Whether you're visiting Paris for the first time or already know the capital, there are always unusual places to discover. And in Paris, there are plenty of them! Museums, restaurants, boutiques, artistic venues, unusual districts and other surprising discoveries await you. Whether you're visiting Paris as a couple, with friends or with children, our selection of unusual things to do in Paris is for everyone. Let us guide you to our top 15, followed by additional ideas to suit everyone. Have a great time!
1. La Cité du Figuier, an unusual green paradise in the heart of Paris
Bucolic Paris doesn't just exist in the Emily in Paris series! Treat yourself to a total change of scenery at the Cité du Figuier, whose Provençal flair has a special charm all of its own. To find this little corner of paradise, wander between numbers 104 and 106 rue Oberkampf, in the district of the same name. Suddenly, the trendy street full of bars gives way to a cobbled alleyway, where old metal workshops cohabit with lush greenery you'd never expect here. Today, Parisian families and artists have reinvested this surprising and unusual area of Paris.
2. 59 Rivoli, Paris's unusual artists' squat
More than 30 artists live at 59 Rivoli... and it shows! The artistically colorful facade invariably contrasts with the monotony of the rest of the street. Initially, the premises were squatted in the 2000s by a handful of artists. Gradually, an agreement was signed with the town council to turn it into an official creative studio. In the end, the artists are still there and continue to express their creativity. Inside and out, everything is colorful, bold and unusual. Creative expression at its best at 59 Rivoli!
3. L'Atelier des Lumières, from art to technology
Discover art in a different way at L'Atelier des Lumières, a new exhibition space in Paris. Here, works of art, often by great artists such as Van Gogh, are projected onto the walls and floor using numerous video projectors. These immersive high-tech exhibitions change regularly, offering a magical combo of art, technology and music. Asterix himself has invited himself to L'Atelier des Lumières, for a quest full of twists and turns!
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4. La Boutique sans argent, unusual and free
Here's an amazing concept! At La Boutique Sans Argent, you can find what you're looking for and leave... without paying. This non-profit association has a single ambition: to give objects a second life. Whether you're a fan of second-hand products, upcycling or just looking to make a few savings, here's an unusual address not to be missed in Paris!
5. The Cabinet de Curiosités Deyrolle, Paris's top spot for unusual activities
Taxidermists and other curious friends, welcome to the Cabinet de curiosités Deyrolle! For almost two centuries, this strange address on rue du Bac has never ceased to amaze visitors at every turn. While stuffed animals abound, they share the field with shells, ethnic products, fossils and other minerals. Looking for an original souvenir to bring back from Paris? Look no further! You've found the perfect address, and one of Paris' best-known unusual activities.
6. Unusual in Paris: 2D Atelier, the comic strip café
Tasting Taiwanese specialties is rare enough in France. To do so in a 2D setting, as if you were immersed in a comic strip, is even more so! In Paris, this unusual address does exist. 2D Atelier is located on rue Réaumur and offers delicious Asian sweets such as Wheel Cake. Tasted in such an original setting, you can't help but appreciate them!
7. The Musée de la Magie, unusual magical activities in Paris
Already mentioned in our article on the best museums to visit with children in Paris, the Musée de la Magie plunges you into a unique universe. Disconnected from reality, you enter a world of escapism. While thehistory of magic and its great names is explained, you'll also find objects related to the practice, as well as shows and other special effects. From secret props to automata and optical illusions, this is an enchanting visit to experience at least once in Paris. It's not for nothing that it's one of the best unusual museums in France!
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8. Relax in the garden of the Buddhist Pantheon in Paris
Can you imagine Paris as a pile of concrete? While we can't totally deny it, we can help you discover some bucolic addresses surrounded by greenery in the heart of the city. The Buddhist Pantheon garden offers a surprisingly peaceful haven in the capital. A mini bamboo forest, stones, wooden bridges and a small stream: the perfect setting to recharge your batteries. Perfectly hidden from passers-by, this gentle interlude is located on a busy thoroughfare, Avenue d'Iéna. Can you find it?
9. Try the sensory floatation, the top of unusual relaxation activities in Paris
Floatation centers like Les Bulles à Flotter offer a unique experience of introspection.Sensory isolation allows you to cut yourself off from the outside world and its parasites: noise, smells, stimuli, etc. Your only objective is deep relaxation. Your only objective is deep relaxation. Your floatation chamber immerses you in a bubble of serenity, helping you to reach a state of deep meditation , conducive to general well-being. Ready to let yourself go? Click here to book your experience.
10. Take to the skies with the iFLY free-fall simulator
Experience the thrill of the iFLY free-fall simulator! Located in the Boom Boom Villette shopping and leisure center, this 14-meter-high tube gives you the impression of flying, in complete safety. Our friendly team will guide you through the appropriate steps. All you have to do is let yourself float, fly and breathe: an unusual experience you won't soon forget you can book right here.
Bonus: virtual reality goggles immerse you in Hawaii or other amazing places, to optimize your experience even further.
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11. Wildness Paris, axe throwing, an unusual activity in Paris
Ready, set, aim! At Wildness Paris, prove your skill by challenging your friends to an axe-throwing challenge. For one hour, in small groups of no more than 3 people, you aim at a target in a secure box. A tablet keeps track of your score. Is this activity still not unusual enough for you? You can also throw shurikens and shovels at your target!
Click here to book your axe-throwing experience in Paris!
12. The Ice Kube Bar, the frosty bar in Paris
Are you feeling the chill? Well, you soon will be, but this time in the truest sense of the word. At the Ice Kube Bar, it's best to come equipped with a good down jacket, because here, everything is as frosty as the container of your glass. The decor is 100% icy, contemporary and colorful. From the bar to the floor to the walls, you're literally in a bar-iceberg. The experience, as refreshing as it is unusual, is a must at least once in your life.
13. Fury Room, we break everything!
Need to relieve stress? Need to let off steam, but would rather do it somewhere other than at home? Then you've come to the right place! Come to Fury Room, the place where you can break everything. A helmet, a bat and off you go! Dishes, computer equipment, bottles: here, everything can be broken. We're not going to lie: breaking takes the edge off, and at Fury Room, we let you express yourself.
14. Take a donkey milk bath, an unusual activity in Paris for couples
Donkey's milk is increasingly used in cosmetics. And with good reason! Rich in numerous properties, it is said to bring unequalled well-being to the body. At Le Petit Futé, we've come up with something better than a simple soap: a donkey milk bath! At Jardin du Nil, let yourself be enveloped by the soothing softness of this voluptuous bath, while enjoying the benefits of light therapy. A little argan oil massage completes the package, and you've got the recipe for a modern-day rejuvenation cure.
15. Long&Tee Paris and its trompe-l'œil desserts
If you're heading for the famous Galeries Lafayette, make a detour to Long&Tee, the gourmet address on the corner. Tea, served with Chinese desserts or Western pastries, takes on an artistic twist here. The trompe-l'œil cakes are adorned with colorful decorations, featuring cartoon characters, superheroes and animals. They're simply sublime (and delicious!).
What unusual things can you do in Paris with friends?
At first glance, it would seem that just about all the activities in our ranking are suitable for a visit to Paris with friends. You're in luck, it's our day of generosity, so here are a few more addresses to add to your to-do list! For starters, Rue du Chat qui Pêche, in addition to its amusing name, has the distinction of being the narrowest street in Paris. Full of legends and mysteries revolving around its name, it attracts passers-by, who have fun stretching themselves from wall to wall, since this street is only 1.80 m wide.
In a completely different style, you can try out Le Libre Promeneur, an unusual adventure for visiting Paris with friends. Solve the riddles in this outdoor escape game, and discover the city while having fun!
After the outdoot escape game, it's time for indoor mini-golf. At Mad Golf, enjoy a unique experience in a bright, vintage setting. Are you ready for a fun-filled day?
It's time to set course for FlyView, the place dedicated to visiting Paris (and France) in virtual reality. Here, you don't just visit: you literally fly over the places you discover thanks to technology.
What unusual things can you do in Paris as a couple?
Spending a weekend in Paris or a week's vacation in the capital as a couple? Add a few unusual activities to your program for even more fun! If bathing in donkey's milk is a good idea, there's another even more unusual activity that might tempt you: Beer Spa. Yes, beer is said to have many unsuspected benefits, including for the skin! After your whirlpool bath in a mixture of hops, yeast and malt, you can enjoy tastings and discover some amazing beer products. In a completely different style, you can also try out the sensory floatation, so you can leave more relaxed than ever, hand in hand through the streets of Paris.
How about some original photos of your stay? No, no, they won't be taken in your beer-filled hot tub, but at Amélie Poulain's photo booth, located in front of the Collignon grocery store.
All that's left to do is treat yourself to a little restaurant on the Seine, and you're done! Aboard a bateau-mouche, you'll discover Paris from another point of view, while enjoying a romantic meal.
Finally, if you're planning a weekend in Paris, check out one of France's finest unusual accommodations, theHôtel Seven. With its astonishing suspended beds and luminous showers, it promises an offbeat experience. All that's left to do is complete the list with a selection of Paris's must-visit unusual restaurants, and you're all set!
What unusual free activities can you do in Paris?
Paris may be known as an expensive city, but there are a few unusual free activities you can try. In our article, we mentioned 59 Rivoli and its artistic building. Well, the good news is that admission is free!
Located next to the Guimet Museum, the Buddhist Pantheon garden is also open, with free access for all. It's a great opportunity to relax in the heart of Paris, without having to pay anything. In the same vein, you can take a stroll through the pretty, bucolic Cité du Figuier in the 11th arrondissement.
We've already mentioned the Rue du Chat qui Pêche, the narrowest street in Paris, which you can of course walk for free. But did you know that Paris also has a mini-house? The smallest house in Paris can be found in the 10th arrondissement, at no. 39 rue du Château d'Eau. Wedged between two buildings, it has always housed a business downstairs. Upstairs is a bedroom, not a real home, as it measures just three meters in depth.Want even more? Complete your discoveries with these 21 ideas for free activities in Paris.
Treat yourself to one last unusual activity with one of the 19 must-do's in Paris: its catacombs. The thrill of a visit to this unique site is guaranteed, and it's one of France's top unusual places to visit! If you've never visited the capital before, we recommend at least a 3-day weekend or more. That way, you'll be able to see the classic must-sees (Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Champs Élysées, etc.), while scheduling a few out-of-the-ordinary activities from time to time. Finally, round off your visits with the must-sees around Paris. There are plenty of surprises in store.
Discover the most popular things to do in Paris:
