10 Unusual Things to do in Paris that Don’t Include the Eiffel Tower!

What do you think of when you think of Paris? Because I’m guessing that it’s probably the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs Élysées. And don’t get me wrong, these are all great places to visit and every first visitor to Paris should definitely climb the Eiffel Tower at least once…

But what about when you’ve seen these locations? What then? Although they are all very beautiful places to see and visit, despite what many guidebooks may lead you to believe, there’s a lot more to Paris than just the Iron Lady and the Louvre! Here’s your complete guide to 10 unusual things to do in Paris that don’t involve the Eiffel Tower:

1. Visit one of the offbeat and quirkier museums in Paris.

Sure, the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay are beautiful museums, but they’re also where everyone goes come tourist season! Picture long queues and so many people that it’s hard to spot the Mona Lisa amongst the crowds! More unusual museums in the City of Love include the Paris Sewer Museum, the Museum of Romantics, the Fairground Museum and the Counterfeit Museum.

The quirkier museums are almost all under 10 euro to visit, with many being less than 5 euro or completely free. The majority of museums around the city are also free to European citizens under the age of 26 and everyone under the age of 18.

Take your pick; there’s something for everyone!

2. Go for a balloon ride in Parc André-Citroen.

You’d do well to find something more unusual in Paris than going up into the skies for a hot air balloon ride. Situated in the André-Citroën Park, the hot air balloon is officially the biggest in the world! What better way to get a feel for the city than seeing it from above?

3. Pick up an ice cream at Berthillon and wander around the Île de la Cité.

Ah, Île de la Cité; home to Notre Dame and a whole host of other historical sites (including a courtyard paved with old gravestones).

While Italy may have gelato as its claim to fame, Paris is home to Berthillon ice-cream; some of the world’s best ice cream! With dozens of flavours from strawberry (this literally tastes like eating real strawberries) to salted caramel to plain old chocolate, you’re sure to find a flavour you fancy.

4. Have your very own Parisian picnic!

If you’re looking for the authentic ‘French’ experience during your Parisian adventure, then there’s nothing more French than picking up a baguette, fresh fruit, a bottle of wine, grabbing a few friends and heading down to the Seine for sunset.

Just make sure that you arrive early enough in order to secure the perfect sunset watching spot!

5. Wander around one of Paris’ more unusual districts.

Not only is Montmartre one of the best places to head to for eating out or spotting local artists painting street scenes, it also happens to be one of the best places in Paris for snapping photos. Go for sunrise, before all the tourists arrive for the day, and you’ll have the place to yourself! With the sinking house of Montmartre, La Maison Rose and the Sacré-Coeur all within a stone’s throw of each other, you’ll find yourself wishing you could stay longer in this quaint neighbourhood.

6. Head just out of the city and explore Bois de Boulogne.

There are often serious discussions about the lack of green spaces in Paris proper. Unlike London or New York, there are no vast green spaces in the city centre. Instead, Paris is surrounded on both sides by the dense woodlands of Bois de Vincennes to the East of the city and Bois de Boulogne to the West.

Bois de Boulogne is situated near the end of Metro Line 1. The former royal hunting ground is now home to he Louis Vuitton Art Foundation and the Jardin d’Acclimation – a series of landscaped gardens, a mini golf course and several eateries. There’s even a château that can be visited!

7. Pick up a souvenir or two at the Port St Ouen flea market.

The largest flea market in the World is held each and every weekend on the outskirts of Paris at Port St Ouen. Peruse the varied wares and antiques, marvel at some of the more eccentric vintage clothing pieces and pick up a souvenir postcard for as little as 1 euro.

8. Grab your camera and climb up the Panthéon.

Instead of heading up the Eiffel Tower (the queues are hours long, anyway), why not head up to the Panthéon and view Paris from above? Unparalleled views from the top leave you speechless; Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower and plenty of other iconic landmarks are all visible from the top of this monument in the 5e arrondissement.

9. In the summer, head to Paris Plages or the Jardin des Tuileries Funfairs.

When it comes to summertime, your best bet is to head where the locals do. Although it’s widely thought that there’s a mass exodus from Paris in August, many locals inevitably stay in the city.

Summer activities are regularly organised by the mayor and city of Paris; these include a fairground in the very centre of the Jardin des Tuileries and a beach very close to Notre Dame. There are also plenty of free music festivals and a whole host of other things to see and do in Paris.

10. Wander among the Paris bouquinistes.

So iconic are the Paris bouquinistes, that in 1991, they were deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Often referred to as ‘the river that runs between two bookshelves’, no trip to the city of lights would be complete without a quick glance at the vintage books, cards and posters that are sold in these iconic green boxes.

Rather than wander along the Champs Élysées on your trip to Paris, why not wander along the Seine instead?

An Offbeat Paris Day: Planning Guide

Morning: Getting an Early Start

Begin where Paris feels personal: early. Sunrise in Montmartre buys you empty lanes, a pink skyline over Sacré-Cœur, and the sinking house illusion all to yourself. Prefer Left Bank vibes? Be first up the Panthéon dome for crisp city views and a quick wander through the Latin Quarter as cafés open. If you’re museum-curious, start small and story-rich — the Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature or the Paris Sewer Museum are compact and blissfully uncrowded at opening. Wrap the morning by grazing a market street (Rue Mouffetard or Rue de Bretagne) for a standing coffee and a still-warm pastry.

• Aim for opening times (09:00–10:00) to skip queues and tour groups.
• In Montmartre, stick to side streets (Rue de l’Abreuvoir, Rue des Saules) first.
• Order “un café au comptoir” for faster, cheaper morning coffee.
• Pack a light layer — domes and hilltops are breezy even on warm days.
• Keep photos quick on residential streets — people live behind those pretty doors.

Morning at a Glance

Midday: Picnicking by the Seine

Picnics are peak Paris: cheap, delicious and restorative. With a baguette, small cheese, cured meat, fruit and a pastry, you have a feast that moves with you. The lower Seine quays around Île Saint-Louis are perfect for sun and boat-watching; the Canal Saint-Martin adds dappled shade and lock drama; Jardin du Luxembourg gives you chairs, fountains and bandstands. If you’re in glass-free zones, opt for cans or a half-bottle with reusable cups. Keep packaging minimal and use the tri-bin when done.

• Ask for a “baguette tradition, bien cuite” for a crispier crust.
• Buy small portions — variety works better than volume in the heat.
• Grab cutlery and napkins at the traiteur; most offer biodegradable sets.
• Berthillon on Île Saint-Louis makes the ideal dessert stop.
• Bring a lightweight tote so you’re not carrying shopping bags to your picnic spot.

Building a Parisian Picnic

Afternoon: Parks, Passages and Smaller Museums

When the city warms up, head for shade and surprises. Parc des Buttes-Chaumont is theatrical — cliff paths, a lake, a tiny temple with long views — and ideal for a nap. The Coulée verte runs like a leafy ribbon over the 12th; combine it with the Viaduc des Arts for craft studios below. If skies are clear, Parc André-Citroën’s tethered balloon floats you above the riverbend. If rain arrives, dive into covered passages (Panoramas, Jouffroy, Verdeau) for Belle Époque arcades, print shops and toy stores. Save one compact museum for the hottest hour — Musée Carnavalet and Musée des Arts et Métiers are both free or low-cost.

• Buttes-Chaumont lawns fill after 15:00 — arrive before or wander uphill.
• Coulée verte benches are plentiful — pause often and people-watch.
• André-Citroën balloon is weather-dependent — check boards on arrival.
• Covered passages are the perfect rain plan — bring small change for cafés.
• Save one compact museum for the hottest hour of the day.

Afternoon at a Glance

Evening: Paris After Dark

Blue hour is when unusual Paris really glows. Drift along the Seine’s lower quays between Île de la Cité and the Marais as buskers tune up and the city lights come on. For a mellow apéro, slide into a natural wine bar in Oberkampf or Canal Saint-Martin — tell the server you like “léger et fruité” and let them pour. If you’re here in summer, check Paris Plages for deckchairs and free concerts; otherwise, stroll up to Parc de Belleville or the steps of Sacré-Cœur for city lights without the crowds. End with a late-night pâtisserie run — a wedge of flan on a park bench is hard to beat.

• Golden hour on Pont Louis-Philippe or Pont Marie gives beautiful river light.
• Many wine bars don’t take bookings — arrive early or be flexible at the bar.
• Glass bans pop up on certain quays — carry a reusable cup just in case.
• Blue-hour photos work beautifully; full dark flattens monuments on phone cameras.
• Keep voices low in Montmartre and Belleville — these are residential hills.

Evening at a Glance

Getting Around for an Offbeat Paris Day

Offbeat Paris works best when you glide between pockets without over-planning. For a long weekend, load a Navigo Easy with a 10-ride carnet — it’s cheaper than singles and easy to top up. If you arrive on Monday and plan to do day trips, the Navigo Découverte weekly pass (zones 1–5) pays off fast. Buses are scenic and simple with tap-to-pay; walking fills the gaps (you’ll be surprised how often it’s faster). When in doubt, sit at a café for ten minutes — half the fun of unusual Paris is letting the city set your next stop.

• Walk whenever the map says 20–25 minutes — it’s usually a lovely stroll.
• Take buses for cross-town hops; upstairs seats give you a bonus city tour.
• Keep your paper RER ticket from the airport — you’ll need it to exit the barriers.
• Vélib’ bikes are great along the riverside; avoid large roundabouts until confident.
• Most small museums close Monday or Tuesday — check opening days in advance.

Transport at a Glance

Where to Stay for an Offbeat Paris Trip

Staying in the right neighbourhood makes an offbeat Paris itinerary flow more naturally. Three properties worth searching, each with an editorial connection to the article above:

• Hôtel Particulier Montmartre — a discreet boutique hotel inside a 19th-century mansion tucked into a private alley in Montmartre. If you’re following the sunrise suggestion in tip #5, this puts you exactly where you want to be before the crowds arrive. One of the most atmospheric addresses in Paris.
• Hôtel des Grandes Ecoles — a long-established boutique in the Latin Quarter, known for its extraordinary cobbled garden that feels like a complete escape from the city. Walking distance from the Panthéon (tip #8) and the Jardin du Luxembourg picnic spots. One of the better-value addresses in central Paris for the character it offers.
• Hôtel du Petit Moulin — a Marais boutique hotel in a former bakery building with interiors by Christian Lacroix. Near the bouquinistes, the evening quay walks and the covered passages. A good base for the kind of Paris this article describes — personal, visually interesting, and away from the main tourist corridor.

Montmartre walking tours and offbeat Paris discovery tours are both searchable on Stay22 — useful for a first visit or when you want local commentary on the kind of neighbourhoods and oddities the article covers.

Unusual Paris FAQ

What are some quirky, low-crowd museums worth visiting?

Swap the mega-museums for the Paris Sewer Museum, Musée de la Vie Romantique, Musée des Arts Forains (Fairground Museum) or the Counterfeit Museum. They’re compact, story-rich and usually far cheaper than the big hitters.

Is the Parc André-Citroën balloon worth doing?

Yes — on clear, calm days the tethered balloon gives a dramatic Seine bend panorama without long queues. Check wind conditions on arrival; operations pause if it’s gusty.

Where should I try Berthillon ice cream?

Head to Île Saint-Louis near Île de la Cité. A scoop of salted caramel or wild strawberry, then a wander along the quays for views of Notre-Dame — that’s the classic combination.

How do I plan a proper picnic by the Seine?

Pick up a baguette tradition, a small cheese (Comté or Saint-Marcellin), saucisson, fruit and a pastry. Best spots: lower Seine quays near Île Saint-Louis, Canal Saint-Martin or Jardin du Luxembourg. Bring a reusable cup and use the tri-bins afterwards.

When should I visit Montmartre to avoid the crowds?

Sunrise. Start at Place Dalida and loop via Rue de l’Abreuvoir to La Maison Rose and Sacré-Cœur. Keep voices low — people live here — and stick to the side streets for the village feel.

What’s special about Bois de Boulogne?

A vast woodland at the end of Metro Line 1 with rowboats, shady walking paths, the Jardin d’Acclimatation and the Fondation Louis Vuitton. An easy nature reset without leaving the city.

Is the Saint-Ouen flea market really worth the trip?

Yes — world-class for antiques and curios, open weekends. Go earlier for the best browsing; keep valuables zipped and haggle with a smile.

What’s the best alternative to the Eiffel Tower for big views?

Climb the Panthéon dome for sweeping city views with far shorter queues than Trocadéro — you’ll see Notre-Dame, Montparnasse and the Tower itself in the distance.

What summer-only Paris experiences should I know about?

Paris Plages (riverside pop-up beaches), the Jardin des Tuileries funfair and a range of free outdoor concerts. Locals don’t all leave in August — follow them to the quays at dusk.

What are the bouquinistes and how do I browse them well?

The iconic green book boxes along the Seine sell vintage prints, books and postcards. Browse without blocking the walkway, carry small change for postcard finds and take your time — this is not a place to rush.

Any quick etiquette tips for an offbeat Paris day?

Order at the counter to save on coffee, keep voices low in residential lanes and churches, avoid flash indoors, and sort picnic waste into the proper recycling bins.

How do I fit all of this into one day without criss-crossing the city?

Morning: Montmartre sunrise → Panthéon dome → Berthillon on Île Saint-Louis. Afternoon: Parc André-Citroën balloon → bouquinistes → Bois de Boulogne or covered passages if it rains. Alternative day: Saint-Ouen flea → odd museum → Seine picnic → Paris Plages in summer.

Have you been to Paris?
Are there any other unusual things to do in Paris you’d add to the list?
Let us know in the comments!