Paris, in all its glory, is simply a collection of 20 arrondissements, each offering something new and different each time you go there. From historic monuments to excellent luxury, it's no wonder so many people are
moving to Paris. If you're one of them, where, do you think, should you settle down? Which arrondissement should you go for? Well, each one has its own special highlights. Here's what you need to know about them.
1st Arrondissement
You remember the saying, 'A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,' right? Well, you can easily use that to describe Paris's 1st arrondissement. The area is made up of places one can walk through, from beautiful parks and luxury shopping districts to the most famous museum in the world, the Louvre. Because of this tourist attraction alone, this area has become one of the most popular in the French capital.
Source: Flickr.com/ jpellgen
2nd Arrondissement
You do know that you can still live a pretty urban lifestyle in one of the quieter parts of the city, right? Take the 2nd arrondissement, for instance, where the
Montorgueil district is located. Here, with its close proximity to many popular tourist sites and its chill nightlife after dark, there's so much to do without feeling too overwhelmed by the French capital's congested population and hordes of tourists.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/4net
3rd Arrondissement
Arguably one of, if not the trendiest neighborhood in Paris,
Le Marais is as Parisian as a Breton shirt. And it's this district that makes the 3rd arrondissement a coveted place to relocate to. With modern art galleries, designer shops, and hip cafés all on offer, the area combines the city's signature nostalgic vibe with a contemporary edge.
Source: Flickr.com/ David McKelvey
4th Arrondissement
Although many people know of Paris's 4th arrondissement as the home of Notre Dame, the city's most famous church and, notably, one of the very few that
hears English masses, there's still a lot more to this area. Despite the world-famous monument, it's a largely residential area with
luxury apartments, several cafés & excellent restaurants, as well as international schools for your kids too!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
5th Arrondissement
For more than a century, Paris has been known to be, among many others, central home for bohemians. Why do you think the energy here is a lot looser, laid-back, yet worldly and intellectual at the same time? It's places like the 5th arrondissement, where the
Latin Quarter stands, that make the French capital so inviting to those who are more open, liberated, and free.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Coyau
6th Arrondissement
In a nutshell, you could say that the 6th arrondissement of Paris has the best of both worlds. It houses both the Latin Quarter and the
Saint-Germain-des-Prés district, two polar opposites. The former infuses the arrondissement with its bohemian energy, paired so cinematically with street artists drawing about and musicians playing music for locals and tourists who pass by. While the latter stands with all sorts of luxury apartments and townhouses that you can call home!
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Mbzt
7th Arrondissement
Only two words matter in the 7th arrondissement:
Eiffel Tower! Yep, this is the arrondissement that houses the city's most famous monument. For a lot of people, especially those who've dreamed of relocating to the French capital for a long time, this is a good enough reason to settle down here. It'd be a dream come true for them to open their windows every morning and see the iconic tower greeting them.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
8th Arrondissement
Speaking of famous places in Paris, the 8th arrondissement is also home to another one: the
Champs Elysées. The famous avenue, which itself is an upscale neighborhood, offers Parisian luxury at its finest. It's all about
haute living here, with
French designer stores,
luxurious shopping districts, Michelin-starred restaurants, and more. Living here would be the ultimate dream!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
9th Arrondissement
If you want to indulge in the finer things in life in Paris, there's no other arrondissement more fit for you than the 9th! For one thing, the place is made up of sweets shops and dessert cafés, enough to give you a cavity just by walking past one! Then there are the world-famous luxury retail stores,
Galeries Lafayette and
Printemps, each a shrine for
French designer goodies. And for nightlife, the electric 'SoPi' district is a major hub you shouldn't miss after dark!
Source: Flickr.com/ David McKelvey
10th Arrondissement
If you're proud to call yourself a hipster then the 10th arrondissement is your kind of place. It has its own unique charm, one that embraces the culture of the past with today's more liberated society. Concept stores and
vintage shops reign supreme here, further infusing that invaluable sense of nostalgia that many hipsters embrace and love Paris for. As for your food, a diverse set of culinary hotspots and wine bars await the most adventurous foodies out there!
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Jorge Lascar
11th Arrondissement
Markets, cafés, and even a famous plaza where political rallies and protests are often held! These are what help the 11th arrondissement of Paris different from all the others. You could say that this is the most 'local' of all the arrondissements, free from famous tourist attractions but abundant in establishments that define local life in Paris.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Philipp Herztog
12th Arrondissement
Although there's a number of luxury hotels here, the 12th arrondissement is all about the underrated, everyday life in Paris. From the markets and shops that sell affordable food to the wine bars where people go straight to after work, this place is as 'mundane' as it can get. And that's not necessarily a bad thing. This area gives a peek into what living in Paris is really like outside of the sphere of tourism.
Source: LPLT / Wikimedia Commons
13th Arrondissement
To say that the 13th arrondissement is diverse is an understatement! On one end, there's Chinatown, a hectic district that offers excellent food and delicious delicacies from the East. There are also
co-working spaces where freelancers can go when they need to concentrate on work and other jobs. And for some scenic peace and quiet, the
underrated tourist attraction that is the Butte aux Cailles District is definitely a highlight!
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ JLPC
14th Arrondissement
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Myrabella
15th Arrondissement
The 15th arrondissement of Paris is the type of place where you can simply enjoy life. Living in a city like the French capital can get tiring, but here, you can shop till you drop, visit some of the less popular tourist hotspots, and even go bowling. What's not to love?
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Myrabella
16th Arrondissement
Here in Paris, it's not just the arrondissements with the famous tourist attractions that are busy. Even one like the 16th arrondissement can get very hectic for everyday life. For one thing, it's quite a central area for
public transport, with a lot of metro stations and bus stops all throughout. Then there are the shops and cafés where people flock to when they're hungry or have free time to relax.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Daniel Vorndran / DXR
17th Arrondissement
Although the 17th arrondissement is also known to be a Bohemian area, it's a lot more relaxed than in the other parts of the city. The Batignolles district, for instance, is a haven of inspiration for countless artists and writers in the city but is also one of the lesser-known places as well. Then there's La Cité des Fleurs, a slice of the French countryside in the heat of Paris. Not to mention the fact that countless places to eat here are affordable too!
Source: Flickr.com/ Ming Xia
18th Arrondissement
Speaking of Bohemian Paris, the 18th arrondissement houses one of its central districts:
Montmartre. Simply put, this place is quintessentially Parisian in many aspects. It's slightly more affordable than other neighborhoods in the city, the nostalgic hotspots, it's an open and liberated area, and there are so many exciting places to go here that you wouldn't know where to start! That's why it's better to live here than just visit!
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ bogdan1971
19th Arrondissement
In a nutshell, you can describe Paris's 19th arrondissement with one word: relaxing. There's La Mouzaïa neighborhood, a slice of the French countryside with all its humble glory. There's Parc de la Villette, a huge park that's not as well-known as the most beautiful parks in Paris but one that lets you play around and even screen movies outside at night. And, of course, the chill bistros and cafés that serve delicious food!
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Myrabella
20th Arrondissement
While the 19th arrondissement is all about relaxation, the 20th is all about peace. It's safe to say that this is probably the quietest area in the city, with little to no tourist attractions and even a few silent sanctuaries to boot. If you're not into the hustle and bustle of the French capital, you're better off settling down here!
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ besopha
There's more to Paris than meets the eyes, especially if you're going to move here. In terms of which part of the city you should call home, you ought to know what each arrondissement offers first. You may find that suits you the most if you look hard enough!
