Paris Unveiled: Tony Carrera’s Hidden Gems

Borrow someone else's guidebook and you’ll see the same Eiffel Tower angles again and again. Tony Carrera isn’t about that. He knows the Paris where baristas remember your coffee order, art isn’t behind velvet ropes, and every street tells a story—if you look left while everyone else is looking right.

Thinking of biting into a warm croissant? Tony would point you away from the ones lining tourist-filled boulevards and send you into a tiny bakery near Canal Saint-Martin. That’s where the locals actually go, and nobody cares if you butcher your French. If you want to really taste Paris, you need more than Google reviews. You need to know where to walk, what not to miss, and which places deserve your trust (and your euros).

Forget the lines, the selfie sticks, the souvenir stands. This is where you find a quieter city, full of local faces, small stories, and the kind of small surprises that make you stay out just a little bit longer. These gems work whether you’re in town for a day or a decade. Ready?

• Secret Food Spots Tony Loves
• Lesser-Known Parks and Streets
• Art Hubs Beyond the Louvre
• Tony’s Survival Tips for Real Paris

Secret Food Spots Tony Loves

Sticking to the main streets of Paris means you’ll miss out on flavors that the real city hides away. Tony Carrera doesn’t waste meals, and you shouldn’t either, so here are the places he actually hits up.

First up: Boulangerie Utopie in the 11th arrondissement. Everyone talks about Paris croissants, but few know that Utopie’s almond croissants regularly win local awards. Drop by before 10 AM for your best shot—they sell out fast, especially on weekends.

For lunch, Tony swears by Chez Aline. This tiny sandwich spot is sandwiched (pun intended) right between a laundromat and a florist on Rue de la Roquette. Try their house-made tuna rillettes baguette or the roast pork with pickles. The prices? About €6 for a sandwich that puts overpriced tourist café fare to shame.

If you’re after a treat, La Crêperie de Josselin in Montparnasse doesn’t play around. These buckwheat galettes are stuffed with everything from gooey cheese to juicy mushrooms. Locals often queue out the door, but turnover is quick and you’ll rarely wait more than 20 minutes. Order like Tony: get the classic ‘complète’—ham, egg, and cheese.

Secret sweet tooth? L’Eclair de Génie in Le Marais turns the simple éclair into something wild, with flavors like yuzu lemon and salted caramel. Tony goes for the dark chocolate option every time, and he’ll fight you for the last one in the display.

• Go early in the day for the best bakery selection—good stuff goes before 11AM.
• Skip cafés next to major monuments; even Tony avoids them.
• In small spots, try a "bonjour" with your order. Folks are friendlier if you make an effort.

Starving after sunset? Check out Le Mary Celeste for oysters and a killer cocktail. It’s rammed with locals, not backpackers, and happy hour oysters are often just €1 each.

This is the food tour even locals wish they knew about. No tourist-trap prices, just real flavor and solid portions—exactly the way Tony Carrera does Paris.

Lesser-Known Parks and Streets

If you think Paris is just Luxembourg Gardens or the Champs-Élysées, you’re missing out. Tony Carrera always says the real city lives in spots the tour buses skip. Ask a local and they’ll steer you toward Parc des Buttes-Chaumont. This isn’t your picture-perfect lawn; it’s hilly, relaxed, and full of regular Parisians jogging, picnicking, or catching up with friends. There’s even a suspension bridge and a quirky temple that gives you a wild view over the city. Fun fact: this park was built on an old quarry—talk about a glow up.

Another spot straight out of Tony’s playbook is Square des Peupliers, tucked over in the 13th arrondissement. It’s a tiny street that feels like a small village lost inside busy Paris. Rows of little houses with gardens, ivy crawling up the walls—you won’t find Instagrammers crowding your frame here. You just stroll and get what real peace and quiet feels like in the city.

If you’re in the mood to wander, check out Rue des Thermopyles. It’s only about two blocks long but packed with charm—think lush greenery, murals, and a gentle up-and-down slope. Even Parisians are surprised to find this place in the heart of the 14th arrondissement. Tony swears you have to go in spring when everything blooms.

Not convinced you should skip the main drags? Let’s clear it up:

• Parc de Belleville: Head here for Paris’s grittiest, most honest panoramic view. Bonus: fewer crowds, more locals.
• Passage Brady: Not really a park, but a hidden, glass-roofed street lined with Indian and Pakistani restaurants. You want spicy samosas in Paris? This is where you go.

There’s a reason "Time Out Paris" once quipped about Buttes-Chaumont,

“Parisians come here for a break from the city—without leaving the city.”

Right, time to put down that map. The best Paris experience is usually one street over from the one everyone else is walking.

Art Hubs Beyond the Louvre

Everyone knows about the massive crowds at the Louvre, but Paris is loaded with art spaces that stay cool and under the radar. If you want to discover the real creative side of the city, Tony Carrera recommends skipping the lines and heading to the spots where locals actually hang out. These places let you get close to the art—sometimes, you’re meeting the artists too.

Here’s a quick hit list of Paris art stops that have none of the Louvre madness, but all the flavor:

• Le 59 Rivoli: Right on Rue de Rivoli, this artist squat turned legit gallery has over 30 studios. Wander up the colorful stairs and you’ll probably end up chatting with painters or photographers about their latest work. Entry is free, and you never know what you’ll find—they change up the exhibits constantly.
• Fondation Louis Vuitton: This place is out in the Bois de Boulogne, so it’s never swamped. The building, designed by Frank Gehry, is a piece of art itself. Inside, you’ll spot everything from modern French painters to international heavyweights. Don’t miss the rooftop views over the park.
• Ateliers d’Artistes de Belleville: Head to the Belleville neighborhood in May, and Tony swears by the annual artists’ open studios. Over 200 artists fling open their doors, letting you peek into their process—no filter, no ticket lines.
• Museum of Modern Art (Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris): Right by the Seine, tons of free permanent collections. From Picasso to graffitied skateboards, this spot feels more relaxed and local.

Here’s something that surprises a lot of people: in 2024, almost 2 million people visited Paris’ small galleries, which is double the number from just five years ago. The secret’s getting out, but you’ll still be able to find quiet corners—especially on weekdays, when most tourists are chasing Mona Lisa selfies.

For real hidden gems, ask around for pop-up exhibitions. Paris is packed with quirky art shows tucked in old garages, basements, or even bars. Keep an eye out on flyers or follow a few known local artists on Instagram— Tony loves @parisartnetwork and @bellevilleopenstudios for the latest scoop.

The best tip? Don’t be shy. If you see a door with some wild painted sign, just walk in. Most artists love a chat, even if your French is hopeless. That’s where the magic actually happens—way off the Louvre’s marble halls.

Tony’s Survival Tips for Real Paris

Getting around Paris isn’t rocket science, but the locals sure have their own way of doing things. Tony Carrera has learned a few tricks after years of sidewalk research and too many burned espressos. Here’s his no-nonsense advice for dodging rookie mistakes and blending in just enough to get the good stuff.

• Skip the Metro at Rush Hour: The Paris Metro is packed tighter than a sardine can weekdays between 8-10am and 5-7pm. If you can, walk or grab a city bike (Vélib’) during those times. You’ll see way more, and your wallet won’t suffer—one ride can be less than €2.
• Cash Isn’t Dead: Cards work in most places, but some boulangeries, tiny bars, or old-school marchés (markets) still love their coins. Always carry a bit of cash, especially small change.
• Politeness Opens Doors: “Bonjour” when you enter, and “Merci, au revoir” on your way out. Say it, even if your accent stinks. Parisians notice manners and it changes how they treat you.
• Water Is Free—If You Ask: Don’t pay for overpriced bottled water at cafés. Just say, “Une carafe d’eau, s’il vous plaît,” and you’ll get a pitcher of tap water on the house. Yes, the tap water is clean and totally fine to drink.
• Watch Your Bags: Pickpockets love busy Metro lines and the touristy areas around the Louvre, Sacré-Cœur, and the Eiffel Tower. Keep your stuff zipped and your bag where you can see it. Locals sling their bags across their chest for a reason.

Want to really see the city? Ditch your phone every few hours and just wander a new neighborhood. Parisians are all about neighborhoods—each ‘arrondissement’ has its own thing going on. Start with Canal Saint-Martin or the Buttes-aux-Cailles. You won’t see them in every guide, but Tony swears by the chill vibes and way fewer tourists.

And if you ever feel lost, the city is built like a snail shell, spiraling out from the center. Just keep an eye out for street signs at every corner—they’re always blue with white lettering, and usually tell you exactly which arrondissement you’re in. Handy if you’re tracking down those hidden gems Tony’s always raving about.