If there's a city in Europe that would take a lifetime to explore, it's Paris.
With museums, monuments, galleries, cafes and quiet historic squares with a million stories to tell, spending all of your time on the beaten path seems like a lost opportunity.
If you're looking to create a unique and standout trip to the French capital this Valentine's Day, here's a selection of unusual things to do in Paris that'll make your getaway completely unique.
Unusual Things to Do in Paris - Discover the Unexpected
Sit Runway-Side at a Department Store Fashion Show
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Paris is synonymous with style. So it's only right you experience the fashion capital like a true insider.
Head to one of Paris' iconic department stores Printemps or Lafayette and sit runway-side at an original fashion show.
Sit in grand surroundings looking up at gilded domes and stained glass while models strut their stuff in the latest Parisian haute couture. You may even leave with a new outfit.
Get a seat runway-side: Printemps Fashion Show | Lafayette Fashion Show
Master Making Macarons
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We all love macarons. But how many of us can actually make them without ending up with a sad pile of almond crumbs?
Enter La Cuisine Paris, where you'll learn the art of macaron-making from the pros.
After just a few hours in this hands-on class, you'll leave with the knowledge and the macarons to impress. This is next-level patisserie magic you'll want to take away.
Check it out here: Macaron class at La Cuisine
Eat a Lavish Lunch In a Train Station
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Step into the past at Le Train Bleu, a Parisian institution that'll make you feel like you're dining in Belle Epoque Paris.
This isn't just a meal - it's an experience. Housed inside the Gare de Lyon station, Le Train Bleu features ornate décor with gold ceilings and painted murals.
As you dine on plump scallops bathed in port wine vinaigrette and lamb that melts off the bone, it'll be hard to remember you're still in the middle of a train station.
All aboard: Le Train Bleu
Celebrate Independent Art at 59 Rivoli
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59 Rivoli is a building with a brilliantly creative past. Starting life as a bank in the 1800s, it went on to become an artists' squat in the early 2000s.
It was later purchased by the city and renovated into the art gallery it is today.
It's free to explore and you'll find yourself wandering up spiral staircases through a maze of studios, live art performances and exhibitions.
Not only is it a piece of Paris art history, it's a great spot to see the city's alternative art scene up close.
Go underground: 59 Rivoli
Find a Newspaper From the Year of Your Birth at La Galcante
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Love a little nostalgia? Head over to La Galcante, a true Parisian hidden gem for book and history lovers alike.
This second-hand bookstore is brimming with rare and antique books, newspapers and prints.
And the best part? You can search its racks for newspapers from the year you were born.
It's a unique way to time travel and take home a piece of the past.
Bookmark it here: La Galcante
See a Gig on a Boat at Petit Bain
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Forget crowded clubs and stuffy concert halls. If you're into live music, check out Petit Bain.
This floating venue on the Seine offers live gigs on a boat, combining great music with even greater views of the city.
From indie bands to experimental artists, it's the perfect way to experience Paris' lively music scene in a memorable setting.
All hands on deck: Petit Bain
Enjoy the Fun of The Fair from a Bygone Era
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Roll up, roll up for all the fun of the fair at the Musée des Arts Forains.
This truly special vintage fairground museum is filled with rides and amusements from yesteryear. And the best part is, you can still go on the rides - including a century-old carousel.
Add some old-school games and the option to take a special tour including cocktails for the kind of fairground thrills impossible to find in this day and age.
It's like stepping into a time machine - whether you're into quirky museums or just fancy some fun, it won't disappoint.
Take a spin: Musée des Arts Forains
Write a Letter to Your Future Self Over a Parisian Lunch
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We all have introspective moments when we travel, but Bistrot des Lettres takes this to the next level.
Not only can you rest up and eat at this old-school wood-panelled bistro, you can also write a letter to your future self, which you'll receive via, good old-fashioned snail mail one year later.
In a busy world where we could all make more time stop, this is the ultimate way to reflect on your trip, your life, or to just get something off your chest.
Who knows, present-day you might provide some life-changing advice to future-you.
And with French food and wine in the mix, it's basically a therapy session with a side of deliciousness.
Dip yor nib and dive in: Bistrot des Lettres
Eat a Michelin Menu for Under £45
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I don't know about you, but it doesn't usually occur to me to dine Michelin on a weekend city break.
But this is Paris and well, why not? It turns out it is entirely possible to sample some Michelin-starred French cuisine without blowing your budget.
L'Atelier Étoile is designed to help people do just that. For under £45, you can savour some of the finest creative French dishes in an ultra-modern, sleek setting.
In a feast for your eyes as well as your belly, diners sit at a counter where they can watch the chefs at work. It's the ultimate foodie experience that won't leave you bankrupt.
Chase the stars: L'Atelier Étoile
Drink Like a Writer at Harry's Bar
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If you fancy looking like a cultured intellectual, Harry's Bar has your back.
This legendary Parisian bar has been serving drinks since the 1920s and its backstory is as rich as its cocktails.
According to its website, Harry's was "literally dismantled from the 7th avenue of Manhattan and reassembled in rue Daunou in Paris."
Lost-generation writers like Ernest Hemingway and F Scott Fitzgerald were regulars here in the roaring 20s, along with the likes of Gertrude Stein and Coco Chanel. There's a certain charm in imagining yourself sipping a whiskey sour in the same spot.
The vibe is old-school, the drinks are top-notch and you may just leave feeling inspired.
Sip with the greats: Harry's American Bar
Swim and Sunbathe on the Seine
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Swimming along the Seine - yes, you read that right. But not quite.
The Joséphine Baker swimming pool is a floating oasis on Paris' famous waterway.
With a sunbathing deck and great views of the river and city, it's an ideal spot to cool off on a hot day or catch some urban rays.
Stylish Parisians love it and it's a fun way to experience the city from a different angle.
Pack your swimsuit: Joséphine Baker swimming pool
Learn to Dance for Free in the City of Light
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If you're not much of a dancer but have always wanted to try, why not do it in Paris?
Whether you're into salsa or Kizomba, the venue Food Society hosts dance lessons every week. And the best part is, they're completely gratis.
It's a fun way to learn some new moves, meet likeminded people and immerse yourself in Parisian nightlife. Not to mention, a more memorable story than hitting the typical tourist hotspots.
Grab a partner: Free dance classes at Food Society
Tour and Taste the Produce at an Urban Vineyard
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Paris isn't just about cheese and baguettes. This being France, it's also home to some seriously good wine.
Hidden in plain sight, just a stone's throw from Sacre Coeur is one of the few urban vineyards in the area, Vignes du Clos Montmartre.
And the good news is, it runs guided tours and wine-tasting experiences twice a week. Your ticket includes entry to the Musée de Montmartre, Renoir Gardens and exhibitions.
What better opportunity to take home a bottle or two of its produce, Clos Montmartre?
Get Your grape on: Urban vineyard tour
Stay Connected with a France eSIM
The easiest and best way to stay connected on your trip is to buy an eSIM for France from Airalo.
And until midnight on Sunday 16th February 2025, we're offering you 10% off*.
Just head to the Airalo store, select your France eSIM and use the code FRANCE10 to save on your data.
Voila and bon voyage!
