Belleville started life as a hilltop village, famed for its lively guinguettes (open-air cafès) and surrounding vineyards. The area was integrated into the city of Paris in 1860, and today’s buzzy neighborhood still retains much of its original character. Many Belleville food tours delve into its sprawling Chinatown and abundance of international restaurants and quirky bars, while street art and photography tours focus on its art galleries and spectacular views over Paris from the hillside park.
Belleville is best explored on foot, so choose comfortable shoes to cover the neighborhood without getting footsore.
Stuffed with cutting-edge galleries and street art, this area is a must-see for contemporary art enthusiasts.
The Parc de Belleville offers bird’s-eye views for a unique perspective over central Paris; bring your camera to capture the panorama.
Though some streets are steep, the main thoroughfares and squares in this corner of Paris are more or less level and paved.
Belleville is located between the 19th and 20th arrondissements in northeast Paris and is reachable by metro line 11 from the city center in less than 10 minutes. The city bus line 96 also runs from the city center to this outlying neighborhood, or you can grab a taxi.
Visit on a mild, clear day to take in the open-air street art without having to dodge raindrops. The area’s trendy dining and imbibing scene really heats up come sunset, so head here in the evening to experience a unique, contemporary side to Paris and its multicultural food.
Most visitors to Belleville are drawn by its contemporary art and international dining, but this historic area also offers numerous landmarks that are worth a visit. Begin with the churches of Saint Jean Baptiste de Belleville and Notre Dame de la Croix, then take in the old aqueduct, the remains of the decommissioned Belleville funicular, and the birthplace of iconic French singer Edith Piaf.
