The thirteenth arrondissement is a great place to experience multi-ethnic Paris, particularly if you have an affinity for all things oriental. When thinking of Paris, the imagination draws small cozy streets, bakeries with fresh croissants, and, of course, the Eiffel Tower.
It is quite difficult to imagine a "Chinese city" in the very center of the capital of France. However, the 13th quarter is a Chinese area. Even in winter, the windows of apartments in the quarter are open so that the spirits of the ancestors can easily get into the house according to Chinese traditions.
Another unusual feature for Parisians is the almost complete absence of banks and ATMs. The Chinese community prefers to solve various financial affairs without the intervention of banks, and if there is a need to take loans, people ask their friends for money.
The main buildings of the 13th arr were built in the 60s when the number of immigrants increased sharply. So, the district surprises with buildings 15 floors high, which are in sharp contrast to the usual six-story ones.
The district is practically not interesting from the point of view of tourism. Cultural chaos also repels many tourists. That is why hotels of the 13th district often offer very attractive prices.
