Unusual place to visit guide - activities

La Pagode de Paris - the unique and unusual Maison Loo in Paris

The Pagode de Paris - Maison Loo, located in the heart of the Plaine Monceau between the 8th and 17th arrondissements, is an unusual architectural treasure. Revamped in 1926, this former residence now stands like a private museum, a building of one man's love for his native China, right in the heart of Paris.

The floating cottages on the La Galiotte pond in Yvelines, a real postcard landscape

For a complete change of scenery in the heart of the Île-de-France region, head for the Parc du Peuple de l'Herbe in Carrières-sous-Poissy, in the Yvelines department. With its 113 hectares of wilderness and picturesque ponds, including the étang de La Galiotte dotted with floating chalets, this oasis just a stone's throw from Poissy station offers an authentic experience within the reach of your Navigo pass!

An unusual place to discover: the Passerelle de l'Avre in Saint-Cloud, with its view of the Eiffel Tower.

Looking for an unusual walk with an original view of the Eiffel Tower? Head for the heights of Saint-Cloud, just outside Paris, on the edge of the Bois de Boulogne, to discover the Passerelle de l'Avre. It's a beautiful construction, thanks in part to Gustave Eiffel!

A sky of umbrellas and sunflowers at Bercy Village, Patrícia Cunha's magical installation

Hanging umbrellas adorned with sunflowers come to Bercy Village! From June 10 to September 15, 2023, take a stroll along the cobblestones of the Cour Saint-Émilion in Paris to admire this new summery, country-style hanging installation by Patrícia Cunha.

Discovering Sonja's Gardens: A four-season Eden in Perray-en-Yvelines

Les Jardins de Sonja, a veritable botanical Eden in Le Perray-en-Yvelines, has been delighting garden lovers since 1980. Discover these sublime hidden gardens with their multiple settings, imagined by landscape designer Sonja Gauron.

Le Gué, the unusual installation that lets you walk on water at the Domaine de Sceaux

What if we walked on water? Le Gué is the name of this ephemeral installation on the Grand Canal of the Domaine de Sceaux, inviting us to a new and unusual immersive experience, to be discovered from June 3 to September 17, 2023.

Parc de la Folie Saint-James in Neuilly-sur-Seine: the unusual park, a jewel of French landscape art

We introduce you to the Parc de la Folie Saint-James in Neuilly-sur-Seine, a French landscaped masterpiece from the XVIIIᵉ century that's well worth a stroll. This picturesque park offers you a plunge into history and the beauty of nature.

Discovery of Chevreuse: the Little Venice of the Yvelines and its Little Bridges Stroll

Chevreuse, known as the little Venice of the Yvelines, hides a sublime stroll of the small bridges, a real green setting at only 40 minutes from Paris and accessible by RER. We embark you for an adventure with unsuspected charm.

The Cyclop of Tinguely and Niki de Saint Phalle, welcomes you for its new cultural season!

Tinguely and Niki de Saint Phalle's Cyclop reveals its secrets in the heart of the forest of Milly-la-Forêt in Essonne. This extraordinary and monumental sculpture can be discovered or rediscovered with an original and varied artistic program.

Maison de Chateaubriand: an incursion in the heart of literary and architectural romanticism

At the end of RER B, heading to Robinson, stand the Maison de Chateaubriand in the Domaine de la Vallée-aux-Loups. Discover this elegant house that was used by the writer and his wide for many years.

Le Vieux-Pays de Goussainville: an unusual stroll through a "ghost village" in the Île-de-France region

If you're looking for an unusual outing in the Paris region, you've come to the Val-d'Oise. It's here, just a few kilometers from the end of the Roissy airport runways, that you'll find the Vieux-Pays de Goussainville. Visit this atypical old village, described as "ghostly", and virtually abandoned by many of its inhabitants for several decades.

Royaumont Abbey – Île-de-France heritage gem

Calling all wanderers looking for beautiful and historic places, come along and discover Royaumont Abbey, a genuine heritage gem in Île-de-France.

Unusual in Île-de-France: the Desert de Retz, a garden worth the detour

Among Île-de-France's most unusual spots is the Desert de Retz, in the Yvelines department. This Anglo-Chinese garden is one of the few to have been preserved in its original state. We tell you more about this original spot in the region!