Paris has some pretty spectacular sites that are famous the world over, but I kinda have to admit that I actually prefer the city’s hidden gems. Sure, the Eiffel Tower and the Arc du Triomphe are monumental, however, I really think you can get to know the true character of the city by venturing off the well-trodden path and visiting its lesser-known gems.
I’ve been living in Paris for over 20 years and I LOVE uncovering new hidden treasures. I wanted to share some of my top picks for you to check out if you’ve got three or more days in Paris. It was really tough to pick just 10 for this list of best hidden gems in Paris, but if you’d like to discover more, I’ve included ALL my favorites in the new Love and Paris itinerary.

Image Courtesy of Le Palais Royale
Le Palais Royal
So my first pick isn’t a complete secret – but it’s still little known by most tourist masses. Hidden within a city block a mere stone’s throw from the overcrowded Louvre and Tuileries Gardens is this amazing oasis. Taking the secret entrance on the closest side to the Louvre, you enter a magical courtyard flanked by a historic palace and with quirky columns and futuristic fountains. It’s surprising, but also a great spot for photos. Beyond this is one of the prettiest parks in the whole city. It has incredible magnolias in spring, gorgeous roses in summer, and both sunny and shaded benches for all seasons. The large, peaceful space is bordered by an arcade lined with boutiques, cafés, and restaurants. The Palais Royal has so much, it’s sort of an all-in-one fabulous Parisian spot.
Le Palais Royal is part of Day 1 of our Paris Itineraries.

Image Courtesy of La Galerie Vivienne
La Galerie Vivienne
Paris has some STUNNING covered passageways and I highly recommend checking out at least one while you’re in Paris. Most were built in the first half of the 1800s and are sort of like the original shopping mall. Only a few dozen still exist and I think this one near Le Palais Royal is the most beautiful. It was wonderfully restored a few years ago so its historic decoration, mosaiced floors, and glass ceiling are all spic and span. It’s also lined with fantastic independent shops as well as a few cafés and restaurants where you can linger while enjoying the magical setting.
La Galerie Vivienne is part of Day 1 of our Paris Itineraries.

Image Courtesy of Fluctuart
Fluctuart
I love walking along the Seine, especially on a walkway called Les Berges. In addition to being a lovely place to stroll, it also happens to have several cool venues along it, like this modern glass barge. Moored just beyond the Pont des Invalides bridge, the cool floating space is dedicated to street art. It has a small street art museum, temporary exhibit space, restaurant, and most excitingly, an AMAZING rooftop bar. The perfect place to end a long day exploring Paris, grab some drinks or snacks, sit back, and watch boats drift by and the evening nights come on along the river. It can get festive in the evenings when it sometimes has DJs or live music, so you might end up spending your whole evening here.
Fluctuart is part of Day 1 of our Paris Itineraries.

Image Courtesy of Lynn Azar
The Arènes de Lutèce
This is definitely one of the best hidden gems in Paris as well as being one of the oldest sites in the whole city. Hidden behind a big row of buildings and encircled by a park are the remains of Paris’s old Roman amphitheater. Built around 1800 years ago (super old!), it could seat about 15,000 spectators and hosted gladiator fights, mock naval battles, and theater productions. Over the centuries it was gradually filled over and was only rediscovered in the 1860s. There aren’t many sites left from the Roman era in Paris and luckily, this important discovery was saved in part thanks to writer Victor Hugo. It’s free to enter and a really cool way to travel back in time.
The Arènes de Lutèce is part of Day 2 of our Paris Itineraries.

Image Courtesy of Musée Délacroix
Rue de Furstemberg
Nestled within the back streets of the Saint-Germain district is one of my favorite streets in the city. The main attraction of Rue de Furstemberg is its tiny jewel-box square which has vintage lamp posts, tall ancient trees, and an adorable flower shop. In one corner of the square is the Musée Délacroix, a museum within the former apartment and art studio of one of France’s most famous artists, Eugène Délacroix. There’s an entrance fee to visit, but if you’re going to the Louvre, you can actually get into this museum for free the day after, just show them your Louvre ticket. There’s also a super romantic garden within the museum complex, so it’s a nice place for couples to visit or simply for anyone looking for a unique and peaceful break while exploring the Left Bank.
Rue de Furstemberg is part of Day 2 of our Paris Itineraries.

Image Courtesy of La Maison Fleuret
La Maison Fleuret
The Left Bank is famous for its cafés, but the historic ones (yes, I’m referring to Les Deux Magots and Le Café de Flore) have become really overrated. If you’d like to go to a REAL café, and one that also has a neat history, track down La Maison Fleuret. First opened as a bookstore in 1872, the lovely literary coffee shop is found just a few streets away from the famous cafés. Surrounded by walls of books, you can settle in with your own book over some tea, coffee, or homemade pastries. Now, that’s a real Paris café experience.
La Maison Fleuret is part of Day 2 of our Paris Itineraries.

Image Courtesy of Ville de Paris
Le Jardin Rosiers Joseph Migneret
The Marais district has some fantastic secret gardens and I really adore this one. Although it’s getting a little more known, I still think it’s one of the best hidden gems in Paris, most people don’t even notice its obscure entrance on the busy Rue des Rosiers. Created in 2014 by joining together the former gardens of three private mansions, at its entrance are the remains of a watch tower from the old city wall (800 years old – very very cool!). It’s a great place for a little break during your wanderings in the Marais or to enjoy a falafel sandwich from the popular shops around the corner.
Le Jardin Rosiers Joseph Migneret is part of Day 3 of our Paris Itineraries.

Image Courtesy of Le Maison de Victor Hugo
La Maison de Victor Hugo
The amazingly beautiful Place des Vosges is a must-see in the Marais and the far left corner also contains one of the nicest small museums of the city, la Maison de Victor Hugo. The author of Les Miserables and The Hunchback of Notre Dame lived in an apartment here from 1832 to 1846. A museum dedicated to this famed author, it displays objects linked to Hugo and furniture owned by him or from the era. It’s free to visit, so you can easily simply pop in or you might want to stay a little longer after your visit because there’s a really nice café in its courtyard.
La Maison de Victor Hugo is part of Day 3 of our Paris Itineraries.
Check out more unique museums you should visit in Paris but haven’t heard of here.

Image Courtesy of La Halle Saint-Pierre via Facebook
La Halle Saint-Pierre
If you like quirky places, I definitely suggest you visit this eccentric art space in Montmartre. It’s set within an old market hall to the right of the base of Sacré-Coeur and most tourists who hike up to the basilica have no idea it’s here. It has exhibits on “Art Brut”, an outsider style of art that’s more on the simplistic side or similar to street art. However, you can simply duck inside to see the amazing iron structure of the hall, browse through its artsy bookshop, or grab a drink or snack at its café.
La Halle Saint-Pierre is part of Day 3 of our Paris Itineraries.

Image Courtesy of Le Machine du Moulin Rouge
Le Bar à Bulles
You don’t actually have to attend an expensive show to enjoy the Moulin Rouge, all you need to do is find this fantastic bar. Actually, I can help you out with that – take the small laneway to the left of the Moulin Rouge, where you’ll find the staircase leading up. After a security check there is a first garden-style terrace, then indoors is a large lounge area with funky colorful lamps and seating, but turn to the right and follow the red arrow to go up to a secret terrace … that’s behind the spinning red windmill of the cabaret. Very, very cool! Note, that this bar is only open in the evenings, and it’s best to check its hours online before coming.
Le Bar à Bulles is part of Day 3 of our Paris Itineraries.
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