Belleville & Père Lachaise Travel Guide

Hilly, diverse neighbourhoods with big parks, cheap stays and buzzing bars.

• Best for: Local food, parks and nightlife away from tourist crowds
• Vibe: Bohemian, multicultural and slightly gritty
• Nearest station: Belleville / Père Lachaise - Metro lines 2, 3 and 11
• Price level: $ - $$ (cheaper than central Paris)
• To the main sights: About 20-35 minutes by metro to the centre
• Safety: Generally safe by day; exercise usual caution late at night

Great for:

• Food-focused travellers
• Budget and mid-range stays
• People who like parks and local bars
• Anyone wanting a less-touristy Paris

Maybe skip it if:

• You need 5-star city-centre luxury
• You want classical Parisian boulevards and monuments on your doorstep

From Parc des Buttes Chaumont to Père Lachaise, centred on Rue de Belleville and Rue des Pyrénées.

• Timing: Markets are best mornings; cafés and bars peak in early evening.
• Getting around: Wear comfortable shoes, streets are steep in parts.
• Cemetery visit: Père Lachaise is large; pick a map or guided route.
• Cash and cards: Many small vendors prefer cash; ATMs are available but not everywhere.

• Père Lachaise Cemetery: Wander the famous cemetery to find graves of cultural icons and the Communards’ Wall memorial.
• Parc des Buttes Chaumont: Picnic on dramatic cliffs and paths; great views over the city from the belvedere.
• Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie: Large interactive science museum and exhibition complex at the northern edge of the neighbourhood.
• Parc de la Villette: Contemporary park with cultural venues, outdoor events and the music museum nearby.
• Explore street art: Roam Rue Denoyez and surrounding lanes for colourful murals and independent galleries.

• Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG): Public transport - RER B to Gare du Nord, change to Metro line 2 or 11 for Belleville; around 45-60 minutes, fare roughly €10-12. Taxi / ride-hail - about 35-60 minutes depending on traffic, fare roughly €45-80.
• Paris Orly (ORY): Public transport - Orlyval to Antony then RER B to Gare du Nord, change to Metro line 2 or 11 for Belleville; 45-70 minutes, fare roughly €12-15. Taxi / ride-hail - 25-50 minutes, fare roughly €35-60.
• Beauvais-Tillé (BVA): Public transport - airport shuttle to Porte Maillot then Metro plus transfer to lines 2/11; expect 1h15-1h45 total, shuttle fare around €15-20. Taxi / ride-hail - long and expensive, usually 1h15+ and often €80-120, so shuttle is common.
• From the main sights: Public transport - take Metro lines 2 or 11 from central stations (République, Nation or Gare du Nord connections) to Belleville or Père Lachaise; around 20-35 minutes.

• Metro: Lines 2, 3 and 11 serve the area; fast and the best way to reach central Paris and other arrondissements.
• On foot: Streets are hilly around Belleville; many points of interest are best reached on foot.
• Bikes and e-scooters: Vélib’ stations and rental scooters are widely available for short hops and park access.
• Taxis and ride-hail: Useful late at night or with luggage; allow extra time for traffic.

Belleville and Père Lachaise cater mainly for budget and mid-range travellers, with a handful of chain hotels by the canal and several independent small hotels tucked up the slopes. Expect hostels, guesthouses and a few 3-4-star options near La Villette. If you want a quiet, local feel choose a small hotel near Rue des Pyrénées or Ménilmontant.

Luxury

• Novotel Paris 20 Belleville: Chain 4-star hotel a short metro ride from Belleville; modern rooms and family-friendly facilities.
• Hôtel Mercure Paris 19 Philharmonie La Villette: 4-star Accor hotel close to the Philharmonie and Parc de la Villette, convenient for concerts and the science museum.
• Moxy Paris La Villette: Design-focused 4-star brand hotel near La Villette with lively public spaces.
• Hilton Garden Inn Paris La Villette: International 4-star option close to Parc de la Villette and transport links.

Mid-range

• Hôtel Pradier: Small, well-located hotel on a quiet street close to Père Lachaise and transport.
• Green Park Hotel: Comfortable mid-range option near neighbourhood cafés and shops.
• Hôtel des Pyrénées: Basic mid-range hotel close to Rue de Belleville and local eateries.
• Ibis Styles Paris Buttes Chaumont: Chain mid-range hotel near Parc des Buttes Chaumont with simple, bright rooms.

Budget

• St Christopher’s Inn: Popular hostel brand with dorms and private rooms, close to transport and nightlife.
• Generator Hostels: Stylish hostel offering budget dorms and social spaces, useful for young travellers.
• Peace & Love: Independent hostel with a local, community vibe; good for budget stays.
• Ibis Budget Paris La Villette: Basic budget chain hotel convenient for Parc de la Villette and transport links.

Dining here is multicultural and informal: long streets of Vietnamese, Chinese, Lebanese and North African restaurants sit beside bistros and neighbourhood cafés. Prices generally run $-$$, with a few spots at the higher end; Rue de Belleville and Rue du Faubourg du Temple are good streets to explore. Markets nearby sell fresh produce for picnic-style meals.

• Mensae: French gastronomy, $$$. Small dining room with a focus on seasonal menus.
• Ceprano: Pizza / Italian, $$. Known locally for its pizzas and pastas.
• Il Posto: Italian / pizza, $$. Casual neighbourhood trattoria-style dining.
• Pho Belleville: Chinese / Vietnamese, $. Good value for comforting noodle soups.
• Moncœur Belleville: Café, $$. Popular for coffee, light meals and a local crowd.
• Le Cadoret: French, $$. Traditional bistro fare in a relaxed setting.
• Amonē: Cordon bleu, $$. Small, homely spot for classic cooked dishes.

Nightlife is neighbourhood-focused: bars, beer halls and small live-music venues rather than big tourist clubs. Head for the area around Parc de Belleville and Rue de Ménilmontant after sunset; many places are busiest from late evening until 2am. Expect reasonable prices compared with central Paris and a strong local crowd.

• Rosa Bonheur: Lively bar in a park setting with a friendly, picnic-style atmosphere.
• La Belle Vie Belleville Rooftop: Rooftop bar with views over the neighbourhood; popular at sunset.
• Paname Brewing Company: Brewpub by the canal with craft beers and a relaxed vibe.
• Trabendo: Mid-size music venue and nightclub hosting live concerts and DJs.
• Kissproof Belleville: Local bar with an alternative, artsy crowd and late opening hours.
• Le Barouf: Neighbourhood bar popular with locals for evening drinks and casual meet-ups.

Shopping is largely independent: open-air markets, specialist food shops and small boutiques sell ethnic groceries, vintage clothing and household goods. Major market days are the best time to browse local produce and low-cost finds. For larger retail, the northern edges link to bigger shopping hubs.

• Marché Belleville: Large street market with fresh produce, fish and affordable groceries on market days.
• Marché Père-Lachaise: Neighbourhood market with fruit, vegetables and everyday essentials.
• Marché Place des Fêtes: Small local market convenient for morning shopping.
• Marché Télégraphe: Community market with stalls selling food and household goods.
• Marché Pyrénées: Covered market offering a variety of fresh food stalls and local produce.