As mentioned in the previous Paris Periodical, Sundays in Paris are markedly different from the Paris that we normally see during the week because the majority of the city’s businesses are closed. However, that doesn’t mean that there is absolutely nothing to do. Au contraire, there are still plenty of incredible experiences to be had; you just need to know where to go!
Les Invalides
1. Tourist attractions
Not surprisingly, all of the iconic monuments and museums that Paris is known for are open on Sundays: the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Arch of Triumph (l’Arc de Triomphe), etc. Of course, you’ll find that these can be particularly crowded on the weekend and, as such, you may have to sacrifice a decent amount of time to waiting in line. Still, the wait is ultimately worth it to see these incredible landmarks simply because there is such a rich and interesting history behind everything you see. Personally, that’s one of my favourite parts of studying in Europe for a semester; every day is like living an interactive history lesson. The monuments that I’ve enjoyed visiting the most so far are l’Arc de Triomphe, les Invalides, and the Opéra Garnier. As a side note, residents of the European Union between the ages of 18 and 26 benefit from free admission to most of the historical monuments and museums in France. Exchange students who have a long-term visa to any of the EU countries are therefore eligible for free admission!
One of the entrances to Marché Montorgueil
2. Street markets
In my opinion, one of this city’s greatest hidden gems is its street markets. Each arrondissement holds several open markets offering different hours of operation as well as a massive variety of products. No matter what you’re searching for, whether it’s food or jewelry or books, you’ll be able to find a street market in Paris to suit your needs. The best part is that there are numerous markets throughout the city that are open for business on Sundays. The Marché Saint-Eustache-Les Halles, also known as Marché Montorgueil, is an especially notable food market. Here, you’ll find a plethora of local regional products including fresh fish, authentic French cheese, and freshly picked spices. Another type of market that I’ve had the chance to browse was a flea market in the third arrondissement. There, you could find anything from books to clothes to jewelry to antique silverware. Additionally, prices are fairly negotiable, which is always a plus, especially when you’re a student.
Opéra Garnier
3. Go to the Opéra
A perfect way to end a Sunday evening is to catch a show at the renowned Opéra Garnier or the Opéra Bastille, both of which offer evening shows on Sundays. The Opéra Garnier is incidentally the setting and inspiration for the novel and musical The Phantom of the Opera. Box number 5 in the large theatre is dedicated to the famous phantom. Nowadays, this opera house presents mostly ballets rather than operas, but operas are still performed there. Alternatively, you can also book tickets for guided tours, which are genuinely interesting and, again, teach you a bit more of the history behind this beautiful city. BilletRéduc is a handy website to find theatre tickets for reduced prices.
Part of the gardens at Versailles
4. Travel
This takes an honorary spot on this list since it technically isn’t something to do within the city limits of Paris, but I feel that it’s worth mentioning. Being the capital of France, Paris has easy access to other large cities in France and throughout Europe. Given the convenience of relatively cheap and fast travel, anyone that is staying in Paris for a long period of time should take advantage of their time and use the weekends to travel to other parts of France and Europe. Another option is to take day trips to Paris’ surrounding cities. For example, Versailles is a neighbouring city and a visit to the palace of Versailles would make a fantastic day trip. Fontainebleau, where Napoleon and Josephine’s castle is located, is also a short distance from Paris. If you’re interested in art, you can also visit Monet’s garden at Giverny, which is easily accessible from Paris. Further away, Bordeaux is world-renowned for being one of the main producers of French wine. London is barely an hour away by plane and only about three hours by train.
Wherever your interests lie, Paris will always have something for you, even on Sundays!
Check back soon for the next Paris Periodical!
Photos are the author’s own.