Paris is a magnificent city bursting with things to see and do. There are so many monuments, activities, events, shops, etc. that you won't know where to turn during your stay! That's why we've put together the Urban Bivouac Paris City Guide, to help you discover our magnificent city.
We've put together a guide full of tips, good ideas and useful addresses to help you discover lots of things in our district and, more generally, in Paris. This guide will also give you lots of tips on how to navigate this lively city.
Explore Paris’s 13th arrondissement on a unique stroll blending history and picturesque charm. From the cobblestone streets of the Butte-aux-Cailles to the Gobelins Tapestry Factory, and through the Cité Florale and Petite Alsace, immerse yourself in a lesser-known Paris with a quaint village vibe.
The 13th arrondissement, and particularly the Tolbiac district, has experienced remarkable dynamism in recent years. Once a working-class area, the 13th is changing at a rapid pace, both along the banks of the Seine and in the former industrial wastelands or on the old Austerlitz station sites.
A few minutes on foot or by bike from the hotel, on the Butte-aux-Cailles, you can discover and especially swim in one of the oldest pools in the capital, located at 5 Place Paul Verlaine...
It is impossible to visit Paris without catching a glimpse of it: the Eiffel Tower dominates the city with its 325 meters, and every hour of the night, its twenty thousand lights sparkle.
We are hearing more and more about Boutique Hotels, a concept developed in the 1980s in the USA. Following the arrival of huge hotel groups with their thousands of uniform rooms, this concept emerged...
Metro, RER, buses, trams, hybrid taxis, river shuttles, Veli'b, not to mention the electric two, three, or four-wheelers...
Being in love in Paris doesn't necessarily mean following well-trodden paths. Running, fingers intertwined, off the beaten track, has a touch of novelty and adds spice to romantic feelings.
A treasure trove of architecture, this covered passage is one of the main hubs for philatelic commerce in Paris.
We offer you in this article a walking tour along the Bièvre, a small river that once flowed through the neighborhood, which we will talk about in more detail later.
Opened in 2018, Urban Bivouac is a 3-star hotel. While there are many 3-star hotels in Paris (697 in 2018), not all of them are the same. In this article, we clarify the hotel classification system, standardized since 2012. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 stars, or Palace – we explain everything.
On the left bank of the Seine, across from Notre Dame, lies the Latin Quarter, which shines with its beauty, history, and culture. The Latin Quarter is a student district where life is pleasant and where Parisian stress has no place, as the streets and numerous monuments inspire calm and tranquility.
How about hunting for antiques and second-hand clothes at the Saint-Ouen Flea Market? Or even contemplating all of Paris from the Sacré-Cœur, to the rhythm of troubadours improvising on the steps of the monument? Discover the trendy boutiques in the village of Montmartre. Enjoy a pastry in the charming garden of the Musée de la Vie Romantique. The Montmartre village and its surroundings should leave you with unforgettable memories...
Urban Bivouac, ideally located near Olympiades station, offers direct access to Orly Airport in just 15 minutes via the extended line 14. Enjoy a fast, frequent, and affordable journey.
The southeast of Paris is increasingly gaining attention. New trendy spots are blooming on both sides of the Seine, from the Gare district in the 13th arrondissement to Bercy in the 12th. Sports, walks, discoveries, culture, restaurants—just a few minutes away from the Urban Bivouac hotel. Follow the guide!
The National Library of France, the largest in the country, is located in the 13th arrondissement of Paris, along the banks of the Seine. It is sometimes called the "François Mitterrand Library" in honor of the president who founded it and is locally known as the "BNF." The library holds the largest collection of books in France and is also one of the most significant in the world.
When these immigrants arrived in Paris, the 13th arrondissement proved to be the perfect base for settling down. At the time, the district's large towers had just been built and were empty. This is how the neighborhood was born, at least as we know it today.
Paris is divided into 20 districts, known as arrondissements. The layout of these arrondissements is circular, starting from the center of the city and spreading outward. At the heart of Paris lies the Île de la Cité, home to the iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral, located in the 1st arrondissement.
We have already mentioned the wonderful Piscine de la Butte-aux-Cailles in our guide, but you should know that the 13th arrondissement is quite well-equipped in this area. Among the exceptional swimming pools, let us introduce you to the Piscine Joséphine-Baker, which you can easily reach in just a few minutes on foot, by metro, bus, or bike from the Urban Bivouac Hotel.
In the heart of the City of Light, just a short 30-minute walk from the hotel, lies a legendary street, once home to great writers and featured as the backdrop in iconic films.
As you probably know, the Urban Bivouac hotel is easily accessible from all Paris train stations: Gare de Lyon, Gare de l’Est, Saint Lazare, Montparnasse, with the closest ones being Gare de Bercy in the 12th arrondissement and Gare d’Austerlitz in the 13th arrondissement.
Unfortunately, the Urban Bivouac Paris Hotel does not offer a swimming pool. However, there are several nearby options close to the establishment.
The 13th arrondissement of Paris is not just a place to pass through but a vibrant neighborhood full of culture, gastronomy, and opportunities.
Located at the foot of the Olympiades metro station (line 14), just a few minutes' walk from the Nationale (line 6) and Tolbiac (line 7) stations, not to mention the buses, bikes, or scooters, our neighborhood is particularly well-served.
