10 Most Fun And Unique Things to Do in Paris

Paris is incredible, no doubt about it. But—how many times can you stare at the Eiffel Tower or elbow your way through the Louvre before it starts feeling a little… predictable? Don’t get me wrong, seeing the Mona Lisa is cool and all, but if you blink, you might miss it.

And if you’ve ever tried to get a peaceful moment at the top Paris attractions, you know the struggle is real.

If you’re searching for unique things to do in Paris, well, you’re in for a treat. The good news is that Paris has layers. There’s a whole world beyond the crowded museums and postcard spots, just waiting to be explored. Secret cocktail bars hidden behind laundromats, an underground tunnel system stacked with actual human bones, a restaurant where you eat in complete darkness—yeah, Paris has a few tricks up its sleeve.

Some of these places are weird, some are kind of eerie, and some will make you wonder how you’ve never heard of them before. But one thing’s for sure: they’ll make your trip unforgettable.

1. Explore the Underground Catacombs (If You Dare)

A few feet beneath Paris, there’s a whole other world that most people never think about—one filled with millions of bones stacked neatly in eerie tunnels. The Catacombs of Paris are one of the city’s most bizarre attractions, and stepping inside feels like entering a horror movie set, minus the bad acting.

Back in the 18th century, Paris ran out of space for its dead, so the solution was… well, this. Human remains from overcrowded cemeteries were moved underground, creating a maze of tunnels lined with skulls and femurs.

Now, you can walk through this underground cemetery, staring at centuries of history stacked up like a really unsettling art installation. It’s creepy, fascinating, and strangely beautiful in a way that makes you rethink everything you know about Paris. Just don’t wander off—some areas are still completely uncharted, and getting lost down there would not be ideal.

2. Eat Dinner in Complete Darkness

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to eat dinner without actually seeing what you’re eating? At Dans le Noir?, that’s exactly what happens. The entire restaurant is pitch black, meaning you’re relying purely on taste, smell, and touch to figure out what you’re eating. No phones, no distractions—just you, your senses, and a surprise menu that might totally blow your mind.

The staff, many of whom are visually impaired, guide you through the experience, and you will never realize how much you rely on sight until you have to figure out where your fork even is. The fun part is that you don’t get to choose your meal in the traditional sense—there’s a surprise menu, and you’ll have to guess what’s on your plate based on taste alone.

It’s weird, exciting, and honestly, kind of hilarious when you realize you’ve been eating something completely different than what you thought.

3. Grab Cocktails in a “Laundromat”

Paris has its fair share of cocktail bars, but Lavomatic takes the whole speakeasy thing to another level. From the outside, it looks like a tiny laundromat—washing machines, detergent, the whole deal. But push the right button, and a hidden door opens up to reveal a cozy, colorful cocktail bar where the drinks are just as creative as the entrance.

This spot is tiny but packed with personality, with swings instead of bar stools and drinks featuring unexpected flavors like black sesame and yuzu.

It’s the perfect place to escape the typical tourist bars and sip something unique—because let’s be real, a speakeasy hidden behind a laundromat just feels cooler than a regular bar.

4. Walk Along an Abandoned Railway Track

Paris is famous for its grand boulevards, stylish cafés, and pretty streets where everyone seems to have a baguette in one hand and a little dog in the other.

But tucked away behind the city’s polished facade is something completely different—a forgotten railway line that’s slowly being swallowed up by nature. La Petite Ceinture, which literally means, “The Little Belt” is one of the coolest, most offbeat things to do in Paris, and honestly, most visitors don’t even know it exists.

This railway used to loop all the way around the city back in the 19th century. But when the Metro system showed up and stole the spotlight, the trains stopped running, and the tracks were left to rust and fade. Fast forward a few decades, and now parts of the line have been transformed into a walking path, overgrown jungle-meets-graffiti-gallery sort of way.

And because this is Paris, you’ll probably pass a few Parisians casually jogging or walking their dogs like it’s the most normal thing in the world to exercise on an abandoned railway line.

5. Visit the Weirdest Museum in Paris

When you think of museums in Paris, you probably picture beautiful paintings, ancient sculptures, or grand historical artifacts. But the Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature (Museum of Hunting and Nature) is not your typical museum—oh no, this place takes “offbeat” to a whole new level.

This place is part art gallery, part natural history museum, part “what is this doing here?”, it’s the kind of place that makes you raise your eyebrows and ask, “Am I in a movie set?”

The first thing you’ll notice when you walk in is how totally unexpected it all feels. The walls are decorated with ancient hunting trophies—mounted heads of deer to wild boars. And if that doesn’t give you the chills, wait until you spot a massive, stuffed bear looming in one of the rooms, its glassy eyes so lifelike you’d expect it to suddenly come to life and start growling at you.

There’s a certain creepiness to it all, but it also feels like you’re stepping into someone’s bizarrely fascinating private collection of oddities.

6. Find the “Other” Statue of Liberty

Everyone knows about the Statue of Liberty in New York, but did you know Paris has its very own version? While the giant copper statue in the States is world-famous, there’s a mini version sitting proudly in Paris.

There are a few replicas scattered around the city, but the most well-known is on Île aux Cygnes, a little island right in the middle of the Seine.

Now, you’re probably wondering why Paris has its own Lady Liberty. Well, it all goes back to the 19th century when the American community in Paris decided to gift the French their own Statue of Liberty. It stands at a mere 1/4 the size of the iconic New York statue, but still, it’s hard to miss when you’re walking along the river.

What makes this statue especially fun is that it’s not swarming with tourists, so you can actually get up close, snap a few pics, and enjoy the view without a crowd of selfie sticks in your face. While everyone else is scrambling to get that perfect Eiffel Tower shot, you’ll be hanging out with Lady Liberty, enjoying a completely different perspective of Paris.

7. Step Into a Time Machine at the Old Covered Passageways

Long before shopping malls were a thing, Paris had covered passages—hidden walkways where the city’s elite strolled, shopped, and gossiped away from the rain. Today, they’re like little time capsules hidden in modern streets, and each one offers a glimpse into a more elegant (and honestly, way cooler) era.

Some of these passageways have been restored to their former glory, while others have that worn-in feel, like they’ve been waiting for you to stumble upon them. You have Passage des Panoramas, which is a vintage lover’s dream and packed with offbeat bookstores, stamp collectors’ shops, and old-school bistros.

Then there’s Galerie Vivienne, an absolute stunner with mosaic floors, glass ceilings, and antique storefronts that make you want to dress in 19th-century fashion just for the vibe.

The best part is that there are hardly any tourists. While the rest of Paris crowds around souvenir shops, you can casually sip a cappuccino in one of these quiet corners and enjoy the old-world atmosphere.

8. Watch a Silent Film with Live Piano Music

Paris is a city that knows how to keep its history alive, and nowhere is that more obvious than at Le Balzac, a tiny independent cinema that feels like it’s from the early 20th century.

This isn’t just any random movie theater—it’s one of the few places where you can still watch silent films with live piano accompaniment, just like audiences did a hundred years ago. Instead of surround sound and CGI explosions, the entire experience is driven by music, atmosphere, and the raw emotion of classic storytelling.

The moment you step inside, it’s like entering a different world. It’s a completely immersive experience, one that makes you appreciate the artistry of silent films in a way you never could by just watching them at home.

Even if you’ve never watched a silent movie in your life, this is worth doing just for the sheer novelty of it. It’s truly mesmerizing seeing a black-and-white film flicker across the screen while a pianist creates the entire soundtrack in real time.

It’s an art form that has mostly disappeared, but here in Paris, it’s alive and well. Plus, this beats mindlessly scrolling through Netflix for an hour before rewatching the same show you’ve already seen ten times.

9. Explore a Real Vineyard in Montmartre

Montmartre is known for its artistic soul—think bohemian cafés, winding streets, and the kind of creative energy that once attracted legends like Picasso and Van Gogh. But what most people don’t realize is that tucked between the gorgeous townhouses and buzzing squares, there’s an actual working vineyard.

Clos Montmartre is one of the city’s best-kept secrets, a tiny patch of vines producing a small but mighty batch of Parisian wine every year.

It almost feels like a glitch in the matrix—how does a vineyard even exist in the middle of Paris? Well, it dates back to the 1930s when the city decided to revive winemaking in Montmartre. The result is this perfectly hidden little haven and the wine bottles are decorated with labels designed by local artists.

Here’s the catch: you can’t just stroll in for a tasting whenever you feel like it. The vineyard is typically closed to the public, which only adds to its air of mystery. But if you time your trip right and visit in October, you’ll get to witness the Fête des Vendanges de Montmartre—a harvest festival celebrating the vineyard’s annual wine production.

The entire neighborhood turns into one big party, with parades, food stalls, concerts, and of course, plenty of wine tasting. It’s an experience that makes you feel like you’ve been let in on a secret side of Paris.

10. Visit an Artist’s Squat-Turned-Gallery

For a dose of pure creative chaos, you can head to 59 Rivoli, it’s an abandoned building-turned-artists’ haven that has become one of the most electric cultural spaces in Paris. Back in the ‘90s, this place was just another empty building in the heart of the city—until a group of artists decided to claim it as their own.

What started as an illegal squat quickly transformed into an explosion of artistic energy, with every inch of the space covered in murals, paintings, and graffiti. Instead of shutting it down, the city eventually embraced the project, and now 59 Rivoli is a legal, thriving hub for contemporary art.

The building itself is a masterpiece in organized chaos. The moment you step inside, you’re hit with an overwhelming mix of colors, textures, and raw creativity. Every floor is home to a different studio, where painters, sculptors, and mixed-media artists work in real time.

Unlike traditional galleries where you quietly stare at art on a wall, here you can actually talk to the artists, ask about their process, and watch as their work evolves right in front of you. Some of the art is bizarre, some of it is political, and some of it is just straight-up mesmerizing.

The best part is that the space is constantly changing. No two visits to 59 Rivoli are ever the same because artists come and go, and new works are always being created. One week, you might see a giant surrealist mural taking shape, and the next, a live performance piece unfolding in the middle of a studio.

If you’re even remotely interested in creativity, self-expression, or just stepping into a space that feels totally alive, this is one stop you won’t want to miss.

Final Thoughts

This isn’t the Paris of cliché travel guides or overdone bucket lists. It’s a city filled with hidden stories, secret spots, and unexpected experiences that most people walk right past. If you’ve ever felt like there had to be more to Paris than endless museum lines and the same postcard views, you were absolutely right.

Paris isn’t just about what’s on the surface. It’s a city that rewards curiosity, that surprises you when you least expect it. The deeper you dig, the more you find—offbeat, haunting, surreal, and beautiful all at once. The most unique things to do in Paris aren’t always in plain sight—but that’s what makes them unforgettable.