Hidden neighborhoods and local flavors: Paris as you have never known it
Uncover Paris's hidden neighborhoods and local flavors for an authentic taste of the City of Lights beyond the famous landmarks.
By LIHI RON Canal Saint-Martin, Paris(photo credit: gettyimages)
Paris is full of attractions and iconic sites that everyone knows. But beyond the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs-Élysées hides another, more authentic and sexier city, with colorful neighborhoods, local markets, hidden streets and secret parks that only Parisians know. We dived off the familiar tracks and came back with some worthwhile suggestions for what else you can see and do in the City of Lights. The park in the Belleville neighborhood (credit: gettyimages)
Vibrant and colorful: Belleville neighborhood
A colorful and lively neighborhood in the 20th district that serves as a melting pot for immigrants from all over the world. It has authentic Chinese restaurants, Indian spice shops and bakeries from the Maghreb countries, alongside vintage shops and colorful African shops. The walls of the buildings are decorated with spectacular graffiti works and there is not a day that something happens in the neighborhood - street markets, festivals, alternative exhibitions and art fairs. In the heart of Belleville is a large and beautiful park, which, in addition to lawns and blooming gardens, playgrounds, and shaded areas where you can enjoy wine and cheeses from the neighborhood produce, offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city.
Canal Saint Martin, Paris (credit: gettyimages)
Shopping and entertainment in the Saint Martin Canal
A magical and romantic gem in the heart of Paris, which was once used to transport water and food and today stars as one of the most desirable entertainment centers in the city with a lively dining and nightlife scene. Most of the entertainment sites in the canal are concentrated in the 10th arrondissement and the surrounding streets are interwoven with boutique shops, la branché cafes (trendy in French), bars and great restaurants. What do we do? A romantic cruise in the canal will bring you together with unique environmental architecture and the wild animals that inhabit it. You can stroll along its banks, stop for a coffee or a delicious snack, and enjoy luxury shopping in the chic boutiques that offer fashionable clothes, jewelry and accessories. Montessori Park, Paris (credit: gettyimages)
Relaxed time out in the Montessori park
One of the most enjoyable hidden treasures in Paris. The spacious park is located in the 14th district and offers a calm escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. With the large lake, the manicured lawns, the impressive stone and bronze sculptures and the centuries-old trees, you can spend a whole day here with activities, hiking, cycling and pedal boating. Near the park is Montessori Square - a tiny alley, full of charm and atmosphere with low houses, courtyards immersed in green vegetation, hanging balconies and red tiled roofs, which look as if they were copied from the last century and stuck in the heart of the busy metropolis.
A compact and picturesque street in the 12th arrondissement known as "Little Provence" of Paris. The origin of the name Cremieux is the name of the French-Jewish statesman Adolphe Cremieux, who contributed greatly to the development of the neighborhood built at the beginning of the 20th century for the railway workers. The hallmark of the street are the beautiful houses in soft pastel colors with the French windows, ornate doors and flowering planters. The walls of the houses are decorated with colorful and creative graffiti that contribute to the special atmosphere in the place, and there are several charming small shops of clothes, accessories and souvenirs. Perfect location for street photos and selfies for Instagram.
The oldest market in Paris, the Marché des Enfants Rouge, located in the north of the Marais and named after a nearby orphanage whose patrons wore a red uniform, is one of the best-known (and best-known) secrets in Paris. It is a very popular market among the locals, with beautiful and tastefully arranged stalls that offer fruits and vegetables, meats, fish and traditional cheeses.
In addition, you will find a huge variety of food stalls from all over the world and market restaurants such as the particularly lovable Chez Alain Miam Miam, which serves incredibly creative and delicious sandwiches, and an exotic Moroccan stall where the food is served in colorful tagines.
Lihi Ron is a journalist and editor, author of destination guides and leader of women and food tours in Israel and around the world.
