French singer-songwriter Zazie has confirmed her departure from the opulent lifestyle of her youth, settling permanently into a working-class neighborhood in Paris’s 20th arrondissement.
The 62-year-old artist, who previously lived in a converted mustard factory, now favors the popular and friendly atmosphere of her current neighborhood over the prestige of other parts of Paris.
The shift in Zazie’s living situation reflects her personal preference for the vibrant, authentic atmosphere found in the city’s eastern reaches, specifically the 20th arrondissement, over the more traditional districts where she grew up. While the singer was born in Boulogne-Billancourt and raised in the upscale 16th, she explicitly distanced herself from those roots during a recent appearance.
Zazie’s Shift to the 20th Arrondissement
Speaking on November 9, 2026, during the radio program À la table de… hosted by Nostalgie Belgique, Zazie addressed questions regarding her current residence.
When asked if she had relocated to the south of France, the artist clarified, “No, I am in the 20th in Paris. I have no problem saying it. I love this neighborhood. I just moved even higher up into an even more popular neighborhood where the neighbors are nice,” as reported by Ode (Purepeople).
This preference for the East end is not a sudden whim. In late October 2026, Zazie told La Provence that she finds the 6th and 7th arrondissements “deeply boring,” stating, “I also like people who have a real simplicity of heart, popular places.”
From Industrial Loft to Modern Living
In 2004, she purchased a former mustard factory in Belleville, which she spent over 18 months renovating into a 3,000-square-meter loft. The space, which featured an indoor pool and automated systems, served as the family home where she raised her daughter, Lola, born in 2002 to the singer and musician Fabien Cahen.
According to Libération, the artist sold the factory in 2022.
| Residence Era | Location/Type | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| 2004–2022 | Belleville (Mustard Factory) | 3,000 m² loft with indoor pool |
| 2022–2026 | Paris (Apartment with terrace) | Short-term transition |
Expanding Beyond the Capital
Additionally, the artist maintains a deep affinity for Marseille, a city she describes as “powerful” and “violent.” Despite a rocky introduction—including a truck robbery during an early tour—she identifies as half-Marseillaise. “I’m talkative, I like people who chat,” she said to La Provence. For Zazie, who is currently preparing for her Volatil tour, the seaside city offers a “totally luxurious” contrast to her daily life in Paris.
What do you think of Zazie’s move—does the popular charm of the 20th arrondissement hold more appeal than the historic prestige of Paris’s center?
