Ménilmontant, Paris: The Neighborhood That Just Made Time Out’s Top 10
Time Out has placed Ménilmontant in the 20ᵉ arrondissement at #7 in its 2025 “Coolest Neighborhoods in the World” list. For a part of Paris that’s long lived in the shadow of trendier districts, this is a big shift.
For travelers, it’s a chance to discover one of the city’s rawest and most authentic corners before the spotlight changes it. If you want to see the neighborhood while it still feels lived-in and unpolished, this is the moment.
A Village Inside the City
Ménilmontant was once a wine-growing village outside the city walls. It was annexed into Paris in 1860 but kept a strong working-class identity. Cheap rents drew artists, musicians, and activists, and the neighborhood became known for its counterculture. That legacy is still visible in its bookshops, cafés, and wall art.
Street Art Everywhere
One of the first things visitors notice is the street art. Murals cover facades, shutters, and underpasses. Rue de Ménilmontant and Rue Boyer are good starting points, but the works change constantly, so exploring side streets is part of the experience.
Music and Nightlife
Ménilmontant is home to small concert venues that locals swear by. La Bellevilloise (21 Rue Boyer) is a historic cultural space with live music, exhibitions, and club nights. Smaller bars often host local bands, keeping the area lively after dark.
Cafés, Bars, and Cheap Eats
Prices here are lower than in central Paris. Around Rue Boyer and Rue Oberkampf you’ll find cafés pouring €3 beers, packed terraces, and late-night kebab shops. The mix of North African bakeries, Chinese restaurants, and classic bistros reflects the neighborhood’s diverse population.
Bookshops and Local Culture
Ménilmontant has a strong activist streak. Independent bookshops such as Librairie Quilombo (23 Rue Voltaire) specialize in politics, history, and alternative culture. Community centers and galleries add to the neighborhood’s independent spirit.
Parks and Views
At the top of the hill, Parc de Belleville offers one of the best city views in Paris, looking across rooftops to the Eiffel Tower. The park has gardens, playgrounds, and picnic spots, making it a good pause during a walking tour.
Nearby Père Lachaise
Just downhill lies Père Lachaise Cemetery, one of Paris’s most visited sites. It’s the resting place of Edith Piaf, Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, and many others. Most visitors combine Ménilmontant with a stop at the cemetery.
Visit Before It’s Too Late
The big question now is whether Ménilmontant can stay true to itself. Recognition on a global list brings attention, money, and change – but also the risk that the cheap bars, activist bookshops, and gritty edges that define the neighborhood could fade.
Travelers may want to see it soon, before the ranking reshapes Ménilmontant into something very different from the place Parisians have known for decades.
Getting There
- Metro stops: Ménilmontant (Line 2), Couronnes (Line 2), Gambetta (Line 3), or Père Lachaise (Lines 2 & 3).
- The area is hilly, so bring good shoes if you plan to explore on foot.