Thousands of people walk past the Moulin Rouge every day without imagining what lies just behind it. Amid the tourists snapping photos of the famous red wings and the Parisians strolling up Boulevard de Clichy, few notice the narrow entrance at number 94. Yet this is where one of the capital’s most surprising cul-de-sacs begins: the Cité Véron.
A hidden alleyway amid the hustle and bustle of Paris
Barely a few dozen meters long, this small pedestrian street seems almost timeless. On one side, Pigalle, with its neon lights and constant bustle. On the other, a quiet cul-de-sac lined with unassuming buildings where the sounds of residents’ conversations and birdsong are all you can hear.
The Cité Véron holds a special place in the history of Montmartre. It was here that Boris Vian settled in 1953. A year later, Jacques Prévert became his next-door neighbor. The two artists shared, among other things, a terrace overlooking the rooftops of the Moulin Rouge, which over time has become a small piece of Parisian legend. Even today, a plaque commemorates their presence in this cul-de-sac that many pass through without knowing its history.
In recent years, another spot has helped put the cul-de-sac on the map. A discreet staircase leads to the Bar à Bulles, a venue located above La Machine du Moulin Rouge. Hidden behind the wings of the famous cabaret, this rooftop has become one of the neighborhood’s best-kept secrets.
Between the luminous glass roof, the plants, the large floor-to-ceiling windows, and the green terrace, it’s hard to imagine that you’re just a few meters away from one of Paris’s busiest intersections.
The venue draws visitors as much for its setting as for its lineup. Brunchs, intimate concerts, outdoor screenings, and cultural events take place there throughout the year. Every summer, its outdoor movie theater is among the most popular destinations for fans of Parisian rooftops.
Ultimately, Cité Véron sums up quite well what makes Paris so charming. Behind a world-famous façade lies a much more discreet spot, where literary history rubs shoulders with one of the capital’s most pleasant rooftops. An unexpected respite in the heart of one of the city’s liveliest neighborhoods.
📍Cité Véron, 75018
