The city of lights has many landmarks that it’s famous for, and the crowds of tourists usually gravitate towards the most popular ones. But if you want to experience Paris in a different, more relaxed way, as well as avoid waiting in neverending lines for the Louvre or the Eiffel Tower, you can take a detour and still see some of the more hidden gems the city has to offer.
Shakespeare & Company bookstore and café
Located at 37 Rue de la Bûcherie and filled to the brim with literary classics as well as a variety of newly published books, this bookstore is an absolute must-see for every book lover. The trademark dark green exterior is hard to miss, and the cozy interior invites you to spend hours casually browsing books, with a cup of your favorite coffee or tea in hand.
Le Petit Moulin
This little cafe is located in Montmartre, very close to the famous Moulin Rouge, but what makes this place particularly charming is the fact that it was used as the set of the movie Amelie. For fans of the movie, being here can be a surreal experience, but even for casual visitors, it is a great space to rest after hours of walking and sightseeing.
The Wall of love
This giant wall, composed of blue enameled lava tiles on which the phrase “I love you” is written 311 times in 250 languages, is a little harder to locate, but if you step into the Jehan Rictus garden square in Montmartre, you’ll be sure to find it. The mural was created in 2000 by the French artist Fédéric Baron, and it is the perfect spot for picture-taking, especially if you’re visiting it with your loved one.
