ARTICLES
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 Cité,
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 of the 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 Athénes (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 laBastille, 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 |
