Paris Off the Beaten Path

Itinerary

ParisCities

  • duration7 Days
  • stages7 Stages

Sergio Grazia
© Sergio Grazia

Reading time: 0 minPublished on 29 February 2024

Every neighborhood in Paris has its secrets... some better kept than others. Whether you're with friends, a significant other, or flying solo, spend an unconventional week in the capital, exploring some hidden gems known only to locals. Here's a dreamy itinerary for your time in the City of Light. Can you keep a secret? These hotspots are just for you.

Paris, Right Bank (Day 1 to 4)

Paris - Right Bank of the Seine River
Pierre Lacroix
© Pierre Lacroix

Spend the 3 first nights of your stay at the Hôtel Particulier, a hidden marvel  nestle at the end of an alley in a Monmartre garden. 

Day 1 – Montmartre – Pigalle – La Nouvelle Athènes

La Nouvelle Athènes
Pierre Antoine
© Pierre Antoine

Start your offbeat Paris itinerary at Montmartre with a stroll through Villa Léandre, a secret alley tucked away in a little corner of paradise amidst the hustle and bustle of the neighborhood. Next, head down to Pigalle and check out the Playground Dupperé, an extraordinary basketball court nestled between two buildings.

Treat yourself to a gourmet lunch at the Hôtel Amour, a favorite spot among the locals of the 9th arrondissement.

In the afternoon, visit the musée de la Vie romantique (Museum of Romantic Life) and enjoy a snack in the garden, in the summer enjoy the shade of the rose bushes, in the winter the greenhouse is the coziest spot.

 

Day 2 – Porte de Bagnolet – Belleville - Oberkampf

Le Perchoir
Jérôme Galland
© Jérôme Galland

Begin your day at "La Campagne à Paris" in the 20th arrondissement, a small village in the heart of the capital. Then head to Belleville, to Butte Bergeyre, a charming neighborhood perched atop stairs. Have lunch at Buttes Snack Bar, for a vintage atmosphere and a delicious meal. 

Take a stroll through Belleville Park to catch a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower, then make your way to the surprising Rue Denoyez, a favorite spot for street art enthusiasts. Next, head to Cité du Figuier on Rue Oberkampf, where former metalworking workshops hide away in a little corner of paradise.

In the evening, dine at Perchoir to catch a glimpse of all of Paris from the 6th and 7th floors of an industrial building.

Jour 3 – Le Marais

Le Marais
Benjamin Gavaudo / Centre des monuments nationaux
© Benjamin Gavaudo / Centre des monuments nationaux

Start your day at the Galerie  Perrotin. Nestled in a courtyard on Rue de Turenne, admire the works of the greatest contemporary artists free of charge. Between Rue de Turenne and Boulevard Beaumarchais, discover Square Saint-Gilles Grand-Veneur - Pauline Roland, a secret square. 

In the spring, it's particularly enchanting, bursting with a thousand roses and flowers. In a corner of Place des Vosges, take the hidden entrance to the Garden of Hôtel de Sully. A lovely French-style garden that leads, on the other side, to Rue de Rivoli. You can take a sun-drenched break there. Have lunch at Place du Marché Sainte Catherine. Then, stroll through the Marais to the medieval houses at 11 Rue François Miron. A guaranteed journey through time.

Dine at the "Table cachée" by Michel Roth, at BHV. Enjoy pan-seared foie gras with Banyuls or a supreme chicken with yellow wine, all while observing the Hôtel de Ville.

Day 4 – Rivoli – Louvre - Saint-Honoré

Le Café Verlet
Virginie Garnier
© Virginie Garnier

Have breakfast at the oldest café in Paris, le Café Verlet.

Experience art and luxury as you admire unique jewelry collections at the Van Cleef & Arpels Galerie du Patrimoine  on Place Vendôme.

Continue your itinerary in Paris with a lovely stroll through the gardens of the Palais-Royal, shaded by the Comédie-Française.

In the evening, dine at the iconic Poste du Louvre, at Madame Rêve Kitchen where Stéphanie Le Quellec crafts a comforting traditional menu. Enjoy raw scallops, and flambeed Normandy beef rib with bourbon.

Paris, Left Bank (Day 5 to 7)

Hôtel La Lanterne

Spend the last 2 days of your stay at the chic 4-star Parisian boutique hotel Lanterne featuring a pool, spa, and an interior quiet garden, with the added benefit of an ecological commitment towards energy reduction.

Day 5 – Latin Quarter - Saint Germain-des-Prés

La Maison Gainsbourg
Alexis Raimbault
© Alexis Raimbault

Head to Rue de Verneuil for a nostalgic visit to the Maison Gainsbourg, home of the legendary singer and provocateur Serge Gainsbourg. You have the option to have lunch or grab a coffee there.

Afterward, make your way to the Grande Mosquée de Paris, a must-visit gem often overlooked by tourists. Take a stroll through its patio inspired by the Alhambra in Granada, then sip on some mint tea with a pastry in the tea room.

Day 6 – Montparnasse – Port Royal

Port Royal

Start your sixth day in Paris with a countryside stroll down rue des Thermopyle all the way up to the magnificent wooden gate of Cité Bauer.

To continue the countryside vibe in the heart of Paris, have lunch at the delightful restaurant in the Bourdelle Museum. Since the museum is free, be sure to stroll among the sculptures and then head out to l’Institut Giacometti, housed in an Art Deco townhouse.

In the evening, enjoy a drink to the sound of the piano at Closerie des Lilas, a favorite spot of Verlaine, Hemingway, and even Picasso.

Day 7 – Invalides – Champ de Mars

Musée Yves Saint Laurent
Thibault Voisin
© Thibault Voisin

An off the beaten path itinerary in Paris wouldn't be complete without a fashion. At the Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris, located in the heart of the historic site of his former couture house, rediscover the great fashion designer through thematic temporary exhibitions.

Take a sandwich break in the Catherine Labouré  vegetable garde.n

Spend an afternoon exploring street art, strolling through the collection at Fluctuart, a floating urban museum on the Seine.

Complete your itinerary in Paris beautifully by dining at Rosa Bonheur, a festive and cheerful :guinguette" an open air restaurant on a barge.

Disocver: Paris

read : 9 bonnes raisons de visiter Paris au printemps Romantic Escapades in châteaux gardens near Paris

Conseils et recommandations

Get around using the metro, bus, and bike!

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