The best photo locations in the 20th arrondissement
We’re kicking off a new series, showing you the best photo spots in Paris, one arrondissement at a time! Paris is so full of beauty at every turn – and there’s much more to it than the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe!
But wait – what even is an ‘arrondissement’? Basically, the city of Paris is divided into twenty ‘arrondissements municipaux’, or administrative districts. There are 20 in all and they spiral round clockwise from the 1st (in the very centre of Paris) to the 20th (on the eastern border of the péripherique/ ring road).
Today let’s start with the 20th! This is my home arrondissement and no one describes it better than Google themselves: “The bohemian 20th arrondissement is a laid-back area in Paris’ former industrial heartland. Trendy Belleville pulses with budget Chinese eateries, and a new wave of contemporary art galleries and street art. Young, arty crowds hang out in the grungy bars and music venues of hilly Menilmontant. The leafy Père Lachaise Cemetery, where celebrities like Oscar Wilde and Jim Morrison are buried, is a popular tourist site.”
Our 3 favorite photo spots in the 20th are:
1. Père Lachaise cemetery, the largest cemetery in Paris, receiving some 3.5 million tourists every year. I particularly like visiting the cemetery in Fall, as the colours and falling leaves really add to the atmosphere. Père Lachaise is the largest cemetery in Paris and there are many notable people buried here including Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, Edith Piaf and Frederic Chopin, to name a few!
2. Parc de Belleville is our second favourite photo location. This park is not a well-known spot featured on all the Paris blogs, however we would definitely recommend it. Mainly for it’s little known shot with the Eiffel Tower and a view over the city from the east. If you are looking for a place to watch the sunset in Paris, then here is a great location to add to your bucket list!
3. And finally our third location is the backstreets of Charonne. Charonne was named one of Europe’s top 10 coolest neighborhoods by the Uk’s Guardian newspaper in 2020 and it is full of bohemian charm. There are many fun bistros, wine bars and food places to visit, and we would also add that a walk throughout the neighbourhood is also a fun venture. Bring along your camera to snap away at the cute streets and buildings you find!
There’s our top three places in the 20th. Do you have any other recommendations? If so, leave them in the comments! We’d love to hear from you!
Click here to find out our top photo spots in the 19th arrondissement!
