Most well-travelled people will have been to Paris at least once in their lives, but as one of the most iconic cities in the world, once is not enough. Even after ticking off the tourist bucket list, there are many more layers still to be uncovered. To see the City of Light's full spectrum of color, you need to go off the beaten path and live it like a local. You need to find the best local cafes for an elongated afternoon coffee, to discover the cool neighborhoods that most tourists overlook, and to relax on the Seine rather than rush to the next museum.
Want to know more about how to do Paris like a local? Our ‘Travel Tastemaker’s Off the Beaten Path in Paris Guide’ will lead the way.
Hotels Off the Beaten Path in Paris
Hôtel Providence, 10th Arrondissement
Hôtel Providence is a bohemian 18-room boutique hotel hosted in an elegant townhouse on the crossroads of two trendy neighborhoods, Le Marais and Canal Saint Martin. Featuring bold vintage wallpapers, velvet sofas, fringed lamps, and in-room cocktail stations, it’s like staying in an eccentric uncle’s Paris apartment, but with the added benefit of a personal concierge. The hotel’s ground floor is occupied by a delightful brasserie that shares the hotel’s vintage maximalist style and Parisian taste with a seasonal French menu. In the summer, enjoy its garden terrace and in the winter, its fireside piano bar.
Hôtel National des Arts et Métiers, Le Marais
Hôtel National des Arts et Métiers is our favorite modern industrial stay in Paris. Using raw materials such as cut stone, terrazzo, steel, and solid wood, each of the eco-conscious hotel’s 66 rooms and facilities feels refreshingly cool and sleek yet warm and relaxing. But the hotel is much more than a place to rest, it’s a place to eat well and socialize. Enjoy an energizing breakfast on the terrace, a hearty Italian dinner under the glass roof of National Ristorante, and creative cocktails at the Herbarium Bar whilst the DJ plays ‘til late. Meanwhile, The Beauty Workshop awaits to welcome you with a luxurious menu of treatments.
Hotel Panache, 9th Arrondissement,
Hotel Panache is a 40-room boutique hotel sitting pretty in the middle of Paris’ hotspots: Pigalle, Opéra, Le Marais, and Saint Denis. Its beautifully appointed mid-century interiors simulate a dreamy experience between the worlds of Amelié and Wes Anderson that feels smart and exceptionally stylish. Each of the individually decorated rooms features geometric prints, pops of color, and brass accents. If it’s location wasn’t already a 10/10, Panache guests get the privilege of having Liza, one of the neighborhood’s favorite restaurants, on their doorstep. Open for lunch and dinner, this exceptional Lebanese restaurant serves classics like mezze and kafta, as well as unique dishes like lamb confit tacos.
Neighborhoods Off the Beaten Path in Paris
Belleville
Between its working-class roots and immigrant influence, today’s Belleville is a grungy multicultural neighborhood with a strong artistic flair. From Rue Denoyez to Place Fréhel, masterful street art adorns the walls, which edgy bars, cafes, artist studios, and event spaces hide behind. Visiting this neighborhood is about soaking up the art, atmosphere, and a few drinks. Here’s how to spend a day in Belleville:
Morning: Grab coffee and a pastry at Le 50 Café and wander the streets to get a sense of the neighborhood’s history and artsy vibe. Continue wandering through Parc de Belleville for some of the best views of Paris.
Noon: Stop at Marché Belleville (only on Tuesdays and Thursdays) for a taste of its delicious international eats, then dive into Les Ateliers d’Artistes de Belleville (AAB) to browse some of its 250 art studios and exhibitions, and meet local artists.
Night: Grab a drink at La Bellevilloise before heading to Le Vieux Belleville for dinner. Finish the night bar hopping to Combat, Kissproof, and Le Discobar.
South Pigalle, 9th arrondissement
Once part of Pigalle’s cabaret and red-light district, South Pigalle has since reinvented itself as a bougie creative enclave with an indie spirit. At the heart of South Pigalle, find Rue des Martyrs, which is lined with over 200 artisanal shops, including bakeries, cheese shops, chocolatiers, and delis. A dangerous street to encounter when hungry! And then there’s the trendy vintage shops, homeware boutiques, and indie bookstores. Overall, it’s the ideal place to spend an idle day indulging in all things Parisian. Here’s how to enjoy South Pigalle:
Morning: Grab a croissant and coffee on Rue des Martyrs and wander around the local boutiques, grabbing macaroons on the go to indulge in whilst you shop. Must-visits include A.P.C., L’Œuf, Spree, Troc en Stock, and Chinemachine.
Noon: Stop for lunch and a glass of wine at Buvette Paris before wandering into Musée de la Vie Romantique to enjoy the beautiful grounds that have inspired many writers and artists.
Night: Dive into the neighborhood’s lively nightlife at Lulu White, Dirty Dick, and Pigalle Country Club. Finish the night dancing to a DJ set at Le Carmen.
Le Marais
If you like shopping, you’ll love Le Marais. Named after the marsh it once was, the neighborhood is now one of the trendiest in Paris, spoiling you for choice with vintage shops, high-end boutiques, galleries, and antique stores. Whether browsing a basic thrift store or a fancy concept store, the vibe is fashion-forward. From day to evening, Le Marais becomes an equally trendy spot for a casual drink and food with friends. Find Paris’ most passionate foodies at Marché des Enfants Rouges, the city’s oldest covered market. Here’s how to spend a day in Le Marais:
Morning: Grab a coffee and a pastry to enjoy peacefully on the grass of Place des Vosges with the locals before browsing beautiful things in the shops on Rue Vieille-du-Temple and Rue des Francs-Bourgeois.
Noon: Stop for lunch at Marché des Enfants Rouges where you can find the biggest variety of international cuisine in one place, from Moroccan to Japanese. Continue shopping for the rest of the afternoon or spend a dreamy few hours admiring the works in Musée Picasso.
Night: Choose one of Le Marais’ many charming French bistros to sit for a classic boeuf bourguignon and a glass of wine before moving on to the local cocktail bars such as the Little Red Door, Candelaria, and Bisou.
Things to Do Off the Beaten Path in Paris
Stroll through Parc de Belleville
If you’re looking for a quiet afternoon in a Parisian park, skip the more popular Jardin de Luxembourg and stroll through Parc de Belleville instead. At 108 meters high, it is the highest park in Paris, offering sweeping views of the city without the crowds. You will also find beautiful waterfalls and open grassy spaces to sit and relax away from the city’s bustle. Located away from the tourist hotspots, it’s a great place to observe local life.
Go vintage shopping in Marché de Landy
If you’ve got a soft spot for flea markets and vintage shopping, an afternoon browsing a few of the 15 individual markets of Saint Ouen is non-negotiable. Start at Marché Dauphine for ultra-curated vintage clothing and antiques (the best in Paris by far). Then get lost in the lanes of Marché Vernaison, a medina-style market where you can find everything from Moroccan rugs to antique French coffee grinders. Finish the circuit at Marché Biron, a red carpeted street lined with Paris’ most enviable antique dealers.
Discover Paris’ hidden passages
If you look closely at the map of Paris, you will notice the city is etched with narrow covered passages hidden between and within buildings built in the 18th and 19th centuries. Their cafes, bookstores, clothing boutiques, and theaters made them a luxurious destination for France’s bourgeoisie. These passages still play a similar role to this day, with some of the original stores still open, as well as a divine selection of upscale boutiques and artisan shops.
Read, drink, and dance on the Seine
The Seine River is a place that draws Parisians in for many reasons, from scenic morning runs to evening drinks. Since many of the city’s main attractions, including Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower, are located along the river, you’re bound to walk along it during your stay, but don’t overlook it for the more obvious landmarks — there are more ways to enjoy it. Sit down with a beer and a book at Les Nautes, go swimming at Baignade du Bras Marie, grab drinks with a view at Rosa Bonheur, and go salsa dancing on les arenés of Quai Saint Bernard.
Eat Off the Beaten Path in Paris
Place de la Contrescarpe, 5th Arrondissement
If you’re looking for somewhere to sit idly, eat delicious French food, and people-watch, don’t miss Place de la Contrescarpe in the heart of the 5th arrondissement. The square is lined on each side with cafes serving everything you could want from crepes and coffee to steak and mussels. Most options aren’t cheap, but the cheerful noises of quiet chatter and the quaint French feel make it worthwhile.
Rue de Faubourg, Saint-Denis
Hitting the restaurants in Rue de Fauberg is just as essential as hitting the bars. With cuisines from around the world including Africa, the Caribbean, Turkey, and India, it might be hard to narrow down your options but, if it helps, whatever you end up choosing won’t disappoint. These restaurants may not have the 5-star feel most Paris restaurant recommendations do but what they lack in pomp, they make up for in flavor.
Eat at a traditional bouillon
Although bouillons (traditional French canteens) were once just a practical place where blue-collar workers could get hearty dishes for a very fair price, their unique character and service have given them a newfound popularity for people looking for an authentic French experience. Several bouillons, such as Le Bouillon Pigalle and Bouillon Racine, have sadly become overrun with tourists, but there are many more that have avoided it. For the real bouillon experience, try Le Petit Bouillon Pharamond, Bouillon des Vignes, and Comme un Bouillon.
Marché des Enfants Rouges, Le Marais
Founded in 1615, Marché des Enfants Rouges is Paris’s oldest covered market. Unlike many of the markets in the city, this one has avoided over-gentrification and remains an unpretentious, no-frills food market with a communal setting that locals love. The focus is purely on the excellence of its local produce (such as cheese and cured meats) and international fare, which includes tagines, baba ghanoush, jerk chicken, and, of course, oyster platters.
Drink Off the Beaten Path in Paris
Rue de Faubourg, Saint-Denis
Rue de Fauberg isn’t the most pristine part of Paris; it’s a rough-around-the-edges multicultural hub lined with small and modest international restaurants — and this is exactly what has made it a popular place to spend the evening. Between the kebab shops and curry houses, find small grungy bars spilling out into the street that have become local institutions for the city’s cool kids. Start the evening in Le Sully, then stop for a curry in Passage Brady before continuing the bar hop to Chez Jeanette, Le Syndicat, and Mauri7.
Bar À Bulles, Pigalle
Walk past the entrance of the Moulin Rouge and turn into the side street beside it. There’s not much there apart from a few trash cans and a bouncer standing outside a nondescript doorway. Smile and say “bonjour” and they will show you through the door into a grungy bar upstairs with a beautiful fairy-lit terrace surrounded by beautiful Parisian buildings, where you can get a refreshing glass of wine. But instead of sitting there, head up the discreet staircase between the bathrooms (where more bouncers stand) and you’ll find yourself next to the famous red windmill on the roof of the Moulin Rouge, where you can toast a memorable stay in Paris.
Rosa Bonheur sur Seine, Invalides
If you want a scenic drink on the Seine River, head to Rosa Bonheur, a queer-slanting boat-turned-bar that floats idly on its anchor beside the Pont Alexandre III. Its floor-to-ceiling glass windows and open sundeck make it an ideal place to sit with a drink and light bite whilst admiring the surrounding landmarks, the Grand Palais and the tip of the Eiffel Tower. At night, the boat switches party mode as the music is turned up and the space fills out with locals ready for an evening of cabaret, piano, and good conversation.
Bassin de la Villette, Jaurès
Bassin de la Villette is a once-industrial stretch of the canal in Jaurès (19th arrondissement) that has been transformed into a hip social hub lined with cafes, restaurants, and bars. Combined with the lados and activity parks, it’s the kind of place that attracts families, youths, and young professionals alike, giving it a warm, community atmosphere. While most of Paris is defined by the unmistakable Haussmannian architecture, Bassin de la Villette’s modern industrial style makes a refreshing change of scenery for a drink or two.
Create your personalized Paris itinerary
Now that you’ve read our off-the-beaten-path guide to Paris 2025/2026, you’ll likely have a better idea of how to spend your time in the city. Whether you feel ready to create an itinerary or want more recommendations, our Tripsby Travel Planner is here to assist you. All you have to do is give us a rough summary of your travel style and preferences, and in a matter of minutes, we will provide a bookable itinerary or recommendations. Extraordinary travel has never been so effortless! Get started now.
