13 Best Things To Do In Paris On Thursday

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1. Visit the Museum of Hunting and Nature

The Museum of Hunting and Nature, housed in the famous Guénégaud and Mongelas private houses, explores the evolution of man’s interaction with animals. The Museum is open on Thursdays from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM for 11.4 USD and is free for children 18 and below.

From antiquity to the present, the founders’ remarkable collections of ancient, classic, and contemporary art have been steadily enlarged over nearly half a century.

The museum also hosts three to four yearly temporary exhibits that showcase the permanent collections, with the help of contemporary artists.

2. See the Fountain of Innocents

A lovely area, and such a lovely fountain, the Fountain of the Innocents. The square is large and shady, making it an ideal meeting spot.

On this hot summer day, the breeze blasts a shower of fountain water. You are rapidly cooled by the mist and invited to sit and enjoy this location with all the other people.

When the cemetery along with church were demolished, the fountain was relocated to the square’s center. The fountain attracts both residents and visitors and is located near Saint-Eustache church.

3. Wander at Jardin d’Acclimatation

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The Jardin d’Acclimatation is a contemporary and well-known oasis of peace and amusement in Paris’s 16th arrondissement, just a short distance from Porte Maillot.

The location is suitable for a family outing for the enjoyment of both young and old. It is open on Thursdays from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

The Jardin d’Acclimatation, which spans more than 17 hectares, is a one-of-a-kind place for leisure. Long meandering trails and banks dotted with cherry trees combine to create a natural landscape that will appeal to both those seeking tranquility and those seeking adventure.

There are outdoor playgrounds around the park that guarantee to keep younger visitors busy for hours. Visitors holding a Fondation Louis Vuitton ticket enjoy no-cost admission to the Jardin d’Acclimatation.

To book this tour click here.

4. Discover the World’s Oldest Surviving Basketball Court

The famous sport was invented by a YMCA teacher as a rainy-day distraction for his young charges, but it quickly grew in popularity.

While one of the YMCA sports teachers moved to the Paris site of the rec center, he took a football and a pair of fruit baskets, which he placed in the basement gymnasium, therefore establishing the very first European b-ball court.

While the YMCA in Springfield has become connected to a college campus, the court at the Paris YMCA is still in use.

The boards may be worn, and the pair of gigantic support poles in the center of the court have likely resulted in a few broken noses, however the baskets themselves have been repaired with genuine hoops and boards, and the game continues.

5. Explore Quai Branly Museum

Since its inception in 2006, the Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac Museum in Paris has honored indigenous art as well as non-western cultures. The museum’s mission is to promote international conversation and to highlight the significance of non-Western art and history.

The Quai Branly exhibits distinguishing artworks from many civilizations, including musical instrument collections, textile collections, and historical collections.

The architecture of the structure, designed by Jean Nouvel, leaves visitors dumbfounded. Enjoy a modern setting that advocates a green feel with lush natural components blended with modern architectural characteristics, providing a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of Parisian life.

To book this tour click here.

6. Look for the Arago Medallions of Paris

You could spot an Arago Medallion if you glance down at your feet while walking through the heart of Paris. From Porte de Clignancourt to Gentilly, 135 bronze markers put into the streets form a perfectly straight line.

They denote the position of the Paris Meridian, a longitude axis that is regarded as the starting point of longitude.

While in France, the city of Paris as well as the Arago Association chose to commemorate the Paris Meridian, entrusting the project to Dutch artist Jan Dibbets. Every 12cm medallion carries the name Arago, as well as points indicating north and south.

An Arago Medallion can be found in the following locations:

The Denon Wing of the Musée du Louvre.
In the Comédie Française’s gallery.
In the Richelieu Passage.

7. Look at the Remnants in Paris, the Medici Column

It is in the center of the city, although it is one of Paris’s lesser-known landmarks. A mystery column that is flawlessly merged with the Paris Commodities Exchange, despite the fact that it predates two centuries.

The column that may still be seen today was created to embellish this new dwelling in 1574. A 31-meter-high and 3-meter-wide column with a 147-step stairway up to the top platform, whose construction was heavily influenced by the Renaissance, notably Trajan’s Column in Rome.

8. Explore the Alpine Garden

This magnificent monument to mountain flora, Jardin Alpin, is nestled in the middle of the left bank’s Jardin des Plantes. It is free and open on Thursdays from 8:00 AM to 6:30 PM.

Around 2,000 distinct plants are organized by continent of origin, thriving mainly to the microclimate generated by the surrounding woods and the narrow valley in which the garden is located.

This also keeps it partly concealed from the families and runners that use the nearby grounds. The Jardin Alpin isn’t large; you can walk across it in five minutes, but it makes up for it with its lush verdant tranquility.

9. Pay a Visit to Église Saint-Leu-Saint-Gilles

The Saint-Leu Saint-Gilles church dates back to 1235. It is Gothic in style and contains numerous stained glass windows. It is situated on among of the capital’s main streets, rue Saint-Denis. It is open from 12:00 noon until 7:15 PM on Thursdays.

The rest of the St. Helena relics remained in the monastery up until the French Revolution. The abbey was destroyed, but the cellarer was in a position to securely take the relics back to Paris for public worship.

10. Check out the Smallest and Oldest Cemetery in Paris, Cimetière du Calvaire

The Eglise Saint-Pierre de Montmartre is connected to Le Cimetiere du Calvaire. It is open daily from 9:30 AM until 5:00 PM.

The little cemetery has about 80 burials and a collective grave for the troops who died in 1814 while protecting Paris from the Cossacks at the conclusion of the Napoleonic Empire.

Only descendants of families that already possess a family vault are permitted to be buried there.

The bronze door that presently serves as the cemetery’s entrance was made by Italian artist Tommaso Gismondi, whose work may be seen at the Vatican. Only twice a year does the beautiful brass door open. Beyond it is a mostly unknown chapter in Paris’ history.

11. Travel to Pont de la Concorde

The Pont de la Concorde is a bridge across the Seine that was made standing in the 1700s. Although it has changed throughout the course of time, particularly its name, it is now considered a historical landmark in Paris.

The bridge, which has five stone arches over the Seine, has remained mostly unchanged, with the middle arch being the biggest at roughly 31 meters. However, due to a significant increase in traffic over time, it concluded that the Pont de la Concorde bridge would require to be enlarged.

The Pont de la Concorde bridge connects the Qua d’Orsay on the left side near the Palais Bourbon to the Quai des Tuileries on the right side of the Seine.

12. Head to the Grand Lodge of France

The Supreme Council of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite sanctioned the formation of the Grand Lodge of France in 1894. It followed the same road as the Grand Orient, and as a result, conventional masonry died in France.

In the 1970s, the Grande Loge unveiled a portion of its private collections and archives to shed some of the mystique that had cloaked the order, displaying magnificent objects that comprise the beauty of masonic regalia.

Today, admission to the museum is free, but the archival library is only accessible by request. It is open Monday through Thursday.

13. Catch a Glimpse of the Relics of Saint Vincent de Paul

The church devoted to Saint Vincent de Paul is located in the Vincentian Fathers’ chapel. You’ll observe the glass reliquary carrying the remains high above the center altar as you approach the Church. To worship his relics, a double stairway behind the altar leads to the reliquary.

His body looked to be incorrupt when it was originally unearthed, but later water ruined the region where his body was interred, causing the body to deteriorate. His skeleton has been coated in wax, giving him a highly lifelike aspect.

Take the Metro to the Vaneau station, which is located on exactly the same street as the Shrine of Saint Vincent de Paul.

It seems not to be much different from most of the other structures on the block from the outside, yet inside you will discover a gorgeous church. There’s a little plaque on the side of the door that can point you in the right direction.

Final Thoughts on Things to Do in Paris on Thursday

Exploring Paris on a Thursday gives up a universe of opportunities and experiences to suit a wide range of interests. From cultural excursions to outdoor adventures, the city has something for every type of tourist.

Thursdays in Paris guarantee an amazing experience, whether it’s diving into art at world-class museums, wandering through lovely districts, or enjoying the city’s dynamic nightlife.

Christine Rogador

Hi, I’m Christine – a full-time traveler and career woman. Although I’m from the Philippines, my location independent career took me to over 40 countries and lived in 4 continents in the last 10 years, including France. A self-proclaimed Francophile, I love everything France.