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All France Paris

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Paris

173 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Paris, France

Updated May 11, 2023

There is a secret apartment at the top of the Eiffel Tower, and that encapsulates Atlas Obscura—the hidden world within the one that we know. Paris is a city of history and beauty and light, and one of the best ways to experience it is by leaving the beaten path.

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Unusual Attractions in Paris

Catacombes des Paris Autumn 2018

Paris, France

Catacombes de Paris

The vast, legendary catacombs hold secrets much stranger than stacked bones.

Paris, France

Père Lachaise Cemetery

France's most famous cemetery, with some of its most curious tombs.
The oval reading room at the Bibliothèque nationale.

Paris, France

Bibliothèque nationale de France (National Library of France)

This massive library holds what was once largest book collection in the world.

Paris, France

Petite Ceinture

Abandoned railway line circling the city of Paris.
59 Rivoli in 2005.

Paris, France

59 Rivoli

Notorious artist squat renovated into legal studios.
Shakespeare And Company bookshop situated at 37 rue de la Bûcherie, in the 5th arrondissement.

Paris, France

Shakespeare and Company

This iconic Parisian bookstore doubles as the "Tumbleweed Hotel" for traveling writers.

Paris, France

Montmartre Cemetery

A horde of stray cats rule in this secluded Parisian cemetery under a bridge.

Paris, France

House of Nicolas Flamel

The oldest stone house in Paris was built by its most famous alchemist.
See All 173 Things To Do in Paris

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Paris

Chevilly-Larue, France

Rungis International Market

Walk through spectacular aisles of hanging meat and wagon wheel–sized cheese at the world's largest wholesale food market.

Paris, France

Au Roi de la Bière

Once a 19th-century brasserie, this McDonald's exterior celebrates Alsatian design and the "King of Beer."

Paris, France

Roger La Grenouille

This frog-themed restaurant was frequented by Picasso, Saint-Exupéry, and more.
Potatoes on the tomb.

Paris, France

Grave of Antoine-Augustin Parmentier

The tomb of history's greatest potato promoter is surrounded by tubers.
See all 5 Places to Eat in Paris
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Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

From wine tastings and secret passages to catacombs and cemetary tours.

Discover Experiences

Explore Paris, France

Art 21
Museums And Collections 21
Collections 20
Architectural Oddities 17
Sacred Spaces 13
History 11
Cemeteries 11
Catacombs And Crypts 10
Churches 9
Statues 8
Animals 7
Shops 7
Places To Stay 5
Unique Restaurants & Bars 4

Paris Leaderboard

Places Added

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Places Visited

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Recent Paris Activity

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    Fertosqui

    wants to go to Musée Marmottan Monet

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    wants to go to Flame of Liberty

Stories About Paris

Chemist and physicist Marie Curie works in the lab with her husband Pierre in 1896. Curie would go on to win two Nobel prizes for her groundbreaking research on radioactivity.

Marie Curie As You’ve Never Met Her Before

The world’s first two-time Nobel Laureate was a nerd’s nerd who broke the law for knowledge.
by Sarah Durn
April 20, 2023
"China girls"—also known as "leader ladies"—appeared at the start of films in the early days of Hollywood, though few people ever saw them.

8 Unexpected Stories That Go Behind the Scenes in Hollywood

Frozen lettuce, a ghost subway station, and an unplaceable accent all have starring roles.
by April White
March 8, 2023
All illustrations: John Mata for Atlas Obscura

Puzzle Monday: R.I.P.: Rest in Paris Crossword

by AO Puzzles
October 31, 2022
All illustrations by Michelle Boggess-Nunley

Get Lost in the Catacombs With Our Latest Maze

A new, Paris-inspired challenge from a record-holding maze-maker.
by Michelle Boggess-Nunley
October 13, 2022

Podcast: Grittiness and Romanticism in New York and Paris

Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.
by The Podcast Team
September 13, 2022
A sign at Bravo Caffè shows how to say "thank you" in Taiwanese Sign Language.

Deaf-Owned Restaurants Offer Cuisine and Community

Around the world, cafés and eateries are sharing Deaf culture.
by ANNA MINDESS
August 17, 2022
A competitor in the Oeuf Mayo World Championship in 2018.

Inside the Egg Mayo Protection Association

The surprisingly competitive world of France's humblest bistro staple.
by Madeleine Rothery
July 18, 2022

Podcast: Père Lachaise Cemetery

Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.
by The Podcast Team
May 24, 2022

Lists Featuring Paris

The House of the Temple.
Statue of George Washington

Novus Ordo Seclorum: 14 Places to Unearth Masonic Secrets

Your best bets for gaining insight into the real history of Freemasonry.

14

Including Zedekiah's Cave, Masonic Lodge of the Andaz Hotel, and House of the Temple

Rats of Karni Mata Temple
Paxton Gate Exterior
Albino Squirrels of Olney, Illinois

A Rat Lover's Tour of the World

15 places where rodents are celebrated, feared, preserved, and studied.

15

Including Karni Mata Temple, Nutty Narrows Bridge, and Paxton Gate

Le Cimetière du Calvaire is Paris' oldest and smallest cemetery.

Old Cemeteries in Paris

Historic graveyards to visit in the City of Lights.

8

Including Père Lachaise Cemetery, Montparnasse Cemetery, and Montmartre Cemetery

Le Bachelor takes a break while arranging new merchandise at Sape & Co
Jacques Noël
LaBeL RéCuP' store front.

8 Cool Shops in Paris

Wonderfully unique stores to visit in the City of Lights.

8

Including Tombées du Camion, Sape & Co, and Un Regard Moderne Bookstore

Original letter of Abraham, the son of Maimonides found in the Cairo genizah.
A sculpture of the Tower of Babel, by Alan Baughman, from the Introductory Room of the Museum of the Alphabet
Boontling word of the week in the tap room of the Anderson Valley Brewing Company.

A Linguistics Lover's Tour of the World

12 places to marvel at the history of human language.

12

Including The Cairo Genizah , The Museum of the Alphabet , and Boontling Language of Boonville

Bolivia's Witch Market
Dubrovnik Maskeron
The Statue of St. Anthony's Pig
The Guardhouse Monkey

15 Unlikely Places to Re-Up Your Luck

Luck be a... llama fetus?

15

Including Bolivia's Witch Market, Dubrovnik Maskeron, and Statue of St. Anthony's Pig

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