Charonne Paris
Apr 14, 2025

Charonne Paris

The last true village in Paris?

""Charonne" Paris is an area that in my opinion has been the area which has managed to keep its original identity the most. I love the benches here..."

Move outside the heart of Paris and you quickly arrive in areas that were previously small suburban towns and villages. Some of these are well-known today and have moved upmarket, such as Belleville, Montmartre and Batignolles, but in my opinion the one which has managed to keep its original identity the most is Charonne. This is all the more surprising when you consider that huge tower blocks today constitute one edge of this ‘village’!

The best way to appreciate this area is to walk up the Rue de Bagnolet from M° Alexandre Dumas until you arrive at the XIIth century Romanesque Eglise St Germain de Charonne, one of only two left in Paris with an adjoining cemetery.

If I want silence, nowhere in the city is better than a bench in this bucolic spot. After a quick rest, hop over the road to the Rue St Blaise, a small cobbled street on which a selection of bars, restaurants and artists studios have now settled.

As you arrive at the end, the towers loom up in front of you but veer right here through the Rue Vitruve and Rue des Pyrenees until you arrive on the Rue des Haies, possibly the most authentic working class street left in the city.

002-building
Art & culture
028-beach-bar-1
Bars
017-plant-1
Relaxing

About this spot

Rue de Bagnolet, Rue St Blaise

no-price

Find your way with 168 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Paris guide.

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in Paris

Chercheminippes Paris

Chercheminippes

Second-hand pioneers!

The Marais in Paris is best known for its second-hand clothing shops, but "Chercheminippes" and its six shops have been innovating for half a century...

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Alix

Mengin

Apr 28, 2025
Miznon Paris

Miznon

Boeuf bourguignon in-a-pita

"Miznon" in Paris had the absolute genius idea of combining the traditional pita with a great French classic - the bœuf bourguignon! Great lunch spot.

024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Alix

Mengin

Apr 28, 2025
Pizzeria Popolare Paris

Pizzeria Popolare

Pizza napoletana

"Pizzeria Popolare" in central Paris makes authentic pizza napoletana. Come here if you don't mind queuing up and want the most affordable pizza around.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Constan

Longares Barrio

Apr 28, 2025

La Bellevilloise

Events of all kinds

"La Bellevilloise" is a cultural centre in Paris with a bar & a restaurant. They have a fantastic variety of activities & it goes back to the 19th cen.

002-building
Art & culture
020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Constan

Longares Barrio

Apr 28, 2025

Le YONO

Cocktails and shows

"Le YONO" in Le Marais in Paris is a cafe/bar hosted in the porch of a house & the bar is under a glass ceiling. I actually love their 'crazy Thursdays'.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

by

Constan

Longares Barrio

Apr 28, 2025
L’Atelier Geneviève Paris

L’Atelier Geneviève

Ceramicafé

"L’Atelier Geneviève" is a 'ceramicafé' - here you can decorate your own ceramics w/ a coffee or breakfast. They even have kintsugi workshops!

002-building
Art & culture
020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Alix

Mengin

Apr 25, 2025
Le Bouillon Chartier Paris

Le Bouillon Chartier

Art nouveau restaurant

" Le Bouillon Chartier" is a remarkable relic of the old modernist-style Paris. Classic French cuisine, nicely decorated mirrors, tiles & sculptures...

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Constan

Longares Barrio

Apr 25, 2025
Le Merle Moqueur bookshop Paris

Le Merle Moqueur bookshop

Artsy bookshop

The bookshop is in an old car repair shop, which its owner transformed into a welcoming and open space where book presentations and talks take place.

002-building
Art & culture
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Constan

Longares Barrio

Apr 24, 2025
Land & Monkeys Paris

Land & Monkeys

Mastering the vegan croissant

"Land & Monkeys" in Paris makes 100% vegan croissants & other French staples. Is such a thing possible, you ask? Oh yes...

024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Alix

Mengin

Apr 24, 2025
Des Gâteaux et du Pain Paris

Des Gâteaux et du Pain

The butteriest croissants

"Des Gâteaux et du Pain" was the first place that sprang to my mind when listing my top spots in Paris. They completely changed my croissant habits...

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Alix

Mengin

Apr 24, 2025
Le Favori Paris

Le Favori

Best pastrami sandwich in Paris

"Le Favori" is a small, unpretentious place in the 11th arrondissement in Paris that definitely makes the best pastrami sandwich in the city...

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Constan

Longares Barrio

Apr 23, 2025
Grand Palais Éphémère Paris

Grand Palais Éphémère

A modular palace

The "Grand Palais Éphémère" in Paris is set to host the Grand Palais' events while the latter is being renovated. Who knows, it might even stick around!

002-building
Art & culture

by

Alix

Mengin

Apr 21, 2025

Heading to Paris?

168 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

Heading to Paris?

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

168 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

App Download Download our app

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Art & culture

Our team loves Paris

Get to know our other Spotters from Paris

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
false
0
false
30
Filters