Beyond the Baguette: A Parisian Shares Hidden Gems for Off-the-Tourist-Trail Exploring in the City of Light

Beyond the Baguette: A Parisian Shares Hidden Gems for Off-the-Tourist-Trail Exploring in the City of Light - Walk the Promenade Plantée for Gardens Above the City

If you’re looking to escape the crowds and explore a greener side of Paris, the Promenade Plantée is an urban oasis you won’t want to miss. This elevated walkway follows the path of a disused railway line and features lush gardens, landscaped areas, and even architecture dating back to the old railway.

Running from Place de la Bastille to Bois de Vincennes park, the promenade offers a unique perspective on the city as it rises above street level. You’ll get to peek into Parisian apartment blocks, admire the elegant neoclassical architecture, and take in little slices of everyday neighborhood life as you stroll above bustling boulevards.

The viaduct was originally built in 1859 but fell into disuse after 1969. In the late 1980s, it was redeveloped into the pedestrian walkway it is today. Now classified as a French Monument Historique, the promenade incorporates the old railway architecture while adding modern touches like gardens, water features, and street art.

The Bastille area near the start of the promenade is the most formal section, with neat hedges and classically-inspired fountains. As you head towards the 12th arrondissement, there’s more variety in the horticulture. Here you’ll find aromatic herbs, rose gardens, maple trees and more. It's a peaceful route where you can soak up nature while still remaining in the heart of the big city.

Foodies will also appreciate the promenade for its string of restaurants and cafés, many with outdoor seating that spills out onto the gardens. Stop for a crepe, salad or cold drink and watch the world go by from your own private oasis above the streets.

On weekends, locals flock here to jog, cycle, picnic or simply meander. If you’re travelling with kids, they’ll enjoy exploring the greenery and staring down at the city below. Along the way, art installations add visual interest, such as colorful murals or fun sculptures to pose with.

Beyond the Baguette: A Parisian Shares Hidden Gems for Off-the-Tourist-Trail Exploring in the City of Light - Experience Paris Like the Locals at These Neighborhood Cafés

Beyond the well-trodden cafés of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, there’s a whole other side of Paris waiting to be discovered – one where locals, not tourists, gather to sip their morning café au lait. Venturing into the arrondissements beyond the city center reveals a more authentic slice of Parisian life, away from the crowds elbowing their way through crowded terraces.

One such neighborhood café institution is Café de l’Industrie in Bastille. Far from the selfie-snapping tourists mobbing cafés near the Louvre, this quintessential corner bistro has been run by the same family since it opened in 1825. With its zinc-topped bar, burnished mirrors and comfy leather banquettes, it oozes old-world Parisian charm. Regulars chat with the staff and linger over newspapers or books – no one's in a hurry here. The waiters wear long white aprons and scribble orders on pads rather than tapping on screens. And you can watch the world go by through the huge windows facing the buzzing Place de la Bastille. Stop in for a refreshing kir aperitif or hearty dishes like entrecôte steak.

For literary vibes, Le Mistral in the 6th arrondissement is a neighborhood favorite. Tucked away on a quiet side street, its cozy interior lined with bookshelves makes you feel like you've stumbled into a professor's study. Locals drop in throughout the day to read, work on laptops and chat with friends. In the evening, the café gets livelier and fills with regulars meeting for a pre-dinner glass of wine. Staff pride themselves on knowing customers’ names and drink orders. Sip a glass of fruity Beaujolais and watch Parisian life unfold around you.

Or try Café de la Paix in the quiet village-like district of Butte Aux Cailles. Its leafy terrace, blooming window boxes and funky mismatched furniture lend a charming, bohemian vibe. Locals from the surrounding streets gather here for weekend brunch, meeting friends or reading the paper. Tuck into a croissant still warm from the oven, paired with a creamy latte. The café’s tempting homemade pastries and desserts satisfy any sweet craving. Its bucolic location down winding cobblestone lanes dotted with flower sellers and grocers transports you far from the big city bustle.

Beyond the Baguette: A Parisian Shares Hidden Gems for Off-the-Tourist-Trail Exploring in the City of Light - Find Serenity at Lesser-Known Museums Off the Beaten Path

While the Louvre, Orsay, and Pompidou Center take up most tourists' museum-going time in Paris, the city has a treasure trove of smaller, lesser-known art and culture museums where you can escape the crowds. Venturing to these intimate havens reveals hidden facets of Parisian history and creativity, with none of the jostling elbow-to-elbow or audio tour headset lines.

One peaceful spot is the Musée Jacquemart-André, housed in a lavish 19th-century mansion in the 8th arrondissement. As you wander the ornately decorated salons showcasing Italian Renaissance masterpieces, it feels like being a guest in an aristocrat's home back in the Belle Époque era. The winter garden café lets you relax amid palm trees and sculptures - it's hard to believe you're in the middle of Paris!

For an only-in-Paris experience, the Musée des Égouts takes you inside the city’s underground sewer network. Learn how the ingenious systems developed since the Middle Ages while admiring the impressive brickwork arches and tunnels. Despite the unglamorous topic, it’s absolutely fascinating with great historical insights into how the city evolved. And you’ll likely have the galleries nearly to yourself.

To delve into Paris’ literary side, the Maison de Balzac museum immerses you in the world of one of France’s greatest novelists. See where Honore de Balzac lived, worked, and found inspiration for his books, with his writing desk and personal items on display. Manuscripts, letters, rare editions, and portraits illustrate his prolific career. It feels worlds away from the touristy hustle and bustle outside.

For fashion history, the Musée Galliera in the 16th arrondissement spotlights clothing and styles from the 18th century to today. The airy galleries in a 19th-century mansion display a rotating selection of items from their collection of 200,000 fashion and costume pieces. Exhibits might focus on landmark designers like Chanel or Dior, or showcase a specific era’s aesthetic. Visiting here lets you admire iconic French fashion up close in a calm, uncrowded setting.

Beyond the Baguette: A Parisian Shares Hidden Gems for Off-the-Tourist-Trail Exploring in the City of Light - Venture to Belleville for Multicultural Parisian Vibes

Away from the hoity-toity districts of central Paris, Belleville offers a totally different slice of life in the city. This lively, working-class neighborhood in parts of the 10th, 19th, and 20th arrondissements has been a haven for immigrants and bohemians since the 1800s. Strolling its cosmopolitan streets reveals a dynamic mix of African, Chinese, Arab, and French cultures living side-by-side.

Compared to the uniform, elegant buildings of central Paris, Belleville's architecture has a funkier vibe. Brightly-colored street art decorates walls, while eclectic shops and ethnic grocery stores spill out onto the sidewalks. The patchwork of small businesses reflects the diversity of immigrant communities that have settled here over the decades.

Don't miss the Marché de Belleville, a bustling open-air market along Boulevard de Belleville. It's a feast for the senses, with vendors hawking produce, spices, cooked meats, clothing, and household goods from around the globe. Locals jostle to grab the freshest ingredients for that night's dinner as irresistible aromas waft through the stalls.

For a taste of North Africa, Belleville’s many Tunisian patisseries and restaurants transport you straight to the souks of Tunis. Indulge in pastries like zlebia and samsa while sipping tiny cups of bracingly strong coffee. Or try Franco-Arabic fusion spots like Le Petit Grain, which blends French cuisine with spices and ingredients like preserved lemons, harissa, and merguez sausage.

Fans of street art will find plenty to Instagram in Belleville. Don't miss the epic Le MUR Oberkampf (the Oberkampf Wall) stretching 150m along Rue Oberkampf, filled with ever-changing urban art. Nearby Villa Belleville displays more cool graffiti and murals. Top pieces reflect the area’s vibrant mix of cultures.

For breathtaking views, climb Parc de Belleville’s 100 steps to reach the highest point in Paris. Up top, the modern Maison de l'Air sculpture overlooks the sea of red-tiled rooftops spreading below. On clear days, you can even see the Eiffel Tower. The slopes around the belvedere feature cherry blossoms, vineyards, and creative landscaping.

At night, Belleville comes alive with a spirited bar scene. Mingle with locals over craft beer at cozy microbrewery La Cave à Bulles. Catch live music in a funky industrial space at Supersonic. Or join young Parisians dancing until the wee hours at Gogo bar. Avoid the tourist traps of central Paris and experience Belleville after dark like a true local.

Beyond the Baguette: A Parisian Shares Hidden Gems for Off-the-Tourist-Trail Exploring in the City of Light - Get Lost in the Covered Passages for Shopping galore

Tucked away in central Paris just blocks from the busy Boulevard Haussmann, the glass-roofed covered passages offer a portal into a forgotten world of 19th century shopping. Wandering their elegant arcades feels like time travel back to when they were the height of chic. Browsers will delight in their myriad boutiques, galleries, antique dealers, and cafés.

Dating back to the early 1800s, passages like Passage des Panoramas and Galerie Vivienne were Paris’ first indoor shopping arcades. Lit by daylight streaming through their arched glass ceilings, they allowed the bourgeoisie to shop protected from the mud and grit of streets still lacking pavement at the time. Many passages specialized in specific types of commerce, like antiques, toys, or stamp collecting.

Over the decades fashions changed and the once grand passages faded in prestige, becoming known more as shortcuts between streets than shopping destinations. But in recent years, the City of Paris and private investors have poured millions into renovating many of these historic arcades. Polished to their former splendor, they’re experiencing a renaissance with Parisians and visitors alike.

Strolling through Passage des Panoramas transports you back to the bustle of early 1800s Paris. Its elegant colonnades house specialist shops like autograph seller L’Autographe, M&G Segas’ rare antique maps, and Deyrolle’s taxidermy menagerie. Pause for tea and cake at historic Café Stern, opened here in 1832. The passage bursts with visual treasures around every turn.

Nearby Galerie Vivienne enchants with its mosaic floors, ornate ironwork, and posh boutiques. Chandeliers glitter above chic fashion and jewelry stores like Jean-Paul Gaultier and Marc Audibet. At traditional wood-paneled Au Rocher de Cancale, oysters and champagne provide the perfect pick-me-up for weary shoppers. Grab a table on the terrace to watch the swish set pass by.

For fashion-hunters, Passage du Grand Cerf and Passage Choiseul offer a trove of independent designers and leather goods. Passage Bourg-l’Abbé specializes in antique prints, books, and Stationery. At Passage Jouffroy, book lovers flock to the iconic Shakespeare & Company and Bouquinistes bookshops. And Passage Verdeau delivers art gallery hopping and quirky homewares.

Many passages showcase live music at their cafés and bars at aperitif time, from jazz to classical. Stop for a pre-dinner drink and listen to rising talents. Entry is always free of charge.

Passages also provide perfect refuge on rainy days in Paris. With their iron and glass roofs, the weather stays outside while you explore mile after mile of covered lanes and galleries. When your feet need a break, duck into a passage café or bistro to recuperate until the next bout of shopping.

Beyond the Baguette: A Parisian Shares Hidden Gems for Off-the-Tourist-Trail Exploring in the City of Light - Take in Stunning Panoramas from the Top of Cité de l'Architecture

Rising above the Chaillot Palace at the western end of the Trocadéro Gardens, the viewing terrace atop the Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine offers a breathtaking Paris panorama you can't get anywhere else. From this elevated perch, one of the city's best views stretches out – the Eiffel Tower photobombs nearly every shot!

The free museum celebrates French architecture from antiquity to the present day through models, drawings, and multimedia exhibits. It occupies the massive Palais de Chaillot, constructed for the 1937 World's Fair. While you could spend hours inside admiring the architectural heritage displays, most visitors beeline straight for the roof terrace and its knockout vista.

Ascending to the top, the City of Light unfolds below: the Seine undulating through central Paris, the Eiffel Tower soaring overhead, Les Invalides’ golden dome shimmering in the distance. Montmartre rises romantically on the skyline, while the Arc de Triomphe stands proud and tall at the head of the Champs-Élysées. Sacré-Coeur basilica crowns Montmartre to the north.

Don't miss experiencing both daytime and nighttime panoramas from this unbeatable vantage point. During the day, sights like Notre Dame cathedral and the Louvre pyramid pop out clearly across the rooftops. At night, the landmark monuments glow luminously above the sparkling city. The enchanting perspective captures quintessential Paris.

While snapping obligatory selfies with the Eiffel Tower as your backdrop, also pay attention to the stunning architecture right around you. The Palais de Chaillot itself, constructed for the World's Fair, represents a prime example of the 1930s modernist style. Its monumental wings curve around the central esplanade leading down to the Seine. Regal sculptures and reliefs adorn the façades.

The terrace also delivers bird's-eye views down onto the lush Trocadéro Gardens, with their impressive fountains and landscape design. And you can get an intimate look at the Eiffel Tower's intricate ironwork grille rising overhead. The proximity gives a new appreciation for Gustave Eiffel's engineering marvel.

Beyond the Baguette: A Parisian Shares Hidden Gems for Off-the-Tourist-Trail Exploring in the City of Light - Wander the Paris Catacombs for Underground Adventure

Descending into the Catacombs beneath Paris’ streets plunges you into the city’s macabre past and dark subterranean world. This network of old quarry tunnels lined with skulls and bones provides chilling insights into the capital’s history. Walking the lamp-lit passageways, you’ll feel centuries away from the sidewalks above.

Sprawling for over 200 miles, the tunnels were dug out from the Middle Ages onward to provide building materials for the growing city. By the late 1700s, Paris’ overflowing cemeteries had become hazardous health risks. So officials began relocating bones from graveyards into the abandoned quarries. Massive piles of femurs, skulls and vertebrae packed the tunnels, excavated and arranged with meticulous care.

Visiting the Catacombs offers a unique thrill beyond just casual sightseeing. Descending the 131 steps from street level to tunnel begins the sense of anticipation. Then a kilometer-long walk passes by eerily-arranged bones and skulls of the more than 6 million Parisians buried here. It’s a surreal and haunting experience unlike anywhere else in the world.

The chill subterranean air surrounded by death evokes thoughts on the fragility of life. And plaques on the walls relaying the tunnels’ history provide thoughtful pause on how Paris rose above the remains. It’s a powerful testament to the human spirit while also honoring those who came before.

While not for the faint of heart, the Catacombs are perfectly safe despite the ominous ambience. You won’t get lost thanks to clear directional signs, and the walkways feature proper stairs. Still, wear sturdy shoes to navigate potentially slippery stones.

The entry queue can often be long, so prep your patience. Or arrive right at opening time to be among the first inside. Night visits are also available on certain dates for ratcheting up the spookiness.

Kids can visit from ages 14 and above when properly prepared for the serious setting. But adults unsettled by skulls probably shouldn’t attempt braving the Catacombs. The macabre displays continue for over a mile in tunnels intentionally designed to feel constricting and claustrophobic. While not a haunted house, the Catacombs pack their own palpable creepiness.

Beyond the Baguette: A Parisian Shares Hidden Gems for Off-the-Tourist-Trail Exploring in the City of Light - Marvel at Street Art in Belleville and Ménilmontant

Parisians have embraced street art in a big way, with entire neighborhoods like Belleville and Ménilmontant becoming open-air urban art galleries. Wandering these vibrant districts reveals a constantly evolving exhibit of colorful graffiti, political murals, and artistic stencils. For culture vultures and design aficionados, experiencing these dynamic displays offers a compelling slice of Parisian creativity.

Belleville especially overflows with eye-catching creations covering building facades, alleyways, and even public steps. Head to Rue Denoyez to snap selfies in front of graffiti-strewn walls and shops, like the iconic Cosmos Hotel drenched in spray paint. Nearby Villa Belleville provides a rotating collection of street art with new pieces continually added. The Marché de Belleville, where market stalls fill Boulevard de Belleville, also hosts cool works.

Don't miss the massive Le MUR Oberkampf, a 150-meter open-air art space along Rue Oberkampf. Since its creation in 2008, over 500 street artists have showcased provocative, socially-conscious works here. The ever-changing murals give emerging talent vital exposure while letting the public engage with urban art. Thoughtful audio guides provide context on the murals and artists.

Over in Ménilmontant, Rue de Ménilmontant becomes an outdoor art showcase thanks to artists' collectives like Oberkampf Sud. Dazzling graphics, poetic stencils, and politically-charged imagery turn the neighborhood into the city’s most daring open gallery. Let your eyes feast on the vivid colors and fuel your inspiration.

Venturing up Rue Dénoyez, creative shopfronts grab your gaze with urban art facades. The quirky Moshi Moshi Records shop is drenched in neon-bright anime figures. Nearby Social Club's graffiti-covered courtyard hosts DJ sets and concerts beside eye-popping murals. Treat your sightseeing like gallery hopping, but without leaving the streets.

When your neck cramps from looking up, stop into Belleville and Ménilmontant's street art-focused cafés and bars. Sip cocktails or sample microbrews surrounded by dazzling works curated like museum installations. Artsy watering holes Le Barbouquin, Le C.A.F.É., and Le Pili Pili please aesthetes and offer prime people-watching.

Guided tours provide insider perspectives from local street artists about the districts' urban art scenes. Meeting graffiti writers adding to the areas' constantly evolving exhibits gives context. Companies like Street Art Paris lead walks to little-known gems and recount the works' meaning.