Ah, Paris, one of the best cities in the world, with tons of monuments, museums and churches to visit. Does any city have quite as many landmarks as Paris? We don’t know the answer to that; some probably do, but today we’re going to share some spots that we consider sights to see that often don’t make it onto travelers’ lists of what to visit in the City of Light.
You know about the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre-Dame de Paris, cruises on the Seine… you don’t need us to tell you that. And now you’re looking for some unique places to add to your list that will still give you that WOW factor. Big, brilliant, and steeped in history. We believe that some of the most memorable experiences in Paris happen away from the busiest tourist crowds, so we’ve compiled a list for you. It’s non-exhaustive, of course, but it will get you started when you’re ready to ditch the regular tourist trail and head out on your own.
And while out on your own, perhaps you’ll be looking for your next pit stop. Whether that’s for coffee, food, or a glass of wine, you’ll want our Guide to steer you in the right direction. With our geolocalized map, all you need to do is open your browser, set your search parameters and BAM. Amazing ~fill in the blank~ just a few steps away.
Grab an eSIM
Remember, Paris in My Pocket is a webapp - it’s not available on the applestore. To use it, you’ll need to have data. And our best recommendation for data is to get an eSIM. Highly affordable, easy to install, and incredibly useful while travelling, we’ve been using eSIMs on our own adventures for years. Just make sure you have a smartphone that is unlocked (contact your carrier if you aren’t sure) and then grab the eSIM that’s best for you!
How Big Is Paris?
Paris is a big city, but what makes it magical is its ability to feel small. While many people compare it to New York City or London, those cities can take hours to cross, while one can cross Paris (suburb to suburb!) in under an hour on the right metro line.
You’ll find most major monuments lining the Seine river from Western Paris (the Eiffel tower) to central Paris (the Notre-Dame), with Montmartre being the major outlier. In between you’ll find smaller monuments, hidden museums, and gorgeous architecture lining small and quiet streets. If you visit Paris and stick to the major attractions, you may get the impression it’s a loud, bustling and unpleasant city. By truly giving yourself time to explore, you’ll see that off the beaten path remains peaceful, with room to breathe.
How Many Days Do You Need To Explore Paris?
Making sure you have the right amount of time in Paris can quite literally make the difference between a good and a bad trip. A rushed itinerary will feel stressful and leave little time for lingering meals and spontaneous stops. If you’re looking for a vacation that feels balanced and enjoyable, you’ll want about a week. This will allow you to cover the highlights, take a day, and explore a few hidden corners of the city. (Even better, give yourself two weeks if possible. This aAllows for a few extra day trips, leisurely picnic days, and weekends of sleeping in.) By giving yourself more time, you’ll be gifting yourself experiences that make the city memorable - more than just a photo in front of the Eiffel tower.
How To Explore Paris Efficiently
One of the best ways to explore Paris is by foot. That said, we realize it takes literal hours to cross the entire city by food, something most of us don’t have time for! For the best way to get around Paris, we recommend the Metro. Use it to access places a medium to long distance from you. For anything close, we recommend walking. And if you have mobility needs, don’t try the metro at all - take the bus.
We recently published a video about how to use the metro in Paris. As you near your trip, you’ll want to bookmark it so it’s easy to reference when you’re here in the city:
What To See In Paris, France: Spots Most People Miss
Here are five of our top sightseeing spots most people miss on their visit to Paris. Chances are you’ll have come across a few of these in your research - they’re not hidden. In fact, they’re still pretty well known. But they often get bumped down or even off of travelers’ lists due to time constraints or location. We’re here to let you know they’re worth it.
1. Château de Vincennes
Did you know there’s a large fortified Château in Paris? Located in the bois de Vincennes, the Vincennes wood, in the 12th arrondissement, this Château is a great way to get your history kick out of the city and near to nature. Make a day of it by coupling it with a walk in the woods, a picnic on a boat in the nearby lake, or a visit to the botanical gardens. And on the way out, be sure to check out the Colonnes des Trônes at the metro stop Nation. We wouldn’t go out of our way for it, but they’re a pretty cool landmark. Get tickets.
2. The Bourdelle Museum
If you like unique things to do, the Bourdelle Museum is a great option to visit on your trip to Paris. Bourdelle was a major sculptor in the 1900s, and his work is on display in this little known museum in the 15th arrondissement. If you like sculpture work, and have already visited the Rodin museum, this is a great option to add to your list. Better yet, visit it with a guide. Our friend Amber has given us a tour of this exact museum, and we learned more than we thought was possible. To book a private tour, all you need to do is email her at [email protected] and let her know we sent you. You’re in for a fantastic tour! Get directions.
3. Père Lachaise
Père Lachaise is a stunning cemetery in the 20th arrondissement of Paris. It’s huge - it’s essentially its own little city, with winding cobbled streets that, yes, have their own street names and signs. This cemetery is known as the resting place of many famous people, including Edith Piaf, Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, and Chopin! It’s particularly worth a wander in the autumn; the leaves start to turn and you could get lost in here for hours. Get directions.
4. Jardin des Plantes
One of the most central and well known recommendations on this list, the Jardin des Plantes is still often overlooked by visitors to the city who prioritize the Luxembourg or Tuileries gardens. But the Jardin des Plantes is vast and filled with unique trees and plantes. Plus, it’s especially good if you’re travelling with kids; check out the greenhouse, the menagerie with the red pandas, or even the paleontology museum (part of the Museum of Natural History). Located at the edge of the Latin Quarter, this part of Paris still gets busy, but not overwhelming. Get directions.
Looking for a garden way off the beaten track?
You won’t want to miss Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, in the 19th arrondissement of Paris. A park filled with locals jogging, picnicking, or walking their dogs, Buttes-Chaumont is beautiful, with a man-made lake in the center, and a section with activities for kids in the warmer weather. As a bonus, it’s near some of our favorite places, like Mardi for coffee, or the canal for a stroll. Speaking of the canal, did you know that when you purchase our Guide+, you’ll get access to an audio walking tour of the canal created by Jay, about his favorite area of the city? Available on apple, and soon android, this immersive walk will get you far off the beaten path and into the heart of local Paris.
5. Église Saint-Étienne-du-Mont
Also located in the Latin Quarter, but hidden in the shadow of her younger sister, the Pantheon, sits Église Saint-Étienne-du-Mont. This is a beautiful, unique church and a great example of gothic architecture. It’s worth a wander inside - legend has it the bones of Saint-Genvieve, the Patron saint of Paris, are inside, but so far they always seem to be on loan… Get directions.
6. La Petite Ceinture
If you’re in Paris long enough to take some time to yourself for a jog or a nature walk, then look no further than the Petit Ceinture (the little belt). The Petit Ceinture is a stretch of an old railway line that has been converted into a walking and running trail lined with flowers, plants and good vibes. You can join it off of Rue Menilmontant in the 20th arrondissement follow it up to the 19th arrondissement. Good for a moment of calm. Get directions. It also can be found in other arrondissements across the city.
7. Hot Air Balloon at Parc Andre Citroën
Okay, you’ll want to look this one up before you visit, because depending on the weather, the balloon won’t rise. But if you time things well, you can nab an amazing view of Paris from the air, from the Ballon Generali. Who needs to climb the Eiffel Tower when you can see the city from here?! More information & tickets here.
8. Église Saint-Eustache
Saint-Eustache is an enormous church right in the center of Paris, yes somehow missed by many. We started recommending a visit back when Notre-Dame was closed for renovations, as it scratches the itch of enormous vaulted ceilings and incredible gargoyles and even some flying buttresses. If you like gothic architecture and avoiding crowds, you’ll definitely want to check out this church. Get directions.
And if you’re visiting this church and you start to get peckish, you’re in luck! Grab some dumplings from Petit Bao for lunch, or skip straight to your afternoon coffee at Partisan café. And don’t forget, you can get access to all of our hundreds of recommendations on a handy dandy map with our Guide - one purchase. Access for life. Constant updates.
