Paris 10th Arrondissement: Canal St. Martin and the Goutte d’Or

Located on the Right Bank, the eclectic 10th arrondissement is best known for the Canal St. Martin and the vibrant restaurants and cafés nearby. Mostly a residential neighborhood for the working class, the 10th has recently welcomed a variety of nightclubs that have brought new energy into the area. The 10th is also home to two of Paris’ major train stations, Gare de l’est and Gare du Nord.  This multicultural neighborhood is known by locals as the Goutte d’Or or ‘Golden Drop’ (also the name of a white wine). Spending time here will make you feel like you’re in the “real” Paris.

Metro stops
Gare du Nord, Gare de l’est, Barbes- Rochechouart, Belleville, Bonne Nouvelle, Republique and Stalingrad are some of the largest and mostly commonly used metro stops in the 10th arrondissement.

What to do in Paris’s 10th Arrondissement:

The Promenade Canal St. Martin is really the central point of this arrondissement. Strolling along the water’s edge at sunset will make you feel like you’re a true Parisian. Afterward, grab an aperitif at one of the nearby cafes and watch the neighborhood’s residents pour back into La Goutte d’Or.  Of note: Much of the movie “Amelie” (starring Audrey Tautou) was filmed in this arrondissement.

Le Palais des Glaces
Le Palais des Glaces is a large structure with two theatres, the Palais des Glaces (Palace of Mirrors) features comic shows and sometimes shows for children. Open 11 AM-6:30PM Mon-Sat.
37 Rue du Faubourg-du-Temple
Tel: 4202 0525.

Musee de l’Eventail
You can certainly count on Paris for unexpected (yet completely delightful) museums, and the 10^th has one of them. The Musee de l’Eventail houses a truly impressive collection of over 400 fans from the 18th century to the present day. Open 2PM-6PM Mon-Fri.
2 Boulevard de Strasbourg
Tel: 4208 9020.

Where to shop in the 10th Arrondissement:

There are a variety of shops in the 10^th that cater to the area’s young, multicultural residents. Head to the rue de Marseille to find trendy clothing and accessories shops (with goods at reasonable prices).

The somewhat rundown (yet lively) Passage Brady is packed with Indian and Pakistani restaurants and shops, which is why it’s often referred to as “le Petit Bombay”.

You’ll find a wide array of spices and inexpensive souvenirs at the Bazaar Velan.  Artazart is a unique bookshop that specializes in art and design books.
Open Daily 10.30AM -7.30PM Sat & Sun 2PM – 8PM.
83 quai de Valmy
Tel: 40 40 24 00
Métro: Jacques Bonsergent

The Marché St-Quentin is the place to find a wide variety of products including artisanal cheeses, wine, produce, flowers, handmade candies, antiques and household items. Open Monday-Saturday 8AM-1PM, 3:30PM-7:30PM, Sunday 8AM-1PM.
85 bis, boulevard Magenta
Métro:Gare de l’Est

Written by Jen Westmoreland Bouchard for EuropeUpClose.com