Paris attractions, something different from the usual sights?

Question

I am going to Paris in January and would like some ideas for something different to see and do there. I have visited the city several times in the past and am familiar with all the usual sights: Notre Dame, Arc de Triomphe, Galeries Lafayette, Defense, The Opera Garnier, Cemeteries Etc. What about some of the less well known attractions ...

Answer 1

You may visit:

- the catacombs
- the sewers (musée des égouts de Paris): believe it or not, the guys working there are so proud of their job, it is handed down from father to son! They will talk about it with passion and you will get to hear some history of Paris and the measures that were taken throughout centuries to improve sanitation. WARNING: you may want to buy a mint inhaler at a local pharmacy or bring a perfumed tissue before you go because it stinks!
- the "passages couverts and "galleries". Each one has its unique architecture and little stores: http://www.parisinconnu.com/passages/index.htm
- the district of "La Butte aux Cailles" in the 13th arrondissement, near the Paris Chinatown. Locals are so passionate about their "village" that I am sure you will find guides to show you everything they know about their neighborhood.
- the bars/clubs of Rue de la Roquette near Bastille.
- the canals of Paris: http://www.paris.fr/portail/tourisme/Portal.lut?page_id=6836
- walk along the Coulée Verte in the 12th arrondissement:
http://www.promenade-plantee.org/

If you enjoy museums or have a special interest, there are dozens of smaller museums in Paris about all kinds of things:
http://www.picturalissime.com/musee_paris_france.htm The more famous ones to Parisians but that foreigners don't know as well are Musée Carnavalet (on the history of Paris) and Musée de Cluny (on the Middle Ages).

The history of Paris is so rich and diverse that there are many ways of visiting the same site. You may take a thematic tour of Paris with a private guide or on a small guided tour. A lot of people (including English and American people who are in love with the city organize thematic tours, on foot or bicycle) so you may want to do a little research on that or ask at the Tourist Office. For instance:

- Medieval Paris: a guide will take you around Notre Dame and the Marais, with anecdotes and bits of history about each of the places you'll see (you'll see Paris with a different eye after that), showing you the oldest houses in the city dating back to the 1400's.
- Roman Paris: http://www.paris.culture.fr/en/index.html

Depending on your interests, you may take a tour of Gay Paris, Jewish Paris, etc. Check www.parisinconnu.com for more ideas of thematic itineraries.

And Paris is not all about monuments and museums, it's also about walking in the street, window shopping, having a pastry in a little "salon de thé" where only local old ladies go to eat their "macarons", etc.

Answer 2

Many people miss the Cluny Museum. Its rather small and housed in the former home of an Abbot.

It contains the famous Lady and the Unicorn Tapestries and a small collection of various objects from the very early history of Paris thru the medieval era.

Beneath the museum they discoverd an old Roman bath which has been excavated and may be visited.

The museum is at 6 place Paul Painlevé in the 5th arr.just a minutes walk from the Seine south on the Blvd. St. Michel.

After you've been there walk south on St. Michel. A part of the foundation of the wall that enclosed the Roman forum may be seen in the stairway of the underground parking lot at number 61 Boulevard Saint-Michel.

Then walk east along the rue Souflott to the rue St. Jacques. Its just an ordinary Parisian street these days but its interesting to note that when Paris was the Roman city of Lutetia this was the cardo maximus (the main north-south road).

At the Place de la Sorbonne excavations revealed several Roman occupation layers. A Gallo-Roman well that is thought to be a vestige of one or more early Roman houses has been preserved in the centre of the square.

The Arènes de Lutèce at 47 rue Monge is the Roman amphitheater which is nice excavated and now part of a public park.

If its Sunday, after visiting the Arènes, cross the rue Monge and take the rue Lacépède into the Place Contrescarpe and from there walk down the rue Mouffetard to the street market where you'll find a very lively scene with lots of street entertainers.

Another often missed Museum is the Musée des Plans et Reliefs which contains 1/600th scale models of French fortresses and fortified towns of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Its in the attic above the Army Museum on the grounds of the Hôtel national des Invalides and was once almost totally unknown. They have cleaned it up and refurbished everything and it gets a few more visitors these days but its still very unvisited. The models are incredibly detailed and utterly fascinating.

In fact, if you haven't seen the French Army Museum you should pay it a visit. Its rather an interesting take on history as you will find, for example, the surrender to Germany in World War II labeled "France changes its tactics."

Answer 3

I agree with the person who recommended the catacombes and the sewers. The catacombs are awesome and a really cool, historical landmark that many people miss. It's in the 4eme arrondisement.

Although I have never been to the sewers, I have heard that they are really cool and a great sight!

Also, just walk around Montmartre and you'll see some really cool old windmills. Also on Montmarte is the Salvadore Dali museum which is cool and unique and definitely different that the museums like the Louvre or d'Orsay.

Check out the Jardin des Plantes in the 5eme arr. It has a zoo (although I don't know if it will be running in January) and there are always new exhibits inside the museums there. I think there are three museums and an aquarium there.

Also, although not directly in Paris, you could take the RER to Versailles or go visit Monet's house in Giverny!

Have fun sightseeing and enjoy Paris!

Answer 4

If you like the French Impressionists, then a visit to the Musee D'Orsay is a MUST. It was a railway station until 1939 (Gare D'Orsay) and was left empty for 30 or 40 years and was then turned into the most amazing art gallery.

There are rooms full of Van Gogh, Sisley, Monet, Cezanne and every Impressionist you've ever heard of.

For the most amazing views of Paris, take the lift from the Ground Floor of the Montparnasse Tower up to the 56th Floor. This is the tallest building in the whole of Paris. The express lift has only 2 buttons - one marked '1' and the other one marked '56' - hold on tight! There is a roof terrace from which you will see stupendous views - take your camera!

Answer 5

Go ice skating! Seriously, do something fun you wouldn't normally do :-)

Paris has so many beautiful monuments which you've already seen, so maybe getting involved with the locals would be a great thing to do. There are two ice skating places I'll mention here:

Patinoire à Montparnasse
Place Raoul-Dautry
Saint-Germain-des-Prés/Musée d'Orsay/Montparnasse (PARIS 15)
From December 01 2007 to March 09 2008
www.paris.fr

Patinoire place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville
PLACE DE L'HOTEL-DE-VILLE
Marais/Les Halles | Notre-Dame/Quartier Latin (PARIS 04)
From December 01 2007 to March 09 2008
www.paris.fr

It's a shame you'll miss the Russian Christmas Circus which finishes on 19th December, but there are still lots of other great things to do.

If you'd like to check out what will be happening in the nightlife and performing arts, check out http://www.GoGoParis.com

Let the Parisians themselves show you their “real” Paris - they know each neighbourhood's history, all those out-of-the-way spots, can amuse you with local anecdotes, show you their "rues" - streets - and the residents who are the heart and soul of Paris. On foot, by bike, during the day or in the evenings, these walks are also a unique opportunity to make the most of each other’s company while strolling together.

All the Parisians are volunteers who want to show YOU their Paris - all you have to do is register on their website at least 2 weeks in advance, and follow the instructions on the website. What a great idea!

http://www.parisgreeter.org/

I've been updating my website with lots of these options, and some of the December events continue into January, so they may be of interest to you:

http://www.a-night-in-paris.com/december-in-paris.html

I've also created a page called Hidden Paris which has lots of interesting / unusual places to visit
http://www.a-night-in-paris.com/hidden-paris.html

What about the wonderful 'old world' charm of a romantic horse and carriage ride?
http://www.a-night-in-paris.com/romantic-horse-and-carriage-ride-through-paris.html

There are lots of other wonderful suggestions here, I wish you all the best for a fabulous stay in Paris!

Au revoir! Bon voyage!

Answer 6

Paris is fabled for their cafés and restaurants, their cinemas and cinemas, and its common environment therefore have a mouthful of this mood beginning with Hotelbye . In Paris are 1000s of restaurants to pick from as well as lots of French restaurants but are countless Italian restaurants, pizzerias, Vietnamese restaurants, and restaurants helping food from just about every place in the world. Taking morning meal in Paris is something unique therefore supply you with the chance to feel just like you are are residing an attractive story and spend time visiting this wonderful city.

Answer 7

Hi

You can try a 2CV tour in Paris
http://www.parisauthentic.com/en/accueil.html

For drinks The cafes in St Germains des Pres are the best, the area is really lovely!

The iden gems:


- the Stavinsky Fountain near Centre Pompidou, it is located in the south of Place Igor Sravinsky. This fountain is really weird!

- The sewers, the Germans did set up offices during the war, there is a small museum. You will discover the mysteries of underground Paris. Tel: [phone].. metro: Pont de L Alma. (don't wear your designer clothes!)

- Place des Voges

- St Eustache church - Place du Jour

- Rue de L Abrevoir in Montmartre is really picturesque!

Green Paris: Jardin Des Buttes Chaumont.
If you love horses you will love Chantilly, 48Km north of Paris, with its horse mueum.

Hope it will help you.

Answer 8

A great attraction is the Roland Garros Tennis Grand Slam grounds and museum. You might also like to check out the Latin Quarter. It is filled with entertainment and my favorite place to hang out. If you have the time, take a train up to Normandy and spend the day there. Or go to Mount St. Michel. Its is one of the nicest sights in France

Answer 9

might sound a bit strange but go to the local metro station in the monmarte area artist/Red Light the halls in the metro are all painted by local artists which I thought was pretty cool or the Lourve although I imagine you have already visited the latter or even the Moulin Rougue as they do shows in there too

Answer 10

Agree, you could fancy the pants off of somebody by ability of sight, yet touch is something greater primal. That electric powered spark while the entire physique is involved in them, not merely you having a pipe dream approximately them on your head lol