© Robin Cambianica
Off the beaten track, there are hidden nooks and crannies unknown to the majority of tourists that also sum up the magic of Paris. The charm of little pockets of countryside in the Butte-aux-Cailles behind the Place d’Italie, or the green pathways around the Parc Montsouris.
A vineyard perched incongruously on the slopes of Montmartre, scene of an annual harvest. Goosebumps at 20 m below ground in the historical catacombs. Hidden treasures in a scattering of covered arcades, wonderful places for a stroll.
Often listed sites, these peaceful havens in the heart of the city are also symbolic of a quintessentially Parisian lifestyle, with ornate decoration and attractive shop windows illuminated by the natural light filtering through the glass roof. You’ll find these suggestions in our selection of trips around the city and details of the more unusual visits in the suppliers’ pages.