Discovering the Thirteenth
Okay so the French media has been calling the 13th the hot spot for drugs. Yes, drugs, selling, buying, consuming - everything drug related.
Well despite what they say, this quarter of Paris has so much to offer and I'm going to convince you, why you should live there, eat there, shop there and walk around there.
Let's begin with the food. The 13th is also home to the China Town of Paris. So for those who are into Dim Sum, Pork Buns, Peking Duck Pancakes, Roasted Pork and Chinese Brocoli, served with that delcious sweet and thick Hoy Sin Sauce, this is the place for you. It also feels quieter and less crowded than China Towns in places like New York and San Francisco. It happens to be the largest Chinatown in Europe.
How to get there?
Take metro lines 5, 6, or 7 to the Place d'Italie station or the 14 to Olympiades. Stroll down the triangle that's formed by the forking of the two main arteries, Avenue de Choisy and Avenue d'Ivry. For the biggest slice of the action, head there from Wednesday through Sunday; as in other areas of the city, many places are closed on either Mondays or Tuesdays.
Image credit: Instagram/DuckExplore
Where to eat?
My favourite restaurant is Pho 14- rated as the best Pho in Paris. For those of you who don't know what a Pho is (pronounced Pha), it's a noodle soup full of different Chinese greens and sprouts, served with either chicken or pork (cooked or rare), and chilli for those who want it. Don't be frightened by the queue, it can get pretty lengthy at times but it goes past super quickly. Don't expect a long leisurely meal, they try to get you in and out as quick as possible. It's very authentic, almost as though you are eating from a street stand food market in Ho Chi Minh City. But the food is so fresh and delicious it's worth the experience. Don't miss the mouth-watering and surprisingly inexpensive banh mi sandwiches at Hoa Nam, 51 Avenue d'Ivry, where flavorful vegetables and meats on fresh baguettes can be eaten for just 3€. So worth it.
What to see when walking around?
Take a walk in the Asian shopping mall Tang Freres on 48 Avenue d'Ivry to buy a wide variety of Asian products all the way from food to clothes and Chinese medicine. It also happens to be the largest Asian supermarket in all of Europe.
Butte aux Cailles
Also known as the neighbourhood of street art and belgium beer bars. This small neighbourhood situated at an alitude of just over 200 feet has hardly a view to speak of (aside from the tower blocks a few blocks away) but it has managed to escape developers bulldozers, keeping it's authentic village charm. Named the Rue des Cinq-Diamants and Rue de la Butte aux Cailles, are pretty much the centre of the action after the sun goes down. During the day things are quieter, and its a good time to expore the little streets and their hidden gardens. Turn right at the Place de la Commune de Paris and head down to the Rue Daviel to see the Alsace style cottages of the Cité Daviel built to house working class families in the early 1900s. Just around the corner and to the left is the undiscovered indoor flea market (31 rue Vernigaud) which opened in 2003.
Image credit: Instagram/Elodie Dalgleish
For those who like to shop, Italie 2 is a large shopping centre of about five levels with all the different stores, you can find it at the metro stop Place d'Italie. For a rainy day you can easily spend your afternoon here. For those who want to reconnect with nature one of the most magical and non-touristy parks in Paris is the Parc Montsouris -located on the edge of the 13th, making it part of the 14th arrondissement. It's only a five minute bus ride from Place d'Italie. This park is huge and has mini-waterfalls, ponds with Japanese Koi fish, a lake in the middle with numerous swans and ducks, a café and posh restaurant, free public toilets (great when you have no coins on you)- it really has a magical feel about it so go along and check it out.
Image credit: Instagram/paper_picture
If this has not tempted you pick a day of your weekend to come and explore the 13th and its culinary and artistic gems, then you are really are a tough one to convince.
