7 Beautiful Hidden Spots In Paris - International Traveller

Avoid the crowds at these lesser-known spots.

When you’ve had the chance to visit the can’t-miss, quintessential Paris sights, there is much more to discover beyond the Eiffel Tower.

It’s time to dive into the quieter, lesser-known gems well away from the tourist haze. Think: overlooked parks, small museums, tucked away courtyards and other favourite local spots.

View of cozy street in quarter Montmartre in Paris, France. — There’s much more to discover beyond the Eiffel Tower. (Image: DaLiu via Getty Images)

1. Stroll along La Coulée Verte René-Dumont

One of Paris’ greatest virtues is its many green spaces, offering a multitude of opportunities to embody the classic Parisian flâneur (a person who lounges or strolls around in a seemingly aimless way).

lush greenery at La Promenade Plantée in Paris — La Coulée Verte René-Dumontis is a walkway and park built on old train tracks. (Image: Vivian Song via Getty Images)

La Coulée Verte René-Dumont, formerly known as the Promenade Plantée, is a walkway and park built on old train tracks from the Bastille to the Bois de Vincennes. The free stroll covers 4.5 kilometres of greenery, from wild vegetation to manicured landscaping, lined with lime and hazelnut trees.

Its location in the 12th arrondissement provides the opportunity to observe a local way of life, as well as enjoy nature.

the entranceway above the Viaduc des Arts, La Promenade Plantée in Paris — Stroll along the elevated manicured gardens. (Image: Vivian Song via Getty Images)

2. Stop at the oldest cafe in Paris

The oldest cafe in Paris, Procope, is tucked away along a cobblestone walking path in the heart of Saint-Germain des Prés and has been operating since 1686.

dining outside Procope café in Paris — Have coffee at Procope.

Legendary thinkers – such as Voltaire, Rousseau and Diderot – frequented the cafe in their day. It was even a political hot spot during the French Revolution, where Robespierre. Jacobins and the like met and swapped ideas.

the cafe interior at Procope, Paris — Step into the elegant dining at Procope.

Take a moment to enjoy an espresso or lunch at the cafe, surrounded by a mind-blowing historical legacy.

pouring liquid over food on a plate at Procope, Paris — Treat yourself to a Parisian meal at Procope.

3. Visit the Bibliothèque Nationale’s Small Museum

Bibliothèque Nationale de France (aka the National Library of France) is a gorgeous and historic library in the Louvre-Opéra district. The library is over 300 years old but was recently restored and reopened in 2022.

a look inside the Bibliothèque Nationale de France — Be in awe at the largest repository of manuscripts and publications in Paris. (Image: Alf Redo)

The public is free to enjoy the Salle Ovale, a grand oval-shaped atrium lined with more than 20,000 books, and the ground’s beautiful gardens.

the National Library of France — The library is over 300 years old.

The architecture alone warrants a visit, but we recommend also paying 10 euros for entry to Le Musée de la BNF, a museum within the library with a small but mighty collection of historical artifacts. On display, you’ll see antiquities like a 1st-century Greek tablet depicting a scene from Homer’s Iliad, gilded prayer books and bibles from Louis IX, and original handwritten manuscripts from Mozart’s Don Giovanni.

architectural details of the National Library of France — Bibliothèque Nationale de France is considered an example of minimalist modern architecture.

4. See a show at Théâtre du Vieux Colombier

This small theatre in Saint-Germain-des-Prés carries on a long legacy of French performance history. It is one of only three stages for the prestigious Comédie-Française, the oldest active theatre company in the world.

Originally founded in 1680, the Comédie-Française was once an expensive luxury in the 18th century, enjoyed by the French nobility. Today, the stage is open to all of us commoners.

The Théâtre du Vieux-Colombier is a more intimate option to enjoy the troupe’s performances, in comparison to their primary venue, the Salle Richelieu. The century-old theatre now hosts productions all season long, which alternate between classic and contemporary works. Stop by the theatre’s bar and cafe before or after to enjoy a drink and discuss the show.

a French crowd during a Comédie performance the streets of Paris — La Marseillaise is sung on the streets of Paris. (Image: Pierre Herman)

5. Shop for local goods at Marché de l’Olive

Marché de l’Olive is a friendly local market with fresh produce, cheese and dry-aged meats. Located in the 18th arrondissement, this covered outdoor market lives on the periphery of the city, just out of reach from where most tourists typically wander. As a result, it’s less busy and more local.

Take your time to browse the stands and ask the vendors about their wares. In your exploration, you may find an excellent French butler adjacent to an organic fruit and vegetable stand across from a tiny flower shop.

strawberries at Marché de l’Olive — Stop by Marché de l’Olive on your quest to find the best strawberries in Paris. (Image: Big Dodzy)

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6. Explore the past at Château de Fontainebleau

When you’ve already visited the opulent Palace of Versailles, a trip outside of the city to Château de Fontainebleau is in order. The 1500-room château provides a journey back in time to the extravagant lives of French royalty just an hour outside Paris.

the castle at Château de Fontainebleau in Paris — Generations of French royalty have resided in the Château de Fontainebleau. (Image: CaraMaria via Getty Images)

Thirty-four kings and two emperors once resided at Fontainebleau and left their marks in various ways. During your visit, you’ll see the major projects of Henri IV, the refined decoration of Marie Antoinette, Napoleon I’s apartment and the splendour of Napoleon III.

the Château de Fontainebleau fronting a huge body of water — Château de Fontainebleau has been a major royal residence for four centuries. (Image: Stefan K)

Aside from the stunning Renaissance-style architecture of the house and its many royal furnishings, Fontainebleau’s 130 hectares include four main courtyards, three gardens and the largest European parterre (an ornamental garden with paths weaving through the beds). Whether you are a fan of history, art, or architecture, this is the perfect place to spend a half day of exploration.

a lush parkland surrounding Château de Fontainebleau — Surrounded by greenery, the château is steeped in nature. (Image: Nazreen Banu)

7. Enjoy the Sculpture Garden at Musée Rodin

Whether you are an art enthusiast or simply seeking a tranquil escape in the heart of the city, the Musée Rodin delivers on both.

The museum highlights renowned sculptor Auguste Rodin’s extensive collection of works. His sculptures flow seamlessly indoors to outdoors, spilling out of the galleries into the beautiful gardens. The Thinker, perhaps his most iconic work, is on display here as well as pieces by other notable artists, like Vincent Van Gogh and Camille Claudel.

the Sculpture Garden at Musée Rodin — There’s no other museum like the Musée Rodin in Paris. (Image: lillisphotography via Getty Images)

The 18th-century rococo museum building was once a hotel that Rodin himself stayed at. He rented the four ground-floor rooms before taking over the whole building in 1911, laying the foundations for what would become the Musée Rodin in 1919.

The museum is centrally located in the bustling 7th arrondissement, but the peaceful nature of the building and French gardens feel like a world away.

a small bronze replica of Rodin's The Thinker statue sitting under the tree — In this tranquil oasis, you’ll find the sculptures of the French artist Auguste Rodin. (Image: wesvandinter via Getty Images)

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.

Beyond the Eiffel Tower: 7 beautiful hidden spots in Paris