10 lesser-known Paris attractions to visit 

Paris is full of hidden treasures, and many expats and even locals may live in the city for years without discovering most of them.

While landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and the Louvre see millions upon millions of visitors per year, there’s so many more lesser-known Paris attractions just waiting to be discovered!

This week on the Paris Teachers Club blog, we list 10 of our favourite hidden Paris attractions, and why you shouldn’t miss them!

---

1. Promenade Plantée 

Address: 1 Coulée Verte René-Dumont, 75012 

If you’re looking for a picturesque Paris garden to enjoy this summer, you can’t go past The Promenade Plantée, a lush green walkway that stretches three miles above the streets of the Paris’ 12th arrondissement. Once a railway, the Promenade Plantée was transformed 30 years ago into a tranquil space for Parisians to stretch their legs in a green oasis right in the heart of Paris, while enjoying views across the city. The Promenade Plantée features on our guide to the best Paris parks and gardens.

---

2. La Péniche Cinéma 

Address: 2 Quai de la Tournelle, 75005 

La Péniche Cinéma is one of the most unique and lesser-known Paris attractions. This vintage barge has been transformed into a floating cinema, restaurant, bar and club, and holds regular film screenings, festivals and events onboard. In summer, La Péniche is at its most alive, with live music and dancing, great food and a curated film screening schedule. The Paris floating cinema is located in the Parc de La Villette. 

---

3. La Petite Ceinture 

Address: Via 124 avenue du Général Leclerc

La Petite Ceinture is an abandoned circular railway which once carried Parisians around the city via steam train, from the mid 19th century to early 20th century. With the expansion of the Metro, this service became obsolete. Luckily for Parisians, sections of the railway remain, and the tracks, bridges and tunnels are overgrown with lush greenery (over 200 species). You can access La Petite Ceinture from a range of arrondissements, with the best sections to explore located near the Paris Catacombs and between Porte d’Auteuil and Gare de La Muette. There’s also easy access at Villa du Bel Air near Porte de Vincennes. The trail usually opens between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. and closes between 7.30 p.m. and 8.30 p.m.

---

4. Grévin Museum 

Address: 10 Bd Montmartre, 75009

The Grévin Museum in beautiful Montmartre is Paris’ answer to Madame Tussauds! Home to 200 wax statues of celebrities, comedians, historical figures, royalty and more, the museum is a fun day out that also hosts regular events throughout the year. Musée Grévin is open daily and promises a unique day out in Paris. 

---

5. Wall of Love 

Address: Square Jehan Rictus, Pl. des Abbesses, 75018 

Montmartre’s “Wall of Love” is a Paris attraction that many visitors to the cobblestone Parisian village miss out on – as they don’t know it’s there! Located just below Sacré Cœur in Square Jehan Rictus, the “Mur des je t’aime” features the words “I love you” in 311 languages. The Wall of Love is one of Paris’ most popular proposal spots, as well as being a fantastic spot to take some unique Paris happy snaps! 

---

6. Paris Bouquinistes 

Address: Along the River Seine 

There is always a bookish bargain to be found at the bouquinistes along the Seine. The tradition of the Paris bouquinistes, the city’s historic riverside merchant booksellers, dates back to the 16th century. It is a unique tradition of the city, and the 240 open air second hand book sellers and their identifiable boxes are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site! 

---

7. Galeries Lafayette Rooftop 

Address: 40 Bd Haussmann, 75009

We all love shopping at the Galeries Lafayette, Paris’ premier department store with its beautiful interiors, but did you know that the rooftop of the building is a hidden Paris attraction that offers some of the best views across the city? This terrace can be easily accessed by catching an escalator up to the rooftop. It’s free to access and has views of the Eiffel Tower, the Opera Garnier and across the famous rooftops of Paris.   

---

8. The Sinking House 

Address: Next to Sacré Cœur, Montmartre 

One of Paris’ most quirky, yet lesser-known, attractions is Montmartre’s “Sinking House”. This house isn’t actually sinking though! It’s an optical illusion caused by the hilly terrain of Montmartre and its position on the Butte Montmartre, the highest point of the village. As a result, it’s one of the most photographed attractions in Montmartre. The Sinking House is also conveniently located right next to Sacré Coeur. 

---

9. Île de la Cité Flower Market

Address: 37 Place Louis Lépine, 75004

The Île de la Cité Flower Market was once known as the “Marché aux Fleurs et aux Oiseaux” (Flower and Bird Market) until a decade ago, when it was renamed after 200 years. It is one of the city’s last daily flower markets that holds a weekly bird market on Sunday’s. This (mostly) open air flower market is the perfect place to stroll through, buy some fresh blooms and plants, and is also home to some of the last remaining Wallace Fountains – Paris’ historic public drinking fountains. The market is open daily, and can be found right on the Île de la Cité, near Cité Métro station. 

---

10. L’Oasis D’Aboukir

Address: 83 Rue d’Aboukir, 75002 

Paris is full of beautiful parks and gardens, offering many green oasis’ to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, and L’Oasis D’Aboukir is arguably the most unique. This vertical garden, designed by Patrick Blanc, spans 25 metres high and covers the entire side of an apartment block in Paris’ 2nd arrondissement. This “living wall” is home to over 200 plant species, and must be seen to be believed. 

---

How many of these hidden Paris landmarks have you visited?

Interact with the Paris Teachers Club on social media! We are on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Browse our other blogs for many more informative Paris guides!

Subscribe to us to stay up-to-date with upcoming events, news and more.

---