Think you know Paris? You don’t. The city’s soul lives beyond the landmarks. Paris is full of hidden gems locals don’t give away easily. We’ve found 20 spots for you that show you the authentic, unpolished charm that makes the City Of Love unforgettable. Let’s look at them.
La Jacobine (6th Arrondissement)
Down a quiet passage in Saint-Germain, a snug café knocks it out of the park with soul-warming French cooking. The onion soup and coq au vin draw devoted locals, and the hot chocolate? Thick enough to stand your spoon in. Plus, the warm, intimate vibe makes it worth hunting down.
Verjus (1st Arrondissement)
Hidden near Palais Royal, this spot changes its menu like Parisians change moods. The tasting menu with natural wines keeps locals asking for more. With its romantic ambiance and creative dishes, Verjus is a go-to spot for foodies looking to do away with tourist crowds and live Paris’s innovative culinary side.
La REcyclerie (18th Arrondissement)
Repurposed from a train station, the café combines sustainability with function, serving as a cafe, repair shop, and workshop. This eco-friendly café serves vegetarian meals and hosts workshops on sustainability. The garden and distinctive decor make it a top spot for locals to unwind.
Rue Crémieux (12th Arrondissement)
Like someone spilled a rainbow on a cobblestone street, the colorful pedestrian path is lined with pastel-painted houses that look straight out of a postcard. It’s a peaceful walk from the city’s chaos and a hotspot for creators seeking gram-worthy shots, but heads up—real people live here, so keep the photo shoots chill.
Butte aux Cailles (13th Arrondissement)
Most tourists skip this hilltop neighborhood, but locals know better. The cobblestone streets wind past street murals and tiny bars where regulars catch up over wine. Grab dinner at Chez Gladines or join the crowd at Le Merle Moqueur—what’s sure is you’ll keep wanting more.
Parc des Buttes-Chaumont (19th Arrondissement)
A gem in northeastern Paris, Muttes-Chaumont is a lush park with dramatic waterfalls, cliffs, and a hilltop temple offering a sweeping view of the city skyline. Locals love its picnic-perfect lawns and peaceful trails and recommend it for escaping the city’s buzz without leaving its borders.
Le Mur des Je T’aime (Montmartre)
They wrote “I love you” hundreds of times in 300 languages across this black wall. Kids run their fingers over the tiles, trying to spot their family’s language, while everyone else snaps quick photos between coffee stops—a pretty sweet detour in Montmartre.
Mouzaïa Neighborhood (19th Arrondissement)
Miss this turn, and you might think you got lost. Rows of tiny houses with wild front gardens pack these super narrow streets. Once home to miners in the 1800s, Mouzaïa has transformed into a peaceful, colorful enclave. It’s a quiet slice of village life hidden within the bustling big city.
La Campagne à Paris (20th Arrondissement)
So isolated, it’s easy to miss it in Paris—a bunch of brick houses from the 1920s with flower gardens spilling over their fences. People actually scored these homes in a 1920s workers’ lottery. If you want to experience the quietest corner of the city, just walk up the hill. You won’t regret it.
L’Atelier Geneviève (11th Arrondissement)
Paint your own mug while coffee and pastries keep you going at this chill ceramics studio. The real deal? They teach kintsugi—the Japanese art of fixing broken pottery with gold. Even total beginners end up with something extraordinary to take home. Recommended for learning something new.
Le Bouillon Chartier (9th Arrondissement)
This massive old dining hall hasn’t changed its tradition since 1896. Waiters still scribble orders on paper tablecloths and zip between tables, balancing plates. The food’s classic French, affordable for Paris, and comes out lightning fast. Remember to Arrive by 11:30 to beat the crowds and skip the line.
Les Marches (Near Eiffel Tower)
Join the locals at an intimate bistro just steps from the Seine. Here, chefs serve perfectly executed French classics like tender beef filets drizzled with truffle sauce and fresh seasonal dishes that change with what’s at the market. If you’re near the Eiffel Tower, it’s the spot to experience real Parisian dining.
Passage des Panoramas (2nd Arrondissement)
Need a break from museums and monuments? Head to Paris’s oldest indoor arcade, and you might find yourself sorting through vintage stamps or browsing antique books. Grab a table at Racines, dig into some fantastic food, and watch daily Parisian life unfold under the beautiful glass ceiling.
Des Gâteaux et du Pain (15th Arrondissement)
This should be your next stop if you’ve had your fill of basic butter croissants. Unlike most fancy bakeries, everything tastes better than it looks. Sure, you could grab a regular croissant, but trust the locals and go for their brioche feuilletée, a buttery, flaky cloud that’ll ruin regular bread for you forever.
Land & Monkeys Bakery (Multiple Locations)
You’d never guess these buttery croissants and creamy éclairs are entirely vegan. While most plant-based pastries feel like a compromise, this place nails French classics’ flaky, rich texture. Even die-hard traditionalists stop by for their morning pastries—they’re that good.
Le Squat du 59 Rue de Rivoli (1st Arrondissement)
Far from the postcard image of Paris, the buzzing six-floor art playground was once a squatters’ building. Artists work in open studios, music drifts through the stairwells, and bold murals cover every inch—offering a true glimpse of how Paris embraces art beyond the Louvre.
Hidden Vineyards of Montmartre
Many might not know it, but Paris once had more vineyards than cafes. Behind the tourist crowds at Sacré-Cœur, there’s this tiny working vineyard that’s been brewing wine since the 1930s. Each October, they harvest just enough grapes to produce a few thousand bottles. It’s just luck if you get a taste of it.
Restaurant Dans le Noir? (4th Arrondissement)
Interesting and bizarre, Dans le Noir serves you in pitch darkness. Blind servers become your eyes and lead you through a mind-bending feast where taste, smell, and texture take on your senses. It’s loved because the food is great, but more importantly, the restaurant is working for a cause.
Jardin Naturel Pierre-Emmanuel (20th Arrondissement)
Think of this as Paris’s secret garden. Winding paths, wildflowers, and overgrown charm create a dreamy escape from the city’s buzz. The park’s perfect for a quiet evening walk or losing yourself in the raw beauty of a wonderfully unfiltered world.
Parc de Belleville (20th Arrondissement)
Finally, this park is your place to go if you’re after sweeping skyline views of Paris without the tourist crowds. Terraced gardens, fountains, and lush greenery make it perfect for relaxing. So, bring a picnic, find a bench, and enjoy the skyline, with the Eiffel Tower peeking through the horizon.
