Hello: Our last trip to Paris was in the early 80s (in our 20s) and we are finally returning this April. We have fond memories of discovering open air markets and a few interesting neighborhoods, one was on or around Belville Street while walking to the Sacré-Couer. It was an ethnic neighborhood of N. African, Arab, Asian, etc. My husband who does not speak Arabic but is half Lebanese is also interested in finding some Arab neighborhoods.
Any thoughts or recommendations?
Thank you! Rhonda
Posted by
Middletown, RI
1138 posts
I can't speak to the Arab neighborhoods, but I did a neighborhood walk of the Passy area and really enjoyed it. Nice part of the city with markets, an old church, shopping, etc., and there seemed to be fewer tourists.
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10196 posts
The neighborhood you stumbled on in the 80s was at metro Barbès. It's still there. You'll find other pockets in the 18th, 19th and 20th arrondissements.
BTW, Passy is one of the most upscale neighborhoods of Paris.
Posted by
OP
13 posts
Thanks for the responses. Is there a concern about safety in the Barbes area?
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10196 posts
Assuming that you are going during the day, even the morning, when families are doing their shopping, it's perfectly fine. I don't know how it is at night.
Posted by
Los Angeles, CA
515 posts
There are many interesting areas.
There are some nice Moroccan places near the Batackan and Atelier Lummierre. The region east of Montmatre 18th seemed North African and a little gritty.
Posted by
Chicago
8060 posts
We have friends who have an apartment near the Barbes metro and we often are there till midnight and then metro 'home' to apartments in the 13th or walk to one in the 17th. I have never felt unsafe. There are African immigrants selling cigarettes and other things clustered around the Barbes metro and sometimes you have to make your way through the crowd but no one has ever seemed threatening.
Posted by
Chicago, IL, USA
389 posts
Not a neighborhood but a wonderful place is the Institut de Monde Arabe in the 5th arrondissement near the Seine. https://www.imarabe.org/en. A beautiful museum, cafe, shop.
Posted by
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
4044 posts
Paris graffiti has been elevated to "street art" at such a level that there is municipal protection for some of the walls. Belleville is a good sector to start as the neighborhood has a bohemian history of its own. The tour marketing company Viator shows a number of guided walking tours.
https://www.viator.com/en-CA/Paris-tours/Street-Art-Tour/d479-tag21519