10th arrondissement of Paris: What to see, do, and eat

The 10eme arrondissement is hipster central, the place where cool Parisians hang out for after-work drinks.

Along much of the arrondissement, the main star is the Canal Saint Martin. With its iron footbridges, this 19th-century waterway is lined with trendy restaurants and bars making it one of the most popular areas in Paris for the 20 to 30-something crowd.

Further north is the Gare du Nord and Gare de l’Est train stations, which I will confess are probably two metro stations that you do not want to loiter too long outside of.

There are no major museums in the 10th arrondissement, but there is plenty of restaurants and nightlife.

What to see: Top Attractions

Canal St. Martin

Most visitors to the Place de la Bastille (corner of the 4th, 11th and 12th arrondissements) don’t realize that there is actually a large canal called the Canal Saint Martin running underneath it.

The Canal Saint Martin was authorized by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802 to supply Paris with fresh water and prevent disease. By the time his nephew Emperor Napoleon III came to the throne in the 1850-1860s, his engineer Baron Haussmann had other ideas.

Haussmann was redesigning Paris, and decided to enclose the portion of the canal right before it feeds into the river Seine. Today the canal runs directly under the Place de la Bastille, and visitors can take a tour boat all along the canal until it reaches the Seine.

Belleville

Visit the edgy neighborhood of Belleville, a tiny corner that straddles the 10th, 11th, 19th and 20th arrondissements. This is the Other Paris.

The name Belleville literally means “beautiful town”. It was once the independent commune (municipality) of Belleville which was annexed by the City of Paris in 1860, along with Passy in the 16th and La Villette in the 19th.

A settlement existed here since the 7th century called “Savies”. It has long been a working class neighborhood, although these days gentrification is rapidly changing the area.

Walk along its narrow streets and explore its little boutiques. Try the Restaurant Le President, a particular favorite for authentic Chinese food at 120-124, rue Faubourg du Temple.

Cour des Petites Écuries

The Cour des Petites Écuries is a small road that harkens back to another age. It literally translates to “the courtyard of little stables” and got its name from the horses that were kept there in 1769 when it was built.

These days it is a busy little street with cozy bars and happy hour brasseries attracting many a Parisian bobo.

Place de la République

Known as the Place du Château d’Eau until 1879, Place de la République is located on the border between the 3rd, 10th, and 11th arrondissements.

At the center of the Place de la République is a large bronze statue of Marianne holding an olive branch in her right hand and a tablet engraved with the “Droits de l’homme” (the “Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen”) in her left hand.

This highly symbolic square is the place you see on TV where protesters usually gather. Most of the square is pedestrianized, and surrounded by small shops and hotels.

Shopping

Passage Couvert: Passage Brady

In terms of shopping in Paris, there are no large malls in the area, however there is a Passage couvert (covered passage) named Passage Brady. There are several such passages across Paris, including several in the 2nd arrondissement and 9th arrondissements.

Passage Brady is known for its iron-and-glass covered arcades and specializes in Indian and Asian shops and restaurants. It is located between Rue du Faubourg-Saint-Denis and Rue du Faubourg-Saint-Martin.

Where to eat: Restaurants, Brasseries, and Bistros

The 10th arrondissement has no shortage of restaurants, with quite a variety. Some local favorites are:

• Pouliche Paris – artful bistro with fixed price menu at 11 Rue d’Enghien, 75010 Paris
• Le Galopin – seasonal French fare with a twist at 34 rue Sainte-Marthe, 75010 Paris
• L’Archimede – elegant French bistro 11 Rue Marie et Louise, 75010 Paris

You can find more ideas and ways of spending an evening in Paris here.

Bars and Nightlife

There are several bars and brasseries that line Canal Saint Martin, but if you go early in the evening, you will also see a lot of locals having an apéro picnic along the quays of canal. Some local favorites are:

• BarOurcq – popular friendly bar with petanque at 68 Quai de la Loire, 75019 Paris
• Point Ephemere – artsy grand classic on the quai at 200 Quai de Valmy, 75010 Paris
• Le Comptoir Général – large bar with a hidden entrance that is a bit difficult to find for non-locals. Amazingly Beautiful decor. Also does sumptuous brunches. At 80 quai de Jemmapes, 75010 Paris

You can find more bars and nightlife options around Paris here.

Where to stay: Hotels and other accommodation

With eclectic bars, restaurants and nightlife at a variety of price points, there is always something to discover in the 10eme arrondissement. Some recommended hotels in the area are:

• €€€ – La Planque Hotel 
• €€€€ – Hôtel Le Milie Rose
• €€€€€ – Renaissance Paris Republique Hotel & Spa

You can find more accommodation options for the 10th arrondissement here.