5 places to visit in Paris beyond the classics

October 9, 2020

Paris is one of those places that you can continue to return to and never get bored. There are places to visit in Paris that are your classics like: The Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, Arch de Triumph and so on. Yes, these should be on your list to see and visit, but there is so much more outside of those most famous places.

I like to incorporate other places throughout my Paris trip of monuments and museums. Depending on what you want your trip to look like, relaxed and slow, or busy and fast you can always find time to visit these places while in Paris.

My top 5 places to visit in Paris are:

Montmartre

Located in the 18^th Arrondissement, it is a beautiful place to visit in Paris and wander around for any length of time. It is home to artists and you will find street artists wanting to draw you (you only have to say “non, merci”, for them to leave you alone) if you do want to have this experience make sure you agree on a price first.

Head over to the Sacre Coeur Basilica and go inside for free. Pay a nominal fee to go up to the top of the basilica for a birds eye view of Paris. There is no lift, so you need to be prepared to walk the 300 steps up.

You also have a great view of Paris at the lookout in front of the basilica. You can climb the stairs, take the funicular, or walk up the back streets to get to the top of this area. This is one of the most hilly areas in Paris so take your time walking. Explore the shops, enjoy some food at some of the wonderful restaurants, and discover the beautiful streets behind the basilica.

Do be aware of the scams in this area, mostly on the steps up to the lookout. They will block your way and try and put on a “friendship” bracelet and scam you by making you pay for it once it’s on. They can be aggressive, but I will usually joke with them tell them I know what they are up to and move past them while saying no. I find approaching them this way defuses the situation quickly without getting annoyed, but don’t be afraid to use more force if you feel the situation needs it.

Galleries Lafayette

Even if you are not looking to buy anything, there are two things that are reasons enough to visit this place in Paris.

The stunning architecture will blow you away. Having a shopping mall inside such a beautiful building is something that you will not experience in many places.
The free rooftop lookout and views of Paris and the Eiffel Tower. Head up to the 7th floor terrace and taken in the views. During the spring, fall and winter, you will be able to watch the sunset from up here as well, since the sun sets within the hours of the mall.
The other thing I Love about this shopping mall is the 6^thfloor. This is where you will find souvenirs to purchase. Yes, you can find souvenirs a dime a dozen all over Paris, but the ones on this floor are beautiful and different from what you will find elsewhere. They are items that you actually want to purchase to remember your time in Paris.

Flea markets

Exploring one of the many flea markets in Paris is one of the coolest places to visit in Paris. You don’t have to spend all day looking around plus they only happen on certain days of the week, but the unique to you treasures you can find at these places is something worth bringing home.

Negotiate the prices, watch out for pickpockets and look for gems you won’t find anywhere else. Check out these useful articles on the flea markets in Paris that include the days, times and information. Navigating Paris’ Best Flea Markets and Paris Flea Markets Hints & Tips.

Les deux Magots

Located right on a corner of the wonderful Saint Germain area of Paris, Les deus Magots is a must place to visit while in Paris. Since 1885 it has been the café to be at in Parisian culture with the likes of Picasso, Hemingway, Elsa Triolet and Andre Breton.

Make sure you hold out for a table outside so you can people watch and watch life go by in this busy area. This café is not the cheapest in town, but I usually only come here for one thing…the hot chocolate. It is more like drinking chocolate, as it comes in a pot and it pours out like liquid chocolate. The perfect rest stop from all your walking.

Gosselin Boulangerie

This Boulangerie (bakery) is not too far from Les duex Magots, but is definitely one of the best places to visit in Paris for pastries. Not only does it have a wonderful selection of things to eat, but the prices are fantastic. You also know you are in for some delicious delights when you find out that Les deux Margot uses their products for their menu items, but they charge about 3-4 times the price!

So skip the pastries at Les duex Magots and head over to Gosselin to pick up some things for a picnic, to save for later, or to just eat on the go (oh the Parisians would hate that! Ha)

When you plan your trip to France, make sure you include these places to visit in Paris on your itinerary, you won’t regret it. To find more things to do in France, make sure you check out what I recommend in this article.

One of the best things we can do now is plan for a future trip. There is nothing better than for something to look forward to. If you want help on how to plan your own trip, make sure you download your free Vacation Blueprint Starter Kit that shows you how I plan all my trips.