Secret galleries in Paris

You could fit all six of these venues inside one wing of the Louvre; yet together they represent a vast cross-section of the capital’s alternative art scenes, ranging from street art to anonymous photography. It’s no coincidence that many of them are situated in squats or beyond the périph – in a city where space is at a premium and rent is through the roof, the suburbs and abandoned public buildings are often the only option for penurious artists. The result is that few people make it to these places, drawn instead to the massive marketing campaigns of the Musée d’Orsay or the Centre Pompidou. With this list, we hope to correct that. Read on to discover our six favourite galleries and museums overlooked by the crowds.

To discover more offbeat gems, including parks, restaurants and bars, visit our Secret Paris page.