When snapping photos amongst the crowds at Trocadero or jockeying for position to admire the Mona Lisa, you just may be tempted to duck down the nearest interesting side street and start exploring Paris off the beaten path–and with good reason!
While Paris is one of the most touristed cities on the planet, welcoming, by some estimates, more than 40 million visitors each year, it’s also an expansive, many-layered city.
In other words, Paris is home to thousands of quiet streets and interesting spots far away from the crowds of the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre.
If you’re ready to go off in search of this secret Paris–the one where you can take plenty of moments to breathe and where you can seek out some of the many, many hidden gems in Paris–this is the offbeat Paris guide for you.
Some of these off the beaten track Paris spots are better hidden than others, and of course, there’s no such thing as being the very first person to “discover” a cool Paris attraction or interesting detail in the 21st century.
If you’ve done a lot of research or visited the City of Lights before, odds are you’re familiar with at least a few of these places–but even veteran visitors will likely find a couple of new-to-them secret Paris spots here, and perhaps be reminded of some that they’ve been meaning to visit eventually!
We’ve curated this guide over the course of 10+ trips to Paris, with many more to come, and treated this guide as a living document that we update along the way.
While we’re far from locals (though we do call some of them friends!), we love exploring the nooks and crannies of Paris, and make it our mission to find new things to enjoy on every visit.
Here are our favorite less crowded places in Paris off the beaten track!
Table of Contents
31+ Memorable Hidden Gems in Paris
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 Eve carved onto either side of the top of the main door frame.
Definitely stop by this building for a quick photo op when exploring Paris off the beaten path!
La Conciergerie
Though it is located on Île de la Cité with so many iconic Parisian buildings, La Conciergerie flies under the radar of Paris tourism as compared to its neighbors Sainte-Chapelle (which is part of the same complex) and, of course, Notre Dame.
La Conciergerie has served many purposes over the centuries, including as a medieval palace, but it is perhaps best known these days for its use as a prison.
During France’s Reign of Terror, thousands of people were held inside the dungeons of Conciergerie, including Marie Antoinette.
The building is open to visitors and definitely worth touring while on Île de la Cité!
You can book a combined ticket to visit La Conciergerie and Sainte-Chapelle, which will net you a small discount (and of course, Sainte-Chapelle is a must-see in Paris–it’s probably my favorite church in the world).
Book your La Conciergerie/Sainte-Chapelle combo ticket today!
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.
The Cluny Museum of Medieval Art
It didn’t take long inside the Cluny Museum for me to decide that it is one of my favorite museums in Paris!
While the collection spans a broader time period, the Cluny Museum focuses primarily on art from the medieval period, and is a delight to explore–all the more because it tends to be uncrowded.
The six tapestries that make up the Lady and the Unicorn are probably the best-known works inside the museum, but the entire collection is captivating.
The Cluny Museum is also easy to fit into a Paris itinerary: located in the Latin Quarter/the 5th, it’s less than a 15-minute walk from Notre Dame (and right around the corner from a metro stop.
It’s the very definition of a Paris gem that’s hidden in plain sight!
Rue des Martyrs
The Rue des Martyrs will always hold a special place in our hearts, because it’s one of those places that is well-known in some circles, but that we discovered organically by wandering around.
And what a lovely place to wander around it is!
The Rue des Martyrs passes through the 9th and 18th arrondissements, linking the Church of Notre Dame de Lorette to Sacré Coeur. Today, though, it’s known not for its connection to the churches, but for its food and nightlife!
Lined with fromageries and patisseries, boulangeries and boucheries, bars and cabarets, Rue des Martyrs is a delight for the senses.
Come by during the day, and the food shops will be bustling: this is the place to head if you want to put together a picnic with a little something from each specialty shop. If you’re early enough, you may even see food getting delivered!
At night, you’ll find lively nightlife here.
Paris Catacombs
Does a place to visit in Paris count as hidden if it’s famous, but also literally hidden underground?
We’ll say yes, mostly because I’ll never be tired of talking about the Paris catacombs, which are, hands down, one of the most unique things to see in Paris–or even in Europe as a whole.
Buried far beneath the quiet streets and manicured avenues of modern Paris sit the piled up remains of 6 million people.
Built in the 18th century, this ossuary is made up of bodies emptied from overflowing cemeteries in Paris, and is located in old quarries underneath the city.
Visiting the Paris catacombs is undoubtedly a fascinating experience, but fair warning–if you’re not a fan of getting up close and personal with millions of human skeletons, it’s probably not the tour for you.
If you do want to visit, planning ahead is absolutely essential: the fact that we simply waited in line to enter the catacombs on our first trip to Paris feels downright quaint by now (they were definitely a bit more of a offbeat place to visit back then).
In order to descend into the Empire of the Dead, you’ll need to book a ticket directly (they sell out fast), book a ticket through a reputable 3rd party, or alternatively, book a guided tour (this one gets excellent reviews).
We go over the pros and cons of all 3 options, plus what to expect when visiting the catacombs, in this blog post.
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 social media fame for this Notting Hill lookalike.
“… But you’re still quite unlikely to stumble across this street in the 12th without looking for it!
If you do venture out this way, be sure to be respectful of the property of residents and stay off of their porches and away from their windows
At the end of the day, Rue Cremieux is a quiet, residential place.
Stohrer
Want to visit the oldest patisserie in Paris?
Welcome to Stohrer, which was founded by King Louis XV’s pastry chef himself–Nicholas Stohrer.
The patisserie dates back to 1730, and while it has a few locations now, the historic shop at 51 Rue Montorgueil is the one to head to when exploring Paris off the beaten path!
(And Rue Montorgueil is a delight to explore in general, so you’ll likely find more to enjoy than Stohrer when you’re there).
La Coulée Verte René-Dumont (Promenade Plantée)
Looking for an uncrowded green space in the heart of the city, that even includes some pretty views of Parisian streets along the way?
Head to La Coulée Verte, a greenbelt nestled in the sky amongst the buildings of Paris!
Opened in 1996 to make use of an abandoned rail line, this elevated park was one of the first of its kind (the High Line in New York City, for comparison, was open in 2009–and Paris’ version is much less popular with the city’s tourists).
About a mile of the just under-3-mile route is elevated along a viaduct, and the entire route includes beautiful landscaping, intermittent views, pretty alcoves, and an occasional scattering of public art.
We absolutely love relaxing here–almost as much as our dog Ranger enjoys the break from the bustle of Paris.
Nicholas Flamel’s House
The oldest domestic building in Paris dates back to 1407 and once held a very famous resident–the alchemist Nicholas Flamel, who is indeed a real person and not just a Harry Potter character.
(Though it’s safe to say the actual Nicholas Flamel lived a bit of a shorter life than his 665-year-old fictional counterpart).
Flamel is said to have carried out many of his experiments here, and today, the building holds a restaurant named after him.
Even if you’re not planning on eating, it’s still worth coming by!
The front of the building is covered in carved symbols, and it very much looks like the type of place a legendary alchemist would choose to live.
The Grand Mosque of Paris
Built in a Spanish-Moorish style, the Grand Mosque of Paris is not only a beautiful place to visit in the city, but it’s also a place with plenty to do!
Want to visit a hammam, check out a library, enjoy a tour, eat lunch, or simply sip a mint tea?
You can do all of that here–in between admiring the beautiful mosaics and minaret, of course.
Canal Saint-Martin
For a decidedly more local feel than a stroll along the Seine (though plenty of Parisians spend time there, too), head to Canal Saint-Martin.
At 4.5 kilometers long, Canal Saint-Martin was originally the brainchild of Napoleon and connects the Seine to northeast Paris via water.
The edges of the canal are dotted with shops, restaurants, gardens, and, of course, plenty of places to sit and relax.
If you come here in the evening, you’ll find crowds of people–lots of students and young people in general among them–sitting along the edges of the canal.
It’s a fun and relaxed environment that feels worlds away from Paris’ most touristic spots!
Le Clos Montmartre
A tiny winery in the middle of the city–sounds like just the kind of whimsical detail you would find in Montmartre, right?
As one of the few remaining vineyards in Paris itself, Le Clos Montmartre is a beautiful, peaceful gem of a place, tucked among cobblestone streets.
Built in the 1930s, this is still very much a working winery and produces around 800-1000 bottles of wine each year.
You can view the picturesque edges of Le Clos Montmartre from the street (Rue des Saules, right around the corner from La Maison Rose), or get a better view of the vineyard from the gardens of the Montmartre Museum, which is where I took the below photo.
Getting inside the vineyard is a bit more complicated.
As of updating this blog post in September 2025, your options are to snag a coveted free ticket during the Montmartre Harvest Festival, or sign up for a tour (in French) through the Montmartre Museum.
The Montmartre Museum is an uncrowded gem of a place that’s worth a visit in its own right, too!
Museum of Counterfeiting
Among all the tiny, offbeat, secret Paris museums (and there are many), the Museum of Counterfeiting just may have the most interesting concept.
Made up of a collection of over 500 pieces of counterfeit merchandise, from pharmaceuticals to handbags, the Museum of Counterfeiting is a fascinating look into the fake.
While many items are donated, others are (legally) acquired from the police or customs, making this growing collection quite the quirky one.
The museum has very limited hours: 2:00 PM to 5:30 PM, Monday-Friday, as of Septmber 2025. You can check updated opening hours and ticket information here.
UNIFAB1, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Abbey Bookshop
Though nearby Shakespeare & Company gets all the fame, Abbey Bookshop is also a delightful English-language bookshop and well worth checking out when exploring Paris off the beaten path.
Positively overflowing with books of all kinds, Abbey Bookshop is quirky, beautiful, and an incredibly fun place for book lovers to explore.
It’s also located in the Latin Quarter, less than a 5-minute walk from Shakespeare & Company, which makes it an easy addition to a bibliophile’s itinerary!
(And for those on the hunt for more English language books, Smith and Son and San Francisco Book Company are two other great options).
Montmartre Cemetery
Less well-known than the Pere Lachaise Cemetery, Montmartre Cemetery is nonetheless just as interesting and (almost) as beautiful.
Take a stroll here when exploring Paris off the beaten path and you’ll likely come across the final resting place of many of the artists who once called Montmartre home, including Alexandre Dumas and Dalida.
Surrounded by modern buildings in some places (see the apartments in the back of the photo?), the Montmartre Cemetery has a bit of an old-meets-new vibe that is quite interesting for a historic final resting place!
If you’re interested in finding more peaceful and uncrowded cemeteries in Paris, the nearby Saint-Vincent Cemetery is also worth a stop.
Parc des Buttes-Chaumont
Wild, hilly, and whimsical, Parc des Buttes-Chaumont is where to go if you want to experience a landscape that doesn’t feel like it belongs to Paris at all–at least until you look up and see the excellent views (including of Montmartre) in front of you.
Built on a former quarry, Parc des Buttes-Chaumont features distinctly un-Paris-like features such as waterfalls and caves, as well as plenty of lawns to lounge on, an artificial lake, and a couple of suspension bridges.
If you’ve seen one photo of it, it’s probably of the picturesque Temple de la Sibylle, which was inspired by the Temple of Vesta in Tivoli, Italy (and having visited Tivoli, I can definitely see the resemblance).
While it feels decidedly off the beaten track as compared to the standard tourist path in Paris, Parc des Buttes-Chaumont is easy to reach on the metro (Line 7).
Petit Palais
Despite being located only a short walk away from the world-famous Musée d’Orsay, the fine arts collection at the Petit Palais remains a bit of a secret Paris destination.
… Which is a bit mind-boggling, because not only is it conveniently located, but the permanent collections are both expansive and free to visit!
If you’re looking for uncrowded things to do in Paris on a budget–or you just want to enjoy a beautiful art museum with a bit more elbow room–Petit Palais is a fantastic option.
Rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine
Though it is one of Paris’ oldest streets, you may not realize what’s so special about Rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine when you first stroll down it: it’s bustling, seems fairly modern (by Paris standards), and it features plenty of cars.
The magic of the road, though, lies in its cozy alleys and cobblestone passages.
From the Middle Ages onward, this was an area dominated by tradesmen, especially woodworkers and cabinet makers, and the street is filled with blink-and-you’ll-miss-it passages that once led to these workshops (and in some cases, still do).
Not all of the passages are accessible, especially now, but some still are, and wandering around is half the fun.
Passage de Chantier, Cour de l’Étoile d’Or, and Passage du Cheval Blanc are good starting points!
Musée des Arts Forains (Fairground Museum)
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-century performing arts.
Think antique carousels, equipment used in carnivals, and plenty of Belle-Epoque-era party supplies–all the glitz and glamour of antique showbiz Paris.
The museum is available by pre-booked tour only, and tours are primarily held in French.
According to the official website, they hold English tours “occasionally” (their word), so if you’re planning a trip to Paris and want to go, it may be worth putting in a request!
Pavillons de Bercy · Musée des Arts Forains, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Galeries Lafayette Rooftop Terrace
This is perhaps one of the better-known of these secret Paris spots, but it’s still often unknown to first-time visitors!
The 7th-floor Galeries Lafayette rooftop terrace is home to one of the best views of the city–for free!
With the Eiffel Tower in clear view and a perfect close-up angle of the Palais Garnier, there’s no reason not to visit one of the city’s most beloved department stores when looking for hidden gems in Paris.
And, while you’re there, the stunning interior dome is worth checking out too.
(If you’re visiting Paris during the holiday season, you may already be planning to see the Galeries Lafayette Christmas tree–but if not, add it to your December bucket list for Paris!)
All the Interesting Churches of Paris
When writing this blog post, I originally started adding some of my favorite uncrowded churches to my list of favorite hidden gems–and then I realized that if I kept going, this article could end up half churches.
With hundreds of churches in Paris, most of them empty and free rather than crowded and requiring timed-entry tickets (looking at you, Notre Dame and Sainte-Chapelle), one of my favorite ways to get off the beaten track in Paris is simply to start opening the doors of random churches that look interesting.
They often aren’t places we add to our itinerary–we simply stumble across them, and then eventually learn whether they’re famous (many are), or simply gorgeous.
A few that we’ve enjoyed in particular include the Church of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, the Church of Saint-Paul-Saint-Louis, the Church of Saint Sulpice (famous, convenient, yet never crowded), the Church of Saint-Pierre de Montmartre, and the Church of Saint-Eustache, plus dozens more that we didn’t necessarily note at the time.
The best way to discover which of the most beautiful churches in Paris are prettiest to you? Simply start opening doors.
Pont des Arts
While the Pont Alexander III is arguably the most famous (and most beautiful) bridge across the Seine, the Pont des Arts has one of the best views, facing the tip of Île de la Cité.
Come by at sunset for some of the best views!
Museum of Romantic Life
This small house museum is tucked away in a quiet corner that feels more like a village than the center of Paris–and yet, it’s located in the 9th at the base of the hill that Montmartre rests on top of.
Dedicated to all things romantic, the Museum of Romantic Life hosts a small collection of art, much of it relating to George Sand, and a picturesque garden where you can sip a cup of tea.
The permanent collection at the museum is free to visit, and it’s the perfect place to catch your breath and rest for a moment while also enjoying one of the most peaceful hidden gems in Paris.
2025 Note: The Museum is currently closed for renovations, and they expect to reopen it in February 2026. We recommend checking the website for updates.
Puces de Vanves (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 and 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.
Be sure to bring cash if you think you might like to pick up a souvenir!
The market is open, rain or shine, from 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday.
Square Marcel Bleustein Blanchet
Want to enjoy some of the best views of Sacré-Coeur… without the enormous crowds that gather on its iconic steps?
If you start circling the basilica, you’ll eventually come to the lovely Square Marcel Bleustein Blanchet, which is home to one of the loveliest views in Montmartre!
This small park is located behind Sacré-Coeur, and thanks in large part to its location, it is a delightfully uncrowded hidden gem in Paris.
Beehives in the Luxembourg Gardens
The beautiful Luxembourg Gardens may be best known for their blooming flowers and being the home of the lovely Luxembourg Palace, but since the 19th century, beehives have also called the gardens home.
There’s a beekeeping school onsite, as well as plenty of bee boxes.
You can find them in the southwest part of the garden, near the entrance off of Rue de Fleuris (they’re marked on this map under “Luxembourg school apiary”).
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Guilhem Vellut from Paris, France, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
No. 3 Rue Volta
No. 3 Rue Volta is a bit of a strange place, with a claim to fame that has since been disproven.
Once thought to be built in the 1300s and touted as the oldest house in Paris, it has since been discovered that this is not the case.
Rather, the half-timbered house was built in the 1600s by a wealthy family who simply wanted it to look like it was from the Middle Ages.
Personally, I like the true story even more than the first–even in the 1600s, people were still looking to the past for architectural inspiration (when they could afford it, anyway), and No. 3 Rue Volta is still worth adding to your list of hidden gems in Paris.
Located in Le Marais, the house is on a quiet street, boasts beautiful wooden beams, and looks entirely distinct from anything surrounding it (or pretty much anything else in Paris, post-Haussmann).
Musee Curie
Located in the former laboratory of Marie Curie, this small museum focuses primarily on the work of Marie Curie, her family, and her coworkers.
Marie Curie was a fantastic scientist and holds plenty of records to this day, including being the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and the only person to win a Nobel Prize in two different sciences.
In other words, if you’re looking to get off the beaten path in Paris, there are far worse people to learn about when you do!
Like many of Paris’ small museums, the Musée Curie has limited hours (1:00 PM to 5:00 PM, from Wednesday to Saturday). We recommend checking the website before visiting.
On the plus side, visiting the Musée Curie is also free!
Travus, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Covered Passages of Paris
Paris’ covered passages aren’t secret Paris spots as much as they are, quite literally, hidden gems.
If you don’t know what you’re looking for, it’s incredibly easy to walk right by the entrances to these gorgeous shopping arcades without ever knowing what beauty is waiting inside.
Built primarily in the 19th century, the covered passages are home to a delightful array of shops, galleries, restaurants, and more, each with its own personality and focus.
There are around 20 in all these days, but you likely won’t have time to explore them all!
If you want a few to put on your radar while exploring Paris off the beaten path, we can suggest Passage des Panoramas as the oldest (it dates to 1799), Galerie Vero-Dodat for an easy-to-access location and lovely interior, and Galerie Vivienne for a downright beautiful space (be sure to stop by the gorgeous Librairie Jousseaume if you visit).
Where to Stay in Paris Off the Beaten Path
We’ve been lucky enough to stay all over Paris during the course of our trips to the city, and more often than not, we find ourselves staying in the 5th (Latin Quarter) or 6th (Saint-Germain-des-Prés), which are delightful and decidedly not off the beaten path.
And really, staying in out-of-the-way places when visiting Paris is not necessarily a goal to aspire to, as you might end up signing up for longer metro rides than you bargained for.
However, there are two places we’ve stayed that were convenient to many of the best things to do in Paris, had access to a metro, and were just ever-so-slightly away from the main arteries of the city that we can highly recommend.
The first is Hotel Bastille Speria, which is beautiful, boasts lovely views, and is located on a quiet street near the Place de la Bastille.
It’s very convenient to both many of these hidden gems in Paris and to the top things to do in the city, but it is surrounded by a decidedly peaceful atmosphere.
The second is Aparthotel Adagio Paris Montmartre, which is located on a dead-end street in a quiet area that is just a short walk away from the top things to do in Montmartre–while feeling completely removed from it.
And when it comes to feeling like you’re discovering a secret Paris (or a more local one, anyway), nothing beats having access to a kitchen to stock with various treasures and a courtyard to enjoy!
Looking for our hotel recommendations in the 5th and 6th? Our best ones are in this blog post!
Check rates + availability at Aparthotel Agadio Paris Montmartre today!
Getting Around Paris Off the Beaten Track
Paris may be a large and dense city, but it’s also a fairly easy one to get around–even when getting off the beaten track.
Thanks to Paris’ incredibly dense metro system, most of these hidden gems are easily reached (though of course you may need to pound the pavement to explore them).
To use the Paris metro in 2025 and beyond, you’ll want to purchase a Navigo Easy Pass at a metro station or download the RAPT app to buy (and validate) tickets on your phone.
You can get details on setting up the pass and/or your phone here, and Paris’ buses (should you need one) operate on the same system.
Taxis and Uber are also available in Paris, though they’re expensive and often less efficient than the metro. Lyft is not present in Paris.
Of course, the best way to discover your own favorite hidden gems in Paris is to simply explore on foot and see what you find when walking around the city!
Map of Secret Paris Spots + Hidden Gems
Thanks Jeremy, Kate, and Ranger for these nifty and interesting ideas, we will certainly be checking many of these off the beaten Path ideas out on our next trip to the city of light!
Thanks so much, Michael! Enjoy your next trip to Paris! 🙂
Bravo