Paris, the city of lovers, is an eternal magnet for tourists and travelers from all over the world who come to breathe in the history of a legendary city. So much has been written about Paris from a tourist point of view that we don’t know what more could be added. But perhaps if you’re in France’s capital for who knows how many times, you’ll want to see more than just the classic sights like the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Seine, Montmartre, or Notre Dame. And then, the question comes as to which areas to head for and, maybe, where to stay in Paris. Here are 15 suggestions of secret places to visit in Paris, for seeing France’s capital differently.
- 15 Atelier Brancusi
- 14 Hotel de Sens
- 13 Abbey Bookstore
- 12. Sainte-Chapelle
- 11. The Great Mosque of Paris
- 10. Le Ballon de Paris
- 9. Beehives in the Jardin du Luxembourg
- 8. Go boating in the Bois de Boulogne
- 7. St. Quentin Market
- 6. Little Sri Lanka
- 5. Belleville
- 4. Church of St.Etienne du Mont
- 3. Palais de Tokyo
- 2. La Butte aux Cailles
- 1. La Conciergerie
15 Atelier Brancusi
Atelier Brancusi (located at 1-min walk from the Centre Georges Pompidou) is a remake of the studio which belonged to the Romanian-born artist Constantin Brancusi. Brancusi’s collection includes 137 sculptures, 87 bases, 41 drawings, 2 paintings, and more than 1600 glass photographic plates and prints.
Sculptor, painter, and photographer born in Romania in 1876, he became a French citizen in 1904 and pursued a career in France. His carved heads, fish, and birds made of marble, bronze, stone, and wood became famous.
14 Hotel de Sens
In the heart of the Marais, it is one of Paris’s few remaining medieval buildings. At one time, the Hotel de Sens was home to the archbishopric of Sens. Today, it’s a library.
The medieval Hotel de Sens was constructed in the 15th century. It took 27 years to complete. This was one of the first buildings in the area in a period when Marais was just a swampy marsh, not the hipster enclave it is today.
When you look at the facade of the Hotel de Sens closely, you’ll notice a tiny metal cannonball sticking out of the building. This is a relic from the French Revolution, which struck the building in 1830.
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13 Abbey Bookstore
This delightful anglophone bookstore is housed in the Hotel Dubuisson. The store offers a wide selection of new, vintage, and rare books, lovingly piled up from the floor to ceiling.
Coffee is also served at the bookstore, along with the delicious smell of books. It is located on Rue de la Parcheminerie, a tiny lane dating from the 13th century in the Latin Quarter.
The Abbey Bookstore is located nearby another hidden gem and unique piece of street art in Paris: the Salvador Dali sundial on Rue Saint-Jacques. It shows a woman’s head shaped like a shell.
12. Sainte-Chapelle
Sainte-Chapelle is one of the most beautiful churches in Paris. It is tucked away in the middle of the Palais de Justice, which houses courtrooms and court registry offices. You must go through security checks and have your bag checked to enter the chapel.
Sainte-Chapelle was originally the private church of the French kings, and although it is not as spectacular as Notre Dame, the atmosphere is quite magical. Mosaics dominate the upper chapel, creating a magical ambiance. Thousands of Bible scenes glow in rich, vibrant colors due to the light shining through the panes.
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11. The Great Mosque of Paris
The Great Mosque of Paris may not be exactly what you expected on your Paris itinerary, but it is definitely worth seeing. Outside it looks grand, but inside there is a magical courtyard and lush garden. There are flower-pattern doors, arches, sculpted columns, and colorful carpets to admire. You can even relax in a tea shop, library, or hammam.
10. Le Ballon de Paris
There’s a tourist attraction in the middle of the city that kids and adults alike will love. This attraction rises to an altitude of 150 meters, is filled with 6000 cubic meters of helium, and is tethered to the ground by a cable. Those who want to see Paris from above can “board” Le Ballon de Paris and enjoy the fantastic view of the city from the world’s largest fixed-air balloon. The balloon also plays an active role in the environment: it changes color according to air quality and pollution levels, giving Parisians data on the air they breathe: green – good quality, orange – average quality, red – bad quality.
Located in the famous Parc André Citroën, the balloon is easily accessible and worth a visit on its own. As soon as the sun shines in spring, Parisians begin picnicking, reading or sunbathing in the park. Among the many attractions are the fountain’s many springing water jets, which children love to race through.
Hours of operation: Daily from 9 am until 30 minutes before the park closes. Location: André Citroën Park.
Prices: adults – €12, children – €6 (under 3 – free).
9. Beehives in the Jardin du Luxembourg
In the southwest part of Jardin du Luxembourg, a swarm of bees produces honey for the Parisians. Several hives, which have been here since 1856, “color” the garden. The hives also have an educational role for those who want to learn about honey production by the buzzing insects. Classes are held every Wednesday and Saturday.
8. Go boating in the Bois de Boulogne
Bois de Boulogne was once the hunting ground of the kings of France but has now become the territory of those seeking a relaxing oasis in the west of Paris. It’s one of the largest parks in this part of the capital and offers a wide range of activities such as walks around the Lac Inférieur and the experience of boating on the lake amidst a soothing and verdant landscape.
7. St. Quentin Market
Probably when you plan your city tour, you don’t necessarily consider a visit to a market. In Paris, markets are “abandoned” in favor of other, more well-known sights. However, the city does have some wonderful covered markets, and St. Quentin is one of them, with its unique architecture, high ceilings, and large windows that allow natural light and good ventilation. St. Quentin is located in the 10th arrondissement (85 Magenta Blvd.) and is open Tuesday to Saturday from 8.30 am to 1.30 pm. Here you can find all kinds of exotic fruits, vegetables, souvenir shops, bakeries, meat, etc.
6. Little Sri Lanka
There are about 100,000 Sri Lankans living in France, and you can meet many of them in Little Jaffna, at the end of Faubourg-Saint-Denis, in the 10th arrondissement, between Gare de Nord and La Chapelle metro stations. Mistakenly known by Parisians as Little Bombay, this neighborhood is filled with women in colorful saris, cheerful shops selling everything from silk to spices, cheap Indian restaurants, and, most importantly, Sri Lankan and South Indian culture. On top of that, you’ll hear Bollywood music on the streets, smell the strong scent of Asian spices and have a chance to drink some excellent tea before you leave.
5. Belleville
Belleville used to be a village that supplied Paris with wine. Nowadays, it’s a mix of cultures, with Chinese predominating. Still, you’ll also come across Vietnamese, Thai, and French influences, represented mainly by good and much cheaper restaurants than anywhere else in the city. Again, you’ll find authentic Chinese food at good prices, but beyond the food, you’ll discover an area that’s brimming with cultural activities.
Many artists choose to come here to exhibit their work in various venues. And if you’re a fan of graffiti, for example, you can stroll along Rue Piat or Rue des Envierges to admire the creations of urban artists. And if you have a thing for cemeteries, venture to the famous Pere Lachaise nearby to pay homage to the likes of Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, and Edith Piaf.
4. Church of St.Etienne du Mont
St.Etienne du Mont is a Gothic church in the 5th arrondissement, behind the Pantheon. It is one of the most interesting Parisian churches and was once part of the abbey dedicated to Saint Genevieve. Its main attraction is the altar, which contains the body of the saint herself, the spiritual patroness of Paris, but the whole interior of the church is superb. Alongside Saint Genevieve, the church also contains the tombs of physicist Blaise Pascal and playwright Jean Racine.
3. Palais de Tokyo
The Palais de Tokyo is not a museum in the traditional sense – it refers to itself as an anti-museum. The exhibitions incorporate the question, “What is art?, inviting you to participate in the discussion. The exhibit is an opportunity to see some of the most brilliant works of art ever created.
Also, Tokyo Eat, the restaurant adjacent to the building, is known for its inventive dishes and striking interior design.
2. La Butte aux Cailles
Located in the 13th arrondissement, La Butte aux Cailles is one of the lesser-known districts of Paris. Yet its charm is inestimable: cobbled, sloping alleyways, quirky restaurants, cafés, art-nouveau architecture, and tiny houses that revive the Parisian charm of yesteryear. It’s a neighborhood untouched by international chain stores, with some interesting places, including Place Paul Verlaine, Alsacian Villa, Rue de la Butte aux Cailles, and Rue des Cinq Diamants.
In the Place Paul Verlaine is a 19th-century fountain filled with natural, drinkable water. Nearby is an art-nouveau-style swimming pool, with water straight from the fountain, in which you can swim, and then head off in search of Rue Daviel, where you’ll find the Alsacian Villa, built in the architectural style of traditional northern French buildings.
1. La Conciergerie
When the former palace passed to the Parliament, La Conciergerie became the first prison in Paris. In 1391, the building was converted into a prison for political and common prisoners. During the French Revolution, almost 3000 prisoners spent their last days here before being guillotined in the Place de Concorde. Among the celebrities who were imprisoned here were Marie Antoinette and Danton.
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