Streetlife - Paris e-guide: The Travel Guide with its Own Website - page 152

Streetlife

4 F2

Abbesses having a high old time
The heart of Montmartre is one of the city's loveliest
districts in which to while away some time. Expect
winding cobbled streets, dilapidated old windmills,
charm by the bucket-load and interesting company -
the local Montmartrois include lots of bohemian types
and artists. While many of the shops, such as the
funky Spree concept store (see p89) and Patricia
Louisor (see p88) , are worth crossing town for during
the day, don't leave too soon, as it's in the evening
that things really start to kick off here.
As well as outstanding restaurants - La Famille (see
p48) , La Mascotte (see p49) and Café Burq (see p46)
are all here - the 18th arrondissment has numerous
atmospheric bars, such as La Fourmi (see p146) and Le
Sancerre (see p148) . Other diversions come in the
shape of eccentric, camp cabaret Chez Michou (see
p225) , full of lip-synching, cross-dressing divas, and
art-house cinema Studio 28 (see p123) , with its beer
garden that makes for an enchanting pre-film drink.

5A2

La Goutte d'Or kaleidoscope of cultures
This is perhaps the most multicultural and edgy area in
central Paris. La Goutte mainly vibrates to an African
beat, but other cultures are also in evidence. Head to
rue de Laghouat for a taste of Algeria, rue Jean François
Lépine to absorb Chinese culture and rue Gardes for
young international fashion designers. For all its colour
and vibrancy, this part of Paris is plagued by crime,
so keep your wallet close and avoid visiting at night.

12 F2

Puces de St-Ouen mother of all flea markets
Q Porte de Clignancourt
www.les-puces.com Open 9:30-6 Sat-Mon
Also known as Les Puces de Clignancourt, this is the
city's largest flea market where amid the piles of junk,
bargains and beautiful pieces also lurk. There are 12
market areas, so if you know what you're looking for,
head to the specific section: Serpette and Biron are top
for antiques, while Malik has great vintage clothing.

Boulevard de Belleville cultural X-roads
This broad, leafy boulevard is home to one of the
city's cheapest and liveliest markets (7:30-2:30 Tue
& Fri) and to thriving Chinese, Jewish and Arab
communities, each with its own shops and
restaurants. Two of the best places to soak up the
multicultural buzz are the excellent Jewish-Tunisian
restaurant Benisti (see p49) and the New Nioullaville
(see p220) , known for its outstanding dim sum.