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Our Inbound Marketing Manager at Jet2.com, Steve Adamson, recently went off the beaten track in Paris to discover the French capital’s innermost treasures. Here are some surprising secrets he found out about one of the most famous cities in the world.

Going deeper underground

I began delving into the hidden stories of Paris with a visit to its fascinating (and very scary) Catacombs. Wandering down a spiral staircase to its dark depths is an eerie experience. And if I felt worried then, I had a shock of pure fright when I saw the skulls and bones that actually make up the walls! The story goes that Paris’s cemeteries became so full by the 18^th century, the dead had to be transported to the only place where there was space – the city’s old mines. It was seriously spooky to see so many old bones!

A church with a view

Everyone goes off to the Eiffel to take in the ‘best view in Paris’, but as I was on a mission to find the lesser-known lovelies of the city, I headed in the opposite direction! All the way north to the Sacre-Coeur, in fact. This gorgeous white cathedral sits atop the Montmarte, which not a lot of people know is the highest point of the city – yes, even higher than the Eiffel Tower. Needless to say, I was quite out of breath when I climbed atop the tower. But the view was well worth it. I could see the entire city laid out before me.

Reaching the roof garden

After all that walking, I was in need of refreshment. So on my search for a beverage, I found myself perusing the ultimate shopping centre – Galeries Lafayette. Spread across 10 floors and with a stunning stained glass dome, it is Parisian opulence and glamour taken to its absolute limit. But the biggest surprise of all was its roof garden. As I sunk into a comfy sofa with a cool cocktail in hand, this chilled-out terrace was a world away from the buzz of the shops below.

An evening scene

By now ready to wind down and enjoy a wonderful evening, I was on the look out for a lovely place to rest my weary legs. I found it at La Pagode. Upon seeing its beautiful Japanese garden and elaborate style, I first thought it was a grand palace. Imagine my surprise when I found it was a cinema! Luckily, the inside was just as ornate. Enjoying one of the latest films amongst the plush surroundings, my trip to discover the unexplored side of Paris felt complete.

Jet2.com offers flights to Paris from East Midlands, Leeds Bradford and Manchester.

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