe red and gold decor is a nod to its notorious past, while the all-night DJ sets, craft cocktails, and velvet alcoves cater to its illustrious clientele.
Disneyland Paris
Even in Paris, celebrities love to feel like a kid again by heading to Disneyland Paris, located just outside the city. Disneyland Paris is the only Disney outpost in Europe and also the most visited theme park in all of Europe. Just a short TGV train ride from Charles de Gaulle airport to the Marnée-la-Valée/Chessy train station, Disneyland Paris is an easy day trip for getting out of the city. Blake Lively, Serena Williams, Kevin Costner, and Elton John are just a few of the celebrities who have been photographed with Mickey and Minnie at Disneyland Paris.
While the park has a lot of the same classic rides that can be found at Magic Kingdom, like Dumbo the Flying Elephant and Big Thunder Mountain, it also has a few rides unique to Disneyland Paris, such as an Indiana Jones-themed rollercoaster and an Alice in Wonderland-themed labyrinth. Guests at Disneyland Paris may also experience a few rides similar to Magic Kingdom but with a twist, such as Phantom Manor, a Haunted Mansion-like attraction, and Hyperspace Mountain, a "Star Wars"-themed ride similar to Space Mountain.
Gardens and parks in Paris
Paris has no shortage of beautiful parks and gardens, and stars enjoy them just like any other tourist. Jardin du Luxembourg Gardens, located in the 6th Arrondissement, is a garden oasis made up of English and French landscaping. The park is filled with meandering paths, benches, and a large reflecting pool where children can sail small boats. Another popular garden is the green space in the front of Place du Vosges. Surrounded by the oldest residential square in Paris, Place du Vosges is tucked in Le Marais and a popular spot for picnics.
Near the Louvre on the Right Bank, the Tuileries Gardens has been a favorite spot of Parisians since the French Revolution. Designed in classical style, the garden is made up of a series of terraces and esplanades anchored by an octagonal reflecting pool at its center. During the summer months, the Tuileries Gardens turns into a popular carnival and fairground. Bradley Cooper and Irina Shayk have been spotted walking the gardens with their daughter to enjoy the fair's attractions.
Paris Fashion Week
Held in late September and early October annually, Paris Fashion Week brings celebrities from all over the world to the City of Light. With more than 100 designer shows taking place, it's no wonder the city becomes a veritable playground of models, rock stars, and actors, all in town to watch the latest creations of the world's best designers. Fashion houses like Balenciaga, Saint Laurent, and Valentino host runway shows of their designs, often predicting upcoming trends in the world of fashion.
The best places to spot celebrities during Fashion Week include city landmarks that transform into scenic backdrops. For example, the Louvre hosts the annual Louis Vuitton show, while the Rodin Museum is home to the Christian Dior show each year. However, the hottest ticket in town for celebrities is the Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld show, held annually at the Grand Palais. Big names like Usher, Emilia Clarke, and Chris Rock were just a few of the famous faces spotted at the 2023 show.