"But Paris is really an ocean, explore, you will never know how deep it is."
So said Honoré de Balzac. Even for those who have lived in Paris all their lives, this romantic city still has many secret alleys, hidden gardens and unknown sights, such as the following.
Sorcerer's Stone
The Sorcerer's Stone on the top of Montmartre hill is one of the last vestiges of ancient Paris, a convergence of labyrinthine alleys and old houses, places immortalized in the paintings ofVan Gogh, Renoir and Berlioz. The Sorcerer's Stone is a majestic ivy-covered rock that was once part of an old fountain. Legend has it that it was the entrance to the wizarding world. Today, it is one of Paris's most fascinating secret spots.
- Address:Sorcière Alley, 75018 Paris
Wall walker
The most famous fictional character in the novels ofMarcel Aymécame to life on Montmartre hill, in the square named after the writer. Sculpted by Jean Marais in 1989,Wall walkeris a tribute to the French writer and his story ofDutilleul, an office worker, while walking in Montmartre, discovered that he could walk through walls. When looking closely at the statue, located just a few meters from the writer's old house, visitors can clearly see that the man's face was not carved randomly, but based on a portrait of the writer Marcel Aymé himself.
- Address:Place Marcel Aymé, 75018 Paris
Nicolas Flamel's House
At 51 rue de Montmorency in the 3rd arrondissement of Paris, there is a modest house with a stone facade that you would easily miss. It may be the oldest house in the city,Nicolas Flamelbuilt in 1407. Legend has it thatNicolas Flamelwas an alchemist who discovered the secret of the philosopher's stone, which could turn lead into gold and create the elixir of life. Now an inn, it still has the same pillars that stood there centuries ago.
- Address:51 rue de Montmorency, 75003 Paris
Gustave Eiffel's apartment
The city has long refused to approve skyscrapers, but there is one apartment 285 meters above the city. It is the third-floor apartment of the famous tower where Gustave Eiffel once retreated to work in peace. Although much of the apartment was converted into a technical room in the late 1960s, Eiffel's office has been recreated exactly as it was when the tower was built.
- Address:Champ de Mars, 5 Avenue Anatole France, 75007 Paris
Nouvelle-France Garden
Paris is full of secret gardens that have a charm that is sometimes more alluring than the most famous parks. One of the most beautiful and secluded is the Jardin des Nouvelles-France, located between the Grand Palais, the Pont de Invalides and the Cours de la Reine. By the garden's small pond isPoet's Dream -A large stone sculpture erected in memory of Alfred de Musset.
- Address:Place du Canada 75008 Paris
No. 1 bis Chapon Street
There is a mysterious sign attached to the door of 1 bis rue Chapon, in the 3rd arrondissement, which reads "JB & SB Specialists". This is actually just a fake facade, installed by artists Julien Berthier and Simon Boudvin in 2006. More than ten years later, the sign, the fake door and the number 1 bis are still there, regularly cleaned and maintained by the City of Paris.
- Address:1 bis rue Chapon 75003 Paris
Museum of Journalism Store
Located at 52 rue de l'Aroust Sec,La GalcanteIt is perhaps the only shop in the world that belongs to a museum that has never been opened. Its founder, Christian Bailly, has amassed nearly a million archives of newspapers, magazines, manuscripts, letters and posters, which today are invaluable assets of the French press. A place steeped in history, a gold mine for researchers, collectors and the curious.
- Address:52 rue de l'Arbre Sec 75001 Paris
Palais Garnier lake
Among the mysteries of the Opera Garnier, this is perhaps the most intriguing: In the fifth basement of the building is an artificial lake, dug in 1861. Unfortunately, the public is not allowed access to this place, except for the carp that are released in the lake, only Paris firefighters are allowed here.
- Address:8 Rue Scribe 75009 Paris
145 Lafayette Street
Just a short distance from Château-Landon metro station in the 10th arrondissement, the roadLafayetteis one of the busiest streets in Paris. And at number 145 is a completely normal building. But if you linger in front of the facade for a while, you will quickly realize that the building is just a 3D drawing, the wooden door is actually an iron plate and the windows are just paint on the wall. In the novelFoucault pendulum, Umberto Eco compared the building to the gates of hell...
- Address:145 Lafayette Street 75010 Paris
city of flowers
The picturesque 13th arrondissement of Paris with its quaint little neighborhoods is well worth a visit. Located right next to Montsouris Park,City of Flowersis one of them. It consists of six cobblestone streets, each named after a flower (Orchid Street, Iris Street, Wisteria Street, Blue Plum Street...) with small, colorful houses with flower windows. This is one of the few areas of Paris that has escaped large-scale urbanization.
- Address:City of Flowers 75013 Paris
