As All Saints’ Day approaches, Paris takes on a different atmosphere. Fallen leaves cover the gardens, night falls earlier, and the historic façades of the Latin Quarter begin to resemble a film set. From Hôtel des Mines, it is the perfect time to discover a more mysterious side of Paris.

 

Beneath Paris, a Fascinating History

Begin with the iconic Catacombs of Paris, whose underground galleries contain the remains of several million Parisians. Nearby, Montparnasse Cemetery offers a more peaceful walk among the graves of many famous figures.

Further afield, Père-Lachaise and Montmartre cemeteries take on a particularly atmospheric character in autumn. Surrounded by funerary monuments, sculptures and trees covered in shades of red and gold, they reveal another side of the capital’s history.

 

Legends and Secrets of Old Paris

Then head towards the historic centre. At the Conciergerie, the former prison of Marie Antoinette, memories of the French Revolution still linger. Nearby, the mysterious rue Chanoinesse, on Île de la Cité, has long been associated with several Parisian legends.

Continue through the Cour du Commerce-Saint-André, before wandering beneath the glass roof of the Passage du Grand-Cerf. These historic passages and narrow streets offer an evocative glimpse into the Paris of centuries past.

To complete your exploration, step inside the intriguing Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature, or join an evening guided tour dedicated to the ghosts, crimes and legends of Paris.

 

A Hot Chocolate to End the Day

After exploring mysterious Paris in the crisp autumn air, return to Hôtel des Mines, on Boulevard Saint-Michel.

And from late October, the hotel’s hot chocolate machine makes its much-awaited return. The perfect way to end an autumn day in Paris: warm and cosy, with a steaming cup of hot chocolate in hand.

 

 

 

 

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Hotel des Mines, a warm hotel in the heart of the 5th arrondissement