Paris is a city full of stunning sights such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum and Notre Dame Cathedral. However, apart from these popular destinations, the city has many other places that are less visited but are of greater significance to the culture and history of France. From byways to small but interesting places, these sites represent parts of Paris that are not so prominent to a traveler’s eye. This article evaluates ten of such hidden gems that are found in Paris which will be beneficial during as well as after the trip there and make the vacation even more interesting. We will focus on the places’ directions, their best times for visits, and interesting facts associated with each particular place.
Also read – Top Destinations for Food Lovers Around the World
1. La Campagne à Paris (The Countryside in Paris)
About La Campagne à Paris
La Campagne à Paris is a picturesque area in the 20th district which resembles a country town spinning in the heart of metropolis. This small, calm area inhabited by the local citizens is composed of narrow stone paved roads, cottages with grape pep vine and blooming gardens ideal for those looking for serenity and quietness within the chaos of the big city.
Entry Tips and Best Time to Visit
La Campagne à Paris could be visited by anyone as it is an open residential part of the city. In light of that, there are no charges, limitations or fees on entry. So the best time to go there would most likely be during early or late afternoons during working days when the crowds are significantly less.
Getting There
To get to La Campagne à Paris quickly, catch the metro to Porte de Bagnolet. From that point, it is a few minutes’ walk up a steep hill to the location.
Fun Fact
La Campagne à Paris is a neighborhood that was originally constructed in the early twentieth century as low-cost housing for workers thereby creating a contrast in architecture and history from the rest of the town.
2. Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature (Museum of Hunting and Nature)
About the Museum
The museum is contextualized in the Marais district and deals with art, taxidermy and natural history in order to understand the interaction between mankind and the environment. The exhibits entail hunting tools, paintings and sculptures and even interactive elements for both adults and children.
Entry Tips and Best Time to Visit
The museum is also open from Tuesday to Sunday and charges about €8 for adults. It is advisable to visit the museum in the early morning hours or during the weekdays in order to avoid the rush.
Getting There
To get to the museum, take the metro to the Saint-Paul station and it is a walk of a few minutes to the Rue des Archives on which the museum is situated.
Fun Fact
Another impressive item on display at one of the museum’s other showcases is a lifelike mechanical fox which seems to ‘breathe’ which adds to the charm of the whole experience.
3. Parc des Buttes-Chaumont
About Parc des Buttes-Chaumont
In contrast to the more renowned Jardin des Tuileries or the Luxembourg Gardens, Pary des Buttes-Chaumont is an over-utilised green patch in the 19th arrondissement. This park has dramatic cliffs, waterfalls, a lake, and a beautiful temple located on top of the hill with picturesque views of Paris, on the site of a former quarry.
Entry Tips and Best Time to Visit
It is a public park and is open all day every day. Early morning hours are best enjoyed on weekdays as the park is relatively free of large crowds then.
Getting There
Take the metro lines 7 or 5 to reach the Buttes-Chaumont or Laumiere respectively.
Fun Fact
The Temple de la Sybille, built at the extreme end of the park is a replica of an ancient roman temple and has one of the best panoramic views in Paris.
4. Rue Crémieux
About Rue Crémieux
Rue Crémieux is a quaint and pretty cobbled street in the 12th district that is filled with color and is often likened to notting hill in London. This quiet pedestrianised street makes for a great photography location with its dainty flower pots, pastel houses and art murals.
Entry Tips and Best Time to Visit
This is a freely accessible public street. Try going at dawn so you are not stuck in the queues and should keep hushed tones in consideration of the people living there.
Getting There
To reach Rue Cremieux, take either metro line 5 to Quai de la Rapée or line 1 to Gare de Lyon, and it is merely a few minutes’ walk.
Fun Fact
Because of the large number of social network sightings of Rue Crémieux, locals have had to erect boards requesting the tourists to maintain the neighborhood character of the street.
5. Promenade Plantée (Coulée verte René-Dumont)
About Promenade Plantée
12th district’s Promenade Plantée stretches 4.5 km (over 2.7 miles) along the former elevated railway line. It is often called the “Sleeper” of NYC High Line features such as gardens, sculptures and benches along it bring in a combination of unique perspective of Paris and a calm retreat.
Entry Tips and Best Time to Visit
Charge time. The promenade is free and open all days. For the best experience, visit the park in the spring or very early in the morning during the summer to beat the heat.
Getting There
Enter the Promenade Plantée from various points along the route, the most notable of which can be found to the east of Bastille.
Fun Fact
This was the world’s first elevated park walkway giving rise to similar projects in the likes of the High Line in New York.
6. Montmartre Cemetery
About Montmartre Cemetery
Also referred to as Paris’s finest cemetery, its graveyard contains tombs of many acclaimed artists and is forever protected from development. Notable sights include intricate cemetery slabs, relaxing…
Entry Tips and Best Time to Visit
There’s no charge to enter the cemetery, and it is open every day of the week. If someone is looking for tranquility, late afternoons are ideal as the number of visitors is very low.
Getting There
You can take line 2 Metro to Blanche or line 13 Metro to the Place de Clichy.
Fun Fact
The cemetery contains the burial site of the French composer Hector Berlioz. He is buried in this cemetery along with many famous artists like Edgar Degas.
7. Square Marcel-Bleustein-Blanchet
About Square Marcel-Bleustein-Blanchet
This unnoticed garden in Montmartre is a great place for almost undisturbed views of the Paris skyline and beautifully planted flowerbeds. In contrast to the packed Sacre-Coeur Basilica, this location offers a calm atmosphere with lovely views of Paris.
Entry Tips and Best Time to Visit
This active park is free and accessible to the public every day. Sitting in the garden at sunset tip when the glowing sun casts a warm glow on the buildings is a relaxing view.
Getting There
It’s a short stroll from the Lamarck-Caulaincourt Metro station, which serves Paris’s underground train system.
Fun Fact
Bleustein-Blanchet was the founder of the most influential advertising company in the world and thus, the park is named after him as a tribute to his philanthropy and efforts.
8. Passage Brady
About Passage Brady
Passage Brady, ‘Little India’ as it is known by locals has earned a reputation as one of the last remaining covered arcades in Paris. The breezeways, located within the tenth Arrondissement, are bustling with Indian restaurants, boutiques, and grocery stores, providing a glimpse of South Asian culture in the middle of Paris.
Entry Tips and Best Time to Visit
There is no fare, but the time to come if you’re looking for delicious Indian food is lunch time or dinner time.
Getting There
Board a metro line eight train at Strasbourg – Saint-Denis.
Fun Fact
Passage Brady was completed in 1828 and is one of the last surviving arcades in Paris, typical of the style of architecture from the 19th century in that city.
9. Musée Gustave Moreau
About Musée Gustave Moreau
Fitting in with the Sempach style is perfect for those fans of Moreau, the French painter and symbolist, whom the artist had dedicated this museum to who are more obscure than most in the 9th arrondissent. It shows the artist’s works in his apartment, which was a studio when he painted, where his pictures and works on sketches and memorabilia were located.
Entry Tips and Best Time to Visit
Entrance to the museum is approximately 7 Euros or so, and it is wise to go during the weekdays for lesser footfalls.
Getting There
Catch line number twelve metro at Trinité – d’Estienne d’Orves.
Fun Fact
Gustave Moreau has undertaken several architectural d18esigns of the museum, one of the very important p253laces to be designed is the beautifulhelical stairs of the building.
10. Parc de Belleville
About Parc de Belleville
There are many highlights of Parc de Belleville, the less known patch in Paris which conceivably has the best views of the city.Moreover, Parco di Belleville is home to some amazing gardens, fountains and even a vineyard, which only enhances the pleasure that one may find when picking up a baguette or coming in for a sunset walk.
Entry Tips and Best Time to Visit
The park, which does not have an entrance fee also remains open at all times. The view is impressive at sunset as it provides sight of the Eiffel Tower from a distance with Paris sparkling underneath.
Getting There
From Pyrénées or Belleville, it’s best to take the metro line 11.
Fun Fact
Especially for people who do not wish to wait for a photo in front of the Trocadero, it is worth visiting this place. The beauty of Parc de Belleville can be killermine because it is one of the highest neighborhoods in Paris, overlooking the area with calmer locations that do not face mass tourism.
Conclusion
Its about time to find these off beaten paths that Paris can show as well. Paris, a busy city and a city bursting with life is home to many such areas that people often miss. Many things can be told about the words that these easily relatable signs offer. Remember to include some of these places in your Parisian itinerary if you need some uniqueness!
[…] Also read – 10 Must-See Hidden Gems in Paris […]