Banner image courtesy of Alexander Kagan
When discussing a trip to Paris, many people imagine the Champs-Élysées, the Louvre, and other attractions. However, the capital of France has many lesser-known but fascinating places. Therefore, Google luggage storage near me, hand over your luggage for storage, and explore them.
Promenade Plante Park
A veritable kingdom of greenery stretches from Place de la Bastille to the Périphérique, the Paris ring road. This is an original park 4.7 km long, built on an abandoned railway line site in 1993. According to legend, the construction of this green boulevard was inspired by the myth of the Gardens of Babylon.
One-half of the park is a ground-level pedestrian alley. The other, the so-called art gallery, is located on a viaduct (a bridge-type structure at the intersection of a road with a deep ravine). Here, you can see a breathtaking panorama and close spaces surrounded by tall buildings, both ancient and new residential.
Miraculous Medallions
Near the Louvre, at 140 Rue du Bac, there is a sanctuary with a chapel of a miraculous medallion. On this spot, on July 19 and then on November 27, 1830, the Holy Virgin appeared to Catherine Labouré, a young novice of the Daughters of Christian Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, entrusting her with making a medallion depicting the Virgin Mary. A few years later, a terrible cholera epidemic broke out in Paris, and then the sisters of the congregation of the “Daughters of Charity” made the first 2,000 medallions.
The Grand Arch in the modern La Défense quarter
The Grand Arch of La Défense (La Grande Arche de la Défense) is a modern version of the famous Arc de Triomphe. It is a regular cube with a passage inside. RER (suburban express metro) and metro stations are located underneath it. The side “columns” are occupied by government and commercial offices. On the upper floors are the Museum of Computer Science, a restaurant, and an observation deck with a magnificent view of the city and Paris’s “historical axis” stretching from the Grande Arche de la Défense to the Louvre.
Edith Piaf Museum
Edith Piaf is not just a great singer. She is a true embodiment of the spirit of France. The Edith Piaf House Museum is two rooms of a small apartment in a residential building on the right bank of the Seine. They are filled with relics associated with different stages of the famous singer’s life: posters, discs, portraits, accessories, and even the famous black dress.
This museum is quite intimate. Entrance is free, but you can only get in by appointment since the museum is private. The owner of the premises is a loyal fan of the singer Bernard Marchois. Back in 1958, as a sixteen-year-old teenager, he met Edith Piaf, and until the singer’s death, he became her faithful assistant in all matters, participating in many events in her life.
Cabaret Aux Trois Mailletz
This is a fun cabaret with a rich history. At one time, such legendary stars as Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Lil Armstrong performed here. Cabaret Aux Trois Mailletz has live music and a friendly atmosphere. Here, they sing and dance until the morning! Even the waiters sing, and the guests even dance on the tables. 🙂 There is an entrance fee, but the spectacle is worth it. If you want to have a fun night in Paris, know there is always a pianist, artists ready to entertain you, and a friendly French audience.
The Oldest Tree in Paris
The tree grows in the René Viviani square, opposite the famous Notre Dame, on the opposite bank of the Seine, next to one of the oldest Parisian churches, Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre.
One tree in Paris (a pseudo acacia, or Robinia) is more than four hundred years old. Presumably, it was planted by its namesake, the botanist Jean Robin, back in 1601 and has a “passport” – an official plate confirming its venerable age.
Conclusion
Paris is a stunningly beautiful city. It has many interesting places, but not all are well-known to tourists. Be sure to take the time to deviate from the beaten tourist path and see something unusual. Only in this way can you fully experience the indescribable atmosphere of this city.