5 Hidden Gems of Paris You Need to Visit

Bonjour!

Whether you’ve never been or have visited dozens of times, Paris is that ever-enchanting city that we look forward to going at some point in our life. Seducing us with its promise for love and adventure, the renown “City of Lights” has all of the elegant beauty and things to do that is sure to keep you occupied for an entire lifetime.

Now, I will be frank and say that I have mixed feelings about Paris: for the past three years, I’ve wavered back-and-forth with loving and feeling indifferent to it. I had an absolute blast when I studied abroad in college, but that sentiment quickly wore off during another visit when I met some unpleasant locals and had a bad case of food poisoning, the latter leaving me bed-ridden for 36 hours (which I hope never to repeat!). I became disillusioned, and I started to notice just how congested it was– people and traffic alike– and how much it smelled like piss and sewage everywhere. For the longest time, I didn’t like Paris at all.

I will admit, though, that Paris has started to redeem itself for me this past year. I think what caused the change was the fact that I’d already seen the main attractions, e.g. Eiffel Tower, Louvre museum, Champs Élysées, Sacré Coeur, etc., and instead started to look for the lesser-known things to do whenever I was in town for a night or two. It was a matter of getting out of the touristy areas and into the smaller ones, i.e. the nooks and crannies. A side street, a private museum, an independent pâtisserie… I visited them, and doing so made all the difference to reconcile my dislike for the loud and touristy hub of the city.

That said, I’ve decided to list a few lesser-known things to see and do in Paris. Whether or not you’ve been to some or all of these places, they’re great for making your time all the more worthwhile. C’est parti!

To visit…

• Musée Jacquemart-André (8th arrondissement).

A private museum, it was once the private home of aristocrats Édouard André and Nélie Jacquemart, in which they collected plenty of art that are displayed today. It houses an extensive collection of Italian works, along with some French and Dutch ones, the latter including Rembrandt. Plus, the interior of the museum itself is an aesthetic sight to look at.

The museum is located along the wide, sweeping streets of Boulevard Haussmann, straddled between the Arc of Triumph and Gare Saint-Lazare, the latter which was the station I got off from when visiting Paris from the Normandy region. Admission fee isn’t cheap (around 10 euros with student discount), but the architecture and artwork inside make up for it. Especially if you’ve already seen the likes of the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay, this smaller but equally-rich museum is worth a go!

To see (great views)…

• Parc des Buttes Chaumont (19th arrondissement).

Heading northeast, one can escape the bustle of central-west Paris in the more-residential areas like Belleville and Buttes-Chaumont, the latter which contains this sprawling-green park. It is spacious for a leisurely stroll or picnic, all the while perfect for soaking up some sun in the afternoon.

What also makes Parc des Buttes Chaumont worthwhile is its views from the top of its Temple de la Sibylle; you can actually get a view of Paris from there! Although not as close-up as those from the Arc of Triumph or the Montparnasse Tower, nevertheless it offers a decent view, as well as a more-naturesque side to the urban city. Not only that, but it’s also free!

To photograph…

• Rue Crémieux (12th arrondissement).

Just about any small street in Paris is lovely, but none is lovelier than the colorful Rue Crémieux, located just a few meters from Gare de Lyon. With its pastel-colored houses lining each side of the street, this street is the ideal Instagram haven (do it for the ‘gram!).

While still relatively off-the-beaten path, Rue Crémieux is admittedly becoming more popular over time, as more people are starting to discover this truly hidden gem in Paris. Best thing is to go early in the morning when people haven’t woken up yet to begin their day, to capture the beauty sans distractions!

To admire…

• La Sainte-Chappelle (4th arrondissement).

While not as hidden as imagined (i.e. lines are long), la Sainte-Chappelle nevertheless is a place that not many tourists would know about visiting, for it’s tucked behind the Palais de Justice, not to forget often overshadowed by the Notre Dame Cathedral nearby.

Admission isn’t cheap (close to 10 euros), but the 360-degree, brilliantly-purple stained glass windows are worth the price. The windows seemingly reach the sky, even the heavens, and it’s no wonder that so many people are gaping with wonder inside the room– I’m sure you would, too!

To indulge…

• La Pâtisserie des rêves (several locations in Paris).
• Joséphine Vannier (3rd-4th arrondissements).

 

Truth be told, I couldn’t narrow it down just to a single dessert shop, just because both are delicious! I was introduced to the former by my host mother during my study abroad days, and I’m in absolute heaven with its Paris-Brest– just pure praline and choux pastry bliss!

My host mother also recommended Joséphine Vannier, a small independent chocolatier located in the Place des Vosges of the Marais district. The chocolates are super expensive, but they’re so worth it! With flavors varying from matcha to red-currant, each sliver of chocolate just about disappears on your tongue and, soon enough, you’ll have already finished the entire bag’s worth!

 

There are certainly more lesser-known things I could list about Paris, but at the risk of going on for too long, I’ll cut it here. Really, with the sheer number of sights to check out, it seems like every time I satisfy one of them, five more appear! Gives me all the more reason to continue visiting the City of Lights!

What are some hidden gems you’ve seen in Paris? Let me know!

 

— Rebecca