Paris secret places that you won't find in a typical travel guide

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

How great it is to find places hidden from public view and get to know the famous city from little-known sides. In this post, we will show you 15 secret places of Paris worthy of your attention.

1. Park Promenade Plant

We invite you to the Promenade Plante gardens! The real kingdom of greenery stretches from the Place de la Bastille to the Periphery - the Parisian ring road. This is an original 4.7 km long park, built on the site of an abandoned railway track in 1993. According to legend, the construction of this green boulevard was inspired by the myth of the gardens of Semiramis.

One half of the park is a ground-based pedestrian alley. Another, the so-called art gallery, is located on a viaduct (a bridge-type structure located at the intersection of a road with a deep ravine). Here you can see both a breathtaking panorama and closed spaces, which are surrounded by tall buildings, both old and new residential ones.

Address: 290 Avenue Daumesnil

Site: www.promenade-plantee.org

2. Miraculous medallions

Not far from the Louvre, at 140 rue du Bac (Rue du Bac), there is a sanctuary with a chapel of a miraculous medallion. At this place on July 19, and then on November 27, 1830, the Holy Virgin appeared to Catherine Laboure, a young novice of the Daughters of Christian Love of St. Vincent de Paul, entrusting her with the manufacture of a medallion with the image of the Virgin. A few years later, a terrible cholera epidemic broke out in Paris, and then the sisters of the Daughters of Mercy congregation produced the first 2,000 medallions.

For almost two centuries, this medallion has inspired hope in those in distress and adversity, endowing the world with its blessings and miracles. From the street, this chapel is almost invisible - you need to enter the courtyard, and there will already be an entrance to it. By the way, the imperishable relics of that Saint Catherine are kept here. A bag of medallions is inexpensive: only about 5 euros for 7 pieces.

Address: 140 Rue du Bac

Site: filles-de-la-charite.org

3. Big Arch in the modern quarter of La Defense

Défense (La Défense) is an ultra-modern quarter in the near suburbs of Paris, which is considered the largest business center in Europe and even received the nickname “Parisian Manhattan”. The length of the pedestrian zone here is 1.2 km, and the width is 250 m. The roads, along with the railway and the metro, are hidden in underground tunnels.

The Grand Arch of Defense (La Grande Arche de la Défense) - a modern version of the famous Arc de Triomphe - is a regular-shaped cube with a passage inside. RER (commuter express metro) and metro stations are located below it. The side "pillars" are occupied by government and commercial offices. The upper floors house the Museum of Informatics, a restaurant and an observation deck with a magnificent view of the city and the "historical axis" of Paris, stretching from the Grand Arch of Défense to the Louvre.

On the official website, you can download and print a coupon offering a discount of € 1.50 on an adult ticket.

Address: 1 Parvis de la Défense

Site: www.grandearche.com

4. Edith Piaf Museum

Edith Piaf is not just a great singer, she is a true embodiment of the spirit of France. The Edith Piaf House Museum is a two-room small apartment located in a residential building on the right bank of the Seine. They are filled with relics associated with different stages in the life of the famous singer: posters, CDs, portraits, accessories, there is even a famous black dress.

We can say that this museum is quite intimate. It is free to enter, but since the museum is private, you can only enter it by appointment. The owner of the premises is a loyal admirer of the singer Bernard Marchois. Back in 1958, as a sixteen-year-old teenager, he met Edith Piaf and until the singer's death became her faithful assistant in all matters, participating in many events of her life.

Address: 5 Rue Crespin du Gast

About the museum: www.parisinfo.com

5. Cabaret Aux Trois Mailletz

This is a fun cabaret with a rich history. At one time such legendary stars as Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Lil Armstrong performed here.

Cabaret Aux Trois Mailletz offers live music and a friendly atmosphere. They sing and dance here until the morning! Even the waiters sing, and the guests dance even on the tables.:) The entrance is paid, but the sight is worth it. If you are looking for a fun night out in Paris, know that there is always a pianist, entertainers and a friendly French audience.

Address: 58 Rue Galande

About the museum: www.lestroismailletz.fr

6. Breakfast on the Seine

At dawn, while Paris is still asleep, you have the opportunity to take a cruise on the Seine and enjoy a romantic breakfast at the same time. Getting a great start to your day is easy - just have a coffee with traditional croissants while enjoying the wonderful Parisian landscape on the River Seine. Oh, what bridges, and what architecture around!

All boats are equipped with an awning, so that the rain is not a hindrance to the walk. One hour of such pleasure costs about 39 euros. You can make an order by phone or by filling out the form on the website.

Address: 6 Quai Jean Compagnon

About the museum: www.greenriver-paris.fr

7. Bois de Vincennes

For lovers of picturesque green landscapes, the Bois de Vincennes will become a real paradise. After all, this is a park with an area of 995 hectares - the largest green area in the city. It is also called the lungs of Paris.

In the past, it was the hunting estate of all the kings of France. The territory is planned in the style of an English park with a developed water network of lakes and canals, as well as bridges, fountains and restaurants. In addition, the Vincennes forest contains a hippodrome, a velodrome, a zoo, tropical and botanical gardens, and a Buddhist pagoda. You can rent a boat.

Address: 293 Avenue Daumesnil

Wiki: Bois de Vincennes

8. Catacombs of Paris

A huge network of winding underground tunnels and artificial caves that have grown in the very womb of Paris. The total length is from 187 to 300 km. Their origin is associated with the extraction of limestone, located under a large layer of soil. The average depth of the workings is about 25 m.

Since the end of the 18th century, due to the overcrowding of Parisian cemeteries (sometimes a dozen people could rest in one grave at different levels), the remains of almost 6 million people were reburied in the catacombs. The famous ossusarium is a gallery of bones and skulls laid along the walls.

Address: 1 Avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy

Site: www.catacombes.paris.fr

9. Loft "Refrigerators" (Les Frigos)

In the past, it was a giant refrigerator warehouse at the freight station. Nowadays, the industrial space, re-equipped by designers and architects, is inhabited by artists and artists. Among the most famous inhabitants of the Refrigerators are the photographers Guillaume Girando and Franck Bichon, the composer Simon Cloquet-Lafolli, the New Music Association, the Union of Jazz Musicians, and the Paris-Jazz radio station. In total, there are about 80 artists' workshops and apartments, as well as 17 clubs and associations.

Les Frigos is a typical example of a loft that exists in the format of a cultural center, in which part of the premises is rented out for galleries, dance studios, showrooms, cafes, ateliers, and the like.

Among the authors of the murals, which the residents themselves call frescoes, were such famous artists as A. Messenger and Ben. Passers-by are shocked by graffiti on the outer and inner walls of buildings. They express a kind of protest against poverty, cruelty, vulgarity of the surrounding world. The residents of the "Refrigerators" themselves take on the appearance of the building, do not paint over these graffiti and do not try to change them, although these murals do not at all reflect their inner world.

Address: 19 Rue des Frigos

Site: www.les-frigos.com

10. Carnavale Museum

Locals consider the Carnavale Museum to be the most Parisian museum, because it is a city museum of the history of Paris. The entrance here, by the way, is free.

The Carnavalet Museum is housed in a 16th century mansion decorated with bas-reliefs and has several gardens with floral ornaments and statues by the famous French sculptor Goujon.

In 1866, they began to radically rebuild Paris, so they decided to create a museum in order to preserve the look of the old city in it. For this, the Carnavalet mansion was purchased, and then the adjacent building - the Lepeletier de Saint-Fargeau mansion of the 17th century.

The museum has over 100 rooms. Here you can find authentic works of decorative art, paintings by artists depicting landscapes of Paris, and celebrity things. Some of the rooms reconstruct the historical interiors of past centuries: the salons of Louis XV and Louis XVI, the ballroom of the Wendel mansion, the Georges Fouquet jewelry store, the Madame de Sevigne gallery, the salon of the writer Baroness de Noailles, the study of Marcel Proust …

Address: 23 Rue de Sévigné

Site: www.carnavalet.paris.fr

11. Museum of Magic and Wonders

The Museum of Magic and Wonders was opened in 1993. It is located in the basement of the 16th century, under the mansion of the Marquis de Sade. Founder - collector of magical attributes Georges Proust. It is worth noting that the place of honor is given to Jean Eugene Robert-Houdin, who is considered the father of modern magic.

The museum displays a variety of magic props for super-stunning tricks: boxes for sawing girls, a flying man, magic wands, non-reflective mirrors, clever gadgets and even frightening exhibits. In addition to the objects that were used in the 17th-18th centuries, there are also the instruments of modern magic. Volunteers can try out the mirror maze. There is a souvenir shop.

The entrance fee to the museum is about 8 euros. Don't miss the trick session, which takes place every 30 minutes from 14:30 to 18:00. What you see will shock you!

Address: 11, rue Saint-Paul

Site: www.museedelamagie.com

12. Andre Citroen Park

The André Citroën Park with an area of 14 hectares is located on the left bank of the Seine in the 15th district of Paris. This is the only park directly facing the Seine. It was built on the site of the former Citroën automobile plant and was named after the founder of the company, André Citroën.

In the center of the park there is a large rectangular glade measuring 273 by 85 m. It is crossed by a straight path 630 m long, which runs diagonally through the entire park. On the territory of the park, there are greenhouses with exotic and Mediterranean plants, 120 "dancing" fountains, "Garden of Metamorphoses" with suspended walkways, 6 themed gardens (each with a specific landscape and design) and a Garden in Motion with wild plants.

But the most amazing thing is the opportunity to rise above Paris to a height of 150 m in a 32-meter balloon filled with helium and admire one of the best views of the city: an overview of the Eiffel Tower and many city sights opens up.

Interesting facts: there is a flag on the ball, the color of which depends on the state of the atmosphere. If the air is clean, you will see a green flag; if there is nothing to breathe, the flag will be red.

Address: 2 Rue Cauchy

Wiki: Parc André Citroën

13. Chinese Pagoda (La Pagode)

According to local residents, La Pagode is an architectural extravaganza in Paris. This exotic building is not at all expected to be found in a quiet area where Ottoman-style houses are the norm.

The antique Japanese pagoda was built in 1896 by Monsignor Morin (owner of the Le Bon Marché manufactured goods store) as a gift to his wife. The building was then rescued from demolition in 1970 and later turned into a cinema.

La Pagode is one of the few independent film churches in Paris where you can watch films in the original director's cut by such masters as Kusturica, Manuel de Oliveira or Ken Loach.

If you are planning a visit to this iconic place, it is highly recommended to arrive early and enjoy a cup of tea in the tiny oriental garden.

Address: 57 bis, rue de Babylone

14. Park "France in miniature"

Near Paris, not far from Versailles, there is one amazing place - the park "France in miniature". Here, reduced (on a scale of 1:30) copies of the most famous architectural sights of France have been recreated. Only 160.

The park's slogan is cheerful: "Walk across France with the steps of a giant!"

The whole "France in miniature" seems to be alive. Throughout the territory there are miniature railways, along which small trains pass, services are held in all cathedrals, a march is played near the Louvre, the sounds of a football match are heard at the stadium, people are sitting on the stairs, cars are driving along the roads … The park is rather big - it occupies an area of 5 hectares. It will take at least 2 hours to get around it.

Address: Boulevard André Malraux

Site: www.franceminiature.fr

15. Oldest tree in Paris

The tree grows in the Rene Viviani square, located opposite the famous Notre Dame, on the opposite bank of the Seine, next to one of the oldest Parisian churches, Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre.

In Paris, there is one tree (false acacia, or robinia), which is more than four hundred years old. Presumably, it was planted by its namesake botanist Jean Robin already in 1601 and has a "passport" - an official plate confirming its venerable age.

The trunk of this long-lived plant has rotted in places from time to time and climatic conditions, so it is supported by two concrete supports. It lost the upper branches of its crown during the First World War, but the annual flowering testifies to the surviving vitality.

Address: 2 rue du Fouarre

Wiki: René Viviani Square

We hope that our collection was interesting and useful. At least, it once again reminds us that Paris is breathtakingly beautiful and atmospheric. This is truly a place worth seeing with your own eyes!