Café des 2 Moulins

Quirky Things to do in Paris

By Stuart Bak

Looking for quirky and unusual and quirky things to do in Paris? Then look no further! We’ve compiled a wealth of weird, wonderful and downright wacky suggestions to help you swerve the tourist traps and experience Paris at its most offbeat, from sightseeing in a Citroën 2CV to riding a dodo, visiting Édith Piaf’s private apartment and making an absolute cochon of yourself with all-you-can-eat chocolate mousse.

Quirky Things to See and Do

Image of Vehicle,

For a Paris sightseeing experience with a difference, book a private tour in a vintage Citroën 2CV, truly the Rolls Royce of classic French cars. Well, sort of. Tours last up to three hours and itineraries cover all of the major landmarks, Paris by night, Montmartre and more. Cost is per vehicle and you can reduce your share of the fare by cramming in three people, like sardines in a tin can. Albeit a very chic Parisian tin can. Take the edge off any discomfort caused by the 50-odd-year-old suspension system by adding a bottle of bubbly to your package.

You’ll regret nothing about a visit to the fascinating Musée Édith Piaf (tours by appointment only). This tiny apartment in the 20th arrondissement was home to the legendary Parisian chanteuse just before her career went stratospheric in the early 1930s. View personal belongings including photographs, fanmail and Piaf’s birth certificate, platinum records and famous black dress, and pick up a souvenir CD of Piaf favorites such as La Vie en rose and Non, je ne regrette rien in the little shop. Coincidentally, the museum is just a short stroll from the Little Sparrow’s final resting place in the vast Père Lachaise Cemetery, a fitting spot to complete your Paris Piaf pilgrimage, and where you’ll also find the tombs of Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, Sarah Bernhardt, Chopin and many more legendary entertainers of yore.

Dead Interesting

Image of

Paris could give the Mexicans and ancient Egyptians a run for their money in terms of its fascination with the dead. Celebrity-crammed cemeteries aside, there’s no dearth of death-related attractions in Paris, if that’s what floats your bateau. Perhaps closest to the bone are the Paris Catacombs, an extensive network of underground ossuaries containing the mortal remains of some six million Parisians, displaced here from overflowing graveyards in the 18th and 19th centuries. The experience of walking through these hushed tunnels and caverns, stacked top to bottom with human remains, surely ranks as one of the city’s most macabre.

From the dead to the undead, the Musée des Vampires is every bit as creepy as it sounds... and then some. Step inside this house of horrors in the north-eastern suburbs of Paris to explore the private collection of vampirologist Jacques Sirgent, eccentric curator of this roomful of vampire-related imagery, curiosities and ephemera. Highlights include – steel yourself – mummified cats, a 19th-century ‘anti-vampire protection kit’, a crossbow and dozens of frankly terrifying artworks. As with the Piaf museum, Viewings of Mr Sirgent’s private collection are by appointment only via the website.

Lust for the macabre still not satisfied? Book tickets for the Manoir de Paris, a heart-stopping immersive Halloween horror experience held annually in the Parc de la Villette’s Grand Halle. Pay your respects at the world’s oldest pet cemetery where permanent residents include Napoleon’s three-legged dog Moustache and – I kid you not – Rin Tin Tin, canine star of the silent movie era. And climb aboard the Dodo Manège, a cute and colorful carousel in the Jardin des Plantes, where kids can choose to ride a dodo, a barbary lion, an elephant bird and other extinct and endangered critters.

Quirky activities in Paris

Image of Boy, Child, Male, Person, Shorts, Roller Skating, Skating,

Rollerblading has really taken off in Paris over the last few years. They’re everywhere: whirlwinding past as you enjoy a gentle stroll along the Champs-Élysées, hurtling towards you at truly terrifying speed in the Parc Monceau, bowling you over as you step out of your hotel... Get involved in the fun at the mass skating event that rolls through the streets of Paris – with a police escort, no less! – every Sunday. Or join the cool kids on the Pari Roller, a night-time tour-on-skates that kicks off in Montparnasse every Friday at 10PM and concludes in the wee small hours.

Fans of quirky French rom-com Amélie can follow in their heroine’s dainty footsteps at locations across the city. Make your way through Montmartre’s charming cobbled alleys to the real-life Café des Deux Moulins. This cute Parisian eaterie still looks much as it did in the movie, but with added Amélie posters, trinkets and ephemera dotted around the place. Picnic on the banks of Canal Saint-Martin and skim stones across the water, just as Audrey Tautou did in the movie, and take a dip in the Piscine de Amiraux, the beautifully restored Art Deco swimming pool where Amélie’s father enjoyed a swim.

A scoot around the most interesting stations of the Paris Métro is also worth a couple of hours of anyone’s time. Expect to see some of the city’s finest street art down here, as well as impressive stations including Arts et Métiers, with its steampunk-inspired bronze-clad tunnels, and Palais Royal, which boasts an eye-catching entrance in brightly colored Murano glass. If you’re still on an Amélie tip, there is of course a station for that: Abbesses, where our heroine encounters Nino for the first time.

Eccentric eating experiences

Image of Cutlery, Fork, Food, Food Presentation, Brunch, Knife,

Adventurous gourmands rejoice! Paris has a reasonable claim to the title of dining capital of the world. So, if you’re ever going to try escargots (that’s right: snails), this is the place to do it. These little morsels of deliciousness are served in the shell, drenched in garlicky herb butter, and with a sizable hunk of bread to mop up every last drop of the juices. Yum.

Those with a sweeter tooth may prefer to tackle the bottomless chocolate mousse at Chez Janou near the Place des Vosges. Guests who order this dessert are served a great dollop of the good stuff from an oversized bowl, which is then left on your table for you to help yourself until you can eat no more. Head to Paris institution La Maison Ladurée on the Champs-Élysées for the finest French macarons in every conceivable color and flavor. Feeling extra decadent? Try one of these delicate little pastries wrapped in gold leaf and leave higher in spirits (if somewhat lower in cash) than before you entered.

For a truly eccentric dining experience, mosey down to Le Refuge des Fondus at the foot of Montmartre. There are only two decisions to be made here: meat or cheese, and red or white wine. The twist? Your wine is served in (and drunk from) baby bottles. It brings a whole new meaning to the term ‘bar crawl’.

Save on quirky things to do in Paris

Save on admission to Paris attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.

Continue reading

Couple cycling in front of the Eiffel Tower
Blog

Paris Explorer Pass Vs The Paris Pass

Paris is one of those places you absolutely must visit at least once. And probably twice, or more. But let’s not mince words here: it can be eye-wateringly expensive, from those spicy city-center hotel prices to tourist-trap restaurants, cabaret tickets (even the cheap seats at the Moulin Rouge and Crazy Horse ain’t that cheap!), and entry to bucket-list Paris attractions like the Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum and Palace of Versailles. Not to mention the Arc de Triomphe, Musée d’Orsay, the exceptional Picasso and Rodin museums and, well, we could go on. Go City’s Paris Explorer Pass and Paris Pass are two great ways of ticking off those must-see museums, monuments and more while saving money for those other most essential of Parisian pastimes (we’re talking coffee, croissants, and café culture in general). But which is better value? And which will suit your Paris getaway best? We’ve broken it down to help you decide which pass to go for. Savvy travelers, read on… Paris Explorer Pass Vs The Paris Pass If you’re planning a trip to Paris and hope to take in more than the tiniest handful of city tours, activities and attractions, we have just the thing for you. The Paris Explorer Pass and Paris Pass from Go City offer two simple but slightly differing options for saving money when visiting multiple Paris attractions, including big-ticket must-sees like the Eiffel Tower and Louvre. For the most up-to-date information, prices and attraction inclusions, and to buy your pass, please visit the official websites: The Paris Pass Paris Explorer Pass How the Passes Work to Save You Money A Go City Explorer Pass lets you choose how many attractions you want to visit when in town, while The Paris Pass lets you choose the number of consecutive calendar days in which to sightsee. In short, that means that the amount of money you save with the Explorer Pass will largely depend on standard entry prices at the attractions you choose to visit, while how much you save with The Paris Pass depends on the volume of tours, attractions and activities you can squeeze into your chosen number of days. Note that some of the most popular attractions on both passes require pre-booking. Paris Explorer Pass The Paris Explorer Pass includes your choice of several Paris tours, activities and attractions for one money-saving price. The pass comes in several options, from three-attraction choices up to seven. Once you’ve bought your pass, you’re then free to pick and choose from a selection of around 50 great things to see and do in and around Paris. You have 60 days from time of purchase to use your pass. Just show it at each attraction and you’re in – no need to pay at the gate. Savvy savers can potentially save up to 50% by visiting a high number of big-ticket attractions like Parc Astérix, a macaron-making class at the iconic Galeries Lafayette, and the Ultimate Louvre Experience, which includes a guided tour of the grounds and skip-the-line entry to the museum.  The Paris Pass The Paris Pass includes admission to almost 100 attractions for your choice of two, three, four or six consecutive days. Choose attractions, tours and activities on the go from 80+ options and simply flash your pass at each one to get in. Because the value of The Paris Pass increases the more you use it and savings don’t necessarily depend on visiting big-ticket attractions like the Eiffel Tower, you may well end up discovering some of the city’s more charming smaller museums – the Orangerie, and others dedicated to the work of  Rodin, Picasso, Dalí and Gustave Moreau being among some of the most polished gems in town. Your pass is activated the first time you use it and will expire after your chosen number of consecutive days have elapsed. What’s Included on the Passes? Both passes include the option to visit some very popular Paris attractions, as well as a number of walking tours and other fun activities. But not all are available on both passes, so it’s always worth checking the individual websites for the most up-to-date inclusions. For example, at time of writing both passes include entry to the Eiffel Tower and Louvre, but with slightly different experiences (e.g. elevator guided tour on Explorer; guided climb on The Paris Pass). You can visit the Rodin Museum or take a walking tour of the city’s beautiful 19th-century shopping arcades with either pass, but you’ll need a Paris Pass if you want to let your hair down at Parc Astérix or ogle the French Impressionist masterpieces in the Musée d’Orsay, while the Explorer Pass is your key to unlocking the secrets of Père Lachaise Cemetery or riding the Petit Train de Montmartre. In Brief… Still wondering which of the Paris Pass or Explorer Pass is for you? In short, the Explorer is likely to be right if you’re in town for a few days (or longer) and plan to intersperse a few bucket-list attractions with plenty of café culture and gentle strolls along the City of Light’s broad boulevards and swoonsome canals. Go for The Paris Pass if you’re a sightseeing hurricane, and hope to squeeze as many major (and minor) attractions, tours and activities into your Paris break as you can. Want to Save Even More? While visiting Paris on a shoestring is near-impossible, money-saving Paris attraction passes like the Paris Explorer and Paris Pass can really help take the edge off. But there are other ways to get more for your Euro. Check out our hints and tips on some of the most cost-effective (and free!) ways to have fun in Paris in the blogs below: Cheap things to do in Paris Unique and affordable Paris dining experiences The best markets in Paris The best walks in Paris Paris tourist traps to avoid Save on Attractions, Tours and Activities in Paris Save on admission to Paris attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
A panoramic view of Paris focused on Notre Dame Cathedral in fall
Blog

Visiting Paris in October

Whilst in the firm grip of the Parisian fall, October shouldn’t be dismissed as a good time to visit the French capital. Sure, the dog days of high summer may seem a lifetime ago, but in Paris in October the streets take on an alternative chic look with the beautiful fall color of its trees. You may even experience ‘second summer’, when temperatures rise once again for a few days of further warmth. When it comes to visitor numbers, October straddles the line between high and low seasons, since it incorporates the school mid-term vacation. The benefit is a guaranteed range of fascinating one-off events to add to the long list of world-famous landmarks Paris is already able to boast. Wondering what to do in Paris in October? We’ve got you covered! Admire the fall color Umbrellas are de rigueur in Paris at any time of year, and can become a useful shade from the sun on the hottest of October days – they do happen. With the weather on your side, the city’s multitude of public parks are a brilliant place for a stroll. At this time of year there’s still plenty to see and do, with the chance to enjoy the crunch of freshly fallen leaves underfoot, the frenetic activity of squirrels burying acorns and the stunning array of yellows, oranges and reds which develop through the month. The Aboretum de Paris within the Bois de Vincennes on the eastern edge of the city is hard to beat when it comes to fall color, with 2000 different species of tree from all over France and continental Europe. On the Bois de Vincennes’ northern side you’ll also find the Château de Vincennes. Dating in parts to 1150, its dramatic 52 meter tower is the tallest medieval structure anywhere in Europe and has been the site of numerous important events in French history. Enjoy some art and culture When it comes to modern events, October has no reason to feel embarrassed. In addition to the internationally-important collections of the Louvre and Picasso Museum – among many, many others – October in Paris also sees the arrival of the sadly short-lived International Contemporary Art Fair. Facing off against the Eiffel Tower, the Grand Palais on the Champ de Mars is the usual host for around 200 galleries specializing in modern and contemporary art, alongside talks and film screenings. A healthy dose of culture can also be absorbed on the Nuit Blanche (White Night), combining all the fun of a festival with late-night museum opening. Taking place on the first Saturday in October each year, it’s a rare chance to see museum collections after dark, in between installations and concerts by top names. Sample the food and drink A gray morning is a great excuse for a lazy start to the day. And with Paris the world capital of pastries, we can think of no better way to do this than a traditional French breakfast at the likes of Café Louise, a popular haunt for creatives in the well-to-do Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood. Best saved for an hour or two later in the day would be French wine tasting at the Les Caves du Louvre. You don’t have to know your Beaujolais from your Bandol with this guided exploration of the wines of France within the historic cellars that served the Louvre when it was a royal palace. Believe it or not, within the Paris city limits lies a vineyard. At its most frenetic during October when the grapes are in need of harvesting, the vines of Vignes du Clos Montmartre become the center of attention in this part of the city. Harvest time has been turned into a festival called the Fête des Vendanges, akin to a national holiday, with street performers, live music and more than 40 places to eat and drink getting involved in the action. Scare yourself silly Although it’s yet to rival scenes up and down the United States, Halloween festivities have also made their presence felt in Paris over recent years. For the whole of October in Paris, Parc Astérix turns spooky, with special shows seen at no other time of year and haunted houses to get the hair on the back of your neck standing on end. If being scared out of your wits is something you enjoy, Le Grand Rex movie theater celebrates the season with classic horror movies. Meanwhile, Paris Zoo and the Jardin des Plantes compete with one another to scare visitors with tales of mythical beasts in a family-friendly way. The Musée Gourmand Chocolat Choco-Story invites you to make your very own Halloween treats. Still not enough freaky goings on to entice you? How about visiting the Manoir Halloween Festival at the Grande Halle de la Villette? It’s 4000 square meters are given over to an immersive horror show the likes of which you’ve probably never experienced. Only enter if you dare... Take in some of October’s major events Organized by the Paris Jazz Club, the Jazz sur Seine (Jazz on the Seine) event couldn’t be any more different to the Manoir Halloween Festival. Close to 500 artists from around the globe do their best to impress at around 200 concerts spread over 25 venues. It’s well worth checking out. Jazz sur Seine’s magnificent pedigree only dates back ten years. However, the Paris Motor Show held its inaugural event in 1898, just 13 years after Carl Benz patented his gas-powered vehicle. Welcoming more than a million visitors at each biennial edition, it’s one of the most important motor shows held anywhere, with major manufacturers using it to unveil new production vehicles and debut concept cars. Save on attraction admission in October If this round up of everything taking place in Paris in October doesn’t have you reaching for the credit card to book transport and accommodation in the French capital nothing will. So don’t forget to buy your All-Inclusive or Explorer Pass at the same time! Explore with Go City and you get the benefit of discounted admission to many of Paris’s top attractions. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for more great tips and to share your latest vacation snaps!
Ian Packham
The Eiffel Tower framed by fall color
Blog

Paris in November

November might not be the first month you consider for a trip to Paris. Hear us out though – the eleventh month isn’t all doom and gloom. The fall weather may mean you have to spend more time indoors, but with a world-class selection of museums to choose between, that shouldn’t be too much of a hardship. And as visitor numbers thin out, it’s all the easier to have a tête-à-tête with the Mona Lisa or a Van Gogh self-portrait. Paris in November certainly isn’t quiet when it comes to things to do either. Two public holidays and an expansive list of – largely indoor – events are sure to keep you on your toes, whilst the latter half of the month sees Christmas slowly put its festive embrace over the City of Light. Cultural delights When it comes to museums, art lovers visiting Paris in November can rejoice at the number of first-rate galleries, or panic because of the number of first-rate galleries. A common place to start is at the Louvre. But as the second-largest gallery in the world, its 38,000 objects can be overwhelming. Just across the River Seine, the Musée d’Orsay’s works span less than 70 years. It’s no less impressive for that, containing one of the most important collections of impressionist and post-impressionist art in the world, by the hands of luminaries including Renoir, Sisley and Gauguin. To delve into the thought processes and inspiration behind Pablo Picasso’s extraordinary output there’s Paris’s National Picasso Museum. Having lived in the city for over 40 years, its mass of sketchbooks, paintings and sculptures come directly from Picasso’s heirs, having initially formed part of his own private collection. It spans a lifetime of work, from his Blue Period to his surrealist masterpieces. Embrace sunset The nights drawing in during November have their advantages. Amongst them is the ability to experience the City of Light at its most enigmatic and atmospheric – when the sun settles over the French capital and its grand monuments are artificially illuminated. The Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and Sacré-Coeur Basilica are all elegantly lit. A Hop-on Hop-off sightseeing bus tour will save your feet, and also provide a little background to the backdrop of world-famous landmarks. Towards the end of the month, visitors to Paris are also able to experience the switching on of Christmas lights in around 150 streets. The obvious place to start is probably the Champs-Élysées, where no less than a million individual bulbs are draped over the trees. Elsewhere, Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré and Avenue Montaigne are also reliable sources of festive cheer – and looming credit card limits. Check out alternatives to the high street The shopping doesn’t have to stop just because you head under cover. Some Parisians aren’t even aware of its maze of covered passageways. These decorative arcades host a fantastic array of independent stores, from jewelers to secondhand booksellers. You’ll also find a number of authentic cafés and bistros, whether you’re desperate for chocolat chaud (hot chocolate) or steak frites (steak and fries) and a glass of red wine. If the hot chocolate got you in the mood for all things cocoa based, you’re in exactly the right city. The history of how the odd-looking bean became one of the world’s most desirable crops can be discovered at The Gourmet Chocolate Museum Choco-Story. Meanwhile, the Salon du Chocolat fair at the end of the month sees five full days of chocolate-related fun. If the wines of France are more your cup of tea (to mix our metaphors), turn your attention to the city’s myriad caves (wine cellars). The third Thursday of November is the annual date set for the release of Beaujolais nouveau, and connoisseurs throughout Paris race to be the first to taste its youthful bouquet. Experience Paris on a day off ‘Beaujolais Day’ isn’t a national holiday – yet. However, Paris does have two bona fide jour fériés to prepare for in November. It begins with La Toussaint (All Saints’ Day) on the first of the month. With offices, stores and restaurants closed for the day many families pay their respects to lost loved ones. Visitors might instead make a short pilgrimage to heroes including Oscar Wilde or Jim Morrison of The Doors at Père Lachaise cemetery in the 20th arrondissement (district). The second national holiday lies ten days later on November 11. Commemorating the end of the First World War in 1918, Armistice Day focuses on the Arc de Triomphe. The French President lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier beneath the main arch. Further details of this time reveal themselves at the Musée Clemenceau, the former home of the French wartime prime minister. A giant of his day, Georges Clemenceau counted Claude Monet among his friends, and supported Alfred Dreyfus during the affair bearing his name which rocked France at the turn of the twentieth century. Get set for Christmas In addition to the arrival of its Christmas lights, Paris in November sees the appearance of many other seasonal activities more usually associated with December. Stores big and small, budget and luxury, compete against one another to have the most alluring window displays, with the large department stores renowned for going all out on the decorations. At the same time, Alsatian-style chalets start to appear in various public spaces as Paris’s Christmas markets take form. The Tuileries Garden hosts one of the largest, combining funfair rides, souvenirs and a decent supply of vin chaud (mulled wine). The La Défense district’s version welcomes an amazing 350 different stalls, alongside a large outdoor ice rink. The Grand Palais opposite the Eiffel Tower is turned into one giant indoor ice rink from around the middle of November, with music and light displays some evenings. Other outdoor rinks include those at Le Plaza Athénée and the rooftop of the Galeries Lafayette flagship store on Boulevard Haussmann. Get the most out of Paris in November Brilliant museums, dazzling night-times, wondrous foods and the start of the Christmas festivities. Is there anything that could make November in Paris any better? How about savings on admission to many of its top attractions? Explore with Go City and that’s exactly what you get!
Ian Packham

Have a 5% discount, on us!

Sign up to our newsletter and receive exclusive discounts, trip inspiration and attraction updates straight to your inbox.

Thick check Icon