Hey listeners, welcome to your friendly guide for what to do in Paris today, Sunday April 12, 2026, and through the rest of this vibrant week. Kick off your day cheering on the 49th Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris, where around 60,000 runners from across the globe start at 8am from the majestic Arc de Triomphe. The flat, scenic 42.2-kilometer route winds down the Champs-Élysées, past Place de la Concorde, along Rue de Rivoli by the Opéra Garnier, to Place de la Bastille and Bois de Vincennes, then back via the Seine quays, Eiffel Tower, and Bois de Boulogne, finishing triumphantly at the Arc. Expect road closures on the Right Bank, so plan detours via metro stations along the path or join a quarter million spectators soaking up the electric energy, as Secrets of Paris and Paris Discovery Guide highlight.

If caffeine calls, dash to the Paris Café Festival at Le Carreau du Temple, wrapping up today after kicking off yesterday. Sample world-class brews from top baristas and roasters, sip innovative coffee cocktails, catch expert talks on trends and gear, and groove to live music in a buzzing vibe. Tickets run €65 per day, open to the public through this afternoon, with pros-only tomorrow, according to Secrets of Paris and Sortiraparis.

Art lovers, you're in luck with Art Paris 2026 at the iconic Grand Palais in the 8th arrondissement, running through today from its April 9 start. This 28th edition packs 165 exhibitors from 25 countries under the glass dome, blending established masters with emerging talents in modern and contemporary works—grab tickets for 30-35€ in advance via Champs-Élysées Clemenceau metro, as Paris Discovery Guide and Sortiraparis rave.

Wrapping up today too, Italissimo festival celebrates Italian literature and culture with sun-soaked events from April 7, perfect for diving into fresh reads and heritage. Nearby in the Marais, the free "BON PLAN" street art show at a Urban Signature gallery features over 30 artists riffing on the Paris metro map through April 12. And don't miss the Journées Européennes des Métiers d'Art (JEMA) open studios and craft demos citywide this week.

Head to the Musée d'Art Moderne for the new Lee Miller retrospective, showcasing nearly 250 prints of her fashion, portraits, war journalism, and landscapes from April 10 to August. Just outside Paris in Argenteuil, the 30th Vallée aux Plantes et Fleurs offers spring plant shopping on April 11-12.

Paris pulses with creativity and cheers this weekend—get out and make memories!

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