Discovering Paris from a new perspective (part 2)

I had already written an article on this theme back in August 2013, and I’m returning to the topic with a second post because I have new tips in this area to share with you (and I’ll certainly have more in the future as well). Here is my 2nd selection of unconventional, offbeat, and different activities to discover or rediscover this beautiful city that is Paris!

Aerial view of Paris with the Eiffel Tower and the Seine.

Table of Contents

Paris Balade

Paris Balade is a company founded by two vintage car enthusiasts, offering high-quality and original guided sightseeing tours in Paris and the Île-de-France region, in 1960s vintage cars. These Parisian tours with a driver-guide take place in a Peugeot 404 or a Mercedes 280 SE. The goal of these lovers of vintage cars and Paris is to share their passion for authenticity with their clients.

Parisian 2CV driver at night in front of a pharmacy.

Interior of vintage car at night, steering wheel and dashboard.

Night view of a black Citroën 2CV with reflection of Parisian buildings.

Close-up of black Peugeot 404 for 2CV tours in Paris.

My opinion: it is a very original and pleasant way to discover or rediscover the capital. In addition to the sharp and very interesting commentary from these exceptional drivers, it is truly a timeless moment that Paris Balade offers us.

An experience that I recommend to both tourists and born-and-bred Parisians, who may see their city with fresh eyes.

The Right Bank tour (1 hour duration), by day or night, departs at 2 PM or 9 PM in front of the steps of the Opéra Garnier,
The Right Bank tour (1 hour duration), by day or night, departs at 2 PM or 9 PM in front of the steps of the Opéra Garnier

Vintage car in front of the Concorde fountain at night, Paris tour.

4 Roues sous 1 Parapluie

Guided tour of Paris in a Citroën 2CV with a smiling driver on the Grands Boulevards.

Blue Citroën 2CV parked on the Grands Boulevards in Paris.

4 Roues sous 1 Parapluie offers to discover Paris in a 2CV with a chauffeur to take you almost anywhere in the city. The plus: it’s actually super comfortable in a 2CV, and if it’s sunny, you’ll get to enjoy the sunroof!

Paris ma Belle riddle tours

A young company created in 2012, Paris Ma Belle offers individuals and companies the chance to play and discover Paris through two original activities: the treasure hunt and pétanque. Personally, I discovered the treasure hunt portion last summer and I highly recommend it.

An alternative to the traditional guided tour, a Paris Ma Belle treasure hunt is above all an enjoyable walk discovering places and neighborhoods selected for their interest. Adventure, riddles, and anecdotes… a treasure hunt that allows you to have fun and tap into your sense of observation while discovering Parisian heritage.

Paris ma Belle tour

Registration mandatory by email or phone

Price is €10 / participant

Theatrical tours at the Grévin Museum

Theatrical tours aim to provide additional content to traditional tours and help you discover some of Grévin’s secrets. These tours are filled with humor and anecdotes that allow you to learn more about the history of this fun museum through its characters, such as Alfred Grévin, Sarah Bernhardt, or Gustave Eiffel, all three present at the inauguration of the Grévin Museum on June 5, 1882.

Grévin
10 Boulevard Montmartre - 75009 Paris

Theatrical tours take place on Saturdays and Sundays

Times: 10:30 AM and 4:00 PM

Adult price: €30 / Child price (from 6 to 14 years old): €25

25 people maximum per slot
Duration: 1h30

Musée des Arts Forains

The Pavillons de Bercy gather in one place a performance museum composed of 4 worlds:

The Marvelous Theatre
The Fairground Arts Museum
The Venetian Salons
The Green Theatre

Carnival game with two painted wooden faces and scores.

Antique carousel with statue at the Fairground Arts Museum, red decor and lights.

On-site, you can ride the wooden horse carousel (1903), discover the 19th-century buildings constructed by the Eiffel company, test your strength on the Velocipede Carousel (1897), admire an automaton show where Casanova, Harlequin, and Columbine sing great opera arias, or discover the Venetian salons in tribute to the City of Doges, which offer a journey to the lagoon, in the world of a baroque palace on an 18th-century carnival night.

This staging of the Belle Époque fairground over 1,700 m2 by Jean-Paul Favand is one of the most important fairground art collections in the world. It is set in a green space in the heart of Paris, in the former wine market of the Pavillons de Bercy, listed as a historical monument, covering 1.7 hectares.

Façade of a Parisian building overgrown with greenery with an

Antique carousel with decorated car, festive lighting, and painted ceiling.

Carousel horse head with brown harness, likely Fairground Arts Museum.

Carousel horse in motion, night ambiance and warm lights.

You can discover these different worlds and this park whose attractions are over 100 years old during fun guided tours, by reservation only (€16 for adults and €8 for children) at +33 1 43 40 16 22 or on the website of the Musée des Arts Forains.

Musée des Arts Forains

Les Pavillons de Bercy

53, avenue des Terroirs de France 75012 Paris

A moment on the water with Bateau Mon Paris

Bateau Mon Paris offers Parisians and tourists the opportunity to charter houseboats and boats for a floating aperitif, to celebrate a birthday, spend an evening with friends, have a dinner or lunch cruise, for a marriage proposal (gentlemen, this is the time to take notes), for a bachelorette/bachelor party, etc.

Champagne and fruit buffet on a boat with a view of the Seine, Paris.

Champagne bubble on a boat with French flag on the Seine.

Interior view of a boat on the Seine with bridge and Paris bank.

Boat on the Seine with a view of Notre-Dame de Paris at twilight.

View of the Seine river in Paris with a bridge and green banks.

Bateau Mon Paris: luxury private cruise on the Seine with champagne and breadsticks.

The services offered are à la carte and turnkey, and Bateau Mon Paris takes care of creating the desired atmosphere to have a magical time, whether you are a couple or in a group (small committee or even for larger groups).

Intripid Challenges

Concept of the Intripid game explained in a comic strip: steps to complete the challenges.

Intripid is an innovative game concept that consists of completing challenges in bars, restaurants, boutiques, or museums in Paris in order to win gifts and discounts from partners.

The idea is to go to partner establishments to take up challenges. Winners each receive a “mission accomplished” card on-site. These cards have a unique code that unlocks points and gifts on the game’s website. To do this, you must first register online and create your avatar on the site (if you look carefully, you will find Melle Bon Plan, the adventurer).

Intripid mission cards with secret codes to earn points during Paris challenges.

Then you will be able to take up the gastronomic, cultural, romantic, sports, or festive challenges offered by the managers of the establishments, and thus make your avatar climb levels, achieve goals, share your experiences, and win gifts. There are even original courses for bachelorette or bachelor parties, including 2 hours of non-stop challenges on Rue Mouffetard in Paris, where the future groom/bride, helped by their witnesses, will have to complete at least 6 challenges to win a bottle of Champagne. Each season, the first team to have completed the most challenges wins a trip to Barcelona for 4 people!

Paris Authentic by 2CV

Paris Authentic offers to discover Paris in a 2CV with a chauffeur to take you almost anywhere in the city.

The plus: it’s actually super comfortable in a 2CV, and if it’s sunny, you’ll get to enjoy the sunroof!

Citroën 2CV in Paris Authentic colors parked in front of a store.

1 Paris 2 Rêve

1 Paris 2 Rêve offers tours to rediscover the capital differently. Béatrice, the creator of 1 Paris 2 Rêve, dives into documentary and photographic research, she meets historians and enthusiasts to create unique tours.

Rue des Degrés street sign in the 2nd Arrondissement of Paris.

Arc de Triomphe de la Porte Saint-Denis adorned with sculptures under a blue sky.

Visites Spectacles

Visites Spectacles offers guided tours in Paris hosted by actors.

Paris Grands Boulevards poster: characters, Sacré-Cœur, Eiffel Tower, rose.

And you, what are your unconventional tips for discovering the capital differently?

Photo credits: Mademoiselle Bon Plan and Julie Brando
Photos not royalty-free, photographer's authorization mandatory before any use