Oberkampf is the creative sister of Le Marais. A bit rawer, a touch Berlin, but with that typical Parisian charm. You will find street art on every street corner, neighbourhood cafés with character, sustainable boutiques and a relaxed atmosphere. Saskia loves this neighbourhood for its fine combination of local life and green spaces. She shares her favourite addresses for a day in Oberkampf and its surroundings.
Travel route through Oberkampf ‘in the 11e’
Oberkampf may not be the first neighbourhood that comes to mind when you think of Paris, and that is exactly what makes it so cool. This neighbourhood in the 11th arrondissement is named after Christophe-Philippe Oberkampf, a German textile printer who became famous for his colourful fabrics in the 18th century. In the nineteenth century, the district grew into a lively working-class area, where metalworkers, leather workers and craftsmen had their workshops. Today, the district is bursting with creative energy, with street art, lively parks, small studios, sustainable shops and cafés where neighbours know each other by name. Artists, musicians and young entrepreneurs provide a mix of raw and cosy - it almost feels village-like in the middle of the city. You hardly see any tourists there, which only makes it more fun.
Tips for Oberkampf in Paris
With this route, you dive into the real life of Oberkampf. Don't expect great sights, but rather original addresses, inspiring initiatives and a relaxed atmosphere. Come, let's go!
Stop 1: landing in Rue Oberkampf
We start in Rue Oberkampf, the beating heart of the district. Here you can immediately feel the atmosphere: a mix of local cafés, colourful facades and the tapping of coffee cups on small terraces. So feel free to take some time to land. If you really want to stay in the district (highly recommended!), this is the place. Not only is it a nice, quiet base for your Paris adventure, it is also super well located. Le Marais is literally around the corner and the metro will get you to Saint-Germain-des-Prés or even the Eiffel Tower in the seventh arrondissement in no time. Tips for Le Marais can be found here. Smart to check these out as well if you go, as the districts blend together and you can therefore easy viewing together during your Paris adventure.
A hotel tip that totally fits your greener list is Hotel Fabric. This old textile factory is totally contemporary: high ceilings, fine beds, a good breakfast and even a small spa and gym. Sleeping here is not a bad idea - especially when you know that Rue Oberkampf really comes alive in the evening. That's when the terraces fill up, the wine bars open their doors and there's a cosy (nightlife) atmosphere. So you'll want to be here more often than just during the day. Suitcases dropped (or coffee finished)? Then it's time to dive into the neighbourhood!
Stop 2: Canal Saint Martin and surroundings
From Rue Oberkampf, you can easily walk to Square May Picqueray, a surprisingly green strip in the middle of the district where the neighbourhood feeling is immediately tangible. This elongated park lies on the canopy of the Canal Saint-Martin, which was partly covered in the nineteenth century to make room for wide boulevards. The park was laid out in the 1920s. This park has an EcoJardin seal of approval, a French certification for ecologically managed parks (and there are a lot of them in Paris). Truly green. Here it is always time for a game of pétanque, and on Tuesday and Friday mornings you will find a cosy market with fresh vegetables, flowers and goodies from local producers. Have a browse, a chat or score some fruit for the road - this is exactly why Oberkampf feels so nice.
If you continue walking, you will arrive at the Canal Saint-Martin. This is perhaps one of the most photogenic bits of Paris, especially in fine weather. With any luck, boats are just passing by and you can see the lock in operation. In fine weather, Parisians sit here, picnicking or taking a break along the quay. The Seine, eat your heart out. Tip: cross the water and walk on the west side via Quai de Valmy. There you'll spot great restaurants for later in the day - and if you're curious, be sure to drop in at Ima Cantine. This vegetarian restaurant is not to be missed: the smell of spices already meets you outside. A sustainable dining spot to remember for tonight, but that's something for later.
Canal Saint Martin is one of the most beautiful spots in Paris and what makes Oberkampf so atmospheric.
From there, you'll enjoy walking along the water. At one point, turn left into Rue Dieu, which becomes Rue Beaurepaire. You are now officially in the tenth arrondissement, but in terms of atmosphere you are still in the Oberkampf vibe. This is one of those streets where you want to linger. At number 8 La Factory, a sustainable fashion shop where craftsmanship and style come together perfectly. Just down the road, you can go for coffee and something sweet at Grandma Beaurepaire - What an Insta-worthy lunch and brunch spot.
Then stroll towards Place de la République. Here you will find a large Vélib parking for when you want to do the next bit on a bike. You can also continue on foot - a half-hour walk, but it's a fun route. The choice is yours!
Stop 3: have lunch at Square Maurice Gardette
After your stroll along the Canal Saint-Martin, it's time to catch your breath in the quiet Square Maurice Gardette. Or to have lunch first and then explore this little neighbourhood - can also be done. Tucked away in the middle of the 11th arrondissement, this green park - again eco-labelled - feels like a little secret. In the middle of the park is a charming 1899 music kiosk. But the most special thing? The Noisetier de Byzance, a rare hazelnut tree that has been growing here since 1879 and is now 21 metres tall.
For lunch, this is the place to be. Cœur is a zero waste epicerie, a specialty shop with fine coffee and homemade lunch dishes. Even if you don't go there for lunch or a cake, it's worth stopping in here. Fancy something more elaborate? Brasserie Martin is a colourful bistro where you instant cheerful. Their signature dish - caramelised leeks - is a ten out of ten, although the vegetarian options are otherwise somewhat limited. Around the park you will further find Krügen, a Breton café specialising in sweet and savoury crepes and Les Niçois is a relaxing place where you can play a game of pétanque downstairs in rainy weather.
In Paris, you can also do very good sustainable shopping in the 11th arrondissement near Oberkampf.
Stop 4: city walk through Oberkampf's nicest streets
After lunch, it's time to explore the other part of Oberkampf. Walk along the cosy Rue Popincourt towards the southern part of the district, where more surprising streets and fine spots await you. A great stop is Jardin Truillot. This elongated park is a relaxed mix of lawns, playgrounds and a wall full of art. From here you overlook the imposing Église Saint-Ambroise - definitely worth a closer look. The church has a beautiful garden full of flowers and unusual trees that are maintained here - as elsewhere in the district - in an ecologically responsible way. A green oasis in the middle of the city, then.
From there, you make a loop back up through the district, through fine streets like Rue de la Folie Méricourt, Rue Amelot and Rue Ternaux. You immediately see the real Oberkampf: vintage shops, galleries, local shops and cafés alternate. On Rue de la Chemin Vert you will find Aujourd'hui Demain, a vegan restaurant and concept store with a mini supermarket, clothes, books and a café. Everything here is 100% plant-based and carefully selected. This should definitely not be missing from Oberkampf's green travel guide.
Another topper is Wild & The Moon on Rue Amelot - a urban hideaway with plant-based snacks, coffee and juices. Anyway, Rue Amelot is a fun street - also for drinks. End your stroll on Rue Ternaux. Around the corner - on Rue du Marché Popincourt - is a row of bric-a-brac shops where you can browse.
This way, you slowly walk back to the heart of Oberkampf via other streets, where you started the day - but now with a host of new impressions and favourite spots added. Time for a drink? The terraces are waiting!
Stop 5: Sustainable dining in Paris? At Oberkampf, you're in the right place!
If you like delicious and more conscious food, Oberkampf is the place to be. This district is bursting with sustainable restaurants, with plenty of vegetarian, vegan and organic choices - no fuss, just good food in nice places.
A few tips to put on your list: La Cantine Gourmande, an organic restaurant on the same street as Hotel Fabric - nice and easy if you're sleeping there. Ima Cantine is ideal for a relaxed lunch or dinner with tasty vegetarian comfort food. Kubri serves French-Lebanese cuisine with a surprisingly large vegetarian menu - exactly as you would expect from Lebanese food: spicy, colourful and rich in vegetables. At The Friendly Kitchen and Pianoterra you can go for vegan fine dining. Hard to choose, they are both great. And La Conserverie Paysanne is not just a shop, but also a restaurant where you eat what the French countryside has to offer that day - local, artisanal and surprisingly delicious. And of course, don't forget Aujourd'hui Demain not, the vegan restaurant and concept store.
And then... Loustic. This wine bar, right next to the hotel, is one of those places where you just want to linger for hours. With a glass of natural wine on the terrace, surrounded by locals and the cosiness of the street, it feels like you are part of the neighbourhood. No fuss, but character. This is the Oberkampf experience par excellence - one to end your day, or perhaps your entire stay in Paris.
In Oberkampf, you'll find lots of sustainable and vegan restaurants. Great! A great vegan restaurant tip is The Friendly Kitchen.
Your Paris tips for a day in Oberkampf
Hopefully you now have a nice route - or rather a greener one itinerary - For a day at Oberkampf. From street art to eco-labelled city parks, from vegan lunch spots to natural wine on the terrace: this neighbourhood shows that Paris can be surprisingly green and authentic. Do you have another great tip for this neighbourhood? Let us know! We love to share our readers' best discoveries.
More Parry tips:
- See also the itinerary for the popular nearby Le Marais.
- See also The itinerary for Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
- See also the itinerary for the nearby seventh arrondissement.
Photo credits: thegreenlist.nl.
