Top Places in Paris an Insider Wants You to Know About
Beyond must-see sights like the Eiffel Tower and Mona Lisa is a trove of hidden treasures waiting to be discovered in the City of Light
When a shopkeeper went viral for bottling Seine water as an Olympic souvenir, it showed what insiders already knew: Paris' surprising treasures hide in plain sight, at least when you know where to look. While millions queue for a glimpse of the Mona Lisa or jostle for Eiffel Tower selfies, another Paris awaits beyond the crowds, a Paris where century-old carousels still spin and curiosity shops double as modern-day literary salons.
Here's where to find the City of Light’s eternal magic.
Where to window-shop like a local
The sloping Rue des Martyrs in the 9th arrondissement captures quintessential Parisian street life with its endless temptations for faire du lèche-vitrines (window shopping).
Wind your way toward Sacré-Cœur past boutiques, patisseries, and shops devoted to single obsessions like confitures (preserved or candied fruit). A stroll away in the 1st and 2nd, Rue Montorgueil's cobblestones lead past Paris’ oldest patisserie, Stohrer, to cheese shops, produce markets, and cafes where locals spill onto the sidewalks.
Where to find affordable eats
At Bouillon République in the 3rd arrondissement, white-aproned waiters glide through a glittering Art Nouveau dining room balancing platters of steak frites and escargot. These historic restaurants, called bouillons—Paris' original "fast food"—have served affordable feasts to hungry workers since the 19th century.
Throw back oysters and Champagne for a few euros at Le Baron Rouge near the Marché d'Aligre in the 12th, where Sunday mornings find regulars crowding around wooden wine casks sharing the freshly shucked seafood from September to April, as well as bottles of bubbly.
For a modern take on neighborhood dining, just beyond the village of Popincourt in the 11th, awaits Cafe du Coin, a cheerful corner cafe epitomizing a new wave of bistros in Paris that capture authentic local culture.
Where to enjoy the outdoors
Trade Luxembourg Gardens for the storybook, sprawling Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, built on former quarries in the far-flung 19th arrondissement. If the suspension bridge leading to the temple perched on a cliff looks familiar, that’s because it’s Gustave Eiffel’s unmistakable touch.
Don’t miss Rosa Bonheur, the fever dream of an open-air cafe at the park: Think disco balls, neon signage, and maybe a Pomeranian dining with his person.
Take in bird’s-eye views of Paris from the Ballon de Paris Generali, a (tethered) balloon ride at the modernist Parc André Citroën in the 15th. You’ll join families and kids as you ascend the 150 meters in true Paris tradition; montgolfières (hot air balloons) were invented here, after all.
Where to discover the best souvenirs
In the Latin Quarter, Messy Nessy Chic’s recently opened cabinet of curiosities does more than bottle eau de Seine; her shop revives the classic Parisian salon tradition, gathering culture lovers among vintage treasures and offbeat finds.
Nearby in the 7th, climb creaky stairs above a garden shop to enter Deyrolle, an 1831 natural history wonderland where taxidermized tigers prowl amongst vintage educational charts. You’re in good company in this borderline bizarre museum-meets-shop where Salvador Dalí was a regular.
Where to experience one-of-a-kind attractions
Behind a graffiti-covered facade in the 7th arrondissement, Serge Gainsbourg's legendary home is preserved exactly how France's arguably most provocative singer left it. An intimate walk-through is guided by a soundtrack of musical archives and his daughter Charlotte’s recollections. Tickets are scarce, but the more accessible Maison Gainsbourg Museum down the street traces the icon’s life and career with a final flourish of the evocative piano bar Le Gainsbarre.
For pure Parisian magic, venture to the Musée des Arts Forains in Bercy, once the world's largest wine market and the heart of festive 19th-century Paris. As part of this private collection (available to tour only through advance reservations), century-old carousels still spin and vintage carnival games await, proving that some of the top places in Paris are found where the crowds are left behind.