Butte-aux-cailles

The Butte-aux-Cailles is one of those special neighborhoods in Paris, a bit different, that we would like to preserve, keep warm, protect from crowds, pollution, and city hustle. Located in the 13th arrondissement, south of Paris not far from Place d'Italie, it's a place where one can escape to rest and remember what a peaceful life feels like.

A village within the city

A true little countryside corner set apart from the rest of the city, the Butte-aux-Cailles has managed to maintain a certain village atmosphere of its own. You won't find historical monuments here, but the Butte-aux-Cailles remains a highly regarded neighborhood among Parisians and tourists who enjoy strolling along its peaceful streets, appreciating its tranquility and greenery... The artist studios, the small cobbled streets, the ivy-covered buildings, and the blooming houses give this neighborhood a vacation-like ambiance.

Another unique feature of the area is the Paul Verlaine Square, facing the swimming pool, where one of the city's only three public fountains stands, providing pure spring water. People from all over the neighborhood come here to fill their jugs and bottles. This artesian well was originally used to supply water to the pool, as the water it produces, like all pure spring water, is naturally warm (28°C). The well water is drawn from 620 meters below the ground, from the depths of the Albien aquifer, and is thousands of years old!

Street Art and Art Deco

Working-class neighborhoods have always been favorite strongholds for urban artists. The Butte-aux-Cailles is no exception and has attracted fans of street art since the early 2000s. As you walk through the streets, you'll come across the ephemeral works of graffiti artists and stencil artists. The famous Miss Tic was the first to create a stencil trail here, with female silhouettes and wordplay, leading passers-by to the artists' studios. Entire sections of walls in the Passage du Moulin-des-Prés have become giant sketchbooks for artists, both known and unknown.

The Butte-aux-Cailles blends and plays with different architectural styles: the pavilions, villas, and their adorned gardens add to the timeless charm of this "village." The Art Nouveau style of the Butte's swimming pool, which opened in 1924 and is classified as a historical monument, is also emblematic of the neighborhood. As the oldest public swimming pool in Paris, with its red brick facade and curved architecture, it unfortunately gets very crowded on sunny days due to its popularity.