The 19th Arrondissement…a new favorite!

Have you ever stumbled onto something that turned out to be an absolutely pleasant surprise? That’s exactly what happened when by chance I came across the Bassin de la Villette in the 19th Arrondissement. I was supposed to go to the Jazz Festival at Parc Floral in the Parisian suburb of Vincennes. But apparently dogs are “interdit” at the concert venue, which means not allowed, and I wasn’t able to go. I decided on my plan B which was to go wine tasting on a barge at the Canal de l’Ourcq, also in the 19th. That’s when I discovered this lovely neighborhood where the locals are.

The destination I needed to get to would’ve required 2 metro lines. So in order to keep things simple, I decided to take only one train, hopping off at one stop earlier, and walk the rest of the way. That’s when in the distance I heard the Latin Jazz. I followed the music and there in the plaza was a live jazz band playing several of my favorite Latin rhythms. Further up the walkway I saw locals picnicking along the canal with baguettes, wine, cheese and fruit. There were families strolling in the park, teens and young adults strumming away on the guitar, while others enjoyed a game of table tennis or the French pastime of pétanque. What a lovely afternoon it was…