There are also alternative ways of seeing the sites, via a tuk-tuk rather than by the traditional Seine river cruise.

Keep reading to learn about Paris’ secret gems and must-see neighbourhoods for your next trip.

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1. See the city through an expert lens with Tuktuk in Paris

See Paris by tuk-tuk with a specially guided tour led by Tuktuk in Paris. These adorable blue and white open-air cars are perfect for small groups looking to see the sights with an expert. Tours are private, customised and host up to six people. See the rue Royale, the famed basilica Sacré-Coeur, or the storybook-like neighbourhood of Montmartre. All tours are personalised, and guides are knowledgeable, masterful storytellers.

2. Take a ride on the whimsical carousel known as the Dodo Manège

If your idea of fun involves the uniquely odd and whimsical, then the Dodo Manège in Paris’ Jardin des Plantes is a natural stop. This one-of-a-kind carousel substitutes traditional horses for statues of extinct and endangered animals. While the site has only been in Paris since 1992, the Dodo Manège is close to the Natural History Museum, and the animals featured include a horned turtle, a dodo and an aepyornis.

3. Visit 13th century tunnels filled with bones

Paris, although not quite a necropolis, has about 6 to 7 million people buried in catacombs beneath the city. By the early 17th century, Paris’ ornate cemeteries were overflowing, and the practical solution was clear: house bodies in the 13th-century tunnels beneath the city.

Those catacombs became handy during the French Revolution by the end of the century. Some rooms and ossuaries, lined with skulls and bones, quickly filled with guillotine and murder victims, including Maximilien Robespierre and Jean-Paul Marat. The public entrance is located at 1 Ave. du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy in the 14th arrondissement. It can become busy during weekends, so plan accordingly.

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4. Visit a garden cemetery for the stars

A lesser-known place to visit in Paris is Père Lachaise, the hauntingly beautiful garden cemetery where luminaries including Oscar Wilde, Jim Morrison and Édith Piaf found their final resting place.

5. Plan a picturesque picnic along the water in Canal Saint-Martin

Experience Paris the way locals do at the Canal Saint-Martin, a popular place to relax amid tree-lined water and quieter surroundings. Pick up a bottle of wine at Nicolas, which are wine stores all around the city that carry fabulous selections of French varietals at great prices. Then, pick up some cheese and meat at La Crèmerie near the canal, and spread out with a blanket as you swing your legs over the edge of the Quai de Jemmapes. In certain parts of the canals, you can also stand on a footbridge and watch the barges open and close.

6. Visit the Tuileries Gardens before the Musée de l’Orangerie

The 1st arrondissement, which surrounds The Louvre, is one of the most popular tourist spots in the city. It’s home to luxe shopping and museums. Stroll through the Tuileries Gardens before arriving at the nearby Musée de l’Orangerie, which is home to eight large and stunning Water Lilies paintings by Claude Monet. Culture and art lovers may also want to hop across the river from the Tuileries to the 7th arrondissement to visit The Musée d’Orsay, which has a serious of world-class rotating exhibitions.

7. Shop in the trendy boutiques of Le Marais

In the 4th arrondissement, known as Marais, you’ll find yourself surrounded by trendy restaurants and unique boutiques. It’s also home to many of Paris’ lively bars and clubs, as well as the LGBTQ+ scene.

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8. Observe the city from above in Montmartre

Many neighbourhoods in Paris are known by their name rather than their number, notably Montmartre (the 18th arrondissement). Most visitors like to gawk at the Basilique du Sacré-Coeur, which is the highest point in the city and the best vantage point to catch a sunset. From here, meander down the neighbourhood’s picturesque cobblestone streets to find a quintessential French dinner spot.

9. Get a glimpse of well-heeled Parisian life in Saint-Germain-des-Prés

One of the most authentic things to do in Paris is to conquer Saint-Germain-des-Prés by foot and get a glimpse of how more local, albeit well-heeled, Parisians live their everyday lives. In the slightly seedier Pigalle, which is home to the world-famous Moulin Rouge, among many other nightlife venues, you can uncover gems such as the Tiki-influenced cocktail bar with an equally seedy name, Dirty Dick. It even made the World’s 50 Best Bars list.

10. Enjoy a drink in the Galeries Lafayette rooftop bar

An enchanting department store, Galeries Lafayette is another alluring spot to spend your time, even if just to visit its rooftop bar for some of the finest views of Paris.

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11. Shop at department stores Le Bon Marché and La Grande Épicerie de Paris

Neighbours to one another, Le Bon Marché and La Grande Épicerie de Paris can fill an entire day of shopping, whether your heart is after fine French fashion, gourmet food or other delicacies.

12. Bag one-of-a-kind souvenirs at Puces de Saint Ouen

Antique lovers and those who cherish exquisite pieces of history may rejoice after a stroll through the market Puces de Saint Ouen. Just pack an extra bag and some bubble wrap, should you decide to stop by, as it’s rare to leave without a souvenir.

13. Try Pierre Hermé macarons

Eyeing and eating macarons from Pierre Hermé, which has multiple outposts across the city, can be easily worked into any Parisian itinerary. Be sure to save time to stop in and shop for these colourful, tasty sweets.