The Thirteenth arrondissement is well known by Parisians for the high-rise towers near the busy Place d’Italie. But also for the modern François Mitterrand National Library at the centre of the new neighbourhood of Paris Rive Gauche.
A few words about the Thirteenth arrondissement
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The Thirteenth arrondissement of Paris (le treizième arrondissement) is situated on the left bank of River Seine. It includes the neighbourhoods of Place d’Italie, the Butte aux Cailles and Paris Rive Gauche.
The 13th arrondissement of Paris covers an area of 7.15 km2 with a population of 183,260 (2011).
The 13th arrt includes some famous Parisian landmarks such as the François Mitterrand National Library, the Austerlitz railway station, and the Butte-aux-Cailles and the Place d’Italie neighbourhoods. It is home to the Pitié-Salpêtrière, one of Europe’s largest hospital.
Also located in the 13th arrondissement is the Gobelins manufactory. This was a renown tapestry factory that used to supply the king of France and other European monarchs.
The new district of Paris Rive Gauche extends from Gare d’Austerlitz to the Boulevard Périphérique at Ivry-sur-Seine. Once an industrial zone, the area has undergone radical transformation over the past 30 years. When strolling in the new streets, you’ll discover audacious architecture, parks and gardens, a shopping precinct and monuments such as the National Library of France (BNF).
Main places of interest in the Thirteenth arrondissement
The main places of interest in the 13th arrondissement are:
- the François Mitterrand National Library (Tolbiac site)
- the new neighbourhood of Paris Rive Gauche
- the Dragon fountain, Place Augusta Holmes
- the Austerlitz railway station
- the Little China (Triangle de Choisy)
- Gobelins manufactory
- Neighbourhood of Butte-aux-Cailles and the Cité florale
- Pitié-Salpêtrière hospital and its chapel
Check out the Tourist Office website of Paris [in English].
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