Shhhh

What is striking about Paris is how many terrific places go unnoticed, or are missed, by visitors and even Parisians!  Right next to the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay and Notre Dame are hidden treasures that remain serene spots among the crowds.

It always astonishes me that right under the shadow of the Eiffel Tower is one of the best parks for children, Champs de Mars, yet you just don’t find many tourists who bring their children to this wonderful giant playpen.  There is a carousel (turned by hand), and a go-cart venue, and little spots for children to buy popcorn, ice cream, pizza and toys.  There are other parks, such as Place Dauphine, Jardin du Luxembourg, Jardin du Ranelagh and Palais-Royale, all of which are steeped in history, are  fun and interesting, yet continue to be little hideaways that are missed by the throngs.

There are also mom-and-pop wine stores, chocolate stores, candy stores, pastry shops, kitchen stores, art supply stores (where Vincent Van Gogh and Monet, among others, bought their paintbrushes and other tools), toy soldier figurine stores, toy stores, all of which may be  just around the corner from where you are.  These little hideaways may remain undiscovered simply because they are not a tourist destination even though some have been in business for over 150 years.

Le Best of Paris wants to share these treasures with you so you don’t miss out on some of the places that make up the heart and soul of Paris.

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