There is more to the “city of love” than the Eiffel monument. There are so many more attractions in Paris you must see if you visit the big French city. Known for its rich history and beauty, the city also houses unusual places you may not have heard about. While in Paris, you are likely to come across well-hidden oddities, be it an old house, museum or market. The fascinating thing is that each of these has a story behind them. While making Paris fun to explore, these offbeat places offer a unique perspective of the city.
Here are 9 unique attractions in Paris you can visit on your next trip to Paris.
Attractions in Paris
The Catacombs of Paris
The ancient Catacombs are ranked among the top unusual places in Paris. They are located below the city’s lanes and streets. Formerly the city’s quarry, they now are home to the remains of more than 6 million people that died within the 18th century. The Catacombs cover about 2 kilometres, and the ambience there is eerie. The temperature here is 14℃ all year round, giving you a chill every time you step in.
Location: 1 Avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy, 75014 Paris
Working Hours: 09:45 a.m. to 08:30 p.m. every day except on Mondays
Entry Fee: 29€ per head
The Eiffel’s Secret Apartment
Gustave Eiffel’s secret apartment is the other offbeat place you should make a point to visit when in this lovely city. It is found close to the top of the Eiffel tower. It dates back to the 1880s, is cosy and features warm wallpaper on the walls. The apartment also has soft sofas, wooden cabinets and a piano. Today, you can visit this hidden gem and be awed by the vintage furnishings.
Location: Champ de Mars, 5 Avenue Anatole France, 75007 Paris
Working Hours: 09:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Entry Fee: Between 10.5€ and 26.10€ per adult and 2.6€ to 13.10€ per kid
What Is the Best Time to Visit Paris?
Spring and autumn seasons are the best times to visit Paris. That is from March to June and then from September to October. These seasons have pleasant temperatures, allowing you to explore the outdoors.
La Conciergerie
When in Paris, head over to La Conciergerie. This used to be home to prisoners sentenced to death by guillotine in the era of the French Revolution. La Conciergerie is located near Sainte Chapelle and Notre Dame and served as a fortress in the middle age. Today, it is a museum with exhibits on the French Revolution. Remember also to visit Marie Antoinette’s cell.
Location: 2 Bd du Palais, 75001 Paris
Working Hours: 09:30 a.m. to 06:00 p.m.
Entry Fee: 11.5€ per head
Foucault’s Pendulum
The Foucault’s Pendulum, located at the Paris Pantheon, was used to illustrate the earth’s rotation with an experiment carried out by Leon Foucault–a physicist. The pendulum is a duplicate of the original one and has been here since 1995. Its swinging lead bob is 67 metres, and its plane has never been altered.
Location: PI. Du Panthéon, 75005 Paris
Working Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 06:00 p.m.
Entry Fee: 11.5€ – 23.80€ per head.
Centre Pompidou
Located in Paris’4th district, Centre Pompidou is labelled the city’s most absurd and surreal galleries. The building’s exterior has an inside-out design with pipes decorating its façade, while the interior is highlighted with out-of-the-box modern art. Centre Pompidou is among the largest modern art museums globally. It is also the largest of its kind in Europe.
Location: Place Georges-Pompidou, 75004 Paris
Working Hours: 11:00 a.m. to 09:00 p.m. every day except on Tuesdays
Entry Fee: 15€ per adult and free for kids below 18 years
Napoleon’s Angels
Napoleon’s Angels at Les Invalides is a good place to start if you are looking for a special treat. Here, you’ll witness marble angel statues encircling Napoleon Bonaparte’s tomb. The statues are guardians to the departed emperor, guiding him to heaven. They were designed to symbolise the emperor’s achievements during his lifetime.
Location: 129 Rue de Grenelle, 75007 Paris
Working Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 06:00 p.m.
Entry Fee: 16€ per head
Musee De La Magie
If you are a magic fanatic, this is the place for you. The Musee de la Magie boasts a collection of fascinating optical illusions, wind-up toys, house mirrors and magic-related artefacts. The museum is in a vaulted cellar dating back to the 16th century and is famous for its collection of 19th and 20th-century automations, among several other attractions.
Location: 11 Rue Saint-Paul, 75004 Paris
Working Hours: 02:00 p.m. to 07:00 p.m. on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays
Entry Fee: 10€–14€ per head
What Is So Special About Paris?
The city’s quaint cafes, narrow streets and several attractions like the Montparnasse tower make it one of the world’s most enchanting and romantic places. Whether you’re just there to visit or are a long-term resident, there is always something new to discover daily.
Pont De Grenelle
Besides being a bridge that flies over the Seine River, Pont de Grenelle is among the top unconventional places to visit in Paris. It links Paris’s 15th and 16th districts and passes through the Île aux Cygnes. The girder bridge’s entire body is made of steel. It offers views of major attractions such as the Louvre, Notre Dame and Arc de Triomphe.
Location: 65 Rue Gaston de Caillavet, 75015 Paris
The Vampire Museum
Your search for unusual places in Paris may end at the Vampire Museum. The museum is located in Les Lilas, and its entrance leads to a door that opens into a garden resembling a cemetery. Here, you’ll find human remains, plastic bats, writings of demonology and several other artefacts guaranteed to creep you out.
This museum is the brainchild of Jacques Sirgent–a scholar and macabre specialist–to manifest his research on vampirism and esoterism.
Location: 14 Rue Jules David, 92360 Les Lilas
Opening Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 06:00 p.m.
Entry Fee: 15:50€ per head
Is Paris a Safe Destination?
Yes, Paris is generally a safe city with very few crime incidents. Nevertheless, you should always adhere to safety tips if you want a smooth trip.
Conclusion
Normal is sometimes boring. So, if you’re tired of the cliché attractions and want to explore the unconventional side of Paris, these places will do it for you. From vampire museums to cemeteries and secret apartments, these attractions will surely give you the rush you are searching for.
