Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Orly, France

You will likely recognize the name of this southern Parisian area from the airport.

Although Orly is not typically associated with holiday travel, it offers proximity to the heart of Paris and various lesser-known attractions located within the Val-de-Marne Department.

This article provides an exploration of local attractions in and around Orly, followed by outstanding sites accessible by public transport in Paris.

The RER C commuter train serves as an invaluable resource in Orly, facilitating access to a multitude of celebrated museums and iconic landmarks situated on the left bank of the Seine.

For instance, by taking the train from Les Saules or Orly-Ville, you can arrive at the Musée d’Orsay in under thirty minutes.

Let us delve into the top attractions in Orly:

1. Orly Street Art

One of the most compelling reasons to explore Orly is the notable modern public art found throughout the suburb.

Although these artworks may not qualify as standalone monuments, they can feature prominently in a walking tour or photography excursion.

Olivier Agid’s striking L’Oiseau Pylône located in Parc Marcel Cachin exemplifies this, showcasing an electricity pylon transformed into a colossal bird form.

Additional notable works include Les Miroirs de Vent at Place Saint-Exupéry by Claude Courtecuisse, the sundial by Alexandre Chemetoff in Parc des Saules, and the monumental fresco of Léo Ferré on Rue Louis-Aragon.

2. Parc Georges Méliès

The small château situated in this park is linked to the innovative filmmaker Georges Méliès.

This pioneering creator of Journey to the Moon resided here when the property was part of an artists’ commune at the turn of the 20th century.

The château served as Orly’s town hall from 1949 to 1996 before being repurposed into a film school dedicated to teaching special effects in both digital and traditional formats, inspired by the legacy of Georges Méliès.

3. Marché International de Rungis

The Rungis Market is much more than a typical grocery shopping destination.

It is, in fact, the largest wholesale market globally and plays a crucial role in supplying the culinary offerings across Paris.

A majority of the city’s restaurants procure their ingredients from Rungis, which spans over 230 hectares and accommodates 13,000 vendors and buyers daily.

Guided tours are available from 04:30 to 08:00, making it ideal for early risers; fortunately, Orly is conveniently located nearby.

4. Musée d’Art Contemporain du Val-de-Marne (MAC/VAL)

Since its opening in 2005, MAC/VAL has held the distinction of being the first contemporary art museum established in the Paris suburbs.

The project, which cost over €30 million, features ample gardens, studios for workshops, an auditorium, and a cinema dedicated to experimental film.

The permanent collection encompasses over a thousand pieces, representing various movements and genres, including Kinetic Art and New Realism.

This collection is rotated every 18 months and showcases prominent figures from French 20th and 21st-century art, such as Pierre Soulages, Christian Boltanski, and Cyprien Gaillard.

5. Exploradôme

For a decade, the interactive Exploradôme resided in the Jardin d’Acclimatation in Paris before relocating to Vitry-sur-Seine in 2009. This museum is designed specifically for children and emphasizes experiential learning.

Visitors are encouraged to interact with the exhibits, as it is believed that understanding scientific concepts is enhanced by hands-on experimentation.

Both children and adults will engage with topics such as movement, energy, structure, optical illusions, and weather patterns.

Additionally, a Parcours Vert is dedicated to sustainable development themes.

6. Fort de Sucy

During the Siege of Paris in 1870, this fortification was utilized by Prussian forces to bombard the southeastern part of Paris.

Consequently, following the conflict, Sucy was reinforced as part of the Séré de Rivières defense system.

This fortress serves as a significant historical document from a largely overlooked period.

Constructed from 1879 to 1881, it was further strengthened in 1911 and again in 1935 in preparation for the World Wars.

The municipality acquired the site in 1970, and over the years, it has undergone restoration and is now accessible to visitors through the A la Découverte du Fort De Sucy association.

If military architecture interests you, the site offers the opportunity to explore ditches, underground passages, and vaulted chambers for a couple of hours.

7. Catacombs of Paris

If you manage to avoid traffic, one of the premier excursions in Paris is merely 15-20 minutes away in Montparnasse.

The unsettling catacombs of Paris serve as the city’s underground ossuaries, accommodating the remains of over six million inhabitants.

These bones, which date back hundreds of years, were relocated from overcrowded cemeteries like the Holy Innocents, which had to be closed due to excessive use in 1786. They were moved to these former quarries, where bones and skulls have been arranged in eerie decorative patterns.

The dimly lit tunnels often accumulate dripping water from above, enhancing the unsettling atmosphere.

Consider acquiring an audioguide for a more informative visit.

8. Tour de Montparnasse

In the same district, you can ascend the 18th tallest building in the European Union.

A striking dark monolith, the Tour de Montparnasse was completed in 1973 and has consistently provoked mixed reactions.

There is a popular saying that its roof offers the best view in Paris specifically because the Tour de Montparnasse’s silhouette is not part of the view.

In a similar vein, it is a remarkable alternative to the observation decks of the Eiffel Tower since this iconic Parisian landmark is integrated into the skyline.

The rooftop terrace, standing at 56 floors and 207 meters above street level, affords haunting vistas of the Eiffel Tower illuminated at night.

9. Musée Fragonard d’Alfort

After your journey through the Catacombs, you can continue the macabre theme at this distinct museum located within the National Veterinary School.

The museum honors Honoré Fragonard, who served as the school’s anatomy professor in the 1760s, creating a chilling range of anatomical exhibits known as Écorchés.

These exhibits consist of human and animal body parts, meticulously flayed, preserved, and displayed in an artful yet eerie manner, predating the celebrated Body Worlds exhibition by over 200 years.

It may not come as a surprise that Fragonard faced dismissal and was deemed a “madman.” Currently, 21 Écorchés remain and are housed within a hall filled with anatomical curiosities and specimens collected since the 18th century.

10. Musée d’Orsay

Travel by RER to visit this remarkable art museum located on the left bank of the Seine.

The Musée d’Orsay houses the world’s largest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works.

This collection features masterpieces from renowned artists such as van Gogh, Monet, Degas, Renoir, and Cézanne, appealing to both art enthusiasts and casual observers.

Visitors will find many universally recognized artworks, including van Gogh’s Starry Night Over the Rhone and Renoir’s Bal du Moulin de la Galette.

The stunning display of painting, sculpture, and applied arts is accentuated by its extraordinary setting in the Beaux-Arts Gare d’Orsay train station, which was completed in 1900 and converted into a museum in 1986.

11. Musée National du Moyen Âge

The National Medieval Museum is housed in the Hôtel de Cluny, the finest secular medieval structure in Paris.

This opulent residence served the Abbots of Cluny and showcases a fusion of Gothic and Renaissance architectural styles.

The exhibitions narrate 1,500 years of France’s rich and intricate history, featuring priceless sculptures, enamels, stained glass, paintings, and manuscripts.

Notably, the tapestries take center stage, especially the Lady and the Unicorn series, which was designed in Paris and woven in Flanders during the late 15th century.

12. Jardin des Plantes

Disembark at the Gare d’Austerlitz, located 20 minutes from Orly, for a park dedicated to the study of botany and natural sciences.

This botanical garden was established in 1635 as a medicinal herb garden for Louis XIII, cultivated by his physician.

Transforming into a noteworthy attraction, the garden features vibrant rose gardens, a menagerie, an elegant Art Deco winter garden, as well as exotic greenhouses filled with flora from Australia and Mexico.

Additionally, the park houses four galleries belonging to the National Museum of Natural History, focusing on evolution, mineralogy, paleontology, and entomology.

13. Île de la Cité

The renowned island in the Seine is a haven for sightseeing.

Begin with Notre-Dame, possibly the globe’s most iconic cathedral, a testament to medieval Gothic architecture.

The Conciergerie, a former Capetian Palace that currently houses the Palais de Justice law courts, also merits a visit.

This expansive building opens its doors for tours and became infamous as a prison during the Revolutionary period, housing countless condemned individuals, including Queen Marie Antoinette.

Lastly, do not overlook the Pont Neuf, the oldest bridge still in existence over the Seine in Paris, an excellent starting point for embarking on a river cruise.

14. National Library of France – François Mitterrand

The Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF) is a treasure trove for bibliophiles and historians alike, featuring its largest branch located in the 13th Arrondissement of southeast Paris.

This exceptional library houses approximately 14 million books and printed materials, alongside artifacts such as ancient manuscripts, coins, medals, and expansive multimedia collections.

Should you wish to engage with its vast resources or experience one of France’s esteemed institutions, you can request a visitor pass for a day immersed in knowledge and learning.

Additionally, there are guided tours and regular temporary exhibitions held throughout the year.

15. Vietnamese Cuisine

The nearby 13th Arrondissement is not featured prominently on the tourist map, yet it is an excellent destination for enthusiasts of Vietnamese cuisine.

Explore this area for delicious phở or bánh mì, with a diverse selection of restaurants available within a short 20-minute journey.

If you are unfamiliar with Vietnamese culinary delights, phở is a soup that consists of rice noodles, fresh herbs, and your choice of beef or chicken.

Bánh mì represents a fusion of Vietnamese and French street food, featuring a baguette filled with pork belly, beef, or chicken, accompanied by jalapeños, sweet pickles, and coriander.

Consider visiting the modest but inviting Phở 14 located on Avenue de Choisy as your initial stop.