8 Unusual Things To Do In Paris Away From Tourist Crowds

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Paris is one of the most visited cities in the entire globe, and it’s been this way for decades. There’s an allure to it that’s hard to describe, yet we know it’s there, and love it! It’s one of those places that is a Bucket-Lister for thousands, whether you’re in love with art, are a culture enthusiast, fashionista, or simply go gaga for French cuisine and want to savor masterful creations. 

Because of its popularity, the internet is thick with hundreds and hundreds of articles recommending the capital city’s top sights, landmarks, and activities. But that can get monotonous — not to mention when visiting said-place, the rest of the world is there with you. With so many people in sight, it can become uncomfortable. 

I love uncovering the lesser-known spots, and these unusual things to do in Paris still exude all the French Parisian charm you dream of. Yet, without the crowds which have almost become synonymous with the name Paris. With that, you’ll want to save this list for a deeper, more local, and, most importantly, less crowded Paris experience.

1. 59 Rivoli: Where creativity reigns 

Calling all of our art freaks; 59 Rivoli is about to add some serious colorful creativity to your agenda of unusual things to do in Paris! 

From its exterior, it could honestly be mistaken for some sort of bar, splashed in ever-changing artwork installations down its facade. Alas, it’s NOT a drinking hole, and is very much an epic art gallery, showcasing artists with a different point-of-view. Think abstract! Think thought-provoking! 

As they aptly put it, their ethos is ‘openness to all is a core value: every workshop and event is free, designed to move, question, provoke, and inspire.’

There are a bunch of resident artists who showcase here, but the space also hosts monthly events. 

2. Musée de Montmartre: Artists of the Moulin Rouge 

Fun fact: Paris is home to close to 150 museums! Yup, you read that right, 150… Whilst many tourists flock straight to the most famous, like the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay, I say, why not indulge yourself in some of the lesser-known spots, like Musée de Montmartre. 

The best part is…no hourly-long lines and crowds so big you can barely peep the artwork on the wall, anyway. 

Located in bohemian Montmartre (home to the iconic Moulin Rouge), there are works by masters to see here, but also a lot of art that showcases life of the cabaret and on the Butte. Discover permanent displays, changing exhibitions, Suzanne Valadon’s atelier-apartment, and the on-site Renoir gardens and cafe.     

3. Madison Fleuret Paris: Croissant-making class

Croissants are synonymous with Paris, well, France in general. 

What better way to learn how to make the iconic laminated pastry than from a Parisian master baker at Madison Fleuret Paris? Choose classes like croissant, macarons, eclairs and choux, baguette, Paris-brest, soufflé-making, and more. 

The baking school has multiple locations around the city: Le Marais, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, and Notre-Dame de Paris. Using family recipes, lessons are led by pastry chefs. Or, if you’re not keen on getting your hands dirty, book a food tour with them (focused on chefs, bakers, cheesemongers, and winemakers) with Madison Fleuret, or visit its literary coffee shop on Rue des Saints-Pères.  

4. Bibliothèque Nationale de France: Home to 40 million docs 

The Bibliotheque Nationale de France is no hidden secret, but with so many other famed cultural pursuits, it’s another one of the unusual things to do in Paris that is often overlooked. 

If you’re a bibliophile like myself, find yourself in literal seventh heaven at the national library, where over 40 million documents are safekept spanning 5,000 years of history. That’s literally insane. Seeing such documents up close and personal is a surreal feeling; the years of antiquity right before your eyes. 

Literature fiends, you’ll have a field day here, not to mention the library building itself is breathtaking. It gives me goosies every time. Treasures include Marie Curie’s notebooks, prints by Rembrandt, Victor Hugo’s “Les Misérables” manuscript, and the Gutenberg Bible.

5. La Campagne à Paris: Countryside village in the city 

Stone houses, cobbled lanes and garden greens laden with flowers greet you in La Campagne à Paris — a small area of Paris situated away from the main city, and the type of neighborhood that one could imagine artists and dreamers living in. 

Meandering around here makes me want to pick up a notebook and write a piece of poetry…

Flashback 100 years, and this part of Paris came to be in the early 1900s, and was home to the working-class Parisians. The former housing estate later became the home for the wealthy looking to escape Paris’s more metropolitan feels. Feel worlds away as you romantically idle around, taking photographs. This is one of the unusual things to do in Paris that mostly locals know about.

6. Gustave Moreau Museum: Yoga in an art museum 

As someone who is a keen museum-goer, I love visiting more than just one during a trip — unless I am somewhere beachside, in which case, you’ll always catch me in the ocean no matter what! 

A French painter from the Symbolist movement, the Gustave Moreau Museum is the artist’s former home, preserved like a moment in time. Not only will you be able to explore the various rooms of the house with all its grand furniture, but many of his paintings are curated beautifully on display. 

Recently, the grand setting has started a series of yoga classes. How totally inspiring is that for your next Yin workout? There are often performances hosted here too, like musical shows.  

7. Little Red Door: Imaginative cocktails 

I simply adore discovering wonderfully exciting places to go drinking or eat out when putting together my personal itineraries of activities, and I would highly recommend Little Red Door for your list of unusual things to do in Paris. 

Once you’re in the Marais district, hunt down the multiple-award-winning bar (listed nine times in the World’s 50 Best Bars) by looking out for its bright red front door. 

The cocktails here are very conceptual, and I especially appreciate the drinks presentation — because who says artful presenting is only limited to food? 

8. Gustave Eiffel’s Secret Apartment: With wax figurines 

Just about every single human on planet Earth has heard of the Eiffel Tower. So why would I list this iconic site as one of the unusual things to do in Paris? Well, have you ever heard about a secret apartment located within the iconic landmark, belonging to the brains behind the steel structure, Gustave Eiffel? 

Within its upper platform (on the third level) is this hidden apartment-cum-office. It’s not big by any means, but it’s an intriguing site to check out. 

Three wax figurines were added to the space for a bit of realistic theatrics: One of Gustave Eiffel, Thomas Edison, and Gustave’s daughter, Claire.  

Planning on exploring more than just Paris? Tuck into this informative 10 Day France Itinerary. Or, if you’re headed up North, discover the Top 3 Regions you need to explore in Northern France. 

Have you chosen the Southern parts of France instead, like Uzès? Then check out these best restaurants in Uzès. If you’re more of a Riviera sort of traveller, here’s how to spend one glorious day in Monaco. 

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