PARIS CITY GUIDE
Dear friends,
We are pleased to welcome you to Paris and to host you during this year’s SplinterCon. To help you navigate the city, we have prepared a short guide with practical information on transport, the area around the venue, medical services, and places to explore during your free time.
Getting to the Venue
Espace Niemeyer
2 Place du Colonel Fabien, 75019 Paris
Entrance: Door C
https://maps.app.goo.gl/JErC4qhKfdbu8FdX9
Metro Line 2: Colonel Fabien station is directly in front of the venue.
Buses 46 / 75 / 26: All stop around the square.
A Bit of Local Context:
Espace Niemeyer is one of Paris’s most special modernist buildings: a sweeping structure of concrete and glass designed by Oscar Niemeyer for the French Communist Party, rarely open to the public and unmistakable with its white dome. It remains a landmark for anyone who appreciates bold, sculptural Brutalism.
The surrounding neighborhoods (Belleville, Canal Saint-Martin, and Buttes-Chaumont) are some of the most buzzing corners of the city. Belleville is known for its younger crowd, independent bars, and late-night energy. Canal Saint-Martin is ideal for a walk, a coffee, or dinner by the water. And Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, just a short stroll away, is one of Paris’s most scenic and atmospheric green spaces.
Arrival in Paris
Charles de Gaulle (CDG)
Express Train RER B: Direct train to Gare du Nord (about 40 minutes). Tickets can be purchased through the IDFM app, which helps avoid queues. €15 including a Navigo card.
Taxis: Fixed rate of €55 to the Right Bank.
Ride apps: G7, Uber, FreeNow, Bolt.
Orly (ORY)
Metro Line 14: Direct connection to central Paris, with stops at Gare de Lyon, Châtelet–Les Halles, Madeleine, and Saint-Lazare (25–30 minutes). A special fare applies; tickets can be purchased via the IDFM app or at stations.
OrlyBus: Direct link to Denfert-Rochereau, convenient if staying in the south of the city.
Taxis: Fixed rate of €32 to central Paris.
Ride apps: G7, Uber, FreeNow, Bolt.
Departure Advice
Both airports can have long security lines during peak hours (early morning and late afternoon). Recommended time buffers:
- CDG: 2.5 hours before international flights; 1.5 hours for EU flights
- ORY: 2 hours before international flights; 1.5 hours for EU flights
Moving Around Paris
Navigo Easy: A €2 rechargeable card for metro, bus, and tram tickets (including airport fares). Can be topped up using the IDFM app with NFC on iPhone/Android.
Metro & Buses:
The metro runs from 05:30 to 00:45.
Night buses (N lines) operate after the metro closes.
Many metro gates accept tap-to-pay with credit cards or phones.
Useful apps:
Bonjour RATP – https://www.bonjour-ratp.fr – real-time transport updates
Citymapper — https://citymapper.com/paris?lang=en – quickest route planning
Where Participants Are Staying
Most participants are based around hotels located 10–20 minutes from the venue:
Hotel Babel (Belleville)
3 Rue Lemon, 75020 Paris
https://maps.app.goo.gl/TWYXAHmnnoKBNbnA9
Hotel Scarlet (Jourdain/Belleville)
1 Rue Jouye-Rouve, 75020 Paris
https://maps.app.goo.gl/XxH2uuh7RtRGReiX9
Green Park Hotel (Gare du Nord)
4 Rue Hassard, 75019 Paris
https://maps.app.goo.gl/omJxJmXsrzVXVtwE6
Note: Since the venue cannot accommodate luggage, please leave bags at your hotel before arrival. All listed hotels offer luggage storage before check-in (15:00) and after check-out (11:00).
Food & Drinks in the Area
Coffee
Belleville Brûlerie (15 min walk)– https://maps.app.goo.gl/fcaMh7eBqBg5qKPKA
AndCo Coffee (10 min walk) – https://maps.app.goo.gl/H1Dcf1kmbz7jRLD46
Mardi (20 min walk)– https://maps.app.goo.gl/Nc5BXAoZXX9PyvYn9
Buna — Origin Of Coffee (15 min walk)– https://maps.app.goo.gl/5VtUjNdRSDQEwd4U8
Bars Near the Venue
La Fontaine (10 min) – https://maps.app.goo.gl/LBmQQmDyZr7h9pFa6
Les Oeillets (20 min) – https://maps.app.goo.gl/N8kVo5r9o7Y3YVUk8
L’Escargot (15 min) – https://maps.app.goo.gl/uN2jy5Y5XH3MMqci7
Pavillon Puebla (10 min) – https://maps.app.goo.gl/K4DNpfQPqUQJNYxa6
La Belle Vie (20 min) – https://maps.app.goo.gl/JDqD13X6jZjKD8HP9
Chez Prune (20 min) – https://maps.app.goo.gl/QKud5Y1UQkdkTXNM9
Evenings tend to peak between 19:30–22:30. Most bars do not accept reservations.
Lunch / Dinner
Bouillon République – a classic Parisian dining experience known for fast, affordable, traditional dishes since early XX century. Highly popular; try to reserve or go early.https://maps.app.goo.gl/n4ddC164dncGZFoi7
Ravioli Nord Est– easy going Chinese dumplings https://maps.app.goo.gl/X6qoRzhqcRkBSiRS8
Rori – French-American spot for pizza & wine, https://maps.app.goo.gl/2m38A7MQsY84otYY7
Didi – vegetarian & vegan diner https://maps.app.goo.gl/Ea7z8F2aKL2CFNRn9
Ernest & Souad (Inside Babel Belleville) – excellent vegan middle eastern food https://maps.app.goo.gl/7asicWmW8BjCx3HP9
Getting Fancy
Soces – https://maps.app.goo.gl/fdTJzFjZH5em7A5A9
GRAMME – https://maps.app.goo.gl/fdRupRKmAL3XuCuq8
Bouche Paris – https://maps.app.goo.gl/DAzrA87US6TcWMNW9
Chez Janou – https://maps.app.goo.gl/r7DLLXoAhgvPtD3j8
What to See Nearby
Parc des Buttes-Chaumont:
A short 15-minute walk. One of Paris’s most distinctive parks with dramatic views and pathways.
Canal Saint-Martin:
Ideal for morning or evening walks, with many cafés along the water.
Health, Safety & Emergencies
Emergency Numbers:
112 (EU-wide)
15 (medical)
17 (police)
18 (fire)
Nearest hospital:
Hôpital Saint-Louis (10–15 minutes from venue)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/KaVvycXoTtZrXW2E7
24/7 Pharmacies:
Pharmacie de la Place de la République
5 Pl. de la République, 75003 Paris
https://maps.app.goo.gl/3Y3bEcD6Y4oKwzum6
There are no mask or travel restrictions as of December 2025.
Practical Information
Payments: Credit cards and mobile payments are widely accepted.
Water: Tap water is safe to drink.
Power: Type C/E plugs, 230V.
Weather: Expect 3–10°C, wind, and light rain; warm layers recommended.
Language: Basic English is widely understood in cafés, restaurants, and hotels.
Thank you for taking the time to review this guide.
We hope it provides the information you need to enjoy your time in Paris.