Unusual places in Paris: 10 secret spots to discover in the city

Paris is a city with a thousand faces. Beyond its iconic landmarks, the capital is full of unusual places that offer a different kind of visit, more intimate and more authentic. These spots, often overlooked by international visitors, reveal another side of the city, blending history, art, preserved neighborhoods, and unexpected spaces.

Here are 10 unusual places in Paris, perfect for an original discovery in the heart of the capital.

1. The Coulée Verte René-Dumont (12th arrondissement)

The Coulée Verte René-Dumont is one of the most emblematic unusual places in eastern Paris. Built on a former railway line, this elevated green walkway crosses several arrondissements and offers an original way to explore the city, far from street noise.

Along the walk, visitors discover a unique green space, punctuated by gardens, tunnels, and discreet views of Parisian buildings. This spot allows you to gain perspective and observe Paris from a different angle, closely connected to everyday city life.

• Access: Bastille or Daumesnil metro stations
• Tip: ideal for a morning visit or in spring

2. La Campagne à Paris (20th arrondissement)

La Campagne à Paris is an unusual place that surprises visitors with its unexpected character in the heart of the capital. This residential neighborhood, made up of individual houses and quiet streets, offers a real contrast to the dense image of Paris.

Built in the early 20th century, this area reflects another era in the city’s history. A visit to La Campagne à Paris allows you to discover a discreet, almost secret neighborhood where time seems to stand still.

• Access: Porte de Bagnolet metro station
• Tip: choose a calm and respectful visit

3. The Mouzaïa neighborhood (19th arrondissement)

The Mouzaïa neighborhood is one of the most unusual places in Paris for a walking tour. Made up of cobbled lanes and small houses, it developed on former quarries, which explains its unique layout.

During the visit, you discover a neighborhood with a strong identity, marked by colorful facades and a very local feel. It is an ideal spot for a quiet discovery, far from traditional tourist routes.

• Access: Botzaris metro station
• Tip: perfect for a late-afternoon walk

4. La Butte-aux-Cailles (13th arrondissement)

Located in the south of Paris, La Butte-aux-Cailles is an unusual place that charms visitors with its village-like spirit and rich urban heritage. This neighborhood preserves many old houses and sloping streets that recall Paris of another time.

The visit is also marked by the presence of street art, with numerous artworks visible on building facades. La Butte-aux-Cailles offers a perfect balance between cultural discovery, walking tours, and a break on a terrace.

• Access: Corvisart or Place d’Italie metro stations
• Tip: visit in the late afternoon to enjoy the bars

5. Passage Brady (10th arrondissement)

Passage Brady is an unusual place steeped in history, located in the heart of Paris. Created in the 19th century, this covered passage is now known for its strong cultural identity and influences from abroad.

During a visit, you will discover a lively space where shops, restaurants, and distinctive facades come together. This spot offers a change of scenery and an original experience, ideal for a gourmet break during a city walk.

• Access: Strasbourg – Saint-Denis metro station
• Tip: ideal for lunch or a culinary discovery

6. The Auteuil Greenhouses (16th arrondissement)

The Auteuil Greenhouses are among the most elegant unusual places in Paris. This historic botanical garden, located in the west of the capital, is home to rare plant collections housed in listed greenhouses.

The visit allows you to discover a space that blends art, architecture, and nature, bearing witness to a time when Paris was developing major scientific gardens. An ideal spot for a green escape in the heart of the city.

• Access: Porte d’Auteuil metro station
• Tip: choose a weekday visit

7. Square des Peupliers (13th arrondissement)

Square des Peupliers is a discreet unusual place, often overlooked during a visit to Paris. This small residential neighborhood is made up of cobbled lanes lined with low houses, far removed from the Haussmann-style cityscape.

A walk through this area reveals another side of the capital, more intimate, and allows visitors to observe facades with carefully crafted details.

• Access: Maison Blanche metro station
• Tip: plan a short and peaceful walk

8. The Museum of Romantic Life (9th arrondissement)

Housed in a former 19th-century house, the Museum of Romantic Life is a confidential and unusual place in Paris. It retraces a key period in French artistic and literary history in an intimate, human-scale setting.

The visit allows you to discover artworks, objects, and temporary exhibitions, while also enjoying a discreet garden in the heart of the city.

• Access: Saint-Georges metro station
• Tip: choose a morning visit

9. The Canal de l’Ourcq

The Canal de l’Ourcq is a place appreciated by Parisians for its walks and outdoor activities. Less crowded than other emblematic spots, it offers an unusual way to explore Paris, combining water, urban landscape, and local life.

Moving away from La Villette, you will discover calmer spaces, ideal for relaxing and meeting friends.

• Access: Ourcq or Laumière metro stations
• Tip: ideal in the late afternoon, especially in summer

10. Saint-Serge of Radonezh Church (19th arrondissement)

Saint-Serge of Radonezh Church is a little-known unusual place, located in a former industrial building in northeastern Paris. A visit reveals a unique cultural and religious space, reflecting the diversity of the capital.

This place offers a real discovery, both for its history and its interior architecture.

• Access: Crimée metro station
• Tip: check opening hours and service times in advance

Why choose an unusual visit in Paris?

Choosing an unusual visit means discovering Paris differently. These often secret places help you better understand the history of the city, its neighborhoods, its spaces, and its different eras, while enjoying a more authentic experience in the heart of the capital.

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