Paris Off the Beaten Path : Quiet Spots in the Middle of the City

Paris is one of those cities that everyone has on their bucket lists, but what makes a trip to Paris truly memorable is taking in the city like the Parisians do.  That means venturing off of the beaten tourist path and seeing places in the city that the tourists might not know about, making them the perfect quiet spots to enjoy the French capital and see Paris through the eyes of the Parisians.  I love finding spots on each trip to Paris that might not be in a tourist guide or a map of popular destinations.  The best spots in Paris are sometimes not even that far from major tourist spots, but it's peeking around corners and behind famous buildings that lay some of the best places in Paris to enjoy a quiet afternoon, perhaps eating a fresh baguette or a box of macarons and watching the world go by.

Square Jean XXIII
Right behind Notre Dame sits a fantastic little park that is always empty.  I've been all times of year from the quiet Winter months to the busy Summer months and for some reason, hardly anyone ventures to the back of the famous Cathedral, meaning it's the perfect spot to take in a peaceful afternoon.  This little square is landscaped beautifully all times of the year and the back views of Notre Dame are perhaps even more breathtaking than the front where the massive crowds of tourists flood.  My favorite thing to do is to grab a freshly baked croissant and a glass bottle of Orangina from Maison Martin on the Île Saint-Louis, find a bench in Square Jean XXIII and then just watch as Paris buzzes around me.

Le Jardin du Luxembourg

I only recently found the Luxembourg Gardens on my last trip to Paris last Summer, but I know this spot will become a regular for return trips.  Not only are the gardens breathtaking, filled with flowers and ponds, but the Palais du Luxembourg is a gorgeous architectural treat as well.  Perhaps the best thing about the Luxembourg gardens though, is that it's not a major tourist attraction (yet).  It's mostly filled with locals doing yoga or reading a book on a warm Summer afternoon.  For a spot in the middle of the Left Bank that's untouched by tourists, this is your spot.

Jardin des Tuileries

While floods of tourists will be at the Louvre as well as the large open squares that border it, if you walk just a bit further towards Musée de l'Orangerie, the Tuileries can be a surprisingly quiet escape.  The South West corner of the park is lined with trees and small paths and a surprising amount of peace can be found so close to the crowds near the Louvre.  I love to grab a box of macarons just up the street at Ladurée on Rue St. Honoré, find a chair in the Tuileries and pull out a good book.  This area can be a great escape from the heat in the Summer months as well, with lots of shade and nice breezes off of the large ponds throughout the park.

Grand Canal de Versailles

Though this spot isn't in Paris proper, I always suggest travelers make the trip out to Versailles while in the city.  It's a quick 30 minute train ride to the famous palace and it's definitely worth the trip to take in the Palace and grounds.  However, it can get quite crowded here as well, so when you want to find some peace and quiet at Versailles, rent one of the small paddle boats on the Grand Canal and spend the afternoon floating on the water.  Not only is it peaceful, it's a scenic adventure too with swans and great views of the Palace gardens and grounds.  It's always worth getting away from the massive crowds you can encounter at the Palace and this is the perfect spot to get away.

Photo Credit : Nick Nieto