10 unique, unseen places in Paris

"But Paris is really an ocean; explore it, and you'll never know how deep it is."

As Honoré de Balzac said, even for those who have lived in Paris their whole lives, this romantic city still holds many secret alleyways, secluded gardens, and unseen beauties, like the places below, for example.

Witch Stone

The Witch's Stone atop Montmartre is one of the last remaining vestiges of old Paris, a convergence point of labyrinthine alleyways with old houses, locations immortalized in paintings.Van Gogh, Renoir, and BerliozThe Witch's Stone is a majestic rock formation covered in ivy, formerly part of an old fountain. Legend says it was the entrance to the witch's world. Today, it is one of Paris's most enchanting secret spots.

Address:Sorcière Lane, 75018 Paris

The man who walks through walls

The most famous fictional character in novels isMarcel AyméIt came to life on Montmartre hill, in the square named after the writer. Sculpted by Jean Marais in 1989,The man who walks through wallsIt is a tribute to the French writer and his story aboutDutilleulA former office worker, while walking in Montmartre, discovered he could walk through walls. Upon closer inspection of the statue, located just meters from the writer's former home, visitors can clearly see that the man's face was not sculpted randomly, but is based on a portrait of the writer Marcel Aymé himself.

Address:Marcel Aymé Square, 75018 Paris

Nicolas Flamel's house

At 51 Rhône de Montmorency, in the 3rd arrondissement of Paris, stands a modest house with a stone facade that you might easily overlook. This could be the oldest house in the city,Nicolas FlamelBuilt in 1407. Legend says thatNicolas FlamelIt was once the home of an alchemist who discovered the secret of the Philosopher's Stone, capable of transforming lead into gold and creating an elixir of immortality. Now, it's a guesthouse, still retaining the pillars erected centuries ago.

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Address:No. 51 de Montmorency Street, 75003 Paris

Gustave Eiffel's apartment

The city authorities have long refused to grant permits for the construction of skyscrapers, yet there is one apartment perched 285 meters high in the heart of the city. It's the third-floor apartment of the famous tower, where Gustave Eiffel once sought refuge to work in peace. Although much of the apartment was converted into technical rooms 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 has many hidden gardens with a subtle charm that is sometimes more captivating than the most famous parks. One of the most secluded and beautiful is the Nouvelle-France, nestled between the Grand Palais, the Invalides Bridge, and the Cours de la Reine. Beside the small pond in the garden isPoet's DreamA large stone sculpture was erected to commemorate Alfred de Musset.

Address:Canada Square 75008 Paris

No. 1 bis Chapon Road

There's a mysterious sign affixed next to the door at 1 bis, Chapon Street, in the 3rd arrondissement, that reads "JB & SB Specialists." This is actually just a fake facade, installed in 2006 by artists Julien Berthier and Simon Boudvin. 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:No. 1 bis, Chapon Road, 75003 Paris

Press Museum shop

Located at 52 de l'Aroust Sec Street,La GalcantePerhaps the only shop in the world belonging to a museum that never opened its doors. Its founder, Christian Bailly, amassed nearly a million archival documents—newspapers, magazines, manuscripts, letters, and posters—which today are invaluable assets to French journalism. A place steeped in history, it's a goldmine for researchers, collectors, and the curious alike.

Address:No. 52 de l'Arbre Street, Sec 75001, Paris

Palais Garnier

Among the mysteries of the Opera Garnier, this is perhaps the most intriguing: In the fifth basement level of the building lies an artificial lake, dug in 1861. Unfortunately, the public is not allowed access to it; apart from the carp released into the lake, only Paris firefighters are permitted to go there.

Address:No. 8 Scribe Street, 75009 Paris

145 Lafayette Street

Located just a short distance from Château-Landon metro station in the 10th arrondissement, the streetLafayetteIt's one of the busiest streets in Paris. And at number 145 stands a perfectly ordinary building. But if you linger in front of the building's facade longer, you'll quickly realize the building is just a 3D rendering, the wooden door is actually a sheet of iron, and the windows are just paint marks on the wall. In the novel...Foucault pendulumUmberto Eco compared the building to the gates of hell...

Address:No. 145 Lafayette Street, 75010 Paris

city of flowers

The picturesque 13th arrondissement of Paris, with its charming little neighborhoods, is well worth a visit. Located right next to Montsouris Park,City of FlowersIt is one of them. It comprises six cobblestone streets, each named after a flower (Orchid Street, Iris Street, Wisteria Street, Bluebell Street...) with colorful little houses featuring windows adorned with flowers. This is one of the few areas of Paris that has escaped large-scale urbanization.