Having been to Paris 3 times now, I still wouldn’t call myself a “local” or anything of that sort. However, I definitely feel like more of a seasoned visitor who actually has some hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path suggestions to share.
And I’ll let you in on a little secret: I actually hated Paris the first time I visited.🙊 Ah! I know! The horror!
Soo I wanted to share 10 unique things to do in Paris that you may not have heard of, or may have missed on your first trip to Paris! These are all things I wish I did the first time I visited that definitely would have made my experience better.
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What better way to immerse yourself in French culture than to bake a scrumptious French croissant or macaron? I took a macaron-making class with mom on my most recent trip to Paris, and it was so fun.
We learned the proper technique, got to taste test as we went, and got to take the recipe home with us!
This is a great activity to do with others, or go solo and make new friends with the other people in your class! The classes at Maison Fleuret are small, so you will get that quality interaction with the chef.
You can take a look at all their class options on Get Your Guide starting at $120 / person:
2. Take a photo at the secret photobooth in Montmartre
One of my favorite things to do, in general but especially when I travel, is get photobooth pictures! So you can imagine how stoked I was when I found one tucked away on a little street in Montmartre called Fotoautomat.
Look how cute and old-fashioned this photo strip is:
It’s definitely a unique thing to do in Paris and will give you a one-of-a-kind souvenir to take back home with you. The exact location is saved in my Google Maps list, so make sure you download that before you go!
3. Take a Seine river cruise
Taking a river cruise along the Seine is a great way to see all of the sights in Paris and learn more about the city! You’ll be able to get up close to the Eiffel Tower and find new spots of the city to explore.
You could also do a more romantic evening cruise with music and a glass of champagne. Depending on what time your boat is at, you may even get to see the Eiffel Tower sparkle…keep reading to #10 for more information on this!
Make sure you book your tickets in advance and arrive early so you can snag a seat on the top deck!
4. Explore La Galerie Dior
This one is for all of my fashion girlies or someone looking to explore Paris’ underrated museums. La Galerie Dior walks you through the history of Christian Dior, the masterpieces he created and has this insanely cool display wall organized by color when you first walk in.
I definitely recommend getting your tickets in advance; this can sell out quickly and the line to wait in person gets quite long. With tickets, you will have an assigned time slot and can walk right in when it’s your reservation time.
5. Snack on a GIANT croissant
Stop by one of Philippe Conticini’s bakeries in Paris to get your hands on the largest croissant you will ever see. They have an XL butter croissant, as well as an XL pain au chocolat (my personal favorite), and of course “regular” pastries too.
If you are really wanting to try one of the XL croissants, I would recommend placing your order online at least 2 days in advance. They do usually have one or two in stores, but it’s not always guaranteed.
6. Get dressed up and have tea at the Ritz
Instead of walking around and tiring out your feet, why don’t you enjoy tea at the Ritz Paris and feel like royalty for an afternoon?
We chose L’Impérial experience at Salon Proust and enjoyed a glass of champagne, selected a tea, and got a platter of all their pastries to try. This was such a fun, unique experience and I wish I had done it sooner!
7. Ditch the crowds and find the Louvre's secret entrance
Did you know that there are multiple entrances to the Louvre Museum? Almost everyone waits outside in this massive line to enter through the Pyramid – this is a BIG mistake!
First, make sure that you reserve your timed entry tickets online in advance, as you cannot purchase tickets at the ~secret~ entrance.
Then, you’ll want to head into the Carrousel du Louvre, a shopping mall right outside and down a level from the street. Here is a map so you can visualize how to access the entrance to save time by not waiting in line!
8. Dine at Pink Mamma
If you have not seen Pink Mamma yet all over your social media, then you are in for a treat! This is an Italian restaurant with an amazing glass rooftop that reminded me a bit of dining in a greenhouse.
Make sure to book your reservation ASAP when they open up 2 weeks in advance. I would also recommend booking for the first time slot, and showing up 15-20 minutes before they open so you can snag a table on this rooftop.
The seating is first-come, first-serve. Regardless of where you’re sat though, the food is all so delicious and vibes are immaculate.
9. Day trip to Palace of Versailles
While this might not be one of the most unique things to do in Paris, taking a day trip out to the Palace of Versailles should absolutely be on your list.
It’s located about an hour from Paris, so plan to spend at least a half day on this excursion.
Make sure you book your ticket in advance. Tickets for the earliest time slots tend to sell out quickly, but if you prefer to keep your plans more flexible you should be able to snag a later entry time closer to the date you want to go.
I recommend getting a Versailles Palace and Gardens Full Access Ticket so that you can really explore everything the palace has to offer. The Gardens alone could take you 3-4 hours just to really walk all the way through!
To visit Versailles when it’s the least busy (AKA to get the most epic pics of the Hall of Mirrors), try to go at either the earliest time slot or the latest time slot.
10. Watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night
Okay, okay, okay I know this one is a little more “basic” and maybe doesn’t fit in with the other unique things to do in Paris. However, the first time I visited, I had NO idea that the Eiffel Tower sparkled at night!
So, in case you’re like me, let me be the first to tell you the exciting news. After the sun sets, the Eiffel Tower will sparkle for 5 minutes every hour at the top of the hour!
Also, in case you didn’t realize this either – you can take an elevator up to the top of the Eiffel Tower for some amazinggg views.
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If you’re currently planning your trip to Paris, make sure to check out my full Paris Travel Guide which has even more things to do, and accommodation, dining, and transport tips. And be sure to follow me on Instagram for more Paris + travel content.
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