Royal scandals, giant street art, hypnosis, treasure hunts, Van Gogh outside Paris... The offbeat Paris guide that locals keep to themselves.
Everyone knows Paris. The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Montmartre, buttery croissants. But the Paris that makes you say "wait, this actually exists?", nobody shows you that one. And that's exactly what we explored for you.
We tested 10 experiences that go completely off the beaten path: tours that tell French history like a Netflix series, neighbourhoods that even Parisians don't know about, and activities so offbeat you won't find them in any guidebook. Budget: from €26 for a wild quiz room to €80 for a hike in Van Gogh's footsteps. All rated 5/5 by those who've tried them.
Tours that rewrite history
Forget guided tours where someone recites dates in front of monuments. These three experiences reveal the Paris you were never taught in school, the one full of scandals, royal intrigue and unspeakable secrets.
The Secret Scandals of Parisian History is our absolute favourite in this category. Over 2.5 hours, a passionate guide (recognisable by his beard and the French flag draped over his shoulders) recounts four carefully chosen scandals that rocked France. The biggest financial scam ever attempted, a president who died "the French way", espionage stories that shaped our era... Each tale blends humour, depth and secret locations you'd never find on your own. At €35, it's the price of a brunch, except here you leave with stories that'll fascinate everyone at your next dinner party. Meet at the small square facing the Bourse de Commerce in the 1st arrondissement.
Paris Secret Scandals Historical Walking Tour
A Paris walk uncovering the juiciest scandals in French history. Espionage, scams and state secrets: history like you've never heard it before!
Secrets of the French Monarchy takes the concept even further, plunging you into 800 years of royal intrigue. The pitch: if you think Game of Thrones is fiction, wait until you discover the real history of France. Vikings, political conspiracies, wars of religion, the guide reveals four landmark episodes from 845 to 1616, with fascinating connections to today's pop culture. It's the highest-rated tour in our selection with 33 reviews at 5/5. At €31.50, you start from the Pont des Arts in the 6th and cross Saint-Germain-des-Prés while rediscovering places you thought you knew. The "TV series" approach works so well that even locals who thought they knew everything about Paris leave genuinely amazed.
Secrets of the French Monarchy
Dive into 800 years of royal intrigue that inspired Game of Thrones and more. A captivating tour revealing how these period plots still resonate today.
For a broader experience, Secret Paris takes you from Notre-Dame to the Champs-Élysées in 2.5 hours, led by a local expert who tells you HIS Paris through 10 captivating stories. No boring dates here, just narratives that bring places to life. The birth of modern Paris, the revolutions (French AND sexual), the mysteries of the great monuments... The big bonus: a PDF guide with 15 secret spots to explore after the tour, plus a little surprise at the end. At €65 it's the premium option, but you cover a large chunk of the city and leave with a genuine survival guide to unusual Paris. Starting point: the Arènes de Lutèce in the 5th.
Secret Paris: Historical Walking Tour with Local Expert
A 2.5-hour walk to discover the real Paris through 10 fascinating stories. From Notre-Dame to Champs-Élysées, your guide reveals secrets tourists never see.
Budget tip
Neighbourhoods off the beaten path
Tourists are trampling over each other in Montmartre and Le Marais. Meanwhile, real Parisians are enjoying far more interesting, and far less crowded, neighbourhoods. Here are three ways to discover them.
Authentic Belleville is the walk that shows you why this 20th arrondissement neighbourhood is Paris's best-kept secret. Working-class, cosmopolitan, creative, Belleville has kept its old-world soul while buzzing with artistic energy. Your passionate guide takes you through steep alleyways (including one ranked among the coolest in the world), shows you incredible street art at every corner, and leads you to one of the most stunning panoramic views of the Eiffel Tower in all of Paris. Yes, from the 20th. You also learn the stories behind Edith Piaf and discover the neighbourhood's real hidden gems, not the stuff you find on TripAdvisor. At €45 for 2 hours, it's the best way to see the Paris that Parisians actually love. Meet at Pyrénées metro, in front of Le Mistral.
Authentic Belleville: Popular and Creative Paris
Explore bohemian Belleville, away from tourist trails. Street art, epic Paris views and the soul of real Paris await you.
If Belleville is the living, working-class Paris, the 13th arrondissement is Paris transformed into a giant art gallery. The street art walk with an expert immerses you in the fascinating world of Parisian neo-muralism for 2 hours and 15 minutes. Monumental murals by Obey, C215 and other legends of the movement cover the facades of the Butte-aux-Cailles. Your guide has studied street art for years and reveals the techniques, untold stories and secrets behind each piece. You'll walk past dozens of murals you'd have missed on your own. At €40, it's a genuine cultural deep-dive into a neighbourhood that never makes it into tourist guides. Starting point: Nationale metro station (line 6).
Street Art Walking Tour in the 13th with an Expert
A complete immersion into Parisian street art with a passionate guide. Discover the giant murals of the 13th arrondissement and meet the legends of the neo-muralist movement.
And for those who want to leave Paris entirely, the Van Gogh hike in Auvers-sur-Oise is the perfect antidote to urban overload. A 10km walk through the Vexin nature reserve, following in the master's footsteps during his last 70 days. You set off in a small group of max 6 people from Gare du Nord, and over 5 hours you walk through landscapes that have barely changed since 1890. The wheat fields, the church of Auvers, Van Gogh's grave... The guide is passionate and the small groups let you ask all your questions about Impressionism. At €80 it's the priciest option in this guide, but it's also the most memorable, far from the crowds at the Musée d'Orsay, in the intimate settings that inspired the genius's final paintings. Best in spring when the landscapes explode with colour.
Van Gogh Hiking Trail in Auvers-sur-Oise
Escape Paris for a 10km hike following Van Gogh's footsteps. Discover Auvers-sur-Oise, his final painted landscapes and the fascinating story of his last days.
Wild experiences
Now we're getting to the truly bonkers stuff. The activities that no guidebook mentions, yet are among the highest-rated in Paris.
The Emily in Paris tour, we were sceptical. Another tour based on a Netflix show? But with 5/5 and 24 reviews, we gave it a go. And honestly, it's really well done. The guide knows their stuff and shows you spots you'd have missed otherwise: Emily's apartment on Place de l'Estrapade, Gabriel's restaurant, the Jardin du Luxembourg for the romantic scenes, the Pont des Arts... As a bonus, a professional photo is included for your Instagram feed. At €35 for 2.5 hours, it's fun even if you've never seen the series, and season 5 locations are on the route. Meet in front of the Hôtel Les Dames du Panthéon in the 5th. If you're after more romantic photo spots in Paris, check out our romantic activities guide.
Emily in Paris Walking Tour with Professional Photo
Follow Emily Cooper's footsteps through the real filming locations of the series. Bonus: a professional photo to immortalize your Parisian moment!
The treasure hunt on Île de la Cité and Île Saint-Louis is the perfect activity for rediscovering the historic heart of Paris differently. Armed with a map and a riddle booklet, you follow the trail of King Saint-Louis through cobblestoned lanes and monuments on both islands. From Notre-Dame to secret little squares, each clue brings you closer to the final treasure. The interactive format keeps things captivating, even teenagers put their phones away. At €30 for 1.5 hours, it's also the most budget-friendly option in this guide, and it works just as well for families as it does for groups of friends. Meet at Square Barye, at the tip of Île Saint-Louis.
Treasure Hunt on Île de la Cité and Saint-Louis
A fun treasure hunt to explore Paris's two legendary islands. Puzzles, map and clue book to discover the secrets of King Saint-Louis!
Quiz Room turns a regular night out into a TV game show set. Glowing buzzers, full studio atmosphere, two quiz sessions of 30-35 minutes each, and you're basically a contestant on a French quiz show, except better because you're playing with your team (4 to 18 people). Questions span all difficulty levels, the energy is unreal, and the hosts know how to build genuine rivalry between teams. At €26 in the 10th (République metro), it's the best value in this guide, and the ideal activity for a birthday, hen party or team building that actually stands out.
Quiz Room: Your Own TV Game Show in Paris
Transform into a TV game show contestant in a real quiz room! Authentic TV set atmosphere guaranteed with buzzers and questions for all levels.
And to end on a high note, Giorda's hypnosis show at L'Européen in the 17th. Giorda is the first professional female hypnotist in France, and her show "Hypn'ose" is a unique blend of hypnosis, humour and emotion. Forget swinging pendulums and "you are very sleepy", this is a genuine collective and interactive experience where the audience takes part. She even stays to chat after the show, which shows just how passionate she is. At €29 for 1.5 hours in an intimate setting, it's the kind of evening you'll talk about for weeks. If you want to combine it with dinner, the Batignolles neighbourhood is packed with great restaurants.
Giorda's Hypnosis Show at L'Européen
Discover Giorda, France's first female hypnotist, in an amazing show at L'Européen. A fascinating collective experience blending hypnosis, humor and emotions.
Good to know
Our tips for a truly unusual Paris
After testing these 10 experiences, here's what we took away:
- Book 3-5 days ahead. History tours (Scandals, Monarchy) often run in small groups and weekend spots go fast.
- Wear comfortable shoes. Most of these activities are outdoors and involve 2-3 hours of walking. For the Van Gogh hike, bring proper hiking shoes (10km).
- Combine neighbourhoods. Belleville in the morning + street art in the 13th in the afternoon = a full day off the beaten path without rushing. Both are reachable by metro in 20 minutes.
- Tuesdays and Wednesdays are your friends. Fewer crowds, better availability, and guides are often more relaxed on weekdays. Everyone flocks to the same slots on weekends.
- Mix it up. A history tour + a wild activity on the same day is the perfect combo to avoid burnout. For the food side of things, we have a dedicated guide.
Browse all our unusual experiences in our offbeat activities catalogue.