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Ah, charming Paris! Alongside London and New York, the capital of France ranks as one of the most iconic and frequently visited cities worldwide. With its awe-inspiring architecture and art at every turn, a world-class culinary scene, and a deeply rich and diverse history, Paris is a must-visit for any travel enthusiast.
Despite this, visitors often gravitate toward the same popular landmarks to experience the city’s essence – the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, shopping on the Champs-Élysées, and Notre-Dame. Excursions to Versailles and Disneyland are also common, accompanied by the occasional croissant and glass of red wine. However, this magnificent city has so much more to offer.
While some entries on this list are fairly well-known, others are more hidden gems. A key distinction from the '10 Jaw-Dropping Hidden Spaces In London' list is that all the sites in Paris are easily accessible. You just might not have discovered them yet. Until now.
10. Sainte-Chapelle
Many destinations are casually dubbed 'must-sees' by playful travel writers, but the breathtaking stained-glass windows of Sainte-Chapelle truly earn this title. They are nothing short of extraordinary.
Although it stands as one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture globally, this stunning site is often overshadowed by Paris's other architectural marvels. While crowds flock to the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and the Palace of Versailles, Sainte-Chapelle rarely gets the same attention. Yet, it deserves it—this place is as awe-inspiring and beautiful as any other landmark in Paris.
Nearest Metro: Cité
9. 59 Rivoli
Few cities can claim a partially abandoned building as a cultural icon.
In 1999, the building at 59 Rue de Rivoli had been abandoned for 15 years, left in a state of disrepair. That year, three artists—Kalex, Gaspard, and Bruno, collectively known as ‘KGB’ (quite witty)—transformed it into their studio. Despite efforts by local authorities to evict them, the city eventually gave in by 2005, designating the space as a permanent haven for artists.
The graffiti-covered walls and chaotic layout give the impression of stepping into an artistic hideaway rather than a traditional gallery or studio. Often dubbed an 'art squat,' the space exudes an air of urban decay, juxtaposed with vibrant, imaginative artworks adorning every corner, nook, and even the occasional cranny. Despite its bohemian, gritty charm, the building boasts remarkable architectural features, such as the elegantly designed spiral staircase, which remains stunning even as the surrounding walls are painted with surreal, unblinking eyes.
This thriving hub for artistic creation and exhibition evokes the spirit of late 19th and early 20th-century Paris, when the city was the heart of artistic innovation. While not every piece at 59 Rivoli may appeal to everyone, the fact that art flourishes here in an era often criticized for its lack of groundbreaking movements is undeniably worth celebrating.
Nearest Metro: Châtelet
8. Beefbar
A visually stunning restaurant in Paris? Surely, you jest!
Upon arriving in 'The City of Light,' you’ll quickly realize the abundance of exceptional dining spots. From quaint cafés serving delightful breakfasts to historic hole-in-the-wall eateries renowned for a single dish since 1780, and high-end establishments adorned with so many stars and rosettes they could replace wallpaper. Beefbar, with its view of the iconic Eiffel Tower, ticks all these boxes. Haute cuisine? Absolutely. Unique and iconic? Without a doubt. Specializes in a specific dish or ingredient? Be prepared to work up a meat-induced sweat.
This restaurant is a hidden treasure in the gastronomic capital of the world—less frequented than 'Le Fouquet’s,' 'Café de Flore,' or 'Tour D’Argent,' yet it holds its own among them. Located in the former 'Lamgham Hotel' in the 8th arrondissement, the interior has been meticulously restored to its original art nouveau splendor.
After being abandoned during WWII, rediscovered, declared a historical monument, and then neglected again in the 80s, the building was revitalized by restaurateurs Ricardo Giraudi, Emil Humbert, and Christophe Poyet. Departing from their usual ethos of 'refined simplicity' seen in their more minimalist venues, Beefbar in Paris is a lavish celebration—a culinary sanctuary dedicated to beauty.
And yes, they serve an exceptional steak. With fries, naturally.
Nearest Metro: Alma-Marceau
7. La Bibliothèque Interuniversitaire Sorbonne
The Annenberg Dining Hall at Harvard University in the US is stunning. The Ashmolean Museum in Oxford showcases the University’s architectural brilliance. The Toho Gauken School of Music in Japan, a post-brutalist concrete masterpiece, is as daring as it gets. Yet, none compare to the breathtaking interior of the Sorbonne’s magnificent library.
While French porcelain might sometimes seem overly ornate or flashy, a visit to this library will change your perspective—it’s all about scale. Imagine those intricate objets d’art transformed into a reading room, and you’d have something as exquisite as the Sainte-Jacques reading room in Paris.
Although only students or professors can borrow books (with over 2.5 million titles spanning 40 km of shelves, the options are endless), who really minds? The lavish, opulent interior is the true attraction. Elegant ivory moldings draw your gaze to the romantic paintings adorning the walls and ceilings, depicting scenes of scholarly life from centuries ago. The soft pastel blue-green walls, adorned with intricate floral patterns, might distract readers, but honestly, who could blame them?
It’s truly remarkable how a blend of delicate, pastel-toned charm and lavish grandeur can come together so harmoniously. Only in Paris could such a combination make perfect sense.
Nearest Metro: Cluny-La Sorbonne
6. Promenade Plantée
Paris has transformed an abandoned railway track into a stunning garden pathway winding through the city, offering visitors the chance to recreate their own French-inspired version of 'Stand By Me'—minus the need to leap off a trestle to dodge a train or protect a deceased child’s body with a gun taken from an alcoholic.
*Author’s Note* I inquired with my hotel concierge if he knew any gun-owning alcoholics from whom I could borrow a 1911 before my walk. He simply stared at me and walked away; service staff in France can be quite blunt.
When the city transformed an abandoned viaduct into one of the world’s first elevated urban walkways in 1993, locals criticized it as a financial waste. Today, it’s celebrated as the serene, picturesque escape it truly is, offering a peaceful retreat above the chaos of one of the globe’s most vibrant cities.
The 3-mile-long trail stretches from the Bastille to Paris’s largest park, the Bois de Vincennes. From the tranquil garden ponds to the panoramic views of the city’s rooftops, it provides a unique vantage point of Paris that street-level exploration simply can’t match.
Nearest Metro: Ledru-Rollin
5. Musée Bourdelle
While the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay are undeniably impressive, this charming and lesser-known museum is worth a visit. Like many of Paris’s smaller museums, it’s located in a townhouse, but what sets it apart is that this was the actual studio of the renowned sculptor Antoine Bourdelle.
While admiring sculptures by Alberto Giacometti, Henry Moore, or Bourdelle’s mentor Auguste Rodin is impressive, this small building, nestled in the shadow of Paris’s second-tallest skyscraper, Tour Montparnasse (visit the top for the city’s best views), offers more. Here, you can not only marvel at incredible sculptures by a master artist but also explore the tools he used. Pay attention to the numerous plaster casts of Ludwig Van Beethoven’s bust and pieces from Bourdelle’s personal collection, including works by Rodin, neoclassicist Ingres, and Adolphe Monticelli, a precursor to the Impressionist movement.
Nearest Metro: Falguière
4. Le Collège des Bernardins
Amidst Paris’s stunning neo-gothic architecture, art nouveau touches, modern metallic and plastic structures, and neo-classical bridges and statues, it’s easy to assume the city’s history began in the 1700s. However, Paris is far older, and nowhere is this more evident than at the Collège des Bernardins, a 13th-century building located in the Latin Quarter.
Constructed in 1248, this building served as a college and monastery for the Cistercian order until the upheaval of the French Revolution. After a meticulous renovation in 2008, it now houses the 'Académie catholique de France,' a group of scholars dedicated to fostering intellectual dialogue and advancing research.
The minimalist stone interior of the nave, accentuated by sweeping medieval columns, highlights the vastness of the space. It serves as a reminder that monastic life was a peculiar blend of austerity and grandeur—some monks were devout and quiet, while others were rowdy and indulgent. Various spaces, including the expansive nave, are available for events, allowing you to celebrate as if it were the year 1399.
Nearest Metro: Cardinal Lemoine
3. Musée du Parfum—Fragonard
In addition to its culinary, fashion, and artistic achievements, Paris is also recognized as the global hub for perfumery, competing with Newark, New Jersey, for the title of 'World’s Leading Creator of Scents.'
While the museum’s building is charming—a Napoleon III-era townhouse in the 9th arrondissement—the real allure lies inside. Exhibits are organized chronologically, tracing the evolution of perfumery from ancient times to the 20th century, offering a fascinating journey through the history of fragrance.
If 16th-century pomanders and Etruscan perfume vases don’t captivate you, the museum also features an 'olfaction room' where you can explore the evolution of perfume trends since the early 20th century. Additionally, there’s a perfumer’s workshop where you can delve into the craft of creating delightful scents.
While we often prioritize sights and tastes when exploring new places, the perfume museum ensures your senses are fully engaged during your Parisian adventure—except for touch. Perhaps you can satisfy that by stroking a baguette on your way home.
Nearest Metro: Opéra
2. Sainte-Geneviève Library
Our second library entry is equally breathtaking. The grand reading room, with its soaring vaulted ceilings, exposed cast iron columns, and walls lined with uniform bookshelves, is illuminated by 46 arched windows that flood the space with natural light. It’s as stunning as the haute couture showcased on the runways during Paris Fashion Week.
While the space now appears perfectly designed, it wasn’t always viewed this way. When constructed in 1847, it was groundbreaking—perhaps the first true example of architectural beauty that heavily utilized iron, from the elegantly crafted cast-iron arches to the innovative iron mesh supporting the plasterwork in the vaulted ceiling. A writer for Insider.com compared the space to Hogwarts from the Harry Potter universe, but in reality, this place is even more enchanting, as its architectural marvels are tangible and real.
Nearest Metro: Cardinal Lemoine
1. The Grand Mosque
Another awe-inspiring yet often overlooked religious site is the Grand Mosque. Its stunning Moorish designs transport visitors to an era when the Islamic and European worlds rarely intersected, except on the Iberian frontier. Inside, intricate geometric Zellij mosaics captivate, while outside, the striking rectangular minaret features artfully crafted crenellations. The lush Andalusian Garden, complete with fountains and meticulously arranged shrubs, adds to the serene beauty.
From the detailed tilework to the elaborate carvings on the interior courtyard pillars, France’s oldest metropolitan mosque is a visual masterpiece.
The mosque boasts a captivating history – under Nazi occupation in France, its founder, Si Kaddour Benghabrit, successfully obtained Muslim identification documents for numerous Sephardic Jews in Paris. Thanks to their common North African roots and fluency in Arabic, these Jews could seamlessly blend in as Muslims.
Closest Metro Station: Place Monge
