Skip the tourist crowds and discover Paris like a local. These 5 underrated spots offer authentic experiences most visitors never find.
Beyond the Eiffel Tower: Paris's Best-Kept Secrets
Everyone knows the Louvre and the Champs-Élysées. But the real magic of Paris hides in places most tourists never discover. Here are five genuinely unique spots that will give you stories worth telling.
1. Le Marché des Enfants Rouges
Paris's oldest covered market, tucked away in the upper Marais, dates back to 1615. Unlike the tourist-heavy markets, this intimate space serves locals who come for authentic Moroccan tagine, fresh Japanese bento, and the best crêpes in the city.
Perfect for: Food lovers who want to eat where Parisians actually eat. Couples looking for a casual, authentic lunch spot. Anyone tired of overpriced café food near monuments.
Skip if: You need English menus and tourist-friendly service. The market is small, crowded at lunch, and vendors expect you to know what you want.
2. Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature
This peculiar museum in a 17th-century mansion explores humanity's relationship with animals through art, taxidermy, and unexpected installations. Owl-shaped door handles, hidden animal sounds, and contemporary art pieces make every room a discovery.
Perfect for: Art enthusiasts bored by conventional museums. Curious travelers who appreciate the strange and beautiful. Families with older children who enjoy interactive surprises.
Skip if: You're uncomfortable with taxidermy or hunting themes. The museum's concept requires an open mind—it's not a straightforward natural history experience.
3. Promenade Plantée
Before New York's High Line existed, Paris had this elevated park built on an abandoned railway viaduct. The 4.7-kilometer walkway runs from Bastille through the 12th arrondissement, passing through tunnels, over bridges, and above the artisan workshops of the Viaduc des Arts below.
Perfect for: Runners and walkers seeking green space away from traffic. Architecture lovers interested in adaptive reuse. Photographers looking for unique perspectives of eastern Paris.
Skip if: You have mobility issues—sections involve stairs without elevator access. The walk is long if you're short on time.
4. Cimetière du Père-Lachaise (The Forgotten Sections)
Everyone visits Jim Morrison and Oscar Wilde. But this 110-acre cemetery is essentially an open-air sculpture museum. The crematorium's Buddhist and Muslim sections, the Communards' Wall, and the elaborate 19th-century tombs in the older eastern sections see almost no tourists.
Perfect for: History buffs interested in Paris beyond the guidebooks. Photography enthusiasts—the light through old trees creates remarkable images. Those seeking quiet contemplation in a beautiful setting.
Skip if: Cemeteries make you uncomfortable. Navigating the vast grounds requires good walking shoes and a willingness to get slightly lost.
5. La Pagode
A Japanese pagoda in the 7th arrondissement seems impossible, yet this 1896 gift from the owner of Le Bon Marché to his wife became one of Paris's most beautiful cinemas. The ornate interior, complete with gilded dragons and a peaceful Japanese garden café, shows art house films.
Perfect for: Cinema lovers and architecture enthusiasts. Couples seeking a unique date spot. Anyone who appreciates unexpected cultural mashups.
Skip if: You only want blockbusters—films are typically French or international art house. The café can be pricey for what it offers.
Make These Discoveries Yours
Finding Paris's hidden gems takes local knowledge. A travel advisor who knows the city can point you toward experiences like these—and arrange reservations, skip-the-line access, and neighborhood recommendations that match exactly what you're looking for.