15 unique things to do in Paris, France.

Paris, France is Europe’s most popular travel destination and a global center for art, fashion, and culture. Every year millions of visitors visit this city of lights to marvel around its beauty. France Itinerary remains incomplete until you visit this city full of unique attractions and wonders dated back from the 12th century. The city looks great during the day, but you find the nights to be more romantic with a magical ambiance all over Paris.

It doesn’t matter whether you are a first-time visitor or a local traveler; there are uncountable experiences and list of things to do in Paris. There are many skyscraping monuments like the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Pantheon that you find in this majestic city. However, there are more unique things to do in Paris, like marveling around the quaint cobblestone streets or visiting avant-garde art galleries. Visiting this magical city of Paris is inspiring, and it’s a lifetime experience.

The city is full of centuries-old churches, Neoclassic-design architectures, and glowing street lamps. Touring the Museums, shopping, perusing the cemetery and exploring the districts are all part of the unique experiences in Paris, France. Let us dive deeper and find in detail about the unique things to do in Paris.

Read all our blogs about France

Top fifteen unique things to do in Paris, France.

Visit Eiffel Tower

Eiffel Tower needs no introduction as its world’s most visited monument and inaugurated in 1889. Each year over seven million visitors from different parts of the world visit Paris, France, to see this iconic tower. It is also the most photographed monument and emblematic sight in Paris, France. This gigantic tower consists of over 2.5 million rivets and 18,000 sturdy iron sections.

Before Burj Khalifa, it was the world’s tallest human-made tower with a height of 324 meters. It is a dream to any traveler climbing to the top of Eiffel Tower and enjoys the breathtaking panoramic view. Eiffel Tower has an observatory desk set at three levels. Level one is at the height of 57 meters, level two at 115 meters and the top level at a soaring height of 276 meters. The exciting thing is many adventure seekers love to walk up the steps to reach the levels. In case you want to climb to reach the first level, you have to cover 360 steps and for the next level more 344 steps.

Fun Fact! A thrilling race takes place every year to climb all the 1665 stars of the Eiffel Tower leading to the summit. Over hundreds of runners from local Paris, France, and from other international countries takes part in this unusual race. The fastest time recorded to climb the 276 – meters was only 10 minutes!

The Louvre Museum

The Louvre Museum was once the home of France’s Kings and later transformed into a Museum in 1973. It is one of the most important Museums in Paris, France, to visit. This is not only one of the best art Museum in Paris, France, but in entire Europe and in the world as well. The Museum features over 35,000 works of art from antiquities to European paintings, all between the 15th and 19th century.

The museum collection is vast, and it is impossible to cover everything with one visit. Over here you find Egyptian mummy tombs, ancient Grecian sculptures and over thousands of masterpiece paintings like the Mona Lisa or La Gioconda painted by Leonardo da Vinci date backed in 1503. This is a huge Museum spread across an area of 650,000 square feet. It is so big that you cannot cover the entire museum in one visit.

The best way to explore the Museum is to grab a map and follow. Over nine million annual tourists visit this Museum, and it remains busy throughout the year. However, you can take a skip the line ticket in case you want to avoid long waiting hours. There is a lovely park Jardin des Tuileries surrounding this Museum, so spend some time visiting over there as well. Exploring the Louvre Museum is one of the unique things to do in Paris.

The Notre-Dame Cathedral

The Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris was founded in 1163 and considered as one of the world’s best Gothic cathedrals. It is a brilliant example of a Gothic masterpiece and located right along the picturesque River Seine. King Louis IX and Bishop Maurice de Sully were the founders of this brilliant architectural building. The construction of this famous cathedral started date backed in the 10th century, and it took around 200 years to complete.

Once you visit this Cathedral in Paris, you get mesmerized to see the impressive decorative doorway. Inside the Cathedral, you find magnificent stained-glass windows with stunning work of art featuring the 80 Old Testament scenes.

Update: A tragic fire incident took place on April 15, 2019, that damaged the Cathedral badly. Currently, it is closed and under renovation.

The Orsay Museum

The Orsay Museum is often known as the hidden gem in Paris, France. There is no doubt that The Louvre Museum has overwhelming beauty, but, the Orsay Museum is equally beautiful for the Impressionist artworks. Over here you find antique paintings done by contemporary French artists like Degas, Monet, Cezanne, and Van Gogh. There are multiple numbers of sculptures, photography, and antique furniture on display.

This museum is an excellent place for art lovers as there are many impressive colorful collections of paintings. The building where the museum located was a former railway station and a perfect example of Belle Epoque architecture. The museum also features a massive transparent clock, something worth to see during your visit. The crowd is significantly less over here in comparison to the other museums in Paris, France, but every hour of visits gives a unique experience.

The Palais Garnier Opera House

The Palais Garnier Opera House is a building with artistic beauty. Designed by Charles Garnier in 1875 and symbolized Napoleon’s Imperial regime. This building has a vast interior space of over 11,000 sq. Meter with marble entrance staircase and adorned by ornate gilded lamps. The auditorium can accommodate over 2,000 people.

The Auditorium beautifully decorated with crystal chandelier and Chagall ceiling paintings. Various kind of cultural performances held in this building like ballet performances and classical music concerts. The opera house also features a Library museum which has a collection and exhibits dedicated to the art of opera.

Over here you also find a boutique restaurant serving mouthwatering Japanese-French fusion cuisines. Visiting Opera House to watch a performance show and marveling the architectural beauty certainly is a unique thing to do in Paris, France.

The Place de la Concorde

The Place de la Concorde is an impressive octagonal square build during the reign of King Louis XV centering his statue, date back in 1763. It was torn down during the French Revolution. Today, you find a 3,300-year-old Egyptian obelisk erected at the center of the square.

O the most attractive squares in Paris, France, because of its majestic dimensions and a place where several key historical events took place. You cannot forget the turbulent past of this square, and it was the chosen place for public beheadings done by the guillotine. Also, The Place de la Concorde was a part of Napoleon’s triumphal route.

Today, this is a bustling intersection with heavy circulating traffic throughout the day. You can easily reach this historic spot in Paris, France, once you start walking from the Louvre Museum through the Rue de Rivoli or take a metro to the Concorde station.

Visit the Arc de Triomphe

The Arc de Triomphe is a famous historic monument in Paris, France completed in 1836. Dedicated to those brave soldiers who fought the French revolution. The outer surface of the architecture has significant sculptured figures depicting the victory and glorious return of the French armies. On the inner side, you find names of over six-hundred generals and hundreds of battles.

There is a viewing platform at the top of the monument offering breathtaking panoramic views of the 12 avenues. The Eternal Flame of Remembrance is ignited daily at 6:30 pm in the memory of every brave soldier who died for France. Important national events are celebrated at this landmark.

Enjoy Seine River Cruises.

Taking a boat Cruise to tour the Seine River is the most unique and magical experience in Paris, France. One of the most enjoyable things to do in Paris, France while exploring the city. The river cruise is a unique way to enjoy the scenic beauty of the city. You get a fantastic view of the major iconic buildings like the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Louvre Museum as you cruise along.

You can book this Cruise at any time of the day. In case you opt for cruising at night, enjoy the breathtaking view of the illuminated city’s landmarks, creating a special panoramic effect.

Visit Luxembourg Gardens

The Luxembourg Gardens is a 17th-century park in Paris, France. This park is so beautiful that it is often called an open-air museum. A huge garden spread across an area of over 61 acres giving bright sunshine throughout the day. It is an ideal place to relax away from the city’s hustle bustle.

Some of the park activities for children include spinning on the merry-go-round or floating a sailboat in the octagonal pool. You can watch puppet shows at The Théâtre du Luxembourg located on the southwestern side of the park.

You can also visit the Musee du Luxembourg which is the first French museum located over here.

Sacré-Coeur Church

Sacré-Coeur Church is a Roman-Byzantine masterpiece and sitting at the highest point in Paris. When you see from outside, it looks like a white castle. This stunning architecture is famous for its ornate ivory domes. The interior of the basilica is awe-inspiring too. A large mosaic of Jesus on the ceilings gives the sanctuary a spiritual intensity. Once you reach the top of the outdoor staircase, you get breathtaking panoramic views of Paris, France.

You can even climb all the 300 steps to reach the top of the dome and get even better views. Keep Sacré-Coeur Church in the list of unique things to do in Paris, France, when you prepare your France Itinerary.

Paris Catacombs

Among the most unique and unusual experience to have in Paris, France is exploring the Paris Catacombs. It is difficult to believe that a beautiful city like Paris, France, is having such a bone-chilling place. Paris Catacombs are underground tunnels located 65 feet beneath and used as a burial ground. It has a prolonged history date backed to centuries. Over here you find more than six-million bodies from all the Parisian graves.

It took almost twelve years to complete this entire shifting work and house the remains of the tombs those destroyed during the French Revolution. These tunnels stretch over miles are filled with skulls and bones.

You can only access some part of these tunnels through the Denfert-Rochereau access. Such a unique and popular attraction that any time of the day you visit, expect huge lines. Children below 14 years or below and people with respiratory or cardiac problems are not recommended to visit.

Enjoy a Film in any Parisian Cinema.

Paris, France, is known for its cinematic culture and the Parisians take cinema very seriously. The best way to experience it is by watching a film at any of the Parisian Cinema. Every week there are over hundreds of new releases, so there is no shortage of options to pick the movie of your choice.

Visit the Cinémathèque Française film center to know more about the history of the Parisian Films. Enjoying a film in any of the historic Parisian Cinema is undoubtedly one of the unique things to do in Paris.

Explore the Secret Apartment of Eiffel Tower.

Eiffel Tower is undoubtedly the top attraction in Paris, France, but do you know it has a secret Apartment too? In the same year that the tow was constructed, Gustave Eiffel also built a secret apartment for himself within the tower.

This secret apartment is located on level three of this gigantic tower. It is a small apartment with simple furnishing that includes soft chintzes, wooden cabinets, and a grand piano. If you want to see this unique hidden apartment, you need to buy a ticket for the top and view the apartment only through a window.

Explore the Green Walkway.

The Green Walkway is a three-mile-long stretched greenspace. That is built in 1993 after converting an abandoned mid-19th-century viaduct. The Promenade Plantée is the world’s first elevated park walkway where you can take a magical stroll and enjoy the beautiful greenery.

There are many shaded canopies ideal for picnicking or simply sitting and relaxing. If you visit over here during the morning hours, expect to see joggers all around as it’s a popular jogging spot in Paris, France. Visit this place and take a stroll as it’s a unique attraction in Paris, France, and should not be missed.

Buy Souvenir from Flea Market.

Souvenirs are important as a memory. We all love to buy them as a memento of the experiences we have after visiting any new place or to gift someone. In Paris, France, you can buy unique and beautiful Souvenir form the countless flea markets this city has. These flea markets are full of vintage and antique treasures.

There are many areas where you find these markets, but the most popular ones are Les Puces de Clignancourt, Marché du Livre Ancien et d’Occasion, and Marché aux Puces de Montreuil. Visiting these places and strolling around the antique collection is indeed a unique experience.

Final Verdict

The city of Paris, France, has uncountable experiences and unique places to visit. This great city has over 400 beautiful gardens, over 130 museums and loads of other famous attractions to see. Paris, France, is one of the most visited destinations and many people visit here multiple times. If you are traveling to Paris for the first time or have been here before, stick to this list for the unique things to do and experience the attractions in a different way.

Tips to save money in Paris, France

• Make sure you book your flights and hotels in advance as the rates are high if you rush at the last moment.
• Buy a Paris Museum Pass that gives you free entry along with skip-the-line access in over 60 important museums and monuments.
• Buy a Paris Pass that gives free entry to over 60 major attractions and unlimited access to the city’s public transportation system.
• Purchase a ticket book which includes a set of ten tickets or a monthly pass to access all the public transportation. In this way, you can save a lot on Transportation.

Related Questions

What are the best places to stay in Paris? The fashionable 8th Arrondissement boulevards near the Louvre and Champs-Elysées is the best area to search for hotels and stay. There are multiple numbers of Luxury, mid-range and budget hotels spread across the area. La Reserve Paris Hotel and Spa, Le Bristol Paris and Hotel Residence Henri 4 are few of the best picks.

What is the best way to travel around Paris? It is a compact city with a wide network of public and private transportation. However, Paris boats are one of the most efficient public transportation systems. You can also tour around the city in a Metro or RER train. Buses, Tramway, Taxi and Funicular all are available to give you a great touring experience through the city.