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With so many tourist attractions in Paris, it can be hard to choose which one you’ll visit on your next trip to the capital. There are the obvious choices like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre or the Arc du Triomphe which are the best landmarks in Paris. However in this article, we’ll introduce you to unusual local spots in Paris that have somehow become tourist attractions. Parisians might scratch their heads at why hoards of people visit these places but read on to find out why places like a French parapharmacy, a jazz bar, and even a hospital have made it on this list! Our article also includes all the practical information you need plus INSIDR Tips to help you plan your visits!
For the more conventional attractions in Paris, consult with our Paris Attractions Guide which lists all of the top attractions that travelers must-visit in the city, especially for first-time travelers!
1. A French Pharmacy – Citypharma
Why it’s a tourist attraction in Paris
While visiting a pharmacy might seem like the last thing you want to do during a holiday, it has actually made it on the Paris check-list of many travellers from overseas. This is all thanks to the rise in popularity of French skincare, cosmetics, and fragrance brands that produce quality products at very affordable prices. We can easily think of at least 20 skincare products to buy in France that follow the French beauty routine!
As soon as you arrive in Paris, you’ll see a French pharmacy at almost every corner but not all of them have the magnetic pull like Citypharma does. Citypharma has become a go-to spot for both locals and tourists for various reasons: the constantly discounted prices, their wide range of skincare, cosmetics and fragrance brands, their accessible locations all over the city! And because more and more foreign travellers come, Citypharma even has a number of highly knowledgeable staff who also speak English, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Portuguese, and Russian.
Unlike other places, Citypharma really puts French brands on the forefront by finding the best new ones in the market and introducing them to a larger audience. Their parapharmacies stock everything from hypoallergenic makeup by La Roche Posay, to vitamin-rich skincare from Darphin. They are located in the most central neighborhoods in Paris — Saint-Germain des Près. And don’t forget to bring your passport when you shop here because Citypharma provides tax refund facilities for purchases over 175€.
Citypharma
Address: 26 Rue du Four – Corner 49 Rue Bonaparte, 75006 Paris
Schedule: 8:30am-9pm Mon-Fri; 9am-9pm Sat
2. An intimate Parisian jazz bar – Duc des Lombards
Why it’s a tourist attraction in Paris
Duc des Lombards actually isn’t just a tourist attraction in Paris. In a city where there is an endless pool of activities to choose from, this jazz bar in the heart of the 1st arrondissement is considered an institution. This long-running jazz club draws in travellers from all over the world to experience quality entertainment in an intimate setting. Unlike Paris’ large concert halls and stadiums, you get to sit right in front of your favorite jazz musicians and enjoy the magic of live music being played. Duc des Lombards’ selection of performers isn’t limited to only American or French musicians but widely successful jazz musicians from almost every corner of the world!
The venue is cozy and perfect for some nibbles like charcuterie and cheese that go down great with their selection of organic French wine. As Duc des Lombards is in the center of Paris, it’s a great stop for either an apéro before dinner or an after-dinner drink. In fact, they have jam sessions from 11:30pm on Friday and Saturday nights that don’t require pre-booking of tickets! This small venue in the heart of Paris is exactly ideal for spending a relaxed yet fun evening in the city. Ask anyone about jazz in the city and Duc des Lombards will be the first place they’ll recommend!
INSIDR Tip:
Duc des Lombards puts on 2 shows every night with a rotating roster of jazz musicians from all over the world. The first show starts at 7:30pm and the second one at 9:45pm. To have the best experience possible, b ook through INSIDR for a discounted rate and priority seating in the club!
Duc des Lombards
Address: 42 Rue des Lombards, 75001 Paris
Schedule: 7:00pm – 11:30pm Mondays to Thursdays; 7:00pm – 3:30am Fridays – Saturdays; closed on Sundays
Duc des Lombards official website
3. A cemetery – Père Lachaise
Why it’s a tourist attraction in Paris
One of the more unusual tourist attractions in Paris is Père Lachaise Cemetery. The cemetery is built on a hillside in the eastern part of Paris. Here, you can visit the final resting place of historical figures in arts, music and literature such as Oscar Wilde, Édith Piaf, Jim Morrison, and Marcel Proust. In fact, you’ll always find the tombstones of these famous figures covered in flowers, cards, and letters from fans who’ve made it a point during their trip in Paris to pay respects to their idols. Apart from that, Père Lachaise has actually a very lush green environment. It’s pretty relaxing to spend a couple hours wandering around between the trees and headstones.
Père Lachaise Cemetery
Address: 8 Boulevard de Ménilmontant, 75020 Paris
Schedule: Monday to Friday 8am-6pm, Saturday 8:30am-6pm, Sunday 9am to 6pm.
Père Lachaise official website
INSIDR Tip:
Another one of the spooky tourist attractions in Paris is Montparnasse Cemetery. Although smaller than Père Lachaise, Montparnasse is home to some of the most famous names in French history. Serge Gainsbourg, Jean Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir are all buried here.
Montparnasse Cemetery
Address: 3 Boulevard Edgar Quinet, 75014 Paris
Schedule: Monday to Friday 8am-6pm, Saturday 8:30am-6pm, Sunday 9am to 6pm.
Montparnasse official website
4. A library – Bibliothèque Sainte-Genevieve
Why it’s a tourist attraction in Paris
Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève is likely one of the best tourist attractions in Paris for lovers of fine architecture. While the exterior of the library is quite plain, inside you’ll find a grand hall filled with over two million books and documents. It has been described as one of the greatest cultural buildings of the 19th century. The library was built by architect Henri Labrouste and was completed in 1850. Best of all, entry to Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève is free!
Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève
Address: 10 Place du Panthéon, 75005 Paris
Schedule: 10am-10pm, Monday to Saturday
Bibliothèque Sainte-Genevieve official website
INSIDR Tip:
For even more literary tourist attractions in Paris, check out the Bibliothèque Francois Mitterand. This library is the national repository of French publications and houses an extensive collection of historical texts. Their manuscripts department even has the largest collection of medieval and modern manuscripts in the world. Entry is 3,90€.
Bibliothèque Francois Mitterand
Address: Quai François Mauriac, 75706 Paris
Schedule: Monday 2pm-8pm, Tuesday-Saturday 9am-8pm, Sunday 1pm-7pm.
Bibliothèque Francois Mitterand official website
5. A hospital – Hôpital Saint-Louis
Why it’s a tourist attraction in Paris
One of the most unique tourist attractions in Paris is Hôpital Saint-Louis. The hospital was built in the 17th century to help manage the surging amount of citizens diagnosed with the plague. But that’s not the weirdest part. The hospital’s main draw to tourists is its Le Musée des Moulages, a wax figure museum that illustrates various skin diseases and their effect on the body. It’s just one of Paris’ collection of weirdest museums.
Hôpital Saint-Louis
Address: 1 Avenue Claude Vellefaux, 75010 Paris
Schedule:9am-4:30pm Monday to Friday
Le Musée des Moulages official website
INSIDR Tip:
To see one of the more macabre tourist attractions in Paris, visit Musée Fragonard d’Alfort. Musée Fragonard d’Alfort is located inside one of the world’s oldest veterinary schools and displays anatomical oddities and dissections of animals.
Musée Fragonard d’Alfort
Address: 7 Avenue du Général de Gaulle, 94700 Maisons-Alfort
Schedule: Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, 2pm-6pm
Musée Fragonard official website
6. A Canal – Canal Saint-Martin
Why it’s a tourist attraction in Paris
Once a less-than-reputable neighborhood, the area around Canal St Martin is now one of the coolest zip codes in Paris. The canal stretches for about two kilometers and is dotted with picturesque bridges perfect for a Paris photoshoot. Here you’ll find great food from a variety of countries, unique clothing stores, as well cool-looking brasseries and bistros along the water. It’s a great place to take a walk and get some style inspo from Paris’ hipster population. You can access Canal Saint-Martin from metro Jacques Bonsergent on line 5.
Canal Saint-Martin (11th arrondissement)
Metro Access: Gare de l’Est, Jacques Bonsergent, Republique
INSIDR Tip:
Parisians love heading to Canal Saint-Martin for an evening apèro next to the water. In the spring and summer months, the canal is the perfect place to have a picnic and feel like a local.
7. A fastfood chain – McDonald’s France
Why it’s a tourist attraction in Paris
While heading to McDonalds might not be at the top of your list of tourist attractions in Paris, there are a couple good reasons why you should go. McDonald’s France is known to pique the curiosity of visitors from abroad. Their special offerings exclusive to French locations like special pastries, tarts, pies, and macarons, aren’t available anywhere else. They also serve beer, which seems like something every McDonalds should offer. Plus, McDonalds is always a great place to take advantage of free wifi in the city.
INSIDR Tip:
One of the best McDonald’s locations in Paris is the one that’s inside Carrousel du Louvre. Carrousel du Louvre is a beautiful shopping center located underneath the Louvre museum. It’ll be the perfect place to grab a bite before or after you visit the famous museum!
McDonald’s Carrousel du Louvre
Address: 184 rue de Rivoli, 75001
Schedule: open daily from 7:30am-9:00pm
8. A Starbucks – Starbucks on Boulevard des Capucines
Why it’s a tourist attraction in Paris
If you’re missing your regular Starbucks order at home, make your way to Starbucks on Boulevard des Capucines. This location is probably the most stunning Starbucks in the world that makes for one of the more glam tourist attractions in Paris. The building’s interior is ornate, complete with gold crown molding on the ceilings. It’s a great place to have a taste of home while still feeling like you’re in Paris.
Starbucks Capucines
Address: 3 Boulevard des Capucines, 75002 Paris
Schedule: 6:45-10:30 Monday to Friday, 7am-11pm Saturday, 7:30-10:30 Sunday
INSIDR Tip:
If you don’t feel like Starbucks while abroad, Paris has a bevy of amazing cafes to satisfy your caffeine craving. Ladurée has amazing pastries and does a great breakfast. There’s also La Fontaine de Belleville, a local favorite who makes one of the best coffees in the city. This spot also has kept the ancient facade and interiors of the original café that first occupied the space.
Ladurée Champs-Elysées
Address: 75 Av. des Champs-Élysées, 75008 Paris
Schedule: 7:30am-11pm Monday to Friday, 7:30am-midnight Saturday, 7:30am-10pm Sunday
La Fontaine de Belleville
Address: 31-33 Rue Juliette Dodu, 75010 Paris
Schedule: 8am-10pm Wednesday-Sunday
9. A local market – Marché Bastille
Why it’s a tourist attraction in Paris
Marché Bastille is one of the best outdoor food markets in Paris. Here, you can find a ton of great produce and specialty meats and wines. Foreign travellers love coming here more than other markets for the fresh oysters that are sold at very affordable prices.
Marché Bastille
Address: Boulevard Richard Lenoir, 75011 Paris
Schedule: 7:30am-2:30pm Thursday and Sunday
INSIDR Tip:
Marché du Bastille is only open on Thursdays and Sundays. If you can’t make it on either of those days, you can visit Marché des Enfants Rouge which is open from Tuesday to Saturday and has an amazing selection of food.
Marché des Enfants Rouge
Address: 39 Rue de Bretagne, 75003 Paris
Schedule: 8:30am-7:30pm Tuesday to Saturday, 8:30am-2pm Sunday
10. A metro station – Arts et Métiers
Why it’s a tourist attraction in Paris
Arts et Métiers is one of the coolest and most unique metro stations in Paris. Its platform on line 11 was renovated in 1994 in celebration of bicentenary of the National Conservatory of Arts et Metiers, which is located just outside the station. The platform is entirely covered in copper-colored panels and was designed to look like the inside of a submarine. The platform has even been outfitted with imitation submarine windows to give the full effect of being underwater-so cool!
Arts et Métiers station
Address: metro station Arts & Métiers on platform Line 11
Schedule: open until 1:00 am daily
INSIDR Tip:
Other cool stations worth visiting include Cité, Place de la Concorde with its Egyptian Obelisk, Louvre Rivoli which features a statue collection from the museum, and the Palais-Royal Entrance near the famous glass pyramid. Get a copy our Paris Public Transportation Guide for more INSIDR transport tips like this!
11. An ice cream shop – Berthillon
Why it’s a tourist attraction in Paris
Despite its global prestige as one of, if not the best, ice cream shop in Paris, many locals don’t even know Berthillon exists. This long-standing ice cream shop has a great selection of interesting flavors that change constantly, so there’s always something new and delicious to discover. Berthillon has been praised by numerous international magazines and publications so it’s no wonder why travellers from outside Paris love flocking to this local spot!
Berthillon
Address: 29-31 Rue Saint-Louis en l’Île, 75004 Paris
Schedule: 10am-8pm Wednesday to Saturday
Berthillon official website
INSIDR Tip:
The best way to enjoy a Berthillon ice-cream is to grab a cone at their Ile Saint-Louis location and enjoy it while taking a leisurely stroll around the island. Another great ice-creamery? Glace Bachir serves Lebanese ice-cream near Centre Pompidou and is beloved by locals for their unique products. However, the best option is definitely to just try both.
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