Explore Paris Off the Beaten Path

Paris’ prevailing popularity saw the greater area welcome more than 40 million overnight visitors in 2017. However, despite these record-breaking figures, it’s easy to escape the crowds.

The French capital offers many under-the-radar alternatives to its most famous monuments, museums, palaces, and expansive green spaces – you just need to know where to look.

Parisian Views

Swap a trip up the Eiffel Tower for a less pressured vantage point. Moreover, you’ll also get views of the city’s iconic skyline. Central Paris’ low-rise architecture means that even though the cultural hub of the Centre Pompidou is only six storeys high, its rooftop offers uninterrupted views (inexpensive roof-only tickets are available).

Conversely, the skyscraper Tour Montparnasse stretches to 59 storeys, although its observation deck is currently closed for renovations. Therefore, you can explore the modern Grande Arche de la Défense for a different perspective.

From the hilltop basilica Sacré-Cœur, you can enjoy sweeping views, while the rooftops of department stores like Galeries Lafayette and Le Printemps offer some of the best – and free! – city sights.

Museums

Paris boasts over 200 museums, providing peaceful alternatives to the big hitters. The works of French Romantic artist Eugène Delacroix can be found in the Louvre, but also at the charming Musée National Eugène Delacroix.

Fans of impressionism and post-impressionism can bypass the queues at the Musée d’Orsay and (to a lesser extent) the Musée de l’Orangerie by heading to the Musée Marmottan Monet.

Moreover, the Petit Palais’s Musée des Beaux-Arts de la Ville de Paris showcases paintings by renowned artists like Cézanne, Monet, and Gauguin.

For modern and contemporary art, visit the Centre Pompidou’s Musée National d’Art Moderne or smaller venues such as the Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris. Alternatively, experience a single artist’s works at venues like the Espace Dalí.

Palaces

A short 40-minute train journey southwest of Paris leads you to the magnificent Château de Versailles, a popular day trip. Numerous other stunning châteaux are just a stone’s throw from the city, attracting fewer crowds. These include the 1900-room Château de Fontainebleau, a magnificent escape in the forest, along with the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte and Château de Chantilly, both known for their breathtaking gardens.

Parks

Adjacent to the Louvre, the elegant Jardin des Tuileries sees plenty of visitors. Furthermore, the beloved Jardin du Luxembourg has ample space for relaxation but can be busy on sunny days. Another option is the sprawling Parc Monceau, which offers winding paths and serene ponds.

For out-of-the-way gems, explore the hilly Parc des Buttes Chaumont and the tranquil Parc Montsouris. Wine-producing grapevines flourish in parks like the Parc de Belleville.

Churches

While queues for the city’s landmark cathedral Notre Dame can be enormous, numerous beautiful churches across the city typically require no wait.

Next to Les Halles, the Gothic Église St-Eustache is a captivating blend of history and art. Additionally, the soaring Église St-Germain l’Auxerrois holds significant architectural merit.

Tours

Local-led tours provide visitors with an excellent opportunity to explore Paris off the beaten path. Volunteers from Parisien d’un Jour – Paris Greeters take you to their favorite spots in the city. In addition, consider the less touristy northeastern neighborhoods with Ça Se Visite.

Explore the city’s hotbeds of creativity with Street Art Paris. For culinary enthusiasts, a morning tour of Paris’ immense wholesale markets, particularly the Marché International de Rungis, offers a unique experience.