The Butte-aux-Cailles (in French pronounced as /byt o kaj/ is a hilltop neighbourhood of Paris, France,[1] located in Paris' south-eastern 13th arrondissement. The name of the hill could be translated as "quail hill", but it actually originates from its former landowner Pierre Caille, who bought a vineyard here in 1543.[2] The Bièvre (from Latin 'Beaver') river, which once made this area important for the tannery and tissue trades, was covered over in 1860.[3] Its route can be traced by following a series of bronze plaques embedded in the area's pavements.[4]
Today, the Butte-aux-Cailles area draws together a young, trendy and festive Parisian population in its many small bars and restaurants. Since its incorporation into Paris along with the northern extremity of the now Paris-bordering Gentilly commune to which it belonged, the Butte-aux-Cailles has managed to retain much of its village ambiance. The area is noted for its street art,[5] including work by the artists Miss.Tic and Jef Aérosol.