Paris's little secrets

Tucked away in the Jardin des Plantes, not far from the Natural History Museum, there is a secret alpine garden, home to almost 2,000 species of trees, plants and flowers.

Alpine garden
57 rue Cuvier
75005 Paris
http://www.jardindesplantesdeparis.fr/en

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Next to Notre-Dame cathedral, the Hôtel-Dieu hospital invites you to step into its inner courtyard, revealing a little oasis of tranquillity in the heart of the bustling city.

Hôtel-Dieu
1 parvis Notre-Dame
Place Jean-Paul II
75004 Paris

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In front of 6 rue des Petits Champs in the second arrondissement, a covered passageway attracts your attention. Welcome to the radiant Galerie Colbert, an elegant arcade dating from the beginning of the 19^th century.

Galerie Colbert
6 rue des Petits Champs
75002 Paris

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As you stroll around the 16^th arrondissement, a work of art cannot help but catch your eye. Stand a while and admire a full-sized replica of the Flame of Liberty as seen on the statue in New York of the same name.

Flame of Liberty
7 Place de l'Alma
75008 Paris

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Hidden behind the Bon Marché department store, it feels great to spend some time in the Catherine Labouré garden with a vegetable garden open to all.

Catherine Labouré garden
29 rue de Babylone
75007 Paris
www.paris.fr/equipements/jardin-catherine-laboure-2465

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With its charming pastel houses, there is almost an air of Notting Hill in rue Crémieux in the 12^th arrondissement.

Rue Crémieux
75012 Paris

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There is a literary work of art waiting to meet you on the Butte Montmartre hill. The “Passe-Muraille” is an amazing statue which seems to come out of the wall. It is a tribute to a story written by Marcel Aymé, known in English, appropriately enough, as “The Man who Walked through Walls”.

The Passe-Muraille
Place Marcel Aymé
75018 Paris

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