14 Hidden Gems of Paris
A Paris bucket list beyond the Eiffel Tower
Romantic picnic spots & bars where Parisians go, hidden gem museums, a chocolate walk…
Paris is a wonderful, romantic city that everyone knows, so you’d think finding Paris hidden gems would be impossible.
Indeed, many places in the city can feel like Disney World with huge crowds & a touristy vibe, e.g. the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre… And you’d be hard pressed to find a local feel in any of them.
BUT you’re in luck!
We’ve been to Paris over a dozen times & love discovering the off the beaten track things to do, restaurants, etc.
💎 Here our top hidden gems of Paris for things to do in the city & where you can have more of an authentic Parisian experience.
Canal Saint-Martin is a wonderful hidden gem in Paris. Photo by Vince Duque on Unsplash
1. Canal Saint-Martin: One of the Hidden Gems of Paris for a Romantic Evening
Canal Saint-Martin feels like how Paris used to be, or at least how it’s portrayed in movies or books. It’s a lovely canal in the northeast side of the city (in the 10th arrondissement near République) where you can sit along the water, grab a baguette, some cheese, and bottle of wine, and have a romantic picnic either in the daytime, or even better, at night.
It’s a place where many locals go, so it feels like a real Parisian experience. Some people (mainly tourists) picnic along the Seine, but the Canal Saint-Martin is the Paris hidden gem.
👉🏼 One AWESOME thing to do here is this food tour below, the “No Diet Tour.” It’s focused on hidden gem restaurants in the area, and the food is fantastic.
👉🏼 Another cool way to see the Canal is via this street art tour (it’s only 90 minutes). There is a lot of fascinating street art around Canal Saint-Martin, and this is a great way of seeing it.
🔥 Hot tip: Combine this with a cocktail at Le Comptoir Générale (see below), a 5 minute walk away.
🚇 Getting there: 5 minute walk from Metro République (Metro lines 3, 5, 8, 9 and 11).
Getting €10 tickets to the opera is a wonderful hidden gem Paris experience. Photo by Gwen King on Unsplash.
2. Opéra Garnier: Experience of a Lifetime for €10. Bucket list Paris!
The National Opera of Paris’ central opera house, Palais Garnier, is virtually a world wonder, and you can see a performance there affordably.
This is one of our favorite things to do in Paris. The hall and foyer resemble a Versailles-like palace inside with lots of gold, beautiful paintings (including the ceiling by Marc Chagall), rococo decorations. And being the Paris opera, the ballet and opera performances are world class. Save it for your Paris bucket list.
🔥 Hot tip: The best kept secret of the opera is that they offer last-minute tickets for almost free! (ok, 10 euros). The tickets open up 2 hours before the performance at the side entrance, so you just have to stand in line then, get your tickets, and come back for the opera time.
They’re “partially obstructed view,” so you may have to lean over to see, but you still get to experience the Paris opera! We’ve done it several times, and it’s fantastic.
👉🏼 If you don’t want to stand in line 2 hours ahead of time, you can also get discount opera tickets here.
🥂 Treat yourself and get a coupe of champagne in the intermission for the full experience.
🔥 Hot tip 2: If you’re under 28 or over 65, the opera offers discounted non-obstructed view tickets for €35 for a ticket to an opera, €25 for a ticket to a ballet or concert/recital, or €10 for a ticket to a Sunday chamber music concert.
🚇 Getting there: 3 minute walk from the Metro Opéra (lines 3, 7, and 8).
Get Discount Tickets to the Paris Opera
👉🏼 Note — Paris also has a modern opera house in a different area of the city, the Bastille Opera, which offers a much more modern experience.
3. Angelina’s: To-die-for Hot Chocolate close to the Louvre
One of the best cups of hot cocoa you’ll ever have — and drink it in a James Bond-like setting — is at Angelina’s cafe near the Louvre museum. Angelina’s has been around for 120 years, and it makes the most famous of the hot chocolate cafés in Paris.
☕ It’s a classy, old school café, and it’s a lovely afternoon experience just sipping on the hot chocolate and having a piece of cake. It’s also a nice break if you’re visiting the Louvre or nearby tourist attractions of central Paris.
👉🏼 Speaking of which, here’s a great way to skip the lines at the museums nearby, including the Louvre.
🔥 Hot tip: It can get crowded, so try to go early to avoid long lines/queues.
🍫 If you’re craving for more chocolate (who isn’t?): Take this guided “chocolate walk” that has stops for all kinds of chocolate & pastry everything: truffles, cocoa, eclairs, bon bons... It’s a good one I recommend if you’re a chocolate lover.
🚇 Getting there: 2 minute walk from Metro Tuileries (line 1), or a 9 minute walk from the Louvre Museum.
4. Rodin Museum: Wonderful Boutique Museum where the Artist Lived
While 90% of tourists flock to the Louvre and the Musee d’Orsay, the Auguste Rodin Museum is one of the hidden gems of Paris that doesn’t have the huge crowds.
You can see the famous Thinker, as well as some of his other most famous sculptures, including The Burghers of Calais, The Gates of Hell, and Balzac, and dozens of other of his gorgeous works.
🌳 It also has a really lovely outdoor rose garden and area to walk around, which feels like a breath of fresh air in central Paris.
The museum is in an 18th century mansion, so it feels like walking through a château rather than a modern museum.
🔥 Hot tip: Skip the lines and get your tickets online. You can also combine museum tickets in the area.
Rodin actually lived there when it was a hotel, and his old room is preserved, so that’s an interesting bit to see. The mansion was renovated in 2015 (a 16 million euro renovation). Definitely recommend. Photo by Jillian Peterson on Unsplash.
🚇 Getting there: 2 minute walk from Metro Varennes (Lines ) or 20 minute walk from the Eiffel Tower.
5. The Marais: Take a Stroll in this Charming Area
The Marais on the right back of the Seine is a wonderful area to walk around for hours and hours and window shop, sip champagne, have a cappuccino, etc. To be fair, the Marais isn’t that hidden, but it’s a great bucket list Paris area that is definitely not the Louvre or Eiffel Tower, and tons of locals go and hang out there as well.
There are so many excellent restaurants, bars, small boutiques of all kinds, historic places, and more in the Marais. It’s also the old Jewish quarter and LGBTQ+ area of the city.
There’s also a really good gourmet food & walking tour of the Marais that we recommend, where you get 2 tastings & learn from a really good guide.
Top things to do in the Marais:
Walk the winding streets: Arguably the best thing to do in the Marais is simply wander around the narrow, winding streets and discover the half timbered houses, the carved masks above the doors, etc. It’s charming—and free!
🎨 Visit the Picasso Museum: This world class museum is dedicated to artist Pablo Picasso, who lived most of his life in Paris. It has 5,000 of his works, including Man with Guitar.
Have a picnic at Place des Vosges: Grab a baguette and a bottle of champagne and head over to this classical, elegant square from 1605 that has a wonderful garden to relax and enjoy the beautiful Parisian buildings, trees, and people watching.
👉🏼 Don’t miss the cobblestone Rue des Barres, which dates from medieval times & has particularly old houses.
🌳 Stroll through the National Archives garden: The Hôtel de Soubise garden inside its courtyard is open and lovely to walk through.
☕️ Have a cappuccino: Good espresso drinks used to be hard to find in Paris, but no longer, thankfully. Our top pick for good coffee in the Marais is Le Peloton.
🚇 Getting there: There are several Metro stops in the Marais, including Saint-Paul (line 1), Hôtel de Ville (line 1), and Rambuteau (line 11).
The Palais Royal is a hidden gem in Paris & a romantic spot. Photo by Gloria Villa on Unsplash
6. Palais Royal: The “most romantic” place in Paris
The Palais Royal, dubbed Paris’ most romantic spot by several Parisians we spoke to, is one of the lovely hidden gems of Paris that’s just a stone’s throw from the Louvre Museum and Tuileries Garden.
So if you want a break from sightseeing in that area, check out the Palais. It’s a 17th century palace with a beautiful garden lined with chestnut and linden trees. It was originally the residence of Cardinal Richelieu and today exudes tranquility among the trees and beautiful architecture and romantic seats all around.
🔥 Hot tip: Combine a trip here with a hot chocolate at Angelina’s (see above).
🔥 Hot tip 2: The famed striped Buren Columns on the south end of the park are great for photo opps.
🚇 Getting there: 4 minute walk from Metro Palais Royal/Musée du Louvre (lines 1 and 7) or 7 minute walk from Metro Tuileries (line 1) or or a 6 minute walk from the Louvre Museum.
7. Berthillon: Some of the world’s best ice cream, in the oldest part of Paris
If you’re strolling around or near the Île de la Cité in central Paris, go and stop for an ice cream at Berthillon. It’s been around since 1954, and for a reason.
This Paris hidden gem is some of the best ice cream we’ve ever had anywhere, and we go back every time we’re in Paris. They’re famous for reportedly using only high quality ingredients, and their sorbet is a secret recipe. Photo by Stephan Valentin.
Explore the oldest part of Paris: Berthillon is also a lovely way to enjoy walking around the area where the Notre Dame de Paris cathedral is located, explore the often sleepy Île de la Cité, the oldest part of Paris, and enjoy the Seine River.
🔥 Hot tip: This is just behind the Notre Dame cathedral (an 8 min walk), so it’s a great stop after seeing it, and also on the banks of the Seine River.
🚇 Getting there: On the Île de la Cité and a 3 minute walk from the Pont-Marie Metro (line 7).
Le Comptoir Generale is a hidden gem of Paris & is great for cocktails or brunch. Photo: Le Comptoir Generale.
8. Le Comptoir: Paris Hidden Gem to Have Cocktails or Brunch, Where Parisians Go
Le Comptoir Générale is a unique, large cocktail bar and brunch spot with an Afro-Caribbean feel that is very popular with Parisians and off the beaten path for tourists. On-point Mojitos, plants everywhere, relaxed atmosphere, rum punch, everything a bit unique but very hip and happening. Brunch is a hit here, and they do dinner as well, which is quite good according to locals. For other secrets to good eating in Paris, check out this blog from our friends at Travel Bliss Now.
Like the Canal Saint-Martin (and only 5 min walk away), it’s in the 10th arrondissement near the Metro République, so you can spend your whole evening around this area. Or multiple evenings, like we like to do.
🔥 Hot tip: Have an delectable dinner nearby at Michelin-rated Restaurant Elmer. It’s pricey but a dining experience you won’t forget.
🚇 Getting there: 10 minute walk from the Metro République (Metro lines 3, 5, 8, 9 and 11). Elmer is 13 minutes walk away from Le Comptoir.
9. Luxembourg Gardens: Best Place for a Paris picnic
The Luxembourg gardens are a fantastic part of the city, a bit like the Central Park of Paris. Bask in the sun, pick up a baguette nearby and have a picnic, watch the intense local chess games, and enjoy the fountains, ponds, and beautiful trees at this iconic Parisian place.
While they aren’t that hidden, the gardens are gorgeous and huge (25 hectares), which is why tons of Parisians flock there as well. That means you can have a local experience there even with other tourists. It’s a bucket list Paris must!
🔥 Hot tip: The Luxembourg Gardens are on the left bank of the Seine, so combine a visit there with the Catacombs or Pantheon.
🍽 Dinner nearby: One of the best Paris hidden gem restaurants in the area is Lobineau in the Latin Quater, which serves outstanding French meals, specializing in seafood.
🚇 Getting there: 5 minute walk from several metro stations: Rennes (line 12), Notre-Dame des Champs (line 12), or Sainte-Placide (line 4), Saint-Sulpice (line 4), or Odéon (lines 4 and 10).
10. Sainte-Chappelle: The Prettier Alternative to Notre Dame: Bucket List Paris
While 90% of tourists flock to Notre Dame cathedral, you’ll get a more visually gorgeous experience at Sainte-Chappelle, a former royal chapel which is just 8 minutes walk away.
The gigantic, very colorful stained glass windows create a very special effect, and a bit of a spiritual experience.
To be sure, Sainte-Chappelle can get crowded, but it is very beautiful and unique (speaking from someone who’s visited far too many churches across Europe). It’s bucket list Paris! Photo by Sasha Lezhnev. Also just nearby is the Conciergerie, where Queen Marie-Antoinette was imprisoned, worth a visit.
🔥 Hot tip: Avoid the crowds by going right when the church opens at 9am. You’ll have a better experience for sure. Just double check the opening times on the website before you go in case of any last minute changes.
Buy tickets: You need a ticket to go to the cathedral, but now you can buy them online in advance to avoid the line in person. I recommend that for sure, as the lines can get long here.
🚇 Getting there: 1 minute walk from Metro Cité (line 4) or 5 minute walk from Châtelet (lines 1,7,11, and 14).
Jardin des Plantes is one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in the world. Photo by Daphné Be Frenchie on Unsplash
11. Le Jardin des Plantes: Very well done Botanical Gardens — of Paris’ Hidden Gems
Paris’ main botanical garden, the Jardin des Plantes (garden of plants) is off the beaten track in Paris, so most people don’t think of visiting. Some have called it the best botanical gardens in the world, and others say it’s one of the most beautiful spots in Paris, and we would agree with both sentiments. This is a great hidden travel gem.
🌳 The Jardin is huge and has lots to offer: there are waterfalls, art exhibits, a variety of different climate rooms, it’s fun for the whole family, and it’s good on a rainy day as well. Plus it’s on the bank of the Seine River, so you can take a walk along the river afterwards. And it’s off the beaten path, which is wonderful to find in Paris.
🚇 Getting there: Metro Gare d’Austerlitz (line 10) or Place Monge (line 7) . OR you can get there in style by boat on the Seine — the Batobus will drop you off at the stop Jardin des Plantes just in front of the garden.
12. Paris Hidden Gems in Montmartre: Cocktails under the Moulin Rouge, Coffee where Picasso sipped
Montmartre, a famous neighborhood in the north of Paris, is home to Sacré-Coeur basilica and is an art mecca — it’s where famous artists from Edgar Degas to Henri Matisse to Toulouse-Lautrec to Pierre-Auguste Renoir in the 19th century made their home.
📷 It’s also where photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson took some of his most famous shots, and today where you can see many artists paint on the street.
Two hidden gems of Paris in this iconic neighborhood, and one fascinating café:
Bar à Bulles (pictured — photo by Floriane). This is such a cool spot. They make delicious cocktails, it’s classy, and the best part is that you can literally touch the famous Moulin Rouge club windmill as you sit on the terrace outside sipping your cosmopolitan or caipirinha.
🍽 Restaurant Chez Pitou. Once you’re done with cocktail hour, head over to Chez Pitou, a great farm-to-table restaurant that some say is their favorite dinner spot in Paris. It’s a lovely meal in an unpretentious setting, and the wine list is excellent. The owner, Monsieur Pitou, is often around and takes pride in the food, so you may be able to meet him. Best to make a reservation.
☕️ Have a coffee where Picasso or Van Gogh did. Le Consulat isn’t really hidden, but it is cool — it’s a brasserie where many famous artists used to frequent, from Picasso to Renoir to Toulouse-Lautrec even to Van Gogh. Have a coffee or a bite to eat.
🔥 Hot tip: Combine the fun evening with some of Montmartre’s daytime highlights, including climbing the hill to Sacré-Coeur, getting your portrait painted by a Parisian artist, or visiting the Musée de Montmartre, where Renoir used to live.
🚇 Getting there: Metro Abbesses (line 12) is probably the best overall stop to explore Montmartre from.
13. Parc de Sceaux: Escape the City at this Huge Paris Hidden Gem Park
Another park, you say? Well, yes, but Parc de Sceaux south of the city is different. It’s very underrated and differentiates itself by its sheer size and the fact that you really feel like you get away from the city by being in nature. If you want a “day away” in nature, this is your spot. It has a forest, a series of beautiful fountains, a canal, a beautiful château, and many walking and running paths. Off the beaten track Paris!
A good honorable mention here is the Parc des Buttes Chaumont in Northeast Paris, which has gorgeous gardens & a lake.
🌳 The best time to go is to see the cherry blossoms in the spring. The park has a bigger concentration of cherry blossom trees than anywhere else in Paris. However, each season is special in this park, honestly. If you can’t get to Japan or Washington, DC at this time of year, this is a good alternative.
🚇 Getting there: Parc de Sceaux is in the southern outskirts of Paris, so you have to take the RER B train to get there. 10 minute walk from the RER B stop Antony.
The Louis Vuitton Foundation is an amazing modern art museum & hidden gem of Paris. Photo by Barthelemy de Mazenod.
14. Louis Vuitton Foundation: Hidden Gem Modern Art Museum
If you like modern art, the Fondation Louis Vuitton — a museum, not an outlet store for LV handbags — is phenomenal. Of course, the George Pompidou Center in central Paris has wonderful modern art exhibits as well, but it’s also crowded with long lines normally.
Designed by the famous architect Frank Gehry (same designer as the Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles & the Guggenheim Bilbao), the Louis Vuitton Foundation is an architectural marvel, and just walking around it makes you think and wonder, with all of its hidden corners and unique light features.
🔥 Get your tickets to the museum in advance here. It has wonderful exhibits. They currently have a Mark Rothko show going on.
🚇 Getting there: Metro Les Sablons (line 1).
Did we miss any hidden travel gems? Send in yours & get featured.
Hi! We’re Sasha & Megnote
We’ve traveled to 50 countries on 5 continents & have been full-time travelers for the past 2 years with our now 5-year-old son. He now teaches us how to skateboard…
We got engaged in Bolivia, started a nonprofit in Uganda, and love outdoor adventures (& a good pisco sour).
We’re writing the book Travel More, Spend Less to help people get to full-time travel.
We’re passionate about finding hidden travel gems & off the beaten path destinations, and we want to share our tips with you. Come explore with us!