Paris is lovely. It’s romantic. It’s full of iconic architecture, delicate pastries, and tourists standing in the middle of the street taking photos of things they don’t understand. But if you're the kind of traveler who prefers the weird little corners of a city to the glossy, over-filtered highlights, this post is for you.

Yes, the Louvre is great. Yes, the Eiffel Tower sparkles. But once you’ve taken the obligatory photos and realized the Mona Lisa is roughly the size of a cereal box, it’s time to venture off the beaten path. Here are ten unusual things to do in Paris that will make your trip feel more “local explorer” and less “tour group in matching caps.”

1. Explore the Paris Catacombs (Because Nothing Says ‘Vacation’ Like Bones)

Let’s kick things off with something mildly morbid because, why the heck not? Beneath the romantic cobbled streets of Paris lies a 200-mile labyrinth of tunnels stacked with the bones of over six million people. The Catacombs are open to visitors and offer a strange, fascinating look at how the city dealt with overflowing cemeteries in the 18th century.

It’s dark, eerie, and surprisingly educational, so you’re sure to have a really good time, even if it feels a little weird at first. Bring comfortable shoes and a healthy respect for mortality, and it’ll be great.

Photo Pixabay: Chiefhardy

2. Sip Wine in a Lavomatic

No, that’s not a typo. Lavomatic is a speakeasy hidden behind a working laundromat in the 10th arrondissement. Push through the faux dryer door, head up a narrow staircase, and you’ll find a quirky bar with swings for seats and cocktails served in jam jars. It’s like something out of a movie in the best possible way.

It’s also the perfect place to unwind after a long day of sightseeing or pretending you know what foie gras is.

3. Visit the Museum of Vampires and Legendary Creatures

Tired of Impressionist paintings and dusty sculptures? Then this tiny, privately owned museum is your next stop. Tucked away in the suburbs, the Museum of Vampires is packed with creepy curiosities, rare books, and spooky artifacts.

It’s mostly closed, appointment-only, slightly bizarre, and unlike anything you’ll see in central Paris. If you’ve ever wanted to discuss folklore over a glass of wine in a candlelit crypt, this is your moment.

4. Picnic at the Coulée Verte (The Other High Line)

New York might get all the attention for its High Line, but Paris quietly did it first. The Coulée Verte René-Dumont is an elevated park built on an old railway line. It stretches for almost three miles and offers a peaceful, green escape from the city’s buzz.

Pack a baguette, some cheese, and a bottle of wine, and enjoy Paris from above, with fewer crowds and more breeze.

Photo Wikimedia Commons: Smiley.toerist

5. Watch a Puppet Show in the Luxembourg Gardens

Yes, puppet shows still exist. Yes, they are absolutely worth seeing. The Théâtre des Marionnettes in the Luxembourg Gardens is one of the oldest puppet theaters in Paris, and it’s still delighting children and bemused adults alike with its classic performances.

You don’t need to understand French to enjoy a wooden puppet smacking another with a stick. It’s universal.

6. Drop Your Bags and Go (with Radical Storage)

Let’s be real. Nothing ruins an afternoon of quirky adventures like dragging a suitcase through cobblestone streets while sweating through your Parisian fantasy. If you're killing time before check-in or between check-out and your flight, use Radical Storage Paris to stash your bags.

They partner with shops and hotels all over the city so you can explore hands-free. It’s practical, affordable, and way more glamorous than showing up to a wine tasting looking like a pack mule.

Les Invalides, Photo: Pexels CC Patricia Bozan

7. Climb the Spiraling Stairs of Saint-Sulpice

Saint-Sulpice is often overshadowed by Notre-Dame and Sacré-Cœur, but it has a charm all its own. This church houses an enormous organ, a slightly chaotic painting restoration, and a cryptic gnomon used to track the sun like something out of a Dan Brown novel.

Climb the spiral staircase (if it’s open to the public) for a behind-the-scenes look at church architecture and a cardio session you didn’t plan for.

Photo: Wikimedia CC Selbymay

8. Visit the Sewer Museum (Yes, Sewers. Stay with Me.)

The Paris Sewer Museum, or Musée des Égouts, lets you walk through the actual underground network that keeps the city running. It’s oddly clean, surprisingly fascinating, and gives you a whole new appreciation for infrastructure.

Also, it’s the only time you’ll willingly read an information plaque about waste management. Great conversation starter too.

9. Snack at a Historic Covered Market

Marché des Enfants Rouges is the oldest covered market in Paris and a goldmine of global street food, fresh produce, and people-watching opportunities. Located in the Marais, it offers everything from Moroccan tagines to Japanese bentos and old-school French crepes.

Come hungry, stay curious, and don’t be afraid to try the weird-looking cheese. It always tastes better than it smells. Usually.

Marché des Enfants Rouges, Frédéric Houbron, 1907. CC photo Paris Musees/Musée Carnavalet, Histoire de Paris

10. Hunt for Hidden Vineyards

Yes, Paris has vineyards. Real ones. Montmartre is home to Clos Montmartre, a tiny vineyard tucked between buildings and staircases. It produces actual wine (not a lot, but enough to count) and adds a touch of countryside charm to the city’s edge.

You can’t always go in, but you can peek through the gates, read the signs, and smugly inform your friends that you found a vineyard in the middle of Paris. Bonus points if you manage to attend the annual wine harvest festival.

Weird Paris Is the Best Paris

Paris has plenty of famous sights, and by all means, go see them. But once you’ve had your fill of selfies and postcards, step off the main path. The city’s quirks are where the magic really happens, from secret bars to skeleton tunnels to surprisingly elegant sewer tours.

So ditch the itinerary, drop your bags at Radical Storage, and see what strange delights the city throws your way. Because nothing says "I did Paris right" like sipping wine in a laundromat or discovering 200-year-old bones before brunch.