The 19th arrondissement of Paris is not an area of Paris where tourists typically go to explore. If you’ve seen the grand monuments of Paris and have a curiosity about discovering another side of Paris, head on over to the 19th arrondissement. The Bassin de la Villette and the Canal de l’Ourq are highlights of Paris 19 along with the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont. The Parc de la Villette is the epi-centre for music in Paris and there’s also the biggest science museum in Europe. Don’t miss out on the 19th arrondissement of Paris.
12 Best Things To Do In The 19th Arrondissement Of Paris
1. Stroll Through Parc des Buttes-Chaumont
Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, which opened in 1867, is a favourite among locals in the 19th arrondissement. It is one of Paris’ largest green spaces with a hidden waterfall and a 50-metre cliff topped with the Temple de la Sybille reminiscent of the Temple of Vesta in Tivoli, Italy. Stroll through Parc des Buttes-Chaumont and see a snapshot of real Paris: families picnicking, trumpets being practised, wedding photoshoots, breathless joggers (it’s quite hilly) and lots of sunbathing. On other occasions, I’ve heard renditions of Edith Piaf, sat and watched flocks of parakeets, and early morning classes of tai chi.
Read More | Find all the details about the best way to spend your time at Parc des Buttes-Chaumont.
2. The 19th Arrondissement: Get On The Canal de l’Ourq
The Canal de l’Ourcq Running Through Paris 19: A Little History
The Canal de l’Ourcq was created in the XIXth century by Napoleon Bonaparte to bring more drinking water to Paris. It stems from the Ourcq River in the Aisne department in northern France and flows to the Bassin de la Villette. From there, it joins the Canal Saint-Martin. The Canal de l’Ourcq is 108 km (67 miles) long and has 10 locks. Since 1983, the water in the Canal de l’Ourcq has been designated for non-drinking purposes.
The canals in Paris bustle with activity. A completely different vibe than the Seine River, the Canal Saint-Martin hops with the boho crowd. And the Canal de L’Ourcq? Well, it hustles to its own beat.
Head on over to the Quai de la Seine in the 19th arrondissement and find Marin d’eau Douce. Rent an electric boat for up to five people for 40€ an hour and cruise the Canal de l’Ourcq. They’ll even prepare a picnic basket for you on request.
3. Enjoy A Craft Beer At Paname Brewing Company
41 bis Quai de Loire, 75019 Paris
There was a time when craft beer wasn’t such a big deal in Paris. But not so anymore. With its wide range of craft beer, street food menu, and a terrace that looks over the Canal de l’Ourcq, the Paname Brewing Company is a non-negotiable stop in Paris for beer drinkers.
Grab a table on the terrace, sit back, sip, savour, and people watch. Ah, la vie est belle!
Pro Travel Tip: This is a 2-minute walk to the Lift Bridge at rue Crimée
4. The 19th Arrondissement: Explore Parc de la Villette
What on earth is the Parc de la Villette? Once, La Villette was a village outside of Paris with a history dating back to the Romans. In 1859, under Napoleon III’s expansion of Paris, La Villette became a part of the city. Here at La Villette, 5 large abattoirs or slaughterhouses were located and used until 1973.
Fast forward (very fast) to the present day when the Parc de la Villette is the third largest park in Paris, after the Bois de Boulogne and the Bois de Vincennes. People gather here for picnics, to visit Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie (the largest science museum in Europe and 5th most visited in Paris), and explore the ten themed gardens (including one with mirrors, and one with metallic kites).
Some Special Events At La Villette:
Jazz à la Villette: A 2-week jazz festival in September with sessions at Cité de la Musique and in le Parc de la Villette
Villette Cinéma Plein Air: For a month in the summer head over to La Villette to watch movie screenings under the stars.
5. Paris Plages In The 19th Arrondissement: Le Bassin de la Villette
This year in 2024, summer in Paris celebrates its 22nd year with Paris Plages where summer activities are set up along the banks of the Seine and at the Bassin de la Villette in the 19th arrondissement.
At the Bassin de la Villette the summery Paris fun includes swimming, paddleboats, kayaks, deckchairs and beaches. The three swimming pools and two paddling pools are the perfect way to cool off on a hot summer day in Paris.
Jumping into the Canal is forbidden although, during a scorching heatwave, I may have witnessed a few rule breakers!
Paris Plages:
Dates: July 6 to September 8, 2024
Hours: Banks of the Seine: daily from 10 am to 6:30 pm.
Bassin de la Villette: open weekdays from 10 am to 10 pm; weekends from 10 am to midnight.
6. Climb The Stairs To Butte Bergeyre In Paris 19
Finding the little tucked-away villages of Paris is like discovering treasure. Right in the centre of busy, noisy Paris are tranquil enclaves of houses, framed by wisteria and Pierre de Ronsard roses bushes, set on cobbled streets.
Climb one of the three staircases leading to Butte Bergeyre and enjoy stunning views over Paris, a hillside vineyard, a communal garden and a real Paris community. Sit on the one bench and stare out over Paris. Breathe a little. For as Victor Hugo wrote, “To breathe Paris is to preserve one’s soul.”
Read More | Find out all the details about Butte Bergeyre.
7. Attend A Concert At Cité de la Musique
Calling all music lovers to the Cité de la Musique in Paris 19. Concert halls, a music museum, an amphitheatre, a library, and a unique design by architect Christian de Portzamparc invite guests to step into this meeting place for music. With its fluid and luminous design, and fabulous acoustics, the Cité de la Musique is well worth adding to your itinerary.
Spend an evening at the Philharmonie de Paris (Paris Philharmonic) and admire the Grand Concert Hall where there really isn’t a bad seat. I bought a ticket for 20€ which had a great view over the musicians and then the usher moved me to an even better seat.
8. The 19th Arrondissement: Attend A Concert At Le Trabendo
Parc de la Villette, 211 Av. Jean Jaurès, 75019, Paris
I had the good fortune to get invited to a musical event at Le Trabendo in the 19th arrondissement of Paris. Tucked in behind the Cité de la Musique, this venue has a marvellous terrace and a hall that holds up to 700 spectators. Le Trabendo presents an eclectic range of musical talent ranging from electro, and rap to hip hop. Check out the events calendar here.
9. Wander Through The Mouzaïa Quartier In Paris 19
It’s the little cobbled laneways called “villas,” the trailing wisteria and brilliant rosebushes, the unique houses playing peek-a-boo from behind the gates and the essence of tranquillity that make Mouzaïa an off-the-beaten-track gem to discover. In the 19th century, these were homes of the quarrymen who worked in the nearby quarry. Stroll the ten passageways, some dead ends, lined with delightful, small houses. Close your eyes for a minute. Listen to the birds. It’s not hard to imagine that you’ve been transported to rural France.
A true delight in the 19th arrondissement of Paris.
Getting to Mouzaïa In Paris 19:
Walk from Parc des Buttes-Chaumont
Paris Métro: Line 7-bis: Botzaris or Danube
10. Catch The Lift Bridge In Action
Le Pont Levant (lift bridge) de la rue Crimée is a designated historical monument in Paris. This hydraulic lift bridge was the first such bridge in Paris and has worked since 1885. And when I say work, it operates about 9000 times a year. That’s about 24 times a day!
Automatic barriers stop the road traffic from crossing but pedestrians can still cross on a pedestrian bridge while the historical monument is in operation.
When the bridge goes up, you can see the cables and the wheels working to lift it!
Getting to Le Pont Levant In The 19th Arrondissment :
On foot: a 2-minute walk from Paname Brewing Company
Closest Paris Métro: Laumière or Crimée
11. Cycle The Bike Trails In Paris 19
Get a Velib rental near Canal Saint-Martin and follow the paths (and a few roads) towards the Bassin de la Villette, follow either the Quai de la Seine or the Quai de la Loire and cycle through the Parc de la Villette. Keep following the bike trail and you’ll soon feel like you are in the country. An hour’s ride will get you to the Parc Forestier de la Poudrerie. Bring a picnic.
Alternatively, you can stay in Paris 19, cycle the quays and watch pétanque, grab a beer at Paname, or a glass of natural wine at Cambuse. Once you get to the Parc de la Villette, there is plenty of exploring to do!
12. Discover The Hidden Church Saint-Serge de Radonège
93 rue de Crimée, 75019, Paris
It’s really hidden away down a narrow treed passage. And then the wooden porch with its colourful trim appears. Originally a German Lutheran Church, it was bought by the French government after WWI. With the increasing number of Russian immigrants flocking to Paris after the Russian Revolution, the Orthodox church in the 8th arrondissement, Saint-Alexandre-Nevsky Cathedral (well worth discovering) was bursting at the seams. The Russian community purchased this little church in the 19th arrondissement honouring Saint-Serge de Radonège.
Take your time and wander the perimeter. Sit a bit and listen to the birds. And then push the doorway to enter Saint-Serge de Radonège. With any luck, the wooden door will creak open and the Russian clergy will be practising their chanting. You can’t help but be struck by the colourful, and intricate religious murals.
I hope you enjoy exploring the 19th arrondissement of Paris as much as I do!
Until next time,
More Paris Info…
Now that you are familiar with the 19th arrondissement of Paris, you might want to add these areas 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!
If you like off-the-beaten-path Paris, why not head to the 20th arrondissement?
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.
Other Paris and France Travel Tips:
Travelling to Paris alone? This article on navigating Paris alone is full of tips and tricks for the solo traveller.
This page has all my articles on Paris that will help you plan out your trip, including day trips from Paris. I hope you subscribed to my newsletter to get my free download – An Amazing 2-day Itinerary in Paris.
If you are going further afield in France, make sure to check out my page on France.
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