11ème Arrondissement - Popincourt Property Insight

The 11th district of Paris, called Popincourt, is located on the right bank of the Seine River between the Place de la Nation, Place de la République and Place de la Bastille, east of Paris. It shares borders with the following arrondissements: 3rd and 4th (west), 10th (north), 20th (east), 12th (south). With 367ha, it holds the 11th rank of Paris' largest districts. This is also the most densely populated arrondissement of the French capital (152,436 inhabitants in 2006) and Europe's densest urban district.

Although this is a discreet area less touristy than other arrondissements, it played a major role in Paris’ and France’s history. A former working class district, it is now a fashionable one especially in Place de la Bastille, Rue Oberkampf and Rue de Lappe, where bars and nightclubs settled. Transport links there are excellent, the 11th boasting the greatest number of underground stations.

Inaugurated in July 14, 1989, the second largest opera of Paris, the Opéra Bastille, is located in the Place de la Bastille. It was built by a Canadian architect called Carlos Ott. The large room can welcome 2,700 people. Another specificity of the district: it gathers different types of population i.e. a gay community, bourgeois families, immigrants…

All arrondissements of Paris are divided into four quarters; here are the 11th district’s quarters:

• Quartier de la Folie-Méricourt: it is named after the small houses we can found all over the quarter, and even the arrondissement. These properties are called folies and were built during the 18th century. This quartier is mainly industrial, but dynamic.
• Quartier Saint Ambroise: this quarter is home to the eponymous church. The latter was constructed over a house built under the reign of Charles 6 for Jean de Popincourt. Along with Folie-Mericourt quarter, the area is also industrial. The Rue Oberkampf is however well-known for its lively nightlife and typical atmosphere.
• Quartier de la Roquette: this quarter has for a long time been characterized by its two prisons called La Petite Roquette and La Grande Roquette. Due to the closeness of the famous Père Lachaise cimetery, the funeral industry then developed. The Place de la Bastille as well as the Bastille are situated in this quarter.
• Quartier Sainte Marguerite: the eponymous church and its former cimetery are famous due to its historical past: Louis 17 was buried in this quarter. The beautiful statute of the Vergine is to be seen in Rue du Faubourg Saint Antoine.

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11ème Arrondissement - Popincourt Immobilier & Property Market Trends

The 11th district of Paris offers a diversity of atmospheres (lively streets and quiet alleys) which attracts many investors. The price of an apartment in the arrondissement is furthermore affordable compared to other areas of the French capital.

If your budget is low, you should plan to invest in the border of the 20th arrondissement. Rue des Trois-Bornes, Rue des Trois-Couronnes, Rue de La Fontaine-au-Roi, Philippe-Auguste area, Belleville quarter and boulevard Voltaire are all affordable zones as not really sought-after.

On the contrary, the most expensive properties can be found near the Bastille and the 3rd arrondissement: Boulevard Beaumarchais, Rue Amelot, and the beginning of the Boulevard Richard-Lenoir.

The following table will help you know more about apartment prices in the four quarters:

To get updated info about the property prices in Paris, please browse our French Property Market Reports published in the News Section every month.

Characteristics of the 11ème Arrondissement - Popincourt

• Place de la Bastille: an historical square during the French Revolution, this is the landmark of the 11th. Dedicated to the defense of Saint Antoine gate, the eponymous Bastille was originally both a fortified castle and an arsenal. It became then a jail for important people; Voltaire, the Maquis de Sade and the ‘man in the iron mask’ were imprisonned in the fortress along with only 42 other prisoners. On July 14, 1789, over 600 Parisians invaded the stronghold and grabbed the ammunition depot. The storming of the Bastille is considered as the symbol of the French Revolution of which it is the beginning. The fortress however was destroyed during this period and we can nowadays only see some remains. July 14 has been France’s National Day since 1880.

• La Petite Roquette and La Grande Roquette: built in 1825, the petite roquette held young prisoners from 6 to 20 years old. In 1932, it became a jail for women. It was destroyed in 1974: we can only see the entrance gate in Rue de la Roquette. The grande roquette was constructed in 1936 and held doomed. It was destroyed in 1900 but some remains are situated in Rue de la Coix-Faubin.

• Gardens and open spaces: no fewer than six small public gardens are located all over the 11th district. Along with them, the so-called Allée Verte facilitates the pedestrian circulation in the quarter. Strolling in the Promenade Richard-Lenoir, situated in the Canal Saint Martin, will let you visit its market. Finally, the Jardin de la cité Prost was equiped not so long ago.

• Nightlife & culture: thanks to the presence of numerous theatres and other cultural facilities, the 11th arrondissement is a great location for theatre plays amateurs. Edith Piaf museum is also worth visiting. It is dedicated to the French famous singer. Due to the presence of many theatres, bars, clubs and musicals, the area is attractive for those looking for a dynamic life both during the day and in the evening. The most famous bars are in Rue Oberkampf. Try also one of the numerous wine bars. Rue de Lappe and Rue du Faubourg Saint Antoine are also lively streets with a Latin-American style.