Pura Vida View
Paris
Paris is the capital of France and also the most populous city in the country. It is considered the city of lights and is one of the most romantic and beautiful cities in the world.
Visiting Paris was a dream come true for me, I took French in High School and ever since then I have always wanted to visit Paris and experience the Parisian culture. Much like London, we crammed as much as we could in our short four days and I left hoping to someday go back and have more time.
Where to Stay
Paris is divided into densely populated neighborhoods or as the French say, arrondissements. There are 20 arrondissements. The last two numbers of any Paris postcode tells you which arrondissement you are in, for instance 75001 means 1st arrondissement.
When I first started planning our Paris vacation I was a bit overwhelmed with where the best neighborhood was located for our group and the things we planned to do while there.
Whether you are a cultural enthusiast, wanting to see all the best museums, find a locals favorite hangout or looking for the trendiest restaurants and bars, there is a neighborhood worth exploring and you may even need to come back a few times to see them all!
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1st arrondissement
Best sightseeing
This is the neighborhood where we chose to stay, and it was perfect for walking to many of the places we wanted to visit. The 1st arrondissement, le Premier, as it's known in French, is home to many bucket list sights such as the Musee du Louvre, Jardin des Tuileries, Musee de l'Orangerie, Place Vendome, Sainte-Chapelle, to name just a few. There are less residents in this neighborhood than others, but there are many hotels and superb restaurants. We stayed at the beautiful Nolinski Paris and loved it! If it is your first time to Paris, the 1st arrondissement is the perfect place to stay.
2nd arrondissement
Paris's smallest arrondissement
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It is popular with younger crowds and is a great district for inexpensive restaurants and cafes, has lots of market stands and it is centrally located and close to transportation. It is also home to the largest movie theater in Paris, Le Gran Rex. It is often overlooked by tourists which keeps it quieter. It is within walking distance to many major attractions.
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3rd arrondissement
Located near the Seine and adjacent to the 1st, 2nd and 4th arrondissements, the 3rd arrondissement is a nice neighborhood within walking distance to many attractions and is home to some lovely museums such as the Musée National Picasso and Musée des Archives Nationales - Hotel de Soubise
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4th arrondissement
Known as SoMa (South Marais) to locals
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This is a very beautiful and popular area located on the Right Bank. It contains some great cafes, bars and restaurants and offers a lively nightlife. It is filled with beautiful old Renaissance architecture and lots of history. This is where you will find Notre-Dame de Paris, which is said to soon be finally reopened after the fire in April of 2019.
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5th arrondissement
The Latin Quarter​
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The 5th arrondissement is also known as the Latin Quarter and is home to the first universities in the city, La Sorbonne, and is currently the location of prestigious high schools, colleges and universities and is known to be filled with students and intellectuals so it is a vibrant area filled with great cafes, pubs and affordable restaurants. You will find many beautiful churches, libraries and buildings to explore. There is also a botanical garden, Jardin des Plantes. The Pantheon is located here, as well as some museums Stop by Shakespear and Company which is located on the banks of the Seine and since it's opening in 1951 has become a literary institution and is often very busy. This centrally located arrondissement is definitely worth the visit and was one of my favorite neighborhoods we walked through.
6th arrondissement
The 6th arrondissement, also known as Luxembourg and is referred to by local Parisians as Les Sixieme is another centrally located neighborhood that is within walking distance to many museums and beautiful churches. It is filled with independent shops, antique stores and boutique hotels for every budget. ​
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7th arrondissement
The Heart of Paris​
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The Eiffel Tower is the centerpiece of one of the most charming and prestigious areas in Paris and is filled with high-end shopping, quaint candlelit bistros, patisseries, local bakeries and food markets, and some of Paris' best museums, including Musée d'Orsay. Surrounding the Eiffel Tower you will find the Chap De Mars gardens which are so beautiful and the perfect place to relax, play, picnic, or sit and watch in the evening as the Eiffel tower lights up and begins to twinkle. It is truly a magical place and one of the most beautiful areas in Paris.
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8th arrondissement
Home to arguably one of the most famous streets in the world, Champs de Elysee, as well as the Arc de Triomph, Parc Monceau, beautiful museums and churches and so much more. This area of Paris is always busy, Champs de Elysee is full of tourists visiting the many shops and you will not want to miss one of the best views in Paris at the top of Arc de Triomph.
9th-15th arrondissements
The 9th arrondissements called, the Opéra, is home to Paris' opera, as well as many theatres.
The 10th arrondissement is home to two of Paris' six main railway stations and two of the busiest in Europe, The Gar du Nord and Gar de l'est.
The 11th arrondissement is a densely populated area with lots of unique things to do, like visit a 1920s style speakeasy, or check out the Bastille Market.
The 12th arrondissement is Paris' Heritage craft district and is home to many artists and craftsmen's shops.
The 13th arrondissement is Paris' main Asian district and is home to many authentic Vietnamese and Chinese business.
The 14th arrondissement has long been a favorite area for artists and writers. During 20th century you would find these creative people sitting at the many fashionable cafes.
The 15th arrondissement is the most populous neighborhood and is very much a residential area. If you want to get a real feel for Parisian life, this is a great area to experience that.
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16th arrondissement
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The 16th arrondissement is a very prestigious area in Paris. It is home to many museums and beautiful architecture and has long been known as a home to the French high society. It also houses many sports venues, including, Roland Garros Stadium where the French Open is played. You will also find, The Bois de Boulogne, Paris' second largest public park in this neighborhood
17th -20th arrondissements
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The 17th arrondissement has lots of great pubs, cafes, restaurants and bars. It has a very Parisian feel and is a less touristy area, yet still central to everything.
The 18th arrondissement is home to the famous Moulin Rouge. It is also the neighborhood of the African and North African district Goutte D'Or which is known for it's market, the Marché Barbès
The 19th arrondissement is home to many immigrants and therefore you will find some great ethnic food.
The 20th arrondissement is home of the Père Lachaise Cemetery where many famous musicians, painters, composers and writers are buried, including, Chopin, Rossini, and Oscar Wilde, as well as rock legend Jim Morrison from The Doors.
