La Butte aux Cailles, Paris 13th arr.

“Quand nous chanterons le temps des cerises,
Et gais rossignols et merles moqueurs
Seront tous en fête…”
(Le Temps des Cerises, Jean-Baptiste Clément, 1866.)
The nostalgic “Le Temps des Cerises,” an iconic French song written over 150 years ago is the perfect soundtrack while traveling back in time to a special corner of Paris’ 13th arrondissement.
Welcome to la Butte aux Cailles, Quails’ Hill, a fascinating neighborhood with a village feel (a feat in 2022 Paris!)
Parisian history as it is told on social media is too often limited to kings or emperors’ feats and achievements, as visitors discover landmarks and museums around the French capital.
Among all French revolutions, the storming of the Bastille in 1789 reigns supreme.
And yet…
The people of Paris are an integral part of the history of their city. They often struggled and occasionally rose up to defend ideals, no matter the cost.
Away from touristy arrondissements along the Seine river, the memory and soul of Paris can be found in former villages that once stood around the French capital.
In 2020 and 2021, France with Vero took you to Belleville, Charonne, Montmartre, les Batignolles, and more. Catch these virtual tours on KZbin!
Join Véro on a new virtual adventure as she returns to “La Butte aux Cailles,” now a popular party place for the younger crowd, but also a real neighborhood that still clings to its working class roots and values.
Here’s the 13th arrondissement you thought you knew.
“Quand nous chanterons le temps des cerises,
Et gais rossignols et merles moqueurs
Seront tous en fête…”
Bonne visite,
Véro
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[@mundorueda9402]

Excellent video! Flawless English presentation and beautiful neighborhood. I plan to visit in October 2023. Thank you and best regards.

[@jeannevickery8602]

Merci beaucoup, Vero! I just loved everything about this early morning visit. For me, it was one of your most enchanting and engaging tours. The music, the quiet, your hushed voice when walking through the private neighborhoods. So much fascinating history and current stories of the village presented in such a warm conversational way. As if we were there, strolling beside you!💜

[@francewithvero]

Thank you very much Jeanne. :-)

[@onlinedatingafter60]

Fantastic gave me a better understanding of the 13th. CaroleL

[@debrasams2362]

What a wonderful and interesting tour. Thank you so much. Some of the street art is really nice. Lovely homes here also. It's neat to see the diversity in architecture. I appreciated the history. I always look forward to seeing the varies area and adore the history. Thanks again.

[@francewithvero]

Thank you for being here Debra.

[@jeffprotzman6659]

Another great surprise and a “must visit” after your wonderful walk Vero. I love the depth of history your share and your storytelling makes these walks so enjoyable 😊👍. Merci Beaucoup

[@francewithvero]

Avec plaisir Jeff. Thank you for taking another virtual tour with me!

[@fredrickimhoff2541]

Great tour, thanks for all of the historical context.

[@lauriecalery8801]

Thank you Vero for the delightful tour.

[@emiliaciascai5941]

Merçi beaucoup pour la promenade!

[@francewithvero]

Thank you for joining me!

[@elizabethnewhall3054]

I like the background music 👍

[@livelongprosper4322]

sympa quoi un apercu culturel clair et calme, renforce' par une veracite' historique bien pesee', j'ai habite' le quartier de la butte aux cailles pendant de nombreuses annee's, il y a tres longtemps, dans une galaxie tres lointaine, jeune con (maintenant plus vieux), j'allais tres souvent a la piscine de la Butte aux Cailles, plein de memoires, d'ambiences, de personnages.. merci Chere Véro, apaisant, nostalgique, quu permet de se poser quelques instants pour bien regarder son monde, et l'etat de celui qui est autour. M, Asie du Sud-Est =

[@francewithvero]

Merci beaucoup. Je lis votre commentaire avec un peu de retard. Vos commentaires sont particulièrement appréciés puisqu'ils viennent d'un ancien habitant de la Butte aux Cailles!

[@katiaY2325]

Magnifique ça donne vraiment envie.... Merci 😊👍✨

[@babyblackbird3]

I am rewatching this tour now because I want to follow it on Saturday! I am excited! Such a beautiful walk!

[@jimsteinberg9291]

Fascinating insight into this neighborhood. Merci!

[@annscarff6096]

The music was just light enough, that it didn't bother me at all. Loved the professional script identifying neighborhoods as well as the history!

[@francewithvero]

Excellent. Thank you for the feedback Ann.

[@sharynpeterson3758]

Merci Vero! I love your stories that feature the former villages.

[@francewithvero]

Happy you are enjoying these lesser-told stories Sharyn.

[@Anna-bo8hg]

Thank u thank u very much for this outstanding videos

[@robertchaudron1183]

Definitely on my list to see next time. Thx for showing us.

[@francewithvero]

Avec plaisir Robert.

[@lauraveronique]

Thanks!

[@francewithvero]

Merci à vous.

[@martadecandia3981]

Great and informative video! It’s so pretty and I would have to put that on my list of things to see on my 2nd visit to Paris! 😍

[@francewithvero]

Excellent! Happy touring!

[@robertabrams1493]

Great tour Vero. My mother went to elementary school in this neighborhood in the 1920's. I had a chance to visit it in June but your tour convinced me that I need to do this in more depth.

[@francewithvero]

I hope you get to visit your mom's old stomping grounds, Robert.

[@milenelima9026]

Que lindo charmoso e aconchegante esse lugar. É cuidado com zelo, foi feito com capricho, limpeza e conservação. Parabéns aos Moradores Prefeitura Políticos e Funcionários. Um dia espero poder visitar ❤🙏🌹

[@brucefielder9312]

Merci beaucoup Vero for this relaxing interlude in the 13th. The history of the area and the various buildings really bring the neighborhood to life.

[@francewithvero]

Avec plaisir Bruce.

[@vicavirosenzweig418]

Enjoyed the depth and background that your walk adds to merely looking at the spots named on google maps. I also think maybe even I could afford another visit since there are €3 showers available ;-)

[@francewithvero]

That's the spirit Avi. Very nice showers too!

[@denisedecloux1065]

What a lovely tour! Merci beaucoup Véro!! I wasn’t sure I was going to like the music but I loved it. Just a gentle background reminder of la belle France! Will definitely visit this neighbourhood in my next trip. And I must say, your videos are getting better and better all the time. Bravo!

[@francewithvero]

Thank you very much for the continued support and encouragement. It means a lot.

[@kathyalexander4155]

What a charming area! I love the feel of a little hidden corner away from the big city hustle and bustle.

[@francewithvero]

A fitting description of the Butte aux Cailles, Kathy!

[@432dc]

Great walk with so much information! Thanks, Véro 💖

[@francewithvero]

Thank you for being here, Debbie.

[@greerlovesgovert]

Just when I think you've already shown us the best of Paris, you show us this hidden gem of a neighbourhood. So beautiful! The 13th is an area I've never visited, but will have to on my next trip. The fortunate few indeed... imagine having an elegant city home like one of these, with metro access to the Louvre. That would be m dream life. I googled the public pool because I had to see the interior, which is stunning. I like that you point out restaurants that you've enjoyed, helpful for planning a day here. Thank you Véro, I really enjoyed this visit. May I ask, which of your neighbourhood walks would give me the best overview of events that happened during the Commune uprising? I'd like to learn more about that. As for the background music, I like it.

[@francewithvero]

It sounds like you made the most of this new virtual tour Greer. Let me know how you enjoy the 13th arrondissement when you get to visit. I've mentioned the "Commune" uprising often during strolls, especially when I took viewers to the Parc des Buttes Chaumont. You may want to start there!

[@kimberlylullo5843]

Love your tours (as always!) but not nuts about the music. Perhaps when you give the introduction it is a nice touch, but after that I personally have a more difficult time hearing your voice as the music competes with your melodious voice!

[@francewithvero]

Duly noted. Hard to please everyone. Some viewers do enjoy background music.

[@kimberlylullo5843]

I’m sorry. I get the feeling I’ve offended you, and that wasn’t my intent. I thought you were asking for feedback regarding the addition of background music…that’s why I commented about my personal viewpoint. I have had an auditory processing issue since childhood which makes it very challenging to process more one source of auditory input at one time. It’s a challenge in everyday life, and a challenge when it comes to media as well. I certainly understand some people really enjoy the addition of background music.

[@deborahswindlehurst753]

Fascinating neighborhood! As for the background music, I’d prefer to concentrate and listen to just your voice!

[@francewithvero]

Thank you for the feedback, on all accounts, Deborah!

[@tmjstudios6141]

sad that someone tagged Miss.Tic's name. But if i ever get back to Paris, i'll have to swim in that pool!

[@francewithvero]

There can be a fine line between tagging and street art. It's best explored in the 13th arrondissement. ;-)

[@nmarty01]

I love Vero tours but I don’t love the constant music. I think it interferes with the experience. Less music please

[@francewithvero]

Duly noted. Hard to please everyone. Some viewers enjoy the background music.

[@nmarty01]

@@francewithvero Thank you for your reply. I know you work very hard to make videos everyone can enjoy - and I do. One of the things that captivated me with your videos was that the ambient/background noise made it easier to feel like I was there in person! Occasional music is nice, but too much pulls me out of the moment and becomes a distraction. But with music or without, I still endorse the Vero experience!