Another Side of Paris

Often when we think of Paris, the things that come to mind are all of the famous tourist sights that are detailed in guidebooks and travel brochures. We think of the Eiffel Tower, the Champs Elysée, the pavement cafés and the Moulin Rouge. However, Paris has another side that few tourists know is there. This is a bustling multicultural community just waiting to be discovered. In this article I will share some of the hidden gems, including the ChinaTown district and the thriving African community.

ChinaTown

When you visit the ChinaTown area of Paris you could be forgiven for feeling like you are thousands of miles from France! Everything you see is written in Chinese from street signs to shop fronts. The streets are filled with Chinese restaurants and delicatessens, Asian supermarkets, bric-a-brac stores and boutiques. There are also numerous Buddhist temples in the area. Everything in ChinaTown, which is found in the 13th Arrondissment neighbourhood of Paris, offers a taste of the Far East. The sights, the smells, the culture and of course the food! Few tourists even know of its existence, but it is easily accessible from the following Metro stops:

• Tolbiac
• Avenue de Choisy
• Rue de Tolbiac
• Avenue d’Ivry

Chinese New Year Parade in ChinaTown, Paris, France by Georges Seguin

Little India

I first discovered Little India the first time I travelled by bus to Paris. The area extends from Rue Faubourg-Saint Denis to Brady in the 10th Arrondissement neighbourhood. The air is fragrant with incenses and the aroma of various curries while the streets are vibrant with colour thanks to the stores selling beautiful saris in a rainbow of colours and patterns and golden Ganeshes. Little India is a must see area of the city and can be reached via Metro stopping at Château d’eau, Brady Passage or Rue Faubourg-siant Denis.

The African District

Paris also has a thriving African community which is  found in the 19th Arrondissement neighbourhood. The district is alive with African speciality dishes, traditional stores, African markets, material and clothing and even African hair salons and beauty parlours. I was  delighted to find authentic Caribbean restaurants and exotic grocery stores in the heart of Paris! When you visit Paris, hop on the Metro to Barbes-Rouchechouart Rue Goutte d’Or and you will not be disappointed.

Belleville

If you are in the mood for a much more eclectic taste of the many cultures that Paris has to offer, then you will want to head to the Belleville District in the 20th Arrondissement neighbourhood. This is Paris’s artists quarter an it plays home to a diverse range of cultures. This includes a second, and much smaller, ChinaTown as well as Greek, Jewish and Armenian communities. The Belleville stop.

Paris is a wonderfully exotic blend of cultures, and if you know where to look you will find a fantastic selection of authentic cooking, clothing and music from a wide range of cultures from across the globe. I highly recommend that everyone steps off of the beaten tourist track to experience at least one of these neighbourhoods during their stay in Paris.

Tim Baker is a passionate travel writer and loves travelling around the world, one of his best experience was travel bus in Europe and he believes that Paris and London are 2 of the most beautiful cities on the planet.

Tags: African District in Paris, Belleville in Paris, ChinaTown, city guide, France, Little India in Paris, Paris

Category: Cities, Cities