Belleville, Neighborhood and metro station in the 20th arrondissement, Paris

Belleville is both a neighborhood and a metro station in the 20th arrondissement of Paris, set on a hilly terrain with narrow streets, stairways, and old residential buildings. The metro station sits at the junction of lines 2 and 11, linking this part of the city to central Paris.

Belleville was an independent town outside Paris until 1860, when it was absorbed into the city along with several other surrounding communities. The metro station opened in 1903 as part of the early expansion of the Paris network.

The name Belleville means "beautiful town" in French, though the neighborhood was historically a working-class area rather than a place of grandeur. Today, the Rue Dénoyez draws visitors to its walls entirely covered in street art and graffiti from local and international artists.

The station has several exits opening onto both sides of the Boulevard de Belleville, making it easy to orient yourself in the neighborhood. The surrounding terrain is hilly, so comfortable footwear is worth considering if you plan to explore the side streets and stairways.

Before Belleville was annexed to Paris, the area around the current station served as a tax gate where goods were taxed before entering the city. The outdoor market held along the boulevard on Tuesdays and Fridays is one of the longest street markets in Paris.

• Location: Paris 20e Arrondissement
• Location: Paris
• Address: Paris, France
• Phone: [phone]
• GPS coordinates: 48.87128,2.38656
• Latest update: June 10, 2026 08:54