Belleville-sur-Saone (France)

Belleville is a neighbourhood of Paris, parts of which lie in 4 different arrondissements. Its most important portion straddles the borderline between the 20th and the 19th arrondissement along its main street, Rue de Belleville, and the remainder lies in the 10th and 11th.

Once Belleville was the independent municipality (commune) of Belleville that was annexed in 1860 by the City of Paris and divided between 2 arrondissements. Geographically, the neighborhood lies on and around a hill that vies with Montmartre as Paris' highest. The name Belleville is translated as a "beautiful town".

Historically, Belleville was a neighborhood of the working class. People who lived in the independent village played a large part in the establishment of the Second French Republic via their actions during the 1848 Revolution. In 1871, residents of the incorporated Belleville neighborhood were among the strongest supporters of the Paris Commune. During the first half of the 20th century, lots of immigrants settled there.

Currently, Belleville is a multi-ethnic neighborhood and home to one of the two Chinatowns in Paris. Since the 1980s, a major Chinese community has been established here. There is a wealth of restaurants, associations, and stores that offer Chinese products. A popular and fairly large outdoor market is held every Tuesday and Friday in Belleville along Boulevard de Belleville, where local Ile-de-France farmers sell produce.

The iconic French singer Edith Piaf grew up in Belleville and, according to legend, was born under the lamppost on the steps of Rue de Belleville. A commemorative plaque stands at number 72.

Belleville-sur-Saone tours, shore excursions, hotels

City Tours and Shore Excursions

 Beaujolais excursion