In the 14th arrondissement of Paris, near the B55 hotel, the Cité Universitaire de Paris is the result of a strong desire to contribute to building a world of peace and respect. International exchanges are the very value of the place, whether with the thousands of students from all over the world or with tourists and visitors from the 4 corners of the planet. Let’s discover in detail the entire history of the Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris .A school that works for peaceAt the end of the First World War, France was driven by a pacifist and hygienist desire, but also by the urgency of the housing crisis. The founders of the University City then wanted to create a school allowing French and international students to benefit from quality accommodation and study conditions , in a setting conducive to multicultural exchanges and meetings.The beginnings of this school for peaceIt all starts with André Honnorat and Paul Appell . The first, in 1919, already clearly expressed his desire to found “a place where young people from all countries can, at the age when lasting friendships are made, have contacts which allow them to know each other and to ‘appreciate”.In 1920, he joined forces with Paul Appell, rector of the University of Paris and mathematician, to found a city aimed at welcoming young academics from the capital. Behind this approach, the defenders of internationalist pacifism intend to put the education of young people and exchanges between countries in the service of peace.To accomplish such a utopian project, the founders were accompanied by Émile Deutsch de la Meurthe, their first patron who financed the entirety of the first residence, in 1925.A foundation with an international dimensionThe Deutsch de la Meurthe Foundation made it possible to lay the first stone in the building of Honorat and Appell’s immense project. It was now necessary to give the University City an international dimension. The company will then be possible thanks to the legal talents of Jean Branet, and the great generosity of the banker David David-Weill. In 1924, the National Foundation was established as a non-profit association.Recognized as a public utility in 1925, the Foundation will be the basis of the revolutionary project where everyone plays a major role:Jean Branet established the organization of the City and wrote the statutes of the foundation;David David-Weill serves as treasurer and makes numerous donations…Over time, the University City extended its surface area thanks to the acquisition of land of one and a half hectares, and the involvement of many influential personalities made it possible to develop the project by drawing inspiration from cultural models and each person’s worldview.The 3 phases of achieving a utopiaAlthough the foundation and the Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris have evolved and are still evolving over the years, we note 3 important phases of its realization:1921: the project to create a “ school of human relations for peace ” is launched. Many administrative obstacles stand in the way of founders;1925 – 1938: from 1925, everything accelerated thanks to the association of patrons, foreign governments and schools. The first house is built, and in total, 19 houses will be built in less than 15 years ;1945 – 1969: the Second World War did not weaken the fervor of pacifist ideals, and the heritage was quickly restored. Then, 17 new houses were built, and the expansion of the campus was only just beginning.The 6 founders of this unique international university city in the worldThe international university city of Paris owes its existence to the tenacity and humanism of remarkable personalities. This group is made up of industrialists as well as politicians, patrons and intellectuals. We then make a point of citing 6 men essential to the creation of the private law foundation .André Honnorat : president of the national foundation from its creation until 1948, this former minister has always expressed the wish to found “a place where young people from all countries can, at the age when we make lasting friendships , have contacts that allow them to know and appreciate each other”;Paul Appell : a renowned mathematician, he is also a man committed to national and international solidarity. He thus created the Secours National to help military wives during the First World War, before becoming Secretary General of France to the League of Nations, and one of the founders of the Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris ;Émile Deutsch de la Meurthe : this successful industrialist, at the head of Pétroles Jupiter (which would become Shell – France), financed the construction of the first house on campus , the Émile and Louise Deutsch de la Meurthe Foundation. He wishes to devote his fortune to the consolidation of peace by acting for student youth;Jean Branet : State Councilor, he is responsible for the legal and administrative drafting of the statutes of the National Foundation for the Development of the University City of Paris. Administrator of the City, he was first general secretary in 1925, then vice-president in 1940;David David-Weill : financier and banker, he made a donation of several million gold francs to help with the construction project of the University City. But he also became the first treasurer and vice-president of the National Foundation, from its creation, and until his death;Lucien Bechmann : this architect designed the plans for the entire international city, and helped give it this very particular “garden city” character, by combining walking areas, buildings and sports facilities.The heritage of the Cité Internationale Universitaire de ParisThe architectural, landscape and artistic heritage of the Cité Internationale is remarkable. Many artists and architects from around the world have been inspired by the places.An open-air exhibitionThe 43 houses of the Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris offer unique architectural styles in the capital. Many architects have contributed to building houses in classic, sustainable, regionalist or modern styles: Le Corbusier, Willem Marinus Dudok, Claude Parent… Today, 6 houses are classified as Historic Monuments :The House of Brazil;The Avicenna Foundation;The United States Foundation;The Dutch College;The Swiss Foundation;The Deutsch de la Meurthe Foundation.A vast artistic universeAlmost since its creation, the Cité Internationale Universitaire has been home to many artists from all over the world. The city is then a place of both creation and exhibition of 20th century and 21st century art , whether in the field of painting, sculpture, or even tapestry. Among the big names who have been inspired by the University of Paris 14, we note Charlotte Perriand, Jacobsen, and Foujita.The landscaped architectures of Cité UThe Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris park is the second largest green space in the capital , with 34 hectares of greenery. First developed in the 1930s by Jean Claude Nicolas Forestier, it was then taken over by Léon Azéma and Lucien Bechmann. In this immense park, we try to preserve rare fauna and flora in Paris, thanks to a more ecological management method.The B55 hotel, near the Cité Internationale Universitaire de ParisWhether it is to experience a peaceful return to university, to enjoy the green spaces of the site, or to discover the architecture and the ambitious project of the National Foundation, the B55 hotel is the ideal base for your stay in Paris .The suites and rooms of the 4-star hotelAccommodating 2 to 4 people, the rooms at the B55 hotel offer you everything you need for a peaceful stay in Paris. After a warm welcome from our team, you will reside in a cozy and friendly space, with high-end equipment: quality bedding, air conditioning or heating, private bathroom, flat-screen television, unlimited and free WiFi…The services of your B55 hotelDiscovering the city of Paris is often taxing, physically and emotionally. So, to recover from your emotions and get off to a fresh start for new visits, the B55 hotel offers you access to the spa and well-being area , in the basement of the hotel . There, a heated swimming pool and a sauna will await you for a moment of rest and relaxation.If you feel like it, you can also sip a small glass of wine from our selection, available in the wine dispenser by the glass , treat yourself to a good buffet breakfast, or enjoy a hot drink in our lounge area.The B55 hotel: Paris 13 and much moreIdeally located in the 13th arrondissement of Paris , the B55 hotel allows you to easily reach the Montsouris park, the university campus and all the notable sites of the district. But you can also visit without constraint all the riches of the City of Lights, thanks to the numerous public transport nearby.You are curious to learn more about the Cité Universitaire de Paris? Take advantage of a stay at the B55 hotel to discover the immense park and the numerous houses that make the reputation of this Parisian university.

Just because everyone has gone back to work or school doesn’t mean you have to deprive yourself of the little joys of summer. And the weather won’t say otherwise! So, for a business trip or vacation in the capital, how about a hotel with a swimming pool in Paris ? The B55 hotel welcomes you!The B55, your hotel near the Cité Universitaire de ParisIdeally located for the start of the academic year, the B55 hotel is also the ideal establishment for a dream stay in Paris.The different rooms of the hotel with 4-star spaThe Paris 13 le B55 hotel welcomes you to a haven of peace in the heart of the hustle and bustle of Paris. From your first steps in our Wine & Spa hotel , you will be surprised by the peaceful calm that reigns there, all in a cozy and modern atmosphere. You will then have the choice among 48 rooms, to meet all your requirements. From the family suite to the standard double room, the B55 hotel accommodates 2 to 4 people per room, and ensures everyone’s comfort with quality amenities worthy of a luxury hotel: unlimited and free WiFi Internet, bedding high-end, cozy lounge area, flat-screen TV, private bathroom…Hotel services with indoor swimming pool Paris 13The luxurious B55 hotel offers you the opportunity to experience a unique stay where you will lack nothing. As soon as you wake up, you can enjoy a delicious buffet breakfast with everything you like to start the day with a smile.After a day of visiting, you can take advantage of the wine dispenser by the glass to discover our most beautiful vintages and taste it in our lounge with soft lighting, or relax in the superb hotel swimming pool or on the nearby deck chairs.Of course, other services are at your disposal to facilitate your stay in Paris: concierge service, 24-hour reception, luggage storage…The spa and wellness area of the magnificent B55 hotelHotels with swimming pools are not common in Paris, and if you want to enjoy a moment of relaxation in a small indoor swimming pool, the B55 is there to delight you! In the basement of the establishment, you will have access to the spa and wellness center, with a beautiful indoor swimming pool with sober and chic decoration and clean lines, as well as a sauna of a few square meters.Visit the tourist sites around the B55 hotelAfter a few laps in the swimming pool in the swimming pool area of our 4-star hotel , you will be in great shape to discover Paris. No need to go far or have a Navigo Pass to see the most beautiful sites, because the surroundings of the B55 hotel & spa are rich in tourist places.Montsouris parkIn the 14th arrondissement of Paris, near the Cité Universitaire, Montsouris park is one of the largest green spaces in Paris intramural. Students and walkers like to meet there for a quiet stroll, in the shade of the park’s 1,400 trees, most of which are a hundred years old.Built in the 19th century, at the request of Napoleon III, the park is dotted with pretty statues, but there is also a lake, a restaurant, and the meteorological observatory.What could be more peaceful than walking in this green park after a swim in the magnificent swimming pool of our famous B55 hotel?The Catacombs of ParisLet’s now leave our bubble of sweetness, and set off to discover the history of Paris, in the catacombs . Located in the 14th arrondissement, this Parisian ossuary extends beneath our feet, across 11,000 m² of underground passages. Visitors can access it and explore 1.7 km of galleries with walls covered in human bones.Historically, these galleries began to collect skeletons from the then overcrowded Parisian cemeteries. Although the visit may seem surprising, even frightening, it remains an unusual visit which is deeply part of the history of the capital. Are you looking for the best hotels with swimming pools in Paris ? Look no further, the B55 is the hotel for you, with a beautiful indoor swimming pool and comfortable rooms. Book now, and don’t forget your swimsuit!

Are you looking for the best hotel in the 13th arrondissement for your stay in Paris? For this, it is not necessary to book in a palace, because the capital has many top-of-the-range establishments. The B55 hotel is one of them, and can be considered one of the best hotels in Paris 13 . Find out why.   B55: a hotel in the heart of Paris 13 Located at 55 rue Boussingault, in the 13th arrondissement of Paris, the 4-star hotel B55 is ideally located for visiting the major sites of the capital. Visit the François-Mitterrand library Go to the Glacière metro station, take metro line 6 in the direction of Bercy, and stop at the Quai de la Gare station. In less than 25 minutes, you will arrive at the foot of 4 amazing towers, in the shape of an open book. These buildings and their large wooden esplanade house the National Library of France (BnF) , and more particularly the François-Mitterrand library . After admiring the architecture of the place, you can go to the various reading and research areas, and access millions of archives, books, comics and other manuals. Depending on your desires and needs, you can settle in the work rooms with their studious and soothing atmosphere, or take a seat in the open spaces, which are more conducive to exchanges. Take a walk in the Butte-aux-Cailles Just 700 meters from the B55 hotel, the Butte-aux-Cailles is the ideal place to walk and discover a district with a village atmosphere. Installed at 63 meters above sea level, it promises you a pleasant stroll, far from the main avenues and Haussmann buildings. Randomly along the cobbled streets, you will come across many wonders:La Petite Alsace is an old working town with pretty half-timbered houses; Villa Daviel is a cobbled street, facing the Petite Alsace, dotted with pretty little brick houses with picturesque charm; The Butte-aux-Cailles swimming pool is an Art Deco style establishment classified as a historical monument. A rare fact, it is one of the only swimming pools in Paris to have an outdoor pool; Street art and the murals of MissTic are present everywhere in this district of the 13th arrondissement…Take a walk in the 13th arrondissement of Paris If you like to wander the streets at random, you will love discovering the 13th arrondissement. Depart from your B55 hotel, and let yourself be guided by your steps. You will come across many interesting sites:The Gobelins factory : if its architecture is dazzling, the factory is also steeped in history since it is here that the most beautiful tapestries of French palaces have been made since Louis XIV; The René-Le Gall square : this green space in the heart of Paris, a few minutes walk from the B55 hotel, is an opportunity to get some fresh air on a former historic site in the capital, the Île aux Singes; La Petite Ceinture : on this green space, a long time ago, stretched the rails of the trains that circled Paris. Today, nature is reclaiming its rights and offers a nice place to walk in Paris 13; La Cité Florale : this district of Paris is made up of 6 small streets each bearing the name of a flower. The houses and gardens there are beautifully flowered, offering an exotic setting in the heart of Paris…  B55: probably one of the best hotels in Paris 13 If you are looking for a very good hotel for your stay in Paris, book the B55 hotel without delay. With a rating of 4.5/5 on Google and on TripAdvisor, this 4-star hotel is undoubtedly one of the best hotels in Paris . Spacious and comfortable suites and rooms So that your trip to Paris meets all your expectations, the B55 Hotel Paris 13 welcomes you in a luxurious setting on the theme of vines and wine. Several rooms are then available, to adapt to your needs and ensure optimal comfort. From the standard double room with bath or shower, to the family room, via the superior double room with terrace, each room provides you with complete equipment: private bathroom, quality bedding, flat screen television with international channels, wifi unlimited, air conditioning… High-end services for your Parisian stay To complete our tourism offer, the B55 hotel offers many services that will enhance your Parisian experience. As soon as you wake up, you can then enjoy a good breakfast at the all-you-can-eat buffet, and after a good day of visiting the tourist sites of Paris, you can relax in the hotel spa (swimming pool and sauna), or sip a small glass from our wine dispenser by the glass . A stone’s throw from the Parc Montsouris and the Porte d’Italie, the B55 hotel is also very well served by public transport , and benefits from a good location for visiting all the major Parisian sites: the Louvre Museum, Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral, the famous Chinatown, the Latin Quarter, the Luxembourg Gardens, the Jardin des Plantes and even Disneyland Paris!   Are you looking for a base to visit Paris and the 13th arrondissement? The design hotel B55 is ideal to ensure you a dream stay in the heart of the capital.

With the start of the new school year approaching, it is high time to plan your accommodation to ensure optimal comfort, a stone’s throw from the famous international university city of Paris . The B55 hotel then welcomes you in the 13th arrondissement, in a modern and cozy setting.   The B55, your hotel near the Cité Universitaire de Paris Whether it is to visit the district, to accompany a young person in his first days of study, or to stay while waiting for the start of the school year, the B55 hotel welcomes you in the greatest of comforts, a stone’s throw from the Cité Internationale Universitaire of Paris . B55 rooms and suites The 4-star B55 hotel offers several types of rooms to meet your requirements. Each of them has everything you need for a dream stay in Paris , such as top-of-the-range bedding, a private bathroom, a flat-screen TV, unlimited wifi access, air conditioning and heating. … You will then have the choice between different hotel rooms:There standard double room with shower , for 2 people; There standard double room with bath , for 2 people; There family room , for 4 people; The superior double room with terrace overlooking the street or the city, for 2 people; There superior double room with large terrace overlooking the city or the street, for 2 people.Services and spa at your 4-star hotel To make your experience as pleasant as possible, the hotel offers several services, free or à la carte, which will complete your stay. You can, for example, enjoy a delicious glass of wine from our vending machine, and make yourself comfortable in your room or in the lounge area. For a moment of absolute relaxation, go to the basement of the hotel, where a wellness and spa area awaits you, with swimming pool and sauna. And to start the day in great shape, the buffet breakfast will delight you with hot drinks, pastries, fruit juices, or cold meats and cheeses. The ideal location of the B55 hotel A stone’s throw from Parc Montsouris, the Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris, the catacombs, and even the Butte aux Cailles, the B55 hotel is ideally located in the heart of the 13th arrondissement of Paris . You can then reach all the major sites of the capital on foot or by public transport, and discover the riches of the City of Light. The Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral, the Louvre Museum or even Disneyland are yours!   The International University City of Paris Whether you are there for the start of the academic year or to visit the places, the Cité Universitaire is an essential site that will teach you a lot about the history of France. Attracting young people to Paris after the First World War At the end of the First World War, it was important to be able to attract students to Paris . Several major patrons then offered to bring young people from all over the world with a humanist project. This is how the Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris was born. From the start, the project appealed, and big names in literature and the political world passed through this city of students, such as Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir. Housing young people in a campus of 40 pavilions To be able to accommodate the students, 40 pavilions have been built, and each of them has a different architectural style. You can then wander randomly through the aisles to discover the architectural varieties, ranging from the most traditional to the most atypical. As you walk around, listen carefully. You will then be able to recognize more than 140 different languages in the corridors of the pavilions! Relax in the huge exotic and ecological park The first thing you notice when you arrive in the Cité Internationale Universitaire in Paris is undoubtedly the huge green space. Indeed, the 40 pavilions are built within a large ecological park , where Virginia tulip trees rub shoulders with giant sequoia and cloud-trimmed trees. This third largest park in Paris is all about diversity and exoticism, to the delight of visitors and students. Let talents express themselves To offer the best learning conditions to young people, the Cité Universitaire provides many artistic and sports spaces . Students can then take advantage of a football stadium, dance halls, fencing halls, a rugby stadium, a swimming pool, but also numerous libraries and a National Theatre.   A stone’s throw from the 14th arrondissement and the Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris, the B55 hotel welcomes you in a modern and warm setting, to make the most of your stay.

If you’ve ever been lucky enough to stay in Paris, you know how difficult it can be to choose which places to visit, as there are so many to choose from. So, to help you on your next Parisian journey, we’ve put together a few ideas for things to do in Paris during the summer of 2023.   Enjoy the Champs Élysées this summer 2023 With the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum and Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Champs Élysées avenue is undoubtedly one of Paris’s must-sees. The history of the Champs Élysées Connecting the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe, the world’s most beautiful avenue stretches for almost 2 km. But did you know that this sumptuous avenue, home to the world’s biggest events and most prestigious boutiques, used to be a huge swamp? It wasn’t until 1670 that King Louis XIV asked gardener Le Nôtre to create an avenue, thus continuing the landscaping work initiated by Catherine de Médicis in the early 17th century. Initially named the “Grand-Cours”, the avenue was renamed the “Champs Élysées” in 1709, in reference to paradise. It wasn’t until the 1860s that the avenue lost its rural allure and attracted the attention of the aristocracy, following the intervention and modernization of architect Haussmann. Luxury boutiques and palaces gradually moved in. A must for shopping enthusiasts Today, the Champs Élysées avenue attracts shoppers of all stripes, thanks to its many prestigious and luxurious stores. All the leading French brands can be found here, including Lacoste, Longchamp, J.M. Weston and Petit Bateau. But tourists also like to visit the luxury houses that make the avenue so famous, such as Guerlain, Louis Vuitton, Mauboussin and Cartier. But the Champs are not reserved exclusively for luxury, and during a stay in Paris in July or August, you can also find great bargains in affordable ready-to-wear and cosmetics department stores, such as Zara or Sephora. Finally, the avenue is also renowned for its gourmet addresses. Taste the delicious macaroons of Ladurée, book a table at Fouquet’s, or enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere on the Parisian terrace of M Bistro. Cultural spaces on the Champs Élysées While the famous Parisian avenue is renowned for its vastness, it is also home to numerous cultural venues and a rich program of events. Just a stone’s throw away, you can enjoy a performance at the Théâtre du Rond-Point, the Théâtre des Champs Élysées or the Théâtre Marigny. Culture also includes monuments and exhibitions, which you can admire at the Grand Palais and Petit Palais. Finally, the 7th art is also in the spotlight, with several cinemas, including Gaumont Champs Élysées and UGC Georges V. For lovers of arthouse cinema, head for the Balzac, or the Élysée-Lincoln. Night on the Champs Élysées In the evening, the avenue’s luxury boutiques close their doors to make way for Parisian nightlife. The many bars, restaurants and brasseries offer beautiful terraces, in more or less prestigious settings, to enjoy a good meal or sip a drink with friends or family. Music and dance lovers can finish the evening at Le Duplex, Les Planches, Le Baron or Le Raspoutine. And if gambling is more your thing, the Paris Élysées Club is the capital’s only casino.   What else to do in Paris this summer? Of course, there’s much more to Paris than just the Champs Élysées, and many other discoveries await you during your summer in Paris. Here are just a few:Paris Plages: in July and August, Paris is transformed into a seaside resort, with a nautical base, a sandy beach, deckchairs and entertainment; Open-air cinema: take advantage of the mild summer evenings to enjoy a film under the stars, thanks to the many open-air cinema screenings organized in the capital’s squares and green spaces; Parisian terraces: there’s nothing nicer than ending the day with a drink on a terrace, surrounded by the people you love; Paris swimming pools: to cool off on a hot summer’s day, nothing beats a dip in one of Paris’s many swimming pools, unless you’re lucky enough to be staying in a hotel with a pool, like the B55 ; Parisian festivals: every summer, many free festivals and concerts are organized in Paris…  Le B55 and its swimming pool: the ideal place to cool off after a day in the summer heat. Whether you’re attending a festive event, or simply discovering Paris, the B55 hotel welcomes you in a warm and welcoming setting, right in the heart of Paris’ 13th arrondissement. The cosy, fully-equipped rooms offer every comfort for a moment of relaxation between two visits, while the many services ensure an unforgettable stay: buffet breakfast, wine by the glass dispenser, lounge area… And to complete your stay, why not take advantage of the 4-star hotel’s swimming pool? In the basement, the heated pool awaits you for a few laps or a moment of relaxation. End the experience with a sauna in the spa and wellness area, and recharge your batteries for summer in Paris.   Summer in Paris is always an opportunity to rediscover the capital, with its traditional monuments, but also with its festive and cultural summer events. Book your room at the B55 hotel now, and enjoy an ideal stay in a hotel with a swimming pool.

Would you like to take advantage of your summer vacation to visit Paris? Summer is one of the most pleasant seasons for discovering the capital, but after a hot day, it’s always good to be able to cool off and relax. Book a room now at B55, your hotel with swimming pool in the 13th arrondissement of Paris.   B55: your Paris hotel with pool and spa Planning a visit to Paris? For your short, medium or long stay, the B55 Wine & spa hotel welcomes you to a haven of peace in the heart of Paris’s 13th arrondissement. A comfortable hotel for your stay in Paris Le B55 is a 4-star hotel entirely designed and furnished with your comfort in mind. The bright, spacious rooms are designed to suit your every need and desire, with a full range of high-quality amenities: free wifi, top-of-the-range bedding, air conditioning and heating, flat-screen TV, private bathroom… This Paris hotel also features a wine by the glass dispenser, which you can enjoy in the lounge area or in your room. After a good night’s sleep, you can enjoy a delicious buffet breakfast before resuming your sightseeing in Paris. A pool and spa area in your 4-star hotel From the standard room for 2 to the family room for 5, every reservation gives access to the hotel’s relaxation and wellness area. In the basement, you can take advantage of the superb heated indoor swimming pool, for a special moment of relaxation or sport. The sauna also awaits you for a few minutes of bliss, next to the hotel pool. Away from the hustle and bustle of Paris, treat yourself to a unique moment of relaxation in one of the best hotels with a swimming pool in Paris. Good to know: remember to reserve your time to access the spa center. The space is available for up to 4 people, in 45-minute sessions, for an unforgettable experience.   Visit Paris from our hotel with swimming pool If you don’t feel like wasting time in public transport, you’ll have plenty of time to discover the capital’s must-see addresses by staying close to the B55 hotel. François Mitterrand Library It’s hard not to notice the 4 buildings of the François Mitterrand library. This site, belonging to the BnF (Bibliothèque Nationale de France), comprises two libraries. The first is open to the public, unconditionally, from Tuesday to Sunday. The second is a research library, open Monday to Saturday. The 4 buildings, oriented on the 4 points of the compass and taking the form of open books, also offer a varied cultural program. A stroll along the banks of the Seine If you’re in between dips in your B55 hotel’s indoor swimming pool and you need some fresh air and relaxation, head for the quays of the Seine. Here, as soon as the weather’s right, music lovers gather to dance, play an instrument, and let themselves be carried away by South American classics (tango, salsa…). Sports enthusiasts also gather here for all kinds of outdoor activities. And if you fancy an outdoor swimming pool, the magnificent Joséphine Baker floating pool is sure to please. Street art: the originality of Paris’s 13th arrondissement Your B55 spa hotel is located in the heart of the 13th arrondissement, a district renowned for its street art. As you stroll through the streets of Paris, discover the frescoes that decorate the immense facades of the buildings. Butte-aux-Cailles, a Montmartre-like district of Paris 13 Not far from your hotel with pool, the Butte-aux-Cailles is probably one of the capital’s most romantic districts. The narrow cobbled streets and elegantly decorated houses plunge you into a bucolic atmosphere, untouched by the hustle and bustle of the city and modern architecture. Along the way, you’ll come across works by street artists, as well as an elegant indoor swimming pool, one of the oldest in Paris. Discover the museums of the 13th arrondissement After a relaxing moment at the hotel’s indoor pool, why not take advantage of Paris’s cultural wealth to discover some of its museums? In the 13th arrondissement, you can visit the Galerie des Gobelins, where the furniture and tapestries of the Mobilier National are made, as well as the Cité de la Mode et du Design. Place d’Italie The starting point linking Paris to Italy, the Place d’Italie is now one of the capital’s largest crossroads. Impressive in size, with its huge fountain and relaxation area, the Place d’Italie is also a central location for visiting the Butte-aux-Cailles or Chinatown, or for accessing major tourist sites such as the Paris Catacombs, the Montparnasse Tower, the Jardin des Plantes… Numerous public transport services pass through the Place d’Italie to take you all over Paris (Opéra Garnier, Arc de Triomphe, Musée du Louvre…). Also worth seeing near Hotel B55 There’s so much to discover in the 13th arrondissement, why not take your curiosity to the heart of the district and discover the Cité Florale, Little Russia and the Square des Peupliers. Treat yourself to a change of scenery in the heart of Paris.   Paris is full of sites and districts to discover. So, with the summer heat, consider booking a room in a hotel with a swimming pool, to refresh and relax between visits. Hotel B55 offers a warm welcome, with a private pool and spa available all year round.

For a long time occupied by meadows, woods, and numerous mills, the 13th arrondissement of Paris was then the center of Parisian factories, before becoming this picturesque district where it is so good to walk. Let’s go for a walk in Paris 13, near the B55 hotel.   The tapestries of the Gobelins manufacture Dating from 1601, the factory was built on the initiative of King Henry IV to respond to the rise of Flemish tapestry. The royal orders are then numerous, in France as abroad, and the activity of the weavers of the manufacture has never ceased since. In 1662, Colbert, minister of Louis XIV, decided to bring together all the Parisian weaving workshops in the Gobelins factory, now famous throughout the world. It is now 4 centuries that tapestries are made there for the greatest French palaces. Attached to the Mobilier national, the Gobelins factory is still successful and famous, and visitors can come and discover the history of this historic building and the work of the weavers. Good to know: “Gobelin” was the surname of a powerful family of dyers in Paris.   The White Queen’s Islet Did you know that the 13th arrondissement of Paris was crossed by a river? The Bièvre, which meanders for more than 5 km through the district, used to give rhythm to the architecture and life of Parisians. Surprisingly, the river has not dried up today, and it continues to flow under our feet, hidden under a concrete floor since 1912. In 1290, on the banks of this charming Bièvre, Marguerite de Provence, the widow of Saint-Louis, came to live. Dressed in the traditional white mourning dress, she gave her name to the small island where her residence was located. Destroyed since the 15th century, the hotel was replaced by manufacturing buildings, at the initiative of the Gobelin family. The Hotel de la Reine Blanche was then put to many uses, always reminding us of the industrial image of the district: tile factory, tannery, dye factory and brewery followed one another. Today, the building, classified as a historical monument, can be visited and allows to discover the history of the district.   René Le Gall Square After long hours walking the streets of Paris, it is sometimes very pleasant to find a quiet space where you can sit and relax. The square René Le Gall is one of these little bubbles of fresh air in the heart of Paris. It is a typical 1930’s country setting, where the 4 gazebos (small kiosks) form a square in the center of which stands an obelisk. Also called the Gobelins garden, the square also has a magnificent rose garden which makes all the charm of the small park. Sitting on one of the benches, you will be, without knowing it, in the center of an old island located between two arms of the Bièvre: the Ile aux Singes. Formerly a vegetable garden for the workers of the Gobelins factory, this island was a place of celebration, where wine was not taxed. So, to amuse the workers who were having a good time, the entertainers let their monkeys roam free, which very quickly gave the name of Ile aux Singes to this small Parisian island. After the Bièvre River was buried, the square served for a long time as a dependency of the Manufacture des Gobelins and the Mobilier National, before being transformed into a neoclassical park by the architect Jean-Charles Moreux.   The street of Butte-aux-Cailles A former neighborhood on the banks of the Bièvre, the Butte-aux-Cailles is one of the few neighborhoods preserved from the great Haussmannian changes. In the main street of this historical district of the 13th arrondissement of Paris, one finds a picturesque village atmosphere that makes you want to stroll around and stop for a while. Take a trip to Les Abeilles, and stock up on products made by local bees (honey, gingerbread, candy, soap…). Enjoy a tea, a hot chocolate, a small cup of coffee and a pastry at the Oisive Thé, and participate in a knitting café. Or take a stroll down the shopping street where restaurants, bars and boutiques make the street lively.   The Butte-aux-Cailles swimming pool Beyond the Bièvre River, the underground passages of the Butte-aux-Cailles also hide a water table that is several thousand years old. If it allows to feed the wells of the district, and in particular the artesian well, it also feeds one of the two swimming pools of the district. Classified as a historical monument, the Butte-aux-Cailles swimming pool was built in 1924 and is still in use today. If its Art Deco architecture is worth the detour, its pool heated to 28°C all year round is also a great argument for an unusual moment of relaxation in Paris.   The picturesque streets of the Butte-aux-Cailles district With its fragile underground quarries, the Butte-aux-Cailles district was not transformed by Baron Haussmann, judging the project too dangerous. Thanks to this, we can enjoy today a picturesque district preserved by time and modernity. Like a small village in the heart of the capital, the Butte-aux-Cailles seduces with its small paved streets and its pretty colored houses. Along the streets, we find flowered gardens, old artists’ studios and small individual houses decorated with mosaics and bricks.   The Little Belt In the past, the Petite Ceinture was a railway line that went around the capital. Today, you can find remnants of it covered with flowers in many arrondissements (16th, 14th, 18th…). Since 2016, a small section of the Petite Ceinture is accessible to the public in the 13th arrondissement, between the Square des Peupliers, the Charles Trenet garden, and the Moulin de la Pointe garden.   The Floral City If the dense architecture and the Parisian crowd become too overwhelming, go to the Cité Florale. This district, built in 1928 near the Montsouris park, includes 6 alleys with small houses full of flowers. As you wander through the streets, each named after a flower, the neighborhood offers you a bubble of softness, color and tenderness, in a picturesque micro-neighborhood that seems cut off from the rest of the world. To get there, take the rue Brillat-Savarin, from the place de Rungis.   The Daviel villa and the Petite Alsace Let’s finish our walk in Paris 13 at the Petite Alsace, where small pavilions built in 1912 are composed of half-timbered houses typical of workers’ housing at the time. Each house could then accommodate up to 12 people. Not far from Little Alsace, Little Russia is also worth a visit, although it is rarely open to the public. It was so called because many Russians lived there. Opposite, the Villa Daviel is not a house, but a charming and quiet street where small houses, gardens and pavilions are aligned with harmony and coquetry on 113 meters long. Initially built for the poor, the dwellings of the Villa Daviel are today inhabited by middle-class people who appreciate the picturesque charm of the street.   The B55 hotel is ideally located in the 13th arrondissement. It is the ideal place to discover all the wonders of this picturesque district of Paris, while enjoying a charming hotel room and a spa and wellness area.-