With its vibrant nightlife and rich artistic history, Pigalle is the perfect destination for a booze-fuelled Parisian weekend getaway
Located at the foot of Montmartre, Pigalle is a neighbourhood with a reputation for grit and glamour. A former red light district, in the 1970s it was known for its peep shows, sex shops and brothels. Today it remains a nightlife hub, with many top-tier bars and clubs dotted throughout the neighbourhood.
Pigalle also has a rich artistic history; it takes its name from the 18th century sculptor Jean-Baptiste Pigalle (whose work can be seen at the Louvre), while Pablo Picasso, Vincent van Gogh and André Breton all lived there (in 1928, Josephine Baker opened her first nightclub next door to Breton’s apartment). Today, the southern area of Pigalle is full of musical instrument and equipment shops, making it an ideal destination for music lovers too.
Conveniently located a short walk from Gare du Nord, it’s the perfect place to travel via Eurostar for a boozy weekend in the French capital. Below, see the best places to eat, stay and see during your stay.
Stay: Le Pigalle
Neighbourhood hotel Le Pigalle is the perfect Parisian pied-à-terre for a weekend getaway. Located on Rue Frochot, a street known for its cocktail bars, this charming hotel leans into the neighbourhood’s lore as a red-light district, with erotic art and photography hung in its cosy, homely bedrooms. A ground-floor restaurant and bar offers ample opportunity for dinner and a drink, too. Having recently celebrated its tenth anniversary in business, this neighbourhood hotel is conveniently located just a 24-minute walk from Gare du Nord.
Visit: Pigalle Duperré Court
A former carpark turned outdoor basketball court, the Pigalle Duperré Basketball Court has become a social media sensation, attracting sport and art lovers alike. First opened in 2009, the court is now curated by Stéphane Ashpool, founder of the Pigalle fashion brand, with its grounds reimagined in hypnotic colours and graphic shapes reminiscent of the work of pioneering 20th-century abstract artists Piet Mondrian and Kazimir Malevich. Famous visitors have included A$AP Rocky, LeBron James, Michael Jordan and Spike Lee, while brands including Nike and Converse have taken over the court.
Eat: Abri Soba
Available for walk-ins only, arrive early to avoid disappointment at Abri Soba, one of Paris’s most acclaimed Japanese restaurants. Specialising in fresh soba – Japanese noodles made from buckwheat – chef Katsuaki Okiyama’s wood-panelled eatery serves them hot, cold, bathed in dashi (Japanese stock) or alongside finely sliced beef. Beyond the noodle, Abri Soba also serves other Japanese delicacies like chicken karaage, tonkatsu (breaded fried pork) and sashimi, perfectly paired with a good cup of sake (piled high with empty bottles, a visit to the bathroom is a key part of the experience here).
