The book Secret Paris sent me to many interesting but obscure sites nestled off the beaten path in Paris.  Not all were open or accessible.  But with a little patience, I found my way into some lovely spots that most tourists never see.

This was the first time I felt at home in Paris, and this little book helped a bit.  It helped me find some person-sized places.  It’s all too easy to see only the monumental scale sites of this city.  Paris is about monumentality and uniformity–especially along the boulevards. But he back streets and courtyards are often lively and quaint.

In Paris, sped some time avoiding the monuments. It’s much nicer to take a slow pace and find some nooks and crannies that you can call your own.

Here’s a sketch I made in one “secret” space of Paris… the courtyard of a set of 48 or so apartments northeast of the Opera.