Alternative Paris neighbourhoods to explore

Get off the beaten tourist track in Paris and you’ll see the City of Love in an invigorating new light.

Away from the obvious visitor magnets – you know, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum and Montmartre’s Sacré-Coeur Basilica – the French capital has so many intriguing neighbourhoods to explore, full of quintessential and contemporary Parisian charms and enticing places in which to eat, drink, shop and browse.

Here are five to get you started. Transport-wise, they’re well-connected and easy to reach, with Metro stations on the doorstep and docking points if you’re using the city-wide Velib’ bike-hire scheme.

woman riding Velib bike in paris — Stay active by getting around Paris on a Velib bike.

1. Butte-aux-Cailles

With its narrow, undulating lanes, cute low-rise houses and pretty domed church (Église Sainte-Anne), there is a slight air of Montmartre about this quaint, village-like enclave, a short walk from bustling Place d’Italie in the 13th arrondissement.

a serene landscape with buildings at Place d’Italie in Paris — Place d’Italie is a lovely green space worth exploring.

Unlike Montmartre, however, you might be the only tourist here. A lovely, tranquil place to potter round, Butte-aux-Cailles has cosy pavement cafes and bars, galleries and ateliers where you might glimpse painters and craftspeople at work, and a colourful array of graffiti and murals, including the stencil art of Miss. Tic – a well-known French female artist.

street art occupying the walls of the structures along Butte-aux-Cailles — Get absorbed in the Nouveau architecture and street art along the cobbled lanes.

Her etchings adorn the facade of Chez Gladines, a popular local restaurant serving stews and other classic dishes from the Basque region of southwestern France.

It’s possible to sign up for guided walking tours that explain the hidden meanings behind the street art of Butte-aux-Cailles and beyond.

Mosko and Anis street art in paris — Take a Street Art Tour to see artworks around the city. (Artwork: Mosko and Anis)

2. Belleville

Spray-painted walls will also catch the eye in the hilly streets of Belleville, which, like Butte-aux-Cailles (and Montmartre) was an independent commune until 1860 when it was swallowed into the capital’s expanding sprawl.

people strolling along Belleville neighbourhood in Paris — Marvel at the bustling neighborhood in Paris.

Located in the 20th arrondissement, in Paris’ northwest, Belleville was the birthplace of the legendary singer Edith Piaf, whose tunes are still sung and played on the accordion at timeless neighbourhood haunts like Le Vieux Belleville.

Traditionally home to working-class Parisians, and later immigrants from Africa and Asia, Belleville is now a hotbed for affluent creatives nicknamed Bobos (bourgeois bohemians). You’ll see them mingling at trendy bistros like Moncoeur Belleville, whose tables and chairs spill out onto a pavement looking back towards central Paris, with Eiffel’s so-called “metal asparagus" looming in the distance.

customers sitting outside Moncoeur Belleville with Parisian street performers on the side — Catch Parisian street performers at sundown.

Steps lead down into Parc de Belleville, a hillside green space with picnic-friendly lawns, floral displays and vines (Belleville folk have been producing wine for generations).

an aerial view of Parc de Belleville in Paris — Parc de Belleville overlooks the city skyline.

3. Chateau d’Eau

Taking its name from an elaborate fountain that gushed here in the 19th century, Chateau d’Eau – meaning water tower or palace – springs off Place de la Republique, a vast square where skateboarders clatter about and protesters congregate for demonstrations.

the towering structure of Chateau d’Eau — Gaze in awe at the Chateau d’Eau Water Tower.

Much calmer, Rue du Chateau d’Eau is home to discreet addresses, including Sergeant Paper, which has cool retro posters, and Mamamushi, a “slow fashion" store specialising in hand-picked clothes, jewellery and homewares.

front view entrance of Mamamushi boutique shop in Paris — Shop fashionable items at Mamamushi.

Delectable scents drift from corner boulangerie Mamiche. Atmospheric neighbourhood stalwart Marche Saint-Martin sells fresh produce and takeaway snacks in a striking 1880s-built hall, while Les Resistants is a rustic-chic newcomer that champions sustainable seasonal organic food and wines.

bicycles parked outside Mamiche bakery in Paris — Grab a bite of delectable French pastries at Mamiche.

Particularly good value are its three-course lunch menus, priced €24 ($37), and featuring dishes like butternut squash veloute with Corsican chestnut honey cream, and pollack with turnips and beetroot.

Afterwards, take a stroll by nearby Canal Saint-Martin, a waterway that snakes a picturesque path through eastern Paris.

a typical day at Canal Saint-Martin, Paris — Wade your way through the Canal Saint-Martin.

4. South Pigalle

Sloping south of the unmistakable Moulin Rouge, South Pigalle has experienced quite the change in fortunes over the years.

the vibrant and lively Moulin Rouge in Paris — Moulin Rouge comes alive at night. (Image: Vadim Sadovski)

Booming during the Belle Epoque – the era between 1871 and 1914 – it later fell into the doldrums, becoming a notorious red-light zone. Gentrification has swept through, however, even delivering a hip new neighbourhood moniker, SoPi.

South Pigalle on a bright, sunny day — South Pigalle is a former red-light district but is now lined with boutique shops.

Enjoy a flat white from KB Coffee Roasters – run by a Frenchman who “discovered" artisan coffee in Australia – and wander down the historic thoroughfare, Rue des Martyrs.

It’s lined with everything from North African greengrocers and old-school patisseries to stylish fashion stores, bistros and an upscale chocolate shop by Michelin-feted chef Alain Ducasse.

Glorious neoclassical architecture can be seen in the side streets (the area was once dubbed “New Athens"), while one townhouse, sporting lime-green shaded shutters, is now the Museum of Romantic Life.

Decked out with period furniture and paintings, it’s the former home of 19th-century Dutch-French painter Ary Scheffer, who would entertain writers and artists like Charles Dickens, George Sand and Eugene Delacroix here.

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5. La Defense

The forest of futuristic high rises that shimmer on the western limits of Paris, comprising Europe’s biggest purpose-built business district, hide some pleasant surprises.

Among them is France’s largest open-air gallery. Adding colour to the glass, steel and concrete surrounds are almost 70 sculptures, including a fantastical blue, red and yellow piece by Joan Miro, perched outside a Westfield mall, and a giant bronze thumb by Cesar Baldaccini, a friend of Pablo Picasso.

the towering structure of Grande Arche de La Défense in Paris — Grande Arche de La Défense majestically sits on the outskirts of Paris. (Image: Johan Otto Von Spreckelsen)

Events pop up throughout the year on La Defense’s central promenade, including a summer jazz festival, DJ-led concerts and Christmas markets. The backdrop is the Grande Arche de la Defense, a huge cube-like landmark that sits arrow-straight in line with the Arc de Triomphe, which is visible five kilometres away.

You can take a lift up to the rooftop terrace-restaurant for wining, dining and Parisian panoramas. Or enjoy views of the French capital, while rubbing shoulders with the after-work office crowd, at sleek cocktail joint Octopus or Mama’s Penthouse, a flamboyantly-decorated retreat on the 14th floor of Mama Shelter, one of the latest hotels to mushroom in this ever-evolving district.

a crowded bar inside Octopus Paris — Cap off your day with a glass of cocktail at Octopus Paris.

For more insider tips to the City of Lights, read our travel guide to Paris.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.

5 alternative Paris neighbourhoods to explore