Top 10 Secret Spots Worth Exploring in 2025
Get acquainted with secret gems that Parisians themselves love as well! Experience the Paris of the locals by avoiding throngs of tourists at the most popular sites like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre.
The first thing we discovered in Paris were the best-kept secrets of the city. Whether you want to picnic in charming places, meet local people in nearby cozy bars, discover surprising museums, or take lovely chocolate tours, we have them all for you. Below are our top 10 secret spots to let you explore Paris the way Parisians do. Don’t forget to visit the charming and fairy-tale-like corners of the City of Light during your stay!
#1. Angelina's Café: Taste the Best Hot Chocolate in Your Life
Treat yourself to amazing hot chocolate at Angelina's café near the Louvre Museum. They've been making delicious hot chocolate for over 120 years! This cozy café has a classy, old-fashioned feel. It's a lovely spot to relax and enjoy your hot chocolate with a slice of cake. Perfect for a break while you're exploring the Louvre or other nearby sights in central Paris. Remember to go early to beat the crowds and avoid waiting too long.
How Do I Get to Angelina's Café?
Just a short stroll from Metro Tuileries (line 1), only 2 minutes away. Or, if you're walking from the Louvre Museum, it's just a 9-minute walk. Easy to find!
#2. Wall of Paris: Feel the Love in Paris
While you're in the romantic city of Paris, don't miss the Wall of Love! It's in the Montmartre neighborhood. The Wall of Love is a special artwork. It has 612 squares with "I love you" written on them in 250 languages.
You might see some red marks on the artwork. These marks show broken hearts because sometimes people don't show enough love to each other. If you put all the red pieces together, they would make a full heart.
But the fact that these red pieces are spread out on the wall shows that people from all over the world need to come together to heal the world's broken hearts.
How Do I Get to the Wall of Paris?
The Wall of Love, or Le Mur des Je t'aime, in Montmartre's Square Jehan Rictus, is easily accessible via Paris Métro Line 12. Simply get off at Abbesses station and follow the signs to Place des Abbesses. Then, a brief walk uphill brings you to the square and the mural.
#3. Palais Royal: Check the “Most Romantic” Place in Paris
The Palais Royal is a lovely place in Paris that many locals say is very romantic. It's not far from the Louvre Museum and Tuileries Garden. If you're tired of walking around those places, you should visit the Palais Royal. It's an old palace from the 17th century with a pretty garden full of trees. It used to be where Cardinal Richelieu lived. Now it's a peaceful place with nice seats where you can relax. Don't forget to take pictures at the famous striped Buren Columns in the park!
How Do I Get to the Palais Royal?
It takes about 4 minutes to walk from the Palais Royal/Musée du Louvre metro station (lines 1 and 7) or 7 minutes from the Tuileries metro station (line 1). Alternatively, it's a 6-minute walk from the Louvre Museum.
#4. Balloon de Paris: See Paris from the Best View
Want to see Paris from above? Try Air Balloon de Paris! It's a special place hidden in Park André Citroën in the 15th part of Paris. You can go up in the air 984 feet high on a balloon ride.
The rides happen every day, starting at 9 am if the weather is good. And it's not expensive—only 15 euros for adults and 8 euros for kids. It's a fun and different thing to do in Paris! And you get to see the whole city and the Eiffel Tower from way up high.
How Do I Get to the Balloon de Paris?
To get to the Balloon de Paris, head to Park André Citroën in the 15th arrondissement of Paris. You can take the metro to get there easily. Just hop on Line 8 and get off at the Balard station. From there, it's a short walk to the park, where you'll find the balloon.
#5. Le Marais Gardens and Mansion Houses: Check out one of the Unique Palace in Paris
The Marais is a unique part of Paris, and Place des Vosges is a stunning square erected in 1605 by Henry IV. Although the square is one of the most visited places, do not forget about the small museums and parks in the vicinity. Besides the Vosges restaurants and neat art galleries, you can also find them as you walk down the covered walkways of this area. L’Ambroisie and Anne are among the most popular restaurants in the area.
While in the Marais, there are really good museums, such as the Carnavalet Museum, which unveils the history of Paris, and the Picasso Museum. The Hotel de Soubise is fantastic for its charming look and location next to the Museum of French History and the National Archives Museum. The Musée Cognacq-Jay completes the list of museums to visit for its 18th-century item collection.
If you are starving, head over to Robert and Louise, a comfy steak house on rue Vielle du Temple in Marais. You simply need to sit together at the big table and enjoy healthy potatoes, wood-fired meat, and yummy creme brulee for dessert.
How Do I Get to the Le Marais Gardens and Mansion Houses?
To access Le Marais Gardens and the mansion houses, take the Metro stops Saint-Paul and Chemin Vert (Lines 1 or 8), and bus lines 20, 29, 69, or 96. The next point will be to take a short walk over and visit these places on foot.
#6. Rue Cremieux: Took Best Photos for Your Instagram
Rue Cremieux is a very distinctive street in Paris, which is loved for its brightly colored houses and is therefore known as the "Maxim Gorky" of the city. To the grandiose boulevards in Paris, Rue Cremieux feels like a tiny village with its painted little houses and green vegetation.
It is better to visit there in the morning or early afternoon when there are no people. During this, you will see the colorful houses and will have lunch at the "superlative" restaurant, Blue Cremieux.
On the street is the flood mark of 1910, and it is at house No. 8 showing the water level. Don't forget to be respectful because it's a residential area, and make sure not to give out noise or take any photos wherever not allowed.
How Do I Get to the Rue Cremieux?
If you are in different parts of Paris, you can also walk to Cremieux Street. If you use the subway, the terminal that is closer is Quai de la Rapée on Line 5. That is approximately 10–15 minutes from there. This may be different depending on where you are coming from, but for me, there are two main ways. You can use the subway on Line 1 or Line 14 and get off at Gare de Lyon and then walk from there, which takes about 15-20 minutes. It could happen that you would not need a map to find the way from the place you are now to Rue Cremieux.
#7. Le Comptoir: Have Cocktails or Brunch, Where Parisians Go
Le Comptoir Général is an original spot in Paris where everyone talks. Le Comptoir Général is where you can taste unique cocktails and brunch with African and Caribbean flair. The drinks served in these restaurants are yummy, such as mojitos and rum punch. If you want to spend time with friends, talking, and hanging out with local people, then the best place for you is the restaurant.
That's in the 10th part of Paris, right near the Reublik subway station, just like the Canal Saint-Martin. In both places, it is nice to walk around. You can spend a whole day here, or even more than one day sometimes. For instance, we do. You might be starving, which you can address by checking out the exclusive Restaurant Elmer just a few steps away. Yes, it is expensive, but the food is really worth it, and it's an experience you will never forget.
How Do I Get to the Le Comptoir?
Le Comptoir Général—here is how you can get there! Take the metro and get off at “Station République,” located in the 10th district of Paris. And now we are there. You could also visit the Canal Saint-Martin, which is close by. Easy and convenient!
#8. Le Jardin des Plantes: Best Botanical Garden Globally
The Jardin des Plantes, Paris' main botanical garden, is a hidden gem that many people overlook. It's the best botanical garden globally, also one of Paris' most beautiful spots, you should see the botanical garden in Paris before you leave the city.
The garden is vast and offers a lot: waterfalls, art displays, various climate rooms, and it's enjoyable for the whole family, even on rainy days. Plus, it's located by the Seine River, so you can take a stroll along the riverbank afterward. Being off the beaten path adds to its charm, making it a wonderful find in Paris.
How Do I Get to Le Jardin des Plantes?
To get to Le Jardin des Plantes in Paris, you can take the subway to a station called Jussieu. It's really close to the garden. Then, just take a short walk, and you'll be there! Enjoy your time at the garden!
#9. Pont Alexandre III Bridge: Visit one of the most beautiful bridges in the world
The bridge of Alexander the 3rd that goes across the Seine is amazing. It easily links the Eiffel Tower with the Champs-Élysées district. This bridge is so elegant and trendy! It's the best! There are so many beautiful works of art and statues that appear to be made of gold.
And guess what? And have a view of the Eiffel Tower as well! They claim, no wonder, that it is one of the most lovely bridges ever made! Therefore, if you’re in Paris, then you must be sure to go by. You'll love it!
How Do I Get to the Pont Alexandre III Bridge?
To get to Pont Alexandre III in Paris, take Metro lines 8 or 13 or RER line C to Invalides station, then walk for 10-15 minutes, or use bus lines 63, 69, 72, 83, or 93. Alternatively, bike with Vélib' or walk from nearby landmarks like the Eiffel Tower. Enjoy the stunning views of the Seine River and landmarks once there.
#10.Abbey Bookshop: Feel the Culture
Shakespeare and Company is a famous bookstore in the Latin Quarter of Paris. Sometimes, there are very long lines to get inside. But you can try visiting another special bookstore called Abbey Bookshop instead! It's quite similar to Shakespeare and Company and sells new, used, and rare books, mostly in English. Abbey Bookshop is also special because it's on a street in the Latin Quarter that used to be called Rue des Escrivains, named after the medieval scribes who were important for the book trade in Paris. Later on, parchment makers took over.
How Do I Get to the Abbey Bookshop?
To reach the Abbey Bookshop in Paris, take the metro to Maubert-Mutualité station on Line 10 or use bus lines 24, 47, 63, 67, or 86 to nearby stops. If you're in the Latin Quarter, it's a short walk from landmarks like Notre Dame Cathedral. Once there, explore their collection of English books and enjoy the cozy atmosphere.
