There are so many incredible neighborhoods, views, and attractions in the French capital that are sometimes missed, but they should be on any tourist’s bucket list just as much as the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and Notre Dame. People may discover areas of Paris that they have never even considered visiting for a genuine, authentic view of the city. They can go to one of the locals’ favorite underappreciated locations in the City of Light instead of the tourist traps and lines. Here are the 10 underrated places to visit in Paris.
10 Spend Some Time At Le Marais
Formerly the city's Jewish neighborhood, it is today a chic area teeming with independent stores, trendy eateries, art galleries, and LGBT clubs. Tourists can discover the true Paris in the fourth district. Le Marais has so much to offer that you could easily spend the entire day there. The Pompidou Center, the Picasso Museum, the Place des Vosges, and the stunning Église Saint-Paul-Saint-Louis are just a few of the attractions in Paris.
9 Wader Through Paris Catacombs
Paris Catacombs are a great place to go to learn about the seedier side of the city, even if they are never at the top of anyone's list. The corpses of 6 million Parisians are hidden beneath the picture-perfect streets and pastries-lined windows. Between the 1700s and 1800s, numerous kilometers of tunnels were excavated underground as a remedy to the city's once-overflowing graves and disease-related mortality. All tickets must be purchased online, and because scheduled visits are required, lines move quickly.
- Entrance fee: $29 per person with audioguide
8 Get Mesmerized By Sainte-Chapelle Church
Sainte-Chapelle, a royal chapel constructed in the Gothic style, is housed inside the Palais de Justice complex in the heart of Paris. It was established by King Louis IX of France and constructed in seven years as a chapel for the royal residence and a location to store artifacts from the Passion, such as Christ's crown of thorns. The 15-meter high stained-glass feature, which is spread across 15 windows and depicts 1,113 holy scenes from the Old and New Testaments narrating the history of the world up until the arrival of the relics in Paris, will astound the church visitors. It is located in a chapel of significant religious and political significance.
- Entrance fee: $19 per visitor
7 Contemplate Monet’s Water Lilies At Musée De L'orangerie
Most Paris visitors prioritize seeing the Louvre among all other museums. The Musée de l'Orangerie, which is well situated on the border of the lush Jardin des Tuileries, has to be one of the most underappreciated museums in the city. This museum is just as spectacular as the Louvre. The iconic works of French painter Claude Monet are among the wonderful collection of impressionist and postimpressionist paintings on display at this exhibition. If tourists enjoy art, they will be so happy viewing his well-known water lilies in person.
- Entrance fee: $13 per visitor
6 Stroll In The Garden Of The Royal Palace
Tourists will notice that the Garden of the Royal Palace, also known as Jardin du Palais Royal, is not immediately apparent when they first see the entrance. It is a peaceful setting for picnics, contemplation, and breaks. The fountain and circular pond between the two lawns serve as a focus of attraction and a gathering spot, while the double row of trees that runs along both sides of the garden give much-needed shade during the warmer months. The park's visitors also like the garden's many temporary outdoor sculpture displays and the fact that it is one of the few locations in Paris where dogs are not permitted.
- Entrance fee: Free of charge
5 Visit The Marvelous Rodin Museum
The museum is an absolute treat. Visitors will see masterpieces of the famous sculptor Rodin including The Thinker and The Kiss. It is housed in a stunning mansion that once functioned as Rodin's workshop, and the grounds surrounding it are dotted with additional sculptures and neatly kept hedges, giving the impression that the building is a luxurious home rather than a museum. In addition to Rodin's artwork, the museum displays items from the artist's private collection, including works by Vincent van Gogh, Greek statues, pottery, and images from around the globe.
- Entrance fee: $15 per visitor
4 Tour The Medieval Château de Vincennes
The château started out in the 12th century as a royal hunting lodge. King Louis VII was reputed to administer justice in the shade of its trees. The lodge was expanded into a grander, opulent palace for the French kings in the 13th century. The historic structure visitors see today underwent reconstruction, renovation, and modernization in the 14th century. Up to the completion of Versailles, it served as the main royal residence. The 52-foot (15.8 meters) Donjon was afterward constructed, making Château de Vincennes the highest fortified medieval edifice in all of Europe. The château served as a jail after the royals moved to Versailles.
- Famous prisoners: The Marquis de Sade, Voltaire, Mirabeau, and Diderot.
- Entrance fee: $10 per visitor
3 Stop By The Jaw-Dropping Church Of Saint-Etienne-Du-Mont
The façade of Saint-Étienne-du-Mont church has a large belfry on the left side and an asymmetrical style. Initially, it was only an additional space for an abbey that Clovis, Paris' first king, had built. However, the proponents of the French Revolution opposed abbeys and attacked traditional religion. As a result, the abbey was abolished, except for the Clovis Tower, which may still be seen from the church grounds. The interior's magnificent and unusual rood screen divides the nave from the chancel. It is the only one of its sort in Paris and is surrounded by two eye-catching spiral stairs. Saint Genevieve, the patron saint of Paris, is interred there.
2 Check The Artistic Colonnes du Buren
A contentious, avant-garde art project may be seen in the Cour d'Honneur, the Palais-inner Royal's courtyard. The work is located in the drab parking lot that used to be the palace. Les Deux Plateaux is the name of an art piece made in 1985–1986 by renowned French conceptual artist Daniel Buren. However, Colonnes de Buren is the common name for it. They are made out of 260 black and white candy-striped columns of different heights and are placed in a bewildering pattern of monochrome swirls in a walk-in building.
1 Stop By The Roman Arenes de Lutece
During the Gallo-Roman era, one of Paris' earliest names was Lutetia or Lutece. It will please history buffs to learn that there are still remnants of old Lutetia in Paris today. The Arenes de Lutece, located in the 5th arrondissement, is the most prominent ruin. It was one of Roman Gaul's greatest amphitheaters when it was built in 200 AD, albeit it was smaller than those in southern France. There were around 15,000 seats in the arena. At the foot of the bleachers, if visitors look closely, they can see the chambers where the Romans housed their caged animals.