Parisian art laboratories

One of the most famous is Les Frigos in 13th which I love. It used to be a big refigerated storage space (4000m²) for all the food brought to Paris and was owned by SNCF (French Railway company). Inside there is even a huge steam train which was transported by one of the artists from Poland and re-assembled here. You are only supposed to go on Portes Ouvertes days (open days) but if you just turn up you'll probably find someone kind enough to give you a little tour and if you're lucky you'll get taken inside to see some of the work/live spaces.

East of the city, in the 19th is La Générale:an industrial building occupied by 80some artists, who dedicated themselves to remodeling and transforming the space into ateliers for painters and sculptors, photo labs, a theatre, a residence for artists...

There is also La Miroiterie 88 rue de Ménilmontant 20th - Sometimes has bands of very young punk musicians.There is also a little "shop" where everything is free, or you bring something, leave it, and take what you want.

Chez Robert, électron Libre on rue de rivoli was the 3rd most visited spot for contemporary art in Paris. It used to be a branch of the Credit Lyonnais. Hah! It's been closed but there is still a blog so keep a look out for more news.