Tourist Paris

Unusual sights in Paris

Paris is not only the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame, so famous that without visiting the French capital you can learn everything or almost everything about them from guidebooks and virtual tours. But there are streets, alleys and squares in Paris, which are not often given attention by the guidebooks authors, but a visit to which will give a tourist no less, if not, more vivid impressions than the “popular” attractions.

Place de l'Abbes. Tourist streets in Paris

A modern architectural suit

In the famous Montmartre, for example, there is the Place des Abbes and the adjoining Eglise Saint-Jean-l’Evangeliste, decorated in the Art Nouveau style. Next door is a beautiful square, named after the poet Jean-Rictus, a classic of French literature. The square is adjoined by a very interesting art object. It is a “wall of love”. There is only one phrase written on it: ‘I love you’, but – in almost every language spoken on earth.

Cinema Street Abrevoir. Tourist streets of Paris.

Rue d’Abrevoir

Also in Montmartre, it is recommended to visit another ‘hidden’ landmark, the rue d’Abrevoir. Fans of French cinema will recognise it as the location where episodes of quite a number of films have been shot. Including some very famous ones such as Amélie.

Place du Dalida. Tourist streets in Paris

Place du Dalida

At the meeting point of Rue Girardon and Rue de l’Abreuvoir there is a small square named after Dalida. The singer of Italian origin who sadly passed away untimely became an integral part of French culture. A bronze bust of the artist is set in a small square. The sculpted chest is polished to a high gloss. The local fans have a ritual: when visiting the square and park, they are expected to rub the bust.

A work of art by Marseilla Em. Tourist streets of Paris

Marcel Em

On the famous French prose writer and playwright Marcel Aime’s square you will find a sculpture representing a character from one of his fiction works – a resident of the French capital who has the ability to walk through walls. Part of this sculpture is also rubbed to a shine – the left palm that tourists shake “for good luck”.

Monument to St Dionysius. Tourist streets in Paris

Saint Dionysius

Also in Montmartre, in the square of Suzanne Buisson, there is a very unusual monument to a man named Saint-Denis (Saint Dionysius), the city’s first bishop. Legend has it that the religious leader was executed in the third century, when Christians were particularly persecuted. Legend has it that after the execution, the cleric, holding his severed head in his hands, walked a considerable distance while delivering a sermon and then pointed out the place where he should be buried. The author of the monument depicted the bishop walking with his beheaded head.

Angler Cat Street in the Latin Quarter. Tourist streets of Paris

Latin flavour

If you find yourself in Paris’ famed Latin Quarter, look for rue du Chat-qui-Pêche. The street is only 1.8 meters wide. It is considered the narrowest street in the French capital.  

The multicoloured Rue Crémieux. Tourist streets in Paris.

Crémieux

Near the famous Place de la Bastille is the little known alley Crémieux. Its length – only 144 meters. The alley is remarkable in that it claims to be the most picturesque in Paris. Each of the little houses in the alley is an art object with its own “zest”.

Elisabeth II Flower Market. The tourist streets of Paris.

An alley of flowers

The Cité Island Flower Market, named after Queen Elisabeth II, is not often mentioned in guidebooks but it is well worth a visit. Situated on Place Louis-Lepin in the Parisian Fourth arrondissement, this small market is the oldest flower market in the country. It was opened on the orders of Napoleon. And its current name was given in honor of the Queen of England, whose hobby was floriculture. By the way, Elisabeth II honoured the inauguration ceremony with her personal presence.