Paris is a lot more complex than you probably realize. From an outsider's perspective, the French capital is only made up of the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, cobblestone streets, charming cafes, chic boutiques, and beautiful parks. At least, these are what's often shown in movies, TV series, social media, and the like. But it's only one side of Paris. There's more to this city than its sparkling landmarks and popular attractions. Even when it comes to
neighborhoods in Paris, there's more to discover than the famous ones. Get to know the more underrated parts of the French capital like Arsenal, Bercy, Chaillot, Grenelle, and Villa Montmorency.
Arsenal
No, despite its name this place has no connection to the famous football team. Located in the
4th arrondissement of Paris, the Arsenal district is one of the lesser-known neighborhoods in Paris. Apart from Place de la Bastille, it doesn't have any of the world-famous landmarks. What it does have, however, is a quiet community that's far from what you'll see in the other parts of the French capital. So much so that you can easily mistake Arsenal as part of another city entirely.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Batignolles
If you want to see what local life in Paris is really like beyond the famous landmarks and tourist spots, go to Batignolles! Situated between Place Clichy and Parc Monceau in the
17th arrondissement of Paris, it's a lively part of the city but not as bustling either. Place du Docteur-Félix-Lobligeois, for instance, which is the epicenter of the district, offers up charming cafes, chill bistros, and more. And even when it's crowded, it still isn't as hectic here as compared to the other neighborhoods in Paris.
Source: Thomas sauzedde
Bercy
In the
12th arrondissement of Paris, you'll find Bercy. Just like Batignolles, it's a fairly lively district but it remains ever so local. But there are also comparatively more attractions here too. There's Bercy Village, for instance, which is a mall made to look like a suburban neighborhood. Each store is set inside a tiny little house that's practically big enough to fit an entire family. You could easily mistake them for
luxury homes in Paris, that's for sure!
Source: Flickr.com/ Mortimer62
Butte-aux-Cailles
Butte-aux-Cailles is a little slice of the
French countryside here in Paris. If not for the colorful street art and the many commercial centers it offers, you'd really think that you were off somewhere in a rural province of France. But nope! This is still Paris and undoubtedly one of the most beautiful parts of it. From the houses that look like Alsace to the cobblestone streets that will remind you of Provence, it's as if you traveled the entire country in just one area in the French capital.
Source: JLPC / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
Chaillot
Perched atop a hill just like
Montmartre, it's almost weird to think that Chaillot is among the lesser-known neighborhoods in Paris. From the majestic Palais de Chaillot to the ever-so-fascinating Musée Guimet, there's a lot to look forward to in this district in the
16th arrondissement. Surely, as a tourist, you'll find lots to do in this part of the city. But then Chaillot is surrounded by more popular landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe. It's easy to see how many people overlook this neighborhood.
Source: Flickr.com/ Wally Gobetz
Goutte d'Or
Located in the
18th arrondissement of Paris, Goutte d'Or often gets overshadowed by its more famous neighbor, Montmartre. It's mostly known as the '
administrative neighborhood ' of the French capital, a place where many government offices are located and important administrative work is done. It's easy to see why many, particularly tourists, would prefer to explore the other neighborhoods in Paris. But still, if you
move to Paris, this place is well-known as a hub for new residents.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Guilhem Vellut
Grenelle
Admittedly, there isn't much to see in Grenelle. Located in the
7th arrondissement of Paris, this place is more known for its history than for landmarks and tourist attractions. Back in the 19th century, it was even divided into two different districts, one of which was named '
Beaugrenelle.' Eventually, however, the two neighborhoods reunited and became the one big area that it is today. For now, it remains a nice and quiet part of the city that's perfect for those who want to live at a slower pace in Paris.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ zoetnet
Les Halles
Located right smack in the center of the city, Les Halles really ought to be one of the more popular neighborhoods in Paris. But when up against the likes of
Champs-Élysées, the
Marais district, and the
Latin Quarter, it's easy to see why it's not as famous. Nevertheless, there are many things to do in Les Halles. One of which is to go shopping. In this neighborhood, many shops are also open on Sundays. You can spend what's usually a free day on a shopping spree here!
Source: Flickr.com/ Spencer Means
Ménilmontant
Have you heard of the Ménilmontant neighborhood in Paris? It's okay if you haven't. It's likely that most tourists who want visit the French capital know this place even exists. And you know what? The locals here aren't mad about it. On the contrary, they might even prefer to lay as low as possible. As a largely residential district, Ménilmontant is one of the quieter parts of Paris. But it doesn't look like it! The entire district is practically a huge canvas for street artists. You'll find that this is one of the more colorful neighborhoods out there.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Chabe01
Villa Montmorency
And finally, there's Villa Montmorency! Located in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, it's one of the most expensive areas in the city. That's saying something considering that the
living costs in Paris, no matter where you are, are already quite high. So how does Villa Montmorency compare to the rest of the French capital? Well, let's just say that a villa here can cost you up to 25 million euros! It'd be a beautiful place to live in, but unless you're a billionaire, it will drain your bank account!
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Mbzt
Although there are plenty of famous neighborhoods in Paris, you ought to know more about those you haven't heard of yet. Who knows? You might end up liking these underrated areas more than you do the more popular ones!
