Top hidden places in Paris

Hidden places in Paris abound. Sheer curiosity can bring you face to face with the secrets of Paris. Peek behind that entranceway or stroll in the opposite direction to the crowds and you never know what Paris hidden gems you might stumble upon.Home to millions of Parisians and many more millions of visitors, there are still a few spots in Paris that are relatively undiscovered. Paris is a city that rewards those who explore it on foot and many of the places I’m sharing with you here in this top hidden places in Paris list were randomly discovered on one of those magical days spent walking the streets of Paris.

1.Rue Cremieux

One of the most colorful spots in Paris, Rue Cremieux is a beautiful cobblestone street nestled in a residential area. Rue

Cremieux was a true Paris hidden gem but it has become a popular Instagram spot in the past few years. Even so, many Parisians still don’t know about it! You can take some gorgeous shots walking through the pastel-colored houses but be mindful not to disturb the residents or sit on people’s front stoops

2.Parc Monceau

Parc Monceau is secret Paris at its best! Find the Roman columns facing the pond and for a moment you might wonder where you are. It’s quiet and slightly overgrown in Parc Monceau, a perfect place for a respite from sightseeing. Walking paths wind carelessly under blooming trees and amidst statues. Parc Monceau, one of Paris’s hidden gems and smallest parks, is charming, chill and a great place to try and blend in like a local. Go at lunchtime, find a bench and picnic like the Parisians.

3.The Sacre Coeur Carousel

Montmartre and the Sacre Coeur are one of the top sights to visit in Paris. But most people head directly to the stairs leading to the Basilique or take the funiculaire up. One of the best views of the Sacre Coeur is actually by the beautiful Carousel in the Square Louise Michel (next to Metro Anvers). It’s one of the best hidden gems in Paris that many tourists totally miss

4.The Montmartre Windmills

Head to Rue Lepic in Montmartre and discover the ‘Moulin de la Galette’ and its two windmills. Paris used to be full of wooden windmills but very few remain today.

Many people visit the Sacre Coeur and Place des Tertres but few know to take the detour and see these adorable wooden windmills. One of the true hidden gems in Paris

5.Oasis D’Aboukir

L’Oasis D’Aboukir is a true hidden gem in Paris because lots of locals don’t even know it exists! This vertical garden or mur végétal is located at the corner of rue des Petits Carreaux and covers 250 sq metres in greenery.

This Hymne à la Biodiversité was planted by French botanist Patrick Blanc and features 7600 plants from 237 different species. The vertical is one of those unique unknown spots that is really worth a stop

6.Street Art in Belleville

Belleville is the Street Art hotspot of Paris and a very fascinating neighborhood that has almost nothing in common with the rest of Paris. I was lucky enough to join the Street Art Tour of Kasia in September 2021 and had a wonderful time. I can only recommend it.

7.Galerie Vivienne

Stroll along the gorgeous mosaic floors of Galerie Vivienne and transport yourself, for a moment, back to 1823  when this covered passageway was filled with Parisians socializing and meeting up at cafés. Today it is possible to do the same! With natural light streaming along the hallway of Galerie Vivienne, the boutiques, stores and cafés are worth exploring or, at the very least, engaging in a window-shopping expedition.

This hidden gem of Paris is one of the remaining and restored covered passageways that were common in Paris in the 1800s.

8.View From Centre Pompidou

From the top of the Centre Pompidou, the views of Paris include the Eiffel Tower, Sacre-Coeur and the classic rooftops of the city.  Gazing out across the city feels like one of the best-kept secrets of Paris. Ride the funky exterior escalators and head up to the top floor balcony for €3.

If you are an admirer of modern art enjoy the National Museum of Modern Art’s renowned permanent collection and then head to the top floor for the magnificent views of Paris

8.Le Bateau Ivre

Hidden gems in Paris are often tucked away on tiny streets. Rue Férou holds one of these secrets of Paris. Who doesn’t like a poem written on a wall in elegant calligraphy? 

On rue Férou between L’Église Saint-Sulpice and the Jardin du Luxembourg, Arthur Rimbaud’s poem Le Bateau Ivre (The Drunken Boat) is inscribed for all to see. Rimbaud, a French poet, wrote this poem about a sea voyage in 1871 at the age of 16. He first recited Le Bateau Ivre in a café close to rue Férou.