29 Avenue Rapp
Tucked amongst far less flamboyant buildings on wide, manicured Avenue Rapp, No. 29 looks more like a building from Barcelona than Paris! Built at the turn of the 20th century, this Art Nouveau building features numerous statues, including Adam and Ever carved onto either side of the top of the main door frame.
Tucked amongst far less flamboyant buildings on wide, manicured Avenue Rapp, No. 29 looks more like a building from Barcelona than Paris! Built at the turn of the 20th century, this Art Nouveau building features numerous statues, including Adam and Ever carved onto either side of the top of the main door frame.
Tour de l’Horloge
This tower is located on one corner of La Conciergerie, and is worth stopping by for what sits on its outer wall: the oldest clock in Paris! Absolutely gorgeous and incredibly easy to visit, it’s definitely worth checking out this (still functional) 14th-century clock when you’re looking for hidden gems in Paris.
This tower is located on one corner of La Conciergerie, and is worth stopping by for what sits on its outer wall: the oldest clock in Paris! Absolutely gorgeous and incredibly easy to visit, it’s definitely worth checking out this (still functional) 14th-century clock when you’re looking for hidden gems in Paris.
Rue Cremieux
Colorful Rue Cremieux is one of those Paris hidden gems that is perhaps a bit less hidden every year, thanks to the rise of Instagram-fame for this Notting Hill look alike–but you’re still quite unlikely to stumble across this street in the 12th without looking for it.
Colorful Rue Cremieux is one of those Paris hidden gems that is perhaps a bit less hidden every year, thanks to the rise of Instagram-fame for this Notting Hill look alike–but you’re still quite unlikely to stumble across this street in the 12th without looking for it.
Great Mosque of Paris
Built in a Spanish-Moorish style, the Great Mosque of Paris is not only a beautiful place to visit in the city, it’s a place with plenty to do: want to visit a hammam, check out a library, or sip a mint tea? You can do all of that here–in between admiring the beautiful mosaics and minaret, of course.
Built in a Spanish-Moorish style, the Great Mosque of Paris is not only a beautiful place to visit in the city, it’s a place with plenty to do: want to visit a hammam, check out a library, or sip a mint tea? You can do all of that here–in between admiring the beautiful mosaics and minaret, of course.
Petit Palais
Despite being located only a short walk away from the world-famous Musee d’Orsay, the fine arts collection at the Petit Palais remains a bit of a secret Paris spot… which is too bad, because this collection is free to visit!
Despite being located only a short walk away from the world-famous Musee d’Orsay, the fine arts collection at the Petit Palais remains a bit of a secret Paris spot… which is too bad, because this collection is free to visit!
Fairground Museum Musée des Arts Forains
One of the most fascinating and eclectic of all of Paris’ hidden gems is the Fairground Museum, home to a large collection of pieces dedicated to 19th and 20th centuries performing arts–think antique carousels, equipment used in carnivals, and plenty of Belle-Epoque-era party supplies. The museum is available by pre-booked tour only, but if you’re interested in the glitz and glamour of antique showbiz in Paris, it’s well worth a visit.
One of the most fascinating and eclectic of all of Paris’ hidden gems is the Fairground Museum, home to a large collection of pieces dedicated to 19th and 20th centuries performing arts–think antique carousels, equipment used in carnivals, and plenty of Belle-Epoque-era party supplies. The museum is available by pre-booked tour only, but if you’re interested in the glitz and glamour of antique showbiz in Paris, it’s well worth a visit.
Vanves Flea Market
While enormous Clignancourt is usually touted as the most popular flea market for visitors to Paris, the slightly-more-secret Vanves flea market is an excellent, less-overwhelming alternative.
While enormous Clignancourt is usually touted as the most popular flea market for visitors to Paris, the slightly-more-secret Vanves flea market is an excellent, less-overwhelming alternative.
Boasting a large array of small, quirky goods that are easy to carry with you when it’s time to leave Paris, perusing the 350 or so stalls at Vanves flea market is the perfect offbeat Paris sightseeing experience on a Saturday or Sunday morning.
Saint-Ouen flea market (Clingancourt)
Located in the north of Paris, a few steps away from the Sacre Coeur Basilica and Moulin Rouge, Les Puces is known as one of the largest Flea Market in the world. For a fun-filled weekend, it’s one of the best places to go for shopping in Paris: antique jewellery, furniture, old books, records and vintage clothes, Les Puces de Saint Ouen, the perfect address to pick up a present for the hard to please and fashionista hipsters with the help of antique trade dealers.
Located in the north of Paris, a few steps away from the Sacre Coeur Basilica and Moulin Rouge, Les Puces is known as one of the largest Flea Market in the world. For a fun-filled weekend, it’s one of the best places to go for shopping in Paris: antique jewellery, furniture, old books, records and vintage clothes, Les Puces de Saint Ouen, the perfect address to pick up a present for the hard to please and fashionista hipsters with the help of antique trade dealers.
Le Marché de Belleville
Get a bargain at Le Marche de Belleville food market in Paris. You’re greeted by the smell: the spices, the fish, the oil and the strange edible roots, the stalls with yams and freshly roasted chicken. The market in Belleville is one of the most popular and ethnically diverse in Paris, and can take you for a journey around the world in just one morning, when Chinese, Orthodox Jews, Middle Eastern and African women with wax printed head wraps buy groceries for the week, and a little bit of added bric-a-brac.
Get a bargain at Le Marche de Belleville food market in Paris. You’re greeted by the smell: the spices, the fish, the oil and the strange edible roots, the stalls with yams and freshly roasted chicken. The market in Belleville is one of the most popular and ethnically diverse in Paris, and can take you for a journey around the world in just one morning, when Chinese, Orthodox Jews, Middle Eastern and African women with wax printed head wraps buy groceries for the week, and a little bit of added bric-a-brac.
La Promenade Plantée
The Promenade Plantée, also known as the ‘Coulée Verte René-Dumont’, was once part of the Vincennes line, a steam railway running through the heart of 19th-century Paris. The abandoned structure has been converted into the world’s first elevated park — and was also the inspiration behind New York’s famous High Line.
The Promenade Plantée, also known as the ‘Coulée Verte René-Dumont’, was once part of the Vincennes line, a steam railway running through the heart of 19th-century Paris. The abandoned structure has been converted into the world’s first elevated park — and was also the inspiration behind New York’s famous High Line.
The train tracks, formerly covered in steel, have now blossomed into a beautiful park filled with trees and flowers. Locals and tourists alike stroll the 4.5km-long pathway and admire the maples, roses, and lavender – all with a bird’s eye view of the bustling streets 10 meters below. Yet along the street, if you didn't know it was there, you might miss it altogether.
Located in the 12th arrondissement near the Bastille Opera House, you can access this elevated park by climbing the stairs near the beginning of Avenue Daumesnil. You'll be rewarded with a closer look at many Haussmann-style buildings and wrought ironed balconies you might otherwise not notice at street level.
One of the more offbeat sights along the route is the police station at the end of Avenue Daumesnil. Here you’ll spot the art-deco sculptures jutting out from the top floor balconies – certainly a proper end to this little-known gem in Paris!
Fondation Louis Vuitton
Opened in 2017, this colorful glass and steel construction houses rotating exhibitions of modern and contemporary art.
Opened in 2017, this colorful glass and steel construction houses rotating exhibitions of modern and contemporary art.
Fondation Cartier
With a knack for zooming in on the contemporary art scenes of different regions around the world, Fondation Cartier expertly tailors special events to complement the themes of its exhibitions. From concerts and radio broadcasts to poetry readings and dance acts, there is something for every taste. An impressive all-glass, cube-like structure, the museum is also surrounded by a charming garden, accessible to the public between July and September.
With a knack for zooming in on the contemporary art scenes of different regions around the world, Fondation Cartier expertly tailors special events to complement the themes of its exhibitions. From concerts and radio broadcasts to poetry readings and dance acts, there is something for every taste. An impressive all-glass, cube-like structure, the museum is also surrounded by a charming garden, accessible to the public between July and September.
Musée Eugène Delacroix
Musée Eugène Delacroix is a little museum in the apartment where the painter lived and worked until his death in 1863. The museum is situated on Place Furstenberg, which is one of the most romantic squares in Paris with its Paulownia trees and beautiful buildings.
Although many of his best-known works are currently displayed at the Louvre, you get a special, intimate experience from walking around the artist’s red-colored rooms and studying the sensuous paintings and drawings on display. The museum opens up to a little garden, where you find Delacroix’s atelier. Today, the garden has been recreated to resemble what it must have looked like in his day.
Street Art in Belleville
Paris has a thriving street art scene. So much so that Paris’ City Hall allocated a big part of the 500 million euros budget of participatif to create murs d’expression –painted walls all around the city. Tourists usually find street art in the trendy neighborhoods of Montmartre, Le Marais and the Latin Quarter, or just settle for the surroundings of the Centre Pompidou. But the best of it is in the east of the city, in Oberkampf, Belleville, and Ménilmontant.
Paris has a thriving street art scene. So much so that Paris’ City Hall allocated a big part of the 500 million euros budget of participatif to create murs d’expression –painted walls all around the city. Tourists usually find street art in the trendy neighborhoods of Montmartre, Le Marais and the Latin Quarter, or just settle for the surroundings of the Centre Pompidou. But the best of it is in the east of the city, in Oberkampf, Belleville, and Ménilmontant.
Art pops up all over buildings, walls, windows, trash cans, and even on the floor. Look for Rue Oberkampf, Rue Laurence Savart and Rue des Cascades. If you’ve seen them, go again on your next trip, because it’s everchanging!
A particular favorite is Rue Dénoyez, in Belleville. If you’re there in the morning, stop for a coffee in the cool Café Le Barbouquin, or in the evening for an aperitif at Aux Folies. Continue walking up to Belvédère de Belleville for more art, plus the most amazing views of the city from above.
Institut du Monde Arabe
The Arab World Institute (abbreviated "AWI"; French: Institut du Monde Arabe, abbreviated "IMA") is an organization founded in Paris in 1980 by eighteen Arab countries with France to research and disseminate information about the Arab world and its cultural and spiritual values.
The Institute was established as a result of a perceived lack of representation for the Arab world in France, and seeks to provide a secular location for the promotion of Arab civilization, art, knowledge, and aesthetics.
Housed within the institution are a museum, library, auditorium, restaurant, offices and meeting rooms.
The Institute’s shifting wall of Arabic mashrabiyas change throughout the day based on the amount of sunlight hitting them.
Petite Ceinture
Many Parisians don’t even know about this secret place in Paris! If exploring abandoned, overgrown places is your thing, then you’ll love the Petite Ceinture. This disused railway line has turned into a unique walking path spanning multiple arrondissements. With wildflowers bursting through the rails and birds chirping in the bushes, you might forget you’re in a major city!
Many Parisians don’t even know about this secret place in Paris! If exploring abandoned, overgrown places is your thing, then you’ll love the Petite Ceinture. This disused railway line has turned into a unique walking path spanning multiple arrondissements. With wildflowers bursting through the rails and birds chirping in the bushes, you might forget you’re in a major city!
