Quartier de la Mouzaïa, Historic residential district in 19th arrondissement, France.
Quartier de la Mouzaïa is a residential neighborhood in Paris's 19th arrondissement composed of rows of brick houses along pathways only 3 meters (10 feet) wide, bordered by private gardens. The buildings follow consistent architectural designs throughout, creating the feeling of a unified community.
The area developed on the site of former gypsum quarries that operated until 1860 before being converted into a residential neighborhood. Its name comes from a street honoring a military campaign during French colonial expansion in North Africa.
The houses throughout the neighborhood display consistent red, white, and blue brick patterns that immediately catch the eye. This distinctive coloring shapes how people experience the villas, including Villa des Lilas and Villa Alexandre-Ribot, as they walk through the streets.
Access the area via Metro Botzaris on Line 7bis, with Rue de Mouzaïa serving as the main entry point to the neighborhood. Allow time to walk slowly through the narrow pathways, as the intimate scale and abundance of details reward leisurely exploration.
The underground network of former quarries prevents the construction of tall buildings even today. This constraint has ensured only small houses could be built, giving the entire neighborhood a village-like quality that seems completely unexpected in a Paris district.
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