From the narrowest street in Paris to the Chinese pagoda, the oldest tree in Paris, medieval houses, the witch’s rock, the exotic Cité du Figuier or the smallest house in the capital… In the open air, discover our 30 unusual places in Paris for a Parisian stroll full of surprises and a change of scenery!
1 – France’s road network at ground zero
But what is this compass rose located 50 m from Notre-Dame? Well, it’s the starting point for all the road calculations in France. This is where distances are measured! One of the most unusual places to visit in Paris.
📍 Parvis de Notre-Dame de Paris, 75004 Paris
2 – Rue du Chat qui pêche, the narrowest street in Paris
How can a street be 1.80 m wide? But that’s just the way it is. Rue du chat qui pêche, in the 5th arrondissement, is well known to Parisians as much for its singularity as for its legend. The amazing story of an alchemist and a cat with magical powers… Certainly one of the most unusual places in Paris.
📍 Rue du Chat qui Pêche, 75005 Paris
3 – Le passe-muraille de Montmartre, one of Paris’s most unusual statues
Have you ever seen the silhouette of that strange man? Le passe-muraille de Montmartre is one of the most unusual statues in Paris. The story goes that Monsieur Dutilleul, an ordinary man, realizes he has a strange power: the ability to pass between walls. From then on, his destiny changed radically.
📍 Place Marcel Aymé, 75018 Paris
4 – La Maison Loo, the unusual Chinese pagoda in Paris
Here’s a building that leaves no one indifferent… The Maison Loo is a pagoda built in 1920 from the Haussmann building, in honor of Asian culture. Collector Ching-Tsai Loo moves in to create a museum. Today, it’s rarely open to the public, but you can still admire the 100-year-old pagoda.
📍48 Rue de Courcelles, 75008 Paris
5 – La Cité du Figuier, one of the most unusual and exotic places in Paris
In the Folie Méricourt district lies a jewel of greenery: the cité du figuier. A lush, open-air haven of peace that will give you an instant change of scenery.
📍 106 rue Oberkampf, 75011 Paris
6 – The Lavirotte building, named most beautiful facade in Paris in 1901
This Art Nouveau masterpiece by architect Jules Lavirotte was built in the 1900s for ceramist Alexandre Bigot. A year later, the Lavirotte façade won the competition for the most beautiful façade in Paris. Inspired by Gaudi, this architectural feat has been labeled ” 20ᵉ century heritage ” by the government.
📍 29 Avenue Rapp, 75007 Paris
7 – The oldest tree in Paris, Square René Viviani
The Robinier faux Acacia has been delighting Parisians for 421 years. Although the tree loses all its leaves in winter, it is at its most beautiful from May to June. It is adorned with long clusters of divinely fragrant flowers. A must-see Parisian curiosity!
📍 Rue Saint-Julien le Pauvre, 75005 Paris
8 – The splendid façade of the Comédie Italienne
This azure-blue Baroque façade is one of the most original in Paris. Italian Comedy can boast of being the country’s only Italian theater. You’ll discover classic plays by renowned authors as well as more contemporary pieces. A must-see!
📍 17-19 Rue de la Gaité, 75014 Paris
9 – Rue des Degrés, the smallest street in Paris
This colorful and charming street is a curiosity of the capital. With its 14 steps, 5.75 meters long and 3.30 meters wide, Rue des Degrés is the smallest street in Paris. It has even seduced the cinema! And when you see it, you understand why. One of Paris’s most unusual and atypical streets.
📍 Rue des Degrés, 75002 Paris
10 – Witch’s Rock, a haunted place?
Witch’s Rock has always been the focus of the wildest theories. Once there was a fountain, but now you can admire a rock. Some locals even claim the place is haunted. A witch is said to have hanged herself close to the rock, and cursed the place…
📍 Passage de la Sorcière, 75018 Paris
11- The Japanese Garden at the Albert Khan Museum in Boulogne, an unusual and Zen setting
Want to go to Japan? Come and admire the magnificent Japanese garden at the Musée Albert Khan in Boulogne. An idyllic green setting featuring suspension bridges and typical Japanese plant species.
📍 1 Rue des Abondances, 92100 Boulogne-Billancourt, France
12 – Nicolas Flamel, the oldest house in Paris
Did you know that the oldest house in Paris is no less than six centuries old? This ancient building was the home of the famous alchemist Nicolas Flamel. Today, the lair of the holder of the philosopher’s stone is an inn, serving traditional French dishes.
📍 49 Rue de Montmorency, 75003 Paris
13 – Rue Denoyez, the street dedicated to street art
Welcome to the temple of street art. If you’re a fan of urban art, graffiti and pop colors, then rue Denoyez is a must-see. A must for an unusual stopover in the heart of Paris street-art.
📍 Rue Denoyez, 75020 Paris
14 – Les grottes des Buttes Chaumont, a mysterious but fragile place
If we know the Buttes-Chaumont for its magnificent park, its breathtaking views over Paris and its charming guiguette, we may not know it well enough for its caves. But since 2021, the risk of landslides has made visits impossible. Buttes-Chaumont is built on a fragile mineral that becomes brittle as it accumulates water. Work is now underway to save this Parisian landmark from the rockslide.
📍 1 Rue Botzaris, 75019 Paris
15 – The Cité clock, the oldest public clock in Paris
Erected in 1371, the Conciergerie clock is one of the jewels of Paris that must be seen at least once in a lifetime. Two allegorical figures accompany it: one representing justice (right) and the other law (left). A masterpiece to be admired day and night.
📍 Boulevard du Palais, 75001 Paris
16 – The bucolic Poplar Square
For a restful, bucolic break in the heart of Paris’s 13th arrondissement, we recommend a visit to the Square des Peupliers. An ideal place to indulge your rural desires.
📍 Square des Peupliers, 75013 Paris
17 – The smallest house in Paris
After the narrowest and smallest streets in Paris, this time we invite you to admire the smallest house in the capital. 1.40 m wide , 5 m high and 3 m deep, it fills what was once a passageway between Rue du Château d’Eau and Rue du Faubourg Saint-Martin. One of the most unusual houses in Paris
📍 39 rue du Château-d’Eau, 75010 Paris
18 – Les arènes de Lutèce, a gladiatorial atmosphere in Paris
Who said there were only gladiators in Italy? Built in the 1st century, the Luthèce arenas were once the place to be . Its hybrid form could accommodate theatrical troupes as well as gladiators, for epic battles!
📍 49 rue Monge, 75005 Paris
19 – The smallest square in Paris, one of the most atypical and unusual places in Paris
Just 40 meters long, Place du Calvaire is the smallest square in the capital. Not devoid of charm, it has attracted artists such as the painters Maurice Neumont and Louis Icart. One of the most unusual places in Paris, a must-see.
📍 Place du Calvaire, 75018 Paris
20 – The pet cemetery at Asnières
It’s one of the capital’s must-see sights! The Asnières animal cemetery is a place dedicated to our animal friends. This unique cemetery houses the graves of cats, dogs, birds, monkeys and horses. Some furry, clawed “stars” like Rintin, the dog actor, are laid to rest here. A unique cemetery to see on Halloween.
📍4 Pont de Clichy, 92600 Asnières-sur-Seine
21 – The Hindu Ganesh temple in the 18th arrondissement of Paris
In the “Little Jaffna” district, in the heart of the 18th arrondissement of Paris, you can discover the Ganesh temple. For the record, this was the very first Hindu temple to be built in France. Open to all, there is one small rule to respect this holy place: take off your shoes. This place of worship honors the supreme deity Ganesh, considered by Hindus to be the god of knowledge, capable of warding off evil by the sheer force of his thought.
📍 17 Rue Pajol, 75018 Paris
22 – The picturesque Villa Léandre in Montmartre
Villa Léandre is a little corner of paradise, blooming with Parisian clichés à la Emily in Paris. And yet, it’s not a movie set, but a Parisian nugget of charming Anglo-Norman and Art Nouveau houses.
📍 25 avenue Junot 75018 Paris
23 – The unusual planted promenade of the 12th arrondissement
The coulée verte, or planted walkway, is a bubble of greenery that runs through part of eastern Paris and into the 77 department. A 100% pedestrian route stretching 5 km to the Château de Vincennes. An unusual and charming place to stroll in all seasons.
📍 1 Coulée Verte René-Dumont, 75012 Paris
24 – The Buddha altar, one of Paris’s most unusual temples
You’ll discover this strange pagoda in a parking lot off Rue du Disque. The Buddha cult temple is a place dedicated to prayers, but also a place for living and sharing, where local residents like to get together.
📍 Rue du Disque, 75013 Paris
25 – The extraordinary garden of the Buddhist Pantheon
For an enchanted, timeless interlude, we recommend a visit to the Japanese Garden of the Buddhist Pantheon. You’ll find all the codes of Zen gardens to give you a change of scenery.
📍19 Avenue d’Iéna, 75116 Paris
26- Le passage de l’Ancre, a colorful, bucolic and unusual place
It’s one of the best-kept secrets of old Paris. In the Passage de l’Ancre, where vegetation is abundant, pretty buildings with colorful facades are sheltered. A perfect place for an original and romantic stroll with your date.
📍223 rue Saint-Martin, 75003 Paris
27 – Medieval houses, unusual buildings to discover
To travel back in time, go to rue François Miron. From here, you can admire medieval houses whose original half-timbering was restored in 1970. Undoubtedly one of the most unusual places in Paris.
📍 Rue François Miron, 75004 Paris
28 – La Campagne in Paris, a neighborhood with a village feel
This lovely subdivision was a working-class housing estate. Today, it’s one of Paris’s most affluent areas, where leafy residences nestle. We love strolling through the town to admire the architecture of its Anglo-Norman and Alsatian houses.
📍 210 Rue des Pyrénées, 75020 Paris
29 – La Petite Ceinture, one of the most unusual places to see in Paris
Known since time immemorial to Urbex enthusiasts, the Little Belt continues to fascinate us. By 2026, it should extend over a further 4 km, or 7.6 hectares, to promote biodiversity. An unusual Parisian landmark not to be missed.
📍 32.5 km of greenery
30 – The Moulin de la Galette, the only working mill in Paris
This is the very last windmill in Paris. The Moulin de la Galette is one of the remnants of what was once the Montmartre countryside. In the 1900s, it was the place to be seen! It became an open-air guinguette, then expanded into an enclosed ballroom where painters, actors and celebrities of the day strolled. Today, the windmill is still in working order, much to our delight. One of the most unusual places in Paris that you must see!
📍 77 rue Lepic, 75018 Paris