10 unusual places to discover in Paris

The capital of France has many tourist spots, must-see places that are not to be missed’you must discover at all costs, but also more unusual and less known places of the general public. Discover the 10 most unusual places to discover during your visit to Paris.

The Moulin de la Galette

Located in the Montmartre district in the 18th arrondissement, the Moulin de la Galette restaurant is a historic place where the’The atmosphere reminds the famous painting of Pierre Auguste Renoir, “The ball of the Moulin de la Galette”. First known as a party place with its popular “guinguette” in the 19th century, it is much later that the restaurant was born in this place to propose a traditional French cuisine. Don’t forget to book your table in advance if you want to enjoy this mythical place !

Address: 83 Rue Lepic, 18th district.

The Loo House

By looking at the Loo house, it is very difficult to imagine that we are in the middle of Paris ! This great Chinese pagoda is part of the unusual places in Paris At first glance, one might think that the Loo House is a pagoda like any other, dedicated to the Chinese community in the capital. But in reality, it is not, since the Loo house was built by a Chinese art dealer installed in the district. Ching Tsai Loo chose to buy this private mansion in order to completely transform it, one day when he missed his native country… Now a real museum, the least we can say is that the Loo house does not leave indifferent in the neighborhood and contrasts with the architecture of the 8th district !

Address : 48 Rue de Courcelles, 8th district.

The Arena of Lutetia

Do you know the oldest monument in Paris ? Well, it’s not a church or a business, but the Arènes de Lutèce which dates back to the first century. A the’At that time, this place could welcome about 12 000 visitors for gladiator fights, as well as for plays. And if at the time this place was not’It is not the case today since the Arènes de Lutèce have been reconverted into a playground for soccer or petanque.

Address : 49 Rue Monge, 5th district.

The Collège des Bernardins

The Collège des Bernardins is a magnificent monument dating from the 13th century, founded by the’This statue was created by the abbot of Clairvaux to offer a university education to the monks, in the heart of the city of Paris. L’The assignment of the college then evolved over time to become a public school’adapt to the evolutions of the society. Indeed, at the time of the French Revolution, the college became a public college, driving out the monks still living there.

L’The building will then become for a few years an outlet and will be used as a refuge for Parisians during the bloody week of May 1871.

Today’Today, the college was renovated in the 2000s and is open to the public, hosting public classes, conferences and music concerts. N’Don’t hesitate to go and discover its typical 13th century architecture, its gothic stone arches, in the heart of the city’a monument that has succeeded in crossing the years, without losing its superb.

Address: 20 Rue de Poissy, 75005 Paris

The oldest public clock in Paris

Want to dive into the world of music?’history in an original way ? Go to the Palais de la Cité to discover the oldest public clock in Paris. Built in 1371 at the request of King Charles V, this testimony of the past is still in working order and very well preserved. Historically, this clock indicated to the Parisians “the time of the day”’The “king’s hour”, which could be spotted until then by the sounds of the ecclesiastical bells.

Later, the bell above this clock will indicate to the people the birth or death of the sovereigns and their children, it will also indicate the massacre of Saint Barthélémy.

Address : 1 quai de L’clock in Paris

The 6 statues of liberty

Did you know that the Statue of Liberty was built on the same site?’is not only visible in New York ? Indeed New York has the largest version of this historical gift between France and the United States, but small replicas are scattered throughout the French capital. Very original and surprising monuments to discover during your visit to Paris.

C’It is in the museum of arts and crafts – where are exposed two statues of liberty – that this is the original model of the statue offered to the United States, the one that served as a model for the’enlargement that will cross the’Atlantic. The most emblematic replica, however, is probably the statue on the’Ile aux Cygnes, facing New York and located at the back of the Eiffel Tower. D’other statues are present in the capital: in the Luxembourg garden and in the museum of the d’Orsay.

Finally the last replica of the Statue of Liberty is tiny, and is located on the Place Michel Debré in the 6th arrondissement. This replica must absolutely be searched to be found, since it was built in 1371’It is located on the statue of the Centaur, more precisely on its bust.

L’universal pharmacy Buly

L’he Buly pharmacy is a historical place, founded in 1803 by Mr. M. Jean-Vincent Bully. This perfumer benefited from the’The city has become famous for its “toilet vinegar”, an invigorating and innovative product. But the’The pharmacy was not satisfied with selling a single product, on the contrary, it was a place where the shopkeepers were able to sell a wide range of products’is more than 700 products which were put on sale by the storekeepers who had in heart of’to express their vision of beauty.

Today’Today, you can still visit the locations, recently purchased by the LVMH Group, to discover products with surprising names that reflect the vision that the’is made of “old Paris”. An unusual place not to be missed to plunge into a world of’another time.

Address : 6 Rue Bonaparte, 75006 Paris

The false facades of the RATP

You love the’architecture of Paris, its Haussmannian chic and typical side ? You are not’You are not the only one, and this is part of the charm of the city ! But did you know that some building facades are 100% fake and actually hide ventilation shafts essential to the operation of the RATP. Indeed, the Parisian transport company has chosen to’They are located in the ruins of the city’s main square, in the heart of the city’s architectural landscape.

A l’Naked eye, on a photograph or by passing quickly in front of, the trompe-l’oeil is a real eye catcher’If you’re not sure what to look for, you may want to check out some of these places during your vacation’a walk to see the’effect of your own eyes. To locate the place, you will notice that’no handle or digicode n’is present on the façade. For the details, these false facades are actually made of iron panels covered with paint.

These unusual facades are located ru d’Aboukir in the 2nd arrondissement, rue de l’Aqueduct, rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis or rue La Fayette in the 10th district or rue Quincampoix in the 4th district of Paris.

The Alsatian house of Saint Lazare

Rue Saint-Lazare, you will find a building that really stands out from the classical Parisian architectural landscape: a typical Alsatian house designed by a Strasbourg restaurateur at the end of the 19th century. The facade is made of wood, small paned windows and you can even see a stork perched on the chimney.

But what makes this already surprising place even more unusual is that it is one of the most popular places to visit’Since 1998, a big yellow “M” has been added to the façade’is added to the façade. Indeed, since that date, a McDonald’s franchise has been open in the’s inhabits the place and makes the place look like a museum’This is the place to be to discover the most unusual places in the capital.

Address : 119 rue Saint Lazare 75008 PARIS

LE 59 Rivoli

Everything about 59 rue Rivoli is atypical, from its creation to its decorations to its history, which makes it truly unmissable when it comes to being the quintessence of Paris’a visit to the capital. It is indeed necessary to know that this symbolic address was born from the desire to be able to offer the best service to its customers’a squatte by a collective of’artists who appropriated the place in November 1999. L’The address initially called “Chez Robert” exhibits many works and ends up welcoming 40,000 visitors per year, becoming the most important exhibition space in Paris’one of the places of worship’s exhibition’The most visited contemporary art of the capital.

However, the threat of’The big news is that the expulsion is still going on, in a place that is not really a must-see for discovering the most unusual places in the capital’has not been acquired on a regular basis.

An agreement was signed between the town hall and the occupying group in the early 2000s and when the building was reopened in 2009, after 4 years of work, the building was transformed into a museum’The address has become a legalized “aftersquat. Today’Today, 59 Rivoli is home to a number of art workshops’artists, a gallery of’art and ephemeral exhibitions and concerts.