Techno Scene Conquers Northern Paris
Table of Contents
- Paris’s 19th Arrondissement: A Techno Hub Emerges Amidst Social Challenges
- A Nightlife Entrepreneur’s Vision
- A Growing Cluster of Clubs
- Poverty and Prosperity
- Municipal Investment
- Changing Demographics
- Social Challenges Persist
- Paris’s 19th Arrondissement: Techno, Nightlife, And Social Issues
- What is happening in the 19th arrondissement of Paris?
- Who is behind the nightlife boom in the 19th arrondissement?
- Where are these new venues located, and why?
- What is MIA Mao?
- How has the area changed over time?
- What is the city’s involvement in this growth?
- What are the social and economic challenges in the 19th arrondissement?
- How do residents perceive the changes?
- Are there any efforts to address social challenges within this nightlife scene?
- How dose the nightlife contribute to social cohesion?
- Key Takeaways:
PARIS (AP) — The northeastern sector of Paris, particularly the 19th arrondissement, is experiencing a surge in nightlife and techno culture, even as it grapples with significant social and economic disparities. New venues are opening, drawing crowds and investment, but questions remain about who benefits from this change.
A Nightlife Entrepreneur’s Vision
Arnaud Perrine, a Parisian nightlife entrepreneur, has been instrumental in shaping this landscape. “We are the only ones in Europe to have opened a club during COVID, and it worked,” Perrine saeid, referring to the launch of kilometer25 (km25) in June 2021.This open-air venue, spanning 2,000 square meters beneath the périphérique (ring road) on the edge of paris and Pantin, is among the largest techno spaces in Europe.
Perrine expanded his presence in January, opening MIA Mao, a 3,000-square-meter club in a converted industrial hall in Villette. MIA Mao connects to Jardin 21, a bar Perrine has operated since 2019.
Gare des Mines station is a Parisian techno venue.”/>A Growing Cluster of Clubs
The 19th arrondissement is already home to several established nightlife spots. Glazart,a pioneering techno club from the 1990s,is nearby,as are the Fawa and Gare des Mines,both associative and festive spaces. These venues benefited from the temporary emergency zone system (ZUT), an initiative supported by the Villette Park and associations, with backing from the Ministry of Culture, designed to revitalize nightlife after the pandemic.The city of Paris has supported around 20 cultural and festive locations in the northeast, nearly half of which opened after 2020.Across the périphérique in Seine-Saint-Denis, the Nexus techno club also opened in 2021.
Poverty and Prosperity
Frédéric Hocquard, assistant to the mayor of Paris for nightlife, anne Hidalgo, sees the 19th arrondissement as a “playground” for nightlife growth. However, this concentration of venues exists in one of the capital’s poorest areas, where approximately 25% of residents live below the poverty line.
Myrtille Picaud, a sociologist and researcher at CNRS and author of “Putting the City in Music” (Paris-Berlin), notes that the availability of converted industrial spaces in the northeast makes it attractive for these types of establishments. “It is not in the beautiful districts that these places would be found,” picaud said.
Municipal Investment
The city of Paris contributed 400,000 euros to the development of MIA Mao, a club with a total cost of 8 million euros. The venue, boasting a high-end sound system valued at 3 million euros, aims to be a “Techno Temple” akin to major clubs in Berlin or London, according to Perrine.
The area’s transformation began in the 1980s with the closure of the villette leather halls, one of which now houses MIA Mao. This project led to the creation of the Zenith concert hall, the 26 Folies, the trabendo concert hall, the National Center for Music, and the Philharmonie de Paris, which opened in 2015.
Picaud suggests that this urban planning policy allows authorities to maintain control over these spaces and promote a “leisure city” model. However,these venues often receive less public funding than conventional cultural institutions like the Paris Opera.The sociologist also notes that settling in these areas allows businesses to “meet less resistance from the inhabitants” due to lower average incomes.
Changing Demographics
Mohamed, a 73-year-old resident of the neighborhood since 2010, observes that the area is calmer, despite an increase in younger peopel. A mother in the park notes a decrease in delinquency and substance abuse.Though,Fiona,another resident,believes that access to cultural offerings is primarily for those with financial means.
Orane, a 32-year-old who recently moved to the neighborhood, appreciates being close to venues like the Centquatre cultural space. The area also has a high proportion of families with three or more children (13%), compared to the rest of Paris (8%).
Perrine acknowledges the area’s gentrification: “We have gone from dealers who smoke with pitbulls, to small dogs next to joggers in fluorescent green tights. So we saw a fairly vital change in neighborhood.”
Hocquard believes that nightlife can contribute to social cohesion: “If you have nightlife, there are people all the time. Either we send the police, which does not solve anything, or we create conviviality.”
A mobilization of nightlife enthusiasts began in 2009,expressing concerns about the decline of Parisian nightlife.Since then,Paris has invested one million euros annually in nightlife and cultural establishments.
The 19th arrondissement faces significant social challenges, including a high concentration of social housing, migrant camps, and drug addiction. Many solidarity associations operate in the area.
Some venues aim to bridge the gap between nightlife and social support. Fawa, for example, hosts solidarity associations and queer after-parties.The Gare des Mines offers a day care center for young exiles. David George-François, co-creator of the space, recalls the presence of migrant camps near the venue in 2017.
Psychologist Juliet launched musical word groups to support young people from neighboring camps. The Cove Crew association continues this work, offering a safe space and activities.
The Gare des Mines also hosts events like Truck Bazaar, featuring punk and techno music. Artists appreciate the venue’s atmosphere: “We feel more free than in other clubs: here, it’s alive. It is less sanitized, more imperfect. the public is considered living beings who come to have a good time. Not just like wallets.”
On a Friday evening in February, 700 people danced at the Gare des Mines until 7 a.m.
Louisa Ben contributed photographs to this report.
Here’s a breakdown of the Paris’s 19th arrondissement nightlife scene, addressing key questions and incorporating SEO best practices:
This article examines the rise of nightlife in Paris’s 19th arrondissement, exploring its growth alongside the area’s social and economic challenges.
What is happening in the 19th arrondissement of Paris?
The 19th arrondissement in Paris is experiencing a significant increase in nightlife, particularly the rise of techno culture. New clubs are popping up, attracting both crowds and investment. This area, however, is also one of the poorest in Paris, leading too questions about the impact of these changes on the local community.
Who is behind the nightlife boom in the 19th arrondissement?
Arnaud Perrine is identified as a key figure. He opened kilometer25 (km25), an open-air venue, in June 2021. He further expanded his presence by opening MIA Mao, another club in January. Numerous othre venues include Glazart, Fawa, and Gare des Mines.
Where are these new venues located, and why?
The clubs are predominantly situated in the northeast sector of Paris, specifically the 19th arrondissement. sociologist Myrtille Picaud notes that the availability of converted industrial spaces makes the area attractive. “It is not in the beautiful districts that these places would be found”.
What is MIA Mao?
MIA Mao is a 3,000-square-meter club located in a converted industrial hall in Villette. The city of Paris contributed 400,000 euros to its development. It aims to be a “Techno Temple” similar to clubs in Berlin or London and is connected to Jardin 21, a bar which Perrine operates as 2019.
How has the area changed over time?
The transformation of the 19th arrondissement into a nightlife destination began in the 1980s. The closure of the Villette leather halls led to other developments, including the Zenith concert hall, the 26 Folies, and the Philharmonie de Paris.
What is the city’s involvement in this growth?
The city of Paris has been actively involved in promoting nightlife in the 19th arrondissement, particularly thru:
Direct Investment: Contributing financially to club development, such as the 400,000 euros provided for MIA Mao.
Urban Planning: Shaping the area through the temporary emergency zone system (ZUT) and other initiatives.
Financial Support: Investing one million euros annually in nightlife and cultural establishments, as 2009.
The article highlights significant social challenges in the 19th arrondissement:
Poverty: Approximately 25% of residents live below the poverty line.
Social Housing: High concentration of social housing.
Migrant Camps: Historically, the area has hosted migrant camps.
Drug Addiction: The area also struggles with drug addiction.
How do residents perceive the changes?
Mixed Reactions:
Mohamed (73-year-old resident): Observes that the area is calmer.
Mother in the park: Noted a decrease in delinquency and substance abuse.
fiona: Believes access to cultural offerings is mainly for those with financial resources.
Orane (32-year-old): appreciates the proximity of venues.
Yes. Some venues are trying to bridge the gap between nightlife and social support.
fawa: Hosts solidarity associations and queer after-parties.
Gare des mines: Offers a day care center for young exiles and organizes film screenings.
Juliet (Psychologist): Launched musical word groups to support young people from neighboring camps.
* Cove Crew association: Continues this work by offering a safe space and activities.
According to Frédéric Hocquard, nightlife, by its presence “creates conviviality.”
Key Takeaways:
| Feature | Details |
| ——————— | ———————————————————————————————————- |
| Location | 19th arrondissement, Paris |
| Trend | Growing nightlife and techno scene |
| Key Figures | Arnaud Perrine, frédéric Hocquard, Myrtille Picaud |
| Venues | MIA mao, kilometer25, Glazart, Fawa, gare des Mines |
| Challenges | Poverty, social housing, migrant camps, drug addiction |
| City’s Role | Investment, urban planning, support for cultural and festive locations |
| Social Initiatives | solidarity associations, queer after-parties, day care, film screenings, safe spaces, musical word groups |