Every year, millions of travelers visit Paris to soak up the romance and haute-couture. Definitely, Paris is a legendary destination. The City of Love has so much to offer, from artistic buildings to dreamy afternoons by the Seine River. Aside from popular spots, such as the Eiffel Tower and Louvre Museum, Paris has tons of secret places waiting for a visit. Moreover, there are a lot of Paris hidden gems that will give you one-of-a-kind experiences!
We have compiled magnificent hidden gems in Paris for you to visit. Get ready to see their elegant charms!
15 Best Hidden Gems in Paris
- Galerie Vero-Dodat
- Parc Monceau
- Shakespeare and Company
- La Butte aux Callies
- Le Mur des Jet’aimes
- Église Notre-Dame du Travail
- Paris Pantheon Panoramic View
- College de Bernardins
- Jardin du Petit Palais
- Musée Nissim de Camondo
- Atelier des Lumières
- Hotel-Dieu de Paris
- Musée Jacquemart-André
- Le Luxour Palais du Cinema
- Le Petite Ceinture
1. Galerie Vero-Dodat
One of the best things about Paris is the passages. Among the gorgeous passages in Paris, there is an incredible secret arcade waiting for you. Just a few steps from the Louvre Museum lies an elegant 17th-century passage colored in mahogany and monochrome. It is Galerie Vero-Dodat, a hidden passage where the rich and noble once roamed around.
Galerie Vero-Dodat was built in 1826. However, its captivating beauty lasts until today. The passage is designed with a neoclassical style. Moreover, glass ceilings covered the passage, enhancing the sumptuous atmosphere on the spot. You can find luxury stores, restaurants, and old bookstores lined up in the passage. Now, the passage is open to the public and ready to captivate everyone who comes to visit.
2. Parc Monceau
Are you dreaming of spending a relaxing, sunny day in a tranquil haven in Paris? Then, you must visit Parc Monceau. The hidden park is located in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, away from the hustle and bustle of the big city. Additionally, Parc Monceau is considered the most elegant park in Paris due to its artistic design and stunning monuments.
Parc Monceau was built in 1778 by the Duke of Orléans, Phillipe I. Due to his chic preferences, the park has an exquisite style. Therefore, you can find Roman and classic European architecture all over the park, like the Pavilion de Chartres temple and Roman pillars. Besides that, evergreen plants dot every corner of the park. In conclusion, the serene atmosphere and unique ornaments in the park make it a worth-to-visit hidden gem!
3. Shakespeare and Company
Who could have thought this small bookshop is so special? Well, the Shakespeare and Company bookshop is brimming with an interesting history. Dating back to 1951, the bookshop was built by George Whitman, an American bookseller. Not just a bookstore, Shakespeare and Company is a cultural hub. Legend says that world-class writers, like Ernest Hemingway and Lawrence Durell, spent a lot of time and even stayed in the bookshop.
Besides that interesting fact, Shakespeare and Company offers a comfortable and homey atmosphere perfect for literature lovers. It has a classic, deep-green facade with rustic signs. On the front of the bookshop, there is a small plaza that overlooks the Seine River. Imagine reading a good book while looking at the luscious view of the Seine River. Sounds good, right?
4. La Butte aux Callies
If you want to escape from the crowds, you should head to La Butte aux Callies. The quiet and lovely neighborhood lies in Montmartre, in the 13th arrondissement of Paris. La Butte aux Callies offers an enchanting beauty that you can only find in classic French movies. The neighborhood is lined up with storybook houses, pastel-colored buildings, and blooming flowers. Therefore, La Butte aux Callies is great for taking pictures or having a relaxing stroll.
There are some attractions you can find in this Paris hidden gem. La Butte aux Callies is dotted with artistic murals, lovely restaurants, and a few historic sites. Moreover, you can also see buildings and houses that resemble classic Northern France and Russian buildings in Little Alsace and Little Russia. La Butte aux Callies also has a century-old nouveau swimming pool that still operates today.
5. Le Mur des Jet’aimes
As the City of Love, Paris loves to emphasize love. You can see an example in Le Mur des Jet’aimes, translated as “The Wall of Love”. Le Mur des Jet’aimes is located in Montmartre, nestled between neighborhoods and public buildings. It is a colossal wall scribbled with the word “I Love You” from 311 different languages. Thus, the wall is structured with 612 black lava tiles, tinted in white and red as a symbol of love.
There are some interesting facts behind the wall. The designer of Le Mur des Jet’aimes actually visits all the embassies in France to know what the magic word sounds in their native languages. Moreover, you can also see splashes of red on the wall. The color red symbolizes heartbreak, while tons of white letters symbolize love. It is a unique representation of how love can mend a broken heart. So indeed, Le Mur des Jet’aimes is an impressive hidden gem in Paris.
6. Église Notre-Dame du Travail
Among the impressive churches in Paris, this church stands with its own uniqueness. Église Notre-Dame du Travail or the Church of Our Lady of The Labour is different from the classic and elegant churches in Paris. In fact, it has an out-of-the-box interior of metal structures and industrial architecture. Nonetheless, the church is charming as ever.
Église Notre-Dame du Travail has a touching history. The church was built in the late 1800s for the working class and laborers. It is a social church where everyone from different classes and social statuses can gather and pray.
7. Paris Pantheon Panoramic View
Paris Pantheon depicts the elegance of Roman architecture and the authenticity of medieval landmarks. For that reason, the building stands in the Latin Quarter of Paris, along with other well-known sites like the Museum of National History. Even though the Pantheon is known for its regal architecture and fascinating history, only a few know about the incredible view from its summit.
If you visit Paris Pantheon, you should climb 276 stairs leading to the top of the building. Thus, you will see a mezzanine that overlooks the City of Love. From there, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Paris, including the beautiful Eiffel Tower. The view is totally top-notch!
8. College de Bernardins
This 13th-century college is definitely one of the best-kept secrets in Paris. College de Bernardins is an old Cistercian school in the Latin Quarter. It has an authentic Gothic architecture style with classic arches and wide windows.
Even though the college is now closed, you can still find art exhibitions, workshops, and training in the splendid building. Moreover, it is decorated with a lovely park and laid-back restaurants. Thus, College de Bernardins is perfect for escaping the crowds and having a glimpse of centuries-old Paris.
9. Jardin du Petit Palais
Do you know that there is a Paris hidden gem in Petit Palais? Actually, there is! Jardin du Petit Palais is a beautiful garden situated nearby the Petit Palais. The garden compromises the regal atmosphere of Petit Palais. It has manicured verdant plants, serene ponds, and a few types of colorful flowers.
Additionally, Jardin du Petit Palais is also a French restaurant. Contrary to the Gothic-styled Petit Palais, the cafe looks modern. You can sit by the exquisite park and between the gorgeous pillars of the museum while sipping a cup of coffee. Sounds like a great way to relax, right?
10. Musée Nissim de Camondo
Musee Nissim de Camondo is an exquisite private mansion with a Gothic and Beaux-Art style that acts as a museum. The mansion is built in the 20th century by French banker Moise de Camondo. Inside its sumptuous walls, you can find decorative art and furniture from the 18th century.
Musee Nissim de Camondo is a great place to visit if you are into history and arts. In the museum, you can find royal art pieces from the reign of Louis XV and Louis XVI. Moreover, it is one of the Paris hidden gems that has lesser crowds but is undeniably beautiful. So, come for a visit!
11. Atelier des Lumières
See how modern technology makes centuries-old art alive in this gorgeous installation. Atelier des Lumières is an art installation in Rue Sant-Maur, specifically between Bastille and Nation. The museum features stunning sights of colorful lights in dark rooms. Interestingly, the lights form pieces of classical art, like Van Gogh’s Starry Night. Indeed, Atelier des Lumières is highly artistic and unique.
Let’s take a slight look at Atelier des Lumières’ history. The museum was once a foundry in the 17th century. In 1929, the foundry closed. After a quite long time, the building is renovated by the government and turned into an art installation. So, you can get both history and Instagram-perfect pictures if you visit Atelier des Lumières!
12. Hotel-Dieu de Paris
Can you imagine that an old hospital is one of Paris’ best-kept secrets? Actually, yes. You can visit the Hotel-Dieu de Paris and witness how charming the old hospital is. Therefore, Hotel-Dieu de Paris is millennia-years-old, as it was established in 651 AD.
Hotel-Dieu de Paris portrays typical medieval-style architecture, with elegant arches and aesthetic large windows. Inside the hospital, you can find tall ceilings and dim chandeliers, enhancing the mysterious and glorious atmosphere of the hospital. Interestingly, Hotel-Dieu de Paris still operates today. Now, it is both a hospital and a tourist attraction.
13. Musée Jacquemart-André
Paris has a lot of mesmerizing nobleman mansions, including Musée Jacquemart-André. Despite its stunning facade, only a few know about this mansion. Nonetheless, Musée Jacquemart-André can captivate everyone visiting with its lavish exterior, exquisite furniture, and magnificent art pieces.
Musée Jacquemart-André has a huge collection of Paris fine arts from the Second French Empire. Actually, it was a private mansion of Edouard André and his wife Nelie Jacquemart. The couple loved to collect art pieces from all over Europe. Today, their collections are well-kept inside the large mansion.
14. Le Luxor Palais du Cinema
Do you know that you can find a glimpse of Egypt in Paris? Then, you must see Le Luxour Palais du Cinema. The hidden cinema is located in the 18th arrondissement of Paris, in the La Chapelle District. It has a mix of classic European and neo-Ancient Egypt interior, making it looks eccentric and attractive.
There is actually an interesting history behind the Egyptian hieroglyphs and murals of ancient goddesses on the theatres’ walls. Le Louxor Palais du Cinema dates back to 1920. The classic, Egypt-inspired movie Cleopatra inspired the design of this cinema. Nowadays, Le Louxor Palais du Cinema still operates and screens movies. Therefore, you can watch both classic and recent movies in this unique cinema.
15. Le Petite Ceinture
This hidden gem in Paris is one-of-a-kind. La Petite Ceinture is an abandoned century-old railway that loops around 30km all over Paris. La Petite Ceinture or “The Small Belt” is Napoleon III and Baron Haussmann’s legacy. As it has been left since the 19th century, La Petite Ceinture is absolutely quiet and hidden.
La Petite Ceinture is now home to diverse plant species, with more than 200 species growing on its metal structure. Moreover, you can also find street murals and graffiti tinting the walls beside the abandoned railway. If you love mysterious and tranquil places, you must give La Petite Ceinture a shot!
Those Paris hidden gems are captivating, right? So, are you planning to go to Paris and see them?
If the answer is yes, we have something exciting for you! JoinMyTrip allows you to find amazing trips all over the world, whether it is to France or to the exotic islands on the other side of the globe. Moreover, you can also meet fantastic TripLeaders and like-minded travel buddies by joining the trips. And yes, the TripLeaders are excellent in what they are doing and will let you get an unforgettable experience, including seeing hidden gems. Sounds exciting, right?
Discover plenty of trips in JoinMyTrip and start your adventure of a lifetime!