You can see the glittering side of
Paris in the 9th arrondissement. Grand halls and luxury shopping reign supreme here, making it one of the most elegant parts of the city. Palais Garnier, for example, stands proudly in this arrondissement, a symbol of the French capital's sophisticated history of fine art. There's also Galeries Lafayette, arguably Paris's most luxurious department store. It's a mecca of haute couture that you can only find in the fashion capital of the world. If you want to stay in the glamorous side of Paris, settling down in the 9th arrondissement is your best bet.
What is The 9th Arrondissement in Paris?
The 9th arrondissement is largely regarded as the Opera District, another of the more affluent
neighborhoods in Paris. The area gets its name from the iconic Palais Garnier opera house, home to the Paris Opera. Arguably as famous as the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe, the “wedding cake”-like landmark is widely known today as the setting of Gaston Leroux's 1909 “Phantom of The Opera” novel (as well as the subsequent Andrew Lloyd Webber musical). Both the opera house and the area surrounding it make up most of the 9th arrondissement. The rest is South Pigalle, the city's notorious red-light district.
Is The 9th Arrondissement in Paris Safe?
For the most part, it is. As already mentioned, the 9th arrondissement includes some of the city's upscale neighborhoods. The place can afford to have tight security despite how high the
crime rates in Paris tend to get. With that said, however, South Pigalle does tend to get sketchy at times, especially at night. This is the red-light district and though it's not a dangerous area overall, the place still tends to invite all sorts of nefarious characters. Families with little kids will want to stay away from this part of the arrondissement as much as possible.
What to Do in The 9th Arrondissement in Paris
The 9th arrondissement is arguably the best district to luxuriate in Paris. For one thing, you can go to the
best department stores in Paris, for example, namely Galeries Lafayette and Printemps. These are the ultimate meccas of high fashion in what is already the fashion capital of the world. The covered
passages in Paris are also worthwhile—a quintessential Parisian shopping experience if there ever was one. Naturally, you'll want to eat out when you're in the 9th arrondissement too. The luxury hotels in the area alone have some of the best in-house restaurants in the city.
What to See in The 9th Arrondissement in Paris
Without a doubt, the world-famous Palais Garnier is the ultimate must-see in the 9th arrondissement. Even if you're not aware of its literary (and Broadway) game, the opera house's impressive architecture is reason enough. They call this man-made marvel the “wedding cake” as its beautiful dome and near-perfect symmetry make it look like one. While you're at it, go to famous department stores housed in Haussmann buildings too. These palaces of haute couture evoke the enchanting Belle Époque of Paris. The covered passages along Grand Boulevards offer the same sort of old-world glamour too. And if you're up for it,
explore the sexy side of Pigalle too.
Restaurants Near The 9th Arrondissement in Paris
The culinary scene in the 9th arrondissement is as classy as the district itself. Even a place with a kooky name like Pink Mamma, located on Rue de Douai, flourished with refinement. This is one of the best Italian restaurants in the city, perfect for getting your fair fix of pizza and pasta. Bouillon Chartier on Rue du Faubourg Montmartre is where you'll want to go if you want some haute cuisine. It's a historic bistro that serves classic Parisian dishes. The same goes for Le Bon Georges on Rie Saint-Georges too.
Here are more of the best restaurants in the 9th arrondissements.
- CoCo Paris in Palais Garnier
- District 9 Cooking on Rue de Châteaudun
- Dumbo on Rue Jean-Baptiste Pigalle
- Les Jolis Mômes on Rue Turgot
- Neko Ramen in Passage Verdeau
- Villa Mikuna on Rue de Miromesnil
- Yoom on Rue Grégoire de Tours
Cafes in The 9th Arrondissement in Paris
It's no surprise that the 9th arrondissement has some of the best cafes in Paris too. Take Café Marlette on Rue des Martyrs, for example. It may seem like a typical coffee shop in the city, but its comfort food is off the charts. From the most delicious scrambled eggs to the most refreshing glasses of orange juice, it's one of the
best brunch spots in Paris. Café Gallery is a must-try too. It's pretty notable for its healthier and more organic-leaning menu. Anyone living a clean lifestyle would love this place!
Discover the glittering side of Paris filled with fine art and haute cuisine in the 9th arrondissement. This is one of the affluent areas in the city, full of cultural landmarks and popular hotspots you'd want to check out!
