Because it’s still summer and we are always looking for new ways to discover Paris, whether you live here or are just visiting for a few days, I have put together a small overview of original concepts to discover or rediscover the capital in a different way.
As usual, this guide is not meant to be exhaustive, and you are welcome to leave your own discoveries in the comments.
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Table of Contents
The TwizTour
Twiztour is a brand new concept for exploring Paris in a Renault Twizy, a 100% electric and automatic two-seater vehicle equipped with an interactive GPS and audio guide!
The concept targets tourists and Parisians alike, as well as businesses with corporate offers (treasure hunts, incentives…), or even bachelor/bachelorette parties, with dedicated offers.
This original, alternative, and eco-friendly tourist operation proposes a unique way to discover the capital through several alternative mobility offers:
- A Paris discovery offer aimed at tourists with guided tours of the capital where clients drive this small, maneuverable, and completely silent vehicle themselves, while listening to anecdotes, great shopping and dining tips, and driving advice from the GPS. This allows for autonomy and great freedom to discover must-see Paris and its major monuments at your own pace, as well as hidden and unusual parts of the city.
- You can also choose the VIP option and be accompanied by a personal guide who leads the way at the front of the convoy with a completely customizable and bespoke tour.
- A corporate offer for company events, incentives, and team building.
- A Twizy rental offer dedicated to Parisian customers who are subscribers of the Park Vinci Lobau, at attractive rates. Rentals for 1 or 2 hours, for lunch, a professional meeting, or a shopping trip.
The perks:
- Twizy clients benefit from free parking for 2 hours in Paris, thanks to the Electric Vehicle parking card.
- A Twiztour to be won with Midipile from August 19 to 25, 2013
Where to find the Twizys parking Vinci Lobau - Rivoli, Level -1, 4 rue de Lobau - 75004 Paris Price: 59 € for 2 people for a 1-hour tour
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Seine Boat Trips
One Sunday morning this beautiful, hot summer, I got up early to go and enjoy the sun and my day by taking the Seine in the Footsteps of the Impressionists trip, offered by Balade En Seine and the Hauts-de-Seine Tourist Office. This 2-hour cruise on the meanders of the Seine from Rueil-Malmaison to Le Pecq allows for a wide excursion into the land of the Impressionists, passing through Chatou and Bougival.
These cruises, which are a lovely opportunity to discover lesser-known parts of the Seine, take place every Sunday with several routes available, until September 11, 2016.
Balade en Seine Cruises lasting 2 hours, departing from Sèvres, Asnières, and Rueil-Malmaison (departures at 2 PM and 4:30 PM) Participation of 5 to 10 €
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Visit to the Tour Saint Jacques in Paris
The association that already manages tourism for the Tour Jean Sans Peur decided to open the doors of the Tour Saint Jacques to Parisians very exceptionally this summer! This tower, which stands in the middle of Paris, is actually little known to the capital’s inhabitants because for many years it has been inaccessible, apart from its exterior view.
It is therefore a quite unique event to be able to climb to the very top of this medieval tower (well, not quite that medieval, but I’ll let the association’s guides explain that to you). I strongly advise you to take advantage of it (the visits end on September 15) because after that, no one knows when we will have the opportunity to climb these stairs again to admire one of the most beautiful views of Paris (and I know a thing or two about beautiful Parisian views!).
But of course, every privilege has its price; a victim of its own success, the opening of the tower is almost fully booked every day, and to have the chance to climb the 300 steps of the central spiral staircase of the monument, you will need to be patient and early.
Indeed, reservations are only made on the day itself, and you have to arrive in the morning between 7 AM and 7:30 AM to have a chance at getting a spot for the day. At the same time, once at the top of the building, I promise you that it is worth a look; it’s a privilege that might not happen again anytime soon…
Tour Saint Jacques Visit Practical information: 50-min visits every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM (climb every hour) until Sunday, September 15, 2013 Rates: Full price: 6 € / Reduced price: 3 € (students, job seekers, disabled people)
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Theatrical tours
I had already mentioned it to you here, but I had the opportunity to discover the concept of Visites Spectacles (Theatrical tours) for myself.
The site therefore offers guided tours in Paris, led by actors with a choice of 4 investigation walks in Paris: Montmartre, the Covered Passages, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, and the Eiffel Tower. As for me, I discovered the Saint-Germain Spy walk, in a neighborhood that I already knew quite well, yet I learned new anecdotes about this Parisian district.
I really appreciated the mix of genres, with a theatrical side but also with a solid and well-documented “tour guide” aspect (this was a bit of a weakness I feared at the start). You learn a lot and, in addition, you have fun. The actors are very good and not lacking in charm. An experience to discover, then, and a new, fun way to visit the capital.
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Titanic the exhibition, Paris in the time of ocean liners
At first, you might think there is no connection between Paris and the Titanic… For my part, I see 2 exceptions: the first is that there were French people and Parisians on board the Titanic for its maiden voyage, and the second is that the exhibition on the incredible adventure of the Titanic set up shop this summer at Porte de Versailles.
The strength of the exhibition, from my point of view, lies in its capacity to transport us back to 1912 through a journey in time to discover the history of the Titanic, from its construction to life on board, passing through its terrible shipwreck and the many campaigns to recover objects from the bottom of the ocean. First of all, at the entrance to the exhibition, you are given a replica of a boarding pass like those the real Titanic passengers had; so right away, it sets the mood!
Then, the exhibition is focused on the moving stories of the men and women on board the legendary RMS Titanic, stories traced through more than 280 authentic objects found at the wreck site and numerous reconstructions of the ship’s cabins.
Titanic, the exhibition until September 29, 2013 at Paris Expo, Porte de Versailles open every day from 10 AM to 7 PM
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Midipile
This week, Mademoiselle Bon Plan is in total harmony with the theme of Midipile, because the site is offering you special “Visit Paris differently” offers to win during this week from August 19 to 23, 2013. So there’s no reason to deprive yourself, and as they say, 100% of winners tried their luck…
