We’re all familiar with the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame in Paris. Perhaps you’ve visited the city once or even multiple times. But did you know there’s so much more to discover? Unique spots that most tourists have never heard of, where you’ll mostly find locals.
During my 4 days in Paris, I focused on uncovering these hidden gems of the beaten track —the lesser-known places that other visitors often overlook. If you’ve already been to Paris and want a more unique experience this time, keep reading!
Note: this blog post was sponsored by Atout France. Nevertheless, all the experiences below are entirely my own.
Day 1: Immersing in culture at Boulogne-Billancourt
I arrived in Paris by train, thanks to the convenient direct Eurostar connection from Brussels-South Station to Gare du Nord. The trip takes just 1 hour and 20 minutes, bringing you right to the heart of the city!
Upon arrival, I quickly dropped off my luggage at the 25hours Hotel Terminus Nord, conveniently located directly across from the station. After a first lunch at the hotel’s restaurant, Neni, we reviewed our itinerary for the next four days. Or should I say in and around Paris? The true hidden gems of Paris often lie just beyond the city center.
Visit the Albert-Kahn Museum
One such gem off the beaten path is the Albert-Kahn Museum. Albert Kahn, a banker and collector, embarked on an extraordinary lifelong project: documenting the world through photography. His “Archives of the Planet” include 72,000 color photographs and 180,000 meters of silent film shot between 1909 and 1931 in diverse corners of the globe.
While the museum offers a glimpse of this extraordinary collection, the gardens are just as impressive. Kahn designed nearly 10 acres of themed gardens, including a Japanese garden, a rose garden, and a forest inspired by the Vosges. Be sure to explore the gardens and step into the grand greenhouse.
Listen to fish sounds at the SeineLab
A 30-minute walk from the Albert-Kahn Museum brings you to La Seine Musicale, a massive concert venue with much more to offer. Here, you’ll find the SeineLab, a small exhibition space currently hosting “Listening to Fish and Other Noisy Shrimp.” This unique exhibition, launched in 2023, merges sound, technology, and art.
The current exhibit visualizes the sounds that fish make underwater. Artists have recorded and transformed these sounds into captivating audio-visual experiences. For example, you can listen to a clownfish’s unique sound while admiring an artistic representation of it. The exhibitions change every few months, so check their website for the latest updates.
Catch a Concert at La Seine Musicale
While at La Seine Musicale, why not attend a concert? From classical music to musicals and dance performances, the venue offers a wide range of shows. I was particularly impressed by “La Haine – Jusqu’ici rien n’a changé,” a stunning performance that brought the iconic film La Haine to life with live music and acting. It was so powerful that the audience gave a five-minute standing ovation. Check their website for upcoming performances, but note that most are in French.
Restaurant Tip: Before the show, dine at O2 Scènes, an Italian-inspired restaurant right next to the venue. The cozy ambiance sets the mood perfectly for an evening of music.
Day 2: Exploring Saint-Ouen and Saint-Denis
The second day in Paris, it was time for another suburb of the city. Once again I went just outside the old city walls in search of hidden gems in Paris but this time on the north side to explore the Saint-Ouen and Saint-Denis neighborhoods. By the way, you get here very easily by metro. Take line 4 to Porte de Clignancourt and walk another 10 minutes or so to start in Saint-Ouen.
Wander through the world’s largest flea market
Did you know that Saint-Ouen is home to the world’s largest flea market? Spanning 7 hectares and comprising 12 covered markets, the Marché aux Puces attracts about five million visitors annually. This market dates back to the late 19th century when traders and rag-pickers began selling secondhand goods on the outskirts of Paris.
The market’s charm has even attracted filmmakers, so many that Juliette from Cine Balade offers guided walks to learn more about its cinematic history. Highlights include Chez Sarah, a boutique offering vintage designer clothing from up to 100 years ago—a treasure trove for film costume designers and fashion enthusiasts alike.
Lunch Tip: After exploring the flea market, head to MOB House, a hotel restaurant specializing in seasonal, organic ingredients and Mediterranean-inspired dishes. Delicious!
Visit the Saint-Denis Basilica
A short ride on Metro Line 13 brings you to the Basilica of Saint-Denis. Although it probably doesn’t ring a bell with you, it’s arguably the most significant cathedral in Paris. As the burial site of nearly all French kings and queens, it’s steeped in history. It’s also the oldest Gothic cathedral in France, predating Notre Dame by about 30 years.
So you can certainly imagine the grandeur of this cathedral. Inside, you will admire the tombs of a whole series of French royalty, including those of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. Don’t miss the crypt, which houses the heart of young Louis XVII, son of Marie Antoinette. Likewise, the cathedral’s interior is sure to leave you in awe.
Cycle along the Saint-Denis Canal
From Saint-Denis, I rented a Vélib bike and cycled along the Saint-Denis Canal back toward the city center. You can find Vélib bikes everywhere in Paris. Which, provided you buy a Vélib pass, you can easily borrow and leave somewhere else. And yes, there are also electric bicycles. Super convenient!
My trip along the canal began at the Stade de France, where all of Paris’ famous soccer games take place. This was also the area where the Olympic Games took place in the summer of 2024. In response to this gigantic event, the neighborhood received a serious upgrade that included a new bike path along the Saint-Denis Canal.
During your bike ride, feast your eyes as you pass a lot of street art, with new works of art appearing along the waterfront every year. Finally, you will arrive at Parc de la Villette, the largest park within the city walls of Paris! Here you can continue cycling to Pantin, formerly an industrial port area, now a trendy neighborhood with the research and development centers of Hermès.
Tip: Warm up afterward with a drink at DOCK B, a cozy spot overlooking the canal.
Dine at the Philharmonic of Paris
One of the most extraordinary locations to dine in Paris? Surely that’s L’Envol, the restaurant atop the Philharmonic of Paris in Parc de la Villette. Not only is the building a feat of insane architecture, but you dine there with a view of the Paris skyline. Plus the menu is delicious! Be sure to catch a classical concert afterward, or linger for a walk in the park.
Tip: from April to October, the building’s Belvedere also offers a magnificent view of the city!
Day 3: old and new Paris
Not only outside the city walls of Paris, but also in the historic center there are special places to be found, especially in the 13th arrondissement, a rather interesting neighborhood.
Stroll through the Grand Mosque of Paris
On the way to the 13th arrondissement, it pays to stop briefly in the 5th at the Grand Mosque of Paris, one of the oldest mosques in France. Still little known, but a true oasis of calm in the otherwise fairly hectic center. You visit its prayer halls and beautiful inner garden, also called the Garden of Eden. The garden certainly lives up to that name, because even in early December the flowers were blooming and it still looked beautifully green!
Discover street art in the 13th arrondissement
Then walk on to the 13th arrondissement, a haven for street art. Here I joined a guided tour with Laurent, a local artist, showing me around the district’s street art. Expect numerous works by internationally renowned artists such as D*Face, Vhils, Obey and C215. Most of the works can be admired along subway line 6, but in my opinion, you’re better off on foot.
Each artwork on a building has a unique story. And the occupants of these buildings are quite proud of that. Do you ask for their address? They’ll just give you the artist’s name! Be sure to look for the politically charged “Marianne Cries,” a tribute to the victims of the 2015 Paris attacks, which was hijacked as a political statement to give voice to the discontent of the French people.
Lunch tip: Find a table in the food halls of La Felicità. At this hip spot, you’ll find mostly locals – students and young workers – who come for lunch at one of the booths in this old train depot. These are mostly Italian-inspired (yesss truffle pasta!), but you’ll also find burgers, salads and countless delicious cakes and pastries.
Visit the Castle of Vincennes
Also on the east side of Paris just outside the city center, you will find a special historical site: the Castle of Vincennes. Once a royal residence – even before the Palace of Versailles and the Louvre – and hunting lodge, the castle later served as a prison and military base. The striking keep, with its 52-meter-high tower, is one of the best-preserved medieval defense towers in Europe.
You can visit the fort’s gigantic courtyard completely free – subject to a rigorous check of your backpack. Want to see the castle and the beautiful chapel inside as well? Then you need to buy a ticket. In doing so, you get a video guide that tells you more about the history and function of the castle. Interesting!
Night walk in Parc de la Villette
Did you know that Parc de la Villette is the only park in Paris that is open both day and night? And if you thought the park was already cool in daylight, you’ll also be amazed at how it looks at night. All the buildings are illuminated in the distinctive red color that runs through the park. In other places, you will find special lighting installations. Moreover, the park is also really alive at night, thanks to the many performances taking place everywhere.
Brigitte gave me a guided night tour of the park, including a lot of history explanations. You see, what you are now happily walking through used to be the cattle market and slaughterhouse of Paris. When these were closed, the city decided to transform the site into a “City of Science & Music” to become the cultural hub of Paris. You’ll find here, among other things, the Conservatory of Dance and Music, theaters, a cabaret hall, a cinema, a science museum and, of course, lots of places to just enjoy the outdoors. The perfect way to end the day!
Restaurant tip: You can still taste this neighborhood’s slaughterhouse past at Le Bœuf Couronné, a meat restaurant which has been serving its dishes for more than 100 years.
Day 4: strolling past local artisans
Paris is more than just its impressive buildings. The city is a mishmash of all kinds of cultures and home to a lot of small entrepreneurs who will be happy to explain their crafts to you.
Join a porcelain workshop at Eugène Griotte
Such is the case with Camille Le Chatelier. She runs her own porcelain brand Eugène Griotte, all handmade creations that she sells locally and online. In her studio, she is happy to give a tour to all the curious and even organizes porcelain courses.
Porcelain originally comes from China, but once they in Europe – finally – figured out how to make this fine pottery, it also became a French pride. If you thought you were turning porcelain pots then you are wrong. A special mixture is solidified in a mold and then baked in the oven. How Camille then makes her beautiful designs, she shows you on the spot.
But even further into the neighborhood, you’ll discover lots of local merchants and cute little stores. Stop by bookstore La Régulière or soap shop Fleurs de Sardines, for example. In addition to countless African stores, as this neighborhood near Montmartre is home to a large African community.
Lunch tip: set yourself at a table at Le Chien de la Lune a few blocks away for a delicious and affordable lunch.
So, this marked the end of my 4 days in Paris, because after lunch it’s time to jump back on the train to Brussels. Do you know any special places in Paris off the beaten track that you would like to share? Then be sure to leave a comment below! I’m curious!
Where to Stay in Paris
During my 4 days in Paris, I stayed at the 25hours Hotel Terminus Nord. This hip hotel houses a maze of artistic rooms, some of which have a beautiful view of the façade of the North Station. At night you dream away between the sheets and in the morning you start the day with a delicious “Parisian breakfast” – be sure to taste the French toast!
Getting to Paris by Train
From Brussels, you can be in Paris in as little as 1h20 by high-speed train. The Eurostar runs several times on and off to Gare du Nord from Brussels-Midi. An ideal and sustainable way to plan 4 days in Paris and discover all its special places. In Paris itself, you don’t need a car at all either. Buy a 3 or 5-day pass for the metro and travel unlimited throughout all the arrondissements.
