Rue Cremieux: The Most Beautiful Street In Paris (+ History And Photos)

Want to learn more about Rue Cremieux in Paris? This article will give you everything you need from its history, what to do, to how to get there!

Rue Cremieux is a picturesque street in the 12th arrondissement of Paris known for its colorful houses and charming atmosphere.

Located just off the bustling Rue de Lyon, this street is relatively short measuring just 144 metres (472 ft).

Unlike other Parisian streets, Rue Cremieux is a pedestrian street closed off to motor/car traffic, making it pleasant to take a short stroll.

Dubbed the most beautiful street in Paris, Rue Cremieux has houses painted in cheerful and pastel hues of pink, blue, yellow, green, and purple, creating a unique and distinctive look.

Some of the building’s façades have pictorial anecdotes painted over them with the flower-filled window seals and plant pots on the street adding a charming feel to bring out the small-town vibes right in the middle of a bustling city.

Due to its colorful houses, it has increasingly become one of the most Instagrammable places in Paris, and one I recommend visiting while in the city. But before your visit, it’s important to know a little background about it!

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History of Rue Cremieux in Paris

Before I get into how to get there and what to expect, here is a little bit about the history of Rue Cremieux.

Built in the 19th century, Rue Cremieux was originally named Avenue Millaud (between 1865 and 1898) after a real estate developer who developed the area but was later changed to Rue Cremieux, after French lawyer and politician, Adolphe Cremieux who fought for Jews’ rights in France during his time.

The street was initially designed to be a working-class residential area and the street’s colorful houses were not always like this.

In fact, the houses were built with uniform facades and muted colors. It wasn’t until the mid-1990s that the street’s residents began to paint their houses in varied bright colors, transforming Rue Cremieux into the charming and colorful street we see today.

Why did they repaint their houses you may ask? Around that time, the residents asked Paris officials to make their street cobblestoned and pedestrianized, and when the city officials said yes, they had one request for the residents: to renovate their houses and all the residents agreed to repaint their houses in vibrant colors.

However, before that, this beautiful Parisian street faced some problems and one, in particular, is the 1910 Great Flood of Paris when the floods from the Seine reached the street.

In fact, a commemorative plaque can still be seen on number 8 showing the height the water reached during the floods.

Related Post: Visiting Rue De L’Abreuvoir In Montmartre 

What to Expect at Rue Cremieux

Over the years, Rue Cremieux has become a popular spot for tourists and locals alike.

Everyone is drawn to its unique and picturesque vibe, and since it’s Instagrammable, people throng to have photoshoots and sometimes video shots there. So, you might find a couple of Instagrammers and videographers.

The Woes of the Residents of Rue Cremieux

While the residents are proud of their beautiful street and take pride in it being called the most beautiful street in Paris, living on such a colorful street comes at a cost.

The street’s popularity has brought with it some challenges, including issues with noise and crowds.

In recent years, the street’s residents have worked hard to preserve its charm while finding ways to manage the influx of visitors.

As their colorful houses made rounds on Instagram, they also created their own Instagram account, Club Cremieux which recounts all the sh*t things people do on their street.

When tourists flock here, sometimes residents get “blocked” in their homes as doorways are obstructed and when visitors take hours to take photos and videos, residents can’t even sit by their windows because then they’d be considered “photobombers.

And the situation even gets worse in the evening hours and during the weekends. Some visitors make noise and dirty the place if having people under your window all the time wasn’t already annoying enough!

With all that, the residents have gone back to city officials with another request! This time, they want a gate put on their street to be able to close the street off to tourists, not all the time, but only during the evening hours and during the weekend as this is when the situation almost goes out of hand.

Whether the city officials will grant their request or not is something I am unsure of, so we’ll just have to wait and see.

Practical Tips for Visiting Rue Cremieux

Be respectful

I imagine if you lived on such a popular street, you wouldn’t want to go through the issues I mentioned above, so please be respectful.

Do not make noise, make your visit quick, and if you see that a specific house doesn’t allow photos (yes some houses on this street indicate that), do not take them.

And above all, leave the place as you found it! Don’t leave trash, and don’t dirty their doors trying to make all sorts of poses.

How to get to Rue Cremieux

The best way to get to Rue Cremieux is by Metro. The metro stations near Rue Cremieux are Quai de la Rapée, Gare de Lyon, and Ledru-Rollin. The street is a short 7 to 15-minute walk from any of these stations.

You can take Line 5 (M5) to reach Quai de la Rapée, Line 1 (M1), or Line 14 (M14) to reach Gare de Lyon. You can also take Line 8 (M8) to Ledru-Rollin.

Best time to visit Rue Cremieux

Rue Cremieux in Paris is a popular spot for photographers and Instagrammers, making it quite crowded in the evening and during the weekend.

To avoid this and get the best experience, I recommend visiting during the weekdays and in the mornings or early afternoons when fewer people are around.

FAQs About Visiting Rue Cremieux

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Final Thoughts on Visiting Rue Cremieux in Paris

Whether you’re a photographer looking for the perfect Instagram shot, a local seeking a welcome respite from the bustling city, or a tourist exploring Paris for the first time, Rue Cremieux is definitely worth a visit.

So why not stroll down this picturesque street and see for yourself what the fuss is about?

Also, remember that while this is a popular spot for visitors to Paris, it remains a residential street, so please respect the resident’s privacy and keep your voice down as the street is their home.

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