Beyond the bustling tourist hotspots, Paris offers quiet neighborhoods and hidden gems where visitors can experience the city like a local. This article reveals the best arrondissements and parks to avoid overtourism and enjoy a more authentic Parisian experience.

The Familiar Tourist Scene

The image of a queue, predominantly filled with British and American tourists diligently practicing their pronunciation of ‘croissant’ while waiting to enter a bustling boulangerie, is a familiar scene in the most popular areas of Paris. However, Parisians – and I speak from personal experience – often observe this with amusement, choosing instead to quickly move on to quieter, less ostentatious neighborhoods for their pastries.

A Different Paris Awaits

A frequent critique of Paris is its crowdedness, high tourist volume, and expense. Yet, those familiar with the city know that the Paris experienced by locals is vastly different from the one frequented by international visitors, where a baguette can cost €5 and a picnic often involves street vendors and limited space. If this were the true Paris, residents would likely leave.

Fortunately, numerous areas of the city remain untouched by overtourism, offering visitors a surprisingly pleasant alternative. This insight comes alongside the announcement of a new direct train service set to further ease travel to the French capital.

New Train Service to Ease Travel

The CDG Express, launching on March 28, 2027, will connect Charles de Gaulle Airport with Gare de l’Est, operating daily from 5 am to midnight, as reported by euronews. This train will deliver visitors to the 10th arrondissement in just 20 minutes, allowing for immediate exploration.

Exploring the Quieter Arrondissements

Paris is divided into 20 arrondissements. While the central arrondissements (1st to 8th) are tourist magnets, venturing further out reveals the same elegance, architecture, and style without the overwhelming crowds.

The 9th Arrondissement

The 9th arrondissement offers elegant Hausmann-style architecture. Home to the Palais Garnier and department stores like Galeries Lafayette, it also holds quieter residential neighborhoods like Poissonniere when heading east towards the 10th. Here, the bakeries, restaurants, and cafes on Rue du Faubourg Poissonniere are considered some of the city’s best, largely undiscovered by international tourists.

Les Buttes-Chaumont (19th Arrondissement)

For those seeking green spaces, Les Buttes-Chaumont in the 19th arrondissement provides a near-Jurassic landscape. Central Paris lacks abundant greenery, but this park offers waterfalls, bridges, and a bohemian atmosphere. A Tripadvisor reviewer described it as a ‘brilliant’ green space with ‘beautiful landscapes, waterways, hills, views and walks,’ noting its popularity with locals picnicking and relaxing. Avoiding Saturday mornings, when locals jog around the lake, is advisable.

Parc Monceau (17th Arrondissement)

Parc Monceau, a smaller, lesser-known garden in the 17th arrondissement, is described as ‘the chicest park in Paris,’ offering a romantic and charming escape. Located in the upscale Monceau neighborhood, it’s surrounded by quality bakeries and restaurants. Visitors praise its cleanliness, wooded areas, and peaceful atmosphere.

Batignolles (17th Arrondissement)

Finally, Batignolles, also in the 17th arrondissement, has a village-like feel and is largely free of tourists, known for its independent shops, bars, restaurants, and a vibrant Saturday market offering a less touristy shopping experience than Montmartre.