The Countryside in Paris, Neighborhood and tourist attraction in the 20th arrondissement, Paris, France
La Campagne à Paris is a residential neighborhood and tourist attraction in the 20th arrondissement of Paris, set on a hillside near the Porte de Bagnolet. Its streets are paved and narrow, lined with brick and limestone houses that each have their own small garden and sloped roof.
The neighborhood was founded in 1907 on the initiative of pastor Sully Lombard, who wanted working-class families with modest incomes to own their homes. Between 1911 and 1928, about 100 small houses were built on the site of a former gypsum quarry, made accessible through a cooperative.
La Campagne à Paris gets its name from the countryside feel that hits you as soon as you turn into its narrow lanes: birdsong, flowering gardens, and almost no traffic. In spring, wisteria hangs over several facades and makes the streets look like something from a village far outside the city.
The streets have slopes and a few steps, so comfortable walking shoes are a good idea. Spring is a good time to visit, when the gardens are in bloom and the morning light is soft for photos.
Although the houses resemble different regional styles such as Anglo-Norman or Alsatian architecture, they were all built during the same period in Paris. The area also sits on the ground of a former gypsum quarry, which explains why it is so hilly in a city known for its flat terrain.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
