13 Off-the-Beaten-Path Things to See in Paris (Updated 2023)

Final Up to date: 5/13/2023 | Could thirteenth, 2023

Paris is crammed with well-known points of interest: the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Versailles, the catacombs, the Pantheon, the Arc de Triomphe, Sacre-Coeur. The listing goes on. There are such a lot of superb websites right here that you might spend days (heck, even weeks) simply seeing the primary, most well-known ones.

However there’s extra to Paris than the websites that appeal to 1000’s upon 1000’s of holiday makers every day.

Whereas I used to be residing Paris the previous few months, I made it my mission to see among the extra uncommon, lesser-known (however equally superior) points of interest (that didn’t include the annoying crowds that make so a lot of Paris’ points of interest insufferable).

And, whereas among the issues on the listing beneath won’t be “tremendous secret” points of interest or actions, they do fall into the class of “ignored points of interest” so I included them.

Listed here are among the finest off-the-beaten-path issues to see and do in Paris:

1. Le Manoir de Paris

That is the place macabre museum meets haunted home. Quite a few rooms spotlight among the extra unsettling elements of Paris’s lengthy and sometimes darkish previous, such because the Phantom of the Opera, vampires, or the crocodiles within the sewers. Utilizing actual actors in addition to animatronics, town’s grotesque and unsettling historical past is delivered to life in an attention-grabbing manner. Along with their museum, in addition they have escape rooms in addition to totally different ranges of depth relying on how scared you get!

18 Rue de Paradis, +33 6 70 89 35 87, lemanoirdeparis.com. Open Fridays 6pm-9:30pm and weekends 3pm-6:30pm. Admission is 29 EUR for adults and 20 EUR for kids 10-15. Be aware: quickly closed because of covid-19.

2. Musée Édith Piaf

Édith Piaf is probably probably the most well-known French singer from the Thirties to the Nineteen Sixties, and know world wide for her songs La vie en rose and Non, je ne regrette rien (which appeared within the film Inception). She lived in a bit house within the Ménilmontant district at the beginning of her profession, which has been become a tiny museum devoted to her. You get a glimpse at her life by way of her gold and platinum data, pictures, clothes, letters from followers, posters, recordings, and sheet music.

5 Rue Crespin du Gast, +33 1 43 55 52 72. Open Monday-Wednesday 1pm-6pm and Thursdays 10am-12pm. Admission is free, however you’ll must make an appointment. You’ll additionally need to both communicate first rate French or go together with somebody who does.

3. Musée Curie

Marie Curie was the primary girl to win the Nobel Prize (and the one girl to win it twice) for her analysis into radioactivity (a phrase that she invented). She was the primary feminine professor on the College of Paris in addition to the primary girl to be entombed within the Panthéon on her personal deserves. Positioned within the fifth arrondissement, this museum, in her outdated laboratory, highlights her radiological analysis. It’s insightful and eye-opening for anybody unfamiliar along with her historic discoveries.

1 Rue Pierre et Marie Curie, +33 1 56 24 55 33, musee.curie.fr. Open Wednesday-Saturday 1pm-5pm. Admission is free.

4. Archives Nationales

Opened in 1867, the Nationwide Archives homes 1000’s of historic paperwork relationship again to 625 CE. Considered one of six nationwide archives within the nation, the museum sheds mild on France’s turbulent previous, offering nuanced historic particulars and context by way of everlasting and short-term exhibitions.

Constructed by the order of Napoleon I, the constructing itself (often known as the Hôtel de Soubise) is totally beautiful. It’s within the late Baroque type, embracing lengthy columns and many statues and sculptures. It options immaculate grounds and gardens as effectively. They at all times maintain lots of good exhibitions too.

59 Rue Guynemer, +33 1 75 47 20 02, archives-nationales.tradition.gouv.fr/en. Open Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm. Admission is 8 EUR per particular person.

5. The Vampire Museum

Paris has a protracted historical past with the esoteric, one which is delivered to life on this fascinating (if not macabre) museum based by an eccentric scholar to showcase his information of the undead and esoteric. Right here you’ll discover vampire-killing kits, uncommon texts on demonology, and mysterious historical relics. It’s a busy, eclectic, creepy museum that’s a feast for the eyes and one worthy of a go to in case you’re in any respect all in favour of extra obscure (and fanciful) tales. It’s a enjoyable, kitschy museum.

14 Rue Jules David, +33 1 43 62 80 76, artclips.free.fr/musee_des_vampires/MuseeVampires1.html. You’ll must make an appointment upfront by telephone. (Don’t fear if the voicemail greeting is in French — the curator audio system good English). Be aware: quickly closed, examine their Fb web page for updates in case you’d like to go to.

6. The Gallery of Paleontology and Comparative Anatomy

Opened in 1898, this gallery is part of the French Nationwide Museum of Pure Historical past. Taking on the bottom flooring of the constructing, it’s house to over 1,000 animal skeletons from world wide, together with full skeletons of elephants, giant cats, and even dinosaurs. It’s as attention-grabbing as it’s unsettling: all of the animals are dealing with the identical manner, making it appear like you’re within the midst of some undead stampede!

2 Rue Buffon, +33 1 40 79 56 01, www.mnhn.fr/en/go to/lieux/galerie-paleontologie-anatomie-comparee-paleontology-and-comparative-anatomy-gallery. Open day by day 10am-6pm (closed Tuesdays). Admission to your entire museum (together with the gallery) is 10 EUR.

7. Petite Ceinture

In use from 1862 by way of 1964, the railway circling Paris was deserted when town expanded past its limits. It’s largely hidden behind buildings and lined in wild crops and grass now, although some sections are actually formally open to the general public. You’ll discover all kinds of flowers and avenue artwork alongside the tracks.

Whereas some sections are unlawful to go to, close to Parc Georges Brassens you’ll discover a part of the tracks often known as the ‘Passage de la Petite Ceinture’ that’s each free and authorized to go to. It’s situated within the 15e arrondissement.

8. The Salvador Dalí Sundial

This surrealist sundial was created by world-renowned artist Salvador Dalí. Positioned on Rue Saint-Jacques, it’s is a mixture of a human face and a scallop shell (the image of the Camino to Santiago, because the avenue is called after the saint). Whereas the sundial doesn’t truly work, it’s nonetheless a simple solution to see a bit of paintings by some of the well-known artists on this planet.

27 Rue Saint-Jacques. Open 24/7 with no admission.

9. Montmartre Cemetery

Whereas the Père Lachaise Cemetery is the most important and hottest in Paris, for a extra secluded stroll, try the Montmartre Cemetery. Loads of folks go to the highest of Montmartre for Sacré-Coeur and the view, however few take the time to wander this cemetery sitting on the foot of the district. It opened in 1825 and is house to many cobwebbed mausoleums, in addition to a handful of stray cats. You gained’t see many individuals right here, so you’ll be able to discover in peace.

20 Avenue Rachel, +33 1 53 42 36 30, paris.fr/equipements/cimetiere-de-montmartre-5061. Open Monday-Friday 8am-6pm, Saturdays 8:30am-6pm, and Sundays 9am-6pm.

10. The Museum of Counterfeiting

Opened in 1972, this museum is house to counterfeit gadgets which were collected by France’s customs brokers and police (in addition to donated gadgets from manufacturers and shoppers alike). There are over 500 gadgets within the museum, starting from counterfeit artwork and luxurious items to extra mundane gadgets, like cleansing provides. Whereas some knockoffs are spectacular of their duplicity, it’s additionally humorous to see simply how unhealthy some counterfeiters have been!

16 Rue de la Faisanderie, +33 1 56 26 14 03, musee-contrefacon.com. Open Monday-Friday, 2pm-5:30pm. Admission is 6 EUR per particular person for adults and 5 EUR for college kids and seniors.

11. Promenade Planteé (Coulée verte René-Dumont)

This tree-lined walkway is a greenbelt that extends nearly 5km alongside the outdated Vincennes railway line. The railway line ceased functioning in 1969, with the park being inaugurated just a few many years afterward. Till New York constructed their Excessive Line, it was the one elevated park in your entire world. (And, actually, that is manner nicer then the NYC Excessive Line).

You’ll discover plenty of timber, flowers, ponds, and locations to sit down alongside this lengthy path that stretches from Bastille to the sting of Paris. It’s a protracted, simple, and delightful stroll. You gained’t discover many individuals right here. Even on a pleasant day, it’s slightly empty. It shortly turned one among my favourite issues to do in Paris and I can’t advocate coming right here sufficient!

1 Coulée verte René-Dumont (twelfth arrondissement). Open day by day from 8am-9:30pm. Admission is free.

12. Canal Saint-Martin

Stretching 4.5km, the Canal Saint-Martin is a man-made waterway commissioned by Napoleon. Development completed in 1825, connecting the Canal de l’Ourcq to the Seine through each above floor locks and underground tunnels. Whereas not any secret spot (on a pleasant day, you’ll discover the canal lined with folks), it’s largely a spot for locals who need to have a picnic and loosen up. So, say no to the Seine, and are available have your out of doors picnic alongside the canal. It’s extra enjoyable and there might be fewer folks!

The canal begins at Place de Stalingrad and ends at Quai de la Râpée. Canal cruises final 2.5 hours and value round 16 EUR per particular person.

13. Museé de Montmartre

Based in 1960, this museum is situated all through two constructing that dates again to the seventeenth century. Over time, the buildings have been house to many well-known writers and painters. The gardens of the museum have been truly renovated to look extra just like the gardens in Renoir’s work (there’s additionally a winery close by that dates again to the Center Ages but it surely makes horrible wine). The museum’s everlasting assortment contains all kinds of work, posters, and drawings.

12 Rue Cortot, +33 1 49 25 89 39, museedemontmartre.fr/en/le-musee. Open day by day from 10am-6pm (7pm in the summertime). Admission is 12 EUR for adults, which incorporates an audio information. Reductions can be found for college kids, youngsters, and individuals with disabilities.

Whereas the primary sights in Paris are at all times price trying out, if you wish to be greater than a vacationer and develop a better appreciation for the Metropolis of Gentle’s distinctive and complicated historical past, go to these unconventional and weird points of interest in Paris.
 

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