Coffee, art, and seriously funky art books co-mingle in this “concept space” that used to be an enormous covered market. An unexpected oasis known to induce gasps in first time visitors, Halle Saint-Pierre is a world away from the nearby tourist hordes at the foot of Sacre Coeur. On the left as you enter is an inviting café with a health-conscious array of baked goods, light salads and quiches on the countertop at lunchtime. If you get lucky as I did one morning you’ll be kept company by macabre papier-mâché sculptures while nursing a grand crème. Wander behind the black curtain into the Musée d'Art Naïf where works by heavy hitters such as New York enfant terrible Warhol protégé Jean-Michel Basquiat might be on exhibit. The can’t-miss light-flooded bookstore with its fringe art-related titles - many in English - makes this destination truly exceptional.
2 Rue Ronsard, 18th Arr; www.hallesaintpierre.org; Metro: Anvers
Halle Saint-Pierre