TO EXPERIENCE A FULL RANGE OF UNUSUAL ACTIVITIES ACROSS GREATER PARIS
With over 300 cultural and sporting venues, both well-known and hidden gems, the Guide des Grands Parisiens (Greater Parisians' Guide) aims to encourage Parisians to explore the Greater Paris region. Easily accessible with a Navigo pass, the 10 districts listed by the journalists of Enlarge your Paris, an independent local media outlet that has been exploring Greater Paris for about ten years, are brimming with unusual activities just waiting to be discovered. A great way to break down stereotypes about the suburbs and the outer ring road!
A DOG SLEDGE RACE IN THE FONTAINEBLEAU FOREST
With its unexpected landscapes, the Fontainebleau forest seems straight out of a fairy tale. This forest, once graced by the kings of France and a source of inspiration for the Barbizon School painters, now delights hikers and climbing enthusiasts. But did you know there's an original way to explore its 500 kilometers of marked trails? Since 2014, musher Christian Perlwitz, bronze medalist at the 2017 World Championships, has been taking visitors on board his wheeled carts pulled by his team of huskies. And the good news is, you don't need snow to try dog sledding just an hour from Paris…
EVASION-CANINE.FR
DISCOVER THE EMERGING CULTURAL AND ARTISTIC SCENE AT GENERAL STORES
A vestige of Pantin's industrial past, the Magasins Généraux have been given a new lease on life. These former warehouses, disused on the banks of the Ourcq Canal, were renovated in 2016 by architect Frédéric Jung, at the initiative of the advertising agency BETC. Keen to identify, support, and showcase the current emerging artistic and cultural scene, the agency chose to open its vast ground floor to the public, offering a diverse, demanding, and accessible program. A temple of creativity, this artistic laboratory is now a vibrant space for living and celebrating. A must-see, if you haven't already!
MAGASINSGENERAUX.COM
A NIGHT IN THE FORBIDDEN CITY WITHOUT LEAVING PARIS
A veritable floating pagoda, the 4-star Chinagora hotel invites you to travel to China without leaving the banks of the Seine. Located in Alfortville, a stone's throw from the Bercy district, this uniquely styled building rises majestically with its vibrant green herringbone roofs and pink facades reminiscent of Beijing's Forbidden City. An architectural challenge brilliantly met by the Chinese architect Liang Kunhao. The must-see? Its two rooftop terraces offering breathtaking views of the Eiffel Tower. A complete change of scenery guaranteed!
HUATIAN-CHINAGORA.FR
PRACTICE WATER SKIING ON THE SEINE
On the banks of the Seine, bordering the Bois de Boulogne, the Paris Water Ski Club offers a picture-perfect setting for watersports. In the background, the La Défense skyline stretches its skyscrapers before the astonished eyes of thrill-seekers. Whether on skis or a wakeboard, they discover the joys of watersports at full speed. A unique setting far removed from the postcards of the French Riviera! And to prolong the pleasure, why not enjoy a drink on the dock and savor this breathtaking view a little longer? So irresistible…
SKINAUTIQUECLUBDEPARIS.COM
STROLLING IN THE PRIVACY OF A SCULPTOR
Hidden behind a red brick facade is the museum dedicated to Antoine Bourdelle, master of monumental sculpture from the early 20th century. In the heart of what was once his studio, visitors can discover his bronze and plaster sculptures. It's not so much a museum visit as a formal experience: here, Antoine Bourdelle welcomes us into his home, into the tranquil intimacy of the flower-lined paths surrounding his creative space. A journey into the Montparnasse of artists' studios from the last century, where Gustave Eiffel and Rodin once rubbed shoulders. And the best-kept secret in the capital? The Rhodia café-restaurant, one of the finest in Paris!
BOURDELLE.PARIS.FR
THE SENSE OF CELEBRATION IN VITRY-SUR-SEINE
If you're driving through the Ardoines industrial park in Val-de-Marne, you can't miss this large red and yellow tent right next to a disused power plant from which it takes its name: the Kilowatt! A hub of festivities, this unique venue is a large, alternative event space capable of hosting major public gatherings, community and municipal events, and smaller, regular get-togethers. From massive electronic music festivals and intimate concerts to a mobile disco straight out of the seventies, be sure to check out the eclectic program of this one-of-a-kind place!
LEKILOWATT.FR
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