Guide of the Paris arrondissements and districts
Paris, a city famed for its art and history, stands out as much for its beauty as for its diversity. Since 1859, the French capital has been divided into 20 municipal districts. These distinctions reflect the strong heterogeneity of neighbourhoods and the Parisian population. A cosmopolitan city with a thousand influences, Paris is a city where one can never tire of wandering around, admiring the Haussmannian facades and unusual real estate properties.
Paved streets and large boulevards connect various areas distinguished by many victories, public demonstrations and revolutions.
While the Parisians stroll along the banks of the Seine on summer evenings, some districts have been settled by other communities making the capital a truly international city. Full of surprises, the capital never fails to charm travellers from all over the world from its quaint cafes to the iconic Champs Elysées.
Paris, 105.4 km2 to explore, contrasting green spaces and stone facades with over two million Parisians spilling into the crowded terraces and neighbourhood markets. Discover the districts of the most beautiful city in the world.
The 1st arrondissement
The 1st Paris district is one of the capital's most prestigious. The area is full of treasures such as the Louvre, the Théâtre de la Comédie Française and the Jardin des Tuileries. Populated by tourists and wealthy Parisians, the 1st arrondissement boasts impressive architecture, luxurious real estate properties and palaces. You will not find shabby tenement flats or grotty nightclubs. The 1st offers elegant perambulations under the arcades of the rue de Rivoli, where you can sample macaroons or delicious artisanal pastries.
The 1st district is and iconic borough. It is one of the districts where you can really enjoy the French way of life, shop in luxury boutiques and discover some of the most famous art galleries in the world.
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Places to see:
- The Tuileries
- The Comédie Française
- The Musée des Arts Décoratifs
- The Colonnes de Buren (Les Deux Plateaux)
The 2nd arrondissement
The 2nd arrondissement of Paris is a vibrant neighbourhood where Parisians meet for a drink on the Grands Boulevards, have dinner in the Sentier or dance until the early morning at the electro Grand Rex nightclub. Perfect for socialising, the 2nd arrondissement is home to many theatres, concert halls and is very close to the Opera Garnier square. You'll find haussmannian real estate properties and large avenues, while the historical Stock Exchange building stands in the centre of the district with its important colonnade and neoclassical architecture.
While strolling in the 2nd arrondissement, you will discover a festive atmosphere, shopping centres and intriguing covered hallways which all combine to make the 2nd district of Paris a trendy and popular area for those who want to invest in real estate or settle in the capital.
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Places to see :
The 3rd arrondissement
The 3rd district of Paris is one of the most sought after districts in the capital. Old buildings mingle with character properties. The streets are adorned with little organic cafés, colourful art galleries and big breweries. The 3rd is a district where all Parisians enjoy a drink on the Arts and Métiers terraces, have brunch at the Red Children's Market or visit the most recent exhibition of the Picasso Museum.
The district is located between the Place de la Republique, Chemin Vert and Rambuteau, and is known for its lively nightlife. The streets are filled with Parisian party-goers and have a friendly and lively vibe. When the sun rises, shops, delicatessens and galleries welcome a clientele of foodies and collectors.
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Places to see:
The 4th arrondissement
The 4th district of Paris is one of the oldest of the capital. Filled with old buildings overlooking the Seine, the 4th district is a vibrant and eclectic neighbourhood.
Full of diversity and real estate heritage, the 4th arrondissement is very popular on summer evenings where Parisians gather at the banks of the Seine to drink a glass of wine. It's also a family oriented neighbourhood, where people on Sunday to eat n ice cream at Bertillon on Saint-Louis Island, do some shopping or brunch in the heart of the legendary Marais area. The 4th is crossed by many tourists and travellers wishing to admire the beauties of old Paris including the Place des Vosges, the Cité Island and the splendid Notre-Dame cathedral.
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Places to see :
The 5th arrondissement
The 5th district is a lively district with many universities and prestigious schools. In the morning, young students and intellectuals rush to join the benches of the Sorbonne or the offices of the Sainte Geneviève library built by the famous architect Henri Labrouste.
The impressive Pantheon is enthroned in the centre of the district, where rest the most famous philosophers and French authors. You can also admire the College de France and the Grand Paris Mosque.
In the evening, the Mouffetard street is filled with students and young professionals who share a beer during Happy Hour and enjoy a meal.
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Places to see:
The 6th arrondissement
The 6th district of Paris is a select neighbourhood where families meet tourists and students. It's a political and intellectual hub and is home to the Luxembourg Garden, which houses the Senate, and the Palais Bourbon (home of the National Assembly). The 6th district of Paris is also a commercial district where big brands mix with luxury boutiques. Take a moment to admire the imposing Saint-Sulpice Church and its majestic fountain.
The 6th district is a lively neighbourhood where the younger generations gather to the Place de l'Odeon and Saint-Germain-des-Pres for a drink and dance until the night away.
Finally, the 6th district is a famous meeting place for intellectuals and philosophers during the time of Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir. Academics still hang out in the neighbourhood's pretty cafes, including the famous Les Deux Magots.
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Places to see :
The 7th arrondissement
The 7th district of Paris should never be missed when visiting Paris. It is home to the famous Eiffel Tower, the Champ de Mars and many cultural sites such as the Orsay Museum, the Rodin Museum and the Musée de l’Armée des Invalides where you can find the tomb of Napoleon.
Stroll in the heart of wide avenues and paved streets and admire the beauty of the haussmannian real estate. Inhabited by a wealthy population, the 7th district is also interspersed with offices, large green spaces and is located on the Seine.
It is visited by many tourists as most of the main must-see monuments and destinations are concentrated here.
The 7th district also boasts many prestigious restaurants where gourmets can appreciate the delicacy and finesse of french cuisine. Finally, fashion enthusiasts will have the opportunity to marvel at the designer boutiques of the famous Bon Marché.
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Places to see:
The 8th arrondissement
The 8th district is crossed by the famous Champs Elysées! It also hosts the imposing Place de la Concorde and its sparkling obelisk, and the mythical Place de l'Etoile topped by the Arc de Triomphe. Curious tourists and busy workers meet at the heart of this prestigious district of luxury boutiques and business offices.
The 8th district is also one of the important artistic centres of the capital. Art lovers and curious travellers can discover the exhibitions of the Grand and Petit Palais. Baristas swirl between crowded terraces and trendy restaurants with gilded woodwork. Parisians and foreigners mingle in the heart of a grandiose architecture behind the fame of the french capital.
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Places to see:
The 9th arrondissement
The 9th district is famous for its many theatres and the presence of the prestigious Opéra Garnier. It's packed with bustling bars and cafes where Parisians love to meet but is also a tourist district with people from across the world. And the 9th is home to trendy restaurants and alternative spots frequented by students and young workers.
The 9th arrondissement is also a popular district with young families and thirty-somethings who wish to benefit from the lively atmosphere of the district. Fashion enthusiasts will be in seventh heaven stepping on the shiny parquet of Galeries Lafayette. It's also trendy and popular because of its proximity to the south of Pigalle, foodies can enjoy rich gastronomy on a budget.
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Places to see:
The 10th arrondissement
One of the most popular districts in Paris, the 10th stands out because of its eclectic population. Rich with diversity, the streets are full of small and affordable international restaurants. Organic canteens and cuisines of the world delight busy Parisians who can grab a tasty bite whilst on the go. Many neighbourhood markets are located on paved avenues and offer quality products organically and ecologically sourced.
The 10th district is also a party place where young people and students get together to picnic and drink a few drinks at the edge of the Canal Saint-Martin. The 10th district also houses art galleries and centres where you can admire the latest contemporary art scene.
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Places to see :
The 11th arrondissement
The 11th district of Paris is a lively and up-and-coming district of Paris. Ideal for a drink or a cheap meal, the 11th is a borough where you can enjoy a jazz concert or catch an unpretentious play. A trendy neighbourhood, the 11th is very busy thanks to the Rue Oberkampf and its proximity to the Place de la Bastille. Once comparatively undeveloped, the 11th is a prime example of the gentrification of Paris and its many transformations. Charming streets, artisanal boutiques, the 11th is a Paris trend that will delight fans of vintage shops and atypical addresses.
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Places to see:
The 12th arrondissement
The 12th is one of the green lungs of the capital, as it is partly covered by the Bois de Vincennes. Populated by families and seniors, the 12th district is the perfect location for picnicking, strolling among the large oaks and inhaling the fresh air. Explore the Vincennes Zoo and cheer the Sunday riders, as well as the biggest stars in the famous hall of the Accor Hotel Arena (formerly Paris Bercy).
You can also admire the last exhibition of the Cinematheque. Between green spaces, skateboard ramps, theatres and museums, the 12th is a lively and pleasant district, particularly popular with Parisians because of the presence of several very convenient stations (Gare de Lyon - Gare de Bercy).
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Places to see:
The 13th arrondissement
In the Parisian Chinatown, you will be able to sample the best Chinese, Thai or Vietnamese specialities of the capital. The seventies buildings and facades punctuate the neighbourhood's landscape. This is a suburban area where one goes to enjoy a Pho or to stock up on Chinese products at the heart of the big supermarket owned by the Tang brothers. In late February, the neighbourhood comes to life for Chinese New Year and the streets are filled with colourful dragons and costumed characters.
It's not particularly touristy, however, and the 13th district is also known for the district of Buttes-aux-Cailles, a village-like and festive area, where one can have a drink and dance. Les Buttes-aux-Cailles is also the home of an important art centre where famous street-art artists have left their mark.
The district that houses the National Library of France is also known for its buildings with modern architecture (including the famous city of Fashion) and its nightclubs on the banks of the Seine.
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Places to see:
14th arrondissement
The 14th district is a residential and family oriented district. Pleasant and calm, one can stroll around or do some exercise in the large Montsouris Park. A charmingly eclectic neighbourhood, you'll notice large buildings as well as narrow streets lined with charming houses. The 14th district is also home to the university campus where many French athletes train. It is also the location of the place Denfert-Rochereau - one of the most important public squares on the left bank of the Seine - and the starting point for the Catacombs of Paris where tourists flock to discover the underside of the capital. Every day, small markets are set up and in the evening, bars and restaurants come alive.
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Places to see:
The 15th arrondissement
The 15th district of Paris is a residential area where large families, retired people and young professionals take advantage of the wide Convention market or Georges Brassens Park. Parisian brasseries, small shops and large buildings form the landscape of the neighbourhood which becomes calm once night falls. The 15th arrondissement is rather chic, with multiple shops and cafes.
It is also the largest district in Paris and offers a wide range of high-quality real estate services. Ideally located, the 15th is close to key Parisian locations, such as the Montparnasse Tower (offering a panoramic view of Paris from its summit) and the Porte de Versailles, home to many national and international shops. Crossed by the wide street of Vaugirard, the 15th district offers a pleasant village-like life, unpretentious and a bit isolated from the excitement of Paris.
Places to see:
The 16th arrondissement
The 16th is undeniably one of the most glamorous Parisian neighbourhoods. Known for its well-heeled population and its Haussmanian buildings, the 16th is a multigenerational district. Keen shoppers will appreciate the Passy district and its many shops. There are exciting museums to discover including the charming Musée Marmottant.
The 16th district of the capital is also a residential area, composed of prestigious and typically Parisian apartments. Pleasantly quiet in the evening, you can still discover good places to enjoy classic French dishes or head to a concert at the famous Maison de la Radio. You can also get plenty of fresh air during the day in the premier green lung of the capital, the legendary Bois de Boulogne.
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Places to see:
The 17th arrondissement
The 17th district is an enviably heterogeneous neighbourhood. Both residential and family friendly, it also welcomes young professionals and students who find themselves in the Batignolles for a drink or dinner. Small neighbourhood markets, delicatessens and independent boutiques adorn the streets of this borough which is equally vivacious and quiet. Head there in the evening to listen to a Pleyel Salle concert or go for an afternoon stroll in Parc Monceau before discovering the Hôtel Particulier of Count Nissim de Camando. Chic real estate and an affluent population occupy this charming district with typically Parisian decor, close to the cities of Neuilly-sur-Seine and Levallois-Perret.
Learn more about the 17th Paris district here.
Learn more about Neuilly-sur-Seine and Levallois-Perret here.
Places to see:
The 18th arrondissement
The 18th district is one of the up-and-coming districts of the capital. Organic cafes, cooperatives, markets and community gardens have settled in the heart of this once sought-after area. People change, new brands arrive and a vibrant cultural life develops. Intellectuals, artists, students and young professionals meet late into the night. Also very touristy, the 18th contains the iconic district of Montmartre that makes Paris the city of love and romance. Cartoonists, actors and musicians enliven the Place du Tertre and will respond well to Parisian clichés of dreaming lovers worldwide.
Places to see:
The 19th arrondissement
The 19th district is an extremely fashionable district. Located in the far north of the capital, the 19th is particularly famous for the magnificent Buttes-Chaumont park.
There are families, Sunday runners, seniors and students, all walking around. The Butte-Chaumont is one of the lungs of the capital and boasts bars, restaurants and large terraces to enable residents to make the most of their leisure time.
At the heart of this district, it is possible to find small, simple and cheap properties. A Bohemian atmosphere created by different populations mingling and forming a real neighbourhood life. The borough is also interspersed with contemporary art galleries, the residences of urban artists, and small hidden lanes filled with villas with unsuspected charms.
Places to see:
The 20th arrondissement
The 20th district is also a popular tourist area, sheltering the Père-Lachaise cemetery where famous writers and artists are buried. You can gather on the tomb of Balzac, Alfred de Musset, La Fontaine or the star Jim Morrison. Travellers from all over the world come to walk the paths of this iconic place of meditation.
Conversely, the 20th is also a vivacious district, punctuated with bars, affordable restaurants, theatres, galleries and nightclubs. It's a great place at night - to walk there or enjoy the entertainment offered by the district. Over the years, the 20th district has become a sought after district, for its affordable real estate and its rich and diverse lifestyle.
Learn more about the 20th Paris district here.
Places to see:
- Galeries d’art
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