Hidden by a vast wall running along the right-hand side of the rue de Babylone, where you would least suspect it, the Catherine-Labouré garden reveals 7,000 m2 of green grass lawns in Paris’ 7th arrondissement. The garden was formerly an orchard that belonged to the Filles de la Charité convent. It was donated by the convent and opened to the public in 1977. In fact, the Jardin Catherine-Labouré is named after one of the convent’s former residents: a nun who lived there during the 19th century and became famous for supposedly having had several visions of the Virgin Mary in the convent’s chapel (which consequently came to be known as the chapel of Notre Dame de la Médaille miraculeuse).
Adjoined to the garden and accessible only through it is the “Jardin du Potager”, located behind the old Laennec hospital and which served as a former vegetable patch. Despite no longer serving their original purposes, both the Jardin Catherine-Labouré and the Jardin du Potager are still home to many fruit trees (apple and cherry), as well as vines and a small vegetable patch used for educational purposes. It is the perfect place to take your kids (every Wednesday a local association organises workshops to teach children about environmental protection) or to take a leisurely stroll.
I personally like to grab a coffee (hot or iced depending of the season) at Coutume, sit down on the grass and enjoy the peace and quiet.
Find your way with 168 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
The "Grand Palais Éphémère" in Paris is set to host the Grand Palais' events while the latter is being renovated. Who knows, it might even stick around!
by
"Tomo" in Paris serve a variety of delicious Japanese pastries known as wagashi. Try them with the best-selling matcha and black sesame daifuku...
by
Paris Jazz Corner is your place to go for getting hold of archive & rare music, as long as it's jazz. The knowledge of the associate owner is also mint...
by
Music Avenue Paris is my local soul/funk/hip-hop specialist. The place has been going since 1995 and every year they really celebrate record store day!
by
Entering "Le Silence de La Rue" in Paris you fall silent yourself, in awe of the copious racks of cataloged vinyl & merchandise from indie to rock...
by
Les Brutalists is where you'll find a leather maker's workshop that produces customized leather belts and unique, edgy accessories!
by
The records sitting in the racks at Vinyl Office make it seem like someone's prized personal collection, with a special focus on black music!
by
Cafe "Nomade" is based in an ex-tapissier. It's a perfect morning stop-off ofr a combo of filter coffee, pressed juice and a croissant or pain du chocolat.
by
"Jardin Nelson Mandela" in Paris is a new public garden. What's remarkable is the number of shadows to be found there -- useful to remember in the summer.
by
"Fontaine de La Croix" in Paris is a folie that's a street relic of a roundabout with many bizarre details that make it very attractive to me...
by
"Musée de l'histoire d'immigration" Paris started off as a small museum on ex-French colonies; now it celebrates immigration into France. Lovely terrace
by
168 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 168 Insider Tips