4 Hidden Places in Paris Locals Recommend
Everyone knows the famous Paris sights. But locals tend to name different places, ones most visitors miss. If you want a break from the usual circuit, these four spots are worth knowing about.
1. Square des Batignolles, 17th Arrondissement
This small English-style park sits in the Batignolles quarter, surrounded by tall trees, a duck pond, and quiet paths. It’s peaceful and residential. But right outside, the mood shifts.
The area around Église des Batignolles is full of hip and stylish restaurants and bars. It’s especially lively on weekends, with locals crowding the terraces for drinks and dinner.
Every spot is hip, beautifully designed, and perfect for a long evening out. When the weather is nice, terraces are packed, and the energy is contagious.
You’ll find modern French food, but also Thai, Argentine, and Italian spots packed with locals.
Just north of the square is Parc Martin Luther King, a newer, more spacious park with skate areas, basketball courts, and wide lawns. Together, the two parks anchor one of the liveliest and most livable corners of the Right Bank.
2. La Felicità, 13th Arrondissement
This massive Italian food hall is inside Station F, a startup incubator in a converted rail depot. During the day, it’s full of people working in tech. At night, the vibe shifts completely.
La Felicità is run by the Big Mamma group and includes pizza ovens, pasta bars, dessert counters, and cocktail stations, all spread across a huge, hangar-style space designed like an Italian piazza.
DJs play on weekends, and the crowd is mostly young Parisians who live or work nearby. It’s not central Paris, but it’s easy to reach by metro and always busy.
3. Laho Rooftop, Near Gare de Lyon
Perched on top of a modern building near Gare de Lyon, this rooftop is 60 meters up and gives you a full panorama of the city.
From one side, you’ll see the Eiffel Tower. From another, Notre-Dame. It’s one of the few rooftops where you can see almost every major landmark at once.
Locals book tables ahead of time to come for sunset. There’s a full bar, a few food options, and lounge areas surrounded by plants. On weekends, there’s often a DJ, but the atmosphere stays laid-back.
It’s only open seasonally and fills up fast, so booking online is a must.
4. Rue Édouard VII, 9th Arrondissement
This quiet pedestrian street sits a block away from the rush of Opéra Garnier. It’s easy to miss if you’re not looking for it. But once inside, it’s calm, elegant, and tucked away from traffic.
The street is anchored by the Théâtre Édouard VII, one of Paris’s historic venues. Around it are cafés and bars where theater-goers and actors gather.
The outdoor seating feels intimate and quiet, despite being right in the city center. It’s one of the rare places in central Paris that feels both central and undiscovered.