Paris is full of famous landmarks, but it also has some truly unusual places that most visitors never see. If you’re looking for something fun, quirky, and unexpected, this list is for you!
1. The Man Who Walked Through Walls
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This spot is inspired by a famous French story about a man who could literally walk through walls!
Called Le Passe-Muraille, it reminds us how powerful our imaginations can be.
Even though no one can really walk through walls, the idea makes you think about magic and creativity.
It shows that sometimes stories can make ordinary places feel magical.
When you visit, you might imagine that anything is possible if you dream big—like a superhero adventure right in the heart of Paris!
2. The Strangest Tomb in Père-Lachaise
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Père-Lachaise is a famous cemetery in Paris filled with beautiful tombs and interesting stories.
One of the most unusual is the tomb of Victor Noir.
This tomb looks very different from the others and is wrapped in mystery and legends.
Some people even say that if you touch it, you might have good luck!
Although it might seem a bit spooky at first, the tomb is a cool mix of history and mystery.
It’s a place where you can learn about the past and let your imagination run wild with all the stories it holds.
3. The Smallest Street in Paris
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Rue des Degrés is known as the smallest street in all of Paris.
This tiny, narrow street feels like a secret path that most people might miss.
As you walk down this little lane, it seems like you’ve stepped into a hidden corner of the city, far away from the busy roads.
It’s a perfect spot for a quiet stroll where you can appreciate the charm of old Paris.
Even though it’s small, it has a big story to tell about the city’s history.
4. An Abandoned Railway Line
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La Petite Ceinture used to be a busy railway line that went all around Paris.
Today, it has been left empty, and nature is slowly taking over.
As you walk along the old tracks, you can see plants growing wild and colorful graffiti on the walls.
It feels like an adventure in a forgotten world, where the past and nature mix together.
This abandoned railway is a reminder that even places that seem forgotten can become exciting and full of life when you take a closer look.
5. An Eco-Friendly Café in an Abandoned Train Station
La REcyclerie: 83 Boulevard Ornano, 18th arrondissement
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Located inside an old train station, La REcyclerie is more than just a café—it’s a hub for sustainability and creativity.
This quirky space has a huge urban farm, DIY workshops, and a terrace overlooking the old railway tracks of La Petite Ceinture.
Whether you’re grabbing a coffee, learning how to repair household items, or just enjoying the laid-back atmosphere, this place feels like a little escape from the city’s hustle.
6. A Cool Artistic Squat in Paris
59 Rivoli: 59 Rue de Rivoli, 1st arrondissement.
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59 Rivoli is an artistic community that was created at 59 rue de Rivoli.
Ten artists settled in this building to live and have their studio there after it was abandoned by a national bank and by public authorities.
Today this seven-floor “squat” is absolutely legal and welcomes visitors for free.
About thirty artists present their studios and their works; as for the gallery, it offers several exhibitions. In here, every genre rubs shoulders with one another: street art, painting, sculpture, and even music!
7. A Digital Immersion Into Art
L’Atelier des Lumières: 38 rue Saint Maur, 11th arrondissement.
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The Ateliers des Lumières is located in a former smelting plant of the 11th district and is the first digital art center in Paris.
This center allows you to be immersed in masters’ paintings – such as Gustav Klimt’s – thanks to its ten-meter high walls, 140 projectors, and 50 speakers on 2,000 m².
8. A Very Colorful Basketball Court
Pigalle Playground: 22 rue Duperré, 9th arrondissement
This one is for you, basketball fans! The most unique basketball court is located in Pigalle in the 9th district: the Pigalle Playground.
As it is located between two buildings, this field does not have the regulatory measurements, and the rubber floor absorbs the ball’s noises in order to avoid noisy disturbances for the neighbors.
The very flashy colors – purple, yellow, and pink – make it a nice place to play basketball.
The field is loved by photographers (non-professionals and professionals), and it is undoubtedly one of Paris Instagrammers’ favorite places!
9. A Bizarre Taxidermy Wonderland
Maison Deyrolle: 46 Rue du Bac, 7th arrondissement
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If you are in the neighborhood of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, go visit the Maison Deyrolle.
This shop/museum specializes in taxidermy and entomology (i.e. the study and classification of articulated animals and especially insects) and this is where you will discover a sort of cabinet of curiosity with rich collections of insects, shells, stuffed animals and other natural curiosities.
Whether you are a collector, a natural science enthusiast or just a curious visitor, this place is made to dazzle your eyes.
10. A Hidden Vineyard in Montmartre
La Clos Montmartre
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In the lively neighborhood of Montmartre, there’s a secret little vineyard called Clos Montmartre.
Even though Paris is a busy city with lots of buildings and streets, this small garden of grapevines shows a quiet, old-world side of the city.
A long time ago, people grew grapes here to make wine, and today the vineyard still stands as a reminder of Paris’s past.
When you visit, you might see the old grapevines and imagine the people who once cared for them.
It’s like finding a hidden piece of nature and history right in the middle of the city!
11. A Fondue Experience Unlike Any Other
Le Refuge des Fondus: 17 Rue des Trois Frères, 18th arrondissement
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This tiny, lively restaurant in Montmartre is known for two things—cheese fondue and wine served in baby bottles!
At Le Refuge des Fondus, you’ll squeeze into long communal tables, dip bread into bubbling pots of cheese or meat fondue, and enjoy a fun, no-frills experience.
The baby bottles? They’re a playful way to serve wine (and avoid extra glassware taxes!).
It’s a bit chaotic, definitely quirky, and always a great time.
12. A Green Escape Above the Streets
La Coulée Verte: 12th arrondissement
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Also called the Promenade Plantée, this elevated walkway stretches for nearly 5 km (3 miles) along a former railway line.
Starting near Bastille, La Coulée Verte takes you above the city, offering a peaceful, tree-lined escape from the busy streets below.
Along the way, you’ll pass gardens, tunnels, bridges, and hidden viewpoints over Paris.
It’s a great place for a quiet stroll, a jog, or just a moment to enjoy nature in the city.
If you’ve been to the High Line in NYC, this is Paris’s version—just with more charm!
13. A Wrestling Ring in a Bar
La Lucha Libre:10 rue de la Montagne Sainte-Geneviève, 5th arrondissement.
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Ever wanted to wrestle while enjoying a drink?
At La Lucha Libre, you can! This lively Latin American-themed bar features an actual wrestling ring in the basement.
Guests can put on oversized sumo suits and challenge their friends to a playful showdown.
Even if you’re not stepping into the ring, the atmosphere is electric—loud music, cheering crowds, and a fun-loving vibe.
14. A Restaurant in Total Darkness
Dans le noir: 51 rue Quincampoix, 4th arrondissement
This restaurant will shake your connection to food up.
The concept of Dans le Noir (“in the darkness”) is to serve customers in pitch-black, therefore, you cannot see what is on your plate, but you will love it anyway.
Only blind or visually impaired people serve here.
15. The Eerie Catacombs
The Catacombs: entrance at 1 avenue du colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy, exit at 21bis avenue René Coty.
The most interesting secrets of Paris might be those hidden under the ground.
The catacombs, the former quarry of Paris, have hosted the bones of the Cemetery of the Innocents since the 18th century.
Nowadays, about 6 million skeletons rest there. The path is about 2 km long.
Do not forget to bring your jacket, as the temperature can go down to 14°C (even in summer)!
16. An Underground Sewer Museum
Musée des Égouts de Paris: Pont de l’Alma, 7th arrondissement
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Ever wondered what lies beneath the streets of Paris? The Musée des Égouts (Sewer Museum) takes you through the city’s underground tunnels, where Paris’s wastewater has flowed for centuries.
Walking through real sewer passages, you’ll learn about the engineering behind this vast network and its history, from medieval drainage to modern sanitation.
The museum even inspired parts of Les Misérables!
17. A Vintage Carnival Museum
Musée des Arts Forains: 53 Avenue des Terroirs de France, 12th arrondissement
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Hidden inside a former wine warehouse, Musée des Arts Forains is a magical museum of old fairground rides, antique games, and colorful carousels.
Unlike most museums, you don’t just look—you get to ride some of the vintage attractions!
The collection includes hand-cranked merry-go-rounds, fortune teller machines, and mechanical orchestras from the 19th and 20th centuries.
18. A Rat-Themed Shop With a Shocking Past
Maison Aurouze: 8 Rue des Halles, 1st arrondissement
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At first glance, Maison Aurouze looks like a small hardware store, but look closer, and you’ll see something truly bizarre—stuffed rats hanging in the window.
This shop has been selling pest control products since 1872 and even appears in the Pixar film Ratatouille!
The taxidermied rats were once used to prove their efficiency in catching pests.
Despite its eerie display, the shop is a piece of Parisian history and a quirky stop for those who love strange and unexpected places.
19. Most Unusual Architecture
Lavirotte Building: 29 Avenue Rapp, 7th arrondissement
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After your visit to the Eiffel Tower or Champ de Mars, don’t miss the nearby architectural gem: the Lavirotte Building.
This quirky and whimsical structure, right across from the Eiffel Tower, boasts a style that’s both eccentric and unexpected, with eye-catching ornaments that blend multiple historical influences.
20. A Surpirsingly Colorful Street
Rue Crémieux, 12th arrondissement
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Hidden near Gare de Lyon, Rue Crémieux is a tiny street that feels like a secret world.
Lined with pastel-colored houses, flowering window boxes, and cobblestone paths, it’s one of the most photogenic streets in Paris.
Unlike the grand Haussmannian buildings, these homes are small, charming, and full of character.
It’s a peaceful place to take a walk, soak in the colors, and enjoy a quiet moment away from the city’s usual rush. Just remember, this is a residential street, so be respectful of the locals!
21. A Historic Flower Market
Marché aux Fleurs Reine Elizabeth II: Place Louis Lépine, 4th arrondissement
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Located on the Île de la Cité, this charming flower market has been around since 1808.
It’s a peaceful oasis filled with colorful blooms, fragrant plants, and unique garden decorations.
Locals come here to buy fresh flowers, while visitors love strolling through the stalls, soaking in the relaxing atmosphere.
On Sundays, the market used to transform into a bird market, where you’d find chirping canaries and exotic parrots, but not anymore.
22. A Quirky Japanese Crêperie
Princess Crêpe: 3 rue des Ecouffes, 4th arrondissement
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Traditional Breton crêpes beware! Princess Crêpe, in the heart of the Marais, transports you to Japan with its kawaii vibe, dollhouse décor, and J-pop tunes.
Their crêpes, both sweet and savory, are served cone-style for a fun, portable treat while exploring the neighborhood.
Choose from simple delights like strawberry and whipped cream to more decadent options like pastry cream, banana, chocolate, and whipped cream.
23. A Roman Arena in the Middle of the City
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In the Latin Quarter of Paris, you can explore the Arènes de Lutèce—an ancient arena built by the Romans many centuries ago.
Imagine a big, round open space where, long ago, people gathered to watch gladiators and exciting performances.
Even though the arena is quiet now, its old stones still tell stories of the past.
Walking there is like stepping into a living history book.
You can picture the noise and cheers from ancient times, and it helps you understand how people lived and celebrated in the old days.
With a passion for travel and having visited over 50 countries, Dorian is eager to share his favorite spots and expert tips to help you explore Paris and France like a local.
