three underground experiences in Paris

the Louvre (c) 2017 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

Sometimes the most exclusive travel experience is the one you didn't even know existed. Here are three "underground" touring possibilities in Paris.

(1) The sewers of Paris. I've done this. Wasn't planning to, but when I came across the entrance years ago, I decided to go underground and have the experience. Worth it? NOT! Unless you have a fascination with all things having to do with civil engineering, it's not much to write home about. I suppose Parisian sewers smell the same as any city's sewers...

(2) The Eiffel Tower. Did you know there's an underground exhibit at the Eiffel Tower? You'll enter through a secret military bunker ... but most interesting are hydraulic lifts designed by Gustave Eiffel. Elevators that go straight up and down are commonplace, but Eiffel faced an engineering challenge: how do you operate an elevator that ascends at a slant? The exhibit will show you exactly how, and when you exit, you'll be at the front of the lines to take the elevator up!

(3) The Louvre. I never knew this was even possible. Like all museums, the Louvre has countless artistic treasure that are not on exhibit, and these reside in secret underground vaults. Our travel partner NoteWorthy can obtain exclusive access into these vaults. Along with your NoteWorthy guide and a curator from the Louvre, you'll be able to tour these vaults, far from the throng of tourists crowding in front of the Mona Lisa.

How many of these underground experiences did you know about?

copyright (c) 2017 by Ourisman Travel LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell, a Virtuoso® Member. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.