Walking tour of the historical center of Paris. Districts of Paris. Where is the best place to live? Safe areas. Walking tour of Montmartre

- the capital of France, an important cultural, political, financial center, which received the title of one of the most romantic cities in the world. The number of residents of Paris reaches 2 million, and together with the districts exceeds 12 million people.

Guests of the city are attracted by the historical and cultural heritage, wine lovers by exquisite French wine, gourmets by world-famous restaurants. Paris is also an important city in the fashion world, with the most famous designer brands concentrated here.

Paris was founded by the Gauls around 250 BC. Since 1991, the historical center of Paris has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The main attractions of Paris

Eiffel Tower. The famous metal structure was meant to be only a temporary structure, but has become a symbol of Paris. The 324-meter-high tower was erected in 1889 to celebrate the centenary of the French Revolution.

Triumphal Arch. The arch was erected by order of Napoleon Bonaparte in honor of the French victory in the Battle of Austerlitz. There is an observation deck at the top of the monument.

Champs Elysees. The most famous street in Paris is home to a huge number of restaurants, cafes and shops.

Ile de la Cité. In the 3rd century BC, the river island of Cite was inhabited by the Celtic tribe of Parisians, from whose ethnonym the name of the city, Paris, came. The western part of the island is connected to the mainland by the oldest bridge in Paris, built in 1578. Ironically, the bridge is called Pont Neuf, or New Bridge.

Center Pompidou. The Georges Pompidou Center for Art and Culture hosts a variety of cultural events. The facade of the building looks rather strange - all the technical structures are on display.

Tuileries Garden. In the Tuileries Park there was a royal palace, burned by the Communards at the end of the 19th century.

Luxembourg Garden. Public park in the center of Paris. The park houses the Luxembourg Palace, which was built for the widow of Henry IV, Marie de Medici, and now houses the French Senate.

Palace of Chaillot. The palace, built in 1937, houses several museums. In the Museum of Man you can get acquainted with the evolution of homo sapiens, and in the Museum of the Fleet - with the everyday life of French sailors.

Place de la Concorde. At the end of the 18th century, there was a guillotine on this square, which at that time bore the name of the Revolution. Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were executed here. Later, the square was renamed and an obelisk was erected on it - a gift from Egypt.

Place de la Bastille. It was here that the famous fortress was located, destroyed during the Great French Revolution.

La Défense. Modern quarter, business center of Paris.

Montmartre . For several centuries Montmartre has been a mecca for artists. In this quarter, it is worth visiting the Montmartre Museum, as well as the Salvador Dali Museum, which houses a collection of more than 300 works by the artist. The famous Moulin Rouge is also located here.

The main museums and galleries of Paris

Louvre. One of the greatest museums in the world, uniting under its roof the works of outstanding artists, sculptors, ancient finds, and royal relics of France.

Picasso Museum. The museum of the famous Spanish artist Pablo Picasso is located in a 17th-century castle. Picasso spent most of his life in France.

Rodin Museum. In this museum you can see the works of the French sculptor Auguste Rodin.

Orangerie Museum . Art gallery on Place de la Concorde. The museum's collection includes paintings by impressionists and post-impressionists.

Orsay Museum. The Museum of Fine and Applied Arts, housed in the building of a former railway station. The Musée d'Orsay presents works by artists and sculptors who worked in the 19th-20th centuries.

Churches of Paris

Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris. The most famous Parisian church, glorified by Victor Hugo in the novel Notre Dame de Paris. Construction of the cathedral began in 1163 and lasted 200 years.

Sainte-Chapelle. Gothic church built in 1248 by order of Louis IX. During the Revolution, the Sainte-Chapelle church served as a barn.

Saint-Germain-des-Prés. The oldest church in Paris, built in 558. At the end of the 18th century it was destroyed by fire, but then rebuilt again.

Basilica of Sacré-Coeur. The snow-white church in the Roman-Byzantine style was built in the 20th century and is located in Montmartre.

Your stay in Paris is very dependent on your surroundings and a large part of your mood depends on where and how you will be staying during your trip. And this, in turn, depends a lot on the area in which you book a hotel. You should know something about the areas of Paris in advance...

A tourist in Paris feels good everywhere and is always interested :) Someone is going to Paris for the first time, while others have already explored the historical tourist places in full and are eager to see something not quite ordinary. This short article is intended for those who have not yet gotten to know Paris and are still preparing for their first independent trip to Paris. We really hope that the article will help you decide on some questions :)

So, the city of Paris is divided into 20 administrative centers (districts) or, as they are called here, districts. All districts are located within the city limits; outside the city limits there are already the outskirts of Paris. We will not delve into the administrative structure of the capital; we will look at the districts purely from a tourist point of view. On the map you can visually see how Paris is divided.

If you look at the diagram more closely, you will notice that the districts are arranged in a spiral and the districts are numbered clockwise, so it is almost impossible to get confused :)

Although the districts are located in the same city, each of them has its own characteristics:

• 1st arrondissement of Paris- the historical center of the city, from here, in fact, present-day Paris began. Attractions: Place Vendôme, Louvre, Rue de Rivoli, Les Halles, Tuirly Gardens and Palace Royal. One of the most trampled by tourists areas :)
• Second District:- concentration of offices and banks, the Paris Stock Exchange is also located here. But at the same time, this area is rich in attractions: the National Library, the Grand Opera, cathedrals and churches.
• In the third district is the famous Le Marais quarter - one of the oldest and most beautiful quarters of Paris, adorning the city with ancient houses belonging to the medieval nobility.
• Fourth District rich in world-class attractions! Notre Dame, Ile Saint-Louis, Place des Vosges, City Hall and the Pompidou are located here. Paradise for tourists!
• Fifth arrondissement of Paris known as the "District of the Pantheon", also covers part of the Latin Quarter
• Sixth District famous for its luxurious Luxembourg Palace and magnificent gardens, as well as the Saint-Germain-des-Prés quarter, where the medieval abbey is located.
• Seventh District- the elegant political center of Paris. The National Assembly and French ministries are located here. It is this quarter that the whole world sees in pictures and photographs - here is the symbol of Paris - the Eiffel Tower! But this is not the only world-class attraction. The seventh arrondissement also houses the Les Invalides, the Champ de Mars, Napoleon's tomb, the Rodin Museum and the Orsay Museum.
• Eighth District- residence of wealthy Parisians. Here is the residence of the President of France, the Arc de Triomphe
• Ninth Circuit- bourgeois paradise of Paris! Red Quarter, Moulin Rouge cabaret... The most famous Parisian shops are also here!
• Tenth District- the northern and eastern railway stations are located in this district. Republic Square is located here.
• 11th district- Place de la Bastille and one of the busiest streets in Paris, Faubourg St Antoine, where there are excellent bars and restaurants, as well as many boutiques.
• 12th district- a residential area of ​​Paris, famous for its Bois de Vincennes park.
• 13th district- residential areas, Chinatown, National Library of Paris
• 14th district more attractive for tourists: Montparnasse Boulevard is a meeting place for artists, poets, writers and, in general, the bohemians of Paris.
• 15th district the most populated area of ​​Paris. The longest street in Paris, Vaugirard (rue de Vaugirard), runs here. In the fifteenth arrondissement is the Pasteur Apartment Museum and the Postal Museum.
• 16th district considered one of the most prestigious areas of Paris. Here is the headquarters of Radio France, the National Sports Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, the famous Bois de Boulogne, and the Trocadéro.
• 17th district is divided into two zones: the so-called working part of Place de Clichy and the upper-class zone - Avenue des Ternes - where the mansions of wealthy Parisians are located. This is such a social hodgepodge...
• 18th district: Montmartre and the Sacré-Coeur Basilica! The African quarter with the colorful Barbès market is also located here.
• 19th district is a residential area where there are two parks - Parc des Buttes Chaumont and Parc de la Villette. The Parisian Conservatory (Conservatoire de Paris) is located on the territory of the second.
• 20th district This is a colorful cosmopolitan area of ​​Paris, where the second largest Chinatown is located. But the district is famous thanks to the Père la Chaise cemetery.

If you are still wondering where to stay during your stay in Paris, then pay attention to our article

Metro stations: Tuileries, Palais Royal - Musée du Louvre, Louvre - Rivoli, Les Halles, Étienne Marcel, Châtelet, Pont Neuf.

2nd arrondissement of Paris - Bourse - Bourse

This area is on the right bank of the Seine.

The formation of the district dates back to the 15th-16th centuries, when the boundaries of the city limits of Paris were expanded. By order of the monarch Charles V, this territory was surrounded by a massive wall up to Rue D'Aboukir. During the reign of Louis XIII, the district was expanded, but its borders took on their modern form only towards the end of the 19th century. In addition to various architectural monuments, the area contains the Stock Exchange and the National Library. Many banks are concentrated here. In addition, the second district is known for its shopping complexes and boutiques, such as Vesna.

The Bourse district is the smallest of all the municipal districts of Paris, occupying only 99 hectares. But, nevertheless, about 0.9% of the residents of the French capital live here. The last census in 2015 showed that the number of people living in the area was 23,009.

The district is governed by Jacques Bouteau, a Green Party member who was elected mayor in 2014.

Quarters of the 2nd district:

• Quartier Gaillon
• Quartier Vivienne
• Quartier du Mail
• Quartier de Bonne-Nouvelle

Attractions of the 2nd district:

Metro stations: Opéra, Richelieu – Drouot, Grands Boulevards, Bonne Nouvelle, Strasbourg – Saint-Denis, Réaumur – Sébastopol, Étienne Marcel, Sentier, Bourse, Quatre-Septembre

3rd arrondissement of Paris - Temple - Temple

It is located in central Paris on the right bank of the Seine, east of the first and second arrondissements.

The first mentions of this area date back to the 13th-14th centuries during the reign of King Charles V, but the historical buildings that have survived in their original form to this day date back to a later period, starting from the 16th century. The most famous quarter of the third arrondissement is the Marais, which has a rather unusual history. Initially, this area was swampy, then it was drained by the Knights Templar and gradually it turned into a prosperous quarter, popular among Parisian aristocrats. Here, to this day, there are prestigious shops and luxurious Italian-style mansions built in the 17th-18th centuries. The Temple district can be called one of the most romantic areas of the city, which creative people love to visit.

Arrondissement 3 is one of the smallest in Paris, covering 117 hectares. More than 35 thousand inhabitants live in this territory.

In 2014, Pierre Aidenbaum, representing the Socialist Party, was elected mayor here.

Quarters of the 3rd district:

• Quartier des Arts-et-Métiers
• Quartier des Enfants-Rouges
• Quartier des Archives
• Quartier Sainte-Avoye

Attractions of the 3rd district:

Metro stations: Réaumur – Sébastopol, Strasbourg – Saint-Denis, République, Filles du Calvaire, Saint-Sébastien – Froissart, Chemin Vert, Rambuteau, Arts et Métiers, Temple

4th arrondissement - Hotel de Ville

This is one of the oldest districts of Paris, located in its central part on the right bank of the Seine. The area partially covers the Marais quarter, the eastern half of the Ile de la Cité and the small Ile Saint Louis, famous for its bridges.

One interesting historical fact: from 1871 to 1880, the justice of the peace of the fourth district was Leon Dafry de Lamonnoy, a Knight of the Legion of Honor, who became famous for his translations of Shakespeare's tragedies.

It ranks 18th in size among other districts of the capital. More than 28 thousand people live on a territory with a total area of ​​160 hectares.

In 2008, socialist Dominique Bertinotti was re-elected to the post of mayor of district No. 4.

Quarters of the 4th district:

• Quartier Saint-Merri
• Quartier Saint-Gervais
• Quartier de l'Arsenal
• Quartier Notre-Dame

Attractions of the 4th district:

• Bridge Changed

Center Georges Pompidou Hugo House Museum
Place Chatelet Cathedral Notre-Dame de Paris Notre-Dame Bridge

Metro stations: Bastille, Sully - Morland, Pont Marie, Cité Hôtel de Ville, Saint-Paul

5th arrondissement of Paris – Pantheon – Panthéon

This ancient district of Paris is located on the left bank of the Seine. It is connected by several bridges to the Ile Saint Louis and the Cité.

The fifth arrondissement is a true paradise for tourists, attracting visitors with its popular Boulevard Saint-Michel and the famous Latin Quarter, which dates back to antiquity and was the birthplace of ancient Lutetia. The central figure of the district is the Sorbonne, the most prestigious university in France. This is a truly picturesque area where art studios, small cottages and student campuses, small boutiques and large shopping centers, inexpensive bistros and chic restaurants fit harmoniously.

The Pantheon district is the fourteenth largest with a total area of ​​254 hectares. According to statistics, more than 60 thousand people live here.

Florence Berthoud, representing the Republican Party, was elected to the post of mayor in the 2014 elections.

• Quartier Saint-Victor
• Quartier du Jardin des Plantes
• Quartier du Val-de-Grâce
• Quartier de la Sorbonne

Attractions of the 5th arrondissement:

• (Palace of the Abbots of Cluny)
• Baths of Cluny
• Botanical Garden

Sorbonne Pantheon Museum of the Middle Ages
Latin Quarter Institute of the Arab World Church of Saint-Julien-le-Pauvres

Metro stations: Saint-Michel, Gare d'Austerlitz, Saint-Marcel, Les Gobelins, Censier - Daubenton, Place Monge, Jussieu, Cardinal Lemoine, Maubert - Mutualité, Cluny - La Sorbonne

6th arrondissement of Paris - Luxembourg - Luxembourg

This area is located on the left bank of the Seine, adjacent to the Latin Quarter.

The sixth arrondissement is one of the oldest in Paris; it was inhabited by the ancient Romans. The architecture is characterized by classic buildings of 6-7 floors, impressive with their wide entrances with grand staircases and floor-length windows in the French style. On the territory of the district there is the famous royal palace and park complex with an area of ​​26 hectares - the Luxembourg Gardens. It is very popular among Parisians and guests of the capital; there is a lot of entertainment and places to relax. The Luxembourg Palace is the seat of the French Senate. Also, District No. 6 is famous for its amazing churches. For example, on the territory of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, built in the 11th-12th centuries, royal tombs have been preserved.

Occupying 215 hectares in area, this area is considered the sixteenth largest in the city. Data for 2015 show that it is inhabited by more than 42 thousand people.

The Luxembourg district is governed by Jean-Pierre Lecoq, who was re-elected in 2014 from the conservative Union for French Democracy party.

Quarters of the 6th district:

• Quartier de la Monnaie
• Quartier de l'Odéon
• Quartier Notre-Dame-des-Champs
• Quartier Saint-Germain-des-Prés

Attractions of the 6th arrondissement:

• Church
• Embankment Conti

Church of Saint-Sulpice Odéon Theater National Museum Eugene Delacroix
Institute of France Cafe Closerie de Lilas Luxembourg Palace

Metro stations: Sèvres - Babylone, Saint-Michel, Vavin, Notre-Dame-des-Champs, Saint-Placide, Rennes, Saint-Sulpice, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Mabillon, Odéon

7th arrondissement of Paris – Palais-Bourbon

It is located on the left side of the Seine.

This administrative district was formed relatively recently, in the 19th century, as the city’s borders expanded. It is considered a kind of political center of Paris, where ministries and departments of various levels, foreign embassies, the National Assembly and the headquarters of UNESCO are concentrated. The key attraction of the district is the Eiffel Tower, with the Champs de Mars located at its foot. In addition, the area is famous for its unusual museums.

Palais Bourbon ranks 10th in the ranking of Parisian districts, covering an area of ​​408 hectares. Taking into account 2015 data, the local population is more than 54 thousand people. The 7th arrondissement is considered one of the most expensive in Paris.

Since 2014, the head of the local administration is Rachidou Dati, a member of the Republican Party.

Districts of the 7th arrondissement:

• Quartier Saint-Thomas-d'Aquin
• Quartier des Invalides
• Quartier de l'École Militaire
• Quartier du Gros-Caillou

Attractions of the 7th arrondissement:

Metro stations: Ségur, Sèvres – Babylone, Vaneau, Duroc, Ecole Militaire,La Tour-MaubourgVarenne, Saint-François-Xavier, Invalides, Assemblée Nationale, Solférino, Rue du Bac

8th arrondissement of Paris - Champs Elysees - Élysée

This territory is located on the right bank of the Seine.

Its borders were formed in the 19th century as a result of the expansion of Paris to the west. The district is crossed by the most famous avenue in the world - the Champs Elysees - with a length of 2 km. The residence of the French president, the Elysee Palace, is also located here, as well as the Central Tourist Office of Paris. The avenue is always full of people who are ready to enjoy entertainment for every taste: cafes and restaurants, theaters, cabarets, chic boutiques and unusual shops. The eighth arrondissement is home to the French Ministry of the Interior and, since 2002, the headquarters of the Union for French Democracy party.

The Champs-Élysées is the eleventh largest arrondissement of the capital. Its area is 388 hectares. According to statistics for 2015, more than 36 thousand residents live in this area. This district is considered very prestigious for living and, therefore, prices here are quite high.

Joan d'Autezer has been mayor since 2014.

Districts of the 8th district:

• Quartier des Champs-Élysées
• Quartier du Faubourg du Roule
• Quartier de la Madeleine
• Quartier de l'Europe

Attractions of the 8th arrondissement:

Arc de Triomphe Champs-Elysées Palace
Pont Alexandre III Museum Jacquemart-André

Metro stations: Alma – Marceau, Charles de Gaulle – Étoile Ternes, Courcelles, Monceau, Villiers, Rome, Liège, Place de Clichy, Saint-Lazare, Madeleine, Concorde, Champs-Élysées – Clemenceau, Franklin D. Roosevelt, George V, Saint-Philippe -du-Roule, Miromesnil, Saint-Augustin, Europe

9th arrondissement – ​​Opera – Opéra

It is located on the right bank of the Seine.

This area impresses with the luxurious architecture of its buildings. The pearl of the district is the famous Opera Garnier or Palais Garnier, where opera performances take place. It has a library-museum, which belongs to the French National Library. The Ninth Arrondissement is very developed commercially and financially; on its territory there is the Bank of France, various shopping arcades of the 19th century, and the large department stores Galeries Lafayette and Spring.

With a total area of ​​218 hectares, the Opera district ranks 15th in size. The 2015 census showed that there were 59,408 inhabitants.

The mayor of the district since 2014 is Delfina Bürkli.

Districts of the 9th district:

• Quartier Saint-Georges
• Quartier de la Chaussee-d'Antin
• Quartier du Faubourg Montmartre
• Quartier de Rochechouart

Attractions of the 9th arrondissement:

Galeries Lafayette Museum Grevin in Paris Church of Our Lady of Loreto
Church of the Holy Trinity Cabaret Folies Bergere

Metro stations: Madeleine, Saint-Lazare, Liège, Place de Clichy, Blanche, Pigalle, Anvers, Barbès – Rochechouart, Poissonnière, Grands Boulevards, Chaussée d'Antin – La Fayette, Richelieu – Drouot, Opéra, Havre – Caumartin, Chaussée d 'Antin - La Fayette Le Peletier, Trinité - d'Estienne d'Orves, Notre-Dame-de-Lorette, Cadet, Saint-Georges

10th arrondissement of Paris – Enclos-St-Laurent

The area is located on the right bank of the Seine. It is surrounded by two train stations - Northern and Eastern.

This district was formed on the site of a former vineyard plantation. Nowadays, it is chosen by numerous emigrants who open small shops and stalls in markets where they sell ethnic goods. For example, there is the African market Marche Dijon. The main attraction of the district is Republic Square. No less famous are the Red Light District and the Canal Saint Martin.

It is the thirteenth largest district in the city, covering an area of ​​289 hectares. At the time of the 2015 census, more than 91 thousand people lived here.

The mayor of the district since 2017 is Alexandra Cordebard.

Districts of the 10th arrondissement:

• Quartier Saint-Vincent-de-Paul
• Quartier de la Porte-Saint-Denis
• Quartier de la Porte-Saint-Martin
• Quartier de l'Hôpital-Saint-Louis

Attractions in the 10th arrondissement:

East Station North Station Church of St. Vincent de Paul

Metro stations: Bonne Nouvelle Poissonnière, Barbès – Rochechouart, La Chapelle, Stalingrad, Jaurès, Colonel Fabien, Belleville, Goncourt, République, Strasbourg – Saint-Denis, Jacques Bonsergent, Paris Est, Château-Landon, Gare du Nord, Louis Blanc

11th arrondissement of Paris – Popincourt

The eleventh arrondissement of Paris is also located on the right bank of the Seine.

This is the busiest part of the city, where life is in full swing around the clock. At night, all the capital’s youth flock here to have fun in local clubs and discos, and sit in bars or cafes. In the film “In Search of the Cat,” filmed in 1996 by director Cedric Klapisch, the action takes place in the Popincourt district.

Covering an area of ​​367 hectares, arrondissement 11 is the twelfth largest municipal arrondissement in Paris. But in terms of population density, it is the most densely populated not only in the French capital, but throughout the world. This is confirmed by the 2015 census data, according to which more than 149 thousand residents live here.

The mayor of the district since 2014 is François Voglin.

Districts of the 11th district:

• Quartier de la Folie-Méricourt
• Quartier Saint-Ambroise
• Quartier de la Roquette
• Quartier Sainte-Marguerite

Attractions of the 11th arrondissement:

July Column Opera Bastille Place de la Bastille

Metro stations: Bastille, Chemin Vert, Saint-Sébastien – Froissart, Filles du Calvaire, République, Goncourt, Belleville, Couronnes, Ménilmontant, Père Lachaise, Philippe Auguste, Alexandre Dumas, Avron, Nation, Faidherbe – Chaligny, Ledru-Rollin, Bréguet – Sabin, Rue des Boulets, Charonne, Voltaire, Saint-Ambroise, Oberkampf, Richard-Lenoir, Parmentier, Rue Saint-Maur

12th arrondissement of Paris – Reuilly – Reuilly

Since ancient times, the district has been considered a center of craft art, which was mainly inhabited by peasant artisans and people of creative professions. It was here that, until the end of the 20th century, the main transport hub of Paris was located, covering two eastern train stations - Lyon and Bercy. Today, part of the former Bercy railway line has been turned into the Viaduct of Arts pavilion, in the arches of which there are a variety of shops and craft workshops, studios of jewelers and designers. And Gare de Lyon, built in 1900, is still not only the largest railway terminal in the country, but also a local landmark of amazing beauty. This area is located in the eastern part of the city on the right side of the Seine. To the east it is adjacent to the communes of Charenton-le-Pont and Saint-Mandais.

The twelfth arrondissement, thanks to its extensive parks and boulevards immersed in vegetation, has been recognized as the “green lung” of the city. The capital's largest park complex is the Bois de Vincennes, a favorite vacation spot among Parisians. No less interesting is the Parc de Bercy, which occupies 14 hectares in area. On its territory there are exhibitions on landscape design and park management, as well as a huge city film archive - the Cinematheque.

This residential district ranks 5th among other municipal districts of the city. Its total area, including the forest park area, is more than 1,600 hectares. This is about 15% of the entire territory of Paris. In addition, it is quite densely populated, given the 2015 census data, according to which more than 142 thousand residents live here.

Catherine Baratti-Elbaz was elected to the post of mayor of the district in 2014.

Districts of the 12th arrondissement:

• Bel-Air
• Picpus
• Bercy
• Quinze-Vingts

Attractions of the 12th arrondissement:

Bercy Park Gare de Lyon Bois de Vincennes French Cinematheque

Metro stations: Chateau de Vincennes

13th arrondissement of Paris – Tapestry – Gobelins

Municipal district, which is located in the southeastern part of the city on the left bank of the Seine.

It was formed at the end of the 19th century, when the borders of Paris were expanded to include the communes of Ivry-sur-Seine and Gentilly, as well as part of the lands of arrondissement 12. In the history of this area, many important events took place in the field of technological progress. These included the landing of aviation pioneers Arland and Rozier, the opening of the first automobile plant and a chocolate factory. For a long time, immigrants from Asian countries - Japanese, Vietnamese, Chinese - came here, so Tapestry District is considered a bedroom community for emigrant workers. It even has its own Parisian Chinatown. In addition, on the territory there is the Austerlitz train station with an adjacent park, the largest library in France named after. François Mitterrand, the famous tapestry factory and the modern business district of Rive Gauche.

Covering an area of ​​more than 700 hectares, arrondissement No. 12 is the third largest in Paris. More than 183 thousand people live in this territory, according to data for 2015.

The mayor of the district since 2014 is Jérôme Coumet.

Districts of the 13th arrondissement:

• Quartier de la Salpetrière
• Quartier de la Gare
• Quartier de la Maison-Blanche
• Quartier de Croulebarbe

Attractions of the 13th arrondissement:

• Italy Square

Tapestry Factory Place d'Italie Chinatown National Library of France

Metro stations: Les Gobelins, Saint-Marcel, Gare d'Austerlitz, Porte d'Ivry, Porte de Choisy, Porte d'Italie, Maison Blanche, Tolbiac, Olympiades, Bibliothèque François Mitterrand, Glacière, Corvisart, Place d'Italie, Nationale, Chevaleret, Quai de la Gare, Campo-Formio

14th arrondissement of Paris – Observatory – Observatoire

It is located in the southern part of Paris on the left bank of the Seine.

The district is famous for the fact that on its territory there is the Montparnasse hill, revered among lovers of fine arts. There are many antique shops and amazing museums here, including the Paris Catacombs, which are a network of caves and underground tunnels.

It is surprising that earlier, starting from the 18th century, they were used as a cemetery. You can relax and enjoy the views of the Observatory district in small old cafes with live music, where many French celebrities sometimes gathered, and in Montsouris Park, which attracts with its waterfalls and exotic vegetation. This is an area with a fairly developed infrastructure, where there is a student campus and various healthcare institutions: institutes, old hospitals, maternity hospitals.

The fourteenth district ranks 9th in terms of area. According to 2015 data, its territory of 564 hectares is home to more than 139 thousand Parisians.

The district mayor's office has been headed by Karine Petit since 2014.

Districts of the 14th district:

• Monparnasse
• Montsouris
• Petit-Montrouge
• Plaisanse

Attractions of the 14th arrondissement:

Paris Observatory Cemetery Montparnasse Park Montsouris
Catacombs of Paris Montparnasse Gare de Morparnasse

Metro stations: Porte de Vanves, Porte d’Orléans, Alésia, Plaisance, Pernety, Mouton-Duvernet, Saint-Jacques, Denfert-Rochereau, Gaîté, Raspail, Vavin, Montparnasse – Bienvenüe

15th arrondissement of Paris – Vaugirard

This is a square-shaped residential district of Paris, located on the left bank of the Seine. Its borders partially cover Swan Island, created artificially.

It was formed in 1860 as a result of the annexation of the surrounding towns of Grenelle and Vaugirard to Paris. The famous Montparnasse quarter runs through the district, there are several theme parks and various sports facilities have been built.

Vaugirard is the largest district in Paris with a high population density. More than 236 thousand people live on an area of ​​850 hectares.

The post of district mayor has been held by Philippe Goujon since 2014.

Districts of the 15th arrondissement:

• Saint-Lambert
• Necker
• Grenelle
• Javel

Attractions of the 15th arrondissement:

Swan Island Museum of the Liberation of Paris Postal Museum
Beehive Bourdelle House Museum Montparnasse Tower

Metro stations: Ségur, Duroc, Balard, Porte de Versailles, Lourmel, Convention, Boucicaut, Félix Faure, Vaugirard, Commerce, Javel - André Citroën, Charles Michels, Avenue Émile Zola, La Motte-Picquet - Grenelle, Dupleix, Bir-Hakeim, Sèvres - Lecourbe, Pasteur, Falguière, Montparnasse - Bienvenüe

16th arrondissement of Paris – Passy

This area is located in the southwest of Paris on the right side of the Seine.

Its appearance dates back to the end of the 19th century, when the cities of Passy, ​​Auteuil and Chaillot joined Paris in 1860. Embassies representing more than 90 countries, including Russia, are located on the territory of the district. This area is considered very prestigious: many famous people of the city live here, and the area is full of luxury shops and expensive restaurants. It is also worth noting the La Défense business district, built in the mid-20th century on the initiative of Charles de Gaulle. Parisians call it the 21st arrondissement. It is impressive with the concentration of various industrial complexes, business centers, sports facilities and supermarkets. The district of Passy is also famous for its Bois de Boulogne; it was once a royal hunting ground, and today it is one of the largest parks in the world.

Arrondissement 16 is the second largest municipality in Paris. The 2015 population census showed that more than 165 thousand people live on an area of ​​791 hectares.

The mayor of the district since 2017 is Daniel Jazzi.

Districts of the 16th arrondissement:

• Quartier d'Auteuil
• Quartier de la Muette
• Quartier de la Porte-Dauphine
• Quartier de Chaillot

Historical center of Paris

You can start your walk from Concorde Square, which was once a place of executions. Further along the Tuileries Park, through the Louvre, to the Pont des Arts, we will see the arrow of the Ile de la Cité and the place of execution of the last Master of the Templar Order.

We will see the oldest Parisian bridge and a monument to the founder of the Bourbon dynasty. Let's admire the magnificent Paris City Hall and the latest inventions of the city mayor - here is an ice skating rink, a tennis court, an exhibition. Next - to the Ile de la Cité, to the most important monument of Paris - Notre Dame Cathedral.

Let's make a wish at Kilometer Zero. Then we will walk through the narrow streets of the Latin Quarter. Boulevard San Michele will lead us to the Roman Baths and the Museum of the Middle Ages. Next is the Sorbonne, the Pantheon. If you wish, we will take a walk through the Mouffetard quarter, where Hemenguey lived, and take a look at the ancient Roman arenas of Lutetia.

We will definitely go through the Luxembourg Gardens, where we will see the Medici palace and fountain. It’s difficult to finish a tour of the center - then you can walk along the streets of the heroes of “The Three Musketeers”, go to the Church of San Sulpice, and look at the Line of the Roses.

Starting point of the tour - Concorde Square

Famous historical districts of Paris usually belong to one of the municipal ones. The sights of the capital will be grouped according to the first ones. Routes around Paris can be laid out arbitrarily, but it is convenient to explore each historical district in its entirety. The streets of the old city are a museum of architecture in themselves, and are very cozy. Descriptions of the main attractions of Paris by historical district are given below.

Louvre

Central district of Paris (1st municipal district), near the main royal palace. Main attractions:

Islands of Cité and Louis

Large and small islands on the Seine, in the city center. Main attractions:

• Notre Dame- Notre Dame Cathedral. It was built in the XIII-XIV centuries. The most famous and largest cathedral in Paris.
• Palace of Justice, with the Clock Tower.
• Chapel Sainte-Chapelle.
• Conciergerie- former state prison, with the Silver Tower and Caesar's Tower.

Hill Montmartre

The highest point in Paris is located north of the center. The neighborhoods around the hill are a favorite place for artists, writers and other creative people. Below are the dirtier areas, there are also red light districts (near Place Pigalle) with brothels and night cabarets. Here you can find:

• Basilica of Sacré-Coeur- located on the top of the Montmartre hill. The church was built at the end of the 19th century, in the Roman-Byzantine style.
• Hill Square (Tertre)- Painters' Square.
• Moulin rouge- a famous cabaret in the red light district, near Place Pigalle.

Champs Elysees

The area west of the Louvre. Main attractions:

• Champs Elysees- an avenue and a walking park where there are many famous boutiques, shops, and restaurants.
• Place de la Concorde- in the center of which is the Luxor Obelisk.
• Triumphal Arch- located at the western end of the Champs Elysees, in the middle of Place Charles de Gaulle.
• Elysee Palace- the official residence of the presidents of the French Republic.

Palais Bourbon. Eiffel Tower

The area begins on the opposite bank of the Seine from the Louvre and goes southwest from the center. Main attractions:

• Eiffel Tower- a symbol of Paris, an openwork metal structure 320 m high. Divided into three levels. The lower levels can be reached by stairs or elevator, and the upper observation deck can only be reached by elevator. A magnificent panorama of the surrounding area opens from above. Adjacent to the Eiffel Tower Champ de Mars- festive square.
• Bourbon Palace (Palais Bourbon)- Prince Condé's palace, now the seat of the National Assembly.
• Ensemble of Disabled People- an architectural complex including the Invalides, the Cathedral and the Church of St. Louis. Now there are museums of the army and modern history, tombs of famous French military leaders (the most famous is Napoleon Bonaparte).
• Museum d'Orsay- Museum of Fine and Applied Arts, the main collections of which belong to the pen of the Impressionists and Post-Impressionists.

Latin Quarter

The old district of Paris, located around the Sorbonne, is the center of student life in the city. Tight streets, many inexpensive cafes, bistros and restaurants. Located on the slopes of St. Genevieve Hill, southeast of the Louvre and the Ile de la Cité. Main attractions:

• Sorbonne- a complex of buildings and the church of the University of Paris.
• Pantheon- the tomb of the great people of France: Rousseau, Hugo, Zola, Voltaire, Carnot, Mirabeau, Soufflot. In the domed part of the building there is a circular viewing platform, which can be reached by stairs.
• Saint-Etienne-du-Mont- a church built in a combination of Gothic and Renaissance styles.
• Val-de-Grâce- Baroque church.
• Botanical Garden.

Luxembourg

The area around the Luxembourg Gardens. Located south of the Louvre and the Ile de la Cité. Main attractions:

• Luxembourg Palace and Park- one of the favorite walking spots of Parisians, covering an area of ​​23 hectares. The palace is decorated in the Florentine style, and there are many statues and fountains in the park. Greenery, people walking and relaxing, portable chairs, athletes, bowlers - all this creates a cozy atmosphere.
• Square and Church of Saint-Germain-des-Prés- the oldest church in Paris, built in the Romanesque style.
• Saint-Sulpice- the second largest church in Paris after Notre Dame.
• Boulevard Montparnasse.

Other attractions

• Central Market- shopping districts northeast of the Louvre, covering the Central Market Forum, the Commerce Exchange and the Georges Pompidou Center - glass and metal pavilions.
• Opera- also the Grand Opera or Opera Garnier, one of the most famous opera houses in the world, and the surrounding area.
• Père Lachaise Cemetery- the largest Parisian cemetery, where many famous people are buried: composers Bizet and Chopin, writers Musset, Moliere, La Fontaine, Daudet, Proust, Balzac, and many others, actors, philosophers, scientists, military men and politicians.
• Bois de Vincennes and castle.
• Bois de Boulogne.
• Defense- a modern business district with distinctive architecture. High-rise glass buildings of various geometric shapes, avant-garde monuments and the Great Arch (height 105 m, with a panoramic tower).
• Versailles- a luxurious palace and park complex located 20 km southwest of Paris.