Paris/11th arrondissement

In the 18th and 19th centuries, the 11th Arrondissement of Paris was an industrial area of factories and homes of factory workers. There was never an intent to build monuments other than local churches. Thus, there are few special places to see or unusual things to do.
It was not until the mid-2000s that young Parisians began to move into the 11th because apartments were less expensive there than in other Parisian areas. With this influx, restaurants and bars proliferated in two areas, along and to the north of rue de la Roquette and around rue Oberkampf. With its history, the 11th is a place to eat and drink. Within the 11th are several boutique hotels, restaurants and bars set in former factories.
As of 2015, the 11th arrondissement had about 150,000 residents, that is, 41,000 residents/km 2 , making it the most densely populated of all arrondissements of Paris (the next densest were the 18th and 20th, with about 33,000/km²) and of all the urban districts in Europe. Because of the population density, public transportation is widely available.
Like each Paris arrondissement, the 11th is divided into administrative quartiers.
# Quartier de la Folie-Méricourt with the north border of la rue du Faubourg-du-Temple, to the east by le boulevard de Belleville, to the west by blvd du Temple and the south by rue Oberkampf. This quartier is quite lively with many restaurants and bars frequented by young and upscale customers. It is known as a 'BoBo' quartier (bourgeois, bohemian), or a hipster neighborhood. That is, those who support bohemian values but lead bourgeois lives.
# Quartier Saint-Ambroise bordered to the north by rue Oberkampf, to the east by blvd Ménilmontant, west by blvd des Filles-du-Calvaire and part of blvd Beaumarchais plus to the south by rue du Chemin-Vert. This quartier is rather calm and residential.
# Quartier de la Roquette has a border to the north of rue du Chemin-Vert, to the east by blvd Ménilmontant and a part of blvd Charonne, to the west by a part of of blvd Beaumarchais and Place de la Bastille and part of rue du Faubourg-Saint-Antoine. Many bars and restaurants can be found along rue de la Roquette that attract a young crowd.
# Quartier Sainte-Marguerite is bordered to the north and west by rue de Charonne, to the east by blvd Charonne, and the south by rue du Faubourg-Saint-Antoine. It is mainly a quiet residential area but there are some bars and restaurants along rue de Charonne and rue du Faubourg-Saint-Antoine worth researching.

By Métro

Station is at the 11th arrondissement's northwestern corner. République is superbly well-connected and therefore very convenient to access the 11th arrondissement.
Other métro stations that serve as major hubs allowing easy entry to the 11th arrondisement are and

Preferably on foot.

• Cirque d'HiverMainly used as a concert hall and venue for fashion shows today, the Cirque d'Hiver was built in 1852, as the name would suggest, as a winter venue for circuses.

• Musée Edith Piaf

  phone: +33 1 43 55 52 72
  address: 5, rue Crespin du Gast

• Place de la Bastille

• Bataclan

  phone: +33 1 49 23 96 33
  address: 50 blvd Voltaire
  Attend a concert or have a drink at this popular café-concert music hall inaugurated in 1865 featuring brightly painted Chinese architecture. Always attracting a young crowd, the Bataclan has regained the splendor it once enjoyed and now books many emerging hip and rock acts. The is café on the ground floor is outstanding, perhaps even better than in the old days. A memorial honoring those 90 persons killed in a terrorist attack on 13 Nov 2015 is across the street in a small park.

• Distribution

  phone: +33 1 48 04 30 38
  address: 108, av Ledru-Rollin
  It may be a strange name for a store which sells toys and baby-clothes, but it's a good place to go if you happen to be in town with someone very small and find yourself needing a new pair of jammies, without paying the cost of a night at the hotel. There are a range of new, used, and consignment clothes, and if you like they will manufacture T-shirts, onesies, very small lab-coats, or other such items with a message or design of your choice.

• Boulangerie Utopie

  phone: +33 9 82 50 74 48
  address: 20 rue Jean Pierre Timbaud
  This prize-winning "destination boulangerie" is worth a detour. There is always waiting line so be patient. Only four stools and a small bar. Diverse bakery of many breads and pastry selections. Pastries range from elegant to purely simple. Fresh sandwiches on rustic baguettes are excellent. Discount menu combinations offered at lunch. English spoken.

• Puzzle Michèle Wilson

  address: 39 rue de la Folie Méricourt
  Hand-made wooden puzzles, games, brain teasers and original playing cards by an French artisan featuring jigsaw puzzles for adults and children since 1975.

Oberkampf

Budget

• Aux Comptoirs des Indes

  phone: +33 1 48 05 45 76
  address: 50 rue de la Fontaine Au Roi
  Indian.

• Avé Maria

  phone: +33 1 47 00 61 73
  address: 1, rue Jacquard
  Brazilian favela chic. The friendly folks who run this place have been hosting Brasilian dance nights at various venues around town. But don't just come in to check out the posters; stay a while for the fantastic vegetarian friendly South American and international cuisine at reasonable prices.

• East Side Burgers

  address: 60 blvd Voltaire
  The first vegetarian fast-food joint in Paris. American-style vegan & vegetarian burgers, hot dogs, fries, fruit tartes and cheesecake

• Soya Cantine Bio

  phone: +33 1 48 05 13 00
  address: 20 rue de la Pierre Levée
  A true organic, vegetarian restaurant, and a good one. The tiny bit of preciousness about the place is more than overwhelmed by the laid-back atmosphere and warm welcome. There are daily specials, but the couscous-soy will keep you coming back. Also check out the lunch buffet, but maybe not if you're counting calories because it's hard not to go up for thirds.

• Caffe Panem

  address: 18 Rue de Crussol
  Pasta and bruschetta featured in this small family-run café that serves good and cheap coffee (90 cents for an espresso cup), croissants and great home made sweets such as tiramisu (standard and with chestnut purée). Evenings feature pasta and toasted bruschetta.

Mid-Range

• L'Estaminet

  phone: +33 1 43 57 34 29
  address: 116 rue Oberkampf
  French food with a high degree of originality and creativity. The service is warm and friendly, and so is the decor.

• Clown Bar

  phone: +33 1 43 55 87 35
  address: 114, rue Amelot
  The food served in this absolutely beautiful room is classic French. The decor is classic Circus, which makes sense since it's just two doors north of the building which has traditionally housed circuses passing through during the winter.

• Pane olio e pomodoro

  phone: +33 1 73 73 12 70
  address: 123 ave Parmentier
  Italian restaurant and deli, the chef's offerings are very authentic and fresh. Top selection of antipasti, pasti and piatti caldi. Spanish and Italian deli meats are featured. The Italian staff are warm and helpful.

• Reine de Mer

  address: 1 rue Jean Pierre Timbaud
  Fish monger takeout and restaurant with small bar and plastic stools. Great value with fish and shell fish straight from the sea prepared to order at the bar as you watch. Sautéed flounder, octopus and seasonal fish and shellfish featured. Special menu of fresh oysters and wine at lunch. Take-out of cooked and prepared platters to order. Large platters can be quite expensive but still a great value.

• Café Cannibale

  phone: +33 1 49 29 95 59
  address: 93 rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud
  Very chic bar and café with DJ sets weekends; live music Friday and Saturday. Oysters direct from producers, seared octopus leg, chartouterie, steaks and fish. Wide selection of wine, beer, whiskies and cocktails. Happy Hour 16:00-20:00. Brunch Sundays.

Bastille

• Le Bar à Soupes

  phone: +33 1 43 57 53 79
  address: 33 rue de Charonne
  A large selection of different soups (including some vegetarian options). There are a few new ones each day. All served with your choice of an equally wide selection of breads and cheeses.

• Blue Elephant

  phone: +33 1 47 00 42 00
  address: 43 rue de la Roquette
  A much-beloved Thai restaurant just off of Place de Bastille, this place is tiny, so book ahead.

• Le Café des Anges

  phone: +33 1 47 00 63
  address: 66 rue de la Roquette
  Good variety of French café dishes with a few oriental offerings such as Bõ Bun. Quite a diverse menu. Some vegetarian, pasta and fish selections among the beef, pork and chicken dishes. Salads are fresh. Cocktails, beer, wine, whiskies, rums, cognac... the whole kitchen sink.

• Indiana Tex-Mex

  address: 12 Place de la Bastille
  The Place de Bastille location of this popular chain of Tex-Mex is worth mentioning at least because of its ability to draw a crowd. Of note also is the truth in advertising: this is Tex-Mex food prepared exactly as you would expect to find in say, Indianapolis.

• Bistro Paul Bert

  phone: +33 1 43 72 24 01
  address: 18 rue Paul Bert
  A most classic Parisian bistro serving many first-time visitors to Paris and others who return. Appealing dishes are well plated and served, reliable and consistent from starter to dessert. This bistro is not a hidden gem as its well deserved reputation is widely known by tourists. Nevertheless if reservations are made in advance, seats are available and service remains excellent. The lunch menu is a remarkable value. Wine is diverse and served by the bottle or glass.

Oberkampf

• Chez Justine

  phone: +33 1 43 57 44 03
  address: 96 rue Oberkampf
  Close to the centre of the Oberkampf nightlife zone, "Justine's place" functions as a restaurant & bar with trendy versions French offerings (which get mixed reviews) during the early evening, but it's 22ː00-02ː00 which really makes the place. Most of the room is filled with big wooden plank tables which are just the thing for a lively conversation with friends, while the bar is comfy too, and attracts quite a crowd by the late evening. The decor is classic, understated, and classy.

• Grenier

  address: 152, rue Oberkampf
  An excellent, but tiny dive bar with live bands upstairs in the hall some nights, but usually downstairs in the front window. This is a great place to hear Django Reinhardt-style jazz guitar playing (Jazz Manouche).

• Mecano Bar

  phone: +33 1 40 21 35 28
  address: 99, rue Oberkampf
  Former factory transformed into a restaurant and bar featuring music in the popular 11th arrondissement. Restaurant serves classic French plates and pizza. Wide rage of beverages served including cocktails, whiskies, liquors and shots. Draft and bottled beer plus wine by the glass, carafe or bottle. Happy Hour Su-Th 16:00-21:00, F Sa 16:00-20:00

• Nouveau Casino et Café Charbon

  phone: +33 1 43 57 57 40
  address: 109, rue Oberkampf
  The New Casino keeps rocking until dawn both in the bar downstairs and the medium-size dance hall upstairs, making it the favourite among young Parisians, especially after the other places in the neighbourhood have closed. The dance/concert hall features cutting-edge indie rock groups and cutting-edge electronica. The prices do reflect the hipness however.

• Le Scherkhan

  address: 144, rue Oberkampf

• Le PerchoirRooftop bar on the 6th and 7th floors of an old industrial building with a view of Paris from the four corners of the terrace. Expect a wait to enter on Friday or Saturday evenings. Once on the roof, there are unfinished wood, plants and colored cushions. Winter-mode, inside are bar and informal restaurant. See and be seen. The Snack Shack serves typical bar food. A wide selection of cocktails are available. DJ Sets.

Bastille

• Entre Potes

  phone: +33 1 48 06 57 04
  address: 14, rue de Charonne
  A good place to relax "among friends" as the name would suggest, thus making it a fairly representative Parisian bar, with notable cocktails.

• Les Marcheurs de Planete

  phone: +33 1 43 48 90 98
  address: 73, rue de la Roquette
  French wine bar with good prices and atmosphere and a friendly staff.

• Moonshiner

  address: 5 Sedaine
  Cool speakeasy bar with a secret entrance. Cross the small dining room of the pizzeria Da Vito and open the walk-in refrigerator door. You will enter into the bowels of an ancient American-style boiler room and bar. The interior welcomes brave visitors to a dim, classy and jazzy world. There you will find friendly steampunk bartenders making innovative cocktails. Try a cigar in the large Art Deco smokehouse... but shhhhh, don't tell anyone.

• Bluebird

  address: 12 rue Saint Bernard
  A real gin bar but they serve many other drinks, specialty cocktails included. Bar food available (€3-13) but do not come for the food. This place is about cocktails.

• Les Petits Crus

  phone: +33 9 67 29 89 33
  address: 13 rue Saint-Sabin
  Les Petits Crus is a wine bar specializing in a marriage between wine and cheese. Matched combinations can be chosen among reasonably priced wine and cheese by theme in 4 or 6 test tubes of quality wine of your choosing, accompanied with matching cheese, bread, salad and cold cuts if desired. All wine is organic.

• La Fee Verte

  phone: +33 1 43 72 31 24
  address: 108 rue de la Roquette
  La Fee Verte is an absinthe bar (and café) as it was known more than 100 years ago. Although no longer produced to be hallucinogenic, absinthe is an enjoyable alcoholic drink you prepare at your table. In the traditional French way, place a sugar cube on top of a specially designed slotted spoon over a small glass of absinthe. Next a large absinthe fountain with a crystal bowl of ice water and several small spouts is shared. Each person opens a valve to their spout and slowly drips the ice water onto the sugar cube until the cube is dissolved and the drink is diluted to their liking.

Budget

• Auberge Internationale des Jeunes

  phone: +33 1 47 00 21 08
  address: 10 rue Trousseau
  Rooms available for 2-4 persons. Price Includes are breakfast, shower, pillow, blanket and bed sheet for the mattress, access to the luggage room use of safe deposit box at the front desk. Age limit 30 years.

• Bastille Hostel

  phone: +33 1 47 00 62 00
  address: 6 rue Trousseau
  This youth hostel features 29 rooms, some shared, some restricted to females only. Apartments available.

• Hotel Campanile Paris Bastille

  phone: +33 1 43 38 58 08
  address: 9 rue Chemin Vert

• Hôtel Voltaire République

  phone: +33 1 47 00 21 47
  address: 10, boul Voltaire
  A few steps away from Republic Square. Local bakery, supermarket, laundry, and many other services are close to the hotel. All rooms are en suite, with TV and direct dial telephone. Wi-Fi is available in room.

• Au Royal Mad

  phone: +33 1 43 57 70 50
  address: 68 rue Sedaine
  Budget hotel, with free toiletries, fridge, microwave, and TV in the rooms, and toilets & showers in the corridors. A stone's throw from Place Léon Blum (supermarket, bars, etc.) and Voltaire metro. Friendly staff. There is a room set aside for leaving luggage on the last day. Powerful, free wifi.

Mid-range

• Classics Hôtel

  phone: +33 1 44 64 34 34
  address: 131, rue de Charonne

• Le Général Hôtel

  address: 5-7, rue Rampon
  3 star hotel. They've certainly put a certain amount of budget into graphic and interior design. Breakfast is not included.

• Grand Hotel Français

  phone: +33 1 43 71 27 57
  address: 223 blvd Voltaire
  The Grand Hotel Français Paris has been operated by the same family for over 100 years. They're quite proud of their hotel-operations lore handed down through the generations.

• Grand Hôtel Nouvel Opera

  phone: +33 1 43 79 98 76
  address: 152 avenue Ledru-Rollin
  3-star hotel.

• Hôtel du Nord et de l'Est

  phone: +33 1 47 00 71 70
  address: 49, rue de Malte
  Found among a cluster of two-star hotels off of Place de la République, the North and East has been in the process lately of doing some renovation, bringing some but not all of the rooms up to high three-star standards. Regardless of which type of room you book the place is quiet and cheerful and has Wi-Fi. It's a good value, and to top it off they often have vacancies when all of the hotels in more popular quarters are booked.

• Hotel Hor Les Lumiéres

  phone: +33 1 48 06 64 97
  address: 39 rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud
  A budget hotel just a bit from République which offers a fitness centre, and free Wi-Fi, though "Le Marais" is a bit of a stretch.

• Hôtel Fabric

  phone: +33 1 43 57 27 00
  address: 31 rue de la Folie Méricourt
  Boutique hotel in an artistic neighborhood with 33 rooms is restyled in a 19th century textile factory that is both modern and characteristic of another era. The bold decor with brick walls and iron-works are comforting. Many services are available including fitness, hammam, massages, afternoon tea and concierge.

• Albert's Hotel

  phone: +33 1 48 07 55 25
  address: 22, rue du Grand-Prieuré
  Boutique hotel near many public transportation connections. Near lively neighborhoods but without the noise. Modernized bathrooms and bedrooms.