kerouac

I made a photo report about the Mouzaïa district of the 19th arrondissement long ago, but I returned yesterday and added a few more photos but also a video to help people get a better feel of the place. For people who have never seen La Mouzaïa, it is a fascinating zone of individual houses, most of which are surrounded by amazing gardens. It's the height of the rose season right now, but the most overwhelming aroma is that of honeysuckle, which is a scent that is not normally associated with this city.

For people wanting to see something totally off the beaten path, it is quite easy to get there, since it starts at the upper left corner of the Buttes Chaumont at metro Botzaris.

Anyway, here is the report for nature lovers: http://tinyurl.com/lamouzaia

northie

What delightful photos !

Ralstonlan

Wonderful, thank you for sharing.

Coquelicot

This is great--photos, video, and music.

How big is La Mouzaia? Is it just the Villa-named streets leading off rue du Mouzaia? Or does it include the Villa streets on the other side of Rue de la Liberte and Rue de l'Egalite?

welltraveledbrit

Thanks Kerouac, one more place to see. I'm spending three months in London right now and the one things I've learnt is that it isn't as pretty as Paris .

kerouac

Coquelicot, it covers most of the streets (and particularly the 'villas') between rue David d'Angers on the north and rue de Bellevue on the south. I still haven't seen all of the possible streets and need to go back a few more times.

http://img.over-blog-kiwi.com/1/11/0...91e43_plan-jpg

MaineGG

Because of kerouac's first report about this neighborhood, we enjoyed a lovely walk around the Mouzaïa a couple of years ago. We took the 75 bus (which originates near the Pont Neuf) to the Place du Rhin et Danube and enjoyed seeing places along the route like the Square du Temple, Place de la République, the Canal St.-Martin, the Hôpital Saint-Louis, and the Parc des Buttes Chaumont. On the return bus ride, we got off at a stop by the Parc and spent a half hour walking around there. A nice escape from the busier and noisier quartiers of the city.

kerouac

Yes, the 75 bus line goes through all sorts of interesting and lesser known parts of northern Paris.

I will never understand why so many visitors feel a need to hug the Seine at all times.

northie

We did a canal St Martin a few weeks -.very slow and relaxing and showed us many different areas of Paris (for us) . Would live to go back and explore more .

northie

Oops boat trip !

DonTopaz

Thanks as always for the insights, kerouac. I was considering staying at a nearby aparthotel on rue de la Villette for an upcoming trip, and this seals the deal.

kerouac

I have seen so many people dismiss the 19th arrondissement out of ignorance. They haven't been there, so it must be of no interest. It has both the Buttes Chaumont and the Parc de la Villette, two of the best and biggest parks in Paris, the Bassin de la Villette and the Canal de l'Ourcq, which are major areas for nightlife, restaurants and bars. A lot of people also do not know that it is the main Jewish area of Paris (with rue Petit being 'main street') since they mistakenly believe that the historic area in the Marais is still the center of Jewish life in Paris. (Sorry, times have changed.) The Cité de la Musique, the Philharmonie and the Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie are all amazing as well.

Tibor08

Why is this on the France forum, pictures from old rundown houses overgrown with weeds ??????

sugarmaple

Thanks so much for the gorgeous photos. What a beautiful lush area!

I was interested in the prices in 2009, how much today? Afraid to ask, though!

kerouac

I saw a couple of 'for sale' signs and was curious myself.

I looked at one real estate site that mentioned the following:

from 5316 € to 8217 € per square meter
10% more expensive than the average for the 19th arrondissement
20% cheaper than the average for Paris

I would estimate that prices have doubled since 2009, though.

Calabria62

Oh thank you so much for these! Very charming and good to be reminded that there are interesting areas beyond the cencentrated tourist areas.