Paris the capital of Love :
Paris is the capital and most populous city in France, with an administrative-limits area of 105 square kilometres (41 square miles) and an official population of 2,206,488 (2015). The city is a commune and department, and the heart of the 12,012-square-kilometre (4,638-square-mile)
Thing
to Do In Paris :
The Eiffel Tower is just alright. Want to get more out of your trip to
Paris? Explore 8 of the most fun, unusual things to do in Paris.
Sorry –
I’ll say it nicer. Perhaps the world has never known a landmark more
iconic. For me, The Eiffel Tower was symbol of faraway places long before I
could grasp that my grandmother’s house and France were not equidistant. Seeing
it was of paramount importance on my first backpacking trip to Europe, but when
I saw it in person? I was immediately sure that 81-stories of iron lattice were
not the best that Paris had to offer. There had to be more immersive and
unusual things to do in Paris.
Photo by Allyson Darling
Some years
later, I can hardly wait to go back and prove it. While it’s hard to find a
good flight deal from the West Coast all the way to Europe, there are quite a
few affordable European carriers. Take XL Airways for
example. If you’re flexible on travel dates, you can snag round trip
flights from San Francisco (SFO to CDG) or Los Angeles (LAX to CDG) starting at
$630. Their fares are inclusive of a free checked bag and an inflight meal, but
they keep costs down by itemizing the extra services we never use much anyway.
So how would
you do Paris? I’d make a point to seek out quirkier locales. I’d learn a bit of
French. I’d definitely wear more attractive shoes. But most importantly,
I would take in the smaller details this time. I’d really experience Paris.
7 unusual things to do in Paris
1. Swimming in Paris’ piscines
Paris is
celebrated as the birthplace of the bikini, and with some of its emblematic
pools dating back to the 1920’s, it is only appropriate to take a dip. For a
glimpse at Paris’ bathing culture amidst remarkable settings, head to Piscine
Josephine Baker or Piscine Georges-Vallerey. If you’re really
looking to splurge, you may also snag a day pass (€180) to the historical,
avant-garde Piscine Molitor.
2. Wandering a Parisian cemetery
One of the
most fascinating unusual things to do in Paris is to visit the
cemetery. As many of the world’s most legendary creatives lived and died
in Paris, it’s no surprise that the cemeteries are similarly renowned. In Père
Lachaise, you can find the grave sites of Jim Morrisson and Oscar
Wilde among others. We’d also recommend visiting Cimetière de Montmartre, Cimitiere
des Chiens, or Cimetière de Passy to wander past famous tomb stones,
but also to see the ornate mausoleums and imaginative sculptures throughout.
3. Going to market
Parisian
markets are every bit as romantic as you’d imagine. Get lost in the flea
markets of Belleville, rummage through vintage decor, or scout out fresh
produce at one of the city’s many farmer’s markets. Perhaps the most
interesting market of all? The Paris Bird Market, where you can shop for
pet birds and livestock alike.
4. Eating as the French do
French
culinary tradition is undoubtedly one of the most influential and esteemed in
the world. Why? Because it is just so good. Tasting a French dish like escargot
or coq a vin is an experience unto itself. If you’re traveling on a
budget, pick up a baguette, a wedge of camembert, and a bottle of wine for the
most epic of park days. Consider hopping on a food tour like Urban Adventure’s Secret Paris:
Cheese, Art and Local Life to learn the range of what is available,
and don’t shy away from constant eating and drinking.
Photo by Allyson Darling
5. Scoping out street art:
We’re always
on the hunt for street art when we travel. It seems that where there is street
art, there is also culture, art, and some delicious street food. In Paris,
you can find street art on Canal St.-Martin. The surrounding
neighborhood is home to young artists and university students, so head over for
some prime people watching in Paris.
Dig street
art? Us too! Check out our posts on street art around the world.
6. Exploring Paris’ quirkier side:
While the Louvre
is Paris’ most beloved museum, there are plenty of places that pay homage to a
more obscure part of the city’s history. We found that an overwhelming number
of the unusual things to do in Paris involved taxidermy and other
curiosities. Interested in Paris’ weird side? Head to Deyrolle
Taxidermy for polar bears, wild cats, and a variety of
birds that would hardly look dead at all if they weren’t amongst 19th-century decor.
You may also be interested in Musée Dupuytren where you can find
anatomical deformities recreated in wax, investigate jars of strange specimens,
and learn about the fascinating evolution of medicine. Other spots to check out
include the Statue of Death of the University of Medicine,
Julien Aurouze and Co, and Musée des Arts Forains.
Want more
weird? Check out the Outlandish series on our blog.
Photo by Allyson Darling
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