Unusual place to visit guide

The Junot garden, a free, well-hidden place to go green on the Butte Montmartre

On Avenue Junot, the eponymous garden has just opened its doors to the general public, offering an oasis of greenery and, above all, a small tree-lined oasis on the Butte Montmartre.

Domaine Bois Brillant, the rebirth of a historic Île-de-France vineyard

In Seine-et-Marne, set in a verdant valley on the banks of the Grand Morin river, Domaine Bois Brillant marks the rebirth of a historic vineyard, reconnecting the surrounding area with its winegrowing history. Today, visitors can enjoy guided tours of the vineyards, and discover every step of the way, right up to the tasting of wines from the Ile-de-France region.

Le Couvent de l'Annonciation, discover this church and its secret cloister in the heart of Paris's 8th arrondissement.

In the 8th arrondissement of Paris, a church with Byzantine charm and an Art Deco cloister are hidden away at the Couvent de l'Annonciation. Founded by the Dominicans in 1613, this discreet and inspiring site is open to visitors free of charge all year round.

30 unusual or little-known places to discover in Paris and the Île-de-France region this summer 2025

Why not take the opportunity this summer to discover the treasures of the Île-de-France region? Paris may be one of the world's most beautiful cities, but the surrounding region also boasts a rich heritage and a host of unusual nuggets! Here's a roundup of original spots in the Paris region!

The Jardin Alpin at the Jardin des Plantes, a lovely hidden garden to discover

The Jardin des Plantes conceals a magnificent alpine garden. Located between the Grandes Serres and the Menagerie, this garden, which has no entrance doors, is accessible via a hidden underground passage. Here you can discover the rock gardens and wild mountain plants. It's a haven of peace to be (re)discovered all year round.

The Jardin d'Agronomie Tropicale, a hidden garden of exotic treasures

Do you know the Jardin d'Agronomie Tropicale René-Dumont? This exotic place steeped in history, hidden away in the Bois de Vincennes? We'll take you on a tour of this unusual garden with its many exotic treasures.

Discover Chevreuse: the Little Venice of the Yvelines and its lovely Petits Ponts walk

Just 40 minutes from Paris, Chevreuse, nicknamed the Little Venice of the Yvelines, offers a splendid stroll across its small bridges. This verdant setting, accessible by RER train, offers an unsuspectedly charming escape. We invite you to embark on a nature adventure between canals and picturesque paths!

Le Skit du Saint-Esprit, the unusual treasure hidden in the Mesnil-Saint-Denis forest in the Yvelines department

Have you heard of the Skit du Saint-Esprit, a small Orthodox monastery nestling in the Bois de Fay at Mesnil-Saint-Denis in the Yvelines? This small edifice, which in fact forms 3 churches, reveals a veritable treasure trove hidden within, a must-see for lovers of the unusual and art history.

The superb Japanese garden at Château de Courances: a bucolic and exotic stroll in the Paris region

The Japanese garden at Château de Courances is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful Japanese gardens around Paris, and particularly so in France. Located on the fabulous Courances estate in Essonne, this Anglo-Japanese garden will delight you with its exotic landscapes. Come and discover it from April 5 to November 2, 2025.

The Château de Monte-Cristo, Alexandre Dumas' hidden and unusual home

Discover the Château de Monte-Cristo, the residence imagined by the writer Alexandre Dumas. Set in an English garden on the Saint-Germain-en-Laye side of the Yvelines region, this exuberantly styled 19th-century château and its small Château d'If (Yew Castle) are waiting to be discovered. We take you on a tour of this hidden heritage, listed as a historic monument.

Did you know? A century-old autodrome track is located in Essonne.

Near the towns of Linas and Monlhéry, in the Essonne department, you'll find an autodrome track, designed for motor racing and car-related events.

Climbing District Sèvres-Lecourbe, the climbing gym in the heart of a church Paris 15th arrondissement

In the 15th arrondissement of Paris, the church of Sainte-Rita, once dedicated to the saint of desperate causes, has found a new vocation: becoming a temple to rock climbing. Welcome to the Climbing District Sèvres-Lecourbe, a unique climbing gym where you can climb under the vaults of a former church. A blend of sport, relaxation and coworking, this unusual venue has everything to seduce those of us in search of something new and out of the ordinary.

Le M., Musée du Vin in Paris: tastings, restaurant, exhibitions, concerts & parties!

Did you know that Paris has its own wine museum? Located in the capital's 16th arrondissement, this historic institution invites you to stroll through its 15th-century vaulted cellars and discover all the secrets of wine culture. Renovated and renamed M. Musée du Vin, the venue promises a rich program of restaurants, tasting courses, taste experiences, temporary exhibitions, concerts and Parisian soirées.

Le Désert de Retz, the unusual Anglo-Chinese park in Yvelines

One of the most unusual spots in the Paris region is the Desert de Retz, at Chambourcy in the Yvelines. This 18th-century Anglo-Chinese garden is one of the few to have been preserved in its original state. This enchanting place, once frequented by the likes of Marie-Antoinette and Thomas Jefferson, stands out for its fanciful constructions. You'll also enjoy discovering the many remarkable trees that dominate the landscaped area.

Did you know? The largest dolmen in Île-de-France is hidden in the Rambouillet forest.

You don't have to go all the way to Brocéliande forest to find real mysteries! Our forests in the Paris region also have their secrets, and the Rambouillet forest is home to the region's largest dolmen!

The Musée du fromage in Paris is open, and we want to tell you all about it!

The first Musée du fromage has opened its doors in Paris, in the 4ᵉ arrondissement, since this June 13, 2024. A living museum that lets us discover the great French know-how, the making of different cheeses, the history and the many varieties to be discovered all over France. Did you know that there are almost 300 "origine contrôlée" cheeses? You'll have to stay in this world a little longer - and taste it, of course!

Château de la Roche Guyon, a troglodyte castle in the Val-d'Oise with a breathtaking view over the Seine valley

Have you heard of Ile-de-France's only troglodyte castle, nestled in the only village in the region to be named one of France's most beautiful villages? We'll take you on a tour of the Château de la Roche Guyon, an unusual castle in the Val-d'Oise, with an eventful past that also inspired the adventures of Blake and Mortimer.

Did you know? There's an unusual troglodyte church in the Val d'Oise, just waiting to be discovered.

Did you know that in the Val d'Oise, the Church of the Annunciation at Haute-Isle is the only troglodyte church in the entire region? Carved directly into a chalk cliff and listed as a historic monument, it's an unusual nugget to discover.

Did you know? This Belvédère kiosk in the Yvelines is a remnant of the Universal Exhibition.

How about discovering the Kiosque du Belvédère de Châtillon, nestling in the Rosny-sur-Seine forest in the Yvelines department? We tell you all about its history and how to find it.

Unusual in the Yvelines: the superb waterfall grotto at Parc du Dr Fauvel in Villennes-sur-Seine

Villennes-sur-Seine, a charming commune in the Yvelines department, is home to a little-known treasure: the waterfalls of the Parc Fauvel grotto. Located some 36 kilometers west of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, this small town near Poissy on the left bank of the Seine boasts a park that combines history and nature. The park, an example of English romanticism, features an unusual grotto and waterfalls.