“On Bastille Day (France’s remembrance of the 1789 Revolution) I took my bike to Belleville to explore this area of Paris, famous for its social uprisings in the 19th century, while listening to Soundwalk’s audio tour of the neighborhood.

Despite its gentrification, Belleville still has a melting-pot feel as a result of the cultures from North African and Chinese immigrants. Within a few blocks, I came across all 3 monotheist religions and a dozen cultures. Mosques and Muslim bookshops a few steps from kosher butcher shops and Sepharadic restaurants, a Pakistanese community church faces Paris’ cheapest greenmarket, street artists studios are next to Chinese dumpling canteens… my kind of revolution.”

-Victoria Jonathan (Paris, France)

Images: garbage can with Obama portrait in front of street artist Pedro‘s studio, hidden courtyards where workers used to live, Boulevard de Belleville, Sepharadic café where old men drink mint tea and play cards, Edith Piaf’s hangout Café Folies, Café Charbon- where Belleville Soundwalk begins- and more.

Check it: Soundwalk Paris Belleville narrated by Florence Loiret-Caille (music by Spleen).