Ooh la la. Belleville. The name itself is beautiful. What once was a quaint village has now become a melting pot of many cultures and it has also become a new hotspot for locals and tourists alike. This ‘ville' is bursting with colour as you will see in the stunning graffiti art along the streets, the many art galleries you can check out, and even the trendy stores and cafes that line the road.

It's not just art that is winning here, but Belleville actually boasts of a killer view over all of Paris from one of the many hills you can climb. Other than that, there are markets you definitely shouldn't miss and a cool crowd of people you should meet.

What's great about Belleville is that it's a walking distance from other amazing neighbourhoods and you can even walk to The Marrais and Sacre Coeur. It's fantastic!

Being located on the northern side of the city in the direction of the airport makes it easy to get from Paris Airport to the city by either taking a taxi or rideshare service, which can take approximately 30-45 minutes, depending on traffic. Alternatively, you can use public transportation to Gare du Nord and then transfer to the metro line 2 will get you to Belleville in about 50-60 minutes.

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One word, GRAFFITI. Rue Denoyez is one of the laneways pronounced legal for street art. It is a small street but it is completely teeming with graffiti and other quirky installations of ceramics, photographs, action figures, and what-not.

Street art can also be seen all around Belleville, not just Rue Denoyez. Even delivery trucks, flower pots, trash bins, and posts are covered in graffiti. Artists have truly made this place a colourful wonderland.

Paris has many lookouts and hills with views to offer. This one is a bit of special one though, for me anyways, since it was right around my house when I stayed in Belleville and you truly don't encounter any tourists or the queues you typically get around the Eifel Tower.

Make your way to Parc des Buttes Chaumont and just enjoy the greenery. Did you know the colour green soothes the eye? So when you feel dizzy from all the sights and sounds of the city, looking at greens can help you revive.

This park is actually the 5th biggest park in Paris. It's the perfect place to go for a run, or just to stroll, and have a picnic. Spot the little lake and cute waterfalls. You can get to Parc des Buttes Chaumont by Metro on the green line, simply exit at Buttes Chaumont.

If your Belleville trip falls on a Tuesday or Friday, from 7am to 2:30pm, do not dare miss Le Marche Belleville. It is an open-air market that features the usual fruit and vegetable stands, and the more interesting displays of Asian, African, and Middle Eastern goods and specialties.

Savoury and hot spices, brilliant fabrics, interesting home decors and what-nots are up for grabs.

Rue de Belleville is the main artery as you will see judging by the traffic along this road. Rue de Belleville is lengthy stretch of asstorted food outlets that cater to a global clientele.

Of course, there are French delicacies of baguettes, chocolates, and wine. But there's also quite a number of restaurants with a Chinese menu, Middle Eastern specialties, Mexican food, and much, much more. Belleville actually is Paris' second Chinatown which has emerged in the 1980s.

If you're up for a bit of hunting anything whimsical or perhaps something the locals love, head over to Rue de La Villette and explore its vintage shops and concept stores for something completely bizarre but totally cool. Drop by epiceries or grocery stores and check out the local goods.

There are many health food stores around in the area as well.

Lunch time! Go to the hilltop restaurant of La Mer a Boire at Parc de Belleville. Trust me, the sumptuous lunch and the breathtaking, panoramic view of Paris is worth the little hike.

Come the summer season, Parc de Belleville bursts with life as family and friends meet up for a casual picnic, couples go salsa dancing, and outdoor concerts blast with music. You might also occasionally spot cool local handmade crafts and jewellery for sale.

Legend says Edith Piaf was born on the very doorway of a humble home at 72 de la Rue de Belleville. This day, you can find a plaque above that doorway that tells of her birth. It also says in French that her voice would go on to touch the world. Edith Piaf is the voice behind the iconic song ‘La Vie en Rose'.

Is it even possible for a celebrity-studded cemetery to exist? Well, in Belleville, it sure is. The 44-hectare Pere Lachaise cemetery attracts many visitors and fans who would like to pay their respects. A lot of tombs have interesting sculptures and installations.

There are hundreds of famed French musicians, artists, scholars, poets, painters, politicians, to name a few. Be sure to visit the tombs of Edith Piaf, Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, and Chopin.

This is also another place to enjoy affordable drinks and cocktails while you sit on the café's sidewalk terrace. Do visit rather early in the afternoon. The place, especially the outdoor seats, tends to fill up quite fast.

Good things come in small packages – or should I say small restaurants. Chez Yu may be in a small, intimate setting but the food satisfaction is huge. I like this place because its kept super clean and the open kitchen allows viewing as your food is being cooked.

Their vietnamese pho and banh mi sandwiches (anyone been to Hanoi?) will not let you down!

Tripletta stole a pizza my heart. Sorry, I couldn't resist. Tripletta doesn't just serve amazing pizza but it also sits in a very well-designed restaurant. The gorgeous décor plus the delicious pizza and desserts are worth visiting any time of the day. Oh, and surely you could have a glass of wine here too!

Italian gelato and desserts? It doesn't get any better than that! CREAM Cafés website boasts of an impressive menu including 28 sundaes, 14 crepes, 14 waffles, 27 gelato flavours, 5 sorbet flavours, and all kinds of different beverages like milkshakes, fruit shakes, protein powder shakes, soda floats, smoothies, tea choices, and gourmet coffees. Need I say more?

Yer yer, we all have those kinda friends that might argue going vegetarian means putting up with icky greens and not ever tasting anything yummy anymore. But that's not the case in Love Me Cru. They have a 100% vegetarian menu that includes house-made soups, salads, sandwiches, juices and desserts.

Moncoeur Belleville is another venue where you have a choice of dining outside on their beautiful terrace or inside with their fab interiors. Expect great food in the company of cool people as friendly staff attend to your gastronomic needs.

The serve up a really nice brunch on a Sunday, if you love a late breakfast as much as I do, this could be something for you too!

As mentioned, Belleville is a short walk to other awesome neighbourhoods like the one surrounding Porte Saint-Martin, which is Parisian monument and triumphal arch that commemorates Louis XIV for his triumph at Franche-Comte and on the Rhine. Absolutely loved coming down here in the morning for a coffee or night time for a drink and some food.

When in the vicinity, do check out the following awesome cafes:

My tummy rumbles even at the thought of Holybelly‘s spread. It boasts of a casual space but the food is elite and they do deliver on that promise. Another coffee joint is Café Craft where you can always count on their well-brewed coffee and trusty Wi-Fi connection for all you digital nomads out there. Good coffee and soul food, that's what Le Poutch claims and delivers.

You can also head over to La Chambre aux Oiseaux for your daily caffeine fix and even for a decent meal. Ten Belles also offer a good cup of joe!

Nestled in the northeastern part of the city, Belleville offers a vibrant and diverse atmosphere that captures the essence of Parisian culture.

With its close proximity to other popular areas like the Marais and Montmartre, Belleville provides a convenient base for exploring the city's iconic landmarks.

Whether you're an art enthusiast, a food lover, or simply seeking an authentic Parisian experience, staying in Belleville promises an unforgettable stay in the City of Paris.

If you're on a budget, the hostel of choice is The Loft Hostel. It's trendy, affordable, inviting and the room interiors are literally so pretty, it's like you're paying for more than what you actually did. It totally fits in to the hip and trendy neighbourhood of Belleville.

Just like many of the funky cafes and restaurants in the place, Hotel Scarlett is one of those establishments that has been given new life. The building was abandoned for years but was reclaimed and repurposed into a classy hotel. Expect a burst of colours and geography-inspired prints adorning your classy room.

Belleville doesn't have the iconic Eiffel Tower but it sure has a charm of its own that you can't find in metro Paris. The graffiti, the trendy cafes, the people, and just the whole atmosphere of it all will leave you wanting for more. Fall in love with Belleville just like I did because I tell you, it truly is belle.

Alternatively, if you don't fancy a hostel or hotel, check out the many Airbnb options in Paris – from beautiful lofts overlooking the Eifel Tower to charming rooftop flats in the city center.

If you look a bit closer to Belleville, you will find even cheaper options. I have found quite some cool places between $30-60/night, so it's worth having a look.

I possibly don't have to tell you anymore, because you most likely know by now that I love housesitting!! Ever since 2015, I am a huge fan of it and have done quite a few sits all around the world!

Yes, I did a housesit in Paris too. I got to stay in a beautifully decorated 2-bedroom apartment right in the heart of Belleville and had the cutest cat to look after. Lucky me, because this was the week right after Christmas and over New Years, no way I could've afforded a place like that at this time of the year, which is said to be Paris' most busiest month!

Extra Tip to score a great housesit: It's worth it to be signed up to the daily newsletter sent out from Trusted Housesitters, the housesitting platform I use and love. Sign up to their site, it's definitely worth the membership fee even if you only go on a few weekend trips throughout the year!

Have you been to Paris? And did you visit Belleville as well?

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