There are no shortage of beautiful, sight-worthy streets in Paris, that’s for sure.. But you’ll be hard-pressed to find a street more colorful and historical than that of ‘Rue Crémieux’, Paris’ only color-ridden street!
When you think of Paris, the colors of grey, beige and navy might come to mind. And typically, you wouldn’t be wrong.
I mean, simply doting a classic navy and white striped shirt while strolling the busy streets under cloud-filled grey skies and a croissant in hand is the essence of a true Parisian… isn’t it?
Color? In Paris? Excusez-moi, you must be mistaken.
But Rue Crémieux couldn’t be further from that. Many people dub Rue Crémieux as “The most colorful street in Paris.” It is the only street in Paris where you will feel you have transported to a small Provincial town.
(Ps- if you’re looking for more of that small provincial town vibe, check out this list of the most charming towns in France!)
It is here that you can catch a glimpse of the quaintly painted two-stories that have been standing since 1857.
Over the last few years, Rue Crémieux has become quite the tourist attraction, courtesy of Instagram and social media platforms of the like. It’s important to remember that residents do inhabit this street, so always remember to respect your surroundings and those who live there.
In this guide, you will find everything there is to know about Paris’ most colorful street, including the best ways to enjoy this landmark, for you and the residents.
How to get to Rue Crémieux
Rue Crémieux falls within the Bercy / Nation neighborhood of Paris in the 12th arrondissement.
The nearest & largest train station to Rue Crémieux is Gare de Lyon. The other nearest metro stations are Quai de La Rapée (line 5) and Ledru-Rollin, which is a 6 min walk away from the colorful street.
Address: Rue Crémieux, 12 arrondissement, Paris, France
When is the best time to visit this colorful street?
You absolutely should stroll Rue Crémieux, and you will see it best in the morning before tourists begin to crowd it around 12pm.
Aim to visit between 10 and 11am as the streets are quieter and you’ll probably catch a few locals leaving their homes at that time.
Another great time to go is during sunset. If you go in the summer months, you’ll have a prolonged evening and can visit around 6pm to catch the beautiful sunlight glistening down on the homes, making for an all-too-picturesque moment.
*IMPORTANT REMINDER* -> When you visit, please make sure you respect the residents of this street by minimizing noise levels, not posing on people’s doorsteps, and most importantly, respecting the signs that are placed outside some of the homes. A little bit of courtesy goes a long way, especially in Paris!
What does Rue Crémieux look like?
Rue Crémieux is definitely not like the rest of Paris. You could somewhat even compare it to Notting Hill in London, as they both bear striking similarities!
When you arrive to this street, you’ll feel as though you transported to a small Provincial street somewhere in the south of France, or a French seaside resort. Beautiful colored homes line both sides of this street, and if you get here early enough, you will have it all to yourself.
Rue Crémieux is a walkable street for pedestrians and its residents, so there are no cars or public transport going through this street. Expect to see a few motorcycles and bikes lined along the houses, though!
Unlike the rest of the city, this street does not boast any Haussmann-style housing. In fact, the homes are constructed to look more like English cottages.
Either way, it’s a beautiful stroll, and definitely warrants a spot on your Paris bucket list.
You can catch a glimpse of this gorgeous street in this video below!
Eat & grab coffee near Rue Crémieux!
My favorite thing to do after visiting this street is to grab a capuccino and people watch at a cafe! (of course).
Why not end your day trip to Rue Crémieux with the perfect cup of coffee at Paris’ iconic, ‘Le Cafe Populaire’. This cafe is located just on the corner of Rue de Bercy and Av Ledru-Rollin.
They have indoor and outdoor seating, and even have a little greenhouse area where you can enjoy the outdoor views while staying cozy inside.
I absolutely adore the blue hues of this cafe/restaurant. It’s almost as if to compliment the renowned colorful street! Très chic.
I hope you’ll add Rue Crémieux to your list of places to visit in Paris. It is absolutely, as the the French would say, PARFAIT!
If you’re looking for more things to do in Paris, check out my HOT review on the famous Pink Mama restaurant OR check out this guide on the best things to do in the Latin Quarter!
a bientôt!
