If you are sick of buttery croissants and historic architecture, Bowling de la Chapelle provides a nice alternative. Located on the edge of Paris, near the Peripherique, this mammoth bowling alley has 24 lanes, 18 billiard tables, two air hockey tables and plenty of arcade video games.

Besides the tacky blue carpet, top ’40s music, and clusterings of nubile teens, it’s one of those places to drag your friends—kicking and screaming—for what will surely end up as a surprisingly fun, “out-of-the-box” experience—after a few drinks at the bar. A note to serious bowlers: there are eight competitive clubs.