Vintage masks, open flames, and a secret location? It must be "We are the Oracle" (WATO), Parisian party planners who transform the city's grand and abandoned buildings for one-off soirees. Here are a few more reasons why the French capital is a whole lot cooler than you think...
Vive la Paris! —
Vintage masks, open flames, and a secret location? It must be "We are the Oracle" (WATO), Parisian party planners who transform the city's grand and abandoned buildings for one-off soirees. Here are a few more reasons why the French capital is a whole lot cooler than you think...
Courtesy WATO
Forget a romantic meal for two. If you really want to impress your beau, take them on a decadent dining experience in a closed inner-city railway. Another one of WATO's brainchilds, and one that doesn't disappoint.
Candlelit dinner —
Forget a romantic meal for two. If you really want to impress your beau, take them on a decadent dining experience in a closed inner-city railway. Another one of WATO's brainchilds, and one that doesn't disappoint.
Courtesy WATO
It's been decades since banking dynasty, the Rothschilds, fled their mansion outside Notre Dame. Imagine if they could see it now -- derelict, covered in graffiti, and host to a fantastical black tie event.
Rothschild rave —
It's been decades since banking dynasty, the Rothschilds, fled their mansion outside Notre Dame. Imagine if they could see it now -- derelict, covered in graffiti, and host to a fantastical black tie event.
Courtesy WATO
Each summer, the city is overtaken by 10,000 cyclists in 1930s costumes, as part of its annual "Beret and Baguette" ride.
Vintage velocity —
Each summer, the city is overtaken by 10,000 cyclists in 1930s costumes, as part of its annual "Beret and Baguette" ride.
Photo Ryosuke Kawai
Who needs the French Riviera? Around 5,000 tons of sand is spread along the river Seine each summer, with live jazz, giant sprinklers, and dozens of palm trees transforming the French capital into a tropical oasis -- or as near enough as you're going to get this far from the Mediterranean.
Paris plage —
Who needs the French Riviera? Around 5,000 tons of sand is spread along the river Seine each summer, with live jazz, giant sprinklers, and dozens of palm trees transforming the French capital into a tropical oasis -- or as near enough as you're going to get this far from the Mediterranean.
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
Paris' Louvre art gallery is the most visited museum on the planet -- with queues to match its mammoth reputation. If you'd rather not battle the tourist hordes, the city also has some of the best street art in Europe, without the lines.
Street style —
Paris' Louvre art gallery is the most visited museum on the planet -- with queues to match its mammoth reputation. If you'd rather not battle the tourist hordes, the city also has some of the best street art in Europe, without the lines.
Courtesy Fred le Chevalier/Paris Street Art
"Rent an old 1960s scooter, you don't need a license, and it's the best way to take the side streets and get lost," says culture blogger, Vanessa Grall, on discovering some Parisian gems hidden from the crowds.
Get lost —
"Rent an old 1960s scooter, you don't need a license, and it's the best way to take the side streets and get lost," says culture blogger, Vanessa Grall, on discovering some Parisian gems hidden from the crowds.
KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP/Getty Images
Built in 1896, La Pagode is one of the city's most elegant -- and unusual cinemas. Featuring a Japanese garden and sumptuous interior, the theater was built as a present from Le Bon Marché department store owner Monsieur Morin as a gift to his wife.
Screen star —
Built in 1896, La Pagode is one of the city's most elegant -- and unusual cinemas. Featuring a Japanese garden and sumptuous interior, the theater was built as a present from Le Bon Marché department store owner Monsieur Morin as a gift to his wife.
Courtesy Vanessa Grall
Paris' Grand Palais is lit up for a series of retro events including film screenings, roller disco, and arcade games. "I feel as though there's a real link between night clubs and art, the buildings are some of the most beautiful in the world," said events blogger, Arthur Mestrot.
Culture club —
Paris' Grand Palais is lit up for a series of retro events including film screenings, roller disco, and arcade games. "I feel as though there's a real link between night clubs and art, the buildings are some of the most beautiful in the world," said events blogger, Arthur Mestrot.
Courtesy Ten Days in Paris
If Paris mayoral candidate Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet has her way, the city is about to get a whole lot cooler. Morizet has proposed a spectacular refurbishment of the city's abandoned metro stations where, as depicted by this artist's impression, you may soon be able to enjoy the nation's fine cuisine in a luxurious subterranean setting.
Underground chic —
If Paris mayoral candidate Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet has her way, the city is about to get a whole lot cooler. Morizet has proposed a spectacular refurbishment of the city's abandoned metro stations where, as depicted by this artist's impression, you may soon be able to enjoy the nation's fine cuisine in a luxurious subterranean setting.
Courtesy Courtesy Oxo architectes and Laisné Architecte