The 11th arrondissement of Paris is a lively area with a very local and authentic feel. Perhaps it is due to its working-class roots and its revolutionary past. It was, after all, the scene of the Paris uprising of 1832 immortalized in Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables.
Standing at Place de la Bastille under the July Column topped with its gilded angel representing liberty (a big theme in France) you know you’re immersed in French history. French people were once guillotined here, and the historic Bastille fortress was stormed.
A hip area of Paris, the 11th arrondissement is known for its restaurants and boutiques. Shop like a local at the artisanal shops, brocante (flea markets), and art galleries One of the best things to do in the 11th arrondissement is browse!
I lived for three months in the 11th arrondissement of Paris and the minute I see the Bastille’s July Column soaring skyward or start to stroll up rue de la Roquette, it feels like home.
17 Best Things To Do In The 11th Arrondissement Of Paris
1. Stand In Historic Place de La Bastille
You can’t miss the soaring green-bronze Colonne de Juillet at Place de la Bastille at the intersection of the 4e, 11e, and 12e arrondissements. At Place de la Bastille once stood a 14th-century fortress built to protect the city gates. The fortress became a prison which was stormed on the 14 of July 1789 starting the French Revolution. Stop for a minute at the Place de la Bastille and ponder the importance of this historic location.
The Colonne de Juillet, rising 52 metres high, is topped by a golden, winged Liberty. It was inaugurated in 1840 to commemorate the losses during three days of fighting (another revolution) on the 27, 28, and 29th of July in 1830.
Today, you might find some skateboarders or a street band playing in the Place de la Bastille and you will most certainly notice the volume of traffic circling around it.
The modern building, shown in the photo, is the Opéra Bastille (technically in the 12th arrondissement) which was inaugurated 200 years after the storming of the Bastille on 13 July 1989.
Where To Stay In Paris: Here are suggested hotels in the 11th arrondissement of Paris.
Affordable Hotels In Paris: Check out this curated list of 13 best affordable Paris hotels.
Boutique Hotels In Le Marais: 11 Charming Boutique Hotels in le Marais
Hotels with Eiffel Tower Views: 21 Dreamy Hotels with Eiffel Tower Views
Prefer to stay in an apartment? Check out this Paris apartment.
2. Stroll Through Cour Damoye
One of the delightful things to do in the 11th arrondissement of Paris is discover the tiny, surprising, and slightly hidden streets. One of my favourites is Cour Damoye a quiet cobbled lane lined with ateliers. You’ll feel like you have stumbled across hidden Paris as you wander through Cour Damoye. It’s one of the best places for a photoshoot in the 11th arrondissment!
Read More: 25 Essential Paris Travel Tips. If you like getting off the beaten path, here are 43 hidden gems in Paris. Really want to explore secret Paris? There are over 60 secret spots in my eBook, Paris for the Curious Stroller.
3. Eat A Galette Or Sit At The Oyster Bar At Marché Bastille
One of the things to do in the 11th arrondissement that is a great Parisian experience is to wander through the Bastille Market, one of Paris’s biggest markets. With the Bastille’s Colonne de Juillet in the background, shop to your heart’s content. If you love buying clothing at French markets or gathering fresh produce to cook up a true French feast, you will find just what you need here.
Be sure to find the galette stand (you’ll see the lineup) where authentic Breton galettes are cooked before your eyes. I love the traditional galette with egg, cheese, and ham. Pair it with a glass of brut cider (dry cider). Still, got room? Try the Kouign amann. Here you are standing in the 11th arrondissement of Paris but, close your eyes for a second, and be immediately transported to the region of Brittany!
Find the fish stand (poissonnerie) where a few high tables and stools are set out and Parisians are diving into platters of oysters on a Sunday morning. Slurping and laughing. A great way to start a Sunday. Not sure how to eat oysters like the French? Here is how to attack a platter of oysters!
Marché Bastille, the Bastille Market:
- Location: Boulevard Richard Lenoir
- Hours: Thursdays 7 AM to 2:30 PM; Sundays 7 AM to 3 PM.
Read More: This post will lead you to delightful tucked away and 21 favourite streets to stroll in Paris.
4. The 11th Arrondissement: Shop on Rue de la Roquette
The first time I wandered up rue de la Roquette, I wasn’t sure what to make of it! I’ll tell you this. It is one lively street, maybe except first thing in the morning where you are sure to run into people who are just finishing the previous evening’s soirée!
Rue de la Roquette is lined with cafés, bars, boutiques, a high school, and the Théâtre de la Bastille. It is a bumping street. Sit on the terrasse of Café des Anges and watch real Paris in action.
I lived on rue de la Roquette for a few weeks and Café des Anges was my go-to for a morning coffee and croissant and also for dejeuner (lunch) which was delicious and reasonable. I sat and wrote a while and came to recognize the morning regulars that came by for a quick café.
Be sure to stop by some of the clothing shops on rue de la Roquette. Some of my favourites are:
- Les Stocks du Marais at 58 rue de la Roquette
- Comptoir du Désert at 74 rue de la Roquette
- Mademoiselle Jeanne at #55
- Nin et Laur at 59 rue de la Roquette.
Pro Travel Tip: If you walk right to the top of rue de la Roquette, you will find an entrance to Père Lachaise Cemetery.
Planning Your Paris Trip:
Here are some of the most popular guided tours and tickets for Paris:
This one-hour Seine cruise is unforgettable but so is the evening Seine cruise. It’s a hard choice!
This skip-the-line admission to the Arc de Triomphe Rooftop or the timed entry to the Louvre and reserved access to the Musée d’Orsay can maximize your time.
Get to the top of the Eiffel Tower with direct access to the summit by elevator.
A day trip to Versailles with access to the Palace and Gardens with an audio guide is always a good idea.
5. Savour Bean-To-Bar Chocolate At Alain Ducasse
One of the most delicious things to do in the 11th arrondissement is discover the artisanal chocolate of Alain Ducasse. This is true bean-to-bar chocolate made right in Paris. The burlap sacks of cacao beans sourced from around the world are used to create divine results. Stop by the chocolate boutique, and peruse the selection of bars made from beans from Peru, or Ecuador. There are certain chocolates made for specific celebrations and seasons. I mark on my calendar when the whiskey chocolates become available for the Christmas season!
Right beside Le Chocolate Alain Ducasse you’ll find his ice cream bar. La Glace Alain Ducasse is so delicious it made my list of the best ice cream in Paris! The classics such as pistachio and coffee are available. But don’t miss unique Ducasse creations such as olive oil ice cream.
Alain Ducasse has turned this little bit of rue de la Roquette into a tasty heaven with the opening of Le Biscuit. The biscuit shop has a wide selection of cookies and even some that are gluten-free.
- Le Chocolat Alain Ducasse, 40 rue de la Roquette
- La Glace Alain Ducasse, 38 rue de la Roquette
- Le Biscuit Alain Ducasse, 42 rue de la Roquette
6. Atelier des Lumières
One of my favourite things to do in the 11th arrondissement is stand in awe at Atelier des Lumières. The first time I went to Atelier des Lumières in Paris, it blew my mind. Here I was immersed in Gustav Klimt’s paintings which soared sky-high while a Viennese waltz played. That was in 2018 and I have not missed an exhibition since. Stroll on over to rue Saint-Maur in the 11th arrondissement of Paris and see what surprise is in store for you.
Atelier des Lumières:
- Location: 38 rue Saint-Maur, 75011 Paris
- Entry Fee 2024: 17€, get your tickets here.
7. Try A Flight Of Beer At BapBap
Wondering what to do in the 11th arrondissement of Paris? Stop by Parisian microbrewery BAPBAP one evening for a flight of beer – a selection of four of BAPBAP’s artisanal beers for tasting.
When I purchased some BAPBAP beer as a Christmas gift, the young man in front of me turned and said, “It’s a true Parisian gift.”
BAPBAP stands for Bière Artisinale Paris and I remember reading somewhere, that the second BAP stands for Bois à Paris. Thus, brewed in Paris, drunk in Paris!
It is possible to go on a tour of their microbrewery. Check it out here.
When I had lunch at Ferrandi, the prestigious cooking school in Paris, the entire menu was paired with a beer selection from BAPBAP.
BAPBAP:
- Location: 79 rue Saint Maur, 75011 Paris
- Hours: Tuesday through Friday 4 PM to 10 PM; Saturdays 2 PM to 10 PM; Closed Mondays.
8. Fill Up On Raclette At Le Chalet Savoyard
The minute a cold wind blows into Paris, ALL Parisians start talking about the alpine specialities raclette, fondue, and tartiflette (melted Reblochon cheese and bacon served with potatoes). It’s quite charming. These hearty, heart-warming meals can take the chill out of any wind and warm you right down to your toes.
One of the best restaurants in Paris to partake in a raclette feast is Le Chalet Savoyard! Raclette is a dish that hails from Switzerland and the Savoyard region of France. The block of cheese is heated and melted and then scraped onto boiled potatoes, pickles, pickled onions, and charcuterie.
You know from my French cheese articles and where to find the best fromageries in Paris that I LOVE blue cheese. I shared a blue cheese raclette with a friend. We were in heaven! Such a pleasure on a chilly winter night. It truly is one of the best things to do in the 11th arrondissement.
Le Chalet Savoyard:
- Location: 58 rue de Charonne, 75011 Paris
- Lunch Hours: Monday through Sunday 12 PM to 2:30 PM
- Dinner Hours: Monday through Thursday and Sundays 7 PM to 11 PM; Friday and Saturday 7 PM to 12 AM
Read More: When that wind begins to blow…find out about Paris in the Fall and Paris in the Winter. And if there is snow in Paris, I think a raclette is definitely in order!
9. Find The Best Gluten-Free Bakery
One of the yummiest things to do in the 11th arrondissement is savour multiple gluten-free treats at Chambelland. Located right in the heart of the charming Popincourt Village, I often make my way to Chambelland. The lemon tarts, brownies, and cookies are sublime. Their gluten-free focaccia bread is a winner too. Vegans will be pleased with their selection of energy balls and cookies.
Chambelland has both outdoor tables and a lovely interior spot to have lunch. Chambelland is a real find for those who are gluten-free and also not gluten-free!
Chambelland – Paris Oberkampf:
- Location: 14 rue Ternaux, 75011 Paris
- Hours: Monday to Saturday 8:30 AM to 7: 30 PM and Sundays 9 AM to 6 PM
- Other Paris Locations: Paris Batignolles (17th); Corner Bien L’Epicerie La Pompe (16th arrondissement);
Pro Travel Tip: If you’re not gluten-free, check out my list of the 15 best pâtisseries in Paris. In Paris 11e? Why not stop by Boulangerie Utopie on 20 rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud?
10. Check Out The Soaring Spires of Saint-Ambroise
The spires soar upwards for 68 metres making Saint-Ambroise, on Boulevard Voltaire, unmissable. Built between 1863 and 1869, on the site of a convent Saint Ambroise is dedicated to Saint Ambroise and Saint Augustine. Sit in the little garden in front of the church, and wander into the church taking note of the stained glass windows. It’s a quiet oasis and a perfect place to stop for a few minutes.
11. Swoon At Cyril Lignac’s Gourmet Corner
It was during the first confinement of 2020 that I heard of Cyril Lignac. He is the darling chef of the French and was holding extremely popular virtual cooking classes. I love following his gastronomic adventures on Instagram. Eventually, I started tasting all Cyril Lignac had to offer!
When I was living on rue du Bac in the 7th arrondissement, La Pâtisserie Cyril Lignac on rue de Sèvres was a short walk away. I sampled almost everything!
But then I discovered his corner with three places to savour Cyril Lignac’s creations. La Pâtisserie Cyril Lignac, which always has a lineup, the Chocolaterie, the perfect place for an afternoon café, and Le Chardenoux. Le Chardenoux, set in a bistro from 1908, is still one of the most memorable meals I have had in Paris. Don’t miss the stunning interior and antique marble bar. Enjoying Lignac’s corner is one of the essential things to do in the 11th arrondissement.
Cyril Lignac:
- Le Chardenoux at 1 rue Jules Vallès, 75011 Paris
- La Pâtisserie Cyril Lignac at 24 rue Paul Bert, 75011 Paris
- La Chocolaterie at 25 rue Chanzy, 75011 Paris
12. Boutique Shop On Rue de la Folie-Méricourt
Boutique shopping is one of the fun things to do in the 11th arrondissement of Paris. Take your time. It’s not a quick “check-it off the bucket list” part of Paris. I found living in the 11th arrondissment that I discovered new streets and different boutiques each time I set out exploring.
One street I keep returning to is rue de la Folie-Méricourt. I love the handmade wooden puzzles by Puzzles Michèle Wilson, the charming bookshop Librairie La Téte Ailleurs, having brunch at Café Méricourt (beware of long lines!) and stopping by for a cocktail at the Dirty Lemon (I’m due for a return visit here!).
On a recent stroll, I was admiring some new street art when a man stepped out of his shop and said, “The artist who created this is standing across the street in the blue shirt.” I wandered over and told the artist how much I loved his installation about nature and poetry. We had a very short chat. It was still early in the morning by Paris standards. These kinds of Paris exchanges make my day.
13. Stroll Passage Lhomme and Rue de Charonne
Passage Lhomme, entered from #26 rue de Charonne, is worth the side trip! Stroll through the Passage Lhomme, in the 11e, lined with greenery and the facades of ancient ateliers. It’s like popping into a time gone by.
Rue de Charonne is another street not to be missed in the 11th arrondissement of Paris. It’s a street where Parisians shop in boutiques such as Héroïnes, Cotélac, and Sessùn. Stop by the little shop filled with antique glass where you’ll be sure to find a treasure and also the bookshop dedicated to Bande Déssiné (comic books and graphic novels). Stroll and enjoy.
Note: Many boutiques in Paris do not open until 11 am on weekdays. If you are headed to a specific store, verify opening hours.
14. Enjoy A Jazz Night At Le 18
One of the best things to do in the 11th arrondissement Paris is seek out the wine bars! One of my favourites is Le 18. Right in the heart of rue Oberkampf, Le 18 is a natural wine bar with a warm and lively atmosphere. Stop by for a great selection of natural wine and the jazz trio on Wednesday nights. Be sure to make a reservation in advance.
Le 18:
- Location: 18 rue Oberkampf, 75011 Paris
- Hours: Tuesday 6 PM to 10 PM; Wednesday and Thursday 6 PM to 1 AM; Friday and Saturday 6 PM to 2 AM; Closed Sunday and Monday
- Jazz Nights: Wednesday 7:30 AM to 10 PM
15. Stop For A Bite At Le Servan
It was by chance that my sister-in-law and I discovered Le Servan. We wandered along rue Saint-Maur after seeing the exhibit at Atelier les Lumières and caught the end of the lunch rush. We were completely blown away by our lunches. Then, I read up on Le Servan. Le Servan gets great reviews due to its creative menu of French cuisine with Asian influence. Make a reservation and add it to your list of essential things to do in the 11th arrondissement.
Le Servan
- Location: 32 rue Saint Maur, 75011 Paris
- Hours: Monday to Saturday 12 – 2 PM and 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM
16. Dive Into French Classics At Le Bistrot Paul Bert
The experience at Le Bistro Paul Bert is classic French. Just what you would expect. The dishes are traditional (steak and frites, boeuf bourguignon, foie gras, and creme brulée). It’s rather delicious and the good wine just flows! The three small rooms are buzzing with locals and tourists a like. The highlight for me was, of course, the dessert! Be sure to make a reservation.
Bistrot Paul Bert
- Location: 18 rue Paul Bert, 75011 Paris
- Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 12 – 2 PM and 7:30 PM to 11 PM
17. Have An Apéro At Septime La Cave
I’d heard about Septime La Cave for ages before finally getting there. It’s tiny and over flowing with atmosphere! There are a few small tables, a window seat, and a couple of spaces at the bar. My sister and I bided our time and sidled up to the bar. The bar tenders were amazing giving us samples of various wines until we settled on one, or maybe two. It’s no wonder the crowd spills into the street every night. This is a happening place with an amazing wine list and delicious nibbles such as Comté cheese with a fig chutney. Or how about dried sausage (saucisson d’Ardèche) with pickles and Bordier butter… definitely to be accompanied by fresh baguette!! Septime La Cave is definitely one of the memorable things to do in the 11th arrondissement.
Septime La Cave
- Location: 3 rue Basfroi, 75011 Paris
- Hours: Everyday 4 PM – 11 PM
FAQ’s: The 11th Arrondissement Paris
1. How far is the 11th arrondissement from the Eiffel Tower?
From the Place de la République (the western edge of the 11th arrondissement) to the Eiffel Tower is 30 minutes by Paris métro. Take Line 9 to Alma Marceau and then walk 14 minutes.
2. Where is the 11th arrondissement in Paris?
On Paris’s right bank, the 11th arrondissement in Paris is bordered at Place de la Bastille by the 3rd, 4th, and 12th arrondissements. It is bordered at Place de la République by the 3rd and the 10th arrondissements. If you love to walk, there are plenty of things to do in the 11th arrondissement and then you can walk to one of the neighbouring districts to continue your Paris day.
3. What are the best things to do in the 11th arrondissement Paris?
Visit the 11th arrondissement in Paris to see the exhibition at the Atelier des Lumières. Then enjoy the authentic feel of the 11th. Shop the small boutiques, and the artisanal shops, and search out the wine bars, and restaurants. It is a lively district of Paris with a very authentic feel.
These 17 things to do in the 11th arrondissement of Paris barely scrape the surface of this authentic area. Go with your curious spirit and have fun making your discoveries.
Until next time,
More Paris Info…
After discovering all the best things to do in the 11th arrondissement, you might want to add these areas of Paris to your list of places to visit!
Get mixed up with the arrondissements of Paris? This guide to the Paris arrondissements will help you plan your best visit to the City of Light!
This post on Montmartre leads you to the most popular sites as well as some lesser-known places in Montmartre.
Another of Paris’s most-loved areas is Saint-Germain des Prés. Here are my best tips on things to do in Saint-Germain des Prés.
Le Marais is one of the best areas of Paris to flâner. Here are 23 tops things to do in le Marais.
La Butte aux Cailles, tucked away in the 13th arrondissement, is another place in Paris that has retained its village-like charm. My article on La Butte aux Cailles will lead you to discover some of the area and its visually enticing street art.
Canal Saint-Martin is another place full of small restaurants, boutiques and plenty of character. Stroll the bridges of the canal under the chestnut trees and feel like a true Parisian. All the details on this “bobo” district are in this article on Canal Saint-Martin.
Here are all the things to do on Ile Saint-Louis, one of the oldest villages in Paris.
And don’t forget that the 7th arrondissement has lots to see and do once you have seen the Eiffel Tower.
The 19th arrondissement of Paris centres around the Canal de l’Ourcq, the Parc de la Villette, and Parc des Buttes-Chaumont. Have you been?
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