The Best Things to Do in Paris, Updated for 2025
Paris has many famous attractions, including the Eiffel tower, the Louvre and Versailles, as well as the Catacombs, Pantheon, Arc de Triomphe and Sacre-Coeur. This list is endless. You could spend weeks (or even days) exploring the most famous sites. But there’s much more to Paris than just the famous sites that draw thousands of tourists each day. While I lived in Paris for the past few month, I made it a mission to visit some of the less-known, but equally amazing, attractions. (That didn’t have the aggravating crowds which make many Paris attractions unbearable). While some of these things are not “super secret”, they fall under the “overlooked” category, so I included them. Here are the best things to do and see in Paris that you might not have heard of.
1. Musee Edith Piaf
Edith Piaf was the most popular French singer between the 1930s and 1960s. She is known for her songs La Vie En Rose and Non, Je ne Regret rien, which appeared in the film Inception. At the beginning of her career she lived in an apartment in Menilmontant, which was turned into a small museum. The museum offers a glimpse into her life, including her gold and silver records, her clothing, her posters, her recordings, her sheet music, her letters to fans, her photographs and her platinum and gold records.
Admission is free, but you’ll need to make an appointment.
2. Musee Curie
Marie Curie, the first woman (and only woman) to receive the Nobel Prize twice for her work in radioactivity. She was also the first female professor to teach at the University of Paris and the first woman entombed into the Pantheon for her own merits. This museum in her former laboratory is located in the 5th district and highlights her radiological work. This museum is a great introduction to her historical discoveries. Archives Nationales
Opened in 1867, the National Archives houses thousands of historical documents dating back to 625 CE. One of six national archives in the country, the museum sheds light on France’s turbulent past, providing nuanced historical details and context through permanent and temporary exhibitions.
Built by the order of Napoleon I, the building itself (known as the Hotel de Soubise) is absolutely stunning. The building is built in a late Baroque design, with long columns and many statues and sculptures. The grounds and gardens are also immaculate. There are always a lot good exhibitions held.
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4. Librairie Galignani
This bookshop claims to be the oldest English bookstore in continental Europe, having opened in Paris in 1801. Previously, the bookshop was located in Venice. The Galignani name is associated with the publishing of books since the 16th Century. This is a wonderful place to browse, as there are so many books. It’s easy to spend several hours browsing the shelves and stacks. The staff is very knowledgeable and it’s a small, quiet shop. Don’t miss this if you are a reader as I am!
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5. Paris Point Zero
This center is where all distances are measured in Paris. It’s a simple brass star that’s been set into the sidewalk next to the Notre Dame Cathedral. However, it has a few fun rituals. Some people use the star to make wishes, by throwing a coin into it. (There are usually several coins in the star.) Some people, however, believe that your love will never end if you kiss your partner on the star. The Gallery of Paleontology and Comparative Anatomy
Opened in 1898, this gallery is a part of the French National Museum of Natural History. The ground floor is home to more than 1,000 animal skeletons. These include complete skeletons for elephants, big cats, and dinosaurs. It’s as interesting as it is unsettling: all the animals are facing the same way, making it look like you’re in the midst of some undead stampede!
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7. Petite Ceinture
The railway that circled Paris from 1862 to 1964 was abandoned as the city expanded. The railway is mostly hidden behind buildings, covered with wild grass and plants. Some sections are now open to the public. Along the tracks, you’ll see all kinds of flowers and graffiti. While some sections of the tracks are illegal to enter, you can visit a section near Parc Georges Brassens known as ‘Passage de la Petite Ceinture.’ It is free and legal. It’s located in the 15e arrondissement.
- 8. The Salvador Dali Sundial
- This sundial is a surrealist creation by the world-renowned Salvador Dali. It’s located on Rue Saint-Jacques and is a combination of a human head and a scallop (the symbol for the Camino de Santiago since the street was named after this saint). The sundial is not functional, but it’s a great way to admire a work of art by one of the world’s most famous artists.
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- 9. Le Passe-Muraille
This iconic bronze sculpture is located near Montmartre, making it an easy stop on your itinerary. The bronze sculpture is based on the character of The Man Who Walked Through Walls, a 1941 short story written by Parisian Marcel Ayme. The story is about a man who gains the power to walk through walls. He uses this ability to do bad things. The power of his ability to pass through walls fades at the end of the story, just as he passes through a wall… and he becomes stuck. You’ll notice that the statue has smoother hands because so many people have taken photos of themselves pulling the man out. Montmartre Cemetery Few people take the time wander the cemetery at the bottom of Montmartre. Many visit the top for the Sacre-Coeur, the view and other attractions. The cemetery was founded in 1825. It is full of cobwebbed mausoleums and stray cats. There aren’t many people around, so you can enjoy the peace. The Museum of CounterfeitingOpened in 1972, this museum is home to counterfeit items that have been collected by France’s customs agents and police (as well as donated items from brands and consumers alike). Over 500 items are on display in the museum. These range from fake art, luxury items and cleaning supplies to everyday items like cleaning products. It’s funny to see how many counterfeiters there were. Promenade Plantee (Coulee verte Rene-Dumont)This tree-lined walkway is a greenbelt that extends almost 5km along the old Vincennes railway line. The old Vincennes railway line was closed in 1969. A few decades later, the park was inaugurated. It was the only elevated park until New York built the High Line. This is a much nicer park than the NYC High Line. You’ll find a lot of trees, flowers and ponds along this long, flat path, which stretches from Bastille up to the edge Paris. This is a beautiful, long and easy walk. There aren’t many people around. It’s a bit empty, even on a sunny day. It became one of my favourite things to do in Paris, and I cannot recommend it enough!
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13. Canal Saint-Martin
Stretching 4.5km, the Canal Saint-Martin is a man-made waterway commissioned by Napoleon. The Canal Saint-Martin was completed in 1825. It connects the Canal de l’Ourcq with the Seine through above-ground and underground locks. It’s not a secret place (on a sunny day you will see the canal crowded with people) but it is a popular spot for locals to relax and have a picnic. Say no to the Seine and have your picnic outside along the canal. You’ll find it more relaxing, and there will be less people!
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14. Musee de Montmartre
Founded in 1960, this museum is located throughout two buildings that date back to the 17th century. The buildings have been home to many painters and writers over the years. The museum’s gardens were renovated to resemble the gardens shown in Renoir paintings. (There is also an old vineyard that makes terrible wine, but dates back to Middle Ages). The permanent collection of the museum includes many different paintings, posters and drawings.
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