My boyfriend and I taking a semester off from grad school (we are both studying to become architects) and are trading apartments for a month this fall with a couple in Paris. We’ve obviously already got accommodation and will be cooking most of our meals so we’re not that worried about restaurants. Mostly, we want to hit the major cultural sites like museums, churches, etc. We’ve never been there so we’re sort of starting from scratch but we’d love some really out of the way places that are not in the guide books or at least not in the first few pages. Obviously, we’re very, very into architecture but we also love music of any kind so we would love to know great places to see concerts. Thanks!
Wow, what a great opportunity for both of you! Off the top of my head, I would say that two architecture students MUST see the inside of the Société Générale bank at 29 blvd. Haussmann. It’s like a whole building made of stained glass and is easily one of the most incredible buildings in the city. It’s still a fully functioning bank and for that reason you can’t take photographs inside.
Every architecture buff should see the Le Grand Palais just off the Champs-Élysées. Maybe the best example of Art Nouveau on the planet. Same for 29 ave rapp--This extraordinary example of Art Nouveau architecture created quite the stir when first unveiled in 1901. Full of suggestive reliefs and symbolism (a super-saucy Adam and Eve grace the entrance and that's nothing in comparison to the door handles), it's great for a laugh even if you don't like the architecture itself.
Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature - I think I may be literally the only person alive to have actually gone through this museum. I'm not an animal lover but even I enjoyed this--it's basically a museum of taxidermy which I'm not into, either but the French are so I gave it a shot. I'd go on one of the free days but I'd never pay for it. The last time I was there another museum goer was smoking inside as he went around looking at the exhibits.
Musée des Arts Décoratifs is a wonderful design museum that always has something unusual going on. A lot of their shows center around fashion, but they also have exhibits about design, advertising, even toys. Well worth checking out if you’re an aesthete. I could spend, and actually have spent, hours in the bookshop.
Bonnier de la Mosson's Second Cabinet of Natural History - Hidden away in a library behind the city's Museum of Natural History, this is an extraordinary cabinet of curiosities most tourists and even residents, never see. You'll have to be quiet as you take pictures, however, as the cabinets are bizarrely situated right in front of studying library goers. One of my absolute favorite places in Paris!
Espace Dalí in
Montmartre isn’t that big but it’s very impressive with everything from his furniture to his sculpture on display. As long as you’re in the area, check out the
The Pinacothèque de Paris is a little-known museum with great exhibits--well worth hitting!
Le Musee d'Edith Piaf - This is a bizarre-o little museum in the Belleville district that's not far from Pere-Lachaise (where Piaf is buried). Started by a Piaf fan who met her when she was 14, it contains artifacts of the tragic singer's life including her clothing and personal papers. It's only open a few days a week and you have to call first to be let in.
Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève - Sounds like architect Henri Labrouste, who designed this library wasn't exactly the world's most light-hearted guy. Although it was never realized, his initial plans included a garden outside to prepare visitors "for due reverence."
Deyrolle - Like rue Cler or Laduree, this taxidermy store has gotten a bit too much attention for my taste but after a devastating fire a few years ago, they need it. Definitely a place NOT to miss even if you hate animals. Gardeners should check out the gardening store on the first floor.
Marché aux Puces - This is the Yankee Stadium of flea markets and hallowed ground as far as I'm concerned. I come here on every trip without fail. Prices are steep unless you hit the junkier street vendors at the very, very end of the market who I don't even think are supposed to be there. Well worth the trek out even if it's just for inspiration.
Bois de Boulogne - This, in my opinion, is one of Paris' most interesting places and certainly one of its most interesting parks. The Duke and Duchess of Windsor actually maintained a house in the Bois where I believe they lived out their last years. Not a great place to be at night, though so make a point of seeing it during the day.
Passage Jouffroy - One of the best things to do in Paris is visit the "Passages" which were essentially the shopping malls of the 19th century. Passage Jouffroy is one of my faves. If you're into old book stores there is one all the way in the back next to the Hotel Chopin (my favorite in all of Paris) that is to die for. Really obscure stuff. There are also a couple of great art galleries both there and across the street (the passage is kind of divided in two) if you're looking for art.
Mentioned in this answer:
Mentioned in this answer:
These aren't restaurants, but they're very Parisian food experiences:
Mentioned in this answer:
George Pompidou is one of the best modern museums in the world, bar MOMA NYC.
La Défense is modern in Paris.
Notre Dame Cathedral is not to be missed.
Basilique du Sacre-Coeur is a must.
Sainte-Chapelle is not boring, it's stunning. Go to
Cimetière du Père-Lachaise and see jim morrison's grave, plus oscar wilde etc.
Le Marais district is so dope. I lived there for a few years.
When are you going? If you go in the summer, walk the Champs-Élysées at dusk. Arrive at Arc de Triomphe and go upstairs, take in Paris at sunset. If you're there in winter in december/january, you can usually ICE SKATE on the lower level/first mezzanine of the Eiffel Tower for really cheap... insider tip. You'll thank me for that one ;) It's like rockefeller center without the flash, but up in the air in paris!
Since you two are architecture majors, you must stay at
Mama Shelter, if even only just for a night. amazing phillipe starck hotel. stunning design, great food and service... a bit far out of central paris (it's in the 20th arrd, past pierre lachaise cemetary), but for the design savvy traveler, it's a must. if you can swing the suite for a night it's pretty amazing ;) private balcony. plus there is a ton of street art in this neighborhood from space invader and banksy, etc
Mentioned in this answer:
I love Jardin des Tuileries and especially The Louvre. The Musée de l'Armée is great, too and not as popular.
Mentioned in this answer:
You have to go to the Musée d'Orsay. Better than the Louvre, in many people's opinion. The building is an old train station until a train plowed through the side of the building... true story.
The Louvre can be a little overwhelming inside if its crowded, but the architecture and all are nice to check out.
There's the Eiffel Tower. Not necessarily to stand in line and go up, but grab some food, and a bottle of wine and picnic in the park.
Of course, you have to go to Notre Dame Cathedral. Make sure to walk over to the Ile-St. Louis which is connected to the island where Notre Dame is by a footbridge. Less tourists, better place to grab a bite or ice cream (see Berthillon) and a cool neighborhood.
Le Marais is one of the more interesting areas in Paris. Way less touristy than other areas, tons of cafes, restaurants, bars, etc. The stretch of Rue Vieille du Temple towards the Seine between Rue de Rivoli and Rue de Rosiers in particular, has a lot of cafes, bars, etc. Also, one street west on Rue de Bourg Tibourg has good options (I highly recommend Le Coude Fou for dinner, wine, etc.).
Place des Vosges is another great place to wander, check out galleries, etc. Another great place to wander is Montmartre, take in street performers, etc. Pull up on the lawn outside of Sacre-Coeur church and enjoy the views. Like the park outside the Eiffel Tower, another great place to picnic.
Musee Rodin has great gardins.
Catacombes de Paris does a pretty cool tour of the underground catacombs, where there's a ton of bones, etc. A little spooky and claustrophobic, but interesting tour.
Mentioned in this answer:
For you I propose Pinacothèque de Paris in the Madeline area is my favorites. Always it is creative and different. There will be a very good exhibit of Tamara de Lempicka, the artist from the 1920s soon.
Really enjoyed these churches:
Music here:
Enjoy your time there!
Mentioned in this answer:
This is a little off the wall, but there's the Sewer Museum, which is something really unique to visit beneath Paris streets (other than the Catacombes de Paris).
Mentioned in this answer:
You have to visit Le Marais. It's fabulous and my favorite place in the world to window-shop.
JR
Debbie
Melissa
Peter
Courtney
Darren
Jillian
Kirsty
Travis
Veronica
Annemarie
Trevor
Andrew
Chase
Matthew
Brew
Marcel
Kevin