Many people from all over the world love Paris and often visit this amazing city. It is popular by lots of historical and tourist attractions. But only few of us really know some corners that hidden from tourists’ eyes and unusual places of this ancient town. We won’t tell you about Louvre, the main tour or French Disneyland. We will open a mystery world of unknown Paris.

1. Everybody knows that France is a country of wine and cheese, but almost nobody knows anything about the Waters’ St. (Rue des Eaux), which is a little wine world. The Passy abbey on this street is rather popular by it’s thermal springs, but favorite Louis XIII’s wine cellars were found here only few years ago by one of the restaurant hosts. He transformed them into a wine museum where tourists could find ancient bottles and wineglasses, wax figures of monks and their tools and taste rare kinds of wine and cheese, as well.

Rue des Eaux & Musee du Vin

2. Then we advise you to visit one pretty restaurant which name is “La Mère Catherine”. It is the world’s first bistro that had this name from russian cossacks who had shouted “bistro” (that means quickly) demanding food in 1814. Today their service is as slow as it was century ago, so be patient. It is a typically french restaurant with traditional cuisine: salad with hot cracklings, chicken cocotte, lamb-chop in garlic batter with parsley. Average price without drinks per person is 30 Euro.

La Mère Catherine Restaurant

3. St. Chateau-D’Eau is known by it’s 39th house that is the narrowest one in Paris. It is 5 meters in height and only 1.20 in width. It consists of one door, one window and one room. This incredible house was built just to fill the space between two streets.

The narrowest house in Paris

4. Charming “La Villet” is a place that, unfortunately, less visited by tourists. And it’s a big mistake. Former slaughterhouse was rebuilt into a great museum of science, engineering and industry, including park, music town and different amusement for adults and children. This place takes you to the future and you become an element in the space. Incredible atmosphere is made of metal roads and bridges, strange sculptures and constructions, unusual fountains and buildings. Focus place of “La Villet” is a huge sphere 36 meters in diameter which, at the same time, is the biggest cinema. It looks like a bubble from outside, but coming inside, you can see a half-spheric screen having of 1000 sq. m. placing you in the center of acting. By the way, this place is in permanent reconstruction, that’s why each visit you would mention here something new.

La Géode in La Villet

5. Special theme about Paris is it’s underground. It is like some reflection of social life in the town. May be it couldn’t be compared with English one, but Louvre-Rivoli station is exactly gorgeous. Take a look at it’s entrance and you will see a beautiful arch with many colorful balls. It wouldn’t be anything shocking if it was usual glass. But it is the real Italian blown glass performed a work of art.

Louvre-Rivoli Metro Station (Details)

6. Undoubtedly, one of the worth visit place in Paris is a Ferris wheel, built in 2000 on Elysees Fields. It has a very hard destiny and scandal reputation. But 60 meters over the land and 50 000 light bulbs attract tourist annually and let them see may be the most beautiful and romantic panorama in the world.

Big Ferris Wheel in Jardin des Tuileries

7. There is one legend in Paris. Once upon a time a certain Marie-Etienne Nitot saved Napoleon’s life and once became a popular court jeweller and a founder of Chaumet house. Many years passed, but Chaumet jewellery is available nowadays. Most people can only watch at it, only the richest one can buy it. The house 12 at Vendôme Square is playing a big role in present Chaumet’s life. It remembers Russian ambassadors and their famous guests, Shopen’s music and his death, Napoleon III and his future wife’s meeting. And now, it saves thousands of ancient photos, negatives and drafts of precious jewellery. You can find here original diadems, copies of all exclusive and serial models: 1500 items, which was made over the last 200 years. Also you can know the price of jewellery in gold ancient franc, clients’ names and look through the old account books.

12 Place Vendome: the Heart and Soul of Chaumet

8. Recently, Field of Mars has started to attract people’s attention again. This interest has appeared due to The Wall of Peace. It’s an unusual 9 meters in height pavilion made of glass, metal and wood. There are 32 steel columns around. The word “peace” is written in different languages on the wall and on each of these columns. People can leave their message in special niches. Those who live far from France also can leave their letters through the Internet and their thoughts will appear on one of the 30 screens on Paris Wall. This place reminds us that the main responsibility in the world is providing peace.

The Wall of Peace (Le mur de la paix), in front of the Eiffel Tower on the Champ de Mars.

9. Père Lachaise is the most popular cemetery in the world. It is the biggest green oasis in Paris and also the greatest museum of the graveside sculpture. The latter will be discussed. We won’t enumerate all famous person and their monuments. We’ll pay attention to the one, the Victor Noir’s grave. He isn’t as popular as the whole cemetery is. But thousand of men and women come to him believing to be treated form infertility and impotence. It is enough to touch his groin that shines better than other parts of body.

A bronze sculpture at Pere-Lachaise cemetery

10. Hundreds of kilometers of mystery gallery, which are known as Paris catacombs, may be the most enigmatic place in this romantic city. At first, it was ancient stone quarry, then this quarry was turned into enormous cemetery. There are bones of more than 6 million different people that accurately stacked into walls in specific décor. In this terrific museum you can see many monuments, ancient altar and well, crypt, tunnel. You’ll have a great opportunity to descend on 20 meters below ground and to know a new Paris with it’s hidden life.

Mysterious world of hidden Paris – catacombs!

To get to know more about The Catacombs of Paris (Catacombes de Paris), read Paris from the inside.

This report has shown you only a part of possible places to visit. The main advise is not to use trite routes and try to explore new places that aren’t mentioned in your guide-book. Remember, Paris is too big and too ancient to be enough for one trip. It keeps lots of secrets and surprises. You should surely come back to know them better.

Ask 100 different people what reminds them of Paris and you will most likely hear – Eiffel Tower. We all know that this “Iron Lady” has always been the symbol of Paris. We also know why – this huge 1,063 ft high tower (which is equal to an 81-story building) can be seen from almost any point in the city. And from the top of the Eiffel Tower, the entire city of Paris and beyond can be seen. More than 200,000,000 people have visited the tower since its construction in 1889, making it the most visited paid monument in the world. On March 31st this year this incredible structure has turned 122 years old.

But ask yourself what interesting facts you know about Eiffel Tower and you may draw a blank.

To begin with this tower should not have even been there back in 1889. When French engineer Gustave Eiffel first decided to raise this structure in 1887 he met with much criticism from the public. Most famous cultural workers of that time even signed the document which said: “And during next years we shall see, stretching over the entire city, still thrilling with the genius of so many centuries, we shall see stretching out like a black blot the odious shadow of the odious column built up of riveted iron plates.”

One of the biggest Eiffel Tower “haters”, novelist Guy de Maupassant, even used to have lunch in the Tower’s restaurant – that was the only place in Paris where he couldn’t see this “disgusting” structure, he explained.

But time passed and the Eiffel Tower, instead of being the object of irritation, soon became an object of admiration.

Later on during the Second World War, just before Hitler came to Paris in 1940, Frenchmen disabled the lift drive which couldn’t be fixed because of the war. So Nazi soldiers were not able to climb to the top of the tower and raise their banner there. From that moment people began to say that Hitler conquered France but didn’t manage to conquer the Eiffel Tower.

The “Iron Lady” can also count about a dozen of interesting and unbelievable facts in its history.

Thus on February 4th 1912 an Austrian tailor named Franz Reichelt jumped from the first level of Eiffel Tower having self-made wings on his back and died of a sudden heart attack on his way down.

In 1925 a conman named Victor Lustig managed to “sell” the great tower for scrap metal twice. He persuaded two different powerful men to take part in financial support of the structure which was supposedly exposed to danger from the government.

From 1925 to 1935 illuminated signs of Citroën decorated three of the tower’s four sides. That became the highest advertising space in the word at that time.

In January of 1956 a sudden fire destroyed the top of the structure which was later reconstructed.

On July22, 2003 the top of the tower was on fire again. The fire could be put down only by night.

In winter of 2004 the first floor of the “Iron Lady” was reconfigured into an ice skating rink. This was some sort of an advertising of Paris as a 2012 winter Olympic candidate.

Until now, the Eiffel Tower has remained the same as it was 120 years ago due to 57 tons of paint used every 7 years to protect it from rust.

This huge tower doesn’t suffer from the wind too much. Even the strongest storm can give it only a 3.5 inch sway. And the sun can make the top of the tower shift away up to 7 inches.

The last suicide was committed from the tower in April 2008.

Today, the Eiffel Tower is used for TV and radio transmission, and cellular communication. It is not only the symbol of Paris now, but really its heart and fountain of life. Life full of opportunities and wonderful adventures. And a lot of people all over the world dream of coming to Paris just to see this wondrous creation.

How do you think, where the most attended place in Paris is? Doubtless, it is the 1st district where the gorgeous Louvre Museum stretches out its ancient estate. This is the biggest treasure house of art with permanent giant crowd in front of one of the most famous woman of the past the Mona Lisa.

Besides Louvre 1st district is popular by the Tuileries Gardens. It is one of the most romantic green corners of the whole Paris. 63 acres of verdure, pretty benches, fairy ponds, relaxing people, park amusement and, of course, two cozy galleries Jeu de Paume (contemporary art) and L’Orangerie. The latter one is an exhibition of art works of 1870-1930 that also has two of Monet’s Waterlilies paintings which maestro presented to the museum himself. Moreover, from this garden you can have a way to the river Seine and Place de la Concorde.

By the way, about Place de la Concorde. This square is very popular between both native Parisian and foreigners due to its dark past, Egyptian obelisk, marble statues of French towns, Ferris wheel and beautiful fountains.

In the heart of Paris you can also visit Palais Royal that stays royal residence, theater and a training ground for extreme sportsmen at the same time.

Living in 1st district you have a great opportunity to walk across two main bridges Pont Neuf and Pont des Arts. And if the first one is the most ancient, the second is known as romantic place where you can spend lovely dinner, enjoying music, boats, the Seine and passengers.
Another worth visiting place is Place Vendôme that is the concentration of the luxury and jewellery world in Paris with Forum des Halles and lots of boutiques and unusual design shops, as instant, the stamp collectors market on Avenue de Marigny.

This district had its name La Bourse from stock exchange. This area isn’t well known among tourist, may be because of its the smallest size in this megalopolis. You won’t find anything truly famous here. But nevertheless, it is an important business district with prosperous financial and banking sectors and textile industry, as well.

What shall you see if you find yourself here? Well, the first thing you should get into account is marvelous architecture. Then try to find the National Library, Place des Victoires and the Avenue de L’Opéra with the Opéra Garnier at the end of it. Seemed rather non-tourist, this place can be discovered as one of your favorite one due to the atmosphere of ancient town.

This district is perhaps one of the most energetic. It is a location of 17th century structures and houses where once lived many world famous person. The most pleasant place in the area is Place des Vosges that is only a part of a giant ensemble of thirty six Rennaissance palaces. There are fountains and statues, beautiful architecture, big park area. By the way, it is the oldest Paris square where in previous days you could see Victor Hugo or Madame de Sevigné walking.

Going from the palaces it’d better to visit the National Picasso Museum and the Carnavalet. The latter is dedicated to the history of the city and contains some of the greatest collections of art.
The biggest part of the vicinity is taken by celebrity Le Marais that spreads also across the 4th district. This quarter has a very long history but today it is a major Jewish community centre in Paris.

There are the synagogues, Jewish restaurants with kosher food, bookshops and other national features. A little bit to the North of the district you will see Paris’s gay village with cafés, bars, shopping. And of course, Passage du Grand Cerf that is known by its best flea markets in the whole city.

4th district seems to be especially amazing because of the wide canal system and beautiful sceneries from the right bank of the Seine. Also, this arrondissment should be surely included into every tourist route due to the number of sights.

First of all, it is Hôtel-de-Ville. This building has been the house for Paris administration since 1357. But the whole structure was damaged into a fire of Paris Commune. Today, besides the restored facade, beautiful square behind it and some theme sculptures in the yard, you can see a department store called Hôtel de Ville, the Rue de Rivoli, the St-Gervais Church on the left side of the building and Bazar de Hôtel de Ville nearby.

The second sight will be the Centre Pompidou which is notable mainly by its unusual modern style. And the third one is Place de la Bastille that is a place of crossing more than ten streets and avenues. And, don’t forget to have a look at the Colonne de Juilllet which was established in commemoration of July Revolution in 1830.

Also we advise you to visit some old Paris areas like the Ile St. Louis and the Ile de la Cité that are considered to be the place where Paris was appeared. By the way, the amateurs of celebrity musical may drop at the most famous cathedral in the world Notre Dame Cathedral.

From historical point of view, this district is famous for Natural History Museum and giant cemetery called Panthéon. This is the place where many graves of outstanding Parisians are. You will find the resting places of Voltaire, Monnet, Dumas, Rousseau, Soufflot, Hugo and Zola etc.

But from cultural point of view the main spot in this district is the Quartier Latin. This name originated from Latin students who had studied in Sorbonne University and lived in this area. Quartier Latin has its own specific atmosphere of separate town inside a big one and various alternative trends of local youth. Visiting this place you will find one amazing side street the Boulevard Saint Germain where there are many small cafés fulled by progressive students, peculiar persons and impressed tourists. Being in this district surely visit collector’s stalls at the Quai de Montebello and fascinating Rue Galande where you will hear real street-jazz, will see unusual painted houses and will be in Caveau des Oubliettes pub with working guillotine.

Which is the most popular avenue in the whole France? The answer is clear. It is Les Champs-Elysées which is in the 8th Paris district. Actually, this area is full of both places of interest and places of entertainment. There are Place de la Concorde, Place de la Madeleine, the Presidential Élysée, luxury stores and restaurants, long French streets and impetuous romantic atmosphere. All in all, this district is a spot of modern rich life and fashion Paris.

Les Champs-Elysées is possibly one of the most beautiful and one of the richest avenue not only in France but in the whole world. Sometimes you can see more designer boutiques and cafés than tourists and visitors walking across them. It’s a major commercial center in Paris.

Concerning restaurants, we would counsel you to visit Plaza Athénée which is the place for connoisseurs of French wine.
For those who don’t what to buy something, it’d be better to go to Parc de Monceau or to Quartier Monceau with a famous flower market in.
Evening walking should pass near Arc de Triomphe. Marvelous decoration with thousands of light bulbs turns this avenue into the small City of Light.

Once this location was a center of Paris bourgeoisie. Those times had been gone but the proper ambience was saved. There are elegant architecture, cultural institutions and unique style.

If there is something worth visit here, it will be three Opéras: L’Opéra de Paris, the Opéra-Comique and the Opéra Garnier. L’Opéra de Paris is the leading opera in Paris and the great institution of French theatrical art. The Opéra-Comique isn’t the most ancient theater. But it was this place where street concerts and enterprises were played and world-known vaudeville appeared here, as well. Besides the performances, the building of Opéra Garnier is the best standard of grand architecture in Neo-Baroque style.

If you aren’t a fan of this type of art, there are some other locations where you can spend your time. For example, Pigalle with the old Red Light district, enormous10-levels store in the Art Nouveau Galeries Lafayette and Printemps, for lovers walking outside will suit the Saturday outdoor market on Boulevard de Clichy.

Separate topic about Paris is its vehicle. Modern life can’t be imagined without subway, cars, public transport, train, in particular, train stations. There are six main stations in Paris, two of them are in 10th vicinity. Gare de l’Est is one of the oldest and largest station in Paris at the same time. First of all, you should pay attention to its architecture, structure and inside fittings. Departing from here, all the trains go to north-eastern France, Luxembourg, southern Germany and Switzerland. Gare du Nord is situated not so far from the previous one. Besides the interesting neoclassic style, this station is a part of celebrity Channel Tunnel between France and England.

Moreover, this district can offer you a great view of the town of 19th century, Canal Saint-Martin, Musée de l’Éventail, Saint-Vincent-de-Paul church. This place is quite enough, but full of green corners and beautiful views.