A local’s guide to beautiful secret villages in Paris to visit and hidden neighborhoods to walk around and get lost in – some of the best hidden gems in the city!
My love for unusual spots seemingly has no end.
That is why today, I will share with you some of the small villages I’ve found in the past few months, walking around Paris.
I spent a couple months living in Paris again last year, after years roaming between London and Rome, and have found some incredible hidden gems in the city.
Lots of spots blew my mind; I didn’t expect to come across them, and after working in the city for years, definitely didn’t know I’d missed so many of them when I was a commuter!
Secret Villages in Paris: 10 Pretty Neighborhoods to Visit
Funnily, while I lived in Paris a few years ago (that’s a city I gave 4/5 years of my life to before moving to London, Rome, Istanbul, and Barcelona), I knew there were plenty of hidden gems in the city.
Just not that many.
Same old same old; whenever you work in any given city, you just don’t feel the need/energy/motivation to go wander around, no matter how beautiful the places you’ve seen on Pinterest might be.
However, all the tiny village-like areas I’ve found are places I warmly recommend you pop by at least once, if you’d like to see Paris with fresh new eyes.
Most of the locals don’t even know about these places; all the more reason to plan a good full day or two and check out these magnificent wonders!
Secret Villages in Paris: Cité Leroy, 20th Arrondissement
The Cité Leroy, one of the prettiest sights in the 20th arrondissement of Paris, is located close to the Pyrénées metro station, and a haven for nature lovers.
A simple gathering of villas and smaller, colorful houses in all shades of yellow, blue and white, the Cité Leroy offers a breath of fresh air just two steps away from the bustling streets of the Ménilmontant area.
Read: Floral Paris: Pretty Places in Paris From Spring to Fall
Hidden Villages in Paris: Cité Florale, 13th Arrondissement
In the 13th arrondissement are located some of the most colorful alleys of Paris, and the Cité Florale, a dreamy photo spot, not only offers some really village-like vibes, but also poetic street names.
Rue des Iris, Rue des Glycines and Rue des Lisserons are the three main streets inside the Cité Florale, a gorgeous spot you’d never really expect to find a few minutes away from the Asian district.
Read: The Prettiest Neighborhoods in Paris to Walk Around
Secret Villages in Paris: Petite Alsace, 13th Arrondissement
Located in the 13th arrondissement of Paris, not that far from other village-like areas like the Quartier des Peupliers, the Petite Alsace takes you to another world as soon as you pass the colorful entrance.
Built in 1912, this enclave of Alsatian-style houses was originally designed to provide affordable homes for working-class families, and makes for a very secret spot right off Rue Daviel.
We’re close to the Buttes-aux-Cailles here, another gorgeous neighborhood perfect to get another vibe of the French capital.
Admire the architecture, walk around the colorful, timber-framed houses, and before you leave the area completely, make sure to visit the Villa Daviel, a posh street facing the Petite Alsace with proper Notting Hill vibes.
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Hidden Villages in Paris: Village Saint-Paul, 4th Arrondissement
The Saint-Paul area, located between Bastille, Le Marais and Rue de Rivoli, is one of my favorite places to go shopping in Paris, especially when I’m looking for independent clothing and accessories brands.
That’s where you’ll find one of the best makeup stores in Paris, Kryolan, with their collection of colorful, professional makeup.
And that’s also where you’ll find the Village Saint-Paul, a medieval village only two steps away from the metro station.
What I usually do is walk up the pretty Rue Saint-Paul, take a right on Rue Eginhard (one of the most secret streets in Paris, and so picture-worthy!), and then a left on Rue Charlemagne.
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In this area are located plenty of historical sites and magical gardens, and just off Rue Charlemagne is hidden one of the entrances to the Village Saint-Paul.
A succession of small, picturesque courtyards welcomes you, jealously hiding cafes, restaurants, art galleries and artisan shops.
Once you are done, I would then recommend you make your way to the Bibliothèque Forney, inside the historic Hôtel de Sens.
It’s one of the most instagrammable places in Paris, a towering building complete with columns and sculptures, with a secret garden à la Versailles at the back!
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Secret Villages in Paris: Square de Montsouris, 14th Arrondissement
Tucked away behind the Parc de Montsouris, one of the biggest parks in Paris, in the 14th arrondissement, the Square de Montsouris is a long cobblestone street lined with gorgeous Art Deco and Modernist houses.
That’s namely a perfect place to walk around in Paris during the fall, what with the washed-out facades in shades of yellow, brick, blue and white, climbing ivy and burning orange colors on the trees from end of September.
The Square de Montsouris is located between other picturesque streets, like Rue Nansouty, and so local that you’re bound to find a good slice of peace there.
Hidden Villages in Paris: Square des Peupliers, 13th Arrondissement
The Square des Peupliers in the 13th arrondissement is a gathering of a couple of streets with no exit; a magical place located only a few minutes away from the Butte-aux-Cailles neighborhood.
Climbing ivy, colorful houses, cobblestone pathways – all you might be wishing for, and more, can be found in this tiny little village close to Tolbiac and Place d’Italie.
With quaint buildings dating back, for the most part, to the early 20th century, the Square des Peupliers offers a glimpse into traditional Parisian life.
When you’re done walking around, just know you’re very close to the Rue Dieulafoy – this is one of the most colorful alleys in Paris, with a different kind of architecture, closer to that of London’s Notting Hill houses, but just as charming.
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Secret Villages in Paris: Passage des Soupirs, 20th Arrondissement
The Passage des Soupirs (Passage of Sighs) in the 20th arrondissement is located quite close to the Pyrénées metro station and the bustling Ménilmontant neighborhood.
Off a main street, hidden in such a way that you would almost miss it when going about your day, the Passage des Soupirs is but a pedestrian alley with cobble stones, climbing ivy and colorful low-rise houses.
We’re not too far from one of my favorite cemeteries of Paris, which doubles as a peaceful park, the Père Lachaise Cemetery, and if you get hungry, the Maison Baddache bakery is a great place to stop for a coffee and a delicious pastry.
And if you’re interested in secret sights, don’t miss out on the colorful Rue du Retrait, located about 5/10 minutes away on foot, a quaint street filled with street art murals and painted façades.
Hidden Villages in Paris: Butte aux Cailles, 13th Arrondissement
Located close to the Square des Peupliers and the Petite Alsace I mentioned earlier in this guide, the Buttes aux Cailles is probably one of the most famous, yet hidden villages in Paris.
We’re in the 13th arrondissement, a short walk from Tolbiac, Place d’Italie, and Olympiades metro stations, around which are concentrated most of the restaurants of the Asian quarter.
The Buttes aux Cailles, with its many street art-filled streets, tiny shops, cafes, restaurants and secret alleys, is a must-visit if you’re planning to discover Paris off the beaten path.
Passage Sigaud, Passage Barrault, Rue de l’Espérance, Passage Boiton and Rue Michal are five of the most aesthetic streets in the Buttes aux Cailles neighborhood; but you’ll find many more with a village feel and street art by strolling around.
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Secret Villages in Paris: Montmartre, 18th Arrondissement
Montmartre, this bustling neighborhood with the Sacré-Coeur towering over Paris, is often described as a village area, and that, it most definitely is.
Once home to significant figures of the arts like Van Gogh and Picasso, Montmartre is filled with gorgeous streets and courtyards like the famous Place du Tertre, or the picturesque Rue de l’Abreuvoir with the Maison Rose cafe/restaurant.
Two places I urge you to visit is the Jardin des Abbesses, tucked away in a corner of the cute Passage des Abbesses, and the Lux Bar, a historic cafe bar on the famous Rue Lepic, if only to see its past-era tile fresco.
For some proper French shopping, you’ll find many shops in Montmartre that are not touristy, and one I would recommend is located quite close.
It is but Maison Charroux, a really affordable scented candle brand with some of the craziest scents you’ll ever come across, from peach iced tea to summer nights, Bourbon vanilla and latte macchiato.
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Hidden Villages in Paris: Cité Véron
When I first came across Cité Véron, just two steps away from the Moulin Rouge on Boulevard de Clichy, I was astonished.
More than that, I was very excited to make my way to the end of this tiny village-like street, which, I learned later, used to be the home of Boris Vian, French author known for his novel The Big Sleep.
We’re located quite close to Rue Lepic, and to a spacious Aux Merveilleux de Fred bakery, with their excellent meringue and cream pastries.
And yet, this secret passage, which dates back to the 19th century, breaks away from the famous Montmartre neighborhood and its lively cafes, offering a peaceful walk along ivy-covered buildings and gorgeous iron gates.
Read: The Most Colorful Cities in Europe
Secret Villages in Paris: 10 Pretty Neighborhoods to Visit
Those of you who might love getting lost in a city in search of still-unknown corners would do well to add these beautiful Parisian places to their bucket list.
All the time I’ve spent in Paris made me fall in love with the city again, and I’ve found so many gorgeous places that would be worth a glance or two.
These include, of course, all the little villages I’ve mentioned today, but there’s a lot more to discover – for instance, the many, many instagrammable cafes Paris offers.
And if you’re looking for only completely free things to do in Paris, a couple of other places I would recommend are the Père Lachaise Cemetery, or, lesser-known and so gorgeous, the Montmartre Cemetery!