More Paris Must Do attractions...

There's so much more to Paris than initially meets the eye. Here are some more Paris must do attractions...

Panthéon, Musée National du Moyen Age/Musée de Cluny, Musée l’Orangerie, Jardin du Luxembourg, Musée National d’Histoire Naturelle: Jardin des Plantes, Menagerie, Galeries de Paléontologie et Anatomie comparée, Galerie de Minéralogie et Géologie, Grande Galerie de l‘Evolution, Galeries Lafayette and Printemps.


For easy, "at a glance" reference, go to Paris Quick Reference Guide to see what's open & when to help make the most of your trip.



1. Panthéon – 5th arrondissement. Metro access: line 10 Cardinal Lemoine. The Panthéon was originally built as a church commissioned by Louis XV to honour Paris’ patron saint St Geneviève. It now stands as an imposing structure and final resting place of some of France’s creative and influential greats.




These include the prominent playwright, historian and philosopher – Voltaire; the discoverers of radioactive polonium and radium - Pierre and Marie Curie (Marie was Polish); the famous poet and playwright (of Les Misérables) – Victor Hugo; amongst many others who share space within the crypt which lies beneath the floor of the Panthéon and is accessed by a flight of stairs at the rear of the Pantheon. The crypt’s cool interior, location and lighting, add to the sombre atmosphere and the museum guards demand some respect from the occasional noisy tourist. For more tourist info on the Panthéon, click here.

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The other interesting feature of the Panthéon is the mysterious Foucault pendulum an oscillating weight suspended from the central dome of the Panthéon (some 67 metres long!). The Foucault pendulum was designed by Leon Foucault, to demonstrate, in a simple way to the public, the slow rotation of the earth in reference to the universe. It is amazing to realise that the slow swing and visible shift in degrees is in fact the building (together with the earth) rotating benealth the Foucault pendulum, which aligns itself with the rest of the universe! Physics in motion!

Paris Must Do - Panthéon Tip: Don’t miss out on the hourly escorted tours of the dome with views over the city. Make your enquiries regarding next tour time as soon as you enter. If you've just missed out then there's plenty to look at before the next tour departs.


2. Musée National du Moyen Age (Middle Ages), also known as the Cluny Museum – 5th arrondissement. Metro line 10, Cluny La Sorbonne. This fascinating museum nested in the back streets is like a hidden treasure. Take the time to wander the numbered rooms where you will find Gallo-Roman baths, carvings, jewellery, enamels, coins, crosses, ornate chalices, gold leaf manuscripts, etc. But the piece de resistance is found in a dimly lit room: the famous Lady with the Unicorn Flemish tapestries. The lighting is kept to a minimum to protect the precious work from fading and actually enhances the richness of these six tapestries which together depict our five senses: sight (a lady holds a mirror to the unicorn), sound (a lady plays a chamber organ), taste (a lady takes some sweets), smell (a lady makes a crown of flowers and the monkey sniffs one) and touch (the lady touches the unicorn’s horn). The sixth tapestry “To my soul desire” (“A Mon Seul Désir”) shows the lady returning a necklace to a chest and is thought to depict her free will by renouncing all temptation brought on by the five senses. Click here for more info on the Cluny Museum

Paris Must Do - Musée National du Moyen Age Tip: You won't be able to take any photographs of the Lady and the Unicorn tapestries but there is a great little shop within the museum where you can buy books & other souvenirs on the subject.

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3. Musée l’Orangerie - 1st arrondissement. Line 1 Tuileries, or lines 1, 8, 12 Concorde. A short stroll through the Jardin des Tuileries will take you to this little oasis where, over two rooms, Monet’s waterlily impressions will calm and sooth. Other works include paintings by Cezanne, Renoir, Matisse and Picasso. This quaint museum is a definately a Paris must do attraction for Monet lovers.



The showcase waterlilies can be enjoyed in their full splendour from a distance or admired for their intricacy up close. Just remember, no flash photography, or you will be told-off. There’s plenty of good natural lighting in this place to get some great pictures and it’s a small enough museum to fit in if you have an hour to spare. L'Orangerie website provides more information on exhibitions, visiting times and costs.

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4. Jardin du Luxembourg – 6th arrondissement. A short stroll from line 10 Cluny, Odéon or on your way to or from the Panthéon. The Palais du Luxembourg and its gardens of terraces and avenues of elm trees was built under the guidance of Marie de Médicis. Nowadays for Parisians, this garden is a true playground and weekend haven: a place to meet, to relax, maybe take in some live music playing at the gazebo. Needless to say that on sunny weekends, this place is packed! With the Palais du Luxembourg in the background, and garden seats and statues sprinkled all around, it gives you the feeling that you’re a party guest at the palace. Unfortunately you’re not allowed to go on the grass. Check out the Marie de Médicis fountain near the north-east corner. The garden is open 8am to 5pm every day with extended hours in summer. Check for times for other activities. Read more...

Paris Must Do - Jardin du Luxembourg Tip: If you have kids and are visiting Paris on the weekend or Wednesday, you can hire toy sailboats for them to sail on the central pond. Alternatively, there are pony rides west of the central pond & a play ground and a traditional French marionette theatre near the south-west corner. For the littlies, there's a sandpit and wading pool in the north-west corner.


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5. Jardin des Plantes (Botanical Gardens) – 5th arrondissement. Metro line 7 Austerlitz, or 10 Jussieu. Created in the 17th century, covering some 260000m², this structured garden was originally planted out with medicinal herbs for royalty, after which it was used for botanical teaching purposes & currently, to the study and preservation of plant families.

The gravel alleys also serve as a jogging circuit for active French folk who work on keeping their “ligne” (shape) & is frequented by young mothers who sometimes struggle to keep their toddlers off the strips of grass. There's a small zoo attached to the garden: the Menagerie












In spring, visit the rose garden, which contains highly perfumed ancient roses and spectacular modern day blooms accessed via paths that leads through rose beds & arbours. Stop and smell the roses…the scents will leave you swooning! Find out more about Jardin des Plantes.


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Musée National d’Histoire Naturelle (National History Museum) (for the official website, click here):
This comprises of the Grande Galerie de l‘Evolution (westerly end), Galeries de Paléontologie et Anatomie comparée (easterly end), Galerie de Minéralogie et Géologie (south-westerly end) and also includes the Jardin des Plantes (the surrounding grounds) and Menagerie (northerly end).


6. Galeries de Paléontologie et Anatomie comparée – At the Gare d’Austerlitz end of the Jardin de Plantes you will find the Galeries de Paléontologie et Anatomie comparée (Palaeontology and Comparative Anatomy). Here you can view the fascinating: skeletons, prehistoric replicas & fossils; and the bizarre: dissected and preserved organs and anomalies of nature. More info.
Not for the squeamish or sensitive conservationists. You have to keep in mind that most of the specimens were collected from as early as the 18th century, when conservation was not the issue it is today. A lot of information has been and still is garnered from these specimens, such as comparison of skeletal structures between animal families and species.

Paris Must Do - Palaeontologie Museum Tip: The life-size replicas of dinosaurs, giant ammonites and fossils are a great hit with all kids.


7. Galerie de Minéralogie et Géologie (Gallery of Mineralogy & Geology) – If replica dinosaurs, skeletons and pickled specimens aren’t your thing, head across to the south-westerly end of the Jardin des Plantes to this mineral museum to see some truly remarkable examples of natures geometry. At one end of the spectrum there are larger-than-life specimens of quartz, at the other: delicate, hair-like crystals of mesolite and every amazing form and colour in between. You will also find specimens of gold nuggets, opals and fine antique furniture and jewellery with semiprecious and precious inlays. The specimens are the crème de la crème (best of the best).

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Paris Must Do - Mineral and Geology Museum Tip: Small enough to drop into for a quick visit and makes for an interesting & nice change from the churches, history, art museums and Paris architecture. Bonus is that it's usually not very busy. For more information, click through to the Mineral and Geology site where you can take a panoramic tour of the entrance with giant quartz crystals.


8. Grande Galerie de l'Evolution (Grand Evolution Gallery) – just across from the mineral museum is the Grande Galerie de l‘Evolution. Learn everything there is to learn about the evolution of Earth’s diverse species. This Paris must do attraction has been part of the Museum of Natural History since 1889. If you’re not averse to seeing a vast array of taxidermy specimens then you will appreciate the time and effort it took to prepare and mount the exhibits for display. It’s a great place to learn about man’s impact on his environment, past to present. It shows just how fragile life on earth can be and the fact that the future of endangered species is in our hands. The displays are amazing, a Paris must do for kids and adults alike. Find out more, including panoramic view at the Grande Galerie de l'Evolution website.


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9. Galeries La Fayette and Printemps department stores. These department stores are found all over France, but just near the Opera Garnier, you'll find a shopper's Paris must do...the biggest and most extravagant examples of the lot, with floors upon floors of chic items housed in beautiful interiors.
During the festive seasons, the stores have amazing displays both inside and out. Don't expect to save too much money here, unless you happen to be there during the end of season sales (soldes). To find out more and see what's on, go to Galeries Lafayette or Printemps' websites.

Paris Must Do - Galeries La Fayette Tip: At the Galeries Lafayette there are also weekly fashion shows that the general public can attend, or you can head up to the 7th floor for a coffee and a free rooftop view over Paris


There are more Paris must do attractions coming... watch this space.


You'll find a quick reference to opening days and times of Paris must do attractions, at Paris Quick Reference Guide where you can also download and print a list of whats open and when!


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