The '''10th arrondissement''' of Paris centers on the ''Canal St. Martin'' and the restaurants and cafes which line its banks. Part sleepy ''faubourg'' ? as suburbs were called in 18th century Paris ? and part industrial center, the 10th arrondissement has lately enjoyed the benefits of both the booming nightlife scene in the neighboring 11th, as well as the Parisien cycling and roller-blading boom. The streets lining the canal become car-free for the later half of the day each Saturday, and all day on Sundays for your cycling and strolling pleasure.
There is another, more bustling side to the cosmopolitan 10th, however, as the location of two primary entry / exit points for the city, in the form of the two great train stations '''Gare du Nord''' and '''Gare de l'Est'''.
One final focus to the 10th is the historic ''Place de la Republique'' in the far south of the ''arrondissement'', its many bars, restaurants and cafes.
Get in
''By Metro''
As it is everywhere in Paris all metro stations are not equal. Stations such as Place de la Republique connect to many lines but can be time consuming for a first time visitor. A smaller station such as Goncourt is easier to get in and out of. You may walk a bit more on the street but that's easy and a lot more fun.
Do
Promenade Canal St. Martin. Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the water's edge while viewing amazing sunset's over the canal. Linger over a coffee and tuck into a pastry while feeling that you are experiencing the true Paris.
Musee de l'Eventail. Boulevard de Strasbourg. 33 1 4208 9020. PM-6PM M-W, During vacations: 2PM-6PM M-F. Exhibits a collection of more than 400 fans from the 18th century to the present day.
Palais des Glaces. 7 Rue du Faubourg-du-Temple. 33 1 4202 0525. 1PM-6:30PM M-Sa. Grand palace with two theatres, the Palais des Glaces (Palace of Mirrors) features two shows, often two comics, simultaneously, and sometimes shows for children.
Buy
The '''Boulevard de Strasbourg''' found between Place de la Republique and Gare de l'Est is known for supporting the ''coiffure'' or hairdressing trade, with dozens of shops selling hairdressing equipment and supplies. Interestingly the African hairdressers of Paris have set up shop right alongside their suppliers. So if you're interested you can have your hair done up in dreadlocks, pearly braids or another African style and can have your nails done too!
Meanwhile ''rue de Marseille'' has a number of trendy clothing shops. Another good spot to explore the slightly delapidated ''Passage Brady''. It's full of Indian and Pakistani restaurants, for which it's sometimes called "le Petit Bombay". Stop in at the Bazaar Velan for incense, spices, and kitsch souvenirs.
Artazart. 3 quai de Valmy. etro Jacques Bonsergent. 33 1 40 40 24 00. pen Daily 10.30AM -7.30PM Sat & Sun 2PM - 8PM. nfo@artazart.com. A bookshop, specialized in design & graphic design. Lots of imports.
Marche St-Quentin. (open Monday-Saturday 8AM-1PM, 3:30PM-7:30PM, Sunday 8AM-1PM). Market that offers a variety of goods from flowers and produce to antiques and candies.
Du Pain et des Idees. 4 rue Yves Toudic. ttp://www.dupainetdesidees.com/. one of the best new bakeries in Paris
Eat
Baxo. ttp://www.baxo.fr. 1 rue Juliette Dodu. 33 1 42 02 99 71. ear le canal Saint Martin. ounge,bar. A lounge bar restaurant with a ''bobo'' environment and rich dishes.
Julien. 6 rue du Faubourg-St Denis. etro: Strasbourg-St Denis. 33 1 47 70 12 06. pen Daily Noon-3PM, 7PM-1.30AM. unch ?21, prix fixe ?30, average plate ?40, all cards taken.. The original 1890 decor of this Parisian dining classic is a mix of Cuban mahogany and Art Nouveau paintings and fixtures - an atmospheric treat. The cuisine is mostly south-western French: lots of foie gras and the specialty, ''cassoulet d'oie'' (goose in white beans).
Mukura. 9 quai de Valmy. etro: Chateau Landon. This tiny Colombian restaurant calls itself a "''Salon du chocolat, cafe, the & fruits latino''". In fact they serve a variety of fine plates for lunch or dinner, and the great fact is that it's one of the few truly non-smoking dining rooms around. Make sure to try their Lulo juice as well as their fruit salads. Lulo is a fruit native to Colombia.
La Vigne Saint Laurent" alt=". rue Saint Laurent. etro : Gare de l'Est. 33 1 42 05 98 20. pen daily lunch/dinner. Tiny wine bar, good choice of classic country food (beautiful 'charcuterie') & good choice of reasonably priced wines.
Restaurant La Strasbourgeoise" alt=". rue du 8 Mai 1945. etro Garde de l'Est. 33 1 42 05 20 02. One of the good "choucroutes" in Paris, in a nice ''decor', make sure to visit, its highly recommended.
There are lots of '''Indian" Restaurants''' (actually very often owned by Pakistanis) in ''Rue du faubourg Saint Denis'', between ''Rue du Chateau d'Eau'' & ''Rue de la Fidelite'' (Metro: ''Chateau d'Eau'').
They offer cheap, tasty vegetarian and tandoori food that is typically 5 ?. In ''Passage Brady'' (between ''Boulevard de Strasbourg'' and ''Rue du faubourg Saint Denis'') '''Shalimar''' is a good choice for a great night out.
In the same ''Rue du faubourg Saint Denis'' but higher up, between Gare du Nord & ''Boulevard de la Chapelle'' (Metro '' Gare du Nord'' or ''La Chapelle''), try out some Tamil food & Pondicherry specialties.
Khrishna-bhavan. 4 Rue Cail or at their new outlet at 21 Rue Cail. etro: La Chapelle. 33 1 42 05 78 43. ttp://krishna-bhavan.eresto.net/. pen daily 11 am - 11pm. ? mains. 48__ 52' 58.26. 2__ 21' 34.56. Serves excellent Indian vegetarian dishes from the southern state of Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka. First timers can consider trying the Thali, a combo platter consisting of steamed rice served with 5 different curries.
Drink
<Drink name="Baxo" url="http://www.baxo.fr" address="21 rue Juliette Dodu" phone="+33 1 42 02 99 71" directions="near le canal Saint Martin" tags="lounge,bar">A new romantic lounge bar with a very nice patio. </Drink>
Le Verre Vole. 7 r Lancry. ear the canal Saint Martin. 33 1 48 03 17 34. A part wine bar-part wine shop, an excellent address for nice, simple food & wines -and you can take home a bottle you've sampled during meal if you wish!
Sleep
Budget
There are a number of real cheapies in the 10th which seem to be worth checking
out.
Peace and Love Hostel. 45, rue Lafayette. etro: Jaures. 33 1 46 07 65 11. ttp://www.paris-hostels.com. 17 for a dorm bed in the off season 21? during high season. Double rooms are ?25.. Travellers who have a lot of hostel staying experience mostly find the Peace and Love to be well within the high quality range for hostels. As usual in Paris the rooms are pretty small, the staff in general gets high marks, but the manager has been known to be crabby. Apparently the pub is good enough that there's some danger you might not go out. Must be between 18 and 35, and want to party to stay here. They suggest that if you want to sleep, this may not be the place for you.
Hotel Vicq d'Azir. 1 rue Vicq-d'Azir. etro: Colonel-Fabien. 33 1 42 08 06 80. ooms with a shower are ?22.50/?28 singles/doubles or ?18/?20 without a shower. Showers in the hall cost ?3, so maybe go for the shower in the room.. This little cheapie is in the process of a renovation under its new management. Most of the rooms overlook a nice little courtyard with a tree.
Hotel Climat de France Brady. 1, bd Strasbourg. etro : Strasbourg Saint Denis or Chateau d'Eau. 33 1 47 70 25 00. 33 1 47 70 32 17. Cheap - good location : within walking distance of ''Les Halles'', ''Place de la Republique'' etc.
Mid-Range
Albert 1er Hotel. 62, rue Lafayette. 33 1 40 36 82 40. The hotel is located near Gare du Nord that is very convenient for travelling to the suburbs and it takes only 30 minutes walk to get to the city center. The rooms are not too big but very clean and well equipped. The staff are friendly and can send you an official reservation confirmation if you need it.
Hotel Paris Est Lafayette. 75 rue Lafayette, Paris 75010. Recently renovated, this 51 toom hotel has modern furnishings decorated with warm colours. Staff are professional and efficient and there is 24 hr reception, as well as a tasty buffet breakfast each morning in the buffet room.
Quality Hotel Gare Du Nord. 1/33 Rue de Saint-Quentin. Housed in a histroric building dating back to 1868, the Quality Hotel offers an ideal location only minutes away from the Gare du Nord train station. Great for the business traveller, this hotel includes in all its rooms modem plugs, Wi-Fi access and tea & coffee making facilities.
Hotel a la Villa Saint Martin. 7,rue des recollets. etro: Gare de l'Est. 33 1 46 07 07 07. otel@villastmartin.com. ttp://www.villastmartin.com. 4h. 1h30. Close from Gare de l'Est and Gare du Nord train stations, just next to Canal Saint Martin, la Villa Saint Martin is a 3 stars hotel offering a perfect service and many features such as free Wifi Internet, Flat TV screens, fitness rooms and more.
Contact