Guide to Paris beyond the Tourist Track

If you've been to Paris at least once, you've likely seen the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and Notre Dame.  Those sites are great, but they're also generally packed with tourists, of all nationalities but French.  For a true look into the French psyche and culture, you have to venture a little off of the well-trod tourist track.  There you'll find a wealth of small, interesting attractions, ones that appeal to Parisians as well as visitors.  Some of my favorites are:

1.  The Marmottan Museum

Located in the quiet and tony 16th arrondissement on the west side of Paris, this small stone townhouse is home to a collection of 65 paintings by Monet, including an entire room filled with his later series of waterlilies paintings.  The collection, left to Paris by the painter's grandson in 1965, also includes some of Monet's own collection, gifts from his painter friends,including Renoir, Pissarro, and Sisley.

Musee Marmottan

2, rue Boilly

75016 Paris, France

http://www.marmottan.com/uk/ 

2.  The Rue Mouffetard

Located in southwest Paris near the Pantheon,  this bustling street is a favorite of Parisians as well as visitors.  The street is lined with produce vendors and small food shops as well as large variety of ethnic restaurants.  Pick up items for a picnic or sit down at a cafe and watch the parade of passers-by.

3.  The Baccarat Museum

Baccarat has been making fine crystal since the 18th century, for French Kings and late for Napoleon III.  Their chandeliers are prized throughout the world and their stemware designs are some of the finest anywhere.  The company's Paris headquarters houses a museum with pieces from the crystalmaker's long history.  Included are Tsar Nicolas II's chandelier, stemware used by Franklin Roosevelt, and a two-meter high glass chair.  Of course, there's also a showroom, displaying all of the latest items from Bacarrat.

Musee Baccarat

11 place des Etats Unis
75116 Paris
 http://www.baccarat.com/intro.htm

4.  Pere Lachaise Cemetery

This 108-acre tree-lined cemetery on Paris' northeast side is the final home of such varied notables as authors Colette, Marcel Proust, Honore Balzac, and Victor Hugo; musicians Chopin, Rossini, and Bizet; artists Modigliani, David, and Delacrois; singer Edith Piaf; and rocker Jim Morrison.

 The peaceful spot is a popular picnic spot for visitors and locals alike and it's interesting to stroll along the brick-paved "streets," identifying the famous graves.

Pere Lachaise

Boulevard de Ménilmontant

75020 Paris, France 

http://www.pere-lachaise.com/ 

5.  Carnavalet Museum

In the heart of Paris' chic and trendy Marais district, the Carnavalet Museum deals with the history of Paris.  Housed in an elegant 16th century mansion that was once home to the famous letter writer, Madame de Sevigny, exhibits at the museum include complete, reinstalled rooms from historic homes, stores, and workshops, as well as artifacts from the prehistoric Parisii tribe (from whom Paris gets her name), antique maps, items from the Revolution, and even the furniture from the room where Marcel Proust penned "Les Temps Perdu."

Musee Carnavalet

23, rue de Sevigne

75003 Paris

http://www.paris.fr/portail/Culture/Portal.lut?page_id=6468