Is there anything lovelier than reading in
Paris? Getting a table in a cafe or sitting on a bench in a park with a good book is a scene straight out of a Hollywood romcom. But while some people do it to impress others, many others simply love reading. Parisians are known bibliophiles, after all, but if you don't want to look like a living stereotype, where can you read in peace instead? Well, consider going to Canal St. Martin, Parc Monceau, or even in a cemetery. These are some of the underrated spots to read in Paris, ones where you can get lost in your story without any disturbance.
Canal St. Martin
While there's no doubt that the Seine River is one of the most popular spots in Paris, Canal St. Martin in the
10th arrondissement is a good alternative. Many could even argue that it's more scenic than the more famous Seine. The latter is popular because it's lined with some of the French capital's iconic landmarks, so it's no surprise that more people go here. On the flip side, if you prefer to read in a spot lined with beautiful trees, especially with such fabulous fall foliage during autumn, then Canal St. Martin is where you'll want to go.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Square Marcel Bleustein Blanchet
Tucked away behind the
18th arrondissement's beloved Sacré-Cœur, Square Marcel Bleustein Blanchet is another of the best underrated spots to go reading in Paris. Since it's right behind one of the most famous landmarks in the city, it's easy to overlook. Even many Parisians don't know about it. Most of the locals in the area hang out on the well-manicured grounds that line Montmartre Hill. Yet Square Marcel Bleustein Blanchet is also right there, just as green and as lovely as the hill itself. You may not have a great view, but you can relax in this serene courtyard-like square and read to your heart's content.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Guilhem Vellut
Le Village Saint Paul
Another hidden gem in the middle of the
central neighborhoods in Paris is Le Village Saint Paul. Located in a quieter part of
Le Marais, it's a literal corner lined with antique shops, cafes, boutiques, and more. You'd have to walk a long time to even just stumble upon here. In the middle of all those establishments is a lovely small square with cafe terrace areas, warm benches, and more. You couldn't have asked for a better spot to read in Paris and enjoy the city's immaculate sunshine and romantic old-world appeal.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Guilhem Vellut
Parc Monceau
Admittedly, Parc Monceau is among the more famous parks in Paris. Located in the
8th arrondissement, it's a beautiful green space that's fairly easy to get to. It's far from what many would consider underrated, especially since it gets a lot of local and tourist visitors too. So why is it on this list? Because the park has a lot of hidden spots where you can escape from the rest of the city and get lost in your book. Parc Monceau's many fairytale-like areas would even enhance your literary experience as well.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Parc des Impressionnistes
If you want to talk about truly underrated spots for reading in Paris, you need to go to the
Paris Suburbs. As the residential districts along the outskirts of the French capital, a lot of people don't even know that they're still part of Paris. Hence, tourists rarely go here, especially on their first time in the city. But if you're already a Parisian yourself or have been here several times, you would likely know about Rueil-Malmaison. It's in this western suburb where you'll find Parc des Impressionnistes, a lovely green space that's perfect for enjoying a good book. Its name alone should already tell you how painterly the natural scene is here.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Moonik
Square Méréric
Colombes is another of Paris Suburbs worth visiting if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the French capital. Located northwest of the city center, it's a lovely commune with lots of serene spots. One of them is Square Méréric, which is most famous for its Japanese garden. There's arguably no more peaceful spot where you can get as zen as this one. Some may find the Japanese aesthetic distracting, but it's a beautiful space you can leave in your periphery as you get lost in your book.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Paris Cemeteries
Let's go back to the central arrondissements for this next one. Anyone who has long lived in the city knows that the
Paris Cemeteries are just as beautiful as the more famous parks. Locals and several tourists hang out in these picturesque graveyards, going so far as to set up picnics or even go on dates in any of them. When you
move to Paris yourself, it won't take you long to discover the true charm of these eerie but elegant spaces. Their utter serenity also makes for a great setting for a good read.
Source: Pierre-Yves Beaudouin / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
From parks in the suburbs to the city's eerie but beautiful cemeteries, you'd be surprised at how many underrated spots there are in Paris. It all just goes to show that libraries and cafes aren't the only spots where you can enjoy a good book in Paris.
