Hidden Gems in Paris: You’ll never forget them!

As tourists, sometimes we have the feeling that we don’t know a city well until we have wandered its sidestreets, explored the working-class neighborhoods, and mixed with locals in the cafes and bars outside the well-worn city centre. To some of us, dicovering the hidden gems of a city makes us feel part of the community and helps us better understand the culture and habits of its people.
If you are one of the people who likes this other kind of tourism, off the beaten path, HomeExchange offers you five charming hidden gems in Paris.

Rue Crémieux

This picturesque little street in the 12th arrondissement of Paris has a whimsical quality that is hard to find in other parts of the city. The uncomplicated architecture and carefully tended, rainbow-colored facades of its homes lead us to imagine cheerful people living on the other side of the wall. Neighbors have created an oasis of calm in this little street lost in the chaos of Paris.

Lavomatic

This key to this secret bar in the 10th arrondissement is hidden behind the door of a washing machine in a laundromat. Upstairs you’ll find a bright, cosy, modern space that serves specialty cocktails and appetizers for a reasonable price. This surprising little space is a fun place to pass an evening away from the trodden paths of the centre of town in a relaxing speakeasy atmosphere.

Bassin de la Villette

This immense basin of water, the biggest in Paris, connects two canals with a long history, the Canal d’Ourcq and the Canal St. Martin, whose banks are full of life, particularly in spring and summer thanks to its numerous restaurants and cafes. A boat ride on the canal, a stroll along its banks, or a visit to the Science and Industry Center in Parc de la Villette are other options for a place to pass a quiet afternoon.

La REcyclerie

Located near Porte de Clignancourt in the north of Paris, La Recyclerie is the perfect place to enjoy a full day of activities. It is clear that the owners of La Recycelerie appreciate variety by the changing activities they offer, as well as in the restaurant’s menu. You’ll find a restaurant, café, bar, a farm with a vegetable garden, and every day there are different workshops offered, from pottery to urban farming, yoga, and many more… At La Recyclerie you can pass the day in a relaxing and positive atmosphere surrounded by people who believe in its ethical values.

La Ligne de Petite Ceinture

For the most intrepid explorers, we recommend the ancient railway line that encircles Paris, La Petite Ceinture. Abandoned since its last year of use in 1934, today it is a place where urban art, nature, and history come together. Its partially visible tracks, overgrown by wild plant life, make for an enchanting walk. Although Parisians also frequent the forbidden sections of the track, three sections are legally accessible, spanning the 12th, 13th, 15th, and 16th arrondissements.

Here’s a numbered map for the next time you visit Paris!

Ready to visit these hidden gems?