The hidden villages of Paris's 13th arrondissement

Now that you know a little more about the Butte-aux-Cailles, let us introduce you to the other hidden villages of the 13th arrondissement, because yes, there are quite a few!

Don't forget to visit the Petite Alsace district! Also known as Cité Daviel, Petite Alsace is a collection of 40 brick and half-timbered houses in pure Alsatian style, set around a 500m2 courtyard. It's just like being there!

If you like Little Alsace, wait until you discover its neighbor, Little Russia! Overlooking the half-timbered houses, Petite Russie is a collection of 20 small houses built... on the third floor of a building, on the roof of a garage! How crazy is that? They were built in 1912 by a cab company to house its drivers. Most of them were Russians exiled in France after the 1917 Revolution. Unfortunately, La Petite Russie is not open to the public, but if you happen to bump into a local, it doesn't hurt to ask him or her nicely to let you in!

Many of the towns in the 13th arrondissement are also havens of peace and greenery. They're easy to find, since you can recognize them by their rather... poetic names! Take Cité Florale, for example. Situated below Parc Montsouris, the Cité Florale, built in 1928, seduces with its cobbled streets and small squares, just a stone's throw from the tall buildings of the 13th arrondissement. What's more, it's not just the district that bears a floral name, but every street is named after a flower: orchids, mimosas, irises, volubilis. You'll discover charming little houses with wisteria-covered facades, each adorned with a garden that's perfectly... flowered, of course!

Be careful not to confuse the Cité Florale with the Cité Fleurie. If you do, you might find yourself in a place that's... even more charming! Also located in the 13th arrondissement, the Cité Fleurie has nothing to envy the Cité Florale when it comes to charm. Greenery, flowers and works of art can be seen in every garden. Built between 1878 and 1881 using building materials from the 1878 Universal Exhibition, the Cité Fleurie is a perfectly charming artists' housing estate. 29 white, half-timbered cottages still house artists' residences and studios. Gauguin, Henri Cadiou and Modigliani all lived here in the past!

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