30 Secret Places and Hidden Gems in Paris
The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe, Sacré Coeur – these top monuments in Paris are all incredible and shouldn’t be missed when you visit the city. But Paris is so much more than just her most famous attractions and there are so many hidden gems in the city, just waiting to be discovered.
I love visiting Paris and have visited 7 times (including a 3-month stint in the city), and I am still adding to my list of new-to-me places to explore around the city. You could spend weeks and weeks in Paris and never run out of things to do and “secret places” to explore!
So, in this guide, I’m sharing 30 of my favorite secret places and hidden gems in Paris, perfect for anyone who wants to get off the beaten track, avoid some of the crowds, and discover more of what Paris has to offer!
30 Hidden Gems in Paris You Need to Discover
1. Musée Rodin
The Rodin Museum displays the works of the sculptor, Auguste Rodin, and also some of the talented work of his contemporary, Camille Claudel. The museum is located on an estate in the middle of Paris, and the art is displayed both in the house and on the grounds.
While The Thinker (pictured above) is Rodin’s most famous work, other notable sculptures include The Kiss, the Gates of Hell, and The Burghers of Calais. Plus, the grounds are calming and peaceful – I love spending an hour or two here!
- Hours: 10am-6:30pm, every day but Monday
- Cost: 13 euro, or the Paris Museum Pass
2. Stairways of Montmartre
Montmartre is a hilly neighborhood found in the northern region of Paris, and it means “Mountain of the Martyr.” As such, there are 38 different staircases around Montmartre.
These staircases are incredibly charming and I love to wander around the Montmartre neighborhood and discover the different staircases dotted throughout. A few of my favorites include:
- Lamarck-Calaincourt metro station (so charming with the metro sign)
- Rue Juste Metivier (super pretty)
- Rue Girardon (by the Buste de Dalida, shorter)
- Rue de Mont-Cenis (just behind Sacré Coeur)
- Rue Chappe (longest staircase, right next to the basilica)
3. Parc des Buttes Chaumont
This park, nestled in the 19th arrondissement, is a hidden gem for tourists but a greenspace beloved by locals. It’s simpler than other Parisian parks, with minimal sculptures and manicured landscapes. Yet, its beauty is undeniable, and it has a sizable pond, a bridge, and a striking cliff face. The majority of the park is a blend of grassy areas, trees, and trails.
Positioned on a hill, the park provides a unique view of the city. It’s an ideal location for a relaxing picnic away from the crowds, offering a glimpse of local Parisian life.
4. The Catacombs
The catacombs of Paris are a fascinating, only slightly creepy look at Paris’s underbelly. Back in the Medieval and Renaissance days, there were many stone quarries on the outskirts of the city that were used to supply the stone used in building up Paris.
As the city expanded, it grew over the top of where these quarries were, and now the extensive tunnels were directly underneath the actual streets and buildings of central Paris.
In the 1700’s, the cemeteries of Paris were overflowing, so the decision was made to transfer all the bones and remains from the cemeteries to the catacombs. Today, there is a massive network of catacombs around the city, of which only a tiny fraction is part of the official Catacombs tourist attraction.
I think the Catacombs are just such an unusual attraction. The bones are stacked nicely, and the bones and skulls are often arranged to create designs in the stacks.
You need to make your reservation in advance, whether you do a a guided small-group tour, as tickets are only available online and do sell out.
If you go by yourself, you can get an audioguide (€5 extra) to take with you to learn about the Catacombs. I’ve done this option, and it’s a good experience.
I’ve also done a guided tour of the Catacombs, which is a fantastic experience, as you hear a lot more of the history, backstory, and fun anecdotes surrounding the catacombs, as well as getting to access “secret” parts of the Catacombs not available to regular guests.
👉Book the exact guided tour of the Catacombs I did here One of Montmartre’s most iconic features is The Moulin Rouge, a cabaret establishment with a massive “moulin rouge” or “red windmill” displayed on top of the theater. What most people don’t know is that Montmartre used to have over 30 windmills throughout the neighborhood, however, today only 2 remain. The most prominent of these two remaining windmills is Moulin Radet, which is now the entrance of the Moulin de la Galette restaurant located at 83, Rue Lepic. Rue Lepic is actually one of my favorite walking streets in Paris! Parisian markets are just so charming – stalls full of fresh, vibrant fruits and vegetables fill the street, as well as stalls selling fresh meat, cheese, bread, pastries, and often hot foods to eat right there. The Marché d’Aligre also has an antique section adjacent to the produce section. I usually can’t resist picking up a small cup of raspberries to snack on as we wander, and I’m always drawn to the enticing cheese displays! There are usually some stalls selling things like soap, herbs, or jams that make for great souvenirs to bring home, but even if you don’t buy anything, it’s fun to wander the market and get a glimpse of what everyday Parisian life is like. Hours: The Marché d’Aligre is closed Mondays but is open from 7:30am-1:30pm the rest of the week. The Marché Saxe-Breteuil is only open on Thursday and Saturday, from 7am to 1:30pm (Thursday) and 2:30pm (Saturday). Saint-Germain-des-Pres is a gorgeous, colorful Gothic church located in the heart of the St Germain quarter and right across the street from Les Deux Magots. It is considered the oldest church in Paris, and although Gothic style is common in Paris, it is unlike any other religious building in the city. The church was first founded in 558, although it was rebuilt and expanded multiple times over the years, notably in the 1100-1300’s. During the French Revolution, the church was badly damaged and was almost completely destroyed (and parts of the church complex were totally demolished). In the early 1800’s a complete restoration and a total re-decoration and re-imagination of the church were undertaken, and the interior was painted the colorful hues we enjoy today. The main ceiling of the nave is covered in stars set against an azure background, punctuated by colorful archways and fanciful and geometric designs on the columns. The best part of the Petit Palais is the main sculpture gallery, a beautiful room filled with a remarkable collection of sculptures. Many pieces are authentic plaster casts from the 1800s, replicas of sculptures that adorn Paris. Beyond sculptures, the museum showcases a wide variety of paintings and tapestries, including works from famous artists such as Monet, Rembrandt, Rubens, Cezanne, and Rodin. Don’t miss the courtyard and garden cafe – a hidden gem within this hidden gem – and is a charming oasis with the palace’s facade as a backdrop, complete with an archway, greenery, and flowers. Walking the Seine is always one of my favorite parts of visiting the city, whether I’m staying for 2 days or 10 days in Paris. The Seine sits just a little bit below street level of the city, but there are ramps and stairs that lead down to pedestrian-only sidewalks that line the river. These walkways are so peaceful and idyllic, and a lot of people just sit down, hang out, and enjoy their picnic in Paris along the riverbank. While there really aren’t any *bad* sections of the Seine to walk along, the section between Ile Saint Louis to Place de la Concorde is my favorite area. And while both the left bank and right bank are nice to walk along, I do have a have a slight preference for the left bank (the southern side of the Seine). There are stairs or ramps down to the walkway approximately every 1-2 bridges, so it’s not hard to just start walking and eventually make your way down. Visiting the Louvre is certainly not a secret activity Paris (it welcomes even more visitors than the Eiffel Tower!), but there are a few areas in the Louvre that are somewhat less well-known but are really beautiful and worth stopping by. In particular, I love the Cour Marly and its twin, Cour Puget, which are large courtyards filled with Greek sculptures. Most of the Greek and Roman sculptures in the Louvre are located in the galleries on the Denon and Sully wings, but Cour Marly and Cour Puget are located on the -1 floor of the Richelieu wing, which sees somewhat fewer visitors. The Pantheon is a soaring, stately building originally built as the Church of Saint Genevieve in 1764 that was converted into a national pantheon in 1791. The Pantheon is designed in early Neoclassical style with some Gothic elements, including soaring domes, intricate paintings and sculptures, a large portico of Corinthian columns, and embellishments covering almost every surface. In the middle of the Pantheon is the Foucault Pendulum, installed in 1851 by Leon Foucault to demonstrate that the earth revolves around itself. The paintings, sculptures, and frescos honor Saint Genevieve, the patron saint of Paris, the men and women who died in the World Wars, and important men and women who participated in the Enlightenment, the French Revolution, and WW1. While the soaring building is truly inspiring, you must also visit the underground crypt, where important philosophers, scientists, writers, soldiers, and others of note are buried. The Enlightenment philosophers of Voltaire and Jean Jacques Rousseau have their own separate tombs and statues, and then you can find other notable figures, including: Parc Monceau is one of my favorite gardens in Paris, and is a local favorite in the upscale 8th arrondissement. The distinguishing feature of the park is the beautiful pond draped in willows and encircled by a colonnade. The rest of the park is a mix of laidback (open grass, wide walking paths, and a children’s playground), and fancy, with a big rotunda at the main entrance, intricate wrought iron, gold-tipped fence all around the park, a cute bridge, and statues dotting the park. This residence was originally built in the 1300’s, but was renovated in high Rococo style in the 1730’s for the Prince and Princess of Soubise. The state seized the palace during the French Revolution, and it has belonged to the government since. Today, it is both a beautiful residence to walk through, as well as the home of the Museum of the National Archives, where important historical documents are kept and displayed. The rooms are incredibly decorated with gilded ornamentation and embellishments on the ceilings and walls, sculpted wood panels, paintings, and designed to imitate Versailles, creating jaw-droppingly sumptuous rooms. Important documents on display in the National Archives include: I was seriously geeking out over these documents – major moments written by important historical figures! This is one of the best unique museums in Paris. Hotel de la Marine is an impressive historical building facing Place de la Concorde. Originally it served as the “Garde-Meuble Royal,” where the king’s furniture for his many palaces was managed. This responsibility and proximity to grandeur meant the residence was decorated like a palace. Today, you can tour through the sumptuous rooms decorated in the 1700’s, learning about their history and use. Of course, all the rooms are beautiful, but the ballroom is truly breathtaking, with intricate, golden details and ornamentation covering the walls and ceiling, and beautiful chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Even though Hotel de la Marine is in many ways as sumptuous and ornate as Versailles, it remains a hidden gem in Paris (at least for now – the museum only opened to the public very recently, in 2021). The Grand Mosque of Paris is the largest mosque in France and is located in the charming Latin Quarter (the 5th arrondissement). This beautiful place of worship is built in traditional Islamic style, with a symmetrical design, a large water feature in the middle of the room, colorful mosaics covering the floors and walls, and carved stucco archways. I’ve had the fortune of visiting Morocco, and it 100% reminded me of the gorgeous architecture and designs we experienced in that country. There are a few rooms you can walk through, but you’re mainly visiting the large courtyard and a garden, which is filled with plants, water features, archways, and a view of the 33-meter-tall minaret. The Arenes de Lutece are the ruins of an ancient Roman arena, tucked away in the bustling Latin Quarter. This historical site dates back to the end of the 1st century AD, and served as an entertainment venue for two centuries in what was then known as Lutecia. Its rediscovery came unexpectedly in the 1870s during construction work, when the arena was uncovered during excavation work. Now, visitors can explore a quaint garden and walking path that encircles the arena. Inside, you can roam the arena floor and the remaining sections of the stands. This is a very low-key attraction that is yet very unexpected in the heart of Paris, and is free to visit. Some of Paris’s secret spots are the numerous covered passageways found throughout the city. Two of the most prominent and beautiful passageways are Galerie Vivienne and Passage des Panorames, which are very close to each other and just north of the Louvre and the Palais Royal. Galerie Vivienne is such a pretty passageway, complete with arched ceilings with skylights and beautiful mosaics covering the floor. Cafes, bistros, and boutique shops fill the passageway. Passage des Panorames is also very charming, but is a little narrower, giving it a more intimate feeling, and is full of restaurants and places to eat. Les Invalides is the military museum of Paris that celebrates and documents France’s historical military campaigns. There are multiple more traditional exhibits about different military periods, but the main attraction at Invalides is the Eglise du Dome (The Church of the Dome), which is the golden dome visible throughout Paris. This insanely gorgeous royal church was originally built in the late 1600’s for Louis 14th, and was converted into the resting place for Napoleon’s tomb, as well as tombs for other notable French military leaders. As you enter the church, you are greeted by an enormous domed roof decorated with murals, reliefs, sculptures, columns, and gold leafing. In the center of the room, right under the golden dome, is an opening with Napoleon’s immense, polished coffin on display on the lower level. Napoleon apparently wanted all visitors to his tomb to bow their heads as they looked down at his grave. In the different “chapels” of the church are other tombs for important military officers, like Marechal Foch, Vauban, and Joseph Napoleon. You can also walk down to the crypt, which takes you to the walkway around the tomb of Napoleon and has sculptures honoring the accomplishments of Napoleon. Galeries Lafayette is the most famous and big department store in Paris that sells mainly luxury brands. The flagship store is massive and so beautiful, covering 6 levels with an open center and a gorgeous glass dome. This is a destination in and of itself in Paris (especially during Christmastime), but visitors can also go to the panoramic terrace on the 7th level. Just follow the signs up the escalators to the 7th floor, where you can go to an open-air terrace overlooking the city. It’s a great view – right behind the Opera Garnier and with a view of the Eiffel Tower. While I do qualify this as a hidden gem, it’s not so hidden that the terrace is empty – indeed, there were actually quite a lot of people there when I visited on a Sunday afternoon in March. However, it’s a big terrace with plenty of room to spread out. The Printemps rooftop terrace, in contrast, is a true hidden gem. Printemps is another big, luxury department store, also with a gorgeous glass dome (although you can only see the dome on the top level). It’s actually right next to Galeries Lafayette on Boulevard Haussman. Make sure you go into the store called Printemps Femme, and then just head up the escalators to the panoramic terrace on the top floor. This terrace is a lot smaller, but it’s very nice – there are plants and chairs to sit at, and hardly any people at all. You don’t have the same view of the opera house, but that’s okay, you still have a great view over the rooftops of Paris. When we were there, there was a crane set up right in the line of sight with the Eiffel Tower, so our view unfortunately wasn’t quite as good, but of course, this is a temporary situation. One of the most Instagrammable spots in Paris is the domes of Sacré Coeur – you can actually go up into the domes! There’s a sign for the panoramic viewpoint right before you enter the basilica where you can pay the entrance fee and start climbing the 292 steps of the spiral staircase up to the rooftop. When you reach the rooftop, you’ll actually walk along a short pathway between the different domes and spires along the roof – a super cool part of the experience. Then another spiral staircase takes you into the dome viewpoint, where you get the true panoramic view of Paris. Besides enjoying a great view of the Eiffel Tower (one of the best Eiffel Tower viewpoints in Paris, if you ask me), you’ll also get to admire the many spires and small domes on the Sacré Coeur Basilica. One of the things Matthew and I have been doing on most of our international trips is to book a local photographer for a photoshoot in a beautiful spot in the country we’re visiting. We’ve done this 7 times now and I absolutely adore our collection of professional pictures we have together around the world. Plus, taking beautiful pictures around the city is just one of the most romantic things to do in Paris. I like to search for photographers on Instagram (I would search hashtags like #parisphotographer) or you can also easily browse photographers available and secure your booking on websites like flytographer.com. Place des Vosges is a unique square in the Marais – all the buildings lining the square are red brick, and a public park sits in the center. Victor Hugo’s house is in one of the corner buildings of Place des Vosges and is now a museum about the famed author. The park is laid out very symmetrically, with a giant central statue, tree-lined paths, a matching fountain in each corner, and green lawns to relax on. It’s a lovely spot to spend an afternoon in Paris. La Coulée Verte is a charming elevated walking path in the 4th arrondissement (Le Marais) that is located on an old railway line. This railway line was in use from 1853-1969 and then was converted to a greenspace. It has a paved walking trail, fantastic views looking over the Parisian cityscape, and “combines wild vegetation typical of train emplacements and a modern pedestrian pathway.” This is a local favorite and is 4.5 km long, so you can spend a lot of time enjoying this walking path. This hidden gem in Paris is so secret that there actually isn’t even a specific location to give you! Here are the deets: A group of women run the most charming little old-timey photograph stand, where they will take pictures of you with their old-school camera and then print them off onto an old-timey looking newspaper front page. They don’t have set hours and they always set up somewhere a little bit different around the Eiffel Tower (you can sometimes find them by Pont d’Iena, but we actually stumbled upon them at Passerelle Debilly – a charming pedestrian bridge in Paris). There is no set price – it’s by donation only – and is the most charming little souvenir to bring home from Paris with you. Hopefully you can find them on your visit to the Eiffel Tower! The Marché aux Fleuris is a covered, yet open-air flower market founded by Napoleon in 1808. It is filled with vibrant and colorful stalls displaying many varieties of flowers and plants as well as garden-related items, including birdhouses, wind chimes, decorative pots, and other decorations. The beautiful displays and greenhouse-like roof make it a lovely spot to walk through. Canal Saint Martin is a 4.6 km long canal that cuts through the center of the right bank of Paris, connecting the Seine to Canal de l’Ourcq in the north. The canal was built in the early 1800s and was used heavily during that century. Although traffic has dwindled significantly in the 1900s, it is still in use today, both with shipping and for tourist boats. But Canal Saint Martin is on this list because the riverbanks are a popular local hangout spot. Restaurants and cafes line the streets nearby, walking paths up and down both sides of the canal, and cute little bridges that cross over. The canal is long and the section right near the Seine isn’t the best. Instead, I’d head to the area around the Republique metro station – it’s a charming area with a lot of vibes, especially on a warm evening. The Marché des Enfants Rouge is the oldest food market in Paris (it was started in 16150) and is part traditional fruit/veggie/meat/fish/cheese stands, but also has a huge variety of restaurant stalls right in the market. This is a very popular spot with locals, and at lunchtime, the stalls serving food are hopping – be prepared to wait in line. You can order at the counters for takeaway or eat at the stools set up around the stands. All of the food everywhere looked really, really good – some fun options include Chez Alain Miam Miam, a popular sandwich stop, the Butcher of Paris, which serves beautiful charcuterie boards, or the stand selling Moroccan food (where we went). The entire market is closed on Monday. The Museum of the Romantic Life was once the residence of Ary Scheffer, a Dutch painter who lived there for over 20 years in the 19th century. Although Scheffer may not be as renowned as some of his contemporaries today, he was a significant artist and social figure in Paris, hosting notable personalities like Charles Dickens, Frederick Chopin, and Franz Liszt. The museum offers a walkthrough of the house, showcasing historical furnishings, decor, and artwork by Scheffer and his peers. The ground floor is dedicated to George Sand, a widely celebrated writer of the era, featuring her belongings. The house’s courtyard, garden, and exterior are beautifully preserved, offering a peaceful oasis in the city. The art workshop/greenhouse, an addition to the house, is now a glass-enclosed café, and some visitors come simply to relax in in the charming garden café. Rue Lafitte is a rather small street that heads from Boulevard Haussman up towards Sacré Coeur in Montmartre. The street is situated so that it gives you a perfect view of the basilica, framed right between the buildings. While you can see the basilica from almost anywhere along Rue Lafitte, I do think you get the best view right at Blvd Haussman. I hope this gives you some good ideas of off-the-beaten-path spots to visit on your Parisian vacation. All of the spots on this list are places I have personally visited and enjoyed and all are lesser known locations in the city!
👉5. Moulins in Montmartre 
6. Marché de Saxe-Breteuil or Marché d’Aligre
7. Saint Germain des Pres Church
8. Petit Palais
The Petit Palais sits prominently along the Seine, across the street from its counterpart, the Grand Palais, both of which were built for the 1900 Universal Exhibition, and today is one of the best free museums in Paris. 
9. Hang Out Along the Banks of the Seine
10. Cour Marly in the Louvre
11. Pantheon
12. Parc Monceau
13. National Archives
14. Hotel de la Marine
15. The Grand Mosque of Paris
16. Arenes de Lutece
17. Covered Passageways
18. Les Invalides
19. Galeries Lafayette Panoramic Viewpoint
20. Printemps Panoramic Viewpoint
21. Dome of Sacré Coeur
22. Professional Paris Photoshoot
23. Place des Vosges
24. La Coulée Verte
25. The Old Timey Photographers Around the Eiffel Tower
26. Marché aux Fleurs
27. Canal Saint Martin
28. Marché des Enfants Rouge
29. Musée de la Vie Romantique
30. View of Sacré Coeur from Rue Lafitte
Secret Spots in Paris – The Wrap Up
