Paris is a city full of famous landmarks, from the Eiffel Tower to the Louvre and the d'Orsays Museum. But beyond the postcard-perfect sights, there are hidden gems in Paris that often do not get the attention they deserve. While they may not be entirely secret, these spots still feel like special discoveries; places where history, beauty, and culture come together away from the biggest crowds.
In this blog post, I am sharing three of my favorite not-so-secret Paris hidden gems: the grand and often-overlooked Church of the Madeleine, the larger than life tomb of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte at Hôtel des Invalides and its accompanying military museum, and the breathtaking views of Paris from the dome of the Basilica of Sacré-Cœur. Each of these spots offers something unique, whether it is stunning architecture, fascinating history, or incredible views of the City of Light. Best of all, none of these attractions require advance tickets or reservations, so if you enjoy traveling on a whim, without having to plan ahead, these Paris hidden gems are perfect for you! Otherwise, if you are looking to go beyond the usual tourist checklist, these Paris hidden gems should absolutely be on your list. Happy travels!
When visiting Paris, most tourists opt to visit more well known churches in the city, like Notre Dame Cathedral and Sainte Chapelle. However, I am here to say that La Madeleine should absolutely be on your list, too. The Church of the Madeleine (L’église de la Madeleine, or simply La Madeleine) is one of the most distinctive churches in Paris, instantly recognizable for its grand Neoclassical design. Unlike traditional churches in France with soaring spires gothic facades, and overly elaborate stained glass windows, La Madeleine looks more like an ancient Roman or Greek temple, with a colonnaded exterior reminiscent of the Parthenon in Athens.
The church’s history dates back to the late 18th century, but its construction was interrupted several times due to political upheaval in France. Initially planned to be a church by King Louis XV, construction was completely halted at the outbreak of the French Revolution in 1789. The church's design evolved when Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte took power. In 1806, Emperor Bonaparte ordered that the building be transformed into a "Temple to the Glory of the French Army," modeled after a Roman temple, hence its Neoclassical style. The architect, Pierre-Alexandre Vignon, designed an imposing rectangular structure with Corinthian columns, each 65 feet (20 meters) high, encircling the building. Following Emperor Bonaparte's abdication in 1814, his successor, King Louis XVIII, changed the construction plans to reestablish the building as a church, dedicated to Mary Magdalene. Plans to complete the church were almost derailed, again, in 1837, when a proposal came forward to convert the unfinished church into the city's first train station. Ultimately, the train station conversion was deemed to be too expensive and the church was finally completed in 1842, some 80 years after its construction first commenced.
While the exterior of La Madeleine is imposing, its interior is richly decorated, featuring elaborate sculptures, murals, and a beautiful domed ceiling. The church's altar is dominated by a statue of Mary Magdalene being lifted to heaven. The murals above the altar showcase Christ, Mary Magdalene, the Apostles, saints (including Joan of Arc), and randomly enough, Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte in his coronation robes.
Beautiful frescoes, chandeliers, statues, intricate tilework, and a beautifully designed organ complete the regal interior of La Madeleine. The church is also renowned for its acoustics, making it a popular venue for classical concerts and choir performances. Concerts are regularly held at La Madeleine and open to the public, with a valid ticket. If you are interested in seeing a concert at La Madeleine, tickets can be purchased on the La Madeleine website. Alternatively, Musical Sundays are free events held at La Madeleine featuring organ music. For more information, including upcoming Musical Sunday performances, please visit the La Madeleine website.
Over the years, La Madeleine has hosted the funerals of many famous figures, including Frédéric Chopin, Coco Chanel, and Josephine Baker, cementing the church's place as not only an architectural icon in Paris, but a cultural one too.
La Madeleine is located in the 8th Arrondissement, just steps from Rue Saint-Honoré, one of Paris’ most fashionable streets. Rue Saint-Honoré is home to world-renowned designer boutiques, concept stores, and flagship luxury brands, including the iconic stores of Hermès, Chanel, and Goyard.
Despite its central location near the luxury boutiques of Rue Saint-Honoré and large department stores on Boulevard Haussmann, La Madeleine is often overlooked by tourists. However, it is absolutely worth visiting for its unusual design, historical significance, and peaceful atmosphere. I personally love visiting La Madeleine because it is free of crowds and it really is beautiful inside. Its complex history also adds to the allure of the building. The best part, undoubtedly, is the fact that La Madeleine is free to visit! Whether you go to admire its striking Neoclassical façade, attend a concert inside, or simply appreciate its unique place in Parisian history, the Church of the Madeleine is one of the Paris hidden gems that offers a different perspective on the city’s architectural and cultural heritage. La Madeleine is open from 9:30 AM to 7:00 PM, daily. Mass is held on Saturdays at 6:00 PM and on Sundays at 10:30 AM and 6:00 PM. For additional information, please visit the La Madeleine website.
The Hôtel des Invalides, known as Les Invalides for short, is one of the many impressive and historically significant landmarks in Paris. Built in the late 17th century, this vast complex was originally designed to be a military hospital and retirement home for veterans under the orders of King Louis XIV, the Sun King. Today, it remains one of France’s most important military sites, home to the Musée de l’Armée (Army Museum), the tomb of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, and several other institutions dedicated to French military history.
The Hôtel des Invalides was constructed between 1671 and 1676. The building’s symmetrical layout, classical facades, and extensive courtyards reflect the grandeur of Louis XIV’s reign. The most striking feature of the complex is, of course, the signature golden dome of the Dôme des Invalides, which towers over the Parisian skyline and serves as the final resting place of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte.
The Dôme des Invalides, with its magnificent gilded dome, is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Paris, yet few tourists take time to visit its interior and the accompanying museums, giving it a place on my list of the not-so-secret Paris hidden gems. The interior of the Dôme des Invalides is even more incredible than its grand exterior, featuring marble columns, intricate mosaics, and grand frescoes dedicated to Emperor Bonaparte’s military triumphs.
At the center, directly under the dome, is Napoleon’s massive purple quartzite sarcophagus. Napoleon's tomb sits within an open circular crypt, placed atop a green granite pedestal. The design compels visitors to gaze downward at the tomb, signifying their respect for the Emperor. Around the tomb, twelve colossal angels, representing Napoleon’s greatest military victories, encircle the crypt. (If you are interested in learning more about these angels, check out this article from Atlas Obscura.)
Nearby, Napoleon's brothers, Jérôme Bonaparte and Joseph Bonaparte, are inturned inside the Dôme, in addition to Napoleon II. Several other prominent military figures are also buried here, including Marshal Foch (a key French commander in World War I), Marshal Vauban (one of France’s greatest military engineers), General Henri-Gatien Bertrand (Napoleon's companion in exile on the island of Elba), and General Géraud Duroc (friend of Napoleon and diplomat, serving in the French Revolutionary Wars and the Napoleonic Wars).
As previously mentioned, Les Invalides is also home to the Army Museum. The Army Museum showcases France's military heritage from the late Middle Ages to World War II. The museum houses hundreds of thousands artifacts, including weapons, suits of armor, military uniforms, paintings, and even some of Emperor Bonaparte’s personal belongings. The museum's highlights include suits of armor worn by Francis I and Henry II, a case of pistols belonging to Emperor Bonaparte, and the Collar of the Grand Master of the Légion d’honneur which also belonged to Emperor Bonaparte.
There is more to see at Les Invalides than just the Dôme and the Army Museum. There is a beautiful Baroque church on-site, the Cathedral of Saint Louis des Invalides (St. Louis Cathedral), which was built to be used by the military veterans living at Les Invalides. St. Louis Cathedral is located directly behind the Dôme. The current cathedral was modified from its original design to accomodate Napoleon's tomb, however, it is still incredibly grand (à la Louis XIV). Where Napoleon's tomb currently sits was previously the royal chapel, used by the royal family and also the choir. Even if you are not religious, I think St. Louis Cathedral is still worth visiting. One of the unique highlights is actually the captured enemy flags that hang within the church's nave. St. Louis Cathedral is free to enter and is open daily, including on public holidays.
Additionally, Les Invalides houses a moving museum, the Musée de L'Ordre de la Libération (Museum of the Order of the Liberation), a tribute to France's freedom fighters during World War II and recipients of the Order of Liberation, which was established by Charles de Gaulle to thank those who helped liberate France from Nazi occupation. While the majority of the signage and descriptions in the Museum of the Order of the Liberation is in French, the museum offers a powerful look at France’s struggle against Nazi occupation during World War II. This museum honors the brave men and women who fought in the French Resistance, displaying artifacts, photographs, and documents that detail their clandestine operations, acts of sabotage, and intelligence-gathering efforts. The museum, even with the language barrier, is emotionally moving and powerful. Admission to the Museum of the Order of the Liberation is included with your ticket to the Dôme and the Army Museum.
Les Invalides is open daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with the exception of January 1st, May 1st, and December 25th, annually. On the first Friday of each month, Les Invalides is opened late from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM. The last admission to Les Invalides is 30 minutes before closing. Tickets for Les Invalides includes access to the Army Museum, Napoleon's tomb (Dôme), Museum of the Order of the Liberation, St. Louis Cathedral, and the Museum of Relief Maps (Musée des Plans-Reliefs). Tickets can be purchased online, via the Army Museum website, or in-person. You can easily spend all day at Les Invalides with all of its museums, the Cathedral, and the Dôme. If you are only interested in seeing Napoleon's tomb, the main highlight of Les Invalides, aim to spend around 45 minutes at Les Invalides.
If you are looking for some of the best views in Paris, most travelers would consider a visit to the Eiffel Tower of even the top of the Arc de Triomphe. However, there is a spot in Paris that does not require advance tickets and is significantly cheaper to visit, with views that are just, if not more, incredible: the Basilica of Sacré-Cœur, or Basilica of the Sacred Heart as it is known in English. Located at the highest point in the city, the Basilica of Sacré-Cœur is a gem within Montmartre. While the basilica itself is lovely and certainly worth a visit if you are religious (the basilica is free to visit and open to the public), the real treat is the views of Paris from its grand dome.
Climbing to the top of the dome of the Basilica of Sacré-Cœur rewards visitors with one of the most breathtaking panoramic views of Paris. At 272 feet (83 meters) above Montmartre, the highest natural point in the city, the dome provides an unparalleled 360-degree view that stretches for miles in every direction.
To reach the dome, you will need to climb 280 narrow, spiraling steps. Unfortunately, there is no elevator, so be prepared for a bit of a workout. If you are traveling with small children, have mobility issues, or are claustrophobic a visit to the top of the dome may unfortunately be out of the cards. (Although the view from outside of the basilica is still pretty fantastic and best of all, it is free!) The climb up to the top of the dome winds through tight corridors and steep staircases, before emerging onto the circular viewing platform at the top.
From this vantage point, Paris unfolds beneath you like a living map. The elevation offers an uninterrupted view, free from high-rises or other obstructions, making it one of the most spectacular lookouts in the city. Here is what you can expect to see:
In addition to the landmarks visible in the distance, a visit to the top of the Basilica of Sacré-Cœur's dome allows you to get an up-close look at the sculptures and stonework adorning the basilica. The circular colonnade of the dome provides a beautiful frame for photos and is arguably one of the most photographic spots in the city.
Visiting the Basilica of Sacré-Cœur should be reserved for a clear, sunny day, as this is when the views from the dome are the best. Whether you arrive in the morning, midday, late afternoon, or early evening, you will be treated to some truly spectacular views of Paris.
Constructed between 1875 and 1914, the Basilica of Sacré-Cœur was designed in a Romano-Byzantine style. While its exterior is famous for its brilliant white travertine stone, which naturally whitens with age, the interior is just as magnificent. Inside, visitors are greeted by a vast, serene space with high, rounded arches and softly lit stained-glass windows. The basilica's most remarkable feature is the Mosaic of Christ in Majesty, one of the largest in the world. It depicts a radiant Christ with outstretched arms, surrounded by angels and saints, glowing in golden hues above the altar.
Beyond the basilica, the Montmartre neighborhood is one of the most charming and historic areas of Paris, famous for its artistic heritage, cobbled streets, and bohemian atmosphere. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Montmartre was the epicenter of Paris' artistic and literary scene, attracting legendary painters like Pablo Picasso and Vincent van Gogh. The Place du Tertre, just a short walk from Sacré-Cœur, is a lively square filled with street artists, painters, and caricaturists, offering a glimpse into Montmartre’s artistic past. Nearby, visitors can find quaint cafés, bistros, and hidden courtyards, each with its own charm.
One of the neighborhood's most iconic features is the world-famous Moulin Rouge, the birthplace of the French can-can, which still offers performances today. Whether admiring the magnificent mosaic inside Sacré-Cœur, climbing to its dome for an unparalleled view of Paris, or wandering through the winding streets of Montmartre, this area is a one of the not-so-secret Paris hidden gems that should absolutely be on your itinerary for your next trip to Paris.
Tickets to climb the dome of the Basilica of Sacré-Cœur can only be purchased on-site. The dome is open daily, including holidays, but may close without advance notice due to inclement weather or maintenance. The dome is open to visitors from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with the last entrance at 6:30 PM. The dome may close midday for the workers to enjoy a lunch break. Unfortunately the time of this midday break is not posted, but avoid visiting around lunchtime to air on the side of caution. Tickets to visit the dome cost €8 for adults and €5 for children under the age of 15.
The entrance for the dome is located on the left of the basilica, after you enter through security. Signage will point you in the correct direction of the ticket office for the dome visit.
More information about the Dome Tour can be found on the Basilica of Sacré-Cœur's website.
While these three not-so-secret Paris hidden gems are incredible and certainly worth a visit, there are plenty of other museums and landmarks in Paris aside from the largest tourist attractions that deserve a bit of your sightseeing time. Some additional, not-so-secret Paris hidden gems include:
Paris welcomes millions of visitors each year, making it one of the most-visited cities in the world. While no attraction or landmark in Paris is truly hidden, there are still incredible places in France's capital that see far smaller crowds than the Louvre Museum, the Eiffel Tower, or Notre Dame Cathedral. Exploring Paris hidden gems like La Madeleine, Les Invalides and Napoleon’s tomb, and the Basilica of Sacré-Cœur offers a more intimate and unique perspective on the city’s history, architecture, and culture.
These lesser-visited sites provide remarkable experiences, whether it is admiring the grandeur of La Madeleine’s Neoclassical design and understanding the church's complex history, standing in awe beside Napoleon’s final resting place, or soaking in the views from the dome of the Basilica of Sacré-Cœur. Next time you visit Paris, take the time to venture beyond the obvious landmarks—you will find that these hidden gems in Paris hold just as much beauty, history, and charm as the city’s most famous attractions.
Do you need help planning your trip to Paris? Be sure to check out our Paris Travel Guide for hotel recommendations, restaurant suggestions, things to do, and more! If you are looking to escape the crowds in the City of Light, consider visiting Paris in January, or even take a day trip to one of the incredible destinations nearby! Whether you head to Giverny to see Claude Monet's garden or the Chateau de Fontainebleau, there are plenty of experiences awaiting you!
Have you visited any of these Paris hidden gems? Or are there any other hidden gems in Paris that you think are worth visiting? We would love to hear from you in the comments below!