View towards Saint-Germain de Charonne

Walking towards the Saint-Germain de Charonne in the 20th arrondissement of Paris. This area retains its provincial village atmosphere. I loved the brightly coloured pot plants adorning the cobbled footpath!

Rooftop in the 20th arrondissement

A characterful roof in the 20th arrondissement! 

View from Parc de Belleville

A lovely view from Parc de Belleville. Described by some as 'Montmartre without the tourists', it is a great place to get a long distance view of the Eiffel Tower on a clear day (which is more difficult from the top of Montmartre). The park is also a lovely picnic spot, with a child's play ground for added entertainment!

Jardin de l'Hospice Debrousse

The Hermitage Pavilion (1734) in the 20th arrondissement, was originally part of the Chateau of de Bagnolet, the estate of the Duchess of Orleans, Louis XIV's daughter, in what is now the Jardin de l'Hospice Debrousse. It was one of three Regency style pavilions, which it is the last surviving, that was built as an unheated 'pleasure pavilion' to be used during the hot seasons. The castle was demolished in 1770 and after changing hands a number of times, the pavilion became the property of Baron de Batz, where it was briefly a refuge for conspirators who tried to save Louis XVI's life in 1793. Close to the pavilion, in the grounds of the former Chateau de Bagnolet, a hospice for old people was founded in 1884, which still exists. The pavilion belonged to the Debrousse hospice until 1972, before being restored and transferred to the City of Paris in 1987.   

Saint Germain de Charonne

Saint Germain de Charonne is a charming village church in the 20th arrondissement. With its impressive bell tower, it stands prominently looking down the streets of Bagnolet and Saint-Blaise. It is at the heart of what used to be the village of Charonne, which became part of the city of Paris in 1860. Despite this the church and Charonne retains its village charm and authenticity. It is one of the only churches in Paris that still has an adjoining cemetery. The first church on this site dates back to the 12th and 13th centuries, with numerous reconstructions and repairs since then, with the latest in 2009, to address instability problems. It has been featured in numerous French movies and even in a comic strip!

Rue Irenee-Blanc

Rue Irenee-Blanc is in the La Campagne area of Paris in the 20th arrondissement. La Campagne a Paris is a residential housing development which literally means 'the countryside in Paris'. The neighbourhood was founded for working class families in 1907, on the top of a former quarry dump. The district comprises 92 garden townhouses built in brick or millstones. 

Cimetière du Père Lachaise

Père Lachaise Cemetery is the largest cemetery in Paris (110 acres). With more than 3.5 million visitors annually, it is the most visited necropolis in the world. Notable figures in the arts buried at Père Lachaise include Frédéric Chopin, Édith Piaf, Marcel Proust, Marcel Marceau, Oscar Wilde, and Jim Morrison.

Parc de Belleville

The Parc de Belleville is located on the hill of Belleville, its 108 metres making it the highest park in Paris. At the summit of the park, an almost thirty-metre tall terrace provides a panoramic view of the city. It was inaugurated in 1988.

Rue Denoyez, Belleville

Rue Denoyez is a side alley in the heart of Belleville, and is a vibrant street-art street. It’s an open-air canvas, which showcases the work of urban street artists.