#07 Belleville & Ménilmontant

About the Belleville & Ménilmontant Tour

This main neighborhood of the 20th arrondissement has a special place in the last two centuries of Paris’ history. Until 1860 and its forced integration into Paris by Napoleon III and Haussmann, Belleville was an independent commune outside Paris and Ménilmontant was its hamlet. Both were very modest, populated by winegrowers, craft men and factory workers and welcomed various waves of immigration across ages.

Rebellious spirit

Belleville later became a spearhead of the dissenting people’s government known as la Commune, when Paris was undergoing a siege from the Prussians and Paris working class felt betrayed by their own national army and commandment. This revolutionary government ended however in a terrible repression in 1871 with the Semaine Sanglante, the military response of the French army backed by the bourgeoisie and the Prussian army which was laying siege to Paris.

This dramatic event fueled the resentment of the working-class towards the bourgeoisie and the political leaders of the capital and the country. This can still be felt to this day in this area, and in varying degrees in other districts like #12 Montmartre, the other side or #5 Butte Aux Cailles & Maison Blanche.

Today’s Belleville

While witnessing an evolution in its demographics, Belleville tries to remain true to itself: social and ethnic blend, narrow cobbled streets, activism visible even on the walls, craft workshops hidden in courtyards, and a modest visual aspect proudly claimed. Besides that, lively student bars, local French restaurants and former factories repurposed as cultural venues rub shoulders with Chinese canteens, Kabyle bistros and Arabic grocery stores.

The Belleville & Ménilmontant Tour

On this tour, we’ll get a feel of the liveliness and the radicalism of these neighborhoods, briefly evoke the history of the area, stop by a unique panorama of Paris, and venture into old alleys and hidden residential areas.

Options

A 1-hour extension is possible, consisting in either a meal or a drink together or the attendance to a concert (depending on time of day and availability).