13th arrondissement of Paris

13th arrondissement of Paris
LPLT · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Name	13th arrondissement
Area km2	7.15
Population	175,149
Population date	2020
Population footnotes	[1]
Mayor	Jérôme Coumet
Mayor party	PS
Mayor year	2024
Arrondissement	13e
INSEE	75113
Postal code	75013

13th arrondissement of Paris. Located on the Left Bank of the Seine, it is one of the city's most populous and dynamic administrative districts. Historically an industrial and working-class area, it has undergone profound transformation since the 1970s, notably with the development of the Paris Rive Gauche urban renewal project. Today, it is renowned for its large Asian community, contemporary architecture, and vibrant cultural scene centered around the National Library of France.

Geography

The arrondissement is situated in southeastern Paris, bordered by the Seine to the north, which separates it from the 12th and 5th arrondissements. Its southern limits are shared with the communes of Gentilly and Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, while the 14th arrondissement lies to the west. The topography is varied, featuring the slopes of the Butte-aux-Cailles hill and the vast, formerly industrial plains along the river now occupied by the Paris Rive Gauche development. Major thoroughfares include the Boulevard Vincent-Auriol, Boulevard de l'Hôpital, and Avenue d'Italie.

History

The area was historically part of the Gobelins district, known for its tapestry works since the 17th century, and the village of La Glacière. It was incorporated into Paris in 1860 under Haussmann's reorganization. The 13th remained a center for manufacturing, hosting industries like the Grands Moulins de Paris and the SEITA tobacco factory. A pivotal transformation began in the 1990s with the Paris Rive Gauche project, a massive redevelopment of former railway lands belonging to the Gare d'Austerlitz. This era also saw significant immigration, particularly from Southeast Asia, following the Vietnam War and the Cambodian genocide.

Demographics

With over 175,000 inhabitants, it is one of Paris's most densely populated districts. The population is notably young and socially diverse. The arrondissement is home to the largest Asian community in the city, concentrated in the Asian Quarter around Avenue d'Ivry and Avenue de Choisy, with influences primarily from Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and China. This demographic is reflected in a multitude of restaurants, supermarkets, and temples, such as the Khindam and Pagode de Vincennes Buddhist temples.

Economy and culture

The economy is driven by the Paris Rive Gauche business district, hosting headquarters for major firms like BNP Paribas, Groupe BPCE, and Ipsos. The presence of the National Library of France (Site François-Mitterrand) anchors a knowledge-based economy. Culturally, the area is a hub for contemporary art, featuring institutions like Les Frigos artist squat and the Galerie Patricia Dorfmann. The annual Festival du 13e au 14e celebrates local arts, while the Butte-aux-Cailles neighborhood is famed for its village atmosphere, street art, and lively cafés like Le Merle Moqueur.

Administration

The arrondissement is governed by a mayor and council, with the town hall located on Place d'Italie. Since 2007, the mayor has been Jérôme Coumet of the Socialist Party. It comprises four administrative quarters: Salpêtrière, Gare, Maison-Blanche, and Croulebarbe. The arrondissement falls within the jurisdiction of the Paris Police Prefecture and is represented in the National Assembly as part of the 7th constituency.

Transport

The district is exceptionally well-served by public transport. Major metro lines include Line 5, Line 6, Line 7, and Line 14, with key stations at Place d'Italie, Bibliothèque François Mitterrand, and Tolbiac. The Gare d'Austerlitz provides regional Transilien services and connections to southwestern France via SNCF. Several RATP bus lines traverse the area, and it is bisected by the Boulevard Périphérique ring road.

Main sights

Architectural highlights include the modernist towers of the National Library of France designed by Dominique Perrault, and the Université Paris Cité campus. The Manufacture des Gobelins historic tapestry factory remains operational. The Butte-aux-Cailles features charming cobbled streets and the Art Deco swimming pool. Other notable sites are the Grands Moulins de Paris university building, the Church of Sainte-Anne de la Maison-Blanche, and the expansive Parc de Choisy. The Seine banks are part of the Paris Left Bank pedestrian promenade.

Category:13th arrondissement of Paris Category:Arrondissements of Paris