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A Guide To Lesser Known Places To Explore In Paris
Since the first time I visited, Paris has always held a special place in my heart. It was one of the first places in Europe that I visited with my husband. It was also here where we got engaged! In addition to being an incredibly romantic city, there are countless touristy things that people can (and should) do when they arrive. But if you have been to Paris once or twice (or more, like me!), I would suggest exploring a few slightly lesser-known places, away from the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe.
One of my favorite views from our cousin’s apartment in Paris.
Luxembourg Gardens
I was surprised to hear from a few friends who frequent Paris that they had never visited the Luxembourg Gardens (Le Jardin du Luxembourg). This is definitely on the tourist “map” but it’s also a wonderful spot and worth a visit and a walk-through.
The garden is full of beautiful landscaping and sculptures. I can now say that I have visited it in all seasons. The most beautiful season was fall. I managed to catch it when the trees were in color and the sun was shining! Often, Paris will experience a lot of rain and gloomy weather in the fall and winter, so I had a lucky visit.
One of my favorite views of the Eiffel Tower. We recommend having a nice picnic here with wine, cheese and a baguette!
If you want to make a walking tour of your trip, the Notre Dame Cathedral is a 15-20 minute walk from the gardens, and the Eiffel Tower is a 45 minute walk away from there along the Seine.
Montmartre
Again, this can be quite a touristy area. I find when visitors don’t have a lot of time they miss out on this area and just go to the Eiffel Tower. Montmartre boasts some of the most incredible views of Paris, however. It also just so happens that it was here that my husband proposed to me, early on a winter morning!
This is from the day we got engaged, taken by Mara Olson (Karis’ sister).
Montmartre does require a bit of a hike, but if you are unable to do the walk, there is a cable car that can get you to the Sacré-Cœur Basilica at the top. Below the basilica are beautiful gardens and sweeping views of the city. It can be really incredible to see at sunrise or sunset.
There are many cafes at the top, so if you need a break there is always a spot to rest your legs and enjoy a nice glass of wine or a croissant. The houses at the top are also beautiful and it makes for a nice walk around the neighborhood.
This is the cafe near Montmartre that we visited after we got engaged. We decided to see how many croissants one could possibly eat in one sitting. The answer is 2.5 (for us!).
Parc de Bercy
If you want to see another side of Paris where there aren’t very many tourists, check out the Parc de Bercy. Located on the south eastern side of the city, it is a nice park along the river with outdoor sculptures and interesting architecture. There is also a small vineyard and an orangery, old wine warehouses, and a duck pond. There is a wooden footbridge across the river and highway called the Passerelle Simone de Beauvoir. If you manage to catch it at sunset during golden hour, it casts the most amazing light. The park, too, is a nice place to walk that feels away from the city and different from a place like Luxembourg, without being overly landscaped.
Street Art in Butte-aux-Cailles
Check out the Butte-aux-Cailles neighborhood, home to some of the most famous street art in Paris. If you are lucky, you might catch a walking tour with a guide who will explain what all of the graffiti in the area is all about. We saw several small groups of people meeting tour guides before dinner to walk around the area. Most of these people seemed like locals and there were no English speakers. This neighborhood is also home to the first hot air balloon landing. You can visit the Ranelagh Garden to see exactly where the balloon landed in 1783.
Parc Montsouris
This park is located near the Cite Universitaire (translated: International University Campus (CIUP)). It is a large, beautiful area that is great for walking, running, or enjoying a nice picnic. You will find lots of young people here because it is close to the university. It is a great place for people-watching and for checking out a different neighborhood of Paris.
International University Campus in Paris
If you are interested in seeing some interesting architecture, check out the International University Campus (Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris). In it, each country represented has living quarters designed in a traditional way from that country. It was so interesting to walk through and see buildings that looked like they were from the Netherlands, Mexico, Canada, and other parts of the world. If you want to enjoy a bit more of the campus life, you can eat at the college cafeteria, too!
Palais de la Découverte (Discovery Museum)
We have relatives that we visit quite often in Paris, and one of our cousins develops museum exhibits for the Palais de la Découverte. One of her exhibits on Louis Pasteur was so good that it won a prize last year! We were surprised to visit this museum and find very few tourists. It was mostly locals who were exploring the museum. This is a great place to bring kids, or even adults who like a little more entertainment and interaction when visiting a museum!
Make sure you stop at any restaurant nearby for some delightful French food!
Musée d’Orsay
If you are into art, the Musée d’Orsay is a great one to visit. It is also one of the more famous museums to visit in Paris. The museum was originally a train station built over 100 years ago. The interior is beautiful and reminiscent of those old train station days. In January 2019 we saw a Picasso blue period and Impressionist exhibition. I had never seen so many Picasso’s in one place before! And the impressionist collection here is really incredible.
This is also the famous museum you might occasionally see on Instagram. Many Instagrammers like to get photos of a beautiful clock window which you will find in the cafeteria. If you are looking for it, it is in the back of the Impressionist painting area. I would hope that you aren’t there just for an Instagram photo, and can appreciate the art and history around you, too!
Jardin des Plantes (Botanical Gardens)
Another museum and garden that is more off-the-beaten-path in Paris is the Botanical Gardens and Gallery of Minerals and Geology. I saw very few actual tourists and more locals walking around the gardens here and attending the exhibits. There is a small zoo inside the gardens, and there are often temporary sculptures on display throughout the garden area. It is free to enter the gardens. If you want to see the exhibits and the zoo you will need to buy tickets. You can see quite a few of the zoo animals through the fences, though. I was treated to a glimpse of a red panda in the trees!
Le Marais
The former Jewish quarter, Le Marais is a very hip and popular place for shopping, as well as being the former home of Victor Hugo. You will find plenty of photogenic areas here, too!
The Place des Vosges, one of the oldest planned squares in Paris dating back to 1612.
More unusual places to visit in Paris?
Now that I have become a more frequent traveler to Paris, it has been really interesting to find more cool places to see within the city that are not a part of a usual tour. I would love to hear your thoughts on more unusual places to visit in Paris. Where have you been that you saw more locals than tourists? Do you think it’s good to share these places or do you think that we should keep them quiet for the locals and the travelers who want to wander and find places like this on their own?
