Starting point: the adidas arena - renamed Arena - Porte de la Chapelle for the Paris Games. This sports and cultural hub in the Nord de la capitale hosts sporting events, concerts and shows and has a capacity of 8,500 spectators.
© Le 19M
Head for place Kanderberg, where you'll find a building with a façade adorned with a sparkling white mesh. Push open the door of 19M, a new cultural venue dedicated to the art of fashion and decoration, created on the initiative of the House of Chanel. The building, wrapped in a mesh of white concrete threads reminiscent of a textile weave, was designed by architect Rudy Ricciotti, Grand Prix national d'architecture. The 19M houses 11 maisons d'art and a galerie open to the public, offering a rich programme of exhibitions, lectures and introductory workshops in arts and crafts. There is also a café and a garden designed as a refuge for biodiversity.
© R.Eludut
Take the rue Curial and head for the Centquatre, another innovative cultural venue. Housed in the restored former Pompes Funèbres buildings, the Centquatre is an impressive site covering an area of 39,000m2. It offers a multi-disciplinary cultural programme aimed at all audiences, with shows, concerts, exhibitions, artistic practice workshops, meetings, festivals and festive balls. This atypical and convivial venue also hosts artist residencies, boutiques and restaurants.
© ICI
Continue towards the Institut des Cultures d'Islam by taking rue Ordener, then rue Léon. Located in the heart of the Goutte d'or district, this contemporary art centre presents exhibitions, concerts, shows, lectures, screenings and guided tours of the district. It also has a café-restaurant.
La Goutte d'or is a unique multi-ethnic neighbourhood in Paris. Popular and dynamic, it was renovated in the 1980s. Located near Montmartre, it is home to the Le Louxor cinema, the Brasserie Barbès, the iconic Tati clothing shop and the rue des Gardes, home to many fashion designers.
© Fleas Pictures
Continue along rue Ordener then rue Vauvenargues to Hasard ludique. In this cultural centre, you can relax with a concert and a drink. Pop, rock, rap, electro, folk, the music programme explores current trends. You can also take part in wellbeing workshops and theatre workshops, as well as festivals, cabaret evenings and balls. You can also enjoy a drink on the outdoor quay, topped by a cast-iron colonnade.
Le Hasard Ludique is housed in a former station of the railway line known as la Petite Ceinture which ran around Paris. In operation between 1863 and 1934, the station has been restored to accommodate this cultural venue.
© Velvet
Take rue Ordener in the opposite direction and walk up rue de la Chapelle to stop at the église Saint-Denys de la Chapelle. Built in 1204, it stands on the site of a former chapel that Sainte-Geneviève, the patron saint of Paris, is said to have had built to house the tomb of Saint-Denis. The church has a sober interior in primitive Gothic style, close to Romanesque art. The façade, rebuilt in the 18th century, takes the form of a porch supported by Doric pillars and topped by a triangular pediment. Legend has it that Joan of Arc** came to this church in 1429 to pray before attempting to liberate Paris, but to no avail. Next door to the church is the Basilica of St Joan of Arc, which features stained glass windows, a bust and a statue of the saint.
© Stéphane Laure
Continue along rue de la Chapelle as far as the Arena Porte de la Chapelle and take boulevard Ney then impasse Charles Hermite to get to the Espace de glisse parisien 18e. You are now in front of the largest skate park in France. This unique 3,000 m2 covered area offers different training zones for skateboarders (https://parisjetaime.com/eng/article/skateboarding-in-paris-a1594) as well as roller and BMX riders (https://parisjetaime.com/eng/article/bmx-freestyle-in-paris-a1590). It includes a bowls area with steep curves, a street area with ramps, stairs, kerbs, an area dedicated to beginners and another called funbox for acrobatic tricks.
© OTCP Amélie Dupont
Looking for antiques**, furniture**, art** or unique clothes**? Discover the Saint-Ouen flea market, the largest market of brocanteurs and antique dealers in the world. Located on the outskirts of Paris, it is made up of 12 covered markets, 5 shopping streets and over 2,000 shops. Lined with cafés, restaurants and concert venues, it invites you to stroll around in a friendly, festive atmosphere. It is held on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. The history of this market dates back to 1870, when ragpickers chased beyond the limits of Paris settled here. Today, it's not unusual to come across famous people looking for a unique object or piece of furniture.
