About Paris
Paris is divided into arrondissements
They can also be referred to as boroughs, quartiers, or neighborhoods.
The Arrondissements
1e
The 1st arrondissement is the historical heart of Paris, home to iconic landmarks like the Louvre Museum, the Tuileries Garden, and the Palais Royal. It’s a mix of grand architecture, high-end shopping along Rue Saint-Honoré, and quiet residential areas. On of the high tourist zones so expect high prices if you choose to eat here.
2e
Primarily a business district, the 2nd arrondissement is known for its historic covered passages (Galerie Vivienne, Passage des Panoramas), the former stock exchange (Bourse), and numerous textile wholesalers. Definitely hunt around for them because they’re worth the walk through! It’s a lively area with a mix of offices, trendy restaurants, and a more local feel than some of the more tourist-heavy districts.
3e
Part of the Marais district, the 3rd arrondissement is rich in history and charm. You can find the Picasso Museum, and the Carreau du Temple market here. It’s a fashionable area with an eclectic mix of art galleries, boutiques, and a vibrant LGBTQ+ scene. There are also lots of decent places to eat all around the Arts-et-Métier metro stop (it’s near where I worked and I went grab takeout once a week) either dine-in or takeout. There are also some nice coffee shops and random pop-ups in the area. I do not know about the art galleries that are everywhere there because I have never tried to go in (people that look like they could be in Paris fashion week are sometimes in there) but you could try if that interests you!
4e
Also part of the Marais, the 4th arrondissement is a blend of medieval history and more modern construction. There are thrift stores and an area with Jewish bakeries and Falafel places that always have a line, but are very good. Cute area to have a gander. The area also has Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Hôtel de Ville (City Hall), and the Pompidou Centre which has a library you can go in for free. The streets are filled with shops and fun things to look at for locals as well as tourists!
5e
Known as the Latin Quarter, the 5th arrondissement is Paris’s is home to the Sorbonne University, the Panthéon, and ancient Roman ruins like the Arènes de Lutèce. It has bookstores, jazz clubs, and a vibrant student population. If you want cheap food (or Greek food for some reason) this is the place to go! There are also quite a few cheaper and cute bars in the area right between 5 and 6. “5 euro pizza” is near the Sully-Morland metro stop (it’s a chain though) and has good, large pizzas for cheap (not always 5 euros because of toppings though).
6e
The 6th arrondissement is famous for Saint-Germain-des-Prés, a historic intellectual and artistic quarter. It’s characterized by upscale boutiques, renowned cafés (Les Deux Magots, Café de Flore), art galleries, and the Luxembourg Gardens.
7e
Home to the Eiffel Tower, the 7th arrondissement is one of Paris’s most prestigious and elegant districts. You can also find the Musée d’Orsay and Les Invalides here. Impressive architecture, wide boulevards are common but it’s also one of the very high tourist zones so you will be paying a premium here.
8e
The place to find Avenue des Champs-Élysées, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Élysée Palace (residence of the French President). Lots of luxury shopping, upscale hotels, and major corporate headquarters, in classic haussmanniens (Georges-Eugène Haussmann changed Parisian streets with his urban planning) buildings.
9e
A bustling and diverse district, the 9th arrondissement is centered around the magnificent Opéra Garnier. It’s a commercial hub with department stores like Galeries Lafayette and Printemps, as well as numerous theaters and music halls. It offers a lively mix of shopping, entertainment, and a growing number of trendy eateries. Next to the opera house you can find this place called Le Shack. You have to go through an open door that has gates (hard to explain… It’s tucked away but don’t be scared!) but the interior is very cool, bookshelves and stuff. It’s a coffee shop and bar and a great experience.
10e
The 10th arrondissement is a vibrant and multicultural district, home to two major train stations: Gare du Nord and Gare de l’Est. However I would say the main attraction would be the Canal Saint-Martin. You can find a bunch of international restaurants, independent boutiques, and lively bars. There is a boat tour in the canal that takes you into an underground tunnel – a unique part of the city!
11e
This area is kinda like an outside mall. It’s packed with bars, restaurants, and music venues, particularly around Oberkampf and Bastille. It offers a diverse and energetic atmosphere, attracting a creative and social crowd. There are shops of all kinds here, both brand names as well as one-offs. Coffee shops here are pretty good and there are bars, bistros, cafés, the whole shebang.
12e
Fairly residential neighborhood overall, at least towards the outside. There are things to do there if you look them up, but mainly around the metro line. It does have the Bois de Vincennes, the Coulée Verte (a raised park), and the Bercy Village shopping and entertainment complex. There are green spaces green spaces providing a quieter more residential feel with good transport links.
13e
If you want Asian food, this is the place to get it. Bubble tea galore in this area and all different types. The main street is Avenue de Choisy but it’s a fine place to wander. At Porte de Choisy there is a place called New Saigon. You can get Bahn Mi for 4.50 (as of writing this, who knows with inflation… although it was 4 euros up until May 2023) from this gentleman. It’s very tasty if you are there because of the good quality ingredients and their sauce. On the east side is a university, modern architecture, and the Bibliothèque François Mitterrand but it can get a little industrial by the seine. If you want to walk up the seine though, stay on that side as it gets pretty cool as you walk up (but not a lot of food options!)
14e
The 14th arrondissement is a largely residential and intellectual district, home to Montparnasse Tower, the Catacombs, and the Cité Universitaire. It has a more local feel than central Paris, with charming streets, small parks, and a history linked to artists and intellectuals, offering an authentic Parisian experience.
15e
The largest arrondissement by population, the 15th is primarily residential You can find the Parc André Citroën, the Montparnasse Tower (which people call “the box the Eiffel Tower came in”), and the Exhibition Center at Porte de Versailles. It’s not particularly touristy.
16e
The 16th arrondissement is one of Paris’s most affluent residential districts, known for its grand Haussmannian buildings, wide avenues, and upscale boutiques. It houses the Trocadéro (offering stunning Eiffel Tower views), numerous embassies, and the Bois de Boulogne.
17e
A diverse arrondissement, the 17th blends affluent residential areas (around Parc Monceau) with more bohemian and family-friendly neighborhoods (Les Batignolles). It offers a mix of grand boulevards, charming squares, local markets, and trendy eateries. I haven’t spent much time in this arrondissement.
18e
The 18th arrondissement is famous for Montmartre, home to the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, Place du Tertre, and its artistic history. Worth going up the Sacré-Cœur for 7 euros and is a great view of the city if you aren’t too claustrophobic in spiral stone staircases. Around Montmartre itself is cool, but very hilly and touristy on the hills. Avoid on a hot day because there is lots of climbing. The area to the east can get a little sketchy, it is known for it because it’s close to 2 train stations, Gare de l’Est and Gare du Nord. It does have some small comedy clubs and such.
19e
A diverse and increasingly trendy district, the 19th arrondissement is known for its large green spaces, Parc des Buttes-Chaumont and Parc de la Villette (housing the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie and the Philharmonie de Paris). It’s a multicultural area with a growing arts scene and a more relaxed, local vibe according to the internet as I have not spent much time here!
20e
The 20th arrondissement is a vibrant and multicultural district with a rich working-class history. It’s known for the Père Lachaise Cemetery, the lively neighborhoods of Belleville and Ménilmontant, and its thriving street art scene. It offers an authentic, bohemian, and slightly edgy Parisian experience.
The view from la tour de Montparnasse in 1987
