Paris' Five Best Peaceful Hideaways

5 June 2014

Find Your Own Little Corner of the French Capital

Whether you're in Paris on business or on holiday, you'll no doubt notice that it's one of the most vibrant and fast-paced cities on the planet. There's no shortage of sights to see and places to go. However, after a while, you might be ready to slow the pace down a bit, and watch the world go by. The big question is, where can you really do this in Paris? Where are the secret hideaways in a city of more than 2 million people? To help you out, we've compiled a list of some of Paris' best places to unwind and relax:

1. Le Mur Pour la Paix

Translated into English as 'The Wall for Peace', this glass sculpture is inscribed with the word peace in 49 different languages. It's located just a few hundred metres from the Eiffel Tower, and you have great views of the famous tower from this vantage point. Plus, it's just far enough away for the crowds to start to thin, giving you a peaceful spot right in the heart of Paris.

2. The Streets of Montmartre

Montmartre is far from being considered a 'secret' spot in Paris. The Montmartre is such a popular tourist destination because you have access to breath-taking views of the Parisian skyline. However, you can ditch the throng of camera-wielding tourists by heading into the lesser-trodden back streets. Before you know it, you'll find yourself on one of the many peaceful narrow streets, with a few wonderful coffee shops and bistros available if you look hard enough.

3. The Square du Vert-Galant

The Square du Vert-Galant is another of those hidden gems that seems to hide in plain sight, yet it still offers a relaxing and tranquil break from the hustle and bustle going on all around you. Despite its name, this tiny park is actually triangle shaped, and is found at the very western point of the Ile de la Cité. This means it's surrounded almost entirely by the peaceful waters of the River Seine.

4. The Jardin Shakespeare

The Bois de Boulogne is the second largest park in Paris, located on the edge of the 16th Arondissement in the west of the city. The park is deceptively large, and you could easily spend a whole day there. However, one of the highlights of the park is the Jardin Shakespeare, a small flower garden in the centre of the park, which also has an open-air theatre that plays host to performances of Shakespeare's works throughout the spring and summer.

5. The Daumesnil Lake

The Bois de Vincennes, on the east side of the city, is the park that pips the Bois de Boulogne to the top spot of Paris' largest parks. It has a seemingly endless assortment of tranquil spots, but the standout of these is the man-made Daumesnil Lake. If the mood takes you, you can hire a boat and head out on the water, or make your way on to one of the two islands found at its centre. One of these islands is even home to an idyllic café, where you can order a coffee and truly feel like you've left Pairs behind altogether.

There you have it, proof that you can find peace and tranquillity in Paris, whether you need a five-minute break between meetings or are treating yourself to a full day out in one of the city's sprawling parks. Just a few minutes' walk from the nearest Metro stop, the Hotel Median Paris Congrès is ideally located to allow you to explore Paris and all its hidden wonders. Take a look at our offers page to see our great-value packages.