Well there is of course La Villette and its exciting complex devoted to science, culture and entertainment! But did you know that this district has many other attractions? Firstly, an enduring charm. With its peaceful canals and romantic parks, unusual museums and amazing little historic districts, the Parisian north-east is an ideal place for a walk. This is also a part of Paris where there is a lot happening; a favourite with artists, who open their studios to the public, the area is home to several recently-opened contemporary art centres. Plan your own tour… then enjoy the lively atmosphere of trendy bars, cafes and restaurants, followed by a concert or a club. Authentic and dynamic, attractive and intriguing, the Parisian north-east still has more surprises in store for you!
© William Beaucardet
The La Villette district situated in the 19th arrondissement district of Paris has been undergoing urban redevelopment since the beginning of the 1980s. Since then many projects have taken shape: the 55-hectare La Villette Park — one of the largest parks in the capital, the Le Zénith de Paris concert hall, the Cité de la Musique, the Géode and its hemispherical film screen, the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie, etc. This part of the Paris North-East has in a few years become a vibrant area that boasts architecture, leisure, culture and nature.
© Paris je t'aime - Marc Bertrand
A picturesque, steep park in the romantic style, charming steep-sided streets lined with coloured houses and courtyards full of flowers, a few unusual museums, a contemporary art venue representative of current artistic trends … Les Buttes-Chaumont is a popular and bucolic district and a great place for a pleasant stroll.
© Retro/Art Azoï
Belleville and Ménilmontant provide walkers with another facet of the capital. The cosmopolitan district of Belleville is charming in its diversity: a park whose belvedere offers a panoramic view of the centre of Paris, a dynamic arts scene, a big open market … As for the ‘village’ of Ménilmontant, it is an invitation to stroll around its narrow little streets, drop into a local artist’s studio, discover an authentic and popular Paris.
© DR
The Père Lachaise hill is known for its cemetery, a huge garden of sculptures and statues where a number of well-known personalities lie. This district with its pastoral look and little pathways, small pavilions with little flower gardens, offers walkers a veritable little piece of the countryside in Paris.
© Paris je t'aime - Jacques Lebar
The La Villette Canal Basin and the Ourcq, Saint-Denis and Saint-Martin canals offer visitors an ideal setting to relax. The banks are perfect places to stroll. Commentated sightseeing cruises are a wonderful opportunity to discover canal life and admire the Paris North-East from the water.
