Things to do near the Paris Grands Boulevards

Things to do near the Paris Grands Boulevards

The Paris Grands Boulevards area is one of the liveliest places in Paris, with many bars, shops and entertainment spots all around! Here are some things to do near the Paris Grands Boulevards.

Located on the Right Bank, it stretches from the Madeleine church in the 9th, to Bastille in the 11th, and covers officially eight “grands” boulevards: Madeleine, Capucines, Italiens, Montmartre, Poissonière, Bonne Nouvelle, St-Denis and St-Martin.

The district is known to be the epitome of the Belle-Epoque Paris and its spirit of celebration and leisure, from the Folies Bergere cabaret to the Grand Rex giant cinema complex.

So, with so many leering pleasures and distractions, what are the best things to do near Grands Boulevards in Paris? Here are our favorites!

First things first, this is THE place to shop in Paris! One thing you can do near Grands Boulevards in Paris would be of course to spend an afternoon in the Galeries Lafayette. Who doesn’t know this vast and luxurous department store, emblem of the “Grands Magasins” of Paris? Under the stunning glass coupole, take a long stroll among the perfume and trendy cosmetics shops and finish with a glass of champagne at the Bar à Bulles at the top of the first-floor escalator.

Address: 40 bd. Haussmann, Opéra/Grands Boulevards, Paris, 75009
Hours: Monday – Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday 9:30 – 7:30, Thursday 9:30 – 9; closed Sun.
Website: www.galerieslafayette.com
Subway: Chaussée d’Antin, Opéra; RER A: Auber

If you are passionate about beautiful shopping places and especially the 19th century type of architecture, you can admire the Belle Époque green-and-gold dome at the Printemps. This very large department store holds the real atmosphere of the Belle Epoque Paris, but also desirable clothes, jewelry and bags!

Address: 64 bd. Haussmann, Opéra/Grands Boulevards, Paris, 75009
Hours: Monday – Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday 9:35 – 8, Thursday 9:35 am – 10 pm; closed Sun.
Website: www.printemps.com
Subway: Havre Caumartin, Opéra

But now something to do near Grands Boulevards especially for kids (and the kids among us): visit the chocolate museum of Paris. Yes, that’s right.

This museum extending three floors, tells you the delicious story of chocolate, with detailed explanations in English, as well as a respectable collection of some 1,000 chocolate-related artifacts. And what you’ve been waiting for: a chocolate-making demonstration with a free tasting at the end!

Chocostory: le musee gourmand du chocolat
Address: 28 bd. de Bonne Nouvelle, Opéra/Grands Boulevards, Paris, 75010
Cost: €9
Hours: Daily 10 – 6 (last entry at 5)
Website: www.museeduchocolat.fr
Subway: Bonne-Nouvelle, Strasbourg, St-Denis

Paris, the city of love, is so dedicated to romanticism that it has its own museum: le Musée de la vie romantique (The museum of the romantic life) is a must thing to do near Grands Boulevards, for couples and eternal sentimentals.

A trip to this central museum will still transport you to the countryside, with its gorgeous flowering garden and its pretty 1830 mansion. The garden café is a great spot for a lunch or an afternoon tea, while the exhibit features drawings by Delacroix and Ingres.

Address: 16 rue Chaptal, Opéra/Grands Boulevards, Paris, 75009
Cost: Free; €7 temporary exhibits
Hours: Tuesday – Sunday 10 – 6; closed Mon.
Website: www.vie-romantique.paris.fr
Subway: Blanche, Pigalle, St-Georges

A fun thing to do in Grands Boulevards, very popular among Parisians and undoubtedly hilarious, is of course the Musée Grévin. This wax museum, founded in 1882, will take you along the great times of French history in a beautiful elaborate set.

Don’t miss the Palais des Mirages attraction, a light-and-sound show that is worth a detour in itself.

And of course, you will be introduced to nearly 300 statues from Napoleon to Edith Piaf.

Address: 10 bd. Montmartre, Opéra/Grands Boulevards, Paris, 75009
Cost: €23.50 adults; €16.50 children 6-14
Hours: Monday – Friday 10 – 6:30, Saturday – Sunday 10 – 7
Website: www.grevin.com
Subway: Grands Boulevards

Finally, to escape from the lively and busy Boulevards, enjoy the beauty and mysteries of the Monceau parc. Its refined atmosphere with statues and themed garden allows you to blend on the genuine Parisian city life.

Address: Entrances on Bd. de Courcelles, Av. Velasquez, Av. Ruysdaël, Av. van Dyck, Parc Monceau, Paris, 75008
Subway: Monceau
Location: Les Grands Boulevards