La Campagne à Paris

Overview

La Campagne à Paris is a secret cluster of cobblestone lanes and Anglo-Norman houses tucked into the slopes of the 20th arrondissement, so unlike the rest of Paris that visitors genuinely feel they have stepped into a provincial village. One of the city's most enchanting hidden neighborhoods, it is best experienced slowly on foot.

Highlights

• Architecture: 92 brick and millstone pavilions with pointed slate roofs, individual gardens, and English-inspired facades — entirely at odds with the Haussmannian blocks surrounding them.
• Atmosphere: Floral gardens spill onto the cobblestones, and the near-silence on these private-feeling lanes makes it feel miles from the city center.
• True Hidden Gem: The area is genuinely off the tourist radar — a benchmark discovery that rewards those who seek it out.

History

In 1908, the cooperative society "La Campagne à Paris" acquired land on former underground quarries in the 20th arrondissement. Under the leadership of Jean-Louis Orange, 92 workers' pavilions were built between 1911 and 1928, designed to offer low-income families access to green space and property ownership — values radical for their era.

Visitor Tips

• Enter from Rue Paul Strauss or Rue Jules Siegfried; the neighborhood is freely accessible at all times.
• Combine with a walk through Ménilmontant and Belleville for a full afternoon exploring eastern Paris.
• Spring is the best season when the cottage gardens are in full bloom.