11 Secret Paris Spots Hiding Near Famous Landmarks!
Skip the crowds and find the real Paris! These spots, just a short walk from the main sights, show you a quieter side of the city. Think hidden gardens, secret streets, and little-known museums. Check these out next time you’re in town.
1. Villa Léandre
Tucked away in Montmartre near Sacré-Cœur, this quiet street feels like a small village with charming, early 20th-century houses. it’s a hidden gem for visitors who like to explore Montmartre away from the main tourist routes.
2. Place Dauphine
Located behind Pont Neuf on the Ile de la Cité, this triangular square is a quiet retreat in central Paris. Surrounded by trees and classic Parisian buildings, it’s a peaceful spot to sit and enjoy the calm, just minutes from the Louvre and Notre Dame.
3. Rue Crémieux
A small street near Gare de Lyon with pastel-colored houses and cobblestone walkway. It’s a quiet, residential area popular with photographers and tourists looking for a less crowded, picturesque spot in Paris. It’s pedestrian-only.
4. Square de Montsouris
A quiet residential street lined with Art Nouveau and modernist houses near Parc Montsouris.
5. Passage des Panoramas
One of Paris’s oldest covered passageways near the Grands Boulevards. This historic arcade hosts vintage shops, small restaurants, and old-world charm. It’s lesser-known to tourists.
6. Cour du Commerce Saint-André
A small, historic alley near Odéon, filled with cafés and shops. Home to Café Procope, one of the oldest restaurants in Paris. This passage played a role in the French Revolution and remains a less touristy spot.
7. Square René Viviani
A quiet garden next to the Seine near Notre Dame. It offers a great view of the cathedral and contains Paris’s oldest tree, a 400-year-old locust tree. It’s a peaceful spot, often missed by tourists.
8. Arènes de Lutèce
Roman ruins in the Latin Quarter, the most important remains from the Gallo-Roman era in Paris. This ancient amphitheater once seated 15,000 people. Now a peaceful park, a piece of lesser-known ancient history in the middle of the city.
9. Jardin du Musée de Cluny
Located behind the Cluny Museum in the Latin Quarter, this medieval-inspired garden features plants and herbs used in the Middle Ages. A break from the busy area around the Sorbonne with green space and historical ties to the museum.
10. Passage de l’Ancre
A hidden passage near the Arts et Métiers museum, with small shops, cobblestone paths, and ivy-covered buildings. One of the few remaining quiet, traditional arcades in Paris.
11. La Cour Damoye
A quiet, cobbled alley near Place de la Bastille, lined with artisan shops and small businesses. A charming and peaceful spot often overlooked by visitors focused on the nearby Bastille area.