Located near the Gare de Lyon station, in a former postal sorting hall belonging to the SNCF, Ground Control is a third-party venue set up in 2017 in a huge 6,500m² space where people meet, eat, drink, get cultured and so many other activities, around subjects like solidarity or the environment, with a committed and festive program, often very accessible in terms of price, both to adults and younger people.
Before settling permanently at the Halle Charolais, this living space has had several ephemeral locations since 2014, between the Cité de la Mode and the Chapelle. Ground Control is a real space designed for living together, with a beautiful indoor area and an outdoor terrace perfect for sunny days. It's also a food court where you can enjoy a meal with friends and family, at lunchtime or in the evening, from Wednesday to Sunday, not forgetting its bars to keep you hydrated.
There are also a number of boutiques and corners that contribute to the cultural activity of the area, including Charybde, the bookshop; Multivers, the board game bar; Ground Boutique x The Gros Marché, with a selection of clothes and crafts; Major Tom, the record shop; and Vidéodrome.
Inside
As soon as the warm weather returns, the terrace reopens with new restaurants, carefully selected by the Ground Control team! For this season, you can try Argentinean food, pastrami or roast chicken. We opted for the"pita-strami", with its fabulous soft pita bread, sparkling pomegranate seeds and deliciously tender beef pastrami, accompanied by delicately spiced patatas bravas, while on the rotisserie side, the crispy cornflake-based crispy tenders caught our eye.
For the first time, an ice cream parlour is offering summer treats, with ice creams and sorbets from the Yvelines region. Both pistachio and strawberry delighted us as we finished our meal in the sunshine. A great opportunity to discover the place, even if you're only looking for an ice cream parlour in the neighbourhood!
To get there, get off at Gare de Lyon (lines 1, 14, RER A and D), Reuilly-Diderot (lines 1 and 8) or Montgallet (line 8).
2026 FIFA World Cup: giant screen, football pitch, DJ set, flea market at Ground Control
From June 11 to July 19, 2026, Ground Control will transform into a vast arena of collective experiences for the FIFA World Cup. The renowned hub in the 12th arrondissement switches to fan-zone mode and lays out a full-size football pitch free to the public at the heart of its hall, paced by screenings on giant screens, a vintage flea market, and DJ sets. [Read more]
Free bar games tournaments and beer-tasting workshops at Ground Control and Communale
On April 2 and October 15, 2026, Ground Control and Communale are teaming up again for their popular bar game tournament, where contenders battle it out to be crowned the best at the counter. Join in on games of 421, belote, pinball, foosball, and darts, all while enjoying a free beer-tasting workshop! [Read more]
Collective saunas and Nordic baths, the first of their kind in France, are opening at Ground Control
Ground Control opens a groundbreaking 100 m² wellness space in the heart of the 12th arrondissement, dedicated to saunas and communal baths. This urban Nordic oasis offers a welcoming and accessible relaxation experience, blending soothing heat, refreshing cold plunges, and social interactions. [Read more]
Please note that it's been over 4 years since our last visit, so the place and experience may have changed.
Dates and Opening Time
Next days
Tuesday:
from 12:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Wednesday:
from 12:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Thursday:
from 12:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Friday:
from 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Saturday:
from 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Sunday:
from 12:00 p.m. to 09:30 p.m.
Location
Ground Control
81 Rue du Charolais
75012 Paris 12
Recommended age
For all
Official website
www.groundcontrolparis.com
