15 Secret Places to Discover in Paris This Summer

undefined 18 juillet 2023 undefined 17h54

The Editor

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We adore wandering around the streets of Paris during the summer—it’s a chance to lose ourselves and uncover delightful hidden treasures! Here are our favorite spots that you might not be familiar with yet, tucked away from the lively Parisian buzz !

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Eiffel Tower, Musée d'Orsay, Montmartre Basilica—these are all fantastic spots, but are you looking to explore Paris from a, shall we say, less touristy angle? You’re in for a treat because here at Bonbon, we adore wandering around our beloved city to uncover hidden gems far from the hustle and bustle.


Catherine Labouré Garden

Nestled among lime and poplar trees, along with cozy gooseberry and hazel hedges, Catherine Labouré Garden is the perfect spot for a reading getaway or a leisurely stroll beneath the Parisian sun. Four grassy patches await to become your natural mattress, where you can soak up some delightful vitamin D. This lovely green space offers a wonderful blend of relaxation and freshness right in the heart of Paris.

29, rue de Babylone – 7th
Open every day
From 8am to 9:30pm


Fig Tree City

In the Oberkampf neighborhood, you can indeed discover some less crowded spots! For an equally charming and poetic experience, just wander between 104 and 106 Oberkampf Street. True to its name, a large fig tree graces the passage. The colorful workshops bring life to this little hidden street, and its facades give the vibe of a cozy village right in the heart of Paris. A peaceful outdoor stroll, what could be better?

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Fig Tree City
Between 104 and 106, Oberkampf Street - 11th arrondissement


Cat-Who-Fishes Street

We discovered the narrowest street in Paris, and its name is sure to make you chuckle! As one of the oldest streets on the Left Bank, this alley, just 1.80 meters wide  leads right onto Huchette Street. A fascinating legend  surrounds this spot: a canon with a black cat, that could fish in the Seine River with just a swipe of its paw. Three students, witnessing this amazing sight, thought it was magic and tossed the cat into the water, believing it to be a devil. Although the canon vanished, he reappeared later, and the cat... was once again spotted fishing!

Rue du Chat-Qui-Pêche - 5th

 

Mural Embrace and Struggle by Conor Harrington

It's impossible not to mention the wonders of street art that abound in the capital city! Hop on line 6 and let yourself be carried away by the view that this elevated metro offers. Along your way, you'll have the pleasure of admiring the giant mural Embrace and Struggle, imagined and drawn by the artist Conor Harrington.

85, boulevard Vincent-Auriol – 13th

 

The Arums building

Built in 1904 by architect Octave Raquin, this building with its neo-baroque facade is truly one of a kind. Curved windows, moldings, and floral inspirations are simply delightful! In fact, it's named "Arums" in honor of the flowers that are sprinkled throughout the building. In a nutshell, it’s an absolute must-see gem of Art Nouveau!

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33, Rue du Champ-de-Mars – 7th

 

Rue Cassini

A street filled with beautiful private mansions, yes, but also rich in history! Celebrated by Balzac, Alain Fournier, and Lucien Simon, you'll see that Rue Cassini was a favored spot for artists and writers. With its geometric lines and bright facades that let in tons of light, this street embodies the architectural and creative spirit of the early 20th century.

Rue Cassini – 14th

 

Maison Loo

What if we went on a little adventure to Asia? No need to worry, it’s just a quick metro ride away! Let’s meet at Parc Monceau, where a real Chinese pagoda, known as Maison Loo, proudly stands. This beauty was brought to life in 1902 by art merchant Ching Tsai Loo, who invested in this charming 19th-century mansion. The talented architect Fernand Bloch completely revamped its look to create a one-of-a-kind place that beautifully bridges France and China. 

Place Gérard-Oury
48, rue de Courcelles – 8th

 

Nicolas Flamel House

The oldest house in Paris, yes indeed! Can you guess when it was built?  1407, as noted on the façade. Nowadays, this historic spot is a restaurant that specializes in French gastronomy, but initially, it was constructed by a wealthy bourgeois to offer shelter for those in need on the first floor, and a shop on the ground floor.

51, rue de Montmorency – 3rd arrondissement

 

Square des Peupliers

Looking for some greenery in the heart of Paris? Head to the 13th arrondissement and more specifically to Square des Peupliers, which is actually an adorable cobblestone alleyway. Here, vegetation reigns supreme. Ivy on the house facades, roses, jasmine, and other types of plants will perfume your stroll.

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Square des Peupliers - 13th

 

Temple Ganesh

Goodbye Paris and hello New Delhi ! Located in the Little Jaffna neighborhood, this place offers an experience at the heart of Hindu traditions, where Ganesh, the supreme deity, is worshiped. Embark on an extraordinary journey…

17, rue Pajol – 18th
Open every day
From 8:30am to 8:00pm

 

Passage Verdeau

If you're on a quest to discover the covered passages of Paris, the Vivienne and Colbert galleries are definitely on your radar. But have you ever checked out Passage Verdeau? Nestled in the Grands Boulevards district, this charming spot was designed by the architect Jacques Deschamps back in 1847. What makes it special? It's barely changed over the last two centuries! With a lovely glass roof that lets in all the brightness and delightful little shops, it’s like stepping into the Paris of yesteryear.

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Verdeau Passage - 9th

 

Rue Crémieux

A Parisian  Notting Hill, in a way!, nestled in the heart of the 12th arrondissement, near Gare de Lyon, this pedestrian street more colorful than a rainbow transports you to a bucolic universe where it is good to live. 

Rue Crémieux – 12th Arrondissement


Anchorage Passage

With its colorful storefronts and lush greenery, if you’re wandering through the 3rd Arrondissement, you definitely want to take a little detour to Anchorage Passage. Here, you’ll find just one shop, Pep's, which specializes in repairing umbrellas. 

Passage of the Anchor – 3rd

 

Hotel Chopin 

Tucked away in the Jouffroy passage, this charming hotel with its wooden storefront from 1847 only adopted the famous composer's name in 1970. Legend has it that Chopin would stroll through this passage when heading to the city center. And here's a little tidbit: the hotel doesn’t have any locks ! So, it has been welcoming guests for 176 years !

46, passage Jouffroy – 9th
More info

 

Nissim de Camondo Museum

Get ready to take a leap into the past! In this former private mansion dating back to the 1930s, the collector Moïse de Camondo gathered furniture and works of art from the 18th century to recreate the typical interior of an aristocratic living space from that era. Tapestries, moldings, and gilding will leave you speechless!

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63, Monceau Street - 8th
Open from Wednesday to Sunday
From 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
More info