Our hidden gems in Paris
"One is not born a Parisian, one becomes one."
Are you familiar with this motto?
Being Parisian is not a matter of birth, but a way of looking at the city. It means learning to look up, pushing open a discreet door, venturing into a cobbled courtyard, or crossing a nearly invisible passage.
To become Parisian is to explore. It is about accepting to lose oneself, just a little, to discover a great deal. Behind a facade, at the corner of a narrow street or a private mansion, Paris reveals its most precious treasures.
Today, we are sharing our five favorite confidential addresses, hidden throughout the city.
Cour Damoye
Nestled just a few steps from Place de la Bastille, Cour Damoye is a true Parisian secret. It is accessed through a discreet vaulted passage at 12 Place de la Bastille. A few steps, and suddenly the hustle and bustle disappears. The cobbled courtyard reveals a timeless atmosphere: artisan workshops, ancient facades, and an almost ethereal silence in the heart of such a vibrant district. It is a secret place that one almost hesitates to reveal, as it deserves to remain confidential.
📍 12 Place de la Bastille, 75011 Paris
Access: approximately 20 minutes via line 8 (direct from Richelieu-Drouot station).
Musée de la Vie Romantique
Once again, it is behind a discreet facade that the Musée de la Vie Romantique is hidden, one of the most charming secrets in Paris. Located in an elegant 19th-century house, this museum invites you on a journey into the delicate world of Romanticism through the figures of George Sand and Ary Scheffer, who lived there.
Beyond its collections, it is the bucolic garden, open to the public, that most captivates us. On sunny days, the light filtered through century-old trees and the tea room nestled beneath the branches provide a poetic interlude for afternoon tea.
Following an eighteen-month renovation, the museum reopened its doors just a few days ago, on Valentine's Day.
📍 16 Rue Chaptal, 75009 Paris
https://museevieromantique.paris.fr/
Access: 15-minute walk from the hotel.
Hôtel de Sully
A jewel of the Marais, the Hôtel de Sully is a 17th-century architectural masterpiece. One enters through a majestic carriage entrance to discover a beautiful courtyard and a peaceful garden. The grounds are open to the public and can be explored freely: do stop by during a stroll.
An insider's tip: Few walkers know it, but a discreet passage allows you to reach Place des Vosges directly, offering one of the most secret entrances to this iconic square.
📍62 Rue Saint-Antoine, 75004 Paris
https://www.hotel-de-sully.fr/
Access: approximately 19 minutes via line 7 (direct from Opéra station).
Cité Florale
A stone's throw from Place d'Italie, the Cité Florale is a genuine hidden village.
Its cobbled streets bear the names of flowers: Rue des Glycines, Rue des Iris, Rue des Orchidées… The colorful houses are adorned with roses, ivy, and jasmine. The atmosphere is residential, calm, and almost provincial.
📍 Entrée principale par 90 Rue Bobillot, 75013 Paris
Access: approximately 30 minutes via line 7 (direct from Opéra station).
Square des Peupliers
Hidden behind the ordinary streets of the 13th arrondissement, this small triangular enclave lined with small houses evokes an English village placed there, almost by surprise. As soon as you enter, the atmosphere shifts. The colorful facades, wisteria, roses, and silence make it an even more charming spot in the spring. It is said that film directors are particularly fond of this square for its cinematic setting; you will soon understand why.
📍 60 Rue du Moulin-des-Prés, 75013 Paris
Access: approximately 25 minutes via line 7 (direct from Opéra station).