13th Arrondissement

The Basics

Less touristy than other parts of Paris, the 13th arrondissement has a rich Chinese, Cambodian, and Vietnamese community and is a great place to find Asian restaurants and shops as well as one of the largest Chinese New Year Celebrations in Europe. The 13th district has also become something of an open-air museum, with dozens of massive works of street art, and several walking tours of the district highlight these urban pieces.

Things to Know Before You Go

• The 13th arrondissement is great for visitors wishing to explore off the beaten tourist path.

• Explore the lesser-known Butte aux Cailles neighborhood to view the area’s abundant street art.

• Bring comfortable shoes and be prepared for lots of walking in this hilltop district.

How to Get There

The 13th arrondissement is easily accessible by public transportation. Metro lines 6, 7, and 14 make numerous stops throughout the neighborhood. Not far from the Latin Quarter, it’s a nice walk from central Paris along the River Seine to the 13th arrondissement.

When to Get There

The less-visited 13th arrondissement is wonderful to explore any time of year. The neighborhood is particularly lively during the Chinese New Year, in January or February, when the streets fill with brightly lit lanterns and colorful costume parades. The festival features plenty of children’s activities, traditional music performances, and authentic food.

The French National Library

The 13th arrondissement is also home to the massive French National Library. Comprised of four 25-story glass towers, the library houses one of the largest collections of books in the world with well over 10 million titles. The library also contains numerous historical texts including thousands of ancient Greek manuscripts, as well as antique ceramics, coins, sculptures, and King Louis XIV’s globes.

Ways to explore

Less touristy than other parts of Paris, the 13th arrondissement has large Chinese, Cambodian, and Vietnamese communities, making it a great place to find Asian restaurants and grocery stores—and to join in the celebrations during Chinese New Year. Join a walking tour of the district’s Butte-aux-Cailles neighborhood to take in the large street art scene here. Or, try a self-guided app tour to learn about the area while strolling through Parc Montsouris, which the district shares with the 14th arrondissement to the west.

Accessibility

Public transportation and most shops are accessible for wheelchair users, but some sidewalks are narrow.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Water bottle, reusable shopping bag for groceries

What to wear

Comfortable walking shoes, a jacket (except in summer)

Not allowed

Don’t expect cashiers to bag your groceries; instead, start bagging as soon as they begin scanning your items.

Address

The 13th arrondissement is located in southeast Paris, due south of the popular Latin Quarter, and is well-connected to the rest of the city. It’s across the river from the 12th and directly east of the 14th arrondissement.

Driving

If driving into the arrondissement from elsewhere in Paris, head toward the Place d’Italie, the de facto center of the arrondissement. It’s accessible via the Boulevard Auguste Blanqui, Avenue des Gobelins, Boulevard Vincent-Auriol, and Boulevard de l’Hôpital.

Public transportation

The main transportation hub is at Place d’Italie, on Metro lines 5, 6, and 7. Bus lines 27, 47, 57, 59, 61, 64, 67, and 83 stop here, as do Noctilien night bus lines N15, N22, and N31.

Best times to visit

Visit in the evening if you want to try out a local restaurant, but note that many don’t open before 7pm.

Best days to visit

Visit on weekdays when there are fewer crowds. Avoid Sundays, when many grocery stores are closed.

Best months to visit

Come in January or February for Chinese New Year or May through July for great weather. Avoid August, when many shops close for the month.

Special events

The neighborhood is particularly lively during Chinese New Year, when the streets fill with brightly lit lanterns and colorful costume parades.