around Place de la République 1 Canal Saint-Martin A few minutes from the square, the quays of the Canal Saint-Martin are one of the nicest places to stroll. Cross from one bank to the other via the little 19th-century footbridges, and admire the colourful shop windows. Close to the Gare de l’Est, take a look at the former Couvent des Récollets (convent), built at the beginning of the 17th century. Place de la 10th. M République.o République 2 Parc des Buttes-ChaumontThis hilly park offers some beautiful views At the intersection of the 3rd, 10th and of the capital, particularly of Montmartre. 11th arrondissements, Place de la Répub- Its grottos and waterfalls, suspension bridge, lique gives pride of place to walkers, as its artificiallake and its folly perched atop a car traffic areas have been considerably belvedere give the park a distinctive charm. reduced. Numerous armchairs, chairs and Since 2008, Rosa Bonheur, an open-air cafe, tables are scattered around for people to has made evenings at the park lively and relax, take a break or chat with friends. With festive. these improvements, the esplanade has 19th. M Buttes-Chaumont.o www.paris.fr regained its popular, friendly and festive character. At its centre stands the Monu- ment to the Republic, a monumental work inaugurated in 1883. The allegory of the Republic, a bronze statue 9.50-metres-high, holds an olive branch in one hand and the Declaration of Human Rights in the other. The three stone figures around it represent . Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. The bronze lion at the foot of the monument symbolizes PTE universal suffrage. It is not surprising that DID YOU KNOW? ST-E the square is an essential focus for citizen demonstrations! A stone’s throw from Rue At number 39 rue du Château d’Eau is the Oberkampf and the Canal Saint-Martin and smallest house in Paris: 5 metres high, popular with artists and ‘bobos’, the square 1.20 metres wide and 3 metres deep. It is an ideal meeting spot for night owls going occupies the site of a former passage- on to local bars, concert venues, nightclubs, way linking Rue du Château d’Eau to Rue theatres, etc. And going down Boulevard du du Faubourg Saint-Martin. The family Temple, you will find the Cirque d’Hiver: this who owned the passage decided to build singular building, a twenty-sided polygon this house with its Lilliputian dimensions decorated with bas-reliefs, built in 1852 by to put an end to incessant quarrels over the architect Jacques Hittorff, has belonged inheritance. to the famous Bouglione family since 1934. 3rd, 10th and 11th. M République.o NORTH-EAST PARIS 57 tta .