Did you know that Paris is Europe’s most visited city? The city of love is a true magnet for tourists. With over 39 million hotel overnight stays in 2023, the streets of Paris are never empty.
As beautiful as the Eiffel Tower, Sacre Coeur or Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile are, it can be pretty exhausting to always wait in line or be surrounded by huge crowds of tourists.
We tried to make the impossible possible and found 10 hidden gems in Paris, that so far are not so highly frequented by tourists and offer a rather quiet atmosphere. Here is an overview of our personal best hidden places in Paris.
| Hidden Gem | Highlights | Best Time to Visit |
| La Campagne à Paris | Village vibes in the heart of Paris | Spring/Summer |
| Parc des Buttes-Chaumont | Suspension bridge, grotto | All year round |
| La Recyclerie | Sustainable café | Afternoon/Evening |
| Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature | Quirky museum | Winter |
| Passage Brady | Indian restaurants | Lunchtime |
| Rue Cremieux | Colorful houses | Early morning |
| Le Marché des Enfants Rouges | International street food | Lunchtime |
| Cimetière des Chiens | Historic pet cemetery | Autumn |
| La Petite Ceinture | Abandoned railway track | Morning |
| Parc de Belleville | Panoramic view | Evening/Sunset |
Table of Contents
#1 La Campagne à Paris – A Village in The City
Let’s kick this virtual free walking tour of hidden gems in Paris off with La Campagne à Paris. A quiet, charming neighborhood in the 20th arrondissement that makes you forget you’re in a city of millions. La Campagne à Paris is characterized by cobblestones, small gardens and terraced houses. Just like a French village, but in the middle of Paris.
Highlights:
- Best time of year: Spring or summer, when the gardens and flowers are blooming
- Activities: Take a walk, take photos and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere
- Address: Rue Irénée Blanc, 75020 Paris
- How to get there: Porte de Bagnolet metro station (line 3)
#2 Parc des Buttes-Chaumont – The Most Underrated Hidden Gem in Paris
Like the headline already tells you, this is one of the most underrated hidden treasures you will find in Paris. With its artificial lake, a suspension bridge and the romantic Belvédère grotto, the rather unusual Parc des Buttes-Chaumont offers a natural experience with a touch of drama.
Highlights:
- Best time of year: All year round, especially in autumn for the colorful leaves
- Activities: Picnic, walk, jog, enjoy the view from the Belvédère
- Address: 1 Rue Botzaris, 75019 Paris
- How to get there: Buttes-Chaumont metro station (line 7 to Jaurès, line 5 to Laumière)
#3 La Recyclerie – A café With a Mission
An old railway station structure that has been transformed into an ecological café and community center. It’s a perfect addition to our list of the best secret things to do in Paris. Here you can eat sustainably, take part in workshops or discover their urban garden. A wonderful, cute place to spend the afternoon.
Highlights:
- Best time of day: Afternoon or for dinner
- Activities: Workshops, drink coffee, buy plants
- Address: 83 Boulevard Ornano, 75018 Paris
- How to get there: Porte de Clignancourt metro station (line 4)
#4 Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature – A One of a Kind Museum
This small museum is dedicated to the art and culture of hunting and nature. The mixture of modern and classic exhibits is fascinating and quirky at the same time. If you are looking for hidden places to visit in Paris on a rainy day, this is your place to be.
Highlights:
- Best time of year: Bad weather tip, ideal in winter
- Activities: Marvel at art, try out interactive elements
- Address: 62 Rue des Archives, 75003 Paris
- How to get there: Rambuteau metro station (line 11)
#5 Passage Brady – The “Little India” of Paris
Believe it or not, there is a street in Paris that will take you on a small journey through India. This hidden gem is a covered passageway full of Indian restaurants, shops and colors. Here you can actually sample authentic dishes and buy spices, just like you would in a market in New Delhi.
Highlights:
- Best time of day: Lunchtime for a cheap and delicious curry
- Activities: Eating, shopping for exotic ingredients
- Address: Passage Brady, 75010 Paris
- How to get there: Château d’Eau metro station (line 4)
#6 Rue Cremieux – The Most Colorful Street in Paris
This is one of the best hidden gems in Paris to take your Instagram photos. A small, car-free street with colorful houses and a special vibe. Honestly, you can’t really do anything else there than walk and take pictures. But who says that’s not a good activity on your trip to Paris?!
Highlights:
- Best time of day: Early in the morning to avoid more people walking the street
- Activities: Photography, walking
- Address: Rue Cremieux, 75012 Paris
- How to get there: Gare de Lyon metro station (line 1 or RER A)
#7 Le Marché des Enfants Rouges – A Food Paradise
In case you were missing food spots on our list of hidden attractions in Paris, now you can calm down. Because this next spot is every foodie’s paradise. The oldest market in Paris, Le Marché des Enfants Rouges, offers an incredible selection of international dishes and fresh produce. You could spend an entire day there looking at the products and trying the delicious food.
Highlights:
- Best time of day: lunchtime to sample freshly prepared food
- Activities: Try food, buy local produce
- Address: 39 Rue de Bretagne, 75003 Paris
- How to get there: Filles du Calvaire metro station (line 8)
#8 Cimetière des Chiens – The Oldest Pet Cemetery
Listen up, animal lovers. This unusual cemetery for pets is a quiet and melancholy corner full of history. Go there, enjoy the peacefulness, take a walk and appreciate the quiet and wholesome atmosphere of this special cemetery. But please, always be respectful. After all this is a place where the souls of many animals rest in peace.
Highlights:
- Best time of year: autumn, when the leaves fall
- Activities: Discover history and architecture
- Address: 4 Pont de Clichy, 92600 Asnières-sur-Seine
- How to get there: RER C to Asnières-sur-Seine
#9 La Petite Ceinture – The Forgotten Railway
This is probably the best best hidden gems you will ever find in Paris. La Petite Ceinture is a disused railway line that has been partially converted into a green footpath. Perfect for a quiet walk, some artsy pictures and a nice activity ión a day of good weather.
Highlights:
- Best time of day: Mornings for fewer visitors
- Activities: Hiking, photography
- Address: Various access points, e.g. Rue de Saussure
- How to get there: Porte de Versailles metro station (line 12)
#10 Parc de Belleville – Panoramic View of Paris
Last but certainly not least on our list of the best hidden spots in Paris is Parc de Belleville. This is a small park with one of the best views of the city. And more importantly, no crowds of tourists! We recommend you go there in the evening to enjoy the sunset over the city.
Highlights:
- Best time of day: Evening to enjoy the sunset
- Activities: Picnic, take photos of the view
- Address: 47 Rue des Couronnes, 75020 Paris
- How to get there: Couronnes metro station (line 2)
These are our personal favorite hidden gems in Paris. It’s definitely not easy to find places without crowds, but it is possible, especially when you visit these places early in the morning. Have you ever been to Paris or do you happen to know some really nice hidden spots in this beautiful, vibrant city? Let us know in the comments below.
