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Eiffel in love with a secret Paris

January 5, 2017

I recently got to go to Paris for the first time and fell head over heels in love. I usually can keep my cool about me when visiting new cities (like Athens or Berlin) but Paris seriously stole my heart.

Dusting off my french definitely helped (and a much missed trip to Chipotle). But all my love aside, I wanted to write a blog post about a secret Paris that you can’t find anywhere else.

I got to go to so many super cool bars and cafés (unfortunately, the museums will have to wait for my next trip). Here’s the run down of a version of Paris that you won’t find in any guidebook or on any website; here’s a secret Paris

Castor Club
14 Rue Hautefeuille, 75006 Paris, France

This cocktail bar is awesome. From the cozy inside to the unmarked outside. Yeah, you need to ring the doorbell next to the unmarked door and are at the mercy of the bartenders and capacity at that very moment. Does it get anymore secret Paris than that?! Their cocktail menu makes for a really tough choice but absolutely every drink we tried was amazing.

 

UC-61
4 Rue de l’Arc de Triomphe, 75017 Paris, France

This is also a super cool unmarked bar. We chatted to the head bar tender who recently decided not to have a menu and only make three drinks of his choice every night. who  To sum it up: there was a quail’s egg used in one of my drinks… now that’s something.

The Bistrologist
16 Avenue de Friedland, 75008 Paris, France

This is a local restaurant with great food, fun drinks and an awesome crowd. It’s also open late into the night and is the perfect place for a nightcap after some bar hopping.

 

The Smallest Art Gallery in The World
38 rue de Seine

The name of this place pretty much sums it up. It’s tiny but is right by one of my all-time favourite neighborhoods; le quartier latin or the latin quarter. The space can’t really fit more than four people (so groups aren’t encouraged) but the art is always interesting.

Le Relais de L’Entrecôte
101 Boulevard du Montparnasse, 75006 Paris, France

This amazing restaurant serves only steak-frites. From the decor to the staff, just everything about this place is super. It’s also located right by Montparnasse Tower that is said to have one of the best views of Paris. Bonus points for the perfect French red wine pairing.

 

Péniche Marcounet
Quai de l’Hôtel de ville, 75004 Paris, France

Two words: party boat. This little barge is anchored in the Seine and is not only a great after-dinner-drink spot but is also a salsa bar. Above deck there are a bunch of bright tables and usually some elegant couples. Below deck is a little darker with a full bar and some seriously infectious music.
All of these secret Paris places helped steal my heart; along with all of the usual attraction like the Louvre and Champs Elysee of course. But even so, I still have so so many things left on my list to see in Paris. I’m definitely hoping to go back very soon.
I think it is worth mentioning that there are obviously innumerable places to explore in any big city. I found these through a mix of Google Maps, chatting to locals and just passing by. My top tip would be just to explore!
Have you ever been to Paris? What are your favourite secret Paris go-to places? 

PS. I am also so proud of myself for the punny title of this post.