7 Great Spots Most Travelers Miss in Belleville, Paris
Belleville, Paris 20è, might not be on every visitor’s list, but that’s exactly why it’s worth your time. You’ll experience Paris like a local, and likely make memories that last far longer than the typical tourist sights.
Here are six worthwhile places to explore that most visitors overlook.
1. Belvédère de Belleville: Views Without the Crowds
Just above Parc de Belleville, Belvédère de Belleville offers spectacular views of Paris minus the usual tourists. This hidden viewpoint lets you quietly enjoy landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, the Panthéon, and Notre Dame.
Come at sunset when the city lights begin to sparkle – it’s easily one of Belleville’s best-kept secrets.
2. Jardin Naturel: Belleville’s Wild Oasis
Jardin Naturel Pierre Emmanuel at 120 Rue de la Réunion isn’t your typical park. Opened in 1997, it’s designed to let nature run free. Plants grow naturally, meadows are rarely cut, and no chemicals are used.
At its center is an ecological pond attracting birds, frogs, and dragonflies, naturally preventing mosquitoes. Limestone rocks recall the area’s quarry past, while shaded paths wind beneath oak and cherry trees. It’s a rare piece of wild nature in busy Belleville.
3. Pavillon Carré de Baudouin (Free Art)
Pavillon Carré de Baudouin at 121 Rue de Ménilmontant is an elegant 18th-century building turned cultural venue. Originally built as a pleasure house, it features a distinctive facade with Ionic columns added in 1770.
Once home to the Goncourt family, it later became an orphanage run by the Sisters of Saint Vincent de Paul. Today, it’s open to visitors with free exhibitions, lectures, and events celebrating art and urban culture.
Its peaceful 1,800-square-meter garden is a relaxing spot hidden from Belleville’s lively streets.
4. Villa de l’Ermitage: Charming Secret Street
Villa de l’Ermitage is a picturesque alley hidden near Rue de Ménilmontant. Quiet and colorful, it has flower-filled window boxes, ivy-covered walls, and charming small houses. It feels worlds away from busy Paris streets.
5. Librairie Le Monte-en-l’air: Creative Bookshop
This independent bookstore at 2 Rue de la Mare attracts artists, students, and book lovers. It specializes in graphic novels, art books, and unique fiction. Book launches and events happen regularly, often spilling into lively conversations outside.
6. Studio de l’Ermitage (Concert Venue)
Located at 8 Rue de l’Ermitage, this intimate music venue offers jazz, world music, and fusion performances. The crowd is mostly local, the setting makes every concert feel personal. Arrive early as seats fill quickly.
7. Le Vieux Belleville: Dinner with Songs & Stories
At 12 Rue des Envierges, this traditional café hosts lively dinners accompanied by classic French accordion music. Regulars sing along to old Parisian chansons in a warm, friendly atmosphere. It’s genuinely Parisian with no tourist show.