Paris: What to See [V]

Paris has infinitely more to offer than l'Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower. The land it sits on has been settled since 4200 BC. Today, the city is home to nearly 12 million people. If you're visiting Paris for the second, third or forty-seventh time- or if you have more than a week to explore the city- be sure to make time for these lesser-known tourist attractions. Granted, none of these places has much celebrity status. But think them in gossip magazine terms- wouldn't you rather read a subtle profile of Rachel McAdams than another splashy tell-all about Lindsey Lohan's love life?

Thought so.

When in Paris, be sure to give these sites your time. They're worth it.

Musée Carnavalet

What it is... The museum of Paris history, housed in Le Marais' celebrated Hôtel Carnavalet and Hôtel Le Peletier de Saint-Fargeau. There are 100 rooms devoted to the city, from its origins to the present-day. Highlights included ungrammatical revolutionary posters, some of Marie-Antoinette's jewelry and antique furniture rescued from long-demolished homes. If you love Paris, you will love Musée Carnavalet.

Entrance fee... Permanent collections are free.

How to get there... (M) Saint-Paul

Institut du Monde Arabe

What it is... An Arab cultural museum, spear-headed by Jean-François Mitterand and supported by twenty-eight arab nations, including Palestine. Housed in a magnificent (if unusually modern by Parisian standards) seven-storey building, the centre, which opened in 1987, includes a museum, library and rooftop café. The museum, which begins on the seventh floor and leads down to the fourth, is an eye-opening look at Arab culture throughout history. The centre also puts on fascinating temporary exhibits; Arts d'Islam, Chefs-d'ouevre de la collection Khalili will run until March 14, 2010.

Entrance fee... 4€ for the museum; 8,50€ for temporary exhibits (6,50€ for those under 26.)

How to get there... (M) Jussieu

Petit Palais

What it is... The Grand Palais' little sister, this smaller exhibition hall is home to the Musée des Beaux-Arts de la ville de Paris. While the collection isn't spectacular, the building itself is- as is the almost tropical courtyard, which, although it is an open-air space at the centre of Paris' busiest district, is completely tranquil.

Entrance fee... Permanent collections are free.

How to get there... (M) Concorde

Musée de Cluny

What it is... The French National Medieval Museum, home of the famous 'The Lady and the Unicorn' tapestry series. Collections are displayed in l'Hôtel de Cluny, a medieval abbey, which is attached to Paris' last remaining Roman thermal baths. The admission price allows access to both. [Note: The baths were closed for refurbishment in early 2009, but should now be open to the public.]

Entrance fee... 8€; free on the first Sunday of the month. (But don't go then- everyone else in Paris does.)

How to get there... (M) Cluny-La Sorbonne

Galéries Lafayette

What it is... One of Paris' largest department stores, Galéries Lafayette opened in 1893. The ten storey flagship store, with its glass-domed ceiling and Art Nouveau decor, is simply worth seeing to marvel at the architecture- never mind the fantastic shopping.

Entrance fee... Free. But you'll probably end up buying a thing or two.

How to get there... (M) Chaussée-d'Antin Lafayette

Le Marais

What it is... Originally a cleared marsh outside the Paris city walls, this district, which spans Paris' 3rd and 4th arrondissements, began as an aristocratic ward. It fell into decline when the royal family moved to Versailles, but was revived in the 19th century as a Jewish neighbourhood. Heavily targeted during World War II, le Marais declined further until it became a protected district in 1969. Today it is once again home to much of Paris' Jewish population, and also to some of Paris' most fashionable boutiques. A barrage of artistically rendered graffiti, commemorative plaques, pre-Haussmanian architecture and original store fronts make this the most interesting Parisian neighbourhood to tour on foot. It is not to be missed.

How to get there... (M) Hôtel-de-Ville or (M) Saint-Paul or (M) Bastille