The city of Paris is divided into a total of 20 districts, each with four quarters. The districts in Paris are called arrondissements.
The 1st arrondissement is the Louvre and it is the city center of Paris, so the most important district in the city. The other Parisian districts are arranged in a clockwise spiral around the 1st arrondissement.
The best districts to stay in Paris are the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th, 8th, 9th and 18th arrondissements.
In this article we describe all 20 districts in detail.
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1st Arrondissement Louvre
The heart of Paris lies in the 1st arrondissement. As one of the oldest urban districts, this arrondissement located on the Seine is particularly rich in sights, restaurants, hotels, and shopping opportunities.
The area covers from the Louvre Museum to Vendome Square. Some of the most famous attractions are the Louvre, Tuileries Gardens, and the Rue de Rivoli shopping street. The western tip of the Seine Island Île de la Cité is also located here.
2nd Arrondissement Bourse
The 2nd arrondissement on the Right Bank is the city's smallest district. It was home to the Paris Stock Exchange and is considered the financial center of Paris. Because of its location close to the center and the many hotels, the district is a good place to stay on a city trip.
Visitors can look forward to many cafés with the famous Parisian atmosphere as well as numerous boutiques and arcades. The main tourist attraction is the Paris Opéra.
3rd Arrondissement Temple
This district is less characterized by tourist attractions than by its authentic Parisian flair. In the southern area of the 3rd arrondissement lies a part of the popular Marais neighborhood, which is famous for its trendy bars, cafes, designer shops, and art galleries.
Due to its proximity to the center, this quiet district is still a good place to stay. Famous attractions in the district are the Picasso Museum, the Place de la Republique, and impressive mansions.
4th Arrondissement Hôtel de Ville
The vibrant 4th arrondissement is packed with famous tourist attractions, including Notre-Dame Cathedral, City Hall and Centre Pompidou. This historic district is made up of parts of the Marais, Notre-Dame and Latin Quarter neighborhoods, as well as the Seine Islands Île Saint-Louis and Île de la Cité.
In addition to sights within walking distance, there is a large number of restaurants, cafés and hotels, making the 4th arrondissement one of the most popular places to stay during a Paris trip.
5th Arrondissement Panthéon
Another popular district is the 5th Arrondissement on the Left Bank. This is where the lively Quartier Latin student districts is located, which has developed around the renowned Sorbonne University.
With its winding streets and quaint bistros, it exudes a unique Parisian flair. The main attractions include the Panthéon, the Botanical Garden, and the charming Rue Mouffetard shopping street, which offers culinary highlights with its delicatessen shops, cafés, and restaurants.
6th Arrondissement Luxembourg
This area, which is considered the intellectual center of Paris, is very popular with locals. It includes the popular Saint Germain des Prés neighborhood, which still bears witness to the glory of bygone times, when writers and philosophers frequented this area.
In addition to cultural institutions and art galleries, visitors will also find picturesque cafés and a number of shops. The Jardin du Luxembourg serves as a green lung.
7th Arrondissement Palais Bourbon
The main attraction in the 7th arrondissement is the world-famous Eiffel Tower. In addition, the district on the Left Bank has a number of important museums such as Musée d‘Orsay, Musée du Quai Branly and Musée Rodin. The district is one of the most expensive and posh residential areas in the city.
8th Arrondissement Élysée
The 8th district is home to the world-known Champs-Élysée Avenue that is lined with luxury shops. Even if the chic district is very touristy and more expensive, the excellent transport connections, the central location and attractions within walking distance make it a great place to stay.
Sights include the Arc of Triumph, Elysée Palace, and Place de la Concorde.
9th Arrondissement Opéra
The 9th arrondissement is best known for the impressive Opéra Garnier. With its large department stores such as Galéries Lafayette, Le Printemps and Nouvelles Galeries, the district particularly attracts shopping enthusiasts.
In the south of the district, on the border with the 18th arrondissement, lies the famous Pigalle entertainment district. Thanks to numerous hotels with a good price/performance ratio, the 9th district is a good place to stay.
10th Arrondissement Entrepôt
With two train stations, the Gare de l'Est and the Gare du Nord, the 10th arrondissement offers good public transport connections. This is particularly beneficial for visitors arriving by train. The multicultural district is characterized by the approximately 5-kilometer-long Saint Martin Canal, which is ideal for a stroll.
11th Arrondissement Popincourt
This district impresses with its vibrant Parisian nightlife. There are numerous bars and clubs, especially near the Bastille, on Rue de Lappe and on Rue Oberkampf, that locals like to go out to and party. The Parisian youth in particular like to meet in this lively district.
12th Arrondissement Reuilly
The 12th arrondissement on the Right Bank is a bit away from the city center. The quiet district consists mainly of residential areas. From a tourist point of view, it offers little. Thanks to public transport, you can get to the city center easily.
Sights of this district include the Promenade Plantée and the park Bois de Vincennes.
13th Arrondissement Gobelins
Many people of Asian descent have settled in this district, which is why it is characterized by a Far Eastern atmosphere. Numerous Asian restaurants offer culinary delights. The picturesque neighborhood of Butte-aux-Cailles, which attracts visitors with its village charm and its trendy cafés, bars and restaurants, is also worth mentioning.
14th Arrondissement Observatoire
The 14th arrondissement with the famous Montparnasse neighborhood is home to attractions such as the Catacombs of Paris, the Montparnasse Tower and the Montparnasse Cemetery, which serves as the final resting place of famous French personalities. However, the district is a bit remote from the center.
15th Arrondissement Vaugirard
This district lies in the southwest of Paris. It is rare in sights and therefore less interesting for tourists. The 15th arrondissement is the most populous district and accordingly heavily populated.
16th Arrondissement Passy
The 16th arrondissement, which borders the Eiffel Tower, Champs-Élysée Avenue and Bois de Boulogne park, features a number of green areas. Wealthy Parisians and foreign business people in particular prefer the district as a residential area. Rue de Passy, lined with numerous luxury boutiques, is a popular attraction.
17th Arrondissement Batignolles-Monceau
The 17th arrondissement remote from the city center is currently undergoing a change. The district is becoming increasingly popular, especially with the younger population. The north-eastern area of the district in particular is growing. The Haussmann style mansions are worth seeing.
18th Arrondissement Butte-Montmartre
This very popular district is home to the famous artists' quarter of Montmartre, which delights with its unique historical character.
The imposing Basilica of Sacré-Cœur, an important Parisian landmark, sits on top of the Montmartre hill. Also worth seeing are the Place du Tetre, the Dali Museum, and the Montmartre Cemetery.
In the entertainment district of Pigalle, visitors can visit the world-famous Moulin Rouge. The numerous hotels are particularly suitable for visitors who are looking for entertainment and are not afraid of a little noise.
19th Arrondissement Butte-Chaumont
The 19th arrondissement in the north of Paris was once considered an unpleasant district. Now it has turned into an increasingly popular district. Among the most beautiful attractions are Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, built on a quarry, and Parc de la Villette where the Cité des Sciences Museum is located.
20th Arrondissement Ménilmontant
The 20th arrondissement is known for Père-Lachaise Cemetery, where personalities such as Oscar Wilde and Jim Morrison are buried. Apart from that, the cosmopolitan district on the east side of Paris is not very touristy and is more a residential area for immigrants.
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More InformationTo discover the most important neighborhoods in Paris, check our following articles...
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
The districts in Paris are called arrondissements. The names of the 20 districts are as follows:
1st Arrondissement Louvre
2nd Arrondissement Bourse
3rd Arrondissement Temple (Marais)
4th Arrondissement Hôtel de Ville
5th Arrondissement Panthéon
6th Arrondissement Luxembourg
7th Arrondissement Palais Bourbon
8th Arrondissement Élysée
9th Arrondissement Opéra
10th Arrondissement Entrepôt
11th Arrondissement Popincourt
12th Arrondissement Reuilly
13th Arrondissement Gobelins
14th Arrondissement Observatoire
15th Arrondissement Vaugirard
16th Arrondissement Passy
17th Arrondissement Batignolles-Monceau
18th Arrondissement Butte-Montmartre
19th Arrondissement Butte-Chaumont
20th Arrondissement Ménilmontant
The city of Paris is divided into a total of 20 districts - called arrondissements.
The administrative districts in Paris are called arrondissements. There are a total of 20 arrondissements in Paris. They spiral clockwise from the inside to the outside around the 1st arrondissement Louvre.
As in every big city, there are places in Paris that tourists should avoid. These include:
1. The neighborhoods in the north of Paris such as Barbès-Rochechouart and Chateau Rouge as well as the areas around Marx Dormoy, Porte de la Chapelle, La Chapelle, Porte de Clignancourt, Porte de la Villette - especially at night
2. The area around Les Halles, Chatelet, Stalingrad and Jaures metro stations at night - especially if you are traveling alone
3. The area around the Gare du Nord / Gare de l’Est train stations in the 10th arrondissement - especially at night
4. The two parks Bois de Boulogne and Bois de Vincennes at night
5. The Saint Blaise neighborhood in the 20th arrondissement and the area around Porte de Montreuil station at night
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