Beyond the Eiffel Tower: Paris’ Best Hidden Corners

From Champagne cruises to sweet treats, let Paris surprise you beyond the Eiffel Tower.

Published: April 9, 2026
The Eiffel Tower

So you’re headed to the Eiffel Tower—perhaps Paris’ most recognized landmark and the backdrop of about a million holiday photos. But what if we told you the real Parisian adventure starts after you’ve admired the Iron Lady? All around the Eiffel Tower you’ll find leafy promenades, stylish museums, lively gardens, places for jaw-dropping city views, and food that’ll have you swooning mid-bite. The best part? You can fill your day with culture, treats, and sparkle without ever straying far from those iconic latticework legs. Ready to plan the ultimate Eiffel Tower neighborhood experience? Let’s do it! 

Our favorite things to do near the Eiffel Tower include: 

  • Bateaux Parisiens River Cruise 
  • Musée d'Orsay 
  • Champ de Mars 
  • Rue Cler Market Street 
  • Les Caves du Louvre 
  • Trocadéro Gardens 
  • Paradox Museum Paris 
  • La Fontaine de Mars (Restaurant) 

Bateaux Parisiens River Cruise: Set Sail in the Shadow of the Tower 

Just footsteps from the tower, you’ll find the elegant glass-topped boats of Bateaux Parisiens waiting to introduce you to the city’s best angle: from the water. Why is this river cruise so special? You get those jaw-dropping Eiffel Tower views you can only get from the Seine, plus a relaxing ride past world-famous sights—Louvre, Notre Dame, bridges with gold-tipped statues—all narrated with fun stories along the way. 

We love the festive atmosphere: some cruises offer bubbly, and everyone onboard is in vacation mode. Whether you pick a daytime journey for bright city vibes or a night cruise when the monuments start sparkling, you’re in for a real Paris moment. Don’t worry about weather—winter boats are cozy behind big glass windows, and in summer, the breeze feels dreamy out on deck. Bateaux Parisiens is our favorite for making first-timers feel like locals, not just sightseers. 

Musée d'Orsay: Impressionist Art in a Belle Époque Setting 

Hop across the river (it’s a beautiful walk!) and you’re at Musée d'Orsay, housed in a grand former train station. It’s impossible not to fall for this light-filled museum filled with famous impressionist masterpieces—think Monet, Degas, Van Gogh, and Morisot. 

We’re huge fans of the spacious galleries (goodbye, museum fatigue), soaring glass ceilings, and the view across the Seine through that giant clock face. Whether you’re an art buff or not, Orsay’s collection feels fresh and lively, with paintings that seem to dance off the walls and stunning Art Nouveau furniture. The in-house café, tucked behind the giant clock, serves up coffee and cakes with a pinch-me view. Trust us, Musée d’Orsay makes you feel like you’ve been let in on a brilliant Paris secret. 

Champ de Mars: Picnics, Playgrounds, and That Classic View

Champ de Mars

Every visitor comes for the Eiffel Tower photos, but locals love Champ de Mars as their neighborhood backyard—and after five minutes here, you’ll see why. This vast green expanse stretches from the Tower’s feet all the way toward École Militaire, offering postcard-perfect views, tree-shaded paths, and roomy lawns perfect for a slow afternoon picnic. 

For families, there’s an epic playground (plus a carousel and pony rides), and in spring and summer, the park becomes a hive of kite-flyers, sunbathers, and students cramming for exams out in the grass. Go at sunset, when the tower starts to glow (and twinkle on the hour after nightfall), and you’ll see friends toasting with rosé, lovers with cheese platters, and children playing hide-and-seek between plane trees. Simple, fun, and fabulously French. 

Rue Cler Market Street: Parisian Foodie Paradise 

Walk a few leafy blocks and you’ll stumble onto Rue Cler, a bustling pedestrian street that’s foodie heaven. Why does Rue Cler make us swoon? Each shop specializes in just one thing—produce, cheese, chocolate, baked wonders, or plump rotisserie chickens. Stroll and sample as you go: strawberries in spring, pungent Comté cheese, or croissants that melt on your tongue. 

The vibe is easygoing and authentically Parisian. Pull up a chair at a café terrace with a café crème (people-watching is mandatory) or fill a bag with picnic supplies for Champ de Mars. Locals love Davoli for cured meats, A La Mère de Famille for candy, and L’Eclair for, you guessed it, eclairs. Don’t overthink it—Rue Cler is about slowing down and snacking your way through Paris’ tastiest traditions. 

Les Caves du Louvre: Sip Like a Parisian 

Just a stroll from the tower, Les Caves du Louvre welcomes you to a world of Parisian wine discovery, all tucked beneath centuries-old stone arches. What makes this tasting experience shine? Not only do sommeliers guide you through (often in English), but each room is interactive—smell, touch, and listen your way through French winemaking culture. 

You’ll sample several fantastic wines, all paired with fun stories about the vineyards and families behind them. There’s a sense of adventure and play here—wine for all levels, no snobbery allowed. At the end, head to the tasting bar to put your new-found knowledge to the test or create a personalized blend in one of their workshops. Sipping wine in candle-lit cellars makes you feel like you’ve joined a secret Parisian club. 

Trocadéro Gardens: Grand Vistas and Photo Ops 

You’ve seen those extended balconies facing the Eiffel Tower on every postcard, right? Welcome to the Trocadéro Gardens. Cross the Seine, and you’ll find wide fountains, rising terraces, and the hands-down best panorama of the iron lady herself. Locals and savvy travelers come for sunrise spots, wedding shoots, and that golden hour when the tower gleams. The gardens have something for everyone: formal flower beds, fish ponds, the quirky Musée de l’Homme, and plenty of benches for people-watching.

We particularly love early morning, when street artists set up easels and Parisians walk their dogs. Grab a coffee from a nearby kiosk and enjoy the calm before the selfie-stick crowds arrive—or visit at night for arguably the prettiest Eiffel Tower light show in town. If you chase a different view, the Trocadéro always delivers.

Paradox Museum Paris: Mind-Bending Fun for All Ages

Child Looking at Mirror Illusion

Just a hop from the tower, the Paradox Museum is truly a unique Parisian experience—perfect for families and curious minds. Here, science and optical illusions meet full-on fun, with rooms and installations designed to mess with your mind (in a good way). 

Step into a world where up feels like down and nothing is quite as it seems: walk through upside-down rooms, snap wild photos with interactive illusions, and puzzle over quirky science displays. Staff members love helping guests pose for outrageously fun pictures, and there’s something engaging at every turn, whatever your age. We can’t think of a better rainy-day escape that leaves everyone smiling and slightly astonished. 

La Fontaine de Mars: Classic Parisian Dining, Just Steps Away 

If you want a memorable meal near the Eiffel Tower, La Fontaine de Mars checks every box. This family-run bistro on Rue Saint-Dominique serves classic French comfort food in a cozy dining room lined with red gingham and vintage mirrors. The confit de canard is a local legend—crispy, golden duck with potato gratin—or try the cassoulet for a hearty feast. Finish with profiteroles swimming in warm chocolate sauce, and pair your meal with regional wines the staff can expertly recommend.

What makes La Fontaine de Mars truly stand out is its timeless charm. Meals feel intimate and friendly, with waiters providing warm, unrushed service. Opt for a table outdoors if the weather cooperates—the terrace, shaded by chestnut trees, hums with effortless Parisian energy. Dining here is slow and satisfying, a meal you’ll remember as much for the laughter as for the perfect sauce—a quintessential Paris experience.

 

There you have it—an array of unbeatable things to do near the Eiffel Tower that turn your visit into a true Paris adventure. Whether you’re into art, food, gardens, global culture, or simply soaking up the city one café crème at a time, this neighborhood won’t let you down. Get ready to explore, snack, sip, and see Paris from every angle! 

Enjoyed this? Check out Eiffel Tower vs. Arc de Triomphe or Things to Do with Friends in Paris  

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A couple share a kiss beneath the falling leaves of the Jardin de Luxembourg
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Visiting Paris in September

Paris in September is synonymous with la rentrée – the return of Parisians who have spent the summer on the shores of the French Riviera. For visitors, their return brings an added sense of authenticity to streets still warm enough to want to be out in. Also heralding the beginning of fall, the city’s parks and gardens become a blaze of oranges and reds with the turning of the leaves. But if that wasn’t enough, Paris in September hosts a myriad of events casting a new light over the City of Light. Ready to discover Paris as summer turns to fall? Don’t miss your chance to visit in September! September in Paris Daytime temperatures of over 20°C make getting out and about in Paris a joy in September, with light, quickly moving showers the only fly in the ointment. In short, September is perfect weather for being on the water. Few are able to resist the allure of a River Seine cruise at any time of day, although sunset remains a firm favorite with us. Evening temperatures linger around 13°C, meaning you’ll probably want a sweater to keep the chill at bay. You can also take advantage of the great weather to delve into the side streets of the Montparnasse neighborhood on foot. Lying just a short distance from many of Paris’s world-famous landmarks, the area has long been the bastion of the city’s café culture and intellectual conversation. Notable fans of the area have included Hemingway, Dali and Jean-Paul Sartre, who’s buried in the cemetery which dominates as much as the Tour Montparnasse – the only skyscraper in the Paris city limits. Outdoor adventures Equally impressive are the large-scale sculptures that appear in the La Défense district and the gardens of La Seine Musicale performing arts center at this time of year, creating an outdoor exhibition space with few challengers. When it comes to outdoor public spaces, the Bois de Boulogne is rarely absent from the conversation for long. It’s 2000-plus acres incorporate several individual parks and gardens, as well as September’s Fête à Neuneu. Instigated by no less a figure than Napoleon Bonaparte as Emperor of France in 1815, it’s a funfair filled to bursting with traditional rides and candy floss stalls. The festivals in fact come thick and fast, with the Fête des Jardins (Garden Festival) weekend hot on its heels. Though lasting just two days, it sees parks across the city holding special events. They include live bands, food stalls and guided tours. All are put together to help visitors get the most out of the city’s 150 public green spaces. Indoor marvels With such an array of history on display, you wouldn’t think Paris would be in need of its European Heritage Days. However, this September weekend grants visitors free access to many of Paris’s museums, alongside attractions usually off-limits to the general public. The Élysée Palace, official residence of the French President, behind the scenes areas of the Paris Metro and Hôtel Drouot – an auction house equivalent to Sotheby’s – have all opened their usually closed doors for previous editions. Attractions reopening their doors – this time after the summer hiatus – are the shows that provide entertainment late into the night, including those of the cabaret clubs of Montmartre and Paris’s two main opera houses, the Palais Garnier and Opera Bastille. Get your lips tingling and toes tapping You certainly don’t have to be an opera buff to enjoy a night out in the French capital. To start with, there is no shortage of rooftop bars, still very much usable spaces thanks to the sunny weather of Paris in September. Combine a little panoramic sightseeing with a classic cocktail at the likes of Bar le Perchoir for views of the Sacré-Coeur and Le Georges atop the Pompidou Center for vistas taking in much of the city from seven stories up. Always a focal point for those of a musical bent, with structures including the Paris Philharmonic Hall and the Zenith and Trabendo live music venues, Parc la Villette takes on extra significance in September when it hosts Jazz à la Villette and the Jazz for Kids mini-festival. EDM lovers are also catered for, with the one-day Techno Parade taking over streets in the heart of Paris. Attracting audiences numbering north of a quarter of a million people, the good-time atmosphere sees DJs play a long list of crowd favorites from decks situated on slowly moving floats. Admire the latest trends One of the most stylish cities around, design can be seen everywhere from the Pompidou Center to the fashion shows of the Galeries Lafayette department store. If a single event brings together that je ne sais quoi of apparently-effortless Paris style it’s the city’s Design Week in the first half of September. Schools, workshops and studios all show off their latest collections in an event that could well see you rubbing shoulders with a buyer from any of Europe’s high-end stores. The end of the month also sees the year’s second installment of Fashion Week, with venues across the city turned over to brands big and small. Landmarks are always keen to get involved with the Paris Autumn Festival too. It begins in September and runs through the rest of the year with dance, variety performances and film screenings all part of the program. Save on September Paris attraction admission Is September a good time to visit Paris? We have little difficulty in saying it is. There’s a huge range of events to look forward to and weather conditions which most parts of the world would die for at the beginning of fall. Whether you plan to spend your days scouring the backstreets of Montmartre or delving headlong into the collections of the Paris museums, exploring with Go City will help you keep costs under control. Our pre-paid passes give those visiting Paris in September substantial savings on admission to a long list of major attractions.
Ian Packham
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Things to do in Paris in June

As summer reaches the French capital, Paris seems to emit a sigh of satisfaction. World famous landmarks like Montmartre’s Sacré-Coeur Basilica gleam in the early summer sun. Restaurant terraces are fiercely fought over, and the city’s parks and gardens take on a light carpeting of picnicking friends and couples. But if that isn’t enough incentive to head to Paris in June, there’s also plenty to keep you entertained. As well as the museums and galleries you can visit at any time of year, there are a wealth of one-of-a-kind events. The French Open tennis tournament and pride celebrations are just two. All of which begs the question, where do you even begin in Paris in June? What to do on your first day in Paris in June Why not start as you mean to go on? You’re on vacation after all! Get your first view of Paris’s glorious array of landmark attractions by gliding past them from the water. In just 60 minutes, River Seine cruises cover hundreds of years of history. Sailing through an area so important it’s one of only 1000 UNESCO World Heritage Sites globally, you’ll travel from the gothic gargoyles of Notre Dame Cathedral to the reasons behind the construction of the Eiffel Tower in 1889. For a bird’s eye view that includes Gustave Eiffel’s ‘Iron Lady’, there’s only one place to head, and that’s the Tour Montparnasse (Montparnasse Tower). The city’s only skyscraper, its 56th story is given over to a panoramic deck with 360° views, reached in less than 40 seconds with Europe’s fastest elevator. Outdoor terraces aren’t difficult to find at lower levels, although the very best see their tables fill up quickly each lunchtime and at the end of the working day. Frankly, it’s no wonder given the warm early evening air and cityscapes people literally travel thousands of miles to witness for themselves. Go al fresco Whilst craft beers are making increasing inroads with trend-conscious Parisians, for the most part it’s wine that remains the tipple of choice. It’s not uncommon to see residents enjoying a glass of red or white wine over a lazy lunch. But for that extra special element of holiday cheer it’s tough to beat the offerings of restaurant Au Cadet de Gascogne. Take their menu’s Champagne Gaumond option and you can enjoy a glass of bubbly and a smattering of French pastries in Place du Tertre in the heart of Montmartre. It's the streets of Paris’s ‘golden triangle’ – an unofficial district formed by the Champs-Elysées, Avenue George V and Avenue Montaigne – that takes the crown for many seeking out Paris’s legendary style. The end of June sees even its luxury brands slashing prices in the summer sales. Bask in Paris’s open spaces Lining the Seine’s rive droite (right bank) on the city’s western extremity is the immense Bois de Boulogne. Gifted to the people of the city by Napoleon III, it’s one of the city’s biggest parks. Amongst its over 2000 acres are gardens, greenhouses and even a zoo. However, in Paris in June attention turns to the southern side of the park, and Roland Garros, home to the French Open tennis championship. The year’s premier clay court competition, it’s possible to encourage on the year’s favorites and underdogs with a ground pass, giving access to practice courts and big screen displays. It’s the silver screen which features most prominently during June’s Champs-Élysées Film Festival. Movie theatres along arguably France’s most famous thoroughfare début a mix of American independent and French cinema. The most colorful event of the year – Paris Pride – is also a stalwart of Paris in June. Also known as the Marche des Fiertés LGBT, this parade sets off from the Tour Montparnasse and ends on the opposite bank of the Seine at the Place de la Bastille. Here the good-natured crowds disperse amidst the streets of La Marais – the city’s de facto LGBTQ+ district. Absorb a little culture Should you miss Pride, you can instead wander the sun-filled streets of the fifth arrondissement with a guide-led Latin Quarter selfie tour. One of the most picturesque areas of the city – and that’s saying something – you’ll be able to grab Instagrammable images at the Panthéon and Shakespeare and Company – perhaps the world’s most famous bookshop. Home to a number of family-friendly museums, there are some collections that just shouldn’t be missed from a June Paris itinerary. It’s the Louvre that grabs most of the headlines, but it’s the Musée d’Orsay that contains some of French art's most celebrated works, from Cézanne to Toulouse-Lautrec. American visitors – and Mr. Bean fans – should keep a look out for Arrangement in Grey and Black, better known as Whistler’s Mother. On the outskirts of Paris, June also sees theme park Parc Asterix open up for its lively summer season. A blend of adrenaline-inducing rollercoasters and child-friendly rides, this rival to Disneyland Paris has been celebrating the comic book antics of Asterix the Gaul since 1989. Celebrate summer in style Keen to not let a single annual event pass without celebration, the summer solstice on June 21 is marked with the Fête de la Musique. Public spaces become stages for incredible amateur and professional musical talent, with few visitors able to resist the allure of the beat. Ideally suited to fitting into a tight schedule of things to do in Paris in June is the La Défense Jazz Festival. Concerts usually take place over lunchtime and then again in the early evening, giving you plenty of time to admire the area’s other delights, including the views from the Grande Arche. Combining rock music with concerns for the environment, the We Love Green festival takes place in the Bois de Vincennes at around the same time. Lasting just three days, this is one of Paris’s top festivals, featuring huge names in rock. As a result, tickets sell out long before summer kicks off. Making the most of your vacation budget With so much to do in Paris in June, how do you keep a tight rein on your vacation budget? One way is to uncover the glories of the French capital with Go City. Our pre-pay passes have been designed with discounts to major Paris attractions in mind, without taking away the flexibility you value as a traveler!
Ian Packham

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