Paris 13th arrondissement hidden villages

Now that you know the Butte-aux-Cailles a little better, let us reveal the other hidden villages of the 13th arrondissement, because yes, there are a lot of them!

For example, don't forget to go to the Petite Alsace district! Also called Cité Daviel, Petite Alsace is a group of 40 brick and half-timbered houses, in the pure Alsatian style, spread all around a 500m2 courtyard. It's like being there!

If you like Little Alsace, wait to discover its neighbor, Little Russia! Overlooking the half-timbered houses, Little Russia is a set of 20 small houses built... on the third floor of a building, on the roof of a garage! Completely crazy, right? They were built in 1912 by a cab company to accommodate its drivers. Most of them were Russians exiled in France after the 1917 Revolution. Unfortunately, Little Russia is not open to the public, but if by chance you meet a local, it doesn't hurt to ask him nicely to let you in!

Many cities in the 13th arrondissement are also havens of peace and greenery. They are easy to find since you can recognize them by their rather... poetic names! Take the Cité Florale, for example. Located below the Parc Montsouris, the Cité Florale, built in 1928, seduces with its paved streets and small squares, a stone's throw from the tall buildings of the 13th arrondissement. Moreover, it is not only the district which bears a floral name, but each street which bears a flower name: orchids, mimosas, irises, volubilis. We discover charming little houses with wisteria-covered facades and all decorated with a perfectly flowered garden, of course!

Be careful not to confuse the Cité Florale and the Cité Fleurie. You might end up in an even more charming place! Also located in the 13th district, the Cité Fleurie has indeed nothing to envy to the Cité Florale in terms of charm. Greenery, flowers, works of art are visible in all the gardens. Built between 1878 and 1881 with building materials from the 1878 Universal Exhibition, the Cité Fleurie is a perfectly charming artists' city. 29 white half-timbered cottages still house artists' residences and studios. In the past, Gauguin, Henri Cadiou and Modigliani lived there!

Before leaving the 13th arrondissement and its beautiful little villages, a visit to the Maison Blanche district is a must. The walker will discover pretty houses with pastel facades (water mint, candy pink, sky blue) sometimes decorated with mosaics. You would think you were in a Scandinavian country!