Paris behind the scenes

La Rédaction Paris je t'aime -
Unusual visits: the hidden side of Parisian monuments.

Parisian monuments are undoubtedly among the most famous buildings in the world: the Bastille Opera House, the Invalides, the Comédie-Française... They all have a story to tell and they all have many treasures that a classic visit does not always reveal. To explore the Capital in greater depth, go behind the scenes of Paris’s monuments! Accompanied by a specialist guide, unravel the secrets of places that make the City of Light so rich and multifaceted: concert halls, sporting complexes, a photo studio, museums, cabarets and even the Eiffel Tower will hold no more secrets for you!

🎯Maison de l’Unesco

Cultival is offering a guided tour of the Paris headquarters of Unesco, situated between the Eiffel Tower and the Ecole Militaire. An invitation to discover the behind the scenes of this institution housed in an impressive building with works by major architects and artists of the 20th century: Bernard Zehrfuss, Marcel Breuer, Alexander Calder, Henry Moore, Eduardo Chillida, Joan Miró, Pablo Picasso, Alberto Giacometti and Brassaï.

  • Available in French

👉 BOOK A TOUR OF UNESCO

🎯Manufacture des Gobelins

The Manufacture des Gobelins is one of the entities of the Mobilier National. It is in charge of the tapestries and has occupied the current site - in the 13th arrondissement - Since the 17th century. Cultival is offering a visit to a part of the workshops still in activity. The tour can also include a visit to the Galerie des Gobelins if there is a temporary exhibition programmed.

  • Available in French

👉 BOOK A GUIDED TOUR OF THE GOBELINS

🎯The Stade de France

Follow in the footsteps of the greatest international sportsmen and women and singers by exploring this legendary stadium and hearing a myriad of anecdotes. From the corridors to the dressing rooms, the Stade de France unveils areas normally closed to the public providing you with the opportunity to go into the main arena of the largest sporting and cultural venue in France.

  • Available in French and English

👉 BOOK A TOUR OF THE STADE DE FRANCE

🎯 The Clairefontaine National Football Centre

Step inside the temple of French football and discover the official training base of the French national teams. On an exclusive guided tour, explore this exceptional site nestled in the heart of the Rambouillet forest. From the changing rooms to the famous château, via the training pitches, walk in the footsteps of Les Bleus and discover the history and preparation secrets of the greatest champions!

  • Available in French and English

👉 BOOK A TOUR OF CLAIREFONTAINE NATIONAL FOOTBALL CENTRE

🎯A Parisian grand magasin: Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann

Situated on the Boulevard Haussmann, Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann is Paris’ temple to shopping. Discover the secrets of this department store, from the sublime view of its roof garden to its impressive underground passages, its sumptuous dome and more. Dive into the history of Printemps’ founding, reflective of a time of social, technical and architectural reinvention.

  • Available in French and English

👉 BOOK A TOUR OF THE SECRETS OF GALERIES LAFAYETTE

🎯The Bastille Opera House

The curtain is also lifted on national opera at the Bastille! Outside opening hours, visitors can explore one of the most prestigious Parisian institutions. Discover the places where stage sets are kept, the public foyers, the huge auditorium, as well as the machinery and workshops of this prestigious monument! A great way to unlock the secrets around the staging of the greatest operas.

  • Available in French
  • Book an exclusive tour of the Bastille Opera's secret vegetable garden with Greets Paris

👉 BOOK A BACKSTAGE TOUR OF THE OPÉRA BASTILLE

🎯The Crazy Horse

Who hasn't dreamed of having the confidence and grace that characterise the legendary dancers of the Crazy Horse? During an immersive 90-minute session in a small group, a dancer from the troupe opens the doors of the rehearsal studio to share the secrets of the ‘Crazy’ look. From posture to hip sway, gaze and gait, learn how to reveal your own charisma before concluding this special moment with a glass of champagne.

  • Availability: weekends and public holidays (in French and English). Experience: 90-minute class, backstage tour and glass of champagne

👉 BOOK THE CRAZY ATTITUDE EXPERIENCE

🌟 Behind the scenes in Paris in pictures 🌟

© Stade de France®  Macary Zublena et Regembal Costantini architectes - ADAGP Paris 2014 - Photographe : F. Aguilhon
Le Grand Rex Paris © DR
© CIBILLE, Philippe pour Aéroports de Paris

🎯Hôtel des Invalides

Commissioned by Louis XIV, the Hôtel des Invalides is one of the most prestigious buildings in Paris. Discover its many secrets in the company of a guide for a privileged visit that includes the impressive main courtyard, the Dôme church … not to mention the tombs of military men who have marked history, such as Vauban or Foch, and the monumental tomb of Napoleon.

  • Available in French

👉 BOOK A SECRET INVALIDES TOUR

🎯The Grand Rex

A replica of the Radio City Music Hall in New York, the Grand Rex cinema is a movie theatre with quite remarkable decor. This historic listed building unfolds its secrets in the course of a visit behind the screen.

  • The audio guide is available in the following languages: French, English, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian.

👉 BOOK A BEHIND-THE-SCENES TOUR OF THE GRAND REX

🎯Rungis International Market

The largest wholesale food market in the world welcomes you for a surprising visit! Immerse yourself in an incredible world to discover the hidden side of this hotspot for French gastronomy, with cheese, flowers, seafood, fruits and vegetables and much more on offer. Accompanied by a guide, stroll through its aisles and finish off the visit with a great locally-sourced breakfast!

👉 BOOK A TOUR OF THE RUNGIS MARKET

🎯The Bibliothèque Nationale de France

The unique architecture of the Bibliothèque François Mitterrand practically calls out to whoever may pass by. With its four book-shaped towers over 80 m high, the library hides rooms reserves for researchers, 14 million books and publications tucked away in the archives and even the gigantic globes once owned by Louis XIV. Accompanied by a guide, explore the halls and floors of this stunning and unmissable cultural site.

👉 BOOK A TOUR OF THE BNF

🎯The Comédie-Française

A veritable institution for theatre in France, the Comédie-Française is housed in the building of the Palais-Royal. In February 2016, it offers a privileged backstage visit of this monument – a landmark site in the history of theatre!

  • Saturdays and Sundays at 11am
  • Available in French and French Sign Language

👉 BOOK A TOUR OF THE COMÉDIE FRANÇAISE

🎯Paris-Orly Airport

For aviation enthusiasts and those simply curious to find out more, don't miss this behind-the-scenes guided tour of one of Paris’s two international airports! Get close to the planes and observe how they are handled, meet the runway staff and go behind the scenes of this amazing site. The opportunity for children and adults to become experts on the subject!

  • Available in French

👉 BOOK A TOUR OF ORLY AIRPORT

🌟 Our partners specialising in behind-the-scenes tours in Paris 🌟

❓Frequently asked questions

What are the backstage areas in Paris?

The backstage areas in Paris refer to the secret spaces and areas of the capital's iconic monuments that are usually closed to the public. These tours allow visitors to discover the workshops, machinery, storage areas and technical spaces of prestigious venues such as the Opéra Garnier, UNESCO and the great Parisian theatres, offering a unique insight into the expertise and functioning of these cultural institutions.

What are some unusual places to visit in Paris?

Paris is full of unusual places such as the Tour Jean-sans-Peur (a medieval relic from the 15th century), the Chinese pagoda in the 8th arrondissement, Jules Lavirotte's Art Nouveau building on Avenue Rapp, and the underground catacombs. You can also discover the Musée des Égouts (Sewer Museum), the false facades of the RATP (Paris underground) or the Saint-Jean-Bosco church with its colourful mosaics, for an encounter with the lesser-known side of Paris.

How do I book a behind-the-scenes tour of Paris?

To book these exceptional tours, visit our official ticket office, the official websites of the monuments, or use specialised platforms such as Cultival. Some tours require ID at the time of the appointment, and places are often limited.

Are the tours available in several languages?

Yes, most behind-the-scenes tours are available in several languages. Sites such as the Paris Opera offer guides in different languages. Other monuments generally offer French, English and Spanish, allowing international visitors to fully enjoy these experiences during their encounter with Parisian heritage.

What types of experiences are offered on these tours?

These tours offer a variety of immersive activities: exploring artisan workshops at the Manufacture des Gobelins, discovering theatre dressing rooms and machinery, accessing the changing rooms at the Stade de France, observing the UNESCO conference rooms with their works by Picasso and Calder, or even interactive detective games such as the Mazarin adventure at the Bibliothèque nationale de France.

How much do behind-the-scenes tours of monuments cost?

Prices vary considerably depending on the monument and organiser. Specialised tours of UNESCO or Parisian theatres generally cost between €15 and €25, while some exceptional tours can cost up to €30.

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