Secret places of Paris, which you will not find in a typical guidebook

1. Park Promenade Plante

We invite you to Gardens Promenade Plante! The present kingdom greenery stretched from Bastille to the ring road Peripherique, Paris ring road. This is the original park, length of 4.7 km, built on the site of an abandoned railway line in 1993. According to legend, this green boulevard was built under the inspiration of the myth of the gardens of Babylon.

One half of the park is a ground walking alley. Other so-called "gallery", located on the viaduct (bridge-type construction, located at the intersection of the road gully deep). Here you can see how spectacular panoramic views and enclosed spaces that are surrounded by tall buildings, old and new residential.

Address: 290 Avenue Daumesnil
Site: www.promenade-plantee.org

2. miraculous medallions

Not far from the Louvre Museum, in the house №140 on the Rue du Bac (Rue du Bac) is the sanctuary of the chapel with the miraculous medallion. At this place July 19, and then the November 27, 1830 The Holy Virgin appeared to Catherine Labouré, a young nun of the Daughters of Christian love St. Vincent de Paul with the task of manufacturing the so-called "miraculous" medallion with the image of the Virgin. After a few years in Paris terrible epidemic of cholera broke out, and then the sisters of the Congregation "Daughters of Charity" produced the first 2,000 medallions.

For nearly two centuries, this medallion is encouraging in Distress and hardship, world bestows its favors and miracles.
From the street, this chapel is not particularly evident: you have to enter the yard, and there already is in her input. By the way, here and kept the incorrupt relics of the Saint Catherine. Bag with medallions cost cheap: only about 5 euros for 7 pieces.

Address: 140 Rue du Bac
Site: filles-de-la-charite.org

3. A large arch in the modern quarter of La Défense

Défense (La Défense) - This ultra-modern quarter in the close suburbs of Paris, which is the largest business center in Europe, and even earned the nickname "Paris Manhattan". The length of the pedestrian area here is 1.2 km, a width - 250 m Highways, along with the railway and subway, hidden in underground tunnels..

Arche (La Grande Arche de la Défense) - a modern version of the famous Arc arch - is a cube with the passage of regular shape inside. Under it are the RER (suburban express subway) and the underground. Side "column" occupy government and commercial offices. On the upper floor has a computer science museum, a restaurant and an observation deck with stunning views of the city and the "historical axis" of Paris, stretching from the Great Arch of La Défense to the Louvre.

On the official website you can download and print out a coupon with a discount of 1.50 euros for an adult ticket.

Address: 1 Parvis de la Defense
Site: www.grandearche.com

4. Museum Edith Piaf

Edith Piaf - not just a great singer, she was - a true embodiment of the spirit of France. House-museum of Edith Piaf - a two-room small apartment, located in a building on the right bank of the Seine, which up to a limit full of relics associated with the different stages of the life of the famous singer: posters, CDs, portraits, accessories, and even the famous black dress.

We can say that the museum is quite intimate. It's free, although private, so you can get there by appointment only at him. The owner of the museum - a true fan of the singer Bernard Marshua. Even back in 1958 sixteen year old teenager, he met Edith Piaf, and until death of the singer became her loyal assistant, helping in all matters and participating in many events of her life.

Address: 5 Rue Crespin du Gast
About the museum: www.parisinfo.com

5. Cabaret "Aux Trois Mailletz"

This is a fun theater with a rich history. At one time there were such legendary stars as Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Lil Armstrong.

Cabaret "Aux Trois Mailletz" - this is live music and friendly atmosphere. There are singing and dancing till morning! Even singing waiters, and even the guests dance on tables :) Entrance fee, but the spectacle is worth it. If you want a fun night in Paris, you should know that there is always a pianist, artists, ready to entertain you, and welcoming the French public.

Address: 58 Rue Galande
About the museum: www.lestroismailletz.fr

trois-mailletz-slave from laurent ROCHETTA on Vimeo.

6. Breakfast on the Seine

At dawn, when Paris was still asleep, you have the opportunity to take a cruise on the Seine and at the same time, romantic breakfast. To arrange a brilliant start to the day is easy - just drink coffee with traditional croissants, enjoying the wonderful scenery of Paris on the river Seine. Oh, what bridges, and even some architecture around!

All boats are equipped with an awning, so that the rain the walk is not a hindrance. Worth one o'clock the satisfaction of about 39 €. To order by phone, or by filling out a form on the site.

Address: 6 Quai Jean Compagnon
About the museum: www.greenriver-paris.fr

7. Bois de Vincennes

Bois de Vincennes will be a real paradise for lovers of the beautiful green landscapes. After all, it is a park of 995 hectares - the largest green area in Paris. It is also called "the lungs of Paris."

In the past it was a hunting lodge of the kings of France. The territory planned in the style of an English park with a developed water network of lakes and canals, and bridges, fountains and restaurants. In addition, in the Bois de Vincennes are hippodrome, velodrome, zoo, tropical and botanical gardens, Buddhist pagoda. You can rent a boat.

Address: 293 avenue Dausmenil
Vicki: Bois de Vincennes

8. Paris catacombs

A huge network of winding underground tunnels and caves artificial type that grew in the womb of Paris. The total length - from 187 to 300 kilometers. Origin of moves associated with the mining of limestone, which is under a large stratum of soil. The average depth of the excavation is about 25 meters.

Since the end of the XVIII century due to over-saturation of Paris cemeteries (sometimes under one grave could rest a dozen people at various levels) in the catacombs reburied the remains of nearly 6 million man. Famous ossusary gallery is laid along the walls of bones and skulls.

Address: 1 Avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy
Site: www.catacombes.paris.fr

9. Loft "Refrigerators» (Les Frigos)

In the past - is a giant warehouse-refrigerator at the railroad station. Now designers and architects converted industrial space populated with actors and artists. Among the most known dwellers "refrigerators" include: photographers Giyoma Zhirando and Frank Bichon, composer Simon Klocke-Lyafolli; Association «New music association», «Union of jazz musicians", radio station "Paris Jazz".
In total there are about 80 studios and apartments for artists, as well as 17 clubs and associations.

Les Frigos - a typical example of the loft, existing in the cultural center of the format in which part of the premises rented by galleries, dance studios, showrooms, cafes, workshops and the like.

Among the paintings of the authors, themselves tenants called frescoes, were such famous artists as A. Messenger and Ben.
But in a shock result in other passers - more vulgar graffiti on exterior and interior walls of buildings. They express a kind of protest against poverty, violence, vulgarity of the world. Residents of "Refrigerators" take a look of the building, do not paint over the graffiti and do not try to change them. Although the paintings do not reflect their inner world.

Address: 19 Rue des Frigos
Site: www.les-frigos.com

10. Carnavalet Museum

Locals believe the Carnavalet museum "the most Parisian museum" because it is the city of Paris history museum. Login here, by the way, is free.
Carnavalet museum is located in a mansion of the 16th century, which is decorated with bas-reliefs and has a number of gardens decorated with floral ornaments and statues of the famous French sculptor Goujon.

In 1866, Paris began to radically restructure, so we decided to create a museum to keep it the appearance of the old city. For this Carnival purchased the mansion and then positioned next to the building - a mansion Le Peletier de Saint-Fargeau 17th century.

The museum has more than 100 rooms. Here there are original works of decorative art and paintings depicting urban landscapes of Paris, and famous things. Part of the hall reconstructs the historical interiors of the past centuries: salons Louis XV and Louis XVI, ballroom mansion Wendel, Georges Fouquet jewelery shop, a gallery of Madame de Sevigne, Salon writer Baroness de Noailles, Marcel office Proust ...

Address: 23 Rue de Sévigné
Site: www.carnavalet.paris.fr

11. The museum of magic and miracles

The museum of magic and wonder was discovered in 1993. It is located in the basement of the XVI century, under the mansion of the Marquis de Sade. Founder - collector of magical attributes Georges Proust. It is worth noting that pride of place is given to Jean Eugène Robert-Houdin, who is considered the father of modern magic.

The museum exhibits various magic tricks sverhoshelomlyayuschih details for: boxes for sawing girls flying man, wands, reflecting mirrors, gimmicks and even frightening exhibits. In addition to the objects that were used by mages in XVII-XVIII centuries, there are tools of modern magic. Volunteers can test the mirror maze. It operates a souvenir shop.

Entrance fee to the museum - about 8 euros. Do not miss the tricks session, which run every 30 minutes from 14.30 to 18.00. Seen shake you!

Address: 11, rue Saint Paul
Site: www.museedelamagie.com

12. Parc André Citroën

Parc André Citroën area of ​​14 hectares located on the left bank of the Seine in the 15th district of Paris. This is the only park that goes directly to the Seine. It was built on the territory of the former car factory "Citroen» (Citroën) and named in honor of the founder André Citroën (André Citroën).

In the center of the park is a large rectangular field measuring approximately 273 m by 85 m. It crosses passing through the park along the diagonal 630-meter straight track. In the park there are: greenhouses with exotic and Mediterranean plants, 120 "dancing" fountains, "The Garden of metamorphoses" with suspended transitions, 6 "Theme Gardens" (each with a special design and landscape) and "Garden in motion" in which procedure the free grow wild plants.

But the most surprising - the ability to rise above Paris at the height of 150 meters in a helium-filled balloon 32-meter and enjoy one of the best views of the city: An overview and the Eiffel Tower, and many city attractions.

One of the interesting facts: on the ball there is a flag, the color of which depends on the state of the atmosphere: if the air is clean, you will see a green flag when "breathe" - flag is red.

Address: 2 Rue Cauchy
Vicki: Parc André Citroën

13. Chinese pagoda (La Pagode)

According to local residents, La Pagode - an architectural extravaganza of Paris. This exotic building did not expect to see in a quiet neighborhood, where homes are the norm in the Ottoman style.

Antique Japanese pagoda was built in 1896 by Monsignor Morin (owner of manufactured goods store Le Bon Marché) as a gift to his wife. Then he was saved from demolition in 1970 and later turned into a movie theater.

La Pagode is one of the few temples of independent cinema in Paris, where you can watch movies in the original director's masters such as Kusturica, Manoel de Oliveira or Ken Loach.
If you are planning a visit to this place of worship, it is strongly recommended to come early and enjoy a cup of tea in the tiny eastern garden.

Address: 57 bis, rue de Babylone

14. Park "France in miniature"

Near Paris, near Versailles, there is one amazing place - a park, "France Miniature". Here recreated reduced (scale 1:30) copies of the most famous architectural landmarks of France. Total 160.

The slogan of the park cheerful: "Walk down the steps of the French giant!"

All "France in miniature" as if alive. Throughout the territory lie mini railways, which are carried by small train, all councils are office, near the Louvre plays a march on the stadium could hear the sounds of a football match, people are sitting, go on the road on a ladder cars…
The park is not small - covers an area of ​​5 hectares. It will take at least 2 hours to work around it.

Address: Boulevard André Malraux
Site: www.franceminiature.fr

15. The oldest tree in Paris

A tree grows in the square René Viviani, which is located opposite the famous Notre Dame, on the opposite bank of the Seine, close to one of the oldest churches of Paris Saint-Julien-le-PWA.

In Paris, there is one tree (acacia or locust), which has more than four hundred years. Presumably, it was planted in its namesake botanist Jean Robin already in 1601! In this case, the oldest tree in Paris has a "passport" - the official sign, confirming his advanced age.

Tree trunk long-lived by time and weather conditions sometimes rotten, so it is supported by two concrete pillars. Wood has lost its upper branches of the crown during the First World War, but the annual flowering shows preserved vitality of the tree.

Address: 2 rue du Fouarre
Vicki: Square René Viviani

We hope that our selection was interesting and useful. At least, it is a reminder that in Paris breathtakingly beautiful and atmospheric. It really is a place that is really worth seeing!

And if you have your own "secret" places where you've been and who can recommend to readers of "Layfhakera" to visit, feel free to mention them in your comments. We will be very grateful to you for this good cause!