For the past week we’ve stayed in a rented apartment in the East Paris neighborhood of Ménilmontant. This neighborhood is in the outlying 20th arrondissement, far beyond where most tourists venture, so we’re getting a local feel for life in the city. It’s a wonderful and diverse neighborhood, though a bit of a trek to get to the typical tourist destinations — which is why it took us a few days before we got our first, far-off glimpse of the Eiffel Tower.
There is a lot of great street art on the walls of the buildings in the neighborhood, including this one near our apartment. Through the wonders of Instagram, a street art expert saw my photo and commented to tell me it’s the work of Paris artist, Fred le Chevalier.
The neighborhood was where the classic 1956 short film, The Red Balloon was shot. I remember watching this lovely story in school when I was a kid, and watching it again with Kevin just a few months ago. I’ll have to watch it again to see how much I recognize.
The 4th floor apartment overlooks the Church of Notre-Dame-de-la-Croix. I haven’t yet been inside, but it’s sunny front steps are a popular gathering place in the late afternoon.
Updated 5/2/13 per request in comments: Here are some photos the apartment we rented using AirBNB. It belongs to a local photography student who was away visiting family in Argentina for a few weeks. It has a tiny, but typical, Paris kitchen.
A bright and spacious bedroom, and a small but cheerful living room. It was comfortable and the perfect amount of space for us to spend ten days without feeling cramped and I’d highly recommend the place if you are visiting Paris.
And here is a video I took about an hour ago of the view from our apartment window. There is more activity in the late afternoon after schools get out and kids fill the streets and the cafes fill up with friends meeting up after work.
I’m having some computer problems and am not sure I’ll be able to post again until we get home next week, but for more, follow us on Instagram because that’s where I’m posting my best phone photos.
Au revoir,
Cassie
I love how even French street art manages to be très chic! On the basis of that alone I would say you’re in a pretty fab neighborhood!
Hehe, you are very right! This artist was one of my favorites, but some others are equally stylish 🙂
How chic!! Ah… I’m glad that you guys are staying in a non-touristy place. Can’t wait for more posts…!
It was a great area, Vee. Lots of immigrants and really interesting food. You would love it. Our stay in Paris got me more interested in visiting Algeria, Morocco, and West Africa than actually exploring more of France!
kifer, you’re right up that hill from pere la chaise cemetery, right? in menilmontant, there used to be an artists’ collective called la miroiterie (i think it was called), but i don’t know if they’re there anymore; music, art, etc. the gov’t might have shut them down. anyway, i hope you’re eating lots of baguettes and fromage.
Exactly, not sure about the art collective, but I know the Menilmontant/Belleville area still seems to be at the core of the social justice/radical/political activism in the city. There are lots of posters for meetings, marches, rallies, and at least one leftist bookstore that I saw. Interesting place, I’d like to spend more time there one day!
also, please give us EIT viewers a video tour of your paris apartment if time permits.
Hmm, too late for that I didn’t capture video when the place was clean 🙂 But I snapped a few photos, I’ll add them to the post later this week and let you know! It was bright, full of light, and just the right size (1 bedroom, small living room and tiny, but sufficient for a short stay, kitchen). I’m not sure how people cook meals every single day in kitchens this small, especially for families!
will look forward to EIT’s extensive paris debriefing.
I just updated it to add a few photos of the apartment and a link to the AirBNB listing with more and better photos… it was as cute and colorful as advertised 🙂
Love the street art. I’m always fascinated by it when I’m traveling. 🙂 Very neat.
We did a street art tour in London and I learned a lot, it has me wanting to learn more about it and especially the mysterious artists behind the work. You know of anything similar in SF? I know there are some Mission mural tours, but not sure if there is anything just about more informal street art.
Love the first picture! Maybe because I’m a big fan of street art! Nice!
Me too, thanks! I’ve been meaning to do a street art post with my favorite works from different cities, but haven’t gotten around to it yet. What city do you think has the best street art?