Paris is a city full of layers. Divided into 20 unique neighbourhoods, the capital’s famous arrondissements help travellers and locals alike find their way around the city.
Each of Paris’ arrondissements has an original charm to it. With its own story, historical landmarks and local culture, every neighbourhood is worth visiting if you have time on your travels.
From cultural staples such as the Lovre in the 1st arrondissement to Montmartre’s bohemian street culture defining the 18th, no layer of Paris is the same as the other.
With this in mind, we’ve put together a guide to visiting some of the most famous arrondissements during your trip to the French capital, as well as some of the hidden gems away from the crowds.
Arrondissement One & Two | The Heart Of Paris
Situated in the centre of the city, arrondissements one and two make up the heart of this French capital.
Home to the Louvre museum and many of the city’s historic attractions, these neighbourhoods tell a story of culture, innovation and classic art. Surrounded by legacy architecture, such as the Palais Royal, the magnificent Jardin des Tuileries and the river Seine, it’s no wonder that it is one of the most frequented by tourists from around the globe.
Arrondissement Five | The Latin Quarter
Next up, we have the Latin Quarter, also known as Arrondissement Five. Littered with ancient streets dating back to Roman times, this district tells the story of evolution within the city.
Here, you’ll find the Sorbonne, Rue Mouffetard, winding cobblestone streets and a weekly market lining them.
Most notably, the fifth arrondissement is home to the Pantheon, a mausoleum dedicated to the country’s heroes during the French Revolution. Inspired by the Pantheon in Rome, it was originally built to be a church in 1758.
However, following the death of Mirabeau in 1791, the church became the ‘Temple of The Nation’, reserved to worship French figures such as Voltaire and Marie Curi, who have since been laid to rest there.
Arrondissement Six | Saint-Germain-des-Prés
For those of you looking to find the best green space in Paris, the sixth arrondissement offers the city’s best results.
Home to the glorious Jardin du Luxembourg and the church of St-Germain-des-Prés, the sixth arrondissement has been voted as one of the prettiest neighbourhoods in the French capital.
As a great place to start a walking tour of Paris, the Sixth Arrondissement is easily accessible from the metro and is just a stone’s throw from popular landmarks such as the Louvre and the Notre Dame Cathedral.
Packed full of famous eateries such as Café de Flore, luxe shopping streets, and alleys lined with trees, this is a brilliant central district to stay in during your time in the city for a peaceful yet captivating experience with Parisian culture.
Arrondissement Seven | The Neighbourhood Of Love
You’ve guessed it: arrondissement seven is home to the Eiffel Tower, otherwise known as the neighbourhood of love.
As the staple landmark of the city, the Eiffel Tower draws in the most tourists for the seventh arrondissement; however, it is also home to the Musée d’Orsay sitting right on the left bank of the Seine River.
The famous Eiffel Tower was built to commemorate 100 years since the French Revolution in 1889; its grand facade can be viewed from neighbourhoods all over the city and is currently the most visited monument in the world.
The sixth arrondissement tells the story of romance. Here, you’ll find a string of attractive restaurants, romantic riverboats, and proposal picnics with a backdrop worth taking a picture of.
Arrondissement Eleven | Canal Saint-Martin
As we head to the outer layers of central Paris, we reach arrondissement eleven. As an up-and-coming neighbourhood for young locals, arrondissements ten and eleven straddle Canal Saint-Martin.
Along the canal, you’ll find colourful streets that remind you of Amsterdam, full of canal-side boho boutiques, quirky cafés and trending restaurants.
Better still, for travellers in particular, arrondissement eleven is the perfect place to catch a canal cruise that takes you right along the Seine for a boat tour of the city’s most impressive landmarks.
This outer arrondissement tells the story of local culture within the city. With a young buzz about it, this neighbourhood is lively yet leisurely in all the best ways.
Arrondissement Eighteen – Bohemian Montmartre
Saving the best arrondissement till last, we have bohemian Montmartre in the eighteenth neighbourhood of the inner-city.
(Image Source: A Paris Guide)
This hilltop district is well-known among locals and tourists. Home to one of the best views in the Capital from the steps of Basilica Sacre-Coeur, this 1919 church makes the perfect backdrop for Montmartre’s eclectic yet elegant charm.
This arrondissement tells a story of the arts in Paris. The cobblestone streets are home to famous painters and writers, most notably van Gogh and Picasso. Better still, for fans of the theatre, it’s also home to the Moulin Rouge, the 1889 extravagant cabaret that redefined the arts in the early 1900s.
Should You Visit All Twenty Arrondisments?
While we’ve only named a few of the most popular neighbourhoods of Paris, each arrondissement has more to offer.
If you’re in the city for the long haul, we suggest ticking each layer off of your list. Each district tells a different story, from romance to Latin culture to the arts.
The French capital is beautiful from every angle, no matter how you approach your individual tour, there’s no doubt that you won’t fall in love with this staple European city.
