12 secrets of Paris, of which you did not know

1. Statues of Liberty

One of the most famous statues in the world and tourist attractions in New York is Lady Liberty with a torch in her hand. Many know that the spectacular lady was in America with the light hand of the generous French. But few people know that there are statues of Liberty in Paris. And there are three of them here! One is located near the bridge of Alma.

Photo: telegraph.co.uk

2. Bastille

The Bastille is not only a great monument and an area where traffic problems often occur. It is also a former prison, whose footprints can be seen today. The outlines of the fortress were preserved in the form of cobbles.

Photo: en.wikipedia.org

3. The oldest basketball court

This may seem strange, but the oldest playground for basketball is not in America (where, in fact, the game was invented), but in Paris. You can play on the old parquet floor today, if you book a bed in the right hostel in the 9th district. Games are held every Saturday among the guests.

Photo: rsvlts.com

Photo: unjourdeplusaparis.com

4. The city-fortress in the middle of Paris

Not far from Montmartre, the creative heart of Paris, there is one interesting architectural landmark. This is the quarter in the intersection of Eugene Sue and rue Simart streets, which has remained since the time of Osman, when the general reconstruction of the capital was under way. Block of buildings, reminiscent of a small town-fortress, was built in the second half of the XIX century to accommodate 10 thousand workers. You can see the beauty of this development only from a height.

Photo: thefunambulist.net

5. Capital Vineyards

Many locals have been here, but for tourists this is a secret place, which few people can see. It is a beautiful vineyard right behind the Sacré-Coeur basilica, which has been used for many years for its intended purpose. The Clos Montmartre wineries spill about 1700 bottles a year. Wine from the Parisian slopes you are unlikely to find in the wine shops, even in the capital, but to sip it at the F & ecirc; te des Vendanges de Montmartre holiday is quite feasible.

Photo: ruemarcellin.com

6. In the Louvre - past the Pyramid

To get to the beloved and adored by many Louvre, where huge queues of people wishing to admire the mysterious smile of the Mona Lisa, will have to suffer fairly. Of course, if you do not know the secret entrance to the museum, where there are no tiresome bursts of noisy tourists, like near the Pyramid. And such exists, and not one! For example, from the shopping center Carrousel du Louvre.

Photo: turnipseedtravel.com

7. The secret garden in the Marais

The Marais quarter is an excellent place for shopping and delicacies by the excellent falafel. But here it is worthwhile to look and for another reason: in its small streets a lovely and cozy garden was lost. It is located near the famous Place des Vosges. This is a great place for relaxation with beautiful pink bushes and comfortable benches.

Photo: sharezamy.fr

Photo: evous.fr

8. Metropolitan village

Tired of the hustle and bustle of the multimillion-dollar capital? Go to the neighborhood of Rue de Mouza & iuml; a in the 19th district. Here you should wander through the narrow paths that stretch along the well-groomed rural houses. A real village where you can feel away from the pressures of the fuss. The quarter is located on the site of a former quarry, closed in the 1880s. Extracted gypsum was sent to the US, in connection with which the quarter and got its name - Quartier Amerique.

Photo: isatoutsimplement.blogspot.fr

9. Eroticism for the masses

Paris is a city of love, romance and sexual freedom. To verify the veracity of the last sentence, buy a ticket to Beverly Cinema in the second district. Here, for almost 50 years, films for adults have been shown. The ticket costs around 12 euros.

Photo: myprettyfrenchthings.eu

10. Cemetery under the bridge

While many tourists make a visit to Père Lachaise one of the main points of acquaintance with Paris, in the 18th district an ancient cemetery is directly under the bridge. The transport route over the burial place of the Parisians was built during the time of Osman, in order to improve the communication with Montmartre. In the process of construction workers even had to destroy some graves. Some burial grounds have been transferred, while others remain in the same place to this day, right under the roadway.

Photos: commons.wikimedia.org

11. Ancient Peach Gardens

In Paris, many beautiful gardens and parks are broken, along the alleys of which you can walk day and night. Among the most exotic and lesser known variants are the peach gardens of Louis XIV, planted several centuries ago. Currently, the state of trees is monitored by the non-profit organization Murs & agrave; P & ec c. The gardens are open every Sunday.

Photo: inhistime.wordpress.com

12. A police station in the style of Michelangelo

In a romantic capital, even police stations can be located in beautiful old buildings, decorated with stucco and other architectural scenery. One of these institutions is located in the 12th district. Earlier there was a store in the building, but after its closure in 1991 there is a police station here.

Photos: flickr.com by Andrea Schaffer