“There might be nothing astonishing around here, but it is open-minded and popular. That’s what I like.”“I was born in Clamart, but I have always been living in Paris. I am “a real Parisian” so to say, and I moved to the 19th arrondissement last year.

I studied sociology, but I am a musician. All of my friends are more or less artists : photographers, graphic-designers, directors, and musicians, of course.

I am also broadcasting for several Parisian independent radios such as Fréquence Paris Plurielle or Radio Libertaire. I released 2 albums, a hip-hop one and a funk one. I am also a Dee-Jay.”

My favourite places

Les Voûtes - La Régalerie “These vaults (1) are situated under the former train lines of the “Petite Ceinture” (the former tramway around Paris, transformed into a grass promenade). They are plenty of artist workshops, bars and restaurants. I go there very often, hanging around with friends of mine who have a flat where we play music. It is especially nice in the summer, because you can sit on the grass.”

“Many restaurants of the neighbourhood organise Chinese Karaoke… I like it, it is kind of a world apart.”

The area“People who live here don’t move much. There might be nothing astonishing around here, but it is open-minded and popular. That’s what I like. Everybody knows each other, and shop-employees remember your face. Nobody bothers here, they leave you in peace.

Even if many people are poor and the mood is not always at the top, there is never a problem. There are many schools, and loads of children.”

Conviviality“There is not much on the streets, you have to go inside the bars. Ramadan is a real event here, Arabian bars turn into pastry shops, are open all night long and organise lotteries. Jews and Chinese come along to play also. There is something different in the air, it’s cool.”

La Baraka“That’s a small café (2), really typical and peaceful. Most customers are regulars, they come here in the morning to take a coffee, and they end up staying all day, chatting with the waiter. There is a terrace in summer.”

Tourism“People do not travel to Paris to see this area. In the summer, You can see a fee Japanese who got lost after the open-air movies in La Villette ! But people are cool here and I don’t think that would change if tourists would come. People would just remain the same.

I perfectly know the touristy Paris; I have worked in one of these river–boats for sightseeing. A small beer costs 20 € and people don’t make you feel welcome. Here, around Métro Jaures, people can’t show off… A city is not only monuments; it is also a place where people live. The only way to experience a city is to meet people and to live with them. Otherwise you don’t know where real things happen.”

Are Parisians Grumpy?“My family has been living in Paris for generations. All of my grand-parents are Parisians. I love Paris, but I admit that Parisians are crazy.

Why do I love Paris? Maybe because I am used to it, it feels like home. I know that many things are going wrong here, but I accept it. I had the opportunity to travel a lot, but when I come back, I feel safe and at ease.

In Madrid, for instance, people are much friendlier. It is more complicated to talk to Parisians, in a way, most of them are inscrutable and embittered. But I like this gruff side they have. You can’t be honest if you are kind to everyone.

If you want to know Paris, you have to do it yourself. We can give you tips, but we are not going to help you much and tell you all our secrets… we are not so good at promoting ourselves!”

Interview by Clarisse Bouthier

(1) Les Voûtes : Place de l’Argonne, Métro Corentin Cariou

(2) Bakara : rue Rouvet, Métro Corentin Cariou