How can I meet new, fun and arsty friends in Paris?

Question

I am not much of a bar-going gal, but would really like to be more social and make more friends the next time I go back to Paris for a few months. Any tips on where the cool underground art scene kind of fun is in Paris where I can hopefully meet like minded cool friends. My French is not too awful, so they can be ex-pats or Frenchies...

Answer 1

If you like Artsy people the Latin quarter has a lot of 'character' and seems to be home to many 'starving artist' types. I found Rue Mouffetard to be both typically Parisian and extremely friendly to anyone who would even attempt French. Actually being able to carry on a conversation would be endear to everyone.

I found a great mix of small shops, good, inexpensive art, and just a fun community. Try some of the small cafes tucked into some of the older buildings.

Answer 2

I see 2 places for french artists in Paris (I mean, real professionnals from the underground scene, not the ones you may cross around the famous monuments selling stupid paintings) :

> Le Tryptique, a disco near Richelieu Drouot
> L'espace éphémère, a former Construction materials shop, now a place for bizzare expos, in the Xth arrondissement, nearby the canal st denis.

Answer 3

Montmarte in the Sacred Coeur district, is where you will find your bohemian artist. The Latin Quarter is mostly students from the Sorbonne. If you go to Montmarte visit Picasso's old house where he hanged out with famous French poet Apollonaire, and other artsy types. You need to be careful, however, Montmarte is the gritty part of Paris, with plenty of prostitutes, drug dealers, and drunks. Yet it's the artsy area.