Your ultimate guide to Belleville, Paris

Much like Belleville itself, Hotel Babel, from serial hotelier Joris Bruneel and Franco-Afghan chef Claire Feral-Akram, has an eclectic, multi-cultural feel. The interior design mixes touches from all over the world, and even includes an illustration of the Tower of Babel, which can be seen from the glass elevator. The connection to the neighbourhood goes beyond just decor, however: all products come from the local area, staff are hired in partnership with nearby associations, works from various local artists are hung on the walls, and on certain Saturdays, neighbourhood mums take over the kitchen to cook legendary mafé and couscous.

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Combat, which was opened by former Experimental Cocktail Club bartender Margot Lecarpentier in June 2017, is not only one of the best cocktail bars in Belleville, but in all of Paris. Timeless classics like the Frais Maison (featuring vodka, gin liqueur, bergamot syrup, cucumber and lemon) have helped bring Combat its well-deserved fame, and there are also clever, well-balanced creations like the Impécapre (made with tequila, capers, vermouth, walnuts, lemon and bitter wort). The bar snacks are not to be missed either: think stracciatella or a delightful pairing of artichokes and hazelnuts.

Until 1988, Belleville lacked a good green space for its residents to enjoy, but all that changed when the Parc de Belleville opened. It may not have the long and storied history of some of the city’s other parks, but the spectacular views offered from its slopes more than make up for it. And when we say spectacular, we really mean it: gazing across the cityscape and watching as the sun sinks behind the Eiffel Tower is not something you’ll soon forget. Plus, once night has fallen, it’s just a short walk down the hill to Combat, where you can kick your night off with one of their inventive cocktails.

It may only have opened in 2021, but in a relatively short time, Paloma has become a true neighbourhood favourite, even making it onto our list of Paris’s best restaurants. Tables fill up particularly quickly in the afternoons, when savvy visitors and locals alike head to the restaurant for the exceptional value lunch menu, where you can enjoy a three-course meal (with influences from Catalonia and southern France) for just €16. There’s also a wine list that favours sulphite-free, natural options and, when evening comes, a selection of inventive tapas is on offer.

The collective Les Ateliers d’Artistes de Belleville (AAB) is most famous for its annual Portes Ouvertes (Doors Open) event, which sees hundreds of artists based in and around Belleville open their workshops to the public for a few days in May (in 2025, this event is scheduled for May 15-18). The rest of the year, you can visit the gallery itself to see art produced by individuals and collectives from across a range of mediums, sensibilities and generations, all of whom have a connection to the area. The one-room space is small but mighty, and exhibitions change at least once a month.