Parisian Neighborhoods

Paris owes both its development and much of its visual appeal to the Seine River, which
weaves through its heart. Each bank of the Seine has its own personality; the Rive
Droite (Right Bank), with its spacious boulevards and formal buildings, generally has a
more sober and genteel feeling than the more carefree and bohemian Rive Gauche
(Left Bank) to the south. The historical and geographical heart of the city is Notre-Dame
Cathedral on the Ile de la Cit�, the larger of the Seine's two islands (the other is the Ile
St-Louis).

The best way to get to know Paris is on foot, although public transportation, particularly
the mètro subway system, is excellent. Serious explorers should buy a Plan de Paris
booklet, a city map-guide with a street-name index that also shows mètro stations (note
that all mètro stations have a detailed neighborhood map just inside the entrance.

Paris first became a magnet for the international avant-garde in the mid-1800s, and the
city remained Europe's most creative and bohemian capital until the 1950s. It all began
just south of Montmartre, when Romantics including writers Charles Baudelaire and
George Sand, with her lover, Polish composer Chopin, moved into the streets below
boulevard de Clichy.

Impressionist painters Claude Monet, Edouard Manet, and Mary Cassatt kept studios
here, near Gare St-Lazare, so they could conveniently commute to the countryside or
simply paint the bustle of the train station itself. By the 1880s, the neighborhood
dancehalls had a new attraction: the cancan, a dance that flashed basic instinct-esque
skin. By 1889 that cancan had become a sellable commodity, and the Zidler brothers
opened the Moulin Rouge cabaret. Toulouse-Lautrec designed posters advertising the
stars of the neighborhood and sketched prostitutes in his spare time.

Montmartre's influence had legs; the artistic maelstrom continued through the Belle
èpoque and beyond. In the early 1900s Picasso and Braque launched Cubism from a
ramshackle hillside studio building, the Bateau-Lavoir. Today Montmartre is home to
Bohemian Paris and the birth of cubism, cabarets and street artists.

Paris has the distinct recognition of being most visited city as well as the gay capital of
the world. It was the first capital in the world to elect an openly gay mayor in 2001. Gay
Pride in June fills the street of Marais with as many as 500,000 , Le Maris is made up of
the 3 & 4th districts.

Once just a village that settled on the "Ile de la Cite" (City Island) on the confluence of the
Seine's two branches, Paris has vastly expanded over the centuries, taking the
surrounding villages under its wing and making them its own. Nowadays the City of
Light, a name Paris earned during the age of the Enlightenment, is made up of several
arrondissments or districts, numbered from 1 to 20 and logically ordered with the 1st in
the centre and the others following on in a clockwise spiral. The differences are vast and
varied between the districts, both in terms of the populations and attractions, which
together make up the multifaceted city we know and love.

1st: With its impressive collection of paintings and sculptures, the Louvre attracts
visitors from the world over, who often combine it with a stroll in the adjoining Tuileries
gardens. Designers of haute couture, including Yves St-Laurent and Dior, have set up
shop in Rue St-Honore, just a short walk from the majestic Place Vendome, home to
some of the finest jewellers in Paris. If luxury seems to be the prevailing feature in the
1st district, it has also lovingly accepted the Forum des Halles, the city's largest
shopping centre.

2nd: With its little back streets harbouring galleries, cafes and boutiques, this district
sets a typically Parisian scene. West of Rue Richelieu stands the theatre district where
a dozen or so playhouses throng. The Bourse de Paris (Paris Stock Exchange) draws
its clientele from the surrounding business community, while certain clothing factories
in the Sentier district are now home to new internet companies.

3rd: The Marais district prides itself on being one of the oldest and best preserved in
Paris. This district was height of fashion in the 17th century. And one can still see the
splendor with the glorious mansions formerly housing nobility. Today, Le Marais is the
largest historic district in all of France. It is also recognized as one of the trendier
neighborhoods in Paris. Ironically, the neighborhood still is known as the old Jewish
quarter which was established back in the 13th century. The heart of the Jewish vibe is
Rue des Rosiers, the main thoroughfare lined with falafel , cheesecake and Jewish
delicacies. In keeping with this yearning for yesteryear, a museum charting the history
ofthe capital (Musee Carnavalet) can also be found here. Scattered with trendy bars, cafes
and stylish boutiques, the Marais has also become the Mecca of gay nightlife in Paris.

4th: Undoubtedly one of the most picturesque districts. The oldest wine bar in Paris;
packed with both locals and tourists is La Tartine. On Thursday and Sunday, Richard
Lenoir roving market (one of Paris' best) is a delight and on Ruse St- Antoine stock up
on your pre-made gourmet food. The Marais is the only neighborhood with shops open
on Sundays. The largest concentration of individual museums is found in Marais, Kwok-
On( Asian), Cagnacq-Jay ( 18th century art and fournishing), the unforgettable Picasso
museum is my favorite it is housed in the Hotel Sales. Wander across the bridge
opposite the Hotel de Ville (town hall) and you will drift on to the capital's two islands -
Ile de la Cite and Ile Saint-Louis where a visit to the stunning Notre-Dame Cathedral is
an absolute must. Back on the right bank, Place des Vosges, a beautiful old square
lined with ancient buildings, is a wonderful witness to times gone by, while the
Beaubourg centre of contemporary art confirms its resolutely futuristic outlook.

5th: This and the adjoining 6th district comprise the Quartier Latin (Latin Quarter),
bastion of student life and higher education in Paris. Within a 100m radius around the
Pantheon you'll find some of the most prestigious schools and universities in the whole
of France. The Jardin des plantes, Paris' botanical gardens and zoo, is at once a calm
and exotic place, and the Arènes de Lutèce (remains of a Roman amphitheatre) remind
us just how rich the history of Paris really is. You'll find the Museum of the Middle Ages in
Cluny Square. As picturesque as you could possibly imagine, the quaysides double as
an enthralling treasure trove of second-hand bookstalls. Come nightfall, the young
crowds flock to Place de la Contrescarpe and Rue Mouffetard.

6th: Rue de Seine, de Buci, Mazarine and Dauphine, along with the whole area between
Boulevard St-Germain and the river Seine itself, are wholeheartedly characteristic of the
allure of Paris. The core of St. Germain is the daily food market (except Monday) on Rue
de Buci. Artfully arranged stalls of deicious food compete for attention from all your
senses. Discover the little cafes and boutiques of the chic-intellectual district of St-
Germain-des-Près, and the bars and nightspots when the sun goes down. If on the
other hand you want to escape, take some peaceful time out in the Jardin du
Luxembourg.

7th: Known as the mecca of embassies and grand avenues but more commonly known
as the "quartier des ministres" (ministers' quarter), the 7th district also boasts some of
Paris' most beautiful monuments - the Invalides, the Eiffel Tower, the Champ de Mars -
literally meaning "Field of Mars", this was originally a parade ground for cadets in the
Ecole Militaire (Military Academy). Between Quai Voltaire and Rue de l'Universite, dozens
upon dozens of antique dealers entice you into their shops on the Carre Rive Gauche,
and if you are in an artistic frame of mind, the spectacular Musee d'Orsay is well worth a
browse. Rue Cler is the district's signature daily market ideal for fresh vegetables, fruits
and on the weekends expect live entertainment.

8th: Naturally, any visit to the 8th district has to start on the most beautiful avenue in the
world - the fabulous Champs-Elysees, which extends from Place de l'Etoile down to the
finishing post on Place de la Concorde. Also worth seeing is La Madeleine, a
neoclassical church - and jogger's paradise, the Parc Monceau. Music lovers will find
heaven in a shopping trip along Rue de Rome. Other places of interest include the
Grand and Petit Palais, as well as the Palais de la Decouverte (the Palace of Discovery),
which makes the fascinating world of science accessible to all.

9th: Its impressive elegance makes the Opera (opera house) undeniably one of Paris'
most exquisite monuments. You can take in the waxworks at Musee Grevin, and stroll
through Nouvelles Ath�nes (New Athens) near the St-Georges metro, but this area is
also characterized by large department stores, including Printemps, Galeries Lafayette,
and Marks & Spencer.

10th: Running the entire length of the Canal St-Martin, the Quais de Valmy and de
Jemappes extend either side of the water to provide one of the most delightful walks in
Paris; from Rue de la Temple to Place de Stalingrad you will pass many a lock and
maybe the odd barge or two.

11th: Formerly the haunt of furniture craftsmen, the Bastille district now plays host to an
entirely different scene: that of Paris' young and trendy in-crowd. Rue du Faubourg-St-
Antoine has seen many a restaurant and nightspot spring up and flourish. Neighbouring
Rue de Lappe is probably the place to be seen, while others prefer the buzz of Rue
Oberkampf a little further north.

12th: Paris' pleasure beach can be found here, between the Seine and the Place de la
Bastille, where the imposing Palais Omnisport de Paris-Bercy takes pride. The Palais
Omnisport de Paris-Bercy serves as the venue for a variety of sporting and musical
events, which often sell out very quickly, so be warned! Located to the far west of the city,
but still within its limits, the Bois de Vincennes is a wonderful place to wander,
especially around the lake.

13th: The easterly part of this district is known as "Chinatown", inhabited by an
unbelievable number of Chinese and Asian restaurants, shops and supermarkets. The
new Bibliothèque nationale de France (National Library) has also taken up residence in
this area, overlooking the Quai de la Gare on the Seine. To the west of the district,
meander through the small village of Buttee-aux-Cailles an extraordinary find in the
capital city. By way of contrast, but all within the same district, Place d'Italie boasts the
biggest cinema screen in Europe.

14th: Rue Alesia stands out for its array of clothes shops, while Parc Montsouris is
arguably one of the most charming green spots in the city. The international city
university stands just opposite and is well worth a visit as it features architectural styles
from all over the world. Finally, you can take a look at the Bronze Lion of Belfort in Place
Denfert-Rochereau.

15th: Set along the banks of the Seine, the delightful Andre Citroèn park, named in
honour of the famous car manufacturer, while a little further north, overlooking the river,
you'll find Paris' skyline of skyscrapers peering down at a replica (or did this one come
first?) of the Statue of Liberty.

16th: There's no denying that this is the most fashionable district of Paris. Although
some will debate that the distinction belongs to the 7th, regardless this district is home
to many wealthy Parisians. The Trocadero offers a remarkable view of the city, as well
as two museums (Marine - the Naval Museum and Homme the Museum of Mankind).
Avenue Foch is destined to impress, as is the Parc des Princes. West of the ring road,
roams the Bois de Boulogne wood, which although best avoided after dark, is a real
delight during the day.

17th: This diverse district really contains more than one neighborhood, with the portion,
in the west, near the Arc de Triomph and Parc Monceau, being very upscale.

18th: The Basilique du Sacre-Coeur (the Basilica of the Sacred Heart) is another must-
see monument in the City of Lights. Looking up at the basilica from the market below is
sure to take your breath away (as will all the steps you have to climb to reach it!). A short
walk from the Sacre-Coeur takes you to Place du Tertre, drenched in the atmosphere of
"old Paris" which cannot fail to captivate, even if it is teeming with tourists. Rue des
Abesses, with its trendy boutiques and bars, draws a hipper kind of crowd alongside the
famous Pigalle area, Paris' red light district, and home to a famous nightlife of cabarets
and bars.

19th: The Cite des Sciences et de l'Industrie (City of Science and Industry) was
designed as Paris' window onto the world of science; an objective that has been
reached mainly courtesy of the Geode, a hemispherical cinema. The Buttes Chaumont,
is the ideal place for a relaxing walk, which you can finish off with the second part of
Canal St-Martin as mentioned above.

20th: The most well-known cemetery in Paris, the Père-Lachaise is the final resting
place of many famous artists, and is one of the most visited sites in the city. Memories
of Jim Morrison are obviously still very much alive as his tomb is permanently carpeted
with flowers. While the young arty crowds of the city tend to hang out further and further to
the east of the city, mainly in the Bastille district which is rapidly surrendering to
consumerism, this area has managed to hold on to its working-class origins, hence its charm