On the move to Paris to discover en experience the new art & culture hotspots. Ofcourse we all know Paris with from the classic bistros, the creative wine bars, design shops and beautiful museums but Paris has a lot more to offer. So in this article I tell you all the reasons why you should swap that trip up to the Eiffel Tower for a less busy hotspot.
Paris has so much to offer in terms of culture and art and the choice can be overwhelming. Paris alone has more than 200 museums and no fewer than 20 districts and are called ‘arrondissements’ in French. During the French Revolution Paris was organized in 12 arrondissements and 8 new districts were added in 1860.
The western and the central districts are the wealthiest of Paris, the eastern arrondissements are traditionally the working class and vote left. During my 4 day trip to Paris, I’ve visited the Eastern districts of Paris, Chinese district, and the Western area.
Eastern district
Just north of central Paris in St-Denis and easily reachable by metro, you can find the enormous basilica the Basilique de St-Denis, France’s royal necropolis. This basilica also holds Europe’s largest collection of funerary art in its crypt. So, skip the lines of the city’s landmarks and choose for a less famous one instead.
If your in the eastern district, make sure to visit the 13th arrondissement as well. Previously known as the industrial hub, but becoming more and more popular in the recent years due to creativity and innovation. Reasons for this are the bustling Chinatown, the incredible street art and a must see.
The Parisian Street Art scene is very much alive and colorful and they vary in every arrondissement. From the huge murals in the 13th, to the iconic rooftops and painted trucks in Menilmontant to the hidden surprises on every street corner created by artists from all over the world including famous names like C215, David Walker, Stew and Jimmy C.
Make sure to visit the restaurant Le Balcon, located at Philharmonie de Paris on the 6th floor. Le Balcon offers a panoramic view of whole Paris. Designed as an informal and relaxed bistro, Le Balcon has a dining room, a big bar, private lounges and a terrace overlooking the entire Parc de la Villette.
Western district
Go and step in the footsteps of the 30’s and plan your day with two stops; the Boulogne-Billancourt and the gardens of Albert Kahn. The Boulogne-Billancourt were built by the greatest architects of the 20th century with one key: modernity. The Albert Kahn gardens are a mix of English, French and Japanese filled with flowers, trees and take shape over 4 hectares. For more info about Paris, click here to visit the official Paris website.
How to travel to Paris
There are of course many ways to travel to this beautiful city but there is one that I prefer. We prefer traveling to Paris with the Thalys, easily from Amsterdam to Paris without having to change trains, long queues and last but not least customs control. Within 3 hours and fifteen minutes you will be in the heart of Paris and from there you can easily get to your hotel by taxi or public transport.
Where to stay in Paris
If you decide to travel to Paris and book through Airbnb. Book through this link to get a discount of €25,- on your first booking. (If you already have an account, just create a new one)
There are plenty hotels to stay in Paris. There is a wide range of luxurious hotels, mid-range and also budget hotels. Below you’ll find my recommendations on the ad of Booking.com
Booking.com
art & culture hotspots in Paris
Ofcourse, when we travel to a new destination we do lots of research first to make sure we find to show you the new art & culture hotspots in Paris. Read more of our travel tips here, or follow me along on @dutchbloggeronthemove.
