This is another artistic centre that opened recently, this time housed in a former 19th century music hall that later became an indoor roller coaster attraction (yeah, really). The temporary exhibitions can be hit or miss, but I like hanging out in the free, open-to-all library on the first floor where you can sit in the futurist media pods and flip through the latest arts, culture, music, design and architecture magazines. Their shelves are also filled with a growing endowment of books which seem to be acquired according to the theme of the aforementioned exhibitions. Internet access is available on a dozen or so PCs (or via WiFi on your own machine) and for gamers, there are a few consoles connected to largish plasma screens. The café upstairs, with its classic baroque meets retro-futurist interior, is a sight to behold.

Messy, busy, mangled, cheap, friendly and relaxed bar in Belleville. Unchanged for years, just layered with tags, stickers, laquered beer spillage and cigarette ash; but bright and light at the same time.

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The only feminist and LGBTQ bookstore in Paris.

Yorgaki is my brainchild. I felt there was a need for a place to share my culinary passions with others, and help people discover the uniqueness of Greek coffee traditions. And of course the adventure serves as a design experiment, with napkins designed like the paper tablecloth maps of the Cyclades, with a humorous take on Paris’ neighborhoods. Freshly opened in the 9th Arrondissement, Yorgaki is the first « Kafeneion », or Greek Café, in Paris. Serving Greek coffee cooked on hot sand, Frappés, Fredo Expressos and more traditional hot and cold Hellenic drinks, it also has a selection of fresh food prepared on spot. Tzatziki, Melitzanosalata, Tarama, Greek Choriatiki salad, marinated anchovies and kalamata olives can be shared around a Fix or a Mythos, the classic Greek beers. For dessert, Loukoums and Kourabies sourced in Greece, a locally-produced Portokalopita, and the legendary Caprice biscuit are here as reminders of the taste of Greece.