Does the size of the Louvre make you shake? Does the queue at Orsay give you goosebumps? If you prefer to steer away from big museums, or even if you are just interested in seeing something a bit different, you should check out these unusual museums in Paris!
The Musée du Vin (Wine Museum) is never crowded, and is a great idea for a rainy day. With your entrance fee you get a free audio guide and a tasting of between 1-3 wine afterwards. There’s also a popular restaurant onsite, which I’ve heard good things about. A must-do for wine enthusiasts who want to laze away a few hours learning about the history of wine followed by a delicious lunch in a wine cellar.
Officially known as the Fragonard Scribe Museum, this perfume museum offers a free tour (of course the store is at the end!) It’s not huge, but has some interesting information about the history of perfume. The boutique sells some lovely French scents, but you are not obliged to buy.
Another little museum you might not have heard of is the Musée de la Contrefaçon (Counterfeiting Museum). Absolutely tiny, it will nevertheless be of interest to anyone curious about counterfeiting. The location is very Parisian too, although quiet, and is not far from the Bois de Boulogne park.
For all sports fans, the “Tenniseum” in Paris is highly-recommended. Located underneath the famous Roland Garros courts, guided tours in English leave at 11am and 3pm (2pm and 5pm in French.) It has interactive exhibits which inform you (in a fun way) about tennis’s 500-year history. Sporty kids – and adults – will really enjoy this.
Talking of children, the Musée en Herbe is a museum especially geared towards a younger audience. They aim to introduce children to art through a fun, hands-on approach. Take them on a guided tour, and show your kids that art isn’t boring! They’ll never groan at “Let’s go to a museum now!” again…
If you really want to see a different side to Paris, how about going underneath? You can visit the Paris Sewers, where there is a museum and you can also visit the working sewers! it might sound a bit smelly, but I came away with a better understanding of urban planning, and huge respect for the people who work in the sewers.
Of course if you don’t feel like spending time around sewage, you can go even deeper and visit the Paris Catacombs…just watch out for ghosts!
