Belleville Bound Paris Beyond the Baguette
Description
East Paris reveals a different side of the city, where generations of migration have transformed French food culture. From Bastille to Belleville, we’ll explore neighborhoods where traditional bakeries, markets and cafés sit alongside flavors from North Africa, Vietnam and beyond. Along the way, we’ll taste French cheeses, Algerian pastries, Vietnamese coffee and artisanal jambon parisien from one of its last true producers. We’ll also visit family-run bakeries, neighborhood épiceries and other local institutions that reflect the daily rhythm of eastern Paris. More than a collection of dishes, this tour explores how cooks, bakers and community leaders are redefining what French cuisine means today. It’s a look at a Paris shaped by exchange, adaptation and creativity — far beyond the postcard clichés.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The fountains embody both practicality and beauty, symbolizing charity and public well-being.
This public garden is tended both by the city and by locals: It’s one of 185 shared gardens in the city.
Avenue named after Antoine-Augustin Parmentier, the man who popularized potatoes in France.
Belleville embodies Paris’ long history of immigration and cultural blending, making it a key stop to explore how migration has shaped the city’s food and identity.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(35)
A fabulous day starting at the market at Bastille tasting amazing produce and finishing with drinks at a corner bar with the friends we made over the day. Our guide, Susan, tailored the information to our interests of our small group and we learnt stories of the food scene in Paris.
Susan is amazing!! Highly recommend this tour for anyone who loves food.
Thank you for the review! We are delighted to hear you had such a fantastic experience exploring the culinary backstreets with us. Thank you for supporting the unsung heroes of the kitchen and helping us preserve these invaluable, family-run traditions. We hope to welcome you back for another journey into daily life soon.
We had the BEST time with Susan. She is so knowledgeable of both food and Paris. Within minutes, it felt like we were just hanging out with our foodie friend! She taught us so much, and I feel like we were able to try foods that we otherwise would have missed. I would recommend her to anyone looking for a fun and informative food tour!
Thank you for the wonderful review and for spending time exploring the neighborhood with us. We are so glad you felt like you were strolling with a friend while discovering these unsung heroes of the kitchen. Your visit helps us continue supporting these family-run spots and preserving the rich culinary traditions of Paris.
I can’t say enough about our experience with Nicolas! He showed us a part of Paris where his parents called home, he was kind, considerate, SO knowledgeable, fun and caring, generous, and a great sense of humor…. Despite the heat spell, he went above and beyond to show us the historic water fountains and procured amazing beverages to sustain us as we ate our way through this unique and historical part of Paris…this tour had everything my heart and stomach wanted to experience in Paris! Nicolas was so knowledgeable as a chef, somalliere, and even works at the Cheese Museum near Notre Dame! I didn’t want the tour to end! He even helped me learn basic Paris Metro so I could travel to my next destination and arrive on time! 10 stars! Thank you Nicolas!😘💫👏
Thank you for the wonderful review and for joining us to explore the daily life and rich complexity of Paris. We are thrilled that Nicolas could share his deep knowledge, personal connection to the neighborhood, and the intricate stories of the city with you. Your participation helps us continue our mission of Honest Tourism, supporting the unsung culinary heroes and families who keep these authentic traditions alive.
We did the tour with Nicolas, a former chef which was incredibly valuable. He also grew up in the area we walked around. It was great fun and all my questions (of which there were many) were answered in a positive and friendly manner. We were a small group of 4 and we wandered around and tried local food as well as some beautiful cheeses - and finished off with Pastis as the bar where Edith Piaf sang! Thank you Nicolas!!
Hello, and thank you for taking the time to share your experience exploring the beautiful backstreets with us. We are so glad you enjoyed wandering the neighborhood, tasting local specialties, and connecting with the daily life of the city. Your participation truly helps support these traditional family-run spots and the unsung heroes who preserve our cherished culinary traditions.
Allison was an exceptional guide. Although we experienced temperatures reaching 107degrees during the tour , she was well prepared with misting spray, water, & most importantly delicious frequent tasting stops along the way. We all loved the stories that accompanied the yummy food and drink. We experienced places we would not have otherwise seen. Highly recommend Alison and this tour, no matter the weather!
Thank you for the review and for braving the extreme heat to explore Paris with us. We are so glad you enjoyed connecting with the neighborhood's unsung culinary heroes and hearing their unique stories. Your visit truly helps us in our mission to support these local communities and preserve their meaningful culinary traditions.
Allison was outstanding. Besides serving us tasty food from several cultures in interesting locations, she spoke about culture. Our Austrian friends also enjoyed this walking tour. I would need more characters to describe Allison’s brilliance.
Thank you for the review and for sharing your wonderful experience in Paris. We are thrilled to hear that you and your friends enjoyed exploring the neighborhood's diverse cultures, stories, and tastes alongside your guide. Thank you for supporting our unsung local heroes and helping us preserve these vital culinary traditions.
This was our second Culinary Backstreets tour and it was fantastic! Paris provides the perfect backdrop of both traditional and emerging cuisines. Our tour guide, Susan, was a wealth of information regarding the food and culture. We enjoyed fresh farmer's market offerings (the goat cheese was divine), including oysters, prawn, and seasonal strawberries dipped with creme crue and chocolate mousse. The tour has a lot of walking, but you find hidden restaurant gems all along the way. (I didn't know you can refill spring water AND sparkling water from specific public fountains.) The sheer amount of food is overwhelming, so be prepared to overindulge. We highly recommend this tour to experience many hidden gems outside the tourist zones.
Thank you for the wonderful review and for joining us on a second adventure! We are thrilled that you enjoyed discovering the hidden gems and daily life of Paris. Your participation directly supports the unsung culinary heroes of the city and helps preserve these beautiful local traditions.
This was my second outstanding Culinary Backstreets tour, and if anything it was even better than my initial one in Porto. Lucia was an engaging guide from whom we learned about the culture of Paris writ large, as well as about its culinary history and its diverse, evolving food culture.
Thank you for the wonderful review and for joining us again for your second tour. We are so glad you had an engaging time exploring the city's diverse and evolving food culture. Your continued support helps us champion the unsung heroes of the kitchen and preserve essential culinary traditions.
Perfect day spent with Allison touring areas off the beaten path in Paris. Great mix of French and immigrant dishes. Excellent way to spend a day for people who like diverse food and learning where it comes from.
Thank you for the review and for joining us to explore the true complexity of Paris off the beaten path. We deeply appreciate your support for the local unsung heroes who work hard every day to preserve their diverse culinary traditions. It is an honor to share these stories of human connection with travelers who value honest tourism as much as we do.
