It’s been 13 years, but I still have this vivid image in my mind of mum and I walking joyously on the streets of Paris in the same clothes for 3 days, washed in the hotel sink and dried overnight at the mercy of a fan because our luggage had been lost at the airport. Not to mentioned my mum’s “Oh my God, I lost my kid!” look when I went back to her after a casual shopping spree in the almighty Tour Eiffel. That first adventure made Paris my absolute favourite place and no matter how many times I go back, I still enjoy it as if that is my first time.
Paris has a lot to offer and it’s almost overwhelming how many must-sees there are. And if you go there for the first time, you should definitely go and see all of them, they are worth it! But if you have the luxury to spend more than a few days there or to go back for a second visit, here are 5 places which will show you more of Paris than its world-renowned attractions.
#5 Galerie Vivienne
The moment you step foot in here you start dreaming. The gallery really takes you to another world, small, luxurious, with a mixture of elements from the past and present. My favourite was the little bookstore with vintage postcards, spreading the smell of old books across the corridor.
Galerie Vivienne: 4 Rue des Petits Champs, 75002 Paris
#4 Bibliothèque nationale de France – site Richelieu
Just across the road from Galerie Vivienne, you’ll find the Richelieu-Louvois Library, part of BnF. You can’t go in if you’re not a member, but you can go through the first set of doors to have a sneak peak intro the reading room, which looks like this:
Just spend a few minutes taking in its beauty and grandeur before moving on.
Bibliothèque nationale de France – site Richelieu: 58 rue de Richelieu, 75002 Paris
#3 The Société Générale headquarters
Across the famous Galeries Lafayette (definitely worth a visit if you’re there – the inside and the view from the top are quite memorable as well!), you’ll see the Société Générale central branch. Before continuing your trip, go inside and prepare to be amazed. Your image of a stiff banking environment will soon be wiped away by this incredible Art Nouveau decor. It is surreal that people actually work there! Head downstairs to find the entrance to the strong rooms, marked by an impressive 18 tonnes steel door.
Société Générale: 29 Boulevard Haussmann, 75009 Paris, France
Galeries Lafayette: 40 Boulevard Haussmann, 75009 Paris, France
#2 Canal Saint Martin
If you’re looking for a quiet afternoon, away from the buzz of the city centre, come out of the Stalingrad Metro and walk along Canal Saint Martin. You’ll see an alternative face of Paris, with plenty of street art, funky cafes and neighbourhood bakeries. While you’re enjoying your stroll, keep your eyes peeled for bits of creativity spread across the walls, the pavement and…the people.
One of funniest moments here was spotting a duck in the middle of the street and trying to chase it to move on the pavement. Cars were stopping and honking, waiting for the not-at-all-bothered bird to decide on its way, while other worried passers-by stopped to do the same as me. One of them, was this lovely gentlemen who was clearly having a bright day and decided to share it with everyone else through his distinctive clothing.
Canal St Martin : Quai de Valmy, 75010 Paris, France / Metro Stalingrad
#1 The view from Tour Montparnasse
People’s go-to place for a good view of Paris is, without doubt, the Eiffel Tower. The major drawback of that, apart from the price and massive queue, is the fact that Paris’ symbol itself is not in there. I’m not gonna lie – Tour Montparnasse is quite ugly. But since it’s not in the picture, you completely forget about it once you’re at the top. Plus, it’s way cheaper and there is (almost) no queue!
Tip: go there at dawn to get a spectacular view and see the Eiffel Tower light up. Every hour on the dot, the tower also starts sparkling for a few minutes, so get to the top of Montparnasse 15-20 minutes earlier to be able to look right at it.
Super tip: bring a bottle of bubbly with you to accompany the view and:
Voilà: Paris, je t’aime!
Tour Montparnasse: 33 Avenue du Maine, 75015 Paris, France
That’s all for now, but I’m definitely not done with Paris. I will keep adding to my list of Paris amazingness and share my findings with you. Until then, pack your bags and go discover your own hidden gems!
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