5 Quiet Landmarks to Go in Paris

There is something uniquely satisfying about being able to find outstanding but quiet landmarks in such a busy city like Paris. You get to explore and savor them without having to compete with an uncontrollable influx of tourists. It creates a personal experience. 

There is also benefit in bumping along people you don't know, who without them would make your travel experience rather less enjoyable. 

But there are times when you simply want to be intimate with your travel and find the chance to go somewhere you can sprawl alone-- a kind of secret affair between you and the place you travel to. 

Below are few of the landmarks with lesser crowd that you can visit in Paris:

1. Statue of Liberty in Ile Aux Cygnes

Mini Statue of Liberty

The mini Statue of Liberty in Ile Aux Cygnes also called the Swan Island is located in a quiet area right at the heart of Seine River. It's about a kilometer away from the Eiffel Tower; it's best to take a bus or metro to arrive there quickly. There's also another replica of the statue in Luxembourg Gardens.  I'm not sure with you, but I feel that tell- tale rush of excitement when I see little versions of huge and famous landmark icons like this in other places. 

The one in New York is actually a gift given by France to the USA in celebration of the centenary of USA's independence.

2. Le Pantheon National

Le Pantheon Paris l Photo by Adil Rasheed

Pantheon is taken from a Greek word which means "Every God". It was originally built in the Latin Quarter  in the middle of Paris left bank as a church dedicated to St. Genevieve, the patron saint of Paris. Today, it serves as a secular mausoleum which houses the remains of France's greatest you may know in the history of politics, art, science and literature: Marie Curie, Victor Hugo, and others. Inside the museum verges three amazing features: the paintings that depict the life of St. Genevieve, an invention by a physicist that shows how the earth rotates and lastly, the magnificent statue called "The National Convention" which shows the symbol of France, Marian.

You can take the closest metro in Luxembourg on RER B to get there and be sure to secure museum pass in advance. 

3. Notre- Dame Cathedral

Notre Dame Paris l Photo Source: My Hotels in Paris (dot) com

This is one of Paris' most famous landmarks so it's oftentimes difficult to come by here with not much people walking past on you. It's best to go there an hour earlier the opening time at around 9AM, or late in the afternoon at around 5:30.

It is a Roman Catholic Marian cathedral and is considered one of world's largest. 

4. Pere Lachaise Cemetery

Pere Lachaise Cemetery l Photo Source: Prompt Guides (dot) com

The word cemetery alone would tell you that it's somewhere you'll never fail to find peace and serenity. Whilst the name can dread you slightly, it's something which can be worthy of your visit. It is considered as the most visited cemetery in the world and the largest one in Paris. You can find the tombs of famous people like the great Oscar Wilde, Moliere and Delacroix, and the legendary singer Jim Morrison. It'd be great if you go to the cemetery's summit for a better view. 

5. Les Egouts- the Sewers Paris

Les Egouts Paris l Photo Source: Flickr

Egouts is among the first underground sewer system in Paris that dates back since 1370. While it may not be everyone's dream of how a Parisian travel would be, it has interesting exhibits. It's probably one way to discover a large parcel about Paris as described in the misfortunes of Jean Valjean in Victor Hugo's Les Miserables-- an experience that is surely off the beaten path.

Thank you for keeping in touch with The Quiet City [Paris] Travel Series. Here's a video I thought I'd share to you to end it:

Click to read more travel guide to Paris. Profiter de Paris!

Photo Credits:

commons (dot) wikimedia (dot) org

adilrasheed (dot) com

myhotelsinparis (dot) com

promptguides (dot) com

flickr (dot) com

5 Quiet Hotels to Stay in Paris

Traveling is partly stressful. You're bound by the rules of a jam- packed itinerary, on top of no time to fully fray the jet lag. It's no doubt that you heart will itch for a silent sanctuary to recoup for lost energies. 

There's also a recent study by J.D. Power that says most of the 53, 000 travelers surveyed encounter problems with ranked noise at hotels-- either brought by street drillers or door- slamming guests. 

The thing is, you can be as intentional with your choice on the best place to exercise your rights to silence. It will depend on which you prefer to experience most-- a quiet place that overlooks a hundred acre woods or a quiet place at the atrium of the city? Whichever the case, expect that you cannot always find a place with all the A- list criteria combined. 

For the meantime, below are hotels I suggest you to check in to give your sleep and rest impediments a fair remedy, or so I say:

1. Hotel du Jeu de Paume

                                                  This photo of Hotel du Jeu de Paume is courtesy of TripAdvisor

This hotel is earning good reviews for being clean, well- decorated, and intimate. It is suggestive of a Parisian atmosphere. In fact you can reach Notre Dame, shopping spots, wonderful restaurants, and most of the Metro stations by dint of easy walking. But you can still sleep without having your ears blanketed with pillows. It has access to wifi connection and staffs replenish the toiletries everyday.

Location: 54 Rue St. Louis en Ile, 75004 Paris (Hotel de Ville)

2. Jays Paris

This photo of Jays Paris is courtesy of TripAdvisor

This is considered an enormously quiet hotel in the 16th arroundisement. You can never go wrong with the rooms, only that it has no elevator so care to pick one in the lower floors. Concierge arranges airport transfers besides the fact that they will specially welcome you upon arrival. 

You can speak to the staffs in English, or practice your French without getting snickered for your novice- ness (if that's even a word). Also meet your fascinating neighbors, Arc de Triomphe, Champs Elysees, and Eiffel Tower. Aaahh, how about a 5- star experience like that? 

Location: 6 Rue Copernic, 16th Arroundisment, 75016 Paris

3. Secret de Paris

This photo of Secret de Paris is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Would you even think twice at the thought of its name? If that looking-at-the-Eiffel-from-a-terrace scenario in your mind is hardly possible to realize, this is the right place to go. Because the rooms are designed after the most frequented tourist spots in Paris being the Louvre, Musee d'Orsay, and of course Eiffel Tower. It is perfectly quiet and romantic, best for those who dared tie the knot. 

Location: 2 Rue de Parme, 75009 Paris

4. Hotel Fouquet's Barriere

This photo of Hotel Fouquet's Barriere is courtesy of TripAdvisor

This is a clean and tidy hotel located at the corner of Champs Elysees. Probably one with excellent sound proofing despite being close to swanky tourist areas. But not the best-est one for comfort. However spas and pool areas are well - appointed and it offers a courtyard for you to dote on peacefulness. 

It also has a touch of discretion as you won't have to always pass through the reception area where customers crowd. 

Location: 46 Avenue George V, 08 Arroundisement, 75008 Paris (Champ Elysees)

5. Hotel Luxembourg Parc

This photo of Hotel Luxembourg Parc is courtesy of TripAdvisor
This hotel is also walking distance from St. Germain and Notre Dame. It has a quiet and inviting atmosphere as it is more of a private residence than a hotel. It has rooms that offer views of the peaceful garden-- a view that might be a good option to rest your eyes after seeing so much of the cosmopolitan Paris.

It is 10- 15 minutes away from shopping spots and museums, but the rooms are astoundingly guzzled with a French aura.

Location: 42 Rue de Vaugirard, 6th Arroundisement, 75006 Paris


I hope this post helped. Here is where you can also find quiet places to dine in Paris, just in case. Stay tuned on my next post for The Quiet City [Paris] Travel Series!

5 Quiet Outdoor Spots Every Book Reader Should Go in Paris

I'm closest to travelers, and travelers who are book readers. Oftentimes, too, travelers who are book readers who are peace- seekers. But with a city full of rubbernecks, finding an outdoor spot with hardly any crowd is a threat to people like that. 

If you happen to be in Paris and would still want to be unapologetic with your reading routines, here are the right places you can drop by to dote on your first editions without necessarily having to stare constantly at  a lifeless wall.

Stay tuned for more of The Quiet City [Paris] travel series here on Pens n' Paper!

Watermark copyright Pens n' Paper l Image: All Things Hub

Photo Credits:
Creative Commons
Paris Perfect
The New York Times