Venture off the tourist trail and discover hidden gems in Aubervilliers. The neighbourhood is tucked away in the northern corner of Paris and will spark your imagination with colourful street art and contemporary galleries. Visit the Renaissance church to see one of the oldest and most beautiful organs in Paris.
Things to do in Aubervilliers
Step into the light-filled Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac Pantin and admire works by contemporary masters like Robert Rauschenberg and Anselm Kiefer. The museum is housed in a beautifully converted copper factory and showcases avant-garde paintings, sculptures and installations.
Be mesmerised by neon-lit optical art and kinetic installations in Fondation Cherqui. The former pharmacology laboratory is reimagined as a contemporary gallery dedicated to alternative artists like Rosette Bir and Gregorio Vardanega.
Notre-Dame-des-Vertus soars over Aubervilliers and dates back to the 15th century. Decorative stained glass windows depict miracles the church has witnessed over the centuries. Step inside the Renaissance church to admire the magnificent 17th-century organ. It’s one of the oldest in France and was built by famous Parisian organ builder, François Henri Cliquot.
Canal Saint-Denis flows through Aubervilliers and is a great place to stretch your legs. Stroll along the waterfront path or rent a bike to cover more distance. Stop to admire colourful murals painted on the concrete banks. This stretch of the canal is known as Street Art Avenue and features eye-popping installations by local and international graffiti artists. Technicolour leopards, 3D dinosaurs and larger-than-life portraits will have you reaching for your camera.
Getting around Aubervilliers
Aubervilliers is pedestrian-friendly and easy to get around on foot. Drive to Saint-Denis in 15 minutes or walk in 45 minutes. The neighbourhood is serviced by several Paris Metro subway stations, including Aimé Césaire on Line 12 and Aubervilliers-Pantin Quatre Chemins on Line 7. Trains whisk you to the city centre of Paris in 15 minutes. Charles de Gaulle Airport is a 30-minute drive away or one hour by train.