Street views of a cafe under charming, striped umbrellas from a covered gateway with green plants and trees surrounding.
Enjoy exploring a bit more of Paris’ less renown areas and activities. While the most famous and popular places in Paris are well-known for a reason, many other places in the city also hold their own charm. Relish in these lesser-known, hidden gems in Paris within this guide to the city.
Inside a restaurant looking at wine and a coffee maker within the 11th arrondissement.
Day 1: Mussee Rodin and the 11th Arrondissement
In the morning, head to visit Musée Rodin. This museum focuses on sculpture. Compared to other museums, it has an almost serene atmosphere with beautiful, manicured gardens. The highlight of the museum is, of course, “The Thinker” statue. This is a beautiful collection of sculptures. Come on a day with nice weather since a highlight of this experience is roaming the grounds and admiring the art within the gardens. I love sculpture, so museums that highlight this form of art are a delight to me.
In the afternoon, visit the 11th Arrondissement. This is well of the usual beaten path of Paris, but worth a visit for fantastic food, a very local feel, and lively nightlife. A museum in the area, Atelier des Lumières, is a fun digital art museum with protected art on the museum’s surfaces accompanied by a soundtrack. This is also quite different from the Louvre and other French art museums making it a unique experience. Enjoy wandering the streets and eating your way through this area! Also, check out Fifty Fifty at the end for fantastic cocktails.
Places to eat/drink include:
Fifty Fifty for gorgeous and tasty cocktails
Ober Mama to soothe a craving for fabulous Italian cuisine
Brasserie Martin offers French classics
Tonton BÁNH MÌ offers tasty Vietnamese sandwiches
Nonette Bánh Mì & Donuts another location for a great Bánh Mì and lovely donuts with unusual flavors (passion fruit filling is my favorite)
Double deux serves up lovely all-day brunch and coffee - come early since it fills up
À Smorfia for a delicious pizza in the area
Les Cuivres a cozy restaurant with delicious French food
MICHELIN - one-starred in the 11th, reserve ahead
AMÂLIA Restaurant an elegant restaurant focused on reinterpreting classic French gastronomy with a subtle Italian influence
Géosmine is a restaurant focused on creating a creative multi-course tasting menu with routes in French cuisine
FIEF (Fait Ici En France) is a restaurant focused on using and sourcing ingredients exclusively from France (unless impossible). Take a seat at the counter and enjoy watching the chefs put a meal together.AMÂLIA Restaurant an elegant restaurant focused on reinterpreting classic French gastronomy with a subtle Italian influence
Vaisseau focuses on modern French cuisine with subtle Japanese influences.
Oysters with a lemon at a market within Paris.
Day 2: Food Tour and Canal Saint-Martin
Food tours are a FANTASTIC way to see a city and get introduced to delicious food. Paris is a city of delicious food and not just French cuisine. During these food tours, expect to wander around a specific neighborhood. Visit bakeries, restaurants, pâtisseries, markets, and so many more locations. Book a food tour for a delicious, informative experience within Paris.
Some food tours to try include:
After your food tour, head to Canal Saint-Martin. Enjoy walking or cycling along the water, grab a picnic and sit along the canal banks (my favorite), and browse the charming boutiques in the area. Stop at Square des Récollets for cafes and shops. Enjoy French fashion, vintage shopping, and other boutiques. This is a lovely neighborhood to check out when visiting Paris. Enjoy a less touristy, more down-to-earth area of the city.
Sculptures in front of several paintings at the Petit Palais.
Day 3: The Popular, but Underrated Gems: Sainte Chappelle, Petite Palais, Le Marais
Begin your morning with a reservation to visit Sainte Chapelle. This is a beautiful chapel with stunning stained-glass windows, a highlight of French gothic architecture. Admire the soaring ceilings, brilliant colors, and the processes underwent to restore this location.
Then head to the beautiful Petit Palais. This art museum is my favorite in Paris (besides the Louvre). Home to a delightful collection of art from the Renaissance to modern day art. The fantastic collection is just the right size to be able to see everything within a few hours and see centuries of art all in one place. The collection is a great mix of sculptures and paintings. Additionally, there is a cafe with a beautiful terrace to enjoy; however, it is often very busy with long lines and no promise of outdoor seating spaces.
For the afternoon, Le Marais is a must-see for shopping and enjoying a charming neighborhood. Wander the streets, enjoy the cafes, and visit the many lovely boutiques in this area. This area is home to Musée National d'Art Moderne (currently closed) and Hôtel de Ville. Visit Rue des Écouffes for well curated vintage shops and Rue de la Verrerie for several kilo shops (thrifted items priced by the kilo). Rue de Temple is another great road with pleasant cafes and tons of clothing shops. Any road you wander onto, there are tons of charming shops, perfect for a bit of browsing and a shopping spree.
Another idea for how to enjoy this area is to take part in a tour. These are two options to look into:
An interior view of the intricates carved ceiling, arches, and domes of the Panthéon.
Day 4: Panthéon, the Latin Quarter, and Markets
The Panthéon is also well-worth a visit. Slip in and tour this neoclassical monument. It has both an interesting history and it’s architecturally stunning. This is a masterpiece. Make sure to grab an audio guide to learn more about the space and the important figures within the crypt.
In this, be sure to explore the Latin Quarter. This includes the Panthéon, of course, and the Jardin des Plantes, home to Paris’ largest botanical garden. Arènes de Lutèce, the last remains of a Roman amphitheater, offers a place to chill within the city. Also add Rue Mouffetard to your list of places to visit to enjoy cafes, a regular open markets, restaurants, and shops.
In Paris, there are numerous markets for buying fresh, local foods, and others great for vintage and antique shopping. With a bit of research, find a market near where you are located or one you are particularly interested in, and take a stroll. Taking a cooking class with a visit to a market is another great option to see this aspect of the city.
