Most of us check off the traditional activities when visiting Paris — the Louvre museum, Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triumph. But, the City of Light has much more to explore.
True Parisian lifestyle unfolds in the surrounding neighborhoods — arrondissements. When you veer away from tourist areas, you mingle with locals. Parks, canal strolls, food markets, and hidden passages offer a true understanding of Parisian culture.
Here are ten unique activities to do in Paris.
Promenade Plantée
An abandon railway line viaduct has been converted into a three-mile elevated park complete with lush plants, trees and flowers. There’s even a reflecting pool.
Only 33-feet above street level, the pedestrian path begins at the Bastille and winds through the 12th arrondissement. Urban art is infused throughout the walk.
It’s accessible by stairs or elevators. City views across Parisian rooftops are spectacular. The promenade passes between a tall building split in two, allowing for an uninterrupted walk.
Below the bridge are a series of 45 brick archways which house artists galleries, boutiques, hip restaurants and cafes.
Candlelight Concert at St.-Ephrem
The sweet chapel tucked along a bustling 5th arrondissement street hosts talented young musicians from the National Conservatory of Music in Paris.
An intimate candlelight setting only accommodating one hundred people is the perfect venue for these concerts.
The facade’s inviting Baroque-style portal with a cross delicately perched on top leads into a softly lit church who’s acoustics enhance performances. Pianists and violinists in perfect harmony entertain listeners with Chopin, Beethoven and other classics.
Tickets cost 26 euros, roughly $28.30 per person, and shows run approximately one hour and 15 minutes. Concerts are offered throughout the year. Click here for the schedule.
Perfume Making Class
Few countries make perfume as fragrantly beautiful as France. The depth and complexity of their scents created global icons such as Chanel No. 5.
What better place to try your hand at creating a signature scent! Galimard offers a two-hour class guiding you through essences that elicit fond memories of people and places.
With 126 notes to choose from, an amalgamation of just the right ones will result in a fragrance unique to only you.
Throughout the workshop you’ll learn terms such as the nose and top/middle/base notes. Capacity is small with a maximum of 16 people. Ages eight and older are welcome.
Included in your experience is a 100ml bottle of personalized eau de perfum, a student of perfume diploma, and Galimard keeps your formula in their confidential records. Book your class here.
Fragonard perfume house offers a class, too. There’s includes making your personal eau de toilette, and a tour of the Fragonard Perfume Museum. Book your class here.
Tango by the River Seine
This is one of the most sensual activities in Paris. People of all ages gather in Jardin Tino-Rossi along the Seine in the 5th arrondissement to dance the tango. Anyone can participate.
My husband and I came upon the event while walking back to our Airbnb one evening. It wasn’t long before we joined the fun.
Women don dancing shoes as music plays. Partners greet each other with the customary double-cheek kiss before gliding around the stone dance floor. Spectators watch with smiles on their faces. Many have picnics and stay for the evening. You truly do get swept up in the music and beauty of the tango.
It takes place in the summer months starting at 7PM until midnight. Dancing is free, but donations are accepted in a hat passed around for the man providing music.
Chocolate Tasting Tour
I took one for the team and participated in a chocolate tasting tour through Paris 😉. For two hours my group ate everything from chocolate covered cheese, chocolate in a tube and decorative bonbons rivaling artwork in the Louvre.
You’d think we’d tire of the sweet confection. But no.
English speaking guides are passionate about their craft and have savant-like knowledge of the products. Some even hold a masters degree in history, which helps when conveying how this food came to be in our lives.
Private groups of one to eight people can choose a specific district or go with the recommended shops. Stops are made at chocolate rock stars like Pierre Hermé and Jean-Paul Hévin. Book ahead here.
Numerous tours are available. The Marais district hosts a two hour walk through the world of chocolate. A maximum of six travelers are permitted, ensuring a personalized experience. Book ahead here.
Whichever tour you choose, make sure to wear comfortable walking shoes and elastic waist pants.
Cooking Class at Le Cordon Bleu
While on the subject of food, a cooking class at Le Cordon Bleu, the renowned French hospitality and culinary institute, is very Parisian. It’s one of the oldest cooking schools in the world.
Le Cordon Bleu offers a variety of programs ranging from the Grand Diplôme (a professional chef diploma) to shorter three hour courses and online classes.
There are 35 institutes in 20 countries, but Paris is the flagship campus. Unfortunately, there are none in the United States.
Should you decide to enroll in the Paris location, English speaking translators are available.
Stroll Along Canal de L’Ourcq
Most people visit Canal St. Martin in Paris’ 10th arrondissement. Venture a bit further to the 19th and you’ll reach Canal de L’Ourcq. It’s a less crowded, industrial-turned-hip area with lots to offer.
Up and coming galleries, markets, as well as a large green space — Parc de la Villette — are sure to keep you entertained.
Historic La Rotonda is a popular meeting spot to kick back and have a drink. Grand Central’s brasserie food served in a nearby renovated loft will satiate any appetite.
Electric river boats are available to rent, allowing you to explore the waterway even further. They hold up to 10 people and have tables to enjoy a picnic onboard. As you glide along you’ll get a glimpse of what makes the Canal de L’Ourcq so special. Lively cafes, barges doubling as restaurants, urban street art, and ornate bridges.
During the summer months attend a guinguette — open-air dancing and music on the barges or area bars. Grab your partner and cut a rug.
Le Père Lachaise Cemetery
While visiting a cemetery on your vacation may sound morbid, this is not your ordinary burial spot. Annually, over three million people venture to this 110-acre mortality museum to view the plots of celebrities such as Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, Frédéric Chopin, and Marcel Marceau to name a few.
Elaborate tombs, monuments and mausoleums decorate the final resting place of the residents. There is a waiting list to be buried here.
Another highlight is the biodiversity of Le Père Lachaise. A wide variety of plant flora, century old trees, and over 140 animal species live within the park. Sixty-two bird groups have been identified.
Admission is free. A downloadable map along with the hours is available on the cemetery website listing burial locations of well known people. Click here to access.
To learn the history of Le Père Lachaise, book a guided two-and-a-half hour walking tour. You’ll meander along the labyrinth of paths and between graves while being regaled with remarkable stories. Book your tour here.
Dinner Cruise on Le Seine
Walking to Paris landmarks or catching the metro is how many people see Notre Dame, Eiffel Tower and other hot spots. You can up your experience by taking a glass covered Bateaux Mouches dinner cruise. The City of Light is at her best when sparkling in the evening.
Dine on traditional dishes cooked by chefs using seasonal fare. Duck foie gras, pâté croûte d’Olivier, and chicken from the Challans region of France are a few examples. Myriad cheeses, desserts and accompanying wine round out the meal as you parade slowly by the greatest monuments.
Bateaux Mouches began cruising the Seine in 1949 when Jean Bruel purchased a single boat and advertised “explore Paris from it’s best avenue of them all: the Seine.” Today 12 bateauxs traipse the waters.
Dinner is offered seven nights a week with three different options — early bird, prestige or excellence — and run about two hours and 15 minutes. Reservations available here.
The Passages
In the late 18th and early 19th centuries covered pedestrian passages were built connecting streets with glass ceilings and housing boutiques. It was a way to protect shoppers from the elements. A precursor to malls.
At one point there were 150 passages in Paris. Today approximately 20 to 25 remain. Many are in the 2nd and 9th arrondissements. These retain the ornate architecture and vibrancy of yesteryear. Some house shops dating back to 1761.
The mosaic floors, marble pillars and rococo details have been restored in the passages, making it feel like a step back in time when crossing the threshold.
Tours are available, which include exploring Passage Jouffroy built in 1847, and still displaying signs from the past. Passage des Panoramas is home to original stamp shops, as well as modern day Lombem tandoori restaurant. Numerous other passages take you on a walk through history. Here is a link to reserve a tour.
These ten suggestions offer a cultural immersion of Paris by joining locals in their day to day life. You’ll not only explore lesser known spots, but support small businesses and local bistros.
Unique memories of off-the-beaten path activities will create more personal experiences you’ll remember forever.
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