Insider Guide to: Paris

Paris is a city that needs no introduction. Let’s hand straight over to Hippolyte.

Hippolyte, Operation Account Manager

I was born and raised in Paris: firstly, near La Fourche in the 17th arrondissement, then I moved to Pigalle, right in front of the Moulin Rouge. In many ways, the city is very different from Berlin. There’s less space and people can be more stressed, but Paris will always be Paris. You’ll miss it, wherever you go. 

Top neighborhood

• Pigalle used to have a pretty shady reputation but don’t let that put you off: the atmosphere here is unbeatable. Many restaurants and bars have opened and, as prices go up, it has even become a little ‘bobo’. Nearby, you have Montmartre and Abesses, but what I really like about this part of Paris is there’s always something going on (whether you want bars, clubs, parks, cinema, theatre or museums). Even on a Sunday night, Pigalle doesn’t sleep.

Going out

• Bar à Bulles is a cafe with terrace, hidden up on the roof of the Moulin Rouge. Terasse Hotel is another location with an amazing rooftop – they do great cocktails and have a spectacular view of Paris. 
• For clubbing, Paris has so many stellar options. Rex Club is probably the oldest and most famous techno club in Paris, next to Saint Lazare station; Concrete is a techno club on a boat, with indoor and outdoor areas, and always really good line-ups; Glazart is next to Parc de la Villette and has an amazing beach area that opens during the summer.
• Paris is the city where restaurants are an art form. There are far too many world-class options to choose from but here are some suggestions to start with, near my quartier. Chez Fichon is a trendy fish restaurant beside Montmartre, not too expensive; Le Vermillon in the 9th district offers very good and affordable French dishes; Hotel Particulier Montmartre also has excellent French cuisine, slightly more expensive and reservations are necessary – but the private garden is worth it. Lastly, Gang Seng is really good and cheap Tibetan restaurant in Abesses.

Top things to do

• Go down to the banks of the Seine next to Austerlitz station. Paris is known as a place to explore on foot, and here you can stroll with friends and soak up that special atmosphere of the city. People are often playing music and nearby you have plenty of clubs or bars. It’s also where La Cité de la Mode et du Design is located, which houses the French Institute of Fashion, showrooms, designer shops and temporary exhibitions. In the same complex, you also find two famous nightclubs: Wanderlust and Nüba.
• It’s a tourist magnet but don’t miss Montmartre for that perfect view over the city. Up on the hill, you can sit on the steps of Sacré Coeur and look over most of Paris (including, of course, the Eiffel Tower). During the day, there are artists painting or people playing music, but you should get here early in the morning to beat the crowds: after une nuit blanche, there’s nothing quite like a sunrise up here.
• Paris is also famous for its beautiful parks: you can take your pick from Jardin des Plantes, Jardin des Tuileries, Parc de la Villette, Parc Monceau. For culture vultures, avoid the crowds getting a selfie with the Mona Lisa; instead, try smaller but equally impressive museums and galleries like l’Orangerie, the Guimet Museum, the Pompidou Centre, the Louis Vuitton Foundation, and Curiositas.

Spaces

Stay in the loop! For more tips, industry news and exclusive offers from Spacebase, you can subscribe to the Spacebase newsletter here.