Hidden gems in PARIS

Enjoy the French capital’s quieter corners as it basks in the limelight this summer

- ALICIA MILLER

From the Eiffel Tower to the Champs-Élysées, Paris has many famous landmarks. This July sees the Olympic Games roll into town, bringing the world's finest athletes and thousands of spectators to venues across the city and beyond. But amid the excitement, it's still easy to find corners of calm. Try these less visited but highly atmospheric places.

Jardin des Plantes & Bois de Boulogne

While many first-time visitors to Paris head for the famous Jardin du Luxembourg or the Tuileries Garden, the capital has several other less crowded green spaces to explore. The Jardin des Plantes, on the Seine riverside by Austerlitz station, has beautiful historic greenhouses, resident alpacas and manicured botanical landscaping dating from the 17th century. After an even bigger green space? Visit the Bois de Boulogne, a former hunting ground set over 865 acres. There are multiple lakes and ponds with artificial grottoes and waterfalls, a children's amusement park and regular summer events to enjoy. You'll find it hard to believe you're still in Paris.

La Monnaie de Paris