Parc de Belleville is one of the least-well-known of Paris’ city
parks, but one of the most charming. Climb the steps from the south
side, flanked by trees and sloping lawns, and at the top you’ll be
rewarded with a fabulous view of the city, including a clear view
across to the Eiffel Tower. In summer, locals enjoy grabbing a beer
at Moncoeur Belleville and sipping it al fresco while taking in the
vista.

Lovers of street art will be in heaven on the narrow Rue
Dénoyez. Back in the 1830s, when Belleville was still an outpost of
Paris, Mr and Mrs Dénoyez ran a cabaret on this street, and it
still has a creative and festive feel. The walls are a colourful
kaleidoscope of tags and murals, including some beautiful
portraits. Along the way, you’ll find cute cafés and restaurants,
including the fabulous Le Grand Bain.

This iconic cemetery is more than just a resting place for some
of Paris’ most famous inhabitants, like Oscar Wilde, Jim Morrison
and Belleville-born Edith Piaf. It’s also a picturesque and
beautiful city park with its own intricate network of alleyways and
a spellbinding array of statues and memorials. Though visiting this
site might seem sombre on the surface, in reality, Père Lachaise
feels more like a place where life is respected and celebrated. To
appreciate another side of the place, check out the Instagram
account @la_vie_au_cimetiere, run by the cemetery’s
conservationist, Benoît Gallot, who showcases the fauna of the
cemetery, including its birds, stray cats and wild foxes.