Are you visiting Paris during the demonstrations on Saturday, October 24, 2026? You’re probably wondering how you can adjust your plans around the protests. Away from the main protest routes, several neighborhoods in the capital are packed with museums, monuments, gardens and charming little streets. Here are some ideas for adapting your itinerary and making the most of your stay.
With new demonstrations planned for Saturday, October 24, 2026, including a march between Bastille and Nation, visitors to the capital may need to rethink their itineraries. The good news is that Paris has plenty of other neighborhoods to explore, from the little villages of the 16th arrondissement to the leafy lanes of the 20th. That way, visitors can continue to enjoy their stay while steering clear of the main protest routes.
The best bet, then, is to stick to less exposed areas, remember to check traffic conditions before setting out, and have a Plan B for the return journey. Here are a few neighborhoods where you can get your steps in, with monuments, museums and curiosities to visit along the way.
Please make sure the places you plan to visit are accessible before setting out; unforeseen circumstances can always arise.
It’s hard to imagine a stay in Paris without taking a walk around Montmartre! With its cobbled lanes, stairways, little squares and views over the rooftops of the capital, the neighborhood in the 18th arrondissement remains a sure bet for tourists. And for those looking to avoid the main protest routes, the heights of the hill offer another option for a stroll.
Sacré-Cœur de Paris, the must-see basilica atop Montmartre hill
The Basilique du Sacré-Cœur is one of Paris's must-see monuments. But how much do you know about its history and treasures? We'll take you on a tour of this edifice perched atop the Butte Montmartre, and take a look at what's happening there at the moment! [Read more]
We begin, of course, with the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, which is free to enter and usually open daily from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Just a few steps away, Place du Tertre and its artists continue to draw visitors, while the little streets around the Maison Rose, Rue de l'Abreuvoir and Place Dalida make it easy to extend your visit. Art lovers can also step inside the Musée de Montmartre, housed in former artists’ homes, to discover the neighborhood’s history, its cabarets and its painters. The museum is usually open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in October.
The Musée de Montmartre, a jewel nestled in the heart of Paris, awaits you for a tour of the area's famous artists. Explore the fascinating history of this museum in the 18th arrondissement, home to works by artists such as Auguste Renoir and Suzanne Valadon. With over 100,000 visitors a year, this museum offers an unforgettable journey through the art and culture of Montmartre! [Read more]
A word of warning about transport, though: Metro line 2 is suspended between Barbès–Rochechouart and Nation on October 24 due to construction work and measures related to the demonstrations. It’s best to check your route before heading up to the hill, especially if you were planning to go via Anvers or Pigalle. Opening hours should also be confirmed before setting out.
We start in the south of the 16th arrondissement, where the village of Auteuil has retained some of its old-world charm. Around rue d'Auteuil, rue Boileau and place de l'Église-d'Auteuil, old houses stand alongside Art Nouveau buildings and quiet residential streets. A stroll that offers a change from Paris's grand boulevards!
Chic, discreet, and bucolic, the neighborhoods of Auteuil, Passy, and Bois de Boulogne are well worth a longer stop during your stroll. Follow the guide to the heart of the 16th arrondissement! [Read more]
For a taste of local heritage, don’t miss the Notre-Dame-d'Auteuil Church, then continue on to Maison La Roche, designed by Le Corbusier in the 1920s. This modernist villa, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with other works by the architect, can be visited by reservation. Nature lovers can also head to the Jardin des Serres d'Auteuil, known for its historic greenhouses and exotic plants. Be sure to check whether it has reopened after the high winds on October 23.
For a moment of peace and quiet in the heart of Paris's 16th arrondissement, come and admire the magnificent species of plants from elsewhere, in the Jardin des Serres d'Auteuil. Large greenhouses, palm trees and magnificent flowerbeds await you! [Read more]
If you like neighborhoods where you can go from a shopping street to a museum in just a few minutes, Passy and La Muette, in the 16th arrondissement, should be right up your street. Rue de l'Annonciation and the streets around Rue de Passy have retained a village feel, with food shops, small boutiques and old buildings.
For a cultural visit, head to the Maison de Balzac on Rue Raynouard, where the writer lived and worked. Admission to its permanent collections is free. Art lovers might also consider the Musée Marmottan Monet, near the Jardin du Ranelagh, which houses a major collection of Impressionist works. One thing to note: the museum has announced an exceptional closure on October 24, so don’t count on visiting this Saturday.
The Maison de Balzac, one of the famous writer's homes, is one of the capital's literary gems, located in the 16th arrondissement of Paris. This house-museum also boasts an incredible garden overlooking the Eiffel Tower, as well as a café. [Read more]
Another original spot is M. Musée du Vin, at 5 Charles-Dickens Square. Housed in former vaulted cellars, it traces the history of wine, its production and the trades associated with it. The venue lists its usual Saturday opening hours as 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; confirm before making the trip.
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. [Read more]
The major tourist attractions aren’t necessarily around every corner, and that’s part of what makes Convention and Saint-Lambert, in the 15th arrondissement, so appealing. People come here above all to experience neighborhood Paris, with its local shops, cafés, old buildings and markets.
You’re looking for ideas for outings around the 15th arrondissement of Paris? Whether you’re with family, friends, or as a couple, here are some great spots and the latest happenings! [Read more]
A walk around Place de la Convention leads to Saint-Lambert de Vaugirard Church, a reminder of the history of this former commune, annexed by Paris in 1860. A little farther on, Square Saint-Lambert, laid out in the 1930s, offers a pleasant landmark for architecture and garden enthusiasts.
Who says you have to cross all of Paris to visit a great museum? In the 15th arrondissement, at 18 rue Antoine-Bourdelle, the Musée Bourdelle welcomes visitors to the sculptor’s former studios. Between the monumental sculptures, plaster casts, bronzes and gardens, the museum offers a chance to discover the artist’s world in a rather unique setting. And good news for budget-conscious visitors: the permanent collections are free.
The Musée Bourdelle, dedicated to the famous sculptor, awaits you in the 15th arrondissement, with an itinerary designed for adults and children alike. As an added bonus, there's a café-restaurant perfect for prolonging the visit. [Read more]
The museum is usually open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with last admission at 5:15 p.m. However, its proximity to Montparnasse makes it worth checking access before setting out, as the area was on the route of a previous demonstration.
In the south of the 15th arrondissement, the Georges-Brassens neighborhood has a few discoveries in store for walkers. Its park, built on the site of the former Vaugirard horse market, preserves a belfry, a pond and several traces of its past. It’s a pleasant place to sit for a while or stroll along the paths, weather permitting.
Right next door, book lovers can browse the stalls at the antiquarian and secondhand book market, usually held on Saturdays and Sundays beneath the old market halls on rue Brancion. Forgotten novels, beautiful editions, old illustrated books... Bargain hunters could easily spend a while there!
In the 14th arrondissement, the Plaisance–Pernety area is home to a few streets that seem untouched by the pace of the big city. One is rue des Thermopyles, with its cobblestones, low-rise houses and climbing greenery. A short walk away, Cité Bauer extends that impression of a little Parisian village.
Ready to explore the 14th arrondissement of Paris? From the Montparnasse Tower to Alésia, with Denfert-Rochereau in between, discover the neighborhood’s best spots and great tips. [Read more]
For fans of unusual monuments, a visit to the Église Notre-Dame-du-Travail is a must. Located on Rue Vercingétorix, it conceals a remarkable metal structure behind its façade, more reminiscent of an old factory than a traditional church. It’s an architectural curiosity you might not expect to find in this neighborhood!
Built at the beginning of the 20th century to welcome the faithful workers of the 14th arrondissement, the Eglise Notre-Dame-du-Travail reveals a breathtaking structure of iron and steel. [Read more]
Raymond-Losserand Street then offers a chance to extend the walk among shops and restaurants without necessarily heading onto Montparnasse’s main thoroughfares.
Why not go underground? In the 14th arrondissement, the Catacombs of Paris are among the capital’s most unusual sights. The entrance, on Place Denfert-Rochereau, leads to a route through former quarries, about 20 meters beneath the streets of Paris.
For nearly an hour, visitors make their way through part of this ossuary, where the remains of several million Parisians rest. It’s a striking historical tour, though visitors need to be able to descend and climb a large number of stairs: 131 steps down and 112 back up.
Have you ever ventured into the Catacombs of Paris? Let's go and discover this creepy brown place, known to all but where most have never been. A fascinating and historic site, a guided tour of the Catacombs is well worth the detour, as well as keeping you cool on hot days. [Read more]
The Catacombs are open on Saturdays from 9:45 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; booking is recommended. However, the Denfert-Rochereau area is separate from Pernety and is close to routes used during previous demonstrations. It’s therefore best to check access before booking or setting out.
Here’s a neighborhood whose name alone makes you want to explore it! In the 20th arrondissement, near Porte de Bagnolet, La Campagne à Paris is a cluster of small brick and millstone houses built in the early 20th century.
To enjoy it, all you have to do is stroll along Jules-Siegfried, Irénée-Blanc or Père-Prosper-Enfantin streets. With their colorful façades, stairways and quiet little lanes, you could almost forget that you’re in one of the most visited capitals in the world.
Nearby, the Church of Saint-Germain de Charonne, on Place Saint-Blaise, is also worth a visit. This medieval building recalls the past of the former village of Charonne. It is bordered by a small parish cemetery, now one of the few surviving examples of its kind still visible in Paris.
It’s impossible to talk about places to visit in the 20th arrondissement without mentioning Père Lachaise Cemetery. Many French and international celebrities are buried here, including Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, Édith Piaf, Frédéric Chopin, Molière and Balzac.
You can spend several hours wandering its paths, among funerary sculptures, old chapels and famous graves. History buffs can also visit the Wall of the Federates, associated with the final battles of the Paris Commune in 1871.
The Père Lachaise Cemetery is Paris’s largest burial ground and one of the most visited sites in the world. Whether you’re drawn by its history, its famous residents, or its legends, this is an essential stop for anyone visiting the capital. [Read more]
The cemetery is normally open on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. However, please note that the high winds on October 23 could lead to an exceptional closure or delay its reopening. Be sure to check the City of Paris website before visiting.
What if the best solution were simply to leave Paris for the day? For tourists looking to get away from the main protest areas, Île-de-France has no shortage of major attractions to visit. Two destinations particularly well known to international travelers could be great alternatives: the Palace of Versailles and Disneyland Paris.
The Château de Versailles, its gardens and grounds, are a world heritage site. The official residence of the kings of France, the Château de Versailles holds the record as the largest château in the world, and of course the most visited in France. [Read more]
For history and heritage enthusiasts, head to the Yvelines, where the Palace of Versailles lets you walk in the footsteps of Louis XIV. From the famous Hall of Mirrors to the royal apartments and gardens designed by André Le Nôtre, there’s enough to fill several hours at one of France’s most iconic landmarks. The estate also includes the Grand and Petit Trianon and the Queen’s Hamlet. For Saturday, October 24, 2026, the palace announces opening hours of 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., but access to the gardens and outdoor areas should be checked following the high winds on October 23.
If you’re traveling with family or prefer thrills to royal finery, head to Disneyland Paris in Marne-la-Vallée, Seine-et-Marne! What’s more, the Disney Halloween Festival is in full swing until November 1, 2026, with seasonal decorations, characters and special events. Between the rides, shows and meet-and-greets with Disney characters, there’s enough to fill an entire day—or even longer for those who want to enjoy both parks.
Attractions, shows, immersive worlds, and meetings with Disney characters shape your Disneyland Paris visit in 2026. Here are the best activities to suit your interests and the time you have. [Read more]
As for transport, both destinations are accessible from Paris by RER: take the RER C to Versailles Château–Rive Gauche and the RER A to Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy, at the gates of Disneyland Paris. However, be aware that station closures or disruptions on Paris’s rail lines may make both the journey there and the return more complicated. Also remember to check opening hours, ticket availability and access requirements before setting off on this trip beyond the capital.
Although these neighborhoods are away from the main routes announced for demonstrations, that does not mean they will necessarily be spared disruption. Streets may be temporarily closed, demonstrations may move elsewhere, and some subway stations may become inaccessible.
For Saturday, October 24, 2026, the RATP has announced several station closures and service disruptions from 9 a.m., including in areas far from the official procession. Before setting off, it is therefore best to check RATP traffic updates, announcements from the Paris Police Prefecture, and communications from the City of Paris.
The Yellow Vest movement is calling for a new day of protest and an “Act II” on October 24, 2026. As with previous demonstrations, RATP has announced the closure of numerous Paris Metro stations. So what should you expect? What disruption is anticipated on Paris public transport this Saturday? Here’s everything you need to know. [Read more].
Another tip: plan several visits close to one another rather than making multiple trips from one end of the capital to the other. Also check the opening hours of museums, gardens and monuments, especially after a spell of high winds.
What if plans have to change at the last minute? There’s always a little street to explore, a museum to visit or an architectural curiosity to admire. Paris has plenty up its sleeve, even when the usual routes are no longer entirely accessible.
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Sacré-Cœur de Paris, the must-see basilica atop Montmartre hill
The Musée de Montmartre in Paris: discover a historical and artistic treasure trove
Things to do in the Auteuil, Passy, and Bois de Boulogne neighborhoods: Ideas for outings and great places to visit
The Jardin des Serres d'Auteuil, an exotic haven of peace with plants from all over the world
The Maison de Balzac, home of the famous writer, and its secret garden overlooking the Eiffel Tower
Le M., Musée du Vin in Paris: tastings, restaurant, exhibitions, concerts & parties!
Paris 15: What to do in the 15th arrondissement? Outings, visits and top spots
The Musée Bourdelle, a free museum-workshop dedicated to the sculptor in Paris
Paris 14: What to do in the 14th arrondissement? Outings, tours and top addresses
Notre-Dame-du-Travail church and its incredible metal structure
The Catacombs of Paris, an unusual visit to the bowels of the capital
Père Lachaise, Paris's most mythical cemetery and the graves of famous personalities
A visit to the Château de Versailles and its program
Disneyland Paris: what are the best activities to do right now?
October 24 mobilization in Paris: More than 30 metro stations closed, 9 lines affected
