Things to do Near Gare du Nord Station

Things to do Near Gare du Nord Station

Updated by Jordan on 20/11/2019 and Updated by Vanessa R in May 2023

Are you staying in a hotel near Gare du Nord, or perhaps you’re looking for something to do while waiting for your train? Then this article was written just for you! While the Gare du Nord train station may not be the fanciest place in Paris, there’s certainly a lot to see and do in the surrounding area. So let me show you the best things to see and do around Gare du Nord station.

1. Check Out the “Maison Fond”

Sourced from Wikimedia Commons

The first thing to do around the Gare du Nord station is located just outside the entrance on Rue Dunkerque. As you exit Gare du Nord, you will see a unique piece of art. The “Maison Fond” is an artwork by Argentinian artist Leandro Erlich. The name literally means “house melts”. The artist tries to denounce global warming, by showcasing a typical Haussmanian building melting. At the very least, it should create some food for thought, and make an interesting photo!

2. Be Terrified at Le Manoir de Paris

Sourced from Wikimedia Commons

Now here’s one of the scariest things to do near Gare du Nord station, and probably in all of Paris! If you are fond of creepy stories and horror films, this attraction is truly made for you. Built in a former ceramic factory, Le Manoir de Paris is the first haunted house in France. And still today one of the scariest! You can walk through the multi-level frightening atmosphere of the Manoir, while special effects and actors will try to scare you! As you can imagine, this one is definitely not for the faint of heart.

le manoir de paris – 18 rue du paradis 75010

open thursday – saturday 3PM//6:30PM

tickets from €20

3. Visit the Canal Saint-Martin

By Thomas Loizeau on Unsplash

The charming Canal Saint-Martin is just a ten-minute walk from Gare du Nord station. This narrow waterway was originally built to bring fresh water to the northern parts of Paris since it connects to the Seine. Nowadays, the area surrounding the Canal is filled with cool boutiques, trendy cafés and there’s a lot of street art in the area, too.

During the summer months, you’ll find Parisians sprawled along the banks of the Canal. This is a popular spot for picnicking or simply enjoying a book in the sunshine. So why not grab some food from one of the next two spots on this guide and try a Parisian picnic for yourself?

4. Explore Little India and Try Authentic Indian Cuisine

By Voyager en Photo on Pinterest

One of the most unexpected things to do near Gare du Nord station is take a trip to India. Well, not exactly all the way to India. But the surrounding area is known as Paris’ little India, and has plenty of Indian boutiques, grocery stores and some delicious Indian restaurants. Head a few blocks to covered Passage Brady and Rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis to experience this unique part of Paris!

5. Taste French Food at Marché Saint-Quentin

Sourced from Wikimedia Commons

Located just a quick hop from Gare du Nord station, this covered farmers market market is the perfect place to buy French food and organic produce (learn more about Parisians food markets). For a walk or for grocery shopping, you’ll enjoy a trip to the marché Saint-Quentin.

Inside, you’ll find cheese mongers, butchers, fish markets; bakeries and produce stands. But you can also find nice little restaurants but also wine or oyster experiences (if you love oysters, take a look at the best seafood restaurants in Paris).

marché saint-quentin – 85bis Boulevard magenta 75010

open tuesday – saturday 8AM//8PM

6. Admire the Fabric at Marché Saint Pierre

Sourced from Wikimedia Commons

The colorful Marché Saint-Pierre is one of the most famous stores in the world for fabrics. And it’s located within walking distance of Gare du Nord station. So if you are fond of sewing, knitting or embroidery, you will find all the stuff you need here! There are five floors filled to the brim with just about every kind of fabric you can imagine! It is also a nice place to visit if you’re looking for an out of the box Paris experience. Not to mention, seeing the different types of fabrics is impressive: satin, velvet, lace, tulle, etc.

Marché saint-pierre – 2 Rue Charles Nodier, 75018

open monday -saturday 10AM//6:30PM

7. Satisfy Your Passion for Cocoa at Musée du Chocolat

Courtesy of Musée du Chocolat – Sourced from their website

The chocolate museum, also called “Choco Story” is located near Gare du Nord. It really seems like a Willy Wonka Factory. If you want to discover 4,000 years of chocolate History, to see chocolate sculptures and clothes, you definitely should visit this museum! (click here to learn more about Paris chocolate).

musée du chocolat – 28 Boulevard de Bonne Nouvelle, 75010

8. Visit Eglise Saint Vincent de Paul

Sourced from Wikimedia Commons

Dating back to 1850, this cathedral is obviously less famous than Notre-Dame cathedral or the Sacré Coeur but visiting it is worth it. It’s like a little secret of Paris. The architecture is certainly stunning, but you’ll find that the church is more impressive on the inside than on the outside.

eglise saint vincent de paul – square cavaillé-coll 75010

9. Buy Candies from the Oldest Confectionery Store in Paris

Courtesy of La Mere de Famille – Sourced from their website

Just steps from Gare du Nord station, you can find one of the oldest and tastiest shops in Paris! “A La Mère De Famille” has been making some of the most delicious candies and chocolates since 1761. You will quickly recognize the old and vintage facade of the shop. And everything is still made according to the tried and true recipes here. In my opinion, this is simply one of the best places to taste French sweet specialties: caramels, nougat, sugared almonds, jelly beans, fruit pastes, calissons etc.

a la mere de famille – 35 Rue du Faubourg-Montmartre, Paris.

10. Stroll along Canal Saint

It might be a good idea to get some fresh air after a long train ride. What better way to accomplish this than by walking the 4.6 km length of the Canal Saint-Martin, which was formerly covered in the 19th century to make more public space?

Make sure to leave your bags with one of the many concierge services on the ground floor of Gare Du Nord Station before you depart so they can be handled for you. Get a 4G WIFI pass so you may check out a map of the neighbourhood and start your day if you need to get to the canal quickly.

10th and 11th arrondissements of Paris

11. Consider going to see the attractive Basilique du Sacre

Fernando Losada Rodríguez, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Why not book a guided walking tour around the picturesque alleys of Montmartre if you’re still itching to explore? Most guides will show you the attractive neighbourhoods that movie directors have come to know and love. You’ll see the Basilica du Sacre-Coeur and the bustling Plaza du Tertre on this tour. Take time to admire the views from the top of the stairs and its lovely green gardens because it is the highest point in the city.

Montmartre Hill in the 18th arrondissement of Paris

12. Try national delicacies at the food market

You’re definitely going to feel very hungry after spending the morning seeing Paris’s hidden gems. Test your culinary skills in a cooking class that is followed by a trip to the market, where you may sample traditional national food and fuel yourself for the remainder of the day. With the assistance of a skilled chef, prepare a delicious three-course meal. Sip wine and enjoy your culinary creations.

10th Arrondissement of Paris

13. Make your way to the Palace of Versailles 

The captivating Palace of Versailles is a fantastic day excursion from Paris and is only a short metro ride from Gare du Nord. The King’s State Apartments are located in this majestic building, as well as the glittering Hall of Mirrors, which historically served as the residence of the country’s kings and queens. 

 Place d’Armes, 78000 Versailles, France

14. See the beauty at the Louvre

Benh LIEU SONG (Flickr), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Louvre, which houses Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa and other notable works of art like the Seated Scribe, Venus de Milo, and the Madonna of the Rocks, is the largest and one of the top art museums in the world. We advise that you get a tour guide if you’re not familiar with the place or you can have your own independent exploration of the classic artworks if you’re feeling confident about it.

 75001 Paris, France

15. Get a dining cruise

A dining cruise is always a smart choice if you have some more time before returning to Gare du Nord. You can decide between dinner or lunch as you set out on an exciting ride down the dazzling River Seine, where you can see Parisian landmarks from a completely different angle. While enjoying French flavours from a carefully prepared cuisine, keep an eye out for the Notre-Dame Cathedral, Musée d’Orsay, and the Grand Palais.

1st and 4th arrondissements on the right bank and the 5th and 13th arrondissements on the left bank

There you go! You now know all the best things to see and do around Gare du Nord station. And once again, the best ones are about food, architecture and art. Typically Parisian if you ask me.

Hope to see you soon in Paris!