Time to leave Eiffel Tower and Louvre behind: 10 unexpected Paris gems tourists don't know about

If you reject all the stereotypes about Paris and allow yourself to get lost while walking along the medieval streets, you can accidentally discover a real city and really fall in love with it. Paris, as Hemingway wrote, is a holiday that is always with you, and those who lived in Paris for at least some time in their youth carry memories of joy, lightness and happiness throughout their lives.

This year, Paris is welcoming even more tourists, as it hosts the world's main sporting event, the Olympic Games. If you move away from the standard routes, including the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Notre Dame, Arc de Triomphe and Luxembourg Gardens, you can discover unexpected gems of the city that will definitely not leave anyone indifferent.

Canal Saint-Martin

The Seine embankment, especially near the Pont Neuf, the Pont des Arts, and the Trocadéro, are favorite tourist spots. Travelers looking for a more cozy and relaxing vacation should take a stroll along the Canal Saint-Martin. It is located near the Grands Boulevards, but it is a rather secluded charming area that Parisians adore.

Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature

The French capital is a city of museums, but if you don't want to stand in line at the Louvre, the Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature is a great alternative. The museum is located in the picturesque 17th-century Hôtel de Guénégaud, designed by François Mansart. Inside you can find a variety of paintings, sculptures, prints, etc.

Promenade Plantée

The first linear park of its kind, Promenade Plantée is a greenway built on old railroad tracks. It starts from the Place de la Bastille and runs through the 12th arrondissement to the Bois de Vincennes. It is a good place to enjoy the views of the city's rooftops.

Place Georges-Cain

In a bustling neighborhood like the Marais, you might be surprised to learn about hidden treasures. Place Georges-Cain is a quiet secret park with greenery, sculptures and trees that create a cozy shade. You will hardly ever see tourists here, and Parisians love this place.

Parc des Buttes Chaumont

No doubt you've heard of the Tuileries Garden, located between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde. But Paris has another unique landscape attraction - Parc des Buttes Chaumont. The fifth largest park is located in the remote 19th arrondissement of northeastern Paris and covers almost 25 hectares. You'll find picnic areas, waterfalls, scenic views, grottoes, lakes, and suspension bridges.

Rue Crémieux

Rue Crémieux is a picture-perfect neighborhood in the 12th arrondissement with pastel-colored facades. If you are looking for a unique place to pose for photos, visit this hidden gem.

Sainte-Chapelle

There are many churches and chapels in Paris, and each has a long history. In addition to the well-known Notre Dame, Saint-Germain-l'Auxerrois, or Sacré Coeur, there is a truly unique attraction hidden in the heart of the city, on the island of Cité. Sainte-Chapelle is something of a hidden gem. Built on the orders of the French King Louis IV, the exquisite Gothic-style facade hides an even more impressive interior marked by beautiful stained glass windows and religious relics.

Paris catacomds

If you are looking for a thrill, visit the catacombs of Paris. The catacombs are one of the most unusual attractions. These are underground crypts, long intricate corridors lined with the remains of millions of people who once lived in Paris.

Belleville Park

Belleville is not as elegant as its more sophisticated counterparts. But the harsh, artistic atmosphere is part of the design. From the graffiti-covered buildings of the expatriate neighborhoods to the Cimetière du Père-Lachaise, the most visited necropolis in Paris, Belleville is definitely a lively neighborhood worth seeing.

Saint-Germain-des-Prés

Saint-Germain-des-Prés is one of the most historic and authentic neighborhoods in the city. Balzac, Hugo, and the entire literary beau monde of the 1920s, including Fitzgerald and Hemingway, once sought inspiration here. Today its unchanging charm makes it one of the best places to relax with a glass of wine in a nearby cafe and plunge into the atmosphere of the turbulent past.

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