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Paris hosts an abundance of attractive streets, but one that is particularly pretty is Rue des Thermopyles down in the Plaisance neighborhood. Plaisance is part of the 14th arrondissement. Rue des Thermopyles was a private drive until 1925 when it became a public thoroughfare.

This street is well-known — maybe even famous — among photographers and filmmakers. Once when we were walking down this street there was a crew filming what looked like a yogurt commercial, for example. No doubt, if you live on this street, it feels like it gets a lot of attention from tourists. However, at the time that travelgasm.com first published this piece, Rue des Thermopyles had yet to have a single review on the world's search engine or the big tourist advisory sites. We propose that even those who are not professionals behind the lens should give it a stroll.

Despite being close to Tour Montparnasse, the Plaisance neighborhood in general feels more local than the neighborhoods to the north. There are some hotels clustered around the Pernéty metro station in the district — and we spent a few days based here on one visit to Paris — but these hotels are small and the neighborhood rarely, if ever, feels overwhelmed by visitors. Likewise, the retail mix clearly is targeted toward the day-to-day shopping needs of the people who live in the area rather than tourists.

Unfortunately, most of the neighborhood is not as pretty as Rue des Thermopyles. Many of the buildings and businesses do have charm, but the neighborhood's streets — and even its sidewalks — were long ago paved with asphalt; so they don't have the same classic cobblestone finish. Side streets, in particular, tend not to have trees or other plants; so they don't have the same lush, verdant feel, either.

Although the street is blessed with good "bones" — narrow "human scale" proportions, attractive buildings, cobblestones, and lack of car parking — and this certainly is core to the experience, the plants on Rue des Thermopyles mostly are what give the street its charm. These plants primarily are potted and certainly do not appear to be the work of the city or a landscape architect, though. It's the residents themselves who have made this street what it is. It has a lot of love, and you can feel the care that has gone into its appearance when you stroll along the street. It's certainly worth thinking about when you have the opportunity to improve your own street back home.

To eat in this neighborhood, we enjoyed L'Essentiel for French, Sodam for Korean, and Aquarius for Vegetarian at one time or another, and you might as well.

Also, be sure to also visit the Nom d'une Bric toy store while you're in the area. It specializes in all kinds of brick-based toys from Duplo and Lego for kids to Japanese microbricks and European kits for architects. The owner is quite kind, and the store is a lot of fun whether you're eight or 80.

We've mapped out the best way from the Pernéty metro station to Rue des Thermopyles — as well as the adjacent street of Cité Bauer, which also retains its cobblestones for a portion of its length — below. Although you always could just walk back to Pernéty station, we've also mapped out a straight path to Plaisance — the next metro station on Line 13 — if you would like a convenient way to see more of the neighborhood.

How to Get Here: Take Line 13 to Pernéty station. Take Exit 1. Turn right. Rue des Thermopyles is the second street on your left.

Cities > Paris > Paris Overlooked 7 > Next: (5) Discover the Hidden Village... >>

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