You thought that by watching Emily in Paris you knew all about the capital’s best spots ? Let us, ESCP Students, prove you wrong, here are the 10 spots you should REALLY visit while in Paris, far away from the basic Tour Eiffel and Louvre Museum… Too cliché!
This article is written in collaboration with Par’idylle, a culinary and cultural guide created and managed by students of ESCP Business School which lists the best addresses in the capital.
#1 La Coulée Verte
La Coulée Verte is the perfect spot for your outdoor activities whether it is for your weekly run, a walk with your friends or even for a date. This 4.7km elevated linear park, that follows an old railway ride, is situated in the heart of the 12th arrondissement between the famous Place de la Bastille and Vincennes. Trust us, after visiting la Coulée Verte, you’ll see that Paris also knows how to dress up in green!
#2 Street art walk in the 13th arrondissement
Fond of street art? This spot was made for you! The 13th arrondissement streets turned into an open air museum with several artworks. Lucky you, parisinfo.com put together an optimal itinerary just for you, enjoy!
#3 Parc de Sceaux
Do you want to feel like a prince or a princess of French royalty? No, I’m not talking about Versailles but about visiting the park of Sceaux. Versailles’ little brother is not far from Paris, only half an hour with public transport. Enjoy the greenery and let yourself go for a little trip through time.
Address: Domaine départemental de Sceaux, 8 Avenue Claude Perrault, 92330 Sceaux – Contact: +33 6 64 40 56 66
#4 Mouzaïa and Saint Serge Church
You want to feel the countryside vibes without even going away from Paris ? Unbelievable and, yet, possible! “Impossible n’est pas français” as Napoléon said. Let’s go to the Quartier (district) of Mouzaïa in the 19th arrondissement which is known as “La campagne à Paris”, meaning countryside in Paris. You can enjoy a nice walk there and visit the orthodox church Saint Serge situated in the neighbourhood.
#5 Passages couverts
Paris galleries and covered passages are the ideal spot for a walk on a rainy or foggy day. They consist of arcades covered with glass and full of house shops, restaurants and theatres, perfect to discover some French specialties and craft. There are a dozen of them situated all around Paris and here is a link that sums them up. (Thanks Parisinfo again!)
#6 Puces Saint Ouen
Paris is the capital of fashion and it is full of great designers of fashion, ornamentation, etc. But did you know that flea markets were also a must in the French capital ? If you want to adopt the French touch go shop at the Puces de Paris Saint Ouen. We assure you that you will find a unique piece like never before!
#7 Mosquée de Paris
Paris is cosmopolitan and the Grand Mosque of Paris is here to tell. This French mosque has been built in the Hispano-Moorish style with a 33-meter minaret. It is located near the Jardin-des-Plantes district of the 5th arrondissement of Paris. You can book a guided tour in French to learn more about this monument.
#8 L’atelier des lumières
You might have heard about l’Atelier des lumières as it’s becoming a must see in Paris, in case you haven’t got the chance to visit it, go for it! It consists of immersive representations of famous artists’ paintings such as Chagal, Monnet, Dali and many others. There are two or three exhibitions each year, each with a leading painter.
You can check their website in order to know more about these moving and overwhelming artworks.
#9 Pinault Collection
François Pinault is one of the most famous French businessmen. He is the founder of both Artémis and Kering and can claim to have one of the finest art collections in the world. If you want to see what a billionaire’s collection looks like, go quickly to the Bourse du Commerce where the collection is on display. Enjoy the incredible works! You can even book a guided tour in English each Saturday at 11.30am.
#10 Galeries Lafayette Haussmann Terrace
You sure know about Les Galeries Lafayette as it is one of the most popular French department stores. There are two of them in Paris, one on Avenue des Champs Elysées and the other is situated at Opéra. The second one, known as Galeries Lafayette Haussman, has a particularity: a rooftop on the 8th floor that offers a breathtaking view over the capital, the Eiffel Tower and the beautiful Parisian roofs. It’s the perfect place for a date or a drink after a long and tiring shopping spree.
