Belleville Walking Tour (Self Guided), Paris

Belleville, which translates as “beautiful town” is full of rich cultural experiences, from the excitement of its Chinatown to an artist quarter and a generous smattering of ethnic restaurants. This is a working-class neighborhood of immigrants, situated on a series of hills above the city. During your visit, discover the work of the district’s artists which can be found in their studios dotting the area. Belleville's Chinatown emerged in the 1980s and many of the grand buildings are typically of other parts of the capital city. However, inside are shops selling Chinese goods and restaurants with lots of delicious Chinese specialties.

In fact, when you visit Belleville, prepare your taste buds for an exotic culinary adventure. In addition to the Chinese eateries, there are Vietnamese restaurants, Algerian bakeries and Jewish-Tunisian couscous restaurants. Although an ethnically diverse area, with all the color, vibrancy and excitement that brings, there are still solid reminders that you are in a French city. Stroll down the Rue de Belleville and you will catch sight of the iconic Eiffel Tower below you. One of the area’s claims to fame is that French singer Edith Piaf grew up here. She died in 1963 and her body of work is still enjoyed and celebrated. See the commemorative plaque to the popular singer at number 72 Rue de Belleville.