Real estate guide in Paris 12th district

The green appeal of Paris 12th arrondissement

Indeed, the 12th marks the border between the countryside and Paris, however this does not mean it is boring or lacks activities. The 12th arrondissement’s reputation comes from its numerous green spaces that provide the perfect place for walking and jogging, picnics and aperitifs, date nights and evenings with friends. Firstly, it’s worth mentioning the bois de Vincennes, which covers over 1000 hectares of land, making it far superior to the neighbouring bois de Boulogne, both in terms of aesthetics and dynamism. 

As bucolic as it gets, the bois de Vincennes has 4 lakes on which you can take a boat out and also offers horseback riding, a hippodrome for watching the races and even a Buddhist temple, the Pagode de Vincennes. You’re sure to find more than enough to fill your Sundays here.

The 12th also has another string in its green bow, none other than the famous Coulée Verte (Green Belt), which extends the length of 4,5 km from Saint-Mande gate at the outskirts of Paris all the way to Bastille, crossing the entirety of the 12th. Combining greenery, street art and unexpected landscapes in the heart of Paris, the Coulée Verte is the perfect spot for a walk on a sunny day.

The 12th arrondissement: charming secret passages and street art.

The 12th is also full of an impressive number of secret locations, which are sure to charm fans of poetic, little colourful houses and quaint old-fashioned streets. The most famous is the rue Cremieux, a small cul-de-sac lined with houses and their shutters, flowers and multicoloured doors. The rue Cremieux is one of Paris’ most charming and different streets in contrast to the usual buildings and private mansions that fill the rest of the city. 

The Canart cul-de-sac is also known for a particularity that will charm travellers fond of intimate locations. Street art fans will also enjoy this area, as the 12th is a favourite among Parisian street artists. This is certainly the case for the Coulée Verte walkway as well as the area of Bercy and Picpus.

Bastille, an iconic area of the 12th arrondissement

Bastille is one of the most lively areas in Paris and the perfect place to walk around during the day, to wander through the markets on a Sunday morning, or to party the night away. Here you will find, theatres, designer concept stores, bars and restaurants galore. Bastille has something for every Parisian! Located near the 4th and 11th arrondissements, Bastille is connected to the rest of Paris by the 1, 5 and 8 metro lines, making it a very accessible neighbourhood!

Bercy, Paris’ newly fashionable neighbourhood

Bercy Village is a small open-air business centre where shops, restaurants, cinemas and art galleries all offer a perfect way to spend an afternoon with friends or family. The lovely Cour Saint-Emilion is open every day and attracts Parisians from all over town. The large Bercy park nearby is also very welcoming and is the perfect spot for visitors to enjoy the sunshine and have a picnic. It’s also a good way to spend time waiting for a concert at the Accor Hotel Arena!

Investing in real estate in the 12th arrondissement

The 12th is a spacious and family friendly neighbourhood that also has the advantage of being cheaper in comparison to most other central Paris arrondissements. Thus, if you are looking to buy in an apartment in Bel-Air or Bercy, you will be looking at spending around €8000 per square metre. The same goes for the areas around Daumesnil lake and the Gare de Lyon station.