Discover enchanting free places to visit in Paris that most tourists never see. This insider guide reveals hidden free sights in Paris that showcase the authentic charm of the city without costing a euro.
Beyond the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre lies a different Paris—one of hidden courtyards, secret gardens, and charming neighborhoods rarely featured in guidebooks. This collection of lesser-known treasures offers a glimpse into authentic Parisian life and culture, all while keeping your budget intact. Here are the most enchanting hidden gems you can visit for free.
Secret Gardens and Green Retreats
Jardin des Plantes Alpine Garden
While the main Botanical Garden is well-known, few visitors discover the hidden Alpine Garden within it. This specialized garden features mountain plants from five continents in a tranquil setting. Best time: Weekday mornings, open only a few hours each day from April to October
Square René-Viviani
Located next to Shakespeare and Company bookstore, this tiny garden contains Paris’s oldest tree—a locust tree planted in 1601—and offers perfect Notre-Dame views without the crowds. Best time: Early morning for photography of Notre-Dame
Jardin Catherine-Labouré
Hidden behind an unassuming wall in the chic 7th arrondissement, this former convent garden offers peaceful walking paths, community vegetable plots, and a serene escape from city bustle. Best time: Weekday afternoons when locals enjoy the space
Coulée Verte du 12ème
While the elevated section (Promenade Plantée) has become more popular, the ground-level portion extending east features waterfalls, ponds, and tunnels with almost no tourists. Best time: Sunday mornings when the adjacent Aligre Market is also open
Architectural Free Sights in Paris
Village Saint-Paul
Hidden behind unassuming doors in the Marais district, this network of connected courtyards houses art galleries, antique shops, and cafés in a setting that feels centuries removed from modern Paris. Best time: Thursday to Saturday when most shops and galleries are open
Cité Florale
This micro-neighborhood in the 13th arrondissement features charming small houses with gardens along streets named after flowers. The colorful cottages feel more like a country village than central Paris. Best time: Spring and summer when gardens are in bloom
La Campagne à Paris
Perched on a hill in the 20th arrondissement, this tiny enclave of picture-perfect houses with gardens was built for workers in the early 1900s and remains one of the most charming hidden corners of Paris. Best time: Weekday mornings for quiet exploration
Cour du Commerce Saint-André
This historic passageway in the 6th arrondissement features original 18th-century paving stones and housed the laboratory where Dr. Guillotin perfected his infamous invention. Best time: Early morning before the cafés open
Unusual Free Places to Visit in Paris
Fountain of the Innocents
Paris’s oldest monumental fountain sits in a small square that was once the city’s largest cemetery. Now surrounded by pedestrian streets, it offers a peaceful spot to rest in the busy Les Halles area. Best time: Evening hours when beautifully illuminated
Arènes de Lutèce
Hidden in the 5th arrondissement, this remarkably preserved Roman amphitheater dates from the 1st century AD and now serves as a public park where locals play pétanque among ancient history. Best time: Lunchtime to watch neighborhood residents enjoying picnics
Saint-Serge Orthodox Church
Tucked away in a courtyard in the 19th arrondissement, this small Russian Orthodox church features beautiful iconography and an atmosphere of tranquility rarely found in central Paris. Best time: Sunday mornings to potentially hear the choir
Le Jardin d’Agronomie Tropicale
At the eastern edge of the Bois de Vincennes lies this forgotten garden, once the site of the 1907 Colonial Exhibition. Abandoned pavilions and memorials create a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere. Best time: Spring when the exotic plants are thriving but vegetation hasn’t obscured structures
Artistic Hidden Corners
Villa de l’Adrech
This tiny dead-end street in Montmartre is lined with artists’ studios and overflowing plant life, creating one of the most picturesque hidden lanes in Paris. Best time: Late morning when light is ideal for photography
Rue Crémieux
Often compared to London’s Notting Hill, this pedestrian street features colorful house façades that have become Instagram-famous but remain relatively uncrowded on weekdays. Best time: Early morning before tourist groups arrive
Le Moulin de la Galette
While Moulin Rouge draws crowds, this authentic windmill in Montmartre sits quietly on a residential street, a reminder of the area’s rural past when dozens of windmills dotted the hillside. Best time: Any time during daylight hours
Street Art in the 13th Arrondissement
The area around Boulevard Vincent Auriol features massive murals by international artists, creating an open-air gallery of contemporary street art. Best time: Daytime hours for the best visibility
Historical Free Sights in Paris
Mémorial des Martyrs de la Déportation
Located at the eastern tip of Île de la Cité, this powerful Holocaust memorial offers a moving experience away from tourist routes despite its central location. Best time: Late afternoon for contemplative quiet
Collège des Bernardins
This magnificent medieval building features soaring Gothic architecture and regularly hosts free exhibitions in its vast hall. Best time: Weekday afternoons when natural light streams through the windows
Église Saint-Étienne-du-Mont
Standing in the shadow of the Panthéon, this church houses the only remaining rood screen in Paris and the shrine of St. Geneviève, the patron saint of Paris. Best time: Morning when light streams through the magnificent stained glass
Pet Cemetery (Cimetière des Chiens)
Located in Asnières-sur-Seine (easily accessible by Metro), this is the world’s oldest pet cemetery and final resting place for famous animal actors, war heroes, and beloved companions. Best time: Weekday afternoons when few visitors are present
Neighborhood Explorations
Butte-aux-Cailles
This village-like neighborhood in the 13th arrondissement features street art, independent shops, and a popular artesian well where locals collect naturally sparkling water for free. Best time: Evening hours when the area’s bars and restaurants come alive
Mouzaïa Quarter
In the 19th arrondissement, discover rows of charming workers’ cottages from the late 19th century, built along narrow pedestrian alleys and adorned with colorful gardens. Best time: Weekends when residents often tend their gardens
Petite Alsace & Petite Russie
These two micro-neighborhoods in the 13th arrondissement recreate the architecture of Alsace and Russia respectively, creating unexpected cultural enclaves within Paris. Best time: Midday when light reaches these narrow streets
Square de Montsouris
This hidden residential complex features Art Deco buildings surrounding a private garden, accessible via a single entrance that’s easy to miss but legal to visit. Best time: Weekday mornings when residents have left for work
Tips for Exploring Hidden Paris
Navigation Advice
- Use offline maps as some of these locations have poor mobile reception
- Many hidden spots have unmarked or subtle entrances—look for small plaques or open passages
- Be respectful in residential areas by keeping noise down and not blocking doorways
Best Seasons for Exploration
- Spring and fall offer ideal weather for walking tours of hidden places
- Winter provides better visibility of architectural details when trees are bare
- Summer allows for longer evening explorations when locals often use these spaces
Photography Notes
- Early morning light works best for eastern-facing locations like Rue Crémieux
- Golden hour before sunset enhances the warm stone tones of hidden courtyards
- Overcast days provide soft lighting for photographing narrow passages
Discovering these free places to visit in Paris off the beaten path offers a more authentic experience of the city. While tourists crowd the major monuments, you’ll be exploring charming corners that even many Parisians haven’t seen. These hidden gems reveal the true character of Paris—a city that rewards curiosity and exploration with unexpected beauty around every corner.