Place to see: Parc de la Villette, Paris, France

About this place:

On the Northeast outskirts of Paris lies Parc de la Villette. It is not a typical park that one would expect to find in Paris. Designed by Bernard Tschumi in the 1980s, it's a landmark for modern deconstructionist design. Dotting the park are follies which are brightly painted red structures of various purposes. Some of them can be explored, some contain shops and cafes, and others remain purely decorative. One of the most intriguing installations is the "buried" giant bicycle. Walking around a giant pedal warrants an appreciation for the two-wheeled form of transportation. A museum of science and industry with an IMAX theatre is also on the grounds. Other highlights are a bamboo garden, a dragon slide, and open grounds for playing pickup games of soccer.