As one of the quintessential cities to visit when traveling, there are so many hidden gems in Paris to discover beyond the popular spots. Paris may immediately bring to mind the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Louvre Museum but the city has so much more to offer. The local delicacies, wine, shopping areas for the fashion-forward, small museums, a book lovers paradise and more await your discovery.
Paris Statue of Liberty
Did you know that Paris has its own Statue of Liberty? It sits on the southern end of the Île aux Cygnes. If this is news to you, you may also be surprised to learn that it’s an exact replica of the Statue of Liberty in New York. But as you hear the history, it makes perfect sense.
The state that hovers above Île aux Cygnes is a quarter-sized replica of the NY statue, and it exists because it was a model for the larger lady of liberty. It’s actually not the only one around, but this one was symbolically given to the city of Paris by the Parisian-American community in 1889. In true American fashion, the ceremony was held on American Independence Day (July 4) instead of Bastille Day, which is just 10 days later. And for those Nicholas Cage fans, this statue was featured in National Treasure: Book of Secrets.
You can walk, cycle or cruise up to the statue. And if you’re feeling a bit on the lazy side, you can even get a great view from the back seat of a comfortable sedan along with the shore.
You’ll find Bercy Village about 30 minutes from central Paris. This little village has a quaint atmosphere with loads of charm. The Bercy district used to be a massive wine market, but today you’ll have to settle for the cute cafes, restaurants, and shops that line the charming cobbled streets.
While not a secret spot in Paris anymore because Bercy Village center does get crowded, but the village itself is a great place to stay if you’re for a quieter spot to rest your head than a Paris hotel.
If you’re into the arts scene and want to experience and learn the basic techniques of graffiti art at a 2.5-hour graffiti mural workshop in Paris. We recommend this workshop as it lets you work with Parisian graffiti artists on a large-scale, collaborative mural, and become a street artist of the future! Create shapes and more with spray paint.
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.
Bastille
More than just a fab pop band, Bastille may be your go-to spot for social life in Paris. Forget Saint-Michel (for the moment) where all the tourists go. At Bastille, you can enjoy your patisserie on cobbles with a view of the city’s most iconic roundabout. Bastille is a great place to meet friends for dinner or drinks. You may never want to leave.
Church of St-Etienne-du-Mont
With its carved wooden stairs, stunning facade and surrounding paved streets the Church of St-Etienne-du-Mont is a beauty inside and out. It’s also much quieter than other more famous churches in Paris so you’ll be able to get some stunning historical shots.
Buttes Chaumont
If you’re looking for romantical appeal, it doesn’t get much better than Buttes Chaumont. This stunning oasis sits in the center of Paris – on a hill in the middle of a lake. With views like this, you’ll feel like you’ve just stepped into a fairytale.
Buttes Chaumont is perfect for when you want a short break from the city to recharge. Go for a picnic and enjoy the summer sun.
Rue Crémieux
Tucked away a few minutes from Gare de Lyon, Rue Crémieux is full of pastel coloured houses filled with fluffy cats sitting on window sills. While rue Crémieux has become somewhat famous on Instagram, that doesn’t take away from the charm. Show up early to avoid the crowds.
The Picpus Cemetery
The Picpus Cemetery is a small graveyard out of central Paris with a thrilling history. This tranquil place located in the neighborhood of Picpus is the final resting place of 1,306 headless bodies who lost their lives at the guillotine that was set up in the former Place du Trône-Renversé (current Place de la Nation).
This place, located not far from the Place du Trône-Renversé, became the perfect place to dump all headless bodies baking in the sun. Today the cemetery is reserved for the victims of the guillotine and their descendants and it is a beautiful and tranquil place for a stroll. Here, you can visit the grave of the Marquis de Lafayette, escorted by an American flag. He rests beside his wife, who lost her grandmother, mother, and sister to the guillotine.
