Paris Hidden Gems
Everyone knows the Eiffel Tower or the famous shopping avenue Champs-Élysées.
But the city of lights is also full of interesting hidden gems, including a big replica of the Statue of Liberty, beautiful streets, and a secret apartment high above Paris.
Read further to discover what are some of the best overlooked places you can visit in Paris.
NUMBER 10: See the “fake” Statue of Liberty
Did you know that Paris has its own Statue of Liberty, looking exactly like the one in New York City? Except, it’s smaller. In fact, it is a quarter-scale replica of Liberty Enlightening the World, commonly known as the Statue of Liberty.
The one Statue of Liberty in Paris is located on Île aux Cygnes, an artificial island within walking distance of Eiffel Tower and was given to the city of Paris in 1889 by the American community in Paris to celebrate the one-hundredth anniversary of French Revolution. This one in France was even featured in the movie National Treasure: Book of Secrets.
And if you still want to see more Statues of Liberty in Paris, there are others, like the one in Musée d'Orsay and its copy at Jardin Luxembourg. Or the one at Musée des Arts et Métiers. Or if you just want to see the flame, there’s one known as Flame of Liberty Paris.
NUMBER 9: Drive around Paris on an electric scooter
Have you heard about the recent invasion of electric scooters in bigger cities around the world?
Paris is a large city, and walking can take you a lot of time, while there is something beautiful and new to discover around every corner. So, rent an electric scooter and drive around Paris instead.
Electric scooters are super easy and fun to use. All you need to do is download the app and find the scooter located closest to you. And when you’ve arrived at your destination, you simply park it there, and the scooter will be waiting for their next driver.
NUMBER 8: Eiffel’s secret apartment
Did you know that there is a small secret apartment at the top of the Eiffel?
It was built by Gustave Eiffel to entertain the science elite like Eiffel’s friend Thomas Edison, and some also say to make some Parisians jealous.
NUMBER 7: Window shopping
Feel like shopping? Or maybe window shopping? Well, Paris offers plenty of that too. But not only on the famous shopping avenue of Champs-Élysées.
Visit Galeries Lafayette, a 750,000 square feet department store with an impressive dome stretching over four floors. Most of the store space is dedicated to fashion, but you will find plenty of other items too.
You can also visit the Bazar de l'Hôtel de Ville, located close to the Notre Dame cathedral.
The storefronts are especially interesting during the Christmas season when they create unique Christmas-themed displays.
NUMBER 6: Unusual bars and cafés
Paris is famous for good food, sweet pastries, and interesting and unusual bars.
You can visit Lavomatic, where you literally enter through the washing machine. We tried it and had so much fun!
There are plenty more to discover, so let’s just name a couple of them:
BARS
Lavomatic: https://www.lavomatic.paris/
Ice Kube Bar: http://bit.ly/2EeM3JX
Little Red Door Paris: http://www.lrdparis.com/
Le Comptoir Général: https://www.lecomptoirgeneral.com
Le Dernier Bar Avant la Fin du Monde: https://www.dernierbar.com/en
Rosa Bonheur sur Seine: http://rosabonheur.fr/rosa-seine
le syndicat: http://syndicatcocktailclub.com/
The Cavern Club: http://www.lecavernclub.com
CAFÉS
La REcyclerie: http://www.larecyclerie.com/
L'Atelier Saisonnier: http://lateliersaisonnier.com/
Auteuil Brasserie: https://www.auteuil-brasserie.com/en/
the caféothèque: https://www.lacafeotheque.com/
Les Deux Magots (traditional bar): http://www.lesdeuxmagots.fr/en
NUMBER 5: Visit cool small and unusual museums, galleries, atelier or shops
Paris is home to numerous boutique museum, shops, small artgalleries and ateliers that you will hardly find anywhere else in the world.
You can visit the Artists' Studios at 59 Rivoli, an art collective in a former squat, with 30 artists' studios and exhibition space.
Squat à Paris (59, rue de Rivoli) by Airair
l’Atelier des Lumières is a digital art museum located in a former foundry where you can experience art through light presented using 140 video projectors.
If you like perfumes, visit the Musée du Parfum – Fragonard, a paradise for both perfume connoisseurs and amateurs. On the other hand, well, Paris also features a Sewers Museum, which is currently closed for renovation.
Musee des Egouts de Paris by Ignis (GFDL,cc-by-sa-2.5,2.0,1.0)
There are many other interesting unique places to visit, such as the Museum of Montmartre, Museum of the History of Medicine, Hotel de Cluny, Les Caves du Louvre, and others.
Check out their websites:
Artists' Studios at 59 Rivoli: https://www.59rivoli.org
l'Atelier des Lumières: https://www.atelier-lumieres.com/
Musée du Parfum: https://musee-parfum-paris.fragonard.com/en
Sewers Museum (currently closed for renovation): https://bit.ly/2WYSZlT
Museum of Montmartre: http://museedemontmartre.fr/en/
Musée Rodin: http://www.musee-rodin.fr/en
Les Caves du Louvre: http://www.cavesdulouvre.com/
Musée des Arts Forains: http://arts-forains.com/en/
Hotel de Cluny: https://bit.ly/2N8kKUD
Musee des Arts et Métiers: https://www.arts-et-metiers.net/
Number 4: Try French pastry
Paris and France are known for its amazing pastry. Try the famous macarons at Ladurée or one of the other well-known pastry shops. If you like crepes, order one at City Crepes Café or other small unique crêperie. Or find your preferred pastry shop like A.Lacroix Pâtissier and try crème brûlée, soufflé, croissant, profiterole, or mille-feuille.
And if you want a truly unique experience, attend a cooking class or use an app called EatWith, where you can book a dinner hosted by locals. Download the app here: https://apple.co/2S1rt8t (iOS), http://bit.ly/2UAJ6sl (Android)
NUMBER 3: Canals
While many people think that canals are only located in Venice or Amsterdam, you’d be surprised that Paris is full of canals too.
The Canal Saint-Martin is almost 3 miles long and was built in 1825 to supply fresh water to Parisians and to help prevent diseases such as cholera. In 19th-century parts of the canal were even covered to create more open space above. You will find many popular bars, restaurants, and other attractions along the canal. Or you can even take a boat ride on the canal.
Paris Canal St-Martin écluses Récollets, JLPC / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
NUMBER 2: Visit at least one of the beautiful Parisian streets
Paris is full of amazing and unique streets, markets, and neighborhoods, offering an insight into Parisian culture and art. Each street offers an entirely different experience.
To see a collection of colorful facades, visit Rue Crémieux. For an amazing graffiti collection, visit Rue Denoyez.
Paris is a romantic city, but if you want to take it up a notch, visit Au Vieux Paris d'Arcole, a.k.a. the romantic street.
There are many more beautiful streets like Rue des Rosiers, Rue Lepic, Quai d'orsay, Rue Cler, Rue Montorgueil and others.
NUMBER 1: Chase Space Invaders
Have you heard about the Space Invaders or how people have been chasing “them” around the city?
Space Invaders are pieces of art made from mosaics glued to the walls and other surfaces by a French urban artist Invader.
The inspiration for the art comes from the 1970s video game Space Invaders. The art appears and disappears overnight in different places all over the world. You can find them in Los Angeles, Rome, Hong Kong, and other cities.
People chase art with their smartphones using a popular app called FlashInvaders. Download the app here: https://apple.co/2S5szem (iOS), http://bit.ly/2BDPUOU (Android)
Are you ready to find a few yourself?
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