3 Belleville Cosmopolitan and trendy, this area is popular for its multicultural mix, the result of several waves of immigration. The area boasts lively bars, artists’ studios, and a park. Situated at the top of the Colline de Belleville (hill), the park offers stunning panoramic views of the French capital. A vineyard, planted with 140 vines, is a surprising feature. 20th. M Belleville.o Parc de la Villette Extending over 55 hectares, with 33 green plus spaces, this is the largest park in the capi- … tal! For a century, however, ‘La Villette’ had a completely different vocation: in 1858, Pre- Butte Bergeyre fect Haussmann decided to group together A mini-neighbourhood rising to heights of the cattle markets and slaughterhouses of 100 metres. Visitors will be charmed by the Paris here. Several buildings from that time small cobblestoned streets, lined with pretty are stillvisible today, including the Grande houses, and picturesque views. Halle (Great Hall), which housed the ox mar- 70 rue Georges Lardennois (19th). ket, and the Fountain of the Nubian Lions, M Colonel Fabien.o which served as a drinking trough. In 1974, the activity moved to Rungis. The site was Le Plateau – then completely redesigned: the construc- Centre d’art contemporain tion of the Cité des Sciences et de l’Indus- Temporary exhibitions and artists-in- trie was entrusted to the architect Adrian residence are part of the programme of this Fainsilber, and Bernard Tschumi was respon- venue devoted to contemporary creation. sible for the design of the park. He criss- 22 rue des Alouettes (19th). crossed it with 26 ‘follies’, small red surpris- M Buttes-Chaumont.o 01 76 21 13 41. ingly shaped pavilions; divided it into grassy www.fraciledefrance.com areas for festive events and festivals (Out- door cinema, etc.); and traced a 3-km ‘cin- Quartier Jourdain ematic promenade’ that leads the walker Its other name: the Heights of Belleville. from playgrounds to landscaped gardens, Wander along the little streets, climb the from cultural sites (Cité de la Musique) to stone steps, take a break at one of the theatres (Zénith, Philharmonie de Paris, Tra- charming little squares and enjoy the won- bendo, Cabaret Sauvage, etc.). The Grande derful views of Paris. Halle, a listed historic monument, offers a 19th. M Jourdain.o year-round programme of shows, concerts and exhibitions. Quartier de la Mouzaïa 211 av. Jean Jaurès (19th). The countryside in Paris! La Mouzaïa is an M Porte de Pantin.o unusual spot that is well worth a visit, with its 01 40 03 75 75. small pedestrianized streets called ‘villas’, https://lavillette.com its brick houses and little courtyards. 19th. M Botzaris.o 58 NORTH-EAST PARIS