What to do in Paris? 8 unusual places to discover
In the morning, in the Batignolles, Paris sometimes seems to forget that it is a capital city. Café terraces slowly come to life, shopkeepers open their doors, and the smell of coffee mingles with that of freshly baked pastries.
At Joli Môme, conversations begin around the large communal table. Then everyone heads out to enjoy the day: some towards Montmartre, others to the city’s famous landmarks… while others choose to wander off the beaten track.
Because beyond the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and the Champs-Élysées, another Paris is waiting to be discovered. Quieter. Greener. Sometimes almost village-like.
4 hidden places in the north of Paris
1. Cité des Fleurs, a hidden village in the 17th arrondissement
Just a few streets away from the Batignolles, Cité des Fleurs is one of those little surprises Paris keeps tucked away behind its wider avenues.
Lined with houses, gardens and flower-filled façades, this peaceful lane has an almost provincial feel. Here, the pleasure lies in slowing down and noticing the doors, trees and small details hidden behind the gates.
A lovely first stop for exploring Paris from Joli Môme.
2. Martin Luther King Park, the green side of the Batignolles
Just a few minutes from the hotel, Martin Luther King Park offers a welcome breath of fresh air.
Wide lawns, ponds, walkways and landscaped gardens create a contemporary setting where families, walkers and local residents cross paths throughout the day.
It is the perfect place for a morning stroll or simply a few quiet minutes in the sunshine before continuing your day.
3. Musée de la Vie Romantique, a hidden house in Pigalle
Leave the lively streets of Pigalle behind and step through a doorway on Rue Chaptal, and the atmosphere changes completely.
Set in a former artist’s residence, the Musée de la Vie Romantique has a wonderfully intimate feel, with its courtyard, garden and rooms that are discovered almost as though you were visiting a private home.
A gentle cultural pause, far from the bustle of Paris’s major museums.
4. Butte Bergeyre, Paris from a different hilltop
In the 19th arrondissement, Butte Bergeyre reveals quiet little streets, houses surrounded by greenery and, in places, lovely views over the rooftops and towards Montmartre.
4 walks to discover a different side of Paris
1. La Mouzaïa, a touch of countryside in the 19th arrondissement
Near the Buttes-Chaumont, La Mouzaïa unfolds into a maze of small villas and narrow lanes lined with houses.
Greenery, colourful façades and little stairways invite you to wander without a fixed plan.
Perhaps the best route is simply not to have one.
2. The Petite Ceinture, walking through Paris’s railway past
For many years, trains travelled around Paris along the Petite Ceinture.
Today, several sections have been transformed into walking paths where the old railway tracks meet vegetation that has grown almost wild.
People come here for its unique atmosphere: a mix of industrial heritage, nature and quiet, contrasting with the streets just a few metres away.
3. Cité Florale, six little streets where Paris turns green
In the 13th arrondissement, Cité Florale certainly lives up to its name.
Rue des Glycines, Rue des Iris, Rue des Orchidées… a handful of small streets form a miniature neighbourhood of low-rise houses, light-coloured façades and abundant greenery.
4. Rue des Thermopyles, a peaceful escape in the heart of the 14th
Cobblestones, climbing plants, small houses and artists’ studios give Rue des Thermopyles the feel of a village lane.
It is one of those places you do not necessarily visit to “see” something, but simply to experience another side of the city.
A few minutes’ walk is enough to rediscover what you may have been looking for in Paris all along: the simple pleasure of wandering.
Experience Paris off the beaten track from Joli Môme
Discovering a different side of Paris also means choosing a place to come back to that keeps that feeling alive.
At Joli Môme, in the heart of the Batignolles, the day is about much more than simply picking up your room key. The lounge is designed as a true living space: somewhere to chat, read, plan your next walk or simply take a moment to relax.
After a day exploring Paris, the complimentary afternoon treat served every day brings you gently back home.
Then comes the Parisian apéritif, one of Joli Môme’s signature moments: a few drinks, some cheese and that easy sense of conviviality that can make you feel as though you were coming back to friends.
For Deluxe and Triple rooms booked directly, breakfast is also complimentary. A lovely way to start the day at a slower pace before heading back out to explore the streets of Paris.
DISCOVER PARIS DIFFERENTLY FROM JOLI MÔME
YOUR STARTING POINT FOR DISCOVERING PARIS
After flower-filled lanes, hidden neighbourhoods and walks away from the usual sights, return to the calm and welcoming atmosphere of Joli Môme, in the heart of the Batignolles.
An urban guesthouse where you can take the time to experience Paris differently, with local recommendations, an afternoon treat and a convivial apéritif.
FAQ – What to do in Paris
Where should you go in Paris to discover less touristy places?
To discover Paris off the beaten track, spend a few hours away from the major landmarks and explore the city’s residential neighbourhoods. Cité des Fleurs in the 17th arrondissement, Butte Bergeyre and La Mouzaïa in the 19th, or Cité Florale in the 13th all offer a much calmer atmosphere. These are places to wander, admire the houses, discover hidden gardens and experience everyday neighbourhood life. They are ideal for travellers who want to combine Paris’s must-see sights with more local discoveries.
What to do in Paris once you’ve already seen the main landmarks?
After the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre or Montmartre, Paris can be discovered at a completely different pace. A walk along the Petite Ceinture, a few streets through La Mouzaïa, a visit to the Musée de la Vie Romantique or a stroll along Rue des Thermopyles can completely change the rhythm of your day.
Exploring Paris off the beaten track is less about ticking off more sights and more about taking the time to notice the neighbourhoods, local shops and green spaces that shape everyday Parisian life.
Are the Batignolles a good neighbourhood for experiencing authentic Paris?
Yes. The Batignolles, in the 17th arrondissement, are a great place to experience a lively, residential side of Paris, with cafés, independent shops, bustling streets and green spaces. Cité des Fleurs and Martin Luther King Park are two easy walks to include in a day exploring the neighbourhood.
At Joli Môme, this local spirit continues inside the house too, with personalised hospitality and shared moments over breakfast, the afternoon treat and the evening apéritif.
Where should you stay to experience a different side of Paris?
To explore Paris off the beaten track, staying in a residential neighbourhood allows you to experience the city differently from the moment you wake up. The Batignolles offer a great balance between local neighbourhood life and easy access to the rest of Paris.
Joli Môme sits right in the heart of the area and embraces the spirit of an urban guesthouse: a shared lounge, local recommendations, a complimentary afternoon treat and convivial moments over wine and cheese are all part of the experience.
What is Joli Môme’s approach to helping guests discover Paris?
Joli Môme sees Parisian hospitality as a neighbourhood experience rather than simply a place to stay. In the Batignolles, the house welcomes travellers with rooms designed as peaceful retreats, a lounge where guests can truly slow down, and gourmet moments that punctuate the day.
Its recommendations also highlight local shops, neighbourhood walks and favourite nearby addresses. The idea is simple: to let everyone discover Paris at their own pace, while coming back at the end of the day to the warmth and conviviality of a home.
They’re talking about us
WORDS FROM CURIOUS SOULS WHO STOPPED BY
Joli Môme Batignolles: welcome to the heart of a gentle, meaningful home in the authentic Batignolles district.
Halfway between a hotel and a guesthouse, Joli Môme Batignolles opens its doors in Paris’s 17th arrondissement, in the authentic and inspiring Batignolles district. Designed as a living home where time slows down, this address invites you to experience a new way of staying in Paris — gentler, more human, and deeply rooted.
Tendance Hôtellerie
A soulful refuge in the heart of Batignolles.
Paris unveils a new charming address. The boutique hotel Joli Môme Batignolles has just opened its doors at 11 rue des Batignolles, in the 17th arrondissement. Inspired by traditional Parisian homes, it offers a warm and human approach to hospitality.
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Joli Môme - A Parisian house unlike any other
Opening soon in the heart of Les Batignolles.
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