Paris/10th arrondissement



The 10th arrondissement of Paris centres on the Canal Saint Martin and the restaurants and cafés which line its banks. Part sleepy faubourg — as suburbs were called in 18th century Paris — and part industrial centre, the 10th arrondissement has lately enjoyed the benefits of both the booming nightlife scene in the neighbouring 11th, as well as the Parisian 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 it is 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 République in the far south of the arrondissement, its many bars, restaurants and cafés.

By Métro
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.

Buy
The Boulevard de Strasbourg, between Place de la République 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 dilapidated 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.

For South Asian expats missing products from home, the stretch of Rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis between Gare du Nord and La Chapelle metro station is home to several Asian grocers, clothes/jewellery shops, Bollywood DVD shops and even a mithai (Indian confectionary) shop. VS.CO Cash and Carry has the largest range of food products from India, although it can also get very congested.



Eat


There are lots of Indian restaurants (very often owned by Pakistanis) in rue du Faubourg Saint Denis, between rue du Château d'Eau & rue de la Fidélité (Métro Château 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 (Métro Gare du Nord or La Chapelle), try out some Tamil food & Pondicherry specialities.





The 10th arrondissement is also one of the best places in Paris to find vegetarian cuisine that is not of Indian subcontinental fare:







Drink




Budget
There are a number of real cheapies in the 10th which seem to be worth checking out.