15 Hidden Spots In Paris That Only Locals Really Know About

Visit places even some locals don't know.

1. The Villa Léandre

Instagram: @parisianavores

This stretch of charming houses is just waiting to be explored. It might look like San Francisco, but it's actually not far from Montmartre.

Where: 18th arrondissement

2. The Collège des Bernardins (Bernardins College)

College des Bernardins / Via Facebook: CollegedesBernardins

The Collège des Bernardins is both a museum and a historical theology center, so there's plenty of culture and history to load up on. Did we mention the building is stunning?

Where: 5th arrondissement

3. The Petite Ceinture (The Little Belt)

Hugo Clément, Marmontel

This 32km-long abandoned railway crosses all of Paris and some of its surrounding region. Public access is partially off-limits, but that doesn't keep Parisians from exploring it.

Where: all over Paris

4. The Butte Bergeyre

Instagram: @harico_blanc

This cute inner-city village up on a hill is really worth checking out, especially if you're into stunning views of Paris. (Who isn't?!) Plus, it even has its own vineyard!

Where: 19th arrondissement

5. The Passage Brady

instagram.com

Nicknamed Little India, this glass-roofed passageway is home to lots of Indian and Pakistani restaurants and shops — and the beautiful decorations don't hurt either.

Where: 10th arrondissement

6. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

Instagram: @stouf_h

Built in 1861, this Orthodox church is absolutely gorgeous. I mean, just look at it!

Where: 8th arrondissement

7. The Hôtel Dieu

stephane martin / Via Flickr: stephanemartin

Fun fact: The oldest hospital in Paris also has one of the capital's prettiest gardens.

Where: 4th arrondissement

8. The courtyard of the Palais-Royal

Instagram: @lauradowlingtheflorist

This courtyard is home to the famous work created by Daniel Buren back in the '80s. While it isn't exactly new, it still feels like a bit of a secret spot in Paris.

Where: 1st arrondissement

9. Cité des Fleurs (City of Flowers)

Instagram: @soniatralala

Back in the day there was a rule that houses in this estate had to plant at least three trees in their gardens. Now, the stretch of road is car-free and full of lush greenery. It's beautiful, it's quiet, and it's in Paris. Magical.

Where: 17th arrondissement

10. The rue Crémieux

Anne LANDOIS-FAVRET, Noelle H

This surely has to be the most colorful street in Paris. It hasn't been kept much of a "secret" since Instagram became A Thing, but not everyone knows about it (yet).

Where: 12th arrondissement

11. The garden of Hôpital Saint-Louis (Saint-Louis Hospital)

Instagram: @sgodet

Built in the 1600s, this hospital has a huge 9,400 square meter garden. The best news? It's been open to the public since 2005 (but only on weekends from April 1 to October 31) so you're free to roam around and discover its ~secrets.~

Where: 10th arrondissement

12. The Japanese garden inside the Musée national des arts asiatiques Guimet (Guimet Museum)

Jean-Pierre Dalbéra / Via Flickr: dalbera

Not only is this museum home to an impressive collection of Asian art, it also has a huge tranquil garden inside! Who would have known.

Where: 16th arrondissement

13. The Institut de Théologie Orthodoxe Saint-Serge (Saint-Serge Orthodox Church)

Instagram: @calamityjane

This unique church is hidden at 93 rue Crimée in the 19th arrondissement, and you can reach it by pushing open an iron gate.

Where: 19th arrondissement

14. The café at the Institut Suédois (Swedish Institute)

Institut Suédois / Via Facebook: Institutsuedois

The Insitut Suédois is nestled away in the very beautiful Hôtel de Marle (a private mansion). However, the real drawcard is the lush café courtyard, which has to be one of Paris's best-kept secrets. Ice-cream and lounge chairs in the summertime, anyone?

Where: 3rd arrondissement

15. The Quartier de la Mouzaïa (Mouzaïa Quarter)

instagram.com

Not far from the famous park Les Buttes-Chaumont, you'll find the Mouzaïa Quarter, a hidden Parisian treasure that'll make you feel as if you've escaped to the countryside for a little while.

Where: 19th arrondissement

This post was translated from French.

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