The French Street

Istanbul is well-known for its numerous entertainment-focused venues, as well as its cultural legacy. It is a good idea to mix them up and not concentrate only on one throughout your Istanbul trip. Of course, there are many ways to have fun in this vast metropolis, but our focus today will be on French Street Istanbul. French Street, known for its colorful cafés, loud music, and welcoming atmosphere, is a favorite of both visitors and residents. If you want to hang out with your friends, meet interesting people, or just appreciate a visually appealing street among many others, pay a visit to French Street. 

Istanbul’s French Street

French Street in Istanbul has a lengthy history that dates back to the late 1800s. During these years, numerous French people began to establish the first hotels, cinemas, theaters, and coffee shops in Beyoglu. In addition, several of the buildings on the street were designed by the well-known French architect Michel Pasha. 

The majority of the buildings on the street were restored towards the end of 2003 as part of a collaborative effort between Istanbul Kultur University and Afitas Production. The majority of the French-style street lights you see today were supplied by the Paris Municipality. To represent French culture, the paving stones were altered, and the buildings on the street were painted bright colors and adorned with awnings, flowers, and plants. The roadway was renamed “French Street” and reopened in July 2004 amid a slew of celebrations. However, when France recognized the claimed Armenian Genocide, many of the street’s merchants objected to the street’s name. Beyoglu Municipality acknowledged these criticisms and renamed the street Cezayir Street (Algeria Street), an allusion to France’s atrocities in Algeria. The only French Street signs that remain now are those on the doors to some of the shops. 

With its cafés, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs, Cezayir Street in Istanbul today plays a significant role in Beyoglu’s entertainment scene. It is a must-see if you are visiting Beyoglu, near Taksim. The colorful buildings and many nearby cafés and restaurants, along with the continuous sound of live music in the background, really create a pleasant, warm, and inviting environment. 

Where Is French Street?

French Street Istanbul Turkey is located in Istanbul’s Beyoglu neighborhood. To get there, you must first go to Taksim. The quickest route reach Taksim is to take the M2 Yenikapi – Haciosman metro line to the Taksim station. Galatasaray High School is around a 10- to 15-minute walk from Taksim Square. Go behind the high school until you see the “Cezayir Sokak” sign adjacent to the tiny parking lot. Take the Kabatas – Bagcilar tramway from Sultan Ahmet to the Istanbul University station. Take the M2 Yenikapi – Haciosman metro to the Vezneciler metro station. Get off at the Taksim station and follow the directions above.

An urban transformation project that started in 2003 gave this area a totally new identity. The abandoned Cezayir Street was gone, replaced by French Street with new pavements and pink-yellow houses with awnings. In this conceptual work, which aimed to reflect French cultural values, French architecture were heavily involved.

The buildings -which dated back to the 1800s, witnessing generations of families- were restored by preserving their historical texture. Special musical systems were incorporated into the street and hundred-year-old street lamps working with coal gas were placed on the street. French Street was ready to serve, opened with a splendid ceremony. Since that day, the street has become the address for numerous cultural activities, workshops and exhibitions. The French Street is a great place to have a listen to the French chansons and it is also possible to find restaurants offering very special tastes from French cuisine. It hosts cafes, bars, wine houses along with souvenir and second-hand shops.