Have you been all over Paris? Are you sure? Have you discovered its hidden treasures? But your journey doesn't stop there, because all around the capital, the Île-de-France region reveals a rich heritage and often little-known treasures that are well worth the detour. If you're thirsty for originality, we'd like to introduce you to the most unusual spots to discover in the Paris region, all around Paris, original nuggets you might not have known existed.
Le M., Musée du Vin in Paris: tastings, restaurant, exhibitions, concerts & parties!
Did you know that Paris has its own wine museum? Located in the capital's 16th arrondissement, this historic institution invites you to stroll through its 15th-century vaulted cellars and discover all the secrets of wine culture. Renovated and renamed M. Musée du Vin, the venue promises a rich program of restaurants, tasting courses, taste experiences, temporary exhibitions, concerts and Parisian soirées. [Read more]
Le Désert de Retz, the unusual Anglo-Chinese park in Yvelines
One of the most unusual spots in the Paris region is the Desert de Retz, at Chambourcy in the Yvelines. This 18th-century Anglo-Chinese garden is one of the few to have been preserved in its original state. This enchanting place, once frequented by the likes of Marie-Antoinette and Thomas Jefferson, stands out for its fanciful constructions. You'll also enjoy discovering the many remarkable trees that dominate the landscaped area. [Read more]
Did you know? The largest dolmen in Île-de-France is hidden in the Rambouillet forest.
You don't have to go all the way to Brocéliande forest to find real mysteries! Our forests in the Paris region also have their secrets, and the Rambouillet forest is home to the region's largest dolmen! [Read more]
The Château de Monte-Cristo, Alexandre Dumas' hidden and unusual home
Discover the Château de Monte-Cristo, the residence imagined by the writer Alexandre Dumas. Set in an English garden in the heart of the Yvelines, on the Saint-Germain-en-Laye side, you'll find an exuberantly styled 19th-century château and its small Château d'If. We take you on a tour of this hidden heritage, listed as a historic monument. [Read more]
The Musée du fromage in Paris is open, and we want to tell you all about it!
The first Musée du fromage has opened its doors in Paris, in the 4ᵉ arrondissement, since this June 13, 2024. A living museum that lets us discover the great French know-how, the making of different cheeses, the history and the many varieties to be discovered all over France. Did you know that there are almost 300 "origine contrôlée" cheeses? You'll have to stay in this world a little longer - and taste it, of course! [Read more]
Château de la Roche Guyon, a troglodyte castle in the Val-d'Oise with a breathtaking view over the Seine valley
Have you heard of Ile-de-France's only troglodyte castle, nestled in the only village in the region to be named one of France's most beautiful villages? We'll take you on a tour of the Château de la Roche Guyon, an unusual castle in the Val-d'Oise, with an eventful past that also inspired the adventures of Blake and Mortimer. [Read more]
Did you know? There's an unusual troglodyte church in the Val d'Oise, just waiting to be discovered.
Did you know that in the Val d'Oise, the Church of the Annunciation at Haute-Isle is the only troglodyte church in the entire region? Carved directly into a chalk cliff and listed as a historic monument, it's an unusual nugget to discover. [Read more]
Did you know? This Belvédère kiosk in the Yvelines is a remnant of the Universal Exhibition.
How about discovering the Kiosque du Belvédère de Châtillon, nestling in the Rosny-sur-Seine forest in the Yvelines department? We tell you all about its history and how to find it. [Read more]
Unusual in the Yvelines: the superb waterfall grotto at Parc du Dr Fauvel in Villennes-sur-Seine
Villennes-sur-Seine, a charming commune in the Yvelines department, is home to a little-known treasure: the waterfalls of the Parc Fauvel grotto. Located some 36 kilometers west of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, this small town near Poissy on the left bank of the Seine boasts a park that combines history and nature. The park, an example of English romanticism, features an unusual grotto and waterfalls. [Read more]
Le Jardin Yili, the unusual Chinese garden hidden away in the Yvelines
Jardin Yili is the only privately-owned traditional Chinese garden in France. Head for Saint-Rémy-l'Honoré in the Yvelines, about 33 km from Paris, for a change of scenery. Discover this 10,000 m² green space, imbued with spirituality and tranquility, where you can discover the art of Chinese gardens and immerse yourself in a feng shui setting inspired by age-old traditions. [Read more]
Le Skit du Saint-Esprit, the unusual treasure hidden in the Mesnil-Saint-Denis forest in the Yvelines department
Have you heard of the Skit du Saint-Esprit, a small Orthodox monastery nestling in the Bois de Fay at Mesnil-Saint-Denis in the Yvelines? This small edifice, which in fact forms 3 churches, reveals a veritable treasure trove hidden within, a must-see for lovers of the unusual and art history. [Read more]
La Maison de Fer de Poissy, the unusual museum nestled in the Parc Meissonnier
La Maison de Fer à Poissy, a monument dating from 1896, is an atypical museum on the town of Poissy, to be discovered in the heart of the Parc Meissonnier. Discover its unique industrial architecture and history, and immerse yourself in the story of Poissy's development. [Read more]
L'Isle-Adam: the green nugget in Ile-de-France, 25 km from Paris
L'Isle-Adam, one of France's most beautiful Detours and a source of inspiration for many a landscape painter, is a veritable green nugget to be discovered just a few kilometers from Paris. On the banks of the River Oise, with its seaside resort and beautiful monuments, this village in the Val d'Oise has plenty to tempt those in search of strolls and discoveries. [Read more]
La Coulée Verte de Paris, the unusual and hidden walk from Bastille to Vincennes
Paris's Coulée Verte René-Dumont, formerly known as the Promenade Plantée, is a beautiful, little-known walk for Parisians, taking us on a verdant journey from the Bastille to the Bois de Vincennes over the Viaduc des Arts. It's an unusual and shady way to discover Paris, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. [Read more]
The Jardin d'Agronomie Tropicale, an unusual hidden garden of exotic treasures
Do you know the Jardin d'Agronomie Tropicale René-Dumont? This exotic place steeped in history, hidden away in the Bois de Vincennes? We'll take you on a tour of this unusual garden with its many exotic treasures. [Read more]
Night at the Pantheon 2023: unusual tours by torchlight
La Nuit au Panthéon returns to Paris from December 6, 2023 to January 24, 2024 for 6 thrilling nocturnal tours. On the program? Torchlight tours of the legendary Parisian monument, from the nave to the crypt! [Read more]
The unusual Saint-Serge de Radonège church in Buttes-Chaumont: A hidden Parisian treasure
In the heart of Paris's Buttes-Chaumont district lies the unusual Saint-Serge de Radonège church. Not visible from the street, in the 19th arrondissement, this church is an architectural nugget waiting to be discovered. [Read more]
The Jardin des Plantes' hidden Alpine garden, a nugget worth discovering
The Jardin des Plantes conceals a magnificent alpine garden. Located between the Grandes Serres and the Menagerie, this garden, which has no entrance doors, is accessible via a hidden underground passage. Here you can discover the rock gardens and wild mountain plants. It's a haven of peace to be (re)discovered all year round. [Read more]
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. [Read more]
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! [Read more]
So why not treat yourself to an unusual discovery in the Paris region?
