Visit the unusual side of Paris

Unusual sights of Paris and off the beaten path tours

Welcome to our guide to Paris, France. Find things to do in the Paris region, take a day trip to the Paris that the locals know and love. Get off the beaten track and take the time to visit places with unusual attractions, many of which are completely unknown to most visitors. Set foot in Seine-Saint-Denis and discover the heritage and history of an extremely diverse department just minutes from the heart of Paris and its main attractions.

Find visits, cruises, walks, workshops and other activities in the Paris region in our e-shop:

Explore Paris guided tours

Must-sees
The Basilica of St Denis

Come and contemplate the first masterpiece of Gothic art and architecture. The St-Denis Basilica is also the burial place of France's royalty, like the Capetian dynasty

Paris St-Ouen Flea Market

Discover  the 100 year-old  antique market. Wander trough Europe's greatest antiques market. High-quality stands with many exquisite objects stretching for about a mile and a half of labyrinth alleys.

Stade de France

The Stade de France hosts large scale sport eventsshows, and concerts. Backstage tours are also organized all year long. Discover the architecture and stand in the footsteps of famous superstars.

The Air and Space museum

Enjoy one of the world's richest collections of flying machines that includes ConcordeGreat War and WW2 planes. Located in Le Bourget, the museum documents the history of aviation.

La Villette Park

The Parc de la Villette is the 3rd largest park in Paris. With 55 ha, it is bigger than the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont. La Villette now houses events in its cultural venues such as the Philharmonie de Paris and Europe's largest science museum.

Things to do in September

In september take advantage of the Indian summer to discover Paris and its region. Spend some time on a barge or at a Parisian coffe's terrace. Summer lasts a bit longer with music festivals, themed cruises and outdoor activities among other fun things.

Cruises beyond the Seine river

Hop on a cruise boat on the Canal de l’Ourcq, the Canal Saint Martin or the Canal Saint Denis to view Paris in a new light while admiring monuments such as the Stade de France, La Villette or the Grands Moulins in Pantin.

L'Été du Canal summer Festival

This summer discover the Parisian region while navigating the parisian waterways. Floating concerts, thematic cruises, shuttles for 1 or 2 euros, workshops, Paris Plagesoutdoor movie theater... your summer ill be eventful.

Upcoming events

WRC 2023 FranceWRC 2023 France

September - October 2023

Art & Design - Emergence festivalEmergence - art

1st to 4tr June 2023

SIAE 2023International Paris Air Show

June 19th - June 25th 2023

Fratellini Circus TourFratellini Circus Tour

From September 2022 to July 2023

Upcoming trade shows

Seine-Saint-Denis has two major exhibition centers: the Bouget exhibition center and the Villepinte exhibition center, where major trade shows are held. La Villette also hosts major trade fairs in the Grande Halle and the Paris Event Center.

SILMO international eyewear trade fair

September 29th to October 2nd 2023

SILMO 2023 Paris

29th September 2023 to 2nd October 2023

Maison objet trade show in Villepinte

September 7th to 11th 2023

International fair on funeral art at Paris

22nd November 2023 to 24th November 2023

While you wait for the 2024 Paris Olympic games

Things to do in Paris during French vacations 

Are you staying in Paris during French vacations? Find things to do during school holidays concerts, theater plays, museums... there are plenty of things to do! Paris' weather can be moody but don't let it stop you! There are a lot of indoor activities to do in Paris when it rains and things to do to keep cool during heatwaves in Paris. Looking to make a day to day Paris program? Check our daily pages to find things to do in the capital including free outings

Unusual sights in Paris and its region

Paris and its region are full of history and culture but don't just stop at the sight pleasing monuments that everyone knows, go off the beaten track and find out more about Paris' heritage.

Shoah memorial in Drancy Shoah memorial and WW2 

Visit the Shoah memorial in Drancy in the North East of Paris located in front of the Cité de la Muette social housing complex known as the Drancy Camp.
Check out our list of commemorative sites of internment and deportation.

André citroen museumCitroen museum 

The Citroën museum is located in Aulnay-sous-Bois, near Paris. Enjoy a guided visit to learn more about this mythical French car brand! 

Explore Paris 

Greeters in the north-east of Paris

Who knows Paris and its hidden gems better than locals? If you are keen to see the parts of Paris that Parisian know and love and that are usually unknown to tourist get in touch with our greeters. Greeters are locals who want to share their love and knowledge about their neighborhoods, they'll tell you all you need to know about their beloved city. With the help of our greeters you'll see Paris in a new light and will learn to love it the way locals do.

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