It's no secret that Paris is one of the busiest cities in the world. It's a global city, with so many immigrants communities, as well as it's a major business & finance hub of Europe (and of the world too!). But what if someone were to tell you that there's a corner of Paris that's peaceful and quiet? You probably wouldn't believe it, right? Well, such a place exists and it's the city's 14th arrondissement! Quite the underrated area within the French capital, this is truly one that's unlike any other in the city.
Almost Too Quiet To Be True
Yes, you read that right! The 14th arrondissement is actually one of the quieter parts of the city. And this almost seems impossible, right? That even a sliver of this bustling metropolis can be so quiet? Yet here's is this area that's so silent, you'll almost feel as if you're in a different city altogether. Though it's home of the
Montparnasse district, the 14th arrondissement, overall, is one of the more peaceful among all the others. This makes it a great residential area, most especially for families to settle down in. This is one of those districts that are as close to a suburb as you can get here in Paris.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Perfect For A Comfortable Lifestyle
And because it's such a quiet arrondissement, this also makes for a comfortable place to call home. If or when you ever decide to
relocate to Paris, the 14th arrondissement is your best bet for a comfortable lifestyle. One where you don't have to be woken up by zooming cars or bustling crowds. One where the pace is slow and steady, but not necessarily boring. Sure, there are very few tourist attractions here. Which, if you're a tourist, that's not looking too good, but it should entice you a lot if you're going to become a local here.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Few Tourist Attractions Worth Visiting Again and Again
There's no Eiffel Tower here. There's no Arc de Triomphe here. There's no
Louvre museum here. And that's not entirely a bad thing. Surely there should be some corners of Paris where it's not as infested with tourists as the other more popular areas are. But this isn't to say there aren't any attractions worth seeing here. There are still
some that are underrated that you just have to go to, whether you're just visiting or you've immigrated here. There are the Paris Catacombs, the
Montparnasse Tower, The
Observatory of Paris, and more. They may not be that familiar, but they're with your visit nonetheless!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
A Peaceful Park in The Middle
Sure,
Paris is full of parks, each more beautiful than the next. But what separates Parc Montsouris from the many others is that, like the 14th arrondissement as a whole, it's one of the most peaceful ones. This isn't to say there aren't those plateful families and picnic-going gangs who frequent this spot. There simply aren't as many of them here as you'll find in the likes of Jardin du Luxembourg and the Tuileries Gardens. In fact, you've probably heard of the said parks all the time when talking or researching about Paris. The fact that this might be the first time you've read about Parc Montsouris should prove just how underrated and quiet it is.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Lots of 'Secret' Streets to Stroll Though
You've heard about
Champ Elysées. You've heard of Avenue Victor Hugo. And you've probably heard of Rue de Rivoli as well. But have you heard of Boulevard Montparnasse? Or of Rue des Thermopyles? Or of Villa Hallé? If not, it's fine. Apart from Boulevard Montparnasse, these are some of Paris' best-kept secrets. And they're perfect for a nice quiet stroll, most especially if you're in need of a relaxing activity to clear your head. They're even so beautiful, as both Rue des Thermopyle and Villa Hallé are two patches of the French countryside worth seeing in this arrondissement.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Some Iconic Culinary Hotspots
Finally, though the 14th arrondissement is one of the more underrated areas in Paris, there are a few hotspots here that have been around for years. Some might even say they're iconic! And a good number of them are culinary hotspots! There are the cafés along Boulevard Montparnasse, which are some
1920s hotspots that legendary writers and historic artists usually went to.
Le Dôme is the most famous of them. Just imagine how it must feel like to be able to go to such a famous place every time you want. It will probably leave you speechless, as will the food!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Just because the 14th arrondissement of Paris is one of its most underrated ones, doesn't mean it's not worth your time. In fact, it's the fact that it's not the most known area of the French capital makes it all the more fascinating and especially more suitable for a comfortable lifestyle!
And make no mistake, this area also has a lot of
luxury apartments that you can call home. They're the best options for accommodations here!
