La Chapelle, a Tamil neighbourhood in Paris: reactions and perceptions of its inhabitants

Abstract

Since the 1980's, La Chapelle has become progressively a commercial area for Tamil migrants. Now it is labeled and always refers in speeches and perceptions to "the Indian neighbourhood" or "Little Jaffna". This area is appropriated by the presence of Tamil shops, is used by Tamil community to produce and reproduce collective markers and so appears to be a stage where cultural membership is displayed to make it visible for the French majority. However, it is not inhabited by Tamil people who live in suburban zones of Paris. So we can wonder how the inhabitants of this neighbourhood perceive it, and whether its transformation in an "Indian area" is seen as a disqualification or not? What is the consequence for them to "become invisible" in the scenery of public spaces of La Chapelle?