podtour
The Canal Saint-Martin and the Grange-aux-Belles
You begin where the canal slips underground, and wonder why.
Belleville, from the Boulevard to the Viewpoint: audio walk in Paris
Climb the hill that was once the tavern of Paris: the Courtille carnival, two streets that both claim the last barricade of the Commune, a tavern keeper so famous someone tried to put him on the stage, Perec's street turned into a park, Willy Ronis's viewpoint and Piaf's plaque.
What this walk is about
You start on the boulevard where the tax wall once stood. Beyond it lay Belleville, its cheap wine and the carnival that came staggering back down into Paris. Where two streets meet, you'll hear how the Commune ended, with one man alone on a barricade and a young volunteer nurse nobody ever saw again. Then comes Ramponeau, the tavern keeper, the lawsuit Voltaire turned into satire, and the argument over whether piquette was really bad wine. You walk into the park along a street that no longer exists, the street of Georges Perec's childhood, climb beside the cascade to the Willy Ronis viewpoint, and finish in front of a plaque that says Piaf was born on that very pavement. It isn't quite true, and she knew it.
- Start
- The carnival beyond the city wall
- Finish
- Was Édith Piaf really born on the pavement?
- Who it is for
- For another visit, when you want to look beyond the familiar sights. A walk for anyone curious about social history and the Commune and literature, photography and song.
- Languages
- Spanish and British English
- Underfoot
- The walk has slopes or changes in level. The route notes mention stairs or steps on the walk or its approaches.
The route, stop by stop
An outline of the walk. The full stories are in the app.
Loading the map…
Open a marker to see its page. Use two fingers to move the map on mobile.
- 1
The carnival beyond the city wall
- 2
The barricade and the ambulance volunteer
- 3
One man in Rue Ramponeau
- 4
The innkeeper who wouldn't become an actor
- 5
Cheap wine and the dance gardens
- 6
The street turned into a park
- 7
Perec's number 24
- 8
Belleville's water, from royal fountains to a cascade
- 9
The vines return to Belleville
- 10
Gypsum, workers and Paris below your feet
- 11
Willy Ronis's staircase
- 12
Was Édith Piaf really born on the pavement?
Walking directions are based on mapped pedestrian routes. Check local access and signs; the route is not an accessibility guarantee. Times are approximate.
Paris, before you go
Paris works best a neighbourhood at a time. Combine a walk, a pause and another look: the distances on the map can be deceptive.
More walks nearby
The Great Names of Père-Lachaise: from the Main Gate to Balzac
In 1804 this cemetery was a long way out, beyond the city wall, and Parisians didn't want it.
The Père-Lachaise of Memory: from Oscar Wilde to the Communards' Wall
You start at the crematorium, the first in Paris, in front of an urn that no longer holds anything.
Good to know
What is Podtour?
An app for self-guided audio walks. Choose a city and a route, then listen to the stories behind its streets. You decide when to start and when to stop.
When can I download the app?
Podtour is coming to iOS and Android. There is no confirmed launch date yet. Join the waitlist and we will let you know when it is ready.
Does Podtour include attraction tickets?
No. Street walks and monument audio tours do not include admission tickets, transport or a guide accompanying you.
Can I listen without an internet connection?
Download the audio in the app before heading out, then listen offline. Loading the online base map and calculating a new route from your location require a connection.
What languages are included?
Every route includes Spanish and British English. The English version is adapted for English-speaking travellers, rather than translated word for word.
How do I get a whole city for free?
Join the waitlist, choose a city and confirm your email address. When the app launches, we will email you with access details. No card is required. You can also try one free route in every city.
Can I buy for myself or for a group?
Yes. Your own access is included and you can choose 0–5 guests: up to 6 people including you. Each guest saves up to €0.50 on a walk, €1 on a pack or €2 on a whole city compared with buying separately. The counter shows the total before you confirm one payment.
How do I share, and when must guests accept?
After paying, share your purchase’s invitation link. Each guest opens it in Podtour and accepts their place on their own iPhone or Android phone. They must redeem it within 30 days of purchase. Unclaimed places then expire and cannot be recovered or renewed. Access accepted in time is kept. Opening the link does not use a place; one account takes just one place, and no more people can join once all places are taken.
Can I add guests after buying?
No. Choose all your guests before confirming the first purchase. Afterwards you can share the places you paid for, but you cannot increase their number or restart the 30-day deadline.
Your first city,
on Podtour.
Join the waitlist. When we launch, your chosen city is yours to explore.
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A little welcome gift
Your first city,
on Podtour.
Join the waitlist and get one whole city free when Podtour launches. You choose where.
Podtour manages your launch request with your consent. You can withdraw it and exercise your rights as explained in our privacy policy. Privacy details.
One city per person. All its Podtour routes in Spanish and English. Available at launch. Offer details.