Paris is one of the most visited cities in the world, but beyond the famous landmarks — the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and Notre Dame — lies a quieter, more intimate side of the city.
Hidden things to do in Paris are those special places that most tourists never see, where Parisians go to escape the crowds and enjoy the true essence of their city. You get to see how Parisians really live, eat and relax and you’re not fighting for space or dealing with tourist traps.
There’s also something thrilling about discovering a place that feels like yours, such as a quiet bookstore, a tiny wine bar with no English menu or a hidden garden that even some locals don’t know about. These spots make your trip feel personal and special, rather than just checking off a list of must-sees.
Hopefully, this guide can help you find hidden places in Paris that cater to your interests to help make your next trip to the city just a little more unique.
How to Find Paris’s Best-Kept Secrets
Paris is a city that rewards curiosity. While its grand landmarks are important and interesting to see, the real magic lies in the hidden corners, the unassuming doorways and the quiet streets where everyday Parisian life unfolds.
- Wander with Intention: Wander Montmartre’s charming streets, follow the Seine or let a pretty building lead you somewhere new. The best spots are often the ones you find by accident. That said, keep reading to make sure you don’t miss out on the must-sees during your trip.
- Ask Locals for Tips: Talk to Parisians — booksellers, baristas, shop owners. They know the hidden gems better than any guidebook.
- Embrace the Unexpected: Use Google Maps to explore interesting areas. A random café, a small antique store or a quiet square can make Paris feel uniquely yours.
Where to Wander
- Montmartre: There are plenty of hidden gems in Montmartre Paris. Skip the crowds at Sacré-Cœur and explore cute spots like the Amélie café, tiny vineyards and the Musée de la Vie Romantique.
- Latin Quarter: Avoid touristy areas near Notre Dame — check out Rue Mouffetard’s market and wine bars, plus a hidden Roman amphitheater.
- Saint-Germain-des-Prés: Ditch the packed cafés for quiet side streets, a lively market and the mysterious Saint-Sulpice church.
- Belleville: Artsy, diverse and full of street art, cheap eats and great skyline views from Parc de Belleville.
- Ménilmontant: A cool, laid-back area with cozy wine bars, indie music spots and Père-Lachaise Cemetery (where Jim Morrison fans hang out).
- Butte aux Cailles: A hidden village in Paris with colorful houses, craft shops and an old-school swimming pool.
- Quartier du Peupliers: Feels like the countryside, with cobblestones, vine-covered homes and a windmill.
- Clignancourt: Home to Paris’ biggest flea market (Marché aux Puces) — go early for the best vintage finds.
Hidden Cafés, Bookstores & Cute Stores
Paris is full of well-known attractions, but the real magic lies in its hidden corners — those tucked-away cafés, indie bookstores and adorable boutiques that feel like secrets only locals know. If you love stumbling upon unique spots with character, here’s your guide to just some of the city’s best-kept treasures.
Quaint Cafés & Bookish Hideaways
- Rue de la Villette (19th arr.) – Start at the southern end near Rue de Belleville and explore this unassuming street, where low-key cafés and neighborhood charm make it feel like a Paris few tourists see.
- Abbey Bookshop (Latin Quarter) – A cozy English-language bookstore crammed with secondhand finds, run by a friendly Canadian who might just offer you a cup of coffee while you browse.
- Shakespeare and Company (Left Bank) – Okay, not exactly hidden, but this legendary bookstore is a must for book lovers. Curl up in their upstairs reading nook or grab a coffee at their café while soaking in literary history.
- Librairie des Abbesses (Montmartre) – A tiny but well-curated bookshop with a focus on art, poetry and Parisian culture, perfect for picking up a unique read.
- Librairie OFR (Le Marais) – Part bookstore, part indie magazine haven, this spot is a goldmine for art, fashion and underground publications.
- Place d’Aligre Market – For one of the hidden shopping gems in Paris, this is a lively local market by day, but the surrounding streets hide quiet courtyards and tucked-away cafés where you can escape the bustle.
Whimsical Shops & Artistic Finds
- Halle Saint Pierre (Montmartre) – A quirky art space and bookstore dedicated to outsider art and the unconventional. The café upstairs has a quiet, artsy vibe.
- Grim’Art – A darkly charming boutique specializing in curiosities, taxidermy and oddities — think Victorian-era meets gothic Paris.
- L’Habit Français – A tiny, retro-inspired shop selling vintage French workwear and timeless staples.
For the Foodie & Literary Explorer
- La Librairie Gourmande – A food lover’s dream, packed with cookbooks, culinary guides and books on wine and pastry.
- Delamain Jousseaume – An old-world bookshop in a historic passage, specializing in rare and antique books, making it great for collectors.
Best Neighborhood for Cute Shops? Le Marais!
If you love wandering through charming boutiques, Le Marais is your spot. From vintage clothing stores to tiny perfumeries and concept shops, this area is perfect for leisurely strolls and unexpected discoveries. Galerie Vivienne is also one of Paris’s most beautiful, covered passages, lined with elegant shops, vintage boutiques and a tearoom that feels frozen in time.
Tip: Many of these places are small and locally owned, so take your time, chat with the owners and enjoy the slower side of Paris — the one that feels like it was made just for you.
Secret Gardens & Tranquil Spaces
Paris isn’t just about the Eiffel Tower and crowded cafés, it’s also a city of secret gardens, peaceful parks and tucked-away escapes where you can slow down and enjoy a quieter side of the city. If you love hidden pathways, greenery and serene spots where tourists rarely go, here’s your guide to Paris’s most enchanting secret retreats.
Hidden Pathways & Magical Alleys
- Passage de l’Ancre – A tiny, flower-filled alleyway that feels like stepping into a storybook. Follow it to discover a quiet, cobbled street lined with ivy and charming shops.
- Floral City (Cité Florale) – A little neighborhood near Parc Montsouris, where streets are named after flowers and cottages look like they belong in a fairy tale.
- Les Arènes de Lutèce – Ancient Roman ruins hidden in the Latin Quarter, with a quiet garden where locals play pétanque and have picnics.
Parks & Unique Green Spaces
- Parc de la Villette – A futuristic park with quirky red structures, open lawns and hidden nooks perfect for relaxing. Don’t miss the bamboo garden near the Cité des Sciences!
- Gardens of Albert Kahn & Museum – A stunning (and often overlooked) garden with Japanese landscapes, English cottages and French orchards.
- Parc de Bercy – A mix of modern landscaping and old wine warehouses, with hidden rose gardens and wooden footbridges that make it feel like a countryside escape.
- St Julien le Pauvre – One of Paris' oldest churches (built 1170!) with a peaceful garden offering perfect Notre Dame views minus the crowds.
- Parc des Buttes-Chaumont Paris – One of Paris’s most dramatic parks, with cliffs, a suspension bridge and a temple-topped island (Temple de la Sibylle) overlooking a lake. Perfect for a lazy afternoon with a book and panoramic views of Paris from the temple.
- Parc Monceau – Another of the secret gems in Paris, this is a posh, elegant park with a rotunda, statues and shady paths. It’s where Parisians go to unwind without the tourist crowds.
Tip: Many of these spots are best enjoyed in the early morning or late afternoon, when the light is golden and the crowds are thin.
Lesser-Known Art & Culture Hubs
Beyond the Louvre and Musée d'Orsay lies a whole other Paris, where abandoned train stations become indie galleries, forgotten castles hold fascinating histories and entire neighborhoods pulse with creative energy.
Here's where to experience the city's alternative art scene and overlooked cultural treasures.
Museums
You’ve likely already visited the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay, but there is a magnitude of smaller museums around Paris in the arrondissements that are absolutely brilliant. Here are just a few of the great ones to be found that are not overrun by tourists.
Tip: Many Parisian museums offer free entry to their permanent collections on the first Sunday of the month (e.g., Rodin, Orangerie, Carnavalet). Make sure to check out the temporary exhibitions if you’re running low on time, rather than the permanent ones.
Industrial Spaces Reborn as Creative Hubs
- Ground Control – This massive former railway warehouse is now a food truck paradise by day and underground cultural center by night, hosting everything from DJ sets to pop-up art installations.
- La Recyclerie – As one of the best hidden gems in Paris, this is a charming converted train station focusing on sustainability, with urban farming workshops, repair cafes and a great weekend brunch in their greenhouse.
- Le Hasard Ludique – Another transformed station with a laidback beer garden vibe hosting concerts, flea markets and open-air cinema nights in summer.
Hidden Art Districts & Street Art Hotspots
- Rue Sainte-Marthe – This sloping cobblestone street is lined with artist studios, tiny galleries and some of Paris' best street art, all without the crowds of more famous areas.
- Under the Viaduc des Arts – Walk beneath this striking viaduct to discover artisan workshops and galleries tucked into its stone arches, plus the start of the Promenade Plantée.
- Petite Ceinture – Paris' abandoned 19th-century railway turned into an urban nature walk with occasional art pop-ups and graffiti galleries along the tracks.
Castles & Cultural Sites
- Basilica of Saint-Denis – The world's first Gothic cathedral and burial place of French kings, just 15 minutes from central Paris but rarely visited by tourists.
- Château de Vincennes – A medieval castle with a 170-foot keep that's more impressive than the Conciergerie but gets a fraction of the visitors.
- Château de Malmaison – Josephine Bonaparte's intimate country home filled with her personal treasures and spectacular gardens.
Tip: Many of these spots host special evening events, from jazz nights at Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre to full-moon visits at Vincennes Castle. Check their websites for unique after-hours experiences that let you see Paris like a local creative.
Authentic Dining: Savoring Paris Like a Local
Now for some hidden gems in Paris restaurants. Forget overpriced tourist traps, the real Parisian dining scene happens in cozy neighborhood bistros, historic bars and unassuming spots where locals go for their daily lunch ritual. Here’s how to eat (and drink) your way through Paris like someone who actually lives here.
Where Parisians Really Eat & Drink
- Bistrot Paul Bert – The gold standard of Parisian bistros, serving textbook-perfect steak frites, marrow bones and the kind of crème brûlée that ruins all others for you.
- Le Café des Musées – A Marais institution where artsy locals crowd in for generous bistro classics at reasonable prices. Their lunch meals are a steal.
- Holybelly – The ultimate brunch spot (yes, Parisians do brunch now) with fluffy pancakes, killer coffee and a laidback Aussie vibe.
Secret Bars & Speakeasies
- Moonshiner – For underground bars in Paris, walk through a pizza joint’s freezer door to find this dimly lit prohibition-style bar with killer cocktails.
- Danico (Galerie Vivienne) – Tucked behind the pasta bar at Daroco, this glamorous cocktail den serves Italian-inspired drinks in one of Paris’ prettiest passages.
- Le Belle Hortense – Half wine bar, half bookstore, all charm. Sip natural wine while browsing shelves of poetry and philosophy.
Local Foodie Experiences
- Le Grande Épicerie – Not just a fancy grocery store! Come here to assemble the most luxurious picnic of your life (think truffle brie, crusty baguettes and €30 jars of jam).
- Cour Saint-Émilion – This cobblestone courtyard in Bercy Village is lined with wine bars and casual eateries. Pair your meal with a stroll through nearby Parc de Bercy.
- Marché d’Aligre – Skip Rue Cler’s tourist crowds. This bustling market has cheese stalls, oyster bars and the best people-watching in Paris.
Insider-Only Treats
- Maison Le Roux – A master chocolatier who makes caramel-filled bonbons so good, you’ll want to hide them from your travel companions.
- Pizzeria Lovine – Tiny spot serving Naples-worthy pies with inventive toppings (try the burrata-stuffed crust). Only 12 seats—go early.
- Café Kitsune (Palais Royal) – Famous for their fox logo merch, but the real draw is their shady terrace, perfect for a post-shopping macaron break.
Smart Dining Tips from Locals
- Lunch is king – That €25 prix-fixe menu? It’s €45 at dinner. Eat your big meal midday like Parisians do.
- Reservations are non-negotiable – Have your hotel call ahead, especially for dinner. Many top spots book up weeks in advance.
- Avoid restaurant rows – Streets like Rue de la Huchette or near major sights are tourist traps. Walk 2 blocks in any direction to find better options.
- When in doubt, order the plat du jour – It’s what’s freshest, seasonal and often the chef’s best work.
Tip: The 11th arrondissement (between Bastille and République) is packed with authentic bistros where Parisians actually eat. Wander down Rue Paul Bert or Rue de la Forge Royale and pick any place with handwritten chalkboard menus — you really can’t go wrong.
Walking Routes: Discovering Hidden Gems Along the Way
Honestly, the best way to uncover Paris' magic is on foot. For some Paris walking tours (self-guided), we’ve got you covered! These walking routes will take you past storybook streets, secret waterways and local hangouts most tourists never see.
Canal Saint-Martin to Bassin de la Villette (3.5km)
Start at République and follow the tree-lined Canal Saint-Martin north, passing:
- Iron footbridges where locals picnic with wine
- The hidden Hôtel du Nord (from the classic French film)
- Quirky shops like Artazart art bookstore
- End at Bassin de la Villette, where you can rent a paddleboat or catch an open-air summer movie.
La Coulée Verte (4.7km Elevated Walk)
As one of the Paris lesser-known attractions, this just may be Paris’s answer to NYC’s High Line, this elevated park was built on an old railway track. Starts near Bastille:
- Walk among wildflowers on the old railway viaduct
- Peek into artists' studios through the vine-covered arches
- Descend near Jardin de Reuilly for a drink at the sunken garden bar
- Continue all the way to Bois de Vincennes for a lakeside picnic
Île aux Cygnes – Paris' Secret Island (1.5km)
This narrow artificial island in the Seine features:
- A miniature Statue of Liberty facing her big sister in NYC
- Perfect skyline views of the Eiffel Tower
- Cherry blossoms in spring (with zero crowds)
- A peaceful promenade where locals jog
Rue de l'Abreuvoir to Montmartre Vineyard (1 km)
Escape the Sacré-Cœur crowds with this fairytale route:
- Pink café La Maison Rose
- The last working Montmartre vineyard
- Hidden Square Marcel Bleustein with its Dali fountain
- End at Le Consulat for onion soup where Picasso once drank
Bonus: For the ultimate hidden walk, follow the Petite Ceinture – the abandoned railway that circles Paris, now a nature trail with street art. Access points change often – ask a local barista for the latest entry spot!
Further Reading: Tourism in Paris Statistics: You’re Quick Guide to Paris
A Paris Trip That Feels Like Yours
No matter your interests, there are plenty of regions in Paris that are perfect for you to explore without the crazy crowds. Honestly, it’s just all about heading outside of the landmark-filled arrondissements. Also, while planning and having a general location to head to can be great, it’s also about just putting away the phone and map and letting your feet take you around. Think about how you would explore your own city and do the same for Paris.
All this said and done, we know it can be tricky traveling to a country and trying to find all the great locations. That’s where a private Paris tour guide can be fantastic. They can take you to places that suit your interests, taking your away from the crowds and to places they, as a local, absolutely love — plus, you’re able to get chatting with a local while you’re at it, learning all about Paris from their point of view. Get chatting with one of our guides today!
