13ème arrondissement
13ème arrondissement
4
About
Situated on the Left Bank of the River Seine, it is home to Paris's principal Asian community, the Quartier Asiatique, located in the southeast of the arrondissement in an area that contains many high-rise apartment buildings. The neighborhood features a high concentration of ethnic Chinese and Vietnamese businesses. The 13th arrondissement also hosts the Bibliothèque François Mitterrand and the newly built business district of Paris Rive Gauche.
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The area
Neighborhood: Place d'Italie / Quartier Asiatique
Far off the beaten path, this part of Paris is a forgotten gem worth exploring. Avenue d’Ivry houses Europe's largest Chinatown with great Asian supermarkets and shops, and a thrilling atmosphere around Chinese New Year. Place d’Italie impresses onlookers as soon as they set their eyes on it. Not far, around La Butte aux Cailles, the streets suddenly imitate provincial France and you’ll feel like you’ve been transported. The beauty of these streets lies in their surprises around every twist and turn.
How to get there
- Tolbiac • 3 min walk
- Olympiades • 7 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
10,000 within 3 miles
Attractions
4,186 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
118 reviews
Excellent
35
Very good
59
Average
22
Poor
0
Terrible
2
Rumples
Tucson, AZ11,708 contributions
Dec 2015 • Solo
I lived for a month on the edge of the 13th Arrondissement and spent much time exploring that area. As a result, I visit the 13th on every trip to Paris, usually to enjoy good Asian food. Its southeastern end is known as the Asian Quarter because of its myriad Chinese, Vietnamese, Laotian and Cambodian residents. Small restaurants with reasonable prices abound here, along with Asian grocery stores.
The 13th contains many high-rises, including the Bibliotheque Nationale de France (Francois Mitterrand), which, as an architecture enthusiast, I admire. This library's four glass towers resemble open books at each corner of a rectangular esplanade that is planted with trees.
On the other extreme, the Butte-aux-Cailles neighborhood offers a village feel. It sprawls over a hillside and features small, two-story houses that stand by cobbled streets. I have always found this to be a delightful place to stroll, away from tourist central. It contains many small cafes and boutiques. "A Paris Walking Guide, 20 Charming Strolls," details a self-guided walking tour through Butte-aux-Cailles.
For those interested in tapestries, Les Gobelins in the 13th still produces a limited number. This tapestry factory supplied many French monarchs with its beautiful hangings. Guided afternoon tours are offered by appointment.
A good place to start exploring the 13th Arrondissement is at Place d'Italie, accessible by Metro lines 5, 6 and 7. Buses 27, 45, 83 and 91 also go here.
The 13th contains many high-rises, including the Bibliotheque Nationale de France (Francois Mitterrand), which, as an architecture enthusiast, I admire. This library's four glass towers resemble open books at each corner of a rectangular esplanade that is planted with trees.
On the other extreme, the Butte-aux-Cailles neighborhood offers a village feel. It sprawls over a hillside and features small, two-story houses that stand by cobbled streets. I have always found this to be a delightful place to stroll, away from tourist central. It contains many small cafes and boutiques. "A Paris Walking Guide, 20 Charming Strolls," details a self-guided walking tour through Butte-aux-Cailles.
For those interested in tapestries, Les Gobelins in the 13th still produces a limited number. This tapestry factory supplied many French monarchs with its beautiful hangings. Guided afternoon tours are offered by appointment.
A good place to start exploring the 13th Arrondissement is at Place d'Italie, accessible by Metro lines 5, 6 and 7. Buses 27, 45, 83 and 91 also go here.
Written January 11, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MikeFee
Paris, France502 contributions
Nov 2017 • Couples
We lived in the 13th for 6 weeks. I must say that I never got really comfortable with the area. Most of the district was bulldozed back in the 1960's for high rise apartments for an influx of asians comming to the city, hence it feels a lot more densely populated. The streets and sidewalks are crowded. One saving grace about those high rises is that artists were commissioned to do murals on their sides and what has resulted is some outstanding works that are unique to the arrondisment and quite beautiful as well. There are a few pockets of "old Paris" left in the area. The intersection of Rue Tolbiac and Rue de Patay is one such area. Here you'll find one of the better butchers in the City Eric Nivot, and a fabulous cheese shop Frommagerie Lasnier. People come from all over Paris for the meats and cheeses of these two shops plus several excellent bread shops, a very good charcuterie and Fish stand are also within a block. The newest metro line in the city, the 14 has two stops in the arrondissement and will take you right into the heart of the first arrondissement with all of the tourist attractions and anywhere else in the city with a transfer or two. I will say that I didn't find an asian restaurant that was really outstanding - a bit of a disappointment but there are still some good classic french bistros and cafes in the area that are worth visiting, Among them Brasserie Roseraie and Le bistrot du Coin. There are several good markets in the arrondissement, one running off of Place d'Italy along Boul. Auguste Blanqui on Sundays. Another also on Sunday that circles the church at Place Jeanne d"Arc and a third, on Saturdays operating under the elevated section of the Metro on Rue Vincente Aeriol between Place d'Italie and the Seine.
Written January 9, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Venus V
New York City, NY283 contributions
Jan 2016 • Couples
It was mentioned a few times on TripAdvisor about 13 arr and its Sunday Market...it's a must! The foods sold here were fresh and reasonable price, I can only compare from New York City...got my wine for about 5 euros each bottles that in itself is worth it...and yes, it taste decent! Fresh seafood, cheese and patisserie...worth the experience. It started very early and close down by 1 or 2pm.
Written January 24, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jimbo657
London, UK180 contributions
By far the most cosmopolitan district ive stayed in, in paris! Good restaurants, nice bars and very safe feel and vibe
Written September 2, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sipivu
Paris, France2,037 contributions
Apr 2015 • Family
This relatively unknown arrondissement is well known for its Chinatown. It also includes a rich variety of assets: the quarter Butte aux Cailles, the Bibliotheque François Mitterrand, the Marché Mouffetard, the Manufacture des Gobelins, the Gare Austerlitz, the hôpital de la Pitié Salpêtrière and several residential towers. For me, that makes it one of the friendliest and most interesting arrondissement in Paris.
It deserves a much better image than it has amongst Parisian. Tourists should spend a few hours walking around.
It deserves a much better image than it has amongst Parisian. Tourists should spend a few hours walking around.
Written June 1, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RiAA
Curepe, Trinidad47 contributions
Jul 2012 • Friends
I spent a few days here and it's great to have a place to stay here.
It's accessible, so you'll have no trouble getting to places of interest. It's also tranquil and I felt safe here.
It's also cosmopolitan. For example, I had lunch at a restaurant and had some delightful Vietnamese cuisine.
If you wish to shop, there's Place d'Italie, a nearby mall with all of my favourite places to shop when in France.
If you're looking for a part of Paris to stay in, definitely consider the 13th arrondissement.
It's accessible, so you'll have no trouble getting to places of interest. It's also tranquil and I felt safe here.
It's also cosmopolitan. For example, I had lunch at a restaurant and had some delightful Vietnamese cuisine.
If you wish to shop, there's Place d'Italie, a nearby mall with all of my favourite places to shop when in France.
If you're looking for a part of Paris to stay in, definitely consider the 13th arrondissement.
Written September 28, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tata_Paulista
Sao Paulo, Brasil448 contributions
Jul 2012 • Couples
Great place in the 13th arrondissement. Lots of restaurants, safe at night and an interesting typical open fair (with food, "yard sale" and antiques) on Sundays.
Written July 26, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marcia M
7 contributions
Mar 2018
Love this area of Paris - it's cheaper than the central areas for accommodation and food but it's really up and coming as more and more apartment blocks are updated and it becomes a more popular area. Everything you'd expect from Chinatown
Written March 17, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BrotherYo
Surrey, Canada241 contributions
Dec 2017 • Family
During our visit to Paris, we stayed on the 13th Arrondissement near Bibliotheque Francois-Mitterand. Modern and stylish buildings, shops and cinemas, shopping and restaurants, all is there along the Seine. Less congested than the Center of Paris, yet not so far from everything. In addition, Bus, Metro are easily accessible and take you to where you want in minutes.
Written January 22, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HiddenCaviar
Lisbon, Portugal984 contributions
This part of Paris is a little mixed with some very nice areas and some not so nice. But it seems to be further developing new cleaner areas and there are some real little gems to be found. Great Asian restaurants in this area that are worth traveling from other parts of Paris for.
Written July 24, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, I am going to stay in Ibis Styles Paris Place d'Italie - Butte Aux Cailles hotel during my upcoming Paris trip. Could you please provide your suggestion about area and tourist places near by.
Thanks in advance.
Written April 3, 2018
In the evening, u can go to "Chez Mamane" to take a drink and to eat a good couscous. The place is very friendly.
Written April 14, 2018
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