Paris is Full of Surprises - Here are the Most Unusual Things to Do in the City!
Paris is full of surprises beyond the Eiffel Tower and Louvre. If you’re looking for unusual and fun things to do in the City of Light, here are more unique activities to add to your list!
Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride at Parc André Citroën
Want to see Paris from a whole new perspective? Head to Parc André Citroën, where you can take a ride on the Ballon de Paris, the world’s largest tethered hot air balloon. Floating above the city, you'll get the best views without the crowds.
Parc André Citroën, 75015 Paris
Visit the Whispering Walls of Palais Royal
In the courtyard of Palais Royal, you’ll find the Colonnes de Buren, a striking black-and-white art installation. But the real hidden gem? The whispering walls—two curved stone benches where you and a friend can whisper messages from one side to the other like a secret sound tunnel.
8 Rue de Montpensier, 75001 Paris
Explore the Abandoned Tracks of La Petite Ceinture
This 19th-century railway used to encircle Paris but was abandoned in the 1930s. Now, sections of La Petite Ceinture have been transformed into pedestrian walkways, where you can stroll through tunnels, gardens, and forgotten platforms.
Various access points across Paris
Go Vintage Shopping at Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen
Forget designer boutiques—head to Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen, one of the world’s largest flea markets. Browse through vintage fashion, rare antiques, and collectibles, and maybe even snag an unexpected treasure.
138 Rue des Rosiers, 93400 Saint-Ouen
Have a Drink in a Lavishly Decorated Train Car at Le Train Bleu
Step into Le Train Bleu, a grand Belle Époque restaurant inside Gare de Lyon that looks like a palace. Even if you’re not catching a train, you can stop in for a cocktail or coffee and enjoy the luxe, fresco-covered surroundings.
Gare de Lyon, Place Louis-Armand, 75012 Paris
Visit a Museum Dedicated to Romanticism
Tucked away in Montmartre, the Musée de la Vie Romantique is a dreamy little museum dedicated to 19th-century romance, literature, and art. There’s even a tea garden for the ultimate storybook vibes.
16 Rue Chaptal, 75009 Paris
Try Your Hand at French Perfume-Making
Paris is famous for perfume, and you can make your own signature scent at Fragonard Perfume Museum or Nose Paris. These workshops let you mix top notes, heart notes, and base notes to create a completely unique fragrance.
Fragonard Museum: 9 Rue Scribe, 75009 Paris
Discover the "Hidden Vineyard" of Montmartre
Most people don't know that Paris has its own working vineyard! Clos Montmartre produces small batches of wine every year, and while it’s not usually open to the public, you can get a peek during the Fête des Vendanges wine festival each October.
Rue des Saules, 75018 Paris
Dine at a Secret Underground Jazz Club
Behind an unmarked door in Le Marais, Le Caveau de la Huchette is a hidden jazz club with a history stretching back to the 16th century. It’s said to have hosted secret Freemason meetings, but today, it’s all about live swing music and dancing.
5 Rue de la Huchette, 75005 Paris
Explore a Bookshop That Looks Like a Fairy Tale
A mix of bookstore, art gallery, and whimsical wonderland, Librairie Jousseaume is hidden in the covered Galerie Vivienne passageway. It’s packed with old books, rare editions, and just enough mystery to feel like you’ve stepped into a novel.
45-46 Galerie Vivienne, 75002 Paris
Explore the Rooftops of Galeries Lafayette
Most visitors go to Galeries Lafayette for luxury shopping, but the real gem is the rooftop terrace. Open to the public, it offers one of the best (and free!) views of the Paris skyline, including a perfect shot of the Opéra Garnier.
40 Boulevard Haussmann, 75009 Paris
Take a Secret Speakeasy Tour
Paris is home to hidden speakeasies disguised as laundromats, pizza shops, and bookstores. Try Lavomatic, a cocktail bar hidden behind a washing machine, or Moonshiner, which looks like a regular pizzeria until you step through the back door.
Lavomatic: 30 Rue René Boulanger, 75010 Paris
Moonshiner: 5 Rue Sedaine, 75011 Paris
Discover the Oldest Tree in Paris
Planted in 1601, the oldest tree in Paris still stands in the Square René Viviani, right next to Notre-Dame. It’s a quiet little park, perfect for a peaceful break from the city's hustle.
Square René Viviani, 75005 Paris
Which of these experiences would you try first?
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