With their narrow streets sloping down to the bustling boulevards downhill, Belleville and Ménilmontant are two of the most iconic neighborhoods of Eastern Paris.
Former villages perched on the side of a hill, these historically working-class neighborhoods became a favorite nightlife retreat of Parisians even before they were incorporated as part of the capital in 1860. Their lively reputation remains true to this day!
Many residents of Belleville and Ménilmontant fully embraced the social uprisings of the 19th century – notably during the Paris Commune of 1871, with the last barricades standing below today’s verdant Parc de Belleville.
In more recent history, waves of new residents arrived from all parts of the world, originating from Armenia, Central and Eastern Europe, North and West Africa, Southeast Asia, China, etc. Both neighborhoods have quickly become a mosaic of cultures in the heart of Paris.
Beyond its hidden cobblestone streets and secret stairways, Belleville and Ménilmontant have much more to offer than the old Parisian cliché. Today, locals and visitors alike can be found sharing a drink on a terrace, enjoying a truly international cuisine, and leisurely wandering around the area’s two large green spaces: the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont and Parc de Belleville.
Sights and attractions
Butte Bergeyre
Climb up the stairs leading from Avenue Simon Bolivar to the Rue Georges Lardennois to explore this hidden hilltop neighborhood overlooking Eastern Paris. Don’t forget to check out the vines and community garden, featuring great views of Montmartre in the distance.
Rue Georges Lardennois, 75019 Paris
Parc de Belleville
At the heart of the neighborhood, the Parc de Belleville offers wonderful views of the Parisian cityscape and green lawns to chill in the summertime. Atop the hillside park is the Belvédère, a popular hanging spot for locals where community events are held regularly.
27 Rue Piat, 75020 Paris
Place Henri Krasucki
A maze of narrow streets lead to this charming roundabout, where Bellevillois gather to meet at one of the cafés surrounding the square. Don’t forget to check out the corner bakery, which is actually registered as a historic building thanks to its ancient tile decoration. The surrounding Rue des Envierges, Rue de la Mare, and Rue des Cascades are very popular with Parisian street artists.
Place Henri Krasucki, 75020 Paris
Rue de Belleville
Rue de Belleville, 75020 Paris
Rue Denoyez
An iconic spot for Parisian street artists. The former artist cooperatives are currently being turned into social housing, with trendy cafés and boutiques opening all around.
Rue Denoyez, 75020 Paris
Sainte-Marthe neighborhood
A mosaic of peaceful streets adorned with colorful facades, lively cafés and hip boutiques. Locals flock to the little square at the heart of the Sainte-Marthe neighborhood, a haven of peace amidst the hustle and bustle of Belleville and the Rue Saint-Maur.
Rue Sainte-Marthe, 75010 Paris
Villa de l’Ermitage
A quiet alleyway lined with trees and artists’ studios – a great spot for those seeking some peace in the heart of Ménilmontant.
Villa de l’Ermitage, 75020 Paris
Cultural Venues
Ateliers d’artistes de Belleville
1 Rue Francis Picabia, 75020 Paris
+33 1 73 74 27 67
ateliers-artistes-belleville.fr
Espace Louise Michel
42 ter Rue des Cascades, 75020 Paris
+33 1 43 15 08 61
www.espacelouisemichel.net
Maison des Métallos
94 Rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud, 75011 Paris
+33 1 47 00 25 20
www.maisondesmetallos.org
Pavillon Carré de Baudouin
121 Rue de Ménilmontant, 75020 Paris
+33 1 58 53 55 40
www.mairie20.paris.fr
Théâtre de Belleville
94 Rue du Faubourg du Temple, 75011 Paris
+33 (0)1 48 06 72 34
www.theatredebelleville.com
Théâtre Clavel
3 Rue Clavel, 75019 Paris
+33 9 75 45 60 56
www.theatre-clavel.com
Théâtre de Ménilmontant
15 Rue du Retrait, 75020 Paris
+33 1 46 36 98 60
www.menilmontant.info
Lodging
Generator Hostel
Opened in 2015, this state-of-the-art hostel boasts some impressive features including a café, a restaurant, and a lively rooftop bar offering great views of the city. The property is located right above line 2 of the Metro, and is only a short walk away from the Canal Saint-Martin and the charming Saint-Marthe neighborhood.
9-11 Place du Colonel Fabien, 75010 Paris
+33 (0)1 70 98 84 00
ask.paris@generatorhostels.com
https://generatorhostels.com/destinations/paris
The Loft Boutique Hostel and Hotel
This colorful hostel is located in the heart of the bustling Belleville neighborhood: an ideal situation the enjoy the area’s many restaurants and bars. The property is nestled right under the slanted Parc de Belleville, which boasts some of the best views of the city.
70 Rue Julien Lacroix, 75020 Paris
+33 (0)1 42 02 42 02
bonjour@theloft-paris.com
theloft-paris.com
Les Piaules
This elegant hostel is located on a corner building overlooking the busy Boulevard de Belleville, in the heart of one a multicultural neighborhood rich with cafés and nightlife venues. Don’t forget to enjoy a craft beer at the bar or on the terrasse, or check out the rooftops of Paris from the rooftop patio.
59 Boulevard de Belleville, 75011 Paris
+ 33 (0)1 43 55 09 97
contact@lespiaules.com
https://www.lespiaules.com
Restaurants
L’Atelier Libanais
♥ Lebanese Restaurant
Charming Lebanese restaurant serving falafels and shawarmas.
91 Rue de Belleville, 75019 Paris
+33 (0)1 44 65 95 25
www.atelier-libanais.com
Les Bols d’Antoine
Ⓥ Vegetarian – Vegan Restaurant
10 Rue des Envierges, 75020 Paris, France
+33 6 99 18 39 52
La Cantine de Belleville
French Restaurant
108 Boulevard de Belleville, 75020 Paris
+33 1 43 15 99 29
lacantinebelleville.fr
Guo Min
Chinese and Southeast Asian Restaurant
A pioneering address of the Belleville Chinatown, Guo Min offers quality dishes in a traditional setting.
39 Rue de Belleville, 75019 Paris
+33 1 42 08 88 88
guo-min-paris.business.site
Le Faitout
Ⓥ Vegetarian – Vegan Restaurant
This vegan restaurant with a classic bistrot flair stands above a charming stairway leading to the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont. Outdoor terrace and occasional concerts.
23 Avenue Simon Bolivar, 75019 Paris
+33 (0)1 42 08 07 09
www.lefaitout.fr
Floréal Belleville
Cultural Café welcoming Rotating Chefs
Fully renovated, this historic venue at the foot of the Parc de Belleville reopened in late 2018 as a café, restaurant, and cultural center.
43 Rue des Couronnes, 75020 Paris, France
+33 1 43 61 94 66
Le Firat
Kurdish Restaurant
This Kurdish restaurant is located at the crossroad of two of the area’s busiests streets, the Rue du Faubourg-du-Temple and the Rue Saint-Maur.
175 Rue Saint-Maur, 75011 Paris
+33 1 40 21 04 69
Krung Thep Mahanakorn
Thai Restaurant
61 Rue de Belleville, 75019 Paris
+33 1 53 19 08 46
Lou Pascalou
Cultural café
14 Rue des Panoyaux, 75020 Paris
+33 1 46 36 78 10
www.cafe-loupascalou.com
Le Mezze du Chef
Turkish Restaurant
80 Rue de Ménilmontant, 75020 Paris
+33 (0)6 95 65 19 20
www.lemezzeduchefcigkofte.fr
Mian Guan
♥ Chinese Restaurant
Climb up the sloping Rue de Belleville to try this Chinese restaurant specialing in hand-pulled noodles.
€ – –
34 Rue de Belleville, 75020 Paris
+33 (0)1 40 33 45 01
Le Mistral
♥ French Restaurant
This surprising bistrot serves traditional food from Aveyron. Guests can enjoy a café on the terrace, or explore the charming interior and quiet outdoor patio before savoring some aligot.
401 Rue des Pyrénées, 75020 Paris
+33 1 46 36 98 20
Il Posto
Italian Restaurant
Gourmet pizzas prepared by an Italian staff. Modern indoor setting and wide terrace on the lively Rue des Pyrénées.
356 Rue des Pyrénées, 75020 Paris
+33 1 43 66 18 58
www.ilposto.fr
Le Président
Chinese Restaurant
This classic Chinese restaurant boasting a grandiose decor is a staple of the Belleville Chinatown. Several French presidents actually came to enjoy its cuisine.
120 Rue du Faubourg du Temple, 75011 Paris
+33 1 47 00 17 18
www.lepresident-paris.fr
Primeur
Ⓥ Vegetarian – Vegan Restaurant
4 Rue Lemon, 75020 Paris
+33 (0)1 71 70 95 28
Là-haut
French Restaurant
10 Rue Pixérécourt, 75020 Paris
+33 9 51 07 78 68
lahautparis20.business.site
Tang Gourmet Belleville
Chinese and Southeast Asian Restaurant
In the heart of the Belleville Chinatown, a simple cantine offering roast duck and crispy pork belly.
€ – –
8 Rue de Belleville, 75020 Paris
+33 (0)1 43 58 18 11
www.tang-freres.fr
Tin Tin
Vietnamese Restaurant
17 Rue Louis Bonnet, 75011 Paris
+33 (0)1 43 55 50 13
Grabbing a Drink
Aux Folies
A classic Parisian bar populated by locals and visitors alike. There’s a large terrace to relax see the hustle and bustle of Rue de Belleville. Efficient staff and low prices.
♥
€ – –
8 Rue de Belleville, 75020 Paris
www.aux-folies-belleville.fr
Le Barbouquin
Literary café-bar set in the pedestrian Rue Denoyez.
1 Rue Denoyez, 75020 Paris
+33 9 84 32 13 21
Café Chéri
Popular neighborhood bar with low prices, lively terrace and warm neon lightings.
♥
€ – –
44 Boulevard de la Villette, 75019 Paris
+33 9 53 05 93 36
Culture Rapide
Artsy bar-café with occasional open mics and consistently low prices. Culture Rapide has one of Paris’ most pleasant terraces, sprawling on a lively square facing Rue de Belleville. Poetry, music, comedy nights: there is something for every taste in the busy event calendar.
♥
€ – –
103 Rue Julien Lacroix, 75020 Paris
culture-rapide.business.site
La Laverie
Hip neighborhood bar at the corner of the peaceful Rue Sorbier.
1, rue Sorbier, 75020 Paris
www.cafelalaverie.fr
Les Mésanges
Cute bistro with a terrace, a perfect spot to enjoy the quiet Place Henri-Krasucki.
82 Rue de la Mare, 75020 Paris
+33 (0)1 42 52 99 69
lesmesanges.eatbu.com
Les Nouveaux Sauvages
Colorful bar with a prime terrace on the pleasant Rue des Pyrénées.
12 Place du Guignier, 75020 Paris
+33 (0)9 53 82 66 23
Le Saint-Sauveur
This leftist bar embodies some of the radical politics that have long been part of Belleville and Ménilmontant history. Great spot to grab a beer while enjoying the reggae or ska playing in the background.
€ – –
11 Rue des Panoyaux, 75020 Paris
La Sardine
La Sardine has a wonderful location on the peaceful square at the heart of the Sainte-Marthe neighborhood. Locals fill up the wide outdoor terrace to enjoy some snacks and reasonably-priced drinks.
♥
€ – –
32 Rue Sainte-Marthe, 75010 Paris
www.barlasardine.com
Le 9b
Located on the corner of the busy Boulevard de la Villette, this bar has a popular terrace and a basement dancefloor. Guests can enjoy regular electronic music gigs – just check the events calendar on their website.
68 Boulevard de la Villette, 75019 Paris
www.le9b.com
Late Night & Concerts
La Java
105 Rue du Faubourg du Temple, 75010 Paris
www.la-java.fr
La Bellevilloise
19-21 Rue Boyer, 75020 Paris
+33 (0)1 46 36 07 07
www.labellevilloise.com
La Maroquinerie
23 Rue Boyer, 75020 Paris
+33 (0)1 40 33 35 05
www.lamaroquinerie.fr
Studio de l’Ermitage
8 Rue de l’Ermitage, 75020 Paris
+33 (0)1 44 62 02 86
www.studio-ermitage.com
[WIP]
Photos:
Article © S.T.
Map © S.T. © Paris Info © Google © Lieux concernés
