Why is Place d’Italie called that?
No, the name of the square does not come from the many Italian restaurants found today in the neighborhood!
To understand its origin, we must go back to the 18th century.
At that time, a roundabout was established near an important crossroads. Several roads lead from this spot, particularly towards Vitry and Fontainebleau. The road to Fontainebleau, which partly corresponds to the current avenue d’Italie, allowed for further travel towards the south of France and ultimately, Italy.
It is this ancient road that gave its name to the square.
The future Place d’Italie was still outside of Paris at that time. By the end of the 18th century, it even became a true gateway to the capital with the establishment of the toll buildings, where taxes on goods entering Paris were collected.
Then Paris expanded.
In 1860, the municipalities and territories surrounding the capital were annexed to Paris. The square, once located at the city gates, gradually became integrated into the Parisian fabric.
In the 19th century, it was redesigned and took on an important role in the new circulation network. The town hall of the 13th arrondissement settled in the area from 1860, before the current building was constructed in the 1870s.
Thus, Place d’Italie has experienced several lives: former gate of Paris, major Haussmannian crossroads, and then a square profoundly transformed by the major urban projects of the 20th century.
A square that tells the transformations of the 13th
When crossing Place d’Italie today, it is not necessarily easy to imagine its former appearance.
Over the decades, the neighborhood has undergone profound transformations. In the 1960s and 1970s, major urban planning projects altered part of the landscape of the 13th, with new buildings, towers, and more significant roadways.
This modern architecture is still very present around the square and avenue d’Italie. It contrasts with some neighboring areas that have retained a much older atmosphere. This contrast is, in fact, what makes a walk in the area so interesting.
Just minutes apart, one can go from a bustling Parisian square to a small street lined with houses, then discover a neighborhood where signs and flavors come from another continent.
Place d’Italie, a crossroads in the heart of the 13th arrondissement
Today, several major thoroughfares converge around Place d’Italie: avenue d’Italie, avenue de Choisy, avenue des Gobelins, and boulevard Auguste-Blanqui, among others.
The square is also served by metro lines 5, 6, and 7, making it a particularly convenient starting point for visiting Paris.
From the Hôtel Inn Design Paris Place d’Italie, the station is accessible in about two minutes on foot. The hotel is located at 178 boulevard Vincent Auriol, in the heart of the 13th arrondissement.
This is one of the main advantages of the establishment: after a day of sightseeing, there is no need to cross all of Paris to return to the hotel. And above all, once settled in, many discoveries can be made on foot.
Butte-aux-Cailles: a village-like atmosphere just steps from the square
Butte-aux-Cailles offers a surprising contrast to the atmosphere of Place d’Italie.
About ten minutes on foot from the hotel, one leaves the large avenues to discover a neighborhood with quieter streets, lined with small houses and cafés.
The large avenues give way to cobbled streets, low houses, and facades covered in street art. The cafés and small restaurants give the neighborhood a warm and friendly atmosphere.
One can come with a specific plan… or simply get lost in the streets. That’s precisely what makes it charming!
Butte-aux-Cailles also has a particular history, notably linked to the former Bièvre, the river that now flows underground and once traversed the neighborhood.
About 10 minutes on foot from Hôtel Inn Design.
For those who wish to explore the 13th arrondissement differently, this is a stop not to be missed.
Another change of scenery in the Chinese quarter
A few minutes of walking are enough to completely change the atmosphere. Heading down towards avenues de Choisy and d’Ivry, one discovers the Chinese quarter of the 13th arrondissement.
The restaurants, grocery stores, and specialty shops give the neighborhood a truly unique atmosphere. It is a lively, colorful, and cosmopolitan area, which comes alive particularly at lunchtime and dinner.
In just a few steps, one completely changes ambiance. The signs, smells, and flavors almost give the impression of traveling without needing to leave Paris.
The neighborhood is also known for its tall towers and architecture, characteristic of the urban transformations of the 13th arrondissement during the second half of the 20th century.
About 5 minutes on foot from Hôtel Inn Design.
Why is there so much Italy around Place d’Italie?
This is a question that is hard to avoid.
The name of the square obviously brings to mind Italy, but the neighborhood also today has a genuine offering of Italian cuisine. Wood-fired pizzas, fresh pasta, burrata, tiramisu… several addresses are just minutes from the hotel.
For lovers of transalpine cuisine, nothing is more enjoyable than ending a day of sightseeing with a good pizza, fresh pasta, or tiramisu in an Italian restaurant near Place d’Italie.
The Hôtel Inn Design already offers a selection of Italian restaurants in the neighborhood, including some that are accessible within a few minutes on foot.
And ultimately, the nod is quite pleasant: discovering a square whose name evokes Italy, then ending the day with a pizza or a good plate of pasta.
Italie 2: another facet of the neighborhood
Just a few minutes from the square, the shopping center Italie 2 recalls yet another period in the history of the 13th arrondissement.
Opened in 1969, the shopping center is part of the major changes that transformed the neighborhood at that time. Today, it houses around 130 shops, a cinema, restaurants, and numerous services.
One can shop, have lunch, go to the movies, or simply take shelter for a few hours when the Parisian weather is less than favorable.
About 8 minutes on foot from the hotel.
The contrast with Butte-aux-Cailles is particularly interesting: on one side, small houses and alleys; on the other, much more contemporary architecture.
Perhaps that is the charm of the 13th: it is difficult to give it a single identity.
What to do at Place d’Italie during a stay?
If you are looking for things to do at Place d’Italie, there is no need to plan a complicated itinerary. You can start by discovering the square and the town hall of the 13th, then walk towards Butte-aux-Cailles.
After a stroll through the small streets and a few photos of street art, head to the Chinese quarter for lunch.
In the afternoon, why not do a little shopping at Italie 2 before heading back to the hotel?
And if you still have time, you can continue towards the Gobelins, the Jardin des Plantes, or the banks of the Seine. The BnF François-Mitterrand, located by the Seine, is also a lovely stop to discover another facet of the 13th. It is accessible in about 12 minutes on foot from the hotel.
For those who wish to go further, metro lines 5, 6, and 7 also allow easy access to other Parisian neighborhoods.
A hotel near Place d’Italie to discover Paris differently
Choosing a hotel near Place d’Italie is not just about choosing a place to sleep. It’s also about choosing a starting point!
The Hôtel Inn Design Paris Place d’Italie enjoys a particularly convenient location: the Place d’Italie metro station is about two minutes on foot, with lines 5, 6, and 7.
The establishment has 70 rooms, a bar, secure private parking, and spaces designed for both tourist and professional stays.
For a hotel at Place d’Italie, the advantage is also being able to enjoy the neighborhood without necessarily having to take public transport as soon as one leaves their room.
A walk to Butte-aux-Cailles? Just a few minutes.
Dinner in the Chinese quarter? Very close.
A shopping session at Italie 2? On foot.
And to reach the center of Paris, the metro is right next door.
A square, several Parises
Perhaps this is what best summarizes Place d’Italie.
Its name evokes an ancient road to Italy, its history tells the evolution of Paris, and its environment today brings together neighborhoods with very different identities.
In just a few hours, one can discover a large Parisian square, stroll through the alleys of Butte-aux-Cailles, taste the Asian specialties of the Chinese quarter, shop at Italie 2, or simply take the time to walk.
Place d’Italie is therefore not necessarily a destination one comes to visit for itself alone.
And if you are looking for a hotel Paris 13e to fully enjoy this location, the Hôtel Inn Design Paris Place d’Italie welcomes you just steps from the metro and the main neighborhoods in the area.
So, during your next visit to the 13th, don’t just settle for changing metro lines.
Step out of the station, take a few minutes to look around… and let the neighborhood surprise you.