La Villette

Created in 1979 and constantly evolving ever since, the Parc de la Villette and all the activities it offers seem to have infused a real boost of energy into the surrounding neighborhood. Experience the cultural vitality that surrounds the largest park in Paris and the Bassin de la Villette.

A neighborhood full of projects!

Located in the north of the 19th arrondissement, the Villette neighborhood has been undergoing major urban redevelopment since the early 1980s, particularly since the 2000s. Over the past few years, numerous projects have been realized, gradually attracting a wealthier segment of the population. The 55-hectare Parc de la Villette greatly contributes to the gentrification of the neighborhood: one of the capital's largest green spaces is constantly in motion. From concerts in the Zénith de Paris concert hall to playful activities offered by the Cité des Sciences, and the Géode with its hemispheric screen, the park has plenty to entice visitors. As a result, this corner of the northeast of the capital, once neglected by Parisians who preferred the banks of the Seine or the Left Bank for leisurely strolls, has become one of the most attractive cultural hubs in the city within a few years. A breath of modernity blows over the Bassin de la Villette, attracting Parisians in search of leisure, culture, and nature.

The former "magasins généraux" (general stores), now converted into a university residence owned by the Cité Universitaire, attract students from around the world. The Parisian youth, as well as international students, seize the neighborhood to infuse it with a new dynamism. During the summer period, the MK2 cinema complex located on Quai de Loire and Quai de Seine draws crowds who enjoy having a drink or lounging in the sun at one of the bars in the Place de la Bataille de Stalingrad.

All around the basin...

The Bassin de la Villette has thus become a true focal point, attracting both former residents and inhabitants of the neighborhood, as well as young Parisians from all corners of the city. Everyone comes here to enjoy the cinemas, bars and restaurants, the bookstore, and the benches lining the two banks of the basin. A small river shuttle has been set up on the waters of the basin to cross from one bank to the other without having to go all the way around. There is also the Paris Canal, which offers a cruise to the Musée d'Orsay. The barges moored along the quay offer excellent craft beers and fresh fruit juices to sip in the sun on colorful deck chairs. Here, the atmosphere smells like summer, and that's also what contributes to the success of this neighborhood.

In 2008, the neighborhood also welcomed the Centquatre, which quickly became one of the new cultural hotspots in Paris. It's impossible to miss this gigantic structure made of bricks and stones, located not far from the basin and close to the Riquet metro station, at 104 Rue d'Aubervilliers. This space entirely dedicated to art, with impressive cultural facilities, regularly hosts exhibitions, concerts, and various performances. It also houses artist workshops, often open to the public, a few shops, and a restaurant.