Very often do only a few places in Paris get attention outside of the city. There's the Eiffel Tower, of course, as well as the Louvre, the Champs Elysées, the River Seine, and the like. But while these iconic spots have projected a certain idea of what the French capital really is, the city, as a whole, goes far beyond them. Each of the 20 arrondissements presents a different side to Paris, one that, perhaps, can only be seen if or when you're actually there. Case in point: the 11th arrondissement. If you want to live in Paris, you might want to check this one out!
A Very Local Arrondissement
The
Louvre district, the
Champ Elysées, and the 7th arrondissement—where the
Eiffel Tower is—are probably some places in Paris that you're already familiar with. And as already mentioned, they only present one side of the French capital. The side that enchants people enough to travel to this city for a vacation. But the other arrondissements, the 11th, in particular, show a very local side of Paris. One that's just as bustling without the tourist attractions. One that sees the communal side of the city, where residents go about their business without having to meet too many tourists along the way.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
A Communal Center of Paris
One of the most underrated yet so important places in Paris is Place De La République. A public square centered around a monument of Marianne, the national symbol of Frane, it's been central to political and social protests and demonstrations in Paris. After all, the French capital was never just glitz and glamour. The city proved central to many of the country's most significant political, social, and economical events in history. So just to live here, near one of the most consequential landmarks in the city, would be remarkable. And even today, you'd see many activists making their voices heard in this historic spot.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Easy to Get To
A possible reason why the 11th arrondissement is largely a residential place is, probably, because it's easy to get to. Most Parisians rely on
public transport to travel about in the city, so it helps that this place has a good number of metro stations, bus stops, and it's busy enough that many taxis drive by here. The metro line 9 runs across here, and since it connects to many other lines, it's a great one to take when you want to go to the other more popular tourist attractions.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Café Society
Another good reason why you should go or even move to Paris' 11th arrondissement? The cafés! Though yes, most, if not all of the arrondissements of the city have their fair share of coffee shops. It's practically sacrilegious to see a corner in Paris that doesn't have at least one! With that said, the café scene in this arrondissement is second to none. It helps that many of the ones here serve very interesting dishes and cuisine, The most noteworthy one is
Café Chilango, a Mexican-themed place that proudly serves, what they (and many others) claim as the 'best tacos in Paris!'
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Fine Food A Plenty
Though classic French food still reigns supreme here in the 11th arrondissement. From bistros to brasseries, so many culinary hotspots in this part of the city serve sumptuous dishes that prove why the city is regarded as the 'food capital of the world.' Places like
Bistrot Paul Bert,
Le Chalet Savoyard,
Septime, and more will have you wanting to eat out more than you can probably afford to. And while they'll probably drain your bank account, it'll all be worth it. You're living in Paris, after all! Why not enjoy the fine food that's on offer here?
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Some Market Madness
Furthermore, if you're one to cook your own food (and trust that living in Paris will practically force you to many times), you'll love the fact that there are many street and open markets in the 11th arrondissement.
Food costs in Paris are already quite low, but when you shop in any of these markets, you'll find that they can be more affordable than you initially thought. Places like the market along rue Oberkampf, for instance, are known to offer
delectable cheese, organic fruits & vegetables, fascinating meats, exotic spices, and more!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Nice Nightlife Scene
Finally, the nightlife scene here is very nice. Now, the word 'nice' might not entice you enough to want to stay or move here, but you wouldn't know until you've actually experienced it. But what does a 'nice nightlife' really mean, exactly? Think chill places to have some wine. Late-night cafés that provide a peaceful vibe perfect for some heart-to-heart conversations. And beautiful streets to stroll through dimly-lit to give the perfect mood. This is the type of nightlife to expect here. So if this type is for you, you'd love it here!
Source: Le Clown Bar Facebook Page
Though the 11th arrondissement of Paris is far from being the most popular, it's definitely one that you'd want to consider if you have plans of relocating here. Though it doesn't have any of the world-famous tourist spots, it's an underrated corner of the French capital!
You're in luck, too, because the 11th arrondissement has its fair share of
luxury rentals all for the taking. Make one your new home here!