Paris for Black travellers

Where to stay & explore

• La Goutte d'Or / Château Rouge — Known as 'Little Africa' in the 18th arrondissement, a hub for West African and Congolese Parisians with markets, shops and social life.
• Montmartre — Where African American artists arrived in the 1920s and Josephine Baker performed in cafés near Sacré-Cœur.
• Barbès and Gare du Nord — Districts named alongside Château Rouge as centres of African diaspora life; Gare du Nord is also served by RER B.

Black heritage & culture

• Marché Dejean — Open-air market on Rue Dejean in the Château Rouge area selling African produce and goods.
• Little Africa Village — Multidisciplinary cultural space at 6 bis Rue des Gardes in the Goutte d'Or.
• Le Cri, l'Écrit — Fabrice Hyber's bronze abolition-of-slavery memorial in the Jardin du Luxembourg, inaugurated 10 May 2007.
• Panthéon — Hosts a tribute to Josephine Baker, whose Paris career is closely tied to Montmartre.

Getting around

RER B links Charles de Gaulle, Orly and Gare du Nord to central Paris, but the FCDO flags serious assaults on it, so stay alert. Avoid unlicensed taxi drivers near airports, who charge inflated fares without meters.

Festivals & events

• National commemoration of the abolition of slavery — 10 May

Black-owned in Paris

• MoSuke · Paris
  Michelin-starred restaurant in the 14th arrondissement where chef Mory Sacko, of Malian heritage, blends African and Japanese influences with French technique.
  Black-owned · Chef Mory Sacko · Source · Website
• Gumbo Yaya · Paris (10th arr.)
  Soul food restaurant in Paris's 10th arrondissement, founded in 2015 and known as the city's first chicken and waffles spot, also serving mac and cheese and pecan pie.
  Black-owned · Lionel Chauvel-Maga · Source · Website
• Le Paris Noir · Paris
  Walking tours of Black history and culture in Paris, founded in 2013 by guide Kévi Donat, with open Saturday tours on the Left Bank and in Pigalle, plus private tours.
  Black-owned · Founded by Kévi Donat · Source · Website
• New Soul Food - Le Maquis · Paris (10th arr.)
  Afro-French restaurant in Paris's 10th arrondissement from brothers Joël and Rudy Lainé, mixing French and Cameroonian flavours — try the Afropoke bowls and spiced prawns.
  Black-owned · Brothers Joël and Rudy Lainé · Source · Website
• Little Africa in Paris · Paris
  Paris agency founded by Jacqui Mpii offering walking tours and guides to the city's African and Caribbean heritage — Château Rouge, Black history sites and diaspora-owned spots.
  Black-owned · Founded by Jacqui Mpii · Source · Website
• Waly-Fay · Paris (11th, near Charonne)
  African restaurant near Charonne in Paris serving Cameroonian and West African dishes such as thieboudienne and yassa chicken. Mid-priced, with strong review numbers.
  Black-owned · Olivier Thimothée · Source · Website
• Présence Africaine · Paris (Latin Quarter)
  Historic Pan-African bookshop and publisher at 25 bis rue des Écoles in the Latin Quarter, Paris, stocking African and diaspora literature and open six days a week.
  Black-owned · Founded by Alioune Diop (1947) · Source · Website
• Jah Jah Le Tricycle · Paris (10th arr.)
  Vegan restaurant on Rue des Petites Écuries in the 10th arrondissement serving Afro-Caribbean-inspired plant-based dishes, including veg bowls and vegan burgers. Open for lunch and evening service.
  Black-owned · Coralie Jouhier and Daqui Gomis · Source · Website
• Osè African Cuisine · Paris
  Paris African street-food restaurant, founded in 2015, where diners build their own dish from West African ingredients. Several branches, including Rue du Rocher and Château d'Eau, open until 10:30 pm.
  Black-owned · Gab and Morly (first names only) · Source · Website