• Paris’ Chinatown is the biggest in Europe for population density and square footage, but it’s largely a secret 

• The lack of overt, touristy decorations make it harder to spot, but for those who know what they’re looking for it offers a more authentic experience 

16th February 2026: When Brits think of Chinatown, they picture lanternlined streets, red arches and touristpacked squares in London or Liverpool. 

But Europe’s biggest Chinatown isn’t in the UK at all, it’s hiding in plain sight in Paris. 

Tucked away in the city’s 13th arrondissement, Paris’ Chinatown is not only the largest in Europe by size, but also the most populated, and yet it remains largely overlooked by visitors. 

While London and Liverpool’s Chinatowns are famous for their flashy décor and busy celebrations, they’re actually tiny in comparison. 

Paris’ Chinatown is home to around 50,000 permanent residents, making it the biggest in Europe by population. It also covers a huge 1.7 square kilometres, stretching across a triangle between Avenue de Choisy, Avenue d’Ivry and Boulevard Masséna. 

By contrast, London and Liverpool’s Chinatowns span just fractions of a square kilometre and are home to fewer than 1,000 people each. 

Unlike the UK’s Chinatowns, Paris’ version isn’t built for tourists. 

There are no giant red gates or lanternpacked streets designed for photo ops. Instead, this is a working neighbourhood where people actually live. 

The area became home to large Chinese, Vietnamese, Laotian and Cambodian communities in the mid20th century, with numbers growing rapidly after the Vietnam War. 

Today, it’s packed with local restaurants, supermarkets, temples and cultural centres that cater to residents first, not daytrippers. 

That’s also why restaurant and market prices here are often much cheaper than in more touristheavy Chinatowns. 

When it comes to foodie haunts, local favourite Ngọc Xuyên Saigon is widely regarded as one of the best spots in Paris for a bowl of phở, while Lao Lane Xang 2 is known for serving authentic Laotian dishes that are hard to find elsewhere in the city. 

For shopping, Tang Frères is the heart of the community. It’s a huge Asian supermarket stocked with fresh herbs, vegetables, noodles, sauces and snacks you won’t find in standard French stores. 

Beyond food, there’s plenty to explore. 

Visitors can step inside the Temple de l’Amicale des Teochew en France, a functioning Chinese Buddhist temple run by the Teochew community. 

Nearby, the Les Olympiades tower blocks are another standout, with largescale murals adding colour to the neighbourhood’s brutalist architecture. 

Paris’ Chinatown does host a Lunar New Year parade, complete with decorations and celebrations. 

But travel experts say the real appeal is visiting outside peak festival days, when the area feels calmer and more local. 

Even without the crowds, there’s plenty to see yearround, from food markets and bakeries to independent shops and cafés. 

According to First Choice, there’s growing demand for trips that feel more authentic and less cookiecutter. 

Kevin Nelson, Managing Director at First Choice said “we’re seeing more and more customers opt for authenticity over cookie cutter trips. It’s a trend we’ve seen for a few years in the likes of destination dupes, but there’s still a big market for tourists who want to see traditional hotspots but through the eyes of a local.” 

First Choice currently offers threenight trips to Paris from £306 per person, including flights and a hotel stay. 

That makes it an easy and affordable city break, with Europe’s biggest Chinatown right on your doorstep. 

So next time you’re planning a trip to Paris, skip the obvious spots and head south of the river where the city’s most surprising neighbourhood is quietly getting on with everyday life.