The Quiet Side of Paris: Walking Tours Away From the Tourists

Paris is home to some of the world’s most iconic sites, and standing at the foot of the Eiffel Tower or gazing at the majestic Louvre is certainly a must-do during your time in the city. But beyond the bustle that surrounds these big hitters are neighbourhoods, secret pathways, tranquil parks and even cemeteries that are much more peaceful corners to discover in the City of Light. Whether you’re setting out on a day-long stroll, or just fancy a shorter saunter through a laid-back neighbourhood, on these walking tours of Paris you’ll discover the quiet side of the city, and spaces that feel a world away from the well-worn tourist trail.

Strolling around Paris, it may be hard to believe that the city has a long wine-making history that dates back to the Roman period – and still exists today. Much of that story is centred around Montmartre, an area that was once a cheap countryside retreat of vineyards, which funded the area’s Gothic architecture, and is now a neighbourhood of boho eateries, steep winding streets and the small but perfectly formed Clos Montmartre winery. Sure, some of the neighbourhood is bustling and busy (in all the best ways), but you can still soak up serene vineyard views from the Montmartre Museum gardens before a quiet self-guided walking tour through Montmartre village.

If you’d like to learn more about the city’s viticulture, you may prefer to book an afternoon tour with Paris Wine Walks, with plenty of interesting facts, cheese and wine as you go. Looking to stay nearby? The Mercure Paris Butte Montmartre Basilique is one of the city’s most stylish hotels, where bedrooms combine striped wallpaper, geometric carpets, statement lamps and emerald-green walls.

• Museum address: 12 Rue Cortot, 75018 Paris, France
• Getting there: Catch metro line 4 from Gare du Nord to Château Rouge and stroll 15 minutes to the museum.
• Museum opening times: 10am-6pm seven days a week.

Keen to experience off-the-beaten-path Paris? Take a detour from the city’s heaving pavements and head for La Petite Ceinture, or The Little Belt, a disused railway line that was used by the city’s steam trains between 1852 and 1934. Today, it’s a hidden gem in the city – a very peaceful walking tour in Paris and an unusual place to appreciate the city’s wildflowers and animals that call this long green patch of land home. There are plenty of playgrounds and communal gardens along the line if you’re looking to experience a bit more bustle along the way. Along the disused tracks, you’ll see runners and walkers who are also seeking a tourist-free escape in the city. 

• Getting there: You can access the line from several of Paris’ arrondissements, but the easiest would be at the Villa du Bel Air near Porte de Vincennes.

The meticulously maintained Luxembourg Gardens draws in tourists and Parisians thanks to the hundreds of flowerbeds of colourful blooms, peaceful sitting spots, water features and clear, paved pathways that make up its 25 hectares. While it’s busy in the daytime, anyone keen to escape the tourists should head here first thing, grabbing a strong coffee and croissant from a nearby pâtisserie and finding a bench near the beautifully ornate Medici fountain, listening to the meditative flow of water while the city comes to life. Then, join the joggers and dog walkers for a tranquil walk around one of the city’s most famous gardens.

• Getting there: Take the RER B line from Gare du Nord to Luxembourg station. 

Tucked between the city’s bustling streets you’ll find Paris’ passageways – historic, architecturally impressive walkways that can be easy to miss. That’s all the better for those in the know, who’ll find arcades of independent bookstores, quiet cafés and boutiques, and more. With its glass roof and tiled floor, the 19th-century Passage Verdeau is one of the best to visit, not just for the relative peace and quiet, but for the incredible array of antique shops that call the arcade home. While part of the pleasure of a trip here is exploring the hidden streets of Paris, stepping into these passageways and never knowing what you may find is also part of the fun – one of the must-do walking tours in Paris.

• Address:  6, rue de la Grange Batelière - 31, bis rue du Faubourg Montmartre, 75009 Paris
• Getting there: Take metro lines 7, 8 or 9 from Gare du Nord. 
• Opening hours: 7:30am-9pm ​Monday to Friday, 7:30am-8:30pm weekends.

It may seem a little strange to take a trip to Paris and then spend your time strolling around a cemetery, but Père Lachaise Cemetery is no ordinary graveyard. In fact, old cemeteries in Paris are often ideal for walking tours, as they're peaceful retreats featuring lush woodlands and serene sitting spots. Père Lachaise in the 20th arrondissement, to the north of the city, would be one of the most tranquil to visit, and you could spend hours here taking in its 45 hectares, getting lost in a maze of paths, tombs and ancient trees, searching for the graves of greats like Oscar Wilde and Jim Morrison. The surrounding neighbourhood also feels peaceful compared to the central sites – either base yourself here, or spend at least a day, afternoon and evening strolling between shops and wine bars.

• Address: 75020 Paris, France
• Getting there: Take metro line 5 from Gare du Nord, swap at Republique for line 3 and get off at Père Lachaise.
• Opening hours: 8am-5:30pm Monday to Friday, 9am-5:30pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Taking a walking tour through Butte-aux-Cailles in the 13th arrondissement of Paris is like venturing into a peaceful village. Leafy squares, cobbled streets and charming townhouses combine to create a laid-back atmosphere that’ll feel worlds away from the buzz around the city’s big sites, and it’s certainly one of the more quiet neighbourhoods in Paris. While you could come here and happily stroll the alleyways, popping into cafés, one of the area’s big appeals is its incredible street art, and you’ll find huge colourful murals coating almost any bare wall in the neighbourhood, thanks in part to the Street Art 13 Project. At certain times of the day the neighbourhood can be busier, and the flea market is always popular, but this is definitely a place where you’re more likely to be mingling with Parisians than other tourists. As for places to stay, you’ll have Eiffel Tower views from Mercure Paris Place d'Italie Hotel, but still be just a two-minute walk from Butte-aux-Cailles. Elegant, fashion-inspired décor adds a touch of Parisian chic to your stay.

• Getting there: Take metro line 5 from Gare du Nord to Place d'Italie.

Soak up the wonderfully relaxed atmosphere on a walking tour of Paris that's the 4.6km-long stretch of Canal Saint Martin. While the evenings here can feel busy – in a good way – thanks to the seemingly never-ending array of bars and restaurants that pepper the nearby streets, in the morning it feels much more serene, when sunlight filters through the branches of the trees, and the bars are yet to open. Take a self-guided stroll along the stretch of water, crossing bridges and pausing to grab a coffee or pastry along the way. As the day passes, it will start to feel buzzier, but it’s still a peaceful place to spend a few hours in the city, thanks to the laid-back atmosphere, which will feel very different to the packed streets around the big city sites. Keen to make the most of it? Settle in for a coffee, cocktail or pizza at Café Odilon, with its Quai de la Marne views. If you’re looking for local Paris experiences, a canalside stroll and drink is certainly it.

• Getting there: Take metro line 5 from Gare du Nord to République.

Reward yourself for all that walking with a brew from our picks of the best coffee shops in Paris. The city's brimming with oh-so-chic accommodation options, and you'll find affordable Mercure hotels in both the bustling tourist hotspots and the quieter neighbourhoods, so don't forget to book a hotel that will allow you to see the best of both.