Where to go in Paris to escape the Olympics: ten hidden gems and tranquil retreats

Welcome back to The Velvet Runway and this feature about Where to go in Paris to escape the Olympics: ten hidden gems and tranquil retreats by Parisian contributor, Hannah Rees.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that the Olympics are taking place in Paris this summer. Perhaps you’re one of the few people heading to the City of Lights for the event and while it promises to be an exciting time, it also promises to be a busy one and you may need a break from the crowds.

Fortunately, Paris is full of quiet gems hidden away in discreet courtyards or around street corners, just waiting to be discovered by a curious visitor. 

So let’s take a look at these quiet spots where in Paris where you can escape the olympics and find a little peace amid the chaos this summer.

Where to go in Paris to escape the Olympics: ten hidden gems and tranquil retreats

1. Parc des Buttes-Chaumont.

Tucked away in the 19th arrondissement of Paris, the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont is one of the city’s largest parks, covering an area of around 61 acres, and is a favourite with Parisians, who often head there at weekends to enjoy a picnic.

If you manage to get there, one of the things that will immediately catch your eye is the Temple de la Sibylle, which is the Park’s most iconic feature (you may have already seen it on Instagram, as the view from the lake makes for a very impressive photo). It’s a Corinthian-style temple perched atop a rocky outcrop overlooking the lake, and you can even walk up to it to reverse the view and admire the park and its surrounding neighbourhoods. 

In addition to the temple, the park features charming paths and picturesque bridges, as well as quaint coffeeshops, such as Rosa Bonheur, Pavillon Puebla and Pavillon du Lac, where you can stop for a light meal or a drink. 

2. Promenade Plantée. 

The Promenade Plantée, also known as the Coulée Verte René-Dumont, is an elevated linear park in the heart of the 12th arrondissement. It’s very similar to the High Line in New York and is a hidden gem, unique in that it was built on an old railway track. It stretches for around three miles, from Bastille to the Bois de Vincennes, and in spring and summer is lined with trees and flowers. You’ll also find rest areas and cafés along the Promenade, such as Café A and Viaduc Café. 

And beneath the Promenade is the Viaduc des Arts, a series of arches housing workshops, art galleries, craft shops and cultural spaces. It all adds up to a truly restful and tranquil space away from the chaos of Paris. 

3.  Musée de la Vie Romantique.

Perhaps one of the best-kept secrets in Paris is the Musée de la Vie Romantique, hidden deep in the 9th arrondissement, not far from Pigalle. While the area itself can be pretty hectic, just take a few steps into the garden of this former 19th-century mansion and you’ll find peace and tranquillity.

It was the former home of the Dutch painter Ary Scheffer, who was a leading figure in the Romantic movement and hosted meetings of artists, writers and intellectuals at his residence. As a result, you can find a varied collection of works of art, manuscripts, furniture and personal objects that offer an insight into the life and work of artists and writers of the Romantic period.

There is, of course, an important collection of paintings, drawings and sketches by Ary Scheffer himself, but you can also find a collection of personal objects belonging to the French writer George Sand.

Entrance to the museum is free, and next to the main house you’ll find a charming garden and tea room. In addition to its permanent collection, the Musée de la Vie Romantique hosts temporary exhibitions exploring various aspects of Romanticism, including its influence on literature, music and fashion. However, to visit this part of the museum, you need to buy a ticket, which generally costs 10 euros for adults, 8 euros for students and is free for anyone under 18. 

4.   Jardin des Serres d’Auteuil.

Hidden deep in the 16th arrondissement of Paris is a peaceful botanical garden known as the Jardin des Serres d’Auteuil. It’s the perfect place for a quiet stroll on a sunny Sunday, but the garden is also famous for its impressive collection of plants (over 6,000!), including rare and exotic species, and these are housed in the garden’s greenhouses, making it a must-see for horticulture enthusiasts. 

The garden was created in the 18th century by Louis XV’s botanist, Jean-Baptiste de La Quintinie, but it was only Jean-Camille Formigé, in the 19th century, who added the impressive glass and iron greenhouses that still exist today. And as well as these, there are also outdoor gardens with lovely walking paths, sculptures, and ponds, and is a beautiful oasis of calm in Paris to escape the olympics for a while.

As well as being the perfect place for a peaceful stroll, the Jardin des Serres d’Auteuil plays an important role in botanical research and conservation, and hosts educational workshops to promote environmental awareness and sustainable development.

5. Canal Saint-Martin.

The Canal Saint-Martin not only refers to the historic waterway, but also to the district surrounding it, where all the cool Parisians seem to hang out. If you’ve watched “Le Fabuleux Destin d’Amélie Poulain“, you’ll have seen Amélie throwing pebbles into the canal. The canal itself was built in the early 19th century under the reign of Napoleon Bonaparte to facilitate the transport of goods through the city. It runs for around 4.5 kilometres through the 10th and 11th arrondissements of Paris, starting at the Place de la Bastille and eventually joining the Canal de l’Ourcq at the Bassin de la Villette. 

The best way to see it is simply to walk along it and if you follow the canal, it will take you through some of Paris’s trendiest districts, past charming waterside cafés and boutiques, and across the iconic iron footbridges.

6. Musée Marmottan Monet.

Another hidden gem in the 16th arrondissement is the Musée Marmottan Monet. It’s a must-see attraction for art lovers and, as well as its impressive collection of works of art, the museum building itself is a work of art. The manor house was built in the late 19th century for the art collector and industrialist Paul Marmottan and today it is a museum that holds the largest collection of Monet’s work in the world, including many of his most famous paintings such as ‘Impression, soleil levant‘, as well as many other masterpieces depicting Monet’s gardens, water lilies and landscapes. And the museum regularly hosts temporary exhibitions, so be sure to check them out. 

Surrounding the manor house are magnificent gardens, offering a peaceful retreat in the heart of the city.

7. Square du Vert-Galant.

At the western end of the Ile de la Cité, in the heart of Paris, is a charming public garden known as the Square du Vert-Galant. To get there, simply cross the Pont Neuf, the oldest bridge still standing over the Seine, which links the island to both the left and right banks of Paris.

It’s a small garden, but it’s well worth a visit to see its tree-lined avenues, flowerbeds and magnificient view of the Seine from one of its benches, where you can watch the bateaux-mouches go by. Bear in mind that this is a popular picnic spot and a place for after-work drinks, so if you want to avoid the crowds, try to go outside these hours. 

8. Parc Montsouris.

Located in the 14th arrondissement of Paris, Parc Montsouris is one of the city’s largest public parks. And as well as being one of the largest, it is also one of the most picturesque, with an artificial lake at its centre, surrounded by charming bridges and waterfalls.

All this is the work of landscape architect Adolphe Alphand, who also worked on other notable parks in Paris, such as the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont and the Bois de Boulogne. The park is a listed French national monument and there are play areas for children, as well as tennis courts and a rose garden, offering visitors a tranquil retreat. 

9. Jardin des Plantes. 

In the heart of Paris’s 5th arrondissement lies the historic botanical garden known as the Jardin des Plantes. It is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world, designed by Guy de La Brosse in the 17th century initially as a medicinal herb garden. 

The garden itself has a varied collection of plants from all over the world, including rare and exotic species, and these tropical plants are usually found in the greenhouses, known as the “Grandes Serres“.  The Jardin des Plantes is home to several museums, including the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle. 

10. La Cité Florale. 

La Cité Florale is a charming residential district in the 13th arrondissement of Paris. It’s not far from the aforementioned Parc Montsouris, and is known for its village feel.

Indeed, the whole area is characterised by its charming buildings and narrow, winding streets and of course, true to its name, Cité Florale is known for its abundance of greenery and flowers, with the streets lined with trees, shrubs and colourful flowers in full bloom. 

Where to Stay in Paris

In terms of the best areas to stay, central districts such as Le Marais, Saint-Germain-des-Prés or the Latin Quarter are ideal as they are close to the action and offer convenient access to the Olympic venues as well as some of Paris’s most iconic attractions. However, these areas are among the most expensive in Paris, even without the Games, so they may not suit your budget.

The 10th, 11th, 12th, 15th and 17th arrondissements are excellent alternatives. All these districts are a little less popular with tourists (but not with Parisians, who love these neighborhoods). 

You can search by arrondissement on the map below.

Final words on Where to go in Paris to escape the Olympics: ten hidden gems and tranquil retreats

So if you ever feel the need to escape the Olympic frenzy, head to one of these ten quiet corners of the City of Light to find a little peace and recharge your batteries before heading back to the hustle and bustle of the Games. 

I hope you enjoyed this feature about Where to go in Paris to escape the Olympics: ten hidden gems and tranquil retreats.

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Article By Hannah Rees