Paris off the beaten track. Your alternative guide to Paris

Is there anything more exciting than discovering hidden places, amazing street art and cozy cafes in one of the most famous city? Check out Paris off the beaten track, download maps with routes on your smartphone and enjoy the city!

Belleville: Paris off the beaten track, street art, and Pere-Lachaise cemetery

If you have just one day to discover Paris off the beaten track, choose Belleville. Best time for the walk is Saturday, Sunday or Monday when you can take a look at flea market (B) on Porte de Montreuil. You can find there unique souvenirs from Paris, as well as extravagant clothing and antiques. After shopping, take a walk to the Rue Florian, where abandoned railway station La Petite Ceinturie (C) is located. It was built more than 150 years ago, but since 1934 the railway was systematically abandoning and the last train ran in 1993. Since that time the place was adopted by street artists who covered the railway station with fascinating murals. Once visiting Paris it is worth to spend at least 1,5 hour strolling around Père Lachaise (D), the biggest cemetery in Europe. Take a look at the most besieged burial of Jim Morrison (division 95), see the lipstick kisses on the grave of Oscar Wilde (division 89) or amazing gravestone of Tignous, the cartoonist from Charlie Hebdo (division 95).

Street art near Rue de Belleville is definitely the most impressive in the area. Installation on the left was designed by Ben Vautier.

It's time to dance street art Park Belleville

Hidden mural in Belleville Park

Gravestone of Oscar Wilde on Pere-Lachaise cemetery in Paris had to be surrounded with a glass wall, because of lovers willing to giss the marble. Well, now they kiss the glass wall.

In the Chinese bar Guo Xin you can eat tasty and cheap dinner. One dish costs as small as 5-6 euro.

Trucks in Paris are frequently covered with street art

Jim Morrison’s grave in the background. It has to be fenced, as people were covering it with tags and leaving different stuff nearby.

Locals looking at the Eiffel Tower. Taken near Belleville Park.

View point near Belleville Park is, together with Montmartre, the highest point in Paris.

Rue Denoyez Street in Belleville is famous for outstanding murals.

On the way to Belleville do not miss The Church of Our Lady of the Holy Cross of Ménilmontant (E) and look behind the walls of abandoned theatre Villa de l’Ermitage (F). Take rest in Belleville Park (G), from where you can enjoy a stunning view on Paris. The mosaic panorama depicts the most important buildings that you can find in Paris. Once you reach the Rue de Belleville turn left and admire two greatest art works in the district – mural and installation on the corner with Rue Julien Lacroix St. and series of murals on the Rue Denoyez (I). If you are eager to explore more street art dive into narrow streets of Belleville and finally if you got hungry visit Guo Xin bar, where you can try delicious Chinese dumplings (6 euro for 15 pieces), soup with noodles or dumplings (6 euro per bowl) or another delights of Chinese cuisine. Real Paris off the beaten track!

Le Marais: Pompidou Centre, street art and Charlie Hebdo

Another idea for the Paris off the beaten track is Le Marais and its surroundings. Since terrorist attacks in November 2015 Parisians gather on the square Place de la République (A) in order to show their solidarity with the victims. Monument in the middle of the square is constantly decorated with flags and posters. Editorial office of satirical weekly magazine Charlie Hebdo (B) is located not far from the square. In front of the office you can admire mural of impressive size refering to the history of France. After short walk turn to the Le Marais district. The name Le Marais is literally translated as “swamps” and refers to the quality of the terrain in the Middle Ages. However nowadays it is one of the most fashionable districts in Paris. If you like music band The Doors you may see from the street an apartment where body of Jim Morrison was found. Art lovers undoubtedly will be interested in visiting Picasso Museum (C) where more than five thousand art works by the famous artist are exhibited. If you prefer modern technologies than art hit Musée des Arts et Métiers (H) and admire more than two thousand exhibits from the museum collection that includes 80,000 objects. On the way to the Centre Pompidou stop by for a lunch in The Hure (E) bakery (delicious baguette with cheese and olives is just 2,5 euro). During Christmas–New Year period do not miss the opportunity to try marzipan delicacy called Galette des Rois (literally meaning King Cake, about 10 euro). The owner of unique perfume store Le Studio des Parfums (D) will open for you curtains behind the secret world of perfume with real pleasure. If budget allows you, join short workshop and create your own perfumes (about 75 euro per 30 ml).

View on Paris form Pompidou Centre (with Sacre-Caeur in the background)

Gravestone of Tignous from Charlie Hebdo

african pub Le Comptoir General — During the day African spot called Le Comptoir General serves as a cafe and restaurant (during lunchtime), but in the evening changes into amazing cocktail ba with African folk music.

Bugs Bunny Invader paris le marais — Invader is a famous French street artist famous for mosaics related to the oldschool arcade game Space Invaders. In Le Marais you can see one of his most famous artworks.

street art le marais — Le Marais, one of the most fashionable neighbourhood, is famous for street art.

Plac Republiki Paryz — Republic Square in Paris is covered with poster and other stuff brought by citizens.

Charlie Hebdo mural — Mural in the front of the “Charlie Hebdo” office.

Star Wars Gallery in Le Marais. Who wanna flowerish stormtrooper’s helmet?

59 rue de Rivoli Gallery in Paris — Rue de Rivoli 59 Gallery is a few-storeys building full of interesting artworks.

While strolling around Le Marais you may notice characteristic mosaics created by French street artist called Invader. Art works refer to the popular in late 70. video game called Space Invaders. The most interesting mosaic in the close vicinity of Le Marais is Bunny Bugs which you may find at 91 Rue de la Verrerie. In Centre Pompidou (F) you can admire the largest collection of modern art in Europe. From the last floor of gallery opens a great panoramic view on Paris. Find time to visit artistic squat and gallery at 59 Rue de Rivoli (G) where everyone can find something interesting for him (working until 8 pm). Looking for dinner choose one of the restaurants near the Indian Passage Brady (I). Drop off for a drink in the African bar Le Comptoir Général (J) where you may taste delicious cocktails (about 8-10 euro) or simply relax and enjoy African folk music. It’s essence of the Paris off the beaten track. Remember that Paris is a melting pot – if you know French take a look to a unique guidebook, which will allow you to discover all Parisian minorities.

Montmartre: alternative movies, jazz and flea market

Start your day visiting flea market near metro station Porte de Clignancourt (A) (from Saturday to Monday, 8-17) and find unique souvenirs from Paris. If you are interested in foreign cultures visit Institute of the Islamic Culture (B) where temporary exhibitions, film screenings and discussions are organized. During lunchtime you may go to the Indian restaurant Krishna Bhavan (C), where you can try the best vegetarian cuisine and at the same time not lose a fortune (only 7 euro for a dish). Strolling along the main streets towards Pigalle square you might enjoy the diversity of Arabian neigbourhood. From Wednesday to Friday between the metro stations of La Chapelle and Barbes-Rochechouart colorful food market takes place. You can buy snacks for the rest of the day. Montmartre, which you are entering now, was a separate village once, but after joining to Paris it became the red light district. That’s why one of the symbols of the neigbourhood is Moulin Rouge (D), famous cabaret operating since 1889. Another legendary place is café Le Chat Noir which used to be a cabaret one hundred years ago and its logo with a black cat as well as Moulin Rouge became a symbols of a district.

charlie chaplin street art paris la fayette — Street art with Charlie Chaplin, somewhere on La Fayette Street.

cafe near panama brewing company — Building covered with magnificent street art in Paris.

Paname Brewing Company paris — Menu in craft beer pub Panama Brewing Company in Paris.

Sacre-Caeur Paris — View on Paris from the stairs leading to Sacre-Caeur. It’s always full of people and musicians.

souvenirs paris condoms — Unusual souvenir form Paris.

invader gzup paris street art — “Leave us alone” mosaic by Invader. Octopuss-like artwork with the image of Mickey Mouse by Gzup.

Place du Tarte Montmartre artists — Artist during work on Place du Tarte, the main square of Montmartre

street art pissing paris — That guy literally piss on the art! In the downtown of Paris, middle of the day.

Start climbing up the Montmartre hill on the stairs on Passage de Abbesses (E), where you will see fantastic murals and fascinating street art. You get directly to the Espace Dali (F) gallery where you can see artworks of famous Catalonian surrealist Salvador Dali. Cross Place du Tarte (G), the main square of Montmartre where street artists sell their works, then turn to the Sacre-Coeur (H) church, the highest point of the city from where a miraculous view on Paris opens. Stairs leading to the temple are often full of tourists and street musicians wanting to earn some money. In the evening it is worth to visit legendary cinema Studio 28 and watch one from its alternative movies, If you prefer music than movies, go to jazz club Bab-Ilo (I) where you will enjoy local artists. Before you hit your hostel, take a walk (or metro) to the Bassin de la Villette, the biggest channel in Paris, and try craft beer in Panama Brewing Company. If wine is the mainstream, beer is part of the Paris off the beaten track.

Montparnasse: street artists, catacombs and Arab quarter

Start you day with a walk along beautiful La Promenade Plantee (A), a green promenade of almost five kilometers length, which is an adapted abandoned railway. Then visit the Museum of Cinematography (B) with the biggest archive in Europe (more than eighty thousand titles). Except of exhibitions and permanent expositions you may have a chance to watch a movie, usually a classic one. Crossing the Siena you will get to the L’Aiguillage (C) gallery where you can find photographic, sculptural or painting beads. The next destination is Arab World Institute (D), the centre of Arabic culture where you can enjoy exhibitions, meetings and conferences. In the information point of the institute you can ask for more specific information what to do there. Not far from there is located Grande Mosquée de Paris (E) – the biggest mosque in Paris (entrance for tourists is for a small charge). Next to the mosque the small café with oriental cuisine is operating, where for as small as 4 euro you can drink amazing tea and try tasty biscuits.