Is there any city quite like Paris? The flirtatious allure of the City Of Love finds its expression in so many magnificent ways: in its world-class wines and art galleries, its wrought iron balconies and Hausmannian stone facades, in the vineyards and windmills of Montmartre where Van Gogh and Renoir once lived, and in the winding medieval alleys of Le Marais. You can search far and wide across the planet and be certain that these unique experiences in Paris will blow your mind. We’ve compiled a list of such experiences that can only be found in the City Of Light.
Paris special: The most unique experiences to savour
Visit Gustave Eiffel’s secret apartment
Gustave Eiffel, the man who designed the Eiffel Tower, had a secret apartment on the third floor of the monument. Unlike the public observation decks, this private space situated around 1,000 feet above the ground, served as a secret haven for Eiffel, where he entertained notable visitors such as Thomas Edison, who gave him one of his innovative phonograph machines. The apartment was the envy of the Parisian elite of the time and is reported to have been “furnished in the simple style dear to scientists”. The laboratory areas were equipped with the latest experimental scientific instruments of the era, cosy wooden cabinets and even a grand piano. It was closed to the public for years, but now visitors can buy a ticket to visit the iconic personal study of an engineering genius.
Explore more with our guide to the best and worst arrondissements in Paris.
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Have a drink in the neighbourhood where Picasso, Renoir and Van Gogh once lived, painted and partied
Montmartre, a historic and wonderfully charming neighbourhood in Paris, was a vibrant hub for artists like Renoir, Picasso, and Vincent van Gogh during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Known for its bohemian airs, Montmartre’s narrow, winding streets were dotted with colourful studios, quaint cafes, and boisterous cabarets where these artists gathered. Renowned spots such as the Moulin de la Galette, a popular dance hall, and the Cafe des Deux Moulins were central to their social and creative lives. Today, you can visit these historic establishments for a glass of wine or a cocktail, or even catch a live show at the incredible Cabaret Au Lapin Agile. This venue became famous as a favourite haunt for struggling artists and writers of the time, including Picasso and Modigliani. Picasso depicted it in his well-known piece Au Lapin Agile. Montmartre’s lively cultural scene, free-spirited bohemian energy and charm made it an inspiring backdrop for these painters’ revolutionary work in art.
Feel like you’re stepping inside classical works of art
L’Atelier des Lumieres in Paris is an immersive digital art centre popular for its captivating multimedia exhibitions, located in what was once a 19th-century smelting plant: the Chemin-Vert foundry. The first of its kind in Paris, instead of showcasing art on gallery walls, visitors are essentially transported into the classic works as the entire space is transformed by light, music, colour and sound. Works by Van Gogh and Monet transform and come to life. Stunning musical scores accompany immersive animations that blend the latest multimedia technology. You’ll experience the artworks in a whole new way, and get the feeling as if you are in the universe of some of the most renowned pieces of art.
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Explore the world’s largest museum
The Louvre is the world’s largest art museum and a historic monument in Paris. Originally built as a royal palace in the 12th Century, it was converted into a public museum during the French Revolution. Home to an extensive collection of art and artefacts including the classic ‘Mona Lisa’ and the ancient Greek statue ‘Venus de Milo’, the Louvre attracts millions of visitors to Paris annually.
Learn wine-making in an underground 18th-century cellar
Les Caves du Louvre, located in a historic underground 18th-century wine cellar in Paris, offer an incredibly unique wine-tasting experience and insight into French winemaking traditions. The venue provides guided tours and interactive workshops where you can learn about the history of wine, the art of wine tasting, and the nuances of French wine regions. Did we mention that this is the same cellar that King Louis XV used to store his wine barrels before his sommelier would roll them through the cellar’s tunnels and into the castle for the king’s opulent banquets? You’ll be sipping your Pinot Noir in the erstwhile personal cellar of French royalty. The cellar’s rich heritage is complemented by modern renovations, including a wine bar and tasting room — a truly unique experience in Paris.
Explore our guide to the enigmatic world of French wine.
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Tour a mass underground grave
Looking for more unique experiences in Paris? The Catacombs of Paris touch on the dark side, but it’s an experience you’ll only have in Paris. The Catacombs are a labyrinth of underground tunnels and ossuaries holding the remains of over 6 million people. It was established in the late 18th Century to address overcrowded cemeteries in the city, a network of tunnels extending underground and featuring neatly arranged skeletal remains in elaborate displays. You can explore a small section of this macabre resting place, an eerie yet fascinating site that offers a haunting glimpse into Paris’s historical approach to burial and urban planning.
Enjoy a Michelin-star meal on a yacht
The Don Juan II Yacht offers an incredibly luxurious Parisian gastronomic experience, with beautiful interiors and an elegant, cosy ambience. The luxe yacht cruises along the river Seine by nightfall, with Chef Frederic Anton curating a gourmet Michelin-star meal featuring seasonal produce. You’ll sail past the magnificent Sacre Coeur Basilica, the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Eiffel Tower in all her spectacular, shining glory. Needless to say, this is considered one of the most unique experiences in Paris.
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Visit the ruins of a Roman amphitheatre
For a unique experience in Paris, visit the Arenes de Lutece, an ancient Roman amphitheatre in the Latin Quarter of Paris. Built in the 1st Century AD, it was once a venue for dramatic gladiatorial combat, animal fights and theatrical performances for up to 17, 000 people. It must have been an imposing monument of its time. Today, the well-preserved ruins offer a fascinating glimpse of the city’s Roman past and serve as a scenic public park, often teeming with locals playing a casual game of football. It’s also located in one of Paris’ most vibrant neighbourhoods and nightlife hubs, surrounded by sultry speakeasies and raucous jazz bars to explore.
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(Feature Image Credit: Chris Karidis/Unsplash)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A few unique dining experiences in Paris include Dans Le Noir, where guests eat their meals in the dark; dining at the Michelin-starred Le Jules Verne, perched on the Eiffel Tower; or a historical meal at Le Procope, the oldest cafe in the city, where figures like Voltaire and Rousseau once dined.
Paris boasts several museums including the Musée des Arts Forains, a collection of vintage carnival rides and mechanical amusements; the Musée de l'Orangerie, for Monet's stunning Water Lilies murals; the Musée du Quai Branly, for diverse indigenous art from Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas. The Louvre in Paris is best known for the 'Mona Lisa'.
When in Paris, consider buying items like artisanal French pastries or chocolates, French wine or champagne, accessories from high-end boutiques, and unique antiques or art from the local markets. French perfumes or high-quality skincare products from the French pharmacies are also must-buys.
In Paris, you can find unique art experiences at the Palais de Tokyo, a contemporary art museum that often features avant-garde exhibitions and installations; at the Atelier des Lumières immersive digital art exhibitions bring masterpieces to life through projection mapping and sound; the Musée de l'Art Brut feature outsider art from self-taught artists.
Paris offers unique outdoor activities like picnicking in the lush Luxembourg Gardens, exploring the artistic street murals of the Belleville neighbourhood, or cruising along the Seine River on a classic bateau-mouche. You can also take a leisurely walk or bike ride through the city's neighbourhoods and parks, or watch seasonal open-air cinema screenings in stunning locations like the Parc de la Villette.
Paris offers many unique nightlife experiences such as watching a cabaret show at the Moulin Rouge or the Crazy Horse, soaking in a jazz performance at a historic venue like Le Caveau de la Huchette, or indulging in a cocktail at speakeasy-style bars like Lavomatic, hidden behind a laundromat facade.
For a unique romantic experience in Paris, consider a private evening cruise on the Seine with a gourmet dinner, or a twilight picnic at the enchanting Parc des Buttes-Chaumont. You could also take a hot air balloon ride over the city for incredible views, or enjoy a moonlit stroll through the streets of The Marais, ending with a cosy dinner at a Parisian bistro.
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Nirupama Belliappa is a features journalist and a classical harpist. She has previously worked at NDTV hosting shows on travel, food & wine, music and wellness. Though originally from Coorg, she grew up in Nova Scotia, Canada, but now calls India home.
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