3 Best Sights in Eastern Paris, Paris

An abandoned iron foundry in the hip 11e arrondissement is the soaring backdrop for Culturespace's feast for the eyes and the senses, where visitors are invited to actually step into the midst of some of the great masterpieces of 19th- and 20th-century painting (many found in famous Parisian museums). More than 100 video projectors cast vivid scenes of gorgeously colored artwork on the walls, ceilings, and floors, accompanied by a dynamic soundtrack for total immersion into a 30-minute explosion of color and sound.

Le Centquatre (meaning "104") takes its name from its address in a rough-around-the-edges corner of the 19e arrondissement, near Parc de la Villette. The former site of the city morgue, this soaring art hub is home to an offbeat collection of performance venues, shops, and studios (artists of all genres compete for free studio space, and sometimes you can get a peek of them at work). Contemporary art exhibits, some of which charge a small admission, are presented here, as are all manner of concerts, dance performances, performance art, films, and other events, many of them interactive. On-site you'll also find a restaurant, a café, a bookstore, a vintage shop, and a play area for children. There's much to see and do here for the whole family, so check the website before you visit to confirm what's on.

One of Paris's younger and more exciting contemporary-art venues combines innovative exhibits with live musical performances and a multimedia space that features a library, movies, and free video games. Think of it as a smaller, more interactive Centre Pompidou. La Gaîté Lyrique occupies three floors of a 19th-century theater—remnants of which are visible in the café upstairs.