How to spend top weekend in Paris - ideas on extraordinary attractions and sites

How one of the most romantic cities in the world can surprise its guests? In addition to the internationally famous landmarks, one can find many interesting and hidden places to explore in Paris. Streets with unusual sculptures and visits to colorful markets in search of unique goods are just some possible pastimes.

While walking on lively shopping streets, many travelers pass Shakespeare&Company bookstore that is, however, a very interesting place to visit. Even travelers who do not plan to buy special editions and thick books will find much excitement there. The opening of the legendary shop took place in 1951. In the middle of the 20th century, Shakespeare&Company was a favorite meeting place for literature bohemia. Such famous people as Ernest Hemingway, Gertrude Stein, Ezra Pound, and James Joyce visited the shop. Gregory Corso and Henry Miller enjoyed spending time there. The design of the shop has almost not changed over a hundred years. High wooden shelves are still full of books, and there are comfortable armchairs for visitors between the rows of shelves.

If you like shopping, you simply cannot leave Paris without visiting its flea markets. For example, Saint-Ouen market that is famous for a great choice of antique furniture. It is also a wonderful place to shop century old clothes – charming hats, lace, antique shoes and jewelry. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

If walking on silent streets of Paris is your favorite pastime, don’t forget to visit Novins street. Besides beautiful old buildings, there is a fascinating sculpture, Le Passe-muraille, which can be translated as “a man who could walk through walls”. The sculpture is quite unusual and is located right on the wall of a stone building, so only attentive travelers will be able to find it. The landmark is devoted to the main character of the same named novel by Marcel Ayme, so fans of this writer simply cannot leave the city without seeing it.

In elegant and aristocratic Paris, there is always space for modern street culture. Not far from Porte de Vincennes metro station, there is a silent street that has become very popular with graffiti artists. Paintings of different styles and dedicated to different themes can be seen directly on walls of houses. Incredibly bright and lively, they turn once a plain street into an iconic art destination that resembles a modern gallery.

When you want to make your stay in the wonderful city even more unusual and try something not typical for a standard vacation, head to Pons + Huot. It’s always pleasant to watch other people work, but the primary aim of visiting the business center is different. Pons + Huot is a unique place that one can hardly find anywhere else. All working places are made in spacious halls with high glass ceiling and numerous trees that grow inside the building. Each work area is covered with a glass hemisphere that also enables soundproofing. Great news – tourists are allowed to enter the business center, and there are usually many visitors who want to enter this temple of futurism for several minutes.

If you have already examined all landmarks “on surface”, it’s time to go under the ground and explore winding catacombs that virtually cover all area of Paris. One of the entrances to the system of tunnels is located close to Denfert-Rochereau metro station. It is hidden in a special passage close to the famous lion sculpture. In catacombs, there are a museum and many interesting spots, so if you are going to explore them for the first time, it’s better to do that during an excursion.

If you are a discerning gourmet and are more than familiar with signature dishes in local Michelin starred restaurants, visit Le Chateaubriand bistro. This modest and little-known to travelers restaurant is located in the 11th district of Paris. The restaurant is founded by self-taught chef Inaki Aizpitarte. Every day, the restaurant offers a modest menu that consists of only 5 dishes to its guests. Each of the dishes can be safely called a masterpiece of cooking art. The prices at Le Chateaubriand are moderate, so the restaurant is suitable even for travelers on a budget.