The 10th arrondissement: busy, trendy, diverse
No major sights, no large green spaces, not in the center or by the Seine: Except for those arriving at Gare du Nord or Gare de l’Est, the 10th arrondissement isn’t on most tourists’ itineraries. What a mistake! It’s easily one of the coolest arrondissements.
Paris’ buzziest neighborhood
Admittedly, the area around the two train stations can be a bit rough, but the rest of the 10ème holds many pleasant cultural and culinary surprises – and has become one of the most popular areas to go out. Leave the Marais to the other tourists; everyone who’s anyone (at least in their own microcosm) hangs out here.
Yes, the supermarkets around Strasbourg-Saint Denis and the Grands Boulevards close the wine and liquor aisles at 5 p.m. to avoid public disturbance. Yes, you might see a crackhead fighting a pigeon. But the streets are also full of creative energy, stylish people, cool bars and sweaty nightclubs, small boutiques, hot new restaurants and specialty coffee shops. The trendiest places are around Rue du Paradis, Strasbourg-Saint Denis, Place Sainte-Marthe and towards Belleville. And don’t forget the undeniable highlight of the neighborhood, the Canal Saint-Martin.
Canal Saint-Martin: waterway and hipster area
The former industrial area is now known for its artistic flair, second-hand shops and numerous bars and restaurants, as well as its charming pedestrian bridges and riverside streets. On balmy summer nights, the local youth gathers on the banks of the canal for picnics or aperitifs, and the surrounding bars fill up. The area is magical at night, when the city lights reflect on the water, but it’s just as beautiful during the day, especially if you’re sitting on a terrace along the canal on a sunny day.
Thanks to its multicultural population, the 10th has both Little India and Little Turkey neighborhoods, where you’ll find many ethnic shops and authentic restaurants. Although it appears to be densely populated throughout the arrondissement, in 1881, when the population peaked at an unimaginable 159,809, it was home to nearly twice as many people.
Discover other local neighborhoods on your next trip
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