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11 lesser-known things to do in Paris

  • Jun 12
  • 4 min read

Paris is full of famous monuments, but the real magic of everyday life often hides in lesser known places. If you have already visited the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, and the Arc de Triomphe and are looking for secret spots and hidden gems, then this guide is for you. I have been living in the Paris region for almost 6 years now, and over the years I have put together a list of unusual things to do in Paris that will make you feel more like a local and less like a tourist.


11 unique things to do in Paris


  1. Visit the Buttes-Chaumont Park


Buttes Chaumont is one of the most beautiful parks in Paris. It is a great place to have a picnic on the grass, or just walk around and enjoy a more wild and less structured side of Paris.


Green park overlook with trees, a stone bridge, river valley, and distant city buildings under a bright cloudy sky 11 unique things to do in Paris buttes chaumont park
buttes chaumon park paris 11 unique things to do in Paris Brick building in a leafy park under blue sky, with golden autumn trees and a few people walking in the distance

  1. Visit Hôtel de Ville


Hôtel de Ville, the city hall of Paris, is one of the most important historic buildings in the ciry and it sits right at its heart. The square in front is a lively open space where people gather for events, skating in winter, or just sitting by the fountains in summer. You do not necessarily have to visit the city hall on the inside, although there is a museum as well. I just find the building to be very beautiful and slightly underrated.


11 unique things to do in Paris hotel de ville paris Ornate historic city hall with clock tower and dark roofs, people walking across a broad plaza under a cloudy sky.

  1. Visit La Grande Mosquée de Paris


France has a significant Muslim population, and as a result, you will find several mosques around the city of Paris. I personally find the Grande Mosquée to be one of the most unique places in Paris. Located in the 5th arrondissement, it has beautiful architecture and it was actually the first mosque I ever visited. The mosque is usually open to the public except on Fridays and other religious days.


La Grande Mosquée de Paris 11 unique things to do in Paris Ornate mosque minaret above a lush garden, with a crescent-and-star sign against a bright cloudy sky.
Ornate covered courtyard corridor with carved columns, patterned tile floor, hanging lamps, and lush garden greenery outside. La Grande Mosquée de Paris 11 unique things to do in Paris
la grande mosquee de paris 11 unusual things to do in paris Lush garden walkway with turquoise tiled path, pink fountain, and ornate tower rising behind tall cypress trees under cloudy sky.

  1. Take the metro line 6 for an incredible view of the Eiffel Tower


Metro line 6 offers a beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower between Passy and Bir-Hakeim stations. I absolutely recommend taking the metro for this section.



  1. Visit La Grande Galerie de l'Évolution


La Grande Galerie de l’Évolution is one of the most interesting museums in Paris. The museum is designed to show the diversity and evolution of life on Earth in a very visual and immersive way. It is both educational and aesthetic, making it a great visit if you are interested in nature and science. It is also a very family friendly activity, children love it.


la grande galérie de l'évolution de paris 11 unusual things to do in paris Suspended whale skeleton hangs in a dim museum hall with visitors below and warm lights against stone walls.
la grande galérie de l'évolution de paris 11 unusual things to do in paris Crowded natural history museum hall with elephant, giraffe, zebra, and other animal displays under a glass ceiling
la grande galérie de l'évolution de paris 11 unusual things to do in paris Museum atrium with glowing purple and yellow skylights, stuffed animals and giraffe displays, and visitors on walkways.
la grande galérie de l'évolution de paris 11 unusual things to do in paris Museum display of taxidermy animals—jaguar, tapir, boar, deer and others—under pink-purple lights with French labels.

  1. Visit La Galerie de Paléontologie et d’Anatomie comparée


Very close to the Grande Galerie de l’Évolution, you will find the Galerie de Paléontologie et d’Anatomie comparée. It actually reminded me a lot of the National Museum of Natural History in New York. The museum displays a large collection of skeletons and fossils, organized to show comparisons between different species.


la grande galerie de paléontologie et anatomie comparée de paris 11 unusual things to do in paris Museum gallery with dinosaur skeletons on wooden platforms, ornate balconies, and a few visitors.
la grande galerie de paléontologie et anatomie comparée de paris 11 unusual things to do in paris Anatomy museum hall with a large muscle model and rows of animal skeletons under a high arched ceiling, bright and orderly
la grande galerie de paléontologie et anatomie comparée de paris 11 unusual things to do in paris Museum hall with giant elephant skeletons, fossil displays, and visitors on an ornate balcony under an animal mural.

  1. Rent a Vélib'


Vélib’ is Paris’s public bike sharing system. Users can rent bicycles from stations located throughout the city and return them to any other station after use. There are both mechanical and electric bikes available, and the system is accessible through a subscription or a single ride payment. You can download the Vélib’ app and take a one way trip pass or a 24 hour pass. You will have to pay around 1 euro for every additional 30 minutes or change bikes if your pass allows you to .


I have personally rented bikes twice and it is a very nice experience. The bikes can be heavy, so be aware of that, but otherwise it is enjoyable. I would recommend riding along the Seine for the views, or going to Bois de Vincennes.


Velib paris 11 unusual things to do in paris Row of green Velib rental bikes docked on a sunny sidewalk beside a quiet road and parked car.
Velib paris 11 unusual things to do in paris Smiling woman rides a green bike by the Seine with the Eiffel Tower behind her under a cloudy sky.
Velib paris 11 unusual things to do in paris Woman rides a green bike along a riverside path under a bridge, with Notre-Dame Cathedral ahead.
Velib paris 11 unusual things to do in paris POV from a green bike-share bike on a wooded park path, with a rider standing by and an e-bike keypad visible.

  1. Play board games at Oya


Oya is a board game café and store in the 13th arrondissement of Paris. It is both a place where you can buy board games and a space where you can try and play them on site with friends. The experience is super nice since they have a very large selection of unique less common games. It's a great activity to do with friends and family and the prices are really fair.


Oya board game café 13 arrondissement Paris 11 unusual things to do in paris Paris street storefront with red-and-cream facade, neon JEUX sign, and wooden planks on the sidewalk under apartment balconies
Oya board game café 13 arrondissement Paris 11 unusual things to do in paris Board game café with colorful game boxes on wall shelves, green tables, chairs, laptops, and mugs under hanging lamps.
Oya board game café 13 arrondissement Paris 11 unusual things to do in paris Empty board game cafe with shelves of colorful game boxes, wooden stools, and hanging lamps under warm light
Oya board game café 13 arrondissement Paris 11 unusual things to do in paris Hand places a pink game piece on a mountain board game with green and purple tokens and dice on a tabletop.

  1. Go to Caveau de la Huchette


This is one of my absolute favorite places in Paris. Le Caveau de la Huchette is a jazz club located in the 5th arrondissement of Paris, in the Quartier Latin. It is known for live jazz and swing music, with concerts and dance nights almost every day of the week. The club was actually featured in the movie Lalaland. The atmosphere is so lively and it is definitely a must-visit. The place is extremely popular so try going during weekdays and arrive before 9pm when it opens because you will very likely have to wait in line. It is absolutely worth it though.


Caveau de la Huchette jazz club Paris 11 unusual things to do in paris Crowd gathers outside the red neon-lit Caveau de la Huchette at night, with French apartment balconies above.
Caveau de la Huchette jazz club Paris 11 unusual things to do in paris Live band plays in a warm-lit cave venue with a Cava de la Huch... sign, guitars, drums, and audience silhouettes

  1. Visit BnF Richelieu


The Bibliothèque nationale de France Richelieu is the original site of the French National Library and has recently been renovated and reopened to the public after major restoration work. I find the building to be absolutely beautiful and it functions both as a research library and a cultural site open to visitors.


BnF Richelieu library Paris france 11 unusual things to do in paris Grand circular library reading room with stained-glass dome, tall bookshelves, and many people studying at long tables
BnF Richelieu library Paris france 11 unusual things to do in paris Grand circular library reading room with a skylit dome, rows of bookshelves, and people studying at tables under green lamps.
BnF Richelieu library Paris france 11 unusual things to do in paris Ornate gilded ceiling frescoes of mythological figures and angels in a grand hall, with framed medallions and warm gold tones.


  1. Dance salsa next to the Seine


Dancing salsa along the quais de Seine is a very popular open air activity in Paris. People gather near the river to dance in groups, with music ranging from salsa to bachata and other Latin styles. The atmosphere is super nice and fun. Quais de Saint Bernard is usually the place to go to if you want to participate or simply watch other people dance.



I hope you have found this post useful!

Comments

Hey there!

I’m Sofía, a soft explorer and a Colombian living in France. I love traveling and discovering new places, especially nature spots and places linked to ecotourism. I’m into slow, meaningful travel, where I can actually take my time and experience things instead of rushing through them. I also care about comfort, so I usually look for a balance between nature, simplicity, and feeling good while I travel.

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