Quaint Streets in Paris

The lovely quaint streets in Paris that I discovered on our last visit will, I think, surprise you. Yes, Paris is filled with Haussmannian style buildings lining grand rues (streets) thanks to a public works program commissioned by Napoleon III. You truly get to appreciate the Haussmannian restructuring of Paris when viewed from above. However, tucked away in unexpected places you will find quaint streets in Paris that yield a village atmosphere and not a big city feel at all.

View of Paris’ grand rues from the top of the Arc de Triomph

“Square” Montsouris – one of the lovely quaint streets in Paris

Quaint little cobblestone streets like this were eradicated en masse for Haussmann’s restructuring but thankfully, some survived. Square Montsouris is the first of these quaint streets in Paris that I discovered on a visit to the Park of the same name. It is located in the south of Pars, close to the peripherique and Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris. The little street named Square Montsouris is adjacent to Parc Montsouris which is a lovely English-style garden. Some of the houses are almost covered with ivy and each house is uniquely different. Both the Parc and the street are worth the visit. Plan to spend at least the afternoon enjoying both!

Square Montsouris

Passage l’Homme – a lovely quaint street in Paris with a great toy shop

Passage l’Homme in the 20th arrondissement is a mixture of businesses and is worth the look if for nothing else than the toy store. This toy store is chocked full of everything imaginable and if there is a child in your life this is the perfect place to buy a gift. Your own inner child will also enjoy wandering through this shop!

Hidden Paris toy shop

Passage l’Homme

Passage l’Homme

The furniture refinisher has been here since 1912 according to their sign. I love their colorful store front with the masses of geraniums!

Vernissage au Tampon: Furniture Refinisher

A little further down the street there was also a furniture repair shop. The owner was recaining a chair when I passed by.

Passage l’Homme

Rue Crémieux – a lovely quaint street in Paris filled with colorful homes

I still laugh when I see the name of this street! The first time I saw the street my thought was how odd to call a street creamy! However, the word creamy in French is actually crémeux, not crémieux (what a difference on little “i” makes).  Like many streets in Paris, rue Crémieux is named after a person, Adolphe Crémieux (1796-1880). Crémieux was a French lawyer who, as a Jew himself, was a staunch defender of the human rights of French Jews.

Rue Crémieux

Take a closer look – not all the plants are real. On the green house, there is a trompe l’oeil (“deceive the eye”) vine “growing” on the wall.

rue Crémieux

The street is pedestrianized like Passage l’Homme. Several residents had clustered their chairs in the street and were enjoying an aperitif the late afternoon that we wandered through. Not to intrude on their privacy, I took photos only of their lovely homes and the artwork on the walls. More trompe l’oeil deceiving the eye to make you think you are looking in someone’s window.

rue Crémieux artwork

Located in the 12th arrondissement of Paris, rue Crémieux is not far from the beautiful greenway, La Coulée Verte which is also called the Paris Promenade. Slip from these quaint village streets to the park atmosphere of the greenway as you literally walk among the trees on the elevated walking path.

Montmartre – a plethora of lovely quaint streets in Paris

You will find many wonderful quaint little streets in Paris ’ Montmartre neighborhood. Montmartre was not affected by the Haussmannian reorganization so it has retained a true village ambience. Rick Steve’s Montmartre Walks is, in my opinion, an excellent resource for a guided wander around the Montmartre neighborhood. Here are a few of my favorite views.
At the intersection of rue des Saules and rue Saint-Vincent we found this charming view of Au Lapin Agile Caberet.

Au Lapin Agile Caberet.

Wander down (literally downhill) rue des Saules and the first street your right gives you this lovely view which includes La Maison Rose Café.

Staying on rue des Saules, you will arrive at rue Cortot which is perhaps my most favorite view in all of Montmartre besides Sacre-Coeur. On rue Cortot, as you walk in the direction of Sacre-Coeur you will find the Museum of Montmartre on your left.

rue Cortot, the walk uphill takes you to Sacre-Coeur

While you’re here be sure to stop at any one of the numerous sidewalk cafés for an aperitif or a meal – I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.

Pick a sidewalk cafe and enjoy the day!

Rue Thermopyles and Passage l’Ancre both merited their own page and should not be missed!