No trip to Paris complete would be complete without exploring its diverse, dynamic neighborhoods. Whether you walk, take the bus or guided tours, plan to spend a good deal of your time ambling through the city’s quartiers, full of history, charm, and people-watching opportunities. From the Latin Quarter and Saint-Germain-des-Prés to the Marais and Bastille, Montmartre and Belleville, there’s so much to see and do in each. Start with an overview of the 20 arrondissements (below) and go from there to learn about other iconic (and secretive) Paris neighborhoods.
What to Do in the 20 Arrondissements of Paris (City Districts)
When looking at a map of Paris, you might immediately notice that it resembles a spiral. Some compare the layout to an escargot (snail), referring to the […]
The Louvre/Tuileries District in Paris: What to Do Around the Museum?
If you only have a few days to explore Paris or it’s your first trip to the capital, you may want to spend a few hours roaming […]
In Video: Secret & Offbeat Paris Neighborhoods to Explore Now
When you’re after a more local, secret Paris rather than the one pushed by top-10 lists in conventional guidebooks, it’s necessary to step off the dusty old […]
Seeking Belle-Epoque Paris in the Grands Boulevards District: My Full Guide
Technically, the tangled arrangement of wide, grandiose streets known as the Grands Boulevards in Paris stretch all the way from the Eglise Madeleine church in the 8th […]
Wandering Paris’ Saint-Germain-des-Prés: What to See & Do?
Put on your Sunday best and head over to Saint-Germain-des-Prés, an upscale Parisian neighborhood with centuries-old literary, revolutionary and artistic roots. Situated on the left bank of […]
Exploring Rue Montorgueil in Paris: What to See & Do?
At the wobbly, bright-eyed age of 22, I moved to Paris to take up a seven-month teaching assistantship at a middle school in one of the city’s […]
A Full Guide to the Montparnasse Neighborhood in Paris
Bold modernity & artistic history galore One of the most interesting and vibrant of Paris’ diverse neighborhoods, Montparnasse is also soaked in literary and artistic history. Dominated […]
Exploring Paris’ Belleville District: A Haven for Artists, Immigrants & Revolutionaries
I’m a former resident of Belleville, that fascinating, messy, somewhat chaotic neighborhood in a corner of northeastern Paris that’s so often maligned. One that many tourists find […]
Roaming Paris’ Oberkampf Neighborhood, from Nightlife to Street Art
With its eclectic mix of trendy bars, nightclubs and concert halls, the lively Oberkampf neighborhood in Paris is a haven for foodies and partygoers. This hip section […]
Exploring the Gambetta-Ménilmontant Neighborhood in Paris, from Shops to Nightlife
For a taste of Paris far from the madding crowd and the done-to-death tourist track, head over to the Gambetta- Ménilmontant neighborhood. Tucked in a little-trampled stretch […]
A Full Guide to the Passy Neighborhood in Paris
Quiet village charm meets culture & luxury The 16th arrondissement of Paris is best known to tourists for its grandiose landmarks and museums, from the Place de […]
The Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris: 8 Reasons to Love It
More than a museum, it’s a cultural touchstone Few places in Paris carry the sort of sentimental weight that the Centre Georges Pompidou does for me. When […]
Champs-Elysées “Garden” Project Approved Amid Wider Greening Plans for Paris
It’s a sprawling Avenue famous not only for its expensive sidewalk brasseries and high-end shops, but also for its headache-inducing traffic, noise and air pollution. Now, the […]
6 Inspiring Urban Farms & Community Gardens to Explore in Paris Now
Paris has a lot going for it, but if there’s one thing lacking, it’s space. The need to squeeze, adjust and think creatively not only applies to […]
Medieval Paris: A Self-Guided Tour of 6 Intriguing Places
During the 19th century, the Baron Georges-Eugène Haussmann gutted much of what had been medieval Paris– forging the iconic skyline and enormous, grandiose boulevards we now (wrongly) […]
Quiz: Are You More Right Bank or Left-Bank Paris?
Paris is divided by the Seine River and the Ile de la Cité into left and right banks (rive gauche and rive droite, respectively). Locals tend to […]
The Best Places for Picnics in Paris, From Parks to Riverbanks
Like they do with pretty much everything else, Parisians make a true art of the spring or summer picnic. It’s not just a quick meal on the […]
Japanese Paris: The Best Restaurants & Grocers Around Rue Sainte-Anne
While most tourists with a taste for gourmet experiences come to Paris to try French food, a few know that the city harbors its fair share of […]
