But recently, its southern area, which some are dubbing SoPi (South Pigalle), has seen an influx of trendy cocktail bars that are making this neighbourhood one of the hottest nightlife destinations in Paris.

BBC: Seedy Pigalle??s hipster transformation

The Place Pigalle is never far from Mr. Louboutin's designs, which incorporate Bettie Page silhouettes and punk spikes into the classic pump, yet with such a light touch that the shoes are red-carpet ready.

WSJ: High-Concept Enchantments: Review of Shoe Obsession at the Museum at FIT

It all started with Rose Bakery -- the bastion of the UK cafe scene in Paris -- which kicked off the trend for casual, homely fare with a British accent back in 2002, when their first branch opened in the south Pigalle area (46 rue des Martyrs, 9e, 01-42-82-12-80).

BBC: British cafes win favour in Paris