{"id":5942,"date":"2025-05-30T15:07:24","date_gmt":"2025-05-30T15:07:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/?p=5942"},"modified":"2025-05-30T15:07:24","modified_gmt":"2025-05-30T15:07:24","slug":"14-off-the-beaten-path-things-to-see-in-paris-updated-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/?p=5942","title":{"rendered":"14 Off-the-Beaten-Path Things to See in Paris (Updated 2025)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Paris is filled with famous attractions: the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Versailles, the catacombs, the Pantheon, the Arc de Triomphe, Sacre-Coeur. The list goes on. There are so many amazing sites here that you could spend days (heck, even weeks) just seeing the main, most well-known ones. <\/p>\n

But there\u2019s more to Paris than the sites that attract thousands upon thousands of visitors each day. <\/p>\n

While I was living in Paris the past few months, I made it my mission to see some of the more unusual, lesser-known (but equally awesome) attractions (that didn\u2019t come with the aggravating crowds that make so many of Paris\u2019 attractions unbearable). <\/p>\n

And, while some of the things on the list below might not be \u201csuper secret\u201d attractions or activities, they do fall into the category of \u201coverlooked attractions\u201d so I included them. <\/p>\n

Here are some of the best off-the-beaten-path things to see and do in Paris:<\/p>\n

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1. Mus\u00e9e \u00c9dith Piaf <\/span><\/h3>\n

\u00c9dith Piaf is perhaps the most famous French singer from the 1930s to the 1960s, and known around the world for her songs La vie en rose<\/em> and Non, je ne regrette rien<\/em> (which appeared in the movie Inception). She lived in a little apartment in the M\u00e9nilmontant district at the start of her career, which has been turned into a tiny museum dedicated to her. You get a glimpse at her life through her gold and platinum records, photographs, clothing, letters from fans, posters, recordings, and sheet music. <\/p>\n

Admission is free, but you\u2019ll need to make an appointment.<\/p>\n

2. Mus\u00e9e Curie<\/span><\/h3>\n

Marie Curie was the first woman to win the Nobel Prize (and the only woman to win it twice) for her research into radioactivity (a word that she invented). She was the first female professor at the University of Paris as well as the first woman to be entombed in the Panth\u00e9on on her own merits. Located in the 5th arrondissement, this museum, in her old laboratory, highlights her radiological research. It\u2019s insightful and eye-opening for anyone unfamiliar with her historic discoveries.
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3. Archives Nationales<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"The\"The
Opened in 1867, the National Archives houses thousands of historical documents dating back to 625 CE. One of six national archives in the country, the museum sheds light on France\u2019s turbulent past, providing nuanced historical details and context through permanent and temporary exhibitions.<\/p>\n

Built by the order of Napoleon I, the building itself (known as the H\u00f4tel de Soubise) is absolutely stunning. It is in the late Baroque style, embracing long columns and lots of statues and sculptures. It features immaculate grounds and gardens as well. They always hold a lot of good exhibitions too.
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4. Librairie Galignani<\/span><\/h3>\n

This bookshop claims to be the oldest English bookstore in continental Europe, having opened in Paris in 1801. Prior to that, they were located in Venice and the Galignani name has been associated with publishing books since the 16th century. Age aside, this is a great place to browse as it is absolutely packed with books. You could easily spend a couple hours here hunting through the stacks and shelves. It\u2019s a quiet, quaint shop and the staff are super knowledgeable. If you\u2019re an avid reader like me, don\u2019t miss it!
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5. Paris Point Zero<\/span><\/h3>\n

This is the official center of Paris, from which all distances in the city are measured. While it\u2019s just a simple brass star set into the sidewalk near the Notre Dame Cathedral, there are a few popular rituals here that make this a short but fun stop (and since you\u2019ll likely be nearby visiting the Cathedral, you might as well stop here). Some people treat the star as a wishing well, tossing a coin and making a wish (which is why there are usually a handful of coins on the star). Others, however, insist that if you stand on the star with your loved one and kiss, your love will last forever.
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6. The Gallery of Paleontology and Comparative Anatomy<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"A\"A
Opened in 1898, this gallery is a part of the French National Museum of Natural History. Taking up the ground floor of the building, it\u2019s home to over 1,000 animal skeletons from around the world, including complete skeletons of elephants, large cats, and even dinosaurs. It\u2019s as interesting as it is unsettling: all the animals are facing the same way, making it look like you\u2019re in the midst of some undead stampede!<\/p>\n

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Planning a trip to Europe?<\/h5>\n

Get all my best travel tips along with these guides:<\/p>\n

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    Enter your info below to get your FREE<\/strong> guides sent to you today!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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    7. Petite Ceinture<\/span><\/h3>\n

    \"People\"People
    In use from 1862 through 1964, the railway circling Paris was abandoned when the city expanded beyond its limits. It\u2019s mostly hidden behind buildings and covered in wild plants and grass now, though some sections are now officially open to the public. You\u2019ll find all sorts of flowers and street art along the tracks. <\/p>\n

    While some sections are illegal to visit, near Parc Georges Brassens you\u2019ll find a section of the tracks known as the \u2018Passage de la Petite Ceinture\u2019 that is both free and legal to visit. It\u2019s located in the 15e arrondissement.
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    8. The Salvador Dal\u00ed Sundial<\/span><\/h3>\n

    This surrealist sundial was created by world-renowned artist Salvador Dal\u00ed. Located on Rue Saint-Jacques, it\u2019s a mix of a human face and a scallop shell (the symbol of the Camino to Santiago, since the street is named after the saint). While the sundial doesn\u2019t actually work, it\u2019s nevertheless an easy way to see a piece of artwork by one of the most famous artists in the world.
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    9. Le Passe-Muraille<\/span><\/h3>\n

    This iconic bronze sculpture is located near Montmartre, making it an easy stop on your itinerary. It\u2019s based on a character from The Man Who Walked Through Walls<\/em> (Le Passe-Muraille), a short story by Parisian Marcel Aym\u00e9 published in 1941. In the story, a man gains the ability to pass through walls and he uses the skill to get up to no good. At the end of the book, though, his power fades just as he is passing through a wall\u2026and he gets stuck. If you get up close to the sculpture, you\u2019ll see that the hands of the statue are extra smooth, thanks to countless people taking photos of themselves trying to pull the man free.
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    10. Montmartre Cemetery <\/span><\/h3>\n

    \"Tombs\"Tombs
    While the P\u00e8re Lachaise Cemetery is the largest and most popular in Paris, for a more secluded stroll, check out the Montmartre Cemetery. Plenty of people visit the top of Montmartre for Sacr\u00e9-Coeur and the view, but few take the time to wander this cemetery sitting at the foot of the district. It opened in 1825 and is home to many cobwebbed mausoleums, as well as a handful of stray cats. You won\u2019t see many people here, so you can explore in peace.
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    11. The Museum of Counterfeiting<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Opened in 1972, this museum is home to counterfeit items that have been collected by France\u2019s customs agents and police (as well as donated items from brands and consumers alike). There are over 500 items in the museum, ranging from counterfeit art and luxury goods to more mundane items, like cleaning supplies. While some knockoffs are impressive in their duplicity, it\u2019s also funny to see just how bad some counterfeiters were!
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    12. Promenade Plante\u00e9 (Coul\u00e9e verte Ren\u00e9-Dumont)<\/span><\/h3>\n

    This tree-lined walkway is a greenbelt that extends almost 5km along the old Vincennes railway line. The railway line ceased functioning in 1969, with the park being inaugurated a few decades afterward. Until New York built their High Line, it was the only elevated park in the entire world. (And, honestly, this is way nicer than the NYC High Line). <\/p>\n

    You\u2019ll find lots of trees, flowers, ponds, and places to sit along this long path that stretches from Bastille to the edge of Paris. It\u2019s a long, easy, and beautiful walk. You won\u2019t find many people here. Even on a nice day, it\u2019s rather empty. It quickly became one of my favorite things to do in Paris and I can\u2019t recommend coming here enough!
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    13. Canal Saint-Martin<\/span><\/h3>\n

    \"The\"The
    Stretching 4.5km, the Canal Saint-Martin is a man-made waterway commissioned by Napoleon. Construction finished in 1825, connecting the Canal de l\u2019Ourcq to the Seine via both above-ground locks and underground tunnels. While not any secret spot (on a nice day, you\u2019ll find the canal lined with people), it\u2019s mostly a spot for locals who want to have a picnic and relax. So, say no to the Seine, and come have your outdoor picnic along the canal. It\u2019s more relaxing and there will be fewer people!
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    14. Muse\u00e9 de Montmartre<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Founded in 1960, this museum is located throughout two buildings that date back to the 17th century. Over the years, the buildings were home to many famous writers and painters. The gardens of the museum were actually renovated to look more like the gardens in Renoir\u2019s paintings (there is also a vineyard nearby that dates back to the Middle Ages but it makes horrible wine). The museum\u2019s permanent collection includes a wide variety of paintings, posters, and drawings.<\/p>\n

    ***<\/center><\/p>\n

    While the main sights in Paris are always worth checking out, if you want to be more than a tourist and develop a greater appreciation for the City of Light\u2019s unique and complex history, visit these unconventional and unusual attractions in Paris.
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    Get Your In-Depth Budget Guide to Paris!<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n
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    \"Get\"Get<\/div>\n
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    For more in-depth information, check out my guidebook to Paris written for budget travelers like you! It cuts out the fluff found in other guides and gets straight to the practical information you need to travel around Paris. You\u2019ll find suggested itineraries, budgets, ways to save money, on- and off-the-beaten-path things to see and do, non-touristy restaurants, markets, bars, transportation and safety tips, and much more! Click here to learn more and get your copy today!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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    Book Your Trip to Paris: Logistical Tips and Tricks<\/h4>\n

    Book Your Flight<\/strong>
    Use Skyscanner. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.<\/p>\n

    Book Your Accommodation<\/strong>
    You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.<\/p>\n

    For suggested hostels, here is a list of my favorite hostels in Paris. <\/p>\n

    If you prefer to stay in a hotel, these are my favorite hotels. <\/p>\n

    And if you\u2019re wondering what part of town to stay in, here\u2019s my neighborhood breakdown of Paris!<\/p>\n

    Don\u2019t Forget Travel Insurance<\/strong>
    Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It\u2019s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I\u2019ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:<\/p>\n

    Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With?<\/strong>
    Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I\u2019m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too. <\/p>\n

    Need a Guide?<\/strong>
    Paris has some really interesting tours. My favorite company is Take Walks. They have expert guides and can get you behind the scenes at the city\u2019s best attractions. They\u2019re my go-to walking tour company in the city.<\/p>\n

    Want More Information on Paris?<\/strong>
    Be sure to visit my robust destination guide to Paris for even more blogging tips!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    Source: https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/travel-blogs\/off-the-beaten-path-paris\/<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Paris is filled with famous attractions: the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Versailles, the catacombs, the Pantheon, the Arc de Triomphe, Sacre-Coeur. The list goes on. There are so many amazing sites here that you could spend days (heck, even weeks) just seeing the main, most well-known ones. But there\u2019s more to Paris than the sites […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5935,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[80,128,129],"class_list":["post-5942","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel","tag-europe","tag-france","tag-paris"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5942","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5942"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5942\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/5935"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5942"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5942"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.theblyde.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5942"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}