Tour guides reveal their best Paris secrets

For our 20th show, we forced tour guides to share their top secrets from Paris. And it wasn’t easy. Listen to the episode by clicking “play” below.

Here’s an overview of what we talked about.

1. The restaurant from Inglourious Basterds

It’s called Le Bistro de Renaissance and you can find it at 112 rue Championet in the 18th arrondissement.

Here’s the cafe as it looks in the film:

Here’s what it looks like today:

2. The “skin disease museum”

Yes, the Musee de Moulage is “a collection of hundreds of wax molds of skin diseases and much more”, say the team at Gay Locals.

It certainly sounds like the most unique museum in Paris, and entirely unappetizing.

And as the tour guides said, this museum is in need of repair so consider your entry fee like a donation to keep it alive.

And here’s how you can find the Gay Locals tours.

3. The most hidden courtyard in Paris

Use the code word (well, ask nicely) and they’ll let you into the inner walls of the Hotel Beauvais in the fourth arrondissement.

Here’s a visual guide to how it works, courtesy of Corey from A French Frye in Paris (see video below).

4. A hidden Statue of Liberty

Head to the Jardin de Luxembourg in the sixth arrondissement for a statue that’s “pretty unknown and obscure”, says Luke from Run Paris.

You can find it on the western edge of the park. Here’s what it looks like today. Did you know there are many other Statue of Liberty replicas in Paris?

5. A golden hotel hidden behind an unassuming door

The Hotel de Lauzun is “hotel particulier” where you need a certified tour guide to get in. Find it on the Ile St Louis in the fourth arrondissement.

Xavier from Paris to Versailles tours says it’s one of the only hotels of its kind that hasn’t changed since the 17th century.

Book one of his tours here. Here’s what the exterior of the hotel looks like today. Never judge a building by its door! Inside is golden treasures and extraordinary architecture, but you’ll have to go in to see it!

6. The best place to get your midnight chocolate fix

When the stores are all closed and you have a chocolate craving, walk into a cinema and hit up the candy bar, or at least that’s what Heather from Secrets of Paris says.

This trick even works after all the tickets are sold… just stroll in and ask for some chocolate.

If you’re into secrets of Paris, which is a safe bet considering you’re reading this page, then find out more from the Secrets of Paris site here.

7. The pastry shop that only the French know about… 

Mamie Gateaux is a little cafe that makes delicious quiches and cakes, and the expat crew doesn’t know about it… yet. That’s what Claudette from Mama Loves Paris says.

Find the place here, at 66 Rue du Cherche-Midi in the sixth arrondissement of Paris.

And find out more about Mama Loves Paris here.

8. A hidden passage that was closed for centuries

This passage, that runs along the south side of the Saint-Gervais church, was opened by the mayor of the 4th arrondissement, who was once a guest on the show. He claims it’s the best secret in the whole district.

While the passage itself might not blow you away, the fact that it had been closed for centuries might inspire your imagination to run wild.

9. The ‘mini Montmartre’ in southern Paris

Head to the Butte aux Cailles in the 13th arrondissement for loads of hidden passageways.

The lads at Bike About Tours, who were on the show before, say it’s “like a mini Montmartre… and most people don’t ever make it down there”.

In fact, Mama Loves Paris did a nice picture gallery of this area recently… check it out here.

Find out more about Bike About Tours here – or click here to hear the ten streets in Paris you should cycle down before you die.

10. The most well-hidden bar in Paris (yes, a speakeasy)

Head to the Lavomatic just off Republique for a laundromat that doubles as a bar entrance. Address: 30 Rue René Boulanger, in the tenth arrondissement.

Yes, the front door is a dryer door. Press start and a whole world opens for you.

That’s it! If you like these tips, be sure to check out The Earful Tower’s Guide to Paris.

See you next week with another new episode. Here are all the epsiodes from the past to keep you going. And join the Patreon members here!